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“No, it’s not. Not so long as I am breathing. I have to get free,” he growled.
You mean you haven’t been trying this entire time?
“Save the sarcasm and try being useful for once.”
Even if I could transform while bound in silver, you can’t expect me to eat my subjects.
“What happened to slurping their intestines?”
I was trying to make you feel better.
“Those so-called subjects want to kill me, the body you’re inhabiting, and while it’s great you can resurrect in someone else, I won’t.”
It’s a good thing I like you, Garou grumbled. You’re insolent and not at all reverent about the honor I bestowed upon you.
“It’s not an honor if it only brings me grief,” he growled. “Tell me, exactly how has having you inside me improved my life?”
You’re never alone.
“Not a selling point.”
Because of me, you are bigger and stronger than everyone else.
“And? Have you seen how much my groceries cost to keep that body fueled?”
You know, most avatars are appreciative of having a piece of their god inhabiting their flesh, and they strive for greatness.
“You mean they go on a power trip that ends up in them being challenged and killed because they’ve become megalomaniacs.” The last Garou manifestation had led to Packs warring because two avatars rose during the same time period, leading to a split that pitted them against each other.
An unfortunate mistake in my resurrection. That’s the problem when your pieces are scattered. Although, you should feel honored that you have more of me than the previous scions.
“That honor is going to cost me my life,” he grumbled.
A distant shout turned his head. It wasn’t repeated and distraction arrived in the form of some Pack members gathering in the clearing before the massive oak tree. They were dressed in loose clothes and robes that would be easily shed before the moon rose and forced them to shift. Hooks were hammered into the trees at random, giving them a place to hang their garments so that they didn’t get soaked by the dew. It didn’t stop them from being chilly the next morning when pulled onto skin still warm from running in fur.
More than a few of the Pack stared openly at Baptiste. Some appeared disturbed and looked away. Others showed a strange excitement, the impending full moon shift rousing their bloodlust. Not one lifted a finger to help him.
It led to him growling in a voice deeper than usual, “Be it known that your scents have been marked. Your actions noted. Your betrayal will not be forgiven.” Garou spoke through him, and Baptiste allowed it. He enjoyed the way some of those watching shifted with discomfort.
“You’re not a worthy vessel,” someone shouted from the back.
His gaze lasered on them, and a wolfish grin split his lips. “Says the runt who, back in the day, would have been abandoned in the woods for being weak. An error I shall rectify.” His gaze then tracked the rest as he added in a low rumble, “You will regret following the false Alpha.” And then he howled, a long and eerie sound that echoed through the forest.
His uncle’s arrival ruined his chance at swaying any minds. Dressed in a long, velvet robe of midnight blue, Frederick uttered a loud rebuke. “Ignore my nephew and his last-ditch effort to save himself. He’s proven himself unworthy over and over. Tonight, the Garou will be given a new host. One better suited for a god.”
“I like this body.” Garou kept talking through Baptiste’s lips, and Uncle frowned.
“You’ll like mine even more.”
“As if I’d choose you,” he sneered. “You are not worthy of carrying my essence.”
“Stop pretending to speak with our god’s voice.”
“Foolish Freddie. Still so angry I didn’t choose you,” he mocked. “Do you know why I passed you over? Because I could see the weakness in your spirit.”
Ruddy color blossomed in Uncle’s cheeks. “Weak? Weak is my nephew who refuses to eat meat. Who won’t step up and rule. Who whines and cries because someone died.”
“Who has values that aren’t swayed by peer pressure.” Garou fixed those watching and listening wit ha stern gaze. “Who doesn’t chase after power. Who shows remorse for something he couldn’t control. All traits of a strong leader, unlike you. And worse, you can’t even see it. As to the rest of you…” Garou’s lip curled in a sneer. “Sheep. You’re not worthy to call yourself wolves.”
