Emily's Story (3 page)

Standing to the side, Thomas knew another challenge was only a matter of time and he would do what he must to save his son. The wolves began to quiet waiting for Cheri to speak. He didn’t give her an opportunity nor did he give another wolf a chance to threaten Brandt. Steady legs carried him forward, turning to his son who was standing next to the woman he loved, he didn’t hesitate “I challenge for alpha.”

For three heartbeat, no one said a word but then Brandt swore, “You fucking-idiot old man. What the hell do you think you’re doing? I warned you.”

“I delivered my challenge before the pack. This is a challenge to the death. You have no choice Brandt. You chose to be alpha; you fought for the right by being the strongest among us. You killed one of my oldest friends for the title. I challenge!” Resolve, sorrow, and anger spilled from Thomas’ pores. He knew speaking of their old pack leader would goad his son into action.

Brandt looked at Cheri, her amber eyes promised death. He knew she was capable of killing him at that moment. He also knew he couldn’t kill his father and only his father could back down from the challenge. Unfortunately, his alpha blood had other thoughts and his inner wolf raged against any love he felt. Just keeping his human form from shifting was difficult. His teeth desired purchase on flesh. His entire being desired his father’s blood.

“Tomorrow night.” His voice came through elongated teeth and with his wolf barely kept in check, Brandt turned and walked away.

Thomas’ arms circled Cheri’s shoulders, pulling her close.

She was stunned and unable to relax into his warmth. They had never shown their feelings for each other to the clan.

“If I die tomorrow, everyone should know that you’re mine.” His powerful embrace tightened and the wolves slowly faded into the surrounding area.

Passionate lips came down on hers. She couldn’t believe he was claiming her now when he would die the following day. Pulling away and turning to her lover, she looked into his eyes. “I love you. Don’t do this. If he kills you, I will end his life. Please don’t make me lose both of you.”

“You will not end his life. The Goddess will decide the outcome and you will let her guide our clan through the next hundred years.”

“You will die. I know you won’t kill him. Even if you wanted to, you wouldn’t have a chance. He knows about us and he might love you but he wants your blood to flow. His actions have not been sane for many months.”

“He needs a mate and he needs to know it will never be you. You are mine and even with my death, he will not have you. The bond between the two of you is only in his heart and not in his blood. A true wolf claim cannot be broken. This false assertion of his can, but he will die if he doesn’t figure that out.”

“What will he do after he kills you Thomas? Will the challenges never end? Don’t leave me.” There was desperation in her voice.

The night was warm and smelled faintly of a summer storm that had yet to make an appearance. He pulled her body securely against his and lifted her against his chest. Purposeful strides took them to his cabin. If he only had tonight, he would make it perfect for them both.

***

The clan gathered the next evening at midnight. For six months, challenges and bloodshed swept through the pack. Tonight would be difficult for them all. Brandt was strong. He held his position with brains, brute force, blood, and death. The recent challenges came because his uncertainty enveloped them all. The pack respected Thomas. He ran the majority of business enterprises that kept the clan wealthy and they needed his calm strength to counter his son’s alpha nature. There was no chance Thomas could win a physical challenge and the death song would ring through the trees the following night when they lay him to rest.

Brandt looked wild; his short brown hair unruly, and his eyes barren. His breathing labored in and out. He barely held back his need to provide death to the challenging wolf.

With a strong resolve, Thomas looked to his son. “I love you and have supported you always. I cannot help loving Cheri and the mate bond is sealed. She has promised not to kill you after I’m dead. I don’t know if I believe her.” His eyes met Cheri’s and his next words were for her, “I love you and in front of my pack, your clan, I claim you. Even in death the bond will continue. You will be able to seek love in other arms but no wolf will claim your true heart and we will see each other again in the afterlife. I’m sorry my love. Forgive me.”

