Southern Wolf Queen (Complete)

Training Surprise

Tau's POV

The fact that I had possibly overlooked a demon was mind-blowing. I was glad that Jewel had called home to ask her Uncle Hawk. I had heard the tales of the demon known as Cacodemon. I was confused until the day I saw him attack the red dragon. A legend with the sword and could steal a life in two taps of a finger. He terrified all of the supernatural worlds.

Then you meet him at the ranch, warm dotting dad and husband. A man you would want your daughter to marry. Honest, steadfast and stable. A man you go to war with. That was how I came to know Cacodemon. In the training, he only used the sword, but he would instruct in defense and offense. Gave me some great tips.

Hawk, Jewel, and I were headed to the field. Elder Braun, Pinky, Mike, Logan, Tiffany, and Lory were also heading with us. The other group behind us was from Linzi. Jewel said we tell no one that her uncle Hawk would be coming to our training this morning. Gael, Ivan, and the rest of his squad were already there.

"Everyone brought swords for training today?" Jewel asked. Holding her sword in her hand.

"Yes," our teams answered.

"Not all of us have swords." Gael's clipped voice said.

"That is ok, we will make sure they get them." Jewel's answer was brilliant. I glanced around until my eyes landed on Ivan. He had his sword. You could see it had aged some. Not a new sword by any means. He was watching Jewel closely I noticed. Jewel's brother was keeping some attention on him too.

"Who would like to do a warm-up practice with me while we wait?" Jewel looked around the grounds.

"I will, you have speed from fighting the vampire." Ivan stepped forward.

"Sure," I watched a different glint come across Jewel's eyes. I had never seen that before.

"Best stand back son," Elder Braun pulled me back.

"What did her eyes just say?" I asked Elder Braun quiet enough the other shifters couldn't hear.

"That someone is gonna die." Elder Braun's words were forceful and quiet. You could feel he meant it.

I turned as Jewel's body language became quiet. I had never seen it while we sparred, this was a different woman than I was used to. This woman looked deadly.

Ivan pulled his sword, you could hear the slow granting sound of it as it rubbed the sheath on the way out. Jewel, watched the movement closely. Her body settled into a position that I saw Hawk teach the people at the ranch.

"Look at the treeline." Jewel's brother jerked his head toward the trees. There I see a silhouette of a large beast. Almost my griffin's size.

"He is going to let her fight?" My eyes are as big as saucers.

"In his beast form, he can see Ivan's true form and his intent." Young Hawk looked at his uncle watching from the trees. "He won't have a chance to hurt her." You could hear the solidness in his words, just as the clang of swords began.

Looking back at Jewel she was intent on her precision and speed. Even I could see she was reading his body language while hers mimicked his. She was mirroring him which was smart. I had seen these lessons a lot slower and with less if worry about blood.

They went round and round. I noted that a thin layer of sweat covered Jewel but her eyes did not give away weakness neither did her moves. Ivan had no layer of sweat and he was fully clothed. They had been going for over a half-hour. Jewel slipped, dropping her shoulder, giving Ivan an opening to strike which it looked like he was going to do. Another sword stopped him.

He paused, his body going rigid. "Cacodemon." He breathed a shaky breath.

"Nightbreed." Jewel's Uncle was the embodiment of danger. It rolled off him in waves. "Might I ask why you are entangled in this group of wolves?" Elder Hawk's voice gave no hint at how he felt.

"I.. I.. have a contract paid." Ivan stepped back to stutter.

"Who?" Was his only question. Jewel's Uncle had dark eyes but right now they were red like his beast's.

"Lobos," Ivan sighed out.

"Are you Gael's brother?" Demon Hawk asked with a growl.

"No, it was a spell. So I had a way in for when she came." Ivan lowered his head.

"Understand that is my niece, I will kill you instantly." The growl that came out of Cacodemon was nothing short of demonic.

"Athens!" Jewel's Uncle snarled.

"Yes dark and sexy?" Purred Athens.

"Being Lobos out here." He growled.

"Of course!" Athens was giddy with what I had no idea.

"He gets like that when Cacodemon kills." Elder Braun shook his head.

Second, later Lobos was being held by, Athens. "What is the meaning of this!" Shouted the angry old wolf. His eyes darting around looking at everyone.

Jewel's Uncle Hawk dragged his sword in the dirt. "Did you hire Ivan Nightbreed to kill Jewel Munoz?" He asked quietly.

Lobos turned around and sneered, "What does it matter!" All he could see was a man, with a sword lowered. His braid dangling over his shoulder. He could not see his face.

"It matters to me. She is family." The ancient Hawk raised his head. His eyes were all his beast. "Do you know who I am?" He growled.

"Nnn..No," Stuttered the old wolf.

"Cacodemon." His voice was devoid of emotion. I noticed all the heads of the 12 families now were here. "You have tried to kill my niece every time she came here. I was not here the first time. That was your luck and your mistake." Hawk looked at the other family heads. "As Cacodemon I can do as needed. He hired Ivan Nightbreed to play the part of Gael's half-brother. This is false. For that reason, I am taking the old wolf's life. Who is his heir?" He looked directly at the families present?

"He. He.. has no viable heir." Emiliano managed to get out.

"There is an heir," Jewel's brother piped up. "I know who has the rightful spot." he looked to Leon. "You are Lobo's daughter's child. The hunters that killed your mother and father were hired by him." Young Hawk pointed at Lobos.

Leon's eyes go huge! "I am a Lobos?" He looked around in shock.

"Yes," Jewel's brother confirmed.

"Then I take my right. My family is under my protection." There wasn't even await. Old Hawk, sliced his sword across Lobos' throat. The old man's head rolled to the ground with a thunk as Cacodemon turned his attention to Nightbreed. "You knew she was under my protection. You knew she was family. Yet you came." He growled. He was morphing into his beast. The sword dropping to the ground with a clatter.

The beast snapped Ivan's head. In two bites his head was crushed and swallowed. The beast morphed back to the man I know as Jewel's Uncle Hawk. "I will not allow my niece to be harmed or my nephew!" He shouted. "My rage stays contained within reason. Both managed to cross the line." He eyed everyone. His eyes flickering between beast and man. "Athens!"

"Yes my sexy demon friend," Athens was ecstatic with the violence.

"Anything else I missed?" He eyed the vampire.

"Nope!" Athens giggled.

Cacodemon looked at Jewel. "You fought well against him. I am very proud of you." He gave a good nod. "Behave following your new Queen, or I will not stop at two," Hawk growled as Athens disappeared with him.

"Holy f*****g s**t!" Leon blurted! "f*****g Cacodemon was just here!" He exclaimed like a kid getting his ice cream. He realized then what he had said looking at Jewel, added "I am sorry your highness." He bowed his head suddenly.

"Shut it, Leon," Jewel gave an exasperated sigh. Everyone else started laughing.

"Jewel!" A woman's voice hollered. Jewel liked up, a tall woman, dark brown hair and brown eyes came running to her. They hugged as I could see they were friends.

"Rachel!" Jewel squealed in delight!