27 BULLETS

We ran and ran and ran, only stopping for water and food breaks.

And oh, my wolf loved taking that dumb ostrich down and tearing right through it. I might have been disgusted if my human body wasn't already craving the raw meat.

And even though we had been running like a high-speed train all day, my wolf barely felt out of breath. Maybe a bit of panting, but nothing that mentioned that we just flew over some ten whole mountain ranges.

Go wolfie power!

The boys started trotting, slinking down into the grasses as we reached a higher hill and we all peered over the summit still in wolf form. The sun was just dipping toward the horizon. We made it before moonrise.

There was a city below, much like the set from some medieval movie.

A high rock wall surrounded the area. Small, thatched roof houses lined the streets, all pointing to the wide-open center with a courthouse mansion with tall rock pillars and steps to a terrace out front like a stage.

And all the people gathered to watch it.

Men of ages from roughly twenty to sixty stood in the city center, all deliciously handsome, like they were photoshop come to life.

Most nearly naked, only wearing the Tarzan strips to hide their manhoods, some with long pants. But all shirtless and barefoot.

They stood watching someone who was not.

A towering man stood like a sentinel at the top terrace. He was covered in furs and black leather and built like a tank.

Heavy muscles still shouted their presences from under the layers of clothing and the stern set of his jaw gave him a tortuous expression of fierceness. Black hair tied back at the crown of his head, strong cheekbones and pointed nose.

He had to be the king. He held the formidable aura of one. Though I wasn't afraid of him. I knew I could stand beside him and not cower, even from this far away.

King Maza.

My... mate.

I mean, I guess he looked okay. But I didn't feel any stirring of adoration for him yet. Just those feelings you get when you see a really hot movie star on the screen.

A growl caught in my throat as I spotted a woman with platinum blonde hair attached to him with a chain. She was average build and nearly naked. A basic dirty white bra and a torn golden leather skirt were all that covered her.

Molly.

That had to be Molly.

Be quiet. Cane admonished. We're pretty far back, but they still might be able to hear.

Sorry. I scowled, uneasy to see any woman treated like that.

There's Mathe. They've got him above the tank.

My eyes followed theirs and saw across the stage a giant glass tank of clear water, a few purple petals floating within. A hogtied man laid balanced on a wooden plank above it. He was strong and rigid. Muscles like the heaviest of body builders and neatly trimmed dark hair like a usual Earth style. Shirtless, wearing the same type of golden soft leather pants that Cane and Thann wore. The plank was nearly a swing, held with ropes attached to the ceiling of the overhang and then tied to the wall. Two guards with daggers attached to either side of their belt pouches stood beside.

The plank swayed as if the men were ready to let the ropes fly and have him drown at any moment.

Thann gulped. Is that wolfsbane waters?

Cane's whole wolf grimaced. With the petals, I'm guessing so.

Wolfsbane waters? I asked. Wolfsbane was mentioned in the Earth stories that hurt werewolves, but I never heard of wolfsbane waters.

Thann growled out loud. The poisonous berries that hurt your arm. They flower in purple bunches near water. That water soaks up their poison and will kill anything it comes into contact with. It's also how skunks get their poison.

I remembered the spring fed pool next to the berries I found and shuddered. It didn't kill me, but sure gave me a wicked sunburn where it touched. Guess I didn't have enough contact because it sure killed the plants I soaked with my extra bottles.

And you were human. Might be more deadly now that you're a wolf. As for Mathe, one lungful and it will kill him instantly. He's probably smart enough to hold his breath, but barely a minute in will boil him alive.

We all gasped as one of the ropes slipped in its knot and Mathe fell a few inches, the plank swinging wildly as he tried to right his balance.

Molly shrieked and I could even hear her grief from where I was crouched as she cried for his release.

The man I suspected was Maza also let out his own shriek that they were waiting for the moonrise to drop him and chastened to tighten the rope. One guard sped to knot the ropes tighter.

I growled a loud sound, not even caring if anyone from the village heard me and slid from the summit.

I immediately shifted to human like I'd done it a thousand times and tossed on my clothes then started loading my gun.

Thann followed and shifted too. "El, be quiet."

"Not likely." I snapped and crawled back to the summit setting the rifle scope to my eye. Maza was pointing our general direction and calling for some guard to check it out.

