Blaidd

Blaidd almost lost his mind when he heard Amber growl at Vivian.

“Thank Fate.”

He breathed a sigh of relief at Vivian’s quick thinking, and the excuse she invented to cover up her actions. Blaidd didn’t want to think about what might have happened if she was discovered concealing the utor.

“Galen, I’m heading back to the surveillance room.”

Blaidd left the clinic and took the lift to the upper levels. With one ear he listened to what was happening with Vivian, as he scrolled through the images she sent.

“Who the koyat are these males,” he grumbled.

Blaidd didn’t recognize the gray male, or the majority of the other traitors. They weren’t part of the primary clans. Then again, he’d been gone a long time. But he did know Amber. He’d been lenient with the female once before, now she’d sealed her fate.

When Blaidd reached the surveillance room, it was bustling with repair technicians, and guards from his own clan.

“The damage is extensive,” Indago growled.

Blaidd wasn’t surprised by the news.

“Do you recognize any of these males?” Blaidd handed his Chief Beta the utor.

“No. Wait. Amber,” Indago exclaimed, as he scrolled through the pictures.

Blaidd wanted to hit something. He was hoping Indago would have a clue who was behind this, since he knew Amber wasn’t the mastermind. The female was from his own clan. Blaidd was both surprised and not by her betrayal. Amber had been scheming for seasons to leverage herself into a higher status. He should’ve known the female would be trouble once she was stripped from the delta ranks.

“What am I hearing?” Indago asked.

“Vivian’s being kept in the Hold,” Blaidd snarled. “She sent those images. That’s her you hear, live. She’s hiding the utor I gave her.”

“By the Fates!”

“Somehow, someone convinced Lyr to go get her. Vivian managed to take a picture of a fissure in the rock, the one Harper hid in when we were there. I tried to communicate with her to take refuge there.”

“She’s smart if she managed to send us this much. She’ll figure it out,” Indago encouraged.

“I really hope so.”

“How’s Lyr?”

“They’re working on him now.” Blaidd grimly shook his head. “Contact the list of betas we trust. We need to mount a rescue mission.”

“Yes, Primitus.”

As Blaidd headed to the small planning room near surveillance, he listened to the soothing sound of Vivian breathing. It was surprisingly even sounding, given the danger she was in. Blaidd wished he could speak to her, but he couldn’t risk anyone on the other end hearing his voice. He closed his eyes and pictured Vivian’s face. It looked like someone hit her, which was enough to enrage him, but she appeared calm and collected despite it.

I know you don’t think you’re good enough to be my Prima, but you couldn’t be more wrong.

Vivian had an inner fortitude that astounded him. He was so damn proud of what she accomplished, sending him intel. He’d be honored and blessed to have her by his side.

“I’m coming for you, treasure.”

Blaidd paced while his most trusted betas entered the planning room. He nodded to Nyk, Khal, and Brac, as they took their seats around the large table.

“Did any of you tell the other betas you were coming to this meeting?” Blaidd demanded once everyone was present.

They shook their heads, so Blaidd continued.

“Good. Let me start by saying there is a reason I have selected you. In the past, many of you risked your tails for me and our people. And some of you are too young to be complicit in what I’m about to share. Either way, I am honored to serve our people by your side,” Blaidd relayed with all sincerity, as he looked to each of his betas. “Before I get down to business, I must insist that what I tell you doesn’t leave this room.” The betas nodded. “You’re already aware of Radma’s betrayal,” Blaidd growled. “What you don’t know is that he was murdered in his cell.” Shock moved through the group, but Blaidd didn’t pause. “A drug was found in his system. Upon further examination it was discovered this same drug was used to assassinate my sire, Vanum. It is likely that whoever is behind all this, is also responsible for my time in the Hold. And I believe they may have tried to murder my mother.”

A murmur traveled through the group as the news sank in.

