Chapter 163: Ambushed

Thorne’s POV

BRAWL DAY 1

The moon is high up in the sky at the time we gather in the field. Growls and howls drift in the wind, from around us and within us as we wait for our opponents to make their appearance.

Some of my guards are still in their human, although defensive and ready to shift at any moment.

Our opponents are yet to arrive, even though we can hear their growls and battle songs from a mile away.

The pack we are brawling with today is the newest member of the Council, The Meedrail Pack. One of the smallest clans on the Coast, their Alpha, Ferdinand had joined the Council as a means of acquiring protection for the small clan. But being one of the smallest, he had to be at the forefront when it came to the Council’s dirty business.

I almost felt bad about having to brawl with him today. Almost. Because any Alpha that is okay with joining the Council is automatically okay with taking thousands of lives that do not deserve to be took.

And he was going to face his death today.

“They are closer now. I can smell them”. Carlos’s growl drifts into my thoughts as he breathes deeply beside me.

We are in our wolves, positioned in the middle of the field with our guards surrounding us.

That is how it is originally supposed to be. The Alpha and Beta at the middle, but I never followed that rule. There was a small path in between my guards that I always used to fly to the front against the beginning of every brawl. Because while other packs were most protective of their Alphas, the Ironclaw was most protective of its warriors.

“They are more than I expected.” I respond, telling their numbers from the strength of the scent that drifts to us.

“But still not enough”. Carlos growls, looking around. “They should be here by now”

I sniff the air, shifting on my feet. I turn to look around, paying closer attention to the line of trees we were facing. But something was off.

“Their scent…”. Carlos started, but he didn’t need to finish his sentence because I know exactly what he is about to say.

Their scent was gone.

From beside me, Carlos repeatedly sniffed the air as he tried to make sense of the situation but it was clear. The air was clear and their scent was gone.

Which is not supposed to be the case on a normal day. You cannot seize your scent.

“That is impossible.” Carlos remarks from beside me, his voice firm.

Grumbles roses from around us, as the guards began asking themselves questions.

“Alpha.” One of my sentinels speak up, moving closer to me with his nuzzle faced towards the ground. “Did they retreat? Why can we no longer smell them?”

It wasn’t only their smell. Even the growls and sounds that had been coming from the woods that told us of their nearness were all gone. The entire woods surrounding us had gone eerily silent, with only the sounds of the crickets and trees.

“That is impossible”. Another of my guard repeats and at this point they have all turned towards me, as though I have the answer. They are right, I do.

“It is.” I call out, and immediately silence falls over the field. “It is possible to seize your scent and sound, just as they have done.”

“How so?” One of my guards ask.

“With magic”

My words settle on the ground in a tense drop, evoking raised brows and widened eyes from my guards and warriors beside me.

“Magic…”. Carlos starts. “You think they came here with a bloodwillow?”

I wouldn’t put it past them. The Council is so dirty they would do any and everything to play by their own rules. They always found a way to make a fair game favor only them.

“That is exactly what I think, yes. Which demands even more caution from us.” I look around, feeling the ominous air and the thickness of it. Something was terribly off. “Everyone one back in position, now”

“That is not acceptable.” Carlos murmurs to me as we watch our guards regain their stance.

“The Council doesn’t care for what is acceptable. For all we know, they could be conjuring up spells to get us all paralyzed as soon as the match starts.”

“And that would show just how much of a coward you need to be to join the Council.” Carlos bites, drawing a laugh from me.

“Tell me something that I don’t know.”

Just then, as another breath falls from my nostrils, a loud agonized groan rings through the field, startling all of us and drawing our attention to the source, the line of trees that announce the woods.

It takes me a second to realize what is happening, but once I do, I am filled with intense rage.

The scream was from one of my soldiers, and it came from the line of trees behind us because the Meedrail pack came from BEHIND. They wanted to catch us by surprise, and they sure did.

“They ambushed us!” Carlos calls before breaking into a sprint, rushing for the line of trees. I am first in line, then the guards follow behind. They had only attacked one of the sentinels that were guarding from the trees, so they were yet to accomplish their mission. If anything, their mission failed the second they allowed my guard to scream out loud.

Roars and battle cries erupt as the two armies collide in a violent clash, the sounds of blood gurgling and bones cracking filling the air almost instantly.

Carlos is ripping a wolf to shreds beside me, and also stopping them from approaching me. I am yet to touch anyone in the army as I am too busy searching for the familiar face of the Alpha of this pack.

I would recognize that face anywhere, especially given the stories I’ve heard. Which is why I am not surprised when my eyes finally land on him and I find him already staring at me with a devious smile on his face.

He has become just like them, thinking that they are immune to the consequences of their actions just by reason of joining the Council.

I start towards him slowly, tearing off the wolves in my path as I make my way to him. By my side, I see one of his warriors towering over mine, baring his teeth and moving to bite his neck. I take a quick detour and tear the burly looking wolf off of him, throwing him over me. I don’t wait for him to get up before jumping over to him and clawing at his stomach, pulling out his insides.

My tongue darts out to lick the blood that splashes unto my face and nuzzle as I step away from him, turning back to face my target.

I am pleased to find him already standing in front of me. He looks from me to his warrior lying limp at my feet with his insides popping out of him.

“We meet again, friend”