Among The Wolves

Weapon

Bal'Tiq?

I placed a hand over my open mouth.

It is Bal’Tiq!

I could not believe it. Bal’Tiq was in Vakusi! And he was on Joinervetti's side! I let that sink in a little before I visibly shook my head. No, Bal’Tiq was not really on Joinervetti's side. If my memory served me right, that guy had a huge egotistical personality. The side he was on, was his own. But also, he was very very loyal to his Omega status. I had no doubt if he could be given his place back at MoonDust, he would take it back with pride.

Still, he was in Vakusi… what did that mean?

The he-wolf sitting in the chair seemed to sense my blatant stare. He lowered his book and began to look around.

Bal’Tiq looked exactly as I had last seen him, chest out, shoulders back, smug I-know-it-all look on his face. My heart warmed to see the familiar face and also to see that he was doing well.

Yet,  I knew that I needed to remove myself from view but I felt frozen. It still seemed too shocking to be true.

His eyes landed on me and immediately an uncertain frown flitted across his face. He immediately set his boom down and leaned forward as he studied me more intently. I could see his lips form my old name before he got up quickly. The frown was replaced with excitement.

I kept where I was as he crossed the marble floor, closing the distance that was between us. He stopped only two steps in front of me. “Kej-”

I kicked his shin.

“Oooofff!” He doubled over, instantly favoring the leg.

I bent down in his ear and hissed so only he could hear. “You betrayed your country?!”

His head snapped my way, his eyes sharp. He looked around us before grabbing my arm and pulling me into a side room, which just so happened to be a lovely, crimped, housekeeping closet.

Once the door was shut he turned on the light. “First of all I thought… well I heard that Por'Lyn killed you!” His voice was hushed.

I folded my arms to make a barrier between Bal’Tiq and myself. “She almost did.”

Bal’Tiq blinked, still baffled at who he was looking at. “Second, you smell different… you smell almost like us.”

“Yea, I've just come from Wos’Theon, I see many things have changed.” I tried to change the topic.

“So how'd you get back into Vakusi?”

I looked around trying to find a simple answer that revealed little, nothing came to mind.

Bal’Tiq noticed my stiffness and waved his hand. “Nevermind that, where on earth did you get this?” He pointed to the badge that was clipped to my belt loop. “There's only like five people who have this kind of badge.”

I was not going to tell him that either so I avoided the question all together. “I think the greater question is, why are you here? Why are you supporting the Valusian Prime Minister?”

Bal’Tiq looked at me in all seriousness.  I could tell he was gauging where he could tread.

I sighed, “I know about Joinervetti.”

Bal’Tiq changed his demeanor instantly, puffing his chest out. “I do too, I've known all along.”

Uh-huh, sure you have. “That does not answer my question. If you know, why are you here? Are you betraying your people?”

Bal’Tiq leaned forward at the accusation, it made him upset. “Of course not! I am the son of an Omega who is the son of an Omega. We stand proudly by our heritage, our pack and our land.”