Rejected Shifter King: Book One: Collars and Knives Page 2

  Avalon is standing as stiff as a board, staring at me. I really wish I had my Sight. "And if they try to do anything, you just come to me."

  My young friends seem relieved, at least for the time being. Kayden follows my eyes and catches sight of Avalon. "That's true," he says. "You won Silverlight three years in a row. As long as you're with us, we don't have anything to worry about."

  Avalon turns around and leaves.

  As the day carries on, we play cards and take turns going to the diner cart for snacks. More people filter in, and after several bouts of assurances first from myself, and then Kayden and Nalini, the emotional temperature of the car fades into something lukewarm and comfortable.

  In spite of being collared, I feel something as we speed along the tracks. I look up and watch the border between Absolothen and Malgate flash by, surrounded by ruins of a decimated shifter village that the witches burned down fifty years ago in the war.

  4. Welcome to Absolothen

  Joseph Mane

  I pick up my phone and tap the screen on - and off again. Still no updates. Avalon said they were late. Very late. Her messages have been short and terse since she got to Malgate. Something is wrong, but I don't know what.

  I should do something productive - maybe nap? My phone will ring as soon as there's an update. I eye my rumpled wool blankets, and drop to the floor to do push-ups instead.

  My mate is on that train. I know she will be. I don't trust Felix Gallus, but sometimes being alpha is about diplomacy. They get twenty-four of our fighters, and we get an infusion of witch blood back into our community. We've been in talks for the last two years and finally, the day has come.

  I need this. I need this to work.

  I pour my focus into my form and don't hear Avalon until she knocks on my door. I jump to my feet and trot to the living room, opening my door so fast it creates a gust of wind that makes Avalon's hair flutter.

  One side of Avalon's mouth is pulled into a deep frown. Her eyes are bright and damp, and she won't look at me.

  "What's wrong?"

  Avalon steps past me - without permission, but that's fine. "They hate us."

  They hate us? I close the door behind her. She sits on my couch, burying her face in her hands. I've known Avalon since she was a pup. She's tough as nails, and totally unshakable - the best beta I could ask for. Is she really about to cry? I've never seen her cry.

  "What happened?"

  "Felix didn't tell them anything, Joseph. He told them when I got there."

  "Told who?"

  "Everyone! Anyone! Only two people volunteered."

  I stop in my tracks. Felix had told us he started the process with them over a year ago. My wolf growls, and I agree.

  "There's this woman, Brinja. She's furious. Felix wanted me to read names off a list, his secretary told me it was the best way. It was awful."

  "Slow down, Avalon." I put just enough command in my voice so she has to listen.

  I sit by the window and listen while Avalon tells me everything. How Felix blindsided her with the lottery, how she had to read names off a list and people started crying. How they had this horrible celebration where everyone was sad and upset, and the absolute train wreck - with some pun intended - of getting everyone boarded this morning.

  "It's like Felix spent the last two years doing nothing. There was no planning. I was practically running the show. Then Elizabeth starts telling me that Brinja was dangerous and she had to be collared-"

  My eyes cut over to her. "You collared one of them?"

  She looks away.

  "God damn, Avalon."

  "She's not like the others, Alpha."

  I run my hands through my hair.

  "During the orientation she was using her power - I'm not sure what she was doing. But she's older than the rest of them, they look up to her. They started using their power when she did. And she was enraged. On the train-" Avalon tosses her hands in the air. "On the train, she saw me and loudly announced to everyone that nobody has to be worried because she'll protect them." Her voice cracks.

  I look away. Avalon has been waiting for this chance for years. We all have. Shields don't get to be bonded to other shifters. Our mates can only be witches - part of Luna's grand design for the moontouched. The thought that they're all coming here angry and scared is a very big wrench in our plans. "Do you think Brinja is… against us?"

  "I don't know. Maybe. If they were really chosen randomly then a lot of them are going to end up being pro-war."

