Wolves by Ash Faith (freda ebook reader .txt) 📕

wolf ordered. I relaxed my shoulders, and took deep breaths. I felt a warmth light up in my veins, my eyes flying open as I saw a light fly through my arm and into Jackal’s poisoned wound that I held. I dropped on my butt as a hand print branded his wound, the cut closing up as it sizzled under the handprint. Wait, why was I doing this again? I questioned my own actions remembering my pact to not trust or care for anyone but myself. Damnit. Jackal’s eyes flew open, confusion filled them.

“What did you just do?” His hand reached to look for his wound, only to find smooth unscarred skin.

“I’m not entirely sure” I said, speaking the truth because truthfully, I still had no clue myself.

“Whatever you did, it worked” he searched my eyes for answers, concluding I really didn’t know. “Thank you.”

I pushed myself up from the ground, lending a hand to Jackal. He grabbed my hand but went gentle on me.

“No, thank you. I honestly thought your little rock thing was a massive joke, and that I’d just smashed a rock on that pirate’s ugly mug for no reason.”

“I did promise you it would work. Did you not trust me?” he laughed, but I didn’t, the word trust still confused me. I didn’t know whether I should risk trusting him, but he had just saved me a lot of trouble, and I had just saved his life. The chances that I would be betrayed were low.

“Not at the time” I smiled.

“So, you wouldn’t mind joining me for another battle?”

“Sure,” I agreed, what have I got to lose. “Have you seen another Alpha already?”

“Yes, Actually. I’d been warned about him, he was apparently the one who killed the last Alpha in the area. A guy name Ace”

My smile dropped. He must have followed me in town.

“What’s wrong?” Jackle broke my thoughts,

“Nothing. But before we break into another one, don’t you think you should make sure there’s no others around?” I needed to stall as much as possible,

“I like the way you think.” He rubbed his jaw, turning to his pack “Prepare to scout the area” he ordered them.

I had believed Jackal was my ticket out of this place, but Ace had ruined my plan. Yet again.

I cannot believe he did it again. I was so mad at the thought of it all. Including the thought of him shirtless, which I realised I really wasn’t mad about. What is wrong with me…

Chapter 37 >> Jackal's view

 

I ordered my last wolf to search the back of town, turning to find the girl still staring at me, confused.

“What’s up?” I asked, concerned for her sudden mood change after I mentioned the Alpha Ace. She must know him. My wolf declared, she could be a spy. There was no way somebody who saved my life, twice, was spying for my death. You’re wrong. Plus, that would be breaking the code. She may be new at this, somehow, but she obviously wasn’t looking for trouble. But not looking for trouble when one of the most powerful den spots was available, and mid-battle wasn’t the smartest move one could make.

“Can I ask you something?” She said warily,

“Sure, shoot it at me” I smiled, trying to make her feel better and trust me more.

“You mentioned something about that Alpha breaking a code” Her eyes searching me for answers,

“The code of territorial battle,” I stated “It’s a code that was enforced by the Immortal Court to make sure that battles of territory, such as the one we are in right now, are fair. It includes the banning of weapons, wolfbane poisons and other things that could give one Alpha a larger chance of success. The Alpha from before used both a weapon and wolfbane poison, therefore breaking the code.”

“So, what happens when it’s broken?”

“The rules alter,” I said, as I looked out across the street, seeing a wolf of mine give me the thumbs up to let me know that the town was clear. Apart from the obvious. Ace. “My men have just told me it’s clear, which means these new rules are now set.” A small fear tumbled deep inside me, not knowing the strength of this Alpha, but it was sure that he too, noticed we were the two left.

“New rules?” she broke my thoughts,

“Yes, the last battle is soon to begin, the new rules are set that the last two Alpha’s standing were to settle a place where the battle begins and when it does. Most naturally, midnight in the woods seems best in this territory. That way no humans get hurt or involved accidentally.” I put a hand on her shoulder, realising what I had to do, now that I knew more of what she was.

“We need to make an alliance, you and I. Unless you have a way of getting out of here safely before then.” She looked confused by my request, taking in what it might mean, her wolf will understand. I assured myself as she found the answer she was looking for.