“I wish I could say this is where the treachery ends,” Blaidd growled. “But the traitor among our ranks is making a play for the position of Primitus, and they have done it in a very personal way. Today they stepped up their plan by sabotaging our surveillance, and coercing Lyr into retrieving Vivian from Earth. Lyr was sent back to us in a grave state. Currently a team of medicus are attempting to save his life. Thank the Fates my wily female managed to contact me and send images of these bastards.”

Indago brought up the images of the unknown Lupercalia and Torvus males on the planning table.

“The traitors are keeping Vivian in the Hold,” Blaidd boomed. “Look carefully at these faces. Do any of you recognize these males? The only identity we are certain of is Amber.”

The dozen betas surveyed the faces, but no one offered up any names.

“They might be mercenaries,” Nyk suggested. “I’ve heard of bands from the home-world working for hire.”

“That would make sense. I can’t imagine anyone convincing enough of our own to go against you,” Brac growled.

Indago shifted the image to show the Hold.

“These traitors may think they’ve got me by the tail, but they’re koyat’g wrong. I know the Hold better than anyone,” he snarled in rage. “We’re obviously going to mount a rescue mission. I want each of you to organize a strike team of your best fighters. Vivian’s going to take cover. As soon as I have confirmation she’s safe we begin shifting into position. The first team will take this level, and so on. The last team taking the floor.” He pointed to the virtual map. “We’ll strike in unison. But if any of the traitors are alerted, it’s a go. The primary goal is to rescue Vivian, and take out the threat. The only one I want to question is the leader. Beyond that, we won’t be bringing back any prisoners. Understood? Gather your teams, and meet at the limen portal on the jora,” Blaidd dismissed the group.

The betas exited to prepare, and Blaidd followed Indago to the armory. Blaidd pulled out his utor, and checked on Vivian. Nothing had changed. He heard her breathing, and the subtle murmurs of the bastards around her. As he was staring at the communicator, an incoming message pinged.

“Do you have news about Lyr, Galen?”

“No, unfortunately. I have news about Zora. She is coming out of the coma.”

This was the first good news Blaidd had all day.

“Is she speaking?”

Maybe he could get answers to all the questions he had. Blaidd was willing to believe Zora hadn’t blatantly betrayed him, but she knew or learned something.

“No.” Galen shook his head.

Blaidd sighed in frustration.

“Galen, if you could personally sit with her, while we go get Vivian, I’d appreciate it. With everything that’s happened, I fear my mother’s in danger.”

“I’ll guard her with my life,” the old medicus solemnly replied.

Galen might be past his prime, but he’d spent time in the Hold, making him a force to be reckoned with.

“Thank you, my friend.”

 

Vivian

Vivian watched her captors, waiting for an opening to make a break for the crack in the stone wall. Ubel was talking with a Torvus male halfway across the cavern, so Vivian stretched and casually stood up. She leaned against the rock, as she flexed her legs and worked the kinks out of her neck. As Vivian glanced at her objective, Ubel turned and eyed her. He and the other man moved closer, and sat at a dilapidated table a dozen yards away.

Dammit! She silently cursed in frustration. No, don’t get discouraged. Just be patient.

Vivian vacillated between following the movement of the guards and coveting her goal. Her eyes widened when a giant roach emerged from the crack in the rock, followed by another, then another, till a swarm of bugs were bubbling out of the crevice. Vivian gaped at the vile creatures in disbelief. They were the size of her hand. Their black segmented bodies propelled by a dozen scurrying legs.

I’m supposed to hide inside a nest of giant roaches. Oh god, Vivian reeled. You’re going to do it. There’s no other option, Vivian berated herself.

She tried to keep her breathing even, as the horde kept coming, converging on the large pool of blood left by Lyr. There were so many of them, they overran the cavern floor, scrambling to reach the stain. Vivian gawked in horror as the writhing mass got ever closer. The mongrels stood and watched the macabre spectacle. Even they appeared disgusted.

This might be my best chance.

Vivian screamed and jumped to her feet, when several of the giant roaches scurried too close for comfort.

She danced around the swarm, angling for her goal.

It’s so close. Vivian darted for the crack.

