The Panther's Rival

by Emilia Hartley

  Her body lurched forward as fast as she could. The thick underbrush whipped at her eyes as she passed. The air in her lungs mixed with the fire in her belly as she exhaled fire.

  Just a few days ago she’d stared down the barrel of a gun, Scab’s gun, the same one that Torque had threatened her with just earlier today. Now she was facing down at least fifteen men, all of them with guns. Each one loaded with silver bullets. Just one shot would be enough to put her down. So, she had to be faster.

  The first barrage of bullets came. One grazed her shoulder. A line of thick crimson spread out to meet the sky. Still she charged. There was only one neck she wanted first, Scab’s. That skinny, silver-haired bastard was the one that betrayed her father. If she could take at least one guy with her, she wanted it to be him.

  Another barrage of bullets followed soon after. This time one found its way through the tip of her ear while another clipped at her cheek. More blood flowed through her open wounds. Her frantic running was doing no help it aiding to stop the blood flow, if anything she was making it worse. But, still she charged forward.

  “Stand still you stupid bitch,” Scab shouted.

  Not in your dreams

  She barked loudly as she leapt with all the strength her hind legs would allow. She watched as his eyes went wide. Her powerful jaws sunk deep into his neck as she tackled Scab to the ground. His gurgled screams horrified his comrades who stopped firing their guns.

  When she lifted her bloody muzzle she could see that her attack had weakened their resolve. But, it hadn’t killed it. With Scab dead on the ground beneath her feet she howled into the air. The blood curdling scream echoed past the lake, through the trees, deafening her would be attackers. Then she leveled her eyes at the rest of them.

  The first few began to back away, more keen on running rather than fighting the demon dog that had just killed their leader. She dared not stop, otherwise the sting of the silver that scraped at her skin would set in and she would be unable to fight onward. Even now it was begging her to stop, but she dared not listen.

  She dashed forward again. Within a second she was on the next wolf, who was trying his hardest to run away. She tackled him to the ground, wrapping her jaws around his neck.

  More gunshots rang out. She wasn’t even fazed by the bullets anymore. Accepting death gave her freedom she’d never known. She thought back to all the times her grandmother kept her inside the house. It felt so small, so insignificant now being kept inside by something as simple as a scolding.

  She wondered what happened to her grandmother. She was supposed to be at Cliff Walker den, but when Cynthia arrived, hoping to revive their unfinished conversation, she was nowhere to be found. Had she run off? Or was she killed by the hunter as well? Whatever the case, it didn’t matter now.

  “Screw this,” said one of the wolves. He cast off his gun, tearing his jacket from his chest, roaring as he began to shift. A few other dogs got the same idea.

  Good, let them come.

  Four of them stayed in total. In wolf form they were quite intimidating. Scars stood out against their patchy fur. The largest of them had an old wound that tore out part of his lip. Perhaps an old fight for dominance?

  Why couldn’t I be an alpha?

  The four of them started to surround her. Seeing her chance, she sprinted away. They gave chase but were too slow. Their heavy bodies weren’t made for speed. Without their guns they wouldn’t be able to catch her. A glimmer of hope returned to her mind. Maybe she really could make it out.

  That came crashing down when she hit a hidden tree root, raised just far enough from the ground to catch her leg, and just low enough that it didn’t breach over the top of the thick brush.

  Fuck.

  She tried to stammer back to her feet to continue the run, but the leg wouldn’t listen. She’d hit it too hard and twisted it too sharply. It was broken. The fight was slowly leaving her as the wolves eventually caught her. They circled around her like buzzards eyeing fresh meat.

  She rolled to her stomach to defend herself. She was still in this fight, one way or the other. Looking down the pathway she didn’t see any of the children or the women that accompanied them.

  Good, they must have escaped.

  She had at least accomplished that one feat. For that, she was proud.

  The wolves all took turns, prodding her defense. One would advance and try to nip at her dead paw, she’d turn her head to bite back and fight him off. Then another would strike at her from another angle, she would whip around with a bark.

