Seizing Darkness (Fur, Fangs, and Fairies) (21 page)

Chapter Twenty

It was four days later. My injuries had been severe. I hadn’t seen Radek or Val since that night. I didn’t know if Radek was alive or dead. Val had taken him somewhere, no one would tell me. I knew we had lost people that night. That’s what had been killing me. What if I’d stayed with Radek instead of running off after Andrei? Could I have saved him? That is the only thing I’d thought about these last four days. I’d been staying with Dante.

I knew that dawn was approaching, but I didn’t care. I still hadn’t shifted back. I was curled up on the floor with my tail tucked over my nose when Dante walked in.

“I need you to shift, Nat. Tonight is the challenge for Madon’s pack. We have to finish this.” Dante leaned down in front of me and laid his cold hands in my fur. “Please, come on. I need you to talk to me,” he pleaded.

I looked up into his eyes and sighed. Fine, I supposed it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself. I stood up and stretched.

“That’s a good girl. Go on up and shift. Then eat. We will leave at dusk.” Dante sounded relieved.

At least I would have the day to get ready. It would probably be for the best if I ate before I went over. After shifting, I took a long bubble bath, ate some raw steak and just stared out the window. Just as it was getting dark, Dante appeared.

“Good, you’re ready.” He gave me an assessing look
, but didn’t say anything else. I was glad because I didn’t want to talk. I just got in his car and he drove to Madon’s.

 
“We are going to be the officials. Are you sure you’re up to this?” he asked me softly.

I didn’t look at him. “I’m fine, Dante,” I replied, staring out the window. “Is there any news?”

“Not that I’ve heard, but that is probably a good thing. We would have been told if he had died.”

I didn’t say anything and I could feel his glances at me. There wasn’t much I could do about it either. I couldn’t hold in the sigh as we pulled into Madon‘s home. He was on the porch waiting for us. The only thing he was wearing were a pair of worn sweat pants.

It would be another half an hour before anyone else would be allowed to show up. I opened the door, leaving my emotions in the car. This wasn’t the place for it. Besides the executions, there was a distinct possibility that someone else could die tonight. It could be someone that I considered a friend. I’d already lost too much in the last week. I didn’t think I could handle any more loss.

Madon had been challenged by two lesser wolves. I didn’t think they could take him, but that was two fights he would have to be involved in. I cared for him. Carly’s position had also been challenged. I cared for her as well. They were my family just like Dante, Radek and Val. This was going to be a long night, I thought.

I wasn’t allowed to help. Dante and I were here only to watch and make sure the rules were followed. Secretly I was hoping someone stepped out of line – I was in the mood to rip some throats out. I was angry and hurt. I knew Dante was dealing with the same emotions, but he was handling it better than me.

The executions would also happen tonight. I’d promised Jenna that I would make it painless for her father, and I planned on following through with that promise. It was one of the reasons we were here early. I was standing in front of Madon now. I could see that he was tense. He’d been through a lot too and I felt for him.

“Good evening, Dante, Natalya.” He greeted us and motioned us into the house. There was no one in the house, but those in the basement holding cells. We took seats in the living room. I just nodded; I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid that if I did say anything then I would start crying and not stop. 

Dante answered for both of us. “Good evening. Are you ready for this, Madon?”

I could see that Dante was concerned for him as well. It all seemed so unfair. Madon was a good leader. He shouldn’t have to fight for it.

“This is nothing new. I’ll do what I have to do,” Madon said, his voice void of all the emotion that I saw in his eyes.

“He did commit a crime that falls under our jurisdiction. Are you sure you don’t want me to carry out the sentence for you?” Dante asked. He was talking about Tain, who was Madon’s brother after all.

“I’m not sure. What do you think? How do you think it would affect the rest of the pack? Since I’ve already been challenged and all.” I was surprised to see the vulnerability in Madon’s face.

I wondered at his age. Then I remembered that Val, Dante and Radek had found his father as a pup. I understood it then. He looked up to Dante like an older brother. It made me wonder how much older I was than Madon. Werewolves weren’t as long lived as weretigers. 

“We can fix any issues with the pack later. If anyone has a problem with it, we can always relocate them to a different area. I don’t think you should do this. I’ve talked to Val about it and he agrees,” Dante told him.

“So have I, and my father as well. They don’t want me to do it,” Madon said. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. I wanted to go to him, but knew better. He had lost his niece and now he was about to lose his brother. “I think I will let you handle it. Thank you, Dante.”

“Wait a minute. Both of you have talked to Val?” I asked.

