Lycan Gladiator (Wolf Maiden Saga)

by Gordon, Eva

  His eyes darkened. “I promised the Emperor private games with our lycans, and I anticipate injuries.”

  Domitian knew. She lifted her chin, feigning an inquisitive question. “But the omegas with the exception of Ulric will still fight as men?”

  He loomed closer. “I have chosen to gift my beloved emperor with our sacred blood vow.”

  She met his eyes but silenced her tongue. The Lupercal must find out.

  He took her aside while his men stood at attention. “Don’t you see? The emperor’s two children died from illness; he has no heirs.” His eyes widened in fervor. “Imagine if Rome had a lycan emperor. Lupa the lycan who suckled the weak twin infants, Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome, should have eaten them and let one of our own start this kingdom.”

  She spoke boldly, “I am simply a slave, given the blood vow by Gaius, but I know that your goddess Feronia does not wish to rule over man but rather to watch him as a shepherd watches his sheep.”

  Macula snorted, “Soft babble. What do you expect of a society run by females?”

  Would he usurp the Lupercal and go rogue? Every pack would be at his throat. Were the other Roman packs siding with him? No matter. If he became Emperor, he would have Rome’s mighty army behind him. He would use wolfsbane-laced arrows to conquer enemy packs like he had the Chattian wolfen.

  “The Lupercal once served its purpose, but now it is time a male alpha rules all the packs. Our so-called council makes a mockery of our superior power over you inferior humans. Petronia is a runt who should have been snuffed at birth.” He smiled, “Gather some garments and that salve for Lucius.” He gestured for his men to approach. “Go with the physician and help bring out her tools and potions.”

  She entered her home for the last time. Her important items, already packed, but since the men could carry more she quickly packed her many jars of potions.

  Macula grabbed the sac containing Gaius’ journals. “These I will dispose of.”

  She stiffened. The precious scrolls contained not only important medical notes and formulas, but they were all that she had of her beloved mentor and surrogate father. “No, these journals detail his experience in treating every lycan injury and illness.”

  He sneered at her, “Like the journal he kept of Titus’ physician? The one he handed over to Senator Didius to poison the army against him?”

  Her heart raced. “No!”

  Macula bore his fangs at her, “Silence!”

  She flinched and cast her gaze down.

  He turned to one of his betas and handed him the sac, “Burn it!”

  His beta bowed, “Yes, my lord.” He lit a brazier and prepared a fire.

  Cassia froze in horror as they burned her last connection to Gaius.

  Chapter 16

  The clang of sword against shield reverberated throughout the compound’s elliptical arena as Ulric practiced strikes with an omega. He prepared his fellow slaves not only for the games but to face combat during their planned escape. Macula allowed Ulric to be the official trainer of lycan gladiators, a sudden reversal. The alpha had never trusted Ulric to train the omegas. His attitude had changed, but why?

  After they practiced, Ulric called, “Attention!” They lined before him standing straight, eyes in front but not meeting his, shields held by their grips and gladius on their right hands. They secretly accepted Ulric as their alpha leader and were willing to die for him.

  Ulric spoke in Chattian. The omegas from other tribes had quickly picked up his language. Escape plans were never spoken in Latin, lest someone hear. “I will shift and demonstrate how you hold a gladius in your wolfen jaws. It will serve as an extra weapon.” Though claws and fangs served a deadly purpose, the gladius would be an added lethal tool against a lycan. He dropped his arm guards, his breaches, and shifted. He shook his long silver grey fur and then with his jaws picked up the gladius by the handle. He lunged at a stuffed straw replica of a gladiator. He ripped at the gut area and then hamstringed the replica. He demonstrated other techniques to aid in their escape.

  His pack growled in approval. Ulric returned to his human form and dressed. “Killing Roman soldiers will be like killing game. The same cuts will kill a lycan. We will escape on a full moon.” He would not disclose the specific cycle date until the very last minute, when he determined the most opportune time. His friend Varus taught him everything about Spartacus, an escaped gladiator from long ago. “Our advantage over Spartacus is that under the full moon we will travel as wolves. As we roam through the countryside, you are to release horses and livestock. Rumors of the dreaded Verspilles will send shock waves and panic throughout Rome.” His pack growled in approval.

