by Stone, Piper
“Curse?” at least ten people called out in horror.
“The curse is real,” my father finally said.
The crowd seemed stunned at his admittance.
“And what about the disease? Are we all going to die?” I could see the young girl’s face who’d asked the question, creating another rumble within the group.
“There is no indication the rogue wolf’s actions are from anything other than his own desire and hunger to feed,” my father insisted.
“We will kill the bastard!” one of the men chanted.
“We hunt tonight!” at least two others commented.
The entire group seemed ready to bolt. Jesus. This was already getting out of hand.
I walked to the front of the crowd, bristling as a hushed atmosphere descended upon the entire group. “You must listen to reason.” I knew my words wouldn’t go over well.
“Just what do you plan on doing, Maximillian?” The first jab came.
“You no longer belong here.” The second was spit out with hatred.
“Yeah, you left your own people.”
I took long strides in the direction of the stage, taking my time to climb the three stairs. While I gave my father and the other councilmembers nods of respect, I had little patience for the same barbs I’d heard since the day I’d agreed to accept the position with the ATF.
And I was sick of the bullshit.
“The last time I checked, I was one of you, a Wolfen and a man of honor.” I kept my tone even as I walked to the center of the stage.
“You have no honor. You’re a traitor!”
“We don’t want you here!”
“You betrayed us!”
The taunts came fast and furious. While my father showed his anger by the blackness in his eyes, he remained silent. This was my fight, taking my rightful place as the upcoming alpha male, the true leader. “I am one of you through and through. I’ve spent my entire adult life attempting to protect you. All of you. My people. My world. We all deserve a chance at happiness, a life worth living. You made your choices by staying here and I applaud you for following your heart. I made an entirely different choice, but I have returned. I will fight by your side to eliminate this nightmare.”
I walked from one end of the stage to the other, catching and almost immediately losing the eye of several of the members. Sighing, I returned to the center, closing my eyes and taking several deep breaths. “As my father, your leader mentioned, what we’re facing is horrific, possibly destroying all we’ve come to love and protect with our very lives. I refuse to allow that to happen. Curse or no curse, disease or no disease, a wolf is in our midst defying our laws.”
“Our laws?” a female voice shot out from the side. “The bastard could be a Nightwalker for all we know.”
“And you’re smarter than that, Angela,” the voice from the left answered. “The smell of a Wolfen is strong.”
“That’s not true,” another male voice huffed. “The scent is nearly unrecognizable.”
“Or masked in an attempt to throw us off. All of you should know better!” another voice yelled, the tone riddled with rage.
“Enough!” I roared as I faced the crowd. I couldn’t have another volley of rumors moving like a firestorm throughout our city. “Hear me. I’ve seen this killer! I’ve gathered his stench, which will never leave me.”
My statement echoed in the fully packed auditorium, silencing the remaining naysayers if only for a few minutes.
“How?” the young woman asked.
I nodded several times. “That’s an ongoing investigation and one I’m not privy to discuss but I have pictures as proof. The murders were not committed by a human. The wolf will kill again unless we stop him.”
“Jesus Christ. You’re still an outsider, Max!”
“Leave him alone and let him speak, William,” another voice shouted from across the room.
“Yeah!” several people chanted.
I gave my father a slight glance, seeing his expression of approval.
“Then what do we do?” This time, the question was laced with fear of the unknown.
“We gather a group to find out the answers and hunt down whoever is responsible. And whether you like it or not: I. Am. Alpha. I will take the helm on the very day my father is ready to relinquish his command. I will be here by your side as necessary. I need all of you to understand what we are doing is vital to our community. To that end, I need volunteers who are excellent trackers. We leave for the hunt tonight. And we will find the asshole responsible.” I allowed the deep rumble of my voice to resonate throughout the entire room, growling more than once as I shifted my gaze from side to side. I allowed the slight change to occur, veins in the side of my neck popping, my muscles bulging as I tipped my head toward the ceiling.
The sound of raucous clapping was followed by boisterous and bitter laughter.
Gregor had entered the room, challenging my authority as I’d anticipated. “Very nice speech, Max. I must admit, you almost had me with your bullshit. Almost.” He pushed his way through the audience, moving directly toward the stage. “Just how do you propose that we track this would-be killer? We are no longer savages foraging for food in the wilderness. We’re forbidden even to turn unless absolutely necessary. However, if we rummage through the forests, following our natural instincts, I guarantee you that desires will be brought to the surface.”
Desires. I was incensed at his accusations. “Only if you allow them to breach the surface. We have been in control of our beasts for centuries,” I retorted.
“I guess some of us don’t have as much control as you purport yourself to have.” Gregor walked even closer, his confrontational tone pissing me the hell off. He knew better than to challenge my past decision or my leadership, yet he was doing both. He’d certainly become a true rival for control of the pack. “And my instincts tell me the killer is a human, a vile monster but certainly not a wolf.”
“Then you would be wrong,” I said without reservation. “The stench of our kind lingering in the air means we need to initiate tracking. We have a significant amount of ground to cover and we will begin with the areas surrounding the three murders.”
