“Are you sure we can’t just go tomorrow?” Katalina asked.
“No, Kat, my father will know about me ordering his men away. The longer he waits for me, the greater his anger will become.”
“Don’t worry, Kat. I’ll protect you.” Jackson said to her, he patted her on the shoulder, but Katalina pulled away.
“It’s not me I’m worried about.” She barely contained the anger sitting on within her chest, making her wolf restless.
Bass stood in front of her, momentarily blocking her from the weather. “I promise you, we’ll get through this.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Bass. The best outcome for today is killing your father, and that isn’t an outcome I’m very happy about,” she answered glumly, wishing there was some way this could end differently.
“He may listen.”
“Yes and you sound so convinced of that,” she muttered.
“Maybe she should stay here,” Jackson suggested.
“Maybe you should stay here,” she spat, glaring at him over Bass’s shoulder. “Surely, you’ll just be considered a threat?”
“Do not forget, daughter of mine, you are River Run, too.”
Bass took hold of her hands. She pulled her eyes away from Jackson and tried to rein in her temper. “He needs to come to confirm he is willing to allow peace, and I need to know someone else is there watching your back. We are going to be surrounded by Dark Shadow. If something happens to me, I need to know you will be safe.”
“You just promised me everything was going to be all right,” she pointed out.
“It is,” he confirmed. She opened her lips to argue but he closed his mouth over hers, her muffled words getting lost in their mingled breaths.
“Stop stalling. Let’s go!” Jackson grunted.
“Fine!” she snapped, focusing, her anger on Jackson.
Katalina walked to the truck as large flakes swirled around her, landing on her cheeks like frosty kisses. As they drove, she stared out the window, watching the world of white pass her by.
She’d always loved the snow. Quite often she’d run outside and stand with her arms spread wide, head tilted to the cloud covered sky with her tongue stuck out as the flakes melted. The snow froze time. Transformed the world into a fairytale landscape, but as she watched the snow, she couldn’t see the fairy tale, nor the beauty.
“We’ll pull up here and walk the rest of the way. With the snow, I don’t think the truck’s going to get through,” Bass said.
Jackson nodded and hopped out. Katalina followed. She held Bass’s hand as they walked into the trees. The snow-covered branches above them blocked out the little light there was. For once, she was pleased for her shifter senses and enhanced sight.
They’d been walking for ten long minutes. The snow had stopped falling as they’d walked. Bass and Jackson were ever vigilant, their eyes scanning one way, and another, ears tilted toward the wind to catch distant sounds. Katalina watched them, marveling at how wolf-like they seemed, even in human form. She wondered whether she’d ever be that natural, or if she’d always be the outsider, who grew up as a human and never quite lost her skin.
She noticed Jackson’s change in body language before she heard the soft tread of footfalls. She tilted her head trying to hear better, when the air was sucked out of her. Her body moved so fast, her head spinning when she was set back on her feet.
With a shake of her head, she focused her eyes. Bass hand moved her behind him, his body angled defensively, one hand pressed against her leg. Jackson was at her back. The energy and the power zapped between the few centimeters separating them.
Wolves appeared all around them, watching them, but didn’t move to fight.
“I’m here to see my father,” Bass said to the wolves, his voice soft, non-threatening.
“And the River Run alpha?” They all focused on the man who walked into the center of the wolves. He was dressed in black, his skin bronzed, and his hair long and as black as coal. His brown eyes held a nasty edge, his voice one of malice.
“Malaki,” Bass nodded in greeting.
“Thank the Heavens. The alpha’s prodigal son has returned, and he’s brought us a River Run whore and the alpha to play with,” he chuckled aloud.
Bass and Jackson’s growl thundered around them, their bodies tensed, ready to attack.
“My father, Malaki,” Bass snapped.
“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll be seeing him. He’s looking forward to hearing your explanation for killing your own and ordering his men away. I am too, actually. Care to give me the spoilers?” He laughed again, indicating for them to follow him.
