by B F Worlds
"I-It's funny," Rachel gasped out between laughs. "You're a wolf but you purr!"
A blush came over Dean's face and she was thankful that her darker coloring kept them from seeing it. "I do not!"
"Yeah, you do," Viktoriya countered. "You were just doing it!"
"No, I wasn't."
Rachel and Viktoriya raised their heads and glared at her, speaking simultaneously. "Are you calling us liars?"
Dean flinched. It's scary as hell when they agree with each other. "I didn't say that. Merely that you misinterpreted a hum for a purr. Wolves don't purr." Then again, I sort of have a mane. "Didn't somebody say something about dinner? I'm hungry and I still have something I need to say to you two."
"Yeah." Rachel untangled herself and stood up. "Burgers?"
CHAPTER 17
They stopped by a Burger King before driving to the nearby park. Rachel kept a large blanket in her trunk for reasons she refused to give and they spread it under a tree. Dinner was quick and afterwards, they reclaimed their positions from the bowling alley; Dean in the middle with the girls tucked against her sides. She felt safe, like she could say anything. "I'm going to start with a question. Have you two heard of the blood wolves?"
"Are you kidding?" Rachel exclaimed. "They're like the monsters under the bed for changers!"
"Worse," Viktoriya added. "The blood wolves were the single biggest threat to changers. The other races outnumber us five to one on a good day, but they won't attack us because a war would unite the packs together and a thousand pissed off changers will demolish ten thousand of any other race. That's not me being confident. It's the way our magic functions. The larger the pack, the stronger we become. United against a common enemy, we'd be virtually unstoppable.
It's why Franklin is so desperate to accomplish it. The blood wolves, well, they aren't even changers or at least a different breed. More animal and human, they were legendary warriors who went mad on bloodlust. What made them so dangerous was that they could...infect us. The same way vampire toxin, in large enough quantities, could infect a human. Their blood is the only poison we can't fight off. But they're extinct now. What do they have to do with what you want to tell us?"
Dean, who had been internally wincing at the words being thrown out, perked up at the last bit of information. We aren't changers? Infect? Her confidence was more than a little shaken and she gulped nervously, thinking of a way she could escape the conversation. The arms over her stomach felt less comforting and more like chains, weights trapping her in her anxiety.
Rachel picked up on it first, raising her head to look Dean in the eyes. "Dean, are you alright?"
Dean used a hand to lay Rachel's head back on her shoulder. "Maybe not, so I'm going to push this story out as fast as possible. Please don't interrupt me." She swallowed, letting out a deep breath. "If I stop, I don't know if I can finish.
The story I gave Franklin isn't that far from the truth. I did live with a pack and we were pretty isolated. We built our compound in the thick of the Appalachian, tens of miles from any city or town. The first lie I told him was that we were a group of rogues. We were...blood wolves. I'm a blood wolf. My family was the last remaining pack in the world."
She heard the expected gasps, but Dean ignored them, already lost in the memories. "We were smaller than the Freewoods, not even a hundred strong. It's funny. It's been years but I can still remember all their faces. We weren't like these modern packs, spread out in human society. We spent every second of everyday surrounded by each other. Working together, training together. Our alpha, Lucien, he always said that the whole world was our enemy. I'd never left the compound so I didn't know how true his words were, but I believed him. And as a Warrior, I trained hard to protect my family.
That all ended shortly after I earned my uniform. My full name is Deanna Anadaya Amarok, a successor to the Amarok bloodline. My father was a handyman of sorts, but his brother was alpha. I had the blood of the Amarok in my veins, which guaranteed I would be a strong fighter. It turned out I was too strong.
My cousin Lamar, Lucien's oldest son, was destined to inherit his father's throne, if you would. The problem was that we didn't select our leaders by decision. The strong stood at the top. Barbaric, maybe, but that's what our animals demand. Lucien guessed that the day would come where Lamar and I would fight for the right to rule and that kind of fight is to the death. Afraid for his son's life, he offered me a choice. Either marry Lamar and rule by his side or leave."
