Get Off My Lawn!

*Hezzlie*

I knew as soon as Rowan sent me away that it wouldn’t take long for him to realize he needs me. He doesn’t want me to get hurt or exhaust myself again, but if we’re under attack, it’s better to be safe than sorry–and that means I need to go with him.

I really like the sweater I’m wearing, so I take it off and toss it toward the house as we’re running across the yard. The rest of it, I’ll be okay if it’s shredded beyond repair, so I leap into the air and shift into my wolf alongside Rowan, then, the two of us go roaring off through the trees toward the area where King Solomon’s people are attacking us.

Rowan’s giant wolf is difficult to keep up with. I know he’s slowing down so that he doesn’t leave me behind, which I appreciate, but I hate being the one who keeps him from getting to the battle. I am running as fast as my four paws can carry me, yet it doesn’t seem like it’s enough as his strides are almost twice as long as mine. 

After a little while, I hear what sounds like a battle not too far away. Yelps and short barks tell me that there’s definitely some sort of combat going on. I also hear some howls and whimpers. 

Those are the sounds that spur me on. If Alistair is out here hurting our warriors with his magic, well, he needs to be tamed.

We break out of the trees, and the ground begins to slant down sharply, though this isn’t one of the areas that’s got a huge gorge between our lands and Darksky territory, which is probably why they chose this particular place to come after us.

It’s also probably where Wilma was trying to run to. I don’t know at the moment whether or not Dean has apprehended her, but as we reach the wolves, and I glance around, I don’t see the Beta anywhere.

I do see a lot of wolves on the ground and Darksky coming closer.

The wolf in the middle is gray, which doesn’t always have to do with age because some wolves are just gray, but this time, I think he must be old.

When he lifts a paw and purple light comes rocketing toward us, I have no doubt who it is.

That’s Alistair all right.

I don’t wait to see what happens. Instead, I immediately lift my paw in response to counter his power and push him back. Yellow light meets purple, the border between them becoming a bright lavender hue for a few seconds before I push him back. My power surges, and the purple light goes shooting backward. The Darksky contingency drops to the ground, and Alistair’s light goes right over their heads.

But Alistair hits the ground hard, landing on his backside. He whines like a puppy that’s gotten nipped by a bigger dog, and I can’t help my satisfied smile.

They’re in our territory. I can see the fence behind them. Rowan is pissed and moves in to kill them or drive them out of our land. The warriors on the other side are startled. They were probably told this would be easy, that they were just coming to retrieve Wilma, and Alistair would handle any warriors that stood in their way.

Well, they weren’t expecting the Alpha King–or me. So they break ranks pretty quickly, hustling their way back toward their own border. Rowan is thirsty for blood, though. He pounces on one and sinks his razor sharp teeth into its hind area. The other wolf cries out in pain, but he doesn’t stop until the creature is no longer moving.

Alistair is still sitting on the ground. I approach him cautiously. I can’t believe he’d be weakened so quickly, but he’s not doing anything to fight back, just looking at me with sad eyes.

Growling deep in my throat, I dare him to try anything. 

Rather than attempt to fight me, Alistair shifts into his human form. A wrinkly, naked old man stares up at me with tears in his eyes. “I surrender,” he whispers. “Princess Hezzlie, please. I am an old man. Don’t hurt me.”

Astonished, I take a step back. I can’t trust him. Hell, after everything that’s happened between our two kingdoms, I hardly trust anyone anymore. But as long as he doesn’t move to try and blast us again, I won’t hurt him. He might have some valuable information for us. 

“Get that bastard in silver cuffs.”

I recognize Dean’s voice without having to turn my head in his direction. I don’t want to look away from Alistair in case he takes that opportunity to blast us.

A couple of warriors dressed only in shorts they probably just slipped on come and fasten silver cuffs around the wizard’s wrists. I assume that will keep our powers at bay, but I’ve never tried it myself. He seems uncomfortable as they haul him to his feet, but he doesn’t say anything. Someone brings him a pair of sweatpants, and he puts them on.

“He can’t hurt us now, Hezzlie,” Dean says, and I feel his hand drop down on the top of my head. I look up at him, and he says, “I’m sure.”

I nod, but I still watch as they begin to move him toward the castle.

Once he’s out of my sight, I look around at the wolves that are on the ground. There are several who aren’t moving. I have to assume they were blasted with Alistair’s powers. Rowan is going from one to the next, nudging them with his snoot.

‘They’re still alive,’ he tells me in his head. ‘But they’re out cold.’

‘I’m glad he didn’t kill them,’ I tell him. ‘Is James coming?’

‘Yes, he’ll be here shortly.’

‘And Wilma?’ I ask as he turns his massive head to look at me.

‘She’s in custody,’ he tells me with a nod. 

‘That’s good to hear.’ Now, maybe we can find out what the hell is going on. Why would one of the family’s oldest, dearest servants and pack members turn her back on her people like that? It doesn’t make any sense to me. But then, most things haven’t made any sense since I discovered I can turn into a wolf and throw magic with my hands.

We wait until James and some of the other healers arrive. He assesses the fallen, and they are all lifted on stretchers and carried to a point up the slope where a transport vehicle waits to take them back to the castle. One of the benefits of Darksky picking this area to fight in is that we can move our wounded more quickly. 

Once they’re loaded up and a fresh group of warriors are positioned at the border, Rowan and I look at one another. He nods, and we turn and head back toward the mansion. We both want answers. I just hope Wilma comes clean quickly and no one has to torture her because even though she’s betrayed our trust, the idea of my fiance hurting an old woman I have thought of like a grandmother doesn’t sit well with me.

Something tells me Rowan will do whatever it takes.