Hunted Wolf

by Stacy Claflin

  The crowd of supernaturals imitated the gesture.

  Chapter 24

  Victoria

  Heavy footsteps sounded from the woods. They grew louder with each step. I pressed myself against the corner of the cage and searched the dark periphery. Finally, a group of people emerged from the trees. They all wore long black robes with tall, pointed hoods. It made them even harder to see in the dark. If the moon hadn’t been so close to being full, I might not have seen them at all.

  Charles whined.

  “Shh.”

  Their footsteps grew louder as they approached. The group stopped several feet from the cage door. One hooded figure stepped forward and unlocked my cell. Without a word, he waved me out.

  Charles growled.

  I rose and stepped forward, stopping just before the door.

  The hooded figure waved me toward him.

  “What’s going on?” The silence rang in my ears.

  He waved me toward him again.

  I stared at him, not able to make out any features. The nearly-full moon was behind them, casting shadows on anything I would’ve otherwise been able to see.

  “What—?”

  “Silence!” he boomed.

  I jumped.

  He waved me out one more time.

  The click of a gun being cocked into position sounded. Then another. Several more.

  I stepped outside. The nearest hooded figure reached for the chain leash and yanked on it. He pointed to the ground. I threw myself onto all fours before anyone had a chance to use their guns.

  In one unified motion, all the hooded figures turned around toward the woods. The closest one yanked the leash, making me gag on the hard collar. The group marched toward the trees and I struggled to keep up on all fours.

  As we entered the forest, the soft sounds of chanting came from within the woods somewhere. I followed the group. As rocks and branches dug into my palms and knees, my heart thundered so hard I feared it would explode—although that would have been a quick death, quite the opposite of what James surely had planned for me.

  The chanting grew louder as we plodded through the forest. Even more chilling was how quiet everything else was. Normally, even at night, woods were filled with sounds of life. It was as though something so evil, so vile, resided nearby that the wildlife feared upsetting it.

  By the time we finally broke free of the trees and entered a clearing, my palms and knees were torn to shreds and bloody. Flesh dragged behind as open wounds picked up dirt and pebbles. I winced, but dared not complain. Besides, this would probably be the least of my problems soon enough.

  The moonlight cast a glow on everything on the wide open grassy field. I couldn’t see much from my angle, low on the ground and with the robed werewolves mostly standing in front of me. There was a low platform and some objects with wheels.

  They picked up their pace and whoever had my chain yanked, choking me. I moved faster, cringing at the pain in my palms and knees. Finally, we stopped in front of the platform, and the others moved to the side, giving me full view of what lay ahead. A group of about twenty-five more hooded people stood in front of us, all wore the same black robes except one who had a white one with a strange symbol on the chest.

  Their chanting grew louder. The men around me lowered to their knees until the voices stopped. They rose, and together spoke a foreign phrase. The man in white stepped forward, the toes of his shoes nearly dangling off the edge of the platform. He pointed at me with a long finger. “Rise.” He sounded like James, though everything sounded different out in the field.

  I rose, dusting myself as best I could, and stared at the hooded figure. His features were completely hidden.

  “Do you know why you’re here?”

  Other than to be tortured and killed? “No.”

  “This is your trial. You will be judged by the ancient werewolf tribunal ceremony reserved for the worst of offenders.”

  The others behind him uttered their agreement. I said nothing. More robed werewolves came from the woods and crowded around us, leaving me no opportunity of escape.

  “Are you familiar with the ways of the ancient tribunal?” asked the white robed man.

  I shook my head, not trusting my voice to remain steady.

  “We will ask you a series of questions. You will answer honestly and then receive your judgment. Dishonest replies will result in…” His voice trailed off and he waved his palm out in front of him. My gaze followed and landed on large contraptions that looked like they were designed for one purpose—torture. Six-foot long wooden spikes stuck out from one. Another was a pole with ropes and chains attached. A steaming vat large enough to hold a person sat next to the pole. Still others lay behind, but I couldn’t make out their details.

  “You will do best to answer the questions honestly.”

  I turned back around and focused on the man in white.

  “Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” He extended his arms out as far as they would go, reaching on both sides. “Let the tribunal of Victoria Bernhardt, rebel werewolf, begin.”

  The people behind him chanted, shouting their foreign words. It grew louder as the werewolves beside and behind me joined them.

  Chills ran down my back. The chanting continued, echoing around me. It seemed like it would never end, but finally did.

  Once silence settled, the man in white turned back to me. “Do you know why you’re here?”

  “To be judged by the tribunal.”

  “Correct. The rulings of this ancient and honored tradition are the highest order of werewolf law—so high and mighty that many have never even heard of it. You, Victoria Bernhardt, destroyer of mighty packs, are a rarity of today’s age.”

  I swallowed, not trusting my mouth to respond to that in a way that would keep me from punishment.

  “Are you ready to begin the questioning portion of the ceremony?”

  “Yes.”

  “Arise.” He gestured to the platform next to him.

  The hands grasping my chain let go. It hit my side.