“It seems that way. I still have no news for you, Natalya, and neither does Madon,” Dante answered. I could tell he wasn’t telling me something again. I supposed I was going to have to get used to it I guess. This wasn’t the time or place to argue, so I just changed the subject.

“Fine, w
e can discuss this later.” I sent a glare his way before I said, “Let me take care of Tain. I promised Jenna that I would make sure he didn’t suffer. Madon, I know he betrayed you, but I also know that you don’t want him to suffer either. I’ll make it painless and no one will know but us.”

Madon’s dark green eyes met mine. I could see a lot of emotion behind his calm façade. His accent was thicker as his emotions came to the surface. “If you’re sure, then I would be in your debt. Even though he has betrayed me, I do not wish him to suffer.”

Dante whispered, “Natalya, you don’t have to.”

I turned to him. “Yes I do, Dante. I made a promise and I will keep it.” I wanted to add that this wouldn’t be the first time I’d killed, but kept to myself that it would just be another black mark on my soul anyway. I knew Dante couldn’t read my thoughts anymore, but he must have read my face. Something had happened that night to break our telepathic connection.

“Careful, Nat,” he warned me.

I glared at him, putting on my assassin face. I’d been through worse and he knew it. I could go on, I was just dead inside. More numb than anything. Madon was looking at me more closely as well. Great, just what I needed – another person on my back.

“How are you doing, Natalya?” he asked pointedly.

“You want the truth? I’m hurt, angry and generally numb all at the same time. But I can handle this. I need to see this through to the end. Everyone needs to just back off. I’ll be all right, I just need a little time. Dante, you of all people should know that I’ve been through worse.”

“I know, Natalya. I just don’t want to put you through anything more than you have to experience. It’s not worth it,” Dante sighed.

Madon looked from me to Dante for a minute before nodding his agreement. We heard the first cars start to arrive. Madon’s face went emotionless. It was time to party. We all stood. Dante and I flanked Madon as we went to the barn. That’s where everything was to take place.

There was a somber mood as people filed in. Madon had a sizable pack. There were at least seventy or eighty wolves in the building. I knew it wasn’t everyone. There were the pups and some of the others I knew that wouldn’t be there. Dante and I stood behind Madon and watched the crowd as they entered. It took about an hour, but finally everyone that was coming was there and settled. Madon went into the arena that we had used last week. The crowd hushed as he raised his hands for their attention.

“We have gathered here to witness the execution of those that have committed crimes against the pack and the High Council. They have been tried and convicted. This act has been sanctioned by the High Council. They have sent representatives that shall carry out this action. Is there any that wish to speak for the convicted?” Madon said loudly. There was silence as no one wished to interfere. “Very well. Bring in the condemned,” Madon said.

Dante and I joined him in the arena. Three wolves plus Tain were escorted in. They were made to kneel before us. It was deadly silent in the room. Madon went to the first wolf, a female. I recognized her from the fight the other night. I glanced at Dante and he nodded at me. He wanted me to do this one as well. We each got two that way. That seemed fair to me.

“Do you have any last words?” Madon asked her.

“See you in hell, you bastard,” she spat out.

Madon’s face didn’t show anything. At least I wouldn’t feel too bad about this one. I don’t take kindly to people insulting my friends.

“Very well,” Madon said. He must have seen the communication between Dante and me because he turned to me and nodded.

I didn’t think about what I was doing, I just did it. I th
ought about Jenna. I hadn’t even been able to look at her body. We’d lost three people that night, if in fact Radek hadn’t survived. I twisted the wolf’s head with a satisfying snap. Her body dropped to the ground with a soft thud, producing a small cloud of dust. I stepped back and let Dante finish the other two. It went much the same way. Then finally we got to Tain. I stepped up again. I was shaking on the inside. I didn’t know if it was from rage, or desire to spare his life for Jenna’s sake. I was almost glad that Jenna wasn’t here for this. Almost.

“Tain, you have been charged with high treason against the pack and the Council. The head of the Council, Valdimir Kirov, has sent a declaration regarding you. You have been granted a swift execution due to your cooperation in the bringing to justice your co-conspirators. Do you have any last words?”

“Where is my daughter?” Tain asked.

“She died four nights ago helping us in the raid. She died an honorable death.” Madon hid his emotions well.

“You killed her, you son of a….”

He didn’t get a chance to finish because as he launched at Madon I dealt out his punishment. His lifeless body flopped to the ground at his brother’s feet. I met Madon’s eyes. I saw a flicker of something
, but it was gone too fast for me to identify.

