Rise of an Alpha Female (Two Moons Book 1) Page 14

  "That is not relevant; we need to sort out leadership. We could have internal unrest on our hands..."

  "Nobody will do anything. Jena and everyone else hasn't even begun to mourn the passing of her father and our Alpha. So we all need to come to terms with our grief first. And for that, we need to know what happened, who is to blame and bring him to justice," Conall sums up.

  "Though I would prefer to just bring the guilty person's head back, leaving the body to rot, I have to agree with the Master at Arms. And the Oasis pack has enough leadership for now, as its Beta is more than capable to cover the Alpha duties for the time being, isn't that so, Lindator?"

  "Of course, Jena. Do what you need! Would you like to have someone handle the funeral processions for you?"

  "Thank you! You truly were my father's right-hand man. Elder Amisha, would you mind? I know my father considered you among his friends and would agree with me in this."

  "I'd be honored, dear!"

  "Then it's settled. I think we all have things to do so if there is nothing else, we should conclude this meeting. Alpha Jena, Beta Lindator?" Conall addresses the two most ranking wolves in the room, and they both nod their agreement.

  ***

  "So what did the healer say?" Jena asks eagerly.

  "He confirmed everything. But he also has a very good memory from having to learn all those plants and medicines of his. He managed to recall exactly what was said."

  "And?"

  "You are not going to like this..."

  "Doesn't matter. TELL ME!"

  "OK. So it all started with..." Conall starts his report on what the healer said, making sure to pause at the right moments to let Jena understand the information.

  As she listens, her face turns an ever-increasing shade of angry crimson.

  If you were here, daddy, I'd slap you myself! You damn fool!

  "That was sooo... I can't believe my father didn't see it. Tell me, is it obvious only to me?"

  "No. I saw it too. All the questions were interpretable, and that cat managed to answer in a way that was true, without revealing anything. I'm assuming he really was attacked, maybe even poisoned as he said. But if you listen carefully, he never told your father he was with the caravan. Damn smart cat that Sano."

  "I hate that piece of trash traitor so, soo much! I wish he were alive so I could kill him myself a few more times! How did he die anyway?"

  "It seems Lindator went to see him and tell him he could relax since the Alpha sent me to find what happened to the Caravan. He tried to attack the Beta and run away, and Lindator said he had to kill him when he wouldn't submit. What about you? Did you get anything from the warhog?"

  "Yes, I did. The S stands for Second. The same wolf that attacked the cat settlement. That was very ambitious of him going after an Alpha like that just because we kicked his butt."

  "That was a subterfuge attack, and you know it. He had no chance of taking the Oasis Pack head on."

  "Not with what he had as manpower, no. Plus I don't think he is smart enough even for that plan. No, he is just a puppet. A puppet I'm going to rip the head off! Anyway, I have his location. Have it known we are going after him in four hours, right after my father's funeral pyre is lit. He will be dead before the fire is out and with any luck, I'll throw this Second's head right in there with my father so his wolf can have a chew toy in the afterlife," Jena says with a satisfied, vengeful gleam in her eyes.

  ***

  "You have to run, my love. The little Alpha bitch managed to make the warhog you left behind talk somehow."

  "She did what now? What warhog? I thought... RAAAISED! Get your stinking, no good, worthless pig face in here!"

  "Yes, Second," the Raised answers, ignoring the name-calling he is so used to by now.

  "What do I hear about you leaving a warhog behind?"

  If his face wasn't covered in fur, the Second would be able to see him paling.

  How the hell did he find out?

  "He acted dishonorably, and he was crippled. So we left him behind to be killed by the enemy."

  "And yet he wasn't. Not before he talked."

  "He couldn't talk, Second. He was not a Raised."

  "Are you calling my mate a liar? That bratty little Alpha Female managed to make him talk!"

  Shit, how did she manage that? That was supposed to be something we all swore the Master would never find out. Damn idiot, not only honorless for a sneak attack, but also an oath breaker. How do I fix this?

  "He could not talk, Second! He was not a Raised, and that female does not have the Master's magic to raise him. She did, however, climb to power over Mahli and there is no way a woman would ever be strong enough to do that. Maybe she has some other kind of evil magic helping her. Or someone doing the magic for her."

  "You are a little smarter than I thought. Maybe I won't kill you today. You did manage to kill that Alpha after all, though the losses were ridiculous. No matter. The final result is what is important."

  "So that's settled, she made him talk. Will you run now, love? The pack is out for blood, and they are already gathering. You only have this thing, this Raised and one other warhog left, and the hunting party will be more than 50 warriors strong. Add to that the bitch Alpha and her Beta, and they both went through and came top of the class from Conall's Warrior Training School."

  "Who is this Conall again?"

  "Oasis Pack's Master at Arms. The one man that had an actual chance to take down Alpha Magnus in combat."

  "Why didn't he then? Maybe our story would have been different if he did."

  "I don't know. He never even tried. It's like he didn't care for it at all."

  "Do you know how she made the warhog talk? Did she tell you or anyone?"

  "No, she didn't. She just took him back to her ragtag camp and did whatever she did there."

  "What about this magic thing. Is it possible?"

