Wild Keepers

by Dee Bridgnorth

  Caleb nodded. “Don’t tell Thad, will you? About me changing?”

  The man gazed at him. “You know I’m supposed to report everything, Caleb. Especially if there’s been a spontaneous transformation. He’s our leader, and he needs to know.”

  Caleb glowered. He really didn’t want Thad to know. The alpha leader would haul him over the coals, again. Tell him that he had no self-control. That he didn’t deserve to be a part of the Wild Keepers, even as lowly ranked as he was. And he had been working so hard to prove himself and work his way up. He knew he probably would never get to be alpha, but he didn’t want to be sitting on the bottom echelon, either. One up from omega, the lowliest rank in the pack.

  “Let me do it,” he said, now, staring at the man. “I’ll tell him in my own way, Evan.”

  The man named Evan stared down at him. “I will know if you don’t do it, Caleb. But alright. I’ll cut you a little slack.” He stared at the man, still rubbing his neck. “You look like death warmed over. It really gets to you, doesn’t it? I don’t think anyone else in the pack suffers as much as you do, changing back.”

  Caleb nodded. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. It’s not pleasant. Which is why it’s true when I tell you I am trying hard not to do it unnecessarily and without back up. I’m not sure if I will just keel over one day.”

  Evan sighed. “I don’t think I have ever seen another shifter suffer as much as you do. And your right—you might die, one day, if you’re not careful. At least when it happens at full moon, we’re together and look after each other. Alone, it’s harder.”

  Caleb got up, pouring himself a glass of water. The pack always tried to get out of the city when the full moon was approaching, to shift together in the wilderness. But it wasn’t always possible. They had jobs to do, in the city, and sometimes they overlapped when the full moon came.

  They had to change alone, of course, when their jobs demanded it. That was a calculated risk; sometimes, there was no other way to solve a situation. The wolf had to be unleashed. But Thad still advised caution. He always said they had to use their brains and their muscles to defeat the enemy, and leave the wolf as a last resort. There was a tactical reason for it, as well. If people saw, it undermined their secrecy. And they were working as undercover as possible, against the enemy.

  Caleb put the glass down, slowly. The enemy, who were all around them. Who had infiltrated the city like poison and were working in a million subtle and not so subtle ways to destroy it. They were why the city streets of Covenester had deteriorated so badly over the last few years.

  The Vilgath. Even saying their name to himself caused a shiver to shudder down his spine. A race of demons, determined to destroy humanity. They worked best by sabotage. Anything bad, unusual, or suspect that happened was usually caused by them. They were everywhere, of course; it wasn’t just this city. But he was a part of the pack sworn to protect it.

  The Wild Keepers. There were always five of them, although their members changed. When someone mated, they had to leave. No choice. Kicked out. It wasn’t just that the pack demanded focus and loyalty to the band of brothers. It was also that the power to shift waned, or dissipated completely, when mating occurred. And then they were of no use whatsoever. Washed up.

  It wasn’t going to happen to him, Caleb thought, fiercely. He had seen some of his brothers go over the years, and they were happy to do so. They had found their mate and wanted to move on. Their tour of duty done. But he didn’t want that. No woman was going to make him give up his place, not before he had proven himself.

  For a second, he saw again the blonde woman attacked that night. His blood stirred, and he found himself flushing, slightly. Yes, she had been beautiful; he couldn’t remember the last time he had stared at a woman and felt quite so strongly. But he knew he would never see her again, and that was probably—no, definitely—for the best. He mustn’t get distracted.

  She would be fully human, too. And while there was no rule that said a shifter couldn’t mate with a fully human woman, it was advised that they stick to their own kind. Easier that way. A female shifter knew what it was like, and there was no need for secrecy. Like should go for like, as Thad always said.

  There was a rapping on the door. Evan turned and walked back to it.

  Here we go, thought Caleb, taking a deep breath. He would have to get it over and done with.

