Chapter 10: Khloe reveals all.
When Khloe awoke, she was piled with furs and was desperately hot. She tried to roll over onto her side, but was apparently strapped down by something. Tired by even this small task, Khloe closed her eyes, trying to recall any scrap of memory from the night --or maybe several nights-- before. What had happened? All she could remember was fear, a sharp pain, blood and then a bright, white orb hanging in the sky. The moon.
But where was she now? Where was Aidan?
A door opened, letting in a rush of cooling wind. Khloe heard two sets of footsteps come into the room. It was a male and a female. She could tell by the musky, hardy scent of a young male, and by the spearmint gum and lipstick surrounding the other person..
Wait, since when could she tell someone was male or female by smelling the air?
Something was definitely wrong.
"I see you're up, Khloe," A familiar voice said. Riker came from the dark corner where the door was, accompanied by Vivian. A worried frown was on Vivian's face, but Riker was stone cold.
"Riker?" Khloe said, her voice raspy. "What...what happened? Where am I? How long--"
"Stop asking so many questions, and maybe I can answer." He snapped. His tone was harsh and angry. He'd never used that type of voice with Khloe before.
"Riker.." Vivian placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Stop being so snappy. She's become.. us. Be understanding, for her."
Khloe looked back and forth between son and mother. Something was utterly wrong. Vivian came to Khloe's side, and un-did the straps that bound her. As she untied the elaborate knots, Riker began to explain.
"To answer you, you're at my family.. My pack's forest home." He said resignedly. "You've been here only for a few hours, in and out of consciousness. Luckily, you're recovering, from what Aunt Persia says, but you almost left us several times. You were a hard one to turn, that's for sure. What happened to you is a bit more complicated though.."
"Where is my father?" Khloe questioned. She felt her stomach drop as Vivian lowered her head guiltily. "Khloe, your father was driven off by my husband, Riker's father, and the pack leader. Your Leader."
Now Khloe was confused.
"My leader? But I'm not one of you! I'm not a lycan!" She blurted. Riker's eyebrow shot up. "You know what we are?" He growled.
Khloe hung her head. "Yes," She said meekly, like a child who was being disciplined. "I've always known. Since the very first day we met. And there's something else, too."
She sucked in a deep breath. She wasn't sure if Riker would accept what she had to say.
"The only reason I called you was because my father needed to get close to Vivian. He wanted revenge. And I was part of the plan; I was supposed to kill you later on, after I got the information I needed."
Riker's eyes widened, and his eyes glowed red. Khloe's heartbeat quickened, and she felt her blood rush to her hands and feet, and she heard a tiny 'pop'
"What! YOU WERE TRYING TO KILL MY MOM! YOU WERE GOING TO KILL ME! KHLOE, HOW COULD YOU?"
Khloe saw Riker's fingernails turn to talons, and she heard the sickening crunch of bones. Suddenly, Khloe broke out in sweat, and her muscles clenched and unclenched. She tried to keep the muscle cramps down, but they grew and began through her whole body.
"I HAD NO CHOICE!" She yelled, answering Riker's challenge "HE IS MY FATHER! HE'S THE ONLY FAMILY I HAVE LEFT!" Khloe looked up to see him close his eyes, and his talons receded and became regular nails. Her stomach muscles stopped clenching, and her heart stopped pounding so hard.
Vivian came over, pity in her eyes. "Khloe, I know this must be hard, since you've been a meat--human all your life." She began gently. "But you have to adept, and you have to stay with us, the pack. Tonight's full moon, and well, your father wouldn't really want to be around you when you change." She placed a hand on Khloe's shoulder. "You're one of us now; but we will have to test you, and make sure you're not going to hunt us again.
"But I've only hunted twice." She protested. "Once several weeks before we moved here, and last night. But last night was only because he forced me. I never wanted to hurt any of you, once I got to know Riker and Lark and Den and Kall.. They're my friends. I never wanted to hurt you, and you've just got to believe me."
Khloe caught Vivian's eye, and held the stare to prove she was truthful. Vivian gave a weak smile, and dropped her gaze.
"I believe you, Khloe," She said finally, "but I'm going to have to convince the rest of the pack, and Gabriel. Gabriel is going to be the hardest to sway; he saw you with a gun, and he saw...Aidan." Vivian shuddered with disgust and rage as she spat the name out.
