Wolfsong

by Kodilynn Calhoun

  Shit.

  The room was small, more rectangular than square, with wood paneled walls and worn carpet. A door stood tall and sturdy against the paneling. The sun was beaming through the single window—small and fitted with metal bars spanning across the opening. Chilly air breezed in through the slats, ruffling my hair. My heart began to pound as I staggered to my feet, rolling off the small cot I’d been lying on. I wavered for a minute, then headed for the window.

  My fingers clasped around the metal grating. I tugged as hard as I could, but they were locked in tightly. I rose up on my tip-toes to peer between the bars. Outside was a beautiful, haunting forest scene with a worn path weaving between trees.

  Shit. I spun away, rubbing my arms through my hoodie sleeves. I tried to quell the panic rising in my throat, burning like acid. What do I do now? I rubbed my temples, trying to remember…something. Anything.

  Arii…

  She’d texted me. I’d gone to the school. It was all a haze, blurry as I extracted it from my memory piece by piece. I saw a big, silver dog—Del, but not Del—brown-eyed and it ran off. I’d followed it, right? And then… I blinked and shook my head.

  “You can run, but I’m faster.” The words sank in. A werewolf’s words, with a scar running down his face, a warrior no doubt. A warrior for another realm, a realm in which wolves roamed free and changed into people.

  I shivered and looked out the window again. I felt a sinking feeling, telling me that I’d been had. Arii. No. She wouldn’t have tricked me, would she? She’d been so sincere. And I’d hoped so badly that she’d come back.

  I let a low, guttural growl escape my lips as anger tore through me anew. I thought she’d loved me. Or at least liked me. I’d kissed her; I could still remember the feel of her lips against mine. I scrubbed my hand over my mouth, trying to erase the feeling. I growled again.

  “Damnit!” Had by a werewolf. I should’ve known. Sikta was crazy enough to attack me to keep me from becoming king or Alpha or whatever. And Arii was crazy enough to bring me here despite my protests.

  I collapsed back on the cot, fingers digging into the soft sheets. I felt tears burn my eyes, though I was unsure where they came from exactly. I felt cheated. Alone. I swiped at my face, digging my stubby fingernails into my cheeks to try and soothe the anger and the hurt. The pain pricked along my skin.

  Okay. Calm down.

  I took a deep, shuddering breath. So maybe I was on the other side. Arii’s side. Which meant what? That they wanted me to become their leader? Screw that. I was taking the first train home, pronto.

  First, I needed answers and I wasn’t going to get them sealed away in this room. I stood and grabbed the brass door knob. Locked. I twisted and yanked, then pounded on the thick wood, my hands making angry fists.

  “Hey! Hey!” I yelled, hauling back on the door again. “Goddamnit, let me out of here!”

  I heard muffled voices on the other side—masculine, deep baritones. Then, “Stand back.” I slammed my fist against the wood once more for good measure, and then backpedaled away from the door. I heard the click of a lock and tensed, and the door swung open. A man walked in, then sealed the door behind him. I quickly looked him over, looking for a weapon. I found nothing.

  He was a shorter man with a stocky, bulldog build. His hair was long and the color of dead leaves, pulled back in a braid that ran part way down his back. He wore strange clothing—tight, black slacks, a shirt in autumn hues, and a light weight jacket. There was a thin band of leather around his neck. I looked into his face and blinked.

  His eyes. They matched my own, a deep, resonating gold. He looked at me, serious as he motioned towards the cot. I merely stiffened and bit back the f-bomb. He sighed.

  “I’m sorry it had to come to this.” His voice was worn around the edges. Tired.

  Part of me screamed to just retreat to a corner and put my head between my knees and just…breathe, but this was too much. I was too angry.

  “Come to this? You kidnapped me. My family is probably worried sick, because I never came home from meeting who I thought was my girlfriend. Tell me, exactly, how it came to this!”

  “Kia’la,” he said, like I was a child. Anger roiled in my gut and my hands formed fists at my sides. I crossed both arms over my chest and leveled him a look.

