Feral

By Abigail Lynne

Lux Freemen is caught in between two opposing forces. Daughter of a werewolf hating activist and a werewolf, Lux is conflicted between what she is and what she has been conditioned to believe.
Keegan Stone is being forced into a role he doesn't want and even worse, he is forced to repeat words he doesn't believe in. Merely a puppet in werewolf politics, Keegan doesn't have a voice in anything.
Not only must Keegan and Lux overcome what they've been programmed to think, but they must escape two pressing powers that are desperate to keep them apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312697959

Book preview

Feral

FERAL

Table of Contents

FERAL

Prologue

Chapter One: Sold

Chapter Two: The Gift

Chapter Three: Fighting Nature

Chapter Four: The Offer

Chapter Five: Breaking

Chapter Six: Food Chain

Chapter Seven: Cold and Change

Chapter Eight: The Same but Different

Chapter Nine: Words

Chapter Ten: Shifting Perspectives

Chapter Eleven: Always Chasing

Chapter Twelve: Crash and Burn

Chapter Thirteen: Out of Breath

Chapter Fourteen: For the Sake of Others

Chapter Fifteen: Deafening Truth

Chapter Sixteen: Chaos

Chapter Seventeen: Collateral Damage

Chapter Eighteen: Ties

Chapter Nineteen: Tactics

Chapter Twenty: Revelations

Chapter Twenty-One: Spotlight

Chapter Twenty-Two: Loaded Gun

Chapter Twenty-Three: Transition

Feral

Copyright © 2014 by Abigail Lynne

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

ISBN: 978-1-312-69795-9

Prologue

Lux Freemen

We must steel ourselves against the influence of our wild counterparts. They walk among us, undetected and deadly. They look like us, speak like us, mate with us. But do not be fooled, they are not us. They are not what they appear to be. Underneath their skin is an animal, wild and uncontrollable, dangerous and feral. They are a menace to our society and in my belief, they must be eradicated.

The applause was deafening as hundreds of people in business suits stood and clapped, tight smiles on their faces. Mothers whispered in their children's ears, explaining to them why it was important to listen. Young radicals whistled, throwing their fists into the air. I clapped politely, even though on the inside my stomach churned sickly.

The speaker, my father, turned around and gave a small ‘thumbs up’ to me behind his pedestal. I grimaced and waved, the action not settling well in the pit of my stomach. He turned around, adjusting the black tie at his collar.

The werewolf race is a genetic mistake that must be fixed. They claim they do want anything to do with us, yet they steal away our young girls to mate with. They claim they are peaceful, yet they have packs that’s sole purpose is to destroy. They claim they are in control of their own population, yet their Alphas lose control of their rogue wolves. Do you want to know what I think they really are? I think they are animals that belong in cages.

My father’s words were met with an outburst of appreciation. Everyone in the room agreed with him, they all believed that werewolves were our worst enemy. Since the Feral War began five years ago, the existence of werewolves was common knowledge. 

They claim they too, are human, but what they can do is not human. Their habits aren’t human, they’re relationships aren’t human. Perhaps you could say that they wear a human skin, but that very skin that sits on their bones is shredded when they become monsters. They are not human; they simply wear the masks of mankind.

I swallowed back the bile that rose in my throat and smiled tightly, I knew people would be watching me. The daughter of the most recognized anti-werewolf activist. My dad hushed the crowd, looking at them seriously.

Last year, my daughter’s friend Sophie was abducted. She was dragged into a pack and has never resurfaced. My father paused and looked out at the crowd, gripping the podium. How many more of our daughters are going to be taken? How many more innocent girls will be kidnapped by these savages before we do something about it? The crowd screamed and jeered, adding fuel to my father's fire.

They are poison to society. They have claimed the more heavily forested states and have inhabited most of Canada. They lurk around our towns, recruiting our young to their packs. They must be stopped.

Everyone in the room cheered and screamed, the topic of werewolves was enough to get them riled up. I yelled out encouragement as well; keeping up appearances was important.

How are we going to stop them? We are going to do what humans do best, we are going to overpower our enemies. We are going to burn them out of the forests they love so dearly. We are going to shoot them out of our towns and run them out of our schools. We will take back our country, we will get rid of the threat that is aimed at our throats and is ready to lunge. Stand with me against them!

The crowd roared defiantly. Young children jumped around screaming death threats, parents yelled and jeered, cussing out werewolves. Old men spat on the ground and threw their hands into the air, young men planned hunting expeditions in harsh tones while my father sat back and watched the crowd with satisfaction. He had convinced another five hundred people of the threat the werewolf community posed to humans. He had done his job.

