The Blood Rebel pack housed themselves in a three-storied wooden building, screened by big Alpacas trees, a few miles away from the town of Fur Rivers. The building was powerfully caged with high tension fences, chalked with electric barbed wires, and heavily guarded by aggressive Betas who changed to werewolves at the slightest sound of danger.
The rooms in the first two floors were occupied by the Beta, and the Lieutenant amongst the pack. While Jack Axgorn and his bride, Safiaya had the top floor to themselves.
That night, in the Alpha’s bedroom, Jack and Safiya were on a king size bed, a black wrap was laid on their body, barely covering their nakedness. Safiya’s hair was spread out on the pillow, her eyes opened, her face flushed, between her slim fingers was a cigarette burning furiously. They had just had a hot, violent sex, and now, they lay stretched out on the bed like relaxed cats. Safiya reached for another cigarette. She lit it and put the lighter down with exaggerated care. There was a cold, brooding expression on her face, and she drew on the cigarette hungrily blowing a long stream of tobacco smoke to the ceilings.
“I’m sick of Helldog’s failure,” She seethed out.
Jack screwed up his face. Now that he was sated, all he just wanted to do is sleep.
“What are you talking about?”
Safiya turned her face to look at him.
“He’s been a bitch for some time now. He’s needs to go.”
Jack grimaced.
“I still need him. Helldog’s is strong. Really strong. I would say he’s been unlucky that’s all,” he concluded.
She shrugged.
“Unlucky can’t get us anywhere. If we're gonna win this fight, then we’ll need more than luck. Helldog, unfortunately can’t deliver. You need another lieutenant. A stronger and tougher one this time. Helldog has outlived its use. He’s as useless as a broken leg. I think you better find someone else or lead the next attack yourself.” she slipped the last word in easily but he heard her alright.
Jack turned on her like a cat.
“Me! leading a fight?” His face was tightened. “When I have men and women to fight for me? that’s unspeakable”
Safiya shrugged indifferently.
“Doesn’t matter! Helldog ain’t doing anything. This fight is taking too long. We’ve not been really successful in all our fights. I think it’s high time you take over this attack. Lead your wolves into that town and rip their throats all out.” She said fiercely.
“What about my lieutenant, Helldog?” Jack asked, staring at her blandly. “What am I to do with him?”
“He can go screw himself to hell.” she snarled.
Jack drew in a long, slow breath.
“He nearly lost his life in the last attack. It’s a miracle he’s alive at this very moment. I think we should cut him some slack.” He pointed out.
She stared up at him, her blue eyes suddenly empty.
“We can’t afford to cut him anymore slacks. Let me ask you this, how many slacks are you gonna cut him before you know he’s finished?” She scoffed. “We are losing wolves, my Alpha. We lost Conan, one at Bill Castle house and two more in the gambling parlor. How many more are we still gonna lose? Tell me! Go ahead and tell me, how many more?” Her eyes were as cold as ice cubes.
Jack grimaced. Inwardly he knew she was right. In the past few months since they had begun the attack on Fur Rivers, he had been worried – really worried. Apart from the attack on Bill Castle, any other attacks had been a total failure. He was a patient and understanding man. But right now, he would be considerate to say he had lost patience. Whenever Helldog returned from any attack, he was always briefed about what had happened. He would listen to what Helldog had to say noting where his lieutenant had made mistakes or where he should have done better. But the last attack had really gotten on his nerves. Helldog had returned bleeding profusely. Even in his werewolf state, the healing had been torturously slow. Everyone believed he was going to die. It was luck…..sheer luck he was still alive. Jack heaved heavily and turned his mind away from his thoughts.
“I think I understand you now Safiya,” he began. “You know this decision of having another lieutenant would have been easy if I had another wolf like………like,” he sighed and shook his head.
“Like Victor?” She completed for him impatiently.
“Yes, like Victor,” Jack said evenly. “Victor is always calculative and meticulous. Damned I really need that bastard in my pack,”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have banished him in the first place.” she said curtly.
