by SJ Himes
“Was there a witness aside from the involved parties?” Andromeda asked, making several wolfkin jump in surprise. Before Kane could offer a response, Burke rose from his seat.
“I am Burke, Speaker of Black Pine, and I was present. May I testify?” Burke spoke loudly, his words reaching every pair of ears in the surrounding seats.
Andromeda nodded, and waved a hand at Burke for him to continue.
“Kane’s use of the Voice was indeed unintentional and instinctive. I was in Kane’s mind, and Heromindes’ as well, orchestrating the raid on the humans’ complex. I could see every thought , decision, and action as it happened. Kane did so without malice or forethought, and returned to Heromindes his free will immediately. Heromindes suffered no permanent damage to his mind or free will.” Burke stood at the edge of the pit, one hand behind him keeping Ghost in his seat. Kane gave his best friend a nod in thanks, relieved and grateful that Burke stood up for him.
“He is a Speaker, and one which the members of the Tribunal know to be an honest and forthright wolf. Do you accept Burke of Black Pine’s testimony?” Andromeda asked, and Kane was never more thankful that Andromeda oversaw the trials. It was fast, to the point, and free of angry grandstanding.
The clan leaders spoke quietly to each other, Heromindes shooting glares at both Kane and Burke, while Caius remained stoic and remote. He gave a short answer and nod, and eventually Royrick stood again. “Speaker Burke’s testimony has been accepted by the Tribunal. We will adjourn for the rest of the day—all verdicts will be given by sunset tonight.”
The clan leaders got up and left quickly, Heromindes glaring at Kane for a long moment before Mercuriel blocked his view. Kane’s guards crowded in and started ushering him back to the tunnel.
“Kane!”
He looked back over his shoulder, and gave Ghost a small smile, trying to reassure his mate.
Burke took his hand from his shoulder, and Ghost melted into the milling crowd. “Ghost!” Burke called after him, but he couldn’t contain himself any longer. He ran, on four paws faster than thought, and ducked through the Red Fern wolves, soon finding his way into the woods.
Sophia and Burke called for him, but he refused to wait. He wanted this whole thing to be over with, done, and he had to wait to get his mate back? What was there to decide? He sat through the long, drawn out misery of a trial—whatever that really was—and thought he was surrounded by humans. Testimony, verdicts, guilt or innocence? The Laws, rules made by wolves long dead and gone—where were the wild dire wolves in their nature? The Tribunal were naught but old wolves playing at being human men. If not for the odd alpha named Roan and the presence of his Goddess, he would have thought he was fully in the human world. He’d watched enough television with Cat when he was stuck in his wolf form to recognize plenty of human customs, and the oddness of the wolfkin adhering to such things as Laws and trials left him frustrated.
He soon lost the desire to run, and found a tree to sit against, staring out at the forest. It was quiet, though he could hear the tiny sounds of life and motion. His ears flicked when a bird fluttered between branches, a rodent dug beneath the snow for its hoard. The wind rustled the tops of the trees, and trunks frozen in the deep cold on the mountain creaked in response. Clumps of snow fell from boughs, soft plops that came and went in waves as the wind blew.
A small scuffle to his right heralded the approach of a rabbit, and Ghost watched the critter curiously hop about, the wind blowing in the wrong direction keeping it oblivious to his presence. He was hungry. He hadn’t been eating enough, he knew that, too stressed out over Kane’s incarceration and the charges levied against him. He reached out with his mind, and could see that Kane was again back in his prison.
The greater alphas acting as his guards snapped and growled, and his mate ignored them all, indifferent to their attempts to rile him. Ghost huffed, pleased with his mate. Kane was a powerful alpha, and the wolves around him now were nothing compared to the might of Kane in his wilder form.
The rabbit got too close and realized its folly as Ghost leapt. He caught it in his jaws and shook hard, snapping its neck. He returned to the tree and lay down, eating the rabbit slowly. Steam rose from the kill as he licked the hot blood. He wanted to see his mate. Bring him a rabbit or two, share the kill, and run together beneath a bright moon.
