Head Wolf

Chapter 9

“Room service, ladies and gentlemen.”

A baritone voice spoke over the hissing of fire as water splashed onto it. The pack jumped into a wedge formation with Blenda taking the front, Igor and Josh the flanks, and the others the back. Guards filled the mouth of the cave while the leader stood two steps ahead of them. His presence matched his voice, calm and imposing. White smoke twirled behind him. Its acrid smell mixed with the heavy after rain scent made the atmosphere more claustrophobic. The man’s brown eyes shone in admiration. He smiled, protruding a long scar a shade darker than his tanned skin. It started from the middle of his left cheek and disappeared under the collar of his midnight blue cloak.

“Relax, soldiers. We’re here to ensure your safety. Please, follow us to the fort.”

Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, the ten young fighters widened their stances and squared their shoulders.

“Where are the judges we demanded to meet?” Blenda asked, “Where are our friends?”

The man clasped his hands behind his back, only acknowledging Blenda with a subtle nod. He addressed the group, “That was an unfortunate situation, but I can’t divulge any information. You can ask all your questions in the fort.”

Provoked by his answer and the way he held himself. Blenda joined in his game of dominance. “We won’t follow you anywhere, and you can’t take us. Go back to your commanders and tell them that we demand an explanation.”

The man’s mouth quirked up in one corner, showing a white fang.

“We’re The Blue Cloaked Knights. We don’t answer to anyone except the king.”

Blenda’s gaze went to the royal emblem on the left chest of his cloak.

The Blue Cloaked Knights? The king’s secret army is real?

Will sprinted from his position in the back to the man’s side.

“What are you doing?” Adana hissed as she filled the gap he left.

“I’m going with them. The king is going to help us.”

“Will, come back. You can’t trust them,” Zuri said in her usual soft voice, but Will glared at her with shining green eyes, his wolf’s eyes. Her mate pulled her to the back and stood between them.

“They’re going to help us,” Will rumbled in an animalic voice while red fur stood at the back of his neck. The leader of the guards patted Will on the shoulder.

“Hold your wolf down, Will.”

He turned to the confused warriors.

“We’re in this together. There is no reason for distrust. We need to bring you to the fort. Yesterday’s task wasn’t part of the competition. Nobody should have left the fort. I can’t say more, please let’s get going.”

Murmurs ran through the group. Blenda locked eyes with Josh, who for the first time seemed lost.

“Blenda, I have strict orders to bring you back to the fort, or Alpha Arthur will have my head.”

The man had the nerve to chuckle.

We both know that’s not true. Arthur can’t hurt him. He wears bracelets! He may cry, though, Blenda thought, taking in the man's sculptured features and his scar. Well, that may kill him.