“Get them out of here. The challenges will commence in half an hour. All challengers must register their challenges with the Council Representatives.” Madon turned to us. Dante and I followed him outside and stopped. Madon stepped next to me and whispered in my ear, “Thank you for sparing me that.”

“You’re welcome,” I whispered back. I really wished there was something more I could do for him. It wasn’t my place though. These things happened. Internal pack wars used to be far worse than this.

“Val has requested that Natalya or I stick with you until this is over,” Dante said.

“Of course,” Madon nodded. I think he was a little relieved. The rules were that he couldn’t have any of the pack around him until the challenges had been met.

“Nat you go with him, I’ll handle the challenges. I want you shifted,” Dante ordered.

I raised an eyebrow at him. He didn’t elaborate. I looked to Madon.

“Come on, you can shift in the house. I could use a quick break anyway,” Madon said. Dante went back into the barn and I followed Madon to the house.

As soon as we entered the kitchen, I turned to him. “Are you sure you’re up for this, Madon?”

He looked at me, amused. “I really don’t have a choice, Natalya. I just don’t like to think about my own people fighting. Plus there are two challengers for my position. That means two of my wolves think so little of me that they’re willing to risk their lives to prove it. That’s a bit of a blow to the ego.”

“Oh I’m sure you’ll get over that, Madon.” I paused, a bit choked up. He waited for me to collect myself. “Just be careful, all right? I couldn’t stand to see someone else I care about hurt or killed.”

He looked at me for a moment, studying me with his green eyes. “I’m honored to be considered so by you. You are a dear friend to me as well. Don’t worry, Natalya. I will be fine.” He sighed. “We better get back soon.”

I nodded, then quickly took my clothes off and soon there was a large tiger in his kitchen.

He leaned down in front of me. He took my head between his hands, digging his fingers into my fur. “I envy Radek. Not just because you are beautiful, but because of your loyalty to your friends. You have a good heart, Natalya. I’m glad you will have my back tonight. That gives me all the strength that I’ll need,” he said softly.

I was shocked when he buried his head in my fur, breathing in my scent. I felt him kiss my head.

“Come along, love. Let’s get this night over with.”

Chapter Twenty-one

I entered the barn at Madon’s side. He dropped his hand from me just as we went through the doors. He’d had his hand on my head the whole way, his fingers absently caressing my thick winter fur. It was like he was gathering strength from me. I didn’t mind; I sent what I could to him. There were a few gasps as people saw me enter. I guess a weretiger was a strange sight. I had a little laugh at that thought. 

Madon and I joined Dante at the edge of the arena. Dante scratched me behind the ears and I leaned into his hand. That felt damn good. It sent good shivers down my spine, relaxing me a bit. I caught the wink he sent me. I sat down on the floor between them, my tail twitching behind me. Madon’s hand was tugging on my ear discreetly. It wasn’t hard and it felt good.

Soon everyone was settled. Dante went to the middle of the arena. I stayed with Madon. I hadn’t been to any sanctioned battles before, so I didn’t know how this was going to work. I paid close attention.

“I’m Dante Ramoni, a representative of the Council and the PIB. I have been charged with keeping the peace during this match along with my partner Natalya Ignatiev, who is acting as enforcer. There will be no more challenges issued from here on out. The outcome as determined by Agent Ignatiev and I will be considered law. All those that object can file a formal complaint after the match.

“The rules are as follows. These are one-on-one fights. Each fight will continue until one fighter has given up, is knocked unconscious or killed. The fight starts when I indicate. The fight is to stop when either I or Agent Ignatiev indicates. If an opponent surrenders or is unconscious the fight is to stop immediately. When the fight has been deemed over by either Agent Ignatiev or myself, there will be no more action taken by either party. If anyone breaks these rules, their life is forfeit and punishment will be dealt on the spot by the enforcer of the match.” He paused to look around at the crowd. I knew that meant I got to take someone out. I knew Madon would never act out so I didn’t have to worry about it being him.

Then he continued, “There have been two challenges issued for the position of alpha. Madon O’Leary, please present yourself.”

I walked with Madon to join Dante. Once there, Dante and Madon faced each other. “Do you accept these challenges or do you concede your position as alpha of the Puget Sound Pack?”

“I, Madon O’Leary, accept these challenges,” Madon said fiercely.

I almost wished he hadn’t. It was going to be very hard sitting on the sidelines watching him fight and unable to do anything to assist.

“Very well. Will the first challenger for the position of Alpha, Carl Harsworth, please step forward?” Dante called out.

