No mercy

There were also the outbreaks of the Black Death as they always called it with the arrival of spring. The precarious conditions of life on ships and in cities sometimes brought greater dangers. The terrible disease of pustular blisters could kill a healthy man in three days. There was no cure, anyone who came into contact with them was contaminated.

For two years now, the Plague had hit Garonne indiscriminately in the countryside and towns, poor and rich, men, women, adults and children afflicted with the onslaught of a disease so deadly and contagious it seemed to penetrate the bones. at first, it had started just like some winter illness. And after a few weeks... The scene had changed. A person for three days would vomit blood before finally dying. Mass graves were opened. There had been so many afflictions and miseries that the local authorities had kept the ports that brought ships guarded. The newly arrived travellers bore such a virulent disease in their bones that anyone who even spoke to them could be afflicted with similar symptoms and would soon succumb with no hope of avoiding death.

The bodies of the dead were left in mass graves, as local cemeteries could not hold so many individual graves.

The edges of the Scarlet lands displayed sentries that prevented the approach of travellers who could bring disease. Either way, wolves didn't seem to show vulnerability to diseases like the others humans brought.

There was still Blood Pirate. The Unicorn was a fast ship, but its captain, Jackie, was dedicated to piracy activities. Maybe Jackie would help him with the task of locating the little runaway.

William's despairing childhood friend devoted himself to piracy in the same way he embraced life on the high seas. Richard remembered the orphan boy's arrival at the castle. Jackie had grown up among the wolves shortly after her parents died. He was also aware of his friend's attachment to his supposed younger brother. Hell!

He still had Cassie to look for. It just wasn't the best time to be busy with a troublesome little boy. And the missing girl the Coven Regent was asking for news...

It was another damn temptation. His life was Gaia. Why did Cassie suddenly seem to plummet into his life like a raging hurricane?

Like any pack, Scarlet was a powerful clan. The pack had chosen the new successor to lead the wolves. They awaited the choice of the alpha's mate. The closest relatives were the betas. The alpha title and leadership was passed from father to son and when there were no heirs, there was a fight to determine the chosen one. No one could wait for the decision that Richard Morgan would turn against his people. The news that he had abandoned the clan and its responsibilities had been scandalous.

An omega was always alone stray wolf. Should show respect. The complex organization and dynamics were sophisticated and always rooted in ancient traditions. The organization was fundamental in defence and search for food. An alpha's leadership was based on her ability to win combat and her ferocity.

Thalagar was fed up with it all. As a lone wolf, he was often demeaned by other members, receiving violence and unwarranted beatings during fights between packs. The antagonism had become so strong that he had decided to live isolated from the other wolves. He was still surprised by the comments!

He sighed as he ducked into the middle of the clearing, his dark eyes revealing only contempt and indifference to the abandoned bodies. Philip Morgan was alpha by succession with Rick out of the lead, but it was up to him, a simple, despised omega to track down hunters.

The combat there had been fought by sorcerers. The traces were unmistakable when watching the victims with their burned eyes. Thalagar shook his head with a sigh. Despite the unrecognizable state of the body, he could identify the fallen old man who had the body abandoned in a simple ditch.

Curse! It was Lightning! The shaman of the pack had been banished from among the wolves a few years after disagreements with the Council of Elders.

Once again, as usual, he wondered why he hadn't completely abandoned the pack to form his own. Even Morgan had done it. There was a reason that still held him to Scarlet. The girl. Her dowry...

Kassuim was about to turn fifteen. Thalagar hoped that at the time that William would agree to give him his foster daughter. The girl had grown up aboard his ship. He was no fool. The girl had been brought in by the wolves for a reason. She had unusual abilities. She would be powerful. Thalagar couldn't believe the council's ignorance of fearing the girl. It would have been natural to keep her with them, or maybe even choose her as the alpha's mate.

The elders did not think that way. The girl was a half-breed. He'd heard little about half-breeds, but he imagined how important it would be when he learned to master both magic and the skill of shapeshifting. It was another hell!

Cassie was too suspicious. Her strong personality was difficult to control or manipulate. The dead man in front of her was to blame for it. The shaman with enchantments had cast a spell on the girl that inhibited her ability as a wolf. The result was surprising.

