by Aliya DalRae
This, more than anything, was what drove Patrick to give this fight everything he had. He had to win, no matter what, or he would take their suffering to his grave and carry it with him for all eternity.
“So we good?” Butch was saying, pulling Patrick’s attention back to the small group before him.
“Yes,” he replied, sounding more confident than he felt.
“You know what to do?” Butch asked the others, and both responded in the affirmative.
“Then let’s get this show on the road. In three days, Patrick will issue the Challenge. We shouldn’t inform the majority more than a few hours before the gauntlet is thrown. Once it is, it will be up to you, Patrick, to determine the time and place for the fight. It could happen months down the road, or you could insist on it immediately. Sooner’s probably better than later.”
“Right,” Patrick said. “So it’s important that everyone is ready. We don’t want Devaris to suspect, or it could go badly for us before we even get off the ground.”
“Nadia is with us,” Butch said. “She’s more than willing to help us organize the Pack, get the ball rolling.”
Patrick had put some major distance between himself and the female following their unfortunate encounter after his first change. He liked the girl, trusted her for the most part. Just not when he was naked or his wolf was out. She was tight with Butch, though, so he left it to him to make decisions where she was concerned.
“That’s good,” Patrick agreed. “And Mitch will help as well.”
There were general murmurings of agreement then the group fell silent. Patrick met their eyes, one at a time, and solidified their dedication to the cause. Shit was about to get real, and one way or another, all of their lives were about to change.
Chapter Six
T he day of the challenge, the mood in the camp was tense. Once word reached the wolves supporting Patrick, it was impossible to contain the sense of expectation in the air.
Devaris was even more edgy than usual, his hateful treatment of the Pack in overdrive, and Patrick could only suppose he was feeling it, too.
Butch had told Patrick about the Pack bond, that thing he had noticed during his first change and many times thereafter. However, with Patrick it wasn’t very strong. That could be because he wasn’t connected to the Alpha in the same way many of the wolves were, or simply because he hadn’t allowed himself to be controlled by the man. The possibility that Devaris could learn of the Challenge before Patrick actually issued it was real, but it was not something that could be helped.
As the day wore on, Patrick kept mostly to himself. It was important that he stay away from the main players, from Butch and Poppy, from Mitch, Nadia and David. The plan was for him to issue the Challenge at the evening meal, and that was still several hours off. Until then, he would just go over the details in his mind.
Poppy had provided him with everything he needed, and had drilled Patrick over and over again to be sure he knew what was required of him.
Patrick was running through it yet again when he heard a commotion in the yard.
Not now, he thought. This was the last thing they needed.
He ran to the door and pushed it open a crack, just enough to see the courtyard where the wolves gathered when Devaris summoned them. His heart fell to his stomach when he got a look at what was going on.
Poppy was on the ground, surrounded by several of Devaris’ Dumbasses. One of them had the old man’s walking stick and was threatening Poppy with a beating.
Poppy hadn’t lived as long as he had by being an idiot, and so he did nothing to defend himself.
“Get up you stupid old fucker,” Frank Duncan was yelling, emphasizing his words with a solid kick to Poppy’s side. “You want a piece of me?” Another kick. “I’ll drop your ass in the quarry lake and they’ll never find you.”
Poppy didn’t say a word, just curled into himself and took the abuse. As he was tucking his head beneath his arms, Patrick could have sworn he saw a flash of yellow. If Poppy shifted, that could ruin everything.
Without thinking, Patrick burst from his cabin, strode over to Duncan and slugged him in the mouth. Duncan staggered back, but regrouped quickly, prepared to retaliate.
“He’s just a scroungy old cur,” Duncan said, as his cronies gathered around him, throwing insults or the occasional rock at Patrick and Poppy both.
Patrick ignored them, his main concern for his friend. He kneeled beside him and grabbed his arm. “Let’s get you up,” he said, but Poppy shook his head.
“Get a hold of yourself, and get up,” Patrick growled, pulling on Poppy’s arm.
