the force of Craven's charge. Their paws clashed as each tried to land a telling blow on the other. Duston seemed to get the upper-hand, and raked his claws along the side of Craven's face. The smell of blood soon had the wolves opposite howling their approval. I'd watched Craven in a number of fights, but this was the first one where I'd had any doubt of the outcome. Sensing his opportunity, Duston pushed off with his back paws, and lunged for Craven's throat. For a moment, I thought he'd found a way through Craven's defences, but at the last second, Craven rolled to the side. Duston totally missed his target, and that gave Craven the opportunity he'd been waiting for. Before Duston could turn around, Craven was on him. There was a sickening crunch as Craven's jaws snapped tight around Duston's throat. The sound which emanated from Duston was chilling. By the time Craven released his grip, the beta was prone at his feet—bleeding out.
The wolves opposite were now pacing back and forth as though uncertain what to do. This wasn't the outcome they'd expected. If they decided to attack, we'd be in trouble. After a few moments, they shifted back to human form. I felt a great sense of relief when they dressed, climbed into their vehicles and drove away.
“I'm sorry if I've caused any problems for you,” Craven said once we'd shifted and got back in to the Jeep.
“Forget it,” Pirus said. “Duston had it coming to him. He's been garnering support for some time. Everyone has been expecting a challenge.”
“Still, your alpha isn't going to take kindly to my having killed his beta.”
“I'll explain the circumstances. I don't think there'll be a problem.”
“Even so, it might be better if we leave now.”
Pirus glanced at Jessie. “Okay. That might be for the best, but you must promise to let us know what you find out about Marlow.”
*********
We said our goodbyes to Pirus, Jessie and the kids, and then set out for Terroun. We still had no idea where Marlow was being held or even if he was still alive. Craven had always been convinced that Marlow had been killed as they fled Lawler territory, but he hadn't actually seen him die. We had to be sure. After all, hadn't I also been presumed dead for many years? If Marlow was still alive, Milton would almost certainly have had him moved back to Maja.
There was a possibility that Hill, alpha of the Terroun pack, might have some information on Marlow. According to Craven, the Terroun routinely had a number of shifters undercover in the neighbouring territory.
We travelled as wolves by night.
“The sun will be up in an hour. We should get some rest here,” Craven said.
“How much further to Terroun?” I asked.
“Four of five hours at the most.”
“Why don't we keep going?”
“It isn't worth the risk. Besides we need to be rested when we arrive. If Hill does have any info on Marlow, we'll have to move straight away. It won't take long for Milton to hear of our arrival.”
We both shifted into human form.
“You're looking much better.” I ran my hand gently across Craven's cheek. The deep gouges which had been inflicted by Duston had almost completely healed. “I was a little worried about you back there.”
“Duston was a fool,” Craven said. “He had the makings of an alpha, but lacked one vital quality. Patience. If he had bided his time, he'd almost certainly have become pack leader.”
“I hope Pirus and Jessie will be okay. Do you think the alpha will punish them?”
“Pirus didn't seem worried. He appears to have a good relationship with the alpha.”
*********
The sun was still low in the sky when we arrived at Terroun territory.
“Craven?” the border guard looked surprised to see his former alpha. “Welcome back, sir.”
“How are things?” Craven asked.
“Not so good. The alpha hasn't been well.”
“I need to see Hill now. Can you arrange that?”
“Wait here a minute, please. I'll make a
The wolves opposite were now pacing back and forth as though uncertain what to do. This wasn't the outcome they'd expected. If they decided to attack, we'd be in trouble. After a few moments, they shifted back to human form. I felt a great sense of relief when they dressed, climbed into their vehicles and drove away.
“I'm sorry if I've caused any problems for you,” Craven said once we'd shifted and got back in to the Jeep.
“Forget it,” Pirus said. “Duston had it coming to him. He's been garnering support for some time. Everyone has been expecting a challenge.”
“Still, your alpha isn't going to take kindly to my having killed his beta.”
“I'll explain the circumstances. I don't think there'll be a problem.”
“Even so, it might be better if we leave now.”
Pirus glanced at Jessie. “Okay. That might be for the best, but you must promise to let us know what you find out about Marlow.”
*********
We said our goodbyes to Pirus, Jessie and the kids, and then set out for Terroun. We still had no idea where Marlow was being held or even if he was still alive. Craven had always been convinced that Marlow had been killed as they fled Lawler territory, but he hadn't actually seen him die. We had to be sure. After all, hadn't I also been presumed dead for many years? If Marlow was still alive, Milton would almost certainly have had him moved back to Maja.
There was a possibility that Hill, alpha of the Terroun pack, might have some information on Marlow. According to Craven, the Terroun routinely had a number of shifters undercover in the neighbouring territory.
We travelled as wolves by night.
“The sun will be up in an hour. We should get some rest here,” Craven said.
“How much further to Terroun?” I asked.
“Four of five hours at the most.”
“Why don't we keep going?”
“It isn't worth the risk. Besides we need to be rested when we arrive. If Hill does have any info on Marlow, we'll have to move straight away. It won't take long for Milton to hear of our arrival.”
We both shifted into human form.
“You're looking much better.” I ran my hand gently across Craven's cheek. The deep gouges which had been inflicted by Duston had almost completely healed. “I was a little worried about you back there.”
“Duston was a fool,” Craven said. “He had the makings of an alpha, but lacked one vital quality. Patience. If he had bided his time, he'd almost certainly have become pack leader.”
“I hope Pirus and Jessie will be okay. Do you think the alpha will punish them?”
“Pirus didn't seem worried. He appears to have a good relationship with the alpha.”
*********
The sun was still low in the sky when we arrived at Terroun territory.
“Craven?” the border guard looked surprised to see his former alpha. “Welcome back, sir.”
“How are things?” Craven asked.
“Not so good. The alpha hasn't been well.”
“I need to see Hill now. Can you arrange that?”
“Wait here a minute, please. I'll make a
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