  Ulric continued, “Our best opportunity is to outrun Macula’s pack and head west to Gaul, the Lupercal’s new home. The coward will cut his pursuit rather than face packs loyal to the Lupercal. Our greatest danger will be breaking out of his territory.” He snarled, “Are you with me? Freedom or death.”

  The omegas raised their weapons and cheered.

  Macula’s beta guard approached. “Ulricus, why are the omegas so…enthusiastic?”

  “Winning, my Lord.” Ulric turned to his pack. “Take a water break. They bowed and ambled toward the water barrel and waiting buckets.

  The beta narrowed his gaze. “Yes, the next planned game will be bigger and better than any other.” He turned and left.

  A slave brought Ulric a bucket. He poured the water over his sweat-lathered body. What was Domitian planning? Would he survive? Whatever it is, I will win, not for Macula but for my beloved. Ah, to feel her in my arms. Soon, my beloved, Cassia. He had to be patient despite his strong desire to be with his mate.

  His mother was to inform him once Cassia reached the Lupercal in Etruria to wait for Petronia. His mother was already there. He smiled. The last message from his mother was that she practiced with her bow every day. Even if they failed, at least Cassia got away from Macula and his viper of a wife. He gladly faced death, knowing Cassia was safe. Freedom or death.

  He returned to his quarters and opened a latch beneath the floor. He picked up a leather harness. An omega responsible for lycan riding equipment had provided them with harnesses for their shields and weapons. Tools for their escape.

  After the pack quenched their thirst, Ulric ordered them back to practice.

  Bernardus, a beta and second in command shouted to him in Chattian, “Ulric you have a visitor.”

  Ulric put his gladius down and turned. He gritted his teeth. Floretta and her bitch Nox approached, followed by ten beta guards. All the lycans bowed in submission. Ulric did not. The raised welts from the whip still stung. After Macula had announced that Ulric had taken Cassia’s maidenhood, Floretta promised him vengeance. On his return, she had Silo flog him. The cruel lycan who had bruised Cassia. Silo howled in joy, pleased to mete out the punishment against Ulric. After fifty lashes, Silo splashed salt water over his ripped flesh. In his agonized rage, Ulric ripped his restraints and shifted.

  Silo snapped the whip and took out his sword. “Stand back, slave!”

  Ulric lunged at him and sank his fangs into his throat. Silo, lying on his back, shuddered once, then stilled.

  Ulric shifted back and scowled at Floretta. “No beta will call me a slave.”

  He snarled at the memory of her cruel castigation. Nox sensed his agitation, stepped in front of her mistress, and growled a warning. She grinned. “Try anything gladiator and you will be slaughtered.”

  Well aware of the armed lycan soldiers, he suppressed his anger. He curled a smile, “Domina, I thought you were still in Rome with your beloved life mate.”

  She scowled. “He sent us back early; he had private business with Emperor Domitian.”

  “So you are here to torment me.” He scoffed, “How many lashes am I to receive for not bowing?”

  Floretta hissed, “I wish to talk to you. Alone.”

  “Our master wishes us to practice until he returns from Rome.”

  N
ox flexed her whip a breath away from his arm. He did not flinch. She snarled at the others, “Back to your quarters!”

  The omegas obeyed and with lowered heads left.

  Floretta shot Nox a glare. “Alone, without you.”

  Nox flashed her fangs at Ulric before leaving. She and the guards moved to the gates of the arena. Floretta grabbed his arm guard. “Let us talk inside.”

  He followed her towards one of the small rooms designated for prostitutes. He refused to go in. “We will talk out here.”

  She pouted and fingered his chest. He quivered. “Ulric, now that your mother is safe can we not enjoy each other’s company?”

  “You know the consequences of murdering a wolf maiden. Even so, you would find a way.”

  She met his eyes and nodded. “True. The law does say only those who spill wolf maiden blood directly will be damned. If Domitian ordered her crucified for heresy, it would not be my fault.” She sighed. “Though, Macula is still rather fond of her.” Her smile widened. “He claims she is as bold as a man in lovemaking.”

