When The Fur Flies (11 page)

“Is that what you think this is?”

“I think Allison is a strong spirit who has a knack for finding trouble. Her parents’ deaths changed her from a loving child full of hope to an awkward teen that had no ties to the living. She has been a constant worry for me. I’m relieved to know she has you to protect her. There is just one thing I must know, Reginald. Do you love her?”

“That’s not a question I expected from you, Keeper.” He folded his arms over his chest and gave her a fierce look that should have intimidated her. It didn’t. Alexa tilted her head as she gave him her best smile.

“I’m not speaking as the Keeper of the Treaty now, Alpha. I’m asking you if you truly love my little cousin. If you don’t love her as a woman deserves to be loved by her mate, then I will take her off your hands right now.”

Reginald narrowed his eyes as he thought about her ultimatum. Here was his chance to get out of a mating that would bring him loads of trouble. His pack didn’t approve of him making a Witch his Alphina; there was bound to be more pressure from O’Mallery and the TSC. Add to that the bloodsuckers who were probably already planning an attack to take her from him and there were far more logical reasons for him to release her from his mating than there were for him to keep her.

He heaved a heavy sigh as he pushed a hand through his hair to rub at the tight muscles in his neck. He was damned if he could understand what it was about this one little Witch that made his Wolf side willing to fight to the death to keep her, but he’d lived his life listening to the animal within. He wasn’t about to stop now.

“I can’t tell you that I love her. I don’t know her well enough, yet. I can tell you that I will give my last breath to protect her. She’s my mate. I won’t allow you or anyone else take her from me.”

“You are a goner, Alpha Leclair.” The Keeper’s moss-green eyes danced with amusement even as her face stayed placid. “The decision to face war for a love is not one to be entered into lightly,” she warned him.

“I will protect what is mine, Keeper.”

“You will protect her because she is your mate? That is a lame excuse to get out of accepting your feelings, Alpha. Fortunately, you have accepted her as your mate. It is enough for me. I guess you should take me to your new Alphina, then.”

“I don’t know if that is advisable. She’s not prepared for your visit.” His mind went to the high fever she’d been experiencing since he bit her. “She’s not been well.”

“Ah, the change,” Alexa said, nodding her head in understanding. “You realize there is no way to predict how your DNA is going to react with her own chemical makeup. Better take me to her, then. I would like to see if I can ease her discomfort.”

“She is not an experiment to be dissected for further study.” His low, protective growl didn’t make her flinch as it would others of weaker will. Alexa simply tilted her dark head in a sympathetic gesture.

“You worry for her. I see this in your demeanor, Reginald. I may be able to ease the effects of the change for her. Let me help you both, please.”

“You already have. O’Mallery wants her head on a platter.” He was still trying to ignore his need to tear into the High Priest’s pompous throat.

“The High Priest is a constant concern. He has grown hard in his old age. Allison defied him when it would have been easier to give in. My cousin has a strong stubborn streak.”

“On that, we both agree.” Reginald smiled as he opened the door for her.

“I wouldn’t want her any other way,” she remarked as she went with him into the hallway.

“Nor would I, Keeper.”

Chapter Nine

“All right, so I’m going to get my ass whipped in a competition with a female bitch on steroids.” Allison sat on the leather couch after changing into a pair of Reginald’s shorts and another of his T-shirts. Her hair was wet, but drying at least. Her new Mother-in-Wolven-Law sat in the matching recliner with her bare feet tucked underneath her.

“We don’t like the word, ‘bitch.’ It’s like us calling your people ‘wickers.’” Yasmina shrugged a shoulder. Allison smiled, recognizing the taunt referring to the wicked Witch from the movie. Wickers were evil Witches with no souls or brains.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize completely. I think Hester can be a bitch. There’s no love lost between us. She’s been sniffing after Reginald forever. I’m glad he didn’t succumb to pack pressure and take her to mate. My son deserves better. He’s done wonders for this pack and made many improvements in the way we live and support ourselves.”

“I’d say.” Allison looked up at the big television. “I didn’t expect the lower levels of the Den would be so—”

“Modern?” Yasmina smiled.

“Yes, but it’s also very elegant. How exactly does he afford all of this? That coffee table alone has to be an antique worth far more than my apartment building.”

