The Morgan Lore - 25. Chapter 25

Blood Born Right

Rory could only remember three instances of an alpha challenge in Portento.

Once, when Connor turned eighteen and was about to take over the role of Alpha from his father. Connor’s father insisted Connor take on the challenge to prove that he was ready to take on protection of the town. Connor won the challenge of course, but that meant that he was now acting Alpha, allowing his father to take a step back.

The second time was before Rory’s mother died. Rory was too young then to understand the situation. His mother had forced him and all the kids in the pack house to be kept safe through the fight. When it ended, Connor came into the house wearing the challenging wolf’s blood, without a single scratch on him. The challenger disappeared never to be heard from, Rory didn't know his name.

The last challenge came when Rory was fifteen, from a newcomer into the community who had thought to take on the challenge of Alpha. His name was David Brown, a werewolf who had moved in from the south escaping hunters. Finding Portento a jewel worth coveting, David walked in to the pack house compound and challenged the Alpha.

That fight did not take long. Three minutes and Connor flattened David on the ground after breaking every bone in his body, and shaming him from staying in Portento.

The Alpha of the Portento Pack took all challenges on his role serious. The right to Alpha might be blood born but the show of strength mattered. To keep the town secure, and free of idiots who thought they could come in and try to take over.

Rory was eighteen now, about to take on his role as Alpha. He had trained for this position all his life, looked forward to it. Yet, now…he was surprised to feel reluctant to take on the role.

Rory walked into the Biosense compound, a frown playing on his forehead. His thoughts on Milan and how still and small his mate looked in his hospital bed. He wanted to be at the hospital, waiting with Ilaria and Ayu. It pained him to be here to see Rick fight his father. It annoyed him.

Even though it was evening, it was easy to see that the Biosense Complex was impressive with a courtyard in the middle designed to allow staff to sit on benches and enjoy nature. There was damage on the face of the building now. June’s security team was not kind when they infiltrated the complex. Determined werewolves caused absolute distraction. Doors ripped out of their frames, walls crumbling in parts, glass broken. Rory felt pity for the Biosense staff who he saw being herded into a large hall by Matt and a few others from the security team.

Walking into the courtyard, Rory paused when he saw Cade Ogawa kneeling on the cold ground. Topher standing beside him, his nails digging into Cade’s left shoulder. The pack would not be kind to anyone who dared play with wolf blood. Cade Ogawa’s future was already decided.

Nisin stood with Jack a few feet apart, tears tracking down his face. He was wrapped tight with a blanket, and a mask over his nose and mouth. Nisin looked too pale, still unwell. There was fear in his eyes, and an angry aura around him.

‘Jack, your mate doesn’t need to see this,’ Rory said, noting Jack’s protective stance. ‘Get him out of the cold. He is not well enough for this.’

‘I’ve tried a few times. He won’t go,’ Jack said, his misery clear. ‘He wants to know what happens to his dad.’

Rory sighed and brought his attention to the four men standing in the center of the loose circle made by the pack security team. Connor, Lechter and Kutler surrounded Rick in a tighter circle. Rick stood with his hands in fists, his eyes bright yellow, clearly revving up for a fight.

“I challenge the Morgan Alpha for the right to rule. The right to protect. The right to run this pack into a progressive future,” Rick said, when he caught sight of Rory. “I don’t think that the Morgan Alpha is right for the pack.”

‘Dad.’

Connor turned and looked at Rory.

‘You are to be Alpha. I want you to fight this challenge.’

Rory started to protest, but then Lechter and Kutler also looked to him with expectation.

“The future will be yours, Rory.” Kutler spoke for the benefit of the rest of the pack members present. “Rick challenges, a Morgan Alpha must respond. Do you accept the challenge?”

Rory clenched his jaw, taking in the expectant gazes from the pack members. He could not refuse a challenge. Not here. Not like this. Rory took in a deep breath, and nodded his assent.

Conner, Lechter and Kutler started to move away.

“Wait,” Rory said, his gaze on Rick. “Before we get into a fight to the death. I need to know, why? Principal Rick is a respected member of this town. He has an entire school of students who look up to him. He is a council member. He has seemed happy among us. Why would he decide to challenge the Morgan for Alpha?”

“Because,” Rick smiled, a nasty curve of his lips that made Rory’s skin crawl. “Leadership in this pack is ignorant of what’s important.”

“And what’s important?” Connor asked, stepping aside to allow Rory into their circle.

Rick’s fingers clenched tighter.

