Wolf Roulette: Supernatural Battle

by Kelly St Clare

  I plugged in my laptop. While it woke up, I logged into the Eastway Bank app on my phone and transferred two hundred and fifty dollars of my first head steward pay into the account containing the last of Mum’s debt.

  Shouts erupted from outside, and I jumped up to peer out the window. The gardeners had congregated.

  And all of them pointed in the same direction.

  Oh my god.

  Running, I burst from the manor seconds later and leaped down the front steps.

  “Nothing to worry about,” I hastily called to the stewards. “He’s here to see me.”

  I bore down on the filthy pup. “You better not have come this far by yourself.”

  Panting, Axel flopped on his side, exposing his neck.

  He’s exhausted, Booker said.

  I scooped up the pup. “Your mother will be out of her mind with worry.”

  He whined.

  Yeah, I wasn’t falling for that cuteness. He was in the dog box.

  “Where’s the nearest hose?” I asked Marty.

  He led me to a tap beside the manor stairs. “Is that a Luther?”

  “Yes. A very naughty one.” Holding Axel by the scruff, I narrowed my eyes. “You’re having a bath.”

  Oh, he did have some energy left.

  “That won’t help you,” I chided as he tried to wriggle free.

  The howling pup did manage to soak me from head to toe by the end. I wiped a damp sleeve over my face.

  Marty returned with old towels. “Need these?”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’ve never seen a Luther baby before.”

  Because there was only one.

  Wrapping Axel in towels, I gathered him up and strode to the kitchen.

  “Randi,” I called to the first steward I saw. “Could you grab my phone off my office desk, please?”

  Her eyes rounded. “Is that a tiny Luther?”

  The tribe weren’t immune to cute. Curious. “It is. I need to let his mother know where he is.”

  She hurried off, and I carted the quiet pup to the kitchen.

  I patiently answered the same questions from the stewards there, then looked at Axel. “Tell me what happened.”

  He lowered his gaze, whining.

  “I missed you, too, big pup, but you could have been hurt coming so far by yourself. There’s a reason we stay with our parents for a while, and that’s because they’ve lived longer and know more about staying safe.”

  The pup emitted a pathetic howl, and the kitchen staff aww’d.

  Axel’s tale wagged.

  He’s almost cute, Booker said begrudgingly.

  I wasn’t winning this conversation.

  “Is he hungry?” Detta asked.

  I glanced at the cook. “He’s a growing Luther. The answer will always be yes, but he’ll need to shift to eat at the table.”

  Axel wasted no time doing so.

  I arranged the towels around him, then accepted my phone from Randi.

  Detta set a muffin in front of Axel as I dialled Evelyn.

  She answered immediately, “Andie. Is everything okay?”

  There was a frantic undercurrent to her voice. No wonder. “Searching for someone?”

  The line went silent. “Axel is there?”

  “He is. Safe but tired.”

  I listened to her shout the news.

  “Thank goodness,” she breathed. “He’s been gone hours.”

  Well, he’d had a long road to travel and only little legs to walk it. “I grant the pack permission to collect him without penalty in Grids.”

  She hesitated. “And what about Axel’s unsanctioned visit?”

  Yes, that.

  We currently held three penalty points against them. This could give us another point. “There won’t be a penalty. I made a promise to the women and children, and that doesn’t come with ties.”

  “On behalf of Sascha, thank you.”

  I pressed my lips together to stop myself from asking about him. “No problem.”

  “Sascha is okay. Tired and stressed, but he’s putting food in his mouth.”

  Tears stung my eyes, and I blinked them away—too aware of the kitchen staff. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “A few women have left to collect Axel. They shouldn’t be long.”

  “No rush. He’s enjoying being spoiled by pretty much everyone.” I hung up.

  News spread.

  Stewards streamed in to gawk at the small boy steadily devouring an entire tray of muffins.

  “Last one,” I said when he took his sixth.

  “Oh, go on. Let him have more,” someone chided.

