Hunted Wolf

by Stacy Claflin

  “Why do you surrender?” I finally asked.

  “We don’t want to die,” Paul said.

  “What am I supposed to do with you?” I exploded. “I can’t trust any of you.”

  “We’ll be your servants,” said a young guy with blond hair.

  “Anything you want,” said another.

  I raked my hands through my hair. “Tie them.”

  Sal and Jet hurried over to the rope I’d taken from Victoria.

  “I’ll figure out what to do with you later.” I stared down each captive.

  Zack, the leader of one of the local packs, came over to me. “Toby, we have a jail on our land for our enemies. We can hold them as long as you want us to.

  “That would be perfect.”

  He whistled, and a group of men and women appeared from the woods and dragged them away.

  I ran over to Victoria. A large werewolf with a baby face spoke with her. He stepped forward and extended his hand. “You must be Toby. I’m Benjamin.”

  “He helped me when nobody else would,” Victoria said.

  I shook his hand. “Then I owe you a lot of gratitude.”

  “Think nothing of it.”

  I turned to Victoria. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Is it really over?”

  “The jags are back in Central America, your old pack is dead, and now so is mine. I’d say we’re finally free of our enemies.”

  Her expression lit up. She pressed her palms on my face and kissed me deeply. Shivers ran through my spine. I combed my fingers through the length of her hair and returned the kiss with renewed strength and hope for the future.

  Chapter 28

  Victoria

  I woke with a start, trying to figure out where I was. Looking around, it took me nearly a full minute to realize I was in the main living room in Moonhaven.

  Toby stirred next to me. “Are you okay, sweetness?”

  “I am now.” I laced my fingers through his. The rest of the pack lay sleeping, sprawled around the room. Memories of the previous night filled my mind. After beating Toby’s old pack, we’d all trekked through the woods and returned home, exhausted but too wired to sleep. Jet and Zia had warmed up food for everyone since between the impending full moon and from the battling, we were all starving. We ate and then all dropped from exhaustion in the living room.

  In the morning, I woke and leaned back against Toby, his warm embrace comforting me. “That’s how I want to drift off every night from now on.”

  He twirled a strand of my hair. “Me, too.” He kissed my ear and whispered, his breath giving me the chills. “Except that I want to be locked behind closed doors, able to do this and more.” He nibbled on my ear and trailed kisses to my mouth.

  “Get a room.” A throw pillow hit the sides of our heads.

  Jet’s eyes danced as he gave us a playful smirk.

  I tossed the pillow back to him. “Easy for you to say, married man.”

  He tucked it under Ziamara, who slept on the loveseat next to him.

  “She’s been sleeping a lot lately,” Toby said. “Is she okay?”

  A slow smile spread across Jet’s face. “Most definitely. She just needs extra sleep now.”

  My mouth dropped. “Are you guys expecting?”

  Jet beamed.

  “When did you find out?”

  He frowned. “After the battle, believe me. If I’d had any idea…”

  “What are you going to—?”

  “Why don’t we talk about it when she’s awake?”

  Excitement ran through me. “I’m so happy for you two. Congratulations.”

  “You didn’t hear it from me.” He kissed Zia’s cheek and rose. “I’ll make some breakfast.”

  “Why?” I asked. “What about…?” I glanced around the room, suddenly realizing I couldn’t remember seeing Brick the night before. Soleil slept in a recliner alone. “Wait. Where’s Brick?”

  Jet’s expression sobered and he cleared his throat. “I’m going to start breakfast.” He hurried out of the room.

  I turned to Toby, whose face had turned downcast. “Toby?”

  Tears shone in his eyes. He shook his head.

  My throat closed up. “It’s not true. It can’t be.”

  He pulled me into an embrace and rubbed my back. He shook, and his tears drenched my scalp.

  Tears filled my eyes. “No. What happened?”

  Toby sniffled. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse. “He sacrificed himself so I could escape and find you.”