“You don’t know, then.” Yasmina smiled as she shook her head. “He might want to tell you himself, or he might want to keep you in the dark with the ability to wonder what criminal activities he used to get them. I would rather just tell you. Have you ever heard of Lupine Securities?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Their logo is a howling Wolf with a quarter moon.” At Allison’s blank look, Yasmina laughed. “I suppose you wouldn’t have any need of a security system with all your powers.”

“Are you telling me he works for a security company?”

“No, dear. I’m telling you he owns Lupine Security. He not only has private contracts for banks and museums across the world, but he also has dealings with the government and military bases.”

“That explains the painting.” Allison thought back to her comment earlier that morning when she’d out right accused him of preying on humans for the pack’s livelihood. Guilt made her cheeks heat and her gut twist sickeningly.

“Are you feeling all right, dear?” Yasmina was out of her chair in a blur. Her hand felt cold to the touch as it landed on Allison’s forehead. “You feel hot.”

“I’m fine, just tired. I didn’t know about Reginald’s company.”

“Most everyone in the pack works outside the Den. A bunch are employed by Reginald, but some are teachers, lawyers, chefs, and we even have a Medina City police officer. How did you think we were able to feed and clothe ourselves?”

“I thought that...” She owed her mate an apology. Damn it! “I was wrong.”

“I see.” Disapproval briefly flashed in Yasmina’s blue eyes before she looked away to reach for the television remote. She clicked it on the news and pointed to a riot going on in the Middle East. “Everywhere there is one occurrence that never fails to cause trouble. Do you know what that is, Allison?”

“No.”

“It is prejudice. One person isn’t the right color, one lives in the wrong area, one believes in a different God, or chooses to pray in a different way. Here, three species have lived in their own little worlds, fighting to survive a world spilling over with humankind. Prejudice is having a field day with every being on the planet. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all open our minds and hearts and take the time and opportunity to walk in each other’s shoes?”

“If I didn’t like you before, I love you now.” Allison meant it. She was humbled by Yasmina’s ability to think outside her pack. Here was a woman who observed with an inner patience. Allison would have to tell Reginald that her education had come from his mother. She smiled at the thought. He certainly wasn’t going to like that.

“I think your lunch has arrived. I hope you like soup.” As she spoke a soft knock came from the wooden door.

“Come in, Sophie.” Yasmina met a young girl of about fifteen at the door. She was pushing a metal cart with several covered dishes on it. “Sophie, this is our new Alphina, Allison. Allison, Sophie is training to be a chef.”

“So nice to meet you, Alphina Allison.” Sophie curtseyed fluidly with a sweet smile. “Our sense of smell and taste make us excellent chefs. I do hope you like the soup. I prepared it for you myself.” She uncovered the big bowl, took a spoon, dipped it in the soup, and tasted it.

“Thank you, Sophie. I’m sure we’ll enjoy it. Will you be having lunch with us?” Allison asked, uncertain as the girl placed her spoon in a napkin.

“Oh, no. Thank you, Alphina.” She looked surprised as she whipped around and disappeared out the door.

“Sophie tastes the food in front of the Alpha as well. This is a tradition, sort of a Wolven etiquette that was meant to keep the Alpha from being poisoned by his pack members. Don’t look so mortified, Allison.”

“Has there ever been an Alpha poisoning?” Allison swallowed hard as she eyed the cart with distrust.

“Probably or there wouldn’t be a need for the cooks to taste the food. It hasn’t happened since before I was born, though. And Reginald is loved and adored by his pack. There is no way they would ever allow him to come to harm within the Den. As his Alphina, you are now protected as well.”

“I’m just not as loved,” Allison joked.

“No, not yet. We’ll give them some time to come around. In the meantime, your mate is worried enough to have me stay with you. You are protected, dear. Don’t worry so much. Come, you need to eat, and we don’t want to let this delicious soup go to waste.”

A little while later Allison had finally convinced his mother to let her lie down for a bit after she forced her to eat a big bowl of soup and crackers. She’d been right. Sophie was an excellent cook. Allison could hear Yasmina quietly watching television in the living room, but at least for the time being she was alone. Alone to deal with this pain that kept coming back. She felt it building in waves of need ever since Reginald left her with his mother. It had to be because he wasn’t with her, touching her...

