Raymond
quickly
told
them
he
and
Stephan
that
had
taken
down
the
buck
and
Mark
had
been
the
one
who
callously
turned
on
them
.
That
Mark
had
muttered
something
about
challenging
the
chief
on
his
next
rampage
and
Raymond
had
decided
t
he
only
way
to
save
their
leader
from
Mark
'
s
treachery
was
to
destroy
him.
The members of the group looked to Mark for an explanation, but Mark's injuries prevented him from shifting, so he could not speak. He tried sending the correct details of what transpired into the minds of his brethren using the mind link they all shared in wolf form, but the pain radiating through him was so great that he could not focus on anything else. Unfortunately, they accepted his silence as an admission of guilt and Raymond's deceit prevailed.
His people left Mark where he fell, wounded and teetering at death's door. They had all turned their backs on him and left him to die. The agony he felt in his limbs was nothing compared to what was in his heart. But even in his suffering he was aware the odor of his blood rode on the wind, attracting other predators and scavengers of the woods; staying where he was would result in further slaughter.
Mark spied a nearby tree hollow and tried to crawl to it. Exhausted with his efforts he collapsed just inside the opening, his breathing raspy and shallow. When a tree sprite appeared before him, his chest rattled so noisily as he took in his last breaths that Mark mistook her for a death dream. She was beautiful, with flowing russet hair, smooth brown skin, and sparkling leaf-green eyes. He whined, satisfied with her being the last thing he saw, and then closed his eyes to welcome oblivion.
Brave wolf, do not be afraid. Your journey will not end here.
Shocked, Mark had opened his eyes. His ears did not pick up the sound of her voice because the words were spoken directly into his mind. She sat beside him, gently stroking the blood-soaked fur on his neck. Her touch eased the ache enough for him to drag himself fully into the shelter of the tree.
You tried to right a wrong and you will not die for it. I will heal you and though you will be a loner you will not be alone. When it is time for you to right the evil done to you, I will return.
* * * *
Mark stood before his betrayer and knew the outcome of this fight would be different than the last. He must save the baby at all costs. Lustful feelings grew within him as the child's aroma wrapped itself around his senses. It rushed through his bloodstream, riding the adrenaline now surging through him. His cock hardened from its effect as he squared his shoulders and widened his stance. Mark's body immediately recognized the baby as his mate, but he of course, realized the child was much too young for him to claim. If he was able to save the baby's life today, Mark knew he would have to step out of the picture and allow the child to grow up before he could claim him as a life mate.
"You won't touch the babe, Raymond," Mark repeated unflinching.
Raymond looked Mark up and down with a scowl on his face. "I don't know how you survived the wounds I gave you so long ago. I thought surely you would die from them. Since you didn't, know this; if you fight me again, your death will be the only outcome."
The disdain in Raymond's words and the slight adjustment to his posture told Mark he was preparing to attack. Mark morphed swiftly into his wolf form just as the sandy wolf appeared. The beast launched himself into the air and collided with its ebony counterpart. They dropped hard to the ground, ripping and tearing at each other. Black and tan fur filled the air around them as they continued to fight. The lighter wolf took first bite, snapping the front leg of the darker wolf who let loose a high-pitched yelp. Although he faltered from the wound, Mark retaliated with his own bite, tearing away part of the other wolf's ear. Together the wolves stood staring at one another, drool dripping from their fangs as they growled at one another. Slowly, they walked in a circle, eyeing each other, preparing for the next attack.
It came fast, with Mark taking first bite. He landed on his enemy's back and bit down on his shoulder, causing the pale wolf to yowl in pain. He planted his claws into the dirt and bucked his abuser forward, catapulting his opponent and causing him to crash-land on his back. Before Mark could right himself, Raymond was on him, snapping and snarling. Mark clawed and bit at Raymond's front legs and chest, striking back until he managed to return to his feet. Once he was upright the fight resumed. Simultaneously, they snapped at each other's face, their heads connecting in a loud thud. Mark shook off the dazed sensation first and caught Raymond's paw in his mouth, the maneuver crippling his assailant who fell over, writhing in pain. Battered, bleeding, and hobbling, the two wolves gathered their wits and returned to their circular motion to catch their breath and ready themselves again.
