Haulcon's Revenge (12 page)

“
Hello, my Alpha,” it was Sylista who sashayed up to his side.

The woman didn’t give up. That was one thing he could say for her. “Sylista.”

“
May I offer you a drink?” She held a cup out to him.

There was no need for him to glance down into the cup, he knew it was filled with thick, fresh blood from some woodland animal.

“
Not at the moment. With all of the offering of the night, I’m sure I will have more than my share.” Besides his stomach had not completely settled from his consumption of all of Jacin’s blood. He would have liked to postpone this event for a couple days just to ensure he would be able to complete the offering tradition, but after what had happened so soon after Ridok’s death Haulcon didn’t want to risk taking the clan officially.

“
I understand. Shall I be the first to extend my wrist?” She reached up and stroked his hair, allowing her wrist to brush along the side of his mouth.

Her scent was a combination of earth and wildflowers. Not that it wasn’t delightful. It just did nothing toward enticing him.

Cocking an eyebrow at her forwardness, he watched as she withdrew her touch and wrapped both hands around the cup she had just offered him. He noticed her slight tremble. He could see that she got his point that she had overstepped a boundary with her Alpha.

Instead of calling her to task, he said, “The honor of the first draw always goes to the second in command. That is Friedol. We don’t want there to be any mistake in who stands beside me.”

“
That is true. I’ll take better care from now on, Alpha.”

With a sharp nod, he walked toward the front of the room where Friedol and his mate were standing.

“
Friedol. Chrysen.”

“
Alpha.” Chrysen smiled at him.

“
I see you have found yourself a bit of entertainment. Can I hope that she gave you some company after your victory?” Friedol teased him.

“
No and no,” he declared as he took a glass of water from a server as he passed by.

“
Why not? I can’t see any reason why any male valf would not want such willing, vivaciousness in his bed.”

Chrysen elbowed him.

“
Keep that up and you will be finding a bed on the floor,” Haulcon joked back with his friend as he saw the tight expression on Chrysen’s face.

“
Do not forget mate, your sharing days are over. So, if you wish for that valf female to lose a limb, continue to comment on her.”

Friedol lifted his hands in surrender. “I only want you warming my bed, mate of mine. I only expounded on her form to entice our Alpha toward her.” He lowered a hand and swatted Chrysen on her plump ass.

“
Mmhmm.” Chrysen lifted her cup and drank, allowing her attack on Friedol to drop.

“
So, Alpha. Do you see someone else to your liking? I will make sure they are presented to you.”

Haulcon finished off his glass of water then pretended to give a scan of the available females in the room. However, he truly had no desire to find anyone. It was only to humor his best friend. “No one at this time. I’m sure after the weight of the day wears off I shall have a clearer head for a choice of a bed partner.”

“
And a mate,” Nyca and her mate Marco joined them. Just like everyone else, she was dressed in celebration finery. She wore a traditional long black dress with blue jewel threaded along the side. The neckline of her dress plunged so low the indention of her navel was revealed.

“
Is everyone attempting to pair me with someone? Did I miss a bylaw somewhere that said an appointed Alpha must have a mate within the first twenty-four hours?” Haulcon knew there was bite to his words, but he felt cornered and frustrated at the discussion.

Was everyone in the room talking about his unmatched status? Did they think something was wrong with him? A flaw in his character? The last thing he wanted was for there to be question about his ability to lead. It was true he had been single for well over a year since things ended with Nyca. But, to him, finding a mate, the right mate, took time and patience.

“
How about we start the offering ceremony?” Marco suggested.

Haulcon had never been more grateful to an individual than he felt toward Marco at that moment.

“
Good idea,” Haulcon agreed.

“
Then we shall begin,” Friedol declared. Moving to the center of the room, he clapped his hand three times loud.

The room became silent, even the music was turned all the way down.

“
Evening, everyone!” Friedol called out.

“
Evening!” All valfs chorused back.

“
I believe I speak for everyone when I say how glad I am that our true appointed Alpha has returned.” Friedol was handed a cup of blood as an attendant went around the room and refilled everyone’s drink.

Haulcon was the only one who did not get a beverage. With the night’s events, none was needed for him. He had used the water to cleanse his pallet.

“
Let us raise a toast to Haulcon, Alpha of the South-East Valfs!” Friedol held his drink high above his head.

Others around followed suit.

“
We salute you and offer our wrists to you tonight, Alpha. Promising to give you our faith, service and loyalty.”

“
Our faith, service and loyalty to you Alpha,” the crowd chanted then took healthy drinks from their cups.

Haulcon looked around at all the faces filled with admiration. This night was the start of the rest of his life. Only the Great Spirit knew what all was in store for him as he led his clan. He gave a deep bow of thanks to their dedication to him.

His best friend came toward him. Friedol stopped directly in front of him and pushed the left sleeve of his dress shirt up past his forearm. “Alpha, I give you my blood, an offering of my devotion to you, to our clan.”

