by Caris Roane
The ringing sounded louder than usual, probably because he could hear his heart beating in dull, anxious thuds.
“What the fuck do you want?” Kryder’s voice was deep, scornful.
Something about his tone, that he didn’t care he’d just tortured and murdered two beautiful young female wolves, emptied Grant of his fear. “Simple. You’re finished as of now. I’m challenging you to a dominance battle.”
Kryder laughed. “You can’t win or did your IQ just drop by fifty points?”
“Be at the Meldorin pit in twenty minutes or forfeit the pack by default.”
He didn’t wait for Kryder to accept or decline. He hung up and returned the phone to his pocket.
He contacted Ryan. I’ve sent the challenge. Either he arrives in twenty minutes, or I take over the pack.
Is it wrong of me to hope the bastard doesn’t show?
Grant smiled as he ended the mind-to-mind communication.
Kryder would show. Grant had known him a long time. He lived for dominance challenges, mostly because he’d have a chance to kill another wolf.
Hatred was what Grant felt for Kryder, an emotion he’d held close to the vest for too long. What he was about to do, he did for all the wolves that had been brutalized and killed at Kryder’s hand.
Natalie was right to warn them not to underestimate him. But Grant trusted that the alpha’s arrogant nature would stay with him long enough that he would fail to contemplate the kind of coup Grant had planned.
Only five of Ryan’s most trusted wolves knew what was about to happen. They’d secured the crowd-control net and were ready. Natalie would arrive in an invisible state and draw the team inside her spell.
Grant and Ryan’s team would wait in the pit for Kryder to arrive.
The pack had already been summoned and would be moving quickly down to the arena at the lowest level of the compound.
As he began his descent, he reached out to Natalie. Time to go invisible.
He heard her murmur softly, “Begin.”
She disappeared but kept a hand on his arm as he touched down outside the compound.
His pack’s primary residence needed the money Kryder siphoned off for The Sapphire Club. The exterior was the former lobby of an old but quite large apartment complex. Pack members occupied most of the aboveground apartments, though more recent lower-level additions had increased the number of available living spaces considerably.
However, plumbing issues occurred all the time along with electrical problems because Kryder wouldn’t authorize the necessary repairs. Cursing could be heard up and down the halls all hours of the day and night. Occasionally, there’d be a flood.
He walked through the door giving Natalie enough time to pass through. I’m here. Her voice was sweet inside his mind.
Good. Stay close and stay on my right.
Got it.
On both sides of the entrance, pack wolves dipped their foreheads to him.
Did they come to greet you?
Yes. By now, the entire pack will be assembling and lining the halls or waiting in the arena. See the stairs up ahead?
I do, she said.
We’ll be descending through there. You’d better walk behind me but stick close. Good, here’s Ryan. You’ll want to go with him.
Grant shifted gears and spoke telepathically to his beta. Natalie is with me but invisible. She’ll follow directly behind you. Is the net in place?
Yes, Boss.
Switching back, he spoke to Natalie. Go with Ryan but stay behind him. He’ll offer guidance as needed. I have to change. And Natalie?
Yes?
Stay alive.
I’ll do my best. You do the same.
With that, he greeted several of the wolves who had helped guard Natalie’s house and headed with them to the locker room.
~ ~ ~
Natalie fell in behind Ryan and spoke to him telepathically letting him know where she was. They headed the opposite direction as Grant.
It’s strange to be talking to you while you’re invisible.
Your telepathy is perfect. Do your wolves have the net?
Yes, it’s ready to go. Kryder will be an angry bear in a cage when he realizes what we’ve done. I sure as hell hope this works.
It will. Natalie spoke with a confidence she didn’t feel. There were a ton of holes in this plan, like whether or not the pack would even allow Grant to take over in this way. She’d heard tales of the extent packs were bound to their alphas, the level of loyalty each wolf felt compelled to show no matter what.
Right now, what worked for them was the torturous deaths of the two young female wolves. Everyone had a breaking point. Maybe this would be enough to carry the entire pack out from under Kryder’s heinous control.
When they reached the third belowground hallway, it curved leading her to believe they were walking along the outside of the sandpit seats.
Ryan headed toward a door at the far end. When he reached it, he opened it wide and held it until she’d told him she was inside.
He gestured to the metal stairs. These lead to the maintenance entrance of the sandpit. He headed swiftly down the stairs. She followed on his heels as he continued, The team is waiting for us. I want us on the sand before Kryder gets here so that we can be motionless. We’ll levitate once Grant gives us the signal to bring in the net.
What’s the signal? Natalie asked.
He’s going to shout, ‘Bring it’. We figure Kryder will think those words were meant for him.
She had to admit it was a clever choice.
There was another door at the bottom of the stairs. She was greeted with the sight of five wolves, each looking somber and strained. She didn’t blame them. No matter the outcome, their conduct tonight was akin to an act of war. The pack would never be the same regardless of the winner.
The men were grouped around a metal net.
Ryan explained, We can add electricity if we need to. But the sheer weight of it should give Grant the advantage he’ll need to end Kryder’s reign.
