Head Wolf

Chapter 8

It was noon, but the atmosphere was dark like a late afternoon. The sky was covered with thick grey clouds that thinned in places to allow some of the sunlight to shine upon this world. It was like the truth hidden from the ten restless figures on the beach by clouds of confusion and doubt.

Some wolves recognised Blenda as their Alpha. There was no oath, but a temporary natural inclination that manifested in their position as they stood behind her. Adana—though her wolf didn’t submit to Blenda, but she owed her for saving her life—Will, Igor and Giovanni.

Facing them stood Josh, Sebastian, Yoshi, Amara and Zuri.

“Nobody came to check on us. We can't venture in the island like this. We won’t survive.” Josh huffed, looking at the tree line.

“All this doesn’t make sense. Why they’re doing this to us?” Sebastian’s worried gaze travelled from face to face, then settled on the sand where his bare feet sunk. “Does the king know? Is he even here?”

Blenda knew that the king was in the fort, but she couldn’t divulge such information.

“No wonder no one knew what happens in the Head Wolf competition since nobody survived.” Adana scoffed, rubbing her shaved head in frustration. “I refuse to die for a position. I didn’t sign up for this.”

“I agree.” Blenda interjected. “This madness should end here. We won’t just refuse to participate in the competition. We’ll end it all together. No more gambling with people’s life.”

A chorus of affirmative hums followed her words.

“I’m sure there’s a mistake. Our leaders won’t do that to us. Our packs won’t give up on us,” Will said, looking at what was visible of the fort. The redness of his face and shoulders deepened despite the clouds blocking most of the sunlight.

All gazes turned to him. He was silent the whole time, then he spoke, poking the doubt that rubbed inside everyone’s chest.

“Isn’t that the best case scenario? That our friends come out of the water alive, and we laugh it off as a silly prank?” Blenda growled at him, images of Kavya’s smiling face flashed in her mind.

She stepped closer to him, meeting his eyes with unforgiving orbs of rage.

“Look around you. They’re gone, and we will join them soon if we don’t act fast.”

Her eyes flashed a scary shade of pink. Nobody ever associated pink with the adjective scary, but the two steps Will took backward and the flinching of his massive body confirmed it.

“If you want to live in your delusion, by all means, hop on the hamster wheel.”

She dismissed his presence and turned to the others, a challenge in her voice and gaze. “I’m out of this game. Who’s with me?”

“We’re all together in this.” Yoshi said, shielding his mate Zuri in his arms as she nodded along.

“I’m with you.” Answered the fighters, even the reluctant Will.