The wolf skill managed to emerge with intensity at times, and there was nothing gentle or considerate about her at those times. She was an aggressive, angry wolf who didn't trust anyone. Such occasions were rare. He believed this was one of the reasons the girl was kept away from the castle. They feared that the alpha's closeness would intensify their gift with the coming adolescence. Oh, pheromone! Thalagar knew her scent better than anyone. He was a lone wolf that would surround his victim waiting for the attack. He just needed patience.

For the most part, Cassie could be sociable with the prevailing sorceress personality. Thalagar, however, had a serious problem. He was a man. The experience of years showed him something that irritated him. The girl was naturally attracted to the alpha of the pack. And separating her from him… maybe Philip had been a bit rash. It would have been better for her to be disappointed in him for their acquaintance.

The lies she'd heard… Good heavens. Not even Philip could be that foolish. Did he believe that the heartbroken and suffering girl would let anyone near her easily? Still, crying for another man? Yeah. He knew Cassie. Philip could crawl to his feet and he wouldn't stand a chance.

He could imagine the surprise if Rick found out that the pack had hidden away without anyone knowing a wolf ready to awaken him. That girl would be his. And once Thalagar had her, then he would abandon the pack to form a pack of his own as the dominant alpha. And he would be rich. He knew his limits. As tempting as the idea was, he would never beat Richard Morgan in a fair fight to claim his privileged position.

-They're all dead. - A hoarse voice echoed through the clearing and was accompanied by laughter.

Thalagar looked up and stared silently at Corner. It was his first mate and something else. Thalagar admired well-built, young women, but the attraction to boys had always been a total bane in her life. He would have to find a way to ensure that Corner accepted his decision to join Kassuim without raising his lover's anger and jealousy.

-Wizards! It was to be expected that they would leave no survivors! - the comment was brief and dry. - White Order Sentinels never leave survivors. Macgrover is not a very tolerant man. Still, it's not like him. Valerius is hunting.

Corner flashed a satisfied smile realizing that their work here was no longer needed. It meant they would have time on land before the captain ordered the men back to the ship. The booty divided among the privateers after the last approach had brought advantageous earnings which he intended to spend on new weapons. Perhaps this time Thalagar would decide to stay in one of the rooms in Monsieur Garro's tavern. The smile on his face widened in anticipation as he stared longer than necessary at the captain.

-Do I order the bodies to be burned as usual? The crew will want some time to have fun and spend. – The warning was full of implications.

Thalagar arched a brow, understanding the meaning behind the warning. One of the skills Corner had for pleasing him was always his vigour. He was a man of violent temper. Corner never complained. Naturally, he could find time to satisfy his lover's needs, venting his wild libido aroused at the thought of Kassuim. Corner would be able to ease his tension with the foolish and frustrating searches of the region. There was no sign of the smugglers the Successrium was looking for.

-Make a fire and burn it all down without a trace, man. -He ordered with a dark and loaded look.- The girl is going to give us more work than I imagined. Philip is an asshole if he thought he was going to make her docile by creating difficulties. I saw this girl grow up. Rays. He was too hasty. It will be easier to kill her than to bend her genius.

Corner stared up at him, understanding more than anyone else's dark, charged gaze. Thalagar was a type of man who was turned on by violence. He had often told her that the pleasure he took in killing his victims was irresistible. He knew with satisfaction that the captain would not be content to wait to assuage the craving. Just the idea flattered him.

-Should I help the men at work? he wanted to know with veiled provocation.

Thalagar watched him, experiencing the excitement the first mate always brought him. He was a man who liked to dominate, and Corner was an excellent submissive. This time, he had better things in mind to take care of until they reached the city.

-No! You will satisfy me otherwise. – The answer was hoarse and low. Let the men do the work and come. You know very well what I intend to do.

Corner chuckled with satisfaction, noticing the lover's arousal in front of him. His eyes gleamed in anticipation.

-I wouldn't expect less from you, Thalagar!

Thalagar smelled ancient sorcery. There was magic that protected the girl from them. He hid his trail. And he was fueled by the pain and hurt she carried. Philip Morgan had lost all chance of getting his hands on the money or attracting the girl's attention.

A complete, miserable failure.

The girl's father... was a sorcerer of ancient and powerful lineage. Philip Morgan had found someone stronger than himself with whom he could not bargain.