TITLE: Icarus Manor, chapter 24

AUTHOR: lillywhite1, but you can call me Casey.

SUMMARY: In a mysterious mansion in a secluded part of North America, a man 
discovers that he is far from alone in the world. Here at Icarus Manor several species of 
non-human description live together to survive in a world that does not know they exist. 
LAST CHAPTER: William gains enough of a hold on reality to sense Dominic is in 
trouble. Sean is given the mission of saving Dominic. Elijah discovers Orlando’s illness 
and convinces him to see Viggo about it. THIS CHAPTER: Sean attends the howl and 
fights his brother to the death.

PAIRING: DM/BB, hints of EW/SA and now OB/VM

RATING: R

FEEDBACK: is my neutella on a spoon that makes me go all gooey and melty and 
mmmmm...

A/N: Text in asterisks (*) represents italics indicating remembering, creepy voice, 
thoughts, or general emphasis. This is a book and a work in progress. Be gentle. 
Comments to cswann1@gmail.com.

Chapter 24

Dominic paced back and forth down the short length of Astrid’s trailer. The full moon 
was climbing towards the peak of its path across the black sky, and he was due at the 
howling grounds in twenty minutes. Tonight was the night.

He gingerly tossed a small vial of liquid between his hands as he paced. Mrs. Avery had 
been by a few hours ago, her arm still in a sling, but at least the bruises were nearly gone. 
She had smiled at him, offering him the vial.

“My grandmother used to make these. It’s for protection. You rub it on your skin before 
you shift.” She’d placed the glass tube in his hand, as if passing an ancient torch down 
from her ancestors. “It’s mostly olive oil, but it couldn’t hurt to have a little luck.” She’d 
smiled sweetly and hugged him before she left. 

They were all under strict written instructions not to congregate before the howl. Jeremy 
wrote them each a note explaining that it was unwise to distinguish themselves as 
enemies of Richard quite yet. It would give Richard an advantage if he knew their exact 
number. He had burned the note as instructed.

So they had left him all alone with his thoughts, his worries, and his fears; pacing like a 
fool, tossing a vial of olive oil between his hands with seventeen minutes to kill. 

It was now that he thought of all the little things he could have done to better prepare 
himself for this night. He knew he should have trained a bit, though with a month to do 
so, what could have really been done? Richard would always be faster and stronger than 
him. Dominic was just hoping Richard was too nerve-wracked and paranoid to keep his 
mind on the fight, affording Dominic a slight advantage. Dom at least had the advantage 
of being healthier and in a saner state of mind. 

*Who am I kidding?* Dominic rubbed his eyes with his palms. *I would lose to Richard 
any day.* It was a good thing he had a significant number of backers. It was bad that 
there were, at best, twenty of them. Given there were about sixty in the pack, not 
counting the children, that left a large fraction of able-bodied wolves that could very 
suddenly form an army and crush their little rebellion without breaking a sweat. In such 
an event, Dominic hoped that Jeremy would do the right thing and back down. As much 
of a monster as his brother had become, certain death at the hands of your family was not 
a better alternative to his rule. They had a better chance of beating them in Counsel 
Court. But even there, Richard had his supporters.

Dominic sat down and breathed deeply to calm himself. This really was the only way. He 
knew Jeremy would fight to the death for the rebellion, and he would fight beside him all 
the way, he just wished he could see his friends one more time before he gave his life in 
this grossly unbalanced battle. He missed Elijah, Orlando, and Viggo, and the fairies that 
had befriended him the first day working on the grounds. He even kind of missed the 
dusty book foggles. He missed the smell of the cold stone walls of the lower hallways. He 
missed the way he had felt so welcome at Icarus. But most of all, he missed William. 
God, if he could only hold him one more time and tell him that he was sorry for leaving 
and sorry for breaking his promise and sorry he had to go and get himself killed. He 
would have given anything for that. 

He pushed all thoughts of regret and hopelessness out of his mind. Even though all he 
wanted to do right now was sink into despair, he couldn’t let that happen. He had to focus 
on the fight. He had to stay sharp and not let his thoughts wander. He removed his shirt 
and jeans and placed them neatly on the window seat. He pried the top off the vial off and 
poured the charm into his palm rubbing it between his hands before smoothing it over his 
bare skin. It tingled warmly as he applied it. Then it was off to the howling grounds to 
meet his fate. 

It was cold outside, but the charmed oil over his skin helped a bit. He let his werewolf 
coat spring forth to warm him as he walked through the underbrush and deeper into the 
woods. There was not a soul around. It was eerily quiet in the woods. It seemed even the 
native flora and fauna were avoiding the grizzly scene about to unfold. Dominic gazed up 
at the moon, sending a quiet prayer to the Goddess to protect him. The full moon stared 
stoically back at him, and he began to feel the change. His knees itched as they popped 
back into the wolf pose. Dominic fell to all fours with an “oof,” catching himself on wolf 
paws. His face tingled and the wolf snout elongated. His teeth became fierce and 
suddenly he felt a rush of confidence. He trotted to a run and appeared at the howl in no 
time.