  "Well... maybe."

  "What do you mean maybe? Is it or not?"

  "There is a witch that Magnus visited a few times. Maybe she went there."

  "Does she have a name?"

  "Sandra, I think it was."

  "OK, go for a walk and relax love. I'll commune with the Master and see what our next step is."

  Wild thrashing can be heard from the Second's tent sometime later, followed by curses, yells and wails.

  "Be careful as you go in. Not good to be around him when he is like that," the Raised says.

  "He will not hurt me. He is my mate."

  The Raised just shrugs and steps aside.

  "My love, what's wrong?"

  "Everything! The Master just threw me to the dogs. Literally! He said if the Alpha bitch knows where I am because of that witch Sandra's magic, I should just run and enjoy my last moments. Oh and I should release his warhogs because I 'obviously can't use them properly'. THE NERVE! He's just written me off. Just like that. He is not even worried I could betray him!!! Can you believe that arrogance? He said he never told me anything important anyway. I... I have no idea what to do. I went with him thinking that if I work hard and climb the ranks, when he comes and removes Magnus from the Alpha position we could be safe and together, not just constantly running or hiding away like a bunch of criminals."

  "I'm so very sorry! I know you meant for the best. I understand. But now it's not just about being together and safe anymore. It's about you being alive. I want you to listen now. We need to run!"

  "There is no running if they are using that witch's magic to track me."

  "Then maybe we should just go see the witch."

  "Are you crazy? Why would their ally help us?"

  "Ha! She is nobody's ally. She only helps herself! She helps people, but there is always a price. But right now I don't see how we have a choice."

  "OK. Let's go. Lead the way since I don't know where the witch lives."

  "Seems like your warhogs already left. And they took the horses too."

  "Damn cowards. We'll do the run in wolf form then
."

  ***

  "Alpha Jena, there is nobody here. Looks like they left in a hurry."

  "How long ago?"

  "Two, maybe three hours. Do we follow?"

  "Can you track him?"

  "Yes, and it's them. Warhogs, the wolf, and another smell. They split in two directions. Warhogs one way and wolf and odd smell another."

  "Forget the warhogs, follow the wolf. What about the other smell?"

  "Horse dung and ash. A mix we often use to hide our true scent."

  "So why didn't they both use it?"

  "No point. We use it to hide identity, but a scent this strong is easy to follow."

  "So someone doesn't want us to know who he or she is. Seems we have another traitor, either in my pack or the Oasis Pack. OK let's follow the wolf's smell."

  ***

  "So, what can Sandra do for you today dear?"

  "I don't know if you remember me..."

  "Oh, I know you, who you are, what you've done and with whom. But I just don't care. All I want to know is what I can do for you today."

  "Well, my mate and I need to run. Far away. Somewhere we will never be found."

  "There is a place like the one you seek. But it is not of this world. Things are different there."

  "It's perfect. When can we go?"

  "Soon. But there is a price to pay."

  "Whatever it is, I'll do it."

  "Are you sure?"

  "YES!"

  "Only one of you can go."

  "WHAT? What are you saying? The whole thing was about being together."

  "You can be together dead. I could do that now for you if you want. No extra cost."

  "N...no. Safe. I want him safe."

  "There is a great pressure in the world I am talking about, different language, different people, and different habits. His wolf will be suppressed for as long as he is there, fighting off that great pressure. But I can give him the basic knowledge to survive. For a small extra price."

  "Wh...what more could you want? You're already separating us."

  "I did no such thing. Just gave you an option you asked for. Your choice if you take it."

  "What is that small price?"

  "Your love."

  "WHAT? You want me to sleep with you?"

  "Sorry honey, I don't swing for your team. I meant your feelings. Five years worth of feelings for him from this day forward. After that, everything will come back to you. Think of it this way: there will be no pain for you for five years while he is not with you. You won't even care. It's a rather good deal, don't you think? Then you will get everything back at once."

  "OK then. I accept."

  "Good. Send him in then, dear. But don't expect him to come out."

  Only moments later, inside the hut:

  "So Second, do you like your position that much or just dislike the name your mother gave you?"

  "..."

  "No need to reply. I already know the answer. Ready to go?"

  "What, where? What about my mate?"

  "The deal was just for you. Can't send two people there at the same time."

  "What do you mean? Where am I going?"

  "Another world. If you want to live for more than the next 30 minutes that is. We are about to have company from a group of very angry wolves. Could be related to your recent activities, you know murder, having people killed or some such."

  "Will my mate be safe?"

  "We never talked about that. Only about you. So I guess not. Oh well. Ready? The tik is toking, you know? Tik-tok."

  "Wait! Can't you do something?"

  "Of course I can. For a small price."

  "What is it?"

  "I could place your mate sleeping in the bedroom at home, in the Oasis Pack Settlement. But you will never come back to this world ever again."

  "Isn't that a bit drastic? And what stops you from telling everyone about my mate?"

  "I'll throw in free passage to the world you are going for your mate, but no sooner than five years and I will tell nobody about the whole thing. If you trust your mate will love you enough by then to come after you, that is. Oh and you can take that stack of green papers on the table. It will come in handy where you are going. Tik-Tok."