Taking hold of Friedol’s fist, Haulcon brought it to his mouth and said, “I accept the honor of your devotion.” He lowered his fangs and buried them into the tender part of the other male’s wrist.

A brief drink was all that was required. Pulling away, Haulcon declared, “Thank you, second in command.”

Friedol moved away.

Nyca was next to offer her wrist and Haulcon named her commander of arms, then came Chrysen and Marco followed by Larina, Tison and the rest of his clan. After he sipped from each person he gave them their title and positon in the clan, most were the same as they had been with the previous Alpha. However, it was his responsibility to select his chief officers and those were the six who had not given up searching for him and stood beside him as he fought.

The night wore on long. But, Haulcon never faltered as he accepted one clansman’s wrist after another. When that was completed he took one of the servers, Dresa, onto the floor and started the dancing. She was an elderly woman who had lost her mate a few years back, she had always made sure his room was attended to. He gave her the honor of ensuring his things were moved to his new room and over all servant staff.

She laughed and smiled gleefully as she moved around the floor still as agile as any youth.

People joined them, dancing, eating and celebrating with each other. Haulcon knew the night would not end until the sun drove them all to their beds.

That was fine for him. His clan was just the distraction he needed.

Chapter Seven

“
Are you sure you want to take this trip, Adair, you don’t look too well.” Mr. Cook assessed her with a curious look.

“
I’m fine.” She lied. Her body had felt a little out of sorts for the past few days, but she refused to admit that and risk losing this assignment.

Mr. Cook flicked a finger against the corner of the proposal he held in his hand, but kept his gaze on her.

Adair was uncomfortable, but she met his stare evenly. “A twenty-four hour bug that’s all. Fall came in a bit early this year, it’s not even Halloween. The drastic change has my body out of whack.” That was all she would admit.

“
If you say so.”

“
I do.” She forced a smile on her lips. “That’s why it’s the perfect time for me to head out to warmer climates. As you will see in my proposal I did stick with the Grand Canyon,” she began, moving the conversation back to the reason she was in his office. “I’ve spoken to one of the most experienced guides of the canyon. I have not only the length of time I will be gone but the types of animals I will shoot. I plan to complete a traveling diary that you can use for several issues and do a video recording of my experience for the online mag.”

He did glance down this time, flipping through the two pages she’d given him. “I see you’ve thought of everything.”

She had. In the past two weeks, her sole purpose with every ounce of free time had been to ensure she did all her research so she could get out of town and soon.

Every minute her mind wasn’t occupied with work she’d thought about Haulcon. Dreamed about him, desired him. More than once over the last week she’d found herself with car keys in hand ready to drive out to the bluff just for a possible chance of seeing him. Thankfully, she’d come to her senses before she reached her jeep.

“
You can also see that I’m camping in the Canyon to minimize my reimbursement cost.” She flashed a smile at him.

He chuckled. “You know that’s always my bottom line.”

“
In the years I’ve worked for you I have gathered that,” she chuckled. She really did like Mr. Cook. Out of all the editors she had interactions with he was always fair and honest to his people. Even though she technically didn’t work for him, she was freelance and could walk away at any point in time, he still extended the umbrella of concern toward her.

“
Against my better judgment I will grant you approval. This will be a damn good piece, too sweet to ignore.” He stamped and signed the last page before passing it over to her.

“
You will not regret this.” She took the papers and stood.

“
I already am.”

Hearing his words she stared at him.

“
I still say running away is never the answer.” He sighed and shook his head. His expression was filled with fatherly concern.

It was something she never got from her own dad and seeing it caused her chest to feel tight, she struggled to draw in air.

Picking up his cigar from where it balanced on the rim of his coffee mug, he placed it in one corner of his mouth and gripped it with his teeth. “So, when do you head out?”

“
In about two weeks. I have a couple assignments to complete for Babies and Papa’s then I’ll be gone.”

“
Well, you take care of yourself, Adair. Let me know when you’re back.” Over the years, he knew better than to ask her when she planned to return. Her time was her time. That was the beauty of being freelance. Since all expenses upfront were hers and his company only had to pay her back for the agreed upon amount, she chose how long to stay away. Sometimes days other times months. It was in her nature to stay at a location until she got the exact shots she wanted, what satisfied her. The assignment and pay were secondary to her actual enjoyment of having a camera in her hand.

“
Will do, Mr. Cook.” She left before he could shower her with anymore concern. There was only so much fatherly advice she could take.

Since her Pap-paw died years ago, she’d built a shell around her emotions, blocking out any need to be cared about. No one was around to do it, so she felt it was a waste of time to yearn for it. Associating with Mr. Cook always put those latent emotions at risk of being exposed. Then where would she be?

At a long-stay motel on the corner of lonely and grief streets.

“
No, thank you.” She was better off not needing anyone.

~YH~

Adair struggled to get her things together. In two days she would be on a flight to the Arizona side of the Grand Canyon. However, she couldn’t seem to get her mind or body straight. She found herself walking into rooms and forgetting why she’d even gone in there in the first place.