  “This was the only choice. You are Kitane’s son, the heir to Altehrei. Kanzi is just waiting for a chance to knock us down, take us out. Without a capable leader, we’re sitting ducks. I refuse to let my pack be torn apart because one boy is too afraid to take his father’s place.”

  I recoiled.

  “Sorry for you,” I bit out. “But have you considered the fact that maybe you’d be better off dead? You’re a pack of monsters.”

  “Be careful of your words, whelp,” the man said, his voice deathly quiet. In his eyes shone a brilliant fire, anger and sheer stubbornness. “You think we’re monsters? Just because we share the second form of a beautiful beast? Maybe we should turn you over to Kanzi; let you see how truly horrific we can be.”

  My voice dropped into a low rumble. “You can’t just keep me here against my will.”

  “It may be against your will at first, but you will soon come to respect your new home.”

  “I’m not one of your loyal followers. I don’t belong here.”

  He gave me a quick look, glancing up and down before he met my eyes once more. His softened, just a little bit. “You have enough of his blood in you to count. I’ve never heard of a half-breed werewolf before, but the moon should straighten this mess out.” His unspoken words were: The moon will make you one of us.

  “Send me home. Please, I’ll forget this ever happened. I don’t want to lead your merry band of wolves or whatever it is you expect of me. I want to be a simple kid, who gets mediocre grades and finds a girlfriend and works at the shelter. I want to get married and have a kid of my own someday. My plans don’t include turning into a beast during the full moon.” My voice was almost pleading, desperation bubbling up.

  The man reached out and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. “I am truly sorry, Kia’la, but this is the way it has to be. Without you, we’ll die. You can still do everything you would’ve done back on your side. You can still take a mate, have children, give birth to an heir. Perhaps in time, should you produce a son with the Sight, you could even return home…” He paused. “You don’t have to take the throne right away, milord. We will give you a chance to settle in, to get to know everyone.”

  I snorted. “By keeping me locked away?”

  “When I feel you’re ready to calmly socialize with my family, then I’ll let you join us. Until then, take the time to think about this.”

  “I don’t need to think about it. You kidnapped me from my world, drug me to yours, and now expect more than I can give! You’re a bunch of loony bastards.”

  He gave me a tired smile and headed for the door. He rapped twice and it swung open and he gave me a small bow as he left, a slight limp to his stride. I sagged against the cot, flopping down and thrashing angrily for a moment.

  “Goddamnit!” I yelled, but no one heard me and if they did, they didn’t care.

  ***

  Dusk fell around me, casting the room in a dim reddish glow. I lounged on the cot, knees propped up in the air, hands laced behind my head. Might as well be comfortable.

  That was when I heard it, a low, keening howl that rose up and petered out, high in the air. A moment later, two more voices joined in. Lilting. Musical. I felt something knot in my throat as the chorus rose up, yipping and wavering high pitches before they fell silent.

  I leapt to my feet and headed to the window. On tip-toes, I pressed my face between the bars, hearing the oncoming foot falls like thunder against the earth. Wolves of all different colors raced past, pelts cast in reds and golds. I saw black-backed silvers, wolves of pure black, snow white, and dark shades of brown. A large, sleek sable trotted gracefully after the gang. She seemed to jerk, then freeze and she
slowly, angrily rose her gaze to meet mine.

  Liquid fire. Sikta. Her nostrils flared.

  “Don’t think I don’t see you.” Her voice rang out in my mind, though her lips never moved. She flashed a quick show of teeth, hackles prickling in a ridge down her back. Then she huffed and trotted away, tail flagging high above her back like a domineering banner. I could feel her fury rippling off in waves. As the wolves left my sight, I eased back to the ground, my heart throbbing.

  This was insane, but I felt like I almost belonged out there, with them.

  Shaking my head, I sagged on the cot and curled up on my side, watching the trees outside my window billow and twist with the gusts of wind. My heart ached a little, deep inside. By now, Mom would’ve realized I hadn’t come home. She would’ve contacted the police.

  Shae would be worried, curled up in the safety of Tate’s arms as they sent out search parties. What would they find? Nothing. I left no trace. Shae knew I was going to the school, so they’d start there. Would they bring hounds, something to follow my scent? I let a small whine trickle from my lips as I pressed my eyes shut.