The torches surrounding the arena were burning bright. As a rule, werewolves didn’t like 
to use fire, but at the howling grounds it was traditional. Richard was already there, 
sitting patiently at his end of the ring, before his throne. Fully transformed, Dominic 
noticed his blonde pelt was speckled with a few grey spots. Perhaps being the alpha in 
such a dark time was too much for him after all. Richard stared down his snout at his 
younger brother, ready for the fight.

Dominic plodded defiantly towards the other end of the arena, his wolf-mouth a sneer of 
disgust. The grit of the dirt felt delicious under his pads in a very primeval way. He 
strained to keep his heart from racing. These were moments that showed you what you 
were made of, and every wolf lived for them. He turned his head slowly from side to side 
surveying the crowd about him. All in attendance held their breath in anticipation. Their 
eyes were fixed and all tongues still in silent prayer.

Then Richard lifted his head to the sky and let loose a deep howl. Dominic howled a rich 
baritone, the notes intertwining and mingling with the rest of the crowd as they joined in. 
The contestants were ready. That was the signal.

Richard growled in a low bow showing every slick tooth. His blonde head held near to 
the ground in the utmost show of aggression. Dominic raked his claws along the dirt and 
sent it flying, baring his teeth for all they were worth. His hackles up, he charged his 
brother with startling speed planning to land a solid blow with his shoulder, but Richard 
opened his mouth and attempted to graze Dominic as he sidestepped the charge. Dominic 
dove low to avoid the gaping mouth of teeth and took out Richard’s two left legs. Richard 
fell, but rolled to stand again. He faked left, charged right, barreling into Dominic’s ribs. 
Goddamn he was fast.

Dominic had to get up quickly, and as he gained his footing, felt the whoosh of air as 
Richard’s jaws barely missed his throat. That was a big target in wolf fights. If one could 
get their jaw around another’s throat, the other had to submit, for it was a cocked gun to 
the temple – checkmate – and the bite always killed. It was called the Deathlock, and it 
was to be avoided at all costs.

Dominic swiveled and came up on Richard from behind, snapping exceptionally close to 
his flanks. He growled in frustration, and dodged right as Richard pivoted to charge 
again. It was just a matter of time until someone drew blood.

Dominic breathed hard as his teeth swiped and missed yet again. Jeremy was sure letting 
him fight his own battle, and he was glad of it, however, if Jeremy and the rest of the 
rebels were to join in, he would need some strength to hold his own in a brawl. Dominic 
was not paying enough attention when Richard slid low and bit down momentarily on his 
front paw. Dominic yelped. The skin was torn, but the bones were intact. Thank God for 
that.

Richard paused to lick Dominic’s blood from his wolfish grin. Dominic hopped on this 
three uninjured legs and fought to keep a clear head. Richard charged straight for him, 
knocking his right front leg out from underneath him.  Dominic fell, straining to get to his 
feet he looked about him again, this time for Jeremy. Dominic bobbed on tired paws 
avoiding another charge and searching for Jeremy. He didn’t want the fight interrupted 
yet. He didn’t want his injury to be taken as defeat, but as he discovered more and more 
anxious faces, he realized that not a single one of the rebels was here. At first he thought 
they were just well hidden, but to his utter horror found that not a soul surrounding him 
was on his side. The panic threatened to overtake him as his older brother circled. 

Richard chuckled deviously low in a voice barely human, “Don’t worry, we won’t have 
any unwanted interlopers in this fight.” He snapped his jaws at flank, throat and limb 
alike, terrorizing Dominic. 

“What have you done?”

“I’ve ensured myself the rank of Alpha and the respect of the entire pack. Don’t worry, 
little brother,” Richard’s eyes grinned in triumph, “I won’t make this too painful.”	

Richard pounced, claws out and Dominic was too slow to dodge this time. Several 
searing nails struck deep into his side, and he was knocked down, this time for good. 
Richard snapped his jaws shut on Dominic’s windpipe, choking him, and then releasing 
him. The flesh was raked from his back with tooth and nail alike. This was torture. This 
was a game to Richard. Dominic’s life’s blood leaked slowly from his open wounds. 

“YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CHALLENGE ME?!” Richard 
addressed the crowd with a bloodied muzzle. Then he held true to his promise and kept 
Dominic’s death from him no longer. He zoomed in for the crushing blow, and as 
Dominic felt hot wolf-breath on his throat yet again, there was a sudden yelp from his 
attacker and Dominic saw a blonde wolf tackle Richard to the ground. More wolves 
rushed the battled ground including his sister and Jeremy.

They were here. They were finally here. The pack was safe. His part was done, and he 
was so tired. So he laid his weary head down on the ground and closed his eyes in bliss.
~

Jeremy touched down in the dirt circle with barely a sound. Shoulder to shoulder the 
rebels stood, growling their defiance, challenging their enemy. Richard mocked them 
with a snort and beckoned to his goons. At least seven large wolves joined him, but the 
rest of the pack remained on the sidelines. That was a great sign.

