Sweet Submission

by Desiree Gelsi

  Sasha pulled back, tenderly cupping her jaw in his hands. He wanted to look into those deep blue eyes that had haunted him ever since she left. He placed a kiss on her lips, a slow, soft, lingering touch that made her sink deeper into his arms.

  Kita blinked as he drew away. She wanted more. She wanted to get lost in his kiss and become tangled in his arms, knowing that she never had to let go.

  "I've missed you,” she whispered as she reached up to him, lightly brushing the scar on his collarbone with her thumb.

  He leaned down into her ear, speaking lowly as a mischievous smile crossed his lips, “I wish I could say the same, but I haven't had the chance to miss you, pretty baby."

  She frowned and hurt flashed in her eyes. Her heart felt like it was breaking.

  Sasha's hand reached around her waist to pull her closer to him, and he whispered once more, “everywhere I look you're there. I see you when I'm awake, I see you in my dreams. You're always on my mind ... I never had the chance to miss you, because you were always here, taunting me with your beautiful smile.” He kissed her throat, chuckling softy, “you're the sweetest affliction I've ever had. I can't get you out of my head."

  She sighed in relief, trying her best to glare at him as she pushed against his chest to make him step backward, “just for that I take it back, I didn't miss you at all.” She pouted, looking away for the moment.

  Her eyes rose demurely to meet his, and try as she might she couldn't keep from smiling. His eyes glittered and a vision swept over her. She saw herself, wrapped in his arms as he held her, protecting her, loving her.

  He took her hand from his chest and tenderly kissed the back of it. “After tonight you'll never have to miss me again."

  He stepped away from her, and Kita pulled her hand back to her side. She turned around, seeing Ramsey gritting his teeth as he stood behind her with his arms folded over his chest. Hatred welled deep within his black eyes, and a slow sneer of animosity crept over his features.

  "You might as well hold him now, kitten,” Ramsey's voice was sardonic and bitter. “Because after tonight you'll be holding his corpse."

  A teardrop welled in the corner of her eye, and she had to fight to keep the tears at bay. Her insides twisted painfully just to think about Sasha dead, and she forced herself to harden just to keep from crying. She wasn't about to give Ramsey the satisfaction of seeing her tears. She set her jaw angrily.

  "I would rather hold his corpse than you, any day,” she snarled resentfully.

  Ramsey's fists balled and fury flared in his eyes.

  Sergey stepped forward, quickly interrupting before things became out of hand.

  "It's going to storm soon. I suggest we get on with it,” he announced as he grabbed Kita's arm and pulled her away from the were-cat.

  The others nodded in agreement, automatically stepping backwards away from the two men who were to fight.

  Kita jerked free of her fathers hold, glaring at him before she tore her eyes away to look off into the forest. Sergey sighed, discouraged by her lack of trust in him, but accepting it nonetheless. He returned his attention to the matter at hand.

  "The meadow is the best place for a fair fight. Is that agreed?” Sergey looked between Sasha and Ramsey, waiting until they both nodded in approval before he continued. “It is werewolf custom to fight in ones pelt, however, since we are dealing with two different species, perhaps it would be more reasonable for them to fight as men, where their abilities are more evenly matched."

  The Puman King was quick to interject, “if the eye-commander will not fight my son in his pelt, then our deal is off!"

  Sasha shrugged, “I'll fight as a wolf, or I'll fight as a man.” He glanced at Kita, “my shape has no bearing on my abilities ... or my desire."

  Sergey took a deep breath, “it's settled then, a fight to the death in your respective forms. The winner shall have my daughter as his mate, and Dashadow shall honor our agreement regardless of the outcome.” He glanced at Sasha, “if Sasha should win he will have Ramsey's death as the ultimate punishment for murdering his pack mates.” He looked over at Ramsey, “if Ramsey should win he will be forgiven of the murders that he has committed."

  There was an eerie calm as several shadowy forms shifted in the forest behind them. Ramsey and the Puman King both looked suspiciously at the werewolves. Again Sergey sought to relieve tensions.