I didn't care and aimed at the rope that tied Mathe's hands and feet.

It was an easy shot as long as Mathe stayed as still as he was. I prayed he did.

I let out my breath and squeezed the trigger.

26 BULLETS

The rope unraveled instantly and Mathe's extremities were free.

In another instant three more bullets were shattering the glass tank under him. Water sloshed into the crowd with men and guards dashing away to avoid the toxic liquid.

23 BULLETS

The crowd was gazing into the sky and murmurs of cloudless thunder spread.

Mathe fully free from the ropes, jumped down and darted forward for Molly.

Maza called the guards and they grabbed at Mathe's arms and a dagger went at his throat.

Maza grabbed Molly up and held her tight against his chest, putting a dagger to her throat as well.

Mathe reluctantly submitted, stilling his fight against the guards.

"Let's go," I told the two wolves and started trotting to town.

Cane transformed human and both quickly set off after me.





I met the sent guard on the way and as he called for me to halt, I blew him a kiss and waved my fingers. He stood stunned, frozen as a statue, a barely audible "she-wolf" whispered from his lips. I just walked us by.

I'm sure he was utterly astonished by my absolute beauty.

The thought made me grin. So when we finally got to the city center, I was still smiling.

A loud voice boomed over the area. "Moonrise is in forty minutes. He will still be killed."

"Actually, let's pass on that killing today, shall we Maza Baby?" I called loud over the crowd.

The people startled and turned, each backing away, opening a pathway straight to King Maza. Maza's eyes were fully on me and the two flanking me.

"Honey, I'm home!" I shouted, stopping in the middle of the townsfolk.

"Who... are you?" Maza eyed me suspiciously, furs around his shoulders ruffling.

Okay, so with those fiery dark eyes and wicked jaw, he had something going for him. He was hot. I'd admit it.

I sighed, a spectacularly fake sound. "You don't recognize me, Baby?" I lifted a hand to the pointed branch that kept my hair up in a bun like chopsticks and let it fall to the ground. Shuffling my head back and forth a few times, I let my hair cascade clear down my back. I hoped I looked like some total beach babe.

Then my eyes speared on Maza, gaze forceful and words intense. "She's not the Woman of Thunder. I am." And I cocked my rifle and let a deafening bullet shoot into the sky.

22 BULLETS.

I'm dramatic. Sue me.

Eyes from all around me also shot to the sky, the blaring sound of fake thunder hushing the crowd. One by one, men started falling to a knee.

"Aww, thanks guys." I cooed at the sexy villagers. I turned back to Maza and giggled, gesturing around. "My fans. So cool."

Even from this far, his greedy eyes raked me over like I was the finest treasure. It made my stomach feel weak.

Alright. The mate stuff could be kinda neat. One could get used to being treated like a queen.

"Come up here, my Beloved." Maza's voice was rich and seductive, but he was also still holding a knife to a woman's throat.

"Uh. Nah."

"No?" He bristled, teeth showing.

I motioned to the two. "You've got my friends. Let them go."

"Friends?" He laughed and set his dagger to instead point to the guards holding Mathe. "Fine. The challenger is free to go."

"But Alpha!" One exclaimed.

"Free to go!" Maza's anger resonated through the square.

Both guards bowed low and daggers came away from Mathe's throat.

Mathe's hands came to massage the spot and he stepped toward Molly, eyes only on her.

She was immediately pulled back by the chains and dagger again to her throat. "Not her though," Maza's voice was low and deadly. "She's mine."

Mathe growled out a war cry and shot forward.

The dagger pressed to break the skin, a dribble of blood dropping down Molly's neck. Mathe froze when Molly's scream filled the air.

I roared out a fierce sound, it carried over the heads of the kneeling men. "Let them both go. Now!"

Maza's eyes came back to me, dagger point still at her jugular. "I said I'd let your friends go. Females are not friends."

"And what are they?"

"Property. My property."

I folded my arms, ready for the fight and Thann and Cane flanked me. "You own no one. Now let Molly go."

Her eyes traveled to mine when I spoke her name. My glance silently told her I would get her out of this.

Maza chuckled. "I own all the women. Guards," he called.

A few moments later, a group of women all chained together were marched on stage from somewhere inside the house. Some were completely naked, others had light robes, but all were covered in bruising and pain. Maza let a kick fly to one woman and she tumbled down, bringing the women beside her to their knees as well.

