The Human Omega

by J. L. Wilder

  “I suppose that’s one word for it.” Axe turned Kiedra’s face toward the light of the street lamp. “You’re going to have a hell of a shiner tomorrow.”

  She touched gentle finger tips to her face and winced. “Damn. Well, at least he’s going to have to go put his nuts in an ice bath.”

  “You may have given me an unfair advantage, you know.”

  “Would you take it?”

  Axe turned away.

  “You would, wouldn’t you,” Kiedra said.

  “I told you, Kiki. I’m not going to throw this. I can’t. Hawk’s no good for the Pack. Look what he did to you tonight! Do you think that’s the kind of man we should have in charge?”

  “Of course not. It’s just...” Kiedra stopped talking as Roland and Hawk came out of the bar together.

  Roland shot them a significant look. Hawk merely glared.

  “We should probably go,” Axe said, pushing off the car door.

  Kiedra’s eyes burned with tears. “I...promise you’ll be careful tomorrow.”

  Axe leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I promise to do my very best in every part of the Contest. And I promise to come home to you.”

  She nodded and watched him get into his truck. He raised a hand on his way by, nodding to Roland as well. Hawk revved his motorcycle engine and peeled out of the parking lot, spitting gravel at the cars, trucks, and motorcycles parked between him and the exit.

  “He just won’t grow up,” Roland said, startling Kiedra. “Maybe if his mother were still with us, she could have reigned him in, but I guess he is who he is.”

  Roland leaned down to get a better look at her eye. “I’m really sorry about that, Kiki.”

  “Don’t be. You didn’t hit me.”

  “But I did raise the man who did. I should have done a better job, but the Pack...” Roland shook his head. “It’s all-consuming. Being responsible for so many lives...If I wasn’t...” He leaned on the car beside Kiedra and a light suddenly came on for her.

  “Is it cancer?” she asked, putting her hand on his arm.

  He turned away. “Yeah. Prostate of all things.”

  “I’m so sorry. Does anyone know?”

  “No. And I want it that way. Please.” Roland turned back and locked his gaze with hers.

  “I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

  He nodded. “If it wasn’t for that, I’d wait. The boys aren’t ready. Not even Axe, who is probably the closest. But I don’t have time to wait. They’re going to have to step up.”

  Roland pushed himself off the car, turning to hug Kiedra. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Kiki. Go home and get some sleep.”

  “You too.”

  Roland walked back to his truck, got in and pulled it onto the road. Kiedra sighed and got into her own car.

  Chapter Six

  Torches burned around the inner edge of the Greensward, casting low, flickering light out into the forest. The full moon shone bright and silver above them. The trees seemed to lean into the Greensward as though anticipating the coming contest.

  The Pack stood very much as they had for Sylvia’s funeral, ranged around the clearing, but tonight, they stood with their candidates. Roland and Hawk stood at what would be the top of the circle. The rest of the contestants with their families and supporters took up clock positions around the circle.

  Bronson stood with his parents and a few Pack members. The little knot of people milled about, whispering to one another and eyeing the other contestants.

  Damien’s sisters clustered close to him. He stood with his arms around the little girls and they looked up with wide, frightened eyes. The Pack members supporting him stood close, many squatting down to speak with the girls and ease their minds.

  Thorn and Decker, identical tow-headed boys barely approaching manhood, looked uncomfortable as their mother fussed and primped them. She kept brushing their shoulders and picking invisible lint off their clothes until Thorn snapped, “Enough, mother!”

  “I’m just making you presentable,” she said.

  “I know, mom, but you’re making us nervous.” Thorn hugged her and pushed her toward their supporters. The Pack took the hint and one of the women in their group reached out. `

  “Come on, Ms. Powell. Let’s go get the drinks from the car.”

  The two women walked away, leaving the twins to stand alone in the midst of their supporters.

  Axe leaned against a tree, relaxed and comfortable. He smiled at the Pack members who wished him luck and ignored the jibes some hissed at him as they passed. Roland caught Axe’s eye and motioned him over.

  “Where’s Kiedra?” Roland asked.

