21 comments/ 22151 views/ 27 favorites Remembrance of Things Past By: lilgirlsix I hope my readers are still waiting to hear more about the Baxter Pack! This story was bursting out of me, so I had to hurry up and get it out before I exploded on the spot! There will be many stories to come that will be posted in this series, but not on a regular basis. Right now, Archangel and I are trying to finish a story that will be posted in several chapters. But since it will be written in its entirety before posting, there won't be long to wait between chapters. A huge thank you, as always, to Archangel_M for being my Editor in shining armor. Thank you as well to Doctime for the inspiration for one of my new characters and to Glen for his wonderful suggestions. This story is a sequel to Wolf's Pet but could stand alone. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Elko, Nevada – December, 2019 "Please, Daddy, hurry!" The little boy grabbed his father's hand and pulled as hard as he could. Cole laughed as his six-year-old son dragged him towards the schoolroom. "What's the hurry, buddy? You'd think you wanted to go to school or something." "Daddy, you know you promised to tell us about Grandpa Baxter and how he moved the pack to Elko. You were 'sposed to last week, remember?" The cub tugged on his father's outstretched arm, which seemed to make him move even slower, at least as far as Corey was concerned. "Daddy, everybody's waiting for you." "Okay, okay." Cole grinned and snatched his son off the ground, swinging him up in the air and setting him on his shoulders for the remainder of the walk across the compound. Cole loved the sound of his son's laughter, and made a point of jostling him enough to keep him giggling for the entire walk to the classroom. Karen watched from afar and laughed at the two people she loved most in the world. "You look like a totem pole." Their son was a carbon copy of her mate, the same chocolate-brown hair and green eyes, the same mischievous grin. Seven years ago she had never dreamed she would have a child. She patted her growing stomach and wondered if they were going to have another boy or a little girl. She was secretly hoping for a girl. She'd begged Tracy not to tell her which it was. Tracy promised, but Karen could see the panther's secret smile every time she walked past her. Maybe she should just ask her. But Cole wanted to be surprised. She sighed and glanced down as she patted her tummy. "Guess we'll just have to wait, baby. We'll love you no matter what." Of course we will. Karen laughed at her wolf. She had been much more maternal than Karen to begin with. In fact, her wolf was really the driving force of any maternal instincts she had. Thank goodness for that! Every time Karen had been at a loss on how to handle her exuberant cub, her wolf had come through, handling it just right. She fell into step with Cole and reached an arm around his waist as they strolled into the throng of cubs milling about in the large schoolhouse. The Baxter Pack, along with most of the world's were packs, had had a frightening drop in birth rate over the last several hundred years. Prior to the influx of the Hungarian Vlkolak females into the gene pool, there had only been one or two cubs born per decade to each pack. The cubs had been home-schooled by their parents, and they had few if any friends their own ages. But now, as was evident from the noise and activity in the fairly new school building, that would no longer be a problem. Every mated Vlkolak had become pregnant almost immediately after being turned into a werewolf or werepanther. Several were expecting their second and even third cubs. They had started building the new school as soon as they had dealt with their Dire Wolf enemies, Gary, Paul, and Erobos, six years earlier. Cole was surprised by the number of people packing the room. He had expected the cubs and their teachers, Rebecca and Danielle, but not the rest of the adults that lined the walls. Rebecca saw the look of surprise on his face and rushed to explain. "Cole, I hope you don't mind. I invited the other Vlkolak here to learn the pack history as well. We've all heard bits and pieces, but I think it would be great for all of us to hear the whole thing. Besides, then we'll have some idea how to answer our cubs' questions." Cole exchanged a glance with an amused Karen. "I take it you knew about this and chose not to mention it, huh?" "If I'd told you, you would have ducked out again. But seriously, we all want to learn the truth as much as the cubs do. Please?" Cole grinned. "Well now I see where Corey gets his ability to wrap me around his little finger." The Beta took a deep breath. No time like the present to get over his two-hundred year fear of public speaking. "Alright, then let's get started." Cole set his excited son on the floor and walked slowly to the front of the room, where a stool waited for him. He sat down, and slapped his hands on his knees. He looked out at the sea of cubs watching him expectantly. The room was lined with the Vlkolak women; even Katy and Jenna were there, recently returned with their mates. They had decided to make their the Baxter Pack their home base so their children could grow up among their many cousins. "Let's see. Where to begin." A little brown-haired boy sitting in front piped up. "At the beginning?" Everyone laughed. The Alpha's son was never afraid to speak up. His sisters, Kyla and Tyra, sat next to him and giggled. "Good place, Colin. Thank you." Cole smiled at his nephew and took another big breath. Okay, if I can't talk in front of a group of cubs, I'm in big trouble. You'll be fine, Cole. Corey and I have faith in you. Karen gazed lovingly at her mate, the man who saved her from a fate worse than death: being the captive of an insane Dire Wolf. She listened intently as her mate began his story. Cole cleared his throat, thought back to all the stories he'd heard from his father, and began to speak. "The Baxter Pack has lived in the Scottish Highlands since before humans came to Scotland, long before they had clans and kings. Our family lived in the Grampian Mountains, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in all of Scotland. The werewolf packs there hunt the Red Deer, one of the largest species of deer in the world that can weigh up to 500 pounds." He smiled when the cubs made "oohing" noises. "A little bigger than the 300 hundred pound Mule Deer we have here in Nevada, right?" He watched the emphatic nods from the little ones. "And the Red Deer's antlers are two feet long each. Can you imagine facing off with one of them?" He smiled at the frantic shaking of the head of each and every child. "Our father's name was Ewan Baxter, and his father, Angus, was the Alpha of the Baxter Pack. Father had six brothers and three sisters." Cole was saddened to see the look of surprise on every face in the room. The new members of the pack saw so few families with more than one or two cubs nowadays. "In those times, the average number of cubs was about ten per couple. Hard to believe, isn't it? But we'll see that change in our lifetime, thanks to our newest members." He gazed lovingly at his auburn-haired mate. "Ewan decided to leave the pack and start a new life and a new pack of his own. So he came here." "Uncle Cole?" Colin had his arm up waving furiously until his bemused uncle pointed at him. "Yes Colin?" "Why did he want to leave home?" "Well, that's a long story, Colin. Sure you can sit still long enough to hear it?" The little boy nodded his head emphatically as did all of the other cubs and their parents. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Scottish Highlands – 1620 The brown wolf watched through the trees from his vantage point in the rocks. He eyed the hunters with disgust as they cut two portions from the haunches of their kill and hiked back down the mountain, leaving the remainder of the carcass to rot. Humans! Ewan Baxter sent word to his brother about the dead deer. He would send someone to retrieve it, and the pack would use every bit of the dead animal, wasting nothing. The wolf's emerald-green eyes scanned the valley far below, spotting the human camps dotting the landscape. They came closer every year. When he was a cub he'd never seen a human near their hunting grounds. Now they saw them near their borders. Soon they would be encroaching on the pack's ancestral lands. The large animal twitched an ear when his nostrils noted a familiar scent. He turned his head in time to see his father striding through the underbrush. The newcomer was slightly larger with the same color coat and the same piercing green eyes. He stopped next to his son and lay down, curling his paws underneath his chest. I know, Ewan, they come closer every season. And what would ye have me do, lad? Kill them? The mountain is too harsh for humans. We can only hope there will be enough winter hunting without going to the lowlands to forage. The smaller wolf lowered his head. I know father, I know. I had hoped to form my own pack. Angus Baxter swung his head around at those words. But where would I find the land now? The humans are everywhere in the highlands, except on the mountai tops. So ye would nae be challenging your brother for leadership then? Angus breathed a sigh of relief. He had tortured himself for years with the thought that at his death his sons would battle for the pack. Ewan and Owen were both born Alphas. Nae, Owen deserves his pack, as do I. I shall find another land for my wolves. You've given this much thought, then. And where do ye think ye will find this land? When the Council came to the gathering last year, I overheard their gab about a New World across the brine. They said the humans speak of vast expanses of land, as far as the eye could see, some of it nae fit for man nor beast. The bigger wolf snorted, shaking his head, communicating with his son in a playful tone. But perhaps fit for man AND beast? His shaggy head turned to meet his son's eyes, so like his own. I trust ye'll nae be alone in this new land. Who will go with ye? Some of the younger wolves have said they would like to go. Kenneth Kilean has learned much from his father. He has asked to be the pack's healer. The Alpha nodded. And what of cubs? I will not bring any with cubs. It will be too dangerous. And what of ye, laddie? How will ye find a mate in this New World? There was a moment of silence. The younger wolf looked off into the distance as he gathered the strength to tell his father. I have found my mate, father. She is the daughter of the Collier Alpha. He winced when he heard the deep growl coming from his father's chest. Collier? Of all packs, ye find your mate in his daughter? He shook his head from side to side. How could his son do this to him? Angus had lost a brother and a son in the last pack war with the Colliers. He let out a long, loud sigh. But a wolf's heart went where it was meant. There was nothing to do but support him in his quest for her hand. Have ye spoken with her? Nae, I passed by her at the gathering. I caught her scent, and Owen had to drag me from their tent. He reminded me it was too soon after the fighting; that her father and brothers would probably gut me on the spot. Again, the Alpha simply nodded his head. Yer brother is sometimes wiser than ye, laddie. So ye'll nae leave until you've mated with her then? He didn't wait for an answer before standing and stretching, his tail flagging behind him. Then I'll leave ye to yer plans, my son. The muscular animal loped away, leaving his son to think of his future and how to win his ladylove. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- Cole stopped talking, staring directly at the noise that had distracted him. "Grrrr!" Two blond cubs tussled on the floor in front of Cole, one tugging on the other's ear. While Cole debated the best course of action, Colin and Corey exchanged glances, and then each grabbed a cub by her scruff and pulled them apart, kicking and howling. The boys sat side by side, each holding a cub to his hip. Corey looked up at his grinning father. "Okay, Daddy, they'll be quiet now." Every adult had to hold back their laughter. The two cousins were just as much a pair as their fathers. There was no doubt that would continue into adulthood. And there was little doubt that Colin's sisters were going to be a handful. "Kyla, Tyra, if you can't sit still and be quiet you can go back to the house and clean your room." The two cubs turned their heads slowly towards their mother, who stood with hands firmly on her hips. They dropped their ears and tails, their heads all the way to the floor and answered through their bonds in unison. We're sorry Mama. Apologize to your uncle, then. The two little ones looked up at their bemused uncle's face. "Apology accepted. Now, where were we?" Cole looked at the expectant faces surrounding him. "Maybe we should call it a day and save the rest for next week." "Nooooooo!" Several voices chimed in at once, along with some yips and growls from the wolf cubs milling about the room. Even the adults looked disappointed. "Please, Uncle Cole, we want to know how Grandpa brought the pack here. Please?" Colin had a pleading look on his handsome little face as he struggled slightly with his sister Kyla, who as still trying to grab Tyra's tail. Cole did his best not to laugh. "As soon as you can get your sisters settled down, I'll tell you about my parents' first real meeting and how they moved here." "Did you hear that Ky? Ty? He's not going to finish 'til you guys calm down!" The little boy appeared the image of his father as he glared at his sisters. Yes, he was an Alpha, through and through. He waited until his sisters shifted, pulled their sweats back on, and sat quietly, separated by their brother and cousin. He turned his head and smiled. "We're ready now, Uncle Cole." Good job, son. Colin sat up straighter and his smile seemed just a little bit brighter after the praise from his father, who had snuck into the back of the room. "So, let's see, how Dad got Mom to move here. Well, it all started when he found her near the mountain lake with her friends." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Green eyes peered through the brush at the group of females washing clothes at the lake. She was here, but not alone. How would he separate her from her friends to speak with her? Her gentle voice filled his ears. "Go on with ye now. I've more washing to do and yer all done. I'll catch up with ye." She waved to her friends and set about finishing her cleaning. She had far too many unmated brothers. They really needed to find someone else to do their washing. Ewan couldn't believe his luck. She was staying behind. He waited until the retreating females could no longer be heard before moving out of the brush to reveal himself. He was cautious and tried not to alarm her, but it was no use. The golden-haired female gasped when she saw her one of her pack's sworn enemies standing in front of her. She had seen him before, at the last winter gathering. Her brothers had made sure to keep her far from his sight. She knew the Baxter Pack had lost many in the last war between their packs. Did he intend to kidnap her? Or worse? She looked around her quickly for anything to use to defend herself, but she was standing ankle deep in the lake. "Please, dinnae be afraid. I would never hurt ye, Claire Collier, never." He stood rooted in place, his arm held out to her, like he wanted to take her hand. "Then what would ye be doing here, Ewan Baxter? Ye know my father and brothers would kill ye on sight fer bein' on our land and in my presence." Why did he look at her like that? His nostrils flared as he took in her heavenly scent. "Ye smell of the heather, Claire." Her eyes went wide as truth dawned on her. He meant to take her as his mate. Just as she thought it, the wind shifted and the faint scent of him wafted its way to her senses. No, it couldn't be. He is ours. The pure joy in those thoughts was not lost on her human half. No, our father would never allow it! He would kill him before he let us mate with him. Ewan could see the look of confusion and emotion on her face. He knew what was happening; her wolf was on his side. He allowed himself half a smile. He moved a little closer, his voice low. "Ye cannae deny yer wolf, Claire. She will never let ye. Ye know ye are meant to be my mate." His hand was now inches from hers, which, without her knowing it, was reaching out towards his. She could barely form any words at all. Her wolf was loud in her head and it took all her strength to think, much less talk. "My father would never allow us to mate." Her voice was almost a whisper. "So he would condemn ye to a life of pining for yer one true mate? Would make ye lead a barren life? No cubs to warm yer heart? No mate to warm yer bed? Ye think he is that hateful?" He felt a spark as his fingertips brushed hers and saw her sudden intake of breath. So she felt it too. He smiled to himself. "He would rather that than see his blood mated to his enemy." Her blue eyes were locked to his. How could her father hate the Baxters so much? She saw nothing but a handsome face, kind eyes, and love radiating towards her. He is ours and we belong to him. Our father will banish us, but we must be with our mate! Claire shook her head, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "And will yer pack accept me? For I will surely be driven from mine, if my father allows us to live at all." "Ye will be by my side, wherever I choose to live, Claire, whether it is to be with my father's pack, or my own." He had moved so that he stood behind her, his chest touching her back, his hands now sliding down her arms, his head bowed and his mouth close to her ear. His soft voice whispered, "We will be happy wherever we are, Claire, as long as we are together." He inhaled deeply, and that same scent of heather overcame his senses. His wolf was close, wanting to be with their mate. His voice had changed just slightly, deeper now, with a slight growl. She could feel the closeness of her own wolf, begging to be let loose to meet their mate. Her breathing was labored as she struggled with her other self. She could just barely feel his hands on her bare skin as he slid her dress down her shoulders. She found herself turning slowly to face him and was lost in the emerald green of his eyes. She closed her own and waited for his kiss, the tender pressure from his lips causing her mind to go blank. She felt her body almost collapse and his hard arms close around her, lifting her easily to carry her to the shore. Ewan laid her gently on the grass, his body next to hers, his lips moving slowly to taste her skin wherever he could bare it. If he'd left it to his wolf, he would have shredded her dress and taken her in an instant. But his human half wanted to take his time. "Claire..." He loved the sound of her name on his lips. He would say it as many times a day as he could for the rest of their lives. "Ewan..." She opened her eyes and looked into his face, acknowledging truly for the first time that he was her true mate. Her hand stroked his cheek, her nails raking slowly across his skin. She smiled when she heard him gasp. His hand grasped hers, stopping her movement. "If ye want me to be gentle, lass, then you best be stopping that." He grinned at her and licked the side of her neck, almost drunk on her taste. She struggled beneath him to remove her dress before they destroyed it. She didn't know if she'd be able to retrieve her clothing from her home after this. She should at least have clothing when she met her new pack. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 02 2025 - Boise, Idaho The two men surveyed the darkness, noses scenting the air, before slamming the doors of the SUV. They glanced at each other and nodded, moving towards the warehouse and quietly opening the door. The sign on the front said "Creighton Enterprises – Boise, ID." The place was deserted except for a lone figure, slumped in a chair in the dimly lit office. The two men entered the office, softly closing the door behind them. "Why the secrecy, Drago?" Silvano's confused voice was soft as it cut through the silence. "We don't want everyone to know, at least not yet." Drago seemed distracted as he spoke, not able to look either of his two fathers in the eye. Zsigmond and Silvano exchanged perplexed looks. "You know you can trust us, Drago, with anything. Now what is so urgent that you've asked to meet us alone in the middle of the night?" Zsigmond knew it must be something bad for Drago to meet them without his mate or his two mothers present. "I don't even know how to say it." The human half of his mind was a jumble, warring with his wolf who didn't understand why his human half was so distraught. Drago sat motionless, unable to look up at his fathers. Silvano was always a little unnerved when he saw his adopted son side by side with his biological father. It was like looking at twins, the only difference being Drago's short-cropped hairstyle in contrast with his father's longer, almost shoulder-length, hair. Even their voices were close to identical. And, of course, there was a hint of gray at Zsigmond's temples; he was over two hundred years old, after all. Zsigmond laid a hand on his beloved son's shoulder. "How can we help you if you don't confide in us?" Even if he hadn't already felt his son's distress through their bond, he would have felt the tension in his muscles, so unlike his easygoing son. Drago swallowed hard before trying to talk. His voice cracked as he began. "I think Kelly and I must have done something wrong." He could feel the surprise from his fathers through their bonds. "Jason is... he's not normal." His voice was so quiet that anyone without supernatural hearing would not have heard him. Zsigmond felt his heart break. His grandson, Jason, was the light of his life. He had vowed to be a part of the cub's life, no matter the distance or inconvenience. He wanted to be there for each milestone, each little step that Jason took, if for no other reason than to assuage the guilt he still felt about Drago's kidnapping as a cub. His hand tightened on Drago's shoulder, but he couldn't find the words. Silvano could see the pain in Zsigmond's face and spoke for both of them. "Tell us, Drago. Maybe we can help. It can't be that bad, can it?" Drago closed his eyes a moment and spoke. "My son is human. He isn't a Werewolf." There, he'd said it. He couldn't look at either of them. He was afraid of how they would look at him, their son, unable to father a true Werewolf. "That is impossible, Drago. You are a Werewolf, and Kelly is a Werepanther. Your children cannot be anything but Weres. There must be some explanation." Zsigmond wasn't sure what else to say. He looked at Silvano, the scientist. "Silvano, have you ever heard of a Werewolf fathering a human?" "No, not that I am aware of. Drago, why do you think he is human? Not that it is possible, mind you." Drago looked at the two men he trusted more than anyone in this world, besides his own mate. He took a deep breath and told them. "He can't shift. There's no bond with me or Kelly, not even with the Alpha. He's a human!" There, he'd said it. Drago felt as if a load had been taken off his shoulders. The secret was out, finally. He just couldn't pretend anymore. Zsigmond was speechless. As far as he knew this was unprecedented. Drago had to be wrong. "I've never heard of such a thing. Even if he is late to shift, there should be a bond. Shouldn't there?" He looked to Silvano. He was the educated one. Zsigmond knew how to run a pack, how to hunt, how to lead the Betas in a fight. He knew nothing about Werewolf biology. Silvano was as dumbstruck as Zsigmond. But a thought suddenly came to him. "Have you spoken with Leonardo? Did he suppress Jason's wolf as he did Kelly's panther? As he did to all the cubs in his pack for a century?" That must be it. The Creighton Alpha had ordered his cubs' panther-selves to remain dormant until they were mated to be sure they did not show themselves to the humans in the surrounding community. He had thought it best for the pack. Surely he had not done that to his own second's cub without telling him. Drago slowly shook his head. "That was my first thought, but he swears he's done no such thing!" Zsigmond squared his jaw, determined not to let his son down by showing weakness. But he couldn't stop the tears from forming at the corners of his eyes. "I will speak with Guillame about it. The Alpha has been among many packs over the centuries. Maybe he will know." His hand went to Drago's head, the gesture from so many years ago still so natural, to touch his son's head to bring them both some comfort. "I need to go back home. Kelly is waiting for me. I didn't tell her I was meeting with you tonight. She doesn't know what it's like to have a bond with her parents, so it doesn't seem to bother her. But I can't live this way. I know we're missing something; he's missing something." Silvano was shocked at the admission. Drago seemed almost broken. He knew that Carla and Margareta would be devastated to hear that anything was amiss with their grandson. He was a lucky boy to have such devoted grandparents. They had all been aware he hadn't shifted yet. But since there were no other cubs in the Creighton Pack, it wasn't totally unexpected. Although, to be honest, twelve was going beyond what anyone had heard before. To have no bond with his parents, though, that was a horrifying thought for a Werewolf. Why had Drago kept his secret so long? Why hadn't he told them sooner? Drago took a deep breath. "I'll tell Kelly we met and what we talked about. And we'll wait to hear from you about what we should do next." He gave each of his fathers a hug and locked the doors behind them as they left. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Elko, Nevada "Are you sure Leonardo doesn't have something to do with this?" Alistair had never fully trusted the Alpha Panther. "What reason would he have to lie?" Jenna knew Alistair didn't like Leo, but to think he was lying? You know you're being unfair. This is his great-grandchild, you know. And he did the same to his own granddaughter. I wouldn't be surprised! Rhys ignored the looks he saw exchanged between Alistair and his mate. "I do faintly remember some sporadic cases of the wolf-self joining with the human-self much later than usual, but I can't think of specifics. I'll look through our records. Katy has been employing Ben to digitize everything so we can do these types of searches more easily. I fought her a bit on it, but I guess I will have to concede that she was right." He whirled around at the sound of a familiar giggle coming from behind him. "Sneaking up on me again, little one?" His grin lit up his face whenever he saw his lovely flame-haired mate. He just couldn't help but tease her a little bit. Katy rushed into Rhys' arms and was enfolded in his strong embrace. She lived for these moments, and savored them every chance she had. "I knew you'd give in as soon as it came in handy. Just think how much time we'll save by not having to rely solely on your amazing memory and paper records." She snuggled for a moment before pulling herself away from his warmth. "Bronwyn and the other cubs will love having Jason here to visit." It always amazed her how the children interacted with him. They didn't hold it against him that they could shift and he couldn't. They were just kids and played and laughed. They didn't need bonds to love him. They just did. "They'll be here later today. In the meantime, Carr says that Jeff, Logan and Xylon are brainstorming. They say they have a plan, so we'll leave it up to them." Alistair still wouldn't put it past Leonardo Creighton to be behind this in some way. A few hours later the members of the Baxter and Bertrand-Kardos packs lined the driveway, waiting for Drago and his family to arrive. The cubs were jumping with joy and the few that had arrived in their wolf forms had quickly shifted back to human and slipped on their clothes. Jason was popular among the children, especially the girls, who were almost giddy as they waited for him to arrive. Kyla and Tyra were jumping up and down, holding hands, unable to keep still as they waited. They and their brother, Colin, were among the very few cubs that weren't Jason's cousins. They both secretly hoped that someday one of them would be lucky enough to be Jason's mate. Even Werewolves could be boy crazy teeny-boppers at age twelve. The black SUV pulled up in front of the main house. Drago got out, followed quickly by his Alpha, Leonardo Creighton. No one but Jenna could see the look of aggravation that flashed across Alistair's face. Kelly and Jason climbed out of the back seat. Kelly smiled when she saw her friends and walked over to Jenna, giving her a big hug and speaking to her through the special bond she shared with all her sister-panthers. Jenna, do you think we should be worrying? Drago is going crazy about this. Is it really a big deal? I wasn't born a Were, so I don't really know. It seems to upset the men, though. I guess we'll have to wait and see. What about your grandfather? Does he seem worried? Kelly glanced quickly at Leo. Trying to read him is like reading a block of ice. I don't have a clue. "Hey, Mom? Do I have to stick around here? The guys want to show me the tree house they built this spring. Can I go?" Kelly smiled at the interruption. "Sure, go ahead. Have fun." She watched as he ran off with a group of cubs. They were like their own pack of twelve year-olds, led, of course, by Colin Baxter. She was just sure they'd get into some kind of trouble this afternoon. "I know you'll all make it back by dinner!" She had to yell to be heard over the whoops and hollers of the boys as they took off running through the compound. She laughed when she saw the disappointment in the girls' faces. She knew Jason was going to be a heartbreaker someday. He looked so much like Drago it was scary. What was it about these Vlkolak genes, anyway? The boys all looked similar; the girls were carbon copies of their mothers. It was kind of spooky. At least in their pack... on second thought, she realized, their pack wasn't much different. "So, what are we doing here?" The booming voice of the Creighton Alpha reverberated through the foyer as they entered the Baxter Alpha's home. Kelly was mortified. "Grandpa, Jason has a problem. You know that. We're here to see if we can figure out how to help him. I thought we discussed this thoroughly before we got on the road. You didn't have to come, you know." "He is my blood, and a member of my pack. I will be here." The tall man glared at his granddaughter. You are showing great disrespect in front of outsiders, Kelly. It is not appreciated. This is Drago's family; they are not outsiders! And they are going to help Jason; at least, I hope they can. Drago showed nothing on his face but knew his mate and his Alpha were having one of their "disagreements." Alpha, you and your granddaughter are very much alike, but this is my family! I will not have them shown disrespect by your quarreling. We are here to help Jason, nothing else. So please, restrain yourselves until we get home! Kelly felt the mental rebuke from her mate and acknowledged it through their bond. She saw the slight flinch on the face of her grandfather, but he acquiesced silently. Jenna ignored the awkwardness between the Creighton Pack members and quickly grabbed Kelly by the hand to lead her into Carr Baxter's office. "They're in here. The doctors have been putting their heads together for days." The door was open and the room was already crowded with people. Carr Baxter, his mate, Lee, the two pack doctors, Xylon the geneticist, Drago's parents, both biological and adopted, and Guillame, the Bertrand-Kardos Alpha. Lee welcomed the newcomers and put out a hand to Carr. "Let's leave them to their plans, love. We have things to do. Besides, Kyra and Tyla want me to help them with their hair. They want to look beautiful for when the boys come back." Lee winked at Kelly, who laughed. Drago looked dejected as he sat next to his mate. Kelly stroked his neck while they waited, leaning in close to lend Drago the peace she felt. Their son was healthy; if he never shifted or had a bond with them, would it really be the end of the world? Gazing at her soul-mate, she guessed that his answer would be "yes." Leo seemed impatient, and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "So, what now? How do you intend to fix my great-grandson, hmm?" The alpha panther was an imposing male, and in lesser company would certainly have been frightening. But he was standing among the most powerful Weres in North America. Whether he liked it or not, they were his equals at the very least. