Powerless

by Catherine Johnson

  “No, but what if we left him somewhere he could be found?”

  “That’s taking a hell of a risk. They’d be looking for whoever killed him.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Anyway we could set it up that they wouldn’t be?”

  “Not if he’s missing his throat and several major organs.” Michael looks pointedly at Callum.

  Callum just shrugs. “It’s a good plan, but I’m no’ makin’ any promises on that front. Bastard’s goin’ tae die, I’m no goin’ tae be careful about how.”

  “I’ll give it some thought before tomorrow. We haven’t got time for anything elaborate.”

  “Michael, if CSI has taught me anything, it’s that the more complicated you try to make a cover up, the more likely it is to fail.”

  “What about Rob?” Donna’s looking at me, not at Callum when she asks, but Callum answers.

  “That depends on him. He’s weak. He’s followed everythin’ Daniel’s told him. I’d prefer all three o’ them were ended for their parts in hurtin’ Becca, but I know that three deaths might be too much for the pack in one night. They’re normal folk after all. He doesnae get tae stay, though. After tomorrow night, he leaves. I doona give a shit where to, but he’s gone before the next full moon.”

  After a moment’s thought, Donna nods her agreement. “You’re right. A lot of the pack have never seen a fight between Alphas before, let alone one to the death. There’s a few that’ll remember your fight with Daniel the first time round, but obviously he decided to stick around afterwards.”

  “He doesnae get tae live after what he’s done. It’s no’ safe for us or for the pack, or for any other poor soul out there. He’s no’ all there anymore, Donna. It’s no’ as if jail’s an option, even if we could prove the despicable things he and his son have been doin’. And it’s no’ as if endangering werewolves is against the law.”

  “I think the pack’ll get that. None of them want to be outed. And none of them will want to be outed in association with Bryn.”

  “Aye, and doona forget lass, we’ll be changed when it happens. Instinct plays a part in that. It doesnae seem as strange when you’re furry.”

  Donna seems thoughtful a little longer, gazing out of the window, but eventually she gives herself a little shake. “Well, assuming that the world will still be turning on Monday morning, and that we’ll still be on it; our little monsters will be coming home and they’ll need feeding. We should really get some food shopping done.”

  The thought that we might not be here after this weekend, that those boys could be living with their grandparents permanently, is too big for me. I can’t quite push it out of my head, but I don’t know how to deal with it.

  Callum sees Donna and Michael out. When he comes back into the room, it’s me that’s staring blankly out of the window. I know he doesn’t have to ask if there’s something heavy on my mind, he can feel that, but even I’m not sure I can articulate all the thoughts that are spinning around and crashing into each other. He sits next to me and pulls me to him, cocooning me in his scent.

  “Talk to me, Becca”

  I start with the biggest, scariest thought that keeps stamping all over the others.

  “I’m scared that I was useless last night. I completely fell apart. I felt so helpless. I’m worried that I’ll drag you down tomorrow, that you’ll be too worried about having to protect me to concentrate on everything else.”

  “Shhhh, lass. For a start your talkin’ bollocks. Bein’ outnumbered three to one is a fucking good reason tae be scared. There’s nothin’ different that you could’ve done. And I doona think you’re rememberin’ it all that clearly.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s okay that you were scared lass, but I think the fear is gettin’ in your way. You were strong, you tried tae be strong for me, I saw it. And I couldnae have gotten rid o’ them without you, sweetheart. You knew what I needed, knew I needed tae feel you tae be stronger. I’m stronger just for you bein’ around, bein’ near tae me. You doona get in the way and you doona drag me down. You can put that bullshite straight outae your head. You need tae have a little more faith in your instincts sometimes. We’re a little more animal than most, we think different ways.”

  I curl up against him and just hold him in the still and silent room. I can’t speak about the other fears, the fears that we might lose. I have to believe that we’ll win. I have to. Any other outcome just doesn’t bear thinking about at all.

