Chapter 9
brONZE
Walking with Dixon to the training area, I’m going to see how the females are progressing. Hopefully, they will have shown considerable improvement since my first visit, when Dixon took the floor and challenged them all.
He has been very vocal about his assistant Adaline, and the way she has motivated the females. Dixon introduced her to the males at their last session. When there were several smirks and comments, she immediately stepped forward and asked for a wolf volunteer to meet her in the ring. Wylder stepped forward and when Dixon noticed he groaned, then he looked at Adaline to see if he should stop the challenge, but she slyly shook her head.
Wylder’s wolf is called Goliath, and Dixon knew that he was going to dwarf his opponent. Wylder and Goliath were accomplished warriors and had been at the top of their game since qualifying.
Watching Star, Adaline’s much smaller wolf, circle the ring, no doubt assessing her opponent, Dixon said he was genuinely concerned for his trainer. Before he could call a halt though, Goliath lunged at Star. There was a sudden flurry of bodies and then Goliath was standing there, apparently alone.
Everyone was stunned when Star was gone. It wasn’t until they looked closer at Goliath that they saw that Star had her legs firmly clamped around his body as she hung below him, and her jaws locked on his throat. If she shook her head, his throat would be ripped open. Goliath lowered his head, and Star released him and dropped to the floor.
Once shifted to their human form, Wylder looked at Adaline, stepped forward, took her hand in his and raised it high in the air. When he released her hand, he bowed then scooped her up in a bear hug, laughing. The entire session erupted in cheers. There were no more smirks, and when someone made a comment, Wylder immediately challenged them, to which they quickly withdrew their remark, and offered an apology to Adaline.
Arriving at the training area, I’m pleasantly surprised to see everyone waiting quietly for Dixon, a full three minutes early. In front of each female at her feet is a backpack containing the toy pup. I look quizzically at Dixon and he laughs.
“They bring the toy pups to every session without fail. Adaline asked for them back at the end of that first training session, and they simply refused to part with them. They bring them every time and occasionally we run that scenario after training has finished. The contests are nothing short of brutal, short of an actual death. I think we’ve had every injury from any medical journal. They fight with a ferocity you won’t believe, and yet as soon as the contest is won, or lost, they help each other in true warrior fashion. I wouldn’t hesitate to put any one of them forward for warrior training if we needed them,” Dixon shakes his head, but I can see the pride he has for them, and for his new assistant.
Watching them walk away, I see a lone female waiting at the far side of the area. When she sees me looking her way, she waves excitedly with her bat.
“How is Ember coming along?” I ask.
Dixon gives me a grimace. “You created the greatest monster of them all when you gave her that damn bat. I get bruises on muscles I never knew I had after training with her.”
Seeing the way she strolls across the training area shows a confidence that she never had before. The bat is swinging in her hand as though it was part of her, an extension of her right arm. As she reaches the halfway point across the area, someone streaks across from the shadow of some trees, and launches themselves at Ember. In a move so nonchalant that neither myself nor Dixon can believe it, Ember takes the head of the bat in her left hand, pushes with her right. The thick head lands in the stomach of her attacker, who drops and writhes on the floor in agony. Without batting an eyelid, or even looking to see who her attacker is, Ember mutters quietly, “Better luck next time, bitch.”
As Ember approaches, I see another shadow by the trees, but it seems to be making a fast exit.
“What was that all about?” I ask when she stands in front of us.
“Since you gave me the bat, and I’ve been having my one-to-one training with Chief Warrior Dixon, there appears to be a certain amount of jealousy. Several times now, some female has tried to take my bat either by force or deception. As you can clearly see, I will not be giving up my bat anytime soon to anyone, unless it’s over my dead body,” she says all this in a sing-song voice that has me believing every word.
Looking at her attacker, I recognize her immediately as she limps away. I need to speak to Xavi again.
Ember asks, “What do you need me to learn today, Chief Warrior Dixon? Maybe we could demonstrate what I’ve learned already for the Alpha Heir to see that his gift has been more than appreciated.” Her enthusiasm doesn’t seem to infect Dixon as he groans and agrees to the demonstration.
Stepping forward, Dixon enters the training circle and Ember skips to join him. Skips! She would have to be dragged kicking and screaming not so long ago. Dixon does a fantastic job of dodging most of Ember’s attacks, however, he has to block several hits, and the odd attack does get through his defenses. Watching the new Ember is exhilarating. I never in my wildest dreams expected her to become so violent and bloodthirsty. I see what Dixon meant when he said I’d created a monster.
Calling an end to the demonstration, before Dixon gets seriously hurt, I watch as Ember walks towards me, examining her bat. She herself has some cuts and scratches, but she ignores her own injuries while she makes sure her bat isn’t damaged. Oh…My…Goddess.
