Chapter 17

(Chapter song ‘Come As You Are' by Nirvana)

ALTER GRAHAM Of all the bullshit…

I walk into the run down warehouse and throw the rabbits I caught on the table. I start a small fire on the concrete floor, clean them up and throw the food on the steel plate sheeting I have. I’d let my wolf eat them, but I’ve been doing too much of that lately. Let’s just feel human for five seconds. Though, in this place, that’s almost impossible.

As I wait for dinner to cook, I sit down at the dirty table and read the books I stole from the library during my last attack on the Falcons. I had to know.

When I saw Shirley, I knew she was special. I just didn’t know how special. I needed to know.

After my last switch out, I knew there was only one place I could find the answers I needed. The Dark Shamans vault. I barely got out with my skin, but I managed to steal a bunch of books and ingredients that will make finding Tanuki a hell of a lot easier.

A Kitsune. Guardians of portals between worlds. Gatekeepers. Perfect for something like this. She’s the one binding us together. Destiny didn’t realize what he did when gave Graham his life back. Now, the Kitsune has staked a claim on our connection like a bridge. Destroy her, destroy the connection, but there’s no way I can do it myself.

The direct rival of a Kitsune is a Tanuki. A dog that looks like a raccoon. They are both portal animals, but the Tanuki doesn’t have control between worlds, just wormholes. They want that power and will challenge the Kitsune for that chance so, my plan is to start a fucking war. With the Kitsune dead, it will break our connection and I’ll be off Rex's hit list…I hope.

I just have one minor issue.

The battle has to happen between portals which means I have to somehow lure the Kitsune to this side or at least half way.

My other concern? I’m starting to like Shirley. A lot. I mean, she’s cute as a button, who wouldn’t, but this is extremely dangerous. When I slept with her, I didn’t think it would matter. She was just a roll in the hay until she wasn’t. Something inside me fell for her. I don’t know if it's from riding around in Grahams brain or if it’s my own. Either way, I can’t let her get to me for real. I’ll lie though. If she trusts me, she’ll follow me anywhere, I think.

Now, I just need to find the Tanuki.

In a Japanese spell book, I found some summoning spells for calling spirits. Ones that call for rabbit bones. “Hello, dinner.” I smirk and grab a rabbit off the fire.

As I eat, I grab a bucket and throw everything, including the bones, into it. I grab a match, light it and throw it into the bucket.

It explodes in a fireball so bright, I have to cover my eyes. The warehouse room fills with white smoke.

As the smoke clears, I cough and wave it out of my face. That packed a bit more punch than I expected.

I search the room and my eyes widen. It worked…I think.

In the cloud, stood a massive, shirtless Japanese guy covered in tattoos. His long, black hair is pulled back in a bun and he’s wearing a form of cultural fighting dress that hangs off his hips. He’s holding a Katana aimed right at my heart. I may have interrupted something, but oh well. My issues are more important.

He looks around the crumbling warehouse then meets my eyes. He scowls. “What’s the meaning of this? Who are you?” His voice is deep and threatening.

I cross my arms and slowly walk up to him, making sure there’s a nice distance between me and that sword. “It doesn’t matter who I am.” I smirk. “What matters is what you are, Tanuki.”

He slowly lowers his sword. “What?”

I nod. “I know what you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

He scrunches his face and waves me off. “You’re crazy. I’m out of here.”

I arch a brow and watch him take a step. A red magic cuff that’s attached to the floor appears around his ankle. He looks down at it, whips his head to me and glares.

His lip snarls. “A binding. Seriously?”

“A little bonus gift with the spell I used on you. You’re mine, Tanuki. You aren’t going anywhere until you do something for me first, then I’ll let you go.”

“Why would I do anything for you?” He stands tall, puffs his cut chest out and crosses his thick arms.

I tilt my head. “Because I have information that will brighten your little day and save me from a massive headache. Tell me. Are you still searching for a certain little 9 tailed fox?”

His eyes narrow and his arms drop to his sides. His hands ball into fists. “Kitsune.” He growls.

“Oh, yeah. I know where she is.” I smirk.

“Where?! Tell me!” He charges, but he’s stopped by the cuff like a dog at the end of his leash.

I hop back a bit and put up a hand. “I will, but she’s not here. I need to lure her here first and I need you to tell me how to do that.”

He looks down and searches the floor like he’s thinking. He raises his head. “Have you tried fried tofu?”

I look at him like he has two heads. “What?”

He wraps his sword arm around his waist and motions his other hand to me. “Kitsune love fried tofu. You could lead her with that.”

I arch a brow. “Let’s call that Plan B.” I walk up to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “No. See, the problem is, she’s attached me to another me on the other side of the wall. I need something really good.”

He nods. “I see.” He twists his lips. “I could kill you?”

He raises his sword in both hands above his head and I run out of the way with my hand up. “WHOA! NO! No killing. Not me, at least. I want out of this with my head, if you don’t mind.”

My brain is spiked with a massive headache. “Argh.” I hold my head and lean on the table. The pain is so severe, I huff breaths to try and control it.

“What’s wrong?” He asks.

I swallow. “A shift…” I pant. “I can’t fight it. Listen. I’m going to start sounding like a paranoid rat. Don’t tell him anything. Play as dumb as you can. If you can hide, do it. He can’t know what’s going on. He'll tell the Kitsune.”

He bows his head. “You have my word.”

My brain is struck again and I crumple onto the table with a whiney scream. I open my eyes and I’m in the council room with the Alphas.

Fuck. Not when I’m so close.

Jake is up at the podium with a monitor turned on behind him. The picture switches between different towns in the area that are demolished. “Lefu is upping his attacks. He wants his blade. Not only that, but vamp activity has risen in the last week. According to Billy, hives are migrating north. They’ve increased their numbers and we have no clue how.”