  They were trying to tire her out. She clenched with her broken paw. The bone was definitely broken. There wasn’t an escape from the jaws that were clamping down tighter and tighter around her.

  Fuck them.

  She heard a rustle of leaves. It wasn’t the wind. It was loud, like someone running through them. She wheeled her head around to investigate the noise, as she did, a thick furry body leapt over her head, tackling one of the wolves to the ground and biting at whatever part his teeth would sink into.

  His fur was black from head to toe. His body was lithe and agile; his movements were fast and precise. Cuts covered his body, sending blood dripping down his dark fur, staining him a rich dark crimson.

  There was only one wolf with fur that dark; Alex. She’d spent so much time worrying about him. Having him appear from nowhere to save her life sent her heart aflutter.

  The other wolves turned to meet their new foe. Despite his bloodied, torn body, he made short work of them as though they were puppies trying to fight a bear. He lumbered over to Cynthia, his body changing as he walked.

  “Cynthia!” shouted Tess from behind.

  Cynthia reached out to her human side, letting it return. Her arms lengthened, returning to the pink fleshy things they normally were. Her fur faded as her hair grew back to its regular color.

  Alex fell to the ground just a foot away from her, collapsed from the strain of his fight. He deserved the rest.

  “We found him not long ago. I assume they’re with you?” Tess asked.

  The group of children ran playfully behind Tess. Connor held a couple of the kids over his shoulders; one was playing with his short hair. Gloria still huffed and puffed her way alongside the group. Samantha came along with Alex’s clothing, dirty from the ground in her arms. Cynthia allowed herself a smile.

  “Cyn!” Samantha screamed, “You’re okay!” She tossed the clothing at Alex who was beyond exhausted. “He couldn’t stay away from you. When he heard your howl he took off like lightning.”

  How about that?”

  Cynthia clasped his hand tightly then pulled herself along the ground closer. She kissed him on the lips, his eyes opened to greet her.

  “My hero,” she said. He smiled and they lied together for a moment, broken but satisfied.

  CHAPTER 9

  “What the hell are we supposed to do now?” Samantha asked, “It’s not like we can just walk out the front door.”

  “Why can’t we?” Alex said with an exhausted laugh, “We got enough muscle.” He struggled out a smile.

  Tess was busy splinting Cynthia’s wound. The broken arm wasn’t going to help her much if the situation called for fighting.

  Connor was trying to be as pragmatic as possible. He rubbed at the bridge of his nose. They had found everyone that needed to be found or rescued, but getting them all out safely would be difficult at best.

  “There’s no way we can fit this many people in my truck,” he said.

  “Why don’t we take the truck that brought us all in here?” Cynthia offered, “I know where it is, and the keys are still in the ignition.”

  “You waited until just now to provide that piece of information?” Alex asked. She punched playfully at his shoulder but the broken arm made her wince from the pain and she stopped short.

  “I was going to say so sooner but you people just wouldn’t shut up long enough for me to say so,” she said.

  “Okay, let’s make for t
hat truck,” Connor said. He pulled Alex up to his shoulder to be his crutch. “Let’s not make this a regular thing,” Connor sighed into Alex’s ear.

  “Deal,” Alex replied.

  Cynthia led the way. It was a good thing it wasn’t one of her back legs that was tripped up because there were enough people unable to fight. If someone popped up right now they would be like fish in a barrel.

  They crested over the slight hill behind the tall cabin. Connor surveyed the scene. The entire camp was swarming with wolves. Torque was barking out orders this way and that. Connor eased back behind the hill.

  “There’s no way we’re getting past that,” Connor said. Maybe they could go back to the cave where Mutt was knocked out, and fight their way out with some guns? Or maybe they could ignite the ammunition, like Connor had with Eli’s truck. Any distraction might be enough.

  “Wait here,” Samantha said. She stuffed her hand into Connor’s pocket. Connor looked up to her smiling face, and then he turned to face Tess who scowled at him. There was no winning here.

