Chapter 18

For the female of the species is more deadly then the male.

- Rudyard Kipling

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   I awoke to the sound of traffic and thought it was about time I showered and headed to the small breakfast nook in the hotel. When I signed us in I was told to meet with the hotels owner, Sebastian. He was a wolf like me, but he didn't belong to the Sioux pack, he only worked for them, his hotel was a safe haven for the wolves, wolves like him don't need to follow the packs rules to some standards... but if he is ever in Hudson's company, he is to show every ounce of respect he can muster up. Once I finished showering i headed out sneaking a glance at Kerry, she was sound asleep so I let her be making my way to the breakfast nook.

   Once I got there I was met by an astonishing sight, Kieth was sitting at the table reading a book, the reading didn't surprise me but him being up this early did, it was usually around one in the afternoon when he would role out of bed.

By the gods almighty, your awake before me.

K: Correction Slade... I never went to bed, I've been up all night looking through this.

   He handed me the book and I finally noticed what it was.

   This is a spell book, grandmother's spell book... how did you get it?

K: Lucas gave it to me, grandma gave it to him before she... before she was killed, he believed it was better off in my hands then his.

So thoughtful of him, maybe I've been to hard on him, wait... no I haven't.

K: Yes Lucas is an ass but, Slade... I thi-

Oh PLEASE don't tell me your on his side now.

K: Slade no... I don't mean it like that, I still don't care if the kid dies or lives, it doesn't matter to me, what I'm trying to say is... if grandmother trusted him with this book, then maybe he can be useful.

Fat fucking chance Kieth.

   Before either of use got another word in, Sebastian came rounding a corner nearly trampling the cleaner heading our way.

S: Why on mother's earth are you here Slade..  I want you out now.

Wow, hurtful... I was told you said we could stay.

S: No, I specifically Said Not to let you in, it was my daughter who said you could stay.

You mean Rose, well that was very thoughtful of her, please tell her I said thank you.

S: Slade, you need to listen to me ok. I fear for my daughter's life, she's the only family I got.

K: What about your wife Tory?

   Sebastian look Kieth dead in the eyes ready to pounce.

S: She's dead to me after what she did.

I don't wanna know, but anyways where talking about Rose here, no one would ever hurt her... I mean "Every rose has it's Thorns" after all.

S: I hate you for that but dammit that's a good song.

Sebastion they wouldn't and couldn't kill you for giving me a place to stay... it's against pack law to do so.

S: You think the laws will stop them Slade, please they already have broken others, like that whole no taking prisoners shit, what do you call that hall of barred rooms huh?

   He had a point, but the alpha also gave his word that no wolf will bother me at this time.

Trust me Sebastian, you'll be fine. Now, was that the only thing you wanted to tell me.

   His faced turned a tint of red, he wanted me out but I wasn't going anywhere.

S: No... I have orders from the alpha that you are to go to him before Eleanor's burial, and to bring the unexpected guess, he hadn't known you were bringing others

What? you mean John?

S: No he means the girl and the hunter boy, he knew Kieth and John would come... but he doesn't know why you brought the hunter back or why you brought the girl.

   Why was he making a big deal about Kerry coming, I understand why he has concern about Lucas but why Kerry... she's only human after all, there should be no concern with her.

Whatever, but there shouldn't be a problem with Kerry.

S: Slade I don't know, ok? I'm only telling you what he asked of me.

   Dwayne would use is alpha power to it's fullest extents, if I didn't except this... he would send some wolves to grab me, and I didn't need anymore trouble.

Ok fine, Kieth would you go and wake the two, I want to get this business out of the way so I can put my grandmother to rest.

   Kieth gave me a nod and left the room heading towards Kerry and Lucas.

S: Be careful Slade... recently wolves have been disappearing, and I'm afriad... it has something to do with our Alpha.

What to you mean by disappearing?

S: I mean they go on hunts and don't return... at first we thought maybe there's a new monster out there... but then I found out that these jobs didn't come from the board... but from The Alpha himself.

   What is Dwayne doing? With wolves disappearing that could only lead to disaster, there's a reason why wolves have packs, because strength comes in numbers.

Thanks for the heads up Sebastian, I'll tread carefully...

   We both turned our heads to the sound of approaching footsteps, Kerry looked prepared and well slept, I couldn't say the same for Lucas, he looked worn down.

What's the matter hunter, did you sleep on the floor?

   Kieth gave out a small snicker... apparently I was correct.

L: well then, could we get going...

In due time, Lucas... but you look like trash so go fix urself up, Kerry... your looking as beautiful as ever,  have something to eat, once Lucas is finished we can go.

K<3: Thank you Slade

   Lucas though... did not have anything pleasant to say of my remark.

L: I'll bite my tongue just this once, I'm to tired to deal with you right now...

