Rise of the Underdogs: JACOB

The Sendoff

The plane was quiet, save for the low hum of the engines and the occasional rustle of someone shifting in their seat. I sat by the window, elbow propped against the armrest, cheek resting against my knuckles as I stared into space. Outside, the clouds rolled past in slow procession, pale and endless, like the sky was trying to soothe me.

But my mind wasn’t in the clouds, not really. It was still back at Camp Katya, in the sparring ring where I was locked in a dance of life or death with a Vampire who moved like smoke and hit like stone. Every strike was calculated, every dodge a whisper of something ancient.

I remembered the way the Vampire had smiled—not cruel, not cocky. Just... knowing. He was underestimating me, which was his mistake.

“You fight like you’ve been broken before,” the Vampire had said, circling me with eyes that didn’t really blink. “That makes you dangerous.”

I hadn’t replied. Instead, I adjusted my stance and waited for the next move. When he feinted right, I sat down. The action made him stop in his tracks, head tilted as he tried to figure me out.

When I let a smile lift my lips, he stumbled backwards.

“You… are… not normal,” he said. “Most would be shaking. Running in fear of me and my kin.”

“Normal’s overrated,” I answered with a shrug.

He was watching me, not our surroundings. Not the magic I was letting seep into the ground only to form dark stains around where he stood.

My smile grew as he took a step in my direction, my eyes narrowing as he snarled. As soon as he took the leap, I let my eyes snap open. “Te capio.”

Seven pillars of light blossomed from the ground, sealing the guy in a golden cage made of magic. He let out a strangled yelp as his body came in contact with the reactive pillars, shocking him. “What… what is this?!”

“You’ve been captured because you underestimated your opponent,” General Blaze had called from the edge of the ring. “I see now why young Master Jacob was dually titled by his Alpha. A Delta who moves with purpose and a Tracker that hunts using everything at his disposal.”

Angry, the Vampire I was fighting against threw himself into the bars, screaming in pain as the magic literally electrocuted him. I could smell his hair and skin burning before he stumbled back, writhing.

Several Vampires moved away from me, making me feel that I was now the superior being. Crap. This was not, in any way, my intention.

General Blaze made his way over to me, his eyes catching the ray of light filtering through the precipitation-heavy clouds. His neatly-pressed clothes were dusted with a light layer of shimmering frost, but I knew it was just another Tuesday for him. Just another day on the schedule of rigid routine meant to break and rebuild.

“How long have you been training, Master Jacob?” He asked, and a disturbed hush fell over the surrounding crowd.

“Um, th-there’s no need to call me ‘Master’, Sir,” I answered, taken aback by his formality. “I know I’m good at what I do, but it took me twelve years of constant tests that brought me to this point. Using my magic and my Werewolf ability in equal measure helps, too.”

Someone choked on nothing but air as they understood the depth of my style. Then, a voice I rarely heard in the last few weeks spoke, “He… Valik said his friend ‘fought like the Devil’s advocate’. It is… understood now.”

Vern’s confession sent another ripple through the crowd. “I volunteer in tribute to fight the wolf within. I wish to… to see proof of his claim.”

“Granted, as long as Jacob here agrees,” another voice called, and I whipped my head around so fast I thought I gave myself whiplash. There, crouched on a taller building, his eyes dancing with knowing light, was Vincent Valencia.

Elegant, tall, calm, and the only one to match me hit-for-hit in any mock fight, he was the definition of restrained strength.

“Vince? Did the family or the pack send you?” I called back, ignoring the looks of pure terror. Honestly? The reactions were freaking hilarious.

“Neither. I was counting the days to our next match when I overheard Micah and Logan talking about your little adventure. I thought I’d come see my favourite pup in action,” Vince replied, his soft tenor floating on the Russian breeze. “I already know none of them, save for the highest-ranking Vampires, will be able to beat you. Not on their own.”

