Wolf Roulette: Supernatural Battle

by Kelly St Clare

  Where’s Sascha?

  I found him across the hall in a similar position to mine.

  What the hell just happened?

  More importantly, did anyone just shift?

  Locating the other Luthers, I stared at their groupings.

  And blinked.

  Deltas stood with deltas. Alphas with alphas. Omegas with Omegas. Every status had abandoned their prior place to stand with their own status.

  Being sigmas, Sascha and I had done the opposite.

  Oh my god.

  I caught a few flashes of fang amidst the groups, but it seemed the older Luthers had naturally assumed an outside position, shielding the younger werewolves in the middle, out of sight.

  Wade stormed into the kitchen and reprimanded two teens who’d snuck a cigarette and decided to smoke it inside. Sascha and I walked to each other.

  “Do you think anyone noticed us?” I asked under my breath.

  He frowned. “No. The humans panicked too. I can’t smell anything amiss. As long as no one’s phones were out, we should be good.”

  In this day and age, that was a big if. Then again, ball attire wasn’t really friendly for the size of modern cell phones either.

  The music resumed and so did our swaying dance.

  My heartbeat eventually settled.

  I wanted to ask, Sascha thought at me. Have you given any thought to the sex meet?

  Was he just casually bringing that up?

  My heart decided to pound again. Not really. I was waiting for you to bring it up. You’re the responsible one.

  Responsible. He was amused. Nothing about what I want to do to you is responsible.

  His arousal surged, and mine followed like a moth to a flame.

  His gaze burned into mine. What do you think about tonight?

  I tilted my chin. Why tonight?

  Because things are changing. Fast. I can feel the itch. I don’t know what time we have left, and I don’t want to lose this moment with you.

  He wanted to have sex because of the game.

  Sascha searched my gaze. That disappoints you.

  I don’t want to have sex because we’re afraid of tomorrow.

  He lifted a hand to my cheek. Aren’t you afraid of tomorrow, little bird?

  He meant that figuratively, but his words were accurate to an unsettling degree. Tomorrow, everything would change.

  I dropped my attention to his chest.

  Sascha stopped moving. What is it?

  I couldn’t tell him about our plan with the penalty points, but I’d wanted to find the right time to come clean about breaking my promise. So far, I’d told vampire royals and my head team.

  They were specks on telling the tribe tomorrow morning.

  There’s something you should know, I started.

  His scent took on a guarded edge.

  I broke a promise to you. And tomorrow, I plan to break that promise to the full extent. I inhaled his confusion. There are secrets the pack keeps that I believe should be general knowledge. It may help others understand your struggles.

  Understanding dawned. You’ve told the tribe that we’re trapped here. That we’re dying off.

  Not the whole tribe yet, I rushed to say. You underestimate the open-mindedness of my stewards. It might—

  “It might?” he said aloud. Silent again, he added, “Telling them we’re entirely at their mercy might do what exactly?

  Help them understand, Sascha. That’s where this truce has to start.

  Who knows? he demanded. Wade? You have no idea what you’ve done, Andie.

  The head team. And… the Vissimo royals.

  Sascha staggered back a step. You told a vampire clan numbering over fifteen thousand that we, a tiny population of wolves, are backed into a damn corner?

  No one liked to feel trapped. Wolves least of all.

  I didn’t present it as a weakness. I made sure to—

  You broke your solemn word to me. His jaw clenched. I’ve asked very little of you, Andie, but I made it clear that when you gave a promise, I expected you to keep it. You betrayed the one thing I asked you not to.

  Sascha walked around me.

  I hurried in his wake.

  The stewards need to understand why the pack never left, I shot at him.

  His strides weren’t hindered by a mountain of material, and he’d reached the parking lot by the time I exited the hall.

  Sascha. Please come back.

  The werewolf turned under the light of the moon.

  You knew my limit, Andie, he said grimly. That was harming my pack.

  No, I thought at him emphatically. That’s not why I did this at all. It was the opposite. Halfway down the stairs, I ignored the attention on our silent exchange.

  I’ll be sure to tell them that. I’m sure it will fix everything.

  I clutched my cheeks. Where are you going?

  Sascha started the engine. Away, Andie. Away.

  29

  “Nervous?” Wade rasped.

  He looked like roadkill. Someone overindulged last night.

  “Not really.” After the bitter ending of the ball, I just felt cold and empty. I’d underestimated how much Sascha’s consistent support filled me. Even in his absence, a layer of comfort usually surrounded me.

  Not anymore.

  The thought of losing Sascha made me feel sick. I’d never seen him so furious—not at me anyway. And I was about to divulge the truth to a whole lot more people.

  Would he ever forgive me? Maybe I should have informed Sascha before I spilled the beans to the vampires and head team. Or maybe agonising over this was foolish when he’d probably have reacted the same way.

  If I wasn’t so certain this was the way forward, I’d abandon the plan.

  “No nerves?” Wade pressed. “Nothing at all?”

  I didn’t fear the tribe. I believed in them.