Viktoriya opened her mouth, but Dean pressed a finger to her lips. Her heart was beating doubly hard in her chest as she remembered her outrage and anger that night. "It was an impossible decision. I believed in the mate bond and didn't want to give my life away to a man I hated. On the other hand, I had never known anything but the pack. I didn't want to leave. Strong as I was, I couldn't stand up to Lucien. The man was a mountain and could have crushed me with one hand. So, I left.
Leaving my family behind was the hardest part. My father was beyond angry with his brother and I half feared once the reality of the situation sunk in, he might do something stupid like challenging my uncle on my behalf.
Worse, my sister and my mother were far more submissive than me. They needed to be protected and their shield from all the dangers in the world was a coward and his son. I didn't make it even a day before I was pining for home, lost as to what I would do without them.
I was seated by my fire at night when I saw a light in the sky. At first, I thought it might have been a shooting star. But, the longer I looked, the bigger it became, and stars don't fall like that. The moment I recognized what it was, I ran as fast as I could to reach the compound.
Thinking back, I have no idea what I planned to do. I couldn't have stopped what was coming. I would have just been another casualty. When something like that happens, you don't think rationally. I ran toward them and when I reached home, everything was burning and vampire familiars were scavenging the ruins for survivors. I made a last stand together with Lucien and our commander, but their wounds were too serious. They....didn't make it. Lucien died in my arms, but before he passed, he charged me with finding any survivors I could and bringing them to safety. I became alpha.
For two years, I looked for survivors and answers. It took me to a lot of different places, but I never found any members of my pack or any clues into who had killed my family. I believe the vampires are involved somehow but, truthfully, it could be anyone. All I know for sure is that they have strong ties to the humans if they're using those kinds of weapons."
The rest, you know. I was chased by rogues into the Freewood territory, Franklin picked me up, yada yada, I found the two of you."
She stopped and silence reigned. When both girls went a full five minutes without saying anything, Dean began to worry. "Girls? You're scaring me a little."
"I'm sorry," Viktoriya said. "This is just...a lot. But first, I'm sorry Dean. I'm sorry you lost your family that way. I…can't even imagine…gods…"
"You don't have to apologize. That first year was rough but I'm an Amarok. We don't wallow, we act."
"Wait, can we go back to the fact that you're a blood wolf?" Rachel asked, sitting up again. "Dean, you're not supposed to exist. You're a mythical creature!"
"Technically, we all are."
"Oh ha ha, funny. Seriously, you're legendary! They say one blood wolf on a rampage could take out half the continent. I mean, I'm pretty sure that's an exaggeration...isn't it?"
"It's an exaggeration," Dean assured her. "No one being is that strong. But yes, I am strong. For example, my animal could snap Franklin in two."
"Change," Viktoriya asked in a pleading voice. "Let us see. I need to see."
Dean hung her head. Now, for the hardest part. "I can't do that."
"What do you mean you can't?"
"I mean, that day my wolf inherited the magic of my pack and became stronger. Much stronger. When I change, it completely takes over. I'm a silent passenger. There was one time
-" She broke off, a haunted look entering her eyes. "It can be bad."
"Are you dangerous?" Rachel asked, clearly nervous.
"Not to you two." Dean squeezed them tighter. "The animal chooses its mates. I don't think it'd harm you. It's everyone else I'm worried about."
"So, we go somewhere where there's no people," Viktoriya insisted. She shrugged off Dean's arm and jumped to her feet. "Come on, I know where we can go."
Dean grudgingly stood, helping Rachel up with her. "Vikky, you don't get it. I can't just change back and forth. It could be days before the wolf goes back. Weeks."
"What's the longest its taken?"
"...Five days. But it could be longer."
Viktoriya nodded. "Then, if I promise you that I won't let you do anything crazy, will you change?"
"You couldn't exactly stop me."
"I have my ways." She reached out and pulled Rachel next to her. "Besides, I'll have Red to help me out. Right?"
"Oh yeah." The smaller girl puffed up dramatically. "We could take you."