My temper flared with tightness in my chest. "You let them go right now!"

"You don't make commands to me, Beloved. They are all mine, and now, you are too."

I lifted my rifle and pointed it at Molly.

"She's got a gun!" One of the chained girls cried.

They all went hysterical, and Molly twisted in Maza's grip.

"Molly!" I called. "Stay still!"

Her eyes met mine, blue and deep. "Do it!" She yelled.

Maza's fist went into her mouth and she choked at the punch, but held her wrists out for me to shoot through.

Instead I aimed for the dagger at her throat.

When I had a good shot, I fired.

21 BULLETS

The bullet cut through the dagger, shattering it in Maza's hand. As he was momentarily distracted, I shot at the lock of her wrist bands and the bullet broke through her constraints.

20 BULLETS

Boom! I love this excellent shot wolf stuff!

Mathe snatched her from Maza's wrath and wrapped himself around her.

A guard's dagger went into his shoulder blade, and he roared out in pain, teeth transformation.

Bullets then went in each guards' arm.

18 BULLETS

The second guard dropped his dagger, both holding over their bicep where a bloody hole was shot into them.

They would heal, if they didn't keep fighting me.

Cane ran the stage and ripped the dagger from Mathe's shoulder. Then he helped Mathe get Molly off the terrace and ran for the streets of town. Mathe caught my eye and gave a nod of appreciation.

I nodded back.

Maza was watching me, a glimmer of gleeful craze in his eyes. "You control the skies to do your bidding."

Shrugging nonchalant I let the rifle dip, but still ready for action. "I also came here riding a giant metal wolf and can make fire with my fingertips. I'm amazing."

He held his arms out. "Your friends are free. Now come to me, Mate."

"Yeah, I don't think so," I deadpanned and pointed to the rest of the bunch. "What about those girls?"

His eyes slitted. "They are also your... friends?"

I rocked on my gun, like it was a walking stick. It was a dangerous move, but meh. "Yup. Us Earth chicks stick together."

"Let me see your fire," he commanded instead.

I shrugged and dug into my pouch for the lighter. I held it up and flipped the trigger, a small flame shown into the sky.

Maza's grin reached his ears, in some spooky grinch fashion. "Oh yes, my Beloved. You are quite exquisite."

"Ouch!" I dropped the lighter when the metal burnt my finger. I bent to pick it up, not worried about anyone seeing the device and flicked my burned hand a bit to cool the sting.

"What the?!" Maza cried and the crowd started murmuring.

"Huh?" I looked around and then down at my fingers. They were turning wolf. "Oh, oops, sorry. I'm not quite in control yet." I shook them back human.

"No." Maza growled out and took a deep breath in, scenting the air and surely trying to smell me. "The oracles never foretold of you being a she-wolf! All the she-wolves are dead!"

"Eh," I spoke unabashed. "Not all."

"They are dead! For a hundred years! I killed them! How did you survive!"

My eyes set on him momentarily stunned. "Excuse me? You what? You killed all the she-wolves?"

"Where have you been!" He thrust his fist down his side, face turning scarlet.

"Dude. Step back. I'm not from your planet. And I was told it was a sickness." I glanced back to Thann. Him and Cane had mentioned their history during our run.

Maza flashed a fully devilish grin. "A village much like this one had women dying of all ages. My father sent me and some guards to scope the problem. A dead parasitic goat had contaminated the water supply. I knew that the Woman of Thunder would show herself when no women remained. It was my chance to hurry the prophecy along. I told Father that we couldn't tell what happened to the village. The goat was then taken and torn apart, a small piece in each water supply around the world. Soon enough the liquid death flooded everywhere, and I waited for your arrival."

I was horrified. "What?"

"My wife!" Yelled a disgusted man from the crowd, raising to his feet.

"My daughters!" Yelled another.

"The queen," uttered the guards holding the women.

"The king died in her heartbreak." A long-haired guard at the side breathed out.

Maza's hand swayed in the air unconcerned. "Yes, yes. The king. The queen. Mother wasn't going to make me the strongest Alpha this world would ever know. Only my Wokuduma could do that."

The crowd were all raising to their feet, angry expressions flaring and shuffling forward about to start something when Maza's voice thundered over them, power backing his words. "Stop! Calm yourselves!"