"But anyway, you should get out and try your new... abilities out. Better get a head start, as tonight's full moon. Come on, you can explore the forest in your new body, and Riker and his age-mates can go with you."
Khloe shivered when Vivian mentioned the full moon that night. She wasn't looking forward to it; but she could see the eagerness in Vivian and Riker's eyes.
"Does it hurt?" Khloe suddenly asked. Vivian shrugged. "Only for a brief moment. It's hard to explain, but you get this nauseated feeling, then...freedom, I suppose." She grinned at the thought, and then shook her head slightly.
"Riker, why don't you go get Den and Kall and Sorcha? Sorcha should be upstairs, with Lark." A pained look crossed Vivian's face, and Khloe remembered that a white she-wolf had gotten shot.
"Is Lark alright?" Khloe asked. Vivian pursed her lips to a tight line, and an edge came to her eyes and the corners of her mouth. "She's on the borderline.. But Aunt Persia said she got the silver out quick enough. So we can only hope for the best now."
"I feel so sorry about my father," Khloe muttered to Vivian. "Please forgive me. I can't speak for his actions, but try to forgive me.."
For the first time, Vivian eyed Khloe wearily. "Khloe… his blood flows in your veins, yet now, so does the Moon Goddess's. You must be put on trial by my people, my pack. Tonight, probably."
Khloe hung her head, but understood. "I get it," She said softly. Slowly, she got to her feet, though she was very wobbly. She stumbled forward, and nearly fell, but was caught last minute by Riker. As soon as she was on her feet, Riker let go of her arm, not meeting Khloe's eye.
"Come on," He said, a harsh note in his voice. "I think you'd better avoid Sorcha for now… she's pretty angry with you, not saying I don't blame her."
Khloe's heart felt like it was being torn apart, yet she really couldn't blame them. They'd seen her with her father, gun in hand. They would never fully trust her, and she knew that some would never forgive her, like Riker and Sorcha. Khloe had been planning to kill Riker. She would understand if he wanted her dead.
They walked into a dark and deserted hallway, which held many doors. Sounds came from behind the doors; growls, mutterings, and Khloe heard a howl. She shivered involuntarily, trying to hide it, but Riker saw out of the corner of his eye.
"Scared, are you?" He growled. "Well, get used to it. You'll soon be making those sounds as well." He spat the last part out, and Khloe felt an unfamiliar rage.
"I wouldn't be like you if one of your pack mates hadn't bitten me!" She snapped back. A misty look came into Riker's eyes, and he said nothing.
This is your just punishment, A mocking voice whispered in Khloe's head, as the pair made their way up the stairs at the end of the hallway, You have become what you have so long hated, so long hunted with your father. Whatever God is out there, they have given you your punishment. You will be an outcast, even in this lycan pack, and Aidan will hate you as he hates the true werewolves.
Khloe squeezed her eyes shut, trying to drown out the voice. But it didn't work. The voice grew stronger, louder. She was forced to listen.
You have lost the only people that cared for you; Riker and Aidan. Riker despises you for what you were, and Aidan is disgusted with you for what you have become. You are nothing. You are dead to everyone.
She opened her eyes when she accidentally ran into Riker's back. He turned to her, and snarled, like a wild animal.
"Watch where you're going!" He snapped. Khloe bristled, yet did nothing, but turn her head away. Riker knocked on the door, and yelled, "Den, Kall, get out here! Khloe's awake; Mom says we've got to take her on a run."
After a few moments, Den opened the door, giving Riker a quick smile, before glaring at Khloe. She shriveled under his outraged gaze, but decided to stare Den directly in the eye, challenging him.
Riker snorted at her insolence, but Khloe seemed to rise a little in Den's eyes.
"Welcome to the pack, Khloe." Den yipped, as Kall came behind his brother. This time it was Khloe who glared at him.
"I didn't want this," She growled. "So don't remind me of what I am now."
Den rolled his eyes, but Kall chided, "Khloe, you should be grateful. You're like, the first meat-person that I've heard of that got bitten and turned."
Khloe raised her eyebrows. "Oh? I thought that the legends say that tons of people get bitten."
"Naw, that's just legends." Den said, coming out wearing only a pair of boxers. Khloe's eyes widened briefly, then she turned her gaze away. Kall chuckled as he came out as well; only more clad then his brother, in jeans.