  There’s a reason males and females in a pack are separate entities, Booker said. Different people look at the same problem with different eyes. You’ve chosen correctly.

  What would I do without her? I really didn’t know at this point. I love you.

  You’re the most tolerable human I know.

  My mood lightened a smidgen. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. I think everyone had a great night,” Wade replied.

  I’d spoken aloud but rolled with it. “You did the best job. I did happen to speak with Judy.”

  Wade cleared his throat. “Oh, yeah? What’d she say?”

  “You dropped me in it!”

  “Okay, but I really wanted to organise the ball.”

  I scowled at him.

  “Sorry. That wasn’t cool.” He pressed a quick kiss on my cheek.

  I softened. “You should be sorrier for making me sit on a throne.”

  “That will never happen.”

  Knock, knock.

  Pascal popped her head in. “It’s time, Andie.”

  “Everything is set up?”

  “Everything.”

  I truly trusted this woman. “Thanks, Pascal. You’ve done so much.”

  “A speck on your efforts, Head Steward.”

  The smell of her grief had strengthened in the last few days. With all this talk of truce and change, I wouldn’t blame her for thinking back to her mating call with Daniil and what could have been.

  Leaving the manor, I walked through the midst of our stewards. They babbled and chatted happily, unaware of what would be unleashed upon them.

  If I was successful today, my stewards would lay in bed tonight and tense at the sound of every creak and groan of their cabins.

  I climbed the stairs and stood before the mic. “Stewards. We gather on our tribal lands as we and our ancestors have done for centuries—as devoted guardians of this land and all those within it. Before I start, does anyone dispute our ongoing duty to this valley?”

  Everyone here—even my biggest critics—felt a connection to this place deep in their soul.

  “T
onight, my words will shock you. They will make you fear for your life and future and those of your loved ones… those of the people surrounding you. The secrets I share are revealed with one purpose in mind. To keep this tribe alive for generations to come.”

  They weren’t smiling anymore.

  Yeah, this wasn’t a normal gathering.

  “Upon becoming a Luther, the pack leader divulged the following information to me for my own safety. I was sworn to silence. But against his wishes, I have decided to break that promise because without breaking it, I see only bloodshed and pain.”

  I let them absorb my words, noting Nathan behind the camera recording my every word. There was too much information to unload in one sitting. Stewards would have access to the recording to watch however many times they wished.

  They stared up at me, anxious, wary, suspicious, and already fearful. I seized the determination building in my chest.

  I was doing this for a reason.

  For them.

  For the pack.

  For Sascha and myself.

  “At some point, every steward has asked themselves the same question. Why don’t the pack just leave? The tribe was here first. The werewolves could go anywhere. I used to ask myself the same question too. Before I explain, there are three things you need to know. A Luther has one mate in their lifetime. Without that mate, they can’t have children. And without their mate, they are mortal.”

  The screens Nathan used to run through tribe strategy flickered on around the lawn and stage.

  I freed the mic and stood to one side just like in the business presentations I’d had to record for my degree. “Keep those three things in mind, please.”

  I nodded at Trixie who was in charge of the slides.

  On the screens, a map of the valley and surrounding areas appeared. The land north and east of the valley lit up red.

  “Does anyone know what this region is?” The boundaries didn’t obey any human map.

  No one called out an answer.

  “That,” I told them, “as I recently discovered, is the approximate territory of the largest demon kingdom in the world. They occupy our entire northern border and the east also. Does anyone here know anything about demons?”

  No one budged.

  Fear had taken the forefront though confusion had ramped up too.

  The slide changed to add a blue section to our south. “This is the territory of a witch coven that covers us to the south.”

  A third section lit up green.

  “Most stewards know about the vampires in Bluff City,” I said. “Their clan totals more than fifteen thousand.”

  I returned to the microphone stand. “As you see, this valley is surrounded on every side by other supernatural races. Why is that pertinent? Since the Luthers arrived here, their numbers have halved. Perhaps you believed some had left the valley. Perhaps you asked yourself why the others didn’t do the same.” I gestured at the map behind me. “They’re trapped. It’s impossible for the pack to leave without risking what few numbers they still have fighting their way out. To give you an idea of that risk, ten thousand Luthers arrived on the shores of Bluff City long ago, but after a battle with vampires and then with demons, only fifteen hundred made it to Deception Valley. Because the pack are trapped, most of them will never find their mates. Remember, they cannot have children without their one mate. And they are mortal without their mate too. To put it plainly, the pack isn’t leaving. They’re dying.”

  I gave them a moment to absorb that.

  Shock. Fear. Confusion.

  I paced the length of the stage. “Why is this of concern to us though? Well, while the Luthers have occupied this valley, other supernaturals haven’t claimed this area for their own. We haven’t had to contend with demons, witches, or vampires. But here’s my question to you, stewards. What happens if we win Victratum and the Luthers leave? Who and what will come next? Fifteen thousand vampires? Thousands of demons, and likely tens of thousands of them? Witches? When will they strike?” I took a breath. “Will we win the game after hundreds of years, just to face battle after battle for this land in the future?”

