Page 29 of The Wolf's Secret Baby

Ambrosia gasped and held her hand to her face. Kull was guarded. He pressed his lips firmly together. I could tell he did not agree with me but he did not voice his objections.

“You’re talking about a lot of people,” Vali said.

“I know. But they have been bred for violence and if Vance has his way that’s what they will be used for. Even if they are allowed to exist they will face a life of torment.”

“That’s not necessarily true. Just because you suffered, it doesn’t mean that they’re going to suffer as well. We could help them. I could help them. If we explain to them what happened then we might be able to treat them and give them a chance at a better life. We just have to keep them away from the other wolves. If they form their own pack then there isn’t going to be anyone to judge them, is there? They won’t be looked down on their entire lives and they won’t ever be made to feel like they should be less than they are. I don’t think we should resort to euthanizing them just yet.”

“Even if it prevents them from destroying your world?” I asked, looking directly into her eyes. Ambrosia’s soul was naked before me and she was not shy about her convictions.

“They did not choose this life. They may have been bred for this purpose but I like to believe that we can choose our own purpose in life. They deserve the opportunity to pick theirs. If we take away that choice for them then we are no better than Vance.”

I snarled at this. She knew exactly what to say to get under my skin but the truth of the matter was that she was right as well. They deserved a chance to live, and to be better than what Vance had planned for them. If they could be treated better than Kull and I were then they had a chance to be happy and who was I to rob them of this?

“Very well. Rescue them if you can. Ambrosia, perhaps you could go with Vali so that you can speak to the wolves when they are woken. They will be confused and their instincts will compel them to fight. They shall need someone to show them that there is a better way.”

“And where are you going?” Ambrosia asked, her voice becoming thin.

I glanced towards Kull.

“He’s going to challenge Vance,” Kull said without giving me a chance to answer for myself. Ambrosia’s mouth fell open and she shook her head.

“Typhon, you can’t! Why would you even suggest such a thing?”

“Because it’s the only way,” I thundered. “If we attack the wolves directly they will respond in kind and they will tear apart this army. They have no respect for stealth and it won’t be long before they uncover the hidden soldiers. Killing Vance is the only way to stop this. If we declare a war against him then he will just hide behind other wolves and it will be impossible to get to him. There is only one direct route and that is to challenge him. It is written into the code of the pack that an Alpha must always accept a challenge. There is no way he can refuse. It is one of our most respected rules. This way I can engage him in combat without raising suspicion. There is only one problem,” I left the sentence unfinished.

“Vance has never lost a challenge. He has been undefeated for a long time, and it is said that there is no wolf alive who can defeat him.”

“And what happens if you lose?” Ambrosia asked, her voice so frail because she almost didn’t dare to ask the question but I was not going to shy away from my fate.

“I will die,” I said.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kull

“No,” Ambrosia choked out, shaking her head. She approached Typhon and glared at him as she grabbed his arm, as if to hold him in position. “You can’t do this. It’s too dangerous. What if we deal with the outposts first and then go to Vance? We can tell him that his plan has unraveled. Surely without his soldiers he isn’t going to be able to wage this war.”

“He will,” Typhon replied, “it will just be on a smaller scale and it will take far longer. Plus it won’t stop him from taking vengeance against Vali’s people and, if we don’t stop him, then he’s just going to try again. Killing him is the only way to prevent this from ever occurring and the only way to kill him is to challenge him.”

I quelled the uneasy feeling that churned in the pit of my stomach.

“Are you okay with this?” Ambrosia turned towards me.

I took a moment to think. I shifted my glance between Ambrosia and Typhon. I could see the resigned look in his eyes. “I agree with Typhon. This is the only way to stop Vance.”

Ambrosia threw up her hands. “This is crazy! So I’m supposed to let you walk back to the pack without knowing whether I’ll see you again or not? And what’s going to happen even if you do beat him? Do you think the other wolves are going to stand around and applaud you for killing the Alpha? Is this how you think you’re finally going to win the respect of the pack?” she asked accusingly.

Typhon shook his head. “No, I don’t. In fact I don’t think I’m going to win at all. This is just a way to stop Vance. Perhaps I can do enough damage to him that it will make him think twiceabout waging war. If I am fortunate then I may be able to deal the killing blow but my chances of victory are slim. However, it will provide a distraction. Even if he learns about the outposts all the wolves are going to want to witness the challenge and so it will give you more opportunities to do what you must do. You and Kull can see it through.”

It took a moment for me to realize what he was saying. I turned towards him and now it was my turn to scowl. “I am coming with you,” I declared.

“Why? It won’t make any difference and it will only put you in harm’s way.”

“I can help protect you.”

“You’d only be putting yourself in harm's way. This is for the best.”

I shook my head. “No, no it’s not. I’m not going to stand by and allow you to return to the pack alone. We came into this world together and if this is our last day then we are going to leave it together as well. I want to be there standing by your side as you fight Vance and if anyone tries to interfere I will be there to stop them.”

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