Wolf Roulette: Supernatural Battle

by Kelly St Clare

  Trixie faced the row of stewards. “Is the data you’ve based your opinions on absolute? Are there studies proving the opposite in existence?”

  Ah, good point.

  A man at the far end raised his hand. “New data does arise, but policies and procedures for each grid are updated annually. These were agreed upon by our tribe and the Luthers.”

  My lips curved. “So the pack have already agreed that the data used to form the policies is the most accurate and valid information.”

  Some of the Sandstone stewards smiled back.

  “Exactly,” the man said.

  Perfect.

  I skimmed over their other points, but they largely meant nothing to me. “I can’t do these points justice. Stanley, do we need special permission to bring stewards into official meetings?”

  “Just advanced notice. We’ve done so before in past negotiations.”

  “How much advanced notice? I don’t want to give Sascha time to prepare.”

  “Five minutes would do it,” Trixie supplied. “I can clear protocol with Pascal though.”

  “Please do.” I glanced up at the quiet Sandstone stewards. “Before we go through the rest, I need to make it clear that this information must be kept to yourself until it’s revealed to the tribe. No one outside of this room, barring the rest of my head team, can know. This could very well be what we need to turn over a fourth grid. Do you understand?”

  They nodded.

  “When will you make your move, Head Steward?” the first woman asked.

  The only thing about now having an idea on how to form a lasting truce was I felt grossly unprepared for the end.

  Possessing four grids felt too close to the potentially disastrous consequences. I naturally wanted to resist and delay, but that wasn’t best for my stewards. “I’ll make my move after the Deception Valley Ball.”

  26

  I re-read the message to double-check my eyes weren’t cold-hearted liars.

  King Julius liked you.

  “Like fuck he did,” I told my office.

  My office agreed.

  I read Basilia’s other messages.

  Not many can speak to him without pissing their bike shorts.

  He’s given me a draft contract for your consideration.

  I really hadn’t known what to think after video chatting the vampire royals. In the wake, it seemed like I didn’t have enough to offer.

  I texted back.

  Thank you. This is good news.

  Her reply was instant.

  Check your email.

  I opened the mail app and found an unread message. “Pretty sure I never gave her my email address.”

  Guess billionaires have access to spy shit.

  Opening the huge attachment, I skimmed through the first few pages of the draft contract. This was weighted in favour of the Vissimo. Business wasn’t always business, but it was this time.

  I typed a second text.

  That other thing we discussed.

  I have dates.

  Three dots appeared, and my heart thumped.

  Her message appeared.

  Send the details and it’s done.

  I exhaled. Booker, I’m not ready for this.

  We’ve done all we can do alone. It’s time to involve others.

  That’s what had me so terrified.

  No one else wanted what I did. Sascha came close. Wade and Cameron close behind him, but everyone else wanted to outright win. Others wouldn’t see my plans the same way I did. They could react badly. Really badly.

  Yet, the only way forward was to take this step.

  Courage, Andie. Start with Sascha, Booker said. Go from there.

  She was right.

  Steeling myself, I dialled his number.

  The phone rang once.

  “You’re using the actual phone?” he answered.

  This method felt more formal than telepathy. “I’m ready to tell you everything. Just you and me.”

  He was silent. “How big is this?”

  “It could be what we need. The pack, the tribe, and us.”

  “When and where, mate?”

  I licked my lips. “Somewhere private. How about the place Herc’s will was read? Can you leave now?”

  “Give me twenty.”

  This was happening.

  Sascha wanted to help me, but there was so much he had to consider. Hell, I got where he was coming from. There was every chance he couldn’t support me in this.

  If so… this probably wouldn’t work.

  I listened to his footsteps and the deep thrum of his pickup engine. “Sascha?”

  “Mate.”

  “Just… you’ll need an open mind for this.”

  His tone was dry. “I’d gathered.”

  I hung up and grabbed my keys.

  Sliding into Ella F, I took the road to Lake Thana, driving two-thirds of the way alongside it before locating the hilltop road. If not for Booker’s daily runs, the hidden corners of Deception Valley would still be a mystery to me, but this particular spot was burned in my memory. Once, I drove up this road as Andie Booker and came down as Andie Thana.

  Sascha wasn’t there yet.

  Turning up the collar of my jacket against the wind, I approached the rock where Herc’s will was read.

  Pascal’s words rang in my head. “Will you protect the stewards of Ni Tiaki with your final breath, Andie Thana?”

  “I will.”

  “Will you lead us in Victratum to the best of your ability?”

  I whispered, “I will.”

  The rumbling of Sascha’s pickup reached my ears. He parked, and I listened to his footsteps.

  “You’re nervous,” he said at my back.

  Understatement.

  I turned, hair whipping around my shoulders. “Hey.”

  Sascha darted a look over my face. “Tell me then.”

  I shoved my hands in my jacket pockets.

  Where to start? “The problem with peace in the past is that we didn’t have a cause to unify us. Until recently, all I could think of is that we both share a love of this land. But that’s also been the source of our discontent, and that’s why attempts at peace have always failed. I’ve found something that could hold us together—long-term.”