  Ulric flashed his fangs and growled. He hated the reminder that for many years Macula had raped his mother.

  “Oh, Ulric, you should be proud not shamed for your mother.”

  “You care so little for Macula, your mate, who sleeps with whomever pleases him.”

  “I care.” She laughed lightly, “As long as he does not beget more children from captured wolf maidens, I look the other way. That is why I want to help you escape.”

  He lifted a brow. “Escape?” What trick was she up to?

  She nodded and petted his bicep. “Take me with you. I am young enough to bear you a son.”

  Had someone revealed their secret plan? Was his obsessed mistress fishing for information? “There is no escape. Besides, you are the last person in Rome I would bring.”

  Her face changed from soft to hard stone, matching the color of her white pasted face. “Nox told me you are too fond of the physician.”

  He scoffed. “I was fond of bedding her, nothing more.”

  “Nox smells your attraction,” Her chest heaved in culminating fury. “Do not ever go near her! She is a witch and will cast a spell and weaken your senses.”

  “The woman is a human.” He added light laughter to convey jest. “What spell would bind a lycan with a lowly human woman?”

  “The same kind that bound my son to the scribe’s daughter.”

  In the distance, Nox paced. “Whip me, brand me as you threaten, but know I shall never bed you.”

  She spread a hand along his broad shoulders. He winced as she touched a painful welt. Her tone softened, “Oh, Ulric, I hate blemishing your beautiful body.” She embraced him and bit a nipple. His phallus responded to her and she smiled as she rubbed her body against his length. “Think about it. We can escape to Egypt or further away.”

  “I must go.”

  Her threat wrapped in a honeyed voice. “The Emperor wishes me to find a weakness about you. Wolfsbane is our secret, but do not think I will not reveal our weapon, if you continue to reject my love.”

  He stiffened and furrowed his brow. “Not even you are foolish enough to tell him about wolfsbane. The Lupercal allows the execution of wolf maidens who betray our kind.”

  She tapped her lips in pensive thought. “Although, how would the Emperor react on knowing Shifra is a Jew and a possible enemy of the state?”

  His face grew hot in fury that the viper used Cassia to force him to do her bidding. His fangs emerged. No one threatened his mate. “Leave her out of it!”

  She glowered before sweetening her tone again with a soft sigh. “Just promise to keep our escape in mind.” She puckered her lips. “It would be a shame to lose the physician who saved Lucius. Nonetheless, she is a good bargaining tool.”

  No. If she had not escaped by now, she would be in grave danger. He attempted a smile. “Escape? Perhaps with your help that may someday be a possibility. I will consider your plan, but for now we must go our separate ways.”

  She smiled, half turned, blew him a kiss and left.

  ***

  The litter bearers set her down and Cassia stepped off. Once again, she stood before Macula’s palatial villa. Inside, peril in the form of a jealous wolf maiden waited. And how would Ulric react? The plan had been for her to be in Etruria. “Should I not go to the villa rustica?”

  Macula smiled as if telling her the best news. “Your clinic will be set up near the gladiator grounds. You will sleep in Rohesia’s modest home. For now, I’ll convey to my household your place as our slave physician. Lucius is fond of you and will no doubt be happy to see you.”

  A flicker of hope heartened her. Lucius had promised to help her and Ulric. But would he condone their escape? She halted at the steps. “Floretta will be furious. Please let me return to my old chambers.”

  “I promise she will not kill you. If need be I will remind her that you saved our son. Furthermore, you are the only human physician who has taken the blood vow. She will submit to my wishes or be punished.”

  She kept fury at bay. Yes, I saved your son and this is how you treat me! It would do no good to argue. They entered the palace into the large reception area. Slaves dashed in and prostrated on the floor in complete submission. The betas bowed and the alpha females welcomed their leader with a slight bow of their heads. A gong sounded and other important members of his household entered.

  Lucius walked in with an almost unnoticeable limp. He beamed, “Cassia! What brings you here?”

  Macula answered, “I own her.”

  Lucius frowned. “Father, why would you make a slave out of the woman who saved my life?”

