by Cloe Cullen
Gavriel nodded. "Good. I'm glad you two sound like you know what you're doing. I was thinking about scolding you both for acting rashly."
Darius grunted. "As if you would; you haven't scolded me since I was a child."
Grinning, Gavriel clapped Darius on both shoulders. "No, you're a grown shifter now, leading a life more dangerous than I'd like...but you make your own decisions. I know I've said this before, Darius, but your mother would be proud. If you want, I'd be willing to tell you about her now..."
Glancing away into the Oldwood, streams of light created a mesmerizing image around their home. Rabbits raced around, deer pranced on by, oblivious to how close they were to shifter land. Breezes blew by and rattled tree branches and tore off leaves as they tumbled to the ground.
"Tell me after we convince Ulrick," Darius said. It frustrated him, but he didn't need the distraction right now. A pivotal moment in their survival was approaching quickly, and Darius needed to be in the right frame of mind to tackle the situation. If things went south, worrying about who his mother was wouldn't exactly help him in any fashion.
Gavriel searched his son's gaze, looking at every nook and cranny to discern his feelings, but ultimately nodded. "Alright. I trust you know what you're doing. We should go, Ulrick won't wait for us."
Darius and Amara nodded, and the trio left their house behind.
The trio arrived not long after the crowd had gathered in the middle of the central hub of Gray Creek. It appeared like every shifter this side of the river had come to hear from Ulrick about the state of their home and future.
It was nearly impossible to make their way to the front, forcing themselves between shifters who gave them both angry and fearful glances, especially when they realized who Amara was. Getting to the front, Darius spied Ulrick, arms crossed, standing atop a raised wooden platform that allowed him to look out at the masses. On his right side stood Nyssa, standing tall and letting her blonde hair flow with the wind. On Ulrick's left stood Remus, looking stoic, with a stern expression and hands clutched behind his back; he scanned the crowd, clearly looking for someone. When Remus's gaze connected with Darius' he smiled and went back to focusing on his father.
"Yesterday, Gray Creek was assaulted by creatures and beings that many thought were simply figments of childish imaginations," Ulrick began, his voice booming across the mass of wolf shifters. His signature frowning expression remained intact as he spoke. "Many of us older wolves knew they were real, that we would eventually come into contact with the Vampires who lived in the Blackwood. One day, we knew they would come try to take our land, much like they did to the great Bear Clan. But where the Bear Clan failed, we have not. We were taken by surprise, to be sure, but in the end, we triumphed!" The crowd cheered in victory. Remus eyed his father with frustration the entire time. "We have proven that we can take what the Vampires throw at us, and we can stand against everything the send to crush us with."
At this line, Remus openly stared at his father. Darius supposed Ulrick chose to ignore Remus' report and plight because there was no way in hell the Pack would survive on its own against Orpheus' remaining army.
"Do not despair, my brethren," Ulrick announced. "There is nothing to fear." The crowd rejoiced.
Remus stepped forward. "Yes, there is!"
Gray Creek went silent faster than Darius could blink. All eyes were trained on Remus, and Ulrick snarled at his son. "What are you talking about?"
Remus glared at his father. "You're ignoring everything I reported to you just hours ago, father. We cannot stand against the Vampire Orpheus on our own."
A wave of murmuring went through the crowd, every pair of eyes looking between Ulrick and Remus as if they couldn't decide which was lying and which spoke the truth. Darius clicked his tongue at the sudden spike of confusion around him.
Glancing into the crowd, Remus parted his lips to speak. "Last night, I, along with two others, spoke with the Vampire Bronwen, whom I captured during yesterday's battle. She gave us valuable information regarding our strength against Orpheus’ remaining army."
Voices began to rise amidst the crowd, repeating parts of what Remus just relayed.
"What army?" One shifter called out.
Ulrick growled loudly. "An army that we will defeat. Pay no mind to my son, for he knows not of what he speaks."
Remus snarled back. "Bronwen told me of how if we were to remain unchanged until the next attack, we would be crushed under Orpheus' heel. His army is nearly double the size of what we witnessed yesterday, and you can be sure he'll be coming personally next time to extinguish us from the Oldwood. Despite what my father believes, we will not survive the next assault on our home."