  “I’m listening.”

  I winced. “This is the part you need to be open about.”

  He could smell my dread, so he didn’t laugh.

  Sascha stepped forward and tilted my chin up. “You know what I need to consider. Within those bounds, I’ll do what I can.”

  My plan required him to act outside of those bounds. “Days after learning I was Herc’s daughter, I placed a call to our importer list to introduce myself. One was a vampire and she asked about the werewolves in Deception Valley.”

  Sascha’s expression hardened. “You want to work with vampires.”

  “In a later exchange, she was surprised to learn that the largest demon kingdom in the world bordered part of Bluff City, and that witches bordered them on the other side. They had no idea either supernatural race was in the vicinity—something both of us found unusual and suspicious.”

  This intrigued Sascha, but the hardness remained.

  I ploughed on. “I entered negotiations with the royal Vissimo family of Bluff City. My initial goal was to barter safe passage for the pack through their territory.”

  “The airport.” He interrupted.

  “Will take months. I needed a more immediate solution.”

  Sascha focused on me, hope rising from him. “Their answer?”

  I laid a hand on his chest. “The negotiations quickly changed to something bigger—to the proposal of an alliance between pack, Vissimo, and tribe. Not only were the vampires unaware of the demons and witches, but they’re too far away to monitor the situation if either of these races look to expand their territory in the future. Obviously, this should be a concern for us too. In an alliance, our proximity to the demons and witches holds great value t
o the Bluff City Vissimo. The pack has first-hand knowledge of demons and witches, and is capable of aiding the vampires, and vice versa, in any battle. And as humans, the tribe have the ability to scout and gather intel undetected—and are also training to fight.”

  “The tribe and pack would constantly put themselves in harm’s way to monitor and gather intel. There seem to be few perks for us and a lot for the vampires.”

  “Either way, whoever remains in this valley must educate themselves about our neighbours. Why not do so with fifteen thousand vampires at our back? Combined, the tribe and pack number less than two thousand. We’d greatly benefit from a powerful friend.”

  That struck him the most out of anything I’d said.

  I might be getting somewhere. “What if the pack won today, only to face the largest demon kingdom in the world in fifty years? Our supernatural neighbours pose a serious threat that we need to prepare for, and Grids has given our people the perfect training to fight that battle. That aside, this threat is the only way I’ve thought of to convince the tribe and pack to a truce. I’m not saying peace will be easy, but with a cause to unite us, time and determination can do the rest.”

  Sascha hummed.

  I tracked his rapidly changing scents.

  His expression wasn’t reassuring. “The vampires slaughtered thousands of my wolves, Andie. Those who made it to the valley and still live haven’t forgotten it. For them, the horror is fresh. What you’re asking with the vampire alliance is likely too much.”

  “The pack wants a place to call their own. They just need to hate vampires less than they want that. Why do you think the tribe has a Luther for a head steward? Some things are stronger than fear and loathing.”

  “You’ve proposed a way for the pack and tribe to hold a truce. You haven’t offered the pack a home.”

  “The tribe doesn’t own land, Sascha. What you’re asking is something they would never give themselves.”

  “What about a middle ground?”

  I studied him. “Like what?”

  “Just under one hundred years ago, the tribe placed their land in trust to protect it from outsiders laying claim. The tribe could place land in trust for the pack. We wouldn’t own the land, but it would be legally binding. This could be an acceptable level of security for my wolves.”

  If the tribe won, why would they place land in trust for the pack? Where was the incentive?

  I had to think on it. “If I could convince the tribe to do that, would the pack enter an alliance with the tribe and vampires?”

  “A home is what they want above all else. They’ll be more inclined to listen.”

  I’d take that answer for now. “I’d like to continue negotiations with King Julius, and I’d like you present. I’m happy to send through his draft contract today. It’s heavily in favour of the vampires, but I expected no less. He seems mostly reasonable… under the ancient Vissimo king vibe.”

  Stepping closer, I hugged his middle. His arms wrapped around me.

  We swayed together for a time.

  “I need your help,” I whispered.

  “I know, little bird.”

  To win, we couldn’t do what had always been done. We had to push our people down the safest path.

  Werewolves hated vampires? Okay, fine. Vampires were willing to put their beef with the Luthers aside to benefit their clan.

  The pack wanted a home? Great. Where else would they go? They could leave the valley only to meet freakin’ gargoyles or some shit in another area. They knew this territory. And now they had a way to find their mates.

  “I can’t promise the pack will come to the table without a land solution from the tribe, but I’ll read over this king’s contract.” Sascha paused. “I’ll also attend further negotiations.”

  My shoulders sagged. “Thank you.”

  “I want to give you a yes, so we’re clear.”

  “It just feels hopeless sometimes. I want everyone to be safe.”

  He kissed my temple. “Everyone will be safe. Shut your eyes, mate. I’ll paint a picture for you.”