The wolves fanned around them as they went, never moving more than four feet away at any time. Katalina tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. Bass never took his hand from hers; she was sure he could feel her sweaty palms. She was petrified. Katalina imagined so many scenarios, but none of them had been as terrifying as this. The further they walked, the more densely packed the trees became until they opened out onto a large open area. The snow had been cleared into piles. Wooden cabins were dotted here and there, men, women, and children stood on their porches, watching them as they walked. Katalina felt like she’d been transported into a horror movie set, set in a time where men were the leaders and ruled under a barbaric thumb. As she looked around her, she realized what Bass had meant. This place, this pack, it was nothing like River Run. River Run looked like the most normal of places on earth compared to this.
Malaki indicated for them to stop in the center of a circle of cabins. The largest stood in front of them. A huge bonfire to the left cast an orange hue over the ground.
“Son! What have you brought me?” The man who walked out of the largest of cabins was a huge solid brick of a man. Although very wide with arms like tree trunks, he was clearly a little on the chubby side, his middle as wide as his shoulders. But none of this made him any less intimidating. The power rolling off him prickled against Katalina’s skin. Her wolf stirred and rose, her every instinct saying run!
Bass didn’t say a word as his father walked around them. He appeared calm, his posture lazy even.
“Jackson, how lovely of you to visit, and this must be your daughter. She’s the image of her mother, such beauty. What a shame for it to leave this world.”
Katalina was struggling for air. Her head felt dizzy, the buzzing in her ears preventing her from concentrating on the predator in front of her.
“She looks terrified, Jackson. Haven’t you taught her anything?” Bass’s father continued.
Just as she was on the urge of passing out, Bass’s soothing presence wrapped around her. He eased the fear inside of her, enabling her to gasp in the needed oxygen.
“Well, everyone has gathered around, Sebastian. Why don’t you tell me why the girl clings to your hand like a frightened child?”
“Father, I’d like you to meet Katalina, my mate.” Bass stepped to the side slightly, so his father could get a better view.
“Mate?”
“Yes,” Bass answered.
Katalina jumped as Bass’s father let out a boom of a laugh, no one else seemed to find it funny; the fear and confusion from all those around her crept across her skin.
“Did you really think I’d welcome her with open arms, Sebastian? And Jackson, did you think I’d make peace, call an end to the war I’ve nearly won.”
“Alistair, our children have mated. Maybe it’s time we put the past behind us,” Jackson said, his voice even.
Bass’s father laughed again, his voice bouncing through the silence.
“Did I not teach you better, Sebastian?”
“You taught me many things, Father. How to fight, how to instill fear into others, but most of all, you showed me how I never want to be like you. I will never be a cruel leader who destroys all who question me. I will allow our children to be children. Dark Shadow will no longer be the prison you have created. It will be a home for the Dark Shadow wolves who want to be he
re.”
The atmosphere changed in an instant. Unease, hunger, and death whispered through the air like a mantra.
“Do you challenge me, boy?” his father asked. His face contorted with the venom in his voice; hatred and violence dancing in his eyes.
“Alistair Evernight, I challenge you,” Bass replied. His voice spoke of strength, of courage and promise.
“Which form do you choose?” Alistair asked.
“Man.”
Katalina found herself ripped from Bass’s hand in an instant. Jackson’s arms enclosed her, dragging her from Bass as his father circled around him.
The people around them erupted into excited shouts, their voices barbaric, hungry to see blood spilled.
Alistair lunged toward Bass, his fists clenched, his eyes livid. Katalina watched as Bass danced out of his way, his feet nimble and light as they skated the ground. The noise around Katalina blurred into the background as she watched them preparing to fight. Her heart boomed through her ears, pulsing through her veins.
Trembling, she couldn’t look away. Instead, she felt herself slowly breaking apart. Jackson still held her, and for once she didn’t fight him; he was the only thing keeping her upright.
“Come on, boy. Make a move!” Alistair shouted at his son.