Evening fell. He watched the sun set through the trees, the sky awash with fiery oranges and reds, the deep blue of twilight. The rabbit was long gone, his fur coated with ice, and Ghost felt alone despite the mental nudges he got from Burke and Kane. He wanted to reach out to Kane, but he didn’t want to cling, to fall apart. He was on the very edge of madness, the wait too much to bear. He found it all easier to endure as a wolf, and so stayed in the woods, avoiding the curious who tracked his trail through the woods. Eventually they left him alone, returning to their cabins.
The Tribunal would be casting their verdicts now, but when Ghost sent a wordless query to Burke, he learned the Tribunal would not be sharing the verdicts publicly with the whole clan at the pit. Burke told him the news quietly before Ghost could ask. He was both terrified and exhilarated. Claire and Roman’s fate was decided, but the Tribunal was still arguing Kane’s fate.
Claire would be punished and then banished from the combined territories of those on the Tribunal, all other clans informed of her transgressions. Ghost figured she wouldn’t last long—even in the wild, an exiled wolf, injured and weak, would fall to the fangs of other packs. She would find no welcome.
For Roman—death. The how and why of it Ghost did not care.
Ghost ran for the place his mate was locked away. The greater alphas guarding him were hunkered down around a fire, in their human forms and clothed. They were eating and talking quietly amongst themselves, Ghost snuck by them without being noticed.
Ghost crept forward, the flickering light from the fires camouflaging his approach to the cage where his mate paced. Kane was in his wolf-form, the great and beautiful beast almost too big for his prison. Ghost could see him with his Spirit-sight, Kane’s powerful crimson red star in his core a writhing storm of strength and resolute determination.
Ghost was within a yard or so when Kane’s head turned in his direction, his dark eyes glowing in the shadows, only the hint of his outline in the darkness.
*Little wolf, you must leave,* Kane said, the frantic concern he felt for Ghost’s safety coming through clearly along their link. *The guards might try to hurt you if they catch you here.*
*No!* Ghost retorted, stepping through dead pine needles and sticks without a sound. He pressed his head through the bars, only able to get his nose and muzzle inside. He was not afraid of wolves who went against the Great Mother’s will, wolves who wanted Kane punished for having too much power—power they couldn’t control or exploit. Kane licked his nose, whining deep in his throat. *I cannot stay away anymore. I need you.*
*Little wolf,* Kane said softly, pressing his head to Ghost’s, the bars keeping them from getting closer. *I am Heir and Alpha, and I cannot disobey the Law. I must see this through unless they give me no other option.*
*Law made by wolves who hold their will above the will of our Goddess,* Ghost whimpered, thinking he should just use his abilities to destroy his mate’s prison and free them both. Let them leave, live in the wilds, wolves unfettered by foolish Law and pettiness. *She gave you the Voice as surely as she made me a shaman.*
*No, Ghost,* Kane told him, reading his thoughts about escaping into the woods. *We will wait and see what happens. Do you know of Claire and Roman’s fate?*
Ghost was about to answer, when the scent of a new wolf nearby interrupted them. Ghost swallowed his snarl, instantly recognizing Andromeda’s true-gold star, shining intensely in her heart. The White Wolf padded silently into the small space around the cage, and sat beside Ghost, her wolf-form terrifying in its beauty and grace. Pure white, glacial blue eyes
, and fangs sharper than the final cut of Death, Andromeda was the epitome of the wolfkin.
*My daughter is to be exiled,* she said gently to them both. *Roman is sentenced to death. He will fight Heromindes in the pit tomorrow. The Tribunal agreed that was best, as they will not ask Caius to kill his own son, and Hero’s kin and clan suffered last at Roman’s hands. No one doubts that Roman will die against Heromindes.*
*And Kane?* Ghost demanded, paws restless in the pine needles under his toes. Kane was breathing slow and sure next to him. The great white wolf gave a sigh, her shoulders dropping as she exhaled. She gave Ghost a nudge with her nose, almost knocking him over. Ghost was small compared to Kane, and Andromeda was easily a head taller than even his mate.
