Warlords, Witches and Wolves: A Fantasy Realms Anthology

by Michelle Diener

  She licked the drop of blood off her lip, her eyes dark as a moonless night.

  “Does it taste good?” He whispered.

  “That first sip of coffee in the morning, or sip of liquor in the evening. That moment just before…” She drew in a breath. “I shouldn’t be tasting wolf blood.”

  “I want you to.” He wanted her fangs in his neck. Maybe the desire to be bitten is why wolves were forbidden to be with vampires, it was too easy to fall into their thrall.

  She hooked her leg over his hip and dragged him closer. He didn’t even try to resist. Even if he did, she’d be stronger and would become stronger with each passing year. He pressed into her, sinking into her wet heat.

  Her eyelids flickered closed as she hooked her other leg around his hips and met each thrust. The tips of her fangs were visible, gleaming white against her lip. His blood was hot, even as the breeze swept over his skin. He buried his face against her neck and nipped at her skin. She tightened around him, so he did it again, biting harder, though he’d never break the skin with human teeth, and he had no desire to taste her blood.

  Macey shuddered beneath him, her heartbeat fast and unsteady in his ears. Her nails pressed into his back as she took what she needed. Her core clenched around him as she came, sending him over the edge. He didn’t want it to be over already, so he dragged out the sensation, every part of him overly sensitive. She brushed her lips over his throat, and he turned his head offering her more. Needing more.

  But she didn’t bite.

  He drew back and tried to ignore the ache of missing something he shouldn’t want. He hadn’t asked outright, and she wasn’t going to take. And he wasn’t even sure he could ask. What would those words sound like on his tongue?

  He was too aware of his pulse as she opened her eyes and gazed up at him. Her legs eased their grip, releasing him from her hold, but he didn’t pull away.

  “I’ll help you with your pack, but when this ends and you want a wolf by your side, what then?”

  He doubted that would happen. Macey had a spark that called to him. “Relationships fall apart, and packs go on. I will let you leave. I don’t want people in my pack who long to be elsewhere. That’s not fair, or right.”

  She nodded. “Does that mean this is a relationship?”

  Was it? He wasn’t sure, but he liked the idea. “It could be.”

  “But only after the pack is sorted.”

  He lowered his gaze. “Yes. If my father were to find out, there’d be hell to pay.”

  Her fingertips brushed over the scratches she’d left on his back. They stung a little, but he wanted to wear her marks.

  “My pack wouldn’t be thrilled, but I don’t think they’d banish me.”

  He kissed her and pulled away to find his clothes. The wet fabric of his shorts clung to his legs as he dressed. He’d have to shower before he returned to the cabin he shared with his pack, so the other wolves didn’t smell her on him.

  Macey propped herself up on one elbow, her skin gleaming in the moonlight. “What do you need me to do?”

  “Nothing. Just continue to think about moving and talking to people. Find out who else wants to move. Progressives only, not those who only tolerate change. I want to make something different. Times have changed and we need to look forward instead of clinging to the rules that kept us safe it the Dark Ages.”

  “Some will hate you. They’ll say you are putting us at risk.”

  He glanced at her. “I’d never put wolves in danger. But old hierarchy rules? We aren’t actual wolves, and this isn’t a fiefdom. There doesn’t need to be a pecking order. We can be equal and operating for the benefit of all.”

  “And vampires aren’t shunned.”

  He nodded and leaned over to kiss her. “Definitely not. I have never understood why vampires need to be kept on the fringe.”

  She looked away. “There’s a theory that wolves are afraid of us. We’re stronger and faster and never need to run as a wolf.”

  That was a possibility. “Are the vampire’s planning a coup?”

  “Not that I know of. You are the only one planning and scheming.”

  He grinned. “Let’s keep it that way. If too many people find out it will be over before it begins. There will be other packs jostling to take over the Death Valley pack territory. And it will be up to Ajax to decide how he wants the pack to end.”

  She sat up and wrapped the towel around herself. “But you still need your own people?”

  He didn’t know the makeup of Ajax’s pack, but if no one had fully shifted for long enough that the pack was being declared dead then it would mostly be vampires and old wolves. “I’ll need wolves to bring up the numbers. I have a second already.”

  How would Ajax feel given that he was supposed to be the leader? Not that a vampire could lead a pack. Had there ever been such a thing? The wolf packs wouldn’t allow a pack of vampires to exist, nor could he imagine Ajax disbanding and letting his friends and family live as rogue vampires.

  “The surrounding packs will argue.”

  “I know. Which is why everything has to be in place.” He needed a pack and Ajax’s approval before the idea was presented at the council. There was one meeting near the end where people requested to change packs. It was a formality and most of the time it all went smoothly because the details had already been worked out. Some people had already been living with their new pack for a year or more if they’d had to move because of work.

  This would be different. This would be a friendly takeover with no bloodshed. Hopefully. He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Thank you.”

  “I haven’t done anything yet.”

  Chapter 5

  Owen waited until Macey was gone, then he took a quick dip in the lake to wash away as much of her scent as possible, before dressing, again, and making his way back to the cabins. A snarl was the only warning Owen received before he was knocked off his feet. His back hit the dirt and his cousin pinned him down.