Jeremy flexed his powerful shoulder muscles, examining the seven new competitors 
quickly. He recognized Drew McAddams immediately. Easy shot there. He’d had knee 
surgery less than a year ago. He’d go down no problem. Jules Swensen had weak wrists; 
he’d aim low and in front. He’d bet the ankles weren’t too strong either. The third one he 
didn’t recognize, but saw how he carried himself to one side more than another; lefty 
with less than perfect sight. Good.

They stood ready; Richard gave the signal and they rushed in. Jeremy ran full tilt at Jules. 
Jules smirked arrogantly, easily twice Jeremy’s size, and waited for his victim to come to 
him. Jeremy slid low at the last second, taking out Jules’ front paws with a small snap 
heard echoing through the trees and a scream to follow. He limped out of the ring as 
Jeremy turned to face the ring again. Drew McAddams had toppled one of his own 
beloved rebels, and his fate was sealed quickly. Jeremy butted him clean off Charlie and 
placed his jaws securely about Drew’s weak knee. The threat was recognized, and Drew 
yielded with a yelp and a whimper. Two down. Who was left?

Charlie rejoined the fighting as Jeremy searched the fray for his next target. They’d lost 
three so far, but were still the larger force by six or so strong wolves. Then Jeremy saw 
his next target across the arena. Richard was staring at him, waiting. They remained 
locked in that hateful gaze for what seemed like too long before Richard charged. Jeremy 
propelled himself forward, passing all the ground he could under his four blonde paws. 
As the two came nearer they jumped into the air, colliding with force as Jeremy forced 
his leg into Richard’s abdomen. Richard fell, winded. Jeremy grinned a victory and began 
to approach is fallen foe when a sharp pain in his back leg stopped him short. The leg 
came out from underneath him, unable to support weight. A quick examination revealed 
that Richard had gotten a blow in mid-air, landing a solid swipe across Jeremy’s right 
thigh. Fuck.

Richard laughed at him as he rose off the dirt, staggering. Jeremy tackled him down again 
growling and barking wildly. Claws sung through the air to sting on werewolf hide as 
they ripped at each other. Jeremy dove for Richard’s neck between frantic scrabbling 
paws. Sharp pains appeared mercilessly from all areas as Richard fought tooth and nail –
all human thought gone as he struggled for the win—when finally Jeremy’s teeth closed 
solidly over his vulnerable throat.

As if by instinct, all werewolves turned their attention on the fallen alpha with his neck in 
the Deathlock. The fighting halted; the warriors realized their part was over. Low and 
strong, the hum was heard. The approving hum that granted permission to kill was rising 
through the crowd. A few barks of protest were sounded off, but lost in the trees. The 
hum carried on coursing up Jeremy’s limbs, elating him just a little. Now it was his 
choice to take the life or not. It was intoxicating and his jaws began to close. Richard 
choked and the two locked eyes: victor and victim. Richard should have been pleading 
for his life, but his eyes were resolute and unapologetic. Jeremy glanced briefly at Astrid 
who hesitated, her stormy blue eyes filled with tears before she nodded, giving in to the 
pack and what was most likely the better choice. 

Jeremy closed his black eyes and bit down hard, blood gushing into his mouth. The awful 
choking gasping noise as Richard was released to the ground silenced the pack, and for a 
few seconds Richard struggled then died. This blood formed a red pool about him. His 
desperate hands drew away from his gaping throat, and he exhaled his final breath on 
Earth.

Jeremy took a good hard look at each of the wolves that had been an enemy in the arena, 
searching for a challenge in their faces. He found none. They all bowed their heads in 
submission to him, the new Alpha.

He raised his snout to the moon in howling salute. The pack echoed their allegiance to 
him. A glorious, triumphant sound it bounced off the trees and was magnified ten fold: a 
howl from the ancestors and a welcome omen.

Jeremy Andrews lowered his head as the pack fell to a low, respectful bow. This was now 
his domain; his responsibility and curse. Each one of these wolves looked to him now in 
a dark time and it was up to him not to let them down. Thankfully, he’d been counting on 
winning; he had a plan.

The fight well over, Jeremy shifted back to his human form: knees popped forward 
meeting quietly with dirt and crushed pine needles, teeth retracted, snout subdued he rose 
on two feet ready to speak to his people.

“Sir?” Charlie approached him and bowed.

“What’s the damage?”

“We’re fine. Mostly scratches, some deep, but...” Charlie swallowed hard.

“But what?” Jeremy’s black eyes searched the crowd. Then he found them: Astrid with 
tears in her eyes, not over Richard, but poor Dominic lying in a broken heap. His pale 
human skin a map of bruises and deep wounds from teeth and nail alike; his neck covered 
in blood with visible punctures; his eyes open, but focusing on nothing of *this* world.
~
Thanks for reading! Please email comments to cswann1@gmail.com.