  She pulled his truck keys from his pocket.

  “Wait for my signal,” she said.

  “What signal?” Connor asked.

  “You’ll know it when you hear it,” she replied. She stayed low through the brush, passing quickly over the hill, just barely out of sight of the bikers down below. When she could go no further, in the brush, she paused to watch the bikers. Their luck came through when Torque started addressing the crowd.

  “This shit is almost over, boys!” he shouted. The bikers gathered around him. Some sat on the crates they’d carried; others snapped open beers from a cooler planted at Torque’s feet. “Once we’re rid of those den lovers, we’ll own this mountain. Not a single bear or wolf will stand between us.” The group cheered. “We’ll live like the kings we were born to be!”

  Samantha saw her opportunity and she took it. Her bare feet tip-toed along the dirt and gravel road that flowed into the camp; disappearing into the shade of the trees where the truck waited for her.

  Connor waited, patiently. One minute passed, then another, still no sign. Was she okay? He worried for her. He laughed at his own poetic thought. Just a few days ago he wanted her dead, now he saw her as something of a little sister. He cared about her well-being just as much as he cared about Alex’s, or Tess’s.

  Come on you crazy little bastard.

  Then he saw the familiar sight of his yellow, dirty, rusty, old truck. She was driving it into the camp. The howl of the engine even distracted Torque when he saw it.

  “What the hell-”

  “Hey Torque! King or not, you’ll still be a little bitch!” She smiled, obviously pleased with herself. Connor slapped himself in the face, this was her distraction?

  “You little-”

  The tires of the truck struggled to gain traction on the gravel, but when they did it shot down the path. At first it looked like she was going after Torque himself, but a sharp turn of the steering wheel sent the truck careening into the carefully parked domino stack of motorcycles. She struck the lead bike with all the grace of a bull in a china shop, it smashed into the one beside it, toppling it into the next, and the next.

  She giggled in the driver’s seat as the bikers descended into chaos. She threw the truck into reverse and pulled herself away, backing the truck out of camp and down the road with exacting precision.

  Connor nodded with approval. She had a good eye for chaos.

  “After that little bastard!” Torque shouted. The bikers worked hard to undo the twisted shards that comprised their vehicles. The first to get free bolted after Samantha. Within a couple minutes the rest of them broke free to give chase, leaving the entire camp empty.

  “I’d say that’s our signal if there ever was one,” Alex said.

  “I’m glad she came along,” Connor laughed. Cynthia again took the lead. Gloria joined her with the children in tow. Tess stayed in the middle of the pack, assisting the rest of the women.

  Connor took a moment to admire Tess. Seeing her amongst all the children lightened his heart. One day, one of those children would be his. He couldn’t wait to meet him … or her. Secretly he was hoping for a son. He wanted to teach him how to wrestle and play. He wanted to play catch in the backyard, or have the occasional game of fetch. Maybe he’d get the chance to teach his son out to shave, or what it was like to feel love. Never mind all of the wolf trouble they’d get themselves into. Mostly mischievous things to annoy Tess, but fun nonetheless.

  Then again, if he had a girl, he could have just as much fun. Would she grow up to be like her mother? Cooking and sewing? Or would she be more like her dad a rough and tumble tomboy. Tea parties, dolls, daisy chains, there were so many possibilities and in that one second he imagined them all.

  “Are we going to join them?” Alex asked. Connor didn’t realize he was standing still. Maybe he was more distracted than he thought.

  “Right,” he said. They followed close behind the group, watching for any strays.

  “Have you and Cynthia thought about it?” Connor asked.

  “Thought about what?” Alex wondered.

  “Having kids,” Connor replied, “Don’t say the thought hasn’t crossed your mind.”

  “Geez, you’re starting to sound like a dad more every day. And, not in a good way,” he said, limping hard on his only good leg.

  Connor laughed at the thought of acting like a father.