  Macula snarled at his son, “You have grown as soft as a cushion.” He sighed, “If it were not for me, she would have been arrested along with her traitorous master.”

  Lucius sneered at his father for the initial insult and then raised a brow, “Lupercii Gaius was arrested?” He turned his attention to Cassia, “I will defend him myself if need be.”

  She bit her lip to keep from sobbing.

  Macula laughed, “No need. He took poison and is dead.”

  Lucius grimaced as he leaned on his bad leg. “What great crime did he commit?”

  Macula towered over his son. “He was part of a conspiracy to defame our Lord Emperor Domitian.” He waved him off. “I will explain it to you later.”

  Lucius stared at Cassia as she stood, her heart hammering loud enough for all the lycans to hear. He turned and glared back at his father. “I will buy her from you.”

  Macula smoothed her hair, lifted a strand, and sniffed it. “So soothing.” She twisted away. He laughed, “Don’t worry; she’ll remain our valued lycan physician.”

  Lucius shook his head in disapproval. “Then free her. She has taken an oath to serve our kind and should be paid for her services.”

  Son and father faced off. Macula’s smoldering glare finally made Lucius avert his eyes. His father taunted, “Do not make me bite your soft throat before my pack!”

  Lucius reddened and his chest heaved in rage.

  A high-pitched screech interrupted the hostile stares. “Nemesis! What is she doing here?” Floretta waltzed in followed by her body slave and her bitch, Nox.

  Macula snarled at Cassia, “My but you are trouble.” He walked up to Floretta. “My dear, you look lovely. Good news, we now own the gifted physician.”

  Her body slave adjusted a loose hair on Floretta’s forehead and she shoved her away. She pointed a finger at Cassia. “I want her out of here!”

  Macula’s visage went from charm to fierce rage. He rushed in and grabbed his wife by the throat. Nox shifted and growled but two of his female alphas shifted and stood before Macula and Nox.

  Macula’s fangs emerged and drool escaped his jaws as he spat, “You will obey me as your lord and master.” His claws dug in just enough to draw blood but not to kill.

  Floretta’s eyes went from cold fright to hot hate. She spoke in a raspy vo
ice. “Go ahead. Kill me and condemn your soul.”

  Even the mightiest of lycans feared the consequences of killing a wolf maiden. To be reborn as game and hunted by both lycan and man. A shame worse than death. He loosened his grip and pushed her back. “You will leave my slave physician alone. Or I will banish you!”

  She caught her balance. Without batting an eye, she rubbed her scratched throat and spoke to her body slave, “Don’t just stand there, get me a wet cloth!”

  Cassia offered, “I can apply some salve to…”

  Floretta scowled at her. “Mind your tongue, slave!”

  Macula grinned. “Now that we understand her purpose, I want her taken to her new quarters.” He turned to Nox who shifted to her human form. “Take Nox and give her thirty lashes for defiance.”

  She growled but went with the two alpha females. Floretta did not react to her loyal guard’s punishment. Instead she returned her attention to Cassia. “She will not be a whore to the gladiators.”

  “Not that it concerns you, my jealous little scorpion, but she is here only as a physician. If you wish she will lead the life of a chaste Vestal Virgin.”

  Floretta appeared placated. She threw him a smirk and looked at Cassia with a friendlier demeanor. “See to it that you prepare a skin lotion for me.”

  Cassia bowed. “Yes, domina. It shall be my pleasure.”

  Macula laughed. “You see my wife; our little slave will be useful in many ways.” His eyes widened in sudden insight. “Better yet.” He turned to Cassia. “Can you make a balm to grow hair for the bald?”

  Cassia arched her brow and looked at his head. Like most Roman men, he kept his hair cropped short but there was no evidence of loss.

  He noted her bewilderment and smiled, “Not for me. It would be for Emperor Domitian’s balding head. He is forever fussing with wigs. He has tried countless ointments including goat’s urine, tar, and sulfur—a stench that makes him reek.”

  She puckered and twisted her lips. She nervously twisted a loose curl and then nodded. “I suppose there are herbs from the east I can turn into a paste.” How does one work in a lion’s den? Perhaps they would leave her alone to find the cure for baldness until she figured out a way to leave the villa.