  Axe shrugged. “You told me to go home last night, Alpha. I went home.”

  Roland nodded. He glanced over his shoulder to where Hawk stood, glaring at his father. “You’re alone without her tonight?”

  “Appears so, Alpha. I’m okay with that. I’ve been the lone wolf since Dad died.”

  “Our Pack is dying, Axe. This is our chance to revitalize it. I hope...” Roland shook his head. “Hold your head high and fight well, son.”

  Axe blinked slowly before kneeling, head bowed, in front of Roland. Roland hesitated for a fraction of a moment before placing his hand on Axe’s head. Behind them, Hawk scowled.

  “Your father shouldn’t be blessing anyone but you today,” Leslie whispered in Hawk’s ear. “He’s showing favor to the wrong candidate.”

  “It doesn’t matter who he favors. I’m going to be Alpha by the end of the night and Axe won’t be anything more than the latest whipping boy for the Pack.”

  “And I’ll be Omega and we can once and for all tell Kiedra to go back to Seattle and leave Pack business to the Pack.”

  Hawk shrugged noncommittally. “Kiedra will definitely know her place by the end of the night.”

  “Speak of the Devil,” Alice said, pointing to the break in the trees where Kiedra stood alone, watching Roland raise Axe up and clap the younger man on the shoulder.

  Roland nodded to Kiedra and made his way back to his place at the top of the clearing. Axe crossed to where Kiedra stood and took her hand.

  “I was...concerned,” he said.

  “I still am.” She squeezed his hand. “Remember your promise to me.”

  “I’d never forget it.” Axe kissed Kiedra’s cheek and then turned his full attention to Roland.

  “Thank you, members of the Whiteridge Clan, for coming tonight to support the contestants. Each young man in the Greensward tonight who has put himself forward to compete does so knowing that the outcome will be final. No appeals will be entertained. Agreed?”

  The contestants chorused, “Yes, Alpha.”

  “Good.” Roland turned to a Pack member and nodded. The man turned and ran into the darkness, returning a moment later.

  “Everything is ready, Alpha,” he said.

  “Thank you.” Roland looked up at the full moon, bathing his face in its light. “The full moon is both our power and our weakness. The first challenge tonight will test the strength of the will of each contestant. In the forest, five goats have been released. Your goal is to catch and kill one goat each. You will not let your beast overtake you while you hunt, before or after the kill, or on your way back to the Greensward with your kill. If you change, you’re eliminated.”

  Roland looked at his watch. “You have one hour. If you cannot do this task in the time allotted, you’re eliminated.”

  The contestants moved to the center of the clearing. Roland raised his hand and all eyes locked on it. When it fell, Hawk, Bronson, Damien, Thorn, and Decker took off running into the woods, all of them going the same way the Pack member had come from. Axe stood for a moment, breathing deeply in the silver light of the full moon.

  After the third breath, Axe walked into the woods in the opposite direction from the others. After three steps, he disappeared into the darkness.

  “Dumbass,” Leslie muttered. “He’s already behind.”

  “A
nd he went the wrong way,” Alice sniggered.

  “Don’t speak of what you don’t understand, Leslie.” Roland scowled. “Only Axe took the time to scent the goats. The others simply assumed they lay in the direction Leon came from.”

  The Pack members milled about the Greensward while they waited. Kiedra checked her watch every few minutes. From the forest came sounds of hunting and shouts when the contestants found their prey or ran into one another in the darkness.

  Chairs appeared in the Greensward as families brought out tailgating equipment complete with food and drinks. Kiedra sat at the edge of the clearing, her back against a tree. She watched the families celebrate and enjoy the night together and felt a swell of loneliness bubble up inside.

  “It’s hard to wait alone,” Mrs. Powell said, pulling her chair over to where Kiedra sat.

  “It must be hard to have both boys out there.”

  “It is,” the older woman agreed. “They’re too young for this, but they wouldn’t listen to reason.” Mrs. Powell offered Kiedra a plastic container of home-made fried chicken.

  “Thanks. I didn’t think to bring anything like this with me.”