  We sat together and cried until the aromas of bacon, eggs, sausage, and coffee filled the room. The others woke and stretched. Soleil just moaned, not moving from her spot on the recliner.

  “Come and eat,” Jet called. “It won’t be as good as we’re used to, but we all need it.”

  My stomach twisted in knots. Suddenly, I had no appetite. I sat up and squeezed Toby’s hand. “You eat. I’m going to check on Soleil.”

  He gave a slight nod, brushed some hair from my face, and kissed my forehead. “We’re going to hold a memorial fitting for a king later. Whatever she wants.”

  “I’ll let her know.”

  Toby held my gaze for a moment before joining the others in the kitchen. My heart ached not only for losing Brick, such an important member of our pack, but also for Soleil and for Toby, who’d lost his best friend.

  I slid off the couch, tip-toed over to Soleil, and rested my hand on her shoulder. “How are you holding up?”

  She rolled over and met my gaze. Her eyes were bloodshot, she had dark circles under them, and her eyelids were red and splotchy. “I can’t believe he did that.”

  “Me, neither.” I sat on the floor and rested my arm on her leg.

  She sniffled. “He should’ve let me drain their essence. That’s what I did anyway. Why didn’t he wait?” Tears ran down her face.

  I rose and squished onto the chair with her, putting my arms around her. “I’m so sorry.”

  Soleil nodded and wiped her eyes. “I knew it couldn’t last forever, but I just never… I didn’t think it would end so soon—that he’d die like that.”

  “Do you have any chance of seeing him again?”

  She shook her head. “I can only see those who go to Valhalla. You werewolves go to the other side of this world.”

  “Toby and I want to give him the biggest, most honorable memorial possible. You can have as much say in it as you want.”

  Soleil released a long, slow breath. “I don’t know much about werewolf memorials.”

  “Since when are we traditional? We can throw him a valkyrie ceremony. Or a mix of the two. I’m sure he’d be honored by whatever you want.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Her voice cracked. “First, I need to come to terms with it.”

  “And I’ll be right here the whole time.”

  She leaned her head against me. “You’re a better friend than I deserve.”

  I gave her a double-take. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I’m in the business of killing people. I don’t generally tend to make a lot of close friends. Allies, sure. Friends, not so much.”

  “Well, you’re part of a pack now. You have family. Do you want to watch something? Listen to music?”

  “Maybe sit here in the quiet.”

  “You’ve got it.” The only sounds were of people’s conversation while eating. It sounded heavy and tired. Some discussed Brick and the upcoming memorial. After a little while, Toby came and he and Soleil discussed what she wanted for him. Shortly after he went back to the kitchen, her breathing gradually grew deeper as she went back to sleep.

  I relaxed, and the recent events ran through my mind. It was so nice to be back home, away from the cage and the tribunal. I shook, just thinking about it. Anger washed through me.

  Before I knew it, I found myself drifting off, also. My dreams were filled with chains, cages, and being forced to walk on all fours. I woke with a start when I felt a hand on my
arm. I sat upright, gasping for air.

  “It’s only me,” Toby whispered. “Brick’s body is with one of the packs near the ocean. Are you two up for the trip today? Or should we wait?”

  Soleil rubbed her eyes. “Let me get cleaned up.”

  “You can wear one of my dresses,” I offered.

  “Thanks.”

  Toby squeezed my hand. “Should I tell the others to be ready in an hour?”

  I nodded and stretched. “Yeah. I’m going to take a shower, too.”

  An hour later, everyone from the pack climbed into vehicles. Even the wolfborns—joined by Charles—jumped into the back of Toby’s Hummer. Benjamin followed and sat back near them.

  “You don’t have to sit all the way back there,” I told him.

  He shrugged. “It’s fine.”

  “But after everything you’ve done for me, you’re a part of the pack. An honored part, at that.”

  “I was also part of the pack that tried to take you down.”

  “But being on the inside, you were able to help me in a way no one else could have.”

