Caught in a Frenzy

DEKLAN MARIO

“You filthy weasel, don’t touch her!” 

Dominus’s head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing as he spotted me stepping out of the shadows. The darkness in the air was thick and heavy, it wasn’t mine. It was Cedar’s power, wild and untamed, spilling into every corner even as she lay down unmoving.

“She belongs to us!” one of the twin alphas roared, leaping aside just in time to dodge an arrow fired by one of Dominus’s guards.

The guard’s aim was good, but the shot was rushed. The arrow’s path was desperate, so very predictable. Easy for a trained fighter to dodge. If it hadn’t been, that arrogant alpha would be clutching his side instead of trying to step between me and Cedar.

“I don’t know what any of you think you’re talking about,” I said flatly, my tone dripping with mockery. “All I see is a woman who needs safety. You see someone to drain and parade around for your own selfish glory.” I smirked, taking a slow step forward. “So tell me, who do you think really deserves her?”

I’d arrived just as the twins began their assault on Dominus’s guards. His men had the numbers, but not the skill. They were trained to stand watch, not to fight trained warriors.

The uproar was unexpected for me, wolves and men tore into each other. Some fought in human form, swords and spears flashing. Most had shifted, their snarls and howls filling the night. I slipped through the frenzy, careful to avoid the black powder Dominus had spread around the area. That powder was a magical barrier, his way of making sure no one came in or out without his say. Clever. But not clever enough.

Dominus had planned for many things, but not for me.

I could have taken Cedar and left instantly, but the powder made moving her difficult. I needed the twins and their army to keep the guards busy, long enough for me to find an opening.

“You’re insane if you think I’d let you lay a hand on her!” Dominus spat, blood dripping from his mouth, a dark streak running from his nose.

Whatever power Cedar had unleashed had hit him hard, inside and out. If she could do that without even meaning to… I could see why Dominus wanted to take her powers so badly. In the wrong hands, it could destroy the world. That was exactly why he wanted it, to crush the prophecy and rule without opposition.

“Anyone who wants to die, try stopping me!” I shouted, keeping my voice firm. I had a plan to break that powder barrier, but it would take the right moment.

“I am Adonis, alpha of Crystal Moon! No one takes what’s mine!” one of the twins bellowed, leaping from his war horse. His warriors thundered behind him, climbing the rocky slope toward us.

I shook my head, lips curling in a half-smile. In one quick motion, I reached for Cedar, only to jerk back as a blade flashed toward me, the edge skimming so close I nearly lost my arm.

“You’re no fun,” I said, clicking my tongue as I stepped back. “Can’t take a joke?”

“We had a deal, Adonis,” Dominus growled, drawing the twins’ attention to himself. “You really want to cross that line, little alpha?”

Dominus rose to his full height, bones cracking like snapping branches. I braced for him to shift, but nothing happened. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He couldn’t shift. His wolf was weak. That was my opening. Adonis didn’t notice, too focused on his rivalry. I could have finished Dominus then and there, but Cedar’s safety came first. I could settle with him later, besides, he had to stay alive to pay for his sins before I finally threw him into the pits of hell.

“Oh no, big Alpha,” Adonis shot back, glaring at Dominus. “You thought I was fooled by you and that scheming elder last night? I kept you talking so you’d think you were winning. I made a deal with Cedar too, and that’s the one I’m keeping.”

While they faced off, I didn’t waste the distraction. In one motion, I scooped Cedar into my arms and bolted toward the black powder’s edge.

Adonis spotted me too late, rage twisting his face. He shifted mid-chase, his beast form exploding out of him in fury.

“You won’t leave alive!” his voice roared through the trees, echoing over the clashing steel and snapping jaws behind us.

“Protect the Alpha!” a guard shouted. The tide of the fight shifted as Dominus’s men began to fall back, retreating to protect him. He wouldn’t surrender, but without his wolf at full strength, running was his smartest move.

“You can’t escape, Deklan! Give her to us!” Adonai’s voice cut through the night.

I stopped short, then sidestepped just as Adonis lunged. His claws sliced through the black powder barrier, shattering the magic with a burst of sparks.

“Watch me,” I said with a grin. I disappeared in a blink, reappearing on the other side.

Their eyes widened.

“Yeah, that’s right,” I taunted, stepping back into the shadows. “That was the plan all along.”

“We’ll get you!” Adonai snarled. His brother howled, a sharp, angry sound.

“I’ll be waiting,” I called back, my voice fading into the air as I disappeared completely.

The moon goddess must have been smiling on me. I’d arrived right when Cedar unleashed her storm, turning the skies dark, as if heaven itself mocked Dominus’s failed attempt. It was his second failure, but he’d never stop trying. Power was his obsession, and he couldn’t imagine losing.

Men like him always overlooked the one thing that could destroy them.

The twins spread their warriors out, hunting me. But they couldn’t catch the wind. I reappeared deep in the far lands of Oakwood, inside a cave miles from Crystal Moon’s hunting grounds. I’d been hiding here since my return, right under their noses.

I built a fire, feeding it with wood until it burned strong. Cedar lay still beside me, wrapped in a duvet. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow. Whatever she had done tonight had drained everything from her.

I’d gone back to Dominus’s estate to grab her things, especially clothes and a blanket, anything to make her comfortable. The smooth wood on the floor of the cave wasn’t much, but with the fire’s warmth, it would keep her alive through the night.

I’d stayed hidden this long because I moved lightly, never lingering. No one had found the cave before. But now… two packs would be looking for us. They’d search the woods, the abandoned houses, even here if they got desperate enough.

I couldn’t risk moving her tonight. She was too weak, she might not survive the journey. But keeping her here wasn’t safe either.

If Kayla were here, she could help. But bringing anyone here would risk leading the wolves straight to us.

I sat, staring at the flames, my mind racing. How long did I have before one of them found us?

The answer came faster than I expected.

A sudden scream tore through the night outside. I shot to my feet, my heart thudding. A scuffling noise followed, a violent crash and then a young wolf tumbled into the cave entrance.

His fur bristled, his chest heaving. And then I saw his eyes burning red

They flicked from me… to Cedar.

My breath caught.