The blow to her side was so sudden, Vivian didn’t even have time to scream in shock, as she flew several feet, and struck the unforgiving wall. She heard the bones in her arm snap, as agony seared through her. Vivian’s ankle buckled when she landed, her head smacking the floor.

“Do you think we’re ignorant,” the gray-haired mongrel snarled as he loomed over her, blood dripping from his claws.

Vivian gasped for breath. Her eyes blurred as she stared in horror at the claw marks on her side and flaying her broken forearm.

“Amber, search her for the utor she’s been hiding,” the leader demanded. “And bandage her side, so she doesn’t bleed out before Blaidd gets here.”

The last thing Vivian saw, before she succumbed to the encroaching darkness, was the swarm of blood-hungry roaches and a menacing she-wolf coming for her.

 

Blaidd

Blaidd donned his body armor, strapped the cache of weapons into their various holsters, and exited his bedroom.

“Taruk, follow me,” he instructed the guard, as he crossed the foyer.

Taruk was a lethal fighter, one of the reasons he’d been assigned regular duty at the entrance of Blaidd’s private wing.

“Yes, Primitus.”

“Oh my god,” Vivian screamed through the utor, making Blaidd instantly freeze his stride.

“Vivian!” Blaidd bellowed.

He stared at the screen, desperately wanting to know what was happening. But all Blaidd saw was a swath of blue fabric, where Vivian had the utor tucked into her pants. Blaidd listened in horror to the sound of Vivian running. There was an angry growl, followed by a loud thud that jarred Vivian’s communicator.

No, no. Blaidd’s gut twisted when he heard Vivian gasp in agony. 

“Do you think we’re ignorant,” a male snarled. “Amber, search her for the utor she’s been hiding, and bandage her side, so she doesn’t bleed out before Blaidd gets here.”

There was more rustling as the communicator was tugged from Vivian’s waistband. A smear of blood coated the screen, blurring the image.

“Here, Ubel,” Amber said as she passed over the utor.

Blaidd gripped his communicator, nearly breaking it, as the distorted face of the gray-haired bastard appeared.

“The female was foolish. Don’t make the same mistake. Get your tail here; my patience is growing thin,” Ubel rumbled into the utor.

“You’re going to die, that I promise,” Blaidd calmly assured the male, though he was seething with rage. “But if Vivian dies, I guarantee I’ll take you apart slowly.”

“I look forward to it,” Ubel chuckled menacingly, then dropped Vivian’s utor, and crushed it under his boot.

Blaidd threw his communicator, smashing it on the far wall. He gripped the nearby table, and also sent it flying, as he roared out the crippling anguish that threatened to overwhelm him. Anything else he could get his hands on suffered the same fate. Blaidd looked around the vestibule for something else to vent his rage on, but nothing remained. He huffed, attempting to reign in his emotions. The carnage wouldn’t help Vivian. Taruk stood silent and grim, having heard all that transpired.

“I need your utor,” Blaidd demanded.

He needed to let Indago know the traitors discovered Vivian had been communicating with him.

“Indago, they hurt her,” Blaidd bellowed to his cousin, his voice wavering. “We need to go now!”

“Blaidd,” Indago said in a disturbingly calm voice. His eyes held a sympathetic pain. “Sito and the rest of our clan in the limen sector have been slaughtered.”

Slaughtered? Blaidd slumped against the wall, as the devastating news sank in.

Indago went to the limen portal early, to organize the strike teams as they arrived. But the traitor beat him there. The technicians were still repairing the surveillance monitors, so there was no way to discover who’d done this.

“I’m on my way.” Blaidd pulled himself together.

Blaidd and Taruk hurried to the portal room. As the pair exited the lift, they were met by the grim sight of the dead.

“This has to be the work of more than one person,” Blaidd mumbled.

It appeared the guards on the secure level had been ambushed the second the traitors exited the lift. That meant whoever was responsible knew exactly how many males they’d be faced with.

Taruk howled as he knelt by his slain brother. Blaidd gripped his shoulder in sympathy.

“We will avenge them,” he promised.