  I must’ve dozed off, because I jerked away at a rapping sound. I quickly staggered to my feet as the door unlocked with a click and swung open. I glared, expecting the man who had captured me, or the older man with the braid. Instead it was a young woman, her pale cheeks flushed pink. Her hair was thick and silvery, almost colorless, though she couldn’t have been more than thirty, and her eyes were the palest shade of blue. She carried a plate piled with food, easing into a crouch.

  “Hello, Prince Silverwind.” Her voice was soft, gentle. Motherly. I felt a wave of loneliness. She set the plate on the little three-legged stand next to the cot. “I brought dinner fresh from our kitchen. We thought you might be hungry.”

  Truth was, I was and I wasn’t. Though as the food steamed, it let off an exquisitely seasoned aroma and I came a little closer. The plate held baked carrots and potatoes, chopped into wedges, as well as a hearty slice of some sort of meat. The woman smiled at me. “That would be deer haunch,” she said. “Don’t worry, we didn’t taint your dinner.”

  “Who are you?” I let my gaze wander from the food to her. She tucked silver strands behind her ears. She wore a long, silky cream gown that ended right above her ankles. Her stomach was rounded, and when she saw me staring, she placed both hands on the bump with another smile. Pregnant… She was going to have a baby. Did they have hospitals here, on this side, for that sort of thing? Did werewolf babies get born as puppies or infant children? Did I really want to know?

  “My name is Lyra. I’m Altehrei’s lead huntress. Typically we’ve got guards to bring you dinner, but I’ll admit… I was curious when they said Kitane’s son was among us. I’m surprised to see you behind bars. What did you do?” An eyebrow quirked up, curious.

  “Nothing.” I crossed both arms over my chest. “I was kidnapped by some guy with a scar. Then some old guy told me I wasn’t allowed to go home.” I sounded whiny, petulant, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. I gazed at her.

  She frowned. “They’re only worried that you’ll do something foolish to bring harm to our pack. This is home, this is family. Tallys merely wants to make sure everyone stays safe.”

  “Tallys?”

  “Our Elder. The only other wolf in the pack with eyes as gold as yours.” So she meant the man with the braid. “He used to be our leader, once upon a time, but he is getting up there in years. He hasn’t led the pack since Kaughlin, Kitane’s brother, took the throne.”

  “Kaughlin?” Did I have an uncle? “Why isn’t he leading, then?”

  “Kanzi destroyed him over a scuffle that resulted in Kanzi’s ban. If it wasn’t for your father, coming back from his jaunt in the other realm, Altehrei would be…nonexistent.”

  “So where is my father now?”

  She fell silent, her pale eyes focusing on the wall to my left. After several minutes, she spoke again.

  “We are uncertain. He disappeared while out on a hunt. He felt it was safe, that we were in the middle of peacetime. He took people with him. He just…disappeared, him and his entire group. We sent out scouts, searching for him, but we could find no trace. His trail ended. We held hope that he would return, but the longer we wait, the more danger we’re in. We’re unsure why Kanzi hasn’t attacked yet, but he will, of that I’m certain. Our soldiers may be strong, but without Kitane’s calm leadership to aid them, they react differently. Erratically.”

  “You think he’s dead?”

  “We don’t know what to think. But we can’t just keep hoping when it’s been several months without a word. We have to look out for our pack…and if that means appointing Kitane’s half-blooded son as Alpha, so be it.” She picked her words carefully. We. Not I.

  “And what if Kitane’s half-blooded son doesn’t want to freaking be here? What if I want to go home? My mother is worried—how would you feel if your pups were taken away from you, and you never knew where they went?”

  She flinched, jerking her head to stare into my eyes. Her own eyes flashed with something dark—irritation?—and she quickly turned away.

  “You’re here. That’s all that matters. Eat the meal I brought you, Silverwind, and keep your nose to yourself.” Then she stood with the grace of a tiger and stalked out of the room. The lock clicked behind her.

  I growled my frustration and turned to the plate. A delicate metal fork lay on top of a napkin. I picked up the fork and without another thought, started to eat. I was angry, but damn if they didn’t know how to cook.

