Two women and two men were busy pulling sheets from one of the big machines that took up an entire wall of the room.

  One of the women gave me a curious look.

  “Kiyah, why is your friend in wolf form?” Her gaze shifted to me. “You know it’s not night yet. Meg won’t be pleased.”

  “He, uh, lost a bet with Rhett,” Kiyah quickly replied. She shot me a look. “I’m helping him save face by finding him some clothes. Can you help me, Bri? I’d really appreciate it!”

  The woman looked around. “I’m sure we can scrounge up something. Restocks are a bit scarce until Meg sends out another supply run. I have a list a mile long for rounds. They’ll be thrilled.”

  She grabbed a few items and handed them to Kiyah. “This should help.” She speared with me a chiding expression. “And stay away from Rhett. He’s always causing trouble.” She turned away from us and shook her head as she mumbled, “That boy’s gonna fail the Gauntlet if he doesn’t learn to control his temper.”

  “Ferris made it through,” the other woman pointed out.

  Bri laughed. “Yeah, well, I still say it’s because he had Roundy for a partner. Anyone would make it through with Roundy.” Her expression sobered and she said, “And that was before the new Gauntlet. We’ll be lucky if there’s any kids left.” She shot Kiyah an apologetic glance. “Sorry, girl.”

  Kiyah shrugged with a smile, but I could see the worry in her eyes when she replied, “It’s no big deal. We’ve all got to do it, right?”

  Bri nodded, but she didn’t look any happier at the thought.

  Kiyah pulled the door open again and motioned for me to follow her out. She gave a sigh of relief when the door shut behind us. “Thank goodness for Bri. If Kat was there, she would’ve reported us to my dad.” She shook her head. “That last thing I need is for Dad to throw both of us in the cage.” She gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry.” She set the clothes on the ground and backed away. “Go ahead and phase. I’ll wait around the corner. Just, well, just hurry. You never know who might show up back here.”

  I did as she said. It felt much better to put on the dark blue tee-shirt and basketball shorts than the clothes I had destroyed. At least I would be able to sit in whatever the cage was with some modicum of modesty.

  The thought of being in a cage put me on edge. I had already been in far too many cages in my life. I hated being trapped, and I knew that wasn’t just my wolf side talking. No creature, human, monster, or animal, should be in a cage. When I was younger, I has set my kindergarten class’ pet hamsters free. The teacher had scolded me saying that the animals weren’t equipped to survive on their own. I remembered the look of horror on her face when we found a bunch of baby hamsters behind the paper cupboard a few months later.

  “You ready, newbie?” Kiyah called.

  “Finn,” I replied.

  She poked her head around the corner. Upon seeing me clothed, she crossed toward me. “What?”

  “My name,” I replied. “It’s Finn, not newbie.”

  She shrugged. “Around here, you’ll be newbie until another one shows up, which is probably going to be never. Sorry about that.”

  I stifled a sigh of acceptance. With any luck, I wouldn’t be around when the next werewolf showed up to take the title.

  “Off to the cage?” she asked.

  I nodded. “I guess so. Do you know where it is?”

  “Unfortunately,” she replied. “But don’t worry. We’ve all spent our fair share of time there.”

  I gave her a horrified look. “Your dad made you stay in there?”

  She nodded with a sigh. “He has to be fair and all that.” Her expression darkened. “Though if you ask me, stealing chocolate from Minnie isn’t exactly grounds for caging, if you know what I mean.”

  “I don’t think anything should be grounds for caging,” I replied.

  She had taken several steps down the hall before she gave a little exasperated sound. She spun around to face me and walked backwards to say, “You know what? You’re right! Nobody should be caged. It’s ridiculous and a violation of our inborn rights! Why should I be caged for stealing chocolate? Couldn’t he have just told me not to take it? And as for being fair, Reba was right there with me and she didn’t get punished!” She huffed. “That’s what’s not fair!”

  I didn’t realize my comment was going to open such a can of worms. I cleared my throat and said, “Maybe he thought he was teaching you a lesson?”

