A/N: If violence disturbs you, then please do not read. I do not condone violence towards anyone/anything; there are exceptions in my opinion such as child molesters. Children cannot defend themselves as well as adults but even then there are those who are over powering.
Warning: May contain graphic content/images (in your mind). Might make your stomach churn and curdle.
Chapter 38 Grissom's POV
I wake up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee. I feel for Sara and notice the bed is colder than it should be.
"Sara?" I call out but I get no answer. I get out of bed and look for my robe. I must admit I'm a little sore too. If I know Sara as well as I do she'll tell me 'that's what you get for over doing it.' Where is she anyway? Something doesn't smell right.
I walk down stairs and see the back door ajar, and the coffee pot still full. I take a deep breath and smell more than one fragrance in the house. I see a something out of the corner of my eye. I notice it's a syringe, pick it up and smell it. What the fuck?
I pick up my phone and dial Joseph's number.
"Hello?" Annabel's voice filters through the phone.
"Hi Annabel; Its Gil. Is Joseph home?" I try to keep my voice calm.
"Just a moment and I'll fetch him." I can hear her cover up the receiver and call for Joseph.
"Gil, what can I do for you today?" He asks politely. I take a deep breath.
"It's Sara. Someone took her and left behind some evidence. Their smell is a bit off but still potent. I was hoping you could come over. I need your help. I'm about to call Al and ask him too. I know if we start looking we'll find her; and so help me God I'll rip whoever it is apart; piece by anguishing piece." My voice is harsh and I can feel my teeth elongate.
"There's no need to explain. I would do the exact same thing and don't worry about calling Al; I'll do it, then we'll be over." I can hear Annabel asking questions in the background. I don't want to worry her, anymore than necessary.
"If you don't mind, I'd rather keep this between us three. I don't want anyone else to know or worry more than needed. I believe Annabel's been through enough." I state. I hear him sigh.
"I couldn't agree with you more, Gil. Don't worry Al and I will be over shortly to help with the surprise. Bye Gil." I feel awful for telling him to lie but it's for the best for the time being. I hear knocking at the front door.
"I'll see you both when you get here, there's someone at the door. Okay…bye." I hang up the phone and walk towards the door.I smell him before I see him. James! I open the door and he's standing there with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.
"What do you want?" I ask not too nicely.
"I was just wondering if you knew where your lovely mate is." He sneers. Her smell hits me like a ton of bricks. I react quickly and grab him by the collar of his shirt.
"What have you done to her? Where is she? I swear by the blood that runs through my veins if you so much as harm the hair on her head, that nobody, do you hear me NOBODY will be able to save you." I want so badly to rip out his heart and watch him bleed, but he has Sara. He laughs and his head falls back.
"You don't scare me, cousin. I am rightful Alpha and I will claim my spot. I came to challenge you fairly. And as for sweet Sara, let's just say she's reassurance right now." His eyes change to wolfish color. I let him go but stay face to face with him. There is no way in hell I'll turn my back on him.
"Fine, challenge is a go. Where and When?" I know Joseph and Al will be here soon.
"Where? I want it in arena, where all the challenges are fought. When? I'll give you two hours to be there and ready for your death. I'll see you later cousin." He laughs and walks away. I'll fucking gut him alive.
"Gil!" Al and Joseph yell. My head snaps up and I watch them walking towards me.
"He's got her." I see confusion cross their faces. "James fucking took her. He used this needle and kidnapped her." I clarify the best I can.
"He's challenged me and I have an hour and a half to be at the arena." I take a deep breath and look at my friends, my family.
"I have to fight him, but I have to find Sara too."
"We'll track her down for you. No need to worry about that. Should we call the elders and let them know about the challenge?" Joseph asks. I look up at the clock and notice time seems to be flying. I nod. Al takes the syringe and smells it.
"We can track faster in fur than in skin." I watch my friends change.
"Thank you. Be safe and let me know please." They both nod their wolfish head and head out the back door. I pick up my phone and call Chann.
"Hello?" I'm thankful Chann answered instead of Codi.
"Hello Chann. I am sorry to be the one to break this to you but James has challenged me." He gasps.
"How did he do it? Did he come to you respectfully or snotty? Tell me he didn't do something stupid and disrespectful towards the family and our race?" I can hear the anger and shame in his voice.
"Our fight will be at the arena. He came to me, after he took Sara, and yes I hate to say it, but he was full of himself. You know I have given him chance after chance to straighten up. This time, it will cost him his life." I sigh and pinch my nose. "I am sorry for this."
"I appreciate that you have done everything possible to spare him. Have you found Sara yet?" His voice is softer than normal.
"No, I have a few people looking for her. I didn't have enough time to myself or I would. Speaking of time," I look at the clock and I have an hour to get there.