But Bass ignored his father, jumping once more from his reach.
“Why doesn’t he fight?” Katalina whispered.
“His father’s stronger but he’s also older. He’ll tire before Bass,” Jackson whispered into her ear.
Bass stumbled leaving him unprotected. Alistair’s fist connected with his jaw. Katalina watched on in horror as the impact forced Bass’s head backward, his feet nearly going out from under him.
“Oh, God, I can’t watch this.” Katalina turned her head away.
Bass missed his father’s next move by millimeters. Regaining his balance, he jumped away, circling his father again.
Katalina could see the impatience in Bass’s fathers eyes, in the way he moved. It infuriated him that Bass wouldn’t fight; it also made him sloppy. His father rushed forward, swinging for Bass with a grunt. Again, Bass stepped out of the way. However, this time, when his feet carried on with their dance, his elbow smashed into the back of his father’s neck. His father stumbled forward with an angry growl. Spinning around, he charged again.
The dance carried on. Bass moving, never really attacking, and the longer it went on, the angrier Alistair became.
Nico appeared in front of her. “You need to move now!”
“What? Nico?” Katalina stuttered.
Nico never answered her. Jackson shoved her behind him. The air rushed out of her as chaos erupted.
Nico took her hand. “Come with me!” he shouted, dragging her through the crowd.
“Jackson!” Katalina gasped as Malaki appeared out of nowhere and jumped him.
Katalina felt like a rag doll; she was dragged and shoved forward. All around her there was noise; Jackson’s growls and grunts; the excited cries of those reveling in this madness; and then the screams and cries of children as their mothers carried them away in terror.
She was dragged further through the crowd; Niko’s hand a vice. She lost sight of Bass for a second and in that time, she felt his terror fill her. His voice called out to her over the crowd, “Katalina!”
She found him again through the dozen people blocking her way. Their eyes connected just as a twisted smile appeared across his father’s lips. Bass fell to the ground, his head snapping back as he hit the unforgiving earth. Blood splattered from his lips, the fight leaving his eyes.
Katalina watched, fighting against Nico as he tried to get her to safety. His father’s foot connected with his gut, sending him flying through the air. He landed like a dead weight, his arms spread awkwardly in front of him.
“Bass!” she gasped, pulling her hand free.
She moved to run but Jackson lifted her off her feet, tucking her under his armpit.
“Bass!” she screamed.
Bass’s father looked up and smiled at her before looking down at his own son in triumph.
Katalina felt her wolf rise to the surface. She struggled from Jackson’s hold and found herself pushing through the crowd to get to Bass. She felt the moment he gave up. She felt his defeat, and as her eyes connected with his, she saw the message written on them. Sorry.
Pure fury surged through her. She pushed the people in her way, felt the growl within her building. Katalina broke through to the edge of the circle, directing her angry gaze at Bass. He’d promised her they’d make it through this. He’d said they’d build a new world together, yet he was just giving up.
“You promised!” she screamed, her wolf’s growl in her tone. “You promised me!” He felt her words like a razor’s edge. She took a step toward him. “GET UP!”
Bass moved just a split second before his father would have delivered the death blow. He jumped to his feet, his body spinning out of the way, and his elbow slammed into Alistair’s side. Already bent forward, the momentum carried Alistair to the ground, his face smashing into the slush and mud.
Bass didn’t hesitate. He hit his father repeatedly until he was a bloodied mess at Bass’s feet. He stood over him, panting from exhaustion.
“It’s over father. Enough blood has been spilt. Let this be over,” he said wearily, looking down at his father with pity.
Bass stepped away from his father, his eyes seeking Katalina. As he found her, his knees went out from under him. Katalina caught him before he fell.
“I’ve got you,” she whispered, wrapping her arm under his shoulder.
There were hushed whispers all around them. People stared in confusion, looking from Bass to his father.
Katalina heard an audible gasp. No words left her as Bass’s father lurched forward, a lethal-looking knife held high in his hand.