He turned to me, his grey eyes shining with a defiance that he had held his entire life. A thin sheen of sweat shined on his forehead and his brown hair was pushed back. He held out a hand for me and I walk over to him, hugging him from the side. The crowd’s applause grew even louder, pictures were snapped of us, the flashes blinding my eyes temporarily.

The war between werewolves and humans had escalated and I was caught in between. This was my life, hate rallies and bigoted speeches. Lux Freemen, daughter of Stan Freemen, the most famous anti-werewolf activist in North America. The man who inspired hate in the hearts of millions, the man who planned on killing every werewolf alive.

Every werewolf besides his own daughter.

Keegan Stone

They want to end us, I said, They want us dead. They want us stuffed. They want us to be turned into rugs and tested on in laboratories. They believe we wish to harm them, they ignore the fact we’ve lived in harmony with them for thousands of years. Well, I say it’s time to rid ourselves of that harmony. It’s kill or be killed.

The packs in front of me barked, howled and clapped in response to my words. I drew in a deep breath and continued, The human race has chosen the wrong enemy. They believe there is no force that is great enough to oppose them. But they do not know the strength of the wolf.

Howls erupted around throughout the crowd, causing my own wolf to be more on edge. I felt him lurk in my mind, snarling just behind my consciousness. I looked to my left to the older man just off of the stage. He inclined his head slightly, telling me I was doing a good job.

Our own Goddess begs us not to pick up arms, these words made the crowd grew silent. She wants us to make peace with the humans, even when they kill us, even when they test on our pups and lock us up. She is not looking out for us anymore; she no longer cares about her children.

Damn right! a man shouted. This was followed by, Forget the Goddess! and, Traitor!

Her pack of special wolves, the Pura Lupus, have fallen. No longer do the White Wolves rule over us. Do you want to know what this means? It means that we no longer have to follow the Goddess that does not care for us. It is time we defend ourselves! It is time we stand together to annihilate our enemy.

Let’s kill the humans! a group of rowdy young wolves yelled.

An older lady yelled, We have to protect the pups!

They’re dangerous, I stated. And we have to be aware of the threat they pose. If we go into this naively and do not educate ourselves on their war tactics we will lose. The human race has great experience in warfare, yet they have never faced another species as old as their own. They have greater technology, but we are stronger and faster with better reflexes. We can win.

Damn the Goddess! a man shouted, many others followed suit. I had to resist the urge to flinch. A few years ago it would have been considered sacrilegious to speak of our Goddess like this. But since the Feral War started, worse things had been said.

I have travelled to your pack to ask if you will stand by me, if you will stand by your brothers and sisters against the threat that is ready to exterminate our race at a moment’s notice. Will you fight the Feral War?

There was a strong reply as everyone cheered and howled for me, showing their support. I nodded once and waved before shuffling off of the stage. The older man clapped my shoulder and walked with me, waving at the crowd of werewolves as we passed.

You did great, Keegan, my uncle whispered in my ear.

Thanks, Victor, I mumbled back. I felt feverish and sick, my head was spinning. Inspiring hate was something I was good at, but it wasn’t something I liked. Keegan Stone, the man who encouraged hate and bloodshed.

And I hated myself for it.

Chapter One: Sold

Lux Freemen

My hand was grabbed and shook vigorously as people passed. They all congratulated my father on his speaking skills and congratulated me for being his daughter. I smiled tightly at all the people who passed, knowing that if they knew what I was they wouldn’t hesitate to shot me point blank.

Lux, my dad called, Lux.

I blinked and looked at him, plastering a dazed smile on my face. Yeah, Dad?

The car, dear, I looked around and noticed that a car had pulled up to the curb. I moved towards the sleek, black vehicle and smiled as the drive pulled the door open for me. My father placed his hand on my shoulder, squeezing lightly. You did well tonight.

I shrugged. It's not hard to smile and wave.

My father sighed, releasing me and adjusting his tie. I know this is hard for you, Lux, all the travelling, but this war is almost over, I promise. We're going to win, humans will come out on top, just as we always have.

Instead of answering I climbed into the car, clutching my stomach as it churned. Once in, the door closed behind me and the window was rolled downwards.

My dad bent over, planting a kiss on my cheek through the opening. I’ll see you later, Lux. I’m going to play poker with a few of the guys from the rally. This wasn't atypical.

I smiled, Alright, I’ll see you in the morning, Dad. My dad tapped the side of the car twice and the driver immediately began driving towards the estate. I looked back at my father, tall and confident at the side of the road.