“For months, I’ve talked to Lechter about the presence of humans in Portento. Ever since the Mayor signed a deal with Biosense, they have increased in number. Leading up to the family of humans now living in plain sight. Rory Morgan frequents the Takeda house, and even sleeps there. Don’t think I haven’t watched you, Rory Morgan. You like kissing the youngest one, Milan.”

“You have no right to speak his name,” Rory said, anger brewing. “You stabbed him while he was defenseless.”

“I can’t believe you are defending a human,” Rick said. “That should be the first clue as to why you are not the one to lead this pack. Am I right, Beta Lechter? I know you agree on my views.”

Rory looked to Lechter, his gaze accusing.

“I might not agree with the presence of humans in this town, but causing injury to them when they have done nothing is wrong,” Lechter said. “That’s not what I want. I’m only asking that we do not have them so close to our borders. Once again, I remind everyone, we have all suffered in some way at the hands of a human. I was only trying to protect the town.”

Rick narrowed his gaze, then pointed a claw at Lechter.

“You’ve been walking around town asking everyone you could to support your idea to kick out Biosense. Here we are now, inside the beast itself. If I had not collaborated with the human at Topher’s feet, do you think you would be able to enter this facility?”

“Your collaboration exposed our kind,” Kutler pointed out. “Your blood is corrupted with chemicals from Cade Ogawa’s private lab. You chose to betray us to him. Lechter’s agendas are misguided, but not as grave as your crime, Rick.”

“My crime,” Rick scoffed, looking around the courtyard. “I’m at fault? Of course. The three of you never look beyond tradition. Never look beyond what your ancestors laid out for this town. Never want to expand the town, or take advantage of our superior existence to gain more from this world. What’s the point of sitting in a council with you? What’s the point of deciding who will babysit the elders this week? Or join in the stupid community activities when we could be taking over the state?”

Rory couldn’t help his chuckle, drawing Rick’s gaze.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I’m amused,” Rory said, folding his hands against his chest. “All of these because you want to govern a state? Rick. No one stopped you from getting in your car and driving out of Portento. Better yet, change into your true form and run the distance, right to the capital. Go do it. Why do you need us?”

Rick narrowed his gaze.

“The power in this town is unprecedented. You can turn it into money, use it to control strongholds, rule the humans promising them health and wealth—”

“Let me stop you there,” Connor interrupted Rick. “This is the most elaborate plan I’ve ever had the annoyance to deal with. I will give you credit for playing the long game. I had no idea you wanted to challenge a Morgan.”

Rick smiled.

“Yes. That was the beauty, wasn’t it? Sitting across you in the council, watching you try to figure out why anyone would pull Chris Morgan into a race. That was fun to watch. It was too bad that the nice human doctor did not find out about us then. I didn’t expect you to visit Chris in the hospital so soon. Or have Ilaria Takeda moved out of rotation so fast.”

“You instigated Dolon,” Rory said, remembering Chris wondering why Dolon would come after him.

“It was easy too,” Rick shrugged. “I’ve watched over you two enough to understand your triggers. When Dolon’s plan didn’t work, I knew you wouldn’t rest until you found him.”

“So you took Dolon from the hospital to silence him,” Kutler said, looking to June who finally had a riddle solved. “Then found Lechter to push the seed of doubt in his mind about humans kidnapping Dolon.”

“Dolon was the perfect subject,” Rick said with a nod. “He came in handy as I needed Cade Ogawa to understand what he had found in this town. You see Cade is sitting on a few billions in this complex. He wanted a cure for his son, I promised he could find one if he helped me out.”

“What would Cade help you with?” Connor asked.

“Becoming the alpha of the pack,” Rick grinned. “Cade gets access to the town’s people to perform all the research he could want. I’m glad you’ve taken care of him for me right now. He’s a tad self-absorbed. I’m quite sure I would have ended up killing him as the plan progressed.”

“To what?” Rory asked, with a frown.

“Only the strong can survive, Rory Morgan. With Kiyo’s infusions, I plan on making a very formidable army that can expand Portento’s borders. I will drag us all into the future you are too afraid to step into. Make the humans bow to us.”

“I'm surprised you haven't noticed that the infusions are poison to our kind,” Rory said. “Lloyd, Dolon, and you. Have you not seen the corruption in your bodies? Dolon’s wolf was grey, now his fur has turned to black with corruption. The human Lloyd is rotting from the inside out. By the way, he used your blood to turn into a wolf. Which is forbidden. You broke the law. What about you? Kiyo's infusion is not the first thing you've used. Your blood is tainted adding Kiyo's infusions makes you worse.”

“But, I’m stronger,” Rick insisted. “Strong enough to fight a Morgan Alpha. When I win, this town will have no choice but to bow to me in respect.”

