by CR Guiliano
Arri had never met the male, Kasp gone by the time Arri came to Woodlynn. So he’d never seen the male’s wolf. But Arri had spoken to Ashwin’s, and Kasp’s parents, and knew the male was small, and thin. Why would he think he could take on Dryden? Yesterday, Dryden and Arri had searched out Ashwin, and let him know his brother was back in the territory. Ashwin had gone white with shock, then rushed away. Later that evening, during dinner, Arri had seen Ashwin with Truin’s brothers, the male quiet, and focused on the younger ones. Arri only hoped, when Dryden won, because he would, Ashwin could handle the fall out. For these challenges were to the death.
*~*~*~*
Dryden led the way to the lower level, east wing, where they held Etham, Dyne by his side. Dryden wasn’t looking forward to this, but he’d do anything to protect his pack, and family. And Arri deserved the truth. Dryden slid a key card through the slot, and pushed the door open. Etham was sitting on the bed, his back to the wall, his eyes wary. After Dyne came in, Dryden shut the door, the click of it automatically locking loud in the silent room. “Time we got some answers from you.”
“I told you, I’m not telling you anything!”
The growl from the male didn’t impress Dryden in the least. Etham was pathetic, a weak male who had ignored, and neglected his son. Dryden nodded at Dyne, giving the beta permission to do what he needed to get answers from the male.
More than an hour later, Dryden was both nauseous, and satisfied at the way Dyne manipulated Etham. He knew the beta found a certain glee in the way he extracted information, but he’d no idea just how ruthless the male could be. Etham was a sobbing mess on the floor, rocking as he held his hand. The one Dyne had twisted until his wrist had popped. Dryden couldn’t find an ounce of sympathy for the male. “Now, why are you returning to Border, and where is your mate?”
“I…I was going home…to d…d…die.”
It was hard to understand what Etham was saying under all the sniveling, and wailing, and Dryden was getting annoyed. He had the challenges in less than four hours, and needed to prepare. He didn’t have time for this. “Why?” Letting a little of his alpha power into that one word, he watched as Etham jerked, his body responding by slumping further to the ground. Dryden only wished he could use his alpha power to get the male to talk, but it didn’t work that way.
“B…because they took her. Took my mate…”
That was a surprise. Someone took Arri’s mother? “Who?” Fuck! It was like pulling teeth with this male. Dryden growled, scowling at the male on the floor. “I want the whole story!”
“We...Alpha Sbrel wanted…he was after my mate. Wanted her for himself. I couldn’t allow it. So we left, trying to find another pack to take us in. But…but they all just wanted Allisia.”
Dryden frowned, wondering why so many shifters would be interested in the female. “Why? Why would they want her?”
“Because…she’s Fae.”
The clipped way Etham said the words, made it clear he didn’t want to say them at all. He glared up at Dryden.
“My mate was beautiful, with the deepest black hair that fell to her waist, and stunning gray eyes. She was small, delicate, and lovely. They all wanted her, wanted her power. But she was mine!”
“Who took her?” Etham started rocking, his head down as he cradled his wrist. Dryden was beginning to wonder if the male was going to answer, when he heard the whispered words.
“Her clan.”
Dryden was stunned. He’d thought the Fae had died out decades ago, which was why he didn’t understand Arri being a Fae Omega. He’d no idea they still existed. “Why would they take her?”
Etham shrugged his shoulders, but Dryden could smell deceit from the male. He knew why, he just wasn’t willing to say. “I want an answer, Etham. Arri deserves an answer to what happened to his mother.”
Etham looked up, the hatred in his eyes unmistakable, and deep.
“That little runt doesn’t deserve anything! If it hadn’t been for him, my Allisia would still be with me!”
Dryden wondered how Etham figured that. How would Arri have anything to do with Etham’s mate’s disappearance, when he wasn’t even around? He couldn’t contain the snarl that bubbled up, his wolf incised Etham, once again, was insulting his mate. Arri was perfect in Dryden’s eyes. He couldn’t have asked for a better, more loving mate. A mate who had given him the most beautiful gift in their son, Arrden. And, hopefully, when Arri’s heat overtook him, there would be more pups.
