by A L Fogerty
“I wouldn’t be the alpha of two packs. My brother will be taking over my territory, keeping to the letter of the law.”
“We do not support your claim,” Kayla said.
“I have challenged Daniel to an alpha tournament. Whoever the strongest alpha is will win and be the rightful successor. These are our laws and our traditions. Do you accept, or are you a coward and a traitor to our kind?”
Kayla glanced at her cousin. He was healthy and strong for such a young man. But at only eighteen, there was no way he could match the strength of the hard-muscled Irontooth, who had been a warrior for decades.
“I accept your challenge, Irontooth,” Daniel said, “and I will win.”
Kayla looked to the side of the pack lodge. Jenny Blue had tears in her eyes. The child had grown from a tiny preadolescent to a young woman in the year since Kayla had seen her last. It suddenly occurred to Kayla that Jenny was in love with her cousin. She would have to keep that in her back pocket for when it could be used to her advantage.
“We will meet at dawn in the training grounds,” Daniel said.
“At dawn, then,” Irontooth said, turning to leave the pack lodge with his men.
“Don’t worry, Daniel. You will win. You are the rightful heir to this pack.”
“Come with me, Kayla,” he said, helping her stand.
They left the lodge and went to his mother’s house. Daniel and Kayla retreated to the office that had once belonged to his father. Books lined the old oak shelves across the back wall. Daniel sat on a stool while Kayla settled into an easy chair and put her feet up on a settee.
“I don’t know if I can win,” Daniel said. “Irontooth is physically stronger than I am. His alpha magic his powerful. And we both know he cheats.”
Kayla remembered the mating tournament a year ago. It felt more like a century. Irontooth was a cheater.
“Don’t worry, Daniel. I will be here to help you. There’s no way that Irontooth will take over this territory.”
“I won’t abide by cheating. If I’m not strong enough to rule this pack, then I don’t deserve it.”
“You are strong enough.” Kayla resisted rolling her eyes. Daniel was a perfect example of the weakness of the good.
“What if you took the position as alpha?” Daniel asked. “You are the rightful heir to the pack. Irontooth could not stand against your magic even if he had the nerve to challenge a pregnant woman.”
“But Mist Valley?”
“Jagger is alpha of Mist Valley.”
Kayla thought about it for a moment. It was her intention to rule Smoke Mountain through Daniel. He would be easier to control than Jagger. Another contraction ran through her belly. She winced with pain and grabbed her stomach.
“Are you all right?” Daniel stood and crossed the room.
“The journey was difficult.”
“You put yourself and your child at risk to come and defend our land.”
“There was no other choice, Daniel. Family sticks together. I don’t care if Irontooth claims Father left the territory to him. My father may have had his issues, but I don’t believe for a moment that he would have turned his back on his family and his legacy.”
“He wanted you to be alpha until the very end.”
And she would be, but she needed Daniel to play along. She’d found a way to neutralize Irontooth regardless of whether or not Daniel approved of cheating.
“You have to believe in yourself, Daniel. Believe in your alpha power. That’s all you have to do. You are a trained warrior. You have prepared all your life to lead this pack. I will be there standing beside you. The pack will rally behind the rightful heir. There’s no way Irontooth can win.”
“You’re right.” He sighed. “I must have faith.”
There was a knock at the door, and Daniel invited the guest in. His mother, Myrtle, peeked her head through the door and smiled brightly upon seeing Kayla. She hurried over and wrapped her arms around her niece. Kayla hugged her back, remembering that Myrtle had played the role of mother after her own had died. It hadn’t saved her from her father’s control, but Myrtle had explained the ways of the world of women to her when no one else could. And Kayla knew that her aunt would expect the same closeness.
“You need to rest and eat. I prepared a room for you, and there is a hearty stew cooking right now. Come with me. No more stress for you.”
