“I’m not fucking the entire circus, if that’s what you mean.”
“No, you won’t.” There was something final and possessive in that response, which appealed to me.
“Am I staying here?”
“If you want.”
“Are you going to take over at the circus?”
He sighed. “It looks like I have to. I’m heading over there soon. I gotta assess the situation.”
“I should get a job there. I’d give anything to quit being a waitress. I suck those poor people dry as it is.”
“I bet.”
“So you’ll suck ‘em dry at the circus?” asked Stuart. His look was teasing.
“I can’t help it. I don’t want to do that. You’re the only people I’ve ever been able to be around.”
“Rodney could get her a job,” said Clive. “She could work behind a counter or as a ride operator. She wouldn’t get too close to people that way. It’s a possibility.”
Gerry took a sip of coffee; his look was thoughtful. “Maybe.”
“I’d love that.”
“She’s a pretty girl,” said Stuart. “Maybe we could put her in the show. Dress her up in somethin’ skimpy. Crowds love half-naked girls.”
“There is some potential there.” Gerry grinned.
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
“You know, that’s not a half bad idea,” said Stuart. “She could maybe wander around, petting us or something. Or she could lie down, and we could jump over her. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated.”
“I’ll bring it up with Markus’s pack.”
“It’s your pack now, Gerry,” said Clive. “You’re the alpha-male.”
He grimaced. “You know what this means, right?”
The men looked grim. “Yeah, Gerry,” said Stuart. “We know what it means?”
I glanced between them. “What?”
“He’s gotta fight Joe,” said Clive. “He was next in line for alpha, and Gerry’s gonna have to beat his ass into submission.”
“When does that happen?”
“Soon,” grumbled Gerry.
“Isn’t that barbaric?”
“It’s how it’s done. Why do you think I didn’t want to do this? I hate pack shit.”
“Oh.”
“The show’s cancelled for tonight,” said Clive. “We got till tomorrow to straighten this mess out. The show’s gotta go on.”
Concern raced through me. “So this happens tonight?”
“Yep,” said Gerry. “It sure does.”
After our conversation, Gerard drove me to work, where I told my boss I was quitting. I turned in my uniform, but I’d have to wait for the last check to show up in my account, and that wouldn’t be for another week. I picked up my car at the trailer park and followed Gerry back to the cabin, where we were alone, because Stuart and Clive had gone to the circus to wait for him there. The night would be filled with violence, but it was pack related and expected. There would be a wolf fight, because Gerard had to assert himself, or he would not be accepted as the alpha. Their customs were strange, yet it was how it was done, and I would get a firsthand glimpse into a world I was only just beginning to understand.
We drove to the circus, as the sun set, casting streaks of orange and purple across the sky, while the storm that had threatened drifted off. The effect left the air stagnant with humidity. How Gerard could wear jeans and a leather jacket and not die of heat was a mystery. The wolves ran hotter by nature as it was. The parking lot was full of cars, as people came and went, enjoying a night at the circus. Music played over loudspeakers, while the sounds of screams echoed from one of the faster rides.
The vibration of all these people gathered together had begun to give me a high, my body drawing in the energy. Working here would be beneficial in this regard, because I could siphon vitality across the masses, rather than a diner full of unsuspecting employees and customers. Poor Stella and Rachel always felt exhausted working with me, and there was good reason for that. Their energy would now improve with me gone. I had actually done them a tremendous favor by quitting.
I handed Gerry my helmet. “Are we supposed to wait for them here?”
“Let’s walk to the trailers.”
“Will you travel with them now?”
“I don’t know.”
“What about your businesses?”
“They’re looked after. I have faith in my managers. I don’t trust any one, but I have faith.”
“I feel the same.”
He took my hand. “You’re devastated that I’m stayin’, I can tell.”
I struggled to hide a smile, but it was impossible. “Yeah. It’s a real bummer.”
“I hope you don’t get too attached.”
He drew me to him, and I felt his heat, while the smell of leather filled my senses. “You’re kinda sending mixed signals, buddy.”
