by B F Worlds
"It's not something that's easy to explain."
"Try," Rachel said, sliding her book to the far end of the table. "Anything to get out of studying."
Dean let out an explosive breath. "Do either of you think it was weird how Franklin released that hunter?"
"Of course," Rachel said. "Mama was all flustered about it, because he won't share any information with her."
"He had good reason," Viktoriya countered. "It was a misunderstanding. There was no need to start a larger conflict over it."
"A misunderstanding?" Dean scoffed. "Vikky, I don't remember the attack, but I do remember how the one you captured watched me. He was bound and ready for death, yet his eyes tracked me everywhere I went. I could hear him mentally penciling in notes. There was no confusion, only cold calculation."
"I'm right there with tall, dark, and delicious. Come on wolf. You always throw your training in my face. What did you learn about hunter squads?"
Viktoriya frowned. "The Hunter Guild date back millennia, to the time when the all the races lived side by side with humans. When the supernatural openly preyed on them, a group of humans dedicated themselves to killing us. Which wasn't a problem until mages, halflings that sympathized with the humans, joined up with them. Then it was a bloodbath. To survive, both sides retreated. The supernatural lived in the shadows while the hunters made sure that people forgot about them. Now, there's barely a handful left."
"And?"
"And, they work in four man squads. Gold, Red, Blue, and Green; respectively control, commando, commando, and surveillance. The Hunter Guild was supposedly wiped out by the vampires during World War 2 so no one knows how they're organizing anymore. They aren't considered a serious threat. They only go after newling vampires who can't control their bloodlust and rogue wolves too lost in their minds to be considered anything other than animals." She shot a apologetic look toward Dean. "No offense."
"None taken."
"Back to the point," Rachel said. "The hunters are a bunch of chumps who pick off small fry. So what in the hell are they doing in a city with a Lady, a pack, and a pride? They shouldn't be anywhere near a place so filled to the brim with the supernatural."
Blue eyes narrowed in thought. "It is strange....."
"Think back to the way they came after us. They went after you first, Vikky. They observed all three of us and then made a decision to go after you. That's not some simple 'misunderstanding'. They knew what they were shooting at and they pulled the trigger. There is a single member whose job is to make sure they have the right target for gods sake!"
"Are you saying Franklin lied?" Viktoriya drummed her fingers on the table. "Why would he lie? Why would he protect them?"
"I don't know. And I think that's what's making us nervous."
Viktoriya looked over to Dean. "Is that what you think too? You think Franklin is working with the hunters?"
Dark eyes gazed at her compassionately. "Vikky, I don't know what to think. But something doesn't feel right and my instincts have never led me astray before. How involved Franklin is has yet to be determined so I'm not willing to call him guilty yet, but you have to realize the possibility that-"
Viktoriya jumped to her feet knocking her chair to the ground. She looked down at them, shaking with anger, but her face remained emotionless. Her blue eyes had paled to the silver color of her wolf and her claws drew blood when her hands balled into fists. "The possibility that what? That Franklin is in league with the hunters? That he's evil? Just what are you trying to say?"
Dean stood, holding out a hand. "Vikky...."
"No, don't Vikky me." With sharp movements, she shoved her books into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "My mother disappeared years ago. My father died for him. Franklin is the closest thing to family I have left. I thought you of all people would understand what that means."
She stormed away and Dean fell back into her seat, scrubbing her face with her hands. "This is why I didn't want to say anything."
"You didn't." Rachel pulled her hands down so she could slide into Dean's lap and then wrapped the long arms around her waist. "I said it and I said it because it needed to be said. There is something going on over there, but she can't see it. She's always been blind to how bad Franklin really is. The man is some kind of evil."
"I don't know what he's doing and I don't care. I just all of us safe and the longer I stay near the Freewoods, the less safe I feel." Dean titled her head back to stare at the blank ceiling and chuckled under her breath. "The gods really love me."
"You keep saying that."