Jack shot her an angry look.
“Watch your words, Safiya.” he bawled at her, his eyes like two balls of explosions.
Frightened, Safiya flinched from him. The rage in his eyes sent terror through her body.
Jack pointed a finger at her.
“You both did something bad. I should have you whipped after I banished him. But I left you off the hook. Don’t make me regret my decision.”
Safiya stared at him for a long moment sullen, her face thoughtful. Then ignoring the dark expression on his face, she snuggled closer to him, placed her slim hands on his chest and kissed him softly on the hollow of his neck. Then she slid her hands downwards and took his limp penis in her hands. She began to work on it, she felt it stiffening in her hands and smiled knowingly.
“You say hurtful things to me, my Alpha.” She purred, still caressing his penis. “I don’t like it when you get mad at me.”
“Then watch what you say,” he grunted and she could hear his breath coming jerkily. “Watch what you say or I wouldn’t be sorry for what I might do.” his eyes leered at her.
Safiya could see the lust in his eyes and feel the heat coming from his body.
“You do what you have to do, my Alpha, I will do mine too.” and she suddenly gripped tightly his penis in her hands. It became rock hard.
“Fuck!” He muttered and a wild look came into his eyes. He pushed her back into the bed and savagely ripped off the flimsy wrap that covered her and tossed it aside. The sight of her lean, young naked body sent blood rushing into his loins. He passed his tongue over his lips. He moved over her and as he was about to penetrate her, a soft knock came on the bedroom door. Jack and Safiya stiffened. Knowing who had the audacity to knock on his room door, he yelled, an angry glint in his eyes.
“What do you want?”
“Someone is here to see you,” Helldog gritted out. “You won’t believe it!”
“Who?” Jack fired back.
“Victor, my Alpha. It’s Victor.”
Jack and Safiya exchanged glances.
“What does he want?” Jack said. The anger in his voice was replaced with curiosity now.
“He didn’t say, my Alpha.” Helldog replied.
For some moments, Jack was lost in thought. Then he said;
“Wait for me, I’m coming outside.”
Safiya was staring hard at Jack, her blue eyes wide with suspicions and questions…..there were lots of questions in those blue eyes of hers.
“What does he want now?” she said in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
Jack shrugged, his face thoughtful.
“I don’t know. But if he has anything to say, I intend to listen to him. ” he looked over her naked, luscious body and sighed. Then he rose up from the bed and strode butt-naked to a big, leather chair. Draped on it was a black gabardine overcoat. He picked it up and struggled into it. He picked up his slacks and slid into it. He walked to the room door and opened it. Helldog stood there, his face cold and hard.
“Where is he?” He asked Helldog.
“In the conference room.”
“Alright, let’s go.” Jack said and he began to walk away. Helldog fell in step behind him instantly, taking his right man position. They walked through a passage, took a flight of stairs that led to the last floor. They walked through a passage in which rooms were on either side and headed towards a door at the end of the passage. On the door was a tag in which the word: CONFERENCE was written. Jack opened the door and they both entered. There was a big vast rectangular table in the room with chairs on its side. Victor was sitting at the end of the table, his eyes watchful, his face expressionless.
“Hello Victor,” Jack beamed. “So nice for you to be here.”
“I only came here to tell you something. I don’t plan to stay long.” Victor replied stiffly.
Jack arched an eyebrow and went to sit at the head of the table. Helldog took a seat beside him. Jack rested his hands on the table and clasped it together.
“Do you think we plan to hold you here against your will, Vincent?” He asked. When Victor did not say anything, he went on. “Say what you have to say, Vincent. I’m all ears.”
Victor shifted comfortably in his chair. Then he began to talk about Caesar, the presence of the well trained Fur Hunters in Fur Rivers and also the new weapon known as the Wolf Stopper which could wipe out the werewolves easily. By the time he was done, he could see the two men staring hard at him, their faces tense and solemn with interest.
“Do you really mean all these?” Jack asked, his face deadpan.
