6 comments/ 8194 views/ 35 favorites Summoning the Wolf Ch. 01 By: ArtForm Hi everyone! This sequel to Taming an Immortal is dedicated to you readers who have written to me asking for a pairing between a non-human female and a human male. It is indeed a challenge because of the balance of dominance but for a first, I'll give it my best! I think it's safe to read this without reading the previous story but you'll have a better picture if you read from the start. ***** Prologue Fifteen months ago: Battle of Seurri "Commander Titus, it's over. We have instructions to bring back our wounded." Titus, village Chief of Eilean, looked up from the city blueprints spread out in front of him. Hadn't he ordered not to be disturbed? Minutes ago, hyena enemies had broken down an entire section of the city walls, their numbers spilling onto the streets. Titus needed to come up with a counterattack now. He didn't have time for - This human messenger boy had the most determined stare he had ever seen. "Under whose orders?" "Lord Etienne, Commander!" The boy was bent in half at the waist, the bow of respect and desperation. At the mention of the name, Titus studied the messenger carefully, knowing that the name of the Pureblood Vampire was not something to be used lightly. Whatever truce this was, there was no guarantee for it to last. The key was to still remain vigilant. Folding his maps carefully, Titus walked out of his makeshift tent to search for his medics. "Move the triage indoors. Anything minor goes to the end of the hall. We have incoming." To his officers, he commanded, "Saddle up and keep your eyes peeled. I don't like the feel of this." Hoisting the young boy onto his horse, Titus rode out into the darkness, galloping over bodies of men, wolves and hyenas until they reached the edges of the city near the ocean. "It's Princess Eulalie's and Lord Etienne's troops," gasped the messenger boy. One look at the extensive injuries of the soldiers and Titus went barking to the accompanying men. "Treat what you can then take the wounded back immediately. Tell the kitchens to fire up the gruel and keep as many alive as you can." Turning to the young messenger, he ordered him to head down to the escape tunnels to gather as many women to double up as nurses. Meanwhile, Titus continued walking past the fallen soldiers, noting that despite their injuries, most of them were sat in a protective ring around a wounded comrade in the middle. There was no question that they were wolves for in the centre lay a snowy pelt Changeling, its body limp and its breathing weak. The princess. "I'm not going to hurt her. I am Titus with the city's army and I am here to help," he announced to the growling men and wolves. The white wolf lifted its head slightly to look at him but made no move to attack and instead rested its head back onto the ground with a gentle whine. Titus had never patched up a Changeling before but if their physiology was anything like the dogs he kept back in his village, then it shouldn't be that much different. Lifting the wolf's head onto his lap, he turned its body slightly and took a sharp breath at the sight of the open wound. Part of the wolf's skin flapped back, revealing a crater that looked like someone had taken a chunk out of the flesh. "I thought you non-humans were excellent healers," he murmured, taking out his surgical needle and thread. "I'm going to have to stitch you up quickly or this will get infected." The wolf looked at him cautiously with its gold-rimmed blue eyes, keeping absolutely still even when he pressed an alcohol soaked pad over the wound. That would have made even the strongest of men swear to disembowel him but the princess didn't even whimper. "Alright beautiful, this might hurt... but it seems you're really strong, so it might not." He tried to distract the wolf as best by chatting about random things; all the while running the thread through the skin and pelt as efficiently as he could. The moment he snipped off the last bit of thread, the wolf began to growl, baring its teeth - not at him but at the group of Changeling men approaching them. "I didn't hurt her, I promise. Now we have to move her onto the wagon back to the castle." Titus lifted the wolf's head gently from his lap and was about to rest it on the grass when one of the men stopped him. "No Princess of ours is going on top of that contraption. We will carry her back to the castle." Titus looked over at the men - most of whom were also nursing major injuries of their own. Despite their aggression, Titus knew they were merely anxious about their princess, especially since her Alpha status was evident in their deference. With a sigh, he lifted the wolf into his arms instead and got to his feet. "Not in your condition. I will take her back myself." Turning to the Changeling men, he gave a small smile as he mounted his horse. "You may rip my throat out later. For now, let my healers help you." The moment his back was turned from the Changelings, the white wolf squirmed in his hold, gnashing its teeth at him. "You're burning up," he concluded, rearing his horse into a gallop. The wolf only let out a low howl before bursting into a ball of light in his arms, causing him to momentarily lose control of his horse as the shimmering brightness blinded him. Titus felt himself flung off the beast and onto the hardened ground; the sound of panicked hooves stomping the ground beside him. "Easy, easy there boy..." A feminine