Jericho (The Strong Pack)

by Crystal Dawn

  I avoided the fangs and claws that James aimed at me swiping him across the shoulder as we passed each other. I was able to stop but he had too much momentum and rolled to the edge of the circle. The circle was spelled and no one could leave until the fight was over. Hitting the edge was like hitting an invisible wall and trying to go over the line like being hit with a baseball bat. It took him a moment to get back up. He came at me slower this time. He circled gauging my strengths and weaknesses while I evaluated his. I didn’t think this would be a quick fight. I slashed at his face with unexpected speed cutting across one eye doing a little damage. He howled in pain although it shouldn’t have hurt that bad. Maybe I had damaged him more than I thought or maybe he just wanted me to think so.

  Regardless of how serious the damage was it was clear I had angered him. Maybe it would cause him to make a mistake. He continued to circle then suddenly jumped trying to jump on my back. I rolled and used my hind legs to kick him up and away using his momentum and weight against him. He hit the invisible wall harder this time and it knocked the wind out of him. I leapt taking advantage of the weakness and slashed at his other shoulder scoring deep claw marks that bled readily. Now the smell of his blood hung in the air. I wanted to look at my mate so much but I knew that I couldn’t. Distractions in battle could kill you.

  He crouched on the ground and he watched me closely. I think for the first time he considered the possibility that he might lose. He growled low in his throat either to warn me of his viciousness or to remind himself that he was still capable of winning. I wondered what he would do next but I didn’t wonder long. He moved with a speed that made him a blur but I was expecting something. I had been dodging to the right but this time I dodged to the left. He missed me but I was on him before he recovered. I clung to his back with my claws gouging his sides and my jaw digging into the back of his neck. He howled in pain so loud it hurt my ears but I held on.

  James rolled trying to dislodge me but I tried to hold on little longer as blood streamed down his sides. On the second roll, I let him go. He continued to roll weak and befuddled from blood loss. When his stomach was visible I pounced sinking my claws in his delicate belly. He made the loudest sound yet somewhere between a howl and a growl. I was careful not to become over confident. A cornered animal can be the most dangerous adversary. I backed off a moment to evaluate the damage I had done to him. The first claw marks to his shoulder had stopped bleeding but looked red and angry. I was sure they were painful. His vision was probably affected in the eye I had clawed but it didn’t bleed and was healing fast. His belly was still dripping blood quickly. I needed a more serious injury.

  The top of his neck wasn’t bleeding either. He was walking trying to circle me now. I waited for an opening. One of his former pack mates yelled encouraging me to kill him. He shot a quick look that way to see who dared to defy him. I jumped and clawed him from his neck to his tail down the middle of his back. The blood flowed and he howled in total agony. He backed off hoping the bleeding would stop before I attacked again. I gave him no time and clawed his shoulder again getting part of the wound I had given him before. More blood flowed. I could see that he was weakening but I had to be careful. I had too much to live for to take chances. I had been good so far and I had been lucky too.

  I could see a look of resolve come over his face. He knew at this rate it was only a matter of time before he was dead. I knew his only hope was a head on attack. I hoped I was ready for him when he decided to come for me. He growled and searched the crowd while glancing back to me often. He gave me no chance to take advantage of his distraction. I saw when he found who he looked for. It was Seymour. The second he found him and was distracted, I went for him head on. I caught the side of his face with my claws before he turned back to face me. I tried to dodge his claws but he got my nose making it bleed.

  I aggressively went for his face again raking my claws from the top of his head across one eye then down his nose. It was a vicious jab and his face bled profusely although not for long. Wolves healed quickly especially open cuts. Once a wound stopped bleeding the healing slowed somewhat. I needed to take him out soon. He was weaker than when he started the fight but so was I. I had scored more wounds so the fight so far was in my favor but not enough to suit me. If I could give him a couple severe injuries, I could take him out without being taken out too. I flew back at him clawing his leg and biting his paw. It was a change of tactics he hadn’t expected. His paw would be weak for hours and that would slow him down.

