Warlords, Witches and Wolves: A Fantasy Realms Anthology

by Michelle Diener

  She heard the pack’s excited heartbeats before she saw them. Twenty wolves sat in a circle, and five vampires stood around the outside. In the center knelt Owen.

  Macey swallowed hard. This wasn’t a friendly chat. She’d only seen this kind of meeting happen once in her pack when one of the younger pack members had been caught by the police shop lifting. The cop had been kind enough to let him off with a warning; he hadn’t gotten a warning from the pack. Drawing police attention to the pack was never a good idea.

  She didn’t want to step into the circle. She wasn’t part of this pack, and they couldn’t punish her, only Owen.

  An older man with gray hair lifted his head and sniffed. Then he turned in her direction and glared like her presence was an affront. All other gazes followed. Most were hostile.

  “Is this the vampire you broke the rules for?” His voice was thick with contempt as he pointed at Macey.

  “Yes.” Owen said. His voice was steady as though he was untroubled.

  How he did that she didn’t know because her heart was racing like it wanted to escape and leave her body behind. Her skin was clammy, her mouth was dry, and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to form words.

  The leader beckoned her closer. He looked like an older version of Owen. But where Owen’s lips readily smiled, this man’s were pinched into a thin line. She took two steps and stopped. That was close enough to the circle.

  But the circle parted as though they were expecting her to join Owen in the middle.

  “I don’t know what pack you’re from, vampire, but relationships, no matter how short, are forbidden. Owen knew that, even if you didn’t.” His tone implied that she should’ve known. “He is to fight for his place in the pack, but he didn’t want to fight his own battle. Instead he has invoked his right to defense.” The sneer was present even when he talked about his own son. “Do you even know what that is blood drinker?”

  She shook her head. She hated being called a blood drinker. Vampires didn’t drink blood very often, and they liked their steaks as rare as the wolves. They weren’t that different. She was related to her parents as much as her siblings. But none of that mattered here. Here she was only a blood drinker, a failure.

  “I’m a vampire of the Green River pack. Your rules are archaic and unfamiliar.” Her pack wasn’t that progressive, but they certainly weren’t this backward. “What is the right to defense?”

  “Owen wants you to fight in his place,” Owen’s father smirked. “You can refuse.”

  Macey glanced at Owen. What the hell was he thinking? She couldn’t fight and win. She’d only had a couple of lessons on being a vampire. Was this some strategy to do with him wanting to set up his own pack? “What will fighting prove or achieve?”

  The father turned away to glare at his son. “There, she doesn’t want to do it.”

  Macey stepped to the edge of the circle. “I didn’t say that I wouldn’t. I asked what will happen. Who am I to fight?”

  The leader scowled at her, his expression darkening with each heartbeat. He was enjoying Owen’s submission, and she was spoiling it. He indicated to another wolf that looked enough like Owen that they were related somehow. The man stood.

  “You will fight to first blood or break. Because you are fighting for him the outcomes are different. If you win, he maintains his place in the pack.” Owen’s father seemed to choke on those words. “If you lose, he will be outcast.”

  Given her fighting skills, Owen would likely be kicked out. “And if he fought?”

  “Then he’d either take Joel’s place as my second or go to the bottom.”

  So the reward was less and punishment more severe if she fought. She lifted her eyebrow and glanced at Owen. It was a terrible risk. He gave a small nod. He must know what he was doing. But she didn’t. She glanced behind. All of the vampires that had followed had fanned out into the trees except Ajax.

  If she didn’t fight for Owen, would she be ruining his plan? Was he expecting her to fight and fail?

  Ajax gave a small nod, then flashed his fangs.

  She nodded, then turned back to the circle. “Fine. I agree.”

  Everyone moved back to expand the circle. Two of the pack’s vampires grabbed Owen and hauled him to the side.

  Joel stepped into the center and howled like he’d already won.