  "I should have known better than to trust Felix." I glance at my window. There's a bus rolling through the compound gate. "They're here."

  I leave my house unlocked behind me as we make our way down the long, winding driveway that spills out into the compound below. My wolf is eager to meet all of his new pack members, and he hasn't seen a witch in years. He keeps pushing me to walk faster.

  The witches disembarking from the bus look like college students. They're all probably half my age. Clouds of nervous sweat radiate off of them as they cluster together like frightened rabbits. My wolf tells me to take the pups to their dens.

  "We should get everyone into their rooms so they can rest," I tell Avalon. She nods and gives quiet commands to the members of my pack who were on the welcoming committee.

  I look over the crowd, taking a quick tally. They're all on edge - except one. There's a woman with long silver hair done up in a French braid, standing on the grass with her arms crossed. I know it's Brinja because of the black slash of the collar across her pale neck. Avalon wasn't wrong - you can practically feel the anger radiating off of her. Witches are clumping around her and asking her questions. My wolf has been using my eyes to look from person to person, but she captures his focus. Maybe because her entire presence practically screams 'dominant personality.' It interests me. It makes me want to show her who's really in charge.

  I tell my people to help carry everything out of the cargo hold on the buses. I'm told more buses are coming just full of cargo. Apparently, some of these kids had packed up their entire houses to take with them. It really must have been a disaster back in Malgate. Once things have a chance to settle, I'm going to have a talk with Felix.

  One of my pack, Colt, waves his arms in the air to get everyone's attention. "If you can all follow me, we'll get you to your rooms." He's standing towards the entrance to the old apartment block that we've spent years preparing, but only two of the newcomers move to follow him.

  I start to speak, but then Brinja uncrosses her arms and walk towards him. When she does, the others slowly begin to follow. I watch her walk away. She's wearing very tight jeans, and I look just a moment too long.

  "Alpha."

  I snap my head around. I hadn't heard anyone walk up. "Hello, Jillian."

  Jillian tosses her honey-blonde hair towards me so her neck is exposed. I always liked how eager she is to defer. When my pack members bare their necks towards me, it settles something deep in my stomach, and Jillian does it especially well. The tattoos across her neck are a nice touch. She had told me she got it done for me, so her submission would be a work of art.

  "How are the new recruits?"

  "Tired, hungry, and angry at us."

  She frowns. "I had thought they were pleased to come here."

  I shrug and wave to Avalon, who starts walking to us.

  "I'm busy, Jillian."

  "Not too busy for the rest of your pack, I hope."

  I look at her. The dark liner around her eyes extends to tipped points. I wonder if she got dressed up just for this. "I won't be, starting tomorrow."

  Jillian knows when she's being dismissed. She slips away into the night as Avalon appears at my side.

  "Was she part of the welcome team?"

  "No, Alpha."

  I shrug. "The key?"

  Avalon fishes in her pocket and then hands me a thin metal rod that burns my fingers. We wait for the last stragglers to follow Colt, then bring up the rear.

  Co
lt is standing on the steps at the entrance to the dormitory. Brinja is beside him as if she's also in charge, gazing at him with hawkish eyes.

  "Rooms have been assigned," he says.

  The witches start looking between each other, and there are murmurs of dissent.

  "Will we get to switch?" someone asks.

  I begin to reply, but Brinja speaks first. "Of course you will," she says. Her voice is as loud and clear as Colt's. "This is just to get started. They don't care which rooms you're in."

  The corner of my mouth twitches. I'm not used to being spoken over. Colt looks at me, and I shrug.

  "Of course," he says. "This is just for right now."

  Brinja smiles at him. It's a smile of approval. I know exactly what it is because I use it all the time on my pack. Maybe I shouldn't have judged Avalon so quickly for collaring her.

  Colt starts reading names and people shuffle into the building one by one, accompanied by my pack members who are falling over themselves for a chance to carry heavy luggage impress the newcomers. When Brinja's room assignment is read, she thanks Colt but stays where she is.