  Hold on, I wasn’t the bad person here.

  Raising my head, I caught the scents of three Luthers outside. “Time to go.”

  “Phone,” Axel said loudly.

  Uh. “What?”

  “Phone,” he repeated.

  Ah. “The saxophone?”

  He nodded.

  “Is that why you came?”

  I inhaled his yes. Curiosity didn’t kill cats. It killed baby werewolves.

  “Playing the saxophone is a reward, Axel. What you did was dangerous, and so I can’t show you the instrument this time."

  Mutters broke out behind me.

  Mothershitter. I really wasn’t winning this discussion.

  I held out a hand. “Your mother is outside. Let’s go, big pup.”

  He blanched. “No.”

  I held his gaze. “You were a big enough boy to come all the way here. That means you’re a big enough boy to face the consequences. You can either walk outside on your own legs or we can walk on mine. What’s it gonna be?”

  He wavered between defiance and sheepishness. “My legs.”

  Ditching the towels, Axel walked butt-naked out of the manor.

  “They won’t be too hard on him, will they?” a steward whispered.

  Jesus.

  “Axel!” Jemma ran from the car to meet us.

  She sank to her knees and wrapped him in her embrace. “I was so worried.”

  He started crying, and she stroked his hair.

  Bailey joined me.

  “Was everyone in a stir?” I asked.

  “Worst one yet.”

  The omega woman I’d saved in Iron was with her. She stuck to Bailey like a barnacle and wouldn’t meet my gaze.

  I leaned forward. “How are you feeling?”

  She spoke to the ground. “Better. Thanks to you.”

  “You shouldn’t have been shot where there was a risk of you drowning. I extend the apologies of the steward who did so. He panicked in reaction to your presence.”

  Truth.

  The woman nodded. “It happens.”

  I held out my hand. “I’m Andie.”

  She raised her chin for the first time and shook my hand. “Vivien.”

  Jemma approached with a calmer Axel. “Thank you, Andie. He’s never left pack lands. I’m so sorry to put you in this position.”

  I peered at the tribe onlookers. “He was a hit, don’t worry about it. If he vomits in the car though, it’s because he devoured six muffins.”

  The Luthers turned disbelieving eyes to the stewards.

  “Is everything okay with the pack women?” I asked.

  Bailey gripped my shoulder. “We’re doing fine. Do what you need to do.”

  My answering smile was grim. “I plan to.”

  The women left with the pup, and I turned to face at least fifty very curious stewards.

  There went my study time.

  14

  A fancy car rolled into view. I waved, both nervous and excited.

  “That’s a Rolls-Royce Phantom,” Wade breathed.

  The shiny black car?

  I’d take his word for it.

  Friday night and stewards were kicking back around the manor and grounds. No one was drinking, but I was happy to note morale was more positive than prior to our Iron win.

  I had another grid to secure in four days, but
tonight, I was determined to relax and have some fun.

  With a vampire.

  The car rolled to a stop, and I glimpsed the older man driving.

  Wade fidgeted. “Whoa, let’s not get on that guy’s bad side.”

  Really? The man didn’t look so bad to me.

  The chauffeur opened the car door, and a long, golden leg appeared, followed by the rest of Basilia Le Spyre. Nude heels adorned her feet. The royal blue dress hugged her curves like a glove. She was around my height and completely, supernaturally gorgeous.

  I inhaled Wade’s anticipation. “Easy boy.”

  “I’ve never met a celebrity before.”

  Basilia raised her chin, topaz eyes glittering. Yep, she heard him.

  The intensity of her eyes gave me the heebie-jeebies.

  A petite woman with chestnut hair exited the vehicle. “So glad that drive’s over.”

  I descended the stairs. “Welcome to Deception Valley.”

  Basilia’s scent slapped me.

  Enemy, Booker hissed.

  Our fangs erupted.

  “You fucking stink,” I choked out, covering my mouth.

  Basilia’s face was scrunched. “Returned. You smell like a garbage place.”

  Her fangs were out too.

