The Dragon's Charm

by Emilia Hartley

  The bears growled around closing the gap of the circle but stopped as a guttural roar was heard over the battlefield. Alex searched around to locate the source and saw in the back of the grouping of bears, a massive bear with a scar that stretched down the side of his face. His fur was covered with old scars, and as he approached he even made the grizzly bears appear small. Finally, within a few feet of them, he shrunk to a little over six feet tall, his fur and claws disappeared, and he was just an old man, about Alex’s father’s age. He was frail with loose skin covering old muscle. Tattoos covered his chest and his grizzled, weather-beaten face had one eye sewn shut. The bears parted to let him into the circle.

  “You fought hard,” he said, “but you’ve lost today. Bears are stronger than wolves. We always have been, and always will be. Picking a fight was foolish of you.”

  Connor didn’t budge, and neither did Alex.

  The stranger paced around the perimeter of the circle, patting his hand on every bear that he walked past.

  “I hate wolves,” he said, “You somehow think you’re better than everyone else.” He stopped in his tracks and scratched at day old facial hair. “You know what you did was wrong and yet you defend your actions. Just give me the killer and we can end this.”

  Alex and Connor were both confused, killer? There was only one real killer here and he had one eye.

  “I’m going to-”

  Boom!

  A crack rang out, echoing throughout the forest, it was impossible to tell where it came from. The bear standing just beside the old shifter fell dead. He contemptuously eyed Alex and Connor.

  “You allied with hunters!?” he shouted, “I’ll make sure you pay for this.”

  The leader grew as he shifted and barked out a retreat. Gunshots continued to ring out from the forest and chaos ensued. Bears trampled each other while frantically trying to escape. Connor and Alex got low and hid inside the farmhouse.

  Within ten minutes the battlefield was empty. The forest fell silent. Connor and Alex lingered inside for a few minutes longer before Connor poked his head around the corner.

  Silence.

  The survivors on the ground stirred and sputtered out coughs. The few that could stand did so and struggled to help those that couldn’t.

  It wasn’t until nightfall that the ground was finally clear of wounded and the dead were laid out on the side of the road. While the fighting was fierce, they only suffered a few real losses. Connor mourned them all. He’d walk amongst the dead, pausing at each one as though trying to remember their face.

  Nobody in the den rested until their fatigue forced them to. Alex found himself in the kitchen of the farmhouse, Connor joined him shortly afterward; not a single word was spoken. They feasted on anything that came close to their mouth, in hopes of replenishing their strength. They even finished the leftover food in the fridge that Alex’s father made, despite its terrible texture and burnt taste.

  “It’s never enough,” Connor said, breaking the silence.

  “What?” Alex wondered.

  “We won’t be able to stand against them again. There’s too many,” he said.

  Alex leaned against the counter with his arms crossed. He was frustrated and tired. Seeing the stress on Connor’s face made him wonder if he’d be able to handle it. If he wanted to be a true leader he knew he would have to face loss, just the same, could he? Connor sharpened his eyes, his brow wrinkled on his face, exaggerating his frustration and anger.

  “We need to thin out their herd. We need to be mobile and strike them before they hit us right back,”

  “That sounds dangerous and reckless,” Alex said.

  Ignoring Alex’s thoughts, he continued “What fucking killer was he referring to? They’re the only killers around here.” A pair of headlights flashed through the kitchen window, and the sound of a truck engine roared in the quiet den. “Nevertheless, we’ll come out on top.” Connor pushed past and stepped outside first followed by Alex.

  Alex recognized the old yellow truck, Cynthia was behind the wheel. His heart lifted the second he saw her return and knew she was safe. When the truck came to a halt, Alex was already there waiting for Cynthia to climb out. He couldn’t wait any longer and instead ambushed her in the driver’s seat with kisses. She returned his affections.

  Connor was growling at the woman in the passenger seat that Alex hadn’t even noticed. But, the name suddenly came to him.

  “Sam?” Alex asked, shocked.