This is crazy. And the craziest part is that I'm considering it. Under the weight of two pairs of pleading eyes, Dean felt herself softening. I can't keep making excuses for myself. I need to learn to control my wolf again. And it'd be better to attempt it with people I trust watching me. "It'd have to be somewhere really far from people."
Viktoriya grinned, sensing victory. "Hand me the keys."
They drove an hour out of the city and then another three hours off road before Viktoriya cut the engine and ordered everybody out. Dean looked around, heartened when all she saw was grass and a few odd shrubs. She almost laughed at the way her two mates hovered nearby, eagerly waiting for her reveal. "You two promise to keep me out of the city?"
"We promise," Viktoriya assured her.
"Get on with it Dean!" Rachel whined.
Now or never. "Alright."
CHAPTER 18
Viktoriya's head had started spinning from the moment Dean started her story and, as much as her instincts screamed to trust, she couldn't bring herself to believe it. She didn't think that Dean would lie to her, but it was hard. Accepting that the blood wolves weren't dead opened up a world of possibilities she didn't want to consider. It had been the previous alpha, Franklin, and her own father who had participated in the Blood Hunts; where the changers, afraid for their way of life, exterminated the blood wolves.
Her worst fear, gods forbid, was somehow Franklin had a part in what happened to Dean's family. She couldn't think about broaching that topic and some small part of her was hoping that Dean was lying just so she wouldn't have to.
All of her worries went out the window when Dean's shirt hit the ground.
Changers, supernatural as they were, were fundamentally human. In the age of convenience, they'd gotten lazy like the rest of society. There were even a few rare cases of obesity. The only ones who were expected to be in top physical condition were the Guards, whose jobs were to fight for the protection of the pack.
Dean had said she was a Warrior and it showed by her body. There wasn't an inch of fat anywhere; her arms weren't big but they were well defined, moving up to broad shoulders and a long, graceful neck. Her dark shirts had played down the swell of her chest but below them, directly at odds with her feminine curves, was a six pack so defined it looked like a sculptor had taken a chisel to her stomach.
She didn't know her jaw had dropped until Rachel pushed it back up, a smirk on her lips. "You're panting Vikky."
Viktoriya couldn't formulate a reply through her dry mouth but now that she was listening, she could hear how fast her breaths were coming. Dean kicked off her pants. The girl had legs like a gazelle; long and lean, with powerful thighs. Viktoriya had no doubt she could run like one too.
Dean, who had been lost in her thoughts the entire time, turned and noticed the stares on her. Her eyes bounced between the two of them before focusing on Viktoriya, a wicked smile twisting her lips as she came closer. "You alright? You look a little....flushed."
Viktoriya swallowed as a finger traced her jaw. "I-I-I'm f-fine."
"Very fine." She stepped closer. Viktoriya could feel Dean's breath tickling her nose when she breathed. "You were staring at me really hard. Got something on your mind you want to share?"
"I don't-I-I....uh...."
Beside her Rachel clapped a hand over her mouth to control her laughter. "Oh gods, this is hilarious. You forget how to talk puppy?"
Viktoriya glared at her but Dean turned her face back around. "Don't be mean to her Red," she growled. "We all need a little help in the beginning. So be nice and help her out."
"You got it sweetie." Viktoriya gasped as her hands were grasped and pressed against Dean's stomach. "I think it was something like this. I swear she was drooling when your shirt came off."
A heavy blush came over Viktoriya's face, but her tongue was tied. Dean's skin was hot, almost feverish. She felt like she was going to burn herself if she left her hand there but there was no way she could move it. She closed her hand, scratching Dean lightly. The muscles flexed against her touch and Viktoriya felt her knees shake.
"Is this what you wanted?" Dean whispered against her ear.
Viktoriya's wolf was howling so loud she couldn't hear a word that was being said to her. It was getting harder to think beyond singular desires. She raked her nails down again and was shocked when she felt the skin tear. Sometime, her nails had shifted into claws and they were tipped with blood. "Oh no. Dean, I'm so sorry!" She recoiled backwards, but Dean grabbed her by the arms and pulled her close.