  Tommy leaned in. “Rubbish dump?”

  “A rubbish dump,” Basilia amended.

  I forced my fangs away.

  We must naturally not like vampires, I told Booker. Please remember she’s a friend.

  I don’t even want to eat her heart.

  Never thought I’d hear the words.

  I wiped my streaming eyes. “Is this normal for our kinds?”

  “No idea.” She held her nose.

  Wade cleared his throat. “How about I grab something better to smell for each of you? It may help.”

  Basilia’s blue eyes fixed on my friend, and his heart began to hammer.

  Yeah, I felt some of it too. She was all predator.

  “This is my best friend, Wade. He was born and raised in the valley.”

  Tommy extended her hand. “Wade, while these two are being strange, how about we go get that nice-smelling stuff you mentioned?”

  They disappeared up the stairs.

  “Will you stay with Basilia?” I asked the chauffeur. “If you’re hungry, you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen. Or a bed if you’d prefer to rest.”

  Basilia grinned. “She’s not afraid of you, Fred.”

  He’d sure reacted fast with that knife when my fangs appeared though.

  “Fred’s going into town for a bit.” She shot him a glance.

  I smirked. “Right. Well, the best place to gather information is The Dens, the casino owned by Sascha Greyson. All of the staff are werewolves, but the patrons are human.” I inhaled. “I suggest you change your clothes. You smell like Vissimo, and other Luthers may react as I did.”

  Fred bowed. “Thank you, Miss Thana.”

  Okay, maybe he was a little scary.

  “Come on in,” I said to Basilia.

  We were both holding our noses now, and laughter bubbled up my throat at the ridiculousness of the situation.

  Her eyes danced, then tilted her head. “There are a lot of humans here.”

  “You’re used to less noise?”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “Less noise, but around the same number. We have a lot of help and security at the mansion.”

  The mansion.

  Oh to be a billionaire.

  I guided her to the oldest sitting room.

  She shifted her attention from the polished wood to the old books. “This place has been in the family a while.”

  “In the tribe, yes. The Thanas have lived in this manor for one hundred and fifty years, but we’ve always lived on this land.”

  “And where are the wolves?”

  “On the opposite side of the valley. They call their territory pack lands, but the area is only on loan to them until the end of the game.”

  She focused on me, and I withheld a shiver at the laser intensity of her topaz eyes. “What game?”

  Wade and Tommy returned.

  “Roll this under your nose,” he said.

  I accepted the essential oil from him and obeyed. Orange scent filled my nose. I could barely smell Basilia through it. “That’s better.”

  She sighed after doing the same with a second roller. “Much.”

  Wade took cocktail orders and got busy at the corner bar we’d stocked earlier.

  Basilia sat with a grace that confirmed her otherness. “As I said. What game?”

  “Holy shit.” Tommy plonked down beside her friend.

  I darted a look between them. “You have some history with supernatural games?”

  “I told you,” Wade called. “There was a game between two vampire clans, and one side recently won.”

  I vaguely recollected him saying that.

  “Our side,” Tommy jumped in. “Basilia owned them.”

  What I’d give to do the same. I smiled. “You’re proud of her.”

  “Damn straight. You should have seen her. Bam! Do this. Bam! Do that. Be my minions. Except she freed the actual minions. Totally cool.”

  Wade passed Basilia a strawberry mojito. “Tequila for you, Tom?”

  “With a lemon, please, Wadie boy.”

  They were on a nickname basis already.

  I shook my head. “Right. The game. There’s been a battle between the tribe and werewolves for over two centuries. The pack originally came here to find a new home after splitting from their old pack.”

  “Why did they split away?” Tommy slammed back a shot.

  “Here, baby girl.” Wade passed my gin cocktail.

  I sipped and was rewarded by a burst of tart raspberry. Mmm. “Luthers have six different status of wolf. Five main ones. These statuses need to be balanced in a pack. The larger the pack, the harder it becomes. Half left with Sascha’s father, Alexei.”

