(Unedited Preview)

Carter looked down at his suit, shaking his head as he adjusted one of his cufflinks. He hated wearing light gray suits, they totally didn’t go with his blonde hair. But it was Clan Sierra Clarita’s color, so for events like this, he had to wear it.

“Well, at least it’s a good suit,” he said as he looked at himself in the mirror. Coming from the finest tailors in London, he’d insisted on at least wearing the right cut even if he couldn’t wear the right colors. Slim cut, it was nearly molded to his body and showed off his chiseled physique as best a suit could.

He adjusted his tie, making sure the knot was perfect before turning his eyes to the picture on the wall next to the mirror. At one glance, anyone could see the resemblance, Carter and the woman in the picture shared the same eyes, the same emerald green eyes, although where her features were the epitome of feminine, while Carter’s were anything but.

“Well Mom,” he said, reaching out and touching the photo tenderly, “I guess the day you kept telling me about is finally here. But… I’ll admit Mom, I don’t really want it.”

You may not want it, but you know that your father is right. If you don’t take over as Alpha, it’s going to be even worse for the Clan.

“Doesn’t mean that I want to do it,” Carter said, shaking his head. “I’d rather be in Reno right now, it’d be a lot more fun.”

I never told you not to have fun, Carter. But we always knew this day would come, and you’ll have to stand up now.

Carter sighed, even in his mind his mother’s voice was no nonsense. “Mom… it’s not fair.”

Life often isn’t. You and I both know that Delilah’s filled your brother’s mind with nothing but hatred and anger for his entire life.

“It’s not my fault that Dad loved you more than he ever loved her,” Carter grumbled, knowing he was whining to himself but not really caring. “How’s that my fault?”

It’s not. But if you don’t do this… that will be your fault. Now go, Carter. I love you.

Carter swallowed, and touched the photograph again. “I love you too, Mom.”

Carter shook his head and slipped on his shoes, taking one more deep breath before there was a knock on his door. “Lord Ansbach, are you ready?”

“Don’t call me that,” Carter muttered under his breath before clearing his throat. To the door, he called out more loudly. “Yeah!”

He opened his bedroom door to find Bernard Swinton, one of the assistants around the estate, waiting for him. Bernard was a turned Lycan, and had served the family well for most of Carter’s life, although he found the man annoying. He wasn’t a Lycan, he was a puppy dog.

“Lord Ansbach, the Clan is assembled,” Bernard said in his normal simpering voice. “Your father wanted to make sure things started on time.”

“Things will run just fine,” Carter said, shaking his head. “Jesus Bernard, you act like this is somehow anything more than a dog and pony show.”

Carter knew he shouldn’t have used the phrase, Lycans generally disliked any saying involving dogs, but Carter didn’t care about hurting Bernard’s feelings, the man was just an ass kisser.

“Either way, Lord, it would look best to the Clan if you’re not late for your own Alpha Ceremony,” Carter said. “It’ll make your transition to power easier.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Carter bitched, pushing past Bernard and leaving his bed chambers. He figured that after today, he’d probably keep his room, he wasn’t a country Lycan anyway. The Clan’s territory included the outskirts of Carson City, he could just live there instead, someplace closer to some damn civilization and not stuck here in the foothills of the mountains.

They made their way through the super large ranch house that made up the Manor. In a nod to the earthquakes that shook the area from time to time, the whole thing was one floor, over nine thousand square feet of main building that Carter had called home his entire life, even if he didn’t enjoy living there.

“So are you looking forward to it, Bernard?” Carter asked as they made their way down the long hallway that connected Carter’s quarters to the rest of the house. “It’ll be a new era for the Clan.”

“It will, Lord, but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. Your father has led the Clan for a very long time. Sixty years, according to what I’ve been told, and the Clan has done well for those years. I know the past twenty five years have been amazing for me, I’ve been honored to have been accepted by your father to the Clan.”

Carter stopped, surprised at how open Carter was being. “Do you really think I’d screw things up that badly, Bernard?”

Bernard shook his head, immediately looking and sounding afraid. “No, Lord. It’s just that with any change like this, there’s going to be some nervousness. And to put it bluntly, a lot of the Clan doesn’t really know you that well. You’ve been… aloof.”