“And what if we can’t catch his scent?” Gregor asked condescendingly.
“He will make a mistake and we will capture him.” I kept my answer succinct.
“I daresay your tracking skills are much more human than Wolfen. You should allow someone who knows what they’re doing to lead.”
Gregor’s retort had a portion of the group buying his crap.
I turned toward him, hissing under my breath, sweeping my arms out to the others. “You can either assist in the hunt or stay behind, Gregor. The choice is your own, but know if you refuse, you will be judged. And for the rest of you, I have the pictures to prove that I’m not wrong in my knowledge we are chasing a powerful and cunning wolf, not one with failing mental faculties, which makes him incredibly dangerous.” I yanked the group of photographs from my jacket, smacking them down on the table where the councilmembers sat.
Each councilmember tentatively glanced at the pictures and I was surprised at their lackluster reactions. As if they’d known for days, perhaps weeks a rogue wolf had been attacking humans.
“It is the council’s decision on how this is to be handled,” Gregor insisted, storming up on stage and yanking the pictures from the table. I could see utter surprise in his eyes as he hissed under his breath. When he lifted his gaze, he’d seemed to accept my findings. “What a bastard. Jesus. We have to catch him.”
“And he will kill again,” I offered.
“Gregor is correct. A hunt of this magnitude and one that would expand outside of our city limits is the council’s decision only and must not be taken lightly,” my father affirmed.
“Then please decide, Father, other councilmembers,” I stated firmly. “My gut tells me that he will kill again very soon.”
“The wolf must be found,” my father stated. “Th
e council will discuss tonight.”
“Tonight. Fine. Please call me when some decision has been made. In the meantime, I’ll be investigating in another manner.”
I walked toward the door, pushing my way through the crowd. I could still hear the rumblings of so many who had no idea who to believe. What I did know is that a new war was set to begin. I slammed my hands on the door, storming outside. The entire meeting had felt more like a monkey show than anything else. While there were rules to follow, waiting could allow for another human to be killed.
I took long strides toward my truck, admonishing myself for even trying. The night air was chilly, a light fog forming low to the ground and the sliver of moon fully obstructed by the swirling clouds. A perfect night for a murder. I took a deep whiff, filling my lungs with scents of the forest.
“You really think you can track this fucker?”
I heard Gregor’s voice and stopped in my tracks. Why the hell was he bothering? “I think I have a better chance than most. Humans have no idea what they’re dealing with.”
“That is true.”
There were so many things I’d wanted to say to him over the years, to attempt to mend the broken bridge. Perhaps there was no chance of doing so after all this time. It was time to at least begin the process. “I’m sorry about Kayla. I would have done everything in my power to save her.”
He hesitated and I could hear the rumble in his chest, the same vicious growl I’d heard the day his fiancée had been found dead. I swallowed hard, remembering the wretched case, the very first one I’d worked on. The murders had been horrific, the end result coming too close to home. If only I’d been able to save the woman he’d loved.
“Yeah, I know you are,” Gregor said as he glanced toward the sky. “I know you did your best.”
My best. I’d always questioned that concept after being unable to save her. “I’m just...”
“Time to let the past go.” He shook his head and even in the ugly darkness, I could see the tears sliding down his cheeks.
“Time to ensure our future.”
The tension remained between us. I wasn’t certain if he would ever forgive me, no matter his words or the time that had elapsed.
“You reek of a woman,” he said as he inched closer.
“I have a female partner,” I countered, finally turning to face him. Even in the barest of light, I could clearly see the continued contempt in his eyes. “She is very good at what she does.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Have it your way, Max. I really don’t give a fuck who you sleep with. What I do care about is keeping this monster away from my community.”
“Our community. I care very much about what happens.”
“Hmmm... You have a funny way of showing it.”
“I’m not your enemy, Gregor, no matter what you think. If we can’t work together, this killer will have an advantage. He is far more cunning than anyone understands.”
Gregor studied me for a few seconds. “You mean he’s planning his kills for a reason.”
“I have no doubt. I’ve seen through his eyes, read his thoughts.”
“Which means you turned. How interesting.” He took a step back, hesitating for a full minute. “We will never be close friends again, Maximillian, and I am uncertain I can trust you, but I do believe you have an idea of what we’re facing.”
“Then you’ll agree to work together.” I remained unyielding, my tone more demanding than anything else. It was his choice to accept my role as alpha or face scrutiny. He was no fool, although we’d never be able to trust each other.
He took a deep breath before holding out his hand. “For now, we are blood brothers and we will hunt side by side, you and I.”
“If we do this, you will no longer threaten weaker pack members. Are we clear? We go by the book.”
Gregor’s upper lip curled. “Fine. I can accept that.”
I took a gamble, one I knew would be criticized but a chance I was willing to take. As I accepted his handshake, I shifted my gaze toward the forest surrounding us. “Then we should begin tonight, you and I. Just like before. When we work together, we are damn good.”
