by Tenaya Jayne
She walked up the winding rock stairs to her family’s mid-level home. The place was empty, or so she thought. She moved through the main living space to her room. As soon as she came through the door, Tucker was there. He backhanded her.
She looked up at him from the floor and licked the blood on her mouth. Her face burned and ached, and her ears hummed. He’d never hit her that hard before.
“Have you lost your mind?!” he shouted. “Not only do you speak publicly, you declare that you’re going to fight in the tournament! No woman has ever been the pack leader. Ever! I can’t even…You have no clue the damage you’ve done to yourself…to me! There’s no way I’m going to find you a mate now.”
“Oh really?” she challenged. “Because Gahu was just kissing these lips you’ve just bloodied. He wants to see me tonight. He’s more interested than ever. He’s not the same level of sexist you are.”
Tucker looked shocked. “He’s still interested? Well…good. Maybe I can push the two of you together faster, and then he’ll keep you busy and away from trouble…or if not, at least you’ll be his problem and not mine.”
“I’m never going to change, Tucker. This is who I am. Your problem or not. The pack is mine to lead. I feel it in my bones. It’s my destiny. You better settle with the idea.”
He scoffed at her and shook his head.
“Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I don’t know how to lead.”
He reached down and offered his hand. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. He looked at her bleeding mouth, and remorse filled his eyes.
“Even if it were true, you can’t win the tournament. You were too young to witness the last one, when Philippe took over. It’s not just a fight… It’s a fight to the death. Only one victor. The one who survives.”
“I know!” She didn’t know, but she covered it with bluster.
“You have to withdraw your name.”
“No! I put my name in. Everyone heard me. I…I’m not backing out.”
“Then you will have to kill, or you will die.”
Cold dread pooled in her stomach. What had she gotten herself into?
Chapter Three
Asher stood by the river and looked up at the moon, smoking his pipe. He thought about shifting into his wolf form and experiencing the moon as only a wolf can. He thought about the events of the day and the pack. It was hard for him to wrap his brain around where they were and where they had come from. He’d seen Philippe rise to power, lead them in a march of insanity through a humiliating war, and then die by the hand of a female vampire.
Women, he mused, thinking of Sabra.
She was different. But she was right. He agreed with everything she’d said, not that she’d had the time to say that much. Still. He was going to look out for her and make sure she had every opportunity to speak. He had a feeling Gahu wasn’t going to help her rise to power. He might not hurt her much, but he wanted her in submission as his mate. Asher planned to help her train to fight in the tournament, if she’d let him. She had a chance. She wasn’t a slip of a girl. She was muscled and taller than most females. She certainly had guts.
She’d need them.
In truth, he’d considered adding his name to the list of those fighting, but now... He had a feeling about Sabra. He was old, and it was time for the young to step up and lead the next generation. The young women needed a good role model like Sabra. They deserved to have a choice and opportunity.
He took a long drag from the pipe, about to toss it down and shift when his ears pricked. He turned around, feeling them approaching before he could see or smell them. Punks…out for blood. That was just fine with him. He’d show them what experience, matured through violence, could do.
****
Tucker took off for a while and then returned right before dinner as the moon climbed up the sky.
“Well you’re the talk of the pack,” he said easily when he came home.
Sabra detected his displeasure under the surface. “Oh? What is—“
“I don’t want to discuss it right now. My head hurts. Gahu will be coming by in a while to see you. I recommend you make yourself presentable.”
“Presentable?”
“Yeah, fix your hair, wear something nice for him, girl stuff that makes guys crazy.”
Sabra snorted. “Fat chance.”
He scowled and heaved a sigh. “Hopefully, I can get you mated before he wises up and walks.”
She ate dinner quickly, and then shut herself in her room. She looked down at her shirt. Small spots of blood dotted the fabric. She took it off and put on another one, not caring much how it looked. She wouldn’t do more than that. She sat on her bed, pulled her knees up to her chest, and looked out her window at the moon. Weird, crazy day. She’d made her political ambitions known to the pack, and now she was sitting around waiting to have… a date? Ugh.
Was there a place, deep inside her, that wanted Gahu? Something natural, instinct perhaps, that would kick in and delight in submission to him? Every fiber of her being scratched and screamed at the thought. Submit? Guess not.
She heard the knock on the front door and thought about jumping out the window and running away. She wouldn’t greet him at the door or act like she was anxious to see him. Because that’s what it would be: acting. She heard Tucker let him in. The deep tones of their voices drifted under her door as they talked. She braced herself as a knock came to her door. She stood and answered.
Tucker stood scowling at her. “Didn’t you hear him come in?” His voice was hushed. “Get out there and spend some time with him. And for goodness sake, be nice. You’re lucky he’s here.”
“What am I supposed to do? Does he want to take me somewhere?”
“I don’t know... Do whatever he wants.”
Sabra gaped. “You’re chaperoning me, right?”
“I don’t see the need. If he still likes you after tonight, your mating will be set in a fortnight.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And if he pushes the boundaries? Am I to just do whatever he wants?”
