Chapter 11

Connor stood at the bowl of the lake from two nights ago. The wind pressing against its surface, leaving ripples in its wake.

“Do you really think they’ll all show?” his father asked.

Connor knew that Tess would convince her father to come.

“I’d be surprised if they didn’t,” Connor replied.

A rustle in the bushes sounded the first group’s arrival. Tess, her father, and her younger brother marched from the tree line. Her brother looked in high spirits even if he was a bit worse for wear.

The rest of the wolves were fanned out in the forest, watching for any sign of attack from the bears.

Connor made his way over to Tess and held her close. They were glad to see each other safe. Connor gave Tess a kiss on the forehead and she smiled from the affection.

“So I guess it’s true what I’ve heard,” her father started, “you really were sleeping with the enemy.”

Connor’s father growled and bared his fangs.

“Already insulting your future ally,” he said, “that’s a great way to start peace talks.”

“I only need a truce,” her father replied, “Peace with your kind is a waste.”

“See what I mean, boy?” Connor’s father continued, “We’re getting nothing out of this. Let’s just go.”

His father turned to leave but Connor took him by the shoulder, and Tess took her father by the hand.

“We have a mutual enemy. Our homes have been destroyed, our people killed and wounded, and you have the audacity to continue this idiotic feud?” Connor snapped.

“We’re the future of these two packs. End this here and now so we can deal with our true enemy,” Tess added.

The two men stood eye to eye; glaring in an attempt to stare the other down but neither giving so much as a single hint of weakness.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Connor’s father offered a hand.

After a long second that felt like an eternity, Tess’s father grasped it tightly. And, in that moment, Connor and Tess breathed a sigh of relief.

A loud howl from the north snapped them from the talks; followed by another, and another. The forest floor shook from the weight of the bears thudding footfalls as over the crest of a hill swept a sea of fur.

All the wolves funneled in to protect their leaders. The fathers shifted, being nearly the same size as a bear. They gave each other a nod and joined the fray.

“Get your brother out of here,” Connor said as he shifted and sprinted off to fight.

Tess did as she was told. They shifted and sprinted off for the vehicle that brought them. The sudden feeling of déjà vu came over her as she ran along the familiar path. Alex followed closely behind.

They nimbly dodged around fallen trees but found themselves caught by a passing bear. Alex was the first to bare his fangs and snarl. Tess followed his lead.

The bear was outnumbered and with an advantage at hand they pounced at the bear. It fell to the earth like a fallen tree, tumbling through the bushes. Tess felt the strength of the pack behind and it filled her with a ferocity she never felt in herself before.

Her teeth bit deep into the creatures hide as it roared out for help. Alex attacked its leg, biting down to the bone. The bear lay there and Tess lost herself in the excitement of the kill, she didn’t notice the bears that had come to aid their fallen friend.

A claw raked into her back, tearing into her flesh, and she yelped loudly from the pain. Alex spun to fend off the new attackers but was pulled down by the bear on the ground.

Meanwhile, Connor and his father danced around the battlefield, leaving fresh blood on the ground wherever their fangs took them. His father had fully given himself over to the beast inside and lashed out at everything he saw. Even Connor was wary about getting too close.

But, in the midst of the battlefield he heard a familiar cry. Tess howled in pain causing Connor’s heart to sink. He sprinted off in the direction of his beloved as quickly as his legs would carry him. His father came to his senses as he followed him deeper into the woods.

Tess was in bad shape. Her leg was mangled and her fur was torn. Connor felt his rage return and harder than he’d felt it before. The beast inside him lashed out. He didn’t care that there were five bears; he would have leapt into ten times their number to save the person he loved.

His father was reinvigorated by the reckless abandon his son had shown and joined the fray. Connor got between the bears and Tess. Standing on their hind legs the bears roared out a war cry.

Connor growled and barked snarling alongside his father.

The battle began. The bears advanced and Connor lashed out, biting with all the force he could muster. His father was defending against two more trying to surround the small group.

The only thing in Connor’s mind was red. He wanted more, he needed more, and he hoped they might sate his desire for blood. He felled one with a bite to the neck and it fell lifeless before him, then another, and another.

The bears started to turn to assist their fallen brethren but were stopped by the onslaught of attacks by the two wolves. But, it wouldn’t last forever. A strong swipe from one of the attacking bears landed hard against the face of Connor’s father.

He fell to the ground without a sound. Were Connor not so lost to his inner rage he may have noticed, but Tess watched the events unfold. She had to look away from the monster that Connor was becoming.

Even as the bears turned to run away and nurse their wounds, Connor gave them chase. He readied himself to run off and continue his attacks, even though he was bloodied from the claws and every inch of him was bruised. He felt a lick alongside his face.

Tess stood beside him while he breathed heavily. After a moment he realized the battle was over and found his father lying motionless on the forest floor.

Connor shifted and limped over to his father, a surge of emotions welling up inside of him. People around him began to shift and watch the scene unfold.

“Dad?!” he said.

Tears bubbled at the corners of his eyes as his father shifted and let out a labored laugh.

“I knew I was right to go hard on you. You’ll make a great leader,” he said, tears in his eyes.

He reached a hand out which Connor grabbed and held firm.

“Take care of her. Take care of your people. Be the leader that I couldn’t” he said, his body going limp.

“No! You can’t go,” on his knees, pressing his father’s hand against his face, Connor sobbed, “Don’t give up, I’ll never forgive you”

Connor got up and lifted his father from the floor with every ounce of strength he had left. And, when it seemed he may lose his footing, Tess was there to catch him.

Tess’s father was already limping towards the scene.

“Doctor!” Connor screamed between sobs, “I need a doctor!”

Tess’s father joined the gathering and examined the body of his rival.

“He’s gone, Connor,” he said.

Connor didn’t know what to feel anymore. He wanted to kick something, or scream, but instead he just let the tears streak slowly down the sides of his face.

He carried his father from the woods, while the remaining members of the packs followed close behind, and laid his father down before the still lake.

He knelt down beside his father’s lifeless body, with Tess joining on his side, and began to wipe the tears from his eyes. He took a moment but cleared his throat.

“Thank you,” he began “Thank you for everything, father.”

Tess’s father placed a hand on Connor’s shoulder.

“Son, nobody will ever forget what happened here today,” he said, “Your father, the Alpha of the Moon Runner pack, fought valiantly. Not only that, but he protected my daughter and for that I am forever grateful. You should be proud of yourself son, convincing two hard headed old dogs to put their differences aside to focus on the bigger picture is no easy task. You will be a great leader.”

Connor silently nodded as the Alpha walked away. He turned around to see the members of the Night Howlers clan paying their respects to his deceased father. He gave them a thankful smile and watched as they followed their Alpha back to their den.

Tess remained by Connor’s side as his pack walked in to mourn the death of their Alpha. After what seemed like hours, the elders and Connor carried his father home.