The crowd now began moving from worry into a slight panic, with shifters turning every which way and throwing out endless questions at Remus and Ulrick. Darius watched as Nyssa, who stood off to the side, stared in fright at the situation brewing before her.
"There is only one option for us," Remus said. Darius and Amara braced themselves for what Remus would say next, for they knew it would not go over well. "Our only solution to bolster our chances of surviving is to form an alliance with the Pride...together we can unite and push back the Vampire and his horde!"
The whole of Gray Creek went wild, with a myriad of emotions and voices ringing out. Darius had to focus entirely on keeping his spot next to Amara since the crowd was moving around so violently. Only now did Darius notice Gavriel missing from behind them.
Ulrick stomped his foot into the wooden platform, breaking it and bellowing into the crowd, stopping the noise before it got out of control. "Silence!" Enraged, he turned to his son. "You are naive to believe the words of a Vampire, Remus. She is not speaking the truth to you. She's trying to instigate a war between the Pride and us. Make us weaker. Make it easier for that Vampire to hunt us."
Many in the crowd nodded in agreement, but many more didn't know how to react.
Remus gripped his father's arm. "Father, please listen to reason. Bronwen was telling the truth. I know she was!"
"No!" Ulrick shook Remus off, forcing Remus to stumble back and fall back into the crowd...but at the last second a gray-haired shifter leaped forward and caught Remus before the worst occurred. Darius' eyes went wide as he realized Remus' savior was Gavriel.
Stepping up onto the platform as he helped Remus to a steady stance, Gavriel leveled a look at Remus.
"You…" Ulrick growled low.
"I agree with Remus. To survive, we should try an alliance with the Pride."
The crowd went dead silent, watching with bated breath as Gavriel confronted Ulrick. Ulrick's expression twisted in rage.
"You dare to defy me yet again, Gavriel? You've already betrayed the Pack once, but now you attempt to do so again, publicly? Are you insane?"
Gavriel shook his head. "No, the only insane shifter is you, Ulrick. No sane man would pass up an opportunity to keep his loved ones safe." He glanced out at the crowd, meeting Darius' gaze. "So, I propose a duel for the status of Alpha! It is clear you are not best for the job, Ulrick, as you let your pride get in the way of making progress."
Stunned, Ulrick took a step back. "...you can't be serious, Gavriel? You cannot best me."
Gavriel shook his head. "I probably can't, but there is one who can." He turned back to Remus, who stood wide-eyed and mouth zipped tight. "Your son! He is wise beyond his years and strives to give our people the best chance they can get. He is much worthier than you will ever be, old friend."
Darius watched alongside Amara and the rest of the crowd, his gaze unblinking and singularly focused on Gavriel, Ulrick and Remus. Each looked to Remus, awaiting his answer.
"Remus...you are not ready," Ulrick said. "It is wrong to trust both a cat shifter and a Vampire. They are our enemies. Never believe otherwise."
"Don't listen to him," Gavriel retorted. "Everything changes, boy, even enemies. One day we'll be fighting the cougars and panthers of Red Rock, and the next we're scrambling
for our lives against the Vampires and Changelings. If becoming Alpha means you have to fight your father, then don't be afraid. You can do it."
Remus trembled under the pressure, fumbling his words and logic. "I...I don't...this is too sudden...I wasn't planning on…"
Darius had known Remus long enough to recognize the signs of when Remus would back down. It wasn't Remus' fault, anyone would crumble under the pressure, but Gavriel was right. Ulrick should not be leading the Pack right now. But it was too soon to ask Remus to battle his father for supremacy in the clan. Darius wouldn't wish that upon his friend in any situation. Ulrick was stubborn, and a jackass, but he was still Remus' father. So, instincts took over for Darius. He pushed forward through the crowd, going relatively unnoticed until he stood before the wooden platform. Gavriel stared down at Darius in confusion, as well as both Ulrick and Remus.