  Ben’s fingers dug into his shoulders. “I smell her on you.”

  A growl lodged in Owen’s throat, and he shoved Ben’s head away. Owen lifted his hips and bucked Ben off. “So what.”

  Before Owen could scramble up Ben was on him again. “Fucking blood drinkers is forbidden.”

  Owen slammed his elbow into his cousin’s head. He didn’t want to hurt Ben too bad, but he didn’t want to get hurt either. “What gives you the right to follow me around?”

  “Your brother thought you were up to something. I’m protecting your pack, our family before you shame us all.”

  They grappled, kicking up dirt, pushing and twisting and trying to gain the upper hand. Owen’s heart hammered. They didn’t know he was trying to form a pack, they thought he was just messing around with Macey. He should be glad that was all they knew. “What are you going to do? I can fuck who I want.”

  “No, you can’t. I’m taking you to your father so he can sort you out before everyone finds out and you tarnish our pack.” Ben got off him and hauled him up.

  Owen broke free and shoved Ben hard, so he stumbled into a tree. “Mind your own business.”

  “You should be minding pack business.” Ben charged at him again, but Owen moved out of the way.

  Hands grabbed at him before he could make his escape. His brother.

  “I’ve got him. Father will be pissed.” Joel punched Owen in the kidney. “Stop struggling.”

  Owen fought for calm. Joel wanted a reason to hurt him, to ensure that his status remained intact while Owen’s was lowered. He needed to stop and think. Heat spread from his lower back as he drew in a breath. “Fine, take me to him.”

  It was the last thing he wanted. He knew what was coming.

  The main pack assembled, most were in pajamas and no one was happy to be there. This could’ve waited until daylight. There was no need to do it at all. This was nothing but a power play. A reminder that Owen was expected to obey whatever command he was given.


  Owen was pushed to his knees in the center to answer for his crimes. The wolves were at the front of the circle, vampires at the back. His father could’ve sent vampires after him, but they might have been sympathetic.

  He’d seen others in this situation, brought before his father to pay penance for breaching a rule, but had never thought he’d be here to be punished so publicly. Slowly he lifted his gaze to his father. He wouldn’t be cowed or ashamed.

  “You are accused of forbidden relations with a vampire,” his father intoned. There was a glimmer in his eyes though, like he’d waited for his younger son to screw up in a big way and he was enjoying this moment. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  Had he questioned his father too many times? Railed against the restrictions and laws once too often?

  Or not often enough?

  There was no point in denying, so he didn’t waste his breath on lies. “The old laws forbid it. But not all packs follow those rules. Not all follow the past blindly.”

  “We follow them, and you will be punished according to the old rules. You will fight until you submit to your brother.” His father smiled.

  So did Joel.

  They’d fought a lot as pups, only once since getting fur. Never for blood.

  Owen swallowed. If he submitted, he’d be sunk to the bottom of the pack until he could prove he put the pack first. If he won, he’d have to take Joel’s place as their father’s second. Either way he was bound to the pack and trapped.

  Did his father know something or have suspicions?

  If he fought, then regardless of the outcome his father won. And his father knew that.

  But Owen had studied the old laws and traditions. He’d searched for reasons for them to be relevant. But most were based on fear, superstition, or the hunger for power. His father was a petty tyrant, and his brother was no better. They’d never sacrifice themselves for their pack.

  There was a third option. But it was equally unpalatable as it put Macey in harms way. But Owen had no doubt that his father had already put a target on her back and asked the pack vampires to go a little harder on her at training. Whether or not they would was up for debate. Who’d snitch and report back to his father? There was always someone wanting to curry favor.

  The bullshit and ego that this pack was built on grated on his bones. But he couldn’t change things here. Not even if he won and became his father’s second. His father would simply grind him down, the way he’d been trying to for the last five years.

  There was only way out and he hoped Macey would forgive him.

  “I will not fight.”

  “You will kneel and let Joel take blood without even trying to retain your place?” His father laughed and others joined in.

  Owen’s gaze flicked to the watchers. Did they think he needed knocked down a peg or were they only laughing to be seen to support his father? It was hard to tell. Those that liked the old ways were let into the pack, those that didn’t were rarely allowed to leave. His father believing it was safer to watch them and force them to conform.

  His father beckoned Joel into the circle.

  Owen stared at his father. “I invoke the right to defense.”

  It was dishonorable to not fight your own battles. But a wolf didn’t have to fight, they could ask a vampire to fight and take the risk of injury.

  Joel’s smug smile froze. “What’s that?”

  Owen kept his voice level, even though he had scored the first victory and exposed Joel’s ignorance. “You follow the old ways and like tradition? The right to defense is the third option in your preferred way of dealing with issues. I can choose a vampire to fight in my place.”

  Owen glanced at the vampires ringing the wolves. One of them gave a slight nod as though in agreement. But he wouldn’t ask one of the pack’s vampires. They were loyal to the leader, in action if not always in thought.

  His father scowled. “Then pick one.”

  “I have to fight a vampire?” Joel grimaced like it was beneath him.

