Wolf Dominion
Chapter 48

Keep your enemies close. That objective was already achieved. My enemy is right beside me. Completely loyal, I formally enter the world of Wolf Dominion – as a recognised citizen and not an alien. I take it all in by Skye’s side, dressed in my official uniform. My breast plates, my shoulder armour, my cloth slip between my legs. My hair tightly braided.

I get the special treatment today – as Messier to Skye’s family and a reformed soldier to the rest, I am finally welcomed to all areas.

I don’t cower from this opportunity, I listen intently, however.

Skye had business in multiple quarters – checking in on the progress of growing Alphas and loyal Genesis servants. Council meetings. Family meetings. Studying the newest war and science. Learning or communication took up a large part of Skye’s time.

Skye loves to know, everyone and everything, it seemed.

It’s something I am surprised to replace out now, after only viewing him as strong, loud and reckless before. He liked to be meticulously informed and he was careful with information.

I nod and make courteous eye contact with Skye today, but I limit all worded responses while he talks the entire time.

At the end of the tour, Skye returns me to Jawkin and the team of scientists.

Fyre is laid out with a drip in her arm, as she is within Transcendence and watched carefully.

I stand at Fyre’s unconscious side, checking her vitals briefly so I know she is okay. While she was passed out I didn’t mind showing affection for this little shit. I loved her. I’d always protect her as best as I could now. But fuck being kind to her face to face. We thrived off of insulting each other as friends – sisters even – which was much easier to do in this military and cold environment.

Just next to me, Skye addresses Jawkin and she blushes with his compliments for her while she hugs her clipboard tight to her chest, to contain her futile emotions around the Alpha.

“Ryder excels in every area now, because of you – so you may allow reintroduction of Ryder with Xrat as a reward,” Skye glances back at me and smiles as he looks me over, even though I make no expression whatsoever to this news, “I understand sacrifice is a wound,” Skye speaks cryptically, but I know he is talking about my son they harvested from me without my knowledge, “Ryder will need to be compensated.”

“Ask her what she wants, Alpha Skye,” Jawkin is quite brave suggesting this, but she smiles at me with confidence, nodding in my direction.

Skye, slightly taken aback, turns to me and waits for me to take the opportunity to bargain.

“Fresh air,” two words out of my mouth – and yeah, they immediately trigger Skye’s instincts to know my deeper intent.

Skye believes he knows what I’m really asking for – I see it in the way he carefully considers his response, “Would you want freedom to travel like a Rouge Master?” interesting, Skye doubles down instead. I pale just a little with his abrupt generosity, “Perhaps to seek and quell certain questions, with some answers which you replace on your own– so you may tame your rising curiosity before it gets the better of you,” Skye raises a brow, feeling smart.

“I simply asked for fresh air, Alpha,” I choose to humiliate him, blunt and short.

Skye actually blushes with my unexpected response and Jawkin looks at me with complete abhorrence.

“Ryder, where are your manners?” Jawkin questions me with a scolding tone, “Generosity should not be refuted, especially from Alpha Skye.”

“I have a dry sense of humour,” I shrug one shoulder, using it as an excuse, “Accept my apology, Alpha.”

“I don’t accept it, little liar,” Skye speaks with a sharpness to his tongue, “…if you have something to say… say it, Ryder…”

“I am grateful for all that Wolf Dominion has given me,” I state, using a proud tone.

“You should me. I gave you a life,” Skye is happy with this and mocks me just a little bit, “A second chance to live. By me.”

“Would you like to go see your Wolf beast now,” Jawkin interrupts both of us, “Ryder.”

“Will Xrat be mad when he sees me?” I ask, hoping not.

“Go see,” Jawkin begs me, with a quiet hushed tone of obedience.

“I will go see for myself then,” I answer, robotically.

“Follow me, Xrat allows me to Transcend – occasionally,” Skye rolls his eyes, his thoughts now on Xrat as he swipes his robe aside to head out a side exit.

I follow now, while Jawkin murmurs worry under her breath.

I ignore her.

