Dethronement Of Ironclaw
Tam had backed away with a slight smile on his face.
"Ironclaw, show us your Honor and Dethrone!"
Ironclaw paused as he turned to Tam.
"You are fucking kidding right?" Ironclaw's voice carried the subtle signs that he was controlling his rising anger.
An elder suddenly stepped forward. This particular elder was also well respected and although young, was still of significant influence, "Ironclaw, many years ago, you and your mate joined this pack. By challenging and defeating the former Alpha, you rose to your position and became Alpha, as it is tradition.
We did not complain and followed through. It is our tradition. It is the blood that courses through our veins, the respect to our ancestors and all those that came and made the earth our home before us.
Right now, you show us disappointment and shame. You picked dethronement over your own pack. Honor it!"
Ironclaw frowned, "We are in the midst of an attack from hunters. We have to battle and save a fellow Were pack, and you tell me to Dethrone here?"
The elder nodded and so did the other elders.
Slowly, they all went behind Tam. This was the same thing for the rest of the pack.
It was at this time that Ironclaw realised something was wrong.
Aside from his wife, son, and daughter carrying the Werecat girl, the rest of the tribe had deserted him.
His frowned deepened.
Ironclaw could not help but remember the day he and Denver first came to this pack many years ago.
Dan and Rose were very young then, and Denver was with child.
They really needed a place after running from the disaster behind, at the fall of their former home.
However, when he came here, the then Alpha did not want to give the sanctuary.
He was afraid of Ironclaw's strength and bloodline.
His plan was to allow them die outside the pack in the cold winter.
After all, Ironclaw could not even leave Denver's side in fear that she would get attacked by the wild animals of the forest.
Things became bad, and at one point in time, Denver bled from in between her legs for two days.
They had even thought she had lost the child. After all, all indications led them to believe so.
However, the child surprisingly still kicked within her.
Ironclaw was afraid for her life and so unwilling, he did it.
He went back to the pack and challenged the Alpha regardless of the fact that he had been through terrible conditions, he managed to come out victorious.
He became Alpha, and that was how his family joined this pack.
Ever since that time, many had challenged him.
Ironclaw was no fool. He knew they did not like him here.
After all, he was not even connected to them by bloodline.
For years, they had planned many ways, but were a people very limited by their seeking for revenge by the duty to their ways.
Tactics such as poisoning and assassination was greatly frowned at.
Only head on combat was truly encouraged.
For years, Ironclaw had eluded them. Every fight, he emerged victorious.
However, after many years, tradition that had always been on his side now stood against him.
"We are under attack!" Ironclaw added again.
"And so what?" Tam walked over to kick the corpses of the humans they had killed. "These man cubs are like toothpicks to our jaws. Do not use them as an excuse."
Ironclaw sighed.
He knew they were right.
As tradition stated, he had to Dethrone.
Dethroning was a ritual used instead of death for an alpha leaving his pack.
It was the bloodline significance of breaking the bond with the pack.
Ironclaw looked at his wife and family that stood ready for a fight before him.
He could not help but smile a bit.
"So what if one of my son does not unlock his Bloodline. My family is already big and strong. We can live and protect one another!" He affirmed these words as he suddenly stepped forward.
This time around, even Denver did not stop him.
Family for them was more important.
All she did was nod at him.
Dethroning was a better option than the death of their son.
Ironclaw stepped forward and removed his shirt, revealing his chiseled hairy chest and abs.
"I know Tam. This is what you have always wanted. Once I Dethrone you will become Alpha am I right?"
"Well, as you know, only the strongest can be Alpha," Tam leaned in closer, "Once you are gone, there is no other."
Ironclaw took a deep breath, "I know you do not like me. But we have hunted and fought together as it is the sign of brotherhood. I'll only wish you well."
Ironclaw went on his knees and then he used his retractable claws to make the first mark, wide and bold across his chest.
From his left shoulder, all the way to his abdomen.
The Dethroning had began.
The moment he gave himself the first scar, Tam rushed at him giving him a similar one that cut across the other side of his chest.
Blood from ironclaw's body splashed on the face of Dan behind.
This prompted him into wanting to act, but Denver held his shoulder.
He turned to her. Silently, she shook her head at him.
Immediately, other members of the tribe rushed at Ironclaw from all directions.
It was like ants rushing to tear apart a cockroach that had stumbled into their hole.
Some came with bites and others with their sharp claws, piercing and skiing through his skin at every part of his upper body.
His blood jetted through the air.
A symphony of cutting sounds from many blades raised to the sky and Ironclaw stayed still to absorb it all.
After all, according to the rules, every member of the tribe must wound the Alpha to Dethrone him.
While this memorable event was going on, the pack members too focused on their traditional rights did not notice the shadows watching dero within the night.
At the same time, as Gray laid on the altar, it glowed slightly...