"Get used to seeing people hardly dressed, or not dressed at all." He informed her. "It's kinda hard to transform to your fur form when you're wearing clothes."
Khloe blushed at the thought. The boys traded quick glances of faint amusement, and then Riker broke the silence.
"Okay, enough chatter. Come on, let's get downstairs." He said. Khloe saw his hands were twitching and forming fists on and off.
The four went quietly downstairs, not speaking to each other. A silence had fallen between them, a mix of uncomfortable silence and compatible silence. It was really strange.
They crossed the living room, and went into the kitchen, where Gregory, Ulf, Willem and Finn were chatting quietly with Gabriel. Khloe swallowed hard as they instantly stopped talking as she walked in, but they hadn't stopped in time for her to hear the last sentence that Gabriel uttered.
"… She's not a true loup-garou, and what's more, she's the daughter of Aidan. She'll have to run the Trial of the Fang, I think. That way the pack can take out their anger of her transformation before things get out of hand…."
The five males stared at Khloe as she entered, and Gabriel's eyes were on fire.
"Where are you four going?" The leader asked, his voice quavering with unleashed rage. Riker met his father's eyes.
"Mom told me to take Khloe out for a run." He informed his father. Gabriel grunted, then gestured toward the door.
"Get going then. There's a pack meeting in about an hour and a half, about you." He directed the last part to Khloe, anger in his voice. The newly transformed girl felt herself shrinking under his gaze, but she still muttered.
"Well, don't I feel special."
Gabriel glared at her, like his eyes were lazar beams that could shoot right through her. "Yes, you should feel very special." He snapped. "Because you've got the Moon's blood in you, thanks to someone.."
The leader turned away, and beside her, Khloe felt Riker tense. But it passed quickly, and the four walked out to the back, which was surrounded by forest.
"Time for a run." Den said, stretching his arms up to the noonday sun. Khloe closed her eyes briefly, and then opened them again when she heard Riker's voice whisper in her ear.
"There's something I have to tell you."
Khloe turned to Riker, locking her eyes with his. "Alright. Is it that you hate me for who my father is?" She asked bitterly.
Riker shook his head. "I do distrust you, but I don't hate you for your family. I could ask you if you hate me because of what I am, but I know the answer to that."
Khloe cast her eyes downward. "No, you don't. I don't even know the answer to that anymore. I'm too confused." She sighed, and felt her eyes watering.
"Khlo," He said softly, reaching out to tip her chin up, so her eyes would meet his. "What I'm about to tell you might decide if you hate me or not."
He took a deep breath, and then said in a rush, "Khloe, last night, I saw you with the gun just after Lark was shot. I got very, very angry, and I… lost control."
"What are you saying?" Khloe asked, anger and fear rising like bile in her gut.
Riker stared at her directly in the eye. "Khlo, I was the one that bit you. I'm the one that gave you lycan blood."
Khloe backed away from him, rage filling her chest. "It was you?" She spat. "You did this to me? You changed me? I hate you!"
She went up to him, and slapped him across the face, leaving long, bloody claw marks down his face. Den and Kall, who were both in wolf form, yipped in surprise. Khloe gasped as she saw her fingers had grown talons at the end, and they were red from Riker's blood.
"You shouldn't have done that," Riker said softly, before doubling over. Khloe backed away even further as fur sprouted from his body, and as his clothes were ripped apart at the seams.
He's going to attack you The mocking voice returned. You are going to be helpless…. Unless you accept the new part of you, the untamed part of you.
Unexpectedly, a wild instinct came over Khloe. She tensed her muscles as sweat broke across her brow. She tightened her stomach, trying to will something on. It was like someone else had taken over her body and was telling it what to do. Khloe leaned forward, feeling like she was going to throw up. She shivered, and felt the creaking and transforming of bones. It came faster then-- her legs shortened, and her arms lengthened. A thick, shaggy gray pelt erupted from all pores of her skin, covering her in the fur. Khloe's clothes ripped and shredded as her muscles and fur developed. Her fingers curled to paws, her nails to deadly claws. Khloe felt her ears creep to the top of her head, becoming pointed and larger then normal. Her nose and jaw bulged forward, her teeth becoming fangs. Finally, Khloe's spine pushed out of her skin, and was quickly covered by flesh and fur, and the transformation was complete.