“How’s that?”
“You tell me not to get too attached, and then you hug me. That’s a total mixed signal. Your head is saying one thing and your body another.”
“Quit analyzing everything.”
“I’m a woman. That’s what we do.”
“I might lose this fight tonight.”
I glanced at him, suddenly alarmed. “What?”
“I’m outta practice. I’m not as vicious or as hungry as I used to be. These guys are tough. They’ve been fighting for alpha for years. I walked away, remember? I didn’t want any part of it. Like I want my hide torn apart over this. I’ll need a fucking tetanus shot later.”
“You’re worrying me.”
“You probably don’t wanna watch this.”
“I’m going with you.” I was concerned for him now, realizing the fight wasn’t as easy as I had thought it would be.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” said a male voice.
“Yeah, I’m lookin’ at it, Casper.”
One of Markus’s wolves approached. His feet were encased in cowboy boots, and he wore a pair of jeans with a black t-shirt. “The party’s about to start.”
“Great.”
“You ready to kick some ass?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You’re outta practice, ain’t you? That’s what happens when you quit the pack. You go soft.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, Casper. I’ll hold my own.”
“We’ll see.” His eyes ran over me. “You’re not letting this one outta your sight, are you?”
“That’s none of your damn business.”
“Whoa…defensive. She must be good.”
My skin tingled from his appraisal, his eyes roaming over me. I’d worn jeans with a tank top tonight, and my purple bra straps showed, the support pushing my boobs upwards in a pleasing display of cleavage. This was now where his attention was.
“She looks good enough to eat.” There was a raspy quality to his voice that sent a shiver down my spine. His eyes flashed with an animalistic light, which set me on edge. “Maybe you coming back isn’t such a bad thing after all.”
~ Chapter Seven ~
Gerard took my hand, leading me away. “Where is everyone?”
“Waiting in the woods. They sent me to get you.”
“Where’s my pack?”
“They’re around.”
He stopped in his tracks. “Where are Stuart and Clive?”
“I’m sorry man, but the consensus was that they won’t be a part of this. Your girlfriend can stay, but not your mates.”
“This is bullshit! They’re my pack! Where the hell are they?” The anger that radiated around him was so strong; I had to let go of his hand. He was thoroughly enraged.
“You know the rules. No outside interference. They’re waiting for you somewhere safe.”
“You mean you got them locked up somewhere.”
“Somethin’ like that.”
“Shit!” He raked fingers through his hair. “You let my guys go right now!”
“After the fight, t
hey’re free as the wind.”
“That’s not good enough. I want them free right now.”
“What’s all this fuss?” asked Mila, who sauntered over; her expression was ambiguous. “We’re waiting for you. You two wanna stop arguing, so we can get started.”
“Free my guys, Mila. They don’t need to be locked up.”
“They’re just fine, Gerry. It’s for their own protection.”
“Bullshit!”
“You can’t bring them to a family meeting. You know that,” said Casper. “She shouldn’t even be here.”
“Shit!” Gerry stalked towards Casper, pointing a finger in his face. “If you pull any shit, I’ll fucking kill you. This is between Joe and me. If any of you start to shift, it’s over. You understand?”
“We’re well aware of the rules, Gerry,” said Mila. “They’ll be followed exactly. Now, come on. Everyone’s waiting.”
Mila and Casper headed for the woods. I glanced at Gerry. “Are you okay?”
“Some shit’s about to go down. I can feel it.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but it won’t end well. They’re gonna try to fuck me over. I told you I hate pack shit. All these little fuckers know is how to play games, and they don’t fight fair. I grew up in this mess. It was a real shit show, and it still is.”
“You don’t have to do this. You can walk away.”
“I’m stuck in it now.”
Casper and Mila stepped into the trees, disappearing. We followed them slowly, as the sounds of the carnival began to diminish; the darkness gave off eerie shadows. My feet crunched over pine needles and leaves, and I felt a chill, although it was anything but cold. There was a light up ahead, and, as we approached, a group of people had gathered. A perimeter had been established with several flashlights placed at intervals. A naked man waited in the center.
