Chapter 5

Theo kept pace with him as they followed the Pongs out of the club. You've gone and pissed her off, haven't you? he thought.

"Do I detect criticism?" Gabriel raised a brow.

Theo shrugged, his face taking on a rare, serious look. If it comes to I fight, I will take your place.

Gabriel laughed, drawing several eyes as they stepped out of the back door of the club. "Don't be dramatic, Theo. It doesn't suit you." He looked around the strangely quiet street, noting that there were no cars about, nor were there any humans to be seen. The lights of the stores were on, the signs above them blazing with color, but everyone had been cleared.

"They are almost here," Daniel reported. 

Rosabelle clapped her hands with approval. "Excellent, and where is Zhang Wei?"

"I'm here, Alpha." The wolf called Zhang Wei stepped forward. Gabriel watched the lanky young man with the diamond shaped mole under his left eye, bow to his Alpha. Despite being in his early twenties, the werewolf's power was palpable; he was an Alpha-born. 

There were times when two Alphas were born into the same Pack. When that happened, a contest would be held and the loser had two choices; bind his wolf and lock the Alpha power away or leave the Pack for good. If the Alpha-born chose to leave, he could try starting his own Pack or live as a Rogue; alone.

But what was this Alpha-born doing in Rosabelle's Pack? He was still young and nowhere near as powerful as her, but he would grow stronger and she was not the kind to allow for anyone to compete with her.

Seeing his surprise, Rosabelle grinned. "Zhang Wei was born into the Lee Pack, but recently found himself in need of some support."

Support? Gabriel frowned trying to imagine what Rosabelle was thinking. The Lee family's territory was in north west China and they rarely made contact with other packs. Still, they were an affluent Pack with a vast amount of territory...She couldn't be thinking of fighting them and placing Zhang Wei as a puppet Alpha? A look at Rosabelle's half-smile told him she could.

Such actions would not be allowed by the Lupus Corp - but neither the Pongs nor the Lee's were member Packs. While the idea of werewolf deaths grated on his nerves, he had no right to interfere in any of it. Now if the Lee pack joined Lupus United... 

"Alpha," Zhang Wei bowed in his direction. Gabriel accepted the show of deference with a nod.

"Our Zhang Wei here was the fastest wolf in the Lee pack," Rosabelle trailed her hand over the wolf's shoulders as she moved around the man. "Now, he is the fastest wolf in our pack. In fact, no one in all of China has outrun him yet."

A race? Gabriel was puzzled at how simple her test had turned out to be. Was this really all she wanted?

"The invincibility of the Moncrief Alpha is legendary," Rosabelle continued. Then she turned to her pack members. "Wouldn't we love to see our legendary Zhang Wei race the great Moncrief Alpha?" A cheer rose from the crowd, the pitch rising as two red Ferrari's turned onto the street.

Theo stepped up beside him, his smile fake: Let me run for you.

"Do you think you're faster than me?" Gabriel whispered, amused.

Hell, I know you can run circles around me, but he is Alpha-born and his gift is obviously extreme speed. The Pongs are just trying to embarrass you.

The wolves around them were getting more boisterous, their excitement at getting to watch two Alphas race, growing by the minute.

"Your lack of faith wounds me," Gabriel shook his head sadly at his cousin, then he turned to Rosabelle and raised his voice. "Rules?"

"The streets have been cleared and CCTV disabled." Rosabelle pointed at the two cars, her smile wide. "The rules are simple. Those two cars will escort you around the block. Stay on the street and get back to the start-line first."

Gabriel saw the look Rosabelle gave Zhang Wei and understood why she had not put any other rules. She wanted the young one to beat Gabriel no matter what he had to do. Theo was right, she did want him embarrassed. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Now that the test had been laid out, Gabriel wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. Cheers rose as he began to remove his shirt. The excitement rose as Zhang Wei joined him in removing his clothes. Taking his pack ring off, Gabriel strung it through the long silver chain all Royals carried with them and hung it around his neck. Now naked, he looked to Theo who had gathered his clothes in a heap.

"Fold those will you? I don't want them creased."

His cousin snorted, then Gabriel let his wolf rise, feeling the beast emerge as his body transformed. In seconds he was looking through the eyes of a sleek silver wolf, breathing the scents of the city through its nose. Wide eyes stared at his new form, transfixed. The full extent of his power was palpable now, his pull driving the weaker werewolves into a frenzy. Several of them changed, howling into the sky with complete abandon.

Rosabelle recovered from her own surprise, then she held up her hand, controlling her pack with the force of her will. "Silence!"

The crowd calmed and Zhang Wei, now a brown wolf of considerable size, led the way to the start-line. The drivers of the cars warmed their engines, making a great racket as the spectators moved aside. Gabriel took his position beside the brown wolf and watched as Rosabelle stepped out onto the road, holding her hands up to the sky. Her short dress rode high on her hips and the street lights bounced off her bejeweled talons. Her eyes locked with Gabriel's for an instant, her brows rising high before she brought her hands down, signaling the start of the race.

Gabriel's muscles rejoiced at the rare opportunity for abandon. He ran, keeping his head low as his feet ate up the ground. Zhang Wei drew up beside him, then pulled a foot ahead. He was fast, very fast.

The Ferrari drivers clung to their breaks as the cars swerved at the end of the street. Gabriel took the corner smoothly, drawing even with the brown wolf, but stopping short from passing him. If they went head to head, with no rules and his Alpha to impress, there was no telling if Zhang Wei would turn the race into a fight. Gabriel had no desire to get blood on his hands.

They rounded the second corner, Gabriel allowing the gap between them to widen as he watched the movements of the cars. The car on his left skid at a thirty-degree angle as they rounded yet another corner, the one on his right did the same.

They were onto the last stretch now, the finish line just beyond the next bend. Lowering his body, Gabriel focused on his breathing and pushed his muscles to move. Faster and faster, just before they reached the turn, he drew even with a surprised Zhang Wei and then he pushed off the ground.

The Ferrari on his left side, turning to face the waiting crowds as Gabriel's feet touched its passenger door and he pushed off with all his strength. The Pong werewolves howled in admiration as Gabriel flew through the air, spinning once before he landed on his feet in front of Zhang Wei and crossed the finishing line.

"Yeah!" Theo's shout was heard over the sudden silence. Rosabelle was standing at the center of her pack, her fist raised in command. She walked slowly, reaching Gabriel's side just as he finished his transformation. His body was covered in sweat, streaks of black hair falling across his face.

"You look disappointed," he said when Rosabelle did not speak.

She cast a sideways look at Zhang Wei who was now back in his human form and throwing on clothes. "With him," she agreed. Then she faced Gabriel once more. "If you need our support in your elections, the Pongs will stand by you."

Gabriel gave a short bow in appreciation, his eyes catching the street-lights and turning a fiery blue. "On behalf of the Moncrief Pack, I thank you."

Rosabelle gave him a sharp nod, then headed back into the club, her Pack trailing after her. Theo pushed past several departing wolves to reach his side, then offered him his clothes.

"I would compliment you, but it might be detrimental to your health for your ego to grow any bigger."

Gabriel stepped into his jeans. "You can't stop being a smart ass for a single second, can you?"

Theo pressed his hands against his chest in mock dismay. "I am just your humble servant, how would I dare..."

"OK then humble servant, run and get our car," Gabriel slipped his pack ring back on his finger. "Your master needs a shower."