“Of course! That’s why I’m here. You think I’m here to tell you guys some cooked up stories,” he scoffed. “This is for real! my Alpha.” he jeered.
Helldog caught the jest in his voice and his face became black with hate.
“Watch yourself, boy.” Helldog growled.
Jack turned to Helldog.
“Stay out of this,” he said evenly. Helldog bowed his head slightly. Jack dragged his eyes to Victor’s.
“I want you to know that I’m very grateful for this information you gave to us.” He began. “But that doesn’t stop anything. This fight or war, call it whatever you may will still continue. Well since you are here, you might as well know that we are going to launch another attack tomorrow.” He paused when he saw a surprised expression come over Victor’s face. “Yes, there’s gonna be another big fight tomorrow. Do you know why it’s gonna be big?” There was a sardonic expression on his face now. “It’s gonna be big because I’m going to lead it.”
There was terrible, lengthy silence, as Victor and Helldog started shockingly at Jack.
Helldog said in a strangled voice.
“What the hell is this, Alpha?” His skull-like face was now thinner and he suddenly looked terribly sick. “Are you taking me off my duties?”
Victor smiled, but it wasn’t a nice one.
“Didn’t you hear all that I’ve said? Right now, the Blood Rebel pack doesn't stand a chance against that WolfStopper. For Pete’s sake! You’ve got to have a plan.”
Jack’s thin lips curved into a smile. His eyes were glittering like wet pebbles.
“I’m leading wolves into that damned town tomorrow. I’m gunning for Caesar. I’m gonna ripped his heart out and feed it to my boys,”
“You are crazy!” Victor blurted out, unable to control his rage. “That damned Wolf Stopper is going to get you. You’ve got to have a strategy. You can’t just go waltzing in there, killing off everyone you see. Fur Rivers ain’t like before. It’s well guarded like hell,” there were lines of anger and worries on his face now.
Jack suddenly grinned at him mischievously.
“What do you care about whatever we do, Vincent?” He leaned forward in his chair. “What business is it of yours, whatever we do?” There was a knowing glimmer in his eyes.
“I……I…..” Victor stuttered, unable to say anything, his face suddenly screwed up and he got to his feet. “Fuck it, I’m outta here. But just remembered all I told you. Whatever you do is your business, I’ve said my piece,” and he headed towards the room door.
Jack kept on grinning at him.
“You care about this pack very much, Vincent!” His voice rapped out. “Grow some spines and damn well say it,”
Victor stopped abruptly and turned back, his hands on the door knob.
“You think I care?” There was genuine amusement in his voice. “You think I care about you and that damned slut you have as a bride?”
Jack’s eyes became two balls of fire.
“You dare talk about my bride like that?” He yelled. “ You insolent oaf! Get out! Out now before I do something crazy,”
“Good luck, Alpha,” Victor said evenly. “You will need it. You all will need it.” and he went out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Jack furiously watched him go and turned to look at Helldog who had been silent all this while, sitting there, his head bowed, his hands folded tightly.
“He’s loco! Speaking to me like that? He’s loco alright,” he spat out, still Helldog didn’t say anything. Infuriated, he screamed at him. “Won’t you say something?”
Slowly Helldog raised his head. His eyes were filled with anger and bitterness.
“You are leading the fight?” He gulped. His voice, which had always been hard, was trembling badly. “Where does that leave me?”
“It leaves you right here,” Jack replied calmly. “You are not coming with me tomorrow night,”
“But why, my Alpha?” Helldog gasped, bewildered. He was surprised to hear how terrible his voice sounded.
“Failures!” Jack fired back. “Tomorrow is not a day for failure.”
Helldog started an angry retort but then stopped short as Jack made an impatient gesture with his hand.
“Don’t say anything, Helldog. It’s not worth it. I’m leading my wolves into Fur Rivers for good. It’s time to end this damned war.” and he stood up from the chair, leaving Helldog staring at him, an expression of genuine shock and confusion on his face.
Jack would have been astonished if he knew that one of the werewolves in his pack held a deep rooted grudge against him.