  Chapter Thirty

  Daniel’s picked a good place for the pack tae meet tonight; he’s chosen the pike o’ Alphin itself. It’s a high, desolate spot, but the ground’s as even as it ever gets around here. There’s still plenty o’ ways tae twist an ankle amongst the heather that’s carpeting the plain, if you’re human. The pack stops shy o’ the pike itself, since it’s rockier where the stones have been piled tae form the marker.

  Winter has definitely settled in. There’s been a hard frost for a couple o’ days, with perfectly blue skies through the day with no hint o’ a cloud. The night sky is so clear, that up here the moon shines almost as bright as the sun. There’s a wide halo around it, tinged with red at its edge. It’s almost as though the moon knows what’s happenin’; it rose early tonight. It’s had the heavens tae itself for a few hours whilst we’ve been waitin’ for the human world tae slow down and begin its path tae sleep.

  The pack know that somethin’ is no’ right. They’re on edge, I can feel it like ripples over the surface of a pond. Some must know by now what’s goin’ tae happen, most just know that a storm is comin’. Daniel is already waitin’ when we arrive, which doesnae surprise me; I’d have made sure o’ the same maself. He’s standin’ with Bryn and Rob, just as I expected. The four o’ us arrived together, a show o’ strength and a safety move. From the moment we leave the car, all the while we’re hikin’ up tae the meetin’ point, I keep my arm around Becca’s waist and she keeps hers around mine. I only intend on lettin’ go o’ the lass when absolutely necessary.

  The members o’ the pack that have arrived so far are stood back, I can feel their uncertainty. They doona know which side tae pick yet. I can see the looks o’ concern and shock when they see Becca. The moonlight is bright enough, and their eyesight good enough, that they can see even in the dark that she’s been marked. They have no’ seen the worst of it yet. Several o’ them, including all the new wolves, come over tae her. No one asks her how it happened or if it hurts, none o’ them speak. They want tae see, tae believe what their eyes are tellin’ them. One or two gently, very gently, touch her jaw tae tilt her head tae get a better look. She lets them without complaint, she knows they need tae see this. One or two, the stronger ones, after they’ve looked at the marks, rub their cheeks along hers. It looks odd in human form, but it’s a way of offerin’ comfort.

  We wait until the full pack is here. From what I saw two months ago, everyone stands in groups, with those they know best. Now, they’re stood in a rough circle; Daniel and me are facin’ each other at opposite sides o’ it. I can feel their tension buildin’, it’s for me tae break, I’m the challenger. It’s no’ the first time we’ve danced this reel, but it’s the first time there’s been so much at stake. I call out loud and clear.

  “Daniel Harrison. I, Callum Lennox, challenge you for this pack.”

  Daniel knows what I’m goin’ tae say, but he has tae ask. “On what grounds do you challenge?”

  “That you are no’ fit tae lead it. You compromised their safety by no’ removin’ a threat tae them. Six years ago, Bryn Morgan attacked Rebecca Howarth. You were duty bound tae kill him for that crime, but you didnae. Bryn’s been killin’ women before and after that, and you’ve no’ stopped him. Instead you’ve helped him clear the evidence. Rebecca is no the only member of our pack that he’s attacked, and it wasnae the only time. In October, he attacked Donna Cole. The pack saw him attack Becca at the last full moon. On Friday, you and yours invaded our home intendin’ tae kill her, intendin’
tae kill ma mate. Daniel, I will no’ let those crimes stand unpaid.”

  I feel Becca’s arm tighten around me. I doona need tae do this, but I want tae make the situation as obvious as possible tae the pack. I turn tae ma lass and capture her face in ma palms. She’s calmer now than she has been, I think the expectin’ o’ the thing has been worse than bein’ here. Now that it’s started, now we’re doin’ somethin’, takin’ action, she’s at ease. We’re on the path now, we only have tae see it through. I’m so fucking proud tae have this woman at ma side. She’s so young, it’d be no shame for her tae turn and run from all o’ this, but she has no’. Not only has she stayed, she’s ownin’ her part in this. Stood proud by ma side, despite the marks on her wee body, she’s every inch the mate o’ a pack Alpha.