“Leave him.”
The noise level dropped to zero as Devaris’ voice rang through the yard.
Poppy froze, but Patrick ignored the command, continuing his efforts to help the old man from the ground.
“I said, leave him,” Devaris repeated, adding power to his words that ricocheted through the Pack, forcing many of them to cower together in fear, the Dumbasses included.
Patrick stood, but left his hand out for Poppy to take. “Get up,” Patrick whispered.
Poppy looked up and when their eyes met, he nodded, grabbed Patrick’s hand, and stood tall beside him, his eyes having returned to their natural brown.
“Boy, don’t you listen?” Devaris was coming toward them now, his steps slow, but filled with purpose, and the wolves in his path fell away to either side to let him pass.
“When I give you an order, you follow it.” Devaris was in Patrick’s face now, pushing that power of his into Patrick so hard, it was all he could do not to fall to his knees. Instead, Patrick raised his head and stared boldly into the Alpha’s eyes.
“You really are looking for an ass kicking, aren’t ya, boy?” The Alpha closed what little space was left between them, and Patrick felt more than saw Butch helping Poppy out of harm’s way. Patrick reached into his pocket, his hand closing over the small silver object Poppy had given him just this morning. It burned his palm, but he clutched it tightly, the pain clearing away any doubts or hesitation.
Devaris slammed both palms against Patrick’s chest, and though he was forced a step back, Patrick’s eyes never left those of the Alpha.
Devaris shook his head. “I was afraid it was going to come to this. You’re a good wolf, Patrick, useful, but you are a pain in my ass. I’ve tried with you, I really have, but you’ve gone too far this time.
Devaris curled his fingers tightly, cocked his arm and swung at Patrick’s jaw.
The fist never reached its mark. Patrick caught it in mid-air, his right palm stopping the punch while his left pulled the object from his pocket and held it high for all to see.
The fury on Devaris’ face turned to shock, which he quickly hid with a snarl. “Where did you get that?” he demanded.
Patrick ignored the question, stepped back, and held the item in Devaris’ line of sight.
“Derrick Devaris, you have abused your power as Alpha of this Pack. You are corrupt, and you have destroyed everything that this Pack once stood for. By the power of this totem, I challenge your leadership, and I challenge your place as Alpha to these wolves, these people.”
“You pathetic excuse for a wolf. You’re challenging me? Me?” Devaris laughed, a sick, twisted sound that bounced off the surrounding cabins, and assaulted the ears of those who stood witness. He tried to withdraw his hand from Patrick’s grip, but Patrick pulled him forward, placing the base of the totem on the back of the Alpha’s hand. The silver burned into Devaris’ skin, sizzling as a puff of red smoke rose and curled around the totem.
Devaris tried again to pull away, but Patrick held tight, pressing the silver cylinder firm until the smoke melted from red to grey, and released the Alpha of its own accord.
“You little shit,” Devaris growled. “You really mean to do it. I thought you were smarter than this, O’Connell. Who put you up to it? Montgomery? Poppy over there? Both too weak to fight their own battles, they’ve just offere
d you up as a sacrificial lamb.”
“This is no one’s doing but my own,” Patrick said. The totem, which had played equal opportunity in burning his palm even as it seared the skin from Devaris’ hand, had grown cool. Patrick stuffed it into his pocket, his eyes never leaving the Alpha.
“You’re going to die,” Devaris sneered, “and I’m going to enjoy every ounce of pain I lay on your sorry ass.”
“If I’m not mistaken, there are some details to hammer out. Time and place are mine. Tomorrow night, midnight, the full moon clearing.”
“Fine,” Devaris snarled. “Form is mine. And I choose wolf.”
Chapter Seven
I t seemed fitting to Patrick that he should fight for the Pack in the same place where he had realized his life had changed forever. The full moon clearing was where Devaris insisted the wolves gather to change every month, to hunt together, no exceptions. This was where Patrick had killed Dewey, that son-of-a-bitch who had destroyed his life, and this was where he was going to kill Devaris.