  Macey drew in a breath and let her fangs descend. She took a moment before covering the short distance to the center of the ring, and snarled at Joel.

  She really didn’t know if she could deliberately hurt someone enough to draw blood or break a bone. All injuries during training had been accidental.

  A commotion came from outside of the ring, but she didn’t take her eyes off Joel. She didn’t trust him not to attack if she became distracted.

  “What is going on?” Her father’s voice rang through the clearing.

  Owen’s father stood. “My son and your vampire were caught having forbidden relations.”

  Great, why not tell everyone what she’d been doing? Her cheeks were hot, but she kept her head high.

  “That doesn’t explain the fight.” Her father said dryly. She was familiar with that tone and he was unimpressed with what was happening.

  “This is my pack and I’ll deal with it according to our rules.”

  “That’s my daughter.”

  Macey’s heart broke a little. Ever since she’d failed to shift, he’d been treating her like a stranger. Maybe he didn’t know what to do with her or how to tell her it was okay. She wished he had. Her mother had tried. Too many rules kept wolves and vampires apart. The old ways cut through families when there shouldn’t be a rift.

  She wanted Owen’s pack to succeed to prove that there was a way forward that even the more progressive packs would shudder at. Open vampire-wolf relationships. No stigma attached to being one or the other. No pack hierarchy, but a community.

  Both men growled. She didn’t want her father, or pack, caught up in this. This was her mess, and she was dealing with it the only way she could. “I agreed to fight. Now let’s get this done, then we can all go to bed.”

  “I will not leave,” her father said.

  “You will not interfere,” the pack leader countered. The woods went quiet as everyone waited and watched. “You may begin.”

  Macey’s heart thudded. She tried to recall everything she’d learned, but as Joel rushed her, her mind turned to static.

  Joel was fast, but she was quicker relying on instinct not thought. She twisted away and swept out her leg, but he recovered from the stumble. He punched, and she blocked, moving back toward the edge of the ring…that was bad. People were yelling. At her or at Joel?

  A blow landed on her cheek and her head snapped back. She staggered, and he moved in, ready to end it. She wasn’t ready to admit defeat. No, she understood why vampires stayed with their pack. Their family. They did it out of love. And that’s what she was fighting for.

  Her right to love who ever she wanted.

  Owen’s right.

  She kicked his thigh and clipped his chin with her fist, but he was on her now. He drove her back and to avoid falling over the people forming the ring she ducked sideways.

  Joel laughed. “Running away blood drinker.”

  He grabbed her hair and yanked. Pain shot through her scalp and her back hit his chest.

  “I’ll break your pretty neck,” he muttered.

  Fear constricted her throat as his grip tightened.

  She had to draw blood or break something. If he took out a chunk of hair, did that count as drawing blood? Still better than being dead. She twisted and threw him over her hip. Her hair ripped and her scalp stung. He landed on all fours as though he was in wolf form, a few strands of her black hair caught around his fingers, and then barreled into her, knocking her to the ground. She broke free and kicked him in the head or tried to. He grabbed her foot and twisted, hoping to break her leg, but she moved with him rolling over the ground.

  Breathing
hurt. She was sure she’d broken a rib, but she wasn’t going to admit that. This needed to be over because Joel was enjoying it a bit too much. She lashed out with her only weapon and raked her nails down his arm.

  Blood welled.

  “Blood,” someone yelled.

  “No. She can’t win like that.”

  There were murmurs of dissent and she heard them all as she stood, breathing hard, and put some distance between them, in case Joel attacked again. Blood spilled over his forearm and dripped in the dirt. The scent of iron made her mouth water and her stomach grumble. But he wouldn’t taste as sweet as Owen.

  Her fingers curled. She’d done it. She’d won. She’d saved Owen. A tentative smile formed, and she risked a glance at Owen. His eyebrows were drawn together when he should be happy. He got to stay…which he apparently didn’t want to do.

  Should she have lost?