A long cord with a switch near an outlet spoke its painful potential.
Ryan addressed the group quietly. “Natalie is with us. She’s going to take us inside her invisibility spell, the net included.”
Natalie spoke the word, ‘End’, and she became visible to the men. They remained silent, however, though a few pairs of eyes went wide. “I’ll levitate around the perimeter of the entire team, including the net, invoking the spell as I move. You’ll know you’re invisible when the outer world looks covered in a soft glow. Ready?”
All heads bobbed.
Before she began, she reached out to Grant. I’m invoking the spell now. Your team is in place. I understand the signal is ‘Bring it’.
It is.
All for now.
She broke the connection and rose into the air. Aloud she said, “Begin and include.” She moved quickly around the perimeter and by the time she returned to her point of origin, the circle closed. All six wolves, Ryan included, glanced around and started talking about the glow.
“You can still be heard,” she offered quickly.
The wolves fell silent.
They were an extraordinary group of men, all built as hell like Grant. If she allowed herself, she could easily be overwhelmed by their presence.
Instead, she invoked her wolf which came alive with almost the blink of an eye. She settled herself beside Natalie. She appeared tense and alert like the rest of the wolves, each waiting for the battle to begin.
She reached out to Ryan. Can we get closer to the sand?
You’re sure we can’t be seen?
Check with each of your wolves, but they all appear to me as though they’re inside the spell.
Will do.
She waited as Ryan contacted each wolf telepathically, made eye-contact and got an affirmative to no doubt a query about what the wolf saw.
When all the wolves had agreed they believed themselves inside the spell, Ryan offer
ed a hand single. He raised his arm, turned it in a circle and point the direction to move. He made a second motion, pumping up and down once, probably indicating levitation.
They had to fly above the sand or their footprints would draw attention.
The wolves each took up a side of the net. Ryan led the way. Natalie followed behind with her iridescent wolf. More than one of the wolves eyed the specter as though stunned. Maybe she should have warned them she was part wolf, but it was too late now.
As Ryan turned the corner, he disappeared from view until the entire group made its way to the edge of the sand. She understood the design and layout of the pit now.
But as she came into full view, there was Grant in the very center of the sandpit, standing with his side to their part of the small arena. His gaze moved over the crowd in the seats which began twenty feet above the pit.
Her cheeks became instantly flushed because all he wore was a dark leather loin cloth. His bare hips and thighs showed every sinewy muscle. His thick braid hung to his waist. He stood upright, shoulders well back, and looked more like a warrior than ever before.
As Ryan drew the team to a halt, she understood what Grant was doing. He made it a point to meet the gaze of every wolf now seated in the arena. Slowly, he lifted his arms.
When they were upright, he threw his head back and howled. Fur appeared on different parts of his body.
The pack returned his greeting.
When he ceased, the pack ceased. He dropped his arms only to begin slowly lifting them again. Once more, with his fingers pointing toward the ceiling, he howled.
The wolves responded, louder than before.
Again, he dropped his arms to his sides. He repeated the sequence and howled once more. The wolves joined him. Only this time, he didn’t stop. The wolves got louder and louder.
She was in awe and completely overcome. She wished the wolves of her team couldn’t see her. She felt exposed by how much she was feeling. She realized each was trembling, including Ryan, at having to restrain themselves when their pack was howling as one.
Her iridescent wolf leaped up and down and also trembled for holding back her howls.
The din shook the rafters and her wolf within, now part of her spirit, loved every second of it.
Slowly, Grant stopped and pivoted so that his back was to her. His gaze became fixed to the entrance above, at the north side of the spectator gallery. All the wolves fell silent and turned as one to stare at the same location.
Shifting her focus as well, Natalie understood instantly what was happening.
The monster of the hour drew near.
Though Kryder hadn’t yet appeared in the doorway, he wasn’t far away, maybe a few dozen yards.
She forced her heart to settle down. She sought out the most resilient part of herself knowing she would need to remain as calm as possible during the next few minutes. She couldn’t panic or let fear overtake her.
Because of her connection to Grant, as well as her own growing wolfness, she could feel how the pack had become almost a single organism.
Silence fell on the sandpit arena. She felt as though time stopped as together, they awaited the arrival of their alpha.
Her wolf sat in front of her, on her haunches, ears perked up and listening. Natalie could hear the measured thump of booted feet, like several men marching in formation. They probably were. Kryder wouldn’t have arrived alone.
As the alpha appeared, several wolves near the entrance gasped. Natalie soon saw the cause. Kryder wore a bizarre costume including a tall feathered headdress and a massive embroidered cape. The feathers were light blue, silver and red which matched the intricate patterns on the navy velvet cloak.
Natalie shifted her gaze to the gallery. Each pack member bowed his or her head as Kryder passed by. The submission was complete and thorough from one wolf to the next.
Her iridescent wolf whimpered quietly.
New awareness arrived, and she contacted Grant. He’s using a charisma spell to enhance the pack bond, isn’t he?
You’re right. Thank you. I was feeling it as well, the need to bow to him.
Do pack wolves always bow to their alphas?
No. A nod of deference, yes. But this kind of response, no.