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Colin stopped at the top of the hill, glancing back at his friend struggling with the steep incline. Colin and the cubs from the pack weren't tired at all, but Jason could barely keep up. He had to keep stopping to catch his breath. Colin pushed the chocolate brown hair out of his green eyes and sat down on a rock, calling out to his pack-mates. "Hey, guys, wait up, I'm tired, gotta catch my breath!" He saw the heads cocked in question, then understanding and grins as they trotted back to the big rock to wait for Jason. Jason wasn't surprised to see his friends waiting for him. He was gasping for breath when he plopped next to Colin. "Thanks guys. I know you aren't tired." He smiled at their attempts to make him believe that they were exhausted and laughed at Colin's fake wheezing. He looked down for a minute, his toe pushing a rock in the dirt. "You guys try to make me feel better, like I'm part of the pack, but I know I'm a freak. My dad thinks I'm a freak. I see the way he looks at me; how my Alpha looks at me. The only one who doesn't seem to think I'm strange is my mom. She says it's nothing, that she was the same way." He kicked the rock ahead of him, watching it land in front of Corey. "Hey, adults don't know everything!" Corey kicked the rock to his left, hitting Jamey in the foot. "Yeah, they think they do, but they don't." Jamey swiped his foot through the dirt, sending the rock sailing through the air to hit Teddy on the forehead. "Ouch!" Teddy rubbed the long cut on his head which quickly healed into a faint line under his fingers. Tad leaned over and looked at it closely. "Dang, Auntie Rebecca and Uncle Trey are gonna notice that right away!" Tad and Teddy were the images of their twin fathers, and as close as brothers themselves. Colin laughed. "You're just trying to look like my dad!" Even after thirteen years, Carr Baxter carried a rather dramatic scar on his forehead from the battle with Gary's Dire Wolves. It had become his badge of honor, and the cubs were enthralled by the story of the fight whenever they heard it. Teddy took a big kick, the rock bouncing off a tree and landing on top of Daniel's head. The blonde giant smiled and reached up to pull the rock out of his hair. He stood a full head taller than the other cubs his age. And although he was as gentle as a lamb, the entire pack expected him to make as good a Beta as his parents, Nathan and Lila. "Well, let's get moving. If we're gonna make it to the tree house and back for dinner without our parents nagging us, we should get going." Always the leader, Colin jumped up and put an arm around Jason's shoulders. "You know you're one of us, even if you'll be a panther someday. So don't worry if you get tired. You can tell us." Jason nodded and grinned at his best friend. Well, his best friend other than Hope, that was. And he couldn't wait to get a chance to tell her everything that was going on. She always seemed to understand him best, even better than his mom. Even though they'd driven into the middle of the Baxter Pack compound, they'd be staying with his grandparents at the Bertrand-Kardos compound right next door. And since Hope's parents were the Alphas, he knew he'd have all the time he wanted to visit with her. "Jason, did you hear me? We're here." Colin didn't know what was distracting him, and didn't really care. If Jason wanted to talk, he would. Jason realized he'd been thinking about what he wanted to tell Hope instead of paying attention. He looked up and saw the tree house, just as Colin and Corey had described it to him. "Wow, that's neat!" He looked at his friends who were waiting for him before they climbed up the ladder into their lookout high in the branches of the juniper tree. "How tall is it?" "It's gotta be like a thousand feet tall." Jamey was staring up at the top, a huge smile on his face. Corey leaned over to whisper to Jason, "More like about forty-five feet. Dad brought out some kind of instrument that he used to measure it. Said mom wouldn't let us do anything without knowing how far from the ground we were going to fall first." Corey snickered when he remembered his mother's argument about how dangerous it was. "She kept saying 'Wolves aren't supposed to climb trees.' Dad just laughed and said we'd heal, so what was the problem." Jason glanced up at Corey, one of his many cousins in the pack, watching him climbing the makeshift ladder. Did Corey know that Jason didn't have the Were healing abilities that they all did? I'll just have to make sure I don't fall. He quickly, but carefully, clamored up the ladder after them. Within minutes he was sitting on the edge of the platform high up in the tree. "Wow, this is awesome!" He could see across the entire valley, even making out the buildings that made up the two separate pack compounds. He tried to pick out his grandparents' house, next door to the Alpha's. His Grandpa Zsig was the second in the pack, and his Grandpa Sil was a scientist. Sometimes when he was little he'd gotten confused about how he was related to them, but now he was old enough to understand. Dad had two sets of parents. His grandmothers were overprotective, especially Grandma Margie. He figured she'd be really upset that he was out here with his buddies. In fact, he'd probably be lucky to get some time like this again during the trip. Grandma Margie barely took her eyes off him when he was visiting. But now that he thought about it, Grandma Carla wasn't much better. But for now, he'd just sit up here and listen to the wind whistle through the branches high in the air. The boys laughed and cheered at the blackbirds swooping after a Red Tail Hawk that dared to come too close to their nests. Jason was going to enjoy this as much as he could. Soon enough he'd have to come back to earth and whatever the doctors had planned for him. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "And what is this DNA going to tell you?" Leonardo looked skeptically at the Greek Were. What could the boy's blood say that wasn't obvious? He wasn't a panther, he wasn't a wolf; he was a human, through and through. "I'll be looking for any possible abnormalities. We've mapped the Werewolf genome, and since meeting you, the Werepanther genome. They are similar, but different in small ways. The Vlokolak seem to be some sort of amalgam of the two, and those peculiarities seem to show up generation after generation." Xylon was about to lose his patience with the panther Alpha. He seemed very unwilling to look to science for any help for his great-grandson. Just because Leo was over a thousand years old didn't make him the authority on everything. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 02 Rhys could read the frustration in his friend's voice and cleared his throat. "I'm afraid I'm not much help. I can't seem to find any notations of this occurring in any North American pack. The only suggestion I have is that we might consult my friend Edward. The Blue Stars know a great many things, and I expect that they would help us if we asked." Leonardo growled, making his opinion of that idea crystal clear. Alistair was surprised to find himself in agreement with Leonardo, for once. "We should exhaust every private avenue before turning to outsiders," he declared firmly, "especially non-Weres." There were nods around the room. Rhys nodded as well. "I agree, my friend; I was simply noting the option. I wish I could be of more assistance. Guillame?" He turned to the Belgian Alpha, who sadly shook his head sadly. "No, I've never heard of anything of this sort among the European Packs. But, I would like to add, I doubt any would want it known by outsiders if it did occur. In my time as the Archivist, I found that packs were more likely to share information that put a positive light on them than anything of a negative sort. Something like this... well, I don't think they would volunteer the information." Guillame laid a hand on Zsigmond's shoulder and squeezed. He wished he had better news for his second, his brother, his friend. Zsigmond had brought Guillame's mate to the States those many years ago, had kept her safe, helped her raise Mariska, Guillame's eldest daughter. He would do anything to help Zsigmond's grandson, anything! "Really? Nothing? That's odd." Jeff held an old book in his hand. "This is my father's journal. He kept it from the moment he learned to write until his death. And there IS an entry regarding this very thing!" "What? Here? Or was it in Scotland?" Rhys wanted to see that book. "Here. It happened before they knew there was a North American Council, so I'm sure that's why it was never reported. Remember, the pack was alone here in the west until the Nineteenth Century." Alistair had never heard this before, either. He leaned in close, trying to see the page that Jeff had opened to. "Well, what happened?" "Hang on, let me get to the right page. I don't remember my father ever talking about it before. And I don't doubt he never told anyone. It's not like it would have been something the old Alpha wanted anyone to know." Jeff carefully opened the old yellowed pages to the bookmark he'd left. "Here it is." He looked up for a moment. "What I'm going to tell you can't leave this room. Carr knows, and he's agreed to let me tell you, because it's for Jason." "Of course we'll keep it confidential." Kelly looked at her stoic grandfather, still leaning against a wall, arms crossed. "Won't we, Grandpa?" "Yes, Kelly, of course." Leo gritted his teeth in consternation. Who would he tell? Like the panthers cared about the skeletons in the wolves' closets. Jeff ignored the panther alpha and sat on the corner of the table, his father's journal held carefully in his hands. He almost felt he could hear his father's brogue as he read the words. He took a deep breath before speaking. "So it happened not long after they came to Nevada. The Alpha had been worried about the fact that none of the females had gone into heat the first few years they were here. My father told him that the wolves would breed when they were ready, and there was no need to be concerned." Jeff paused for a moment before turning the page to the part that got interesting. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Nevada Territory – Spring, 1632 "Ach, she's a bonnie lass." Kenneth Kilean carefully cleaned the wrinkled pink skin of the Alpha's firstborn and laid her gently in her mother's arms. "She's beautiful..." Claire's voice was soft as she cradled her new cub. "Ewan, do ye not think she's perfect?" She gazed up at her mate, her face glowing with pride. "And here ye'd been so worried." The Alpha stroked his love's face as he looked at their tiny little bairn. "Aye, she's a beauty, just like her mother." He took a finger and traced the tiny hand as it grasped at him. He didn't look up from the baby as he talked. "Kenneth, when does the bond form?" "Ye should be feelin' it soon. It starts just after birth, or at least so me father told me." "What will we name her, Ewan?" Claire couldn't stop touching her cub. She was so tiny and fragile and beautiful. After waiting these last several years she had thought the time would never come that she would hold her own child in her arms. Now she knew what her mother felt for her cubs, and how much it must have hurt her when Claire left to follow her mate. A salty tear dropped, caught in mid-air by her worried mate. "Claire, ye should be happy. Why the tears, me love?" The Alpha's green eyes were filled with concern for the love of his life. "Oh no, Ewan, I'm so very happy. But it's just... I miss me mother. I wish she could see our lovely lass here." "Maybe someday she'll meet our little Colleen. And that's what we'll name her, Colleen." He'd never felt this kind of love for anyone before. He couldn't keep his eyes off his little blonde-haired, blue-eyed Colleen. But how much longer before the bond formed? ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Nevada Territory, Winter, 1636 The man gently pulled the shawl over the little girl's shoulders, her blonde hair peeking out from under the soft wool. She giggled when he tucked the ends together to keep it tight around her neck. The more the man tried to make her sit still, the more she fidgeted. "Quit yer strugglin', Colleen. Now hold still while I get ye dressed." The huge man dwarfed the tiny tot as he did his best to get her into her winter clothing. He stood there in his shirtsleeves, the chill of the winter air not bothering him at all. Finally, she was covered head to toe and shielded from the frigid cold. He took her by the hand and walked slowly outside, his strides shortened to allow the little one to keep up. She tugged at his hand, trying to get him to hurry. She'd been cramped up in the house for weeks, and the snow had finally let up enough for her parents to let her out to play. As soon as they were out the door she broke free and ran with abandon, screaming into the wind, enjoying the fresh air on her face. She giggled and clapped her hands when she spotted a jackrabbit across the yard and ran after it as it hopped back to its den. Her father kept a watchful eye but let her venture a little farther away from him than her mother normally did. "Be careful, Colleen. Yer mother cannae watch ye today; it's yer father that will watch out for ye. So don't go far, lass." "Papa, Papa, come see what I found!" The little girl practically bounced with excitement as she pointed to the prairie dog poking his head out of his hole in the ground. Ewan moved as quickly as he could but the damned little animal had bitten Colleen before he could get to her. Her screams carried back to the camp where his mate lay, awaiting the birth of their second cub. Second cub, more like our first. How much I love my little Colleen, but she's no cub. Ewan, I can hear her screaming. What's happened? Don't worry yerself, Claire. She just has a little scratch. She'll be fine. Oh, Ewan, ye know she doesn't heal well. The last wound she had festered terribly. And she had a fever. And I've no way to care for her in my condition. The new bairn will be here any time. The Alpha brushed his chocolate brown hair out of his eyes and bent down to scoop up the wailing child. He held her close, doing his best to calm her cries as he made his way to the healer's home. Kenneth, be ready, she's hurt herself again. I can hear her, Alpha. I'm ready for ye both. In minutes, Ewan had his daughter back in their camp, the pack's females surrounding them, each begging to take the small child from the Alpha. He shook his head at them all, wanting to take her himself to the healer. He had some words for Kenneth Kilean! When he was this age, he'd healed from every scrape, bite, or cut within minutes. Why did his child seem more human than wolf? What was wrong with her? It wasn't that he didn't love her. He loved her with every fiber of his being, but this wasn't what he had expected. Would all the cubs born in this new land be human? Was there a poison in them that killed the wolf inside their bairns? There were no other cubs yet. Colleen had been the first of the pack, and the last until this next child to be born any day. The other females were fearful that all their future cubs would be this way. The frantic cries had become sniffles by the time Ewan set Colleen on the table in the healer's room. The Alpha looked up at the healer who was busy readying his supplies. She'll ne'er be able to be alone, Kenneth. We wouldnae know if she was in danger. She'll always need to have someone looking after her. Ewan, we dinnae know that, not yet. Ye have another that will be here any minute. There are other females pregnant now. They're just as worried as ye are. But a wolf still has to have young. It's the way of the world, Alpha, wolf or human, it's what must be! Ewan took in the words of his healer, his friend. He leaned down to kiss the soft crown of his daughter's head. He wanted to feel the bond with her so much, it almost hurt. With a bond, he could help take her pain away when she fell, know when she was scared before she cried, know what she needed before she asked. Was that too much to ask? Ewan! Kenneth saw the Alpha's head jerk. "Is she in labor?" He quickly picked up Colleen and handed her to his own mate, Jeanne, who would be giving birth shortly herself. She bundled the child off to keep her occupied while her new sibling was being born. Claire lay in bed waiting for Ewan as she thought about her firstborn, who she loved more than she'd thought possible. She wouldn't admit to anyone, even her beloved Ewan, how much she prayed to the Ancestors that her second child was born a Werewolf and not human. She felt her mate's hand on her shoulder and closed her eyes, calming herself with his scent. Breathe, Claire. The babe will be ours to love, and that's all that matters, is it not? Did Ewan believe what he was telling his mate? Yes, he did. He would love this child as much as he loved Colleen. But had he doomed their kind by bringing them to this country? ~-~-~-~-~-~ Jeanne watched as Colleen played with some stones on the dirt floor, her hand resting on her prominent belly, feeling movement under her fingers. Ancestors, please let this cub be born a Werewolf. I would love a human child, as I love Colleen, but I so wish for one of my own kind. Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud crying of the Alpha's new child. Another girl, Jeanne. She smiled and knelt down next to the little girl. "Colleen, ye have a new baby sister." Colleen squealed with delight and clapped her hands. "My very own doll!" She giggled and then cried when she hit her bandaged finger by accident. "Shhh, it's alright, Colleen. The pain will go away soon. I'll take ye to see yer mama and papa soon. But let's give them a little more time with the wee one." ~-~-~-~-~-~ "Oh, Ewan. She looks just as Colleen did when she was born." The little squirming bundle screamed with all her might as her mother tried to calm her. Suddenly, Claire's face lit up with Joy. Ewan, can ye feel it? The Alpha's face softened and tears formed at the corners of his eyes. Aye, I feel it, love. She's a wolf for sure. His hand stroked the soft downy hair on the head of his cub, his first cub. "What do ye wish to name her?" "Annella, after me mother." "Annella, a fine name, love." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Nevada Territory – Spring, 1660 Annella, where is yer sister? She's with me, Mama. Do ye want us to come back? We've almost a full basket of berries. Yes, we have washing to do. Be back before dark. Ye know yer sister can't see when there's no full moon. Yes, Mama. We'll be home soon. Annella watched her sister out of the corner of her eye. She felt sorry for her. No bond with their parents, no wolf to keep her company. She couldn't run across the land, the wind in her fur. She wondered what her sister thought when the pack went on a hunt and came back, muzzles dripping in blood. She wished things were different. Annella loved her sister so much, but she felt closer to the cubs she'd grown up with than her own sister. Suddenly, she had the strangest feeling they were being watched. She cocked her head as she listened and thought she heard a faint sound of a twig breaking. She quickly scanned the area, but seeing nothing, decided she must be overly cautious because they were so far from the camp. Whenever she and her sister went berry-picking they had to venture a ways from their home. It always made her nervous. Annella could shift and run home if there was danger, but Colleen was so much slower. She lifted her head and scented the air. Nothing. "Colleen, Mama wants us home." Annella was surprised when her sister didn't answer. She spun around and was shocked to see... nothing. "Colleen? Where are you?" Her heart pounded in her chest as she scented the air. She quickly shrugged off her clothes and shifted, putting her nose to the ground. Colleen had walked into the trees and just... vanished. Her scent was nowhere to be found. The blonde wolf started circling, the discarded basket of berries forgotten in the dirt. No scent, anywhere! Papa, I can't find Colleen. I can't find her scent. Papa, I'm sorry! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ When she felt the hand covering her mouth, Colleen was too scared to think, and the arms that closed around her were like bands of steel, not allowing her any movement. Annella was so close, but she had no way to make a sound to alert her. In that one quick moment, Colleen swore she would let them kill her before she told them anything about her family. She would never tell them what they were or where they were. She would die to protect her family and pack! Within minutes the male who had spirited her away from her sister had joined a group of five others. She was startled to see they had fair skin like her pack, not dark like the natives of this land. "Oh ho, what have ya got there? Now where would ya find a tender morsel like that way out here in the wilderness?" The man made a movement towards Colleen and her kidnapper, who stepped back, the slight woman still in his arms. "She's mine, and ya best keep yer distance, John!" The male still held her in his arms but had lightened up his grip, no longer so tight she could barely breathe. But his hand was still held over her mouth. The man he called John put up his hands in mock surrender and grinned as he backed away. "Have it yer way then, Tom, she's all yours. I won't touch a hair on her pretty little head." He turned around and laughed, addressing their friends. "Guess she's spoken for. Then maybe we'll have to find where this little girl came from to find a playmate of our own." Colleen couldn't bear the thought of any of these men touching her little sisters, or any other females from the pack. She'd have to find a way to protect her family. They didn't seem to be carrying any weapons. All the stories she had heard of humans had said they always carried some kind of weapons. Maybe she could lie to them and tell them their camp was far to the south; that she had wandered too far from home. And she would tell them they had dozens of males, yes, that was what she'd do. The male she now knew to be Tom whirled around to look at John. "You'll not look for any females, so get the thought out of yer heads!" Knowing his orders would be obeyed, he brought his attention back to the beautiful prize he held in his arms. He set her carefully on a large rock, but held her close. His lips were near her ear as he whispered, "If I take my hand away, do ya promise not to scream?" Colleen thought for a moment before nodding her head. She felt his hand move away from her mouth and settle in her hair. She watched him suspiciously out of the corner of her eye as his hand moved slowly through her blonde curls. "Do ye not have females where yer from?" Tom laughed quietly. "We have many females, but none like you. What is yer name?" His eyes traveled over her body in a possessive way, like she belonged to him already. Should she tell him? "Ye've not earned the right to know my name. Ye've stolen me away and ye expect me to be civil with ye?" "Yer right. I shouldn't have done that, but I was taken by yer beauty, and I couldn't take a chance that I would lose ya. My name is Thomas, but my friends call me Tom. I'd like to be yer friend." His brown eyes sparkled as he spoke, like there was something he knew but wasn't sharing with her. "Yer like a scared little rabbit, aren't ya?" Her voice was so quiet, she wasn't even sure if he'd hear her. "My father will kill ye if he catches up with us." She looked him square in the face and was surprised to see amusement reflected in his dark brown eyes. "He can try, but I doubt he'd be successful. I'm a good fighter." He had an air about him that told her he really believed he'd win a fight with her father. And she was just as sure that he'd die, his entrails spread in the desert sand. A small part of her felt sorry for that. "I hear Scotland in yer speech. Is that where yer people are from?" Colleen was silent. She wasn't ready to give him any information about her or her family. "My family came to this country from Éire. So we're from the same part of the world, and here we've met in this new land. Lucky for me we went exploring, eh?" Colleen looked away, unable to look at the handsome man. Her father would kill him, of that she was sure. She didn't want to remember his face. His hand gently turned her face. "Don't look away from me. Yer mine now. I won't give ya up, even to yer father." He gave her a long steady look before he stood up and walked towards his companions. She made her plans as he walked away. She'd spent her life running with her pack-mates, doing her best to keep up. She knew she was fast as far as humans went. And she knew the land better than he did. She waited until he was across their makeshift camp before quietly sliding off the rock and slipping into the brush. "Yer rabbit just ran away, Tom. Ya best hunt for her before someone else catches her. They might have her for dinner." John threw his head back and laughed heartily as his friend leapt to his feet and ran after the slippery little blonde. The other four men joined John in his merriment at Tom's expense. Colleen could hear the sound of her heart pounding. She ducked low as she ran, staying as close to the ground as she could, her slim body slipping easily between the dense brush. She heard her kidnapper behind her, gaining ground, but cursing every time he was stopped by the bushes, too thick for his larger body to pass through. She didn't have the time to laugh. This wasn't one of the games she played with her little sisters or the other cubs in the pack. She was running for her life, and she couldn't imagine it without Mama and Papa, without Annella, Blaire and Elsbeth. She would rather die. "You'll tire before I do, little rabbit. I'll catch ya and then keep ya tied when I'm not watching ya. Save yerself the trouble and give in to me." Tom wasn't about to let her go, not after finding her by chance. He'd do his best not to kill her father if he caught up to them. But he'd do what he had to. Colleen ran until her lungs burned. She couldn't hear anything but her own rasping breath. She didn't feel the branches that cut through the sleeves of her dress and then her skin. She just knew she had to run towards home. It was her only hope. Papa would be looking for her with the Betas. She had to just run towards home. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 02 Tom was amazed at how fast his little rabbit could run. He was impressed. He knew he'd chosen well. But now she was tiring. He could see her just ahead of him. A few more minutes and he'd have her back. Colleen ran into a solid object and struggled for a moment thinking she'd been caught by her pursuer. It took her a few seconds before she realized it was her father. She looked up and saw the worry and fear on his face, and then relief. "Colleen, I have ye now. Ye'll not be harmed my pet." "Oh Papa!" Colleen couldn't stop the flood of tears that ran down her face as she clung to the comforting arms of her father. "Shh, yer safe now. I'll take ye home to yer mother. But first... " He pushed Colleen behind him to confront the male who had stopped only yards away. "Ye'll die for touching me daughter." The menacing growl in his voice was clear. Tom stood his ground, not looking a bit frightened. The shifting winds that swirled about them suddenly brought realization to both men who stood glaring at each other. Tom stammered, "Yer daughter? But... she's human." "And still me daughter. And ye tried to kidnap her from us! Human or nae, the penalty is death!" Ewan couldn't contain his rage. He shifted and moved to attack. Papa, no! The immense chocolate brown wolf stopped in place, shocked beyond all words. He turned his head, his emerald green eyes looking at his Colleen, his human daughter. But it was her voice in his head. Colleen? But how...? I – I don't know, Papa. But please, don't kill him. I don't know why; I just know it would be wrong. The Alpha shifted and walked slowly to his daughter, scenting the air. It couldn't be! He circled her slowly. "Jamison, come here!" Jamison, the Alpha's second, moved towards the girl he'd known since her birth. She had always smelled human. But now, her scent was definitely that of a Werewolf! He looked at Ewan, the shock plain on his face. "She's... " "Aye! She's a Werewolf! Hah! She's a Werewolf. Me daughter is a Werewolf. Ha ha!" The laughter in his voice matched the look of joy on his face. "I don't care how it came to be, she's a Werewolf!" He picked his precious daughter up high in the air and swung her around in a circle, watching as the scratches on her arms healed before his very eyes. He set her down carefully on the ground and hugged her tightly, unable to contain his delight. "Papa," she whispered in his ear, "my wolf is with me, and... and she wants him." She nodded her head towards the male who stood at rigid attention, watching them. "Oh, does she now? Finally shows herself after twenty-eight years and wants a mate already?" Ewan turned around and faced the wolf who dared to touch the daughter of an Alpha. "Why did ye take my daughter?" "She is my mate, whether she knows it or not." Tom squared his jaw, not willing to show any sign of weakness. At the time he had taken his little rabbit he thought her a human, and so hadn't thought about consequences. Now he was faced with possible death for the crime of kidnapping the daughter of a pack alpha. But when a wolf found a mate, consequences didn't matter. Alpha, we found his camp, and five more Weres, Betas I think. Bring them here. Ewan narrowed his eyes as he looked at this stranger who had attempted to steal his daughter away. But if she was his mate, as they both had said, then he couldn't very well kill him, not without hurting his own beloved daughter. He glanced over at Colleen, her new wolf's need for the male clear as day. "Where are ye from, lad?" The Alpha's voice had softened just a bit, surprising both his Betas and the male standing before him. "Our pack is from Éire. We came to this land a few years ago. My father is the Alpha, and sent us west to find someplace as far from humans as possible to make our home. This was as far as we got. And..." He looked at his little rabbit. "and then I saw her, and I couldn't leave without her." Ewan tried to forget the anger and fear he'd been feeling such a short time ago and tried to make an honest appraisal of the Beta standing in front of him. He walked slowly around him, watching his stance, his breathing, his lack of fear. He had to admit, whether he liked it or not, he would be a fine mate for Colleen, a born Alpha. And he had made her wolf show herself! "And your intentions towards my daughter are to take her for yer mate?" "Aye, she IS my mate." Ewan nodded, more to himself than to anyone in particular. "How long since ye've had a good meal? Hmm?" The question startled the young Beta. "Ah, several months, Alpha. We've been making do with what we can catch." "Aye, that is obvious. Come, we'll return to my pack, feed ye and yer friends, and make plans for yer mating." He turned his back on Tom and put a gentle arm around his daughter, pulling her into his body, speaking with her through their new bond, and expecting Tom to follow. Tom didn't know what to do at first. He expected at the very least to be tied and led into the camp as a prisoner. He fell into step behind the Alpha, his little rabbit turning every so often to catch his eye and blushing when he winked back. He knew his pack-mates would be joining him soon, and hoped they would remember their manners before meeting the Alpha. Although not exactly treated as a prisoner, Tom did not have free run of the camp. Everywhere he or his friends went, they were accompanied by Baxter Betas. They seemed like a friendly enough pack, friendlier than what he was used to in Éire. There, packs rarely had any dealings other than wars, and the annual pack gatherings. And of course, those sometimes escalated to wars after some wolf found his mate and, instead of approaching her Alpha and asking permission to take her, spirited her away in the night to his camp. Tom smiled to himself when he realized that was exactly what he had attempted, and failed. Since returning to the camp earlier today he hadn't been allowed near his little rabbit. His wolf already pined for her and wanted to search the camp. Tom tried his best to assure him that the Alpha had approved of the mating and it was only a matter of time, but wolves thought in the here and now. And right now, she was not with them. In fact, since arriving here, he hadn't seen a female anywhere, only the males. He wondered if the Alpha was worried about any of his Betas taking the other females. He'd been distracted with his thoughts and until this moment, hadn't noticed the whispering from behind him. It was at a distance, but he heard it, or rather, them. "He's beautiful." "Males aren't beautiful, silly. They're handsome." "He's handsome." "He looks so different from our males." "It's only his hair that's different." "I've never seen a male with blonde hair before, have you?" "No, but I suppose there would have to be some." "Ninny, of course there are." "Oh, Colleen is so lucky." "Someone's coming!" Tom laughed as he heard the sound of the females scattering. He turned to greet the approaching Alpha. "Good afternoon, Alpha Baxter." "Aye, it's a good day. Sit down Tom. I wish to speak with ye." Ewan felt more relaxed than he had in years. This was a good day. "I have something to discuss with ye lad." Tom didn't say a word and wasn't sure what the Alpha had on his mind. He seemed friendly enough, at least for the moment. But he stayed on his guard, his wolf at the fore, just in case. "Yes Sir?" "Do ye intend to return to yer pack with me daughter? Or would ye want to be stayin' on with us? Ye may have noticed we have nae male cubs here as yet. I've no heir. If I were to die, the leadership of the pack would be for the taking. The pack would accept Jamison, but I don't think he really wants it. And ye have to want to be an Alpha. It cannae be thrust upon ye." Ewan leaned forward to stare into Tom's eyes, trying to see into the wolf inside. "Do ye want it, lad?" Ewan saw the Alpha in this wolf, it was obvious to him. Tom swallowed hard, wanting to speak slowly and carefully, being sure not to say the wrong thing. The last thing he wanted to do was upset the father of his mate. "Sir, I have no wish to lead yer pack. I am my father's only son, and he's trained me to take his place. That is my future, and Colleen's is to be at my side." Ewan leaned back, slapped his hands on his knees as he rose to feet. "Ach, I had to ask. So be it. But tell me, do ye have to mate with her in yer pack lands? Or ken ye do the deed here with her family present?" "I've no desire to travel months with Colleen without being fully mated. My wolf and I could not take the strain. My Betas could possibly end up dead from a misunderstanding. No, Alpha, I wish to perform the mating here, so we are fully bonded by the time we leave." Tom was relieved to see the smile that brightened the Alpha's face. "Good! That will make her mother happy. The full moon is in two weeks. Ye'll mate then. But until that time, ye'll not be alone with her. And yer betas are not to be among my females at all!" Ewan couldn't help but glare at his future son. Tom's Betas seemed pleasant enough, but his pack did not let their females consort with males other than a mate. Many packs were much more permissive. He didn't want them to get ideas that his females were for the taking! "I understand, Alpha. They will be on their best behavior." Tom bowed his head in deference to the Alpha, who smiled back at him. "We eat when the sun is below the mountains. Ye'll meet my mate and the rest of the pack." Ewan turned and walked away, his wolf satisfied that his daughter had found the perfect mate. He was honest, honorable, and bound by duty to his pack. Aye, a fine mate! Tom sat around a fire with his group of betas as they talked quietly. John looked off into the distance near the sound of laughter. "Sounds like the females are about. Wonder if they all look like your tender rabbit." Tom glared at his friend. "Better get that look off your face or the Alpha might rip ya limb from limb. And I might help." Tom smiled when he heard Colleen's sweet voice speaking with the other females. "All of ya need to be on yer best behavior or I'll slaughter the lot of ya!" The other four snickered as John lowered his head, showing proper submission to the son of his Alpha. "I promise ya, Tom, I'll not disgrace our pack." Tom managed a grin at his comrade and tried to make out who was approaching. It was the Alpha's second, Jamison. "Time for dinner. Ye'll be meeting our females, so don't be getting no ideas now." The black haired male eyed the blonde strangers who'd come into their midst. They were the first outsiders he'd seen in some forty years. The Alpha seemed to trust them, though. Good enough for me, then. The group made their way through the camp and to the long wooden tables where they took most of their meals together. The males were all seated around the larger table, the cubs at a smaller table nearby. The adult females, mated and unmated alike, were bustling around the tables, being sure everyone had their plates. Tom and his Betas gawked at the massive amounts of food on the table. In the last few months they'd eaten nothing but wild game. And since they'd been traveling in the winter through the mountains, the game had been sparse and lean. Tom's stomach growled almost as loudly as a wolf at the sights and smells of meat, hot bread, berries. He was so distracted by it all that his wolf snapped at him to get his attention. The scent of fresh rain and green grass wafted through it all. My little rabbit! Tom leapt to his feet, scanning the faces of the females looking for Colleen. Damned if several of these females looked close enough to her to be her twin! But there was no hiding his mate from him. His face lit up at the sight of her. She had on a different dress, brightly colored and a sharp contrast to the drab shift she had worn earlier in the day. He could see her face shining red with embarrassment, and he was sure she was avoiding his gaze. Some loud throat clearing next to him from Jamison brought him back to his seat, but slowly, his eyes never leaving the form of his little blonde rabbit. His wolf almost bounded over the table when she bent over one of her pack-mates to serve him a large hunk of meat. Control yourself! It will do no good to start a fight now. She is ours, no other's. We must wait until the full moon, and we WILL be patient. Tom chuckled to himself as his wolf grumbled, circling several times before flopping down to curl up and wait, patiently. But his eyes followed her around the table as she served all of the men. She slowed as she approached him, unsure of what to do. Claire watched her first-born from close by and shook her head with a grin on her beautiful face. "Colleen, don't leave him waitin', lass. The man's hungry!" "That meat's not all he's hungry fer!" John slapped a heavy hand on the table as he roared with laughter. Tom's friends snickered and surreptitiously watched those sitting nearby to see if they had overstepped. When they saw the Alpha laughing with them, they exchanged relieved looks and relaxed for the first time since they'd been brought to the camp. Colleen bit her lip and did her best to avert her eyes as she held the tray of meat for her soon-to-be mate. What was it about this male that made her tremble so? She found herself struggling to hold the platter, and couldn't look away as she watched her hands shaking. Her newly joined wolf was spinning in her head, and she wasn't helping the situation. The tray started to tilt and just as she was about to lose it completely, she felt warmth covering her fingers and saw HIS hands covering hers, steadying the tray. She stammered, frantically trying to speak, but could not find the words. When she was his captive she spoke more readily than she was able now. What had happened to her? Ah yes, her wolf. There was the difference. This new friend that shared her mind was controlling her heart and turning her brain into mush. "Let me help you with that." His voice was soft in her ears, his scent wrapping around her brain and making her swoon. She leaned closer to him, her shoulder brushing his, forgetting everyone sitting nearby. She inhaled, her wolf reassured that yes, this was their mate. Colleen had her eyes closed and a smile on her face. The laughter that exploded around her brought her quickly to her senses and her eyes sprang open, seeing her family and friends clapping and roaring with glee. She immediately pulled her hands away from Tom, and readied herself to run to her bed. "Ach, Colleen, dinnae be embarrassed, lassie. Yesterday we ne'er would a thought ye'd be findin' yer mate. The entire pack is happy for ye!" Ewan rushed to his daughter's side. He pulled her hands away from behind her back, and gently placed them into the much larger hands of the male who stood silently next to her. "For all the pack to see," the Alpha's voice boomed across the camp. "I give me daughter, Colleen, to Tom..." He leaned over and whispered. "What's yer pack name, lad?" "Wells." "Tom Wells, son of the Wells Alpha." A loud cheer went up from the assembled pack. Not only had the Alpha's eldest found a mate, but her wolf had finally shown herself! Now they couldn't wait to see her in the flesh. Would she wait for the full moon and the mating? All eyes would be on Colleen from now on. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Night of the Full Flower Moon Colleen looked up at the bright blue sky, slowly fading as the sun set, the moon rising to take its place. Soon we will be one with our mate! Her wolf's exuberance was overshadowed by Colleen's fears. The wolf might have been in her head, but she hadn't shifted yet. What if she couldn't? She heard a sound behind her and turned in time to see her mother coming towards her, carrying a bundle. Claire sat down next to her firstborn and just gazed at her, a huge smile on her face. "Yer father and I dinnae have the chance at a proper mating. I'm so excited for ye, Colleen. And I want it all to be special for ye." Tears fell from the corners of her eyes and she quickly brought a hand up to wipe the tears away. "Mama, why are ye crying?" "Ye've come so far since the night ye were born. Ye were the first to be born to the pack, and now the first to be mated and to..." She stopped for a moment, took a deep breath and finished her thought: "... and the first to leave us. I know ye'll be happy, Colleen. Ye deserve all the happiness in the world. And yer father thinks Tom is a fine wolf and will make a worthy mate." "Oh Mama, I'm going to miss ye!" Colleen leaned her head on her mother's shoulder and began to cry. "Hush now, me lass. This is a happy time. I brung ye a dress that me mother had made for me mating. I ne'er had a chance to wear it. But she let me take it when yer father took me from the pack. I want ye to wear it, for Tom." She carefully un-wrapped the package that had been hidden away all these years. The dress was bright green, the color of new grass, and next to Colleen's golden hair, it shone like an emerald. "Mama, it's beautiful!" There was awe in her voice as she touched the soft material. "It's so fine and delicate. I'd be afraid I'd ruin it." Her hand couldn't stop touching the fabric. Claire laughed. "Oh, child, mating dresses hae been ruined for centuries. Some males will tenderly remove yer gown, while others will rip it from ye to see what they've won fer themselves." She gave her precious daughter another hug and kissed her on the forehead. "Ye'll be ready at the clearing when the moon is high, after the hunt. Yer sisters will see to ye." Colleen was so proud that her mother thought her worthy enough to wear this special dress. And for her mother to stop her own preparations for the full moon to come to speak with her made Colleen realize how much she would lose when she left her home. But think of what we will have. Our very own mate! Colleen couldn't help herself, she had to ask. Why did ye wait so long to join me? Ye didn't need me. When our mate was in danger from Papa, then ye needed me. That was interesting. Her wolf felt she wasn't needed, so she had slept for twenty-eight years? How very strange. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Colleen stood in the middle of the clearing, waiting for the hunt to end. Her heart pounded, and she barely felt her sisters' hands as they held hers, Annella on one side, Blaire on the other. Elsbeth, the youngest, stood behind her, keeping the bottom of her dress from being soiled in the wet grass. The four sisters were so alike, those that didn't know them would think the three eldest were triplets. And Elsbeth, only ten years old, just looked like a younger version of her siblings. The whispers in Colleen's head were so new to her, she still was learning the subtle differences between her sisters' voices. But she was sure it was Blaire, just sixteen years old, who spoke to her now. Oh, Colleen, I wish it was me mating tonight. Yer so lucky! Then the soft laughter she knew so well from Annella. Don't be silly, Blaire, yer too young. Yer wolf would never allow it. Colleen, yer so beautiful. Yer wolf will show herself tonight, I just know it. And she'll be as pretty as Mama! Elsbeth's excited voice called out. "Here they come, they're back. Look at the buck Papa brought back." She almost dropped the hem of the dress in her excitement. "And Tom has one almost as big!" Colleen followed Elsbeth's arm as she pointed at the hunters returning with their kills. The pack would feast well tonight. But she knew they were more interested in seeing if her wolf came out tonight. Her wolf spinning at the sight of Tom made her momentarily dizzy. Only her sisters' steadying presence helped her regain her composure. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 02 The Betas trotted in behind the Alpha, dragging their kills. While their leader was a rich chocolate brown, most of the Baxter Pack were solid black or dark gray. A lone blonde male followed closely behind, not sure what was expected of him tonight. His dark brown eyes lingered on his little rabbit, a vision in green, standing just feet away from him. Colleen watched as her parents met at the edge of the clearing, the elegant blonde wolf with the sky blue eyes approaching her mate, gently licking the blood from his muzzle, telling the pack she was proud of her wonderful Alpha male. They sat together at the edge of the clearing, and the Alpha nodded his big shaggy head at the blonde male. Tom shifted, his body streaked in dust and blood. He saw only Colleen, her long blonde hair flowing over her shoulders, the green gown hugging every curve, clinging to her like a second skin. He felt his wolf urging him forward, eager to make her theirs. If he saw the pack surrounding them, his five pack-mates standing nearby, he gave no hint. He had eyes only for the female standing before him, waiting for him. As she watched his approach, Colleen's mind wandered to the last two weeks. She'd not had any time alone with her soon-to-be mate. They had not even touched since the night her father had placed her trembling hands into Tom's steady ones. And now they were to mate in front of the whole pack. All will be well. Easy for her wolf to think. She hadn't been with her all this time. She didn't know everyone watching them. I have always been with you. And now our mate will be with us always. Colleen didn't have time for her wolf's comment to register before Tom was standing in front of her. She didn't even notice the movement around her when her sisters retreated. She saw only Tom, her mate, and felt a sudden calm wash over her. All was as it was meant to be. Her wolf's words made more sense to her now. Tom looked into her blue eyes, the color of the sky, and was lost forever. Never would he look upon another female with anything close to the feelings he held for his little rabbit, his Colleen, right now. He felt a shock as his hand gently reached up and touched her face. The scent of her, the feel of her... nothing existed except her. Colleen leaned into his hand, wanting nothing but to be near him. No one was in her world but Tom. At this moment she couldn't care less about the eyes following their every move. She had never imagined what a kiss would feel like, but when his lips touched hers in a tentative, gentle kiss, she felt her heart leap in her chest. At that very moment, her human half fell in love. This was what it meant to be a Werewolf. Your wolf showed you the way to your one true love. Tom couldn't stop his hands from moving across her soft skin. He wanted to feel every inch of her, and marveled that she was his. He found the clasps at the back of her dress and slowly undid them, taking his time, but at the same time, impatient to rid her of the clingy fabric. He watched the gown slide off her shoulders and pool at her feet, realizing he hadn't taken a breath as her perfect body was exposed to him for the first time. So beautiful. And she is ours! Colleen breathed deeply, trying to keep herself from rushing into his arms, waiting for him to say, to do something, but he just stared. She bit her lip and looked at the ground. Was he displeased? His hands drew her face up so he could gaze into her amazingly blue eyes. "No, Colleen, never look away from me. You are everything I have ever wanted. I was meant to come here and find you. I'm sure the Ancestors sent me this way for just this purpose. I vow this very night that I will protect you and any cubs we bring into this world, 'til the end of my days on this earth. You are my life, Colleen." He leaned forward and captured her lips in their first torrid kiss, his arms wrapping around her body, holding her close, feeling her heart pounding through her chest. Once his lips left hers, they never stopped moving across her skin, along her jaw, down her neck, between the valley of her breasts. His hands reverently touched her bare breasts for the first time, marveling at the weight and the soft feel of them. He could not resist and bent down to lap at one stiff nipple, pulling it into his mouth to suck, until the moment was right, and then he bit down just enough until he heard her moans of pleasure. His fingers worked her other nipple, bringing it to a hard point for him to suckle. Her hands moved to his hair, stroking his head as he showed her what pleasure could come from love. She moaned as he touched her, licked, sucked and bit at her body. He went to his knees in front of her, his hands reaching between her legs and parting her nether lips, opening her body to him. Tom could smell her arousal and inhaled deeply, letting it fill his mind, inflaming his wolf further, but he did not allow him forward yet. No, she is not one of those little pack sluts that chases after the Alpha's son. She is ours, she is special, and... she is a virgin. So we go slowly! Colleen felt a warmth flowing through her veins she'd never felt before as her Tom flicked his tongue between her folds. Her knees went weak, and though she didn't know how, he had lowered her to the ground, tenderly placing her on the small patch of grass. He had pulled her legs over his shoulders as his tongue lapped at the fluids that flowed from her at an ever-increasing pace. Her hands grasped at the ground, her head tossing from side to side as she felt something building. What it was she didn't know, but knew there was more to come. Her hips lifted to her mate's mouth, his tongue expertly exploring her depths. Tom was pleasantly surprised by Colleen's enthusiasm and buried his face in her sex. He felt the tension building in her body as he caressed the well-developed muscles of her thighs. He doubled his efforts, his tongue gliding along her swollen flesh, the taste of her flooding his brain. His wolf fought against the human for control, but Tom held fast, wanting to be the one to bring their mate to her first orgasm. When he heard her cries of pleasure and tasted a fresh rush of her fluids, he slowly backed away, his tongue still flicking along her fair skin, feeling the fading twitches of her spasming muscles. He kissed his way back up her body, taking his time, and was startled by the feral look in his love's blue eyes as she gazed back at him, licking her red lips. He was finally content to let his wolf take control. Colleen lay back, trying to catch her breath, her pulse jumping in her throat, feeling a new urge within her. She knew what was expected of her, to mate with the wolf that now stood in front of her, his tongue hanging, Tom's dark brown eyes watching her intently. She smiled and sat up, reaching for the wolf to come to her. The blonde wrapped her arms around the wolf's muscular neck and buried her nose in his thick fur. She whispered so only he could hear, "I'm ready for ye, Tom. I want to be yers forever." The couple was oblivious to the pack that surrounded them. They didn't see the Alpha and his mate as they leaned into each other, basking in the knowledge that their eldest child would be well mated and take her rightful place in a Werewolf pack. She was not destined to life as a human. No one but his mate saw the tears fall from the big chocolate wolf's eyes. Colleen rolled over onto her hands and knees, spreading her legs and preparing herself for her mate. She glanced over her shoulder at the big blonde wolf watching her intently, smiled, and wiggled her hips in invitation. She wasn't disappointed when he moved forward, his nose probing her weeping sex, licking tenderly, remembering his human half's admonition to be gentle. But she was ready, and so was he, his hard cock a testament to their mutual desire. The blonde male slid his tongue along her haunches, pulling himself away from her sweet nectar and lifting himself to cover her back with his body. His hard cock felt for her entrance, eventually finding his target and surging forward, feeling her tight sheath like a glove on his throbbing member. But the wolf was puzzled. There was a barrier. He held her hips with his large paws and pushed, hearing a painful squeal from the female beneath him. She is a virgin. It is our duty and pleasure to open her entrance. And no other shall touch her. The wolf was pleased that their mate would never know the touch of another male. She was theirs forever tonight. He drove his cock in with a mighty thrust. He felt the barrier give way and his mate scream out in pain, but her pleasure followed closely as she was filled for the first time. His tongue reached out to taste her skin and calm her trembling. "I am alright, Tom, really." Colleen's voice was tremulous, the slight moment of pain gone and replaced by the urgent need to mate. She pushed back against him, his cock now fully encased inside her body. She could feel the throbbing, hard flesh deep within herself and knew there would be more. She braced herself as the big blonde wolf began to thrust, slowly at first, then faster and stronger until he was pounding into her freshly torn flesh. Her small cries of pain were gone, only her cries of longing and pleasure heard over his loud grunts. The wolf felt his knot grow and pushed forward steadily, forcing the large knob to stretch his mate's entrance. Colleen gasped at the sudden intrusion, but by the time it was well seated, she felt the pleasure from the added pressure. Tom's thrusts were shorter but more frantic as he neared completion and leaned forward across his beloved's back to grasp her neck in his strong jaws. He could feel the pulse jumping in her throat and as he felt her body jerk and spasm in her second climax, he bit down, feeling his teeth pierce her tender flesh, her blood flowing into his mouth. Colleen's scream cut through the silence surrounding them as she cried out her pleasure. Her body convulsed underneath him and he held tight to her neck until her screams had died down to moans of pure delight and satisfaction. Tom continued to thrust, his seed flooding her womb, his teeth still buried in her delicate throat. The couple lay together on their sides in the grass, the large wolf still filling the slender human form of his mate. Her body still trembled; with the occasional spasm of a muscle. The wolf's long tongue lazily stroked his beloved's back, waiting for her to recover and for his knot to recede. He knew her pack was waiting to see if her wolf would come forward tonight. Whether she did or not didn't matter. She was his now. He felt his knot shrink and his cock slide out of her stretched hole. His forelegs tightened around her body, not willing to let her slip away just yet. Sleep now. It is my turn to be with our mate. I have waited patiently to awaken. I will be patient no more. Colleen could almost see herself inside her head, passing the blonde wolf who trotted to the front of their shared soul. She gave her body over fully to her lupine half, willingly giving up control for the first time in her twenty-eight years. For years she had watched with fascination as the cubs learned to share their bodies with their other halves. It seemed something they needed to practice, to learn. But now, she was going to shift for the first time. Would she be able to? Of course. Colleen could feel Tom's soft fur against her back and begrudgingly rolled away from him, lifting herself to her hands and knees. Suddenly the world looked different. The ground seemed so much closer, and she felt it with all four feet, not just two. She looked to her parents, and instead of having to look down towards the two wolves, she saw them straight ahead of her. The pride on their faces was obvious to her. She moved her head to look at her new mate. The look of love in his dark eyes was unmistakable. You are so beautiful, little rabbit. The female wolf moved forward slowly, stretching her neck out and flicking her tongue across the wet nose of her male, her mate. She took a few steps, trying out her new limbs. She felt an incredible energy! I need to run. The two wolves ran through the clearing, the female so much smaller than her new mate. But they made a striking pair as the two blonde wolves ran side by side into the desert. Colleen's heart sang as she ran beside Tom and heard her parents' words in her head. We're so proud of ye, Colleen. So proud! This was a good omen for the Baxter pack. The Alpha's eldest had found her wolf. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ 2025 - Elko, Nevada "C'mon, Hope. I don't have all day ya know!" Jason waited impatiently for his cousin to get a move on. The doctors had been poking and prodding him all week, taking samples, doing their tests. He was ready to get away, and he really wanted some time alone with Hope. They hadn't had any time alone to talk yet, and she was the only person he felt he could tell everything to. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, his head laid back and eyes closed. He didn't notice the pack members who walked by, smiling at him. He didn't know they commented among themselves how much Zsigmond's grandson looked like him. Hope was skipping as she left her father's office. She loved sitting there while he did whatever it was an alpha did. She just liked being around him, surrounded by his scent. He always made her giggle when he'd stare at her across the desk and ask her if she didn't really want to be out playing instead of hanging out with her ancient father. She'd shake her head, her long red pigtails flying. Maybe it was the knowledge he had never known her older sister, Mariska, that made her want to spend every possible moment with him she could. Hope's mother frequently commented that she thought Hope was Mariska reincarnated. Orsolya would call Hope an old soul, shake her head, and walk away. But right now Hope knew her cousin was waiting for her, and she couldn't wait to find out what it was he was so anxious to talk about. She found her cousin standing against the wall near the front door, his eyes still closed. Hope grabbed his hand as she skipped by, dragging him through the doorway. The passing Betas got a good laugh as the tall gangly boy tripped while he trailed along behind the little redhead. Hope ran, giggling, as Jason struggled to stay up with her. She figured that the sooner she tired him out, the sooner he'd say what it was that was bothering him. She finally stopped underneath a tree, looking up at the tree house the Baxter boys were so proud of. They didn't let girls in their tree house. But she had plans about that. She waited patiently for Jason to catch up. Jason gasped for breath. No way was he going to let his little cousin leave him that far behind. One thing he loved about Hope was that she didn't coddle him the way the adults did, and didn't act like nothing was different about him, like the boys. She was just Hope, straightforward and truthful, always, even when it hurt. He kind of liked that. Once he'd caught up to her, he saw the glint in her eyes and her glances up into the top of the tree. "Don't you dare! The guys don't want girls up there. It's their tree house!" Jason knew where the boys hid the ladder that led to the rungs nailed in midway up the tree trunk. But he wasn't going to talk, no matter what. He'd made a promise. Hope pursed her lips and crossed her arms, the usual Hope way of saying she didn't care. She kept looking up, her brow furrowed as she thought things out. Jason studied his cousin's face and knew he was in for trouble. "What are you planning? Please, don't do anything that's gonna get the guys mad at me. They don't even want any of you girls to know where the tree house is." Hope burst out in laughter. "Well, they're out of luck then. We've known since they built the silly thing." Hope thought back to how secretive the boys had been while they planned their tree house, hoarding supplies and trying to sneak them out here. All of the girls knew exactly what they were doing and where. They'd even spied on them a few times. But none had ventured into the trees, yet. "I can do what I want. I'm an alpha's daughter, aren't I? What are they going to do? Spank me? Send me to bed without supper?" She grinned ear to ear and shook off her sweats, shifting quickly into a small, lithe panther. Her red coat glistened in the sunlight, and her pale green eyes sparkled with mischief. Out of all the cubs born to the Vlkolak females, she was the only panther. Even Jenna's cub was a wolf. The doctors had said it was just genetic chance. "Please, Hope, don't do it. For me?" Jason pleaded with her until he watched with amazement as she leapt into the air, her claws digging into the bark of the tree about six feet up. She carefully made her way up the tree one clawhold at a time, until she reached the wooden slats they had attached to the trunk. Jason gave up. What difference did it make now if he got the ladder? She was already up. He grabbed it from its hiding place and scurried up the tree in time to see the panther's tail switching back and forth as she climbed even higher than the tree house. "Hope, please, come back down here. Don't go to the top of the tree!" All he could see were two glowing pale green orbs looking down at him through the needle-like leaves. He imagined he could see the smile on her face and her whiskers twitching with excitement. Jason strained to see her red coat in the dense foliage, but saw only the swaying of the uppermost branches. "Hope, you're going too high. The branches can't hold your weight! Please, come back down." He could barely make out the tip of her tail as it flicked from side to side. Hope gazed at the valley floor with amazement. The view from up here was spectacular! Oh she wished she could share it with Jason. The breeze felt so good ruffling her coat. Her head jerked up when the blackbirds starting dive-bombing her. I must be too close to their nests. She snarled, trying to scare them away but there seemed to be even more of them swarming around her. She snapped her jaws at them, not trying to hurt them, just to get them to scatter, but it was no use. Jason heard the growls coming from his cousin high up in the branches of the tree. And he could see the accumulated birds swarming around something. Were they attacking Hope the same way they had the red-tail hawk? "Hope, come down!" What was that sound? Cracking wood? Jason watched in horror as the little panther tumbled forty-five feet to the ground, her body contorting in a panic, trying to right herself to land on her feet. "HOPE!!!" He heard his voice echoing like he was in some bizarre dream. It almost was like time slowed down as her body landed with a loud thud. Jason scrambled as quickly as he could down the ladder to the base of the tree where his cousin lay, so still. He knelt next to her head, his hand gently touching the top of her head. "Hope? Hope, can you hear me?" He watched for some kind of movement, but could barely make out the rise and fall of her chest. Small drops of water fell onto the red fur, but he didn't realize they were his tears until he looked up at the clear sky. "Hope!" His voice cracked as he gently shook her. "Hope, please wake up!" He suddenly noticed a spreading pool of dark red, coming from underneath the still form of his little cousin. He lifted her shoulders just a bit and gasped when he saw the tree branch that had pierced her chest. His hands shook as he let her back down. I shouldn't move her. He leaned back, the tears streaming down his cheeks. He could never make it the two miles back to the compound in time. And he couldn't just leave her here alone to die! His head fell back and he screamed into the sunlit sky. "HELP!" Jason prayed to the Ancestors that someone, anyone was nearby and could hear him. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 02 ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Drago appreciated all the help the Baxter Pack was giving them with Jason, and so he was more than willing to help with a little manual labor. These dead trees were a fire hazard, so the sooner they were pulled out, the better. The sweat was pouring down his face, and he stopped a moment to swipe his arm across his forehead and grab a swig of water. Time alone to think was a good thing. Maybe he'd been too focused on what he expected of his son instead of just enjoying the time he had with him. The Doctors were assuring him that Jason was a normal, healthy boy. If his Were-half was late in showing himself, so be it. HELP! Drago pulled his head up and scanned the area. He cocked his head, listening intently but hearing nothing. HELP! The voice he heard was in his head, but it wasn't one of his Betas. It wasn't the Alpha or either of his fathers. The voice was too young. It almost sounded like Jason. I must be hearing things. HELP! Dad, help me! Drago jumped into the truck, and put the pedal to the floor, sending the pick-up skidding across the desert sand. Jason, is that you? Yes! Dad, Hope is hurt, bad! Where are you Jason? I'm coming! Kelly, did you hear him? Drago knew his mate was back at the compound, with the other panthers. Yes, the Doctors are packing now. Did he tell you what happened? No, just that Hope is hurt. I'm closer than the rest of you. I'll let you know what I find. Drago had a feeling of dread as he sent the truck hurtling down the dirt path. He could just barely make out the tree but didn't see Jason standing nearby. But once he was closer, he saw him, or at least he assumed it was him. The truck screeched to a halt in front of the small red panther, lying motionless on the ground, her body being sheltered from the sun by a long, lanky black panther. Drago was startled for just a moment. Jason? Yes, Dad, it's me! Drago rushed to Hope's side and quickly assessed the situation, sending the information to Kelly, who relayed it to the Doctors who were with her in the speeding SUV. Moments later they had arrived and, as Jeff and Logan attended to their gravely injured patient, Kelly and Drago sat with their son. I'm proud of you, Jason. What else was there to say? Drago sat quietly, his hand lightly resting on his son's shoulder. Jason's sleek coat was jet black, and he looked remarkably like Kelly and Leo in his panther form, but with Drago's dark eyes. Kelly just stared in awe at her precious son. How did you do it? I don't know. He just kind of took over. I was really starting to panic. I couldn't leave her here alone to go for help, and it would have taken me way too long to get back. After I'd screamed myself hoarse, he started talking to me. He told me he'd help me, help Hope. And he called to you, Dad. The dark brown eyes looked up at Drago. Can you shift back? He says he wants to stay a while. He said I can take over again in a bit. He wants some time. Is Hope going to be okay? The Doctors will do their best, Jason. But without you and your panther, I doubt she'd have a chance. Drago knew she wouldn't have had a chance. He watched while the doctors gently rolled the cub to her other side. Drago winced when he saw the branch sticking out of her chest where she had been impaled and the slick coating of blood that covered the ground underneath her. He took a deep breath and took Kelly's hand, squeezing it tightly. Kelly looked up at her mate with tears in her eyes. "Orsolya and Guillame are waiting at the hospital. They lost one daughter, now they're afraid they'll lose another." "Can you help her? Like you did me? Like you did the injured wolves on the battlefield?" Drago had no doubts she could. His mate's healing gift was the reason he was here now. "I-I don't know. Maybe." "Go with them. I'll take Jason back with me." Drago pulled his mate close, kissed her tenderly, and whispered through their bond. If anyone can help her, you can, baby. Kelly climbed into the back of the makeshift ambulance, settling herself into a corner, leaving the Doctors room to work, and laid a hand on the only part of Hope she could reach, her tail. Kelly didn't usually speak directly to her panther; they just kind of knew what the other was thinking. But today, she needed to. Can we help her? Perhaps. There is only so much we can do. But we will do all we can. Our sisters are waiting for us. They will help. Kelly barely noticed the Doctors as she focused only on Hope. We're with you, Hope. All of the panthers are with you. There was no reply. Kelly did her best to block out Orsolya's anguish and concentrate on Hope. There was a crowd waiting near the entrance to the hospital but the betas cleared the way so the SUV could park close to the door. Everyone in both packs knew Alpha Bertrand's daughter had been gravely injured, and wanted to lend their moral support and anything else that was needed. Guillame was inside with Orsolya, both doing their best to calm the other's fears. As the pack second, Zsigmond waited to escort his Alpha's daughter, also his niece, into the hospital. As always, his emotions didn't show on his face. But his heart was breaking for his sister and his friend. He prayed to the Ancestors not to allow a second child to be taken from them before her time. The back of the SUV opened, and Trina stood nearby, ready with the gurney. As an experienced trauma nurse, she was able to keep her face blank as she saw the damage done to the little panther. She'd already had a heads-up from Logan as to what to expect, and had everything waiting. They gently placed Hope on the gurney, Kelly never taking her hand off the cub's red tail. Once they'd rolled the gurney into the trauma room, Kelly turned her attention to the assembled panthers and Hope's grief-stricken parents. "I could feel her panther while I held her tail. She was fighting to stay with Hope. And she said to give you a message." Kelly felt tears falling down her face as she struggled to make the words come out. She could barely look at Orsolya and Guillame as they clutched at each other for strength. "She said Hope's last thoughts were that she didn't want to hurt Mama and Papa." Orsolya was beside herself and unable to make a sound other than gut-wrenching sobs. Guillame held her hands tightly, bringing them to his lips, before gently brushing the tears from her eyes. She is strong, like her mother and grandmother. And we must be strong for her! Orsolya gave her love a weak smile and a barely-seen nod. It was only then she saw her sister-panthers surrounding her, feeling their love and support. She felt their hands touching her gently, knowing the Seven Sisters were together and would do all they could for her daughter. She steeled herself for what could happen and nodded her head. I'm ready, Sisters. She closed her eyes, barely able to feel Guillame next to her, and let her panther join with their sisters. Kelly concentrated on Orsolya's love for Hope. With her sister-panthers' help, she soon found herself in the trauma room, unseen by the Doctors and Nurses as they did all they could to save the little red panther. Kelly went to the head of the table and gazed down at the lovely head of the little red cub. She took Hope's head in her hands and lovingly stroked the soft red fur between her eyes. She leaned down and whispered to her through their panther bond. We are all with you, Hope. We know you are struggling to come back to us, and we will help you all we can. Kelly was startled by the response she received: I am with her. I won't let her leave Mama and Papa. Kelly sat back and cocked her head. That wasn't Hope's panther. Who are you? I am Mariska. Or, what is left of Mariska. I will not let her die. Kelly was taken aback. She fumbled for something to say and could only think of Thank you. She watched the various monitors as Hope's vital signs steadily improved. She could see the surprise in the eyes of Jeff and Logan and their quick responses to the changes. And she felt Hope's panther stir deep inside her mind, reaching out, and then it was Hope's panther calling out. I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry! Kelly could sense the relief from Orsolya wash through her body and mind and soon found herself back in the waiting room with her Sisters. She was a little rattled from her short meeting with Mariska's... ghost? Should she tell them? No, now wasn't the time. She would let them think only of Hope for right now. Jenna squeezed Kelly's hand as she shepherded the panthers out of the room, leaving Orsolya and Guillame to wait to see their daughter. Kelly smiled as she saw the two of them crying tears of joy, because their daughter would return to them. But it was time to shed her own tears of joy. Her mate and son were waiting for her. She quietly shut the door and made her way to where she knew they were waiting outside the hospital. Kelly was momentarily surprised that Jason was still in his panther form, but she quickly let it go and sat down next to him, Drago on the other side, his hand still resting protectively on his son's shoulder. You and your panther saved her life, Jason. I know. It was really him. But when I asked him why he'd waited so long to show himself, he just said I hadn't needed him 'til now. The family sat there quietly as members of both packs passed by, trying not to be obvious as they glanced at the sleek panther, flanked by his proud and relieved parents. This was a good omen for all the packs. Drago and Kelly's son had found his panther. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 03 I'm sorry for the long wait for this story. Writing was on the back burner for quite some time, but starting to come to a boil again. As always, thank you Archangel for your wonderful editing. Thank you to Cookie and Larry for the inspiration for two new characters. I wonder where they'll take me next? Please vote and comment! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Baxter Pack Compound – 5 miles East of Elko, Nevada – June 15, 2026 Carr could hear whispering through the door and smiled at the thought that the cubs forgot they could be heard. "C'mon, Colin. He's your dad. You ask him." "He'll listen to you, Colin." "Oh for Heaven's sake. Let me!" Just then the door opened and Carr's daughter Tyra waltzed into his office, the rest of her cohorts stumbling along behind. The group of cubs scrambled to regain some composure in front of the Alpha. Carr sat up straight, closing the file he'd been perusing. "May I help you?" The look of amusement on his face was lost on the cubs, but his mate could feel it through their bond. His green eyes sparkled with love when he looked at the future of his pack. It was hard to believe that just thirteen years earlier there hadn't been a cub born to the pack in close to twenty years. He smiled to himself as he thought about all of the changes that had come about since then. What are they up to? I haven't a clue, but I'll let you know. "Well? You have my full attention." Tyra started to talk but was interrupted by her sister, Kyra. "We want to go to high school in Elko." Carr tried not to show his surprise. "And what's brought this on? Do Rebecca and Danielle know about this?" Rebecca and Danielle were the two panthers who were members of the Baxter Pack. They were the mates of two of Carr's best Betas, and had been the teachers of the Pack's growing brood of cubs since they began school. "It was their idea," Corey piped up from the back of the group. Corey was never shy about speaking to the Alpha; his Uncle Carr was always friendly to him. Besides, he knew Carr was never mad with the cubs. "Oh?" This revelation was a bit of a surprise, and Carr didn't like surprises. He was about to ask Rebecca and Danielle to join them when he noticed two conspicuous figures doing their best to hide behind their more boisterous friends. "Tad, Teddy, is there something you want to tell me?" The two cubs were Danielle's and Rebecca's sons, respectively. Tad and Teddy were two peas in a pod. Their fathers were twins, and their looks had passed on to their sons. They did everything together, and had a bond as close as their fathers did. The fact that they had guilty looks on their faces right now was what had Carr's attention. The two boys exchanged some unheard words through their special bond and came forward in perfect step, stopping in front of the Alpha's desk, heads hung low, eyes to the floor. "Well?" The pack was used to the bizarre way the two boys spoke in unison. Carr could only imagine what an outsider would think. "We heard our moms talking the other day." Carr blinked a few times, waiting. Silence. "And?" Once again, the boys spoke in one voice: "They said they thought we should go to school in Elko because they didn't know enough to teach high school and if any of us wanted to go to college we needed a real education." They each took in a big gulp of air after their long, run-on sentence. "I see. Well, I think that's something that Lee and I will discuss with them, not you. Am I understood?" He glared down at the cubs, trying to appear stern without laughing his ass off. "Yes, Sir." "Yes, Alpha." "Yes, Daddy." The group started to file out of the office. "Colin, wait here a minute." The Alpha's son stopped in his tracks, sighed, and turned around to face his father, eyes cast down. "Close the door, son." Another sigh as Colin gently shut the door and stood in front of his father's desk, the Alpha's desk, the desk that might one day be his, if he became Alpha that was. He absent-mindedly slid his fingers across the smooth surface. He knew every scratch on the old desk. His father had built it with his own father some two hundred years ago. "What do you think, Colin? Do you think you and your group could be trusted to go to school with the humans? And not get into trouble by shifting or growling or saying too much to the wrong person?" Colin thought about it for a moment. "Maybe. I mean, they'd try really hard. I know Chase and Kenny want to be doctors. But nowadays, they'd have to go to a real school to get into college." Carr smiled. His son was already thinking of the members of his pack, just as an Alpha should. Little did he know that the same subject had been on Carr's mind recently. Both Chase and Kenny had been talking for some time about how they wanted to become doctors like their fathers, Logan and Jeff. In the days of Kenny's grandfather, the first pack healer, they just learned from their father what they could about setting bones to heal correctly and helping the females give birth. But there had been so many deaths due to horrendous injuries that couldn't be treated. Kenneth Kilean had recognized that quickly, and as soon as he could he'd sent his son to Toland Medical College in San Francisco, California. In fact, that was where Jeff had met Logan and the Jensen Pack Doctor, Jordan Majors, in 1864. The three had been shocked to realize there were other Werewolves attending the Medical School, but had been overjoyed to find each other. In the present day, it was common for a pack healer to attend medical school, then a few years later, veterinary school. Many obtained further training every few years, usually by attending medical school for a second time. A few older healers had actually attended four or five times. Carr thought for a moment and realized that Jeff had been completely through Medical School three times in the last 165 years. There was such rapid change in the medical field that there was really no way to keep up without going back. The worry was always that they would meet someone in later years who they had known in medical school, a human doctor who was approaching seventy or eighty years who recognized the young face from their past. As far as the medical school was concerned, Jeff was Jeffrey Kilean, III, as well as Jeffrey Kilean, Jr., and Jeffrey Kilean. They just thought he was a legacy, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. Little did they know. "If I did allow you all to go, would you help me by keeping track of your friends, and especially your sisters? I think they might be the most trouble." Carr laughed, although he knew he wasn't really joking. His daughters were a handful, and sometimes thought they were already adults and knew what was best for everyone. He loved them dearly, but there were times they tried his patience. He knew that being among humans at that age would be a challenge, a challenge he wasn't sure all would be ready for. Colin nodded his head vigorously, his chocolate brown hair falling over his green eyes, so much like his father's. Carr grinned and ruffled the top of his son's head. "Okay, I'll think about it. But if I agree, I'll be depending on you, Colin. I'll speak with your mother and make a decision." Colin's face lit up with a huge grin. "Thanks, Dad. I know you'll decide whatever's best." Colin ran out the door to his waiting friends, who immediately asked him about his conversation with the Alpha. "Think he'll say yes?" "We'll never get to go to school with the humans. Even if the Alpha says yes, what if our parents say no?" "No one defies the Alpha. Even Bronwyn's parents and the other Council Members will go along with it if the Alpha says it's okay, right?" Colin walked briskly out of the building, his friends trailing along behind pumping him for information. He didn't want to talk about the discussion with his father, at least not where any of the adults would hear him. As soon as they got outside he broke into a run and made a beeline for the trees. Suddenly his clothes were torn and floating to the ground as the lanky chocolate-brown wolf broke free and ran, enjoying the wind in his fur. He heard the howls of his friends as they tried to keep up. His ground covering gallop took them all the way to the treehouse before he stopped, catching his breath as he waited for them to catch up. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a rabbit pop its head up. Kyra and Tyla exchanged glances and quickly had it corralled. They stood facing each other, growling over who would get to finish it off. Colin wondered: could his sisters and the other cubs control themselves among the humans? They were only thirteen years old. They'd have to keep their wolves much more under control than they did now. Something to think about. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "Thank you for making this meeting with such short notice." Carr smiled at the parents he'd gathered to talk about the cubs' request. His own pack would do whatever he decreed as Alpha, but the Council Members who lived with the pack and the neighboring Bertrand-Kardos Pack did not have to comply. If they did not agree with his decision it would split the cubs into two groups. He didn't want to do that if at all possible. After explaining the earlier meeting with the cubs, Carr sat back. "Well? What do you think?" The Panthers were almost jumping out of their seats with excitement. Their mates did not look as pleased. "I don't like the idea of the cubs being so exposed to humans at this age." Alistair's voice was polite, but stern. "And what's wrong with humans? I was a human! Alec is half human, for that matter!" Jenna had her hands on her hips, her lips pursed. She had never heard Alistair say anything derogatory against humans so this attitude had caught her off guard. Their son had human blood in him, and she didn't see the problem. Katy and Tracy vigorously nodded their heads in agreement, ignoring their own mates' grumblings. Carr was a bit taken aback by the discord among the Panthers and their mates. They were usually so much in agreement. He noticed that Guillame and Orsolya were oddly quiet. The Alphas of the Bertrand-Kardos Pack had much more experience in this area than anyone else. Orsolya had lived among humans for over one hundred years. She had raised their eldest daughter as a human. "Guillame, how do you and Orsolya feel about it?" Most of their pack had lived among humans. Their nephew, Ash, had been raised with humans from the age of ten. Maybe he was who they should be speaking to. Guillame smiled at Orsolya as he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We know that Hope and the other cubs want to go to high school, and some of them to college. Alistair..." Guillame turned his full attention to the man he had come to know so well in the last fourteen years. "I think the cubs can be taught to control their wolves better than you might think. Orsolya and I helped to teach the cubs before we sent them off to a new life in this country. Orsolya raised our eldest daughter entirely among humans." "See? They think it'd be fine. Why are you being so silly about it?" Katy gave her beloved mate a frowny face to make her point. She couldn't remember the last time they'd disagreed about anything so this really upset her. Rhys sighed. "Little one, wolf cubs can be unpredictable. You don't notice it because they are among friends here. It doesn't matter if they get scared and shift to run off. They're allowed to growl at each other. They can't very well do that among the humans, now can they?" He smiled, hoping she would see the logic in his argument. He reached a hand out to touch her shoulder but she turned away from him to stand with Tracy who had moved away from a stunned Konstantin to lean against the wall. "I don't know if you are a bunch of bigots, or if you think our cubs aren't able to control themselves. And I'm not sure which is worse!" Jenna walked across the room from her mate and stood with her Panther sisters in solidarity against their mates. Alistair was stunned for a moment but quickly recovered. "It just isn't done! Weres and humans are separate for a reason. The less we mix, the better off we are." It's for their own good, and the good of ALL the packs, Jenna. His mate stared at him from across the room, arms crossed in defiance. Carr didn't like where this was going. He and Lee hadn't expected this kind of reaction from the Council Members, or the disagreement with their mates. "Can I say something?" Everyone turned to look at Cole, who, as Carr's second, had been silently standing behind his Alpha. "Go ahead, Cole. What's on your mind?" Carr was grateful for the interruption. If nothing else, a new voice cut a little bit through the tension in the air. "Well, when the humans first came to this part of Nevada in the 1860's, Dad didn't want us to have any interaction with them at all. In his day, Weres hid from humans. That's what he wanted us to do. But we couldn't, they moved too close. We had to learn to live with them. And sometimes that meant living with them." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Elko, Nevada Territory – March, 1870 The hunters had set up in sight of the creek below. This was a perfect vantage point to wait for any game that came for a drink of water. The first one to spot movement nudged his two friends and pointed. "Hellfire, that'd make a great pelt." The man wore dirty pants and his shirt was too big for his lanky frame. He wore a blue, battle-worn Army cap on his shaggy head. "You're the best shot, Cookie. Right in the head, and then we can sell the hide. I've never seen a wolf that color before. If you're fast, you'll get 'em both!" The man was almost shaking with excitement. "We'll make a fortune on those pelts, a fortune!" Cookie slowly brought his rifle up to sight down the barrel. What he saw took his breath away. The sunlight glistened off the gilt fur of the beautiful wolf. From their size, he assumed they were both females. The other was almost the same color, but just a barest bit more yellow than gold. But the one he had in his sights was the one he couldn't look away from. Cookie felt the shift of the wind and wondered if their scent would carry as far as the creek. He saw movement in their direction and thought it must have. When the wolf turned her slender head he had a clear look at the brightest blue eyes he had ever seen in his life. They looked almost human. Were they looking right at him? His rifle slowly lowered. "Whatcha doing, Cookie? That pelt could keep us in whiskey all year round!" The hoarse whisper was almost frantic. "It ain't right to kill somethin' so beautiful. It just ain't right." Cookie slid the rifle into the scabbard hanging from the saddle horn and looked back at the creek where the two wolves had been just a minute ago. "Beautiful," he whispered to himself. He sighed and put his foot in the stirrup, pulling himself up into the saddle. Cookie hadn't seen beauty in anything since the beginning of the war. All he could see was blood and death and gore... until today. Something about that little golden wolf had made his heart beat again. "Dad gum it, Cookie. Where ya goin'?" "Back to town. I ain't huntin' wolves no more with you two." Cookie kicked his horse into a lope and made tracks for the town of Elko. He'd moved there just a few months before and met these two scalawags. They acted like just because they were all Union Army veterans that they should be fast friends. Well, Cookie didn't need friends like that. He needed to keep away from them. He'd just keep to himself. That's what he'd do. Cookie made it back by dark, put his horse in the barn, and walked slowly into his room above his gunsmith shop. He heard Clem and Jeb ride into town, loudly complaining about how much money Cookie had just cost them. Cookie laughed to himself. They'd never be able to take those pelts on their own. The big, muscular man got ready for bed in his tidy little room. He'd lived through some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, including Gettysburg and Cold Harbor. He'd killed many men, and watched others die from disease and infection, but the thought of killing that wolf today was abhorrent to him. He shook his head to clear the images of death. For one night, maybe the nightmares would go away. Maybe the wolf was some omen of something better coming into his life. Not that Cookie would understand things like omens. He wasn't an educated man, at least not school-taught. He'd learned his trade from his father, who'd died just after Cookie went off to war. When he'd returned to the farm, his home was gone and he had nothing and no one. So, like so many other veterans, he'd come west to find his way in the world, to make his mark. He'd stopped in Elko, a brand-new town at the railhead. It was wild and rough, and a gunsmith had an easy time making his way. Lying in his bed, Cookie's last thoughts before falling asleep were of the golden wolf. So beautiful. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Ewan awoke with a start, his daughters' thoughts loud in his head. He felt their fear, and something else he couldn't quite understand. By the time he'd dressed and come downstairs Elsbeth and his youngest, Shannon, were standing in the middle of a crowd, excitedly relating what had happened. When the group saw the Alpha, all talk stopped and they backed away from the two females. Elsbeth ran to her father, out of breath, stopping inches in front of the giant Were. "Did they see ye?" The Alpha's loud voice drowned out the babbling from his gathered pack. "No Papa, I mean, they only saw our wolves, not us. They were going to shoot us!" "Shoot you?" Angry voices began calling out. "We should kill the humans before they kill us!" "We need to leave this place!" "What will we do?" The Alpha's command echoed throughout the large cabin. "We stay. This is our home. We will not be driven out by the humans or anyone else." The Alpha would not let this devolve into an angry mob. "Shannon, ye've been quiet girl. There's something on yer mind. Say it!" The Alpha's youngest cub bit her lip. I can't say it out loud Papa, only to you and Mama. Ewan ground his teeth as he looked at his daughter. This did not bode well. He could see her flushed face, more than from exertion. No, this was not going to be good at all. Up to yer room, then. Yer mother and I will be there shortly. The Alpha turned to his sons. "Carr, take Cole with ye and be sure they've left our land. Then we will decide what tae do next." Claire, Shannon is waiting for us in her room. I know, my love. I will see ye shortly. Ewan scanned the room, seeing the fear in the eyes of his pack. Most of them had never been around humans. Those that had traveled to this country with him from Scotland remembered the suspicion and hatred of most of the humans they had met. He would need to tread carefully. "Jock, stay here and keep them calm. I've need to speak with my daughter." "Yes, Alpha, I'll take care of it." Jock immediately began fielding questions from the pack. Since becoming the Alpha's second when his own father, Jamison, had died unexpectedly last year, he'd been learning that most of the second's job was keeping the rest of the pack from bothering the Alpha. He hoped he would do as good a job as his father had done for two hundred years. He saw his own son, James, watching him proudly from the corner of the room. Ewan Baxter didn't want to enter the room. Even without asking, he knew what his daughter was going to say. He could see it in her face. What would he say to her? What could he say? He opened the door and stood for a moment, looking at his baby, sitting at the edge of her bed with her arms flung around her mother. Claire and Shannon looked up when he walked through the door. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 03 "Well?" He'd make her say it. Maybe he was wrong. Shannon looked down to her lap, her hands held tight to her mother's. She felt like the words just wouldn't come out. "WELL?" Ewan's voice reverberated through the room. Ewan, ye'll scare the child. Give her time. Ewan saw the accusing look from his beloved mate. He let out a loud sigh and sat down in the single chair that stood in the corner of the cozy room. He looked out the window at the clear night sky. He so loved this land they had adopted. "Papa, I saw him, and..." She couldn't say it. She couldn't get the words to come through her lips. "And ye knew he was yer mate." Ewan said it so softly even her Werewolf hearing could barely make it out. Shannon gasped as she realized how transparent she must be. "Yes, Papa." He was a human. Oh, how could her wolf do this to her? Our mate is who he is. He has found us and now we must go to him. Shannon couldn't believe how matter-of-factly her wolf could speak of this. He was a human! She had never even met a human before. We will not go anywhere without Papa's approval! The Alpha cannot make us leave our mate. He will allow it whether or not he approves. Shannon was shocked at her wolf's candor. How could she possibly do something that her father did not approve of? Just the thought made her sick to her stomach. But she already felt the longing for this man, this human, that had looked down the barrel of his gun at her. He'd had power of life or death over her at that moment, and he hadn't shot! He hadn't shot. Somehow he knew! Ewan saw the moon, almost full, in the dark sky. He had hoped this would never happen, that they would never again have to deal with these humans. For over two hundred years they had been free of them, except for the natives that lived in this land. They kept to themselves, like the Werewolves. They were easy neighbors. But these humans, they wanted to spread out like a vine, clinging to anything they could touch. And now they would touch his pack. Just in the last year they had gone from a few scattered ranchers to building their railroad, and finally to building a town in their midst, within miles of their land. "And ye will go to him?" Shannon looked at her mother fearfully. Was her father putting her from the pack? Claire held Shannon's hands tighter. Yer father loves ye with all his heart. He'll not abandon ye. Shannon took a big breath and tried to think of what to say. "I don't know what to do, Papa. Please, help me." She began to cry, softly at first, and then the tears gushed forth, her body wracked with sobs. "I don't know what to do." Ewan sighed and arose, walking to his daughter in two large strides and pulled her to him, holding her tightly as her body shook. "Ach, lassie, we'll figure out what to do. Yer wolf has chosen, and we will have to live with it, won't we?" He never could stand to watch his daughters cry. His mate eyed him lovingly, one hand gently stroking her weeping daughter's head, the other lightly resting on her mate's arm. We will live with it, my love. I hope so, Claire, I hope so. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Carr knelt down and dragged his fingers through the crushed weeds at his feet as he spoke to his lookalike brother. "Three of them, just like Elsbeth said. Their tracks lead towards the town." "What do you think Pa is gonna do?" Cole looked up to his older brother. No one else had as much influence on their father, other than their mother of course. "I'm not sure, Cole. I'm not sure." Carr stood slowly, wiping his hands on his pants and staring off in the direction of the town. He'd seen the sheriff ride close by a few times in the last year. Maybe he should suggest they talk with him about keeping hunters off the Pack's land. Tell the sheriff no one is to come on our land! Carr was startled by his father's stark message. He nodded, more to himself than his father. We'll leave now, Pa. We should be there by morning. Carr grabbed a handful of mane and vaulted onto his horse's back. This would be the first time he and Cole would ever ride into town. He wondered what it was going to be like. He'd watched the humans from a distance and already knew the brothers would be a sight. They rode their horses in the Indian style, bareback, with just some rope to control their heads. He saw the humans with some sort of seat strapped to their horse's backs, leather straps around their heads. This was going to be interesting. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Every eye on the street was on the two men riding into town. Who were they? Indians? They didn't look like Indians, but where were their saddles and bridles? They weren't dressed like Indians, but they weren't exactly dressed like the townspeople either. Carr, they're staring at us. I see that. Just look straight ahead. I don't think they'll bother us. They rode past the saloon, where six horses stood quietly at the tie rail until they smelled the familiar scent of wolves. The startled horses began stamping their hooves and pulling against the reins that held them in place. The scent faded as the two men rode by and the horses calmed, leaving their owners bewildered. The two strangers stopped at the jail. They dismounted and tied their horses to the railing, turning in time to see the sheriff walking out the door. "Howdy boys, can I help you?" The sheriff was a veteran of the Mexican War in his mid 60's, quite a bit older than most sheriffs in the territory. He had a big, bushy mustache and a large-brimmed black hat. Both features hid enough of his face to make it difficult to gauge his reaction too clearly. "The name's Carr Baxter. This is my brother, Cole. Our Pa owns the land at the foot of the mountains, about five miles east of here." Carr figured that was safe enough to say. "I knew there was a big spread out that way, but haven't seen any of ya in town before. Get your supplies elsewhere, huh?" The Sheriff eyed the two boys closely. Seemed nice enough. Looked to be in their mid-twenties. He also noticed neither wore a gun on their hip. "Ya run cattle out there in those mountains?" "Some, enough for us. Pa just wants us to take care of ourselves. He doesn't like dealing with outsiders. Mostly we catch wild horses and break and train 'em, then send 'em off to the Army. We've been doin' that for the last few years." Carr watched the Sheriff step down into the street and saw Cole tense in response. Easy, little brother. He isn't going to attack. The Sheriff stuck out his hand and waited for Carr to reciprocate. He smiled when Carr took his hand and shook vigorously. "Well, welcome to Elko, Carr. Glad to meet ya." He had a feeling he and Carr Baxter were going to be friends. He was a far different type of man than the rabble that had been coming west since the end of the war. "My name is Larry Knife. So what can I do for ya, Carr?" "It's about the hunters that have been coming onto our land. We've lost some cattle to some stray shots. There's lots of game on our land, but there's game everywhere. So if the hunters want to hunt, let them do it somewhere else. Our Pa is ready to take things into his own hands if he catches them. Our sisters were nearby where they were hunting yesterday." Larry could see that Carr was telling the truth. He saw the anger and concern on his face. He took a sideways glance at Carr's brother and could see the difference in self-control. Cole was practically chomping at the bit to go after someone. Larry could see it plain as day. "Well now, that's gonna pose a problem. Ya see, I don't have any deputies right now, and if I did, I wouldn't be able to send 'em out to guard your land. But I'm grateful your father thought to come to me first instead of taking the law into his own hands." He could see the look of disappointment in Carr's face and the consternation in Cole's. "But wait a minute, I've got an idea. Maybe..." He looked back and forth at the two men as he spoke. "Maybe we could work something out. I could use a couple boys like you to be my deputies. Then you could patrol your own land and be enforcing the law, and at the same time be helping me. Maybe you could take turns coming into town to help me out, while the other watches your ranch." He stopped to see their reactions and waited. Carr nodded his head a little. "That could work. It'd have to be to our Pa's liking though. If he says no, well, then it's no. But I'll talk to him, and let you know. How's that?" Larry's smile spread. "Well now, that's fine, that's just fine. I'll be waitin' to hear from ya." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "Kenneth, what took ye so long tae get here?" The Alpha was not in a good mood. His daughter yearned for a mate she shouldn't have. What was he going to do? "Ewan, cubs are born at their whim. They don't ask permission of the Alpha." Kenneth Kilean was one of the few in the pack who could get away with talking back to the Alpha this way; they had been friends too long to pretend differently. Kenneth took a chair across from the Alpha's desk and leaned back, sighing loudly. "Now, what is it that has ye so upset? I haven't seen ye pace like this since the birth of yer first cub." "Shannon has found her mate!" Ewan said it like someone had died. He dropped into his chair, seemingly dejected. "Well this should be a happy time for ye then. She's so young to find a mate. That's wonderful. She won't have to learn to be patient like her sister." Poor Elsbeth, over two hundred years old and no mate in sight. Her elder sisters had mated and left the pack. Kenneth sometimes thought she had been so happy to have a new sister twenty years ago because she thought that now someone else would be the youngest and be waiting long after she had mated. "Ach! Kenneth, he's a human! How ken she mate with a human? Is it even possible? And if it isn't, that means she has no cubs, ever! And then what? Does she live as a human and watch her mate die long before her? I cannae think of my child living most of her life alone, away from the Pack." Ewan felt defeated for the first time in his life. Kenneth grinned. Could the Alpha really be so blind? "Weres and humans have been interbreeding for millennia. If I remember correctly, wasn't your mate's mother a human?" "Aye, but that's a female. Females are turned all the time. But a male? Who ever heard of turning a male during a mating?" Ewan pushed his chair back and jumped up, looking out the window at the rising moon. "Ewan, a female wolf knows her mate. And if it wasn't possible to mate, then she wouldn't want him. All will be well. Shannon's wolf will know what to do when the time comes. It's wolf instinct." Kenneth watched his Alpha thinking, and could see that he saw the logic in what his healer had said. "Ewan, is something else bothering ye?" "Ye read me like a book, Kenneth. Ye always have." The big Were returned to his chair and sat on the edge of his seat, leaning forward towards his closest friend and confidant and lowering his voice. "The humans come closer all the time, Kenneth. The reason I brought the pack here was to stay far from the humans, and now they are upon us. I can see there is no escape. We have to adapt, or die!" "I think that's a little dramatic, Ewan, but I get the point. Is there a solution?" Kenneth loved his Alpha, but sometimes he had blinders on. "Hunters have been coming onto our land, shooting at the game and hitting our cattle and horses. Last night they were actually hunting my daughters!" He paused for a moment to let the statement sink in. Ewan could see the look of horror on the doctor's face. "Carr spoke to the sheriff in town, who wants my sons to become his deputies, carry guns! I've no quarrel with them being deputies. But a Werewolf carrying a gun? It goes against my better judgement, Kenneth." "Well they can't very well shift and attack someone who's up against them with a weapon, Ewan. A gun seems logical to me." He waited for that to sink in and saw the slow change in his friend's face. "Aye, yer right, Kenneth." Ewan dragged a big hand through his shoulder length brown hair. "Guns it is, then. It's a new day, Kenneth, a new day." He shook his head and leaned back in his chair. Kenneth Kilean grinned. His Alpha was a good wolf, but was never one to agree to change easily. He was more and more like his father every day. "Jeffrey lived tae tell the tale after returning from the human's medical school. I think your cubs will be fine, Ewan." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Larry held a hand over his eyes to block the sun as he watched his new deputies learning to shoot their rifles and pistols. He couldn't believe neither had ever handled a weapon in his life. They were naturals! Cookie, the gunsmith, had turned out to be a very able instructor. He waved to get their attention. "I see you're in good hands, so I'll be on my way." He swung up into the saddle and trotted past the wagon coming towards the makeshift outdoor classroom. "Easy boy, easy." His hand stroked the neck of his dancing horse, who calmed within minutes. Larry wondered why the horse had been so jumpy lately. Maybe the first job for his new deputies would be to do some cougar hunting. That was most likely what was making the horses so skittish. Cole turned to wave back at the Sheriff and smiled when he saw Shannon bringing them lunch. Their mother had thought the best way for Shannon to meet her mate was with her brothers present. He walked over to where his little sister stopped the wagon and helped her with the baskets full of food. "You made it in one piece I see." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. He could feel her nervousness through the bond they shared as siblings. It'll be fine, Shannon. He seems like a really good guy. It'll be fine. She gave him a smile and a small squeeze of his hand in thanks, then grabbed a basket and started walking towards her mate. Her wolf was spinning in her head. His scent filled her brain and drowned out everything else around them. HER MATE! "Cookie, my sister brought us some lunch. Let's eat, and we can shoot more after." Carr grinned. He felt Shannon's fear, apprehension, and lust. Go easy, Shannon. He's not a wolf. You'll have to take your time. I know! Even through their bond, she could sound like a whiny little sister. Carr was amused, but understood her excitement at this meeting. "Cookie, this is our sister, Shannon." Cookie turned around but wasn't prepared for the absolute vision of loveliness before him. Her long blond hair was the most beautiful gold, and shimmered as it fell over her shoulders. He wasn't sure how long he just stood and stared at her. Was his mouth open? "Uh, howdy, Miss Shannon. My name's Delaine, but folks call me Cookie." He tentatively put his hand out to shake hers. Shannon put her small hand in his much larger one and just stared into his eyes. She tried to control her breathing, but her wolf wasn't helping. Could he feel it? Did he know they were meant for each other? She struggled to find her voice. "It's nice to meet you, Cookie. Do you want me to call you Cookie?" "Sure, that'd be right fine." His name never sounded so nice as it did in her sweet voice. His hand lingered with hers until he heard Carr clear his throat. "Uh, guess it's time to eat, huh?" Cookie felt warmth creeping up his neck and face. He'd never felt this way about a woman before. He had this weird feeling that they'd met before, but he'd never seen her. Had he? But there was something about her eyes, those bright blue eyes. Cole elbowed Carr in the ribs as they walked slowly a few feet away from their sister and the human she hoped to make her mate. Good so far. The foursome sat quietly and ate the lunch Shannon had prepared. Cookie and Shannon had eyes only for each other. Carr and Cole just grinned and tried to act like they didn't notice. Carr suddenly stood up and stretched his back. "Dang, I'm thirsty. I think my canteen's dry. I best get more water from the well. Cole, I think yours is dry too." Isn't it? Cole picked up his canteen and felt the water sloshing around. "Heck, mine is f... I mean, yer right, mine's dry too." He'd almost missed Carr's mental nudge. "We'll be back in a bit." Carr smiled as the brothers ambled towards the well, some half mile away. Shannon nibbled at a hunk of bread and tried to think of something to say. She had to forcefully hold back her wolf who wanted nothing more than to mate right now. Since Cookie was human, her father had decided they wouldn't mate in front of the pack. He had no idea what would happen, and didn't want Shannon or Cookie to feel any more pressure than they were sure to feel on their own. "Do you believe in love at first sight, Cookie?" Shannon lifted her head just enough to peek at the big man. His face was well worn from sun and wind, but so ruggedly handsome to her and her wolf. "Gosh, Miss Shannon. I didn't... until today, that is." He smiled shyly at the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen in his life. He wondered if he'd feel this way if he hadn't had that encounter with the wolf. Something in his heart and mind had changed that day. He was so glad. Come to think of it, her hair was the same exact color as that wolf's fur. Shannon was quietly elated. Her wolf spun around in circles, making her dizzy for just a moment. She didn't even realize how much it had affected her until Cookie was suddenly at her side, holding her around the shoulders. "Miss Shannon, are you alright? You looked like you were 'bout to pass out!" He unconsciously pulled her tightly to him, instinctively protective. Shannon took the moment to inhale deeply, his scent enveloping her inner wolf. She did her best to regain her full senses. "I'm fine, Cookie, really. Your arms feel so good around me, though, please don't stop." Cookie grinned and held her tightly to him. He could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest. He smelled her fresh, clean scent. What was it about her that made him feel she was meant for him? His father had always said that when he met the right woman he'd know. Cookie had always thought they were just empty words. But now, he knew his father had been right. She was the right woman. Shannon snuggled into his chest, so warm and muscular. He would make a fine wolf. She could hear her brothers on their way back from the well, and knew they wouldn't have much longer to be alone. This was the only chance she'd have for now. She gazed up into his eyes and brought her hand to his face, gently stroking his cheek. She felt a slight shiver run through his body and felt an electric charge run through her own. "Miss Shannon," Cookie spoke softly, his face so close to hers they almost touched. "Would you let me kiss you?" He'd never kissed a woman before or even asked the question. "Yes Cookie, please, kiss me." She closed her eyes and felt his lips press gently against her own. She fought the urge to pull away and bite down hard on his neck. Her wolf would just have to wait. Shannon's wolf pouted and faded into the recesses of her mind as she fell into the soft kiss. She felt her brothers' closeness and had to break it off far too soon. She blushed and snuggled again into his chest. "May I visit you in town tomorrow, Cookie? I know the boys will be coming in to buy supplies." "I'd be honored if you'd visit, Miss Shannon. Ya don't think your brothers will be mad at me for kissin' ya, do ya?" Cookie sounded a bit worried. He wouldn't blame them if they did. "I promise you they won't be mad, Cookie." Shannon grinned and cuddled even deeper into his arms. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "Oh, Elsbeth, he's everything I'd hoped for: strong, handsome, and gentle. He's just perfect!" Shannon couldn't stop talking during the wagon ride into town. Elsbeth nodded and laughed at all the right times. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 03 Her father had agreed to come into town and meet the Sheriff, as well as Shannon's mate, Cookie. Ewan sat in the front of the buckboard, shaking his head as she prattled on. Were ye like that when we met, Claire? If I recall, Ewan, ye took me as yer mate near the loch, without me father's permission. And we had only me mother's pleas to protect us when we returned to me pack. So, no, I was never like that. But I'm glad she has the chance. Claire smiled lovingly at her mate of two hundred and fifty years. She couldn't have hoped for a better life than he had given her. And they had raised their cubs to be fine, healthy adults. The oldest three girls were mated and lived far away. Maybe Shannon would stay with the pack with her Cookie. For the boys, she had no doubts that they would be a handful for their future mates. As for Elsbeth, Claire looked behind her at her daughter, laughing and joking with her little sister. She worried so about her. She acted as if it didn't bother her that she hadn't yet found her mate. Claire was bothered by her behavior, though: she flirted with the males shamelessly. The only good thing was that, until she found her mate, she couldn't become pregnant. She just prayed her daughter would be circumspect. Ewan did not tolerate the promiscuity that was so common among unmated Weres. In other packs it was whole-heartedly accepted, but not in this one. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ The Sheriff smiled broadly as his new deputies walked into the jail. He was surprised when he saw another man and three women trailing after them. Carr's father was something of a mythic figure in the area. He was known to be a loner who kept his family away from the townsfolk. Larry had been happy to meet Carr and Cole, and ecstatic when their father agreed to his idea of them becoming deputies, but he'd never imagined he'd be meeting the old man himself. At first glance, Ewan Baxter didn't appear to be old at all. He didn't look old enough to be the father of seven grown children. And his wife, well, Larry was careful not to gaze too long at the stunning woman on the arm of this local legend. "It's very nice to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Baxter." He bowed formally and smiled again. "Aye, tis nice ta meet ye, Sherriff. I hope yer idea for this deputyin' will work tae both of our advantages. I just wanted tae make yer acquaintance since my lads will be at yer beck and call. And now we're off tae meet with our youngest daughter's beau. She's taken a liking to this gunsmith of yers, and I want to be sure he's right for me daughter." Ewan nodded to the Sheriff and led his wife out of the building. Shannon followed closely behind. But one figure stayed behind with Carr and Cole. "And who might this little filly be?" Larry tipped his hat and gave the girl his most charming smile. Carr looked a little uncomfortable as he saw the look his sister gave his new boss. He cleared his throat and made the introductions. "This is my sister, Elsbeth. Elsbeth, this is Sheriff Larry Knife." Elsbeth blushed a bright pink and smiled as she tried to look away. Her wolf had no interest in this human, but Elsbeth thought there was something intriguing about the man. She glanced back and saw him looking straight at her, almost right through her. He had an appreciative look on his face that made her think she must be naked. But she knew she was well-clothed; she had purposely dressed as her brother had described the women in the town. "It's very nice to meet you, Sheriff. My brothers are excited to have a chance to leave the ranch and do real work." Carr rolled his eyes. What was she up to? He could tell this wasn't her mate. She didn't have that feral look that Shannon had any time she caught the scent of her soon-to-be mate. "Yes, there's no work to be done at the ranch. The horses tame themselves. We just sit back and watch." Cole laughed at the look their older sister shot the next Baxter alpha. Elsbeth swiveled her head around and hissed, "Oh, the both of you belong in a barn!" She turned back to Larry and gave him her most coquettish smile. "I look forward to seeing you again soon, Sheriff." Larry grinned as he gently took her hand. "I look forward to that as well, Miss Elsbeth. A lovely name for a lovely girl." He brought her hand to his lips and pressed them to her skin, his eyes never leaving hers. They were the most amazingly blue eyes he'd ever seen. He knew he shouldn't be acting this way towards the sister of his new deputies, but there was just something about her that drew him in. She was just the type of woman he was normally attracted to, straightforward, strong-minded, and pleasing to look at. He'd have to watch himself around her. He had a feeling she could easily draw him into her web. The question would be, once drawn in, would he be able to escape? Would he want to? Larry watched her appreciatively from behind as she returned to the wagon where her sister and mother waited. Nice round ass, wide hips, just right for... Dammit! He'd have to try to keep control around her. He shook his head and walked back to the office where his new deputies were awaiting his instructions. This might be harder than he thought. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "Where'd your brothers go, Miss Shannon?" Cookie turned a circle looking for Carr and Cole. They had been practicing shooting again, and they'd progressed to doing their target practice from horseback. Cookie had been mightily impressed with their riding skills. They'd never used saddles before but took to it like the guns, like they'd been born to 'em. And their horses were the most broke he'd ever seen, but still with spirit. Nothing spooked those horses, which was more than he could say for his own and the other horses in town. They'd all been hoppin' more than a jackrabbit runnin' from a coyote. The Sheriff had asked Cookie to accompany his new deputies to hunt the cougars that they thought were likely coming too close to town. Shannon walked slowly towards her mate and took a deep breath. "Cookie, I asked them to leave us alone. They won't be back today." Cookie whirled around, his eyes a little wild. "Miss Shannon, it ain't proper fer us to be alone for too long. A couple minutes to get water was one thing. But not coming back? Well, people are gonna talk iffin' they find out. And if yer Pa finds out, he just might come after me with a shotgun!" Shannon's laugh was full of love for her male. He was so worried about her reputation. After today, she didn't think he'd be so worried. "Cookie, there's something I need to show you. But first..." She stood in front of him, on her tip toes, and pressed her lips to his, her hands on his shoulders steadying herself. She smiled as he blushed. "Cookie, do you love me?" "Well, sure, Miss Shannon. We've seen each other almost every day the last couple weeks. And when I don't see ya, I pine somethin' awful. I wish we could be together all the time." Cookie couldn't help himself; something about Shannon made his blood feel like it was on fire. He could barely look at her without wanting to kiss her and... well, do things he'd never thought he'd be able to do with a woman. "But yer Pa, he don't like me much." "Don't worry about Papa. He likes you just fine. And he'll like you more once we're... married." Shannon had almost said mated, but stopped herself in time. Cookie stopped in his tracks. "Married? Not that I don't want to, mind you. But, married? We ain't even talked about that yet." The big man's head was in a whirl. He'd had it in the back of his mind, but figured it'd be after a proper courtship, like four or five years. At least, that's the way he remembered it from his days in Iowa. "There's things about me you need to know, Cookie. Things that might change the way you feel about me. But once you know, if you still love me, then we have to ma... marry right away." She almost slipped again. It was so hard to talk to him in human terms. "Golly, Miss Shannon, there ain't nothing that could make me stop loving you." Cookie wrapped his arms around her slim form and hugged her tightly to his chest. He felt her head burrowing into his shoulder as he stroked her soft, gilt-colored hair and marveled again at how it was the exact same color as that wolf he'd seen. "No matter what you tell me, I'll never leave, never." And with that he tilted her chin up and kissed her with a force he'd never known before. This was a deep kiss, the kind that came from deep need and love, with a simmering lust just underneath. "Oh, Cookie. When you kiss me like that I can barely think straight." Shannon sighed and laid her head on his chest, wishing she didn't have to ruin the mood right now. But her mother had told her there was no need to wait. The sooner she told him, the sooner they could mate. And her wolf had been driving her and her entire family crazy. She ran under the moon every night, howling at her misery at being separated from her mate. She had to tell him, now. She reluctantly pushed herself away but held onto his hands, squeezing them with a strength that surprised the gunsmith. Shannon looked up into the face she loved so much, and bit her lip. "What is it? Just get it out. It can't be all that bad, now can it?" Cookie tried to reassure her with a smile. "Do you remember the wolves you saw at the creek that night you went hunting with your two friends?" Shannon started to tremble and held his hands even tighter. "Well, sure I do. But I never told you 'bout that. How did you know? Heck, I never told anyone." Cookie wondered how she could have possibly found out. "Is your Pa upset about that? I know now it's his land, but we didn't know then. I can tell him for ya iffin' you want." Shannon smiled. "No, Cookie, he's not upset anymore. He got over it. But the reason I know is that I was there." "You were? Where were you? I didn't see no one around. I thought we had the high ground. Where were you hiding?" "I wasn't hiding. The wolf you were aiming at... it was me, me and Elsbeth. I can change into a wolf; we both can. The whole family can." Shannon waited for him to say something, anything." Cookie was stunned, but couldn't move. A wolf? That was impossible! "Now stop that, Miss Shannon. No need to make fun like that." "I'm not, Cookie. It's true. And I'll prove it to you." She let go of his hands and backed slowly away. Her fingers had just started at the buttons of her dress when Cookie finally moved. "What are ya doing? Stop that!" Cookies hands shot out to grab her arms and still her movements. "Cookie, I have to prove to you that I'm telling the truth. And I don't have another dress with me, so I've got to take this one off. I don't want to scare you, but I can't lie to you. Cookie, I love you, and I want you to be with me forever. I want to have your... children." She'd almost said cubs. "Let me do this, please?" The big man stood stock still for a minute. "Alright, Miss Shannon, but I'll turn around. You tell me when I can turn around again." Cookie slowly turned his back. He could hear the rustle of the fabric and tried to still his heart. He thought it was about to beat out of his chest. This couldn't be happening. "Alright, Cookie. Count to five and then turn around." "One – two – three – four – five." On five, Cookie reluctantly turned and was speechless. There before him sat the gilt-furred wolf with the bright blue eyes. Those were the eyes that had watched him that night at the creek. Those were Shannon's eyes. "Oh my God. It can't be. It just can't be." Cookie backed up slowly towards his horse, ready to run. The little blond wolf whimpered and laid down, her head between her paws. She had frightened him, and he was going to run. Her ears were flat and her tail tucked between her legs. She had hoped he would understand. She loved him so much. She watched him back away from her and a single tear fell. Cookie stopped, not sure what he should do. "Miss Shannon, is that really you?" He almost fainted when the wolf slowly nodded its delicate head. He stepped forward just one step and hunkered down on one knee. "Really?" He tried to look into those blue eyes, to assure himself that it really was his Shannon. The wolf slunk along the ground, barely lifting her body off the ground as she moved, finally inches from the man she loved more than life. She pushed her nose at his hand, resting on his raised knee. Her tongue lapped at the salty skin. His other hand slowly raised and touched the incredibly soft fur on the top of her head. She laid her head on his knee and watched him closely as his hand began to stroke her fur. "It is you, isn't it?" He watched in wonder again as her head moved in assent. "Hellfire, girl, you really scared me. Guess I'm gonna have to get used to this, huh?" He smiled and ruffled her fur a little. "But would you change back fer me and put yer dress back on?" The little wolf nodded her head again and waited, staring at him. Cookie watched her for a few seconds, not sure what she was waiting for. "Oh, dumb me. Lemme turn around, then ya can get dressed." He turned, wondering how long it would be before she was human again. "Thank you, Cookie. It won't take but a minute to dress. I hope you don't treat me any differently now." Shannon chattered non-stop as she donned her clothing, more out of nervousness than anything else. "Alright, you can turn around again." She was just finishing the last few buttons under her throat as he turned. She smiled, but his face was a mask. Her smile faded. "I guess I just need to think about this for a while, Miss Shannon. Hope ya understand. This is kinda new for me. Maybe I should go ahead and leave now. I'll be back tomorrow to hunt cougars with the boys. I'll see ya then." Cookie came towards her, gave her a half-hearted hug and quickly mounted his horse. "I just got to think is all." He spurred his horse and left the girl in a cloud of dust. Shannon watched him gallop away as tears streamed down her face. Don't ye worry, my girl. He'll be back for ye. He loves ye as much as ye love him. Oh Mama, I hope you're right! I'm on my way home. Shannon mounted her horse, her tears falling onto the horse's mane. "King, what will I do if he doesn't come back?" The horse tossed his head and whinnied. The big dun horse could sense her agitation and moved as smoothly as he could during the journey home. He may not have known what she was saying, but he always knew what she was feeling. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ A lone wolf howled to the moon in the rocks high above the horse corrals. Her golden fur glistened in the moonlight. "I dinnae think I can take this for long. How long until ye let me drag this 'Cookie' back to the ranch for her?" Ewan's heart was breaking for his daughter. There was nothing worse for a wolf than losing their mate, even if they hadn't mated yet. If Cookie didn't come back, she would die of sorrow. Less than a day and she was frantic. "Carr will talk with him tomorrow. It will all be well, my love." Claire's hand stroked her beloved's forearm, not stopping when she heard that familiar intake of breath. "And ye dinnae think he'll tell the other humans about us?" "No, I don't. He loves her. He'll keep our secret. Now come to bed." Claire brushed her long blond hair, the same color as Shannon's. She slipped off her robe and shifted to a lovely, blue-eyed wolf. Her tail flagged behind her as she waved it enticingly at her wonderful, strong, handsome mate. Ewan grinned. "Ye've always been able to make me forget about me troubles, haven't ye, me lass?" She never ceased to amaze him at how she always knew what to do, what he needed. He let his own clothes drop to the floor, ignoring the little yip of consternation she gave him for not putting them in their place. Women. The brown wolf with the emerald green eyes pushed open the door of their room and led his lovely mate to the outdoors. She was right; he needed a late night run with the love of his life. As soon as they were out the cabin door they broke into a ground-covering run. She bumped against his shoulder as they ran. Once they had found their way to their favorite meadow, they stopped, facing each other, chests heaving, catching their breath. This was much easier two hundred and fifty years ago. I think I'm gettin' old, Claire. Never, my love, never. The blond wolf dropped to her elbows in a playful stance, waiting for him to follow her lead. But she could see her mate was in no mood for play. He wanted his mate, now! She immediately turned her haunches towards him, lifting her tail in response to his questing nose. She whimpered as his tongue explored her folds, drinking in the fluids he found dripping there already. Even after all these years, yer always ready for me. Even after all these years, I love ye as I always have, Ewan. The big wolf's cock grew quickly, along with his need for his mate's depths. It seemed it had been ages since they'd been alone. Mating during a hunt was a rite. This was purely for their own pleasure, and his mate pleased him more than he ever could have imagined. He lifted himself to cover her and pushed his cock into her sweet channel, marveling at the tight feeling of her as he began to plunge deeply. His front legs wrapped around her ribs, and he listened to her heart pounding in her chest. Claire loved this feeling of being filled by her mate. She didn't hear the chirping of the crickets or the screeching of the owls as they flew past. All she could hear was his breathing in her ear. She couldn't feel the ground under her feet, but she felt every bit of his body that touched hers. Even her fur seemed to feel him. Suddenly, she could feel his urgency, and knew his knot had grown. She waited a moment, and then grunted as the bulb forced its way into her body. Ewan's instincts were strong as he felt his knot seated within his mate. He began to vigorously thrust, over and over, his movement curtailed by their joining, his knot insuring his seed would not escape. He knew the time was close and pulled himself farther up her body, biting deeply into her neck, feeling her hot blood gush into his mouth as his cock shot steams of semen deep inside his willing she-wolf. Claire howled her pleasure as she felt his teeth sink into her flesh, her orgasm crashing down on her. She felt the hot flow entering her, her body squeezing more out of his cock, rhythmically pumping him for more. The chocolate wolf let go of his mate's neck and howled his own pleasure at the moon. He pulled her to the ground with him, waiting for his knot to shrink. This was the time he savored, tied to her, unable to move. This was the only pleasure he took for himself. All else was for the pack. But this time with his precious Claire was for the two of them, and them alone. Claire lay in his embrace, her heart quieting, her breathing becoming still. She closed her eyes and smiled to herself, enjoying this feeling of Ewan lying against her back. They had both shifted back to human form, and his hand was slowly sliding up and down her thigh as his tongue lapped at the rapidly healing bite wound in her neck. The lone wolf heard the howls of her parents in the distance and breathed a heavy sigh. I hope that will be Cookie and me someday. Oh please, Cookie, please come back to me. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Cookie tossed and turned, his dreams full of Shannon and the blond wolf. In the dream she kept changing back and forth, as he'd lean forward to kiss Shannon and kiss the wolf instead. His every thought was of her. Could he live without her? And if he couldn't, could he live with her? She talked about having children. Would they be like him? Or would they be wolf cubs? There was so much to think about. Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 03 After a fitful night's sleep, Cookie mounted his horse and headed for the Baxter Ranch. Would Carr and Cole know about his talk with Shannon yesterday? Probably. Would they treat him any differently? Would he treat them any differently, knowing they were wolves and all? Cookie was deep in thought when he passed the Sheriff's office. He didn't see Larry standing in the doorway. "Good huntin', Cookie. Hope to see a few pelts hanging on the fence later today!" If anyone could bring in these Cougars that'd been terrorizing their livestock, it was Cookie and those Baxter boys. Cookie waved half-heartedly and rode on out of town. He saw the brothers waiting for him at the fence line and waved his greeting. He noticed his horse wasn't as reluctant to approach them as he'd been when they first met. "Howdy, Cookie." Carr leaned on the fence, his horse standing quietly next to him. Cole stood next to his brother, a huge grin on his face. "Howdy, Carr, Cole." Cookie nodded at the brothers. They noticed the gunsmith's formality and stiffness. This was going to be more difficult than they'd thought. "C'mon down here, Cookie. I think we need to talk." Carr needed to do his best to put things right, for Shannon and for Cookie. Cookie stared at Carr, like he was looking for something. "There ain't no cougars?" "Nope." "The horses are a-scared of wolves?" "Yup." Cookie dismounted and ground tied his horse, taking his hat and slapping it on his thigh to rid it of the dust from the ride. "Ah, shucks, Carr, you gonna tell me you're a wolf?" "Yup." "Dang it. I dreamt all night long about Shannon bein' a wolf. When I woke up thought maybe I'd made it all up. Guess not." "Nope." "That all ya gonna say?" "Nope. I have lots more to say. Shannon is crying her eyes out, Cookie. A Werewolf who's found their mate just can't function 'til they're mated. I know this is all new to you, and there's so much to tell you. Maybe Shannon didn't go about it the right way. We aren't accustomed to humans and your ways. This is all new to her, and us too." Carr walked to the rocks nearby and sat down, waiting for Cookie to follow. Cole stood a few feet away, acting like nothing had changed between them. "Ya mean no one in yer family has ever married a-a person before?" Cookie wasn't sure how to put it. "Our Ma's mother was a human. Her father caught her scent where she'd brushed against a tree. He followed it to her home and waited outside for her to be alone. He grabbed her up, took her to a cave, and raped her. He turned her right then and there." Carr tried to ignore the horrified look on Cookie's face. "But once they'd mated, she'd been turned, and they'd bonded, they were and are a happy pair, devoted to each other." Cookie was silent for a moment. "If I said no to Shannon, she'd rape me?" Cole's laughter rang out. "Now that would be a sight." Shut up, Cole! Sorry, Carr. Cole didn't think, as usual. "No, Shannon would never force you, Cookie. She'd let you go. She'd never see you again. She couldn't." Carr became very quiet, thinking of what would happen to his little sister if Cookie said no. "What d'ya mean when you said 'turned'?" "You have to be turned into a Werewolf. She'd bite you." When Cookie's eyes widened, Carr smiled. "Trust me, Cookie. It wouldn't hurt. You'd like it. Or so I've heard. And then, it might take a day, or a week, or a month, but you'd become a Werewolf, like us." Cookie thought about this for a minute. They didn't seem none the worse for wear. They looked right healthy. "What does 'bonded' mean?" "Mates can talk, like in their heads, to each other. No one else can hear. And even when you're far apart, you can kind of sense the other one. I don't know how far apart you can be, but Ma and Pa have never been so far they couldn't at least feel each other. Someday, I hope to have a mate and find out for myself." "Well then why don't ya find ya one?" Cookie figured Carr could get any woman he wanted. "Not that easy, Cookie. A Werewolf has to find their true mate. And my mate hasn't shown herself yet. You don't know how lucky Shannon is to find her mate so soon. Elsbeth has been waiting for... well, let's just say a long, long time." Carr leaned back. He could see Cookie was getting more interested in asking questions than being scared. "Ya reckon Miss Shannon could wait a little while longer for me to make up my mind?" "I think so." "Dag nab it, Carr, I don't wanna hurt her feelings. I love her." Cookie couldn't believe those words came out of his mouth. Maybe this wouldn't be such a hard choice. Carr grinned and slapped Cookie on the shoulder. "I know you do, Cookie. You're a good man. This isn't a decision you can make lightly. It will be with you the rest of your life. And something else you should know: we live a long, long time." Cookie wrinkled his forehead in thought. "How long is long?" "Pa is over three hundred years old." He laughed at the shock plain as day on Cookie's face. "How-how old are you?" "I'm just a cub, Cookie. I'm seventy years old. And Cole here is fifty." Cookie stared at their faces, trying to spot a wrinkle or any sign of their age. But there was none. "Shannon..." Cole laughed. "Oh don't worry, Cookie. She's the baby of the family. She just turned twenty. That's why it's such a surprise she found her mate already. Most Werewolves wait hundreds of years." "Hundreds? Gosh, I couldn't stand the idea of being alone for hundreds of years. I mean, if I was gonna live that long, it'd be so much better with a soft, purty, woman with me." His voice had been a whisper, but the two Werewolves heard him plain as day and smiled. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ April, 1870 Heads turned as the three Baxter ladies strolled through the town on their errands. The three blond-haired, blue-eyed beauties looked more like sisters than mother and daughters. They were followed close behind by Jock, there to keep the Alpha's family safe. He didn't think the townspeople were planning any evil towards his Alpha Bitch, but his job was to be absolutely sure. Now that Carr and Cole had become known in town as the Sheriff's Deputies, Ewan had allowed his pack to come into town. They bartered for supplies, including bolts of cloth for new dresses for the womenfolk, and Jock was balancing the goods the women had bought, trying to make it back to the wagon without dropping them onto the muddy street. Shannon was still walking on eggshells about Cookie's decision. They were seeing each other every day, which helped to calm her wolf, but he hadn't given her his decision yet. She spotted him on the other side of the street and sprinted across to greet him, running in front of a horse that reared when it smelled wolf, sending his rider flying through the air. She stooped to help the man up, apologizing profusely for spooking his horse. Cookie saw Shannon standing over the prostrate man and was suddenly overcome with jealousy. He stomped his way to the middle of the street, gruffly helping the man up and staring at him as he assured Shannon it was his poor horsemanship and not her fault. Shannon thanked him while Cookie wrapped a protective arm around her waist, steering her towards his shop. Claire watched happily. Cookie did feel something for Shannon. He would choose her and the Pack. She was sure of it. Her thoughts were interrupted by Elsbeth's unexpected outburst. "Mama, do you mind if I visit the boys at the jail? I barely get to see them now." Claire eyed her daughter warily. "Ye've ne'er been that interested in spending time with them before? Why now?" "Oh, Mama. Don't be silly. May I?" She glanced over to the jail, sure she had seen the Sheriff arrive just a moment ago. "Off with ye then. But we'll be leaving soon, so don't make me send Jock to look for ye!" Elsbeth had already started on her way, happily humming to herself. I promise, Mama. Sheriff Knife leaned back in his chair, his boots resting on the top of his desk, hat tipped over his eyes. He'd just closed his eyes when he heard the door open. He lifted his head and quickly dropped his legs, shooting to his feet, adjusting his hat. "Miss Elsbeth, what a pleasant surprise. I guess you're here to see your brothers. They just left to take a prisoner to Reno for me. They won't be back for a few days." "I already knew that, Sheriff. I came here to see you." Elsbeth batted her eyes at the handsome gentleman. There really was something about this man that attracted her. Oh, how she wished her wolf would tell her this was their mate. But she hadn't. That wouldn't stop her from spending time with him, though. "I was in town with Mama and Shannon and thought I'd come by and see how you were getting on without the boys here." "Oh I reckon I can handle things til they get back." He grinned as he gazed at her new dress. It was much more fashionable than the simple skirt and blouse she had worn at their previous meeting. Carr had mentioned his sisters had been fascinated by the clothing they'd seen the women in town wearing. And Miss Elsbeth had chosen the perfect pattern to show off her incredible body. Her luscious breasts were perfectly framed, showing just enough to entice without being bawdy. He licked his lips, trying hard to control his own urges that this vision brought forth. He felt his cock straining in his pants. Damn, but she's beautiful and far too young! The Sheriff cleared his throat, trying to draw his attention away from her creamy skin. "And what might you be up to today, Miss Elsbeth?" "Shannon wanted to see Cookie, and Mama and I wanted more fabric. All the women at the ranch want new dresses after seeing what Shannon and I sewed for ourselves. What do you think?" Elsbeth held the skirt out away from her body and twirled around in a circle, keeping her eyes glued to the Sheriff's face for his reaction. She saw his obvious interest. Suddenly, she stumbled and fell towards the Sheriff, who deftly caught her before she could hit the ground. "OH!" Elsbeth clung to the Sheriff tightly as he helped her to her feet. "Thank you so much, Sheriff. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't caught me the way you did." Elsbeth leaned into his chest, breathing deeply, her chest rising and falling not far from the surprised Sheriff's face. "I'd never let ya fall, Miss Elsbeth," he whispered into her ear. Larry couldn't help but notice how wonderful her hair smelled. And up close her skin was even more perfect. As he tried to help her to her feet, his hand had grazed across that perfect skin. How he wanted to push his hand underneath her bodice and touch the tender flesh encased by that bothersome material. He closed his eyes just for a moment and imagined it. He felt his cock jump. His arms held her in place, his mouth close to her ear. "Elsbeth, you've placed a spell on me. I shouldn't be doing this." "Why not? You're a man, I'm a woman. Your arms feel so good around me, Sheriff. So very good." His mouth found the soft skin of her neck and he kissed her gently, still holding her tightly in place. He heard her swift intake of breath. "Are you a witch, Elsbeth?" She laughed huskily. "No, no witch, I promise you that." She moved her head to the side so he could reach her neck more easily. One hand came up to move her thick blond hair out of the way of his questing lips that followed from her ear to her collarbone. "You are an evil one, Miss Elsbeth. See what you've done to me?" Again, she laughed. "Papa calls me wild. Mama calls me shameless." "Hmm, shameless. That you are miss, that you are. Shameless Shamus. That is what I'll call you from now on. Shamus. Only the two of us will know what it means." "Mmm, I like that, Shamus. Yes, I like that very much." Her voice was so quiet he had to lean close to hear. "But I'm afraid I must leave. Mama is waiting at the wagon, and I don't want her sending Jock to fetch me." Her disappointment was obvious, which made Larry's heart soar. Larry released her, much to her dismay. But he turned her to face him, holding one hand. "Miss Shamus, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the town social Sunday after next?" Elsbeth's face lit up. "I would love to, Sheriff. But, I will have to ask Papa. I'm sure he'll say yes. Oh, thank you, Sheriff. Thank you!" She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I will give you Papa's answer tomorrow." She waved excitedly and ran out the door, calling to her mother. Larry shook his head as he adjusted his growing cock in his pants. "I shouldn't be thinking the wicked thoughts I have now. A witch, I'm sure of it." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ 'Please, Papa?" Ewan glowered at the women in his life. They were ganging up on him. His daughters' excited prattling about going to a dance with humans was giving him a headache. And his mate, well she was on their side. Ewan, what can it hurt? The boys will be back by then and can chaperone. They won't let anything happen to them. "Hmph." The Alpha sat in his chair, three pairs of blue eyes watching him intently, pleading. "Ach, fine. Ye ken go, then. But ye'll do as Carr says or I'll tan yer hides!" "Thank you, Papa!" Both girls squealed and leapt forward to hug their father. They ran off to plan their wardrobes for the big night while their father growled. Claire laughed and sat in her mate's lap. "Ye are a wise Alpha, me love." She nuzzled his neck and licked at the scar from their mating bite, so many years before. When his strong arms closed around her, she let out her own growl and snuggled into his chest. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ May, 1870 - Sunday – The Town Social The lamps were burning brightly in the windows of the gunsmith shop. Those on their way to the social figured Cookie was still working. He was a shy man and mainly kept to himself, although recently he had been seen in the company of that little blond sister of the new deputies. She seemed head over heels for the big man. He just seemed overwhelmed. Sheriff Knife opened the door and closed it gently behind him. Cookie spun around, startled by his quiet entrance. "Oh, Sheriff, It's just you." "Sorry 'bout that, Cookie. Didn't want to surprise ya, and I did anyway. Larry grinned, but it was hardly noticeable through his bushy mustache. "Guess I'm a mite early. Don't see the womenfolk here yet." He leaned against Cookie's workbench and picked a horse hair off his new suit jacket. He wanted to look his best for his Shamus. He smiled to himself. He couldn't wait to whisper her new name in her ear. He hoped he wasn't making a complete fool of himself. He was much older than she. Had she cast her spell on him? He kind of wondered. They heard the Baxter women before they saw them, giggling and talking excitedly. Larry smiled and opened the door wide. "Ladies." He tipped his hat and grinned and nodded his head to his deputies. "Boys. Not expectin' any trouble now, are we?" Carr laughed. "No trouble, Sheriff. Pa just wants us to ride herd on these two. They've never been away from home, much less to a party like this. He's just worried is all. Makes him feel better to know we'll be around." "Well, I'm sure you boys will have no problem finding dancing partners tonight." Shannon was already holding Cookie's hand as she started giggling madly. "Them? Dance? Don't be silly, Sheriff. They have two left feet. Mama tried to teach them to dance before. Her feet were black and blue by the time they were done with her." She turned and buried her face in Cookie's arm, trying to stifle the laughter. "Now that ain't right, makin' fun of yer big brothers like that, Miss Shannon." Cookie had never heard a mean word come out of Shannon's mouth. Of course, they were her brothers. But still... "I'm sorry, Cookie. You're right." Shannon held even tighter to Cookie's hand, staring up lovingly into his face. He couldn't help but smile back. "Miss Elsbeth, you are breathtaking." Larry took a good hard look. And that wasn't the only thing that was hard. He suddenly had an uncomfortable feeling where his cock was pushing against his pants. How could just looking at her cause this reaction so fast? She had him bewitched, and that was a fact. Elsbeth batted her eyes, and turned just a bit so she had to look at him out of the corner of her eyes. "Why thank you, Sheriff. You look very handsome tonight, as always." She grinned and took his proffered arm as they walked out the door towards the sound of music and laughter. Cookie offered his arm to Shannon, and they followed right behind. Cole put out his arm for Carr, who rolled his eyes and followed his sisters, shaking his head. "Oh Cookie, it's so wonderful to be here with you." Shannon could barely stand to look away from him. Her wolf, however, was keeping a close eye on all the females in the room. "Would ya like to dance, Miss Shannon?" "I'd love to!" Shannon was beaming as Cookie led her out to the wooden floor set up for dancing. She carefully placed one hand in Cookie's and the other on his shoulder. Cookie wasn't an expert dancer, but he led her through the waltz ably enough. She was elated, in the arms of her male. He held her tightly, like he would never let go. Shannon's wolf was on the brink of losing control with such close continuous contact. Shannon, I can feel your wolf is close. I'll take you home now if you can't keep her under control. Carr was worried. This was only the first dance, and she already had that feral look on her face. I promise, Carr. Please don't take me home yet! Carr wasn't taking a chance. He'd be watching her like a hawk the rest of the night. Cookie brought Shannon to stand with Carr as he went to get punch for the two of them. Shannon's eyes watched his every movement. A low growl emanated from deep within when Shannon saw a female speaking to her male at the punch bowl. This is what you can't do around humans, Shannon. You are not at home! Shannon reassured her wolf that Cookie was not in danger of being stolen away from her and stood quietly between her brothers. In fact, it was her brothers who were the main focus of the appreciative stares from the single ladies. She giggled as she watched the women smile and sashay by without an acknowledgement. "Here ya go, Miss Shannon. Drink up." Cookie handed her the glass and smiled. "Thank you, Cookie. Mmm, that's good. What is it?" "Ain't ya never had fruit punch before?" "I don't think so." "Well, it's fruit punch." Cookie grinned. He loved having new things to share with her. And in that simple moment, Cookie knew he couldn't live without his Shannon. He'd tell her tonight. Wonder what a Werewolf wedding is like? Guess it's a good thing I ain't got no family. It'd be hard to explain. Carr watched Elsbeth and the sheriff as they danced through the night. Elsbeth was definitely taken with the Sheriff, and he with her. The one thing Carr hoped was that neither would get hurt. Elsbeth knew he wasn't her mate. But Sheriff Knife, he knew nothing. Carr wondered how far Elsbeth was going to take this. His father was of a mind that a female waited for her true mate. That didn't make a lot of sense to Carr, because his father didn't feel that way about his males. He'd been letting the males go to the pack gatherings to let loose while he kept the females at home. The other packs were much more open about sex for unmated females. Carr had given this much thought, and knew that when the time came that he was Alpha, he would loosen that restriction on the females of his pack. Larry allowed Elsbeth a few dances with local businessmen, but then immediately after would swoop in to return her to his arms. Her laughter rang in his ears and filled him with a joy he hadn't felt in years. He couldn't look at her without smiling. Had she found her way into his heart already? Remembrance of Things Past Ch. 03 "It's so warm in here; may we go outside for a few minutes?" Larry was startled out of his musings. "Of course, Miss Elsbeth." He offered his arm and led her out of the hall, Carr's eyes watching as they left. They could hear the music and laughter, but had eyes only for each other. Larry leaned in close to whisper in her ear, "You are so lovely tonight, Shamus mine." Elsebeth's face glowed in the moonlight. A warmth ran through her when she heard her special name. "You are the handsomest man here, Sheriff." Larry couldn't hold back for another moment and folded her into his arms, pulling her close and pressing his lips to hers. He felt electricity pass through them as they touched, holding her tighter, his tongue moving into her mouth, touching hers, feeling it follow his. One hand grabbed hold of her golden locks, pulling her head away from him so their lips were now just an inch apart. "Is this what you want, Shamus? Are you sure?" Elsbeth breathed deeply, her chest rising and falling, her nostrils flaring with passion. "Sheriff, I want you." There, she'd said it. She did want him, regardless of her wolf's insistence this was not their mate. She had never felt this attraction to anyone before. She would defy her father, her Alpha, but she didn't care. Elsbeth, I know I'm just your little brother, but think carefully before you leap. You can't take it back once you've done this, and Pa doesn't take kindly to being disobeyed. Carr wouldn't stop her, but dreaded the possible aftermath. Thank you for your advice, Carr. Now go babysit our little sister before her wolf shows herself to the entire town. I can take care of myself! Elsbeth didn't like being told what to do, by Carr or by Papa. The sheriff was what she wanted, and what she would have. "Please, Sheriff, please, don't leave me waiting like this." "Elsbeth," Larry had a sudden pang of guilt and let her go, backing away slowly. "Elsbeth, I could never court you openly." How could he tell her after he'd allowed himself to be so forward with her? Elsbeth cocked her head, not understanding what he meant. "I have a wife." There, it was out. He had hated keeping this from her. But how could he knowingly lead her down the path of ruination? He already cared for her too much to hurt her. And the sooner he ended it, the better for both of them. Elsbeth was silent for a moment, not sure how to react. "Where is your wife? The boys have never mentioned her." She spoke matter of factly, no recrimination in her voice. "She lives in Illinois, in a hospital. She's... sick." How could he tell her that she was in an insane asylum? "She will never be better, but I cannot divorce her. I'd feel I was deserting her. I'm sorry, Elsbeth. I should leave. Please, have fun, and I am so very sorry." He immediately turned but before he could take a step, he felt her hand on his shoulder. "Please, Sheriff. Don't go. I understand, truly, I do. And..." She waited for him to face her again. "I want you even more now. I think we need each other more than either of us could ever know. Don't leave me!" She looked into his eyes, and he couldn't help but see her need there. "Oh, my Shamus. I thought I would lose you. Tonight, we dance." Larry took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, lingering on her soft skin. He looked up into those wonderfully blue eyes. "Tonight, you are the belle of the ball. Tomorrow, I will make you mine." Elsbeth smiled shyly, knowing that he was thinking of what tomorrow would bring. And so was she. She allowed herself to be steered back into the hall and flashed a grin at her brothers. She wouldn't cause a stir tonight. As they walked back inside, they passed Shannon and Cookie walking out. "Oh, Cookie, I'm having such a wonderful time. Thank you so much for inviting me." She held tight to Cookie's hand, not wanting to let go for a second. "Miss Shannon, I've been doin' a ton a thinkin'." "Oh?" Shannon began to tremble. This was it. He was going to tell her what he'd decided. Oh please let him choose us! She bit her lip and tightened her hold on his hand. "And, well, ah shucks, Miss Shannon. I just can't see livin' without ya. I wanna be with you the rest of my life. So I guess, I'm ready to be a wolf." Shannon was speechless for just a moment and then broke out into the biggest smile Cookie had ever seen. "You've made me so happy, Cookie!" Shannon went up on her tiptoes and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her waiting kiss. Cookie was momentarily frightened by the strength she exhibited when she held his neck, but as soon as their lips met, he forgot it and pulled her close. Carr and Cole smiled. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Monday – The day after the Social "Papa, Cookie is here to speak with you." Shannon pushed Cookie into her father's office and shut the door, then waited nervously, pacing in front of the doorway. "Mama, Papa wouldn't hurt him, would he?" Claire laughed. "No, my dear, he would not! Yer father is a kind wolf, whether ye know it or not. He'll just tell Cookie what is expected of him." Claire was about to leave the room when she spotted Elsbeth. "And where might you be going?" "Out for a ride. My poor horse has been lonely. He hasn't been for a run in ages. I think we're going to go up into the mountains. I'll be back before nightfall, I promise." She leaned over to peck her mother on the cheek and made her way to the barn. Don't think you can lie to me, me girl. Yer going to meet the sheriff. Please, be careful Elsbeth. Ye know yer father's rules." His rules, Mama. I've waited over two hundred years for a mate, and have none. And now my little sister will mate at twenty years old. I'm through waiting, Mama. Tell him if you wish. With that she mounted her horse and rode out. Claire's attention was brought back to her youngest by Shannon's incessant pacing. "Shannon, ye'll not be helping by acting this way. Come, help me with preparing lunch. I've no doubt the two of them will be ravenous by the time they finish their talk." Shannon reluctantly followed her mother into the kitchen, straining to hear through the walls. Papa wasn't raising his voice. That was a good sign. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Elsbeth's horse picked his way slowly up the rocky hillside. They reached the flat meadow that sat atop the mountain. The breeze blew through her hair which now billowed around her head. She could see as far as the town from here. No one ever came up here except during the dead of winter; that was when the boys used the cabin while they tended to the needs of the herds. She'd known Carr to stay up here alone for months at a time. He and Papa had built the cabin about sixty years before, when Carr was just ten years old. But the rest of the year, the cabin sat here unused. Elsbeth came here often, just to get away from all the noise at the ranch. This was her place of solitude. She'd never shared it with anyone before, until now that is. She smiled when she saw the sheriff's paint horse tied to the fence. She dismounted and brought her horse over to tie next to it. The paint shied a little, but had become somewhat accustomed to the scent of wolf nearby and settled quickly. Larry heard the horse coming and came around the corner just in time to see Elsbeth tying her horse. He grinned so big that it was noticeable even through his big bushy mustache. "Shamus," he whispered to himself, but she heard and came to him, arms outstretched. They embraced and his hand cupped her chin. "Are you sure, Shamus mine? Are you absolutely sure?" "I'm sure." She spoke quietly, barely able to speak. She couldn't believe the lustful feelings she had for the sheriff. Was it love? She supposed it was, maybe not the type of love between bonded mates. And at the back of her mind she could feel a slight hollow feeling where her wolf was absent, but she didn't care. She had waited over two hundred years. The sheriff made her feel things she didn't think she ever would. He leaned down and captured her lips in a torrid kiss, his body pressed against hers. He could have sworn he felt the heat from her skin through their clothing. His hand slid through her hair, tangling in the blond locks. He coiled them in his fingers and pulled slightly, tugging her head away just a bit. "Are you mine, Shamus? Even after what I told you last night?" "Yes, I'm yours, Sheriff, all yours." He is not our mate! The Alpha will not approve! Elsbeth's wolf thought the sheriff was very nice, but she was torn. They should wait for their mate. Oh hush yourself! The males consort with females from other packs, but Papa keeps us locked in a tower, like princesses. And now Shannon is to mate. I will not be kept a prisoner for one more minute! The sheriff is a kind, generous, and loving man. And I think he needs me as much as I need him. And YOU will keep your silence and not breathe a word to anyone. Elsbeth ignored any further pleas from her wolf. Suddenly Elsbeth felt her feet being lifted off the ground as the sheriff swept her into his arms and carried her into the little cabin. She just couldn't call him Larry; he would always be The Sheriff to her. Her heart swelled with emotion when she looked around the small room. He had been here for some time before her. There were fresh blankets on the bed and the mattress looked much fuller than she remembered it. Had he freshly stuffed it with straw? A fire was lit in the stove, and the room was comfortably warm. He laid her gently on the bed, lying beside her, stroking her face and holding her waist tenderly. He began kissing her neck as one hand carefully undid the row of buttons in the front of her blouse. His fingers dragged across her bared skin. He hadn't touched a woman in so many years; he'd thought he didn't care about women anymore. Oh, how wrong he'd been. Something about his Shamus had reawakened his soul. "Shamus, have you ever been with a man before?" he whispered in her ear. He was sure her answer was going to be yes. She seemed so confident and sure of herself. "No, Sheriff, never." Her voice trembled as she caught her breath. So many feelings were running through her body. Her wolf had curled up into a corner of her mind, but even she was affected. She was restless in Elsbeth's mind. "Never?" Larry stopped for a moment, his hand resting over her breast, touching her through her chemise. He watched as her chest rose and fell. She did not act like a blushing virgin. She was waiting for him. "Are you sure, Shamus? I can't give you a long life together. Are you sure you want to give your virginity to an old man who will never be able to marry?" "Sheriff, I want to give myself to you! I don't care about your age. I don't care about marriage. You are a strong male, and I know that I need you, Sheriff. I need to be close to you, to feel your skin, your body. Please, show me everything a man does to a woman." Her hands came up to stroke his face, and then started on his shirt buttons. She found his skin and stroked his hairy chest, then lifted her head and pressed her lips to his, feeling him kiss her back. They kissed and kissed, hands reaching to remove clothes, struggling to keep body contact at all times. Eventually, they had freed themselves from their clothing and couldn't stop their touching and kissing. Elsbeth knew from years of watching matings what would happen, but she had never felt it for herself. Her body was so ready. She wrapped her legs around Larry's and pulled him closer to her. Larry was surprised by the strength of Elsbeth's legs but then passed it off as owing to years of riding horses. He stopped his kissing for a moment and stroked her skin to relax her. "Shhh now, my Shamus. Just lay here and let me take care of you." He slid down the mattress until he was hovering over her beautiful little pussy. Her fresh, clean scent washed over him, and he began salivating. "Open your legs for me, Shamus. There's a good girl." Her blond curls just barely covered her mound and the treasures hidden there. He leaned in close and inhaled deeply. "Ah, lovely, as I expected." He looked up from between her legs. "Now, whatever you do, just relax. I promise you only pleasure, my lovely Shamus." Larry inhaled and smiled. He loved the smell of virgin pussy, and it had been so terribly long. He hadn't even thought it possible he'd have another chance in his lifetime. His hands slid up her lovely thighs and parted them wide, sliding in between them and seeing her nether lips spreading in response. He saw her tender pink flesh, glistening with moisture. His finger gently traced her opening and he used his other hand to soothe her movements. "Don't move, Shamus." She stilled and gasped as his finger slid inside her amazingly tight channel. Her moans were music to his ears as he slid in and out, feeling her tunnel grow accustomed to his finger. When he no longer had to force his way, he slid another finger inside and pushed until he felt her barrier. He would save that for a few moments. Larry looked up between her heaving breasts and savored the look of pleasure on his Shamus' face. Her head had fallen back, and he could see the pulse jumping in her neck, her beautiful, long, flawless neck. With two fingers deep inside her, bumping into her maidenhead, he lowered his head and tasted her for the first time. Her pussy tasted like heaven to the old cowboy. His tongue lapped at her nubbin, so hard. He teased it as best he could, using her moans of frustration to tell him if he was pleasing her sufficiently. "Oh, Sheriff, what are you doing? That feels so good! Oh, oh, ohhhhh." His bushy mustache distracted just enough to heighten the sensations that radiated from her tender flesh. Elsbeth grasped at the blankets in both hands, pushing her shoulders back into the mattress, her hips lifting up into her human lover's mouth. She had always wondered at the sounds she heard when the wolves were mating in their human forms, but that was infrequent and in private. But this was so much more pleasurable than she had imagined. Suddenly she was overcome by warmth flowing through her veins, and an uncontrollable urge to scream. Her legs closed around the sheriff's head and she lifted her shoulders off the mattress as she felt an explosion in her brain. Larry held her legs as tightly as he could but couldn't keep them from closing in on him like a vise. But that didn't stop him from drinking the gushing fluids that rushed into his mouth. A virgin's first orgasm was one she would never forget, and Larry wouldn't either. He had never felt a woman move with such passion before. His cock jumped with the thought of being inside her when she next exploded. He continued to catch her flavorful essence until she had no more to give him, and then he kissed his way up her feverish skin, lingering at her beautiful breasts, holding them as her chest rose and fell while she caught her breath. Elsbeth laid underneath her sheriff, trying to regain her senses. Her wolf had to admit to her that she had not expected to feel the lust that exploded through their veins. But it will be even better when we find our mate. The wolf then retreated to the back of Elsbeth's mind. She would feel every bit of emotion, but without their true mate she could not really participate. And for that, she was a bit sad. Of course, she would never admit to it. Elsbeth had never thought about the pleasure that could come from being suckled, and cradled the Sheriff's head as he chewed and sucked on her hard nipples. She smiled as she stroked his hair and moaned loudly, lifting her body to push her breasts closer to him. Larry grinned and crawled farther up her body until his face loomed over hers. "Did you like that, my Shamus?" He grinned as she giggled. "I will take that as a yes." His face lowered until his lips brushed against hers. Elsbeth smelled her scent on his lips and licked, smiling, and smacking her lips. "I think I taste very good." She grinned and licked his chin, cleaning her stickiness from his face. But she couldn't clean his mustache, and it smelled of her. She liked leaving her scent on him. For a wolf, that was a form of marking. Of course, it was different for humans. And if her father were to come anywhere near the Sheriff in the near future, things could end badly. She would make sure that did not happen! Larry whispered, "Open your legs again for me, Shamus." He smiled when he felt her legs open wide. His hard cock probed her wet entrance. She wasn't as nervous as she had been earlier and her body now trembled with lust, not fear. She even lifted her hips to tilt her pelvis forward as his cock found its entrance and pushed forward. Elsbeth gasped at the invasion of his hard member. He stretched her open, but stopped when the head of his cock hit her barrier. She felt him moving in and out and moaned, partially in frustration and partially in pain. When he had loosened her more, he stroked her face lovingly, calming his Shamus. "I promise Shamus, just a bit of pain, and then, only pleasure." He kissed her deeply, and held her body tightly when he thrust forward, burying his cock in his tight little virgin's hole. He could feel her body tense and a groan as she felt a quick pain, and then moaning as she was filled for the first time by a man. And he moaned with pleasure at the tightness of her body, fully sheathed around his cock for the first time. He hoped to God it wouldn't be the last. He hadn't felt this way in so long. He'd forgotten what it was like to make love to a woman. And that's what this was, making love. He couldn't help but think as he moved slowly inside her, letting her get used to the feeling of him inside her. And all he could think about was how he hoped he would have his Shamus for years to come, even if they had to meet here in secret for the rest of their time on this earth. Elsbeth felt enormous pleasure from every place on her body that touched his. She could feel his body tensing as he thrust harder and deeper into her body. His lips were constantly moving along her skin, and her body quivered in response. Suddenly, she felt his teeth biting into her shoulder as he gave a huge thrust and grunted. His teeth in her flesh sent a quick pain, followed by an orgasm as strong as the first. Her wolf was momentarily confused by the bite. Was he a Werewolf? Of course not. Did humans bite too? Luckily, the bite was superficial and caused no marks, or Larry might have been shocked by watching it heal in front of his eyes. Larry rolled to the side, not wanting to crush Elsbeth, and gathered her into his arms. He kissed her forehead and stroked the soft skin of her shoulder. "I hope I pleased you, Shamus." His fingers never stopped moving up and down her arm, lazily drawing designs on her pale skin. Elsbeth laughed huskily. "Oh Sheriff, if I had known it would be like that I would have brought you here the first day we met." She nuzzled her face into his chest, her hand playing in the hair it found there. He squeezed her tighter, laughing with her. He didn't doubt that she would have done just that. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ TO BE CONTINUED..... Remembrance of Things Past He smiled when he saw her bared body. She was just as lovely as he'd imagined. He slid his hands across her shoulders to her breasts, so soft and full. He couldn't help himself; he bent down to lap at her nipples, nipping at the hard little pebbles. Her moans of pleasure were driving his wolf forward, but his human half held him back, just for a little longer. His hands skimmed down her belly to her thighs, slipping in between them, feeling her legs open for him. His fingers found their way to her opening, wet and ready for him. He put his fingers to his mouth and licked the slipperiness from them one at a time while she watched. His lips then met hers in a deep kiss, letting her taste herself on his tongue. He felt her hands clawing at his back, pulling his tunic over his head. He managed to kick his breeches off, feeling his hard cock spring free. Claire opened her eyes long enough to look at her mate, his brown head between her thighs, drinking her freely flowing fluids. She tilted her head back and moaned loudly when his tongue reached her hard button. She had never been touched by another, and now she understood the meaning of the sounds she heard from the females when they mated. This was what it felt like when your body was feasted upon by your love. Warmth flowed through her veins, and her body shivered in a delicious new way. "Are ye ready for me, Claire?" Ewan whispered to her and knew the answer before she nodded her head. She was more than ready; his face was covered in the evidence of her arousal. He watched as she turned to her hands and knees, looking over her shoulder with a sly smile and a glint in her eyes that had been missing until now. Her wolf was close. He brought his hands to her hips, letting them roam over the round globes of her haunches. He had to taste her just one more time and leaned forward, his tongue sliding into her hole. But his wolf would be denied no longer and quickly took control and shifted. She gasped when she felt his tongue delve deeper and glanced behind to see her brown wolf lapping at her folds. Claire lowered her face to the cool grass, her body, still in its human form, braced to take her mate's weight when he reared up behind her. His claws raked her sides, blood trickling from the wounds over her ribs. His soft fur warmed her back and his hard cock probed her wetness, finding its mark, smoothly sliding into her depths. She felt a moment of pain and then moaned as she was filled like she'd never imagined. His motion in and out drove her to incredible heights and she moaned his name, softly at first, then calling out loud enough to drive the birds from their nests far above them. "Ewan!" Ewan thrust deeply into her tight tunnel, his knot stretching her entrance. He felt himself approaching his climax and thrust madly into his lovely mate. He pulled himself higher over her back, watching the wounds from his claws healing before his eyes. His tongue found her neck, pushing aside her silky flaxen hair as he bared his teeth. Her body was poised on the brink and as he bit down, he felt her climax underneath him, her body clamping hold of his throbbing cock. His head swam as he tasted her blood and flooded her womb with his seed. They lay together in the grass, his arms tightly holding her to his chest while he licked her mating bite until it was fully healed. Yer mine forever now, Claire Baxter. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "Did they run away to America right after they mated?" Tyra and Kyla spoke in unison, as usual. "No, they still had some things to do before they left; namely, talk to Grandpa Collier!" Cole watched with amusement at the shocked little faces looking up at him. Even Tyra and Kyla had stopped their fidgeting and were enthralled in the story of their grandparents. Carr was absent-mindedly stroking Lee's hair as he leaned against the wall in the back of the room. He smiled as he thought about his parents. Hearing their story again had opened up the floodgates of his memories. He had nothing but good ones, until their deaths, that is. "But didn't he want to kill Grandpa Baxter?" Corey couldn't believe he would want to talk to someone who wanted him dead. "He couldn't just steal his mate away in the night. Her pack needed to know what had happened to her so they wouldn't grieve." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Ewan walked arm in arm with Claire as they approached her pack's camp. He felt her body stiffening as the came closer. It'll be alright, Claire. I promise ye. She glanced at his handsome face and forced a smile. Either it would be alright, or they would die together. She took a deep breath, took one more look at her new mate, and called out to her family. She trembled as her brothers careened around a corner in wolf form, fangs bared, ready to kill her mate. Please, please, stop! Don't hurt him! Ewan didn't move a muscle, other than to wrap an arm around his precious mate's waist and pull her behind him. He spoke in a firm, loud voice, with no trace of fear. "I'll nae run from ye. I come to speak with the Alpha!" Claire's brothers stood just feet from the male who dared to touch their sister. The four tawny wolves stood shoulder to shoulder, muscles tense, hackles up. Their snarling could be heard throughout the camp and those who hadn't been present when Claire and the stranger arrived ran out to see what had caused such a stir. When they saw the male touching the Alpha's daughter, the distinctive reddish-brown colored hair, they knew there would be blood shed this day. He was a Baxter! Claire clutched Ewan's arm as she pleaded with her brothers. Ye dinnae understand. Please, wait for Father. Ewan knew, when he saw the crowd parting, that the Alpha was approaching. He straightened himself, threw his shoulders back, and waited for a possible attack. He heard the growls from the big male with hair the color of straw. His teeth were bared, and Ewan could tell he was on the verge of shifting. He saw the Alpha's look of rage as he stared past Ewan's shoulder. Ewan turned his head and saw what the Alpha was fixated on, the bite scar on his daughter's neck. Ewan turned back with a grin on his face. The Alpha roared out in anger. "How dare ye come here, Baxter, after defiling my daughter! Why did ye nae just kill her when ye were done? She's ruined now for a true mate!" "But father, he is my true mate!" Claire moved to Ewan's side and took his hand in hers. The pair watched as the Alpha's face went from rage, to surprise, to anger, and finally, abject resignation. He sighed and turned to his sons. "It's done then. Ye have nae sister anymore. She's a Baxter now." "So ye'll disown her now, Alpha? Ye would have rather mated her to someone who could never have given her cubs?" Ewan yelled it out as the Alpha turned his back on them. The Alpha turned slowly, his eyes red. "I would have killed ye if I'd known before she. Then she would've had a chance to find another. Now I have no choice. If I kill ye, I kill her. And I could ne'er do that." Claire's eyes blurred with tears. "Take her back to yer pack, Baxter. She's nae welcome here." Alpha Collier began to walk towards his own mate who cried and begged him to reconsider through their bond. He refused. "You'll nae see her again, Alpha. We are going across the brine, to what the humans call the 'new world.' But if ye ever change yer mind, and want to meet yer grandchildren, ye'll always be welcome." Ewan watched the Alpha's back tense. Collier turned once again and his eyes lingered on his lost daughter. The ice cold blue eyes then turned to Ewan. "If I e'er hear that harm has come to her, I'll kill ye myself, new world or no." Alpha Collier walked slowly to his mate and took her by the arm, forcing her to turn away and walk with him. He held her by the shoulders as she sobbed into her hands. I know ye'll be a good mother to yer bairns. We'll always love ye, Claire. I love ye too, Mother. Maybe, someday, he'll understand? He understands now, lass. But there are some things even an Alpha can't change. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Cole heard sniffling and looked at the teary-eyed faces surrounding him. Even the adult females looked like they'd been crying. A little red-headed female cub wiped her eyes and snuggled in her mother's lap. "Did she ever see her parents again?" Cole smiled. "Yes, Bronwyn, she did. We even went to visit them a few times." She looked up at her mother's face, tears in her eyes. "Mommy, I won't ever leave you and Daddy, not ever!" She buried her head in her mother's arm. Katy smiled and stroked her daughter's hair, the same bright red as her own. "You might someday, Bronwyn, but it'll be okay. We'll understand." Cole was then inundated with questions from everyone. "Uncle Cole, what happened next?" "When did they move here?" "Did they ever visit Scotland again?" Cole put up a hand. "Whoa. I can't answer everyone's questions at once." He could see the sun through the window, high in the sky. "It's afternoon already. Why don't we pick this up after lunch?" "Awww!" "As soon as you eat lunch, I'll tell you the rest. I could never talk loud enough to be heard over the grumbling of all your stomachs." Cole grinned. "So, what's for lunch?" ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- Atlantic Ocean – 1622 Ewan Baxter gazed across the vast horizon ahead of him; water, nothing but water. He let out a heavy sigh. This had seemed such a wonderful idea when he had told his father. But now he was not so sure. Most of his pack was below deck, sicker than he had ever seen. They could barely hold down any food, much less water. Wolves were not meant to be at sea. Even he was feeling rather nauseated, but did his best to force himself to be strong for his pack. He'd come up here to clear his mind in the salty air. He heard footsteps approaching from behind; one of the crew perhaps. He fought the urge to whirl around and bare his teeth. He had to remind his wolf that they knew all on board. And it was imperative they not be found to be werewolves, or they would surely be killed. "Yer people are not sea-faring I see. All of 'em sick as dogs, heh?" The Captain liked this Scotsman. He was different than the average laborers and farmers he ferried to and from The New World. There was something almost feral about him. He would have made a good seaman, if he could hold his stomach, that is. Ewan cringed at the reference to dogs. "Aye, none of us has ever set foot off dry land. We will be grateful tae finally reach Nova Scotia." "Ye won't be having an easy time of it there. It's a hard life, a hard life, I tell ye. Are ye sure yer womenfolk will be up for it? I can't imagine bringing such lovelies to such a cold, cruel land." Ewan knew the Captain meant no disrespect to his mate and the other females. He and his pack had had to learn quickly how to interact with these humans in such a small area. Their ongoing sickness had been a good excuse to remain separated as much as possible. "Despite their sickness, I assure ye, my entire... family is ready for this journey, ready to start a new life." "Well ye best be sure to get more food into 'em then. There's not much been taken from the ship's stores. They need to eat enough to stay alive through the voyage. But ye have been lucky in one way. This is the first voyage I've made that the rats don't outnumber the passengers; nary a one to be seen. If I was the superstitious sort, I'd be sure the ship was to sink or somethin' of that like. But I'm not!" The Captain clapped a hand on the man's shoulder. Aye, he would have made a good sailor; nothing but hard muscle under that thin tunic. "Take good care of yer woman, lad." The Captain began shouting orders at his men as he walked away. Ewan grinned at the mention of the rats. There had been quite a few at the beginning of the voyage. His pack had used what little time they were feeling well to do a little sly hunting when most of the humans were asleep. Even now, whenever one of his fellow werewolves was feeling a little better, they would go in search of one of the rats. Fresh meat was the best thing to settle a wolf's stomach. Of course the crew kept asking why the wooden planks on the deck had these strange scratches on them. Ewan had to bite his tongue to keep from telling them it was from their claws. As he stood looking out across the sea, a huge wave washed overboard, soaking him in seawater. "Ha! Now that is a sight to see. I would bet that yer brother, Owen, would get a good laugh from how ye look right now, Alpha Baxter." Kenneth was getting a good laugh of his own right now. "Are ye nae supposed to be looking after the sick, healer Kilean?" Ewan smiled at his friend. Kenneth had been the first he'd asked to join him on this adventure. "Aye, but the worst seems to be behind them. A little queasiness is all that's left now. I think the rat meat did them all good, truth be told. But I will be glad when we are off this floating jumble of wood. Wolves should nae be asea, Ewan. It just isnae natural." The rolling underneath him was making him a little sick now. It didn't seem as noticeable in the lower decks. "I think I'll return to my mate. I just came up to tell ye they are all doing better." He turned and began to walk away but slowed, turning back to his Alpha with a grin. "Ye might want tae dry off, ye'll catch yer death." He laughed as he ambled away. It was another week before they heard the glorious words, "Land Ho!" Everyone ran to the top deck, even those that had been sick throughout the trip. The welcome sight of a few rocks in the distance brightened their otherwise dreary day. It would still be days to reach the shore, but the passengers happily readied themselves so they could leave this ship as soon as they were given leave. Claire leaned over the railing, trying her hardest to make out the land so far away. She felt Ewan near and turned to look at his handsome face, wind-burned, but beautiful. His green eyes sparkled as he watched his beloved's face; still pale but with a little pink in her cheeks. Once they were ashore they could let their wolves loose to run. Then they would all feel better. It's wonderful, Ewan. Ye were right tae bring us here. This will be a far better life for our cubs than the Highlands. Ewan wrapped his arm around Claire's shoulders and held her tight. He hoped for all their sakes she was right. He looked at the members of his pack lining the railing next to them. The expectant looks on their faces filled his heart with joy. What wonders would this new world bring to them? "Cannot wait to go ashore, eh?" The Captain had been watching his passengers assemble on the deck and smiled at their excitement. "Yer lives will change for all time as soon as ye board the Jolly-boats." While the other passengers continued to gawk at their distant new home, the werewolves' hearts sank. Ewan spoke for them all. "More boats?" He knew his people couldn't wait to get off the ship and their disappointment was obvious to the Captain. "It won't be that bad, lad. It will be just a few short hours and ye'll all be safe on dry land." He chuckled to himself as he set about the lowering of the boats. Landlubbers. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Nova Scotia (New Scotland) – Fall, 1622 – Spring, 1623 The land that greeted the newcomers was a dense forest. Ewan thought it perfect, but the humans insisted on clearing the land and using the wood to form their new homes before winter. The Baxter Pack helped while trying to formulate their plans for the future. From the beginning, the werewolves took on the bulk of the hard labor for the settlers. They worked from dawn until dusk without a complaint. At night the wolves felt the need to run, but their human halves were exhausted and begged forgiveness for keeping them in check. Finally, after weeks of hard work, with the full moon approaching, Ewan made a promise to his wolves. They would run with the moon. He would find a way. The last full moon spent on the sailing ship had been torture for them: ill, cramped in the damp, dark hold, and unable to run with their mates. What worse fate could there be for a wolf short of death? The day before the full moon had been, as usual, full of work; from first light to sunset. They toiled throughout the day with a newfound energy, joyful in the knowledge that soon they could let loose their wolves. The other settlers didn't understand this Baxter family. They watched them with suspicion. What did they have to be so happy about? Were they hoarding food? It was sparse and carefully meted out. But they seemed to have boundless energy, while the other immigrants barely had enough to survive. Finally the night had arrived, the moon rising as the wolves excitement grew. They chattered amongst themselves as they ate dinner, the other colonists sullen and quiet. At the end of the evening, the men lit the fires in the compound to keep the wild animals at bay and retired to bed. Several hours later, when all was still, the wolves arose and crept from their homes, slipping into the woods. Ewan led them far from the settlement, where their wolves could finally be free, if only for a short time. It is time. Do what you will, but return to this meadow well before dawn! The assembled pack nodded and quickly disrobed, shifting, and stretching, their tails high in the air, their tongues hanging as they panted with excitement. The couples went their separate ways to spend time alone with their mates for the first time in months. The moonlight shone down on the wolves, running through the forest. Run as fast as ye can, Claire. Ye'll ne'er escape me. I ne'er wish to escape ye, Ewan. The tawny wolf loped along the deer paths, letting her legs stretch and enjoying the fresh air in her lungs. She felt her mate near her, his shoulder rubbing against hers as they moved effortlessly in the dark. She could hear her pack-mates in the distance, a triumphant howl as a male caught his mate, playful yips and barks, and an occasional whimper as one or the other begged for more attention. Ewan had been enjoying the sight of his lovely mate as she ran, but he could wait no longer. He sped ahead of her and turned to face her, forcing her to a stop. His sides heaved as he took in large breaths of the cool night air. They didn't move at first, but then, the wolf took complete control, his human giving up all control to the beast that had lain dormant for these last few months. His green eyes gleamed in the light that streamed through the treetops. His rich brown coat looked almost red in the moonlight. He almost stalked his mate; like she was prey, circling her cautiously, waiting for her to bolt. Claire stood her ground, the she-wolf wanting nothing more than to be with her mate. She was more than ready and wanted no part of his playfulness. She dropped her head and elbows to the ground, her tail flagged behind her, waving, as if trying to draw his attention to her wet folds, waiting for his tongue. She looked behind her, seeing his nose twitching, and whined. Even a human would be able to tell she was begging for him. The much larger wolf stretched his neck, his nose probing his petite mate's wet hole, his tongue reaching out to taste her. The first tentative licks grew into great laps of his tongue across her whole surface, soaking up what fluids he found there, then diving in deep for more. He felt her body tremble with lust as he teased her, but he could not wait to feel his cock sheathed inside her tightness. He lifted his front legs, effortlessly holding her still with his front legs, pulling her back to impale her on his stiff cock. He howled as he felt her take him in one thrust and then, after holding himself steady for a moment, he pulled away and plunged back inside her. The wolf plundered his mate, viciously pounding away at her tender pussy with no regard for her needs. It was animal lust and nothing more. Remembrance of Things Past But the golden-haired female felt the same lust for her powerful mate and reveled in the feel of his hard, throbbing cock as he pushed his knot into her swollen flesh. She growled with unrestrained passion as she felt him locked inside her. His thrusts became more frantic and she felt herself about to explode when he closed his teeth around her neck and bit down. She roared her pleasure in a loud howl as his seed flooded her womb. The two wolves collapsed together in the soft grass, hearts pounding, lusts sated for the moment. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ The sound of wolves howling in the distance startled the man awake. He bolted out of bed and ran to his neighbor's home, pounding on the solid wood door. "Wolves!" He screamed as loud as he could as he went from door to door. "Wolves! We must stoke the fires to keep them at bay. Hurry, Hurry!" Men began pouring out of their dwellings, pulling on their clothing as they ran. A pack of wolves in their midst could be their end. They would take what few livestock that had lived through the harshest part of the winter, and then where would they be? "Where be the Baxters? I've no use for those lazy good-for-nothings! Not a one of 'em has come out to help us!" The man went to Ewan's door. "Do ye hear me, Ewan Baxter?" He cupped his hands around his mouth as he yelled. "Ach, I give up. If the wolves come, let it be them that lose all they have!" The man disgustedly walked away. Who did they think they were? Their sleep was more important than anyone else's? Ewan spotted the fires much sooner than he expected and could hear the shouts of the men in the village. Had they heard the howls of the mating wolves? The pairs shifted and clothed themselves, sneaking back into their homes, doing their best to evade detection. They knew they couldn't stay with this group of humans for long. They had to find their own way, their own home. The twenty members of the pack had worked diligently to help the Scottish colony take hold, but it was far too cold for the humans to endure. Some had fallen sick throughout the winter and many had died. There were those who thought it strange the Baxter family evaded sickness. Ewan knew it was time for his pack to move on, and quickly, when he overheard the word "witchcraft" as one of his fellow settlers eyed him suspiciously. He brought his pack together in the dark of night. "It is time for us to leave the humans. They mistake our hardiness for magic. We will be lucky to live through the next few weeks if we stay." "Good! Being so near humans is uncomfortable. Where will we go, Ewan?" Ewan's second, Jamison, had never liked the idea of living near the humans anyway. "I think it best we stay as far from the humans as possible. We will travel west, away from the coast, to find our home. Once we make our way to the mainland, we will travel as a wolf pack, carrying whatever we need on our backs. We'll make better time that way." Ewan slid an arm around his golden-haired mate. "I am sorry, Claire, I had hoped we'd be happy here, even among the humans, but it was not to be." He kissed the top of her head as she snuggled into his shoulder. Ye are doing what ye think best for the pack, best for me. I will ne'er doubt ye, my love. Jamison looked up at his Alpha. "Do ye think they'll try to find us?" Ewan shook his head. "Nae, I think they'll just add us to the long list of the winter's dead. We leave tonight! Take only what ye can carry on yer backs." With that, he took his mate's hand and left the group to begin packing their meager belongings. The Baxter Pack left in the middle of darkness, walking quietly away from the human settlement so as not to be heard. Ewan didn't stop until he could no longer make out the distant bonfire in the center of the little village. He looked at his pack, so willing to follow him to this new life, so far from home. He felt he had let them down. He had to find a home for them. He gave the word to his pack, who quickly disrobed, the males shifting immediately as the females deftly packed their clothing into the already full bags they then strapped to their mates' backs before shifting themselves. We're off, then. The pack of twenty wolves left at a lope, led by the large brown wolf, his gilt-furred mate at his side. His coat glinted red in the moonlight. His emerald green eyes shone brightly as they set forth on this next new chapter of the Baxter Pack. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ A little black-haired boy turned around in his father's lap, looking up at him. "Does that make us Canadian then, Daddy?" "No, Jamey, that doesn't make us Canadian. Our family was barely in Canada six months." James ruffled his son's black hair. "My father, Jock, your grandfather, was born right here." "Uncle Cole, how long before they got here to Nevada?" Colin was always the impatient one. "It took them almost a year to get here. Every time they'd thought they'd found the right place, some humans would come along and they'd be on their way again. Finally, after about nine months, they made their way here, in the middle of winter! The only humans in the area were Makuhadökadö Paiute Indians, who lived near Battle Mountain. They believed the wolf created the land." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Ewan stopped when he smelled the human. How could he have allowed himself to be found? He looked up and saw the small male watching him closely. His long black hair was loose about his shoulders. His skin was dark. Ewan knew him to be an Indian. The wolf and the young boy watched each other closely. The last thing Ewan wanted to do was hurt a child. He knew he was taking a chance, but lay down in the snow. The boy did the same. Ewan dropped his head between his outstretched paws. The boy attempted to mimic him, doing his best to lie in the cold snow, his arms stretched in front of him. But with his head lowered, he couldn't watch the beautiful wolf with the strange green eyes. He couldn't wait to tell his father that he had seen a wolf. But this wolf was so different than the gray ones that he saw normally. Could this be the God Wolf; the wolf that had made the land and made the Paiute? They lay that way for hours, neither wanting to be the first to move, but the boy's stomach began growling more and more loudly. "Brother wolf, I must go back to our camp. I am hungry. I hope I will see you again." He slowly pulled himself to his knees, and then his feet, the brown wolf with the bright green eyes watching every move. The boy did not want to scare him and carefully backed away. But he had forgotten that he was on a ledge, and backed to the very edge before plunging over, falling to the ground far below. Ewan leapt up when he realized the child was falling over the edge. He looked down at the boy lying at the bottom of the dry river bed. He was alive and crying in pain. Ewan didn't think about possible consequences as he picked his way down into the ravine and approached the injured child. He moved slowly, not sure that he wouldn't scare the boy. "Brother wolf, are you going to help me? I think my leg is broken. Do you think you could carry me?" Ewan had no idea what the child was saying to him, but could guess from his gestures. He crawled as close to the boy as he could, and lowered himself to the ground. He felt the boy gingerly climbing onto his back, and once there, holding him tightly around the neck. He could see the boy pointing and assumed that must be the way to his home. Ewan moved slowly, not wanting to jostle the boy any more than necessary. But he also didn't know how long the boy could withstand the pain. The sooner he got him to his home, the better. He just hoped that he would live to return to his own home. Soon enough, Ewan smelled cooking fires and knew they were close. He walked slowly towards the camp, the boy's legs dangling on either side of the big wolf's body. The boy was still holding tight to his neck. "We are here, brother wolf. Thank you so much." The boy could see his people moving around in the camp and called out, his father seeing him immediately. His father began to run, picking up his spear as he came. "No father, this is brother wolf. He saved me! He is our friend, not our enemy." The boy motioned for the wolf to stop. Ewan thought this might be his end. If the boy couldn't explain quickly, Ewan would surely breathe his last. He called out to his mate. Claire, know that I love ye more than life. I know, my love. But it was the right thing to bring the boy home. His father will understand. I will see you soon, I am sure of it! Ewan hoped his mate was right. He stood his ground, the boy still on his back, his father fast approaching with his warriors. "The wolf did not hurt you? He saved you?" The boy's father took in the scene in front of him. The wolf was colored strangely. His fur was a dark brown, not like the gray wolves he had seen all his life. His eyes were the color of the spring grass. This was no ordinary wolf. "Father, he is our friend. I think he could be the God Wolf, or was sent by him to save me!" The boy motioned with his hand and the wolf lay down carefully on the ground to allow him to crawl off. The wolf backed slowly as the boy's father ran forward to lift his son off the ground. He hugged his son tightly, being careful of the obviously broken leg. He glanced up at the wolf, who had not run away. "Thank you, brother wolf, thank you." The man turned and, with his warriors, left the wolf and returned to his camp with the boy, who waved good-bye to his new friend. When the men turned, Ewan turned and ran back to his home. Now what? Should they leave again? It was the dead of winter. It would be hard to make their way out through any of the surrounding mountain ranges until spring. It would be months before they could escape. Would the Indians try to hunt him down? Should he leave his family and lead the Indians away from their new home? He wouldn't tell anyone his fears. He would take the next day or two to decide. If he had to die to protect his mate, protect his pack, then so be it! The next day, Ewan went to the same area he had found the boy, looking for any sign they were hunting for him. His heart sank when he saw the boy's father with his warriors. They must be looking for him. But wait, what was that they were dragging, a carcass? So they were hunting game? The boy's father saw the wolf watching him from across the ravine. "Brother wolf, I bring you food, to thank you. I will leave it here for you." He motioned to his men who dropped the animal and backed away. The men turned and left. Ewan watched them leave and scented the air. No other human odors. The kill was fresh. He waited to be sure they didn't return and approached the pronghorn antelope waiting for him. It appeared to be safe. Would Indians know of poisons as the Scottish Highlanders did? They used to set out poisoned meat for the wolves to find. Ewan sniffed it carefully. He would try it himself first. He tore a hunk of meat from the body and chewed. It tasted like normal. He sat and waited. He felt no ill effects. The antelope was far too big for him to take back to their camp alone. He called for his Betas to meet him, and they returned the food to their home. His pack was more than happy to see it. They had been weakened from their long trek across the country, and they had not yet learned the hunting grounds or the different animals here. Their recent kills had been sparse. This would help them to regain their strength. Every day it was the same. The boy's father brought a carcass for the wolves to take back to their home. They gratefully accepted the meat. But finally, one day, weeks later, Ewan wanted to return the gesture. They had found the mountain streams full of fish and brought several trout that they left in the place of the deer carcass. This was continued until the return of spring. Ewan was sure that this tribe could not afford to be giving away such large kills. He waited at the place the Indians left their game. When they next arrived, an elk carried between the men, the wolf was there waiting for them. He hoped he could make them understand. He stood up when they approached and began barking and howling at them. They stopped where they were, their leader not sure what this meant. "Brother wolf, do you not wish the meat?" He watched as the wolf turned to leave. Yes, that is what he meant. He waved to their new friend. He hoped that the wolf would find them if he was in need of help again. He owed the green-eyed wolf his son's life. He could never repay that debt. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- "Do the Indians know we are werewolves, Daddy?" "I'm not sure." Cole looked for his brother, standing against the wall. "Carr, do they know?" "That's a pack secret, Corey. I can't tell anyone who knows about us and who doesn't. Always assume they don't unless I say otherwise, how's that?" Corey furiously nodded his head. "Now, where were we?" Cole was amazed the cubs were still so enthralled. Every face was turned to him. Even Tyra and Kyla were entranced. "The spring, Uncle Cole, you said it was spring." "Ah yes, spring." ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "Kenneth, did I make a mistake? Should we nae have come here?" Ewan was sick to his stomach. Had he ruined all their lives? "What makes ye say that, Ewan?" "Not one of the females has gone into her season since we came to this land." Every full moon his heart broke with his mate's as she realized she was not to come into heat. "Well now, I wouldnae worry about that, Alpha Baxter. All the females are young and healthy. A wolf will breed when she feels she is ready. Just being mated does not mean they are ready. The females know when the time is right. They are not to be rushed. When the time is right, they will breed. Do not worry, Ewan; the time will come." The healer watched his Alpha carefully. "Ye have done an amazing thing, Ewan Baxter, bringing a pack across the sea, and nae losing a one! Ye are a born leader, Ewan." "The full moon is tonight. I will continue tae hope, my friend." Ewan clapped his healer and friend on the shoulder and returned to his mate. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Cole stopped speaking and waited for the onslaught of questions, but there was only silence. Every cub stared up at him, mouths open, tails still, not a peep coming from the usually boisterous group. A small hand rose into the air and Cole smiled. "Do you have a question, Colin?" The boy's voice was almost a whisper. "Did they ever have any cubs, Uncle Cole?" Cole was stunned for a moment, until his brother's voice carried through the room. "Not a one, Colin, not a one." Carr winced when Lee smacked him in the back of the head. "Ow!" He rubbed the spot with mock indignation. "Not funny, Carr! They're just cubs, they don't get your stupid jokes!" Lee walked to the front of the room. "Of course they had cubs, many of them. Don't listen to the Alpha. He thinks he's funny. But I think it's time to end the story telling for today. We'll have another day for stories soon, I promise." The cubs and adults all clapped and cheered for their storyteller who gladly took a bow and winked at his proud son sitting in front of him. Good job babe. I knew you could do it. Cole saw Karen beaming at him from across the room. He smiled back. Not without you, Karen.