  Fear.

  Good.

  I let the silence swell. “Between this moment and Tuesday night, I want you to think about that one question… What happens if the Luthers leave?”

  The screen behind me shut off and murmurs broke out.

  I softened my voice. “We’re in the unique position of knowing what may lay ahead. Don’t let that lure you into a false sense of security. On Tuesday night, we will decide on a solution that will determine whether this tribe has a future.”

  I let them chat, listening in on their comments.

  This can’t be true.

  Why didn’t the wolves tell us?

  I don’t believe it.

  She’s a Luther now. She just wants them to stay.

  “Now to the second announcement,” I called through the mic.

  They gradually quietened.

  I scanned their midst, noting the number of pale and stricken faces. “We utilised the week off Victratum to prepare for both Clay and Water, though we announced Clay to the pack. Thank you for the extra practice you’ve put in. I know it will serve us well in the near future. Tomorrow, we host five hundred guests on manor lands. These guests will help us in the game next week. They’ll likely stay until Thursday morning. I expect every steward here to treat those guests with the utmost respect and hospitality while they’re with us.”

  I wanted my stewards to work with the Vissimo before revealing what they were.

  It could make my job on Tuesday night a lot easier.

  “Over the next three days, we’ll practice as we’ve never practiced before.” My expression hardened. “I’ve seen what this tribe has done. I’ve been amazed time and again by how seamlessly last-minute operations are carried out in the grid. This week, this tribe needs to do better than ever before. By Tuesday night, you’ll understand why.”

  I gestured to Rhona a few rows back from the front. “Over the last two days, Rhona and I put together a special recording. This will be distributed by Nathan after the gathering. Please make time to listen to the recording today on manor lands only. Preferably with headphones on. This evening, Gerry will call a special training to run through a new manoeuvre. Lastly, Monday through Wednesday, the workday will end at midday to allow ample time to run through our operations.”

  The stewards didn’t know what was happening, but they’d registered something serious was afoot.

  I smiled. “Any questions? Nothing too big to announce today, as you’ve heard.”

  That earned me a few laughs.

  Their nervous reaction trailed off as Rhona waved to me from the bottom of the stairs.

  She climbed and crossed to me.

  I switched off the mic. “What’s wrong?”

  Her hands shook. “I’d like to speak to the tribe if that’s okay?”

  Uh… to say what? I’d just released a series of bombs on them. They couldn’t take much more.

  “I need you on board today.” I wanted to trust her, but this was just too important.

  She nodded. “I’m not here to make trouble.”

  Her scent confirmed that. At least, it confirmed that Rhona didn’t believe her words would cause trouble.

  We’d turned a corner on Friday. “Please be careful not to overload them.”

  Switching the mic back on, I passed it to her and left the stage.

  I wedged between Wade and Pascal to watch.

  Rhona had never looked tinier as she stood facing the people that she’d left high and dry.

  My sister spoke, “When I came back, Andie told me one condition of my return was to apologise to the tribe for what I did. She thought you deserved an explanation.”

  Crap. Where was she going with this?

  Rhona’s throat worked. “I don’t deserve an opportunity to stand before you and explain what happened or why I did all those things. But An
die gave it to me anyway despite how I treated her. So I’ll take this chance. I’d like to start behaving the way a real steward should.”

  “Oh my god,” Wade hushed. “What did you do to her?”

  Me?

  This was all Rhona.

  This was my sister.

  “Here’s how it started,” she whispered.

  30

  I peered down the table at my head team and the two nominated Sandstone experts. Twenty minutes ago, the pack received our summons. Legally, we had to be transparent on the reason for a negotiation.

  Sascha hadn’t spoken to me since last night, and now he’d learned that I planned to seize a grid via penalty points.

  Something I was doing for him.

  Life was fucking twisted.

  “We go into this bartering for five penalty points,” I said. “The contract clearly states that any lapse in care of land clause will result in loss of a grid. The minimum we’ll accept is two penalty points, which will allow us to turn over another grid anyway.”

  The mood in the room was tense.

  “Roderick, please put the call through.” I’d requested that this call occur over video. Sascha could have denied the request, but it hadn’t been in his best interest to. Previously, Luthers had so many advantages over stewards during negotiations.

  Now I possessed the same edge.

  Sascha couldn’t lie without me picking it up.

  I watched the phone symbol on the screen.

  Three rings.

  Seven rings.

  The pack answered on the eighth. Not their worst record by a long shot.

  “Greetings to the pack, and thank you for responding to our summons.”

  “Head Steward,” Sascha said coldly. “Greetings to the head team also.”

  At times, his team had acted the part of disliking me. This time, I had a feeling nothing about their expressions was faked. Leroy’s face made Mandy appear almost calm and forgiving.

  Sascha had told his wolves what I did.

  Strength, Andie, Booker said.

  I tilted my chin. “When my stewards turned over Sandstone, they noted an extraordinary number of lapses in the care of land clause during the pack’s occupation of the grid. Pascal, please send through the list to Mr Greyson.”