  Brinja barely does more than glance at me, which is irritating. As the last witch gets their room assignment, Brinja turns and follows him in. I follow them inside.

  "Colt, I will feed you that clipboard."

  I stop short on the third floor. There are a few open doors leading to lit-up suites, but everyone's already disappeared inside of their rooms - except for Brinja. What she had just said to Colt was in a calm, conversational tone. Colt is looking at her collar, but he still seems relieved to see me by the stairs.

  "Alpha, uh, we need to confirm exactly where cargo is going, people brought a lot more stuff than we thought they would-"

  "If you don't have it figured out by tomorrow, I'll be more than happy to do your job for you then," Brinja interrupts.

  I walk over. "Threats on your first day?"

  She glances at me, and when she looks away I want to grab her face and make her look back.

  "Brinja, isn't it?"

  "Yes. I don't need your name."

  I'm impressed by her gall. I wonder if she's brave because she's never been in a fight, or because she's been in too many. She's not even trying to be underhanded - she's just being nasty. But my wolf doesn't want her blood. He's interested in her. He thinks she might be on his level So I smile. "My name is Joseph. I'm beginning to see why they collared you."

  She smiles back at me. It's the opposite of a smile of approval. "I'm collared because you and your people are cowards."

  Her words hit me like a slap. I see Colt tense up, and I can't stop my lips from curling into a snarl. As far as insults go, accusing a shifter of cowardice is a low blow. But I think she knew that. My wolf growls at her - a warning to watch her step.

  I move closer to her. She doesn't move away even though I'm well within her personal space. I'm only a few inches taller than her, but I'm so close that her crossed arms are almost touching my chest, and she still has to tilt her chin up to meet my eyes.

  My pack doesn't stare me down. They can't - it's part of Luna's design - only someone strong enough, brave enough to challenge me can meet my gaze. It usually happens right before they challenge me and they meet their bloody ends.

  I wonder if she knows how infuriating she's being. She won't even blink.

  I slide two of my fingers up against her throat, then wrap my fingers around her collar. It's so tight around her neck that it pushes my flesh hard against hers. She doesn't flinch when I touch her. I think she knows I wanted her to.

  I rotate the collar until I find the keyhole, then press my other thumb against her chin. She leans her head away so I can see what I'm doing, but the sight of her naked throat helps in more ways than one. Maybe a forced submission is too harsh for a scared - or angry - newcomer, but it's hard for me not to. My wolf is hyper focused on her, waiting to see if she'll drop her head to the side and show us she knows we're alpha.

  I slip the key into the lock and click her collar open. I don't have to, but I put my hands around her neck and take it off for her.

  My eyes linger on the raw red line where the collar had sat against her skin.

  "Welcome to Absolothen," I say.

  She steps away from me, goes into the room behind her, and closes the door. I didn't even warrant a scathing goodbye.

  "Let's go," I tell Colt.

  I walk down the stairs and bring the back of my hand to my nose. I take a deep inhale before I shove my hand in my pocket. She's anti-shifter. She has to be.

  "What a nightmare," I say to nobody.

  5. What Are The Chances

  Brinja Sol

  My power rushes back by the time I close the door behind me. I clench my fists and take a deep breath before I heal the irritated skin on my neck.

  That man is fucking infuriating.

  I can't deal with talking to aunt Tabatha right now. Getting my ear talked off with racist wartime propaganda definitely won't help my nerves. Instead I call Gerome and I check out my assigned room. It has shelves, a dresser, a tiny bed, and a bathroom. Talking to him helps me calm down, especially when I get a chance to vent about the shit show that was the train station. He mostly wants to know if I'm still collared, and promises to tell aunt Tabatha that I called. When I hang up there's a knock at my door.

  I open it to find a young shifter woman with curly black hair holding one of my shipping boxes. More are piled around her feet. There are people going back and forth in the hallway behind her, turning sideways to carry luggage and move boxes.

