Loyalty by Naomi M-B (books for 10th graders .txt) 📖

Oddly it didn’t fill him with the intense relief he might have expected. Either he didn’t really believe it or… no that had to be it. It had to.

Had to.

Sadly, Isaac shook his head. “Not like that. More… ironic. That you’re so similar but you don’t understand what the other person’s feeling.”

Not replying, Farah returned to the onions. Even if the reveal about Kyan hadn’t really affected him, he still felt better. Happier. Lighter even, now that he’d told Isaac.

Leaning back in his chair, Isaac watched Farah from beneath half lowered lids. Even with the scars obscuring his face, Farah was so easy to read. He wore his heart on his lapels, sleeves and pockets. Every thought and emotion played through his body now that his face could no longer do the job. It was odd and absolutely fascinating.

The forming smile suddenly froze when the silence that stretched between them became deafening. A ringing kind of emptiness that drilled into his skull. Gasping, Isaac leaped upwards. He knew this feeling. Almost in slow motion, the chair crashed to the floor.

“Isaac?” Farah turned sharply, alarmed. Body quivering, Isaac’s eyes glazed over and his breath hitched again.

A quiet growl escaped his lips and then he was running. Toward the door. Without a second thought, Farah grabbed him around the waist and dragged him back. Yelping, Isaac bit, struggled and fought. Desperate to get away.

“Let me go!” he snarled. “I need to get there! Let me go!”

“What’s going on?!” Farah demanded, pinning him against the wall.

“Alpha!” Isaac yelled. “Alpha!” His eyes were crazed, burning with golden light. After more screeching, he began to howl.

The kitchen door burst open and Lucinda entered. “The Alpha’s howling,” she yelled. “It’s a form of mind control.” Slamming a hand over Isaac’s mouth, she hissed and her eyes lit up orange. “Dammit… We need to snap him out of it or he’s going to call the entire pack down on us.”

“How?” Farah demanded, as Isaac struggled harder. “I’m barely keeping hold of him!”

Adding her weight in pinning him down, she glared at him. “Use your imagination, dammit!”

Several more minutes of struggling passed before an idea occurred to him. It was a very stupid idea and quickly banished. However it stirred up slightly different ideas… ones that followed the same concept.

Allowing Lucinda to take the full strain, he ducked his head down to Isaac’s ear and whispered. What he actually said, he refused to reveal. Ever. Just the thought of it made him cringe. Not because it was a shameless lie. No, it was the very opposite of that. The complete opposite.

Murmuring more fervently, Farah rested his hand lightly on Isaac’s throat. The boy was still now. Silent, staring. Slowly, Lucinda lowered her hand.

“They’re gone,” Isaac breathed. “I can’t hear them. They’re gone.” His knees gave way and Farah caught him. “What happened?”

“I’m guessing,” Lucinda said slowly, stepping away. “That the link is broken. You’re no longer one of the pack. Farah.” She stared at him. “What did you say?”

Day 50 - Alpha

One of the most annoying things about werewolves was their ability to put on muscle. It was ridiculous. Hard as it was for a human, it took a hell of a lot to change any part of a vampire’s anatomy. Muscle was the same. It took a workout from hell three times a week to put on the tiniest amount. Werewolves, however, just had to breathe and they were buffing up.

Grumpily, Farah glared at Isaac as the werewolf casually chatted with Lucinda. They were challenging each other to heavier and heavier dumbbells. Ever since his sudden departure from the pack, he had started to become a part of the team. He wasn’t officially recognised as a member but there was still a strong sense of camaraderie. There were no more handcuffs. And as long as he had them with him, he was free to move about. Even in official council buildings like this gym.

“Slacking, Farah?” he called, catching sight of him.

“Or maybe he’s just admiring the view,” Lucinda joked. In all honesty, it wasn’t that bad. Both were good looking and fit. Six pack galore.

Could it be called galore if there were only two of them?

“Don’t worry,” Isaac said. “I’m sure you’ll be able to catch up.”

“I don’t need to ‘catch up’,” Farah snapped. “I’m still stronger than you. I just don’t show it.”

Dropping the dumbbell, Isaac raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?” He was smirking. It was the one he’d worn when they had first met. The casual confidence that suited him so well. That hadn’t been around for a while.

“Yes really.” On his feet, Farah pulled off his jacket.

“You think you could take me?” Isaac scoffed. “You?”

Rolling her eyes, Lucinda grabbed a towel. “I’m heading to the showers, don’t break anything.” Neither acknowledged her as they both moved towards the sparring mat.

“C’mon then, wolf boy!” Farah held out his arms. “Gimme your best shot!” Shoulders low, Isaac sped towards him. Claws extended, he slashed at Farah’s chest. As Farah stepped back, he swung his other arm round in a punch. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

With a light growl, Isaac paused, took a breath and tried again. Faster. Much faster. Claws to the face. Elbow to the neck. Fist, knee, kick. Faster and faster. Few things could beat a vampire’s reflexes but this unceasing barrage of swings and blows was coming close.

