“Are you alright?” she heard Lawrance asking, and she managed to give a weak nod.
“Get the healer!” Lawrance shouted to the guards. “And get Jake!”
“You are all making a mistake!” Zao shouted. “I am the general of the army. This is my job! She is my prisoner!”
“You have always been violent and aggressive,” Lawrance growled. “But today you have exceeded the limit!”
“What happened?” a deep, soothing voice said, and Jazz looked up. The man, Jake, stood in front of her.
“Zao went fucking maniac and started torturing the girl by electrocuting her through the chains!” Lawrance shouted, glaring at Zao.
Jake was staring at her, a look of fury on his face. He reached forward and placed his hand on her cheek, gently cupping it.
“It’s alright,” he whispered. “He won’t hurt you again. I promise.”
The last thing Jazz saw was the bright green eyes looking into hers and then she blacked out.
Chapter 4
Jake
Jake had always tried to be kind and compassionate towards his clan. The clan leaders before him, especially his father, had believed in being almost dictatorial in their leadership. They believed that as the alpha male of the clan, they had to always exert their power over others. Jake, on the other hand, had a different ideology; he believed in earning the respect and loyalty of his pack.
Despite his belief, there were times when he was forced to act against his ideology. This was one of those times.
“How dare you?” Jake said, his voice low and threatening. Every bear within the room shivered under the force of Jake’s voice. “How dare you go against my explicit orders?”
“I have been a general of your army for over 30 years,” Zao said, staring him in the eye. “I worked with your father, and I have been protecting this clan longer than you have been alive. When your father was alive, no one would have dared to come out after the ruby. His terror and fear were so great that no one could have even imagined such a feat! You are weak! And you are the reason this clan is weak!”
“I know my father advocated torture and controlling everyone through fear,” Jake said. Even though his voice was calmer than Zao’s, every bear felt the threat of his words. “I also know that you know how much I detest it!”
Jake walked over till he was standing face to face with Zao. His broad shoulders and tall height allowed him to loom over the general, exerting his dominance. “I am your leader!” Jake roared. “My father is dead! I am your leader and you will obey me!”
“I was watching out for this clan!” Zao roars. “I was doing what was necessary to get us that information! Torture is the only way to get our answers! The fire ruby is our sacred gem and any who dared take it should feel the full wrath of our fury!”
“What you did Zao, was out of line!” Jake said, glaring at him. “Many times before, you have been unnecessarily aggressive and violent towards our clan! The girl did not deserve the level of pain you inflicted. Especially because there are many ways to get out information.”
“You are a weak leader,” Zao said, through clenched teeth. “I refuse to accept you as my bear mage!”
Jake stared at the man, aware that he had just been challenged. He was strictly against the duel of death, which was the only way a bear can challenge their leader. He felt it brought unnecessary bloodshed that could easily be avoided. And yet, if he failed to prove that he was the alpha male, the clan would refuse to follow him, despite his kindness and compassion.
“I challenge you the duel of the death!” Zao snarled, his eyes widening. “I challenge you for the rank of clan leader of the Akai bear clan!”
A deafening silence followed this statement. Every bear watched quietly as the two powerful bears of the clan stood head to head. It was well-known that Jake was one of the most powerful bears. He was born as the alpha, which meant that by birth he had certain advantages over the rest of the clan. What made him lethal was the years of relentless training and hard work he had put in.
Despite all this, Zao was a very serious threat. He was far more experienced in combat than Jake and had fought many battles. Jake narrowed his eyes as he thought it over. Once the challenge had been extended, it could not be refused. Such was the way of the Akai clan.
“I accept,” Jake said, his voice vicious.
∞∞∞
Jake stood in his shorts on one corner of the large hall within the Akai mansion. His opponent stood on the other side, glaring at him.
War master, Jalai, stood in the middle.
“One- two- three-.” He counted. “Badala!” he ordered, saying the ancient order to shift.
Jake let free the bear within his heart, letting the power rush over his body. His body started to change and contort as he landed on all four legs. His claws grew and his fangs erupted, as his body became covered in a coat of grey hair. He stood up on his two legs and roared at his opponent, who had likewise shifted into a bear.