The timing was important as well. It was a new moon, as far away as he could get from the full moon and the strength Devaris derived from it. Of course, that meant Patrick would not have the silver orb’s assistance either, but Butch believed that Patrick was strong enough without her aide. Devaris relied on the moon to compensate for the innate strengths he lacked.
By Devaris’ orders, the entire Pack was present to bear witness to the Challenge, though Patrick was fairly certain they would have all shown up without his mandate. No one besides Butch and Poppy was brave enough—or stupid enough—to back Patrick outright, but he could feel the energy within the Pack, and it was full of expectation, of hope.
Patrick had arrived early, only to find Butch already on site, along with a few trusted wolves he had placed around the clearing to ensure a fair fight.
In the entire year Patrick had known him, Butch had never been one to use words when actions would do the trick, and tonight was no different. The large man grabbed Patrick by the shoulders and stared yellow wolf eyes into Patrick’s. The message was loud and clear: Kill the son of a bitch.
Patrick nodded, then moved to the center of the clearing, the exact spot where he had changed for the very first time. He took a few deep, cleansing breaths and focused on the sounds of the nocturnal creatures in the forest.
The night was pitch black, but with his wolf’s vision he was able to see it all. A gentle breeze rustled through the limbs of the towering trees, while raccoons and opossums scurried their way into the dark. A large bat flew from the top of a giant oak, and buzzed the clearing as if to investigate the presence of this group of wolves on a night with no moon whatsoever.
Almost as silently as the bat, the Pack began to file into the clearing, the lack of conversation eerie, foreshadowing the significance of what would take place here tonight. They stood along the perimeter of the glade, their expressions ranging from terror to anticipation.
The only ones missing were Devaris and the Dumbasses.
Patrick checked his watch and glanced at Butch. It was three minutes to midnight. The rules of the Challenge were clear. If one party didn’t show, then they forfeited the Challenge, any claim to the position of Alpha, and their chance to fight for their life. This was a death match, and there was no outrunning it.
But they all knew Devaris wouldn’t give up his power that easily.
At exactly midnight, the majority of the Dumbasses strolled into the clearing, forcing an opening in the circle to make way for the Alpha they so obviously supported.
Devaris charged in like a prize fighter, his shoulders squared, his jaw set, and wearing nothing but a fancy bathrobe. It was a little embarrassing, really, but the Dumbasses were running around the circle like high school athletic supporters, forcing the Pack to cheer for their leader whether they wanted to or not.
The compulsory enthusiasm was enough for Devaris, though, and he strutted into the center of the circle and stood toe to toe with Patrick.
“I’m going to kill you now,” Devaris said, “and then I’m going to kill them. Without looking, he pointed directly at Butch and Poppy. “This little display of opposition is cute, but you’re wasting my time. In a few minutes you will be dead. After that, I will hunt down every last wolf who gave you even the slightest bit of support and I will kill them right here where you stand. I only wish you would be around to witness their deaths so they could look you in the eye and know that it was your doing.”
Patrick said nothing. He pulled his shirt over his head and shook his hair out of his eyes. He dropped his pants at the same time Devaris dropped his robe, and they began to change.
Chapter Eight
P atrick’s wolf leapt forward, the change grabbing hold of him faster than at any other time over the past year. Butch had urged him to hold back during the full moon, endure the pain for as long as he could in an attempt to hide his strength. Giving the wolf his head, so to speak, was a total rush.
Patrick was up and shaking leaves and twigs from his silver coat before Devaris had gained his feet, and per Poppy’s advice, he pushed the advantage. Before Devaris could react, Patrick was at his throat, sinking his fangs deep into the flesh of the male who had made his life a living hell.
Devaris was quick to recover, twisting to break Patrick’s hold and dragging sharp claws down Patrick’s shoulder. Patrick jumped away, and the two stood facing each other, breath coming heavy as blood poured from their various wounds.