  While he assessed his wound I went for the other side inflicting similar damage there. He was slower now. I ploughed into him knocking him down as he cushioned my fall. My jaws went for the top of his neck again as my claws raked his back. He wrenched free of my jaws but I left a gaping wound that bled freely. It was time to move in for the kill. I looked in his dark soulless eyes and I saw awareness of impending death. I also saw his determination not to go down alone. I crowded him so he continued to move back since I wouldn’t let him get around me. He backed up one more time hitting the magical wall that surrounded us until the fight completed. A wild look came into his eyes as he realized he had no place left to go and his time was at an end. Saliva dripped from his jaw and his eyes were glazed. His look was almost rabid as he tried to push me back away from him. I refused to budge.

  He shook his shaggy coat causing me to sneeze then suddenly he lunged trying to tear at my throat. I moved quickly clawing his face deeply this time. I left ragged yawning marks from his ear to the end of his muzzle. Ouch! That had to hurt. I jumped on him and his front legs crumbled as my weight took him down. My jaw gripped the back of his neck as I once again sank my fangs into it. He shook his head hard and then he rolled trying to dislodge me. I released him on the second roll. I could see the damage and while it hurt, it wasn’t enough. I needed to reach the tender underside of his throat so I could rip it out. I could imagine his bitter but bright red blood staining the ground as I finally put an end to him and his evil ways. Once again I had to fight myself to resist looking around for my mate. I knew if I did it would be the last thing I did.

  I felt tired and my head was almost dizzy with a combination of the excitement of battle and the need to end this soon. My quarry had decided to change his strategy as he leapt at me. I barely got out of the way. I jumped on his back as he made it by. My claws sank into his side as my fangs dug into the back of his neck. He bucked trying to free himself. I rode him like a cowboy in a rodeo. He ran to the far end of the circle and tried to unseat me hoping to send me flying into the wall. When that didn’t work he rammed the wall causing both of us to hit it. Pain shot through the side that connected with it. I decided since I covered part of him that he was causing me more pain then he was enduring. I slid from his back grabbing his back paw in my mouth to clamp down on as I hit the ground. He shook the paw fiercely trying to get me to release it causing it even more damage before I let it go. It bled coloring the ground around it in a satisfying way.

  He’d lost so much blood I was amazed he was still standing and able to fight back. It was probably why he was shaking. I hoped the weakness would allow me to finally take him out. As I looked at the shaggy pathetic looking wolf shaking at the edge of the circle, I felt a sadness come over me. If I had ever been tempted to show mercy it would be now when this alpha looked so pitiful. It would be easy for a moment to forget all the evil he had perpetrated, all the lives he had harmed, and all those he had killed because looking at him now it seemed impossible that this miserable looking creature was capable of any of the things he had done. He didn’t look strong enough to have controlled his pack or forced his betas to do those horrific things, and yet I knew he had.

  I steeled my resolve knowing it was time to finish this, to finish him so he would never harm another again. I sensed a change come over him. I think he was tired of the pain I was inflicting and now simply wished to end it all. He looked me in the eye and the desire to go on was no longer there. He was hunche
d up, shivering, and clearly in pain. Alone or with me, he knew he would die. He was past the point of caring and was ready for the justice that he would receive. I leapt toward him and he didn’t move. He looked at me without fear or anger. I went for the side of his throat that I could easily reach. My jaws locked around it as my fangs sank deep. I shook my head tearing at the flesh. I shook again and again even past the point that it was necessary. His blood splattered on my face and dripped to the ground. I could hear cheering in the background. Happy noises made by those who now felt free of a tyrant that had ruled their lives. I should have felt happy too. I should have cheered and celebrated my victory. Instead I felt sad and empty. I felt like I had lost a piece of myself when he had died. I looked into his glassy, dead eyes and I felt nothing at all.