“Shit!” Farah yelped, leaping over an unexpected low kick.

“Losing your touch, old man?” Isaac cackled.

“I’m thirty one!”

“Oooold,” Isaac sang, jumping back from a quick jab. “Unbelievably, ridiculously old.”

“Shut up!” Farah snarled, advancing now.

After a pause, Isaac smirked again. “Make me.”

“You should not have just-”

The wall exploded. Bricks and plaster blasted through the air at break neck speed. Grabbing Isaac’s collar, Farah hauled him away from immediate danger. “What the hell was that?!” Deadly sunlight was spilling into the room.

“Them.” Jaw tightening, Isaac tensed. “They’re here at last.”

Through the hole, stepped a group of five werewolves. Golden eyed like Isaac, their claws out and half-formed fangs gleaming. “Isaac!” one called, striding to the front. Tall, dark and with eyes like fire. “So sorry to receive your resignation. Though it would have been nice to hear it in person.”

Pushing Farah behind him, Isaac growled. “Leave, Cassius. Now.”

Cassius laughed. “Oh really? You think I’ll let one of my wolves be stolen from me and I won’t kick up a fuss.”

“Took you long enough,” Farah snarled. “What? Did you get lost?”

Slowly, Cassius looked him up and down. “No,” he mused. “Just a little trouble getting past your council lapdogs. Hmm… you’re the one who stole my Isaac away.” Before Farah could snap, Cassius tuttingly shushed him. “But really, Isaac. You do have terrible taste in men. I mean this one’s hideous.”

“That’s none of your business,” Isaac snapped. “I’m not joining you again.”

“Please, Isaac!” Another one spoke up. This boy was slighter, darker skinned but still with those brilliant golden eyes. “Please, just come home. You belong with us. Please don’t betray us.”

“I’m sorry, Killian,” Isaac said. Reaching back, he took the hand he’d once crushed while writhing in agony. “But after what he did to me-”

Alarmed, Cassius froze. “After what I did?”

“Yeah.” Eyes cold, Isaac glared at him. “Everything you made me do, what you made me forget, it all came back. I know, Cassius. And you will never make me hurt anyone ever again.”

Cassius paused and smiled. “Won’t I?” His eyes flashed and Isaac’s claws sprang out before him. “Did you think I’d let you go so easily? The connection is gone but the deep bond remains.” His eyes turned to Farah. “Kill him.”

Backing hurriedly away, Farah held out his hands. “Isaac, don’t listen to him.” Fangs extending as well, Isaac turned his wide and panicked eyes to him. “Isaac! You’re stronger than this!”

“He’s really not,” Cassius laughed. “Kill him, Isaac. Then we’ll all go home together.” Isaac tried to speak around the fangs but it just came out as a snarl. Shaking his head, he began shaking.

“I don’t wanna fight you,” Farah hissed. “Isaac!”

“Drag him into the sunlight!” Cassius called. “Make him burn!”

Allowing his hands to drop, Farah pressed his back against the shadows of the corner. “Isaac…” The werewolf clamped his clawed hands around Farah’s wrists. “I… I love you. You know that, right?”

Everything stopped.

Fangs shrinking, Isaac stared up at him. “What?”

“I… dammit.” He grabbed Isaac’s face and pulled him into a kiss. Gasping, Isaac kissed him back, claws retracting as the bond shattered.

Cassius was shouting. “Stop this!” he bellowed. “Isaac! Kill him!” When there was no reaction, he let out a vicious growl. “ISAAC!” He stormed towards them, seizing Isaac’s shoulder. Claws springing back out, Isaac spun, slashing his former Alpha across the chest. Blood spurted out, splattering red across the walls. Surprise flitted across his face. “Looks like I’ll have to kill you both myself.” Farah went to move forward but Isaac shoved him back.

“He’s mine.”

Fangs extended, both flew at one another. Claws, blood, growls. They tussled, wrestling, slashing. Cassius’s pack made no move to help their Alpha. Instead they stood there with strange calculating expressions.

Guess challenging the Alpha was allowed.

With a bark of triumph, Cassius pinned Isaac down, rearing up claws ready. Farah raced forward and clamped his jaws around Cassius’s throat. Dragging him away, Farah bit down harder. Pants heaving through his frame, Isaac got to his feet. “Good bye, Alpha,” he said and tore through what was left of Cassius’s throat.

Silence.

Of the good kind this time.

“So,” Isaac said. “You love me?”

“Shut up, idiot,” Farah growled.

“Make me.” He smirked again as Farah pulled him into another kiss.  It was always going to be an unanswerable question as to where he should definitely lay his loyalty.

But for now, he chose himself.

Imprint

Text: Naomi M-B
Editing: Megan G.
Publication Date: 09-28-2014

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Elle, Tiffany and Megan for your fabulous help