"Wicked cat," Nahele chuckled against his dark fur. "You could have just pounced me like this last week."
"Me pounce the Alpha?" Alec laughed, glad that no strain made it past the humor. He shook his head to clear it and turned in Nahele's arms. His thick, black tail tapped at the furs behind him, happy to have the space to move again. "The clan always comes first."
Nahele licked at his lips, the textured tongue scraping pleasantly. "Yes, it does. I'm glad you see that," he said with a smile.
Alec nuzzled at Nahele's jaw, reveling in these moments. They were too few, and he was sure they'd be fewer in the future. "The clan means everything to you."
"It does." Nahele began to groom him lazily. "I've spent many years working toward the safety we feel now."
He hadn't been born when the scourges had happened, but the stories told to him as a child around the camp fires had been enough to leave Alec with a vivid image of what Nahele had helped the clan rise from. Their kind had been systematically hunted, tortured, and slaughtered, all in the name of normalcy, and none in the clan allowed the younger generations--so far removed from the lands of their forefathers' birth--forget how far they'd come.
Alec tilted his head as Nahele's tongue began to lap at the fur of his throat. "It's a tentative safety, though," he murmured. "Those who feared us are not gone, they've only forgotten about us."
Nahele lifted his head, a small frown on his lips. "What has you thinking of such darkness? No Maith has set foot near these lands for almost two centuries, and the ones who have were from the wild kingdom, the one toward the north. They were hardly a threat."
"But they could be," Alec insisted. "We can't get too comfortable."
"We left no survivors, Alec," Nahele growled softly. "The Maith won't be coming back."
There was enough dominance and authority in that tone to make Alec's heart beat a little faster, but he swallowed back the retorts that were waiting just behind his pursed lips. He lowered his gaze from Nahele's coppery eyes. "Forgive me."
Nahele sighed, his breath chuffing softly through Alec's hair. "Of course. You're just looking out for the clan. There's nothing wrong with that, but you're young. You hadn't even been born the last time a Maith wandered into our territory. Trust me, there's nothing to worry about anymore."
Alec nodded, nuzzling Nahele's jawline. He didn't really agree, but he couldn't say that now. He didn't want to make Nahele angry and steal away the sated comfort following their rutting. His ears twitched when Nahele's tail began to unwind from his leg, and he looked down at the gold and black stripes, the white tip as it flicked and moved closer to his face. It hovered there, shivering and swaying enticingly, and he couldn't help but smile as he reached up to bat playfully at it. He swiped, missing a couple times before managing to pull it down for an affectionate bite.
Nahele laughed and tilted his head up so their eyes met. "That's better. Now, if you're done voicing your needless worries, I have a better task in mind for your lips and tongue."
As Nahele urged him down along his body, Alec let the topic drop, the annoyance that poked at him pushed to the back of his mind. The pleased purr that filled the small den as he wrapped his lips and hands around Nahele's cock soothed him, drew the submissive cat inside him to the front. Alec licked and sucked and swallowed, showing through action how much he loved his Alpha.
Hours later, as the sun dipped below the line of the trees, Alec stepped out of Nahele's den. Nahele was asleep, worn out from three bouts of rutting, and Alec winced as he stood straight up. The cool autumn wind ruffled his fur, and he lifted his nose to scent the breeze. The fires were already blazing, chasing away the coming chill of night. Somewhere, blood had been spilled, most likely for the evening meal, and Alec could hear some of the clan's cubs laughing and chasing each other in a small clearing.
Nahele was right; it was pleasant, and it felt safe. It would be so easy to become complacent, to recall the scouts from the borders of their lands. They'd procreated, become strong and healthy, no longer bearing much resemblance to the Maith their race had started from, though they retained the name 'feral-Maith' in spite of their separation. But, the evil that had rid them of their initial feral ancestors still walked, and Alec couldn't forget. Even if he'd not been alive then, he was still plagued by the growing sense that something was coming, and they weren't ready for it.
Part of that was Nahele's fault.