Tucker looked away so she wouldn’t see the guilt in his eyes. She saw it anyway, and her hands fisted, aching to pummel him.
“Did you tell him to push me too far? To ruin my reputation beyond what it already is? So I have no way of getting out of it? I can see the shame all over you, Tucker! I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Only half way,” he shot back, grabbing her wrist painfully. “Now get out there and act like you think he’s wonderful, even if you can’t stand him.”
“I will not!”
His fingernails dug into her skin, drawing blood. “I’ve had enough of you, Sabra. If you don’t do as I say, I swear, I will hand you over to Silhon. One night with the boys, and you’ll never be able to lift your head again.”
She regarded him thoroughly and pulled her wrist free. “Look at me,” she said quietly.
He did, his anger held still for a moment.
“What happened to my brother? I feel like I don’t know you at all…I’ll do what you want…for now. I’ll spend time with Gahu, and I won’t ruin your deal with him. But I won’t let either of you shame me.”
She brushed past him and gave Gahu her most charming smile. It almost felt real. She preferred his society over her brother’s. He seemed like the lesser evil, at least for the moment.
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “It’s nice to see you. Would you care to go for a walk? The moon is wonderfully bright. I’d like to run with you as a wolf.”
Sabra took a deep breath and tried to relax. What he asked for felt very intimate. She wasn’t ready to shift in front of him. And if anyone knew they had run together, alone as wolves, the talk would be vicious. Instinct ran too strong, and reason was almost silent when in wolf form. She was sure he’d thought of this, too.
“That makes me a little uncomfortable. I’d like to wait for that, please… Perhaps we could enjoy the moon right here, on our terrace? That way Tucker can still chaperone.”<
br />
He kissed her hand again, looking pleased. “Sure. That sounds nice…more appropriate. I’m sorry if my suggestion was too forward.”
Damn good answer, she thought.
He held her hand as they walked out onto the terrace. The roughness and strength of his hand was appealing. At least he wasn’t a wuss. She was trying to stay positive.
The moon was indeed bright. She tilted her head back and took a deep breath. The pale, aquamarine light of the moon reached down inside her and called to the beast there.
“You’re beautiful, Sabra.”
Her attention jumped onto him and her unguarded moment, enjoying the moonlight, now embarrassed her. She looked down. “Thank you.”
“I’m not sure how to go about this…I feel foolish.”
“You’re not sure how to go about what?”
“Getting to know you. I’m afraid you’re going to reject me…I think that’s part of the appeal. The chase.” He offered her a half smile. He really was quite handsome. Why didn’t she like him more? Maybe she would in time.
Stupid wolf culture. Arranged mating worked out for the men. She should be grateful to be paired with a good guy, but there was more to life. Few found love through sheer luck. And the very rare werewolf found a destined life mate. That’s what she wanted. She knew she was different, special. She wanted to know love. She’d be good at it.
The moon called harder. Maybe she could have what she was looking for with Gahu. Perhaps she should run with him. Would that feel different than this? More?
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“The future.”
“That’s good. I’ve been thinking about our future as well. Where we’ll live, if you don’t care for my apartments. They are smaller than this, but they are also higher up. There’s enough room for our first few children…I think that—“
“Whoa! Just stop!”
“What?”
“I…too fast, Gahu. I said I was thinking about the future not our future.”
He frowned and looked away from her. “How is it too fast when we’ll be mated soon?”
“Look, I’m not saying no to you, but it can’t be that fast. I have to focus on the tournament first. I’ll never win, if I don’t put it first.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and captured her gaze. “I like that you’re strong. But you have to give this up. You’ll die in the tournament.”
“How do you know?”
“You cannot be pack leader,” he said firmly.
“Because I’m a woman, right?”
“Yes. That’s right. You’re a woman, get over it.”
She pulled away from him. “I’d hoped you’d be different.”
“I am different. But I can’t have you do this.”
“Why?” she demanded louder than she’d meant to.
“Because I plan to fight as well. I can’t fight against you. You’re mine. You fighting is asking me to kill you, or watch someone else kill you.”
“I put my name in first! I’m going to be leader. It’s my destiny.”
“No, Sabra.” He pulled her against him and kissed her roughly. “I’m your destiny.”
She had two choices: beat his brains in or close herself down. She thought of Tucker’s threat to hand her over to Silhon. She turned away from him, braced her hands on the terrace railing, and sighed.
“I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed.”
He caught her hand as she tried to walk back into the house. “Hey, are we all right?”
“Sure,” she said flatly. “We are just fine. Why don’t you and Tucker hammer out the details of our mating?”
He raised his eyebrows and smiled. “All right. Here, before you go…”
He pulled a carved wooden cuff bracelet out of his pocket and slipped it around her wrist. She sighed again and forced a smile. What had she done? Was her life over? Had she just forfeited it?
He kissed her again. She allowed it passively, and then went back inside and shut herself in her room. She sat on the edge of her bed. So Gahu was going to fight in the tournament. That wouldn’t stop her. Would it?
