Page 98 of Mortal Blood
And then my eyes shifted right and landed on Cain. Everything about him screamed power, danger…and malice. I knew this fight was the last thing Cole wanted, but Cain looked like he relished the chance for violence. Any doubt I’d had thatthis was the right thing to do died right then. A pack this big, thisstrong, couldn’t be under the control of a man like that. You know that Voltaire quote about power and responsibility? I don’t think I ever really appreciated it until I understood exactly how much power one man could have…and how Cain had abused that responsibility.
I returned Cole’s nod, just as Cain turned and roared to the crowd. Silence fell over them, and his every word carried clearly.
“My arrogant pup of a son has challenged me for the right to lead this pack.” He swept his scowling sneer across the entirety of the gathered pack. “As is his right…and the right of anyone here who thinks they arebetterthan me. So be it. I have been the alpha of this pack for fifty years and this is not the first challenge I’ve faced. I doubt it will be the last.”
I shivered at his words, at his certainty that he would emerge the victor. He had so much experience…
“Enough talk. Prepare yourself,pup.”
Cain pulled off his shirt, and it took a moment for the horrific realization to settle on me.
“They’re going to fight in wolf form,” I breathed. I should have known.
Cain’s body contorted, bones snapping and reforming, until a massive black wolf stood before Cole, teeth bared and snarling. I shuddered, the imposing size and menace radiating off him chilling me to my core.
Cole shifted fluidly into his own wolf form. Smaller than his father but still bigger than almost any wolf I’d seen, he regarded Cain with cool eyes, muscles coiled and ready. His slate-gray fur stood on end, hackles raised in response to Cain’s savage snarls.
For a long moment, the two wolves stared each other down, the pack silent around them. Then Cain lunged with deadly speed, going straight for Cole’s throat. My own throat squeezed in panic—Cain was going straight for the kill—but Cole spun aside, jaws snapping down to narrowly miss Cain’s shoulder.
They broke apart and circled each other, snarling as they sized each other up, looking for weaknesses. My heart pounded, hands clenched into helpless fists as I watched the vicious display.
Again Cain attacked, but Cole was ready this time. He met the charge head-on, the two wolves colliding brutally, a tangle of snapping teeth and slashing claws. Dust kicked up around them, obscuring the brief but savage clash until they broke apart again. My eyes ran over Cole frantically, but I couldn’t see any sign of blood or injury. Cain was unhurt, too.
Cole’s defensive style was clear as Cain threw himself forward a third time, and I bit down on my lip as Cole’s snapping jaws fended off Cain’s attack. He couldn’t keep defending forever, not without getting badly hurt in the process. He needed a plan.
Cain circled, a growl rumbling deep in his chest. His hackles bristled, jaws parted just enough to expose deadly fangs. Black eyes watched Cole’s every movement with predatory focus, waiting for an opening.
Cole turned with him, matching each step. With terrifying speed, Cain broke the circling pattern and lunged. Cole reared up to meet the charge, and their bodies collided with the crash of bone on bone. Dust rose around them as they spun and snapped, a snarling blur of dark fur and fangs. And then the coppery scent of blood hit the air.
They broke apart, sides heaving. Blood dripped from a gash on Cole’s shoulder. My heart squeezed painfully at the sight. But his eyes remained sharp and focused, while Cain’s were dark with fury at the failed attack. I stifled a gasp. Coledidhave a plan. He was going to let Cain get himself more and more worked up, until his fury became recklessness and he gave him an opening. But it was a dangerous game to play with a bigger, more experienced wolf.
Cole darted in before Cain could recover, trying to capitalize on the moment. Cain scrambled back, barely avoiding the snapping jaws aimed at his neck. Cole gave chase, harrying him across the circle. The pack stirred, sensing the shift in power.
Cain spun with jaws agape. Cole sprang left just as the bigger wolf’s razor fangs sliced the space where he’d been. Cain’s momentum carried him past and Cole seized the opportunity, rear claws raking viciously across his father’s ribs.
Cain’s enraged roar split the night. He whipped around, maw closing on Cole’s flank and shaking violently. Cole snarled, back legs kicking frantically until his weight dragged him free, a patch of fur left behind in Cain’s teeth.
They broke apart, chests heaving. Fresh blood stained Cain’s muzzle. But Cole stood firm, cold cunning shining in his amber eyes. Cain was all uncontrolled fury now. Cole would use that against him.
But he was hurt. There was no mistaking the unevenness to his gait—Cain had taken more than just fur from him in that last clash, and blood was flowing freely down his flank. And I wasn’t the only one who could see it.
With an ear-splitting snarl, Cain hurtled toward him once more. Cole darted aside, but the injury slowed him andCain’s bulk smashed into him, sending him hurtling through the air and then smashing down to the dirt. Cain leapt after him, crashing onto his back and trapping Cole beneath all his crushing weight. Cole thrashed in the dust, struggling for leverage as black wolf’s jaws closed around his throat. I choked back a scream, panic clawing up my throat. He was going to crush Cole’s windpipe!
Somehow Cole got his rear paws braced under Cain’s chest. With a mighty heave he kicked out, throwing Cain off him. Both wolves rolled clear, then found their feet, swaying and gasping.
Cole steadied himself on trembling legs, blood dripping from the fresh punctures in his throat. But defiance still burned in his amber eyes. He wasn’t beaten yet. Please, don’t let him be beaten.
Snarling, Cain circled him warily now. His own injuries were slowing him, and his frustration was clear in every movement. But his massive size still gave him the advantage over Cole’s lighter, swifter frame.
Cole turned with him, his own movements slower than they had been at the start of the fight. Cain feinted left, then struck right. Cole spun, but not fast enough. The impact sent him skidding through the dirt, dazed. Cain pursued, looming over him for the kill. A scream bubbled up in my throat and then Cole surged up, clamping his jaws onto Cain’s vulnerable underbelly. Cole thrashed his head violently, teeth tearing into flesh until Cain wrenched away with a pained roar.
Cole scrambled clear, spitting fur and blood from his muzzle. His breaths came in ragged pants but determination filled his eyes. Whatever he felt about wounding his father, he wasn’t going to let it stop him.
Around them, the pack stirred restlessly. Cain was faltering, failing. Cole was matching him blow for blow, ready to bring the battle to its bloody conclusion.
Cain sensed it, too. Enraged, he rushed the younger wolf. Cole darted right, raking his teeth along Cain’s side as he passed, and then retreated, forcing Cain to turn. Cole struck again from behind, aiming for the hamstring.
Cain collapsed with a yelp, right hind leg hanging limply. He twisted and lunged, but his injured bulk moved too slowly. Cole evaded the grasp of the deadly jaws once more.