Cheri turned away sharply her eyes meeting Brandt’s. “He is your father. I love him. I can’t love you the same way. Step down as alpha and walk away from the pack. Thomas will not back down, I have tried everything. He’s willing to give his life over this stupid mate bond you think is between us. Thomas and I are bonded, I cannot merge with you. I’m begging you not to do this.” Anguish colored her words. She thought he would turn away, she had prayed since last night that he would heed her plea. Looking into dead eyes and deep into his black soul, she realized Thomas would die. Her tormented scream sent shivers through the pack as a power surge swept her hair in gusty strands up and around her shoulders.

Ignoring everything but his need for his father’s blood, Brandt removed his clothing without a word. His father followed suit and the clearing grew quiet. The two men looked at one another. One was a legend for his fighting skills. Dark closely cropped hair, olive toned skin, and arms bulging with muscle only added to the hot energy he exuded. His chest and back showed the definition of a body builder and his legs held the power of the pack’s strongest. Thomas was muscular but did not have a fighter’s build. He could beat half the pack wolves and any human but did not have a chance against his son. And, if by some miracle Thomas won, there would be an immediate challenge from another wolf. Thomas would not leave the ring alive and Cheri’s heart would never recover.

The air grew thick with the cloying pressure from their clan vampire and their alpha. The pack waited for Brandt to make the first move. His eyes traveled around the circle and then with barely a breath, he attacked. Man shifted to beast and huge paws launched from the ground. Two hundred pounds of wrath hit Thomas and followed him to the dirt. Thomas’s change to wolf followed. He managed to roll from under the powerful jaws of his son. Deadly werewolf claws raked Brandt’s back, going through fur and skin but doing little damage.

Brandt twisted from the hold with little effort. He was stronger, faster, and deadlier. He hadn’t hurt his father and before his next attack, a small ray of sanity came through the red haze consuming his senses. He shifted to human form. “Give up old man and walk away, leave Cheri behind.”

The angry wolf facing his son hurled through the air with deadly intent.

Brandt again shifted to wolf and sidestepped, launching himself on top of his father. Sharp, pointed teeth bit deep into the back of Thomas’ neck. The jugular was his primary goal but ripping out the spinal cord would be deadly too. Bloody fangs bit down, past fur, skin, and muscle.

Suddenly his grip eased and he looked to the road.

Thinking this was the dumbest move his son had ever made, Thomas rolled on his back and came within a half inch of closing his own jaws around Brandt’s throat. The sound of a distant vehicle stopped his teeth from descending into their target.

A truck sped toward them and rounded the last bend in the road coming to a stop with screeching breaks, throwing dust and rocks, while gasoline fumes punctuated the air. Clan energy tapered down a notch when they recognized the occupant of the vehicle. It was driven by one of the few humans that knew their secrets.

Both Brandt and Thomas put their pants on though neither bothered with shirts. Deputy Charles McNabb jumped out, not realizing the mood of the wolves or his danger. Humans were stupid. The clan accepted this one because his aunt mated with one of their wolves many years before. Stella was now dead because human life was but a blink in the eyes of the clan.

The deputy's breathing was fast and inconsistent with driving the truck. “There’s been a murder three hundred miles from here. It was a woman. She kept something in her basement. The authorities aren’t sure if it was a person, animal, or one of each. They called in hounds to search for the killer and the other possible victim.” Charles took another deep breath and looked around the clearing, “I think the murderer was a werewolf.”

Chapter 5

“Let’s get back to the house.” Cheri’s voice held relief. A little time might change the course of events that Thomas’ challenge set in motion. She needed time. Taking a swift look at her mate, he waved her on. She flashed from the site.

The relieved wolves began to disperse and return to their homes.

Brandt jumped in the passenger side of the truck to get more of the story.

Charles drove slowly allowing time for the entire rundown of events. “I was called to hold the scene last night and only told it was a violent murder. It wasn’t until a few hours ago that I helped remove the remains and spoke to the investigator. The victim was in her sixties. The basement where they found her was a bloodbath.”