A collective breath was taken from all, including me, and the men's angers pacified.

I looked around confused at the sudden cooling.

Maza looked unabashed. "We've all made sacrifices, but our precious Star is here now."

Thann then spoke from behind me, voice low and carrying. "There was no part of the Woman of Thunder's story that included all the women being gone."

Maza just chuckled, then eyes went piercing black watching Thann. "My grandfather had many oracles recite the prophecy. She would come when no other women remain. You think that pathetic story Mothers told their children was the truth? That was a fairytale. Much was left out. I just let enough of the story out to make sure the brave young warrior brought her to me."

Thann paled.

Maza's head tilted as his eyes roved over my body. "Granted. Even pieces of the prophecy were mistaken. I did not know she would be a she-wolf and I was expecting her leg to be quite injured. But no matter. She is here now. Come, my Beloved."

"Screw you," I spat. "Why would I want to be the Beloved to someone who killed every woman on a planet and then tortures all the women brought in to save them?"

His lip curled and fists clenched. "Because you are mine."

"Dude. I don't think I want to be yours."

He was tired of playing games and shouted at me. "Get up here now, Mate!"

Immediately my feet started moving without my consent. Step by step toward the stairs. "Hey! What the? What's happening!"

Maza grinned in morbid pleasure.

Thann grabbed my arm to stall me and Maza hollered out at him. "Let her come!"

He released me like touching a scalding stove and I started walking again. A deep purpose of inferno shot from my belly and caressed down my arms in metaphoric dragon fire. "I will not!"

And I stopped at the first step to the landing, breathing deeper than I had running clear from the cave.

Maza's shock only shown for a second before he masked himself to calm interest. "You can disobey Alpha commands. Impressive, Beloved." He looked to the crowd. "But they can't." His voice then heightened. "Bring her to me!"

The men surrounding me then converged as one swarming group and the moment one's hands were on me I screamed, "don't touch me!"

And they stopped, frozen in place.

"Grab her!" Maza commanded again.

"No." I glared at the surrounding men, and each dropped their head in submission and stepped back.

I turned to the stairs. "Ha. Looks like they'd rather follow their queen."

"You can give commands?" He looked both shocked and impressed.

"Kuni!" cried a woman as she pressed forward as much as her chains would allow.

"Anna," a man called out from near me and ran to her.

A guard went to kick the man away and I hollered, "don't you dare!" and his foot stopped.

The two embraced, telling words of comfort under their breaths.

"Let them go!" I demanded of the guards. I aimed my gun to sever the women's chains, waiting for the women to calm down for a clear shot.

"No!" Maza contradicted and spun blackened eyes on me. "You are not the Alpha King! I will be obeyed!"

"Get used to it, Mazzarella." I scowled. I would not let him lead like that.

His eyes flamed and he pulled a full sword from somewhere on his person and slammed the blade down over the embracing man and women, taking off both of their heads.

I gasped in horror.

"I will be o...!"

Were his last words.

A bullet went in his brain, and he collapsed backwards to the ground.

17 BULLETS

The surrounding area went silent as the last of the rifle's sound echoed around us into oblivion. My rifle still aimed at the dead beast.

A random man from the crowd was first to break the silence. "You killed the Alpha King."

I shouldered the gun and snarled. "You're darn right I did."

Hums started up from the crowd and I took the steps to the landing. I pointed to the guards. "Let the women go."

They raced to fulfil the order, unlocking the bands.

A handful of men from the city square ran the steps and embraced women, some kissing, some wailing in sadness of their fallen friends, some holding in hugs. One man dropped to the knees of a woman I didn't realize was pregnant and caressed her belly. She was just showing like I was, probably similarly far along.

I turned to the first guards I'd shot. "Do you need medical attention?"

"Y...yes ... Alpha," one spoke.

"She can't be the Alpha!" the long-haired officer from just off stage outraged.

"I can and I will," I spoke unconcerned as I came upon the two. "We need to get the bullets out. It will hurt, do you know where pain medicine is kept?"

"Just do it," the second spoke, holding his head back gallantly.

I nodded and let my fingertips transform to claw points. "Forgive me," and I dug into the second's arm clasping the bullet between my elongated claws as his holler reached the clouds.

I tore a strip of cloth from my skirt and quickly covered the wound.

He nodded, teeth clenched.