*Kane is to fight in the pit as well,* she answered at last, ears back, nose down, unhappiness disturbing her usually inscrutable expression. *Heromindes was given the choice—justice for his wolves by taking Roman’s life, or face Kane in the pit. Maiming as a punishment was tossed aside in favor of combat. Only Julian and Hero pushed for maiming, and they were outvoted. Heromindes chose not to risk facing Kane in the pit—Roman was a wiser choice.*
*So who is Kane to face then?* Ghost asked. He was afraid he knew.
“The alpha from out-clan. Roan of Sorrowfields has been chosen to face Kane in the pit. If Kane loses, Roan may choose to take his life or banish Kane. If Kane wins, he is exonerated from further punishment and the matter is closed.*
Tooth and Claw
Morning came too slowly for Ghost’s liking. The guards discovered him in the night, but a sharp snap of his teeth and a deep warning rumble from his mate made them back off. Ghost ignored the glares sent his way all night long, and he snuggled as best he could with Kane despite the bars between them.
This morning three would meet their fates in the pit.
A growl from the edge of the small space beneath the trees made Ghost lift his head, ears pricking forward. A large chocolate brown wolf padded from the shadows. Burke’s eyes were gold, glowing brighter than the metal humans prized. He was shaggier than Ghost, a burly beast who moved with an easy lope. Burke came to a stop at the cell, sniffing at Ghost before touching noses with Kane through the bars.
*The Tribunal has called the clans to attend the punishments. Andromeda has warned that families may want to keep their youngest cubs at home,* Burke said, somber. He sat on his haunches and quirked his head to the side, as if listening. Burke was a Speaker, his mental abilities staggering to comprehend, so it was likely he was listening to many minds at once. *Usually in situations like this all would be required to attend, but Andromeda went against the tribunal and warned her wolves it was going to be brutal. No one argued against her after that. Claire is to be punished first.*
Ghost stood and shook out his fur. Cubs were accustomed to violence. Parents hunted with their younglings, fights were common, and bloodshed was easily dismissed as normal. For Andromeda to warn her wolves to keep the younglings away, the coming morning would likely be deeply disturbing. Ghost whined low in his throat, pawing at the cage bars. Burke gave a soft huff, the bigger alpha worried too.
*It is our way, to punish with blood and death. We are not humans. We have no prisons. We keep prisoners for a short time before their fates are settled. This is our way.* Kane was calm, unperturbed he would be soon facing the mysterious out-Clan alpha in the pit.
A guard in human form came up and opened the gate, Ghost and Burke moving back so Kane could exit. Kane was huge. Burke was almost twice Ghost’s size, typical for a greater alpha—Kane was easily another half again bigger than Burke. Ghost was dwarfed by his massive mate, who stood over him as a giant.
Kane stepped up to Ghost, reaching down with his great head and gripping Ghost at the back of his neck. Kane rumbled, pleased, and Ghost went limp in happiness when Kane loped a paw over his back and moved Ghost underneath him. Ghost pulled his tail in and settled down, letting Kane smother him in his scent and body. Kane smelled like the forest and earth, but with a wild tang that hinted of heat, blood, and wild chases through the night. Everyone politely ignored the behavior but Burke sneaked a swift peek before darting his eyes away.
“Move it,” one of the guards said after a few minutes, a sneer on his lips. Kane merely looked in his direction and the other alpha went pale and took a small step back. He found some courage and managed to speak without sounding too terrified. “We need to go now.”
Ghost wormed his way from under Kane, licking his mate’s nose when he got free. Kane indulged him before nudging at his flank. Ghost moved out of the way, and Kane took off at a gentle jog through the trees. The guards complained, hurrying to keep up. Ghost and Burke stayed right on Kane’s heels. The guards brought up the rear, their scents confused as they tried to understand Kane heading willingly to his fate, not away from it.
Ghost could not wait for when they were done with Tribunals and fighting. He wanted only his mate, the mountains, and the wind carrying the sweet smell of prey.
Her granddaughter many times over darted in amongst the clan leaders, pouring tea for Julian. The alpha gazed at the young beta far longer than Andromeda cared for, and when he finally looked away, she caught his eye. He tried to play it off, but his face tightened and the faint stink of unease wafted across the table.