I spun around and watched the buildings pass by as I was driven back to the main estate where I lived. As a result of the war, humans lived mostly in the metropolises as the werewolves had chosen to inhabit the states with the most forestry. Right now, we were in Sacramento.

The car turned right and I relaxed into my seat, knowing that I was close to the estate my father was renting. My father played poker often with the other members of his group. He was a part of the Sun Warriors, a group of werewolf hunters that had been around for years. My dad was their media representative and liaison. When the knowledge of werewolves became public, the Sun Warriors became the lead enforcements in the war.

Only a few minutes away, Miss Freemen.

I inclined my head to the driver, Julius. Thanks.

I swiveled in my seat and watched as a red car trailed behind us for a few turns. Choosing to ignore this, I turned around in my seat and played with my seatbelt nervously. Trying to get the rally and the red car off of my brain.

I looked up just as the words ‘Sunshine Manor’ passed by and blew out a breath of relief. Today I had been to two rallies with my father and my head was pounding, I yearned for a period of privacy. I unbuckled my seat belt as the car rolled to a stop and reached for the door handle just as the car was sent flying forward.

I screamed as I was flung through the air, my teeth catching the end of my tongue as they slammed together. The driver was thrown through the windshield and skidded forward lifelessly along the pavement in front of the car.

I groaned and touched my head where it had smashed into the seat in front of mine. My fingers came away red and I had to swallow back bile, blood made me nauseous. Besides my bleeding tongue and forehead, I was relatively okay, most likely bruised.

Julius? I yelled shakily. The driver remained still and I felt a fury of panic tighten my stomach. I brushed broken glass off of my pencil skirt and tucked my bangs behind my ear with shaking fingers.

I was about to exit the car when suddenly, the car was moving again. I opened my mouth in a silent scream as the car flew through the air and rolled twice. Time didn't slow down so much as come to a complete stop, along with the beat of my heart and the breath in my lungs. When I had finally stopped moving, I was lying on the roof of the car. The seat belt, which was dangling above me, grazed my forehead, dangling back and forth.

I coughed a few times and opened my eyes, catching two figures bent over in laughter. An unidentifiable fear gripped my heart as I came to the realization of what was happening. I tried to move but found myself stiff with shock and in no position to open the door, which was bent so far out of shape I doubted it would have opened anyway.

The longer I laid there, the more I began to regain the feeling in my limbs. Slowly, I crawled towards the front windshield that had been shattered when Julius has flown through it, inching my way through the opened crevice, shards of glass catching my skin and clothing.

I ignored my cut up hands and knees as I crawled, not caring that my skirt was ripped up the leg and it’s matching blazer was in tatters. I rolled out of the car and onto the pavement, grimacing as glass cut into my back and my shoulder landed in a puddle of warm liquid.

Well, I didn’t think you’d survive that. I looked up to see an older man bent over me, his beard was salt and peppered along with his hair. When he laughed I noticed he was missing three teeth along his upper jaw.

How did you— I started, voice little more than a hoarse whisper.

The other man, who was bald and rat like, interrupted me. How did we throw the car? He laughed, a gold tooth flashed in his mouth. A little bit of muscle power.

I felt my eyes grow wide as I realized who what I was dealing with; werewolves. Fear gripped my heart as I thought about everything I had ever learned about them. They’ll rip you apart. They’re faster than us, and stronger. "You mean you threw the car?"

The man with the beard laughed, dark holes flashing in his mouth. Who else did?

I scrambled to my knees, ignoring the urge to puke and the ache in all my bones. I blinked away the blood that was running into my eyes and put my hands out in front of me. Please—don’t do this. What they were going to do, I wasn't sure, I just knew that I didn't want them to do it.

Stan Freemen, the bald man stated. He said my father’s name as if there was acid in his mouth. The man that just about ruined the only chance we had of ending the Feral War peacefully.

I felt my heartbeat pick up, this was targeted, not random.Please—don’t hurt me.

The bearded man bent down until he was eye level with me, You smell like vanilla. I cringed as he dragged a rough finger across my cheek and earned myself a laugh from each man.

Our intention was to kill you, the bald man admitted, but we’re a forgiving race. He grinned again and his golden tooth caught my attention. How was it that one man had no teeth and the other had one of solid gold?

W-what are you going to do then?

The werewolf with the beard shrugged, I think me and Davy can think of something besides killing you.