Sid was waiting in the doorway. Myrtle waved him over to help Kayla stand. The two of them escorted her upstairs and put her into bed with her feet up. Moments later, Kayla was eating a hearty beef stew with carrots and potatoes and celery. It was quite a delicacy after a year in Mist Valley, where there was barely anything except wild game, oats, a few milk cows, and a handful of berries.
“This is delicious, Aunt Myrtle,” Kayla said.
“I’m glad you like it, dear. Now, when is the baby due? You look like you’re about to burst.”
“I feel like I’m about to burst,” Kayla confided.
“You’re not having contractions, are you?”
“Just the false ones.” Kayla took another bite of stew.
“You know the false ones are a sign the real ones are right around the corner, right?”
“I do. But that is the way of the world, isn’t it?”
“Indeed, it is, dear. Indeed, it is.” She patted Kayla’s hand affectionately and poured her another glass of water from the pitcher then picked up a damp rag and dabbed Kayla’s forehead. “You always were such a brave, determined girl. You should have been the alpha yourself.”
“Don’t you support your son?”
“My boy is a good boy. He would make an excellent alpha in about ten years. But now, I worry for him. I worry that he won’t be able to defeat Irontooth. And then I’ll lose him and my pack.”
Chapter Nineteen
Everyone gathered in the bleachers around the practice ring. Kayla hadn’t been in that place since the tournament her father had hosted to find her a mate. The whole thing had been a cover for his intention of mating her with Irontooth, a man she’d hated her entire life and who now had the audacity to claim leadership of her pack.
She rubbed her belly as she sat in the alpha’s chair, which had been offered to her by Daniel. Riddick and Quinn sat on either side, looking down at the ring with nervous anticipation. They had nothing to worry about. She had a new trick up her sleeve that she’d been perfecting for months. Her mates didn’t like her to go hunting alone in the forest, but they didn’t object to her going on long walks. On those walks, she had grown bored with taking in the scenery and fresh air and had come up with a little game to amuse herself.
Throughout her pregnancy, her alpha power had been growing in new and deadly ways, and it was the perfect time to use it. Daniel and Irontooth stood at opposite ends of the practice ring. Daniel was surrounded by his friends, allies, and coaches. Some of her father’s council members had chosen to side with Irontooth, citing that Daniel was too young to take on the position of alpha of the pack. Perhaps that was true, but she wouldn’t let Irontooth take the land that was rightfully hers.
Her aunt sat between Quinn and Sid, wringing her hands and biting her lip. Kayla reached over her mate and patted her aunt’s hand.
“Everything is going to be fine, Myrtle,” she said. “Daniel is a strong boy.”
“I’m so glad you’re here, Kayla.” Myrtle’s voice quivered. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Nothing could have kept me away,” she said, rubbing her belly.
She gave Quinn a sideways glance. He pursed his lips as she sat back in her chair. He hadn’t wanted her to come. But how could he deny Myrtle and Daniel? She laughed inside. Of course, he couldn’t deny them. They had the same kind of softhearted nobility that he had. And the situation had to have appealed to his need for justice and loyalty.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement in the street. The two witches dismounted their horses and tied their mounts to a
hitching post.
“What are they doing here?” Kayla growled under her breath. She hadn’t meant for the words to come out quite so loud.
Quinn looked in the direction she was staring then back at Kayla. “I’ll go find out,” he said, stepping down the bleachers to the ground. He hurried away from the practice ring to the witches, meeting them in front of the pack lodge.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” Riddick said.
“Maybe they’re leaving,” she said hopefully.
“Don’t you want them in Mist Valley?” Sid asked, obviously surprised.
“Of course I do. I love Willa and Mackenzie. They’ve been so helpful.”
She focused her attention back on the ring. The same master of ceremonies had served at the tournament for her mates. He took the center of the ring and raised his voice. “This is the first battle for alpha that Smoke Mountain has hosted in the history of our pack,” he said. “Irontooth has challenged our own Daniel Redclaw for the position. He’s given up his rule of his pack in the hopes of taking over Smoke Mountain. In accordance with our laws, to claim alpha from the heir of the previous alpha, the challenger must prevail in a battle to the death.”