  I lean in first, tae run my cheek against hers, an imitation o’ the scentin’ we do as wolves. We’re stood as close tae each other as we can be; she has her arms wrapped around ma back. I lick along the line o’ her lips, much like pups would do tae their mother tae beg for food, and then I kiss her. I put all o’ me intae it, everythin’. Whatever happens tonight, I want this lass tae know that I loved her. She kisses me back with all the passion she has in her, and I know she feels the same. When she moans low in her throat, I have tae let her go. The sound stirs me and I’m no’ here tae take her in front o’ the pack. I turn back tae face Daniel.

  “I accept your challenge Callum. I do not believe you are fit to lead the pack, in fact, I believe you are a danger to it. I believe it is only a matter of time before insanity takes you.”

  This is no’ a trial, there is no argument and counter argument. You state your case and then you fight. It’s very simple. We all begin tae strip and turn. I can hear the murmurs, and some gasps, as the pack see the rest o’ the injuries on Becca. I can feel her desire tae be rid o’ the marks, but she doesnae broadcast that tae the rest o’ the pack. We scent each other again, one final gesture before the fight begins.

  Me and Daniel lope forward, further intae the circle. I feel the physical loss o’ havin’ Becca by ma side, but only in so much that we are no’ touchin’. I’ve lost none o’ ma connection tae her.

  We circle, gettin’ the measure o’ each other. Daniel comes at me first, aimin’ for ma muzzle, but I’m outae the way before he can so much as taste fur. I let him come at me twice more, both times I’m outae the way before he has a chance tae get too close. I want the pack tae see that I can be controlled. I can feel them around us, a warm weight, like standin’ with your back tae an open fire. My other tactic is that Daniel has ten years on me, and I want the fella tae be feelin’ it by the time we start in earnest. When I make my move, I’m able to nip his ear since he doesnae move quite as quickly. I let him come again, then I go back in, this time I catch his muzzle. He cannae hide his squeal o’ pain.

  I see a wolf flash by ma flank, I feel rather than see that it’s Bryn. The stupid fucker. He doesnae get a chance tae get a bite at me. Before he’s so much as a breath away, I know that Michael’s run intae the side o’ him, knockin’ him off his paws. As far as the pack is concerned, Bryn’s just lost this fight for Daniel. He’s disobeyed the rules, disobeyed his Alpha. He’s made Daniel look weak, like he cannae even control the wolves close tae him; and it shows a lack o’ faith in the ability o’ his Alpha tae win on his own. I can hear the squeals o’ a fight, but I doona look, I keep my eyes on Daniel. I feel it when Michael, with the help o’ Donna, Mark and Richie, has Bryn pinned. Michael’s more than capable o’ killin’ Bryn himself, but he’s savin’ him for me.

  With that interruption outae the way, our fight begins in earnest. We start makin’ serious jabs at each others necks, hindquarters, shoulders; wherever we might get a bite in that could kill or disable.

  By this time I’m preoccupied with keepin’ Daniel in ma line o’ sight, and I doona feel any more threats aimed at me; which is why I stumble when I feel Becca’s pain. Ma hesitation gives Daniel an opening to get a bite in on ma shoulder, but I’m quick enough outae the way that it’s no more than a deep scratch, all tendons and most o’ the muscle is still in tact. Stings like a bitch though. I can no’ pay much attention tae the scuffle goin’ on on the edge o’ the circle, but by bein’ specific about where I attack Daniel, I can cause him tae turn until I’m lookin’ at where Becca had been stood.

  It’s Rob that she’s fightin’, sneaky wanker must’ve edged around the pack whilst everyone was preoccupied with us or Bryn. It’s another strike against Daniel, but I wouldnae expect and eejit like Rob tae realise what he’s doin’. In some ways it’s the intelligent move, tae go for ma mate, but not in front o’ the whole pack. Daniel gets another nip in when I see Claire interferin’ on Rob’s behalf. Before I turn ma back on that fight though, as much as I hate tae, I see Nick, Phillip and Beth, all new wolves tae the pack, join in at Becca’s side. Satisfied she’s got backup, I can concentrate on the threat in front o’ me. I’m bleedin’ from both shoulder wounds now, but they’re no’ affectin’ ma range o’ movement. I make a couple o’ quick darts at Daniel that he’s no expectin’, and when I back off he’s bleedin’ at least as much as I am if no’ more.

