Feral - Kendric's POV
One man, who still holds his bravado, stepping forward in front of the others. “You’re supposed to be dead. Someone told us they kill all feral wolves as soon as they realize what they are. You should have been killed when you were born.”
Before they can raise the alarm and tell the others, I lunge toward him without a second thought, taking his head with me and land on the other side. There’s a light thud as the body drops to the ground.
The other four standing there have expressions of horror all across their faces when I turn to look at them over my shoulder.
Eenie meenie miney mo, I choose you.
My eyes lock on the middle one and that is the last thing I remember until everything comes into focus again.
I look around at the five headless bodies around me. Their blood soaks my beautiful white fur. Now they're gone, one task remains.
I claim them all.
The howl rips its way out of my throat, out of its own accord, calling the pack to me. I have never once claimed a pack because of what I am. But since this is where Valeria is from, I will take them as my own. It's the least I can do for the one who calls to my heart.
The ones who are guilty of hurting her will pay the price, though. My wrath will not spare them.
One by one, several of the pack members make their way out of their houses with wide eyes. The feral part of me retreats, hiding the blazing red eyes for now.
They gather around me as the howl ends and I assert my dominance over all of them. Not a single person withstands my claim as each one crumbles onto the ground. They lay on their bellies in submission, which pleases my wolf. But I don’t stop there. I let my dominance coat over them, making them writhe on the ground to ensure they know who is in charge. No one will ever challenge me.
After I see they are all under my influence and won’t cause a fuss, I pull it back and sit on my haunches.
The shift overwhelms me, changing me back into my human form. I inhale once, letting my heart beat settle back to normal. “I am your new alpha. Some of you have probably heard of me and my travels. I am the lone alpha who has been staying with Alpha Barrett for many years. I assure you, there is some kindness within me, but for those who hurt Valeria, you will find no such thing.”
There are a few gasps, and I stare at those who seem to shiver.
“Death is all that waits for you, but don’t worry. I won’t torture you too long,” I say as my teeth lengthen again.
One lone man steps forward. He appears to be barely an adult. “What are your plans for us?”
“The first thing I want to know is who hurt Valeria. Since the council has grown soft, I will deal out the punishments myself.”
“What if the pack is innocent? Most of us had no idea what they were doing,” he says in a barely audible voice.
“Most, you say. Then tell me, what few harmed her? Also, I’d like to know where she is,” I say as my gaze combs through the crowd. “Would anyone care to explain? I’m sure some of you saw what happened.”
An older woman steps forward. “I will be the first to admit that we didn’t know anything was going on until the mark on her throat. Several contacted the council immediately; however, nothing happened.”
I pause, considering her words. Maybe that is why some of the alphas who presented their sons to Jackson’s daughter came.
“Does anyone know where she is now?”
Silence fills the air. I scan the pack, trying to see if I can sense anything, but by the way they look at me, no one knows.
“Fine, I will stay at Valeria’s home. If you think of anything, please come see me immediately.”
As I turn, I realize I have scared them enough for today. Their sighs of relief are audible, even as I get further away. When I climb the steps, I know their eyes are on me.
I turn the knob and walk inside the house, letting the door slam shut behind me.
Blood clings to every inch of my skin. Some of it has already dried and crusted. “I need to shower.”
My gaze moves across the living room and the rest of what is visible downstairs. She tidied up, making the place look homelike. It even looks like she attempted to clean out the cabinets of the old food that was left from when her parents were alive. That must have been quite the job.
I smell her as I walk toward the staircase and climb the steps. It’s so fresh, it’s almost as if she was here yesterday. I follow the trail right to her bedroom, and head inside. The bed is made up, though it looks like it's something from her childhood. It smells fresh, though, so she must have washed it.
A dress hangs on the closet door. Her bedroom still looks childish, with a few trinkets she must have kept of her mother’s displayed. It looks like she was settling in because I notice a quilt at the foot that doesn’t quite belong.
She’s not dead. She wouldn't clean, then kill herself. I remember her hands, trembling as she folded her mother’s quilt, but she still smoothed the corners like it mattered. Like living still mattered. She hasn't waited this long to be free, only to end her life with her own hands. There's no way I believe that.
My wolf agrees.
Soon, we will find out where they have taken her. I will find her and ensure she remembers just who she is.