Patrick snarled and once again went on the offensive, leaping at his opponent with a fierce snarl. Devaris met him in the air and they crashed together, claws digging into skin, teeth gnashing in search of flesh until they fell to the ground in a lethal tangle.
Patrick pressed his hind legs into Devaris belly, flexing his claws as he dug into that soft flesh, but Devaris twisted, sinking his teeth into Patrick’s back.
Patrick turned, his skin tearing with the movement, but it enabled him to pull away enough to regroup. His shoulder was bleeding fiercely, and his front paw was hanging by a shred, but his opponent was doing no better.
Devaris made no move to attack, but stood with his back hunched, the hackles of his mud brown coat raised in a threatening arch. However, his tongue hung between his teeth as he struggled to breathe, and Patrick could see the blood pooling beneath the Alpha’s middle. Without the light of the moon, though, it was hard to say if the wounds were mortal.
Not wanting to give Devaris time to recover, Patrick gathered his haunches and prepared his next strike. He was in mid-leap, the soon-to-be-former Alpha’s throat in his sights, when he was struck from behind, sharp teeth sinking into his flank and knocking him to the ground.
Patrick rolled away from the attack, twisting around to find that he was now facing two new wolves. One was a grey with a shabby coat, the other a small black wolf with mean eyes and a missing fang. Dumbasses.
The two took turns attacking Patrick’s flanks, and no sooner did he turn to fend off the current assailant than the other one was at his opposite hip. He fought ferociously but was taking a lot more licks than he was giving.
The little black wolf landed a particularly sharp bite, and Patrick howled with pain before spinning to drive him off.
Devaris kept his distance, letting his minions do his fighting for him, in spite of the fact that it was fracturing the Rules of Challenge into a million pieces. Of course, if Patrick were dead, there wouldn’t be a wolf here who would dare to call him out on it.
Patrick sunk his teeth into the black wolf’s shoulder, pulling away with a mouthful of black fur and flesh as he prepared for the grey wolf’s attack.
It never came.
Instead, when Patrick turned to face him he found that Frank Duncan was already engaged with the biggest black wolf the Pack had ever seen. Leaving that particular foe to Butch, Patrick returned his attention to the little black, but it seemed he, too, was otherwise occupied. The silver wolf who had the black by the throat was small but
sleek, his movements controlled but affective. Poppy.
With the others now occupied, Patrick was free to deal with Devaris.
Aware that his plan had failed, Devaris rose to his feet, his back up, chin near the ground as he curled his lips and bared the fangs that had kept the Pack downtrodden and afraid.
Patrick, however, was beyond fear. From the moment he took over the Pack, Derrick Devaris had been willing to use whatever means necessary to keep his position, regardless of the legitimacy of his actions or claims.
That ended now.
With a surge of power that could only come from a place of righteous indignation, Patrick lunged at Devaris, his teeth landing sure and true as they closed together over the throat of the mud-brown wolf. Patrick clamped his jaws together and pulled, tearing the throat from his enemy and leaving the body to fall into a lifeless pile on the leaf-strewn ground.
Chapter Nine
T he days following the challenge were a blur to Patrick.
Once he had healed of his wounds, Butch insisted on him taking over Devaris’ quarters to show the Pack that he was now in charge. However, the former Alpha’s stench was everywhere, and Patrick found it nauseating, a trigger for a whole lot of memories he simply did not want to relive.
So instead of occupying the tainted space, Butch and Poppy removed anything Pack-related, and with the important stuff cleared away, Patrick took a torch to the place.
Mitch had been a firefighter in a previous life, and it turned out he still had contacts, so they were able to bring the department in for a controlled burn, to ensure the rest of the camp didn’t go up in flames. Almost everyone hated their current living situation, but for now it was the only place most of them had to call home.
The fire chief gave Patrick the honor of dropping the match, and before long Devaris Central will fully engulfed.