His breathing remained harsh and clenched fingers tightened on the steering wheel, “It was a prison. There were female clothes for various stages of growth from infant to adult. Someone was in there for years. There was also a heavy-duty dog kennel inside, horse tranquilizers sitting on a table outside the basement prison, and an empty syringe lying in the mangled body parts. They think whatever was kept in the kennel killed the woman and tore her limb from limb.” He took another deep breath and went on, “The body was disemboweled too, but none of it appears to have been eaten. The investigator thinks that whatever was in the cage killed the woman and possibly the girl that she kept in the room. A set of bloody bare footprints were on the stairway leading to the first floor of the house. The old woman that owned the home never had children and was a recluse that had little interaction with others. Apparently someone from her church made monthly visits and when he didn’t get an answer at the door, he requested my office do a welfare check. I have no doubt that it was a werewolf kill. I think the beastkind was imprisoned for years and I’m worried she will kill anyone she encounters.” Charles glanced sideways at Brandt seeing how he took the news. He should have known better, Brandt had “blank expression” down better than anyone Charles knew. He looked back at the road and saw the vampire’s house in the distance. “No one was home when I arrived here so I headed to the circle. I’m sorry, but I thought this was more important than anything you had going on tonight.” There was relief in Charles’ voice. He had passed his information up the chain of command. The wolves took care of their own problems and he could relax now. He refused to be curious about the blood on Brandt’s face and chest. That was wolf business and he was human so it was none of his.

Brandt’s gut told him they had a feral werewolf on their hands. It didn’t matter that it was female; putting her down was in the best interest of the pack.

Cheri met them at the front door and escorted them to a meeting room where several of the dominant wolves waited. Brandt relayed what he knew then gave orders to assemble the teams that would be part of the hunt. They would take twelve wolves, three of whom were his best trackers.

Charles drove away after eating a quick meal. He would not participate in the hunt or the feral werewolf's death.

Killing was part of an alpha’s life. It bothered Brandt little that it was a female. He understood that male werewolves outnumbered the females two to one but he would do what was best for his pack.

Fifteen minutes later three black sports utility vehicles arrived at the front of the house and the three teams got in. Cheri would only come if they needed her aid. Vampire talents did not include tracking so she would not get involved in locating the feral wolf. Her assistance might be required if they had trouble taking it down; otherwise the tracking and kill would most likely take place in daylight and Cheri had to limit her sun exposure.

Taking Thomas’ hand she walked to the waiting vehicles and gave little thought to Brandt’s displeasure.

His eyes traveled from their joined fingers to her gaze. Thomas would not be a part of the teams. This wasn’t his kind of work.

She met Brandt’s angry stare with unfeeling eyes. “Do you think this is one of Malcolm’s?”

Controlling his voice he answered, “I’m almost sure of it.”

Cheri nodded her head and stepped away from the SUV. The three vehicles sped from the house.

Seeing Cheri’s smaller hand enveloped by his father’s caused pain to lance through Brandt’s chest. With deep even breathing he brought his simmering rage under control and mentally reviewed the problems Malcolm’s actions caused. Almost twenty years before, Malcolm, one of their own, sexually assaulted an unknown number of human women. He was trying to impregnate the females and they only knew he succeeded twice. Against the advice of Samson his second in charge, Brandt gave the serial rapist a fair fight. He knew his wolves would take care of Malcolm if he didn’t win. Werewolves did not force females, wolf, or human. Malcolm died and Brandt made sure it wasn’t a pretty ending. He played with the blood-covered wolf and made sure Malcolm suffered before he breathed his last. A side benefit was the lesson his wolves learned about the punishment given to those who broke pack law. Brandt was a wolf; it was his nature and pleasure to relish the memory of wrapping his jaws around the serial rapist’s throat.

The location of the woman’s murder was in the same county as one of Malcolm’s other rapes. If the escaped prisoner was indeed a feral werewolf then the serial rapist was the only possibility as the father. It would mean the she-wolf was approximately twenty years old. Brandt could not imagine what she suffered in her life. Caged werewolves lost their sanity. If she had grown up in the pack, she would be with her parents for at least another year. Some females stayed for closer to thirty. Their adolescence tended to be less volatile than that of males. The women controlled their anger and aggression better. They could be far deadlier but didn’t need to be sent away to fight in foreign wars to get the killing rage out of their systems.