  ***

  I eventually got tired of just lying on the bed, so I took to pacing. Back and forth, shoes scuffing along the worn carpet, I nearly wore a path into it before the door swung open. I looked up.

  A tall, wiry slip of a man stood in the doorway, his hand still resting on the knob. Hesitating. I saw a dagger hanging at his belt and a long, pale scar played across his face, from the height of one cheek bone, slashed over a nose that had been broken more than once, falling to end on the low of his other cheek.

  His hair was a vivid red, not carrot red but almost a brick red. It hung in his face in spiky waves, looking like he’d just rolled out of bed. His eyes were bright green—so green they reminded me of Shae—and I felt another stab at my heart. I stuffed my feelings down and looked him in the eye.

  “What, are you ungrounding me?”

  He tipped his head slightly to the side, doggishly, then offered a lopsided smile. “Something like that. I apologize, milord—”

  “No. None of that lordly bullcrap.” I took a step forward. He didn’t move; he just looked at me curiously. “You can call me Kia. That’s my name. Kia.”

  “You are—”

  “Kia,” I insisted. “I’m no prince or lord or Alpha or what-the-hell-ever. I’m just a kid who’s very lost right now.”

  He nodded quickly, then gave a shallow bow. “I am Scythe. I am—” He paused with a torn look on his face before he continued, “Was Kitane’s best friend… Which would make you my godson. And damn.” He let out a low whistle as he took me in, that smile never fading. Warm and friendly, despite the scar. He was like a pit bull, judged by appearance not by personality. I had to smile a little at the way my mind worked. “You’re a mirror image of your father.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I heard that you were being held against your will in this wing. Tallys is trying to keep it a secret; he isn’t sure you’re going to work out, but I think you’ll do fine. If anything else, people will be calmed by your appearance alone. I’ve decided to take you on, since Tallys won’t. I’m going to take you around, introduce you to everyone, including the lovely ladybirds.” Scythe gave a roguish grin. “Gotta love the ladies.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but…” But what? Was I going to turn him down when he was offering me the chance to leave this asylum of solitude? I sighed and cleared my throat. “Can I be completely honest with you?”

  “O
f course.”

  “I don’t belong here; we both know that. Even your Elder knows that.” I didn’t bring up the fact that Sikta had attacked me back home with the intent to kill—I couldn’t bring myself to, because I’d be admitting it was true. And the way she’d glared at me… It made me feel that I wasn’t safe here.

  “I have a family. I have friends. They’re going to worry themselves sick when they try to find me and I never show up.” I paused and took in a shaky breath, stepping forwards. “Please, listen to me. How do you expect me to just…pick up where Dad left off? I don’t know anything about you.”

  “We have scholars. We will train you, of course—you won’t be going in without knowledge, Kia. I promise you that.” His brows knitted together, his smile slipping away.

  “They kidnapped me.” My voice was hot. “I don’t want to be here. I’m sorry if I’m repeating myself, but I don’t belong here. I’m not one of you.”

  This time, a frown crossed his face. “You will be soon enough. Come along, Kia. I’ll introduce you.”

  I froze, the hair on the back of my neck prickling. “What do you mean?” I meant his first statement, not his second.

  Scythe motioned to the ceiling with one hand. “You may be half-blooded, but you are still half werewolf. The full moon is only a few days off…and with the moon comes your first change.” His green eyes met mine, looking a little sorrowful.

  “I am sorry it’s come to this. Please, just give us a chance. Get through your change, explore our world a little. Try. That’s all I’m asking. And in a few weeks, if you’re still unhappy, I will do my best to talk to Tallys.”

  I sighed, nodding glumly. What else could I do? If he thought I was just going to accept this and try and fit in, he was wrong. They were all wrong. I was human. I wrapped both arms around myself, fighting off a shiver.

  “Can I at least shower or something?” I asked as I followed him through the doorway.

  “Of course, milord—” he began, but I shot him a look and he smiled. “Kia. We’ve got facilities in the halls ahead.” He motioned with his arm to follow and I hurried along behind him, my legs having to work double time to keep up with him. We wound down hallways and through doors.