“Nice of you to show up,” said Joe. His body was covered in tattoos and scars, some looking newer than others.
I recognized Steven and Renee and Tracy. They eyed our approach, their postures were tense, and they radiated with vibrancy, which was beginning to make my head buzz.
“Good,” said Tracy. “We can get going. I’ve got a beer with my name on it.”
“Why don’t we go over the rules,” said Gerry. “I wanna make sure everybody’s clear on the rules. I got a feelin’ some of you are thinking about breaking them.”
“We follow the rules,” said Mila. “Two fight and only two. The rest watch. Last wolf standing is alpha. It’s as simple as that.”
“It better be.” He removed his jacket. “If any bullshit goes down, the fight is void. The outcome is void. Got it?”
“No bullshit, Gerry,” said Renee. “You’re acting like you don’t trust us. We’re your family after all. It really stinks that you can’t trust your own family.”
“Oh, don’t start with that,” he spat. “I’ve got plenty of scars from my “family” to prove that you bunch of dogs are anything but trustworthy.”
Her hands went to her hips. “Don’t call me a fucking dog.”
“Then don’t act like one.”
“Okay,” said Mila. “Enough! Undress and shift. Let the game begin.”
Joe growled low in his throat, and his body began popping. The sight of him shifting affected Gerry immediately, as he too began to growl. He stripped his shirt off, followed by his jeans. He flung his boots towards me. A second later, he fell to the ground, twisting in an unnatural way, his back cracking all the way along the spine. Both men groaned in agony, their faces pinched with pain. I could not begin to imagine what it felt like to have every bone in your body break in order for the transformation to occur. Within a minute, they were on all fours, fur appearing rapidly, as ears and tails developed, and paws took the place of hands and feet. The animals were nearly identical in color, with only the white on Gerry’s face distinguishing him.
We all stood back, the wolves growling low and fierce. I felt a ping of fear for Gerry, worried that he wasn’t going to win this match. I glanced at Mila, and she seemed rapturous, her eyes glinting with excitement. The others were affected as well by Gerry and Joe’s transformation, and I wondered if it was an effort for them not to shift.
“The last wolf standing wins the status of alpha,” said Mila. “May you fight with skill and honor. Let the contest begin!”
Joe leapt towards Gerry, who met him head on, the wolves biting one another, drawing blood. They landed easily, turning and preparing to attack again. Their paws stalked the ground, as they circled, growling with sharp teeth bared and spittle dribbling out of the corners of their mouths. Gerry’s wolf eyes blazed a vibrant blue. Joe pounced, sinking his teeth into Gerry’s neck.
“That’s it!” shouted Casper. “You got him.”
In response, I said, “Get him, Gerry! You can do it.” Casper gave me a look, smirking.
“Come on, Joe!” yelled Renee.
“Thatta boy.” Tracy beamed triumphantly. “Whip his sorry ass.”
The wolves continued the pattern of circling and then attacking, drawing apart after biting. Both animals dripped with blood, the fur around their necks crimson. It was terrifying seeing Gerry like this, but he seemed to give as good as he got, inflicting the same amount of damage. They tore into each other, one particular joining was especially vicious, and when they pulled apart, Joe limped noticeably.
“Finish him off, Joe!” screamed Renee. “You can do it!”
“Come on, Joe!” Mila looked anxious, the lines between her eyes had deepened. “Good boy! You’re almost there.”
Steven refrained from saying anything, his expression void, as if he were afraid to participate or choose sides. He was the outcast among his pack, and they had never treated him well. His wary gaze drifted from one wolf to the other, almost as if he were expecting something else to occur.
“Kick his fucking ass!” screamed Renee. “Finish him!” I met her gaze. “Don’t look at me like that, bitch. Once he’s down, you’ll be next.”