I’m focused on seeing my dear pup, all grown up!

Skye, to my disappointment, walks through into an observation room only, where we are separated from the Wolf beasts.

I’m slightly disappointed with this, but we are in the privacy of this look out, and all doors are closed.

Skye seems to be satisfied with this look in – and I have my first clear view of Xrat in 12 months.

I walk stiffly to the window.

I gulp.

“Well, what do you think?” Skye asks by my side, bored.

“Um. He’s not my height anymore,” I whisper, completely entranced by the sour giant in the far corner of the den, furry head on crossed paws – mouth bloody with a fresh meal.

Xrat is fully grown – and he is undeniably giant. More giant than the rest. Vorth, sleeping on one side of the Den is closest in size but still smaller.

Xrat is quite alone and separated in his corner from the rest, looking at the pack with a complete hatred no one could deny. He looks at Zrot company like they aren’t his real family.

They aren’t – but his future pack was slaughtered by Cat Dominion. So this was it, his reality.

“He looks angry,” I murmur, “I remember him being… so playful.”

“Xrat is a killing machine now – they all go through that mischievous puppy phase. You won’t replace a more vicious competitor in the field. He is completely overpowered, and even so he isn’t reckless. He’s thoughtful, like his father, Vorth. I headed up Xrat Company’s creation. It’s a shame how fate only left one of that litter.”

“I remember. Well I’m glad to have seen him.”

Skye doesn’t comment on the fact I can’t bond with him face to face.

Instead, I grit my teeth and stare at Xrat while Skye seems to become more intense with his silence.

I let him think, while I wait patiently.

Eventually, I get my answer as to why Skye is so withdrawn for the moment.

He was replaceing the right words for his proposal, “You can have something,” Skye has to clear his throat, reaching up to hold my shoulder so I turn to look up at him, “I’ve been working up to this, Ryder. Consider this an exemption to the usual rules. You know I like to break them. What do you want – anything… in truth, I want to give you something, although I have no idea what you might ask –” he’s rambling now, eyes darting down.

I take charge.

“For our son’s sacrifice?” I already know, “I demand the freedom to leave,” I’m clear and precise, and Skye’s eyes widen and ask why, so I tell him, “If I stay, Skye, I won’t obey Wolf Dominion... I need freedom to move.”

“Fresh air,” Skye nods, as if understanding now, “You’re welcome to come and go as you please then,” his jaw hardens, but he’s hell bent on giving me this ‘something’.

Good.

But also fuck.

He said it with such conviction.

Skye trusted me entirely.

“I want to go now,” I add, testing the waters, and I replace no resistance.

“Where will you go?” Skye asks, quietly, “If you wish to tell me… perhaps I can give you some advice.”

I try not to smile sadistically.

“Cracklen,” I whisper.

“…why?” Skye is intrigued.

“I won’t be long,” I shrug, “I have a very specific destination in mind.”

“…and this will ensure your enhanced loyalty…?” Skye asks, raising a brow, “Fresh air. Whenever you need it.”

Honestly?

“Yes,” I know what I want, and this was perfect, “It will.”

Skye tilts his head a little in agreement. Finalising the deal.

Freedom. Fresh air would change a lot – it would give me room to work. To learn. To seek. To destroy.

I glance over Skye and I watch him still watching me, with this softness in his eye, always present when we are alone.

“You trust me to return,” I state this at Skye, it’s a question, but not really. More rhetorically. I’ve already guessed his answer.

“I have no doubt about you,” Skye’s mouth edges up in the corner, into a dashing smirk he wouldn’t dare show anyone else, “Whether you love or hate me, Ryder, you will return, for either reason, they are both irresistible choices –” he’s rambling again.

“Shut up. You love me,” I snap at Skye, and as I walk past him, I barge playfully into his shoulder, glaring back at his two raised brows and slight pinkish cheeks, “It’s written all over your face, Alpha. You should learn to hide it better.”

I spin and take my leave.

All I hear from Skye is a surprised and low death drawl, “…noted…”