by Cloe Cullen
Cackling in new excitement, Remus fully unclothed himself and shifted forms, his body elongating and fattening to take on his wolf shape. Blonde hair sprouted from his body in smooth waves, his blue eyes locked on Darius. Shaking himself as he finished his transformation, Remus backed up, growling and padding in circles as he awaited Darius to fully shift. Before long, Darius’ gray form stood opposite of Remus, snapping his maw and staring Remus down, though he remained silent.
Nearly twice Remus’ size, Darius would have intimidated anyone else, though the only feeling rushing through Remus’ mind was the anticipation of a good fight.
At first, there was silence, save for Remus’ growling. Any animals nearby had either fled or shut their traps, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Then Darius darted forward, moving so fast that Remus’s eyes struggled to catch up. Just before impact, Remus leapt to the side, hugging the tree he stood next to, watching as Darius tried to follow him.
If Remus wanted even a chance of beating his friend, he’d need to tire Darius out, so Remus began to deftly run through the forest, sliding through gaps Darius had trouble fitting into. Anytime Remus gave Darius the slip, Darius roared in annoyance, stomping the ground and finding his way around to follow him. Their cat and mouse game went on for much longer than Remus thought. Darius seemed to have an endless pool of stamina.
Once Darius finally showed signs of tiring, his panting becoming heavier and his movements slowing, Remus turned on Darius and charged, seeing his opening. For a moment Remus thought Darius might have feigned his fatigue, but his fears quickly disappeared as Darius failed to leap out of the way. Remus’ weight carried him directly under Darius, throwing his friend against a thick pine a dozen feet away. Darius didn’t cry out, though the wood crunched underneath his body and he growled as he wrenched himself out of the tree.
Remus didn’t let up, though, and as soon as Darius was free he charged again, dodging a few swipes and then darting forward to batter Darius with his own paws. Soon enough, Darius became entangled in his own legs and tripped to the side, and Remus took the chance to jump on top of Darius and howl into his face.
And then their fight stopped. Remus remained atop Darius as they both breathed heavily. Grunting, Darius held up a paw in defeat, and Remus licked his lips as he got off of his friend and backed away, shifting back to his human form. Darius shifted back while still on the ground, coughing and sitting up as Remus stared at his Alpha.
Remus...had won. Remus had beat Darius. As this thought crossed his mind, the two stared at each other, each waiting for the other to speak.
“I guess you’re Alpha now…” Darius said slowly, scratching his head.
Remus smiled, and then a single chuckle escaped his lips, and then a minute later he was doubled over, practically falling to his knees and rolling around on the ground laughing, unable to contain himself. “Me? Alpha?” The very thought just sent his mind whirling. He’d given that up two years prior, and even back then he hadn’t been sure if he’d wanted it. “Please! I’m just glad I finally beat you.”
Darius smiled softly, eyeing his friend. “You realize I’m not supposed to lose to anyone, right?”
“Except to me, I suppose.” Standing up, Remus walked over to his friend, throwing down a hand for Darius to take. “How about we keep this under wraps, yeah? I won’t say a word. My lips are sealed!”
Grateful for the helping hand, Darius stood up and regarded Remus with a strange, sorrowful look. “I’m going to miss you.”
Remus felt his own heart tug as Darius stared at him. “Oh stop, if you start crying, I’ll start blabbing to everyone about how I beat you into the ground.” Instead of crying, Darius threw his arms around Remus, embracing his best friend. Remus returned the sentiment, gripping his friend tightly. “I won’t be gone forever, you know.”
“I know,” he said. “It’ll still be a while though. Life’s changing for both of us. I’ll bet you’ll have some interesting tales whenever you get back.”
Remus laughed, “I sure will.” Letting go of the embrace, Remus nodded back towards the direction they came from. “Come on, let’s get back already. Amara might need you to help with Flora.”
And so the two turned and walked back into the forest, with Remus taking one last long look around him.