You’re right about that Pep, Davy agreed with a crackling laugh. I bet old Stan would blow a gasket if she was sent off to live with a werewolf—forced to bear a werewolf’s pups. I shivered as he twirled a piece of my white blonde hair around his fingers. His skin was darkened with dirt and blood, my hair shone like a beacon beside it.

Let's go, girlie. Two hands grabbed me and I was yanked to my feet, one of my black flats fell off in the process. They pushed me forward, my knees buckling and my bare foot picking up on instinct.

Go? Go where? my voice wavered as I spoke. I had always imagined I would be brave if I were ever in such a position. It just went to show how you never really knew yourself until you were living your worst nightmare.

Neither of the men answered my question as I was dragged towards their red car. We passed Julius on the way and I called out his name shakily, silently begging that he would respond.

I wouldn’t bother, the bearded man barked, your cab driver is dead. But people are easy come easy go to you humans, so I’m sure you’ll get over it. I felt my eyes water as I thought about Julius’ seven year old daughter who came to my father’s Christmas party every year. You'll get over it. But she wouldn't.

I was shoved into the back of the car and buckled in tightly. The two werewolves sat in the front seats and started to joke around with each other, turning on the radio and singing along to old rock.

I wouldn’t bother trying to escape, girlie, the bald man said as he saw me reach for the lock on the door. We’d just run after you, and there’s no doubt in my mind I could beat you in a foot race.

I sat back in my seat and looked out the window, tilting my chin up defiantly. After a few moments, I allowed myself to look at the two men more in detail. I had never met a werewolf before but they were just as ruthless as I had imagined them to be.

I looked down at my own hands and wondered about my own genetic makeup. I knew my mother was a werewolf, but I didn’t feel ruthless. I didn’t feel strong; in fact I was remarkably mundane. Maybe what my father had told me was true—I hadn’t inherited my mother’s disease.

The bald man turned around in the passenger’s seat and grinned crookedly at me. So, girlie, how many werewolves has your father killed?

I stuck my bottom lip out. I—I don’t—none. I felt a hard slap across my cheek and winced as my head snapped to the side. It took a long time for my vision to merge into one image.

Wrong answer, he growled. I felt my eyes widen as he growled, I had never heard a more feral sound. Your father has killed thousands, own up to it, girlie. I held his gaze for a long time, too afraid to look away. Eventually the man turned away from me, making a disgusted sound low in his throat.

We have a problem, Davy, the man with the beard—Pep—announced.

Both Davy and I looked out of the front windshield to see that a police block had been set up. If I hadn’t been in shock, I probably would’ve cried in relief. Whenever you tried to exit or enter a city, you had to go through a police block where they asked for proof of your birth. This had become mandatory the second year into the Feral War when a pack a werewolves were discovered inside the parameters of Houston.

Pull out the papers, Pep whispered to Davy. The bald man leaned forward and rummaged through the glove box until he found a bundle of crumpled up papers. When we were two cars away from being checked out, Davy turned around and snarled at me.

Now, you’re going to pretend to sleep, got it?

I swallowed, no. My own defiance surprised me, but I knew this was the only opportunity I would get to escape.

Pep swore, stupid bitch. Quick as a streak of lighting, Davy’s hand was wrapped around my throat. I let out a startled noise and clutched at his finger reflexively, panic igniting within my body, causing my legs to straighten and flail.

Listen closely you little piece human scum, we’re being nice by sparing you your life. The same compassion would not be found if our roles were reversed. So, either you’re going to pretend to sleep or Pep and I are going to kill you and take down as many humans as we can before a bullet is lodged in our skulls.

Okay, I gasped, desperate for him to release me. I’ll sleep. Davy smiled and pulled his hand back, returning to his seat and not saying another word. I gasped for air, still clutching the space around my throat as if his hands were still pressed to my skin.

A police officer tapped on the glass and Pep rolled down the window, offering a large smile. I pressed my head against the window and closed my eyes slightly, peeking beneath my eyelashes.

Hey there officer, Pep greeted casually; he sounded as though he had done this a hundred times, like many humans had.

Hey there— the young officer looked at the papers and substituted, Felix and Mitchell.

Davy laughed heartily, I prefer Mitch.

How are you two tonight? the officer said, sweeping his flashlight over their faces. He swiveled the light to my face and I snapped my eyes closed. I hoped there was enough light for him to see the blood smeared down the side of my face. Who’s that?

Davy looked over his shoulder and clapped Pep on the shoulder, That’s my niece. Felix is my younger brother.

The officer shuffled through the papers and frowned, searching for my identification. Her name is Carry Miller, correct?

