Fabric rips beneath my claws with a satisfying tear. I land onto my paws, sunbathed concrete burning my pads as I land and I launch another attack. Jaws parted, fangs forward, I hook into my opponent's jugular. Crimson stains my fur. I loosen my grip and push, landing once more unto the burning concrete, spitting the foul liquid from my mouth. The mannequin tips then falls from its stand, resting in a pool of fake blood. My tongue swirls over my chops as I steady my breath and turn to the timer. 3.5s. My father's venomous words whisper to the back of my mind; not good enough. Again!
Fury bubbles in my chest. Claws slash, canines rip and my jaws lock onto the mannequin, tearing flesh from bone. My vision turns red. Red, red, black, white, red, black, black- snap! Jaws locked, I pull. Synthesized flesh tears, bones break and a sickening squelch silences the room as the severed head flies into the farthest wall. I lock my gaze onto the disfigured cranium. My paws are heavy as boulders, rooting me to the ground when a stabbing pain splits my skull. I shape into my human form, hand clutching my chest. My lung burns with every labored breath I take, stumbling into the nearest wall, sweat pearling down my neck. I feel my skin crawl, my wolf's claws prodding beneath my flesh, demanding to come out. Its savage howl rings into my ears, thirsting for blood. I feel its presence bleed into my bones and try to take control.
I close my eyes and force deep, controlled breaths down my throat. Stay in control. Stay. In. Control. I take a deep, but ragged breath. I am in control. The pain subsides, knees buckle beneath me and concrete scrapes my skin as I slide down the wall.
The wolf falls silent.
Since I was a boy, I'd been plagued with unusual migraine spells. The true cause eludes me to this day, but Father is adamant these episodes somehow connect to my wolf; something in the lines of controlling my emotions. The idea always makes me scoff; all the mutt truly needs is a good reminder who controls this body and keeping it on a fucking leash.
It's worked this far.
A low growl rises from my chest in response. I shove it down, closing the link between us and stand up, ready to bring my training session to a close. Wrapping a towel over my waist, I head for the gym's showers, halting by the bathroom's door frame when a voice echoes from across the room.
"Sir, I need to speak with you." A familiar raven haired girl stands in the center of the gym, arms crossed over her chest.
''I'm busy, Angel.'' I scoff, turning to the showers.
Heals click loudly as she approaches, her voice on edge. ''Jace, I'm not fucking around.'' I root to my spot. Taking in her scent, I detect her state of unease and alarm.
I turn to face her. ''What's wrong?
- A local farmer reported a dead cattle on his property.
- Dead cattle? What's unusual about it?
- He didn't say, but insists we take a look, see for ourselves.''
Doubt takes root at the back of my mind. Why would a farmer insist we investigate some dead cow? It doesn't add up. Angel seems to share the same thought, her icy gaze trailing onto me like a hawk as I turn into my lupine self.
I speak over the link. Lead the way.
-*-
Within thirty minutes, we reached the farmland's borders, leathery musk and stench of manure churning overpowering my senses. My snout curls with disgust. How can anyone withstand such a smell, let alone live with it?
Keeping to the trees for cover, I turn my focus to the patrol behind me. Winston, keep left. Angel my right and Zed, guard the back. Watch your backs. I order, slowing to a trot.
Before long, the forest opens to a bare patch of land striped with rows of deserted farmland. The patches which did hold crops, were deserted, not a sign of fertile land in sight. Passing the fields, barren pastures stretched into the horizon, no animals in sight.
Where's all the cattle? Winston's booming voice questions through the link.
In the barn? Zed suggests, snow white ears perked towards the fields.
No. This place hasn't been grazed in at least a week. Angel corrects, furthering my concerns.
The land was deserted, its scent stale and untouched.
Keep close and stay alert. I growl, pulling the group back into focus.
I quicken my pace, paws thrumming steadily as the barn appears into view. We start as a dog howls in alarm, alerting its owner of our presence. Suspicion takes root in my gut, my inner voice urging me to proceed with caution. I flick my ears, head lowered as we continue forward.
Reaching the barn, a man steps onto the porch of the home, hands waving above his head, slow and methodical. His hand, holding firmly on the handle of a shotgun, rattles with a nervous shake. As we approach, he places down a pile of clothes for us to use.
"Sir! Good to see you." His voice comes off friendly, throat bobbing as he fails to hide the edge to his tone. "Thank you for coming quickly."
I lose my wolven shape, slipping on the jeans he hands me. Eyeing him, I notice beads of sweat pearl down his head. "What's so important about this dead cow?
- Well, she wasn't any more important than any other." He shrugs. "The way she was killed though- thought it was best you saw with your own eyes." A dry laugh croaks from his voice as he takes the lead and heads towards the fields, saddling over the broken fence.
Jace. Angel's voice is but a whisper. His scent... It isn't right.
I breathe, allowing the man's scent to coat my tongue and palette. The musky stench of fresh manure crashes into me, churning my stomach. He's covered in it. I conclude. Is he masking his scent...?
Alarm takes root in my stomach, my instincts tugging me to turn back. The patrol draws closer to me as I flick my hand, warning them once again to stay on high alert.
The farmer scoffs, stopping by a cow's corpse. "There she is. Poor old Daisy, she didn't stand a chance!"
Drawing closer, the bovine's scent carries an alarming detail to my senses. It was killed mere hours ago. Leaning closer, I recognize the claw marks scored against the animal's flank as those of a very large wolf. I stand, my blood boiling.
Rogues killed it.
"GET DOWN!" The warning comes from Angel, arms thrusting me aside. Thrown to the ground, bones and joints shift and snap behind me with a guttural growl, followed by yelps of pain.
As I turn, I struggle to make out the storm of claws and teeth before me as two wolves exchange ferocious blows. Teeth sinks into flesh, a sickening snap and a wolf, formerly the farmer, collapses onto the ground. Winston's bloodied snout loomes above the mingled body, panting from his effort. His eyes glare with the flames of anger.
Rogue scum! He snarls, canines glisteninh with blood.
Angel's voice colors with concern. "An ambush."
Realization hits me like a jolt. I shift, bolting for the forest with the others quickly on my heals. Reaching my side, Winston pants into my mind.
Jace! What's going on!?
My claws curl deep into the earth as I lunge myself forward. It's a distraction! We're under attack!
-*-
Thank you for reading! Really hope you guys like the changes made to this chapter, kinda realized id send Jace to his room about 3 times previously 🤣
Votes and comments are always appreciated ✨
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THE FALTERED BOND
Hombres LoboBOOK #1 of the Faltered series | WIP She is the daughter of an exiled traitor. He is the heir of a feared leader. She is shunned by her rank. He is praised for his title. She's an Invalid Omega. He's the future Alpha. Ava Rose and Jace Weston. Two o...