Chapter Two: Bronwen
Bronwen breathed in the misty air of the Oldwood forest as the red morning sun began to shine through the treetops. Showering the land with patched light, leaving oddly shaped shadows to creep among the grass and cool her exposed toes as she walked gently through the forest. In her seventy plus years of being alive, Bronwen had never experienced a land more at peace with itself. Even the roaming elk and other animals that wandered around her were strangely quiet, grazing in the warm, open spots of the forest.
The Oldwood reminded Bronwen every day of what the Blackwood had been like before the Vampires had come and infected the land with their power. She supposed it was normal for someone like her to feel remorse over the loss of natural life.
Contrary to the tales spun about her and her kind, Vampires did feel. They laughed and cried, shouted and whispered excitedly, fumed over grievances against them, and loved the creatures that remained loyal to them. And just like her brethren, Bronwen loved and hated as well.
Her thoughts drifted to Remus, the shifter she’d met only two years prior. She’d fallen rather instantly when he leaped upon her, stopping her from continuing her rampage against Gray Creek. Bronwen giggled at the thought of that day. How different her life was now compared to two years ago. Orpheus was gone, and Bronwen was about to take his place as the next Vampire Lord. It was an odd feeling, to be sure, to become an equal among the strongest Vampires. Like a dream that recurred over and over at night, only for her to wake and find it had become reality.
Becoming a Lord was no laughing matter though, and she recognized that fact the moment Lord Silvan had asked her to take on the new title. It wasn’t going to be easy, Bronwen knew, but at least it would be the first step in the right direction, not only for her but for everyone in the Clans. Bronwen would make up for her kind’s mistakes, in one way or another.
But, for the time being, she didn’t need to think about that. One day at a time, Bronwen, one day at a time, she told herself.
Breathing in the cool air once again, Bronwen smiled up into the sky, letting her mind shift from the serious weight of her future responsibilities back to the pleasantness of the present. Now wasn’t the time to be frightened by the eventual future, instead, she needed to go meet with the others at the heart of Gray Creek to get ready for their trip to the Blackwood.
And see Remus.
Just the thought of spending more time with the man was intoxicating to Bronwen, her blood rushing as she hurried her pace from the forest, remembering the path she took to come so far out.
The Oldwood blurred around her as she flitted forward, it’s various trees and wildlife vanishing before her eyes as she came up to the entrance to Gray Creek.
Just like always, Gray Creek’s rotted archway remained somewhat hidden, it’s wood so old that Bronwen couldn’t help but stare each and every time she passed under it. A few shifters, from both the Pack and Pride, jaunted past her, unable to keep themselves from throwing concerned glances in her direction. As much as she understood their fear, she didn’t really care too much about it. Of course, Vampires were still seen as the enemy. The Clan’s natural perception of the Vampires wouldn’t change for a while, so she didn’t need to bother herself with worrying about it. There was only one person’s opinion that mattered to her.
As she walked into the heart of Gray Creek, it’s pond rippling from the few pups and cubs playing in the water, she spied her group instantly. Well, it’s more like she spotted Remus first, and then noticed the others standing around him.
Close to the Alpha’s house, if you even could call these simple wooden structures homes, Remus stood with his back to Bronwen, a hide skin bag slung o
ver his shoulder and his arms crossed. Bronwen thought about sneaking up behind him and tapping him on the shoulder, of trying to surprise him, but of course, his cool eyes snapped to her long before she could even get close enough to try. Bronwen had to admit Remus’ sense of smell was something to marvel at.
“Hey,” she simply said as she walked up next to Remus.
“Hey,” he said in return. “We were just discussing what the trip down south would be like.”
Finally letting her eyes wander over the others, she noticed Nyx, Keanu, and Finn standing around, all staring at her. “Ah, the bear shifters. I’m glad you all decided to come, instead of just Nyx.”
“We have names you know!” Finn pouted.
“I’m well aware.” Bronwen blinked, gazing at Finn’s small frame and cool features. As small and loud as he was, he was still handsome enough. Not as handsome as Remus, of course, but she was still shocked to see him single. “Are you all ready to begin your new lives amongst us Vampires? It won’t be easy, you know.”
“We know,” Keanu spoke, his voice more like a heavy rumble.