  Screw that. She wouldn’t roll over for Joel and a pack that wanted to punish Owen for being with her.

  Joel touched his arm, then studied his red stained fingers as though stunned that he’d lost.

  “Owen keeps his place in the pack. This time. This is the first and final warning about your behavior,” Owen’s father said. His lips curled into a sneer as though he’d much rather be able to punish his son. No doubt he’d find a way to do it more subtly. “No more friendships with vampires.”

  The pack vampires released Owen. “I don’t want a place in this pack. Your opinion of me and my friends has been made clear.”

  Father and son glared at each other.

  “I decide when you leave.”

  Owen shook his head. “You can object. But you can’t force me to stay.”

  “If you leave, it will be with a black mark against your name for rule breaking. No one else will have you.”

  “I will,” Ajax said.

  Macey looked at Owen.

  This wasn’t what he wanted. He didn’t want a new pack, he wanted to start over, and Ajax’s pack was on the verge of being dissolved.

  Owen nodded, but he appeared grim. “See father, the world doesn’t end where your territory stops.”

  His father’s eyes narrowed. “Since my territory offends you, I will formally banish you.”

  Owen spread his hands. “Do it.”

  His father’s lips moved. Backed into a corner he had no choice but to banish his son and in doing so he’d lose all control over Owen. “Get your things and leave the pack cabin. Bed down with your vampire friends, they need all the wolves they can find, even outcasts.” He turned away then stopped. “You will need written approval to cross the boundary and collect your belongings from your apartment and you should start looking for another job.”

  “Fine.” Owen tossed over his shoulder. He walked over to her while his father made the official statement, then swept her into his arms. She tried not to wince, but her back was on fire.

  “I’m sorry I had to drag you into this. They were waiting for me when I left the lake.” He kissed her softly. “Are you okay?”

  “A few bruises.” Nothing that won’t heal in a few days. “But you’re an outcast.” As an outcast he was supposed to leave the gathering. Lone wolves weren’t invited unless they were attending with the pack they were intending to join. Too many lone wolves threatened everyone’s safety.

  “I know.” He slipped his hand into hers.

  Her father flinched but forced a smile. “If you need a place…”

  “I still have a cabin for wolves,” Ajax said. “Even though only two are using it. While my pack exists you are welcome.”

  “Thank you,” Owen said. “Perhaps we should talk?”

  Ajax gave a careful nod.

  Macey gave Owen’s hand a squeeze. He’d have to act fast to make his pack a reality.

  Chapter 6

  They walked back to the cabins in silence, but the tension thickened with each passing minute. Her parents led the way, at the rear were Ajax and the other vampires. They were behaving like they expected another attack. None came.

  But it would, maybe tomorrow. Or the day after when their guard was down. Owen’s father had lost face, and he’d want to remind Owen who was in charge even though he’d left the pack.

  There were vampires waiting outside the dining hall, wolves in knots around the central clearing, all waiting for the news. Hungry for gossip about whose blood had been spilled.

  Her father stopped and surveyed the scene. It wasn't good that so many people knew something was going on. There would be no going to bed and sleeping and figuring out how to tackle this problem fresh in the morning. It had to be dealt with now.

  “We need to talk.” Macey’s father headed toward the Green River pack cabin. Then he stopped and turned to Ajax. “Not you.”

  “I'm a part of this now.”

  “Owen's not part of your pack,” her father growled.

  “Not officially, but we're friends from way back.” Ajax said with a nod at Owen. “Besides, I can’t throw a vampire to the wolves.” Ajax spread his hands like he was harmless.

  “Macey is my daughter. I wouldn’t hurt her.” Her father sounded offended.

  “You’ve been hurting me for years, ever since I didn’t shift. You pushed me aside and made me feel like I didn’t belong. This gathering I’m moving packs.” She met her father’s gaze in time to see the shock.

  “Why?”

  “Let’s get this out of public viewing,” Owen said. “The Death Valley pack cabin is emptier and given that they are now my sponsor, so I’m allowed at the gathering, that seems the most appropriate.”

