There are two types of wolves who reside upon the earth.
There are the ones who run in packs, armies of blood-soaked fur, haunting eyes, and midnight runs, loyal to their packs but solitary at heart.
And then are are those who run with other creatures, become their familiars, howl along to their incantations at the moon, carry them home on their backs when their eyes go white and the magic runs dry. Blood red, gory, and obsessive.
Somehow, the Northblood pack was both.
―
Large paws trampled the ground. The night was oppressive and a harsh breeze ruffled the leaves in the forest, as well as some of the thick furs of the Moon's children. The pack moved like a multi-headed beast that shared only one brain. Their thoughts were in lock-step as much as their feet.
Julius leaned against Jason and watched the bustle of the crowd with his calm crimson eyes. "Holy shit," Maddy whispered harshly, sweeping her icy gaze across the large clearing filled with pack mates. "Hey," A boy shouted as he came unceremoniously in between the three, smirking with his bright, optimistic face under his dark brown hair. "Don't swear. What are we?" They all immediately sighed, turning to the young male that had appeared beside them.
"Colton," Julius whined, "Please don't make us say it."
"You have to," He chuckled, giving the others his biggest grin. Colton's eyes were always wide and his laughter loud and full bodied. The 15 year old pup exuded a warmth that others flocked to and he was never more alive than when he was submerged in a crowd.
". . . Werewolves, not swearwolves."
Madelyn glanced upward as the rest conversed, her mouth pursed but slightly open and loose. Her eyes were fixed as if she was looking at something a yard behind their heads. Jason calls her name. All they could see were her eyes. They were filled with suspicion and a little more than wild. She blinks, refocuses. "Sorry," She mutters, turning around and putting an arm around the second-in-command. A muscle twitched involuntarily at the corner of his right eye, his mouth formed a rigid grimace. With arms folded tightly across his broad chest he tapped his foot anxiously and all the while stared at the pups running around them.
"Maddy, do you think he's going to be like . . . Romulus Grey?" The Beta mind-linked the young woman, making sure the rest of the wolves surrounding them wouldn't hear him mention that name. He clenches his fists tightly, until his nails dig into the palm of his hand, but he barely notices. The only thing he is really aware of, is the sound of his heart throbbing against the cage of his chest.
Romulus Grey was the first Alpha to claim his position by force in the Northblood pack. He was an elder werewolf who stemmed from roots dating back thousands of years; he and his brethren were thought to be the creatures of myths and tales told long ago. He was born to rule and he did so mercilessly, borderline ruthless. After traveling back and forth from homeland, Grey's reign came to an abrupt stop when a rebellion rose within the pack, unaware of who had been the one to start the riot. The intense rebellion caused Grey to be imprisoned by force and the commencement of the real Alpha's reign, the first-born child of the Black family.
"Matthias? I don't think so," She whispered, "But if he is, I'll make sure he never finds that unknown mate of his . . ." She felt like every fiber of her being was vibrating with anticipation. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins just from the thought of hunting down someone, even if that someone was her brother's undiscovered mate, her future Luna.
As a child, Madelyn was always ready to do the most daring of things, always ready for the next challenge. Growing up with her 5 brothers, she always felt and acted like one of them. Violence is just what comes to her with ease, accompanied by harsh words, of course.
"Well, I see you haven't changed at all." The voice echoed through the massive crowd. Madelyn's eyes filled with utter shock, cursing not-so-quietly as she turned around to meet her Alpha's eyes. The only announcement of his arrival was a slight rise in the air temperature as the area buzzed with excited chatter and pups ran between the older wolves to get a closer look at their Alpha.
He had finally arrived.
"And here I thought I would be returning to a more peaceful pack. Only I find that my Beta has made an even bigger mess," He growled softly as he made his way towards the front of the crowd, "I really shouldn't be so surprised." Jason had never seen his brother look this way, his once moonlit eyes were now starless. The boy who laughed often, the one who was everyone's friend had developed a hardness.
"Alpha, it is time."
Matthias glanced over, the corners of his lips fighting a smile, his eyebrows slightly raised. "Grey, how nice to see you again," He said as he watched the powerless werewolf get dragged closer by two of the pack's strongest Hunters. Heavy silver chains enveloped his wrists, ankles, and neck. Romulus snarled as a burning wave of pain suddenly washed over him; it was exquisite, and debilitating even for the most experienced of fighters.
"I'll fucking kill you," Grey's throat gurgled as he struggled to breathe, spitting blood. His body was shaking as he was sweating. Slowly, he dragged himself into a standing position. The pain was merciless without escape.
"I'd love to see you try," Matthias smirked as the fallen Alpha continued to give him a strong glare - probably hoping for him to drop dead. His smirk grew wider as the prisoner was released by the Hunters. There was no room for failure tonight.
As the wolves signaled the start of the fight, the fallen Alpha wasted no time in shifting to his raw umber wolf -- charging at Matthias to make the first strike. The young leader smirked as his body surged with a new found rush of adrenaline. Matthias shifted into his onyx wolf and instantly countered Grey's lunge -- switching positions so the werewolf landed on his back with him on top. Romulus kicked him before he could cause any damage but the cheers coming from the pack indicated clearly who they believed would win.
Romulus tried to dodge a swing from his enemy's massive claws, but they struck his side and he tumbled into the dirt. He could hear nothing as all was silenced, the yells of the audience, the growls of the wolf before him, all inaudible. All he could do is feel. Feel the cold ground pressed against his form, the heat from the pain, and the rhythm of the drum that would signal his end.
Matthias slowly prowled towards the weakened werewolf before swiftly going in for the kill. The violent sound of bones getting crushed filled the air for a moment. Romulus looked upward into the stars as his eyes started to dilate. He had fought for so long, and he prayed that his ancestors would accept him and take him home. He closed his eyes as he felt a searing pain, his very last.
Blood. Matthias relished the metallic taste as life slowly seeped from the wolf's body -- anger, pain and hatred all clearly reflected in the eyes of his prey. His chest swelled with pride. The young werewolf has made sure to let the pack enjoy watching the ex-Alpha die, intentionally making his death slow and painful to prolong the glorifying moment.
It felt divine.
When the wolf's soul had finally been given back to the Moon, the Alpha succumbed to the pleasure of his win as the crowd applauded and howled. Jason made his way to him, his eyes mirroring the smugness Matthias held in his. As soon as the male shifted, the entire pack bowed to show their approval and loyalty to their newfound Alpha.
He'd never be accepted completely, of course. A bitter smile curved his lips at the idea. He knew better than to hope for that. There would never be a place where he could belong completely, where he could truly be himself.
Unless he chose to belong in the shadows.
YOU ARE READING
Seven Devils
Werewolf❝ His white figure stood in biting contrast to the dirt on his body and the red splatters that covered the rest of him. Some of them were definitely wine stains. Some of them were definitely not. Blood had clotted in the ends of the mess of midnigh...