Why
do
you
fight
to
protect
this
human,
Mark?
Raymond
sent
into
his
mind.
What
is
he
to
you?
That is not your concern, betrayer.
Betrayer? Oh, brother, why do you use such harsh words toward me?
You
are
not
my
brother.
Yes, I guess that is true, since you are no longer a member of the pack. But as you know, Mark, I still am. If you pledge your allegiance to me I may find it in my heart to speak to the counsel in your behalf.
Mark dismissed Raymond's words, knowing they were hollow and untrustworthy. The fear inside him almost choked him, but he knew Raymond would not beat him as easily as before. The knowledge confused and scared him, but it also gave Mark strength.
I
can
help
you
return
home
to
where
you
belong,
Raymond
continued
with
false
reassurance.
The
leader
ages
more
every
day.
I
will
take
his
place
as
chief
sooner
rather
than
later.
You
are
unworthy
to
lead
our
people!
The
hatred
Mark
felt
blasted
forward
in
the
words
he
sent.
You
disregard
our
laws
as
if
you
have
the
right.
Not
only
have
you
killed
one
of
your
own
to
advance
your
station,
these
humans
were
not
the
first
you
have
murdered
for
sport
,
Mark
declared
with
a
snarl
.
Mark ran forward, crashing into Raymond who staggered backwards and lost his footing. Mark took advantage of his stumble and pounced. This time he found the soft spot on his throat and prepared to bite down.
No!
It was not Raymond's plea but another voice that pierced Mark's mind. The familiar sensation shocked him. He paused, turning his head in the direction he sensed it coming from. From behind a tree in the distance he saw the sprite who had saved him so long ago.
Release him, Mark. It is not time for him to die.
Mark
was
stunned.
What?
He
must
be
stopped,
he
protested.
And
he
will
be.
Trust
me.
Do
as
I
say.
Release
him
.
Reluctantly Mark opened his mouth and dropped his brother. Raymond scurried away from him to his feet. He looked at Mark with shock in his wild yellow eyes. Death awaited him with Mark's next bite and they both knew it. Mark turned away from him and Raymond took off into the forest as fast as his wounds would allow. The black wolf sat down, exhausted.
You
should
have
let
me
kill
him
,
Mark
sent
sulkily.
The
sprite
came
from
behind
the
tree
to
be
by
his
side.
The
time
has
not
yet
come.
She
pressed
on
his
back,
urging
him
to
lie
down.
As
he
did
so,
she
put
both
hands
on
his
fur
to
heal
him
once
again.
A
short
time
later
the
wolf
rose
to
his
feet
and
changed
into
a
man.
"Why do you continue to save me, sprite?"
She stood beside him, her body only reaching his waist. "Because of the newborn," she said aloud, gesturing toward the house.
Mark
looked
over
to
the
now
silent
infant.
Lifting
the
boy
from
the
ground
,
Mark
put
his
face
in
the
crook
of
his
neck
and
inhaled
deeply.
It was
his
scent
that
brought
Mark
toward
the
clearing
in
the
first
place.
He
knew
now,
beyond
a
shadow
of
a
doubt,
that
the
child
was
his
mate.
Clearly
the
babe
was
not
old
enough
to
sustain
such
a
relationship,
but
the
connection
was
there.
Just
holding
the
baby
sent
erotic
shivers
through
his
fingers
and
dancing
along
his
spine.
He
looked
at
the
child
with
new
eyes
and
smiled.
The
light
of
intelligence
was
in
the
little
brown
eyes
looking
up
at
him.
Chubby
little
hands
reached
for
his
face
as
he
walked
back
to
the
sprite.