I didn't agree with how the Alpha ran the pack. It wasn't my place to confront him, though we both knew I could. I stood, watching another Bane be made; the wolfsbane herb drifting through the blood filled chalice as the young woman drank. The pain and agony felt through the bond as her wolf fought against the poison. I flinched, not knowing how many more times I'd be forced to watch this unfold, the cut across my palm already healed.
"Rise, Wolf Bane Claire, newest Bane to the *** Pack." Alpha Flynn cheered, raising a glass of champaign and clinking it against Luna's glass. I couldn't get the look of fear across Claire's face out of my mind. She hadn't expected to survive, and yet by the Goddess, she still kneeled in front of the Alpha. "By the next full moon, You will have prepared and will present your oath to me, your only Alpha." Alpha Flynn's command hit hard, knocking the girl to the ground. The wave of the oath hitting me with less effect.
With that, the new Bane was released and set to patrol for her first time. I closed my eyes, praying to the Mother that she wouldn't go crazy in the near month waiting to Pledge.
"Alpha Flynn, you called for me." I asked, stepping further into the room.
"Ah, Bane Thesis. Number 3." Alpha Flynn glanced my way as he worked to place all the items back in their place on his mantle. "Yes, Please go to the Bess Family. Pass on the following message. 'Within 30 days, the Bess Family will provide the Shadowdew Pack with a new Bane. Failure to do so will result in the Beta choosing from the family himself.'"
"Sir?" I looked at the Alpha with a single twinge of dis-belief. The Bess family wasn't fully trusted, as their only female had still yet to produce a wolf. The males, however, were strong and independent members of the Pack. Each one of them excelling so far with their duties. I believed the oldest to be a chef in the kitchen, the youngest one of the best patrollers.
"Do not make me order you, Bane Thesis." Alpha Flynn's anger rose with each word. I merely nodded before heading back out the door. The Bess Family member would be the 6th attempt Alpha Flynn made to create a Bane. So far, only 3 had survived the process.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~28 Days Later ~~~~~~~~~~~~
I looked down at the carpet in the Bess family living room as I sat with Beta Artemis. We explained to the family the rules. They would produce a name, if not today then within 24 hours. Then that pack member would be moved into the Bane house on the center of Pack property. During the full moon, Alpha Flynn would feed them the blood and wolfsbane mixture and celebrate a new Bane, or kick the dead body.
"We have selected a family member." The father's voice was almost breaking as he spoke, his mate holding onto his hand.
'She will make us proud, or die trying.' His thoughts drifted to me, making me stiffen and shift position on their awkward couch.
"Who will have the honor of becoming a Bane?" Beta Artemis asked, the deadpan voice drifting throughout the house.
"Amy Lynn Bess." The father replied, snapping my head up.
"You would put your only daughter forward?" I asked out of turn. Banes were to be seen not heard. I looked at the father as I realized I had spoken out loud. He didn't say anything else, just nodded. I caught the sight of a tear running down his mate's cheek and wondered why they wouldn't put one of their sons forward instead.
"Very well. We will collect her things in 24 hours. She is to report to the Bane house by nightfall tonight." Beta Artemis replied, standing and shaking the father's hand. "May the Goddess honor your household with a Bane come the fortnight."
I couldn't help the feeling of sickness as I also shook the father's hand and followed the Beta out. The pack grounds were massive if you didn't understand the layout. The Bane Library, set up by Alpha Flynn after a Bane attacked the Pack 10 years before, was on the northern-most part of the territory. Moving inward, the residential houses of pack members scattered the forest. Nearing the center, the Alpha house, Beta House, and Bane House were closest to the center. The Alpha being at the one o'clock position from the Bane house, and Beta being at the 7. Both houses were identical, making it difficult for a spy to determine which house belonged to which, and the Banes within ear shot of them.
Alpha Flynn ran his Banes like a set of personal guards. All the current Banes had special training to enhance their skills, be able to shift from the humanoid from back to the wolf, our senses stronger than those around us. Each Bane was 'gifted' a new wardrobe of uniforms after their 24-hour vigil was finished. The vigil ended their Oath placement, officially making them Alpha Flynn's Bane. The uniform was simple, yet distinct. A maroon red fitted V-neck shirt with the image of a black Knight on the front, the Bane's name scrolled across the back; and a pair of jet-black slacks and black slip-resistant shoes.
Alpha Flynn referred to the collection of Banes as his Knights. Being part of the Knights was considered a high honor. A show of the Alpha's trust with that family.
~~~~~~~~ 2 Weeks Later ~~~~~~~~~
She fought it. I watched, sensing her anguish as she fought against the Alpha's command. Amy Lynn didn't want to comply. Fear and worry washing through her eyes as she watched the Alpha cut his palm, the blood dripping down into the chalice. I cut my own hand and smiled down to her, hoping to ease some of her worry, but she seemed to just squirm a bit more.
"Please don't make me do this." She begged as Alpha Flynn took her hand in his. "I don't even have a wolf…"
"Then this will be a quicker death then you deserve." Alpha Flynn replied, cutting her palm with his claw and mixing the liquids. A moment later, he cleared his throat and looked down to her. "Now, DRINK." His Alpha aura flooded over her. She struggled for a while, before bearing her neck and taking the glass to her lips. Practically choking down the liquid, Amy Lynn began coughing, dropping the glass and letting it shatter on the floor below her. For a moment, I felt the pack-link tremble as she struggled with the poison running through her blood. Alpha Flynn cursed before kneeing her in the stomach, making her double over. "Waste of a good full moon." He spat as she writhed in pain on the floor, her eyes beginning to go dim.
Alpha Flynn left the room then, angry and disappointed at a failed attempt. But no matter how much I tried, I could turn and walk away from her. I sat down next to her, pulling her long black hair out of her face and resting my hand on her cheek. She was sweating and warm, but not feverish. I watched as her golden brown eyes rolled backward, the sclarea only showing.
Then the link clicked, a new Bane link forming as her eyes flashed forward, crystal blue and almost white. With a deep cough, she took a breath and starred at me.
"What's your name, little wolf?" I asked her.
"B.." She tried to answer, her voice sounding of sandpaper and glass. With a wince, she flinched before I pointed to my mind.
'You can mindlink me if speaking is too hard.'
'Bailey.' She replied before looking around.
She had somehow survived, against the odds, against Alpha Flynn's expectations.
'Alpha Flynn, The new Bane. She survived.' I mind-linked him, her eyes bulging as I knew she heard it too.
Damn, so she is just like us. I thought before turning toward the doors. Rough life ahead if she can't keep it controlled…