  “I don’t want any of them. They are yours, father.” Owen glanced at Joel. “I want Macey.”

  “You want to have her to fight in your place?” Joel’s words were laced with scorn.

  Owen’s heart beat hard and each breath hurt. He nodded. “Yes.”

  She may not agree. If she didn’t, he’d be demoted to the bottom with no other questions being asked. If Macey agreed and she won, then things would get very interesting. He was walking a dangerous path by not submitting.

  Whatever happened, he doubted he’d be in this pack come dawn.

  Macey drank the offered shot then shook off the burn. She didn’t need liquor to unwind, but she was a vampire and she needed to hang out with vampires. Not just to listen to gossip, but because, as Talia had said, she needed to accept what she was.

  It was much easier to accept herself when people weren’t treating her like she didn’t belong.

  Someone slapped her on the shoulder. “Nice fight today.”

  “Thanks.” She turned and came face to face with Ajax, but he was already moving past and saying something to another newbie. Despite his all-round surliness he took his job of teaching seriously.

  He would’ve been an excellent pack leader if he’d been a wolf.

  “How was your swim?” Talia leaned on the bar next to her.

  “Wet.” She spun the shot glass. “It’s weird hearing all those tiny heartbeats…weirder to hear the slower ones and not know where the monster is lurking.”

  Talia studied her for a moment, but then shook her head and said nothing.

  The dining room echoed with heartbeats, and while they were all vampire, the room was divided. Not by gender or pack, but by age as people caught up with friends they rarely saw face to face. She’d never seen so many vampires in one room. And while their numbers didn’t rival the wolves, if they all walked away, there was nothing the wolves could do about it. They couldn’t all be called rogue and hunted.

  Could they?

  Someone hammered on the door then it swung open. Conversation died as everyone turned to look at the wolf.

  “It’s our night so fuck off,” a vampire yelled.

  Several others cheered. The wolf didn’t move. She remained by the door, scanning the room as though looking for someone. Macey’s gut tightened.

  “I’m here for Macey Stenning.”

  “Why?” Talia straightened.

  Several other vampires shook off relaxation and coiled as though ready to fight. Like they were willing to protect her even though they barely knew her.

  Macey didn’t move, not wanting to draw attention.

  The wolf sniffed as her gaze darted around the room. “She’s here. I can smell her.”

  “Why do you want her?” An older man asked. His skin was pale like he hadn’t seen the sun in a decade or more, and his fangs were down. “This is important vampire business.”

  The wolf snorted, then called out, “Macey Stenning, Owen Fyfe requests your presence at the emergency pack meeting.”

  Something about the way she said it made Macey’s blood run cold. She stood.

  A few people glanced at her including the wolf. The wolf nodded, there was no hiding now.

  “It’s not your pack. You don’t have to go, just because a wolf orders,” Talia muttered.

  Around the room there were whispers. Her cheeks heated. Had they all heard about her and Owen or were they guessing at the reasons?

  “And if I don’t go?” Macey asked.

  “He will be outcast.”

  Macey drew in a breath. “And if I do go what happens?”

  The wolf shrugged. “That’s not my problem. I was told to fetch you. Will you attend?”

  Talia put a hand on her arm. “Whatever is going on, you don’t need to be mixed up in it.”

  “I think it’s too late.” Her teeth worried at her lip.

  Someone slammed down a glass.

  “Fuck it, all tonight needed was a good fig
ht.” Ajax stood. “She doesn’t go alone.”

  “That’s not…that is you aren’t invited.”

  “Do I look like I care?” Ajax turned. “Two more with me and Macey. What’s your pack, newbie?”

  “Green River,” Macey forced the words out.

  “I’ll come with you.” Talia moved to stand with Macey.

  “No you won’t, newbie, you can go to Green River and tell them there’s trouble with the Portland pack. Any Green River vamps here?”

  One stood. “The others didn’t come.”

  They hadn’t wanted to, and Macey didn’t blame them. It wasn’t compulsory for vampires except for their first one after failing to shift.

  “You can’t all come.” The wolf said, but she didn’t sound confident.

  “Well, maybe we’re just going for a walk and we happen to be going in the same direction.” Ajax grinned. “Start walking.” He gave Macey a nudge forward.

  She walked to the door, not sure she felt better with the vampires at her back or worse because now everything would be out in the open. They’d all hear she was fucking a wolf and the paltry amount of respect she’d earned would evaporate.

  The wolf didn’t move aside as Macey drew level with her. Instead she took a rather dramatic sniff. “Smells like the rumors were true.”

  Shit. This was about her and Owen. “What have you done to him?”

  What were they going to do to her?

  “Nothing yet.” The wolf glanced at the vampires behind Macey. “But I wouldn’t dawdle for your new friends if I were you.”

  She followed the wolf through the campgrounds. The night was eerie and quiet. Was everyone else in bed or deliberately staying in to avoid the trouble? She shouldn’t have gone to the lake. Then Owen wouldn’t have gotten caught.

  How had his father found out?

  The vampires followed at a distance, but it felt like she was walking into a trap. If Owen’s father expected her to admit to something so he could punish Owen, he was going to be bitterly disappointed.