  The judge proclaimed justice served and I was released from the circle. I slowly stumbled out looking for my mate and my father. I felt a strong need for those I loved to surround me. I showed no sign of weakness for I was wolf, I was alpha. The need and the pain were hidden deep inside were no one could see. All I wanted was to see my dad and leave with my mate so I could lose myself in her calming presence. I stepped outside the circle as people rushed to congratulate me. I barely heard or saw any of them as I searched for the one that meant the most to me. Would she be repulsed by the savagery I had displayed?

  As I waded through endless layers of wolves moving toward the place my father and mate were sitting, I saw Newton ahead of me. I went out of my way a little to ask him a question that had bothered me. “Newton,” I yelled. He came over to me.

  “Congratulations on your victory.”

  ”Tell me, why you were really investigating the James Pack?” I asked him. I had spent a lot of time trying to figure it out and I just couldn’t.

  “I was trying to trace his connection on the council. Everyone knows something is very wrong, but no one can figure out where the leaks in information are coming from. He wanted to make a deal for his freedom, but we couldn’t let him go after what he’d done. The secret died with him. This information I just gave you is on a need to know basis. I just thought you earned the right to know.”

  “Thank you.” I knew he meant not to share the information but I would tell my father later. He needed to know to.

  I continued on to where I was sure my father and mate were waiting for me. Wolves slapped me on the back and those who couldn’t make it close enough yelled their approval. I could see my dad and my mate now as they sat looking at me. My dad looked proud and had a smile on his face. My mate looked relieved and I felt the need to scoop her up into my arms and take her away from all of this. Maybe I wanted to escape it too. When I finally made it to them, my father gave me a bear hug as he whispered in my ear. “Take your mate to your room and reassure her. She needs it.” I nodded to show I understood.

  I turned to T.J. and pulled her in my arms. I forgot that I was covered in blood and that I had just killed a wolf. I forgot that we were surrounded by wolves and that my father stood next to me. I forgot everything but my lovely mate, her delicious scent, the comforting way she felt in my arms, and how her kisses made me feel. I picked her up and walked as quickly as I could to the pack house. My own pack members cleared out of my way letting me through. They would offer congratulations later. I hurried up the stairs and to our room. I set her down on the floor so I could take a shower to clean off the blood but noticed I had gotten blood on her too.

  I stripped out of my clothing feeling a need to remove all traces of the fight. I noticed she was undressing too. I felt warmth run through me at the thought of her naked body under the shower with mine. My cock twitched with interest. Down boy. Let’s get clean first. She was naked too now so I pulled her behind me to the bathroom. I turned on the water setting it to the perfect temperature for me. It warmed almost instantly. I pulled T.J. into the shower with me needing her close. I looked down at the pink water circling the drain as the water found the blood on its way down. I looked at my mate and saw she had shampoo in her hands. She stretched up to put it on my hair and gently massage it in with the tips of her fingernails. She rinsed it when she was through and applied conditioner. After that she pumped body wash into her hand and proceeded to slowly wash every inch of my body until I wanted to explode before she rinsed me thoroughly.

  “My turn.” I said as I lathered some shampoo in my hand. I would show her I could tease as well as she could. I took my time making sure she was clean and by the time she was, I was more than ready to take things to the next step. I picked her up carrying her to our bed. I dropped her on it without taking the time to dry her. I needed her now. I slid on top of her and slid my arms under her knees pulling them up even with her chin. I knew she was ready by the wonderful scent of arousal coming from her. I positioned myself and slammed into her all the way. We both moaned at the wonderful feeling of completeness our joining always gave us. I moved hard and fast plowing into her over and over until her body tightened around me and she screamed my name as she came. It sent me over the edge and I moaned, “I love you,” as my world spun out of control.