Pep grinned and nodded, She’s my care-bear. We had a long day in the city and she’s tired. We went to see Stan Freemen speak today. I felt my stomach twist and watched as the officer suddenly appeared more friendly.

I saw that guy speak two years ago, he’s great isn’t he? I was about to yell, about to scream, about to fight my way out of the car. But Pep turned around at the exact time the thought crossed my mind, pushing me back into myself with the force of his glare and the warning hidden there.

Davy’s smile was tight on his face. The best.

Well have a nice night. The officer passed Pep back the papers and signaled us forward, apparently we were clear. I turned and watched the police block fade into the distant and had to resist the urge to cry. I had just blown my one chance because I wasn’t brave enough to try.

You’re a good actress, girlie, Davy said with a laugh. We drove for what seemed like hours on end. They kept the radio blasted the entire time, singing along to classic rock. I cringed as ‘We Are the Champions’ was played for the fourth time. They always howled at the end, setting my teeth on edge.

I took the time to assess the damage that had been done to me. My forehead wasn't bleeding as heavily anymore but there was a long cut running along my hairline that would need attention. My hands and knees were heavily scraped, along with virtually every part of my body. My ribs felt bruised, as did my hips and there was a piece of glass lodged in my thigh that was almost impossible to get out.

It’s about time we got here, Davy grumbled, my back is killing me. The car rolled to a stop in the middle of an open field. To my left a tiny house sat with a roof that looked like it would collapse at any moment. There was nothing around the house besides piles of garbage and scrap metal, we were in the middle of nowhere.

Let’s go, girlie, Pep ordered. I was shuffled out of the car and cried out as I was jerked around, causing my stiff bones to crack. I looked down at the white shirt that was under my blazer and cringed—it was covered in blood. Whatever nerves I had been able to suppress raged back to life, gripping my entire body with fear.

I stumbled and dragged myself towards the house, having no other option as the werewolves loomed over me ominously, their presence enough of a threat on its own. As I looked around, I noticed eyes staring at me from behind the tall grass, too low to the ground to belong to humans. One of the eyes moved, stepping forward to reveal a large, fur covered body. I squealed as the wolf came closer, sniffing my hair.

I was paralyzed with fear while Davy and Pep just laughed. The wolf rumbled low in its chest, hackles rising as it sniffed me. Slowly, the wolf took a lap around the three of us, its eyes never straying from my form.

Piss off, Davy grumbled. The wolf sat back on its haunches and stared.

We entered the house a moment later and turned right down a set of uneven stairs. I had to duck my head as we entered the dank basement, the ceiling suddenly swooping downwards. I could hear whoops and yells emitting from the space and hoped I wasn't walking into what I had heard my father lecture about countless times before. Trading Pits.

Five humans were scuttled in the corner, looking frightened as werewolves yelled and laughed among one another. When they noticed that we had entered, everyone went silent and turned around, watching as Davy and Pep escorted me towards the others.

When the werewolves looked me, they grew wide. Apparently, I was already well known. No way! shouted one woman. She moved forward and touched the side of my face before giving it a hard slap. Why if it isn’t little Lux Freemen. I tried not to make any sound but my eyes stung and after a moment, I hiccupped. The woman only laughed, malicious.

An older man to the right snapped his head up; apparently my name has caught his attention. He was far more contained than the other werewolves in the room, and better dressed. His eyes followed me, holding an intelligence that surpassed the others gathered. He smiled when we met gazes.

You told us you were going fishing, not that you were going to reel in a shark, one of the guys shouted. This comment was followed by laughter.

We saw her and couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Davy leaned down in my ear and whispered, Now go make me some money. He pushed me towards the humans and I rebelled, turning and grabbing onto his arm, trying to scuttle back towards him.

Please, I gasped, please don't.

Davy growled, grabbing my arms and throwing me towards the five other humans. The others immediately backed away from me. I backed myself into a wall, curling my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them.

One of the humans crawled towards me, like an animal she bared her teeth. They want to eat us alive! she shrieked, hair lank in her face. Yum, yum, yum!

The other humans were silent, a look of devastation and dread on their faces.

Let’s start the bidding with the scrawny boy in the back, a voice boomed. The boy beside me gave a quiet gasp and the betting began. In the end he was sold to a large woman for three hundred dollars.

You're dinner now! the animal girl shouted, laughing. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! She was sold for fifty dollars. The moment the werewolf who bought her touched her arm she was reduced to tears, no longer singing about mealtime.

The announcer grinned at me, next, sealing my