Rory nodded, understanding there was no need to push for more answers. Rick was beyond reasoning.

Rory looked to Connor.

‘Will you fight him?’ Connor asked again.

‘Yes.’ Rory agreed, this time with conviction.

‘Goddess be with you,’ Connor said to him, urging Lechter and Kutler to step back to join the others.

Rory stretched his arms out, the air cool against his skin. The temperatures had lowered considerably without the sun. The lights from the building illuminated the courtyard well enough. He was conscious of the security team creating a tight circle around the courtyard leaving no room for escape.

This was the first challenge on Rory’s leadership. If he failed, the pack would disintegrate into corruption under Rick’s rule. He had no choice but to win.

***

Rick was strong. Stronger than Rory expected. He had taken enough of Kiyo’s infusions to turn his body into an unbreakable machine. Rory chose to face him in his human form. Which worked for Rick, he had spent most of his time training in his human form too. Drawing on the strength he had nurtured, he met Rory in close combat. No weapons allowed on either side.

Rory was fast, but not swift enough to escape Rick’s unrelenting, determined blows. Tension filled the courtyard each time Rory fell to the ground, spitting out blood from one of Rick’s powerful blows to his face, his stomach, his chest, his side. Rick knew a fast win was best. Rory was younger, healed faster, but he was also less experienced. So Rick called on his experience, pummeling Rory, beating him down with all his strength. When Rory fell on the ground, his mouth filled wit blood, Rick bent over him, and rained fist blows on Rory without a break, determined to end the young Morgan. He was lucky Connor had chosen not to fight this challenge. Rick congratulated himself on waiting right when the young Rory was supposed to take over leadership. Eighteen was a magical year for Morgans, but this time, the Morgans would have to leave this town for good.

Stepping away from Rory after a particular rough blow, Rick stood a few feet away from him, with a happy smile when Rory gave a painful moan. Rory rolled to his left side groaning with pain. Rick waited, unworried. Confident. It would be easy to finish Rory now.

Rory was not Connor, the seasoned Alpha, but a fledgling. The Portento Pack would soon be his.

***

The cold ground pressed on his side. Rory spit out blood, and stared at the red contrast on the snow. He ached with pain. Rick was no pushover. Rory knew he had underestimated Rick’s determination. After all, Rick was a highly-seasoned warrior with enough strength to flatten intruders and join the council to fight alongside his father.

Sitting up, Rory looked around the circle of wolves watching him with yellow eyes. Tension rising, he could feel their hopes pressing on him. Their fear growing the longer he sat on the ground. The more Rick beat him down.

‘Rory,’ Connor’s voice filled his head. ‘Reach for the town’s power, fight with your heart, son.’

Rory pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from a cut on his arm to the ground. He clenched his fists and stared at the drop seeping deeper into the cold soil. Closing his eyes, he thought of Milan lying in a hospital bed. His mate already bound to him in love, if not blood. The thought of never seeing him again left Rory shaking.

‘You wish to protect him,’ a soft quiet feminine voice filled his head, making Rory’s eyes open in shock. He looked around the circle searching for the owner of the voice. He didn’t find her, only June watching him in apprehension.

‘Yes.’ Rory answered the voice.

A soft delighted chuckle filled his head, and warmth filled him where the cold had started to seep in.

‘You remind me of the First. Your love is pure. I admire it. You have much to repair in Portento. Trust in your heart, Little Morgan. Reach for the town, it will answer.’

Not understanding what that meant, Rory faced Rick again, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension in his muscles. Knowing he could not let Rick win this fight. For Milan’s sake, for the pack and the souls living in the Swamp Lands. Even for Cade Ogawa, and Kiyo Takeda who had been pulled into a plot not of his making.

Rory took in a deep breath and went on the offense, gritting his teeth when Rick blocked his attacks, moving fast enough to evade his punches. It was frustrating. Rory went after Rick again, working harder to hit him, only to be blocked over and over.

‘Stop and still your mind,’ that soft voice ordered, when he missed Rick again.

Rory closed his eyes and stood still in a moment when he should have dodged the coming hit. Rick smiled, thinking Rory was giving up, and came at him, his fist heavy and aimed at Rory’s left temple. The moment Rory stopped thinking too much, power filtered into him, sinking into his very bones, he felt like he was flying high and grounded at the same time. He felt Rick’s fist coming at him, and moved back in time to miss the hit.