  I woke sometime during the night. I had never passed out during sex before and felt a little less than comfortable about it. Maybe it was just something that happened between fated mates. I suppose she had managed to move me next to her and I could feel her lying next to me still. I rolled over so I could enclose her and feel her soft heat against my skin. I slid my hand down to where our pup was no doubt sleeping. I stroked her belly gently thinking how I could hardly wait until our pup made its appearance. Our life could get back on track now that every threat was taken care of. There were other things to worry about but I chose not to live with doubts and fears. I knew who had threatened my mate and I had dealt with them. If others chose to do the same I would deal with them too.

  All we wanted was to live in peace and raise our pups. I wondered how many I could talk her into having. I wanted a large family and I’ll admit I was glad we wasted no time getting started on the first of many. She moved in her sleep and leaned into me more. I moved my lips over hers softly and she moaned in her sleep. Mine! She was mine now and mine always. Life was going to be all I had ever hoped for.

  *****

  T.J.

  Epilogue

  I went to check my emails and let family know what had happened. I saw one from Malinda and wondered what was going on now. She was hoping to live chat so I looked to see if she was on. Surprisingly, she was.

  “Hey, woman. What’s up?”

  “It’s going to take me a while to get there. I got hung up with another relative. It comes from just being too good and in high demand.”

  “Girlfriend, you be honest with me. This is about a man, isn’t it?”

  “I’ll admit I’m irresistible to the male animals around here, but you know I’m a predator when it comes to them and I don’t keep any particular one around for long.”

  “That’s true. You’re famous for your avoidance of any ties to a single male, but so was I for a while. Now I’m mated and have a baby on the way. I understand how things can change.”

  “Well I don’t think the male that can change this girl’s mind is out there anywhere.”

  “Famous last words. You better start looking over your shoulder now.”

  “Very funny. Just because you let yourself get caught, doesn’t mean I ever will.”

  We said our goodbyes, but I worried about her. More than most, I could recognize pain. I guess I just hadn’t thought about why she was the way she was. I guess falling in love made you want everyone else to find love too. I knew she wouldn’t appreciate any interference so I would back off. I just wish if she couldn’t find love, she would at least find peace. I would help her if she asked but for now I would worry about myself.

  Things would finally be normal now. The pack was at peace and no one was after me. Joy had changed from a shy girl to a confident woman which was a good thing but she had turned into a real party girl and I wasn’t sure
that was good. She still kept her grades up and took care of her duties, but she filled every spare moment with male company. Sledge on the other hand had become withdrawn. He no longer sought out every available female in the state. His legendary days of being the pack Romeo were over, but someone else had risen to the occasion. I felt sad that it was Kaleb. I didn’t blame him, since Sandy had thrown his interest back in his face so many times he just couldn’t take it any more. When he looked at her now, I no longer saw the secret adoration he had once gifted her with. As far as Sandy went, she came around the pack only when she had to. It was usually because the alpha made her. My sister, Sherona was spending her time running from story to story without break finally starting to achieve the celebrity status I had always known she could. It seemed all it had taken was finding and avoiding her mate to develop the ambition she had lacked before. We saw story after story and she had even taken to appearing on camera now as a news correspondent instead of just a writer.

  When her stories came on at the pack house, I always looked to see if Ari was near. When he was I could see the sadness in his eyes as he thoughtfully stared at her as she gave her reports. Her stories were getting more and more dangerous and I feared one day she wouldn’t come back. My health had fully recovered and my biggest complaint was the overprotective nature of strong alpha mates. Jericho insisted I wasn’t showing yet but I felt bigger and worried I would soon look like a beached whale. He played the more to love card. It didn’t make me feel any better about my impending weight gain. He could tell I still worried so he picked me up and hugged me tight. He kissed me and he told me I was everything that mattered to him. When he rubbed my belly and told the baby he loved her, my heart melted and getting big as a melon didn’t matter any more. Together we were everything to each other and our children would be loved. Now if only everyone else could work things out. I wasn’t sure how to help or even where to start. It was so rare to find soul mates yet there were at least three couples I knew who were but at least one in each couple was trying to fight the pull and ignore the bond. Something would have to give and when it did, we would all have to watch out.