“Whoever did this, also sabotaged the limen,” Indago reported. As he spoke his utor pinged. “Yes.”

“Where’s Blaidd?” Galen demanded.

“I’m here,” Blaidd replied.

“Zaftan contacted me from the Imperial House. Someone sabotaged their limen.”

“Koyat’g fate,” Blaidd snarled.

This coup was widening as it spiraled out of control. The traitor hadn’t just infiltrated his tower in Setmar, but also the Nameless and Serus’ home in the Imperial City.

“This isn’t good,” Indago snarled.

The sabotage didn’t just damage the portals, but also rendered the remote limen useless. The portable receivers needed to tap into a primary limen to function. Blaidd frantically considered his options, but couldn’t think of another portal with enough power to tap into. That meant they were now forced to reach the Hold by skiff.

“Tell Zaftan to watch his back, and secure the twins’ mother,” Blaidd barked into his communicator.

“Your mother is asking for you. Actually, she’s demanding your presence,” Galen added.

“Coming.” Blaidd disconnected. “Indago, stay here with Taruk. I want to know which teams shows up. It was only too convenient this ambush happened when it did. As the others arrive, order them to disarm. Any who refuse, are to be shot on sight,” Blaidd roared. He no longer trusted anyone.

As he descended to the clinic, Blaidd transferred his private signal to the utor he borrowed from Taruk. The instant he finished inputting the code, the communicator pulsed.

“What?” Blaidd barked.

“Primitus, my team arrived at the armory to find this,” Khal snarled, as he transmitted a handful of images. “I can’t access the main weapons cache.”

A blast had charred and sealed the armory doors. There was blood splatter on the walls and floor, but no bodies.

“There are too many scents. I can’t tell who did this,” Khal angrily reported.

“The limen’s also been sabotaged, but get up there anyway. Don’t balk when Indago insists you disarm. We’re going to see who actually shows up.”

The sinking feeling he’d trusted the wrong beta, deepened. Blaidd was hoping to narrow down who it was, based on the betas that showed up at the portal. But now that seemed ambitious, since the traitor was picking off his allies.

Blaidd apprised Indago of the most recent devastating news, then entered his mother’s room in the clinic. Galen nodded to him, before leaving him in private. Zora looked seasons older, as she lay propped in the bed.

“Blaidd,” she whispered anxiously.

“Mother.” Blaidd frowned in concern, as he knelt by the bed. “What happened?”

“Nyk,” she husked the beta’s name. “He’s behind this.” Zora shook her head sadly.

Blaidd snarled in anger. This explained a lot. Nyk had numerous clan members working in the Imperial City. The beta’s unique position made it possible to infiltrate the Imperial House, and take down Kral Nox. Blaidd trusted Nyk because he was invaluable during that mission, and he and Radma were notorious adversaries. But that trust was sorely misplaced. Nyk was proving to be a much bigger evil than imagined, manipulating things in the pack and the Imperial House.

Blaidd couldn’t take much more of this. To say he was past his breaking point was an understatement.

“What do you know, mother?”

“He helped me kill your sire,” Zora quietly admitted.

“What?” Blaidd roared. He jumped to his feet and backed away from the bed.

“Please, Blaidd, you don’t understand,” Zora choked. “Vanum, was much like Vivian’s mate.”

Blaidd closed his eyes. He could scent she wasn’t lying. Her admission dredged up memories better left in the past, and his shoulders dropped.

That is why she always sent me away, and could never stand even the suggestion of the injustice.

“I was willing to put up with it, because he was good to you,” Zora continued. “But when Vanum returned from the Imperial City, he told me he promised to aid Kral Nox in the Jyanti war.”

Blaidd recalled stories about the war. Nox embroiled the empire in a lot of battles, in his unending pursuit of greatness. But the Jyanti war nearly crippled the empire. Only one in a score of warriors returned from the ill-fated venture, and they were a shell of their former selves.

“I couldn’t allow it,” Zora pleaded. “He would’ve wiped out a third of our people. All because he refused to stand up to the Kral.”