“If you mean I don’t like spending all my time in the foothills of the mountains and prefer a faster pace to my life, you’re damn right,” Carter growled, getting in Bernard’s face. “Is there a problem with that, Bernard?”

Bernard blanched, and shook his head. “Of course not Lord. Just… it would make it easier for the Clan if you became more involved.”

“I’ll do what it takes to keep the Clan doing just fine,” Carter replied, grabbing Bernard by the throat. “Now, is there anything else you wish to say?”

Bernard shook his head, and Carter let him go after a moment. He rubbed his throat, doing his best not to cough. “No, Lord.”

“Then let’s get this damn show on the road,” Carter said, wishing the damn thing was over already. He stalked his way through the rest of the house to the central clearing between the rear wings of the rambling estate house. In the background the mountains that the Clan took their name from rose majestically up, dominating the view as trees grew thick and heavy, pines and sequoias that Carter knew provided plenty of hunting ground to the members of the Clan who participated in such animalistic pursuits. While he’d never killed anything in his life, he could admit that on the times he had Changed, the mountains were fun to run through.

The Clan was arrayed in formal lines, everyone in their best clothes, large circles from the most senior and highest ranked Clan members to the newest first generation turned members of the Clan. Carter saw his father standing in the middle, his suit the same color as his, his dark brown hair standing out against his Clan suit. He was already looking weaker, the progression of his disease over the past five weeks had been very rapid, but Carter could see he’d pulled it all together for this last task.

Carter stepped through the circle to approach his father, making sure that he looked the part. “Lord Vincent Ansbach.”

“Carter Ansbach,” his father replied in a formal greeting, extending his hand. They clasped hands in the formal fashion, and Carter stepped back, assuming the position he had to hold for the ceremony.

His father looked around, taking in all the Clan, and raised his voice. “It is rare for a Clan Alpha to have the opportunity to guide his Clan for as long as I have. I was young when my father passed away. And I was made the leader of a Clan that wasn’t quite sure what to make of me. I was only twenty one at the time, barely out of college… and at the time Unmated.

“Yet for six decades, I have been lucky enough to have not only Mated twice, but have watched as our Clan has grown. No, we’re not on the level of the Mac Tire or the Lockwoods, but we can attend any Gathering and hold my head high, saying that I am Vincent Ansbach of Clan Sierra Clarita!”

There was a light cheer from the Clan as even Carter had to admit, his father’s words were stirring. He felt a swell of pride in his chest, even though he knew he was nowhere near a rah-rah boy.

His father grew somber, and looked at him. “Unfortunately, every Alpha must face the fact that some day, no matter how strong they are, no matter how much they devote themselves to their Clan, their time must come to an end. For me, that time is now. As many of you know, the illness that I’ve fought tooth and nail has proven stronger than anything we could try. I will choose to face my death with dignity, and will spend this last few weeks of my life ensuring that our Clan’s future is preserved. So we are gathered here today.”

There was total silence as Vincent looked around the Clan, and Carter thought he could see a tear start to form in his father’s eye. Vincent cleared his throat, and continued. “My time has come. I can no longer serve as the Alpha of this Clan. Therefore, by the law of tooth and fang, the law by which all Lycans are ruled, I remove myself. Who is to step forward and take my position?”

Carter knew that this was his moment. He stepped forward and raised his clenched fist to his chest. “I will.”

It was supposed to be a ceremonial passing of the torch, nothing more than a mere formality. Carter lifted his head to receive his father’s official blessing when there was a stirring in the crowd, and another voice spoke up.

“I will!”

Carter turned in shock as Xander stepped forward, his eyes already glowing in challenge. Vincent turned to his younger son, shocked. “What is this, Xander? You are not to be Alpha!”

“Shut up old man!” Xander snapped, his eyes blazing. “You’ve disrespected me for the last time, and by the very law you just quoted, you have no power over me any more!”

“You worthless pup….” Vincent growled, but was cut off when another warning growl came from behind Xander, and Delilah stepped forward to.

“You gave up your Alpha status, Vincent. You will not disrespect our son like that!” she said, her claws already starting to grow, “Or else your last two weeks of life will become your last two minutes!”