  I smiled against his chest. “What kind of picture?”

  “The kind where there’s no game and we wake up together each day.”

  Tears stung my eyes, but I obeyed. “I’m listening.”

  Nine shocked faces looked at me.

  “You want to what now?” Nathan asked.

  I’d decided to broach the subject with my head team before I lost my nerve.

  “We’re surrounded by supernatural species,” I repeated with false calm. “When we win Grids, under the current terms of Victratum, the pack must leave the valley within twenty-four hours. My mounting concern is that their exit would leave us open to invasion from demons, witches, or vampires looking to expand their territory.”

  That’s what I might do if I heard a juicy patch of unclaimed land was free.

  Pascal’s brows were nearly in her hairline. “What exactly do you suggest?”

  “The obvious solution is a new agreement between pack and tribe. Luthers have abilities we don’t, and stewards have abilities they don’t. Our fight needs to be against those who could attack this land in the future. We should combine forces.”

  Stanley frowned. “That’s well and good, but past truces have always failed.”

  “That’s because we’ve always fought over this land. Every death on either side has been due to that dispute or Victratum. Two and a half centuries have proven we can inhabit the same space.”

  “So…” Trixie trailed off.

  Maybe this was a lot for a Thursday morning.

  “The largest demon kingdom in the world wraps around half of this valley,” I told them. “There are likely tens of thousands of them. The vampires occupying Bluff City number upwards of fifteen thousand.”

  Stanley spoke again, “Even if an alliance were possible, how are one thousand stewards and less than a thousand werewolves going to hold back so many? What if the demons, witches, and vampires are working together already?”

  “I’m glad you asked. I happened to meet a vampire a while back.”

  His jaw dropped.

  I lifted a shoulder. “We had a lot in common. She was turned into a Vissimo, and we both went through sudden introductions to the supernatural world via mating processes. I didn’t know it at the time, but that woman is the mate of the crown prince of the Bluff City vampire clan. Through her, I was able to reach their leader, King Julius, to discuss the possibility of an alliance.”

  “Vampires,” Nathan echoed.

  I suppose this really was a lot for a Thursday.

  Maybe any day.

  I nodded. “They were interested and highly concerned to discover demon and witches were in the area. In return for the tribe and pack monitoring these races, they’d be willing to come to our aid if ever needed. As said, there are over fifteen thousand in their clan.”

  “You want an alliance between the pack, tribe, and vampires?” Wade asked in the wake.

  Was it a good sign that vampires worried them more than werewolves?

  “As Stanley noted, our current numbers are a weakness. We need an ally.”

  He blew out a breath. “Right.”

  I looked at the head team. “As a leader, I see two sides who are wasting their time trying to beat each other, when in reality, we’ve lived with each other for hundreds of years. I fear the inability to see beyond our past will see us all dead.”

  “The pack would be happy to remain on borrowed land if we form an alliance?” Pascal asked.

  She’d seen what I hadn’t.

  “I approached Sascha Greyson yesterday to apprise him of the situation. More than anything, his pack want a home. He believes the only way to convince his people to an alliance is to reach a land compromise that offers them some legal security.”

  Nathan shook his head. “That’s what this game has been over the entire time.”

  “Incorrect. The game has been over the right for the pack to own lan
d. Sascha Greyson has proposed that land is placed in trust.”

  “Outrageous,” Stanley boomed.

  Was it? “That’s what the tribe did for themselves.”

  “Because it’s our land.”

  “We don’t own the land, Stanley. We’re merely its guardians. Or have you forgotten?”

  His face changed colour.

  “We don’t need to agree to a trust, but we will need to brainstorm other proposals if not. If we make this decision to protect our steward’s futures via an alliance.”

  Pascal frowned. “I’ve just never understood why the pack don’t leave. There have to be other territories around.”

  Time to draw back the curtain for them too. “There are a few things everyone in this room should know. I was specifically asked not to reveal these to the tribe, but I’m breaking my promise because this information will change our tribe’s general outlook on the pack. Since Luthers came here, their population has halved. That’s because this valley is surrounded by other supernatural races, and the pack can’t leave without a fight. The inability to leave means most of them can’t find their one mate. Without their mate, Luthers can’t have children and their life expectancy is finite.”

  “What happens if they lose Grids?” Roderick whispered.

  “Exactly. They’d need to fight their way out. Many would die. Maybe all of them. The Luthers have never abandoned this valley because they can’t.”

  I scented the dawning comprehension in the meeting room. They were as surprised by the news as I’d been.

  I hoped I’d made the right choice by telling them. It was news the entire tribe should know, but I had to come clean with Sascha before that.

  “Is that why you pushed the airport?” Trixie eventually asked.

  “The airport benefits stewards, the pack, and the valley. However, I won’t deny that the pack’s situation weighs heavy on my mind. There are children in the pack, and I won’t be responsible for sending them and over seven hundred and fifty pack members to their slaughter. In fact, if that ever becomes the decision of the tribe, I’ll no longer be a part of this community.”