"That's nowhere near enough to hurt me. Look."
She looked down and saw the scratches had already healed. She shouldn't heal that fast. The only sign they had ever been there were a few beads of blood that remained on her skin.
Dean ran her index finger through them and then brought it to her lips. The effect was immediate. Her skin began to crawl, flowing back and forth like a tide was going through her. The tiny hairs along her arms began to grow while her fingers lengthened into claws. She opened her mouth and her jaw cracked, making room for her lengthening teeth.
The most disturbing part of the change was her eyes. They went from warm brown to ember red, with small pulsing veins stretching out from the ends of her eyes like cracks in glass. No changer had eyes like that. She was telling the truth. About all of it. Poor Dean.
Tears welled in Viktoriya's eyes but she wiped them away before they could fall. Her entire family was murdered. And my pack might have had something to do with it. She'll never forgive me.
Rachel grabbed her arm. "Vikky? What's wrong?"
Dean groaned and stretched, popping her spine, before curling in on herself and resting her head on top of Viktoriya's. She groaned again but it was softer, a comforting sound.
Viktoriya reached up and scratched behind her ears, snickering when Dean whined in pleasure. "I'm alright. I'm guessing you can't really talk?" She felt Dean nod.
Dean shivered, whining plaintively. The shaking got worse until Viktoriya couldn't hold onto her. "Dean? Are you okay? Dean?"
The taller girl stumbled back, shaking so hard her knees knocked together. Viktoriya was about to reach for her when Dean tipped her head back and howled.
-
Rachel's blood went cold when she heard the howl. Instinctively, she grabbed Viktoriya about the waist and pulled her further back. "Get away from her Vikky."
"What?" Viktoriya fought her hold but Rachel held strong, dragging her further and further away. "Red? Rachel? What are you doing?"
Rachel ignored her. This wasn't something a wolf could understand. They grew up learning to dominate their animals, leaving the human part of their mind in charge. Every other breed were the exact opposite; the human form was for the human mind, the animal form was for the animal mind. It made them stronger than wolves but their behavior became erratic.
A wolf's worse nightmare was losing control to their animal. They called it 'frenzy' because a p
erson went beyond reason. A feline walked the fine line between frenzy and sanity everyday. And, from the way Dean sunk to her knees with another howl, Rachel could see she was caught in the throes of that battle.
Something was wrong though. She had never seen a change last more than a couple minutes and Dean's body was twisting in unnatural ways. "She's losing it."
"Losi-Wait, are you trying to tell me she's frenzying? Son of a bitch!" She fought harder against Rachel's grip. "We have to help her!"
"Vikky, stop! Give her a minute."
"But she's in pain!"
Her statement was punctuated by another howl and a series of cracks that had to be bones snapping. Rachel felt her stomach twist into knots, but she remained steadfast. "Trust me, it only looks bad. Give it a few more moments and she'll be okay, I promise."
Viktoriya gave one final struggle before she threw up her hands in surrender. "Red, I swear, if she isn't okay......"
"You can bury me in the backyard. I'll even help dig the grave, okay?"
"Fine."
They stood together in silence while Dean continued to struggle. As Rachel predicted, it lasted a few more minutes before Dean stood. Every trace of the girl was gone. In her place, was an animal, but Rachel couldn't tell what it was. At first glance, she would say it was a wolf; it had a long muzzle and a long puffed out tail but there were details that said that it couldn't be canine.
One; she had a mane, like that of a lion. Her fur was a dark brown, nearly black, but the hair shrouding her head was onyx, not a shred of color in it. A pair of ears jutted out from it, so sharp they looked as if they could shred paper, long as a rabbit's. It turned toward them and there were the distinctive red eyes but the pupils were different; slit, like a snake's.
It stepped closer and both girls stiffened. Rachel let go of Viktoriya and moved so they were standing side by side. If this went wrong, they'd have to react instantly and she didn't want to be in the way. Her instincts were saying that she should trust but that was a tall order when you were staring at something that was bigger and stronger than you were.