There was a great uproar from the crowd. People shouted for Irontooth to leave Daniel alone and go home to his own pack. But others were cheering him on, shouting that Daniel was too young and inexperienced and should have given up the position.
But Daniel stood strong and tall, lifting his chin with pride. “I will not withdraw from my position,” he said. “Irontooth is an outsider. He is not from this pack. He doesn’t know our ways, and he doesn’t love our land. If I have to die to defend our beliefs and our home, so be it.”
“No!” Myrtle yelled across the crowd. “Please no, Daniel!”
“I will succeed because righteousness is on my side. I do this for you all, to show you my loyalty and dedication to Smoke Mountain. Nothing will stop me. I would rather die than be a coward and give up my place in the history of this pack.”
“That is your decision,” the announcer said. “That was your last chance to change your mind.”
“I’m not changing my mind.”
“Fighters, take your positions,” the announcer said, moving to the edge of the ring. “When the bell tolls, the fight begins.”
Daniel and Irontooth began to approach each other, standing several yards apart at the center of the ring. A moment later, a bell tolled two times, and the men launched toward each other. Daniel held a short sword and a shield, and Irontooth had a two-handed longsword. The older man slammed his sword down from overhead, and Daniel blocked with his shield, kicking at the man’s legs. Irontooth stumbled away, clearly surprised that the young man had gotten a hit in.
He gritted his teeth, his eyes alight with hatred. “Give up now, and I’ll show mercy,” he growled.
“Never,” Daniel said, rushing at the older man. Irontooth spun, slicing his sword at Daniel. Daniel blocked and jabbed with the short sword, narrowly missing Irontooth’s gut. The older man was still quick for his age, and he had heavier muscle and a larger body. But Daniel was quick and spry. His muscles were taught and fluid. Irontooth charged, trying to knock the younger man off balance. But Daniel was able to whirl away, slicing his sword across the older man’s back.
Her cousin had drawn first blood. Kayla’s eyes widened, and her mouth split into a pleased smile.
“Yes, Daniel,” yelled Jenny, the girl she and her mates had saved from Mist Valley.
Daniel heard the girl, and it gave him a renewed vigor. Irontooth was angry and determined to meet the younger man’s blow with his own. He growled, slicing and hacking and charging at Daniel. The strength and intensity of his blows were relentless, and Daniel could do nothing but block and parry until the older man lost his energy. Unable to get through Daniel’s defenses, Irontooth finally tired and moved to the edge of the ring, panting and holding his two-handed sword pointed at the young man. They circled each other, their eyes locked. Sweat dripped down both of their brows.
Kayla was getting bored with the show and wished they would just end it. She glanced down the street toward Quinn and the witches, wondering what they were up to. In the moment of her distraction, Irontooth had lunged forward, kicking Daniel’s feet out from under him. Her cousin lay on the ground as the larger man bashed at his shield relentlessly. Daniel had dropped his sword and was trying to reach it, but Irontooth stepped on his hand, angling his sword for a final strike. It looked as though Daniel was done for. Jenny and Myrtle screamed.
Kayla rolled her eyes. Focusing on Irontooth’s body, she scanned his system with her alpha power. She looked deep inside him and felt for the trembling rhythm of his heart. With the will of her mind, she felt her hand grip the throbbing muscle. Ever so slowly, she enveloped it with her fingers, her hand open and just barely touching until the man began to strike. She squeezed her hand closed, focusing every bit of her alpha magic into the power of her grip. She crushed his heart, stopping it in that instant. Irontooth grunted and fell to his knees, his sword clanking on the ground. He gasped several times as Daniel scrambled to his feet. Daniel grabbed his sword and approached the gasping and writhing man.
“Finish him!” someone yelled.
Daniel stared at the prone alpha wolf, who was fighting for breath and gripping his arm, his eyes wide with fear. Daniel knit his brows, appearing confused and afraid.