This was not the news Blaidd expected to hear. It was hard to wrap his head around. Blaidd gripped the wall to steady himself.

“Once it was done, Nyk wanted to take over as Primitus. He was young enough, I was able to put him in his place. I thought it was all in the past, but now I can see he’s been scheming, waiting for the right time to stab us in the back. I’m so sorry, my precious warrior. I should’ve told you when I realized Nyk was responsible for Radma’s death, rather than let my fear get the best of me,” she lamented. “Then he showed up in my quarters.”

“I need to go.”

“Blaidd.” Zora halted him. “Nyk’s been gaining supporters all these seasons. As I lay bleeding, he bragged about having backing among all the clans. I don’t know how much of it is true, but given what’s been happening, I’d believe him.”

Blaidd growled in frustration. There was a time when he could’ve trusted his fellow Lupercalia implicitly. Now, when he needed them the most, he didn’t know who he could turn to. The revelation cemented a plan Blaidd had been flirting with from the moment he learned Vivian was in danger. He’d go in on his own. It was a suicide mission, but he was losing precious time trying to get a grasp on how deep this betrayal ran. It was time Vivian didn’t have.

“Thank you for telling me. Rest mother,” he said flatly, and turned to leave.

“Blaidd?” Zora frowned at his cold reply.

Blaidd had to set his emotions aside. They weren’t going to save Vivian, or stop this coup.

“You’re my mother, and I love you. I don’t like what’s happened, but I understand,” Blaidd reassured her with a nod, then left the room.

Blaidd pulled out his communicator, and hailed Zaftan in the Imperial City.

“Blaidd, how are you? Galen told me what’s going on there,” the Pacherma responded.

“Likely running headlong toward my death. Did you secure Immanis? Nyk is behind this betrayal, so none of the Lupercalia in the Imperial House should be trusted.” The words were bitter in his mouth.

“She is safe. I assumed as much, after learning your limen was also sabotaged. But I appreciate the warning. What are you planning?”

“I’m going in the way we came out. At this point it’s the only way,” Blaidd replied as he headed to the tower hangar.

Blaidd hoped by sneaking into the Hold the way he escaped, he’d be able to surprise the traitors, and get Vivian out.

“You’re going in alone?” Zaftan asked incredulously.

Blaidd nodded. He could see by the way Zaftan’s large ears flapped and his prehensile snout stood rigid, the Pacherma didn’t approve.

Indago’s also going to be pissed I’m leaving him behind. But Blaidd needed someone to hold things together in Setmar.

“I have to go. Keep Nameless and Serus’ mother safe.” Blaidd disconnected.

The lift doors parted and Blaidd stopped. The skiff hangar was filled with dozens of omegas. Coal, Phaedra and Galen standing at the front of the group.

“What is going on?” Blaidd demanded.

“Joining you,” Coal replied.

“I don’t have time for this.”

Blaidd headed for the first uni-skiff in the parked fleet. The sleek, one-man vehicle would swiftly get him to the mountain passage, and could easily skim over the river cutting through the peak.

“Don’t be stubborn,” Phaedra insisted.

The mage was no doubt the one who gathered the unexpected mob of omegas.

“Vivian will need medical help,” Galen added. It was a valid point.

“And unlike your betas, we care about Vivian.” Coal waved to the gathered group.

“Not only was she building us a park, but she’s one mean Pila coach,” a smaller male stated, and his companions nodded. Blaidd didn’t realize Vivian knew about Pila.

The omegas present represented all the clans. If it was any other rank, Blaidd would be hesitant to trust them, given all the betrayal. But their lowly status banded them together into a clan of their own. And it was clear Vivian had won their unwavering support.

“Then load up on the uni-skiffs and follow me,” Blaidd bellowed to the group.

The omegas raised their fists and howled an exuberant war cry. For the first time that day, Blaidd was filled with hope. He threw his leg over the sleek vehicle, and it roared to life. Blaidd maneuvered out of the tower and sped off toward the mountain range at a breakneck speed.