Alec began to walk away from the Alpha's den, his tail swishing behind him, his agitation clearly displayed by his flattened ears. What was he supposed to do? Let it continue? He loved Nahele, he did, but love had no place in clan politics. He could love Nahele as the cat he was while being dissatisfied with the leader he'd become.
As he rounded a few more dens, sidestepping running cubs with practiced ease, the light and warmth of the bonfires grew. The feral-Maith he passed all moved out of his way without him even having to glance at them, but it wasn't long before his eyes met the glinting gold of one of the wolves. He growled softly in the back of his throat and turned, walking toward one of the other bonfires. For a moment, it seemed like he wouldn't be followed, but a rustle of rough fur against a low-hanging tree branch made his ears flick backwards.
He sighed as the wolf caught up with him. The damn wolves never knew how to leave well enough alone and give a cat space when he needed it. He slowed his pace, and only then noticed how much his ass hurt from hurrying. "What do you want, Chaska?"
"You reek of him," Chaska pointed out with a wrinkled nose. "With such a sour face, people might begin to wonder."
Alec crossed his arms. "Wonder what, exactly? If anyone is stupid enough to doubt Nahele's prowess in bed, I can point them to two dozen who would vouch for him, male and female alike, yourself included. Now, what's this really about?"
Chaska had the grace to flush a little with embarrassment, and Alec inwardly congratulated himself on forcing the wolf to cut to the chase. "When are you planning on making your move?" Chaska asked plainly, making a pair of passing females pause to look at them.
Alec narrowed his eyes at the two sentries until they averted their gazes and walked faster to avoid him. He grabbed Chaska's arm and pulled him over to an isolated tree. "Don't speak so loudly," he hissed. "I'm not trying to divide the clan."
Chaska whined softly, pulling his arm out of Alec's grip and wagging his tail. "If you were smart, you would. Unless you just don't plan to ever get around to it. When are you going to challenge him? You know I'd follow you. Plenty of the others would, too."
"I'll challenge him when I say it's time." His tail fwapped angrily against the tree several times before he forced himself to shake off a bit of his anger and lean against the rough bark of the tree trunk. "It isn't just a matter of following. It's a matter of timing. If you're so impatient, you can challenge Nahele."
Chaska tried to laugh, but the soft perfume of fear rose up off of him and wafted to Alec's nose. "He would rip me to shreds."
"Then perhaps you need to trust my judgment." Alec sighed and did his best to smile at Chaska. The wolf hadn't always been his friend, but they agreed on the things that mattered most. "Go to the bonfires. Find a female or a friend to spend the night with, and try not to let the upcoming mating cycle dull your wits."
Chaska growled softly, and then took off toward the bonfires again. Alec watched him go, his face set into a frown. Chaska was right. He'd been putting it off for months--years, really--and he either needed to stake his claim or admit he wasn't alpha enough himself to make the challenge.
His eyes turned toward Nahele's den in the center of the settlement, even though he couldn't actually see it from his current position. Alec was alpha enough, and he knew this because he questioned his own skills and reasoning. He knew this because he was hesitating, because he loved Nahele and respected him. A careless leader would simply challenge the old alpha and take his place. Alec didn't want to be a tyrant, and he was thankful for his uncertainty.
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Alec sighed and headed off into the deeper forest. He needed to be alone with his thoughts tonight.
Alec kicked the furs of his bed back off his body and finally sat up. Swinging his legs over the edge of his round, nest-like bed, he ran his fingers through his loose hair. His tail tapped weakly against the furs as he sighed. He had tossed and turned all night, unable to attain a deep, restful sleep. Troublesome thoughts kept swirling in his head, and he eventually conceded it was hopeless to try for more sleep.
The sky was beginning to lighten around the edges of the hide covering his door, and he shivered in the chill of pre-dawn before padding to his small fireplace. He perked up the fire and added another log until the heat began chasing away the numbness he'd tried to cling to in order to calm his mind. Setting a small pot of water into the heat, he closed his eyes against the flames. He stood and made his way to the doorway and pulled back the flap, exhaling sharply at the icy breeze that pushed against his body.