Gregor lifted his eyebrows, shooting a glance toward the trees before grinning. “I will admit I didn’t expect you would have the guts to come here, let alone accept your place among us. I will accept. Let the hunting begin.”
I’d experienced remorse over the years, but the aching in my gut at this moment would forever change our future. My desire to protect the pack was stronger than ever. No matter the circumstances or the outcome, I would fight for our people to the death.
To. The. Death.
* * *
Predator.
The term had never entered my mind during any of the times I’d shifted, although tonight everything seemed to have a different meaning. Merely shedding my clothing held an entirely different reverence than ever before. Our laws were strict, preventing a shift for the majority of our lives. Yes, I’d violated the rules on more than one occasion, enjoying the freedom that running uninhibited through the darkness of the forest had provided. Had I succumbed to my natural instincts, killing a number of smaller animals in order to feed? Yes.
Had I enjoyed the experience?
Without a doubt.
But I’d never considered myself a slayer until now.
What I had the capability of doing to this rogue wolf was violent, and as I released the beast I harbored inside, I felt freer than I ever had before. As my muscles lengthened, bones cracking from the force of the transition, the pain was almost exquisite. The moment I dropped to the ground, hunkering on all fours, scents became stronger, my sight perception heightened to the point I could see every night creature within a mile range.
No matter that they were hiding from the monsters ready to forage and feed.
I felt Gregor’s presence beside me, his massive body matching my own. And we were both hungry.
As the claws finally erupted from my paws, I tipped back my head, drinking in the fragrance of the wild. The moment I dragged my rough tongue across my canines, a sound erupted from my throat, the ragged growl permeating the night air. There were no instructions needed. Gregor would follow my lead.
I pawed the ground, digging in the mud for a few seconds, gathering additional smells. There was no indication that the wolf I’d seen before had been anywhere close to the proximity of the camp, although the distinct and rich scent of blood created turmoil. The hunger to feast was ripe, rippling throughout every cell. I snarled, moving further toward the trees. While I certainly didn’t want the rogue to be a Wolfen, identifying him as a Nightwalker would be even worse.
The notion of a fresh kill couldn’t be denied.
Gregor flanked my side, sniffing the underbrush. His low-slung growl indicated he’d gathered the same scent. When he swung his head in my direction, the cold look in his eyes was telling. There was something worth investigating.
We both took off running, weaving our way into the denseness of the forest. The fog had increased, the heavy dew lifting like fingers from the depths of hell. There was at least fifteen miles of forest surrounding Roselake, the location home for at least a dozen species, all able to live without fear.
Until now.
Within seconds, the stench of blood was overpowering, creating bile in my throat. We were both easily capable of controlling our thirst, the rumbles in our stomach, but the desire was already increasing with every yard gained. The sound of smaller animals scattering to protected locations mixed with the rapid beating of my heart pounding in my chest. I was almost overwhelmed by a longing I hadn’t experienced in years, fearful of surrendering to the need that was innate to every Wolfen.
After all, we were carnivores.
We continued racing at full speed, barely cognizant of where our trek was taking us, so consumed by finding the source of the blood flow. Minutes later, we achieved our goal. The deer carcass was fresh, the animal eviscerated violently. I growl
ed at Gregor, forcing him to retreat several feet. This was my hunt, my find.
As I moved closer, I took several deep whiffs. The ravaging effects hadn’t been caused by a wayward hunter or another human venturing into the woods. The kill had been exacted by another wolf. I moved in a full circle around what was left of the deer, swinging my head in both directions even as I salivated from the remains.
Tonight, I refused to partake, no matter how great the hunger pangs.
As I lifted my head, Gregor approached, allowing a deep-throated growl to shift into the darkness. A warning. We’d always been able to connect, capable of reading each other’s minds. His was full of questions and more concerns than I’d originally noted before. For all his bravado, he knew that what we were facing was dangerous for several reasons.
The trail of blood leading even deeper into the forest indicated the deer had been brought to the location for the feeding. And from where we stood, the Nightwalkers’ village was a mere three miles away. That was too close for comfort.
As my nostrils flared, I took another deep whiff, able to catch a distinct but nearly unrecognizable scent. Not just a wolf. Not just partially human. There was a metallic stench that created a wave of nausea. What the fuck were we dealing with?
Gregor obviously captured the vile odor as well, raking his paw across his muzzle. He moved in absolute silence several feet away and in the direction of the Nightwalkers’ village, turning his head only once.
While I wasn’t prepared for a battle, the knowledge we would gain was necessary. After snorting, we took off again, following the droplets of blood to an actual den that had been created by a family of deer. We were both disgusted by the findings, the horrific scene that would never leave my mind. How could any Wolfen or other shifter for that matter act in such a heinous manner?
I stopped long enough to touch one of the fallen does, trying to gather a moment of ‘sight.’ There was nothing, not a trace. While Gregor watched me silently, I could tell he was curious, although he refrained from asking any questions.
My stomach churned as we both forced ourselves to pass by, continuing on our path. The moment we reached the outskirts of the other wolf village, we sat back on our haunches.