Dryden paced, Etham glaring at him. “You left Border. You left Arri behind, as a pup. Why would he have anything to do with your mate being taken by her clan?” Dryden stopped, and scowled at the older male, Dyne standing behind the shifter. Etham was shaking, but he was still glaring at Dryden.
“Because, they never would have figured out she lived, if she hadn’t given birth to that abomination. The moment he was born, her powers increased, and her defenses dropped. They felt her, but they never came to Border. They waited, the bastards, until we were alone, on the road, to attack, and grab her.”
Dryden was stunned to see tears running down Etham’s face, though he was still looking at Dryden like he’d enjoy seeing him six feet under. “How, by all the fates, did she end up with you?” Dryden shook his head, the question more for himself, then Etham, but the male answered anyway.
“Allisia had run away, so she didn’t have to bond with some male she hated, a male who would take her forcefully, to establish the bond. Their clan was only interested in her powers, they didn’t care about her happiness. When I stumbled upon her during sentry duty, I knew we were fated mates. I took her on the forest floor, claimed her under the moon, even as she claimed me back.”
Dryden ignored the wispy quality of the male’s voice. He was more interested in how the female’s abduction would impact Arri, and his pack. And Arrden.
“I don’t know what they did after they took her, but my mating bond with her has broken…and all I want to do is go home, and die.”
The whispered words didn’t sway Dryden in the least. The male didn’t deserve any sympathy, not after the way he’d treated Arri. “So, you just decided to give up, when you have a son? A son you treated like filth?” Dryden knew he was being unreasonable, a broken bond was agonizing, and eventually led to madness, and death, but all he could think about was the pain, and torture Arri had gone through at the hands of the Border wolves. All because this male had abandoned him.
“He’s not my son!”
Dryden stared at the male after his outburst, Etham’s face a mottled red, his brown eyes swollen, and snapping with anger. “What are you talking about?”
“Allisia was already carrying him when we mated. She never told me who his real father was, but that atrocity is not of my blood. I don’t know if he’s from the seed of a male in her clan, but he is not from my loins! Thanks to him, Allisia, and I could not conceive our own pups.”
Dryden could feel his fangs aching to drop. The male had just obliterated any value he had with his admission. If he wasn’t Arri’s father, then there was no reason for Dryden to be careful with the wolf’s welfare, for Arri’s sake. He hated the fact he had to tell Arri the male wasn’t his father, if he could be believed, but maybe his mate would be relieved to know the pathetic excuse for a shifter was not the male who gave him life. Only that brought up who Arri’s real father was, a mystery to add to the one about Vann. Thanks to Anrean’s abilities, Arri had discovered Vann’s father couldn’t be his either.
Dryden rubbed his temples. This was all getting so damn complicated. Fates, but he wished his lead beta was here. Vann had always been a great sounding board for Dryden’s troubles, even if Vann pushed sometimes, making Dryden’s alpha wolf angry. But, then again, now knowing Vann was alpha born might have a lot to do with that. Dryden really didn’t care. He just wanted the wolf back.
He looked down at the still sniveling male. “Leave him here. I don’t want him loose until after the challenges. Once I dispatch
the upstarts, he can be released…to die as he wishes.” Dryden turned, and swiped the key card, leaving the room, and the male who was quickly departing Dryden’s thoughts. He had more important things to think about.
Chapter 8
Kasp rubbed his hands together, and couldn’t help a brief grin, forgoing the cackle of menacing laughter. Cliché to say the least, but he was looking forward to the end of Dryden. In less than an hour, the arrogant alpha would be dead, and Kasp would take over. The other shifters had finally gotten close enough to the compound, Kasp could contact them. They were hidden a few hundred yards away from where the challenges would take place, right where Kasp needed them.
He turned when the door to the room he was in opened, and a red-headed wolf beckoned him out with a frown. He could feel the wariness rolling off the male, and bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning at him. They had no idea what was coming.
