Smackdown: Cornick vs. Danvers

Bantam Spectra hosts a smack down on Twitter between characters as diverse as Captain Kirk (Star Trek) versus Captain Mal (Firefly) and more. So borrowing a leaf from his playbook, I want to have some fun over the next few weeks in a smack down of our own. I will post the contestants and my thoughts, you get to vote and post your own. Commentators are automatically entered in a drawing for a special prize. Also, don’t miss tomorrow’s Snips and Clips where the Daily Dose Holiday Giveaway will be announced!

Smackdown: Shape Shifters in the Ring

For our inaugural Smack Down we’re looking at shape shifters, specifically werewolves because there are many other types of shifters out there. First two contestants: Clayton Danvers (Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Other World) and Charles Cornick (Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series).

The Wolves in Question

Clayton Danvers is the beta of the North American pack. He is a vicious fighter with a feared reputation that he cultivated in order to protect Jeremy, his chosen alpha and father. Clayton is unique amongst the werewolves; he chose to be bitten as a very young child and lived in the swamps of Louisiana, a wild boy. Jeremy tamed him, brought him home and raised him. Clayton will kill anyone who challenges Jeremy.

Charles Cornick is the beta of the Marrok’s pack – which includes all werewolf packs in North America. His father is the alpha of alphas and Charles is his enforcer. Charles is over 200 years old and unique in that he is a born werewolf. His mother died giving birth to him because she used magic to hold off her change for the nine months it took to carry him to term. Charles is gifted with a second sight, an ability to hear the spirits and an unmatched tracking ability. He is also feared because he is a powerful fighter.

Wolves in Love

Clayton met Elena Danvers while she was in college. They dated, they fell in love and he brought her home to meet Jeremy. For Clayton, Elena was everything, the perfect mate. When he feared that Jeremy would send her away (it isn’t terribly usual for wolves to marry the mothers of their offspring, they usually just take their sons and raise them), he shifted and bit Elena – infecting her with the virus and earning banishment from Stone Haven, his home, while Jeremy tended to her. Elena’s transformation from human to werewolf was terrible, visceral and took her years to acclimate, too. It also made her unique because in the Pack werewolves are born, they are always boys and even bitten women do not survive the change that happens to them. However, Elena is stronger than most, Clayton created his mate.

Charles met Anna on a mission for his father in Chicago. Anna is the rarest of the rare, an Omega. She stands outside the pack with all the protective instincts of an alpha but with none of the aggression. Anna’s systematic abuse by her pack sends Charles’ protective instincts into overdrive. His inner wolf takes one look at her and chooses her for a mate. Anna’s adjustment to life with the Marrok’s pack requires healing emotional wounds and acclimating herself to her own abilities and to the passion she feels for Charles.

Wolf Pack

Clayton deals with mutts with Elena by his side. The pair shares twins, including a daughter named Kate who was born like a werewolf, just like her brother. Clayton’s position in the pack remains unchanged, even as Jeremy grooms Elena to be Alpha, a position the Pack confers on someone, not one they take.

Charles and Anna are learning how to be a couple, how to be in love and how to balance their need to protect and Charles’ work as his father’s enforcer with his need to shield and protect Anna. Although Anna can never have children (Briggs’ werewolf females typically can’t), she and Charles are very happy together. Charles will be forever his father’s second, unless Bran dies which would create a vicious power vacuum in the world Briggs has created.

Let the Smack Down Begin

Which wolf is the better wolf? Which wolf is the strongest wolf? Who could take whom in a fight? You decide who wins this smack down for you. Remember, every comment is automatically entered to win a novel by either Ms. Briggs or Ms. Armstrong – so let the best wolf win.

Winner announced next Saturday. Please be sure to note if you have a preference for a future smack down!

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A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book Remembering Ashby is available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban fantasy: Prime Evil. The Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather enjoys.

All comments on Fresh Fiction will also be entered in the contest to win a book from or Kalley Armstrong!