“Finish him!” Kayla yelled above the fray of confused voices. She pushed him with her alpha magic. And for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t act. But finally, the young man plunged his sword into Irontooth’s chest, ending his life in one final strike. Kayla smiled, leaning back in her chair and threading her hands in front of her belly. Maybe her cousin would make a good leader after all.
In confusion, Irontooth’s men ran out to check on him, and the announcer declared Daniel the winner. He was the alpha of Smoke Mountain. It had all gone perfectly.
Chapter Twenty
There was a great celebration in the Smoke Mountain pack that night. At a table at the edge of the gathering, with Willa and Mackenzie, Quinn watched as Kayla sat beside her cousin at the alpha’s table, sharing in Daniel’s triumph like a doting courtesan. But Quinn knew that was far from the truth.
“You think she’s suspicious?” Willa asked.
“Kayla is always suspicious now,” Quinn said.
“I can’t guarantee it will work.”
“All we can do is try,” Quinn said.
“This is the best option,” Mackenzie said.
Quinn shook his head, hating that it had come to such desperate measures, but his dear sweet Kayla had disappeared over nine months before. Even as he conspired with the witches to devise a way to drive the evil out of her, he missed her so terribly it hurt. Every time he saw that dark, conniving look in her eyes, his gut twisted as if he’d been stabbed with a knife. He didn’t know if he could take it anymore. “We should wait until after the baby is born.”
“I don’t think we can wait that long,” Willa replied. “Time is running out as it is. Besides, if we do it now, we can ensure that it hasn’t infected the baby.”
“Infected the baby?” Quinn was aghast. “Do you think that’s possible?”
“We can’t rule it out,” Mackenzie said, taking his hand.
“We have to protect the child,” he said with a sigh.
“If we do it now, we can drive the evil from both of them.”
“But is it safe?” Quinn asked.
“We can’t deny that there are risks with every spell, but you have to ask yourself if you would rather see her like this or risk the possibility of losing her and the child.”
“I don’t think I can make that call,” Quinn said.
“You’re the only one who can.”
He squeezed his eyes shut. “I can’t live without her.”
Mackenzie shook her head. “But we all know that’s not her.”
He gazed across the room, continuing
to watch Kayla and her cousin. Riddick was sitting right beside her. He shook his head—he couldn’t believe the others didn’t see it, but she had been careful not to show her true face to them. But she couldn’t hide it from him.
“What else can we do?” Quinn asked with a shrug. “I miss her. I need her back.”
“We are sure that she’s been possessed,” Willa said. “There’s no other explanation.”
“It has all the markers of a classic possession. It isn’t that she is possessed by an entity so much as an energy,” Mackenzie added.
“Kayla has been possessed by darkness. That is the best way to explain it,” Willa said, trying to elaborate on Mackenzie’s explanation.
“So your spell will drive the darkness from inside her, and she’ll be herself again?”
“That is the plan.”
“And how sure are you that this spell will be effective?”
“I’ve been working on it for months, and I’ve devised and re-devised the spell half a dozen times,” Mackenzie said.
“Mackenzie is one of the most gifted necromancers in a generation. If anyone can do this, it’s her,” Willa added.
“We’ll do it tonight while she sleeps,” Mackenzie said.
Quinn looked at his hands. “And what if she wakes up in the middle of the spell? What if Riddick tries to prevent it?”
“That can’t happen.”
“Kayla can kill any one of us with a flick of her wrist. We all saw what happened today at the fight. I don’t believe for a second that Irontooth collapsed with a spontaneous heart attack. She’s getting stronger all the time,” Quinn said.
Mackenzie took his hand. “All the more reason to bring her back. An alpha that powerful who’s been possessed by evil can’t be allowed to remain in the world, regardless of who it is. We have the responsibility to stop her no matter how much any of us loves her.”
“I know,” Quinn said. But he also knew that he was far more motivated by his need to bring Kayla back to him than his desire to save the world. He cared deeply about restoring balance to the earth, but at the end of the day, his love for Kayla superseded everything.