She snarled at Riker, rage consuming her, and then stopped mid-growl as she saw his wolf-form. He was the black wolf. He was the one who bit her. The one who turned her. She hadn't really believed him, till now. Till she saw his other half. Khloe tipped her head back and howled; she cried for her lost humanity, her lost father, lost mother. She let her troubles flow into the wild song, and as each note rose and fell, she felt her human conscious slipping away, letting the beast within gain control..
Her howl was choked off as she realized she was losing herself. She lunged at Riker, taking out her hate and anger and confusion on him. He didn't react quickly enough; Khloe clasped her jaws around Riker's front leg, growling.
A bite for a bite, Riker She thought, as she clamped down harder. The irony tang of blood reached her tongue, both making her want to vomit and urge the fight on. But Riker wasn't going to let Khloe tear him to pieces so easily. The more experienced loup-garou growled, and snapped at Khloe's back, pinching the skin, and breaking it.
Khloe, you should know better. He thought, as he savaged Khloe's nose. The girl whimpered, and finally let go of Riker's leg, backing away with her fangs bared. Riker, hackles raised, began to circle Khloe, but she didn't back down. She stepped up, and tore into the black wolf's hide before retreating, all in the blink of an eye.
Riker registered mild surprise, and glanced at his torn hide. She's unnaturally quick, even for us. Just then, Den and Kall decided they'd try to break up the fight. But Khloe snarled, and drove them both off, tail stiffly held in the fighting position. She wanted to take her rage out on Riker, and no one was going to stop her.
A blur of red hit Khloe like a bolt of lightening, clamping its jaws around Khloe's throat. Sorcha wouldn't let up though; she bit down harder and harder, a little bit at a time, to make Khloe choke.
Khloe gasped, and started panting for breath. She had to get Sorcha off her. Otherwise the girl would crush her windpipe.
The hunter's daughter whipped her head around, and grabbed a hold of Sorcha's paw. Khloe pulled on it, sending Sorcha falling with a thud into the dusty ground. The fall made Sorcha release Khloe, and the new loup-garou suck in a deep breath, trying to clear her head of all the stars that had formed before her eyes. But Sorcha was on her again, dodging left and right, feinting and really going for it. Khloe saw Riker from the corner of her eye, being restrained by Den and Kall. He was desperately growling, and jumping toward the fight, trying to get back in it. His eyes were fixed solely on Sorcha.
That made Khloe even angrier. "You were mine, Riker." She thought to him "And now you want to ignore me because of my dad. I thought you loved me.."
Khloe attacked Sorcha first, aiming for the girl's face. "But since Riker has chosen you, I'll make it so he won't look at you again."
Khloe's teeth connected, and as soon as Khloe felt the blood in her mouth, she went crazy. She tore and ripped into Sorcha's face. The other girl howled in pain, and managed to break away from Khloe's fierce rage. But Khloe had done the damage she'd wanted to do. Sorcha's muzzle was a bloody mess, with ripped skin hanging everywhere. Lucky for her though, Khloe hadn't been able to reach her eyes.
Suddenly, Khloe was thrown in the air by large and powerful hands. She landed hardly on a dry patch of ground, and turned to see who dared touch her like that, her fangs bared.
Gabriel stood over her, eyes on fire. "What are you doing!" He bellowed. "What happened here?"
Khloe saw Sorcha behind Gabriel, in semi-human form.
"The halfling attacked Prince Riker." Sorcha explained calmly, her tone high. "And I happened to see through a window. I had been tending to Lark, but when I saw the new-girl change to fur and try to rip Riker to bits, I joined the fight."
Gabriel stared Khloe down, though instead of cringing, she growled softly and stared directly in Gabriel's furious eyes.
I defended my self when there was no one else, Khloe thought. I will protect myself against anyone, even you, Gabriel. If you want to kill me, go ahead. I have nothing left to live for.
Khloe tipped her head back, exposing her throat, daring Gabriel to tear it out. Riker, still in fur form, watched quietly.
Is she really offering Dad her throat, her life? He gasped mentally. Doesn't she know better? Gabriel would certainly take the chance to mete justice out to the one that nearly killed his daughter, and the Pack Prince… however much Gabriel detests me. If I die, someone not of his line will lead, even assuming I get the Alpha position.