  She was fuming when she replied, “Caging his child? He always says I have to be an example to Max and Missy, but they’re six now. What’s he going to do if they make a mistake?”

  “Throw them in the cage?” I guessed.

  She stomped a foot. “Yes, throw them in the cage.” She shook her head. “It’s the easy answer, I guess. We’re parenting with champions here.” She glanced at me. “I don’t suppose you got caged when you were younger?”

  I shook my head. “No. Nobody gets caged where I’m from unless they do something really bad and get thrown in jail. But that’s for people who threaten lives, murdering and stealing and all that.” I paused and quickly corrected, “Not exactly like stealing chocolate, unless you get caught shoplifting. You might go to juvie for that.”

  “What’s juvie?” she asked.

  “It’s another kind of cage,” I replied.

  She nodded as if that made perfect sense. We continued on in silence until she looked back at me. “I’m still sorry you have to spend your first night in the cage. It doesn’t seem fair.”

  I forced a nonchalant smile and said, “I’ll be fine.”

  Her eyes narrowed as she watched me. It made me uncomfortable. “What?” I asked.

  Red brushed her cheeks and she turned away. “Nothing.”

  I refused to let it drop. “What is it?”

  She glanced back at me, then ducked her head again to hide behind her silver and pink hair. “I was just, uh, wondering if all the boys outside the Den are as handsome as you.”

  I felt heat rise with my own embarrassment and looked away before she could see how her words affected me. “There’s all types out there,” I said blandly.

  She turned a corner and began to whistle. It made me smile to see her uncomfortable as well.

  “Can I ask you a question?” I dared to ask.

  She stopped whistling. “Sure.”

  “Do you think you could show me where they’re keeping my friend? I just want to check on him before I’m locked up in a cage all night.”

  She considered my request for a moment. “That sounds fair. But if we’re caught, I’ll be thrown in the cage, too.”

  “We won’t get caught,” I reassured her. “I just need to know he’s alright.”

  “I guess that can’t harm anything,” she said. “It’s not far.”

  Chapter Three

  Kiyah slowed before we reached the tunnel she was looking for. We listened for any sign that others were around. It was strange to see someone else use their ears and nose the same way I was learning to. It made me feel less alone in a strange, almost desperate way I kept to myself.

  Kiyah led me to the end of the tunnel. I could smell Vicken’s earthy, blood-tinged scent and my heart sped up. Kiyah pushed open the door a crack, peeked inside, then opened it wider. The smell of blood flooded out.

  “Vicken?” I said as soon as I entered the room.

  The sight of his pale, still form chained to a circular platform at the far end of the room made my blood run cold. I ran to the platform and dropped to my knees.

  “Vicken, wake up,” I pleaded.

  His head turned with my shaking and my breath caught in my throat. Dark blood coated the side of his face.

  “What happened?” I whispered in shock.

  I touched the blood and pulled my fingers back to check. The fluid was too dark. A puddle beneath his head showed that nobody had tried to stop the bleeding. Head wounds always bled more than other wounds and he had definitely lost too much.

  “Vicken, you stay with me,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.

  “I don’t know what happened to him,” Kiyah said.

  I ignored her and yanked my tee-shirt off. I tore it into long strips.

  “Easy,” I whispered, hoping he could hear me.

  I wrapped the strips around his head to keep pressure against the wound. I didn’t know if he even had enough blood left to bleed anymore. The thought made my heart tighten in fear.

  “He needs blood,” I said to Kiyah. I brought my wrist to my mouth.

  “What are you doing in here?” an angry voice demanded.

  I looked back to see Stix storm into the room with four other werewolves.

  “He just wanted to check on his friend before he went into the cage,” Kiyah replied quickly.

  Stix’s gaze darkened. “Kiyah, you’re supposed to be at home.”

  “I know, Dad,” she began.

  Stix cut her off. “Leave us.” When she didn’t move, he barked, “Now!”

  Kiyah threw me an apologetic look before she ran from the room.