Vincent swallowed, looking at Carter. Carter understood, the illness that was robbing his father of his life had already robbed him of his ability to Change. There was nothing he could do. Instead, he turned to Carter, his eyes beseeching. “Son...”

Carter nodded in understanding. Xander was technically correct. As soon as Vincent had said he was no longer Alpha, the position was open. Any member of the Clan could step forward to lay a claim to the position.

But it was supposed to be just Carter, they’d agreed on it! Xander would be Mated to an Alpha level female in another Clan, and the Sierra Claritas would be Carter’s. Now… “You’re challenging me?”

Xander nodded, smirking. “You’ve never been my equal, Carter. You cannot lead the Clan, only I can.”

“Then prove it,” Carter said, his anger rising. Betrayed within his own Blood? He might not have been the most interested in leading the Clan, he personally didn’t care about Xander’s self centered lack of morals before, but this was too much. “How do you want to do it?”

“Human form… with sticks,” Xander said, making Carter’s stomach tighten. He’d been baited, and he realized it. He’d given Xander the right to name the conditions of the fight, and Xander had taken advantage of it.

Sticks… and his half brother had been training in martial arts his entire life. But there was nothing Carter could do without giving up his claim to Alpha status, and more importantly, letting Xander win automatically.

Carter shrugged nonchalantly even as his insides boiled while he slipped off his suit coat and shoes. They were no help here on the grass, he needed every chance he could get to win. He undid his cufflinks and pulled off his shirt, exposing his ripped, slightly hairy upper torso to the bright sunlight.

Carter wasn’t surprised when Joachim, one of Xander’s friends in the Clan, came forward with two pairs of fighting sticks. Solid lightweight aluminum, Carter knew what Xander could do with these, and his gut twisted again. Still… he had to try.

“Whenever you’re ready… little Brother,” Carter taunted, setting himself as best he could. He’d thrown down with people before, he knew he could handle himself… but Xander had the advantage by a long shot.

Xander didn’t take the bait though, and instead Delilah stepped between, her eyes going from side to side as she grinned. “Go.”

Carter circled, hoping to see an opening in Xander’s style. He flicked out his stick, and Xander smacked it away, the return flicker of his stick so fast Carter barely avoided it. They closed, Carter hoping to negate Xander’s stick, get into grappling range where his size and strength could be used.

Instead of dancing back like he’d expected, Xander closed too, the two of them meeting in a titanic clash that would have broken any normal human in half. Carter ducked, his experience with football giving him the advantage as he buried his shoulder in Xander’s ribs and lifted, driving him up and back before slamming him hard to the grass.

Xander was like a snake though and they tumbled, twisting and punching each other, growls filling the air. Carter felt like he was doing well, despite the damage Xander was inflicting. He was stronger than his brother, always had been and at such close range Xander’s stick wasn’t as useful.

“You traitor,” Carter growled in Xander’s ear as he threw an elbow that caught Xander in the temple. “You gave me your word.”

“Fuck you and fuck your word,” Xander growled, jamming his stick against Carter’s ribs. They were so tight that nobody else could see, but Carter felt the hypodermic needle shoot out, piercing him deeply. Icy fire filled his body and Carter groaned, the pain immediate and paralyzing. “The Clan is mine.”

Carter tried to hold on, but whatever it was that Xander had injected robbed him of his strength and Xander rolled them, a stick reinforced forearm shot to the nose shattering it. Carter’s head bounced off the turf and his head spun, stars shooting across his vision as Xander hit him again and again.

Carter tried to push his half-brother off, but Xander didn’t relent, and his arms were lead, heavy while at the same time weak. Instead, Xander cracked him in the top of the head again with the butt of his stick before grabbing him by the hair and lifting him off the ground. “Now… you die.”

“No!” Vincent yelled, stepping forward, his voice weakening. “Xander, please!”

Carter could barely focus, his vision was hazy and his body ached. Xander was still sitting on his belly, his neck was twisted, and he could feel blood filling his mouth from the beating Xander had put on him. Worst of all was the chilling pain that still filled his body. “Fuck… you…. Xander.”