"Remus won't be the one challenging you, Ulrick," Darius announced. "I will."
Chapter Twenty: Amara
Amara couldn't believe her ears, as apparently no one else could either.
The entirety of Gray Creek's focus was now shifted squarely on Darius. In no time Darius had darted through the crowd away from Amara, shouldered his way to stand before Ulrick, Gavriel, and Remus, and announced his challenge to Ulrick. Darius would take the place of Remus and vie for the right to claim the status of Alpha within the Pack. Never in her wildest dreams did she think Darius would risk his life this way, and neither did anyone else, it seemed.
Awkward and dramatic silence followed Darius' declaration, receiving only stares of awe and amazement. Gavriel was the first to speak, breaking the spell of silence Darius had brought forth. "Are you sure about this, Darius? This is no mere scuffle you will take part in, this would be for the fate of our entire clan. If you win, you will become Alpha of the Pack."
Darius nodded resolutely. "I'm sure. I can't afford for Ulrick's stubbornness to win this time around." He shot a glance at Remus, who looked back as if Darius had wounded him.
Ulrick chuckled wickedly. "Then you are a fool, because I would never accept a challenge from vermin like you. You are not worthy."
Gavriel snarled in Ulrick's direction, but Darius remained unfazed by Ulrick's words. "At least I am not a coward, running from the difficult choice. Fighting alone is always easier but learning to work together with someone you think you hate is the hardest thing one can do. So, run away, Ulrick, run with your tail between your legs if you think that's what is best for our clan."
Ulrick howled at Darius, slamming his fists on the platform. "I will not stand for this mockery! If you truly are dumb enough to give up your life fighting me, then so be it!" He straightened himself and shouted into the crowd. "A naive pup dares to challenge me to a duel, and now he will pay for it! Tomorrow, at dawn, we shall commence our fight. All who wish to witness his demise will meet here." Ulrick stretched out his arms. "This ground will be where his blood runs red!"
Some of the crowd cheered Ulrick on, but others shifted uncomfortably, looking at Darius with admiration. Amara understood their feelings completely. Darius was strange by both clan's standards and always stood out from the crowd. He did things no other would do; even Remus couldn't bring himself to fight his own father, but Darius was willing to put his life on the line for a simple chance at saving all.
Amara burned Darius' strong stance into her mind, his clear determination and confidence making her heart thrum. Love, lust, worry, fear...they all tumbled around in her head as she anticipated the battle to come. She loved that he stood tall for not only his people, but for hers as well, but feared that she would lose him at dawn.
Darius glanced back at her, smiling, and Amara wanted to rush up to him and throw her arms around him in an embrace and kiss him silly.
Suddenly, Amara's mating instincts kicked in again, realizing how easy it would be for Darius to fall to Ulrick. So, she pushed forward through the crowd, much like Darius did, and made for him. Surprised, Darius turned to her, and when Amara reached him, she grabbed his hand, intertwining her fingers in his, and standing tall next to him. If Darius dared to face down the Alpha, then so did she.
Predictable as always, Ulrick pointed a meaty finger at Amara. "He fraternizes with the enemy! He hasn't a chance in hell of beating me."
Feeling the need to speak out, Amara turned the crowd. "My name is Amara, I’m a cat shifter from the Pride, and daughter of the Pride's Alpha." Gray Creek's residents reacted just as Amara predicted, with apprehension and bewilderment. "Most, if not all, of you already know I come from my home of Red Rock in peace." She motioned to Darius. "Darius saved me from the Vampire Orpheus, as well as saving the lives of two young cubs that became the targets Orpheus' hunt at the same time. If...no, when Darius wins this duel, I swear on my life that I will do everything in my power to make an alliance between your people and mine a reality, uniting us against our new enemy."
There were expressions of shock to be sure, but many wolf shifters actually nodded and smiled at her promise. Slowly, but surely, Amara could see they were winning favor among a variety of Gray Creek residents. It wouldn't be long now until Amara and Darius gained the majority's favor.