"I have to get moving soon, if I'm going to make it there in enough time to get ready."
"I understand Gil. I hope she's safe and is found soon. Be careful and good-luck." Chann hangs up before I can say more.
I get a phone call as I pull into the arena.
"Did you find her? Is she hurt? Does she need medical attention?" I hear laughing.
"Calm down Gil. She's fine and we're on our way to the arena. You can see for yourself in about ten minutes or so." Al's voice is neutral to my ears.
"I'm here so I'll see you all in a few minutes then and tell Sara I love her." I hang up and get out of the car. There is already a crowd forming.
"Gil!" I turn around and see Annabel.
"Annabel, how are you doing?" I hug her and feel her shudder against my body.
"I was so scared we had lost her again. I don't think I would've been able to handle that." She pulled back and smiles at me.
"I know about Sara. I forced Joe to tell me, I'm sorry. It's just when you're mated for so long you know when something's wrong." She pats my shoulder.
"Come on let's get you ready."
She leads the way to the arena. I see some pack members bow to me and some just nod as I'm walking.
When we walk into the arena, I see the object of my hate and anger. James. My eyes are drawn away from him by Annabel's gasp. I turn and see Al, Joseph, and Sara. What did he do to her? Her face is swollen, she has a busted lip and her hair is matted to the side of her face. I hear a collective breath from the group around us.
Three of the elders walk to the middle of the arena and everyone becomes silent.
"We hereby declare this challenge binding and the laws that govern the pack. James O'Brien has openly challenged Gilbert Grissom for the title of pack leader/Alpha." As soon as three elders left the center; the crowd erupted by howling and clapping.
James walks into the center of the arena like he owns it and clears his throat.
"My people, I am tired of living like we don't exist. We used to be formidable predators, and now we hide who we really are. Humans should be considered nothing but prey. All thanks to our dear Alpha we do nothing. I must say that humans are rich in protein, their blood is sweet, their meat is moist, and they are very…"
"ENOUGH!" I growl. "I know it was you who is causing all this trouble; going around murdering innocent people, in their own homes no less." I look around the crowd and back at James.
"Do you not realize that it's Were's like you who send us into hiding and make us fear for our lives? It is time you paid for your disrespect and crimes against the pack." My voice is full of anger. He laughs.
"Bring it on old man. It's time someone took you down a few pegs. Your reign is over and mine is just beginning." He starts to change and I'm not far behind him.
He attacks first, coming so quick and strong that I'm thrown on my back. James's claws scrap down my side and clamps down on my arm. I get up enough strength to throw him off me. James lunges at me again, aiming low, but I'm ready this time. I take a swipe at him and feel my claws dig into his fur. He grunts but doesn't fall.
James rises up on his hind legs and I crouch on all fours. I see him tense and we charge at the same time. I land on my back again with his muzzle just inches from my throat. He lunges, just as I move, but it's enough. James's jaw clamps down onto my shoulder, his teeth going deep. I can feel my bone and tissue tear.
I howl out in pain and bring both of my claws up and smash them against James's sides. He rolls away with the jerking of his teeth. My collar bone snaps. He stands up waiting for me to get up on my feet. When I do, I sway slightly; I know it's from the blood loss.
"Yield to me, old man." He growls, as he stalks forward. "I'll make your death quick and painless as possible. If you don't, then prepare to suffer."
"Then fight like a man and finish what you started." I am calm and watch his every move.
We charge and I manage to throw James so far, that he landed in the crowd knocking over some pack members. With a curse and snarl he got back to his feet. His eyes are pure evil, there is nothing but hate.
James runs towards me, I dodge him at the last minute and swipe my claws down his back. When he staggers to his feet, I can almost make out his back bone. His breathing is hard and his head is low. I can see hesitation in his steps, but he leaps for me. His claws barely scraping my belly. I shove my claw into his back until I feel his spine. I grab onto it. I give it a tug and pull, dragging out a shiny bone; holding it up for all to see.
James stiffens in shock and pain, his eyes wide before a howling cry pours from his throat. He falls to the ground, still gasping for air. After a minute, his body gives up and his eyes roll in the back of his head. It's finally over. The pack erupts with howls, whistles, and claps. I can see Sara practically running to me. She collapses against me. I wrap my arms around her as tight as I can without hurting either of us. I feel the wetness from her tears as they soak into my fur.
"It's all over now honey. You're safe." I whisper into her ear. She pulls back and kisses my muzzle and laughs.
"Stupid, stupid man; you're hurt and all you can think about is me? I love you, Gil." She burrows back into me.
"Let's get you home and fix you up."
"I love you too." I begin my change back and the pack bows down. Some are in their fur and some are still in human form. I throw my head back and howl. Everyone follows suite shortly after. I have my mate, life is good. I squeeze Sara's hand and we walk to our vehicle.