  “No,” Alex said, “I don’t think either of us has thought about it. Too many adventures in the future.”

  “You know you’re welcome to come back to the pack,” Connor said.

  Alex didn’t say anything for a moment but his face was scrunched up as he thought about it. He breathed out sharply, opening his mouth as though he had something to say, then pausing, and then shutting his mouth with a shrug.

  “I don’t know,” Alex replied finally, “We might come back from time to time…”

  “But, you’re not sure if you want to join the pack,” Connor finished.

  “Exactly,” he said, “There’s an itch that only seems to get scratched when I’m out and about. It helps even more that Cynthia seems to enjoy it as well.”

  “Well, if you ever decide you want to come back, we’ll be there waiting for you. You’re family. And, after all this I’ve come to see you as a true brother.”

  “Oh, Connor,” Alex shouted exaggeratedly, “Let’s be the bestest of friends. We can frolic in flowery meadows and do each other’s hair.”

  “Dammit, just hug me,” Connor said. Alex laughed but still gave in to the sentiment. They grasped each other firmly for a moment.

  “Ahem,” Cynthia said, “I’m glad you both kissed and made up but can we get a move on?” The kids laughed. But, Connor could see a glow in Tess that he hadn’t seen in a long while. The animosity between Alex and Connor had always been somewhere at the forefront of her mind. Seeing them together must have been enough to jog her from her depression.

  They pulled away from each other. Alex tested out his leg by putting some weight on it. It responded well enough.

  “I think I’ll walk the rest of this one myself,” he said. He took a step and it buckled beneath him.

  “Or maybe I’ll just help you a little while longer,” Connor said, helping him back to his limping posture. It wasn’t much further.

  They rounded the last corner. The truck waited for them as it had a few minutes ago. Cynthia prowled ahead of them, searching for any bikers or guards that might still linger. When she noticed none, she waved with her hand for everyone to join her.

  The truck itself was a large flatbed, used mostly for hauling large volume. It had wooden railing along the sides with a completely open back end. Cynthia began to climb into the driver’s seat, but Connor stopped her.

  “There’s no way you’re driving with that arm,” he said. He pushed her further into the spacious cabin. Tess stayed in the back, along with Alex, to keep an eye on the children.


  The engine sounded so odd. Modern trucks lacked a sense of power, they all sounded like purring kittens when what he wanted was a roar. At least it was comfortable. He pressed the truck into drive and glided down the only path available. The tracks eventually spilled out to pavement from behind a pair of large rocks. He’d remember passing these rocks on the way to the lake the last couple times they’d come and thinking nothing of them. It was quite a hidden path. But, knowing where he was, he knew where to go.

  The truck drove effortlessly along the highway, even with all the kids in the back. After a short drive they arrived at the bear den. The only place he knew at this place to be decently safe. The guard at the front gate marveled at the change in transportation but waved them through.

  The truck squeaked to a stop in front of Henry’s house. As he stepped from the truck he noticed his own truck sitting on the opposite side of the roundabout driveway and laughed to himself.

  “Great, they’re multiplying!” Henry shouted when he noticed the tiny wolves stepping out of the back of the truck.

  “I’m really sorry, there was nowhere else to go that was safe,” Connor said.

  “I know,” The old alpha breathed out a long sigh, “Samantha was just telling me about it.”

  “You’re late!” she shouted.

  “Connor had to stop for a bro hug,” Cynthia said, “So this is the bear den, eh? I like it. It’s very … den.”

  “Yeah, it’s the kind of place that one could hibernate for a while,” Alex laughed along. Henry rolled his eyes at the two new young adults.

  “I was making some sandwiches for the kids,” Samantha said. She held out a tray and the starving little mouths sprinted for a bit to eat. Samantha giggled in the middle of the crowd. “Slow down, guys. There’s plenty enough for everyone!”

  Alex grabbed a sandwich with wide eyes.

  “How did you get out?” Connor asked as he assisted Alex to the front door.