  “I’ve heard of him.” Basilia sipped at her drink. “This isn’t half bad. Want to work at my bar?”

  “What bar?” Wade asked.

  I smirked into my glass. He already knew and didn’t want to come across as a fanboy.

  “Forbidden.” She crossed her legs. “The wolves ended up here, and there was drama with the tribe?”

  “Essentially. The tribe discovered the newcomers transformed into wolves. Didn’t take it well. The main issue is that the pack want the security of owning their territory, and the tribe doesn’t recognise ownership of land at all. We’re only guardians of the valley.”

  Basilia tilted her head. “Why don’t the wolves leave then?”

  It was a common question on the steward’s lips, but I’d promised Sascha not to divulge the truth.

  Wade took a seat next to me and gulped at his drink.

  Whiskey. Ick. Maybe I could just lead Basilia around the truth. “What do you know of the other supernatural races around this valley and Bluff City?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “There are others?”

  “Demons and witches. You didn’t know?”

  “That’s not common knowledge to our family,” she said slowly. “I specifically asked Kyros once, and he only mentioned werewolves. He wasn’t lying.”

  “Interesting,” I murmured. “How is it possible you guys haven’t encountered them?”

  She frowned. “Exactly. What interaction have you had with their kinds?”

  “Before arriving here, the pack battled against the demons to the north. The pack barely escaped them to get here. Since then, a witch coven has set up to the south of this valley.”

  Basilia stiffened. “Do you have any idea on their numbers?”

  “The pack may know more. I’m told the demon kingdom is the largest in the world. Are you worried about them for some reason?”

  “Just because we didn’t know they were there.”

  Which was pretty odd. “Do you think they’re hiding from you guys on purpose?”

  S
he leaned back. “If they are, that’s worrisome. This will interest King Julius greatly.”

  Wade choked on his whisky.

  Yeah, I hadn’t gotten around to telling him vampires had kings.

  Something else occurred to me. “It may be a good idea for the pack and your people to keep in touch about the situation.” The last thing I wanted was to be blindsided by other supernatural races with everything that was going on.

  Or in the future.

  “Agreed. Maybe we should work something out as a precaution.” She finished her cocktail, and this time Tommy swiped up the empty, collecting mine on the way.

  “Like an alliance?” That could open the door to negotiating an idea I’d had after our last phone call. Vampires could provide safe passage for the pack through Bluff City if the tribe won.

  Basilia shrugged. “Tell me, you’re advocating for the pack’s safety, yet you’re the head steward of the enemy side. What’s your position in the game?”

  Precarious.

  “I want both sides to reach a truce. Sascha doesn’t share the same view. He believes there will never be peace between tribe and pack. I need to win Grids to be in a position to negotiate for the pack while ensuring the wellbeing of the Ni Tiaki too.”

  “What exactly will you negotiate for the pack?”

  Good question. “I’m focused on keeping the tribe in the game for now. When my younger sister discovered I’d become a Luther, she exiled me and weakened our position drastically.”

  Basilia arched a brow. “This wouldn’t be the sister frequenting my club for the last ten days?”

  I straightened. “You’ve seen her?”

  “Some of my Vissimo employees work at the club. They noticed her last name and passed it on. Quite the bender she’s having.”

  “Rhona’s okay though?”

  “I wasn’t interested enough to notice after watching the camera footage. She’s nothing like you.”

  Wade exhaled loudly. “Thank you.”

  I shot him a quelling look that bounced right off him. “She lost our father recently. Her mother a few years back. Me becoming a Luther was the final straw.”

  Basilia regarded me. “Then perhaps I judged her too quickly. I’m an orphan too.”

  “Make that three of us,” I mumbled.

  Tommy delivered our drinks.

  Then Wade got more.

  Then Tommy.

  Both of them got steadily drunker. I couldn’t feel any buzz, but the drinks tasted nice. Vampires must burn off alcohol fast, too, because the billionaire opposite me was just as composed as when she first arrived.