  “I guess.” He didn’t move, though.

  Soleil climbed in the truck without a word. None of us spoke much during the drive. Toby put on some soft Nordic music.

  Eventually, we pulled into an open field where others were gathered. It was a large gathering. I’d never seen so many at a werewolf funeral before. As we neared, I recognized a lot of other supernaturals. Tap, of course, and others from the Faeble. I put my arm around Soleil as we crept along the grassy field and came to the rocky, sandy beach. Waves crashed on the shore, sounding like they themselves were mourning the great loss.

  Poles had been decorated with flowers and tiny lights. Off to the side, several tables were filled with food. No werewolf memorial near the full moon could be without that, and it seemed especially fitting for Brick’s, as our unofficial pack cook.

  We made our way over to his final resting place, an open casket in a boat covered with dried grass and leaves. Brick lay on top, dressed in a suit. His eyes were closed and his hands held a single rose.

  Soleil broke free of my hold and ran over. She knelt, weeping on his chest. My heart constricted, and I choked back a sob. Toby came over and pulled me close, tears shining in his eyes.

  Musicians stepped up, playing a soft, sad tune with tambourines, triangles, flutes, and tiny guitar-like instruments. The music was beautiful and just what I needed to give in to the tears. I fought against shifting—I would remain human for Brick’s ceremony.

  Toby sniffled. “Brick said he could play a mean tambourine back in the day.”

  I smiled, trying to picture it.

  Tap waved us over. He put a hand on Toby’s arm. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Toby nodded. “It’s only right.” He kissed my cheek and then walked over to Brick, standing at his feet. He cleared his throat and waited for the discussion to settle. “We’re here to honor a mighty warrior. My best friend. Brick and I go back centuries. We met shortly after I left my original pack. He’d been excommunicated from his pack for trying to prevent the killing of his sister who had fallen in love with someone other than who their pack leader had chosen for her. Brick immediately took on the role of my bodyguard, and made it clear that anyone who wanted to join our new pack had to go through him first. He scared many away.”

  Chuckles ran through the crowd.

  Toby cleared his throat again. He put his hand on Brick’s foot. “I couldn’t have asked for a better best friend. Funny, a great cook—”

  Many spoke their agreements.

  “—and of course, loyal to a fault. He always said it would be an honor to die for me.” Toby wiped at his eyes and looked down at Brick. “I never wanted this. Though I knew you meant it, I always hoped you wouldn’t. But of course, I’m grateful. If we hadn’t gotten away, we might not have been able to save Victoria from my father.”

  Toby told a few stories of times they’d shared over the years before Sal and a few others from the pack talked about Brick. Everyone spoke of his cooking and of what a lovable guy he was under the tough exterior.

  Finally, Soleil spoke. She stood by his casket, leaned over, and wrapped her hands around one of his. “I feel like the luckiest one here, having gotten to be his fiancée. She held up a ring and wiped a tear. We weren’t going to tell anyone until after Toby and Victoria finally had their wedding. He didn’t want to steal any of their thunder—you know how he is.” Her voice cracked. “How he was. Anyway, it hurts too much to say any more. I just want to thank you all for being a part of his life and making it great. He loved all of his friends deeply, and he would want you to know that.”

  Toby stepped up and put an arm around Soleil. He turned to everyone else. “Time to say our goodbyes to the best friend—and fiancé—anyone could ask for.”

  We all stepped forward and placed flowers on and around Brick. Jet handed Toby and Soleil each a torch. The guys from the pack pushed Brick to the shore.

  Toby turned to Brick. “Godspeed, my friend.” He held high his torch. Soleil went to the other side and they ran their torches along the sides, until the flames shone bright around Brick. They, along with some others from our pack, pushed Brick out into the water. He drifted out to sea, shining bright like a star.

  Someone came over and stood next to me. We watched in silence as the light grew smaller, as our friend moved farther away. Finally, I turned to see Carter.

  “I didn’t know him long, but he was a good man. He adored you, you know.”