  Two men walked into the space, alongside Evan. One was larger than the other. Thad. The alpha leader of the Wild Keepers. He had been leader for a long time, now, and was good at it. He knew his stuff. He was also fierce and not afraid to pull any punches to keep the pack in line.

  The other man was smaller, but only slightly. Shay. One above him in the pack, just below Evan, who held the position of beta, the second in charge. There was no sign of Zach, who held the unenviable position of omega, the lowest in the pack.

  “There’s trouble brewing,” said Thad, tossing his jacket onto a chair. “Big trouble.”

  “What’s happening?” asked Evan, frowning.

  “I’ve heard reports of a virus,” replied Thad, slowly. “Not one knows what it is. Two admissions to the Royal Covenester Hospital last night, and one of them died.”

  “So?” said Evan. “People get sick. It doesn’t mean that the Vilgath are behind it.”

  “No, not usually,” said Thad. “But I want us to keep an eye on it anyway. Something just doesn’t seem right to me about it.” He sighed then fixed his eyes on Caleb. “You look pale. Hope you’re not coming down with whatever it is.”

  Evan stared at Caleb, frowning.

  Caleb took a deep breath. “I changed,” he said, quickly. “Tonight, without premeditation. I always feel pretty sick afterwards.”

  “Whoa,” said Thad, staring hard at him. “Back up. Why did you change? I should have noticed straight away your clothes are torn.”

  “A woman was being attacked,” he said, staring down at the ground. “I got angry, and the next thing I knew, I’d changed.”

  Thad walked up to him, so that he was inches away from his face. “You are joking, aren’t you? People get attacked all the time on these streets, and we can’t turn into the wolf the minute we pass by someone! I cannot believe this.” He growled. “After all that we’ve talked about. You’re starting to piss me off mightily, Caleb.”

  His growl deepened, and his navy blue eyes darkened as they stared into Caleb’s face. Caleb couldn’t help it; it was instinctive, a part of his subordinate position. He lowered his own face and backed away.

  “She must have been good looking,” piped up Shay, grinning. “To get the old protective juices flowing as quickly as that. Where does she live, Caleb? I might look her up sometime.”

  Caleb looked at him, his eyes narrowed. He started to growl, and he could feel the hairs on his arms stand up. “Back off, Shay.”

  Shay laughed. “Don’t even try it, Caleb. You know I would beat you in any fight.”

  “Enough!” growled Thad, staring at them both. “We are not doing this, over a stranger.” He turned to Caleb. “Now isn’t the time to challenge your status in the pack. I have more important work for you. Forget the woman, whoever she is.”

  Caleb breathed heavily. His hands balled into fists. He wanted to smash Shay’s face for even talking about the woman like that. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so protective over a woman, especially one that he didn’t even know.

  “Caleb!” Thad took him roughly by the shoulders. “Let it go. You have to focus.”

  Caleb jerked away. “I’m listening. What is it?”

  “I’m going to send you undercover,” continued Thad. “You have a science background. I want you to find out everything you can about this mystery virus. What it is and where it’s come from. And if the Vilgath are behind it.”

  Caleb nodded. “You really think they are behind it?”

  “My instinct says so,” said Thad. “I could be wrong, but you aren’t working on anything at the moment
anyway. You have too much time on your hands. Wandering the streets, getting angry over things we can’t possibly control. You need to be kept busy, and this will do the trick.” He paused. “I’m working on getting you into the Department of Health. That’s where they do all the research on illnesses.”

  Caleb smiled, slowly. Yes, Thad was right. He did have too much time on his hands, and it would be interesting, at the very least. He hadn’t used his science background much since he had become a part of the Wild Keepers. It would keep him up to date as to what was happening in that world; hone his skills in the area.

  He knew, of course, that the others thought he wasn’t much of a fighter. His physical prowess wasn’t up to theirs. The only reason he wasn’t in the lowest position in the pack was because of his skills in other areas. He could infiltrate places that needed brains, not brawn. They couldn’t do that. So while they needed him for jobs like these, they despised him a little for it, too.

