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When the last was gone, the howling of the pack dissipated as well.
The betas returned, and Grant instructed them to take Kryder out as well.
To Ryan, he said, Keep Kryder in hand until the last moment, but don’t let our wolves get hurt by the net.
Got it, but we never used the electricity. We just kept him pinned. I’m not too worried about Kryder causing trouble either. He’s pale and sweating from the pain. Good job, by the way.
Right back atcha.
~ ~ ~
Natalie had never experienced anything like this in her life, the howling, the severing of the bond which had been a tangible wind within the arena, or the euphoria that Kryder had finally been removed from the Meldorin Pack.
Ryan used hand signals to the team to instruct them in their timing. But even she could see Kryder was incapacitated. She couldn’t imagine the pain he experienced while lying in the sand, face down, with a dislocated shoulder. She had a hard time caring for all the misery he’d caused his pack.
Grant had been magnificent. He had a cut on his arm from Kryder’s use of an illegal weapon, but the wound was healing swiftly.
She left the arena with Ryan and the team and ended the invisibility spell. She climbed to the gallery, but she didn’t stay with them. Instead, she moved to the far, left side. What needed to happen next had nothing to do with her and she wanted to be out of the way. This was Grant’s moment with the pack he’d devoted his life to since his arrival in Five Bridges, and especially since the death of his wife.
Ryan and his wolves returned to the sandpit with a stretcher for Kryder. With little regard for his suffering, they picked him up and dumped him on the canvas. They then flew him out the way he’d come in but left his cape and headdress in the arena.
When they returned, they remained in the gallery.
Grant rose to center himself on the cement walkway inside the ra
iling. His gaze swept the Meldorin Pack back and forth. He appeared radiant, his eyes shining with victory and with love.
She realized she valued his ability to truly love his pack and to put them consistently above his own well-being.
“We’re free!” He shouted, grinning. “At long last!”
The wolves howled once more. Her own wolf had remained with Grant and kept racing around him over and over. She felt her wolf’s joy and, in that way, could experience what the rest of the pack was feeling.
Freedom was an extraordinary thing, a remarkable experience, a reason for so much joy. If she could have howled, she would have done so. As it was, her neck kept arching as though ready to throw her head back and let loose, which only made her smile.
She would never be a true wolf, but she could value what had been accomplished here tonight.
More was to come as Ryan came forward and gestured with outstretched hands for the wolves to dial it down. It took a moment and a lot of laughter, but eventually the crowd grew silent once more. A good majority of the wolves had tears streaming down their faces.
Ryan drew close to Grant and spoke in a strong voice. “We have a new, undisputed pack leader and it’s time for the bonding to begin.”
Yet another group-howl shook the rafters once more.
When the howl diminished, Grant stepped forward, lifted his arms and spoke one simple word, “Come.”
The wolves moved toward the railing and one by one he touched them, sometimes on top of the head, sometimes the shoulder and at times he simple shook hands, though a hug usually followed.
Natalie could feel the bond flowing all through the gallery seats and what became a long line of wolves waiting to be greeted and welcomed. Grant’s focus was all for the pack just as it should be.
Not surprising, Renee appeared next to Natalie and stood with her near the top row of seats. Her ghost’s voice entered Natalie’s mind as though each word was carried on a wind. He’s such a good man. From the time I first met him, I knew his character, I knew who he was. I knew I could always trust him to do what was right. Now here he is, at long last, alpha to our pack.
Renee’s chest rose and fell as though she actually sighed. Her mist rippled with the movement. Perhaps a spirit could sigh. Certainly, the woman felt a degree of strong emotion as she watched her husband.
Renee continued, To the pack, Kryder was evil personified. At some point or other, he hurt every Meldorin member. She turned to Natalie and the slight movement sent the mist of her form sliding sideways for a moment then reforming. So, why didn’t he kill the bastard?
At that Natalie laughed. Why do you think?
I know. He wouldn’t unless forced to. But he should have. Kryder will return, probably with an army.
