As always, thank you to Archangel_M, my very own Knight in Shining Armor, for all his wonderful assistance. I don't know where I'd be without him!
Please continue to send me your comments, and don't forget to vote!
Sardinia - 1052 A.D.
Erobos stayed several days with the vampire. When he left the castle he realized he had never felt stronger or more confident. The world was his. No one would keep him from his aspirations.
He returned to the pack and was met by his father, Adrastos, his face a contorted mask of rage. The pack was watching from nearby. They had felt their Alpha's strong emotions in the last few days while his son was missing without a trace. They had hoped that now that he had returned, all would be as it was. They knew immediately that they were wrong.
"Erobos, my son, where have you been?" His voice was angry but laced with fatherly concern. He looked with fear into the emotionless eyes of his son, his heir. He had always hoped to leave the pack in his hands. But now, that could never be. Their bond had been severed, by what means he had no idea. But it was irrevocable. As his son approached, he could see the changes in his body. He was larger and, no doubt, probably stronger as well. Even his features looked different. His skin was paler, his eyes darker, almost black. His hair was still the same black color, but seemed lifeless somehow.
"Erobos, what has happened to you? What have you done?" Adrastos was shocked by his son's demeanor. He was normally a quiet cub, unassuming, who kept mostly to himself. Now he was almost strutting, self-possessed, and maybe even conceited. What black magic was this that had transformed his son in so short a span of time?
"I have come for what is rightfully mine, father. I will go to the panthers and take Leona as my mate."
He smirked in a way so unlike his son that Adrastos was taken aback. It was as if he looked at a stranger. This was not his son. "Erobos, her father will never allow it, and neither shall I. She is not your mate. She is meant for another!" His wolf struggled with the emotions welling up inside him. This was his son who he was sworn to protect. But this male, so different from the cub he loved, was bound and determined to begin a war with the panthers. He could not condone it.
"Have I asked your permission, father? I do not need it. I am stronger than you now. It is my time to take over the pack." His gaze was icy as it fell on the father he had once adored. It was time he took what he wanted. And first, he would take the pack. He laughed at the shocked expression on his father's face. "You never thought I would stand up to you? Well, the time has come, and your time is over. Leave now and I will allow you and your mate to flee to safety."
Adrastos was stunned by his son's cold statement and staggered back a few feet. He saw the evil smile that covered his once beloved son's face. It was then that he realized his son was dead. This was some shell that only looked like him. He knew now that he would have to kill his own flesh and blood. The thought sickened him, but he would have no choice. If not, this evil being would plunge their pack into a war that could destroy them all.
The Alpha shifted into a large silver grey wolf, muscular, with heavy bones. He was made for hunting, for killing. He trained his eyes on the human figure in front of him. Erobos' wolf stood no chance against this battle-hardened fighter.
Erobos laughed out loud before shifting to the wolf that now shared his consciousness. But this was not the wolf his father knew. This was a Dire Wolf, bigger, stronger, faster, with no conscience to keep him from killing his own kin. This wolf didn't worry about destroying his father or anyone else. This wolf wanted power and would take it!
The huge animal towered over the advancing Alpha, who was not deterred by his unexpected adversary. His duty was to his pack. He could not run and hide from what used to be his son. He would defend his pack or die in the process.
The brave Alpha circled, trying to find an advantage. The loud growls from deep in his chest did nothing to put fear into the heart of the creature who stood across from him. He leapt towards the bigger animal and bared his teeth to slash at the belly of his adversary, but Erobos easily side-stepped the attack. Again, the Alpha made an attempt to come in low and strike a deadly blow, but as before, his assault failed.
It was as if the Dire Wolf was playing a game with the smaller wolf. He put forth no attack of his own as he watched his foe tire himself with one failed strike after another. The older wolf was panting, slowing steadily, obviously exhausted. Erobos smiled to himself, satisfied he had proven to the surrounding pack that he was obviously the stronger wolf and best able to lead the pack. His need for this charade was over. It was time for the kill.
The next time that Adrastos moved forward Erobos, without effort, leapt onto his back and sunk his teeth into his father's neck. He reveled in the taste of blood and felt a sudden euphoria as he heard the bones of his neck cracking. He drank every drop of blood from his father's body and shook the lifeless hull that was left, dropping him to the ground. How could he ever explain to anyone this new craving he had for killing? He felt marvelous! He felt fully alive for the first time!
He faced his father's pack, now his pack. Blood dripped from his mouth as he looked at their horrified expressions. He shifted back to his human form, his father's blood streaked across his skin. He called out loudly, "Is there any among you who doubt my strength to lead this pack?" He looked at each beta who, in turn, bowed to their new Alpha. Erobos smiled with satisfaction. He walked slowly to each member of the pack, listening to their murmured oaths of allegiance.
He was delighted at the sight of their frightened eyes, especially the females who attempted to hide from his sight. This made him laugh out loud. As if they could refuse his advances. They were all his to use as he saw fit. And any father or brother who attempted to stop him would die a painful death. He may want Leona as his mate, but he was not mated yet! And a Dire Wolf's appetites were much greater than those of any mere werewolf, much more.
He watched each female and pondered which to choose. He was the Alpha; any should be overjoyed to be his consort. She would, of course, not be needed after Leona was his mate, but for now, his wolf needed to sate his lusts, which had become suddenly overpowering after the exertions of the fight and the delight of the kill.
His gaze settled on a little blond who, just a few short weeks prior, had ridiculed him when he had told her his plan was to take the panther as his mate. She had said Leona would never have him. Yes, she would do nicely. He stopped in front of her father, a beta who struggled to hold his tongue. Adrastos had been his good friend as well as Alpha. And now Erobos would defile his daughter, and he could do nothing. He looked over the beta to the trembling girl. "Come, Zosime."
"Please, Alpha, she is too young. There is still another month until she is of age." Acacio had to speak up even if it meant his death.
"She is too young to mate, Acacio, not to be the consort of the Alpha. If you wish to serve your Alpha, then I would suggest you hold your tongue or I will remove it for you." Erobos exulted in this feeling of power. Every wolf here knew that he was their better, he was their leader, he was their master. And he could feel as each pack member proved their allegiance by bonding to him as their Alpha. He would give them one week. Any who did not bond with him by then would be killed. He did not wish to worry about closing his eyes at night.
"Zosime?" He watched as the female haltingly approached her Alpha. She couldn't look into his face. He could sense her fear, feel it, taste it. Yes, he would keep her fearful of him. He knew this new wolf half of him craved fear. He licked his lips in anticipation. While his human half knew nothing of females, his wolf's instincts were strong. He would take over when it was time.