“We’re just anxious to leave already,” Nyx said, eyeing Bronwen. “Do all you Vampires take forever to get ready? We’re losing daylight out here.”
Bronwen chuckled. So young! The one part of being a Vampire that always caught Bronwen off guard was how her age difference seriously did rear its ugly head every once in a while. It reminded her of how much she’d changed over the decades. “Patience, girl. We’re still waiting for someone...a cat shifter.” To emphasize her point, Bronwen cupped a hand over her eyes and peered around. “I see she hasn’t arrived yet.”
Adjusting the straps of her shoulder bag, Nyx frowned, but remained silent, though she chewed on her lip. Bronwen noticed each of the three fidgeted, shifting their weight between their feet every so often and looking every which way. They’re too anxious, Bronwen thought. She supposed it was a natural reaction, even if they had chosen of their own accord to come along. Glancing over at Remus, she found him staring at her. Maybe he hadn’t expected her to glance his way so quickly as his eyes darted away, his cheeks inflaming; he scratched his chin while she smiled at him, beginning to shift his own weight. As always, Bronwen found Remus to be so adorable and sexy at the same time. She just wanted to eat him up, every single day, and yet for over two years, she’d been restraining herself to keep him from fully rejecting her. If there was ever going to be a time when he’d come into her arms willingly, that time would be now...or sometime soon.
“Who are we waiting for anyway?” Nyx suddenly asked, dropping her bag as she went to sit on a nearby, carved log. “I mean, why are they late. Today was the day we were supposed to leave, you think that cat would be here by now.”
“Red Rock is actually a tiny bit farther away from Gray Creek than your clan is on top of the Northern Mountains,” Remus said, his sigh evident of his own eagerness to get going. “Though, yeah, I wonder who it is Torian sent us.”
“It’s got to be someone reliable at least,” Bronwen said, gazing around. “Torian wouldn’t pick just anyone to represent the Pride to the Vampires.”
“Still…” Nyx said, her voice trailing off.
Blinking, Bronwen followed her line of sight, landing on Lowell, the young shifter that once was head over heels for Nyssa. As handsome as the rest, Lowell stood facing them, just a dozen feet away. Over his shoulder he carried a pack, his dark eyes regarding them hesitantly as he hunched over, trying to angle it over his shoulder comfortably. Every pair of eyes locked on to him moments later. Bronwen had always thought of the shifter as loyal and charming, but after Nyssa had fallen for Jorah, he’d seem broken.
“Are you still taking volunteers?” he asked.
Everyone looked to Bronwen for an answer. She blinked and raised her eyebrow while staring at Lowell curiously. “Are you sure you know what you’re asking? I already have Remus representing the Pack, and life will definitely not be the same in the Blackwood as it is here. There won’t be any greenery, for one.”
“I know what I’m asking,” Lowell said, shifting his bag once again. “I want to go. This is my choice. What else have I got going on anyway?”
“Alright, but we leave today, you know,” Remus reiterated. “You better be ready to go, because once our cat shifter friend arrives, we leave.”
Lowell glanced between him and Bronwen, his eyes betraying his confidence. The way his gaze darted around, Bronwen knew he truly was anxious about the decision he was making. “Is this move permanent?”
“For us, yes,” Bronwen said. “Though for you, not necessarily. You can come back whenever I suppose.”
Her words must have put Lowell at ease, because he exhaled and loosened up his body, massaging his upper back while stepping forward. “Good. Then I’m definitely coming with. I’m sick of this forest.”
It wasn’t long until another figure showed up, a female shifter Bronwen didn’t recognize. Short and lithe, the woman was stone-faced and stoic, standing tall as she walked up to the group, eyeing Bronwen cautiously. With long, straight brown hair reaching down her back and hazel eyes, she looked normal for a shifter, yet still as pretty as any other. A cloak covered her body, though, which made her stand out among the shifters in Gray Creek.
“Can we help you?” Remus asked, stepping forward.