  Tears stung my eyes.

  “Really. He said nobody was more perfect for Toby than you. Even I can’t disagree.”

  I stared at him, unable to speak. Tears spilled from my eyes.

  He wrapped his arms around me. “I’m really sorry for your loss. The pack is going to have a gaping hole.”

  I leaned my head against him. “That it will.”

  “Hey, who’s that?” Carter asked. “She looks just like you.”

  “Elsie? Did she change her mind?”

  Chapter 29

  Victoria

  I stepped back and spun around. It wasn’t my sister heading our way.

  “Who is she?” Carter asked.

  “My mother.” I stared in disbelief.

  “Are you okay?” he asked. “Do you want me to stay with you or give you space?”

  I struggled to breathe normally. “Stay close.”

  “You got it.”

  “Victoria,” called my mother.

  My stomach tightened. She’d been with my old pack at the Jag when they’d tried to force me to marry Franklin, and she hadn’t done anything to try and stop it. I took a deep breath and made my way over to her, my mind spinning.

  She looked exactly the same as I remembered her growing up—I hadn’t had much time to take her in the last time I’d seen her. Carter was right, she did look a lot like me, only older.

  We stopped about a foot from each other. “What are you doing here? This is a memorial for a close friend.”

  “I heard you were in the area, so I made my way here.”

  “I was here for a while, held prisoner by James Foley.”

  She frowned. “I heard about that after the fact.”

  “Why didn’t you try to help me back at the Jag?” I folded my arms.

  “You know how your father is. How all the men in the pack are.”

  “Were,” I corrected. “Most of them are dead.”

  “Right. I fled with some of the other women in the middle of the massacre.”

  “You didn’t stop to see how I was?”

  She flinched. “You’d already fled.”

  “Because marrying Franklin for that brief moment took away the curse Father put on me. Did you know that not being able to shift just about killed me?”

  Tears shone in her eyes and she looked away. “I’m sorry—about everything. Your father ruined everything for both you girls. It destroyed me losing you both in one
night.”

  “Yeah? Well, join the club. I tried to stop him from killing Elsie, then I fled to Toby, only to have his father kill me.”

  “I wish you’d have gotten away with Toby that night. You two lost so many years together. I always liked the idea of you two.”

  I gave her a double-take. “What do you mean?”

  She turned back to me. “I’m your mother. I could tell as soon as you’d fallen in love—you had the look in your eyes. It wasn’t hard to figure out once I started paying attention. Secretly, I hoped you’d find a way to make it work.”

  I just stared at her in disbelief, my anger and hurt starting to fade.

  “Regardless of ancient pack rivalries, he’s a good man. And the both of you had the determination in your eyes to change the ways our packs have been run since the dawn of time. I knew if anyone could bring about change, it’d be the two of you.” A look of pride covered her face. “And you’ve done it. It’s come at a high price, but you kids have made real change. Rumor has it all the traditional packs are fleeing the area. Other revolts are said to be happening all over the world. You two started it.”

  It was hard to take it all in—especially coming from her. She’d always stood silently as the vicious men in our pack ran things and kept the women as second-class members.

  “I wanted to let you know how proud I am of you. You’ve managed to do what I only dreamed about.”

  “Why didn’t you ever do anything?” I asked.

  “You think I didn’t try?” She stepped closer.

  “Not that I ever saw.”

  “When I was a child, I had the same fire you have. My father squashed it right out of me. Then after I married, your father made sure it never came back. I blew up after you girls died, and he nearly killed me, too. The only reason he didn’t was because your brothers stepped in and spoke some sense into him. He warned me that if I ever crossed him again, that would be my end.”

  “Is that why you didn’t help me at the wedding?”

  She glanced down, paused, and then met my gaze. “I hoped that if you did marry Franklin, at least we could rebuild our relationship. We were close at one time, remember?”

  I nodded. We stood without speaking for a few moments before I spoke. “Where have you been since the Jag?”