Gabriel studied Khloe a moment. "Tonight you will fight, as you so desire," Gabriel boomed. "Only you will be fighting for your life, for your acceptance in the pack, and for your right to earn a mate here. Tonight, you will fight in the Goddess's Trial."
A growl of uneasiness erupted from Riker, and Khloe could see his eyes widened in surprise.
Must be bad, Khloe observed without emotion.
"You, Khloe Aidan's Daughter, will meet us here as soon as the sun sets and the moon rises. You must come; there is no exceptions." Gabriel thundered. "And should you dare disobey me, I will finish you off myself, halfling."
Gabriel turned his back and walked away, leading Sorcha with him. Funny, Riker thought, as he watched his father and friend head to the house, Why is Gabriel suddenly taking a liking to Sorcha now? He always thought that SHE was the troublemaker. What has changed?
Khloe's tail dropped, and her eyes flickered from Sorcha back to Riker. Riker growled at Khloe, his lips pulled back to reveal his bloodstained fangs. Khloe heard a great, rumbling sound and she realized that it was her own snarl.
Stupid Riker. Why did I fall for him? Why, in God's name? Khloe growled to herself.
She shook her head, and laid her ears back against her head.
I need to be alone, Khloe decided, turning away from Riker and the house. She flickered her tail at Riker, teasing and taunting him, before setting off at a brisk pace into the woods. Soon that brisk pace became a run, and Khloe felt that she was flying across the forest floor. She wanted to howl her joy to the sky, but she just enjoyed the feeling of the wind through her fur. Khloe leapt over a fallen log, and she thought she could do anything she wanted to. She could run up to the sky, if she wished to, and capture the sun in her mighty jaws.
I could bite the sun in two, and let the darkness rule the earth, with the Moon as everyone's guide. Khloe thought joyously. She suddenly stopped when a scent wafted through the trees. Khloe dropped to a crouch, and stalked forward, her muscle quavering with unleashed power.
Before her was a deer, a healthy young doe, grazing peacefully. Khloe watched the doe with eyes that were more golden then their usual ice blue.
Such a tasty morsel should not be left alone in the woods, She thought herself. Others would want this deer, but they're too late. It's mine.
She pursued her quarry, slowly coming forward, her ears laid back, and her posture showing all she was ready to hunt.
The doe lifted her head, and her large, deep pools of brown eyes scanned the bush uneasily. Her ears swiveled this way and that, searching for any type of sound.
Get ready to run, my pretty. Khloe howled happily to herself. Without warning, Khloe burst through the bushes, lunging at the doe. Without a sound, the doe bounded off, and Khloe gave chase.
Come to me, lovely one, Khloe thought wildly. She herded the deer left and right, and finally tired of playing with the poor creature. She leapt to the front of the deer, cutting the animal off, and before the unfortunate thing could do anything, Khloe grabbed a hold of the doe's throat. She took the deer down, her teeth tearing into the doe's tender flesh. A new wave of blood washed into Khloe's mouth, and she yipped with the elation of the kill.
How could I have thought lycans to be so hideous when they have such great power? Khloe thought, as she began to tear into the doe's face. The doe's large, innocent eyes watched Khloe with shock and pain as slowly the life drained out of her. Khloe stared into those eyes, and was suddenly repulsed by what she had done. Whimpering loudly, she backed away, vigorously clawing at her muzzle with her paws, trying desperately to wipe the blood from her muzzle.
What have I done? Khloe whimpered loudly. How could she have killed? She was just transformed; why was she acting so brutally?
I am a monster. Khloe accused herself. She wanted to cry; yet wolves couldn't cry. She lay on the ground in a crumpled rag doll heap, letting her limbs go loose. Slowly, she felt herself make the change back to human. Naked and streaked with blood, Khloe hugged her knees to her chest, and did the only thing she felt she had the power to do.
Khloe put her face to the cold, unforgiving earth and sobbed till her heart felt like it was going to burst.
"Khloe?"
A familiar voice drifted through the woods, awakening Khloe from her restless sleep. The sun was beginning to set in the distance, and Khloe could faintly see the outline of the moon. She sat up, momentarily forgetting where she was, and what she had done. But then she saw the doe, with its throat gaping open at her, accusing her even in death.
When Khloe saw that, she turned away and vomited. Yet even that didn't help, because when she looked down at herself, she saw the dark smudges of blood, reminding her what she'd done.