Natalie worked not to panic. Can you resist him, resist the spell?
I don’t know.
We can always drop the net first thing.
She watched a smile touch his lips. We may have to, but I’m not ready to give in yet.
By now Kryder had reached the midpoint. He paused for effect then continued his progression. Maybe he’d seen or at least understood that Grant had the support of the entire pack and he intended to break it apart with his current parade.
Worse, it was working. Even her wolf was in agony as she watched Kryder.
With some effort, she shifted her gaze away from the demon who served as alpha to the Meldorin Pack. She focused instead on the worthy wolf still watching Kryder’s progress.
How do you defeat a man who uses a wizard’s spell to enthrall an entire arena of wolves?
She turned to Ryan. His trembling had ended but he was sweating, his eyes glazed. She reached out to him telepathically. Ryan, the bastard is using a spell.
Slowly, Ryan shifted his gaze to her. He squinted for a moment, then asked, What?
Kryder is using a spell to enthrall the pack. They’ll never break the bond in this condition.
He looked around and blinked several times. The wolves on the team were also slightly dazed. He lifted a finger to Natalie, a hold signal.
She waited and observed as he went from one to the next and broke each from what had been a serious trance-like state. When he was done, he stared up at the crowd.
To Natalie, he said, What if this continues? He’ll have control of the pack and you’re right, they’ll never break the bond in this condition.
She swept her gaze over the gallery once more. It ran in a half-circle above the sandpit. Can you take care of this?
You mean wolf-by-wolf?
She turned back to him and smiled. That’s your gift, isn’t it? You know every wolf by name, who they are, what they dream about when Kryder isn’t terrorizing them.
He seemed surprised then returned her smile. Yes, one-by-one, but I’ll need to stay hidden. Once Kryder’s men catch sight of me, I’m dead.
I understand. I can hold the spell over you at a distance. We’ll make it work and I’ll let Grant know what we have to do. When he seemed to hesitate, she deepened her telepathic voice just a little and added, Go. Now.
Again, he seemed surprised, but he took off at a run. She could feel the invisibility spell expand with him. He must have as well because he winked at her as headed through the door and back up the stairs.
Kryder had completed his tour of the gallery and slowly turned toward the sandpit. “So, you would challenge me tonight.”
Before Grant could answer him, she said, Ryan is going through the crowd to break the spell one wolf at a time. Stall Kryder as much as you can before engaging him in battle.
She watched Grant take a deep breath. Aloud, he finally addressed Kryder, “What I would prefer is if you simply broke the pack bond right now. We don’t need to do battle. You have your own interests anyway. Why not let the pack go?”
Kryder lifted his arms which spread the cape as he gestured to encompass the pack. “They are loyal to me. Why would I ever leave my people when they love me so?” He laughed, then continued, “But I’m not heartless, though I intend to see you buried before the hour is gone, so I’ll make you an offer. Leave Savage forever, and I’ll let you live.”
“Never.”
“That’s too bad. Not even if I add that I will cease my pursuit of your woman as well?”
She watched a flush of heat cross Grant’s face. Once more, she interjected, Don’t let him get to you. Ryan has barely started breaking the spell. Keep him talking.
Grant turned away from Kryder and levitated in a slow
circle. Thank you for that. I almost fell into his trap. He knows my temper.
“I see Natalie has had a good influence on you. Is she here by the way? Where are you hiding her?”
“I didn’t want her to see the battle. So, no, she’s not with me.”
Kryder looks like a peacock. No, a turkey. He looks ridiculous. Ask him about his garb.
“Why did you dress like this? Not exactly wolf-like.”
Kryder levitated and rose above the metal railing that surrounded the top of the pit. He paused to plant his feet on the metal. “I had it made especially for this moment. I’ve also been told it will calm my people.”
“It looks like it did. But there’s something I’ve always wanted to know, Kryder. What happened to you? Why terrorize your people? I’ve never understood.”
Slowly, he moved off the railing and began his descent.
Natalie glanced up at Ryan who had begun with the wolves nearest his arrival point. He was working fast and going from one person to the next as quickly as he could. Fortunately, Kryder’s men were all watching their leader to notice the disruption in the gallery. She estimated at least a fourth of the people were now free of the spell.
When Ryan addressed each one, no doubt telepathically, he also touched their shoulders. She watched the sudden surprise then a return to a feigned spelled state. More than one wolf leaned close to another one and whispered to act as though enthralled.
As a whole, the wolves did a good job appearing bespelled with heads almost bowed and eyes cast down.
By the time, Kryder was halfway to the sand, she once more contacted Grant. Don’t look, but Ryan has a quarter now free. He’s moving fast. You’ve got a good man there.
Don’t I know it. And a freakshow almost in my face. What do you make of the cape?
Natalie turned her focus on Kryder once more. I’m guessing it was part of the initial enthrallment. A way to make sure every wolf was focused on him as he cast the spell.
Did it affect you?
My wolf has been whimpering, but that’s all. Helps to be fae right now, I think.
Kryder landed on the sand a good twelve feet away from Grant. He moved back several feet, increasing the distance.