“Xander, I’m begging you,” Vincent said, falling to his knees. “Let your brother live. You… you’re the new Alpha of the Sierra Claritas.”

“Father...” Carter muttered, trying to do something, but his arms and legs wouldn’t work.

“Fine,” Xander said, dropping Carter’s head back to the turf. He got off, and looked around, Carter blinking in the sunlight as Xander addressed the Clan. “Anyone else got anything else to say?”

“You… cheated,” Carter rasped, making Xander look down at him. “I’ll… get you.”

“No you won’t,” Xander said, bringing his foot up. “My first official act as Alpha. Carter Ansbach, you are cast out of Clan Sierra Clarita. If you are within Clan territory by sunrise tomorrow… you will die.”

With a harsh grunt, he stomped down, and Carter knew nothing but darkness.

* * *

Carter stumbled along, his body aching and the pain still coursing through his chest and arms. He could barely breathe, but he knew that he didn’t have a lot of time. He’d been out for hours after Xander had stomped on his head, and waking up on the lawn as the sun went down, the only person left was his father, who had sat on the grass. “Father?”

“I’m glad you’re awake, you still have time,” Vincent rasped, his body seemingly weaker than he’d been even a few hours prior. “I packed a bag for you.”

“Father… he cheated,” Carter rasped, crawling to his knees. “His stick… it had a needle...”

“When you took the sticks, you accepted whatever was in them,” Vincent had said with a sad finality. “Carter, I told you for years, you could never trust Xander. I’ve watched as he and his friends have taken over far too smoothly. And Delilah… she’s kept her position as Alpha Female.”

Carter had taken the backpack, and now stumbled through the woods, heading north. He knew that he didn’t have long, but if he could get north fast enough, he could maybe get to the highway, hitch a ride.

Carter heard a growl in the distance and turned, his eyes flashing as he saw the large Wolf stalking behind him, cutting him off from turning towards the road. “What?” he yelled, anger driving some of the pain from his body. “I’m leaving!”

The Wolf growled again, and Carter realized… Xander had lied yet again. He barely had time to shrug off his backpack before the Wolf sprang for him and he grabbed it by the throat, throwing it over his shoulder and buying him time.

He knew he was weak, he couldn’t fight even a lower level Lycan in Wolf form as he was, so he shifted, his body straining before bursting through his clothes, turning the remains of the suit into rags that barely clung to his body. It was just in time as the other Lycan sprang at him. Carter’s paws swiped and he caught his enemy in mid-air just as he identified him.

Bernard!

Bernard flipped through the air, his body hitting a huge pine and bending at an unnatural angle, the sharp snap of his spine echoing through the forest. Bernard screamed even in his Wolf form, his body shifting back to human form even as Carter closed the distance, his lip curled and a growl coming from the depths of his chest.

“Please… please don’t!” Bernard whined, holding out his hand. “I’m no threat. My back… it’s broken.”

Carter growled, his green eyes flaring in the darkness, and he shifted back enough to form words. “Why?”

“Your brother sent me,” Bernard gasped. “There’s Hunters out in all directions, with orders to kill you on sight.”

“I should kill you now,” Carter growled, his paw going to Bernard’s throat. “You were supposed to be loyal to my father, to me!”

“I’m loyal to my Mate,” Bernard gasped, his face trembling. “And Xander threatened her with death if I didn’t Hunt.”

Carter listened and smelled for a moment before letting go. There was nothing in Bernard’s words that said he was lying. “Then you lie there. A broken back… you could be down all night. If not permanently.”

“I just pray they don’t find me first,” Bernard groaned. “If they do… I will be down permanently.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Carter asked as he walked back over to his clothes. They were useless, just rags and tattered bits of gabardine, and he knew he’d have to stay in his Wolf form if he was going to make it.

“I didn’t think he was this insane,” Bernard replied. “And you… Carter, I thought you were going to be a disaster. You’re a spoiled playboy who’s more worried about who you end up in bed with than who in the Clan might need help. You’re more worried about your dick than your people.”