  If he had challenged Shay tonight, he knew how it would have gone. Shay was a better fighter than him; he was stronger. But it didn’t always have to be that way. The positions in the pack were fluid. He just had to keep working on his fighting skills and keep his temper in check. Gain their respect. Then he could advance.

  He had a plan. A vision. It was going to happen.

  “Sounds good,” he said, slowly.

  “Perfect for you,” said Shay, his eyes glittering. “Right up your alley.”

  Caleb stared at him but didn’t answer. What was the point? Shay was just trying to bait him, as always. They had a volatile relationship, jostling to get higher in the pack. That was just the way it was.

  Shay wasn’t worth wasting his energy on. He had a job to prepare for, one that he could really sink his teeth into. And if he did well at it, then Thad might finally see that brains were worth as much as brawn to the Wild Keepers.

  Chapter Three

  Allie walked into the office quickly, throwing her coat over the chair at her desk. It had been an intense first week at her new job.

  She switched on her computer, debating whether to get herself a coffee. Dr. Morgan had been right—all the team were addicted to it and could often be found communing over the coffee pot. They would probably be all there now, getting their early morning fix before starting the work day. She should join them. She was still the new person, and this was an opportunity to get to know them better.

  She stood up, grabbing her cup.

  Janelle was already there, sipping at her cup. She couldn’t see Dr. Morgan. But her direct superior, a jovial woman named Frances, was there. Frances was senior researcher and had been working there for years. Already, Allie knew that there was nothing that Frances didn’t know about this place. She had advised Allie on who was dating who, and who was due to retire. The best places nearby to get lunch, and where to find the best parking spots.

  Frances wasn’t drinking coffee this morning. Instead, she was sitting at the communal table, her head resting in her hands.

  “Good morning,” said Allie, walking to the coffee pot, and pouring herself a cup. “Are you alright, Frances?”

  The older woman looked up, smiling at Allie. “Just a headache,” she said. “I get them often, but this one is a bit more intense than normal. I’ve taken a couple of painkillers. Just waiting for them to kick in, then I should be as right as rain.”

  “I won’t disturb you, then,” said Allie. “I know what it’s like.”

  “Don’t be silly,” said Frances, waving her hand at the chair opposite her. “Sit down. I need the distraction.”

  Allie sat down, sipping at her coffee.

  “Have you read the email about this new illness?” asked Frances, sitting up in her chair. “I copied you into it. It came from the city offices.”

  “I haven’t checked my emails yet,” replied Allie, staring at her. “What’s it about?”

  “They want us to monitor it,” said the woman, slowly. “It’s always like this; if there’s a sudden increase of cases coming to the hospitals, with the same symptoms, they just want us to look into it, even if it’s not an epidemic. This one is a bit puzzling.”

  “How so?” said Allie.

  “It’s quick,” replied Frances. “People deteriorate in a matter of hours after admission to the hospital. And it’s potentially deadly. We’ve had six deaths this week, so far.”

  “Not a nasty strain of influenza?” asked Allie. “I’ve heard there is a new strain going around. If people haven’t had their flu shots they’re at risk, but even if they have, a new strain would be immune to it.”

  “That’s one of the first things they checked,” said Frances, shaking her head. “But it doesn’t have the same symptoms as the flu, anyway. They get aches and chills, but they’re also having seizures. It progresses to a coma, and then death, if they are unlucky.”

  Allie gasped. “This is awful.”

  Frances nodded. “Yes, it’s terrible. I have the blood work from many casualties, but they need to be analysed properly and compared. I’ll set you up doing that today.” She sighed, rubbing her head. “Until these painkillers kick in, I might be a bit useless.”

  Allie stood up. “I guess I should read this email and set to work, then. It doesn’t sound like there is much time to lose.”

  Frances smiled. “How are you anyway, Allie? Are you feeling better after that awful mugging last week?”