  “She stood in the road and wouldn’t move until I let her in the truck,” Cynthia replied.

  “I couldn’t wash off the guilt of being saved by … one of you,” she shuddered. She swiveled in her seat. Alex could see her leg heavily bandaged and casted, his own guilt panged at his chest.

  She still hasn’t healed.

  “Who is this,” Connor demanded.

  “This is Samantha. I saved her life,” Alex said.

  “Thank you for that,” Samantha said with a cracked voice.

  “Why did you come here?” Alex asked.

  “I came to tell you, you’re not the only one that wants to see the fighting end. I have news that you gotta hear,” she said.

  Connor sniffed at the air. Something didn’t smell right to him.

  “Alex, what the hell is she,” he asked, “she better not be-”

  “A bear,” Alex confirmed, “she’s in no position to shift at all. It’s safe.”

  Connor growled; it was clear to Alex that he was trying to hold back his wolf. He advanced on Samantha. She leaned in her seat to back away but there was no ground to give.

  “Just hear her out; she has news that could help us!” Cynthia said, “It’s important.”

  Connor stopped a foot away from the passenger door. His face was tensed up, he was ready to shift.

  “You’re siding with this … thing?” Connor growled.

  Alex maneuvered around the truck, pushing himself between the disgruntled alpha and his prey.

  “Look the fuck around! If she has something to say, you should listen. Or do you want to see more dead bodies piling up on the side of the road?” He knew he had no right to talk back to his alpha, but he didn’t care. It wasn’t like Connor to be stubborn about something like this. Especially if the news would turn the tides of the battle. If only he could talk some sense into Connor.

  Connor roared into Alex’s ear, Alex gave no ground. A punch flew out, striking the truck and leaving a fist shaped dent in the side of the door. Two wolves appeared from the shadows to back up the alpha, Alex felt the noose tighten. The pair readied themselves to pounce should the order be given. It didn’t come.

  “I’m going to give you two options, you idiot. You can either tear this piece of shit bear’s throat out right now, or you can get the fuck out of this den.”

  He’d never seen Connor blinded by rage before. Why was he acting this way?

  Samantha whined with fear. She came here of her own free will but that didn’t seem to matter to Connor. He was out for blood.

  “I thought you were a leader, not a killer,” Alex said. The conflicted feelings on his face showed clearly. Alex had struck a nerve but he wasn’t sure it was enough. “Don’t be like your father.”

  That was it; that was the moment that his expression began to fade. His hand rubbed at his forehead, trying to brush away his rage.

  “Lock her up,” he exhaled, “let her taste the fear we’ve been savoring for the past two months.”

  She’s an ally you moron.

  At least she wouldn’t die today. Alex couldn’t take his eyes off Connor. Even as Samantha was taken to the cage that just two months ago held Connor; Alex could do nothing to repress the anger that choked the back of his throat.

  “You are just as bad as they are,” Alex said.

  “And you betray your own kind!” Connor retorted.

  The cage locked shut behind them. Alex wanted to free her but he knew nothing he said would convince Connor. He had to do this on his
own.

  “I’m done,” Alex said, “I’ve had enough of this pack. I’ve had enough of you.”

  Alex stamped away while Connor watched on. Samantha sat uncomfortably inside the slightly too small cage, shivering against the growing cold of the evening air. Alex removed his leather jacket and shoved it through the bars. He waited for Connor to reprimand him, but Connor said nothing. Instead he just turned and shoved his way back inside the farmhouse.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of there,” Alex reassured Samantha. He was going to show Connor, there was no need for all this unnecessary bloodshed. “Keener heads will prevail in the end. What did you come to say?”

  “The bear alpha,” she started, “a wolf took his wife. If you can find the killer he might come around.”

  “That’s enough,” the guard said, smacking the cage, “Shut up.”

  Alex growled at the guard, before turning back to Samantha who still shivered even inside the jacket.

  “You better make sure she’s well fed,” Alex threatened.