  “Stand here.” Irritation ran through the voice of the white robed man.

  I stepped onto the platform, my knees protesting every movement. The chain swayed back and forth, pulling on the collar.

  The man in white—he still sounded like James—grabbed the chain and attached it to a hook on a pole next to the robed men behind him. He turned to me, not saying a word. The only thing I could hear were the sounds of breathing all around me.

  “State your name.”

  The words surprised me and I jumped.

  “State your name,” The man in white repeated.

  “V-Victoria Bernhardt.”

  “State your crime.”

  “Falling in love.”

  He stomped his foot, shaking the entire stage. The noise echoed all around. “Prepare the equipment!”

  I cleared my throat. “I-I mean, the crime I’m accused of was breaking up two packs.”

  The man in white stepped closer. “More specifically.”

  My heart thundered so loudly I was sure he could hear it, too. “Luring away a future pack leader.”

  “Which one?” he shouted.

  “Your son.”

  He punched me across the face. I stumbled back until the chain choked me.

  “You will not refer to us as anything other than tribunal members. Answer your questions directly and with specific names.”

  I rubbed my cheek and stepped forward to get away from the pull of the chain. “Tobias Foley.”

  “What about him?”

  “I lured him away.”

  “From what?” shouted the white-robed man.

  “You—I mean, I lured him away from your… the pack he was going to lead after his father.”

  He stepped closer, not saying anything.

  I shook, unable to stop myself. It was torture to speak such a twisted reality.

  “And why did you commit su
ch a horrendous act?”

  Horrendous? What about what they were doing to me? I took a deep breath. “M-my father had just murdered my sister. I had to get away. T-Toby and I had talked about—”

  He struck the other side of my face. “Focus on your crimes.”

  “I went to his home and convinced him to come with me to run away.”

  “Why didn’t you just run away by yourself?”

  “Because I wanted to be with the man I love.”

  He picked up a skinny board and struck my side. “You were thinking of nobody but yourself, right?”

  I shook, refusing to answer. Toby had wanted to go with me as much as I’d wanted him at my side.

  “Answer me!” James struck me in the shoulder.

  I cried out. “Yes.”

  “You should’ve stayed home, under the authority of your father. Then none of us would be here right now.” He paced, muttering curses. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  My side and shoulder throbbed in unison with both sides of my face. I had nothing to say for myself that wouldn’t earn me another hit.

  “When I speak to you, you answer.” The board came at my head before I had the time to move out of its way. The sound echoed around my skull as I stumbled back. The only thing keeping me upright was the chain, which gagged me until I regained my footing. “Answer me.”

  “Wh-what was the question?”

  “I asked what you have to say for yourself.”

  The pounding in my head wouldn’t stop. “About what?”

  He aimed the board at me again. White spots danced before me as it struck.

  Everything went black.

  Chapter 25

  Victoria

  Ringing in my ears woke me. I pressed my aching palms against the cold wood beneath me. Memories of the tribunal ran through my mind. I sat up, sending pains through my sides and shoulders. Men in black robes remained lined up on the platform just to my left. Off to the right, even more hooded men had gathered.

  The ringing in my ears died down only to be replaced by the low chanting of my captors. I turned, stopped by the chain leash. It was now hooked to a lower spot on the pole.

  Something tickled my nose. Smoke. Something was burning. An orange light flickered behind those on the ground. I couldn’t see the source of the fire, though I was sure it was being prepared for me. There was no way I would escape the tribunal alive. If I insisted on my innocence, I would only be beaten further. If I went along with their game and admitted wrongdoing, I’d end up dead.

  The only thing that brought me comfort was that I trusted Benjamin to deliver my note to Toby. At least he would have our most recent memories, some new pictures, and that note. We would never see each other again until he crossed over to the other side, but at least we’d been given a little more time together. We knew without a doubt how much we meant to each other. I could take all the new memories back with me to the other side of death’s wall.

  Muffled conversation sounded from not too far away. The chanting grew quieter until it finally stopped. A few moments later, the white-robed man returned. How long had I been out? It was still dark, so it couldn’t have been too long.

  “Finally, you’re awake. Let’s pick up where we left off, shall we?” He yanked the chain off the hook and forced me to stand, replacing it on the higher hook. “Time to answer the question correctly, little girl. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  My mind spun, trying to find a reply that would satisfy him. “I was wrong.”

  “About?”

  “Stealing Toby—”

  “Use given names.”

  I swallowed. “I was wrong to steal Tobias from his pack.”

  “And…?”

  “Where he belonged.”

  James stepped closer. “The pack that he was destined to lead in the footsteps of his father.”

  I nodded.

  He hit me across the face again. “Say it.”

  “From the pack he was supposed to lead.”

  “And why was that wrong?”

  I rubbed my jaw. Blood dripped onto my fingers.

  He smacked my hand away. “Answer me.”

  “It was wrong because I broke the traditions and laws of werewolves everywhere.”

  “What did that lead to?” he snarled.

  “My death.”

