Page 67 of Theoden
The chains released enough for the two wolves to run at each other. I leaned forward, wanting to get a better view of the carnage. Raphael had done the same and, by the look of awe on his face, I bet this was his first time seeing werewolves, let alone in combat. I thought his first reaction would have been fear, but it was the opposite. He was enthralled.
I turned my attention back to the beasts in the courtyard. The silver chains were around their necks, covered with leather to keep from burning through their skin. Silver affected werewolves the most; in many cases, if the exposure was prolonged, it could leave permanent damage. That was also how Ara had branded the ones he possessed with the crest of his Kingdom.
Even now, I could see his brand on their right forearms. For them, it was a symbol of their imprisonment. For Ara and his sons, it was a symbol of our ownership over them. I watched as the two werewolves grappled and clawed at each other, their long, sharp teeth gnashing as they growled in aggression.
This would be a fight to the death, I was sure. The last time Ara had presented the Games, it was only to the last one left standing. Both wolves had survived the battle. But on this night, I could tell Ara wanted blood. And by the way the wolves fought, he would have it.
The two beasts slashed at one another, ripping bloody wounds into each other’s flesh as they tried to take the advantage. The sand was covered in their blood and pieces of fur and skin. The scent of their bloodshed was in the air, making my thirst rise all the more. I knew it had to be doing the same to my family.
One of the wolves lunged for the other, his clawed hand outstretched before him. The other wolf caught him in midair, flipped him over onto his back, and bit the exposed jugular. He reared his head back, ripping a large portion of the other wolf’s throat out. I watched in fascination as the veins and muscles snapped, spraying blood all over both wolves. It was as if a blood geyser had released from his body, it was that beautiful.
I cheered the match, pleased by how violent it had been. My other brothers were also cheering. Raphael was clapping, but still staring forward in astonishment. I was surprised by how well he was taking to the violence of the match. I thought it would have sickened him seeing that this was all new to him, but it didn’t. I was beginning to understand why he stood out to Ara.
Where had our Father found him? Did he have family he left behind? Raphael was a mystery to me, one I hoped to solve once I returned from Nolan’s house of horrors. When I remembered where I would be spending the next thirty days and with whom, my enthusiasm for the night’s festivities took a plunge.
I settled back into my chair, my smile fading as my bloodlust subsided. Nolan. He would be touching me, seducing me… giving me pleasure, as if he ever could. I detested his touch and any orgasm I ever had when he fucked me was one my own body had conjured up in order to sustain me, to feed me.
Thirty days, Ara had promised him. To use my body as he saw fit, to punish me for words I had spoken in anger and arrogance. I had showed my older brother disrespect and had taken a position above him that I hadn’t earned.
The thought of Nolan attempting to pleasure me nearly made me vomit my meal, but I forced the bile down. Such a punishment, Ara never did anything halfway. It was always to the most extreme.
In hopes that once you have endured your punishment, my child, it would be one more lesson I needn’t have to teach again,Ara said, again through our mind link.How you endure the next thirty days will speak volumes on who you have become, Théoden. Do not disappoint me.
I will not, Father,I replied.
We watched two more matches after that one, each match leaving one werewolf dead. The sand was covered with blood from corner to corner. Furry body parts littered the ground; arms, legs, an eyeball, and plenty of innards. As a reward, Ara commanded the winners of each match to devour their opponents.
What was left afterwards was the remainder of those meals and the winners were now back in their individual cells. No doubt, I would have to find more wolves to fill the now empty cells. No matter, I enjoyed hunting them anyway, as I was stronger than any wolf I had ever come up against.
“My sons and grandchildren, tonight was one of rebirth and celebration. You now have a new brother and uncle in Raphael and you will treat him as such,” Ara said.
We all agreed and Ara smiled.
“For now, the celebration is over and the day is approaching. Go to your homes and tend to your own,” Ara said.
We all thanked him for his generosity and for hosting the celebration. A part of me was a bit jealous that I had no such celebration. Was this what I had missed out on because I had refused Ara’s gift? I pushed the memory from my mind. That was sixty years ago and I was no longer that fool.
“Ready to go, little brother?” Nolan asked, and my body froze, my muscles tensed.
“Perhaps I should pack before I leave,” I said.
“You will not need clothes, Théoden. Let us go,” Nolan ordered.
I looked at Ara one last time, my eyes pleading for him to change his mind, and he gazed back at me, his eyes hard in his resolution. He waved his hand dismissively and my soul crushed under the weight of that dismissal. I turned back to Nolan and he smiled because he knew he had won this one. I followed him out of the palace and into the waiting carriage.
He climbed in along with his son, taking the bench opposite mine, and chuckled. “You think this is only your punishment, little brother?”
“It is, I will have to endure your touch. Something that makes my skin crawl,” I snapped.
“Aye, but then, I have to touch you in a way that brings you pleasure when I would much rather bring you pain,” he said.
“Then let us hope this month does not linger,” I offered.
“Well, let us not be too hasty, either.” He smiled then and leaned over, kissing his son.
God help me… one month.