He moved out of the room, the male staying behind him, and then joined the others who would be fighting Dryden. There were three others, besides himself, though he was sure the wolves thought there were five, because of Taryne’s presence. They would learn Kasp wasn’t stupid enough to challenge Dryden physically. By pack law, he was allowed to pick a champion, or in his case just someone to do the fighting for him. Kasp was confident Taryne was bigger, and stronger than the pathetic wolf. He would win, kill Dryden, Kasp’s other minions would move in, and he’d take over.
His plan was solid, and Kasp couldn’t wait until this was all over, and he could move onto the next phase. Making the wolves of Border, and Woodlynn his soldiers, and destroying Osric, and his pride. After that objective, he’d have some fun with the weak, little wolf Dryden had mated, since killing Osric would free him from the mating bond, and allow him to get erections again. And, he’d be sure the whelp the alpha had sired was eliminated. It would be satisfying to do that in front of Dryden, and his mate, but Kasp wasn’t willing to take chances with the alpha. The male needed to die. Soon.
*~*~*~*~*
Dryden was spending the last few minutes psyching himself up for the challenges to begin soon. He wished he could say he’d been in plenty of challenges, knew what to expect, and had no doubt he would win, but the truth was, he hadn’t. Most packs left Woodlynn alone, knowing the strength they would be going against. Dryden’s father, and his grandfather before him, had been extremely strong, confident alphas, who didn’t tolerate others messing with their pack. Dryden was much stronger than either his father, or his grandfather, with his duel alpha power, and matriarch alpha blood running through him. In reality, unless someone fought dirty, there was no one who could best him. But, as Sbrel had shown, narcissistic, and arrogant wolves could be dangerous, and sneaky. Dryden had almost died because Sbrel didn’t fight fair.
Dryden was pacing his office, and stopped to look at his mate, who was hovering in a corner. Thanks to Arri, Dryden was alive today to face the challenges coming. Arri was anxious, but not nearly as apprehensive as Dryden thought he would be. “You okay?” He knew Arri believed in his vision, that Dryden would win the challenges as long as they happened here, on Woodlynn land. Dryden wasn’t so confident. He knew his strength, and had no doubt he would kill the first four quickly. It was Kasp who bothered him. That wolf was cagey, and manipulative, and Dryden knew the male had something up his sleeve.
“I’m okay.”
Dryden walked up to his mate, gathering him in his arms. Between knowing Arri for the last year, and being in his head, he knew his small mate wasn’t really okay, but was putting up a good front—for him. Dryden appreciated it. In the absence of Vann, Arri’s faith would sustain him through what he had to do. There was a knock on the door, and Dryden looked over to see Talus open it.
“It’s time, Alpha.”
After Talus closed the door again, Dryden tipped Arri’s head up. He leaned down, and captured Arri’s lips, pouring all his love into the kiss. Once he pulled away, he stared at his mate, committing every single detail to his mind. “If anything…if I don’t…” Arri touched his lips, silencing him.
“You will win. You’ll eliminate these challengers, and come back to me. I just want you to understand why I can’t…I can’t watch.”
Dryden didn’t really understand, if Arri’s belief in his victory was real, but he wouldn’t question his mate. Giving Arri one last squeeze, he let him go, and turned away, headed for the door. He stopped for only a moment, looking back at his mate. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
Dryden didn’t smile, just nodded, and left. He made his way outside to see the challenge circle ready. The moment he stepped out onto the wide porch, Talus, and Kirlane flanked him, with Dyne behind him, and Rovyn in front. His betas, there to make sure no one decided to be stupid, and attack him prematurely.
They made their way down the steps, and to the boulders that marked the edge of the challenge circle. It had been many long years since Dryden had seen the circle reconstituted, his grandfather being the last to have a challenge on Woodlynn lands, back when Dryden was a small pup. He glanced around to see nearly his entire pack here to witness. Breccan, and Saran were off to the right, there for any injuries Dryden might sustain. It was just for show. Arri would heal any wounds might Dryden receive. They just didn’t want anyone to know that.
