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When he turned and began to mount the stairs leading up to his platform, the Gordion wolves began a rousing applause that soon thundered through the space. As the howling started, his throat closed up with emotion. He loved every single one of the men and women present and he knew each by name. He’d worked hard for years to do right by his pack.
No one in his pack lacked food, shelter or the opportunity to move up in the ranks as powers emerged. No one was made to feel small or insignificant. Not everyone was born with muscle power and some of his top people, though lowest in pack rank, served as accountants and job placement staffers that kept his people happy.
To see how much he was valued meant more to him than he could possibly say. He’d do everything he could to win this battle. His wounds were healed, and he was ready.
He pressed a fist to his chest, then lifted his arm high. His wolves shouted, howled and stamped their feet all over again until the noise was deafening. Both Warren and Mary waited discreetly at the bottom of the platform stairs.
Opposite him, beyond the blank canvas of sand, was Sydon’s still empty platform.
When the applause began to abate, he shifted his arm, holding it out to Mary and Warren, gesturing to each in turn. Warren started to ascend, but stopped when Mary didn’t join him.
Fergus sensed Mary’s hesitation. What is it?
Her eyes were wide. I’m not sure where I should be. Maybe I should take a seat nearby.
Her voice in his head caused him to pivot fully in her direction. He waved her forward. I want you beside me. I might even need you here. But I also want the Gordion Pack to know my intentions toward you, though I suspect they already do.
She nodded. He could feel her nerves, and he understood why she was uncertain of her role. For one thing, she’d never been in a dominance sand pit before. The size of it, compared to anything else in Five Bridges, was staggering and the wolves made a lot of noise.
I’m not afraid, if that’s what you’re thinking, Fergus. But I don’t want to intrude where I shouldn’t.
Again, you’re too many steps ahead of this process. If nothing else, I want your fae senses at full bore while I’m battling Sydon. I don’t know if he has anything planned, but it’s possible he might. You’re the one person here, without the single-minded focus of the wolf nature, who can be a second pair of eyes for me. So, besides the fact that I want you close to me, I’m also looking out for my own ass.
He felt her relax at these last words, and she mounted the few steps to his platform. A tall stone wall backed the space protectively, but Warren’s toughest wolves had already filled in the seats beyond the wall.
She took Fergus’s hand as she drew near, and he squeezed it to reassure her. For now, stick close.
She gripped his hand harder in response. I will.
A commotion on the opposite side of the arena drew his attention. Sydon appeared at the end of his tunnel, to which Fergus had a direct view. Several Gordion wolves escorted him. He wore a charcoal gray cloak, his hair had the usual oily appearance, and his lips were pulled back in a sneer.
Maybe it was the obvious disdain in his expression, but a profound booing started up and rose in volume as he began his ascent up to his platform. Despite the pack’s semi-bond with Sydon, Fergus was proud of his wolves for expressing their disapproval of the man.
Sydon flipped his cape back and lifted an arm, theatrically acknowledging the boos of a large portion of the audience.
At the same time that Sydon took center-stage on his platform, his rogue pack marched in and filled in the seats directly behind Sydon’s protective wall. The number staggered Fergus since that area alone could hold up to two hundred wolves.
Mary’s voice entered his mind. I can’t believe the council allowed Sydon’s rogues to support him like this.
Fergus kept his gaze fixed on Sydon, who now continued to wave intermittently at the hostile crowd.
Without a legal challenge in the Tribunal court, he’s the Gordion Pack alpha. In a technical sense, he can add as many wolves to the pack as he wants. According to pack law, once I shifted into my wolf state, it meant I quit the field of battle.
She offered a scoffing snort, very wolf. You were stuck with a skewer, your heart severely damaged. Then you were hauled out of here and dumped in the Graveyard. How is that considered ‘quitting the field’?
Her words lightened his spirit, and he smiled. I guess I have to agree.
When another heavy round of boos slid through the crowd, Mary leaned close. Do you think word has gotten out about the skewer?
I’m sure it has, Fergus said. And this is one of the few opportunities when a pack can express its disdain for an alpha’s conduct.
Well, if there was ever anyone who deserved to be castigated by a large number of people, it’s that asshole.
Fergus chuckled and turned to Mary. Asshole, huh?
At the very least. A lot of other words come to mind, but I’m not saying them as a matter of courtesy.