“Yes, I’m Lenna, here to be the Pride’s ambassador to the Vampires,” she said, her tone very straight-laced. “Torian sent me. I assumed you guys were the group I’m supposed to meet up with…”
“Because of me,” Bronwen finished, stepping forward and flashing Lenna a smile. “There aren’t many Vampires around. We’re glad you’re finally here. If it’s alright with you, we can get going.”
As she spoke, she noticed Remus’ lips tighten and his eyes narrow.
“That’s fine with me,” Lenna said, eyeing Bronwen. “I’m ready to go whenever you guys are.”
“Good, then we head off!” Bronwen started walking as she talked. “As long as everyone is ready, our trip to the Blackwood can begin.”
With a nod from the rest and silence from Remus, Bronwen led the group out of Gray Creek, her thoughts straying to the journey ahead.
Chapter Three: Remus
Two hours in and Remus’ anxiety was already fading.
There was something about traversing the Oldwood that calmed him. Maybe it was the multitude of scents that drifted along on the breezes, or the fact that he got to stretch his legs and walk over the fresh dirt that he and the others would soon leave behind.
He still remembered the first day he had crossed into the Blackwood two years prior. The charred forest had been like nothing Remus ever imagined, black and dusty and seemingly stuck in time. The wood smoke that had remained in the air was certain to clog his lungs again, and the earth would be hot and sand-like beneath his feet, difficult to walk or run across. He didn’t look forward to it, and once the others found out what their new home would be like he was sure they’d be just as disappointed. There was no avoiding it.
And to think, there were three bear shifters coming along as well, members of the clan who originally called the Blackwood their home. It wasn’t as if any of the three really had anything to do with the Blackwood, since they were all born after the Bear Clan had been pushed out by the Vampires, but still, Remus was sure they’d be feeling something when they crossed the line.
“So, who are you, exactly?” Finn said to Lenna, who was behind him.
Glancing back, Remus spied Finn falling back to match Lenna’s stride, her unblinking gaze flicking to the grinning bear shifter as she marched on. So far, she’d been walking just two steps behind everyone, staying away from the conversations going on between Nyx, Bronwen, and the others. He hadn’t sensed that there was any specific reason for it, though she did seem wary of Bronwen. Maybe she just wanted some space? He couldn’t be sure.
“Lenna,” Lenna said curtly.
“Well, I know that already!” Finn excl
aimed. “What I mean is, who are you, as a shifter? Who were you to your people in the Pride?”
Lenna shot Finn a frown, her perplexion obvious to everyone who watched their conversation. At this point, the whole group was watching them, everyone curious about the newcomer. “I don’t understand...I worked for my Alpha if that’s what you’re talking about.”
“And what did you do as a servant to the great cat of Red Rock?” Finn mused.
As if she saw him as nothing more than a bumbling baboon, Lenna spoke slowly and loudly. “I served him by doing odd jobs. Running errands, delivering messages, hunting for food and the like.”
“So, you basically do everything,” Nyx interjected, falling back into line on Lenna’s free side. Nyx greeted her with a smile, allowing Lenna to relax her face from the stress of Finn’s questioning.
“Something like that,” Lenna said, showing a hint of a smile.
Soon enough, Keanu fell back next to Finn, and Lowell appeared at Nyx’s side. Remus would have joined as well, but honestly, he liked the idea of just listening to the group banter and talk. Looking ahead, he saw Bronwen peer back with a smile plastered on her face. Her smile was just as beautiful as it had always been, but for some reason, it looked lonely, almost distant; it occurred to Remus one reason for this could have been the fact that she walked alone in the front. Remus originally wanted to keep his distance from Bronwen for the journey, so as to keep his head level. Bronwen had a knack to push him off balance. But now, Remus wanted to march side by side with her so that neither of them would walk alone.
Bronwen smiled at Remus as she turned back to look ahead, plotting their path forward through the thickets of the Oldwood. As the land began to slope, Remus calculated that the pace Bronwen had set would see them all arrive at the Blackwood border by nightfall. He could only imagine what must have been going through her head, heading back to the Blackwood to become the thirteenth Lord. Normally they vented about things like that to each other all the time, but Bronwen had been giving Remus his space since they began south.