Only the inner circle knew some of the abilities Arri had, including his healing ability. Dryden had been surrounded by his wolves, when Arri had healed him after the challenge with Sbrel, so no one had seen it. They had decided to keep that particular gift under wraps, Dryden concerned with packs from across the globe clamoring to his territory to have Arri heal injuries, illnesses, and other weaknesses. No way would Dryden’s alpha wolf handle so many vying for the attention of his mate. Dryden agreed with his wolf.
He stared at the challengers across from him, on the other side of the circle, sizing them up, and already determining the best way to eradicate them. He was angry he was being challenged in the first place, but that was the way of wolves, when they wanted something. Well, Dryden wasn’t going to let them win, and take what belonged to him. Not his lands, not his pack, and for damn sure, not his mate, and son.
Rovyn, as lead beta, moved to the center of the circle, then spread his hands. “As per pack law, challenges have been made for the Border Pack leadership. These challenges do not include Woodlynn Pack, and are to the death.”
There was grumbling among the challengers at Rovyn’s words. Guess they didn’t figure Dryden knew pack laws as well as he did. His father had made sure of that, believing knowledge meant strength, and power. So, even if they managed to kill him, Woodlynn Pack would stay with Arrden, with Arri as his regent. Dryden withheld his smirk, not willing to get too cocky, and lose because he was being too arrogant. Arri might be convinced Dryden would win, but he wasn’t going to take it for granted.
“Challengers have first choice…to fight shifted, or not shifted.”
Rovyn left the circle to stand next to Dryden again. He nodded his appreciation, then stripped his shirt off. He was wearing sweats that would be easy to get out of if he shifted, or, if he was fighting in his human skin, wouldn’t hinder him.
“CARLUS.”
Dryden flexed his muscles, then entered the ring when the first challenger did. “Make your choice.” Dryden couldn’t help the growl. He wanted this over with, and quickly, so he could go back to his mate.
“Shifted.”
Dryden shifted so fast, the other male was still mostly human. Dryden didn’t even hesitate, giving the male time to change. Challengers to his authority didn’t get such luxury, or respect. He lunged forward, and ripped the upstart’s throat out within seconds. And, so it began, as he moved back, pacing, and waiting for the next challenger, snarls coming from him, as adrenaline coursed through his body.
Chapter 9
“I invoke pack law, and will have another fight for me!”
Dryden stared at Kasp, the small shifter smirking on the other si
de of the challenge circle, his rage at the former pack member growing. Dryden had dispatched the first four challengers without effort, and wasn’t even winded. Right now, he was in his human form, waiting while the latest dead shifter was removed from the ring. He glanced at the male standing next to Kasp, and took a surreptitious smell. Like Rovyn had said, he wasn’t wolf. But, since Dryden had never scented another shifter species, he wasn’t sure what the newcomer was.
He stepped back as Dyne approached from behind him, leaning his head so the male could speak in his ear. He held the smile that threatened at Dyne’s whisper. Seems the intruders who were hanging a few yards away had been apprehended, and one had spilled his guts. They were there on Kasp’s order, waiting to take over Dryden’s pack when Kasp’s challenger won. Well, Dryden had no intention of losing, no matter what kind of shifter the stranger turned out to be.
“Have a couple of enforcers nearby, ready to grab Kasp once I eliminate this last challenger.” Dyne nodded, and withdrew. Dryden shook out his arms, twisting his neck side to side a couple of times, before shifting back into his wolf. His wolf was ready, still angry any other would challenge for his territory, causing his mate, and pup to be in danger. With an unknown shifter, Dryden let his wolf take compete control, his animal instincts sharper, and the ability to utilize his dual alpha power easier in this form.
There was a collective gasp from the pack, when the male removed his clothing, and shifted. Where once stood a tall human, now a large black panther had taken his place. Dryden’s eyes narrowed, assessing the beast. Dryden was larger, and bulkier, but he could feel the power coming off the male. Alpha. The unfamiliar feeling of fear stabbed Dryden. He’d never fought another species, and was unprepared, not knowing what kind of skills the cat might have. The anger he had for Kasp grew, and he knew he needed to stop thinking about the weak wolf, and concentrate on the shifter before him. He couldn’t let anything distract him, not now, not with the potential of losing this last challenge.