I recognized him. He was the wolf that had attacked us when we’d walked in the door the other night. Radek had easily put him in his place. I didn’t think that Madon would have any real trouble with him. The tension was so thick that I could taste it. My fur was standing on end with the electricity of the room.

“Do you still wish to proceed with this challenge?” Dante asked Carl.

“Yes I do, bloodsucker,” Carl said.

Now that was just plain stupid. I growled at him, baring my fangs. He stepped back. That was better. He hadn’t liked being handed his head by Radek and I was sure that he would hate it if I did. He had to know that I was higher up on the food chain than him. I glared at him, letting him know that I would gladly bite his throat out.

“You might want to watch your mouth, wolf,” Dante said. “She doesn’t take kindly to people insulting her family.”

It warmed my heart that Dante thought of me as family. I snorted in Carl’s direction. Dante turned to the crowd and said loudly, “Madon and Carl will go shift. We will escort them to and from the shifting area. This way, gentlemen.”

Dante motioned for Carl to precede him. I followed Madon. I guess I was Madon’s escort. That worked for me; I really wanted a piece of Carl for that comment to Dante.

I watched over Madon as he took off his pants and shifted. He was about my size in his wolf form, which was larger than most werewolves. His green eyes stared at me. As tradition holds, Madon was to be the first in the arena. I followed behind him and stopped when I got to the edge of the fighting area. This was as far as I could go with him unless Carl did something to break the rules, which I was secretly hoping would happen. Then I would get to jump in.

Dante and Carl were soon passing me. He growled at me, the idiot. Didn’t he know I was just looking for a reason to put him in his place? I hoped Madon wiped the floor with him. I ignored him. I can be the bigger cat sometimes.

“Very well, the fight shall commence when I give the signal. Remember the rules, gentlemen,” Dante said, then joined me on the sidelines. He gave the signal.

It was hard to sit and watch this happen. I could feel my tail twitching and muscles bunching beneath me so I could pounce at the first sign of trouble. I felt Dante’s calming hand on my head.

Carl was circling Madon, looking for an opening. This went on for a few minutes and I was getting impatient. Finally Carl leaped for Madon. Madon crouched in preparation. Carl overestimated the distance, and as he was going over Madon’s head, Madon leaped and got him in the soft underbelly with his teeth.

I held back a smile.

Carl was now wounded, not mortally yet, but he couldn’t ignore that kind of injury for long. Carl recovered. The blood was dripping from his stomach into the dirt below. He stumbled
, but caught himself. Madon moved in. He had him by the throat and on the ground. I could tell he was giving Carl the chance to end this. He was not tearing into him, but showing him mercy by only blocking his air. Soon Carl was unconscious and Madon dropped him. He glanced over at us. Dante and I approached.

“Madon has won fairly and within the rules. The Council still recognizes him as alpha of the pack,” Dante announced. He motioned for someone to take care of Carl. He was carted away quickly. “There has been a second challenge issued for the position of alpha. Harley Greenwich, please present yourself.”

I watched as another wolf stepped into the arena. He was bigger than both Carl and Madon. I wasn’t so sure that Madon could take this one.

“Do you Harley Greenwich still wish to proceed with this challenge? No action will be taken against you nor will your place in the pack be questioned if you choose to withdraw your request,” Dante said.

“I do not wish to proceed with the challenge against my alpha, sir,” the wolf said. He kept his gaze lower than Madon’s in an attempt to placate his alpha.

“The word of the Council is that there is to be no action taken against Harley Greenwich for his actions today. You may return to your pack,” Dante said.

I was relieved that Madon wasn’t going to have to fight anymore.

“Natalya, please escort Madon to the shifting area. When he returns, we can continue with the challenge,” Dante said.

I walked with Madon. He bumped my shoulder just before he went into the blocked off area. I glanced at him. That’s when I smelled his blood. Carl had gotten in a hit, and Madon’s thick black coat had hidden it. I went in with him and watched him shift. It was on his leg. The shifting had closed the wound.

“I’m okay, Natalya. You don’t need to worry,” he said as he pulled on his pants.

I came over and sniffed him for more injuries and didn’t find any. I looked him in the eye.

“I know, I know. It’s over, Nat. Are you going to let me leave now?” he said with amusement. “Seriously, I’m glad you’re on my side.” He leaned down like he had back in his kitchen. “I wish I wasn’t who I was and you weren’t who you were. But as it stands, you belong to someone else and I have obligations to my pack. I need to be seeing to that.” I cocked my head and he got the question that was going through my head. “I need to have a mate and produce pups.”

I nodded my head in my understanding. I’d been wondering about that. Most alpha wolves were mated.