Carter turned, growling again, but Bernard’s face was so set that he couldn’t do anything. The crushing truth hit him hard in the chest and he turned away, wiggling the straps of his backpack over his neck, he had just enough space. He turned back, looking back at Bernard who lay with his back on the ground, his eyes filled with pain and anger. “Maybe I was. Maybe I still am. But Xander won’t stay in power long, I promise you that.”

Before Bernard could answer he turned and ran, falling into a long, loping stride that ate up the miles as he made his way north. As he ran, he thought. If Xander was looking for him, then Reno was out. There was no way that he wouldn’t have some of the strongest members of the Clan there, ready for him.

There was no way he could double back south, either. He’d have to go right through the heart of the Sierra Claritas, and even in his Wolf form he wasn’t strong enough to survive those harsh mountains even in the early summer.

He had one choice, and that was to head north. By staying in the mountains, he could avoid civilization for a while, make his way north fast and furious. The limits of Clan territory were just north of the Oregon state line, and there was a zone there, around Bend, where there was no Clan. The Mac Tire were in Portland and up north into Washington, but they didn’t worry about the Bend area.

He’d been outcast, he was Clan-less… but he had a chance.

He picked up speed, his stomach grumbling as he ran. When the sun came up he knew he was close, but not quite out of Sierra Clarita territory. Still, his stomach was so hungry that he couldn’t focus much longer. Carter knew that he would have to do something he’d never done before, but it was better than the alternative.

The mountains weren’t very high, the Modoc National Forest wasn’t the sort of place that sported the immense peaks that were farther north, but that was fine. He crept through the forest, sniffing as he went, looking for anything he could. Finally, just as he was starting to consider breaking into a Ranger station, he smelled it.

Deer.

There weren’t a lot of deer in the forests, nowhere near as many he wished right now, but the scent was unmistakeable. He followed it, creeping along as best he could and hoping that his bumbling, inept stalking would still get him what he needed.

He saw the deer first, and for a moment considered letting it go. It was a doe, probably barely old enough to not be called a fawn any longer, spindly legged and unwise to the ways of the forest. She was in heat, it was the only reason he could smell her with his untrained nose, and the only reason she wasn’t aware of him as he crept towards her from downwind.

Unfortunately for Carter, the backpack around his neck wasn’t as stealthy as the rest of him, and when it caught on a tree branch and made it crack, the doe was off like a shot. Carter bounded after it, desperation giving his exhausted muscles a bit more energy, his Lycan abilities giving him the edge in speed, and with a snap of his jaws, the doe fell, her neck snapped and her throat torn open.

Carter felt for the first time in his life the rush of the kill, and as he feasted on the doe, he felt both elation and shame. There was no reason he should have had to kill the doe, he should have been able to find better game. He was the product of three generations of Alpha Lycan breeding, for fuck’s sake. He should have been able to track and take down anything in the forest… and instead he had to snuff out the most innocent of lives in the woods.

Still, he was hungry, and it was his first kill. Instincts that he’d long ignored told him that he was right to eat, right to kill, right to seize his fortunes in his own jaws and take what was rightfully his.

He was halfway through his meal when he smelled it on the air, and his head jerked up, sniffing wildly.

Lycans. And from the smell of them…

He left the rest of the doe behind, even though his stomach was only half sated, sprinting north as hard as his legs could carry him. He bounded over fallen trees, ignoring his own safety as he desperately tried to put miles between himself and his pursuers.

As darkness fell, his body was exhausted again. He’d been chased much farther than he thought he’d be, and the doe meat he’d eaten stopped nourishing his body long ago. He was too far north too, passing Bend and running through the Willamette National Forest. If it had been light out, he could have seen Mt. Hood from the tops of the hills, but instead as he plunged through the woods, he focused only on the darkness in front of him, using his long ignored Lycan abilities to try and prevent his death.

Finally, as the moon set and full darkness came on, he sensed that his pursuers gave up. He could understand why, he was far too close to Clan Mac Tire lands. The Mac Tires were strong, and had powerful friends too. Carter was sure that if the Mac Tire found him, he’d be in a lot of trouble. The Sierra Claritas hadn’t supported the combined Lycan forces in the war against the Silver Hunters, and the Mac Tires hadn’t forgotten it.