  “Just let me give him some blood,” I told the advancing werewolves.

  “You were supposed to be in the cage ten minutes ago,” Stix said. “I didn’t think I’d have to track you down.”

  “They hurt my friend,” I replied. “Somebody needs to help him!”

  Stix glanced at the vampire. His lips twisted in disgust before he looked at one of the other werewolves. “What happened?”

  “He woke up,” the werewolf said. “He tried to attack us. We had to shoot him.” His eyes lowered. “But the bullet hit him in the head.”

  Stix glared at him. “You know the danger of shooting someone so close. This is your mess. Clean it up.”

  Stix grabbed my arm.

  I broke free of his grasp. “Just let me give him some blood,” I said. “I’ll go with you. But let me help him first.”

  Stix shook his head. “You have an obligation.” He removed the thick handcuffs from where they had been hanging on his belt. “Either you go willingly or we drag you there.” His eyes narrowed. “I’d recommend the former.”

  My teeth bared in a snarl. “Let. Me. Help. My. Friend.” I spaced the words carefully, my rage barely under control.

  “Your friend may survive your stupidity,” Stix replied. “But you won’t if you don’t come with us of your own free will.”

  Another werewolf tried to grab me. I jumped over Vicken and brought my wrist to my mouth. “Give me a chance,” I pleaded.

  “You don’t have any more chances,” Stix growled.

  His gun was in his hand at the blink of an eye. The thought that Vicken would die if I didn’t help him fueled my recklessness. I threw myself into Stix, bowling him over and catching up the gun. I rolled up to my knees and shot the four other werewolves in quick succession. I was about to turn my gun on Stix when something slammed into the side of my head. I fell to the ground and heard Stix open the manacles he had used to clobber me.

  “I told Meg he’d be a loose cannon,” the werewolf muttered as my arms were pulled roughly behind my back.

  My head lolled forward when they picked me up by the handcuffs and my ankles and carried me from the room.

  “What about the vampire?” a werewolf asked.

  “Leave him,” Stix replied. “This one just sealed his friend’s fate.”

  Panic flooded through me. I tried to fight, but my limbs wouldn’t respond. I willed the wolf to come to the forefront, but the blow to the head had dazed my ability to phase. I lost track of the twists and turns down various hallways until a door swung open with a creak and I was tossed inside. Hitting the floor filled me with enough adrenaline that I was able to lumber to my feet and throw myself against the barred door.

  Stix backed away with the key in his hand and a look of relief on his face that he had locked the door in time.

  “Let me out!” I yelled.

  “There’s no way,” Stix replied. “You’re in here for your own good.”

  I hit the door again without regard for how pain flooded my shoulder at the blow.

  “Open this door!” I demanded.

  Stix took a step forward. I was aware of other werewolves watching us from further away. Apparently seeing someone be thrown in the cage was a community event. I doubted they had ever been so entertained.

  “You better watch yourself,” Stix growled low enough that his voice was pitched only for me. “You’re playing a very dangerous game here.”

  I willed my voice to match his; it was difficult with the way my heart hammered in my chest and the ringing echoed loudly in my ears from being hit in the head. “Just please, let me out. I need to take care of my friend. I’ll do it. You don’t have to worry about him. Just let me do it. That’s all I ask.” Tears burned in my eyes at the thought of the state in which I had found Vicken.

  Stix shook his head. “I can’t let you out.”

  I leaned against the bars, my voice pleading, “Then please, please promise me you’ll give him some blood. Please. I’ll do anything. I’ll be the perfect example. I’ll stay here as long as you want me to. Just please save my friend.” The tears fell down my cheeks.

  Stix let out a breath. “I can’t do that. I’m sorry.” He turned and motioned for the other werewolves to leave.

  “Please?” I called out, my voice as broken as my heart.

  Stix walked away as though he didn’t hear me. Sobs tore from my chest. I raged against the bars with my hands cuffed behind my back until I fell to my knees, exhausted. Sometime during my battle with the door, even the last of the spectating werewolves had wandered away. Apparently the pain of the new werewolf didn’t affect them.