"Bah!" Ulrick snorted. Amara turned to see Ulrick glare at her, and then walk off the platform, leaving them behind. Glancing to Darius's left, she met made eye contact with Nyssa, who stared back in total fright. Nyssa hung her head and turned to follow her father. Amara felt terrible for the girl.
Gavriel stepped up to the edge of the platform, clearing his throat. "Alright! You all know what's happening, no need to stand around. Go tend to your loved ones, and anyone still wounded from the fight yesterday. I implore you all to think about what's best for our clan. Also, any warriors willing to stand guard around Gray Creek, please, by all means, you're welcome to help keep an eye out for signs of any Changelings still roaming the forest."
The crowd dispersed, the central hub quieting and becoming open.
Darius turned back to look up at Remus who frowned back down at Darius. "Remus...I'm sorry. I acted on impulse. I didn't mean to do this to you…"
Remus pinched his nose. "...just, don't die tomorrow, okay, Dare? The duel is a fight to the death...just remember the gravity of your choice." He turned away from them. "I need to go speak to my father and sister. Hope you don't mind."
With that, Remus jogged away, following his father and sister. Darius squeezed Amara's hand, and she knew exactly how he felt. "Darius…" she said. "It had to be done, Remus wasn't up to the task."
"No, he wasn't," Gavriel said, gingerly sitting himself down on the edge of the platform, his legs swinging beneath him. "I suppose I misjudged Remus' resolve to fight against his father. And I underestimated how far you'd be willing to go Darius."
Gavriel looked grave, clearly worrying over the duel. Amara watched as Darius tried to grin, but the grin didn't have as much weight behind it as he wanted. Darius spoke up anyway. "Don't look so grim, Gavriel. When I win tomorrow, you'll be able to tell me all about mother, remember?" Gavriel smiled at his son, but Amara could tell easily that the smile was fake. Gavriel wasn't sure Darius could win.
"You have to win, Darius," Amara suddenly found herself saying. "You have to." She turned to Gavriel. "He has to. For my people. For your people. For our people." She gazed into Darius' eyes. "For me."
Darius' gaze softened, and he embraced her. Not expecting the sudden hug, Amara recoiled at first, but quickly let her guard down and wrapped her arms around him. Amara could feel his heart beat through his chest, rapid, intense. She could feel every emotion through his heartbeat, and she made sure to take all of his feelings in.
They let go soon after, Darius staring into her eyes with a longing she had never felt before.
"Okay, I'll leave you two alone," Gavriel suddenly broke the silence. "Don't get so lovey-dovey in the middle of Gray Creek, though." He stood and walked away, leaving them completely alone.
Darius leaned closer. "I think our plan needs to chan
ge just a tad bit."
Amara cocked her head. "How so?" Dread filled her. Did he mean he didn't think he could win the duel?
Darius moved his lips next to her ear. "I mean, that we shouldn't be aiming for a temporary alliance anymore, but a permanent one. Because once I become Alpha, you'll be my mate for life."
Amara's cheeks warmed as he moved his head back, a grin plastered on his face. "I mean, if we're going to have little Darius' and little Amaras running around, we're going to need to set a precedent."
"You're unbelievable, you're thinking about having children? Now, of all times?"
Darius shrugged, causing Amara to giggle uncontrollably.
"Alright, fine," Amara conceded. "We'll aim higher. Are you happy now?"
"Very!"
Darius' lips came in to touch hers, and they kissed, energy sparking between them. Amara just hoped it wouldn't be the last kiss they shared.
Chapter Twenty-One: Darius
Dawn came sooner than Darius wanted.
Rays of sunlight poured into his home. His eyes to fluttered open and then clamped shut in an attempt to keep the sun out of his eyes. For a moment, Darius had no worries in the world, stuck in those glorious few waking seconds where all he knew was that he had slept well and that he could still sleep for a little bit longer.
But then his stupid little grin soured as his memory of the previous day came back to him, and he pried open his eyes. He couldn't afford to waste any time, despite how his body groaned for more rest. Today was the today Darius fought Ulrick in a duel to the death to decide whether Ulrick would keep his place as top dog, or if Darius would replace him and lead their clan in the right direction.