A tip of her head, Andromeda directed her younglings from the room. Caius frowned at Julian, having seen the same thing she did. Helen and her siblings left, and Andromeda waited until the younglings were out of hearing range.
“Julian,” Andromeda said, lifting her tea cup and taking a sip. Julian looked her way, the alpha discomfited. She didn’t care. “My family is entirely off limits. Look at Helen, or any of my wolves like that again, I will castrate you and feed you your balls.”
“I…” He started, but with a lift of a single brow, she silenced him. Anger seething under the surface, Julian gave a brief nod and growled at the other clan leaders who dared to enjoy his set down.
*He won’t take kindly to your warning,* Caius whispered in her mind, and Andromeda agreed.
*He will mind me or suffer for it,* Andromeda replied. *I know what he does in his own territory. He will not lay a hand on my wolves.*
*Agreed.* Caius paused, his mind briefly focused elsewhere. *I have tasked First Beta Sophia with keeping an eye on him. My wolves will intercede if necessary.*
*Thank you, brother.*
Breakfast done, the clan leaders eventually dispersed. Andromeda touched Caius on his wrist, keeping him in his seat. They nodded to the others as they left to make their way to the pit. The door shut in the front of the cabin, and aside from the guards and the prisoners in the cellar and the subtle heartbeat of the youngling Gabe upstairs, they were alone.
“Ana?” Caius said, sitting back in his chair. Caius had only taken coffee that morning, eschewing food. Likely for the very same reason as Andromeda.
“You asked me once, many years ago, to trust my family into your keeping,” she said, then paused. She gripped his wrist, tighter now, crushing the sleeve of his cotton sweater beneath her fingers. “My family grew over the centuries. I have many children. I have lost some, but many of them live still, and I am thankful to the Goddess every day for her blessings. I am thankful for one of my dearest friends, pigheaded and harsh he may be,” Caius’ lips twitched at that, and she smiled. “I am thankful for you allowing me my ways, and aside from some small squabbles over the years, you have never let me down. So I ask now, my brother, for a small favor yet again.”
Caius pulled his arm back just enough to grip her smaller hand in his, holding tight. She thought of the wayward child waiting in the cold cellar, and asked for what she could not do herself. “I cannot bear to punish her. I brought her into this world. I carried her beneath my heart. I taught her to talk, walk, hunt. She was one of the first children I birthed here in the New World, and I cannot find the strength to punish her. Not
as the Law demands.”
Caius squeezed her hand tightly. “Let me take this burden from you. Red Fern holds vassal to Black Pine—I will see no other do this.”
Andromeda nodded, thankful. “Please.” She thought of the clan leaders heading now to the pit, and shook her head once. “Julian would kill her in his glee; he knows no restraint. Mercuriel would do his duty, but his strength would do more harm than the punishment calls for. Neither Royrick nor Hero are of the temperament to harm a female beta, even for a banishment. And I…I cannot.”
Andromeda looked back to Caius. He was somber, and she knew his heart was already heavy. His own son was to die, and she asked this horrible task of him. He had done worse, in the many years since he became clan leader, but their time here in the New World softened the harsher edges of their lives during the last fifty years.
“I will handle Claire’s punishment and exile. She will receive her due, and no more.”
Andromeda sighed, clutching Caius’ hand.
Sophia followed the tribunal members as they made their way towards the pit. Julian was in the front, walking fast to put distance between himself and Andromeda. She laughed quietly, the word of caution her clan leader gave her regarding the volatile alpha from Birch Grove fitting perfectly with what she knew of him. If he made a move toward any of the youngsters of Red Fern while she was around, there wouldn’t be anything left of him for Andromeda to kill.
She lost sight of them at a bend in the path, and jogged ahead. She all but ran head first into a solid, thick chest, and came to an abrupt halt.
“Stalking now a hobby, Sophie?” Royrick asked, a wicked grin on his lush lips, green eyes sparkling with mischief. He was alone on the path, the other clan leaders on their way to the pit. She huffed, and tried to get around her former lover. “Sophia, come on.”