“Before I agree, what would this ‘alliance’ expect of me” She knew so little, it was humorous, even in such a dark situation. I felt the smile creep back onto my face.

“That I have your back, and you have mine. Other than that, you have your own freedom” She smiled back this time, the mention of freedom made her eyes dance. So that’s what she wants most. I was beginning to understand her more by the minute. But I had to be serious about this, I knew that her inner self could burst at any minute, and when it did, I needed her on my side. She could be even more powerful than myself, when her Alpha emerges. My thoughts one again interrupted by a warm surprise, she wrapped her arms around me.

“I don’t normally do this sort of thing, but thank you” she whispered into my shirt. Stunned, I realised I was still just standing there like an idiot while she hugged me. No one, had ever dared to do such a thing before. Everyone feared me, Jackal. But she didn’t.

“You certainly are one fearless woman.” I whisper back, as she pulled away from me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she crossed her arms, Damn, she changed her mind so quick.

“It’s just,” I found myself partially speechless. “No one’s ever dared come that close to me, without fear.” Who was this chick? Seriously.

“I don’t see the problem with that,” she uncrossed her arms, relief flooded me as I thanked myself for not saying the wrong thing. My pack had regathered behind me, most having looks of complete and utter shock. Of course, they’d seen that. Hiding my embarrassment as I felt my ego drop slightly, my reputation most likely affected by that. I gave them a look that told them to say nothing, and they snapped out of it, fearing the worst. I pulled a piece of paper out of my pocket, along with a pen.

“What have you got in there?! It’s like you’ve got a whole cupboard full of random stuff in your pockets!” I heard the woman laugh from behind me, once again, earning the shock of my pack, that someone would dare talk to me like that.

“I wish, that would be very helpful.” I mumbled back as I scribbled symbols on the paper, and handing it to a man of my pack. “Find the Alpha Ace, and hand him the note, it speaks of where and when we shall battle.” I ordered, as he nodded and raced off, down into the street.

I stared out into the little town’s horizon, the day was ending, and we only had a few hours until-

A giant grumble startled me, I turned around to find it coming from the girl.

“How long has it been since you’ve eaten?!” I asked, surprised at such a loud noise coming from the stomach of hers. She looked surprised herself,

“I don’t know, 4 or 5 days now or so.” She said calmly, hand on her belly in an attempt to stop any future grumbles.

“Well, we do have a few hours, and that café surely have some kind of dinner menu, it did say open 24/7.” I pointed back to the street we’d come from.

“I don’t have any money though…” She said quietly, clearly embarrassed.

“I don’t see the problem with that.” I mocked her earlier statement, placing a hand on her back gently, to usher her towards the café & restaurant before her stomach grumbled and it woke up Thor from the sky above. She began walking with me and I dropped my hand, considering she’d began to walk with her own free will.

Chapter 38 >> Lana's view

 

For a man named after a witty trickster of animals, Jackal was seriously kind hearted. But the looks he gave his pack and his enemies suggested otherwise. What a score, I thought as I imagined getting the hell out of this cursed town, leaving Royal vampires and Alpha werewolves and all other supernatural crap behind. I was going to settle in the ‘land of freedom’, get a job, get a house and wish everything away. That sounds great, do you want a unicorn too? My wolf mocked at my dream. Considering the bullshit going on, why not, I’m sure the ‘Immortal Court’ will surely have some in stock. I thought she was supposed to be a part of me, so why didn’t she want the same freedom.

“One extra rare large steak?” A waitress asked, clearly eyeing off Jackal.

“To the lady, please” Jackal said, nodding his head at me. The waitress clearly confused on where the hell I would put a large steak, but I had a pretty clear idea where it would go as she placed down the most attractive meat I’d seen in my life. The literal Hemsworth of meats. I licked my lips, ready to dive in, when I heard jackal clear his throat.

“I’m off to the men’s room, be back in a second.” He said, standing up from the booth and heading off, leaving me awkwardly sitting alone. But not as awkward as Jackal’s pack, that sat outside, like dogs waiting for their master.  I took this as my moment to abandon my manners as I shoved as much of the steak as I could down within seconds, hoping to dear god no one was watching. Keep your guard up. My wolf warned me, as I finished the juicy steak. I got up, heading for