Chapter 10
VESSA
So much for sneaking that phone call to Maurleen. It looks like the only way I can contact her now is by writing. Which I need to do as soon as possible.
I don’t realize how long I've been holding my breath until Qinnu pulls his truck into the familiar stone-paved driveway of Lupine Manor, parking it right next to Axe’s.
The second he heard the word “challenge” come out of the male’s mouth, he took off running, leaving me alone with yet another supervisor.
Once I climb out of the vehicle, Qinnu meets me on the other side, blocking me.
His dark brown hair is wild and curly, flowing well past his shoulders.
Swirling flames cover nearly every inch muscle, save for his brawny face.
I don’t know which is more intimidating—his septum piercing or his gargantuan size that rivals Axe.
The strength and raw masculine energy oozing from the men when I stood between them earlier was . . . mildly flustering.
The Sentinel’s features harden. "You need to be here for this. Not showing your face would be shameful on the Alpha's behalf."
"I understand."
I almost squeak as Qinnu picks me up and breaks into a jog, gunning for the Great Lodge. How he can run and speak without gasping for air is beyond comprehension.
"I don’t think you do, Vessa. Colton Sherwood has been calculating ways to strip the Skornokovys of the Commander title since Demitrya took over as Alpha. He wasn’t the only one to question her legitimacy. She didn’t inherit an augment like her brothers.”
Unfortunately, it’s a valid motive. Augments are heightened sensory abilities, unique to Alpha wolves. Having such a gift gives them an edge over other lycans who may try to assert dominance and is usually the reason why the commandership is maintained by the same families over generations.
“Once Axe was discharged from the military and officially assumed his sister’s duties, Colton started coming around constantly, undermining his judgment and escalating tension with wolves to the east. Now that he's decided to claim a human, Colton thinks he's finally got what he needs to unite the other packs and make his move. "
My heart skips a beat. "Has Axe broken any laws by bringing me here?"
"Not exactly. But I’m sure Colton won't be the first to challenge him. Other packs might take your presence here as a show of weakness."
I think of Wyatt and Maurleen, struggling to fit in with the other mated pairs in Glacier Meadow. How harshly they were ostracized for sheltering me. "I never meant to cause any trouble."
He veers around the back of the log building. Dozens of people have already encircled the area between the main house and the dining lodge, where a snarling shirtless man waits in the center, chest puffing, nostrils flaring as my scent is confirmed.
The adrenaline pumping through me ramps up at the sight of the circle parting, allowing Axe through.
He too has removed his shirt and boots, but he’s bigger.
Broader. And younger, with lightning-charged fury in his eyes.
I can’t help but ogle at the side profile of his chiseled figure.
As he turns, his back takes my breath away.
Ink like Qinnu’s spans across the canvas of his shoulder, all the way down his thick forearm.
Marking the center of his spine are two crossing spears which delineate four quadrants of intricate runes. A warrior’s coat of arms.
My pulse hammers against my eardrums.
"I know what's going through your head right now," Qinnu says under his breath. The burly male latches onto my arm, pulling me to the left of the foot traffic. “You have nothing to fear with him out there.”
Sure, I don’t.
Qinnu halts for a moment, gesturing for me to watch my mate as he paces around the half circle. “Axe is the last person anyone would want to meet on a battlefield. Believe me.”
Before I can comment, he ushers me forward and together we march up the steps of the dining lodge. Nell stands at the far-left corner of the porch, waving us over. Heads turn as Qinnu and I cross the threshold, but no one else dares to formally acknowledge me.
"Think I still have time to make popcorn?" Nell jokes.
I don't find it funny. Neither does Qinnu.
Somewhere in the crowd, a chant begins. Qinnu and some of the other older men around us join in with deep, reverberating echoes and stomping feet. Eyes scanning over unfamiliar faces, I look around at the clusters of people gathered to watch the fight. Dominik is not among them.
Axe's opponent takes a step back. Colton is a man in his early forties—salt and pepper hair with a handsome face to disguise conniving motives. "Now that she finally decided to join us, I’ll say it one last time: I will rescind my challenge if you walk away from her. I can’t guarantee she’ll be granted the courtesy of a clean death once I claim your title. ”
I blink twice, not fully registering that this man isn't just out for the Alpha Commander’s blood—he's out for mine. He’s coming for everything.
Snarls rip through the crowd, the chants suddenly taking on an ominous brevity.