  "It is common for Beta's to follow their Alpha into battle, Dashadow,” he assured the nervous were-cat leader as he redirected his attention to Sasha. “They know that if they should interfere in any way that every agreement that has been made today shall be void, right, Sasha? And even if Ramsey kills you, he is no longer accountable for the death of your pack mates?"

  Sasha looked up as thunder boomed overhead, “they know the terms of the fight ... they won't interfere."

  Sergey stepped away, “Good.” He looked up as a deep rumble shook the earth, “Shift into your animal forms, circle three times, and fight to the end..."

  He placed his hand on Kita's shoulder. She still had her back turned to him as she looked into the distance. He squeezed her gently and she looked over at him. Her navy eyes were welling up with tears and her lips quivered.

  "I hate you,” she whimpered. “If Sasha dies, I'll never forgive you."

  He sighed, “Kita, my only daughter, have faith in me. Have faith in your lover..."

  She frowned, drying her tears as her eyes met his. She was confused, but now wasn't the time to ask questions. Over her shoulder she could see that the fight had begun.

  CHAPTER 18

  Sasha circled Ramsey wearily. This was the first time that he had seen the were-cat in his animal form. He was surprised. He didn't know why, but for some reason he had expected Ramsey to be more powerful in appearance, like a lion or tiger, rather than a streamlined jaguar.

  He studied his opponent, making mental notes of his obvious weapons as they slowly paced around one another. With sharp claws and dagger-like canine teeth Ramsey was a worthy adversary, but along with those weapons he also appeared fast—very fast. He was long and sleek, with a coat as dark as an eclipsed sky. Sasha noticed how the other man was able to get low on the ground as he prowled. He was most likely agile as hell, too.

  They began to circle the second time. It didn't matter what Ramsey looked like or what he was capable of, it didn't change Sasha's objective. He thought about the mental exchange that he had with Yuri as they walked to the river the day that his brother had left. He had purposely used silent words that day, not wanting Kita to know that he was apprehensive about what Ramsey was capable of. Deep down he knew that the were-cat wasn't finished with him, and that he'd be back looking for a fight.

  They proceeded to circle the last time. Their strides were faster now as adrenaline began to pulse through their blood. Ramsey's tail whipped eagerly behind him, and his dark eyes glowered as a growl rolled from his throat. Sasha bristled in response, baring his teeth into a snarl.

  What had Yuri told him? Like an echo the words came back to his mind. If you have to fight him, let him do the attacking. Dodge his assaults, survive long enough and he'll reveal a weakness, only then can you kill him.

  Suddenly a blur of black flew towards him. Sasha rolled sideways just as something sharp grazed his ribs. He righted himself instantly, whirling around to face Ramsey once more. The man was fast, faster than he was. Something warm and wet trickled over the fur on his side. He glanced back. Blood was spilling from three parallel scratches over his ribs.

  He threw his eyes back to Ramsey just in time to see the cat leap at him again. He ducked and Ramsey flew over the top of him, landing behind him with an angry screech. Sasha spun on his heel as he felt a claw reach deftly for his leg. He faced Ramsey once more, growling a warning to keep his distance.

  The were-cat clenched his empty hand, hissing in annoyance while glaring at him, still switching his tail in irritation. He hunkered down, preparing to pounce.

  Again Ramsey dove
at him, catching Sasha's shoulder with his scalpel-like claws as the werewolf barely escaped him. The were-cat attacked twice more, and twice more Sasha had only just missed his lethal nails.

  Blood was now trailing down Sasha's shoulder and his left side, matting his fur to his body. He felt dizzy, in a constant spin to avoid Ramsey's repeated attacks. He didn't have time to regain his balance though. If he were to stop moving he'd be an easy target for the panther.

  Sasha paced slowly, letting Ramsey follow him with his eyes. It was as if the cat was desperate to finish him off, launching repeated attacks without a strategy, like cocking a gun and shooting without taking the time to aim. That was hardly a weakness though, merely a fighting style. Of course, it did make it easier to escape his strikes. As if on cue Ramsey threw his body at Sasha yet again.

  Without warning lightning slammed down on the ground between the two men, just inches in front of Sasha. He flinched instinctively, amazed that the lightening hadn't struck him as it blazed a line of brilliant white just before his nose. The energy was so great that he could feel it tingling in his skin and smell the burning of scorched earth.