If I were you I'd keeping biteing that tongue of yours, my threat to you was not an empty one... your digging a giant hole and soon I won't hesitate to bury you in it.

L: Whatever, I'll be done soon...

   With that he turned around and went back to the room he was staying in, the nerve of that kid, I don't know if he just thinks I won't kill him or if he even cares, I just know that if he keeps up this tough guy facade... he won't be around to say goodbye to Lena.

S: You two should talk out your differences... I've learned talking things through is way better off then fighting through it.

Don't go there Sebastian, that bastard doesn't deserve the easy way out... besides, I don't think he'll be up for it either.

S: Well, your problem not mine, just make sure you keep him in line around the alpha, I'd rather not have the entire pack comeing after me for housing someone who showed disrespect to the alpha.the

Like I said earlier Sebastian... don't worry about it.

S: Just make sure OK? I'll be heading out now, I don't want to be in between you and the alpha, it won't end well.

See you later Sebastian.

   He turned to leave but stopped mid-turn.

S: oops... almost forgot, Slade if I were you, I'd give the girl a weapon or something, as protection of course.

Protection from who?

S: oh... you probably haven't heard, two days after you left, Tony was exhiled..  and it seems he's after you... he's not happy with what you did to Jane... hell it didn't fit well with alot of wolves, including me...

   He left after that, I had known before I killed her that their would be repercussions, I knew wolves wouldn't be happy with me, but what's done... is done. I can't take it back.

K<3: Slade? Who's Tony?

An unpredictable wolf... here, take this...

   I handed her the 'blade of eternal bloodlust' one of my karambit's, it would give her protection if I couldn't.

K<3: What, No! I can't kill someone.

I'm not asking you too but it make me feel better if you had something to protect yourself.

K<3: That's why your here Slade, I don't need it, your the one that has killed before so you may need it.

I have the other one just in case. Besides, I don't normally use them because I myself, am a weapon... and can kill with my hands. This is how I see it... if I kill someone with my hands, then I have deemed them worthy of my full potential, but if I were to kill them with one of my weapons, then they weren't worth my time, a waste of space is what they were.

   After a few seconds. She finally grabbed the blade.

K<3: If that is true, then you must believe Lucas worthy, you've never held in at blade point, but have always gone after him with only your hands.

Don't think it as a compliment to them... if I use weapons that pain will end fast and the death quick... but if I'm to kill you with my hands, that death won't be fast, that death will be full of pain the entire time, they will die knowing I deemed them worthy of the most terrible death.

K<3:... You can be very dark when you want to I'll give you that.

   I heard footsteps approaching, Lucas turn the corner the next moment with new clothes and combed hair.

I guess that's as presentable as you can get.

L: Screw you Slade.

   I stood up and got in his face, I've been holding back for the longest time but my patience with him is running thin.

You will be among wolves soon, learn some respect, they will provoke you, it's what we do, but once you bite back... you will die, do you want me to tell Lena you were killed because you let your tongue loose or would you like a more respectful death...

   He looked me in my eyes, not blinking, no hint of fear, only anger for me showed.

K<3: Slade... let's go.

   I didn't take my eyes of of him when I responded to her.

We will, once he excepts his place and follows my rules.

   He didn't speak, but he did turn and headed towards the exit.

Did I say you could leave hunter?

   He turned to look at me.

L: I'll follow the rules, but I won't except a place underneath you.

   I was about to rush him when Kieth grabbed my my shoulder stopping me.

K: We won't need to deal with him much longer, he said he'll follow the rules... let's put this aside for now and put grandmother to rest, once we are finished here, you can deal with him however you see fit, Ok?

... Fine, when we get back to Tennessee, he is dead.

   I walked over to Kerry and held out my arm, she looked hers around mine and we walked out heading for the 'angel of death'. Luacas was waiting next to it and was about to lean up against it when I got there.

Do that and you'll wish you were a woman.

   I unlocked the doors and walked Kerry to the side door opening it for her and closing it behind her before heading back to the driver side, I opened my door and pushed the seat forward so Lucas could get in the back.

L: If your going to have a car, get a four door, makes it alot easier.

That's ruins the effect of the vehicle, screw four door muscle cars.

  Once we were all seated and ready I turned on 'Angel' and she roared to life, if your vehicle purrs to life, then it's a waste of space and deserve to go to the chop shop.

   The drive to the Sioux packs compound took us 30 minutes, traffic here makes everything take so much longer then it needs to. By the looks of the parking lot. The majority of the pack was here, awaiting the funeral...

L: Are all these people here for you Slade? Seems they love to see the weapon get humiliated.

As much as I would love all the attention on me... it's for the funeral, we aren't the only ones that knew my grandmother, she made a legacy here and she will be missed by all.

L: oh...