"Khloe?" The voice came again, this time right behind her. Khloe didn't turn around. She closed her eyes and buried her face in her hands.
A firm, yet gentle hand squeezed Khloe's shoulder. She yielded to the one who came after her, opening her eyes and looking into the face of Willem, one of the males who had been talking to Gabriel earlier.
"What do you want?" Khloe croaked out, her voice as cold as ice. "Come to recap that I'm a halfling? That I'm not wanted by any?"
Willem shook his head. "Nope, figured you'd remember those things without my help. I came to tell you that you're expected."
Khloe briefly closed her eyes, and then snapped them back open again. "Oh, yes. The Goddess's Trial. Sounds lovely, whatever it is."
Willem smirked. "You won't find it so lovely when you're fighting against Sorcha again," Willem told her. "And it's not very fun when.. well, I'll let Gabriel tell you."
Khloe didn't show any emotion. All she could muster was a sigh. "At this point, I'd rather be dead then be a monster."
Willem made a face. "That could possibly be arranged."
She glanced at the carcass of the doe and shivered. "How could I do something like that?" She whispered, more to herself then to Willem. Willem followed her gaze, and grimaced for her.
"Nice work. Looks like a clean kill, at least." Willem said softly. Khloe let out a sigh.
"I feel like Khloe the human is slipping away," She said quietly. "And I don't know what to do."
Willem patted her hand in a fatherly gesture. "I don't know what it's like to be bitten and transformed, but I have been a lycan all my life. The bloodlust is always there, hidden in a corner, and it comes out when you least expect it. But you can control it; just think of your humanity."
Khloe snorted. "Beasts have humanity?"
Willem raised an eyebrow. "Believe it or not, yes. You know, we're human part of the time, too. Don't you think we have human emotions and feelings?"
"Okay, okay," Khloe, said, rising to her feet. Willem glanced away, and quickly yanked off his t-shirt, passing it to cover Khloe. She smiled gratefully, the first true smile she had shown in days, and dragged it over her head. The shirt reached her knees.
"So what do I have to do for this Trial?" Khloe asked, taking her hair out of her collar. Willem scowled.
"Can't tell you," Willem said, turning his back on Khloe. "That's the privilege of the alpha or the alpha's wife, the Queen. Not a pack-member."
"Fine then," Khloe snapped, following behind the older male. "I guess I have to learn a lot about being a.." She trailed off, not wanting to say the word.
"A metamorph," Willem supplied. Khloe nodded. They made their way silently through the woods, all the while the sun sinking lower and lower toward the horizon. Khloe looked up at the sky, and a delicious shudder ran through her at the sight of the Moon.
"The Lady's tempting, isn't she?" Willem commented, his eyes on the moon as well. Khloe didn't say anything, but continued to walk. Taking the hint, Willem didn't say anything else, and the rest of the journey was made in silence.
The pair soon came to the house, and by then the sun had disappeared, and the last of its rays was dying on the horizon. The pack had gathered round in a circle, where Sorcha and Gabriel awaited Khloe. Some of the pack was clothed; others were not, yet they were all bathed in the silver of the moonlight.
Khloe strolled toward the pack, while at least twenty pairs of eyes watched her. She held her head higher, and stared some of the pack directly in the eye, daring them to attack her now.
I am ready to fight anyone, She thought. Even Riker. Yet when Khloe scanned the assembled members, the pack Leader's son was nowhere in sight.
Gabriel eyed the brash one with an expression of thunderous rage, yet as his position as pack Leader, he could not let emotions rule him.
"Khloe, Daughter of the Humans," Gabriel boomed, addressing the pack. "You have been called upon to face the challenge of the Goddess's Trial, where your rank in the pack, if you may mate with a male here, and your fate will all be decided on the strength of your teeth and claws. You are to fight Sorcha, Daughter of the Moon. I step aside now to allow Orlando Griffin, the Keeper of the Law, to recite it."
A shriveled old man appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his face as old as the earth. He fixed each of the pack with a fierce gaze that revealed the power he had in his youth.
"I will now recite the Law." He said in a voice as ancient as the winds of time. He closed his eyes.