  Ajax and her father nodded. They made their way as a group to a small cabin. Even though Ajax was the pack leader, because he was a vampire he wasn’t able to stay in the pack cabin, he had to share with other vampires. It was no wonder he was surly. Everything was about to be ripped away.

  Two old wolves were in bed, but awake.

  “Sorry for disturbing you,” Ajax said. Everyone, except the extra vampires from neither pack piled into the room.

  “Why do you want to leave?” her father asked before the door had closed. “Is it because of him?” He pointed at Owen.

  “We have bigger problems than changing pack,” Owen said.

  “You have bigger problems and you have dragged my daughter into them. Your brother could’ve killed her,” her father snarled, teeth bared like he wanted a fight.

  “Stop it,” Macey said. She stood between them. Owen vibrated with energy. “I wanted to leave for college but stayed because mom asked. That was a mistake. I’m not a wolf and I’m not a babysitter for my siblings. You pushed me to the edge of the family, the edge of the pack. And I’m done with the pity, and the commiserations when people hear I failed to shift.” She lifted her chin. “I’m not a failed wolf. I am a vampire. And I’m going to find out what that means.”

  “You can’t be with a wolf. It’s not done. You’ll be shunned.”

  “Not done in your pack, or my father’s,” Owen said. “But in some packs it happens.”

  “They ignore it and hope it’s a phase. A vampire won’t produce pups.”

  Macey stared at her father. “You’re worried about lineage and grandchildren? I want to live and explore and do something with my life.” Helping Owen set up a new pack was that something.

  “You’re making a mistake. Your home is Green River.”

  “And I can always visit you, but I don’t want to live there. I will request a change in the morning.”

  Her father glanced between Owen and Ajax. “Whatever you cook up in here will be doomed to fail. And you are ruining more than just your life.” He pushed past to the door.

  “Then you’d best make sure when the announcement is made you think about the Green River vote and what it means.” Macey said. Her voice held only the slightest tremor.

  Her father glanced over his shoulder. There was no pity in his eyes this time, it had been burned away. He slammed the door after him.

  The reverbe
ration echoed and no one spoke. Macey sat on the edge of an unoccupied bed. That wasn’t how she’d planned to tell her parents. She rested her head in her hands, her body aching and bruised. “What are we cooking up?”

  “My pack has no young wolves. My father was the last to fully shift. I have been told, and I’m sure you’ve heard the rumor, that my line and my pack will be declared dead, and the lands divided this gathering.”

  Macey nodded. “How does that help Owen?”

  “Because before they declare it dead, I can surrender my rule to another,” Ajax said. “It won’t be easy to convince the packs, but it can be done.”

  “A pack needs five wolves and two vampires, you have too many vampires and not enough wolves.”

  “Zach will join us,” Owen said.

  “And I can bring in another,” added Ajax.

  “Who?” Macey asked.

  “Lyra.”

  Macey frowned. Lyra had already been shifting at the last gathering, so they’d drifted apart. “Why would she leave her pack, for this?”

  Ajax smiled. “You aren’t the only ones with a vested interest in change.”

  Macey stared. Ajax and Lyra? But Lyra had always hated vampires…she was the first to sneer at gatherings. And it was all a lie. For how long had they been a thing?

  “And your pack agrees with this?” Owen asked.

  “If you don’t change, you die,” the old man said from his bed. “Death Valley Pack has been my life and my family. I’d rather see it change and thrive than be erased.”

  “They know the situation. I had planned to plead for an amalgamation rather than a spilt, but now….”

  Now he didn’t have to.

  “It still has to be approved,” Macey said.

  “My father will vote against, and he will rally the hardline traditionalists to his side.”

  “Then we have to convince everyone else,” Ajax said.

  “The surrounding packs will want your land, they will vote against the take over.” It will be a very close thing. “Many will vote no because of me.”