Inheritance (The Dark Gifts) by Willow Cross Read Free Book Online Page B

yelping in pain, it sounded like the entire pack was in the kitchen tearing each other to shreds.
    Something hit the door again, and this time it did go flying off the hinges.  A large black wolf followed the broken pieces down the stairs.  Jason drew back, the hair on his back stood straight up.  Head lowered and ready to spring, he snarled.  The black wolf rose to its feet and turned to face the stairs, growling in warning to those who might decide to bring the fight down to the basement.  Jason’s head rose to sniff the air.  Turning to glance at Sarah, he joined the newcomer at the base of the steps.  The black wolf was huge, but still half the size of Jason, he stood teeth bared, waiting.
    There were many figures surrounding the basement door, all of them wolves.  They snarled and growled at each other as if arguing about what to do next.  The pack divided and a beautiful snow-white wolf began to slink down the stairs.  The protectors at the bottom of the stairs roared in warning.  Stopping, the white wolf raised its head, and released an ear-splitting howl. 
    A massive wave of teeth, claws, and fur rushed over and around the wolf.  In a split second, the two protectors were covered in adversaries.  The weight of the opposing forces knocked them to the ground.  Jason pushed up and shook, throwing three across the room.  They hit the walls with a dull thud and lay whimpering. 
    Three more snapped and bit the black guardian.  Bits of fur and flesh floated in the air.  He spun and grabbed a grey wolf by the throat before tossing it away like a rag doll.  Those who'd attacked Jason lay dazed on the ground.  He turned to help the guardian dispense the few remaining. 
    The white wolf stood on the stairs, salivating and howling as if giving orders to the mass of angry wolves. 
    Sarah’s terrified scream reverberated against the concrete walls, “Stop it!  Stop it right now.”
    As one, the entire pack became still.  The animals stood watching Sarah as if awaiting orders.  The white wolf whimpered and began moving down the stairs.  Sarah bellowed out, “I said stop!  What kind of family are you anyhow?  I have spent my whole life wanting a family, and now I have one, and they want to kill me?  What’s wrong with you people?” 
    The white wolf stood still as stone, its muscles tightened and relaxed only to tighten again.  The others in the room looked as if they were fighting her orders as well, but did not seem able to move.  Memories of Jason and how well he obeyed her, flashed through her mind. 
    “You have to listen to me don’t you?” she whispered in awe.  “That’s why you don’t want us here, because you have to do what I say.”  Sarah was dumbfounded.  In her heart, she knew these wolves would follow her every command.  Hesitantly, she ordered, “Sit.” 
    Each of them sat, some still growling, but obeying nevertheless. 
    “Jason, come here,” she ordered.  Sarah slowly opened the cage door and stepped out.
    Moving to her side, his eyes stayed focused on the others. 
    The pack crouched and snarled, fighting to break her hold on them. 
    Sarah had no doubt, worry, or fear.  Something about this felt right.  She knew they could not harm her without her permission.  Her body tingled with anticipation.  An overwhelming sense of power coursed through her veins.  “Oh shut up, and sit still.” 
    For the first time in her life, standing in the middle of vicious wolves who wanted her dead, she was completely sure of herself.  “Which one of you is Aunt Shana?”
    The white wolf snarled and tried to lunge forward, but was unable to break Sarah‘s hold.
    “And which one of you is Uncle Thomas?”
    Without looking at her, the black wolf barked.
    Sarah‘s lips twisted into a grin as she straightened her shoulders.  “The rest of you leave and do not come back here unless my brother and I ask you to.” 
    Thomas took up guard with Jason as the others filed up