  Ramsey froze in front of him, staring wide eyed at the sudden burst of energy. The shot of white electricity sizzled on the ground only to retreat a second later and disappear.

  Sasha didn't move and Ramsey stepped backwards. They had been so engrossed in each other that they had hardly paid attention to the approaching storm. Thunder bellowed in the sky, shaking the earth.

  The Alpha werewolf looked to the heavens, a moment's distraction and Ramsey was on top of him, pinning him down. Sasha felt his opponent's claws slicing into his shoulders, sinking mercilessly into his flesh.

  The panthers jaw opened to reveal his long canine teeth as he let out a sinister hiss. Sasha went numb, he could feel Ramsey's hot breath burning his face, and all he saw was two long ivory teeth guarding the entrance of a dark mouth. A black padded paw flashed before him, slicing into his face in a quick downward motion. Blood spattered into his eyes, clouding his vision.

  He blinked, regaining time and reason as Ramsey drew back with his jaws. Urgently he snapped blindly upward, catching the cat's throat in his mouth before he could bite him. Ramsey let out a high pitched scream, angrily trying to bite back but unable to move his neck. His claws tore more frantically, and he began to kick with his back legs, scraping at Sasha's stomach. One of his hind claws raked into the werewolf's abdomen, and Sasha heard the skin split as an agonizing sting burned within him.

  In pain and desperate to get the panther off of him Sasha used every ounce of physical force he had left to throw the other man off of him. He kept his teeth on Ramsey's throat, feeling the skin tear from flesh as the cat was thrown several yards away.

  He spit the short black fur from his mouth. It wasn't enough—it was just a flesh wound. He needed more than that to kill him. He shook the blood from his face and watched as his adversary hit the ground and rolled. At least he was the stronger of the two.

  Ramsey righted himself indignantly. He was bleeding now. He hissed, displaying his teeth in his irritation. He was infuriated. The fight should not be taking so long. He was supposed to have torn Sasha's throat out within two strikes, but the wolf refused to fight back. Instead he was avoiding physical contact, diving out of the way before he could get a proper hold of him.

  Sasha waited, watching as Ramsey appeared to plan his next move. The were-cat was faster than he was, but Sasha had the strength. Nevertheless, strength didn't help against an adversary who could attack and be out of the way in the same second. Thunder boomed again in the heavens, reminding them that it was only a matter of time before the rain came.

  The werewolf Alpha frowned. Ramsey wasn't moving. He was just sitting there glaring at him as he switched his tail. It was then that Sasha noticed something. Ramsey was panting. His mouth was hardly open, and with his head hung down it was nearly impossible to see.

  It hit him then. That was Ramsey's weakness. He couldn't keep up. Sasha heard the distinct snap of lightning behind him, and it spurred him forward. Now that he knew Ramsey's weakness he wanted to keep the bastard moving. He rushed the other man, knowing that Ramsey either had to move or fight back.

  Ramsey didn't have the energy yet to fight back. He was tired and out of breath, he was forced to withdraw. He sidled backwards, watching the lightning flash in Sasha's eyes as the wolf stopped his charge just feet in front of him. He knew that if given the opportunity Sasha was a dangerous opponent. He had wasted too much time, and now Sasha was deadly. He continued to back away. All the while the eye-commander began a slow steady advance. The werewolf was looking for a target, and once he found a place for his teeth it would be over.

  Sasha saw the panic in Ramsey's wide eyes. He was vulnerable now, and he knew it. Baring his teeth the Alpha advanced, faster now, forcing Ramsey to fight or flee.

  Ramsey kept retreating. Something hard against his hind end prevented him from moving any further. He glanced back. He had made a mistake. He had backed himself right into a tree. The sound of growling and eager snapping jaws behind him told of Sasha's pack mates who were in the shadows of the forest, waiting for him if he dared to flee.

  Sasha was ready. He could hear Ramsey's heart pounding in fear, he could smell the panic, could almost taste the blood pulsing frantically through his veins. He expected him to fight. It was all he could do, or so he thought.

