When Night Falls

Chapter 9: Royal

  A twig snapped nearby. He wanted me to hear him, to know he was there and to be afraid. I spun around frantically trying to pin point his location. Even my enhanced vision wasn't good enough to find Bryce in the surrounding darkness. "Where are you?" I growled in panic and frustration. "What do you want from me?"

  "Tsk, tsk, such a strong little wolf shouldn't act so cowardly. Besides if I wanted you dead I would've already killed you", Bryce said in his dark husky tone. It made my skin crawl, and not in a good way. "You're the one who's hiding", I said with a sudden burst of bravery. "Hiding?" He said in an almost amused tone, "Just because you can't see me doesn't mean I'm hiding."

  "Well then show yourself!" My voice was sure and steady. "Now that Cillian", the gruff voice said while emerging from the shadows, "is how a Royal should act." Bryce stood before me, for the first time as a human. His hair was black and wavy, eyes as bright and yellow as the moon above us. His arms were covered with the same dark hair, and his body seemed fit, well defined. Bryce's lips curled back to reveal a toothy smile.

  My mind couldn't even begin to process what Bryce had just said. I was too terrified to speak, move, or breathe. When you have the ability to turn into a very large and toothy wolf there isn't much to be afraid of. Bryce, however, was an exception.

  There was something about him that made my blood run cold. Maybe it was because of the ruthlessness, or the air of dominance he put off (which was far past what was normal for an Alpha). Maybe it was the fact that he knew everything about me and the people I care about, my strengths, weaknesses, and fears. Yet I knew next to nothing about him.

  "What's the matter Cillian?" Bryce said devilishly, "Wolf got your tongue?" Come on, be brave, be a wolf. I kept repeating those things to myself in feeble hope that it would help. "What do you mean that's how a ROYAL should act?" I questioned back, putting emphasis on the word "royal".

  "Ah so he hasn't told you yet? Or perhaps he just hasn't figured it out. I always knew Tony was a half-wit, but surely he's seen the signs by now", Bryce pondered out loud.

  I inhaled once more before speaking, sucking up all my courage and confidence along with the woodsy air. "Stop playing games Bryce. Tell me why you're here, what you're talking about, and what you want with me."

  His head snapped up. "Feeling brave are we?" I simply glared at him in reply. My eyes were no doubt glowing bright yellow, the wolf wanted to be unleashed. "Well I guess it couldn't hurt to fill you in, it's about time you learned about your linage." Bryce prattled on.

  "Go on", I demanded with my teeth gritted together tightly. I don't know what caused my temper to flare so suddenly, at least not with Bryce. Moments ago I was terrified of him; just the thought of his presence was enough to make me shake with fear. What's gotten into me?

  "Royals are in some ways similar to Alphas, but you have to be born with the title. There is no other way to obtain it. You can't kill for it, can't earn it, it's genealogical." Bryce stated pointedly. "How do you know?" I asked with a hint of curiosity in my voice. "Because I've tried everything imaginable to get that sort of power", he said with a darkness to his voice that led me to believe that that included some less than benevolent deeds."

  "So you've killed Royals before?" I said pointedly. It was more of a statement than a question. Bryce fiddled with a twig he had plucked off the ground. It was as if to him we were having a casual conversation about a TV show or what each other wanted for dinner.

  "A couple", he responded indifferently. His train of thought seemed to trail off with the statement. "You're sick", I spat and glowered at him. He was an absolute abomination. I wanted to sink my teeth into one of his arteries and rid the world of this scum for good.