Gerry, even in his wolf form, had understood that; his attention was on us. This gave Joe the opportunity to pounce on him, jumping onto his back and tearing into the meat near the nape of his neck. I screamed, knowing that this would inflict a lot of damage. Gerry yelped, his body shaking to dislodge Joe, who refused to let go. The animals fell to the ground rolling, until they separated. Blood was now coated in dirt, as Gerry howled in agony. The sound sent a bolt of fear straight into the pit of my stomach. This was not going to end well.
“He’s almost done!” screamed Tracy.
“Kill him!”
I glanced at Renee, shocked that she had uttered those words. Kill him? I thought this fight was to assert dominance, not to inflict death. What was happening here? “Omigod! Stop!”
Steven grabbed my arm, whispering, “It’s too late now.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’ve planned this from the start. Joe’s gonna be the next alpha. They don’t need Gerry. I’m…sorry.”
I met his gaze, as panic seized me. “What are you talking about?”
The snarls and growls of the wolves surrounded us, as the tension escalated. Their passion and vigor had amplified even further. I wasn’t unaffected by the pack’s bloodlust, the metallic ting of blood lingered in the air, teasing me. However, one of the wolves would end up dead, which brought an entirely different level of feeling to the fight. I didn’t like this one bit.
“Finish him, Joe!” screamed Renee. “Finish him!”
Both wolves were now drenched in blood and limping. It looked as if half of Joe’s ear was torn off, and Gerry had a nasty gash across his cheek. I was nearly desperate to put an end to this farce, as it was clear that the rules hadn’t been fully explained. They had lied to us. This wasn’t about the best wolf winning, it was about the loser dying, and, from the condition that Gerry was in, I’d say he was the likely victim. His pack wasn’t with him to offer protection. He had no one to who
would stand up to help him. I bit my lip, tasting the blood of desperation, and meeting Steven’s gaze. He looked grim.
Savage growls filled the air, the wolves limped around one another, nearly nose to nose now, their faces awash with blood. A moan caught my attention, and, to my horror, Renee had dropped to the ground, contorting strangely while her body began to shift. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Only the wolves fighting were allowed to change.
Steven’s look told me that he had known this would occur. They had lied about everything, the backstabbing bastards. They would all gang up on Gerry. Tracy had begun to shift and Casper as well.
“You liars!” I screamed. “You fucking liars! So much for a fair fight, huh?”
“This is pack business, honey,” rasped Mila, who had begun to change. “You don’t have a say in what we do. There’s no way we’re gonna let him be alpha. Sorry…honey,” she groaned, while her vertebrae snapped.
Clive and Stuart were incapacitated somewhere, and Gerry was about to die. Within seconds, five wolves surrounded him. Steven had not shifted, and he stood away from the circle, his features a mask of fear and regret. It would be over soon, as one wolf was no match for five vicious beasts. In that moment, that horrible, disgusting moment, where I felt the bile rising to the back of my throat, I knew he was going to die. I had to do something!
Fear, terror, and helplessness left me trembling with emotion. I willed my wings to appear. I’d been able to fly with my strange and unusual powers, but I had never attempted anything other than this basic survival skill. Gerry was surrounded, limping, and his shoulders had dropped. His damaged face was nearly unrecognizable now. The wolves were a hairsbreadth from killing him.
My mother had hinted at my condition, mumbling cryptically about my demon tendencies and how they were latent, until called upon. I’d only half-listened, not wanting to understand, and preferring to live in the happy cocoon of denial. I’d never been in a situation like this before. I had never been around such violence, such hatred. My own instincts were a reflection of the events happening around me, and, in that moment, everything was about survival. As I lifted from the ground, a surge of power inundated me, leaving me tingling. I glanced at my hands, and gasped. They were not the pink, tapered fingers I was used to seeing. In their place, I had grown claws! Long, sharp claws, which appeared lethal. One look at Steven confirmed this, as he had backed away from me, meeting up with a tree. His face had gone white.
Ravished By The Wolf (Alpha-Male, Succubus Erotica) Page 4