“What did you think, Alpha Heir Bronze? Am I worthy of carrying your bat? I practice every day, and I study weapons and tactics in the library during the week. Some sword tactics can be transferred to my bat, and throughout history, many other weapons can be assimilated into my bat training.” Her eyes are wide with excitement and enthusiasm. “I’m looking into getting new bats made, too, in different materials. I have one in a lighter wood, but it doesn’t stand up too well when I get excited.”
“Neither do I, Ember,” Dixon pipes in and laughs. “Your skill with that is something I would never have believed possible. I’m one hundred percent sure that there isn’t anyone in the pack that could stand in the training ring with you and come out unscathed. I think there are those that could beat you, but they would certainly have scars, bruises or broken bones as souvenirs.”
I watch as she swells with pride at Dixon's words. “I am pleased that my gift has had such a positive impact on you, Ember. You looked frighteningly competent out there, and I wouldn’t want to upset you to the point that I had to stand against you. I may even have a bat made for my Luna.” Seeing her laugh has me remembering her only a few months ago. Terrified of her training, being ridiculed by some, and almost afraid of her own shadow. I know that she was being bullied by a couple of the females. I bet they don’t dare bully her now.
Heading back to the packhouse, I mind link with Xavi to meet me in the alpha’s office. I also ask my father to join us. Dixon, I notice, has slipped off to visit Doctor Gideon, though I suspect he thinks Nurse Elana would be a better healer for him. I’m sure he has a soft spot for her, but they haven’t become fated mates which, when you see them together, you’d think they would have been a natural choice by the Goddess.
As I approach the warrior at the alpha office door, I receive a slight nod which tells me my father is there ahead of me, so I knock before entering. Xavi and my father are laughing at something, and both look up as I enter.
“Well, my son. What do you want us for? I was just going to get my lunch, so I hope it’s nothing that will spoil my appetite,” Alpha Chet says with an eyebrow lift.
“In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never known anything that could do such a heinous thing,” Xavi says this almost under his breath and we all laugh.
“Depending on what Xavi has to tell me, I think it might even enhance it, if that’s possible.” Taking a seat by Xavi at the front of my father’s desk, I turn and ask him, “Did you find anyone that was in league with Savannah?” I think I know the answer already from the incident earlier.
“You have that look that says you already know something and just want confirmation. Has something else happened that I’m not yet aware of?” Xavi squints at me suspiciously.
My father sits there quietly but intrigued.
“Savannah tried to pull another stunt today and when it failed, spectacularly I might add, I saw a figure sneaking away in the background,” I quickly glance at both my father and Xavi, “Before you ask, Savannah tried to take the bat I gave to Ember away from her. Ember literally stopped Savannah dead in her tracks with no effort whatsoever. She didn’t even break her stride, as she did it. It was a thing of beauty to behold.”
“Everyone in the pack is talking about Ember and her bat. She is never seen without it and brags that she sleeps with it in her bed. Goddess help the male that becomes her mate because that bat is going to be stiff competition. Who did you think it was sneaking away?” Xavi asks me.
“I think that she is in league with…” I pause for effect… “Elder Michael.”
“My sources have reported that they have been seen together quite often of late, so I would have to concur with your suspicions there,” Xavi agrees.
My father explodes from his seat and I wait for the anger to burst forth. Instead, he has a huge grin on his face and says quietly, “Got the weasel at last. Now I can do something that will give me great satisfaction and save you a job in the future, son. Xavi, round up the four council members and bring them here immediately for an emergency meeting. No excuses. They come now, in fact, wait. I’ll call them here as an Alpha order. Even better...” He sits and grins. It is only a matter of minutes before the council arrives, and they look puzzled, and more than a little apprehensive. Elder Michael, however, looks at me and grins.
Francis, Jude and Isiah, the latter who is certainly the quietest member, take a seat at the table. Michael looks as though he has prepared a speech, and as he opens his mouth my father says quietly, “You have nothing to say at this point, Elder Michael, that anyone wishes to hear. You will take your seat just as the other more respectful members have done, and you will remain silent until such a time as I wish to hear from you. You will know when that time comes, I assure you.
“You have been summoned before me because a very serious matter has been brought to my attention. A pack member is scheming against the pack leadership, and although I have no documentary evidence, I do have witnesses to this scheming. As Elders, I want to know your opinion as to what punishment would best serve the purpose of the pack? Any form of such action would reasonably be deemed traitorous, surely. Would you agree?”
There are three yesses and one attempted speech by Michael. Alpha Chet continues, and I quietly enjoy the squirming I notice. “Elder Michael. Every question that I am going to put to the council, and I use that term purely as a courtesy, as we all know that there is no such thing as an Elder Council, will be a yes or no answer. This is not a debate, argument or even a conversation. I will ask a question, you will answer yes or no, is that clear?”
Four yesses echo in the room, although one is a little later and not as clear. “I am informed that a pack member has begun to recruit others to their treason, and is directed at a singular member of our leadership. Would it be correct to say that anyone joining such a scheme willingly would also be regarded as a traitor?”