Rick tried again, and again, his frustration rising each time Rory dodged his fists. Then Rory grabbed Rick’s right fist, and with all the power surging through him, he broke Rick’s arm. Fueled forward, Rory broke Rick’s left arm, turned him and kicked out Rick’s knee, sending it into an odd angle that had Rick falling to the ground with a scream. Rory stepped away from Rick and watched him writhe on the ground in pain.

‘Do you wish him dead?’ that soft voice asked in his head.

Rory stared at Rick.

‘No.’ Rory shook his head.

‘Your soul is true. Not his though. He has murdered many,’ the voice repeated, heavy with sadness. ‘The dead hidden in the swamp waters, their blood staining the town. Silent deaths. We mourn.’

Rory knelt down beside Rick and grabbed his neck, sickened by this revelation.

“Confess your crimes,” Rory ordered, his fingers digging into Rick’s neck. “Now, if you wish to keep breathing.”

“Why are you so strong? I had you. What changed?” Rick asked, choking on Rory’s hold. “Why is it no one can win against a Morgan for this town?”

Rory smiled, only now understanding the voice in his head.

“The town has to choose too,” Rory said, his voice low in wonder. “Every soul in this town is here hoping for a quiet future, happiness, love…fueling the town’s power. Your hopes turned corrupted, Rick. She can never choose you.”

“That’s some bullshit,” Rick said, shaking his head on a choke. “I’m not sorry for trying to bring you down, Morgan. I’ve always hated your family. Since the day Asta kicked out my uncle for making the council vote against a wolf and his human mate. Your family watched her do it and did nothing to help him. He was killed by a lone wolf outside the borders. I’ve hated you all since.”

Connor sighed and walked up to Rory and Rick.

“What do you wish to do with him?” Connor asked Rory. “You are now Alpha. Your judgment stands.”

The whisper in his head made Rory pause, as he let go of Rick. Standing, he met his father’s gaze.

“When did you stop hearing the town’s whispers?” Rory asked, worry in his eyes as he looked at his father.

Connor gave him a sad smile. “The day your mother died.”

‘His grief pushed the town's hopes out,’ the feminine whisper filled Rory’s head. ‘We’ve mourned over the loss for years. He never heard our call when the one on the ground went unchecked.’

‘I don’t understand,” Rory frowned.

‘The one on the ground murdered Johanna Morgan, Leona and her husband,’ that soft voice whispered, heavy with sorrow. ‘Rosemary Lechter witnessed his crime by mistake and he went after her to silence her. He injured her severely but I led her to the swamp lands. She was injured. i cannot tell if she survived. Afraid that she might emerge alive, this man terrorized those in the swamp lands. Sinking their children into the swamp waters until they were too afraid to meet their Alpha. He has since worked on making sure Lechter campaigned against humans.’

Rory fell to the ground on his knees, his gaze on Rick, anger burning hot.

“You murdered my mother,” Rory accused Rick, making everyone standing around them gasp in shock. “You made it look like humans killed them on the outskirts of the town, but it was you. You killed her and Aunt Leona.”

Rick’s gaze went wide. “How did you know that?”

“There is more to this town than meets the eye,” Rory said, shaking his head. “What about Rosemary Lechter? Why?”

"What?" Lechter surged forward. “What are you saying?”

Rory turned to look at his father’s Third. He saw it now, this man who had worried him was only responding to the grief of losing his mate. The living pain in Lechter, was the same pain that had pushed Connor into oblivion.

‘Seek out those in the swamp lands for more answers,’ the feminine voice advised.

‘What do I call you?’ Rory asked, standing up, his gaze returning to Rick who still lay broken on the ground.

‘Sanctuary,’ she said. ‘That’s what Portento is to those who need it. Like Milan Takeda and his family, and the little one, Nisin. Your mate needs you now.’

Rory let out a soft breath and as the voice faded away, he met his father’s knowing gaze. With a wide smile, Rory looked around the courtyard, meeting gazes of respect from the wolves present.

“Rory.” Kutler placed a strong hand on his shoulder. “Congratulations on winning your first challenge.”

Rory nodded and pointed to Rick.

“Before you kick him out, ask Rowen’s mother to search his memories. He has truths about Rosemary Lechter’s fate. Also about my mother, aunt and uncle. I need to go now.”

“Where are you going at a time like this?” Lechter asked, still looking shell shocked.

“To my mate, Milan Takeda. He’s going to be your moon,” Rory stated, gaining another round of surprised gasps. “Matt and Topher can handle the rest with your help.”

Rory couldn’t help laughing in delight as he hurried out of the Biosense Complex eager to get back to the hospital. He no longer had to worry about the town accepting Milan. All he needed now was to fulfill the mating bond with Milan and all would be well. Portento had called Milan home.