  "Hey, I'm Sahar. I have some of your stuff."

  "Thanks," I say. I help her move it in.

  She keeps smiling with apple cheeks and chattering about how excited she is to finally meet us all. I Mask my eyes and watch her with my Sight. She's a little nervous, excited, and naturally bubbly. There's a gray wolf inside of her, sniffing around and trying to get her attention. She seems to be ignoring it, though.

  "We've been waiting for this day for so long!"

  "Oh yeah? A couple weeks doesn't seem that long to me."

  She shoots me a confused look, and her aura streaks with dim, muddy violet. "Weeks? It's been at least a year."

  I freeze for a couple of seconds before I finish setting down a box on my bed. "A year, huh?"

  "Alpha told us a year ago. I don't know how long he knew before that."

  I bite my tongue.

  "Is everything okay?" she asks.

  "It's… just been a long day."

  Either Felix has a lot of explaining to do, or this alpha swooped in and stole us from Malgate. Was that why everything was done in such short order?

  "I understand. Do you need help unpacking? You witches have really cool stuff."

  "No, thank you."

  She grins. The confusion in her aura has been replaced by rippling oranges and yellows. "I work in the cafeteria. We've been working double-time to get human-friendly food. Come find me if you want a tour around the compound."

  She leaves, and I stand still for many minutes before I start unpacking.

  I've been through too much and done too much to be treated like a commodity by men in power. I don't know what to do about my citizenship to Malgate, but it's not as if Joseph or even his entire Cedar City pack could keep me here.

  I know how to teleport, for Luna's sake.

  As it stands, I need to collect myself and figure out a game plan. Free room and board aren't anything to scoff at, especially considering that otherwise I'd now be homeless. And I can't just abandon the witches. Poor Lilitta is worried sick, and I already said I'd help them.

  I'll just figure out what to do next. There has to be recourse to getting my citizenship back; if not that, then at least I can get a travel visa and go from there. Felix intended this "cultural exchange" to be permanent, but I haven't met a rule that couldn't be broken. I still have a fair amount of money from my Silverlight winnings, a lot of magic at my disposal, and anger in
my heart.

  Because I don't know whether it's going to be Felix, Joseph, or the both of them - but someone is going to pay. And I'm going to get back to that hellblessed house if it's the last thing I do.

  At sunset, we're all slowly rounded up for a town hall meeting in the cafeteria. When I get there, most of the benches are filled. All the witches are sitting in a clump, and shifters take up the rest of the space. Joseph and Avalon are standing to the side near the empty hot plate table.

  The cafeteria is a squat building with tiled ceilings and fluorescent lights, and it has an avocado-green stripe across each wall. There's bustle beyond the kitchen door, and it feels surprisingly normal. Human, even.

  I go to stand near the back so I can see everyone, then Mask my Sight and look around. Some of the witches are warded, but most aren't and I can see their emotions swirling around them like paint on spheres of glass. No one seems too upset, all things considered. The shifters are more interesting to watch. The wolves often seem to mirror their person's emotions and behaviors - or maybe it's the person who's mirroring the wolf - but it seems like the shifters can ignore their animals.

  I've been avoiding looking Joseph for blood pressure related reasons, but now I do.

  I can't see what he's feeling, but my heart beats a little harder when I see his wolf.

  It's a monstrous black beast with golden eyes. The other shifters have wolves that are small and located in their solar-plexus, but his is so big that it goes beyond the limits of his body. Its eyes hover above the top of his head, and its tail curls around his feet. The beast is sitting with its ears perked forward, looking at everyone in the crowd.

  Nobody else had a wolf even close to that size. I look at Avalon.

  Her emotions are displayed around her as clear as day, but I ignore focus on her wolf. It fills up her entire body, but doesn't spill beyond her edges. Her wolf is ashy brown with blue eyes, and it's standing up. It looks to the same places she does.

  I look back to Joseph. His eyes are in tune with his wolf's, going from place to place in tandem.