  Cynthia stood by the motorbike and Alex joined her, pulling the fallen motorcycle upright. His guilt at the transaction made it hard to look at his woman. She had watched him get yelled at by the pack alpha. He needed to lick his wounds. She wouldn’t let him. Her hand caressed along his cheek and pulled his eyes to meet hers. She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Her tenderness melted his heart, causing him to choke down the lump of emotion he’d found in his throat. This small gesture reassured him that she was still on his side. For that, he was especially grateful.

  The familiar stamping of his father’s walking stick made him pause and he turned to see the man hobbling toward him from the farmhouse. His arm was bandaged and his head was wrapped tightly over his right eye where blood pooled on fresh gauze, he used his walking stick as more of a crutch than usual.

  “Leaving?” he asked.

  “I have some things that need to be figured out, and I won’t be able to do that with Connor breathing down my neck,” Alex said. “Besides, he’s got his pride. If I stick around the asshole won’t let me hear the end of it.”

  His father nodded and stepped closer to Alex. He winced with pain at each step and as Alex reached out to help him he was swatted away by the walking stick. After taking a second to steady himself at the bottom of the steps his father spoke.

  “You’ve become strong, Son,” he said, “I wondered if you’d end up like her. And, you have. Your mother was the strongest and proudest woman I’d ever seen in my life and I was lucky to have her by my side,” he coughed into his hand, “I had a feeling you’d go down this road at some point. I saw the strength buried deep down inside you but you never let it out. I thought if I kept pushing you it would show.”

  He laughed heartily before breaking down into a coughing fit. Alex reached out to help him but again was swatted away.

  “I’m an old dog, and I’ve lived a good life. But, you…” he looked back and forth between Alex and Cynthia, “you look like you’re just about to start your own.”

  Alex couldn’t keep himself in check any longer. Tears slowly streaked down his cheeks but still, he did his best to choke them away. He took his father in his arms and held him close.

  “I’ll be back,” Alex said, “Before everything is done, I’ll be back.”

  “And, I’ll be here waiting for you,” his father replied.

  They hugged for a moment and Alex was glad to receive his affections. When they separated, Alex saw Cynthia waiting by the bike.

  “You don’t have to come with me,” Alex said.

  “You’re not going to keep me here,” she replied. Cynthia kissed him on the cheek. “I was born a biker girl anyway,” she said, “And I’m starting to get used to the fashion.”

  I’ll say.

  Alex swung his leg over the motorcycle. Cynthia joined him, her delicate hands clasped around his waist. The engine sputtered to life and with a final wave to his father, Alex started down the muddy driveway.

  As they drove down the road, Alex couldn’t keep his mind off the fight he’d had with his alpha. Connor was blinded by rage. One day he’ll see.

  Cynthia squeezed tighter around his waist, almost as if she could sense his distracted thoughts, and with that his mind was clear. He could always count on her. Together, they would figure out a way to end this war. He was sure of it.

  Alpha Wolf Guardian

  Alpha Wolf Series Book 2

  Emilia Hartley

  CHAPTER 1

  Silver.

  Of course it would be a silver bullet.

  The tiny hunk of misshapen metal clanked on the kitchen table. The blood was still fresh on it, but drying quickly. Only one type of enemy used silver bullets and that was the only thing on his mind. The only real question was how many would he have to kill.

  “Hunters,” Connor growled, “Of course it would be hunters. Shit.”

  Connor punched his fist on the table. Any more weight behind his fist and the table would have toppled under his strength; instead he left a dent that wouldn’t be easily mended.

  “Dug it out of the bear this morning.”

  “Dammit … er …”

  “Billy,” he said.

  “Billy,” Connor sighed, “gimme a second to think.”

  The bite in his tongue shut Billy up quick. Connor was still lost in the last battle; the grim, bloody, war of attrition that had cost him a few great soldiers. But, why did the hunters help the wolves in the last fight.