“Gia.” Peter supplies.

Jake nods. “It’s possible she’s joined Lefus army. Now, I’m not sure what this whole thing is…”

The room begins to shake and we all hold down the stuff on the council table as we look around the room.

As the shaking dies down, Hunter opens his tablet. “That was a 5.3. They’re getting worse.”

“Where the epicenter?” Jake asks.

Hunter shakes his head. “It’s…everywhere. It hasn’t changed. Jake, we need to investigate because we could be looking at a huge tectonic plate shift. Like the planet is threatening to rearrange itself all at once.”

The room grumbles and Jake holds up his hand. “Ok. First, don’t panic. Second, Hunt, figure it out.”

Hunter nods. “I’ll run simulations with the data we have.”

“Good.” Jake leans on the podium. “Now. I’ve been in contact with Oliver Fredericks. His Dires are ready and willing to join us in stopping Lefu.”

“What about the ones we're training?” Owen asks.

Darcy leans back in his chair. “Uh…training? We can’t even get them out of the cages without them wanting to rip our balls off.”

“That’s because they have a leader.” I say as I pick my nails.

“No, Graham. These are our rogues. Oliver never staked claim.” Sawyer leans around Zane and Peter.

I shake my head. “They’re intuitive and slightly telepathic. They know the other packs have a good, trustworthy leader and won’t settle for another one.”

Mateo flops a hand on the table. “So, if ours want to join Oliver, how come Lefus don’t?”

I lean on the table. “Oliver is similar in behavior so the Lefu Dires has no desire to switch. They’re need for a solid leader is met. Ours aren’t.”

Ash adjusts himself on the wall he’s leaning on. “So, basically in order to control the Dire Wolves, you have to be a dick.”

“Not just a dick. A colossal dick.” I raise a brow and look around the table.

“I can be a dick. Sure, that’s easy.” Darcy points to himself then waves his hand around.

Brody snorts. “Sorry, bro. Sam has bigger balls than you.”

He ticks his lips. “Yeah ok, but I can fake it.”

I look Darcy in the eyes. “These guys can smell a pussy from a 1000 miles away. You’re not faking nothing, superstar.”

“You…You just…” He looks at me with confusion as I stare him down. He turns to Mateo. “Did he just call me a pussy?” He questions as he point my way.

Mateo chuckles. “That’s what I heard and he’s right.”

“WHAT?!” Darcy juts back, almost hitting Brody with the back of his chair.

Jake sighs. “If what Graham says is true, we’re apparently too nice to control them. Which is half the reason I have Oliver coming to Phoenix. He’s bringing Ezra and the two of them will help with training the Dires and get them ready for the fight.”

“I hate relying on that guy.” Ash grumbles. “Why can’t Lucius do it? He’s a dick. Sort of.”

Jake chuckles. “I know you miss Lu, Ash, but Oliver is the guy we need.”

He lowers his head and picks at his fingers. “I want Lu.” He mumbles as the room turns and stares at him.

He glances up. “What? The wall is fuller when he’s here." He holds his hand out as the Alphas groan, turn back and shake their heads.

“What about the barbarian?” I ask as I scan the table.

Jake raises a brow. “Barbarian? What barbarian?”

“The one who can bring Lefu down. You don’t know?” I lean on the table and tilt my head.

“No. We don’t. What’s this about?” He leans on the podium.

Shit. They must not be there yet. Fuck. Think…

“Oh. It was something I read in a book as I was researching. Something about a barbarian being the one to put Lefu away. Since everything else is real, I think this guy might be.” I try to backtrack and hope it works.

“No, but it’s interesting. Can you find out more?” Jake asks.

“Uh…sure…I can try.” I say as I lean back in my chair.

“Good. Now, with that said, we need a game plan…”

The doors to the council room fly open and a guy with long, white hair storms into the room. He’s dressed in leather with no shirt. His face is twisted in anger and impatience.

My eyes widen and my heart jumps in my throat. I try to swallow the lump as I look into the eyes of the friend I never thought I'd see alive again. I try to compose myself before tipping anyone else off.

“Adam?” Hunter stands.

Adam points to him as he swiftly approaches the table. “Shut up and sit down.” He growls in a monotone, angry vamp voice.

Hunters face falls as he hesitantly sits. He looks at his son with deep concern.

He leans his finger tips on the table and glares at Jake.

“Adam, what are you doing here?” Jake furrows his brow.

“I don’t have time for questions. The Reaper. Where is it?” He eyes the room.

“We don’t have it?” Owen says as he leans on the table.

“It was put on your charge! How can you not have it?” He snarls.

“Well, it was in our charge…” Deacon starts. “But then someone stole it from us or something…it was invisible…I think…I’m not clear on the details…then there was a fight and apparently Artemis, this shifter guy, stabbed himself and filling himself with nymph power…”

“Yeah…then Graham said we should tell Lefu, which I thought was a terrible idea, but no one ever listens to me…” Darcy jumps in.

“SHUT UP!”

The Alphas all look at each other as Adam’s shoulders heave. “Where is it now?”

“Art turned to a dinosaur and exploded. We don’t know, bro.” Brody says.

Adam huffs a deep sigh and lowers his head. “You idiots better find that blade or that…” He motions his head to the screen with destroyed towns. “Will look like a garden party compared to what Lefu will unleash.” He stands and looks us all over. “Find the damn blade!”

Jake stands straight. “Wait! How do you know…”

He turns with a loud growl, cutting Jake off and storms out of the room.

“Adam!” Hunter gets up and runs after his kid.

He better not find the blade or what he thinks, will be a million times worse. The transfer of power can’t happen or there will be nothing to save. No, this is all me. I need this connection severed then my nightmare won’t become this world’s reality.