  He hit me again. “I mean, what happened that actually mattered?”

  Rage ran through me. I bit my tongue to keep from saying something I’d regret.

  “Are you so stupid that you don’t know?”

  I clenched my sore jaw. “It led to the biggest war among packs in our history.”

  “Correct! All because you couldn’t submit to the governing rules and leadership of pack life. Even now, you’re responsible for the deaths of most in your pack. The weaklings ran, but the honorable ones stayed and fought to the death. Though my enemies, they have my deepest respect.”

  Was I supposed to respond to that?

  He paced some more and then turned to me. “You, on the other hand… I have no respect for you. Allowing your feelings to destroy so many lives. Selfishly taking what wasn’t yours and thus murdering so many others. You think your father was in the wrong, but you killed many more.”

  I stared at him in disbelief. How was it possible to twist the truth so much that it was unrecognizable?

  “For that,” he continued, “you must pay.”

  My insides twisted into a tight ball.

  “You’ve confessed to your wrongdoings in front of many tribal witnesses. Now for your punishment.”

  Shouts sounded in the crowd in front of us. The hooded figures on stage behind us chanted low, growing louder with each word.

  Chills ran down my spine, and I shuddered.

  A loud snap exploded in the air, silencing everyone. A large blade on a pole as big as a tree fell to the ground, breaking a thick rope. Enormous wooden spikes fell to the ground in a circle, creating a cage.

  Tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. What exactly did they have in store for me?

  As though answering my question, the man in white turned back to me. “The ancient werewolves have very specific rules for what must happen to a traitorous wolf who causes untold destruction of the species—and it’s twice as bad for an insubordinate woman.”

  My mouth fell open.

  “Now, to make our ancestors proud.” He yanked the chain off, pulling the hook from its place. “On all fours!”

  I stared at him.

  “Am I not making myself clear?” He heaved the chain closer, nearly cracking my neck.

  Tears stung my eyes. I blinked them away, then lowered myself to the ground. If only I could shift. He pulled on the leash, forcing me to run on all fours. I nearly fell to the ground below while maneuvering off the platform. My shoulder scraped the wood and my knees took the brunt of my landing. I scrambled to keep up with James.

  The black-hooded crowd parted just enough for us to walk through. As I crawled along, feet kicked at me from all sides. Some nailed my back, while others went after my arms or legs, trying to make me stumble. One managed to kick my armpit, forcing my arm out from under me.

  My face hit the ground first, spraying dirt into my eyes and mouth. I choked on that before the pull of the collar. Werewolves hit my back and my legs while mocking me. I tried to pull myself up to continue crawling, but they piled on top of me, hitting me everywhere. I couldn’t focus on all the places that hurt simultaneously.

  “Stop!” someone yelled.

  My attackers relented. The man in white pointed around the crowd. “You don’t so much as touch her without my direct permission. Not unless you want to be caged. Do you understand?”

  Mutterings of agreement sounded all around me.

  He yanked the chain, choking me again. I pulled myself up to my hands and knees, following the man in white.

  Once we broke free from the hecklers, the fire came into view. It encircled the vat of steam
and smoke. My breath caught. Were they planning to put me in there or force me to consume whatever cooked inside?

  James stopped in front of the newly made cage and gestured toward a space barely large enough for a person to squeeze through.

  I stared at the small gap.

  “Enter!”

  I glanced around for a possible escape, but there was none. The crowd had circled around us, leaving me no other option except to enter the new cage. I forced my way in, barely fitting between the two posts.

  One of the black-hooded men stepped forward, carrying a slender stake as long as the ones that formed the cage. He yelled out as he jammed it into the ground where I’d just entered. A loud snap sounded as another large blade drove through the air, breaking yet another rope. This time, a large round wooden piece landed on top of the stakes, giving the cage a roof—one with spikes. Something burned my nose. I recognized the smell of vampire venom.

  The roof over me was covered in venomous spikes.

  “I wouldn’t shake the bars.” The man in white laughed. “Those points aren’t terribly secure.” He whacked a bar to prove his point. Two spikes came loose.

  I jumped to my feet in order to avoid them.

  “On all fours!” He raised his palm as though to hit the cage again.

  Gasping, I threw myself to the ground.

  He laughed cruelly, but didn’t hit the cage. “Finally learning to take orders. All hope may not be lost yet.”

  I shook. If the bars hadn’t been between us, I’d have attacked him. The first thing I’d have done was to rip off his smug expression. The only good thing about the hoods was that I couldn’t see his eyes, which I knew so closely resembled Toby’s.

  He turned to some other robed werewolves. “Prepare the stake!”

  Shouts and cheers sounded throughout the crowd. My stomach twisted in knots. Maybe James was right. I might just beg for death over whatever sick and twisted torture devices he’d thought up.

  The man in white strutted away from the cage, hitting each bar as he went. Several spikes shook, but none came loose. Once I was sure none would fall, I turned my attention back to the white robe. He and some others had gathered around a pole, doing something I couldn’t see. The crowd continued cheering and yelling.