  I feel it when Rob’s neck breaks, and I can feel that it’s Becca that’s done it. I hear a pitiful whimper and I know that Claire’s submittin’ tae Beth. On the heels o’ that I can feel the rest o the pack relax, like they’ve figured out that there’s only one threat left, and they know they can see it clearly. And then I feel the surge. Daniel’s son and his pet have lost this fight for him. The pack is with me, feedin’ me their energy; they’ve chosen me tae lead them. I feel Daniel’s shock, he truly did no’ expect them to abandon him, even though he never gave them a reason tae stay with him. Ridin’ on the wave o’ that power I go for Daniel, I go in close, causin’ him tae back up or rise ontae his hind legs He makes the mistake o’ doin’ a bit o’ both. I drop and go in low. He sinks his fore claws intae ma shoulders, right on the bites he’s given me, but I have tae ignore the pain tae take this chance. I push up, forcin’ him further ontae his back legs so that I can get at his neck. I clamp my teeth on the soft underside, unhindered by the bones o’ the spine, it does no’ take much tae tear his throat away.

  He drops like a stone, I get outae the way, I doona want a hundred pound or more o’ dead weight droppin’ on me. There’s no way he should heal that wound, but I’m no’ goin’ tae back off or back down until I’m sure the bastard has bled out ontae the heather. When he dies, I feel him slip away. Moments later, as is the way o’ things, his body turns human again. I throw ma head back and howl. The pack is mine, and they howl with me. There’ll be people throughout the valley wonderin’ what the fuck is goin’ on, but for once we doona care. The night is ours.

  I return tae ma mate as the first order o’ business. The lass did well. I can tell from a brief sniff at Rob’s body that the wolves helpin’ her kept him at bay, but didnae lay teeth or claws on him. My lass has done this by herself. There’s a small amount o’ blood on her muzzle, but no marks on the body. Seems tae me that she’s managed tae get him by the neck and shake him until it broke. I’ll have tae ask her later if she did that on purpose. Claire is lyin’ in a submissive puddle at Beth’s paws, belly on the floor, nose between her paws, she’s no’ goin’ tae be a problem anymore. Fuck knows what she saw in that wanker, what made her defend him. Between scentin’ and nuzzlin’ we make it clear tae the pack that I’m happy with Becca, and that they’re dealin’ with us as a pair. As if they didnae already know that.

  The next order o’ business is Bryn. There are three wolves keepin’ him down. I huff tae let the lads know they should let him up. As I expect him tae, he comes straight for me. He’s got no’ sense o’ strategy, he obviously just relies on his brute strength all o’ the time. I decide tae take a leaf outae ma mate’s book. Before Bryn can wheal around tae come at me again, I’m on him. I use ma bodyweight over his back tae slow him. I get ma teeth in around his spine and whip ma head, side tae side. T
he crack o’ his spine echoes across the silence that’s only broken by the pantin’ o’ the pack. Just like Rob, when he drops, the wounds heal as his dead body changes back, but the change cannae heal the damage tae his spinal cord, only the puncture wounds o’ ma teeth. I hope Michael can come up with some plan tae give Bryn’s body tae the law; I’d hate tae have wasted an opportunity tae make the bastard suffer.

  All threats taken care o’, I lead the pack in another chorus of howlin’, this time tae signal the start o’ the run. I wait only as long as it takes Becca tae trot over tae may side, and then we’re off, racin’ over the moors and intae the silver night.

  There’s never been anythin’ like this feelin’. I’ve been a wolf for thirty-five years. I was Alpha o’ this pack for five years before I went tae jail. None o’ that compares tae the power and freedom o’ this run. It’s a perfect night. We cannae feel the cold through our thick pelts, the moon is blazin’ and ma mate is runnin’ by ma side. She’s so fair she glows in the moonlight like a ghost. She’s keepin’ pace with me easily. I feel like I could fly, knowin’ that there’s no need tae hold back, no’ for anyone.