  “I remember the contest when Roland was named Alpha. He was a dear friend and I was worried then too. My mother made food and drinks and packed the car like we were going to a football game. The Pack partied and carried on while the boys completed their tasks. The vibe is so different tonight.”

  Kiedra ate her chicken and nodded, making affirmative noises as Mrs. Powell chattered on. Both women were glad for the company and the distraction of the other.

  At the half-hour mark, a startled howl ripped through the night. Mrs. Powell sprang from her chair.

  “That’s Thorn!” She turned to the darkness, searching for some sign of her son.

  Kiedra got up and stood by her side. “I’m sure he’s just disappointed. He didn’t sound hurt.”

  “But he’s not here. Where is he?”

  As the older woman searched the darkness, a tawny wolf slunk out of the woods and lay down at his mother’s feet. Mrs. Powell knelt beside the wolf, laying her forehead against the animal’s.

  “It’s all right, Thorn. I told you it would be okay, no matter what happened.”

  The wolf whined and turned its face away. Kiedra faltered, torn between offering sympathy and honoring the young man’s need to be invisible. Finally, she lay her hand on Thorn’s head and whispered to him.

  “You’re strong and honorable. I admire your drive. You should be proud of yourself.”

  The wolf turned to look at Kiedra, a thankful look in its eyes. She smiled and moved back to her tree to give the young man and his mother some space.

  Roland looked at his watch. Kiedra glanced at hers. It was coming up on forty-five minutes since the men had left. An excited murmur rippled through the Pack. Kiedra turned in time to see Axe step into the clearing, a dead goat across his shoulders.

  Axe shifted the goat and lay it at Roland’s feet. “For your table, Alpha. May it feed your pups and sustain your home.”

  Roland nodded to Axe and motioned to one of the Pack. Calvin stepped forward, lifted the goat and carried it to a table where other Pack members waited to prepare it for a spit over the fire that had been built while the contestants sought the animals in the woods.

  Axe drifted back to Kiedra. She clasped his hand, kissing the knuckles and rubbing them against her face. He smiled and kissed her cheek.

  “Nothing to it, babe,” he whispered.

  She grinned at him. “Good to know. Next time I want a goat for the spit, you get to hunt it.”

  He chuckled and then caught sight of Thorn. He disentangled himself from Kiedra, kissing her hand before releasing it. Axe hunkered down next to the wolf and put his forehead to the animal’s. He murmured a few words before standing up.

  Mrs. Powell’s brilliant smile spoke volumes. “Thank you, Axe. You’re a good man.” She hugged Axe before turning back to Thorn.

  Leslie’s shriek of joy heralded Hawk’s entrance to the Greensward. Hawk carried a dead goat over his shoulder. He dropped it at his father’s feet and turned into Leslie’s ecstatic arms.

  “I knew you’d do it! I’m so proud of you, baby!”

  Hawk grinned and let Leslie lead him to a chair. She put a beer in his hand and sat beside him.

  Roland stared at the goat at his feet and shot his son a look, which Hawk missed. Calvin rushed forward to take the animal away. A moment later, Bronson, Damien, and Decker came into the clearing, each carrying his prey. Roland stepped into the clearing to examine Damien’s hands.

  “I’m impressed you stopped the change, but you didn’t come all the way back, either.”

  “Yes, Alpha.” Damien’s shoulders slumped.

  Roland clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re a good man, Damien. Hold your head high.”

  Damien joined his supporters, slumping into a chair and snatching a beer from one of them. His sisters cuddled into his legs.

  Roland returned to the head of the circle. “It’s time for round two.”

  “The second challenge is simple. Every wolf must control himself completely or risk the lives of every Pack member. Each of the remaining contestants will selectively change at my command, and then change completely. They will be required to return to their human form to participate in the final task.”

  Hawk, Axe, Bronson, and Decker arranged themselves in a semicircle in front of Roland. He pointed to each man in turn as he spoke.

  “Hands, eyes, nose, and ears.” Roland stepped back and waited, arms crossed over his chest.