“I’ll have to take care of that little detail next. After this we should all go out and get a pint. I could really use one. I’m betting you and Dante could as well.” His hand brushed though my fur in affection.

I nodded my head again, then cocked it toward the door. We really needed to get back. He followed me out to the arena. If Dante was wondering what had taken us so long, he didn’t let on. I’m sure he had smelled Madon’s blood since he was far more sensitive to that particular smell.

“All right. Now that Madon is back, we can get on with this. The position of second now needs to be established. Since there are two wolves that are dominant enough to hold that position, they will have a fight to determine their places,” Dante said. “Jake Wilson and Trent Alder, please come forward.”

I wasn’t looking forward to this one either. These two had fought with us the other night. That was enough for me to not want to see either one of them hurt. There was no other way though. It wasn’t like with the alpha fight. They didn’t get the choice. Once it started, one could give up, but if it ended too quickly that wolf would be subject to lose their standing in the pack. I watched as the two came into the arena. Dante deferred to Madon. Now that his position was secure, Dante and I were back to being observers and enforcers.

“You two know the rules. Keep it clean. Go to the shifting area.” Madon motioned to Dante and I. We escorted the two men. Soon we were back in the arena. I was really beginning to dislike this place. The fight didn’t last long, but at least there was little blood. Jake won. Trent had given in, I noticed, but it was long enough that nothing should happen to him. There was only one more match to go and that was Carly’s.

“For the final match tonight can I have Carly Davis and Tracy Howard?”

I knew why that name sounded familiar when I saw who it was. It was the bitch that had tried to attack Jenna. Oh I really hoped Carly bit an ear off or something. I barely held back my growl. Dante’s hand was back on my head, keeping me in place.

“Ladies, if you would please go to the shifting rooms we can finish this,” Madon said. He seemed almost as impatient as I was to get this over with. I went with Carly because there was no way I could be near Tracy without ripping her throat out. We were back in minutes.

This fight went on longer than the others. Carly may have had the size advantage, but Tracy was quicker. Dante’s hand on my head was the only thing keeping me in place. Tracy took a chunk out of Carly’s shoulder, but that move had left her open. Carly grabbed the back of her neck between her jaws and threw her down. Then she had Tracy by the throat. Tracy gave the signal that she surrendered. The three of us moved in.

I was just about to inspect Carly’s wounds when Tracy attacked me. It was on now. Madon grabbed Carly and got her out of the way. Dante backed out of the way, staying close in case I needed assistance. I didn’t want his help – this bitch was mine.

Didn’t she know that now I got to kill her? She had broken the rules and that was punishable by death at my fangs. Why would she think she could win injured as
she was against someone like me? I threw her off my back and crouched, ready to pounce. Blood dripped down my side. I barely noticed the wound. I didn’t expect her to have reinforcements, but two large males joined her. So it was going to be like that.

I was growling and my tail was twitching. Not one of them would live through this. If I didn’t take care of them, then either Madon or Dante would. All three of them leapt for me at the same time. Could they be any more obvious? I reached out a paw with claws extended and snagged one of the males, using his momentum to throw him into the other male. I was satisfied when I heard one of them yelp.

I’d managed to get out of the way of Tracy. She may have been fast and agile, but she wasn’t a good fighter. The two males had yet to regroup before I was crushing Tracy’s spine between my teeth. She went limp. I didn’t have time to check if I had paralyzed or killed her. The two males were on me. One was limping badly. I easily dispatched him by swiping my claws through his throat, almost decapitating him. Two down, one more stupid wolf to go, I thought.

I could feel that my fur was matted with blood. I’d sustained some minor injuries
, but they wouldn’t slow me down. He was circling me, looking for an opening. I thought these guys were hunters. He was using the same tactic that he’d been using before on Madon. I’d recognized Carl about halfway into this fight. He was still injured from his fight with Madon. It hadn’t worked that time, what made him think that it would work now?

This time I wasn’t going to wait for him. I predicted where he would go next and leapt there. He didn’t have time to react – I was on him before he could defend himself. My claws tore through his flesh like butter. I clamped my jaw around his neck and crushed it with a satisfying crunch. Then I dropped him. Everyone one in the room was deadly quiet. I looked around for any more attackers and my eyes connected with Val’s. When had he gotten here? I froze, blood dripping from my mouth.

He walked toward me and I glanced behind him. He was being followed by Dante, Madon and – my heart stopped. It had been four long nights since I’d seen him, broken and barely alive. I hadn’t known if he was going to live or die.

Radek.