  Connor couldn’t get over the helplessness he felt being surrounded by bears. He could still see the bears with their salivating jaws and sharpened claws waiting to end his meager existence. Only to watch them flee into the trees as hunters opened fire, ending their attack.

  What was it that their pack master said? How did we cause all the fighting? They were the ones that started everything!

  Why did it have to be hunters?

  The greatest weakness of all shifters, wolf and bear alike, was silver. It could punch right through the thickened hide of a bear like it were paper.

  What a fool’s death.

  Only hunters used silver bullets to take down their prey. Anything else would be a waste of time. A regular bullet might sting a bit, break the skin, but the taught muscle would stop it like a tank. Silver, however, was always a death sentence.

  Sunlight began to beat through the window. Another nice day ruined by bad news. Good riddance to the bears, there were less to kill later. Now, the only question on his mind was how many hunters he would get to taste.

  The only road that led to the farm house was crimson stained from the blood of the most recent battle that had yet to fully wash away. The ramshackle houses that normally lined the sides of the street were battered and broken. Those that remained were empty and quiet. By this time of day the children were usually playing about, or being herded into the farmhouse for study, but now they were gone. At least they were safe.

  Then there was the matter of his prisoner, Samantha. She sat lazily in her cage. She was a bear shifter and, according to Alex, a willing prisoner. Her auburn hair was tangled and knotted from spending the last few days confined. She was rather attractive, with youthful good looks, barely over 19 years old if he had to guess. Her leg was still bound in a cast, a wound that Alex gave her or so he claimed.

  Just looking at her made Connor’s blood boil; he could feel the wolf inside beckoning him to be released. He fought against it, even as it crept across his brain. Now wasn’t the time.

  “Why don’t we use silver bullets?” Billy asked.

  Why don’t you ask me another stupid question?

  Connor turned his head to get a better look at Billy who stared back with a dumb look on his face. Connor slowly walked closer like a predator looming in for the kill.

  “Where are we going to get the silver,” Connor asked, “How would we pay for it?” Billy backed away as Connor continued to advance. “Where would we get the guns to fire those bu
llets?” Connor continued, “All of these things cost money, Billy, money that we don’t have. This farm produces enough food to get us through some hard times. Hell, we can barely pay the mortgage as is. What kind of a mongrel are you, anyway? You wanna be some coward, hiding behind a shotgun, go for it. But, the only people I know that use silver bullets are hunters. If you wanna try to take one of their guns then be my guest,” Connor said, poking Billy in the chest.

  It was clear that Billy got the hint. Connor returned to the kitchen table, questions still burning in his mind. Samantha was a threat but she claimed to have information that might help. He could question her but he’d just as soon bite her head off.

  What would Tess do in this situation? She was the light of his life and the only thing that kept him together in difficult times. He barely even knew if she was alright. Who knows what could have happened on the way to the other den. If only she were here right now, she would know the right words to soothe his frazzled mind.

  What the hell am I supposed to do?

  The silence in the room was broken by the clack of walking stick against the old wood floors. There was only one person that used such a thing and that was Tess’s father Marcus, the old Alpha of the pack.

  “You can stare all you like, but that won’t help anything,” Marcus said. He was Alex’s father as well. The sting of Alex’s rebellion sat uncomfortably in Connor’s mouth. He wondered if he should speak kindly to the father of his future wife, or if he should speak down to the man that was the father of a deserter?

  Just after the bears attacked their den, Alex had defied him and left the pack. Good Riddance, we don’t need any traitors amongst us.

  Connor slumped into his shoulders in deep thought. Marcus had more experience with leadership than anyone else in the den. Any advice he could offer would be useful.

  “What am I supposed to do,” Connor asked, teeth clenched and fists full of rage, “there’s no way we can last against the bears.”

  “Looks like I chose the right person to become an alpha,” Marcus said, laughing right in Connor’s face which did nothing to calm his nerves. He eased himself into a seat at the table, “an unworthy successor would do what he wanted without considering all possibilities.”