Carter stopped, the world swimming and his chest heaving as he reached out with all of his senses to determine if he was alone or not. Sniffing the air, he couldn’t smell Lycan, which helped.

But he had other problems. He hadn’t slept since being knocked out, his body was worn down after covering over three hundred miles by the crow flies, and more if he took into account the twists, turns, and more. He’d run most of it hard, and he was beat up.

His body shook and shivered, his fur no longer protecting him from the effects of the night chill or the exhaustion that threatened him as much as any enemy. He knew he had to find shelter, and fast.

Carter looked, and saw something that gave him a ray of hope. In the distance, he could see with his Lycan vision the glow of electrical wires, their high frequency vibrations putting off a distinct glow that he headed towards. Wires meant civilization, and even if he were naked when he shifted back to human form, civilization meant a chance to get some food, some rest, and maybe some clothes.

He followed the lines, which weren’t high tension lines but a simple set of dual lines that he hadn’t seen above ground for years. Mile after mile he followed them, and just as he was about to give up hope, thinking he must have followed them the wrong way, there was another pole, and an offshoot line that snaked into the woods. A dirt driveway led him down a path to a log cabin in the woods, and Carter knew that, no matter what, this was the place that he had to find shelter for the night.

He watched the cabin, staying in the trees as he circled carefully, but the cabin seemed empty. The electrical wire ended at the house, but no lights were on, and he didn’t think that there was anyone home at the time.

On the limits of his strength, Carter shifted back, staggering up the steps to the cabin and knocking on the door. “Hello?” he asked, his voice harsh and raspy in his throat, he hadn’t drunk enough water either. “Hello!”

There was no reply. Leaning against the door, Carter pushed, and after a moment there was a wooden snap on the other side as the lock ripped free of the door frame, and he gained entry.

“Hope there’s no alarm,” he muttered to himself as he walked inside. “Then again, maybe a trip to county might be helpful right now.”

There was no alarm though, and Carter made his way inside, his bare feet quiet on the rough hewn plank floor of the cabin. To call it rustic would be an understatement, he thought as he looked around. Everything looked like it was either hand built or military surplus, and all of it looked like it was sturdy enough to support a tank. “Hello? If anyone’s here, I could really use some help.”

There was nothing, and Carter did his best to close the door behind him before he made his way to the kitchen area. The fridge wasn’t running and was in fact empty, but the cupboards had some canned goods in them, and as Carter ripped open the one pound tin of corned beef hash, he didn’t think he’d ever been hungrier in his life.

Wolfing the hash down in big bites, Carter looked around the rest of the cabin, curious. He didn’t smell a normal human scent, like whoever lived here had a lot of contact with animals, but he couldn’t pin the scent itself. The single bedroom was like the living area, with a hand built bed that looked like it was made with metal piping and two by fours, and was heavy duty enough that it probably weighed a couple hundred pounds. “King sized bed though,” Carter noted, although there was only one pillow in the center of the bed. “Not bad.”

He was tempted to look for some clothes, but for some reason he just didn’t feel right about it. Instead, he went back out to the kitchen dropping the empty can in the sink before drinking enough water to make his stomach slosh. He looked down at his bruised and aching skin, then at the couch. “You look beautiful, darlin’.”

Carter went over to the door and checked, finding a deadbolt and throwing it before staggering over to the couch and lying down. He lay back, and before his head even hit the pillow his eyes closed, and he was asleep.

His dreams were troubled, to put it mildly, but his body was so exhausted that he didn’t move other than whimper in his throat and his head jerked from time to time. He was so deeply asleep that he didn’t hear the truck pull up out front, or the tread on the gravel. He didn’t hear as the door unlocked, or the strangely light but steady tread that crossed the room.

In fact, the first sound that Carter heard was the distinctive click-clack sound of the shotgun being jacked, and his eyes opened to find himself staring into the cavernous hole of the shotgun.

“Who are you, and what are you doing in my cabin, Lycan?” a woman asked, and Carter blinked, confused.

“Who… wha…?”

“The name’s Sana Malloy, and you’re in my cabin. Now, you got five seconds to tell me the same thing… before I blow your damn werewolf head off. One… two… three...”