****

Milan woke to numb pain and the sound of a heart monitor. The blank ceiling was unfamiliar, but it was enough to tell him he was in a hospital. The harsh scent of sterilizer filled his nostrils. Well, at least he was not in a clean room was all he could think. Milan shifted his head to his right and wasn’t surprised to find his brother sleeping on a chair, a blanket around his shoulders. Ayu looked uncomfortable but in deep sleep. Waking him would be cruel, so Milan swallowed hard and turned to his left.

Ilaria rested her head on his bed by his knee, her hand on his thigh. She had a blanket over her back, as though someone had come in and draped it over her with care. Milan wondered where his dad was, but imagined Kiyo was probably out there terrorizing the doctor in-charge. It was typical. The last time he was in a hospital, the doctor in-charge threatened to kick his family out if they didn't stop micro-managing.

Biting back a soft chuckle, Milan shifted on the bed, taking stock of his body. His left shoulder was numb, and his left arm was in a sling. The IV lines were installed on his right hand. He brought his right hand up to push hair out of his eyes, careful of the lines.

The glass door slid open and Milan dropped his hand down to stare at Rory. His boyfriend had a faint bruise on his left eye, and a red spot on his lip.

“Rory,” he whispered out, not wanting to wake his mother and Ayu.

“Shh…” Rory came up to the bed, moving around Ilaria with care. Milan’s breathing hitched, and he blushed when his heartbeat increased when Rory leaned down and kissed him on his lips.

Rory smiled and looked into his eyes.

“There you are,” Rory murmured, stroking hair out of Milan’s eyes. “You were out for three days. I worried.”

“Three days!” Milan frowned. “Why? I—"

“Infection set in on the first night here. You got such a high fever it drove you into delirium.” Rory shook his head. “We’ve all had a rough time waiting for you to fight it off. Mamma, especially, since she’s had to fight her way into the medical team taking care of you. No one wants to have a parent doctoring their child around.”

Milan sighed and looked to his mother.

“She gave them hell I bet,” Milan smiled.

“Like the Italian firebrand she is,” Rory said, pride in his voice. “Thank you for waking up. I missed you.”

Milan smiled then, accepting Rory’s kiss. “I missed you too.”

Rory swept hair out of Milan’s eyes, pushing it back, his blue eyes intent on Milan.

“Milan," Rory said, his voice quiet, careful not to wake Ilaria and Ayu. "I want to take you away from here. I’ve tried to do it several times since you came in, but your family is very stubborn.”

“Where do you us to go?” Milan asked.

“Somewhere I can help you,” Rory said. “Take away the pain for good. Would you like that?”

Milan held Rory’s gaze for a minute, then looked to Ayu and Ilaria. Their constant worry whenever he was in hospital was hard to take. He sometimes wished there could be an end to his illness. Meeting Rory’s gaze, he smiled.

“I would.”

“Okay.” Rory kissed his forehead. “We have to be quiet. Otherwise, your mother might never allow me near you again.”

Milan nodded and watched Rory turn off the machines monitoring his condition. When the machines were off, Rory unhooked the IV from Milan, and removed all the other lines attached to Milan. Rory picked Milan from the bed, careful not to wake Ilaria. Milan buried his face into Rory’s chest as Rory made a quiet getaway into the well-lit hallway.

They took an elevator that led to the back of the hospital. Matt and Topher met Rory at the exit, pausing only to cover Milan with a heavy jacket. It was dark outside.

“What time is it?” Milan asked, when Rory slid into the back of a black SUV.

“Just after midnight,” Rory answered, helping Milan wear the heavy black down jacket. He zipped it up over Milan’s left arm that was still in a sling, then wrapped a scarf around Milan’s neck, and mouth.

“Are we going to the arctic?” Milan teased, his arm still numb from the excellent pain meds.

Rory pulled the furry hood over Milan’s head, and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

“Close,” Rory said. “Happy birthday, Milan.”

Milan smiled wide.

“Is it really Feb. 11^th?”

Rory nodded, and pulled Milan into his arms again.

“I’m seventeen,” Milan said, cuddling closer into his boyfriend.

“You are,” Rory said. “And what a beautiful seventeen it’s going to be.”

Matt and Topher sat in the front. Matt driving while Topher spoke low on his phone. Milan watched them for a bit, before he closed his eyes content to be in Rory’s arms. A small part of him felt bad for leaving his family in his hospital room. For the most part, he was glad to escape because knowing his condition, he was looking at a month long stay before anyone thought he could leave. Hospitals could be suffocating places. It was better to be out here with Rory on a strange midnight adventure.

***