K<3: This is what you use to come to everyday... know wonder your a moody person.

Hurtful... but no, when I was apart of this pack, this place was  alot better... now they've turned it into a prison.

   It was a prison, hell they put me in a cell just about a week ago, the feeling of the blade between my shoulder blades still a remnant feeling. I park near the front and noticed an older women standing by the entrance, by the looks of it she was waiting for us.

Remember to behave Lucas, don't want any problems today.

L: and remember Slade... I'm no child nor dog, so don't speak to me as if I'm one.

   We stepped out of the 'angel of death' and headed towards the women, getting a better look at her, I finally recognized who she was.

Elder Anna, how good it is to see you.

   One of the ten elders of the pack, she was a great friend of my grandmother's and I hasd often seen her playing poker with my grandmother.

EA: Sioux pack weapon... I'm here to escort you and your friends to our Alpha... please follow me.

   Any hint of a smile disappeared from my face them, she was never formal with me, I was Slade to her, not only has he changed the compound, but now Dwayne has control over the elders.

EA: Our Alpha has been awaiting for your arrival for a while now, what is the cause of the tardiness?

As I do recall, I am an exhile... and while I'll show respect to Alpha Dwayne... he does not rule over me any longer.

EA: If you respect our Alpha, then I'll hope you'll remember to remove that ring of yours...

   I had been dreading it... but I knew it would come up... the mark of the exile is not to be hidden from the alpha.

I shall not forget, in fact... I'll remove it now.

   Once removed the marks made there appearance. Lucas had seen the marks before but he still looked away. Kerry one the other hand, had never seen these scars. I hadn't intended her to see the mark of the exile so early into our relationship, her eyes showed fear and sadness.

K<3: oh god...

   We entered Dwayne's office before she could say anything else. Once inside I noticed that it wasn't only Dwayne in the room, along the walls were wolves ready to pounce at any given moment.

H: welcome back Slade... I see you've brought the two that I had asked for.

   Lucas step forward and bowed to Hudson, a sign of obedience. He looked to us and seen I wasn't doing it with him, either was Kerry, instead she bent her knees a little and lowered her head.

The weapon does not bow to the alpha, and Kerry is a lady, they do not grovel.

H: love the enthusiasm you guys have... Lucas I presume, you may stand, Kerry... lovely to meet you.

   Lucas came up out of the bow and back up and stood to the side of Kerry.

Now... does Alpha Dwayne really need all of this... backup.

H: You and me both know there not here to protect me, there here for the... illusion.

Funny... now Alpha Dwayne, may I ask... why have you asked for us, or more specifically... why did Kerry need to come.

H: Well because she's with you of course. You wouldn't want to leave her alone in a town like this... and as for the hunter, well... the wolves he attacked aren't very happy with him.

   Lucas looked ready to say something but I interrupted.

They were stopping him from helping me, my grandmother hadn't agreed with your reasoning on bringing me in... so she had sent him.

H: Yes... Eleanor, the main reason we have come together today.

   The room was silent for a good minute, as I had said before, my grandmother had made an impact on the pack and all of them are feeling the loss.

H: I am sorry for her passing, shall I presume the attacker has been delt with.

   I grew cold, remembering back to the moment I ended Travis's life.

Yes... killed, by my hands.

H: good... and I would presume he was also the person who killed your mother.

... How did you know of that?

H: a body left alone cause start causing a smell, the neighbours filed a complaint and the police went to investigate. They took her body and burned it, your mother had hid all records of her so she was labeled a Jane doe, I wish I could've gotten her before she did but alast... I couldn't.

   I had left her body to rot in the rush to my grandmother... what a great son I was, she didn't even get a proper funeral.

The man that had killed my grandmother was not the one who killed my mother, but he had played a part in her death.

H: I see. Well it's over, nothing can be done about, now we focus on the future. And shall give Eleanor the burial she deserves.

Yes... we Shall

H: let us prepare then, I will get a hold of you whenever we are ready... and remember Slade, once this is over. You are an enemy of the pack once again, and while I would love to lock you up right away, it would break my word to you, and my words mean a whole lot.

   I turned to leave but stopped, I had one more question for him.

I heard you exiled Tony... have you kept track of him or is he off the radar?

H: Tony hasn't left the versinity. He is out of the packs territory but he's staying close... probably in hopes to confront you about Jane.

If he wants a fight, let him come forward.

   I left after that Kerry and Lucas following close behind. If Tony wanted to get his revenge... let him try, but he would not win, and he would not interfere with this funeral.

L: So what now Slade, we wait for Tony to come forward and attack, or do we bring the fight to him.

Don't forget, we are here for my grandmother, not for a fight. We will head back to grab Kieth and John and head to my grandmother's, we are cleaning the house out and burning it down, it's what she would want.