Colton blocks them out, balling his fists at his sides. “Humans are unworthy of being at our side. She can't possibly have authority over our people."
“That’s not for you to decide," Axe bellows.
"If I don’t put you down for this, Aleksandr, someone else will. Assuming she even survives the bite, her induction will gravely offend the Council. Has the thought even crossed your mind?”
Axe lowers his voice to taunt him. "Your pelt will make a fine coat for my mate. Perhaps I’ll even let her skin you."
Holy shit. I think I just forgot how to breathe.
Qinnu harrumphs and throws his head back to howl.
Dozens of others follow suit, joining his chorus.
Hundreds of eyes scan the crowd, eerily sliding over to my face.
Axe's do the same, lightning streaks bursting when they land on me.
His biceps are bulging tight enough to snap, ready to give way to the all-consuming rage boiling beneath.
Axe charges towards Colton, in a flash becoming a massive creature of black fur with daggers for teeth.
Colton shifts into a bronze wolf, seconds before the Alpha's maw locks around his neck.
Before Axe clamps his jaws down, the bronze wolf bucks him off, landing a bite around his back leg.
Axe snarls, quickly rolling back to his defensive stance.
Next to me, Qinnu chuckles.
Axe answers with a slash to Colton’s face, slicing clean through his right eye. The group of warriors below whoop and holler with approval. Judging by their sagging leather belts, they’re all armed just as heavily as their captain.
Writhing in pain, the wolf retaliates by ramming his head into Axe’s, ichor spraying all over his black coat. I raise my hand to shield my eyes.
Qinnu grips my wrist. “Don’t look away.”
Warily, I lift my gaze back to the snowy field, where Axe has tackled his opponent once again, barreling into him. Colton struggles to find his balance, exposing his throat to a nasty slash.
I take a deep breath and try to remain as calm as humanly possible.
Jaws collide, blood spatter flying through the air.
I flinch at every hit, especially the second bite Colton manages to land behind Axe’s shoulder.
The two wolves are a cyclone of sharp claws and teeth, desperately struggling for control, swiping at each other’s muzzles.
Colton is determined to tear out the Alpha’s throat. But each time, Axe dodges his strike.
Nell slumps against the railing. “He is really dragging this out.”
At just the right moment, Axe mauls the tendons in Colton’s hind leg, which gives out with a thump. Seizing the advantage, he pins the bronze wolf to the ground and gouges his front claws into the lycan’s chest. A ragged cry rings out into the open.
“Won’t be long now,” Qinnu mutters.
As his opponent gasps for air, Axe tears into the underbelly, further exposing his ribs.
With one last violent slash, the black wolf shreds the broken chest cavity.
Repulsion seeps into my weakening stomach.
Axe circles the dying beast, watching the faces of all the spectators.
They are cheering him on, as if the duel is not yet finished.
“Isn’t it over?”
Qinnu gives me the side eye, arms crossed smugly. “Axe typically finishes his kill by tearing out the spine.”
“What?” I gasp. A wave of nausea courses through me, knees close to buckling.
This isn’t right. I didn’t sign up to be a bystander of glorified brutality.
The victor continues his slow prowl, stopping to watch a group of young boys chant, practically combusting with excitement. Drenched in crimson, Axe hesitates. Heaving. Scanning the crowd once more. Why is his bloodlust suddenly fading?
I can do nothing but watch as the mutilated bronze wolf takes his last breaths.
The spectators’ cheers grow louder, piercing my ears.
Floorboards vibrate beneath me as the stomping anticipation builds.
With a heavy sigh, the battered pelt shrivels away.
My guts churn at the sight of the grave injuries amplified on Colton’s human body.
But at least his spine is still intact. For now.
Jaws clamp down around the male’s neck. With a lashing jerk, Colton’s head separates from his shoulders. Qinnu grins, pumping his fist. I drop to my knees, dry heaving.
A snooty voice mocks me from behind. “You should be grateful right now. I know I would be. But if you’re too repulsed to warm his bed tonight—”
“Put a cork in it, Shay,” Nell snaps.
Axe takes the broken corpse into his jaws, heading for the woods.
Qinnu swings over the front porch to join the band of warriors rallying at the base of the steps.
One of them has already scooped up Colton’s head.
Together, they pursue Axe, while the semicircle of lycans disperses.
Dozens file back into the lodge, their judgment searing with resentment as they look upon me.