  I fell exhausted to my side with my back against the door. The thought of Vicken chained and dying made me want to curl up in the fetal position and shut out the world, but even that had been denied to me with the way my wrists were locked. I fell into a numb state of staring at the inside of the cage without really seeing it, my thoughts on my dying friend and my head in constant pain.

  I had no idea how much time had passed before I heard the sound of a sneaker on the marble floor.

  “Finn?”

  I couldn’t bring myself to move.

  I heard the faint sound of fabric on metal, and then a hand touched my arm. The smell of blood made me glance down even through the numb haze of my mind. The hand was small and the fingernails painted pink and black, but what drew my eyes was the cloth wrapped around the wrist. I stared at it.

  Another manicured hand with matching fingernails slipped through the bars and unwrapped the cloth. It fell away to reveal a shallow cut with a deep hole on either side.

  “But,” I began, willing my brain to work. “What, I mean, why? I mean, what did you—”

  “You were much better at talking earlier,” Kiyah said. “I know my dad hits hard, but this is ridiculous.”

  I struggled to a sitting position and turned to face her.

  Kiyah’s expression fell. “He hit you really hard.”

  I couldn’t feel anything past amazement at what she had shown me. “Vicken. Did you? I mean is he? I mean, did you let him drink?”

  Kiyah nodded. “Yeah, I did. It took some urging, but I finally got him to take a few gulps.”

  I could see in her light blue eyes how bad he was. I didn’t want to ask, but made myself say in a whisper, “Is he going to be alright?”

  Kiyah’s eyebrows pulled together. She pushed a strand of pink hair from her face and said, “I’m not going to lie. He’s not in a good place, but I’ll make sure he eats and I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”

  The relief that someone in this horrid place had at least some shred of humanity made my heart hurt. I leaned my forehead against the bars and let out a half-sigh, half-sob at the thought that Vicken wasn’t dead, that there was hope, and that someone in the Den wasn’t afraid of him.

  Kiyah’s hand touched my head. “Are you okay, Finn?”

  I sat back on my heels and nodded. “I am now.” I took a steadying breath. “Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you, but I will. I promise.”

  Kiyah’s gaze held mine. “You’ll get me out of here.”

  My eyes widened. “What?”

  Kiyah leaned closer to the bars. “If you and the vampire get out, you take me with you. I can’t stay in this place any longer. It’s killing me.”

  “Vicken,” I told her.

  “What?” she asked, caught off-guard.

  “The vampire’s name is Vicken. Vicken Ruvine the Third.” I held her gaze. “And if you keep him alive until I can get us out of here, I promise to take you with us.”

  Kiyah was silent for a moment before she nodded. “Good. I’ll take care of him. You take care of yourself. You’re in a lot of trouble.”

  I sighed and leaned my back against the bars. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know the rules around here,” Kiyah replied from behind me. “Like, if you hurt someone inside the Den, you have to answer for it in your hide.”

  I glanced back at her in confusion. “In my hide? Like a whipping?”

  She nodded. “And after that, Meg’s going to make you run in the Gauntlet. I overheard her say it’s the only way to prove whether you’re fit to be here.”

  I turned away from Kiyah. “I don’t care if I’m fit to be here. I don’t want to be here. They’re the ones forcing me.”

  “Yeah, but if you don’t run in the Gauntlet or you don’t pass, they’ll kill you.”

  A chill ran through my body at her words. I turned slowly on my knees to face her. “They’ll kill me?”

  She lowered her gaze. “It’s how they weed out the weak. Meg says we can’t have werewolves running all over without order, so they use the trials to figure out who is a valuable asset to the Pack. Anyone who passes is given the Den brand on their forearm. The rest are thrown to the bears.”

  I tried to understand what she was telling me. I didn’t know if it was the blow to the head or the relief of knowing that Vicken was alive, but her words didn’t make sense. I shook my head. “That’s ridiculous. They throw werewolves who don’t pass the Gauntlet to bears? What happens then?”

 

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