  Hawk concentrated a moment before lifting his hands to show Roland. The fur on the back of his paws—for that’s what they now were—was dark like his hair. He shook his paws and his fingers reappeared.

  Axe closed his eyes. When he opened them, they were deep amber. HIs transformation had taken less than 10 seconds. He blinked and his blue eyes returned.

  Bronson’s snout grew out from his face, stretching out until his human eyes sat above a brown-furred length of snout. After a moment, the protuberance shrank back to his nose.

  Decker took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His ears lengthened and grew long brown hairs. Hair spread along the sides of his face and then stopped. He opened his eyes and suddenly the fur at his ears flowed like quicksilver to cover his face and neck. Decker cursed and attempted to reverse his transformation, but it continued until a warm-brown, shaggy wolf stood beside Bronson.

  Roland stepped forward and put his hand on the high shoulder of the brown wolf. “There is no shame,” he said.

  The wolf lowered its head before turning and joining his brother at their mother’s side.

  Roland returned to the head of the circle. “Now the full transformation, please.”

  There was a rush of energy and the three men in front of Roland morphed into large, variously colored wolves. Each wolf performed a sort of bow to Roland before sitting at attention.

  “And now, return to your human form. You may step into the forest with a helper to bring your clothes. I expect you back in no more than five minutes.”

  The wolves first went to their supporters where someone was waiting with their clothes. Axe stopped in front of Kiedra, bumping her hip with his head. She grinned down at him.

  “I’ve got your stuff here,” she said, patting a bag on her shoulder. “Lead on.”

  Axe trotted into the woods to a space where the light from the moon was the only illumination. He lay on the ground and closed his eyes. In a few moments, a very human Axe stood up.

  “I’ve never watched you do that,” Kiedra said. “It’s a little...”

  “Weird?”

  “I was going to say breathtaking, but I’ll accept weird.”

  Axe grinned and leaned in to kiss her. She smiled under his lips. He felt hot against her, but happy. Very happy. She pulled away and tossed the bag to him.

  “Get dressed, goofball. You’re on a deadline.”

>   Axe chuckled and pulled on the clothes Kiedra had packed for him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the trees to the Greensward.

  Hawk was already standing in front of Roland when they stepped into the clearing. Axe kissed Kiedra’s cheek and trotted over to stand beside Hawk. They both turned toward Bronson’s camp as a large, grey wolf stalked out of the woods. It walked up to Roland, bowed and slunk over to his supporters to lie down.

  “There is no shame, Bronson,” Roland said. The wolf turned its head away.

  Roland sighed and looked at Axe and Hawk. “These two men have successfully completed the first two challenges and there remains only one. The final test of your control and strength is hand-to-hand combat. You must keep your human form completely. Not a whisker can change. Understood?”

  “Yes, Alpha.”

  “This is a fight to the surrender of the loser. The victor will not kill the loser. Am I clear?”

  ‘Yes, Alpha.”

  “Good.” Roland turned to the assembled Pack. “Clear the area. No one will interfere with the combat.”

  The Pack shuffled back to the edge of the clearing, leaving room between the fire and the forest. Kiedra held her space against the tree she’d sat against earlier. Mrs. Powell stayed closer to Kiedra than to the others. The twins paced at the edge of the clearing, growling low in their chests.

  Bronson threw back his head and howled. First Damien, and then the twins joined in. Suddenly, every member of the Pack joined their voices to the wolves howls. The forest echoed with their cries and then fell utterly silent when the howls ended. No other creature in the forest dared move now that the wolves had made themselves known.

  “Whiteridge Clan, your future Alpha stands before you. Hand-to-hand combat will decide the outcome. Let the battle begin.”

  Hawk rushed Axe, who easily side-stepped. He turned and the two men circled each other a few times and then Axe went on the attack. He dove for Hawk’s legs, knocking him to the ground where Axe grappled with him. The two men rolled several times until they came up against the edge of the fire pit.

  Hawk yelped as flames licked his back. He kicked out, pushing Axe back and leaping to his feet. Axe rolled and came up on his feet.