"Yeah. When I was younger, my mother would tell me and my sister all kinds of stories. She told us the world was shaped by the Fae-"
"Blasphemy!" Rachel interrupted.
Dean poked her in the side. "Hush. It wasn't like that. She wasn't talking about those piss poor mages or the Higher Fae. She meant the True Fae. She said they were so powerful, that, between, they controlled everything in the universe, even the moon and stars. The True Fae got bored. So, together, they made a new world, with new races and they all agreed that, although they could mess with the setting a bit, the weren't allowed to directly interfere with any life in their new world.
She told me whenever I had a turn of bad luck, I should laugh, because the gods were laughing at me. Misery and strife are their favorite emotions to watch you know? So the more complicated your life gets, the more blessed you are."
"That's morbid."
"I liked it. It just seemed...real. More real than the thought everything I've been through was apart of some grand plan. Shit happens and then you deal with it."
Rachel looked at her with narrow eyes. "You were unpopular, weren't you?"
Dean burst out laughing. "What? Where did that come from?"
"I mean, you're so serious all the time and you've got these weird 'the world's going to burn' vibes coming off you. Like those human kids that dress in black and smoke cheap weed in the bathroom during lunch."
"No I don't!"
"Yeah you do. Between you and Vikky, the vibes are so strong I could get an ulcer. I think that's why we were put together. I'm the fun in this relationship."
"Rachel, I do not have vibes."
The bell rung and the library was filled with conversation and scraping chairs as students poured out of the doors. Rachel moved to stand up, but Dean held her tighter. "Sorry, but can we stay here for a bit? I don't want to move."
"Dean, the whole reason we were here is because you're behind in your classes and you want to skip?"
"I can listen to Viktoriya. Those teachers make me want to bash my head against the desk. Or their heads. Somebody's head!"
"Hey hey." Rachel turned around so they were facing each other. She cupped Dean's face, staring into her eyes. "What's wrong?"
The taller girl closed her eyes and leaned into the touch. "The headache.....it won't go away. It won't leave me alone. The animal knows something's going to happen and it wants out. It wants out of my skin, out of this city. If it was like before-"
"Let me guess, you'd already be out of the state but you can't leave because we're here."
Dean nodded. "Yes, but not quite. It's like, I can feel a target on my back. Whatever is coming has its eyes trained on me and it won't let me run away. I need to get away or I'll drag all of you into this mess with me."
Rachel frowned. "I take it back. It's not 'the world is going to hell' vibes. Its 'look at me on my cross' vibes. Gods, heroes! This is the part where you tell me to stay away because you don't want to see me hurt."
"Actually-"
Rachel placed a hand over her mouth. "Do you remember when I told you Vikky wouldn't sit back and let herself be protected? That goes double for me. If something is coming for you, I've got your back. You won't face this alone." She removed her hand and placed a chaste kiss against Dean's lips. "…Even if that means running."
Dean's eyes widened. "Do you mean that?"
"Yeah, I mean that."
&nb
sp; "...But what about Vikky?"
"We'll kidnap her. Throw her in the backseat and drive." Rachel slid off her lap and offered her a hand up. "Just flash those big browns and she'll be puddy in our hands. Come on. If you don't want to go to class, we can at least do something fun."
Dean let herself be guided out of the school, a small smile twisting her lips. A tiny bit of the anxiety weighing her down eased and the animal quieted, silent but wary. "What do you mean by fun?"
"Movies. Vikky mentioned you've never watched one all the way through. Well, I'm changing that."
CHAPTER 28
Viktoriya was still angry when the last bell rang so she left without saying goodbye to either of her mates, catching the bus instead of waiting for Dugen. When she arrived home, cars crowded the driveway. Many more had spilled over into the yard. Members of the pack she rarely saw were chatting on the porch and they hailed her as she approached.
"Little Volkov!" a loud voice bellowed. A man separated himself from the group and jogged down the steps to scoop her into a hug. He was dressed in an ill-fitting suit with the tie loosened. "What has it been? Six months? More?"