How could it be possible? What was his funky DNA doing to her now? It had already changed her eye color. She didn’t want to be an even bigger freak than she already was. His mother had eventually commented on her strange eyes, but after seeing her discomfort left the matter alone, but Allison felt her curious glance several times when the woman thought she wasn’t looking. “Ugh...” She hid her face in one of the fluffy white pillows and curled herself into a tight ball as her stomach cramped painfully. This was a million times worse than PMS for crying out loud!

There was a soft rap on the bedroom door. Allison bit down hard on her lower lip. She heard the rap louder and realized she’d need to respond before his mother came in to find her dying in her son’s big bed. Only his scent on the blankets eased the ache in her lower body, but it didn’t stop the way her insides were turning on themselves.

“I’m fine, Mother. I’m just tired.” She rolled over as the door opened, and the lights flicked on. She blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to the bright room. Her heart skipped a beat when she caught sight of the Keeper of the Treaty standing in the doorway. Her cousin was a lovely, welcome sight to behold. She tried to sit up, tried to unfold her arms from around her middle to greet her cousin properly.

“Alley cat!” Alexa moved without a sound across the floor and sat down next to her on the bed. Her gentle touch rested on Allison’s forehead, and her cold hand felt wonderful.

“You’re burning up, little cousin.” Alexa’s eyes showed her worry, and Allison forced a weak smile.

“I’ve really done it this time, Alexa dear. I’m dying whether it is from this mating with a Wolven or by the fangs of the Elder himself.” She closed her eyes tight as the pain ebbed higher.

“Don’t be so dramatic, cousin.” Alexa cupped her cheek softly. “I’ve gotten you out of worse situations.” Allison raised an eyebrow. Her spunky doubt made Alexa grin. “Okay, so this time your hormones might have gotten the better of you.”

“He is handsome, though. The sexy bastard mated me without my consent.” Allison shrugged a shoulder as she smiled.

“You couldn’t have chosen better, Alley Cat. He’s a good man, for a Wolven.”

“He is. Don’t tell him I admitted that. He’s arrogant enough without knowing I like him.”

“Yes, I see that. Your secret is safe with me, love.”

“Really?” She pushed the gentle hand away from her hair. “So, is that why you went behind my back to tell the Vamps that Reginald’s pack took Elaina Dunt from them?”

“What? Who told you that?” Alexa’s normally serene expression turned dark with rage for barely a second before it went calm again.

“Someone left the blame right at the Den’s door. Alexa, the Vampires went hunting last night. That’s why I got caught by Reginald in the alley.”

“It wasn’t me. I haven’t spoken to any member of the undead for at least half a year. Well, not since that small incident with the mayor’s daughter.” Alexa chewed nervously at her lip, a habit she’d all but beaten.

“Warren Montgomery always was a rake.”

“Hmm...I had to use quite the memory spell on her and the mayor. I doubt the undead rake will drop his pants twenty minutes before sunrise again.”

“No, I’m sure getting stuck in a wooden trunk for a whole day will remind him to watch the time better.” They giggled softly together.

“Oh, but he is a yummy creature, undead or not.” Alexa sighed as she went back to stroking Allison’s soft hair.

“Why are the males of these species so hot? Is it because they are born predators made to draw in their prey?”

“That and I suspect it is a blessing from the Goddess.” At Allison’s questioning look, Alexa continued. “They aren’t given a good lot in this world, are they? Forced to feed on innocents, losing pieces of their souls one victim at a time. They have to hide who they are beneath the good looks and hot bodies from everyone else. I feel it must be the loneliest thing in the world. The Goddess would not let any creation exist so long if there weren’t some benefits to aid them in their lives. She is never cruel, Allison.”

“I suppose you could say that for us as well, though we are meant to be the caretakers for the earth, she gave us magic to fulfill our destinies.”

“She did. And love, Allison. You must never forget that we have love. It is the strongest of all the magic.”

“Even if it is a nuisance at times.” Allison leaned up to whisper in her cousin’s ear. “You must try sex, Alexa. It is absolutely spectacular!”