Yes, I was, in fact, his favourite. Explanation: Vincent took forever to warm up to anyone, but I got close by being quiet and calm first in human form, then in wolf form after I was able to shift. Slowly, cautiously, he started opening up more, relaxing as he finally realized the Werewolves around him weren’t going to torment him.

Yes, I was technically still a pup. Explanation: to be considered an adult Werewolf, you had to reach age of majority. That age happened to be eighteen. Magic users were considered adults when they learned to harness and control their powers.

Well, at least I was halfway there.

Sensing his intention, I nodded, “You wanna turn this into a demo?”

Without answer, he leaped from his position, landing gracefully in a crouch beside me. “The Howler system of utilizing various species and integrating the abundant fighting styles back home has brought your pack this far. Why not give them a decent show on your last day?”

“Tag team,” I said, realization dawning. “You and me, verses Vern whoever else he picks for a partner.”

“Ah, si,” he said, his eyes sparkling with knowledge. “Tu es perfecta, si? I used to fear your kin, and now we fight as one.”

I grinned, loving how he both held himself in check and reflected on our shared history in one breath. “We’re going home together, right?”

“Don’t lose,” the second youngest Lord of the elder brothers in the family laughed. “Not that you will, but I will torment you over it if you lose.”

“Meh,” I answered, stripping out of my clothes while some females blushed, others looked away, and the entire camp seemed to hold its collective breath. “Are you mosquitoes actually bothered by a Werewolf stripping down? Get over it. We’d shred our clothes otherwise.”

While Vince laughed raucously, others joined in a rising roar of discord.

Valik’s voice rang out, clear and untainted. “Enough! He’s stating facts.”

“I concur,” Vincent said loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Werewolves, I have come to know, must shed their outerwear prior to transforming into their wolf form. General Blaze, will you permit the interruption?”

Raising his hand in a dismissive, yet permissive gesture, Blaze nodded. “So noted. Begin at your leisure, Lord Vincent.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Vince replied, smiling softly. Turning to me, he smiled, “Shall we, Jake?”

I let out a roar, allowing Thorne to surface. Bones snapped and reformed while tendons and muscles stretched and relaxed. Before my hands hit the ground, I had shifted into my Coastal Wolf form. Standing tall and proud, I let out a low, guttural howl before brushing my head against Vince’s leg.

He didn’t move except to reach down to scratch behind my ear. “Maybe this was why our paths crossed. To become friends and to show the world we’re capable of co-operative existence.”

I growled, nodding my head.

An hour later, through a mix of rapid-fire moves, using magic in my wolf form, and taunts about ending each other, Vince and I stood as one. Our opponents lay alive, but breathing into the dust of the ring. Panting and loving the all-out fight, we were basking in the glow of winning when Blaze walked over, his grin wide enough to show off his fangs.

“Well done! Very well done, indeed,” the General clapped, laughing. “What a wonderful end to a fortnight visit. I hope you both find your way safely back to your families.”

I shook out my coat, sneezing as a light breeze blew a bit of dust into my nose. Laughter echoed around me, but I was still riding the high of the win. After I shifted back, the whole camp held a sendoff banquet with a bunch of dishes I couldn’t name, but totally enjoyed.

Now, as I dozed next to Vincent on the plane back to our home, I smiled. “It was fun.”

“Not for a long time, but it was definitely a good time,” he agreed.

“So… why did you really show up like that?” I pressed, wanting to know.

Ever seen a vampire blush? No? Let me fill you in!

They flushed to an almost human colour. If they were light-skinned in life, they turned pinkish. If they were dark-skinned in life, then they turned a brownish shade with red undertones.

“I… wasn’t lying…” he stammered out. “I missed sparring with one of the few Werewolves I trust entirely.”

“You trust me?”

His mouth worked like a fish out of water. “Well, I, um… Y-yes? Is… is there some reason I shouldn’t?”

I let out a soft, breathy laugh, “I’m only teasing you, Vince. Wake me when we land, will you?”

“Sure, Jake. Sleep well, my friend,” he answered, settling back in his seat as we coasted through the dark skies.