It was going to be a cold winter if the autumn nights were already growing cold. The clan would need to store as much game as possible along with the harvest if they wanted to get through the cold months without rationing. Even with the need for hunters high, he knew he wouldn't be joining the hunt this morning.
Just like the other night, he needed to be alone, needed to be able to think without expectant or admiring glances being tossed his way. He knew the decision had to finally be made, but he still second-guessed himself. Nahele had been his friend for longer than he could remember. He had grown up with Nahele as Alpha, and that he had gotten so close to Nahele still amazed him. What they shared was special, an understanding that went deeper than casual lovers, deeper than simple friendship.
What they had was also in danger if he went through with his challenge. He didn't know how Nahele would react. He didn't even know what the outcome would be. If Nahele won, he would be disgraced for having failed. If he won and Nahele lost, there were no guarantees for anything. Their friendship might break under that kind of pressure.
The thought made Alec's chest ache as he watched the sun peek through the trees, casting a golden light into his den through the mist that had formed on the forest floor. No matter how much it hurt to think about the possible losses, he had to remember what was most important. The clan had been under Nahele's rule for centuries, and it was time for someone new to take over, to fix the weaknesses that Nahele was blind to and make the clan even stronger.
Whether he liked it or not, it was time to do what he believed was right. If he could help the clan by becoming Alpha, then it was worth everything, even losing the one friend who understood him best.
A bit of moisture pricked at his senses, and he turned back toward his fire. Steam rose from his pot of water, and he turned away from the sunlight, pinning the flap back so it would shine as he made his preparations. Tonight would be the night. He would be missed during the morning hunt, but the rest of the clan would understand soon enough. Tonight, he would have something much more dangerous than a stag at the tips of his claws.
The evening bonfires were quiet. Tense. Alec was sure most of the clan knew what he planned to do tonight, even if Nahele didn't. Nahele's Beta, Hyrad, should have sensed the rumblings, the intent to challenge, and told the Alpha, but Hyrad had never been that great of a beta. It was just one more reason Alec thought a change was needed. When the one who is supposed to be watching the Alpha's back can't be bothered, how was the clan itself safe?
He tossed his bowl of glistening meat aside, nodding when three young cubs sniffed at it. There was no reason for the food to go to waste. The three descended on it hungrily, and Alec chuckled. A few months after he took over, if he took over, he'd need to mate with one of the strongest females and produce a litter. It had been years since he'd had cubs of his own. The cubs left nothing behind, and when the central bonfire had begun to die, Alec stood. His heart pounded in his ears, and he was afraid. As afraid as he was, though, he was just as determined. The clan needed him. The clan needed change, and he was willing to die to bring it about.
Alec stopped on the opposite side of the small bonfire Nahele, Hyrad, and three of the elder clan members claimed as their own. Nahele smiled when he approached, but when their eyes met, the smile faded.
"Alec," Nahele said, putting aside his empty bowl.
It was now or never. Alec took a deep breath, his voice carrying easily when he spoke. "Nahele, you are no longer fit to be Alpha," he said, and was surprised that his voice was so steady. "It's time for you to step down and another to step up."
The gathering all but exploded into a sea of murmurs, and Alec watched Nahele's eyes grow wide with shock. The seconds it took for that shock to turn to anger were like an eternity as Alec stood there, refusing to step back or show any sign of weakness.
"Silence!" Nahele roared, and the clan immediately hushed, all eyes turning to Nahele as he stood. "I have served this clan for centuries. I have helped us unite, grow, and prosper." Nahele's eyes bored into Alec. "I will not yield my position, nor will I step down."
Alec felt his heart pound in his throat, but he allowed himself only one swallow, his tail swishing behind him resolutely. "Then I challenge you for the title of Alpha and will meet you in the challenge field to prove myself your worthy successor."