  Allie nodded slowly. “Yes, thanks for asking. I’m not so shaken up, anymore.”

  “What did the police say?”

  “They took my statement, but that was pretty much it.” Allie shrugged her shoulders. “A mugging isn’t high on their list of priorities, I could tell. I got a lecture about walking by myself at night.”

  Frances shook her head. “The police force in this city is hopeless,” she said, bitterly. “Crime has escalated so much, and they don’t seem to be able to do a thing about it. No vision on how things can change. No plans for how to clean up the streets. It’s not your responsibility to control it by not living your life as you should.”

  “It’s okay,” said Allie. “I’m fine, really.” Was that true? She had been jumping at shadows ever since, although it had lessened, slightly. She had even thought about hightailing it back to her low-crime small town. “I just need to get used to city living.”

  “It was bad luck, happening on your first day at work,” said Frances, staring at her sympathetically. “Did you tell the police about the dog?”

  Allie laughed, wryly. “Yes, but I don’t think they believed me! And even as I told them, I realised how strange it sounded. A large dog just appears out of nowhere, pinning down my mugger, then retrieving my lost bag to me.” She paused. “It’s odd, there’s no doubt about that.”

  “Yes and no,” said Frances. “I’ve heard rumours of large dogs on the streets. So large that some people say they look like wolves. I’ve laughed at them, of course, but your incident has made me think there may be something to them.”

  Allie paled. There were other large canines roaming the streets? What was this city?

  She had tried to reassure her parents before she moved here. They had been worried, of course. Everyone had heard how bad the city of Covenester had become; how crime had increased and gangs were everywhere. They had even offered to pay the rent on a house further out in the suburbs. She had been the one who had insisted that she would be fine, and she determined to pay her own way.

  Now, she wasn’t so sure. Perhaps she should take them up on their generous offer. She shook her head, slightly. No. She was determined to be independent; she was a grown woman with a good job. She had to learn to fend for herself.

  “Well, hopefully they are only rumours,” she said. “It was probably just a freak occurrence. I tell you, I thanked my lucky stars for that dog coming along when it happened!”

  “It was good timing,” said Frances, rubbing her head. “I might take some more painkillers, Allie. This headache isn’t shifting, and we have so m
uch work to do.”

  Allie nodded. “I’ll set to work. I hope you start feeling better soon, Frances. Maybe you should take the day off, if it won’t budge?”

  The woman grimaced, standing up. “If only! Too much work to do! Don’t worry about me, Allie. I’ll soldier through it.”

  Allie smiled then walked slowly back to her desk. She sat down and opened the email that Frances had told her about, scanning it quickly.

  Six deaths, as Frances had said. Out of ten people who had presented with the same symptoms. That wasn’t very good odds if you happened to get this illness, or whatever it was. The scientist in Allie shied away from making a judgement before it had been properly investigated.

  Causal factors had to be examined. Perhaps all these people had a common thread; a workplace or a community. They could have been exposed to a toxin. The first place to start was to examine the bloodwork of the people who had been affected and see if there was anything there. Bacteria, or a virus. And, of course, the autopsies of the dead people would have to be seconded and examined thoroughly.

  She smiled slightly as she read through the rest of the email. Typical bureaucrats, being cagey. Trying to downplay any threat. Initial enquiries, it read. Don’t jump to any conclusions or start a panic. As if they would. It was their job to be as thorough and clear headed as the situation demanded.

  She looked up, watching Frances walking to her desk, a glass of water in hand. She really didn’t look well, at all. Allie noted the pallor of her skin and could see that her forehead was beaded with sweat. She obviously suffered terribly with her headaches, if this was any indication.

  Suddenly, Frances lurched forward, grabbing onto the back of a chair as she fell. The glass of water fell out of her hand, smashing onto the slate floor.

  Allie rushed forward, towards her, at the same time as other people in the office ran towards the stricken woman.