"Eight." Viktoriya released him, grinning broadly. "What are you doing here Morgan? Franklin doesn't like his law officials hanging around the house."
"I know, but the boss man called a meeting. Said he wanted everyone on the property so here I am. I'm not complaining. Been awhile since I've had a day off."
Viktoriya nervously adjusted the strap of her book bag. Pack meetings were rare and always proceeded major change. The last time one had been called was after her father's death, when Dugen was named commander. "Did he say what it was about?"
"Not to me. You know how it is for us worker bees. But there could be any number reasons. The rouges circling our territory. The hunters in our territory. Pruella and her vampire hordes beneath our territory. Freewood has become a dangerous place lately."
"I know." Dean's words flashed in her mind and she scowled. Franklin isn't apart of that. He can't be. "Plan on giving up the blue for the Guard black?"
"No. To be honest, I like being a detective. Don't get me wrong, I will protect this pack anyway I can, but the department has rules. Franklin doesn't and if I'm being honest, I'm worried about you being so close to him."
"I can take care of myself."
"Of course. You're a Volkov!" He reached out and ruffled her hair, laughing as she batted him away. "You've got the blood of Viktor in your veins and I'm never met a more effective fighter in my life. If it was just the normal supernatural skirmishes I wouldn't be worried, but Franklin's playing strange games. It's bad enough when humans plot against each other. I can't imagine the fallout of changers plotting against one another."
Viktoriya frowned, but before she could ask what he meant, Dugen appeared on the porch and yelled for their attention. "We're gathering in the back. Another hour to wait for the stragglers and Franklin will make his announcement."
-
Dean was in a good mood as she came jogging up the street to the Franklin's house, but it didn't last long. The driveways was full of cars, something she'd never seen during her stay. Evidence of so many changers in one place made her nervous and her the anxious fluttering in her stomach doubled at the sight of the two Guards waiting on the sidewalk.
They came to attention as she approached and Dean slowed down, noticing the aggression in their posture. She lowered her bag. "Is there a problem?" she asked, eyes bouncing between the two of them as she tried to gauge the greater threat.
"Dean Rock, you have been summoned by Franklin Freewood, alpha of the Freewood Pack. Come with us."
They didn't move closer, but she could hear the silent "or else" at the end of their speech. "Alright."
She let them guide her to the backyard where dozens of bodies were milling about. Over seventy gazes focused on her as she marched across the grass. A quick look and she spotted Viktoriya seated at the head off the crowd, watching her with wide eyes.
Franklin stood in front of them all, backed by a wall of Guards. It was the first time Dean had seen him out of his suits. He was wearing one of the black Guard uniforms. It took away the softness of the society he clung to. For the first time, in her eyes, he looked like a proper alpha.
"Dean Rock," Franklin boomed, his voice strangely echoing over the grass. "You were chased to this territory by rogues and asked for my shelter, my mercy. I took you in, claimed you as my own. And how do you repay my kindness? With lies and treachery."
Whispers flew through the crowd and Dean felt her shoulders stiffen under the weight of their combined hostility. "Alpha, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"At first I couldn't understand why a wolf would disguise themselves, pretending to be weak. Then, it came to me. The rogues that attacked you weren't your enemies. They were your allies. All of it was a plot to gain my trust and infiltrate this pack to dismantle it from the inside out."
"No! I would never do something like that."
"So why did viciously attack my nephew!" He waved a hand and Kyle stood from the crowd to stand by his side. The younger man tried to hide his face but Franklin forced his chin up, displaying the lurid bruises across his cheek.
The angry whispers turned to growls. Dean instinctively stepped backwards, moving closer to the exit. "Kyle started the fight. I was defending myself."
"That's not what my nephew tells me. I trust my blood over the word of a rogue any day. No more lies Dean Rock." His skin rippled as fur sprouted along his arms. He opened his mouth and his jaw flexed, making room for his elongated teeth. When he spoke, it was with the garbled tones of the of changed vocal chords. "Leave. The Freewood wolves know you and you are not welcome here."