  "OK, fine I accept everything, send me and my mate away from here. And I hope you die in pain, you old crone!"

  "Oh common, I don't look a day over 21! But I will. Eventually. If I get too bored with this life."

  With a puff of air and smoke, both the Second and his mate disappear from view, only moments before Jena and her party come in view of the witch's hut.

  Chapter 13 - Complications

  As soon as she arrives, Jena jumps off from her horse and goes to knock, only to have the door open by itself before she gets the chance to.

  "Come in, Jena dear, come in. You are late though."

  "For what? And how do you know my name?"

  "Not important and not important. I just do. I know everything. Now, what can I do for you today?"

  "Where is the wolf that was just here? And his partner?"

  "His partner I can't tell you."

  "Why not?"

  "Terms of a previous deal."

  "You made a deal with those monsters?"

  "I make deals with everyone, sweetie. I don't discriminate. Unlike some people in your packs."

  "And the wolf?"

  "Another world."

  "What do you mean another world?"

  "I mean a world that is not this one, a-n-o-t-h-e-r, another. He is not on Calla anymore."

  "Damn it! We need to catch him. I need to catch him."

  "I know you think that, but is it need or want?"

  "He killed my father!"

  "I know that too."

  "So then send us there to get him!"

  "No."

  "What do you mean NO? You sent him there, didn't you?"

  "Yes."

  "So send us as well!"

  "No."

  "Why not?"

  "Only one person at a time."

  "OK, then send me."

  "Jena no, don't!" Alastair yells.

  "I don't think I invited you in here, pup-boy! But still no. It's also only one person a year."

  "What do I need to do?"

  "Nothing dear. Your trip has already been paid for."

  "Excuse me? By whom?"

  "Your father. Paid in full and in advance."

  "My father knew I would follow his killer to the other world?"

  "Don't know. Didn't ask."

  "Didn't you say you know everything?"

  "Yes."

  "Then how come you don't know that?"

  "I didn't ask."

  "This makes no sense to me."

  "I know. So come by next year and worry not about a thing. It's all taken care of."

  "But I have to go now!"

  "Have to or want to? Does it matter if revenge happens now, next month or next year? And you know revenge is a fool's weapon."

  "Don't tell me what to do!"

  "I'm not. Just sprinkling wisdom around me. Some may catch it and some won't."

  "You have no idea how I feel. You know nothing!"

  "OK."

  "..."

  "Common Jena, let's go home," Alastair says turning her around slowly, gently holding her shoulders as she dejectedly allows herself to be guided.

  Just as they are about to exit the cottage...

  "Of course if you were willing to pay a small price..." the witch adds, leaving her words hanging.

  "YES, what?" Jena turns, jumping at the chance.

  Alastair tries to say something, but she silences him with a glare.

  "This would be a completely new deal. Unrelated to the one I made with your father."

  "Yes, I understand that."

  "So for moving that trip you had available next year for free, well free for you, into happening in the next minute, would you be willing to pay the price?"

  "Name it!"

  "Je
na, really! Don't!" Alastair says again, despite Jena obviously ignoring his counsel.

  "Shush mutt!" Sandra says snapping her fingers, and Alastair finds he can no longer part his lips and his vocal cords are refusing to allow him to even mumble. That sounds good. I think I need a permanent spell with that name: 'shush mutt.' No, maybe 'mutt shush'? Hmm, 'shmutt'?

  "Hello?" Jena waves her hand in front of the witch's face, bringing her out of her musings.

  "On this trip, you will find what you've been looking for, but you have to take care of everything you want in less than seven days, after that, you will be returning here either willingly or dragged by force," Sandra informs her.

  Seven days is easy. Take less than a minute to kill someone. Maybe a little more if they struggle.

  "Also you can't bring anything or anyone, either partially or entirely, back with you."

  Damn it; I really wanted his head! It would be such a nice present for my father.

  And once you come home, you may never go back to that world, no matter what you do. Not even I will be able to help you."

  Who in their right mind would want to live in a different world?

  "Done!"

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes!"

  "Want to think about it more?"

  "No. Just send me there already!"

  With another snap of her fingers and a puff of air and smoke, Sandra sends Jena to a different world, while Alastair and the two warriors that were in the witch's hut with him find themselves back by the horses.

  "Reverse shmutt! That didn't work! Deshmutt! Yup, deshmutt it is!"

  Alastair hears Sandra's command, and his own becomes available again.

  There are now three full plank circular wooden fences around the witch's hut. All of them are black and about seven feet tall.

  Alastair runs back towards the last place he knows Jena was, and jumps the first one. Then the second. But when he jumps the third, he finds himself back between the first and second fence.

  No matter how many times he tries, he can't reach the hut anymore. Yet he manages to get back to the horses in the first attempt.

  Dropping to his knees in frustration, Alastair exclaims to no one in particular:

  "Stupid witch and stupid magic! Oh Jena, what have you done?"

  I really hope the price you agreed on won't be too much for you to bear! I can't believe just two months ago we were home, with you training as a Diplomat and following Conall's secret training regime.