They weren’t going to move out of the way in time. Bass, injured as he was, couldn’t move quickly enough. Katalina screamed as the knife came toward them, glinting in the dim light. Then there was nothing but fur, light grey fur, sprinkled with white.
The knife hit Jackson as his jaws wrapped around Alistair’s throat. They fell together to the ground, neither moving.
“Jackson!” Katalina pulled him off Alistair. “Jackson!” She yanked the knife from his fur. Seconds later, he turned back into his human form.
She could hear Bass talking behind her, but couldn’t concentrate on the words. All she could think was how she couldn’t live through losing another parent. It didn’t matter how mad she was at him; he wasn’t allowed to die; he wasn’t allowed to leave her again.
“Jackson!”
His eyes opened. “I’ll be o…kay,” he gasped. She pulled her hand away; it was coated in blood.
“Oh, God,” she whispered.
Jackson coughed, his body convulsing as blood spilt from his mouth.
“Jackson!” she sobbed.
Someone lifted her to her feet as people surrounded him.
“Get off!” she screamed.
“Kat! Kat, look at me!” She focused her eyes on Bass’s face. “Let them look after him,” he said softly.
Bass swayed on his feet. Nico was there a second later, holding him up. “Wow, pal, I think you need to be on a bed right beside Jackson.”
“I can’t. I need to contain.”
There was a yell and a child’s scream. Fur erupted from skin as wolves from Dark Shadow started to fight one another.
“Enough!” Bass boomed. Immediately, the fighting around them stopped. “I understand some of you are confused and I understand a lot of you were loyal to my father. I’m nothing like my father and anyone unhappy with me as their alpha is free to leave. I won’t stop you and no one will harm you by my orders, but if you do go, remember this, the moment you leave pack land, you are never to come back without prior permission from me. Think carefully about what you want. You have twenty-four hours to decide.”
Katalina looked at Bass
with pride, pleased he was trying to end this with no more bloodshed.
“I’ve made my decision,” Malaki stepped forward. “I will never follow you and I’ll be damned if you think I’ll let you run this pack!” He pushed his way through, sending people sprawling to the ground.
“No one can challenge the alpha until five days have passed!” an older man said, stepping forward.
“I don’t give a shit about rules, old man!” Malaki spat.
“Kat, go!” Bass hissed, pushing her away. Niko vanished into the crowd.
“No, he’ll kill you.”
“Oh, don’t worry, little girl. I’m going to kill you first and make him watch.”
His legs tensed to spring. Standing her ground, her arms remained wrapped around Bass. If she was dying, she’d die beside Bass.
Only Malaki never made the leap. The tip of a sword protruded from his chest. A gargled gasp escaped his mouth as the sword pulled back out, and he dropped to the floor ground, dead.
“Anyone else have something to say?” Nico asked, wiping the blade of his sword over his leg.
“I do,” the older man said, stepping into the center of the circle. “I’ve been an enforcer for this pack a long time, long enough to remember what it used to be like before Alistair went mad with grief. He destroyed the very fabric of what it means to be a shifter in his bitter quest for vengeance. Packs are meant to be a family, a safe place where you trust your alpha to do what’s best for you. It shouldn’t be a dictatorship. You shouldn’t quiver at the mere sight of your alpha. I know Sebastian is young, but I’ve known him his whole life, and I stand by him.”
He turned and stood in front of Bass. Lowering his head, he said, “I accept you as my alpha.” Then his eyes focused on Katalina before dropping again. “I accept you as my alpha’s mate.”
Bass reached out and squeezed the man’s shoulder. “Thank you, Bill.”
“Right then, scatter the lot of you. Our new alpha needs a doctor,” Nico yelled. The crowd froze, silence hovering around them as they wondered whether to follow Nico’s order. “Didn’t you hear me? Scatter!” They scattered like little ants; scurrying here and there until only four men remained, Dark Shadow enforcers.
Winter Wolf (A New Dawn Novel Book 1) Page 20