The crowd got to their feet, their faces twisting with the change. Dean realized she was on the verge of being hunted. No matter how strong she had become, there was no way she could fight them all. She took several more steps backwards, swearing under her breath. I knew something was wrong. Her eyes shot to Viktoriya. Dugen had a hand on her shoulder, keeping the girl from getting involved.
Dean felt a weight fall off her shoulder. They don't intend to drag her into whatever this is. "My things are in your house. Am I allowed to get them?"
"I am no thief. Take what is yours."
-
Dean was shouldering the last of her bags when she heard someone sneaking behind her. She whipped around to find Franklin standing in her doorway, minus his Guards. He had reversed the change, becoming the unassuming man she knew him as. Her apprehension dropped and she turned her back on him, a slight insult. "What do you want Franklin?"
"I want to know why the Council wants you dead."
"The Council?" Dean recalled the name from her talks with Viktoriya. "That's the group in charge of the Fae? I have nothing to do with them, but I wouldn't be surprised if they want to kill me. Everyone does."
"They certainly have something to do with you. It was their hunters that tried to kill you the other night and she said they'd been after you for much longer. They wouldn't use that amount of effort for someone who wasn't important."
Dean stiffened. It couldn't be. "This Council....do they have strong connections to the humans? The kind of connections to get their hands on large weapons, like missiles?"
"That would be child's play. They probably own the factories where the things are made."
"And vampire familiars? Could they control them?"
"...You mean those bloodthirsty apes? The Fae created them, using their magic to warp small animals. Vampires replicated the effect with their toxins, but they were ultimately disgusted by them. The King forbid them from being made. They should be extinct."
He stepped farther into the room. "The Council's forces will soon descend upon this city. I can help you escape Dean, but only if you help me. Why does the Council want you dead? What do you know that they don't want getting out?"
Dean couldn't hear him over the over the pounding of her hear
t. It wasn't vampires. It was the Fae. But why? Lucien preached that every race hated them but he'd never given details. Definitely nothing that would explain why a supernatural race would draw the attention of the humans to eradicate them. Wait. How did Franklin know they were after me?
Her face did contortions as she struggled to think through her rising temper. "You knew they were after me. You said someone told you. Are you working with them?"
"I'm using them to further my own goals."
TRAITOR!
"I can see you want to attack me. I'd advise against it. One shout from me and twenty Guards will storm the room."
"But will they be fast enough to save you?" A tiny hint of doubt entered his eyes and Dean grinned viciously. "Don't worry. I'm not suicidal. I won't attack you while you're surrounded by an army. And, no, I have no idea why the Council is after me."
"Would you tell me if you did?"
"No." She moved toward the hall, pausing in the doorway to look over her shoulder and fix him with a dark glare. "Know this Franklin. I will find out. And if I discover you had anything to do with my family's death, I will kill you, and there aren't enough Guards in the world to stop me."
"...I might take that threat seriously if you survive the night."
-
Dean was at the end of the driveway when Viktoriya came running up to her, breathless. "Dean! Gods, I can't believe this is happening."
"Vikky." Dean sighed. "I'm sorry. I should have stopped and said something to you." I was lost in my anger. I'm going to tear Franklin apart.
"Don't worry about that! Tell me what happened. Why were you fighting with Kyle? What did you do to piss off Franklin?"
"Like I said, Kyle was self defense. As for Franklin...." She broke off into a growl. "I would like to hurt him. Very much."
"No! Dean, you can't-" Viktoriya grabbed Dean by the shoulders, her fingers digging in hard enough to make the taller girl wince. "Dean, whatever this is, whatever is going on between the two of you, you need to fix it. Now. Please."
Dean moved out of her grip. "I don't think so. I don't need him or his house. I was doing just fine before I met Franklin Freewood.