"When a lycan breaks the Laws of the Lady, they must face the consequences of their actions. Under the watchful, full gaze of the Moon, the accused one must fight in their fur against the one they offended. Yet if the victim cannot, or chooses not, to fight against the offender, then a substitute may be offered, only of his or her own free will."The old man cleared his throat, as if trying to remember the words. "In the Goddess's Trial, the two combating pack members fight till one yields. If one of them will not yield to the other, then the pack Leader will decide a winner, along with the Queen. Yet, if the Leader so chooses, then he may allow the two gladiators to fight to the death."
Orlando stepped back into the circle, inclining his head to Aunt Persia. The elderly healer stepped into the circle, wearing a gossamer black robe. She closed her eyes, and a sound grew deep in her chest. It grew from a low hum to a deep growl, and soon all the pack was swaying to it. Khloe felt rough hands push her forward into the circle, and she saw Sorcha come forward as well.
Aunt Persia came forward, an iron dagger in one hand, a bent wooden bowl in the other. "Offer your blood up to the Moon," She instructed, handing Sorcha the dagger. "So that if your life is forfeit, the Goddess will know your blood and take you up to the Hunting Grounds, where all ancestors are embodied forever in the stars."
Without flinching, Sorcha drew the blade across her palm, squeezing the cut so blood seeped out. Slowly, it trickled into the bowl, and when a tiny puddle had collected at the bottom, Aunt Persia nodded her head.
"May the Goddess be with you." Aunt Persia said. She turned to Khloe, and her eyes became icier then they had been with Sorcha.
"Offer your blood to the Lady." The old healer repeated. Khloe took the dagger from Aunt Persia's hands, studying it with a calm, clear look.
Quickly, before she could change her mind, Khloe let the dagger bite deeply into her palm, hissing slightly at the pain that raced up her arm.
She let her blood drip slowly into the bowl, where it blended with Sorcha's. Aunt Persia grunted as the last drop fell, and yanked the dagger out of Khloe's hands.
"Goddess be with you." She said half-heartedly. The healer placed the bowl down, and the growling music grew louder. Above, the Moon looked on coldly.
"May the one that the Goddess chooses claim victory!" Aunt Persia cried. She groaned loudly, and, as if it was a cue, the rest of the pack fell to all fours. Khloe felt a strong tugging throughout her whole body, and she felt the crunch of bones. It came faster than before; Khloe could only guess it was because of the full moon hanging heavy in the sky. Khloe moaned, and her hands became furry and her fingernails lengthened to talons. Her teeth sharpened to fangs, and her face bulged out into a muzzle. A tail poked from her back, and she fell to all fours as pads filled her palms and soles.
Before the change had fully taken over, Sorcha lunged, grabbing a hold of the scruff of Khloe's neck. She flipped Khloe on her back and jumped atop of her, pinning Khloe to the ground and Khloe realized that she had exposed her vulnerable belly. Thinking quickly, she nipped at Sorcha's equally exposed neck, making Sorcha draw back in defense. Khloe kicked at Sorcha's stomach with her long claws, and managed to get out of the way.
Sorcha snarled, flashing pearly fangs. She pounded the ground with her front paw, trying to get Khloe to loose her cool and come after her.
The little witch thinks she can taunt me to chase her? Khloe thought. A growl escaped her lips. She'll be the one fighting for control before I'm through with her.
Khloe grinned a wolfishly wicked smile, and feinted to the left, then the right, making Sorcha turn this way and that. Khloe nipped at Sorcha's ears, then nipped right below Sorcha's muzzle, jumping back before the other girl could respond.
She drew back patiently, her eyes watching the frustrated Sorcha with amusement. Sorcha's eyes grew cunning, and she gave a bark of greeting to someone behind Khloe. Without thinking, Khloe turned around, and saw a big black wolf. Riker.
He came, Khloe couldn't help but think. She turned back around to her foe, and came face to face with Sorcha's teeth. Khloe reared back on her hind legs and pushed Sorcha back with her front paws, but Sorcha still clamped down on Khloe's shoulder. Khloe whimpered in pain, and thinking quickly, bit down firmly on Sorcha's muzzle. Sorcha's eyes gazed furiously into Khloe's, and the newly transformed lycan knew the female had something planned.
Sorcha pawed frantically at Khloe's face, and Khloe barely missed having her eyes clawed out. Sorcha suddenly kicked out with her back legs, and kicked Khloe so hard that the breath was instantly knocked out of her.