I gave him a single nod of acknowledgement and focused on the first man.

"I'm ready," he stood tall.

His body clenched in pain, but no sound blared as I dug his bullet out and it tinkered to the ground at our feet. Another strip was ripped from my skirt and tied around his arm.

"Thank you Alpha Wokuduma."

I gave a reassuring smile. "Find healing medicine if you can."

But I was interrupted by the same long-haired officer. "She can't be the Alpha!"

"Because I'm a woman?" I flipped to him and studied him up and down. He was a fine specimen of man, nearly as massive as Maza but a gleam on his eye spoke of true intentions. "Or because you want to be Alpha?"

He beamed a breathtaking grin and stepped toward me, kneeling at my feet and caught my hands in his. "If anything were to ever happen to the Alpha King, it is written that the Beta should take his place."

"And let me guess. I'm staring at the Beta?"

He pressed a tender kiss to my hand as he stood. "Beta Indoda Yesibili at your service, Bili. Madame."

"Bili," I looked him over. He was tall and gorgeous. Longer hair than any man in the crowd and it did make me pause. I'd always been a sucker for long hair. Full chest, bright smile, sexy eyes. He did have the presence of someone extremely powerful. "It's written for you to be king?"

He nodded and touched delicately over my face, sliding a piece of hair away. "And you will be my mate."

"You're my mate?" I questioned, trying to look solidly into his eyes. They shone with an affectionate intensity.

"Yes. We will be mated. And you will make me the most strong and powerful Alpha this world has ever known."

"So," I stalled. "You knew I was your mate the moment you looked upon me?"

"Of course, my love." He stepped forward reaching hands gripped over my hips and I waited for him to expound.

He didn't.

I stared deep into his eyes and waited for the spark of recognition to take him over.

But it didn't.

Cane said he knew the moment him and Mataoka's eyes connected. He said I'd know the moment our eyes connected.

It wasn't there.

I leaned up and kissed softly at his cheek. "I'm sure you'd make a great king."

He beamed the compliment and turned to the crowd, arms lifted in celebration, "behold, your new...!"

"But," I broke in.

He twisted back in confusion, and I pulled up my shirt, just enough to show the growing baby bump to the crowd.

Collective gasps and whispers started around the area.

"I don't think you'd like a woman who has already made their choice." My voice lifted in power. "I choose Yena Wothanndo as the new Alpha King. I choose him as my mate!"

Thann was still at the base of the stairs and fell to the ground, hollering out in pain. I made the smallest movement to dash to his side but stopped as his body fought to transform.

He was becoming his wolf.

Bones shattered, vocal cords lengthened, hair sprouted, teeth grew, feet elongated. A whole minute of blaring agony.

The sounds quieted and Thann's wolf stood.

A howl soared to the skies and standing before us all was the tallest most regal wolf I'd ever seen. Massive and proud, holding his head straightened high in superiority. He was not the same wolf that ran here with me.

Some magic had transformed him to pure power.

He was exquisite even to my untrained eye.

Men started dropping to the ground, transforming into their wolf counterparts.

Each wolf turned his way and bowed in submission.

Wolf Thann howled again to the skies, a sound so blaring I nearly wanted to cover my ears, but I didn't. Because I could understand it.

..... I recognize your acceptance. I will be your King. I will fight for you. I will honor you. ....

Howls rose from the crowd, but more than that. From mountains and valleys beyond. I couldn't even tell how far the signals carried back. But it was clear. His howl was heard for miles, maybe even traveled over the whole planet.

He trotted up the stairs and I had to crane my neck to look at him. A smile came to my face.

He was beautiful.

Thann transformed human right there and grabbed my hands. When he looked into my eyes, my lips parted in time with his.

Something cracked inside of me like a glowstick, the brightness now seeping through every muscle, every tissue, every bone. I felt the lock click into place that he would be my forever. Someone to care for me and his child. Someone to love and cherish me and someone I could do the same for.

He was my choice.

A wide beam filled his face, lighting his eyes, and he pulled us tight, chest to chest, eyes still to mine. His large hand threaded into my hair and held the back of my head.

I hadn't stopped seeing into him and the magic and soul that were churning inside.

His glance dipped to my lips and as he leaned forward, my eyes finally closed in wait.

He brushed his lips over mine and whispered, "Mate."