Yes, yes, and yes come from the Elders. Michael remains silent. I believe a light is coming on in his, ‘I’m so high and mighty’ brain. Watching the beads of sweat form on his brow, my father smiles, and it is one of the most frightening things I have ever seen. The hunter has his prey, and they both know how it is going to end. Sensing the tension in the air, the other three Elders all turn and look at Michael. Shaking his head, Isiah says to Michael, “What have you done this time?”
“For once in your life, Michael, you have no words?” My father gives him a moment to answer but he sits there quietly. “You don’t wish to tell the others that you have been conspiring with a young female? A young, misguided slip of a female, that you could have helped see the error of her ways? No, not you, Elder Michael, all you saw was a weapon. An opportunity to try to either embarrass or mislead my son into some kind of indiscretion, that would give you some sort of perverted satisfaction. Perhaps you sought to gain some further measure of power for yourself? For the council as a whole, maybe? No, you are not that noble that anything you do is for anyone else.”
Jude speaks up. “Is this true, Michael? Have you done what the Alpha accuses you of?”
Michael begins to speak. “I…”
Jude stops him. “It is not open for discussion, it is a simple yes or no answer.”
Michael looks around the room, obviously hoping for some form of escape, but there is nowhere for him to go. “Yes, it is true. She came to me…”
“Liar!” Xavi spits the word with more venom that I have ever heard in his voice before. “Savannah did not approach you. She wouldn’t dream of approaching you for such help. You, an Elder of the pack? No, Michael, even now you cannot be truthful. If I had my way, I would put you before the pack and let them decide your fate. You yourself have made the Elders unapproachable to the pack. Not one of them would think to ask for your help, any of you, even if you were their last hope of life itself.”
Xavi’s hands have become claws and I see his wolf fighting to get out. If he does, Michael will die where he sits. Placing my hand gently on Xavi’s shoulder, his head snaps to me and I see his wolf’s eyes blazing back at me.
Titan comes forth, and speaks to Cerberus, Xavi’s wolf. Let the Alpha handle this. Do not lower yourself to that human’s level. We are above his dishonor.
Cerberus replies to Titan, I hear you, Titan, but it is difficult to understand why his wolf has not stopped this behavior. I have tried to reach his wolf but cannot get a response, though I sense he’s there.
“Wolfsbane. That’s why your wolf couldn’t stop you. You’ve been using wolfsbane against your own wolf…” The words are torn from me and even as I speak them, I know their truth.
I see my father's eyes blaze, and within seconds, the office door slams open. Four warriors rush into the room, and my father points at Michael. “Take him from my sight immediately, before I administer my own justice.”
Taking the Elder by his arms, they have to almost carry him from the room, he is so docile. The three remaining Elders watch and shake their heads as he is removed.
Francis turns to my father. “Alpha Chet, we had no idea any of this was going on. I assure you that none of us were involved.”
“And there, Elder members, is the problem. You have no idea what is going on within your own council, never mind the pack itself. How could you not see what he was doing? Drugging his own wolf and not one of you could see that?” My father shakes his head and takes his seat at his desk. “I was going to remove Michael as an Elder member today, for his actions against my son, but in light of what I have seen today, I am going to go one step further.”
The Elders look at each other and Isiah speaks for them. “Please don’t put Michael in front of the pack. They will kill him, we are all certain of that.”
“Your concerns are noted but that was not my intention.” My father stands and looks each elder in the eye. “As of this moment, there will be no more Elder Council, Elder meetings or indeed Elder members. I am disbanding the Elders as of this instant. I cannot and will not, in all good conscience, stand by and waste pack funds, or resources for something that will turn against the pack, or the pack leadership, my family. It ends here. From the end of the month, you will receive none of the remunerations or gifts that you have been getting. I suggest that you look at what talents you have that will benefit the pack going forward. You are dismissed.”
Fortunately, none of the Elders argue with my father. We can all see and understand his decision, and his reasoning is solid. How could they not know that one of their own was subduing his wolf? I watch as the Elders leave the office, and have to wonder what they will tell their followers. Some have developed what could almost be described as congregations. They will not be able to hide Michael's actions.
We all sit silently as we digest the recent events. None of us had foreseen such a dramatic conclusion to the Michael and Savannah issue. “Savannah?”
My father looks at me. “Already taken care of. I’m having her transported to Wolfsfoot to spend time with Luna Tati. I mind linked your mother and she has made Luna Tati aware of what has been going on. Luna Tati is looking forward to pointing out the error of her ways to Savannah.”
Knocking at the door has us all looking that way, and I’m sure we’re all wondering what now?
The door bangs open and Cook Ash comes bowling in like a whirlwind carrying a large plastic tub. Beaming at me in particular, she stops dead, holds out the tub and literally shouts…
“COOKIES!”