Gasping, Khloe let go of Sorcha, giving the lycan a chance to attack. The red female grabbed a hold of Khloe's neck and flipped her onto her back, so Khloe's belly was exposed. Sorcha howled triumphantly; she had won the fight.
Or so she thought.
Khloe leapt into action, grabbing Sorcha's vulnerable neck with her sharp fangs. Surprise and anger flickered in Sorcha's eyes. Khloe squeezed harder and harder, slowly but surely, making Sorcha suffer.
You are weak, Sorcha. Khloe thought, as Sorcha's eyes began to close. Her breathing grew pained. The end was near..
Suddenly, a big brute that she took to be Gabriel attacked Khloe from behind. Khloe was set sprawling, and her grip on Sorcha was released. The red female gasped and panted for breath, while Gabriel stood between the two females.
He glanced from one girl to the other, as if deciding something. A low, uneasy growl escaped his lips, before he gave a short bark to signal something. Instantly, Sorcha was back on her paws, her breathlessness forgotten, and her eyes blazing.
He gave her his consent to kill me! Khloe realized, as Gabriel stepped back into the outer rim of the circle.
Sorcha rumbled a taunt, making Khloe's temper flare. She wasn't going to let this witch kill her. Khloe abruptly lunged forward, snapping at Sorcha's throat again. She knew if she bit the girl's throat one more time, then Sorcha would surely die.
Sorcha tore Khloe's cheek, but by then Khloe didn't care, even as the blood dripped down to the earth. Khloe growled, and backed away quickly, a plan forming in her mind. Come on Sorcha, jump. Khloe pleaded silently. Just as she expected, to make up for lost ground, Sorcha jumped through the air. What happened next was as if in slow motion.
Khloe dropped to her belly, and Sorcha flew overhead. Quickly, and without thinking, Khloe looked up, and found Sorcha's belly an easy target. Khloe clamped down on Sorcha's stomach, and she fell to the ground. Luckily, Khloe hadn't bit very deeply, but it was still very close to Sorcha's internal organs. Sorcha laid on her side, looking defiant and frightened at the same time. The fire in her eyes had dimmed somewhat, as she knew that Khloe could kill her here and now. The pack watched silently, their golden eyes studying Khloe intently.
Khloe gazed down at the blood already pooling around Sorcha's stomach. She could end it here and now. She could stop the rivalry for Riker, and she could cease the hatred that Sorcha so carried in her heart.
It would be easy, Khloe couldn't help but think. A quick, deep bite and Sorcha would be gone. Then I would have proved myself to Gabriel and the rest of his mangy pack. I could be accepted.
Khloe stared at Sorcha a few moments, saliva filling her mouth. Sorcha was weak, a toothless rabbit that couldn't even stand to fight a newly transformed lycan. She didn't deserve to live, to hunt, to grow old with a mate. Khloe leaned closer to Sorcha's neck, her eyes narrowed. Sorcha looked back into Khloe's eyes, accepting her fate.
But when Khloe stared back in Sorcha's eyes, she was reminded of the poor doe that she had so recently hunted. She remembered the pain the deer had revealed in the last few seconds of its life, and she remembered the taste of blood, sharp and sweet and yet repulsing on her tongue.
Khloe pulled herself away, ducking her eyes in shame. She couldn't murder Sorcha. She wouldn't lose her mercy and innocence that way, by killing a girl like herself.
Gabriel and Vivian stepped into the Ring of the Goddess, Gabriel's fur shining in the moonlight, Vivian's eyes smiling.
Gabriel came to stand in front of Khloe, his posture regal and terrifying in the silver of the Goddess. Slowly, and almost regretfully, Gabriel rubbed his muzzle against Khloe's, letting his scent catch on her fur. Vivian came beside Gabriel, and gently gave Khloe a lick between the ears. A howl rose throughout the forest, and the pack drew in close for the feel of course fur on fur.
I am of the pack now. Khloe couldn't help but think happily. The rest of the pack licked Khloe on her ears, signaling they finally accepted her. But Khloe didn't see three people who welcomed her. Gregory was helping his daughter up from the ground, letting her put her weight on him. Riker was no where to be found.
I am a lycan. Khloe said to herself. But I am Khloe, too. I will keep my humanity. And for the first time that night, Khloe tipped her head back and howled thanks to the night.