She held her wrist up and looked at the bracelet. A tirade of curses crashed inside her mind like a massive wave hitting the sand. Had she been beaten already? Crushed. Subdued. Branded. How many rules could she break and bend before they bent and broke her? Were her aspirations worth her life?
She took the bracelet off and set it down so she didn’t give in to temptation and break it into splinters. Their voices drifted in under the door again. This time, she crept to the door and pressed her ear against it.
“She’s agreed, Tucker. I feel secure in proceeding. Let’s get this done. I want her. I don’t want to wait very long. She needs to be conquered before the tournament. I feel certain she will calm down and become what I want her to be. And if I become pack leader, she will be happy in her role beside me. She’ll feel like she has some influence. And she will have a little.”
“Good. Are you still comfortable with the price?” Tucker asked.
“I am.”
“Then we’ll spread the happy news tomorrow. That should calm the gossip down a bit. Silhon will let go of his vendetta against her, I think.”
“Perhaps. Although I’m sure he’ll be angered at my joining the fight.”
“Are you wanting a private or public affair? It’s been a while since anyone had a party for a mating,” Tucker said.
“A party would be good. A few days before the tournament would put the pack in a good mood. Sabra will need something special to wear. I want every male to envy me that day. Her beauty must be displayed.”
It felt like an inferno jumped to life inside her head. She couldn’t listen anymore. She cracked her door and peeked out. They both had their backs to her. Perfect. She silently crept out of her room and made it back onto the terrace without them noticing. She vaulted over the railing. The wind rushed around her as she fell. The ground jostled her ankles painfully as she landed in the deserted public square.
She straightened and looked around. Lights glowed from the small wood homes in the Lair’s suburbs. She charged off in a beeline, heading to the wilds. Never had she needed to be alone so badly, just to run.
****
Shreve sat on the ground, his back against a tree, quietly enjoying the night. He was close to the Wolf’s Wood. The Lair just beyond. He’d determined to walk and not use any of his abilities, to move from place to place, instantly, through portals, because he suspected doing so would wind his time down faster. He didn’t know this for sure; he just didn’t want to risk it. Every moment was precious.
He gazed at the black outline of the Lair. Something held him back from beginning his dive into wolf society. Doubt that he could assimilate into their culture without drawing serious attention was in the front of his mind. They were a pack, all interconnected. They kept to themselves. He didn’t think he could escape notice and just live in the background.
He still wanted to try, but the longer he thought about it, the less likely he was to do it. What did it matter anyway? He’d be dead soon. Why did he even want to try to live as wolf?
He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Something about this night felt special. Would it be his last? Was that why he felt so alive?
The faint sound of running in the distance woke him to the moment. He opened his eyes and honed his hearing...
Oh, that is lovely.
He didn’t move, and he couldn’t see anyone yet, but he could hear her heart thundering, and her lungs pumping. She was very fast. Then, he saw her. She moved through the thick of trees as if they weren’t there at all. The moonlight slid over her, lighting her up like a shimmering blade, cutting through the darkness.
He stood but didn’t follow… yet. She turned and now ran flat out in front of him, away from him. He watched her back, her long hair flew out beautifully behind her. She’d be gone soon. Too far away for him to see. He thought about tailing h
er, and then decided against it. Why should he? She was running hard from something, or someone. Perhaps he would follow far behind, just to be sure a monster didn’t stalk her.
Just as she was almost out of sight, she stopped short. He crept closer. She threw her head back and screamed. Three times, she emptied her lungs and then refilled them and screamed. He understood the utterance. She wasn’t in terror. Her scream was that of rage and frustration. He pulled his elf DNA forward and went invisible.
She paced back and forth a few times. Her aura lit up around her. Shreve moved toward her like a moth to a flame. So much life radiated from her; he wanted to absorb some of it. It was angry life, caged, and struggling to break free.
He stopped before getting too close. He just wanted to watch her for a moment, not alert her to his presence. Something about her seemed familiar. He should just walk away and leave her to whatever it was she was going through. It probably wasn’t right for him to watch her like this. He tried to consider the mysteries of right and wrong again. What did his gut tell him? Was he doing wrong by standing there, watching her when she thought she was alone?
Yes. He concluded it was wrong.
He took one silent step backward and then stopped dead. She took her shirt off and dropped it on the ground. Her pants followed. She looked up at the moon, totally naked. Her hair hung halfway down her bare back. Shreve couldn’t make himself move. His base, male desires wanted her to turn around and face him so he could see the rest of her.
She sighed and ran her fingers through her honey colored hair. Then, her body began to change. She shifted into a wolf. The moon glistened in her fur just as it had in her hair. She had no spots or markings at all except a black ring on the tip of her tail. She turned on him, and he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. He knew those deep purple eyes.
Sabra.
The young woman he’d met only once, over her sister’s dead body.
She sniffed the air. He couldn’t hide from her now. Her ears flattened on her head, and a low growl rumbled in her throat. He didn’t think. He just acted.
****
There was someone there. She couldn’t see him. He was close— she could smell him. What was that scent? Did she know it? There was something off to his smell, almost unnatural, yet alluring.