  Suddenly the were-cat pushed off from the tree, moving to rush past him where he could retreat to the safety of the meadow and catch his breath. Sasha wasn't going to allow that to happen. He had risked too much, and he wasn't going to lose Kita over a missed opportunity. Just as Ramsey darted past him he rose up on two legs, sending the force of his weight crashing down onto the back of the panther's neck as his forearm struck the spine.

  There was a sickening crack as Ramsey's neck broke. The cat slammed down to the earth, rolling sideways for a minute before stopping. He didn't move. In that final blow the fight was over.

  Sasha dropped down, still reeling from the fight. He was wet, covered in the sticky concentrate of blood. Numbly he shifted from his pelt and grabbed his jeans that had been left by the side of the meadow. He unsteadily pulled the pants up around his hips, barely able to button them with his slippery fingers.

  He saw smeared crimson on the denim of his jeans, and he rotated his hands out to the front of him. His palms were covered in the red fluid. His eyes trailed to look at his body, and he felt sick at what he saw. His human skin was still showing the effects of the fight. Blood was spilling from two deep scratches in his shoulder, three that stretched across his stomach and ribs, and a severe cut above his eye. He could feel his warm blood sliding down his face.

  He stood numbly staring at the fallen body of the were-cat. In his death the were-cat had returned to his human state, now merely a dead man on the blowing meadow grass as thunder rumbled overhead. Lightening crackled, piercing through the dark grey clouds again to light the sky, and suddenly a deluge of rain began to fall from the heavens.

  Blood ran from Sasha's body as the rainwater rinsed it from him, draining it back to the meadow. Thunder boomed in the sky, and Sasha just kept standing there staring at his fallen opponent. He knew when Ramsey's father had neared, he felt him like a dark shadow to his side, but he still couldn't move or take his eyes away from the dead man.

  The Puman King came to stand over his son, looking shocked and in disbelief. His features had paled and he looked ill. Finally the were-cat ruler raised his hand in the air, and the two sentries that had accompanied him were brought instantly to their master's side. Dashadow turned, his eyes briefly pausing on Sasha. They were cold and hard, and the deep brown within them became black as he gazed at the man who had killed his son.

  There was a pang of regret in Sasha's stomach as the Puman King turned and slowly walked away. He felt bad about killing Ramsey, he truly did. He hated that he had to kill the other man, and he desperately wished that h
e could have merely given him a severe thrashing instead, but death was the way that the were-cat wanted it.

  He watched as the two sentries lifted Ramsey's body from the earth, and with a proud bearing they walked behind their leader, taking his fallen son from this place of wolves. They crossed the river, dissipating into the shadows from whence they came.

  The rain poured over his eyes, slicking his cheeks in cold wetness. He blinked, feeling wet drops fall from his black lashes. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Sergey casually turn and approached him, coming to stand quietly beside him as he looked into the heavens.

  Lightning crackled in the sky again and thunder followed. The headman was solemn, even contemplative as he blinked at the clouds overhead, allowing drops of rain to fall into his eyes.

  Sasha licked rainwater from his lips. He felt an arm wrap around his waist, tightening something on his skin. He glanced down through the rain, seeing Kiser setting to work wrapping a bandage around his abdomen. The healer was so efficient, so skilled at what he had always done that he was already finished securing the soft white cloth by the time the Alpha even noticed him. Kiser stepped back, looking at the gash in Sasha's shoulder.

  "It's fine, leave it,” Sasha demanded quietly when Kiser stretched out another bandage and stepped towards him.

  Kiser studied him for a moment, as if being certain that the wound wasn't serious. At last he nodded, glancing at Sergey before he turned and walked away.

  Sergey drew in a deep breath, tousling the rain from his short salt-and-pepper hair with a quick rub of his hand.

  He kept his eyes to the falling downpour even as he spoke, “you fought with honor, Mr. Lucian and you should have no regrets for what has happened. You have honored your fallen pack mates, and you have honored my daughter.” He looked at Sasha through the rain, meeting his gaze, “it is a privilege for me to grant you my daughter for a mate."

  He reached out then with his hand, taking Sasha's in his own as they exchanged a brief grasp. Sergey turned away. He spoke briefly to Kita, embraced her for a moment, and then walked across the meadow before crossing the river and slipping into the trees, followed closely by his Beta's.