The crowd of feral-Maith broke out into murmurs again. A few even cheered him on, clapping and yelling encouragements. Alec thought he might be sick just from the effort it took not to tremble in the swarm of energy around him. Before he could show any sign of his condition, he turned abruptly and walked away from the bonfires toward the clearing where the fight would take place.
Part of him had hoped, albeit naively, that Nahele would simply step down, but he knew Nahele. The Alpha's pride would never let him step down without a fight, not when challenged to his face. Nahele might have relinquished his position and allowed another to rule the clan before, but that was hundreds of years ago, long before he had been born. The moment Nahele had wanted the position again, he had easily defeated the reigning alpha wolf.
Alec was scared. He walked to the clearing without a backward glance, both because he didn't want to appear weak, and because he didn't want to see Nahele's expression, the anger or betrayal or shock. He had to steady himself, prepare to fight without losing his nerve.
Every feral-Maith in the settlement, save for the youngest children, surrounded the clearing. Alec stood proud in the center, head high. He wouldn't back down. He couldn't back down. This was it. Good or bad, he had challenged his beloved friend and strong alpha. He would have to see this through. Alec thought his heart would leap into his throat when Nahele entered the wide, bare circle, tall and broad and deadly.
Alec didn't delude himself. Nahele had taken the position of Alpha from Breedahn six centuries ago, and Breedahn hadn't given up the seat of power easily. The battle had raged for almost an hour before Nahele chose to make a killing blow, and no other had dared challenge him since. Would Nahele kill him tonight? How badly did Nahele want to keep his place in the clan? And how badly did Alec want to take it from him?
"Do you recant your challenge?" Nahele growled across the clearing as torches were lit and staked into the ground around the perimeter.
"Do you agree to do what is right for the clan and step down?" Alec managed to growl back, forcing thoughts of the clan's well-being to override his fear and give him strength.
The fire of the torches glinted dangerously in Nahele's eyes. "No," Nahele all but spat at him.
"Then you have my answer."
Alec took a deep breath and let it out slowly, shifting his feet to get a feel for the ground beneath him as he crouched. He ignored the shouts of encouragement along with the shouts meant to distract him, sinking into the pounding beat of his own heart. His eyes narrowed, focusing only on Nahele across the clearing. He could see every minute movement, just as he was sure Nahele could see his. They both stayed in mirrored crouching posi
tions, growling and staring at each other, waiting. Waiting...
A twitch of muscle. A flaring of Nahele's nostrils as he took a deep breath. Those were the only hints Alec got before the forward rush, and he had less than a second to react. Nahele's feral side was built for speed and agility unmatched by any other cat. He was a blur in the pale, dying grass, and Alec pounced right when Nahele neared. He aimed just outside of Nahele's reach and just barely escaped Nahele's claws. He rolled and turned, immediately pouncing, but Nahele had turned as well, and they collided with loud grunts. Their teeth snapped into empty air, and they kicked and scratched at one another.
A hiss of pain sizzled through Alec's ears, but before he could even think to react, Nahele's claws connected as well. He pushed with his legs, kicking away and rolling, his tail helping to balance him in the air. They glared at one another, hissed, their ears pressed flat against their heads. Alec knew he had been cut, but he refused to take his eyes off of Nahele. The moment he did, Nahele would attack. He kept himself poised, ready to react, even while he looked for a weakness.
The terrain saved him, making Nahele misstep ever so slightly. He sprang at the opportunity, landing his first bite and getting away with just another scratch from Nahele. The tang of Nahele's blood filled his senses, made his feral side all the more eager to fight. The sound of the crowd around them faded back as he blocked, scratched, and hissed his way through Nahele's attacks.
It went on and on, small victories, small defeats on both sides. Blood dripped from his claws and lips, but also from the places on his body that burned with every movement. Nahele's speed was overwhelming, and he found himself tripped to the grass. Instinct kicked in, and he lashed out with hands and feet. Most feral-Maith trimmed their toes, but he had let his nails grow long in anticipation of this fight, and they pushed Nahele back just enough. He regained his footing and sprinted to the edge of the clearing.
Wild Passions Page 10
