Chapter 19

                                        

                                              
Draco was moving mechanically under Harry's instructions. He never resented the bond, though, but he was still shattered from their night together. While his mind was more stable, now, he felt raw and exposed. They were about to risk everything they had... test fate. No, Draco appreciated Harry's orders as he walked out to the "kennel". He had already sent Granger and Weasley the time and place.
Raulf greeted him. "Lord Malfoy."
Draco smirked. So easy was it to assume the mantle of his father, regardless of whether the old man was alive or not. "How's my other pet?"
"Weak, my lord," Raulf said. 
Draco noted that the werewolf was looking weak, himself. The house wards kept them all prisoner. However, with Draco's ascension to Lord Malfoy, he was in charge of the wards. He also wasn't bound by the Mark anymore to stay or make anyone else stay, like his father had been. The wolves also didn't have the Mark. The wards kept them here. There were cages inside the kennel for when the moon came.
"Summon your pack," Draco ordered, and they walked into the kennel.
Four werewolves in all remained. Two had been killed since the captivity started. Draco imagined that Greyback had done it during the full moon. The Alpha wolf was a rapist, even in his wolf form, and took the others violently. The weakest didn't survive, so all they had been tortured in some way by Fenrir. Draco checked that Greyback was still out of commission, which he was. The wolves had taken their revenge.
When the wolves assembled, Draco stood next to Raulf. "Is it freedom you want?"
The wolves looked stunned at his question, and Raulf, the new alpha, was afraid. "My lord... we would never betray the D-Dark Lord... please!"
Draco waved his hand, dismissively. "Tomorrow at nightfall... the wards will fall. There is your only opportunity to escape."
The wolves collectively dropped their scarred jaws. "Escape?"
"Yes. Or stay here and continue being slaves. The Dark Lord will install Greyback back as head of the pack. Do you want that?"
The wolves all flinched and looked actively distressed. Raulf muttered, "I thought... you did that... gave him to us...."
"I am not the Dark Lord... but I am free of him, now. You know what Greyback did to me... and no one stopped it. I know what he did to you all and I didn't stop it either. He's a monster, like the Dark Lord. Greyback has his uses... this is what the Dark Lord said. He wants the beast to hurt people... keep them in line. You have no Marks... you have sworn no oaths... you remain on his side for what? To be playthings for Fenrir?"
The wolves hissed angrily. "No!"
"Then why? Greyback brought you here. He can find you, but the Dark Lord... doesn't even know your names. You are only dogs to him."
The growling grew. They did not like that.
"So, my question is... do you want freedom? I'm offering it to you."
Raulf looked at his packmates. "This isn't a test?"
"No. It's an alliance. I plan on making my move. If you don't want to be enslaved by Greyback, killed by me or my allies, or imprisoned in Azkaban after the dust settles... I suggest you leave at sundown. This will be your only chance to run. The Dark Lord will fall or he will win tomorrow, and you'll only have those options: death, slavery, or imprisonment if you stay. I'm offering you all a fourth option. Run and be free. Escape this life. Greyback is the only one who will follow you."
The wolves glanced at the bleeding hulk that was their leader.
"It is your choice what to do with him. I won't kill him, so he might just be imprisoned. But I will have your answer. If you don't wish to risk betraying the Dark Lord, and want to trust in the Ministry, then I can imprison you all in the kennel."