voice. Hoarse. Forcing himself to open his eyes, Titus caught sight of defiant blue eyes and a view that nearly knocked all the air from his lungs. Naked. She was naked. Apart from the strips of leather woven waist down to mid-thigh, every inch of creamy skin was bared for his appreciation. Not that he was looking. Especially since she had the most stubborn tilt to her chin as she stared at him from beside his horse. Dear gods above! The stories revering her looks paled in comparison to the fierce beauty before him. Hair so blonde, it was almost white, fell in waves down her starkly tanned body -one that had been honed as a warrior from her sculpted shoulders down to her flat belly and lower... Her curved hips were a sensuous invite. Made a man think about putting his hands over them and - A warning growl. Ah yes. This was no ordinary woman. Beneath the veneer of sexuality lay the primal instinct of a wolf that would attack without hesitation. In the wild, males have been known to willingly mate with such vicious females even at the risk of their own deaths - black widow spiders, praying mantises -but Titus was not about to court death, even if it promised unbound pleasures, ever. Cursing to himself, Titus got to his feet, bringing his fingers to the hem of his shirt and pulled it up and over his head. Rather them both be half naked than her entering Seurri in a state of tantalising undress. But when she turned away from him, that was when he noticed her wound. "Princess, your back..." Whatever stitching had come undone, requiring his immediate attention. She might be holding back her screams but Titus wasn't fooled. "I'll be fine," she insisted, simply crossing her arms across her chest and ignoring his offer of decency. "Do not presume that I will simply submit to having your scent all over me." For a moment, Titus almost caught himself lifting his arms to take a whiff. Yes, he had been running and fighting for most part of the day but to be accused of being a stinker... "I assure you Princess that my shirt is made of the finest cotton from my village. Nothing like silk for your precious skin but it'll suffice. Now put it on..." He shoved the shirt at her. "Please." Narrowing her eyes at him, the wolf princess snatched his shirt but made no move to put it on. Instead, she merely clutched it to her chest as she hoisted herself with as much grace as she could afford up his horse before turning to give him dagger-like stares. "Keep your hands to yourself human," she hissed when he slipped behind her. "Trust me Princess, that will never happen. Ever." *** Chapter 1 Eulalie was dressed for mourning. And that was the only thing compelling her not to tug at the wraps of white around her body or the constricting strap around her neck. Modesty was the highest respect a wolf Changeling could offer, especially in a situation like this -even if it meant being vulnerable under all that layers of cloth. Eulalie rather favoured her usual garb of pleated leathers and her unbridled blonde hair. Made it all the more easier to shift and attack. Not that she was regretting it. No. This was the single most important moment in her life. After weeks of scouring through the labyrinth of caves beneath the central mountains, they had finally collected most - if not all - of the dead children. She had personally prepared their bodies for the burial rituals; bathing them in scented water and wrapping their minute bodies in the finest cloth she could spare from her own treasury. "Princess, whenever you are ready." One of her beta wolves pressed the torch into her palms, bowing low as he retreated to the circle surrounding the ritual platform. Nodding -more for her benefit than theirs - she touched the tip of the flame to the pile of wood beneath the platform and watched as the embers spread, consuming all organic matter in its path. She supposed, this was cathartic -a cleansing for the dead and also a closure for the living. A very Vampire concept. And yet, here she was, honouring the half of the blood making up these innocents by partaking in this ritual. Her way of returning to them some semblance of humaneness after the crimes committed against them by the Pureblood masquerading as their father and sire. She would have hunted him down and ripped his living flesh from his bones if Lord Etienne of the West had clearly forbid her to do so. And the only reason she agreed - because she never took orders blindly -was that Ealdwin, the Pureblood responsible for this massacre, had tried to hurt Rose and her baby. Now that was the only acceptable excuse to let Etienne tear apart this sick bastard, uncle and all. No one touched the mate and child of a male without consequences. Death, especially that of young, always ripped apart whatever social fabric that held the pack together, seeing how they were so difficult to conceive in the first place. Even her father with his multitude of wives only managed to sire eighteen children, of which she was the second and only female. Oh, did she mention that Changelings often sired males? Something about their physiological makeup that favoured the alpha sex - not that it made her any less dominant than her brothers. In fact, she was too dominant. A gift, her father would say but for Eulalie it was a curse. Next only to her eldest sibling and her father, she had found Changeling men so unsatisfying with their need to succumb to her wolf or her royal status. True, it wasn't their fault but apart from the gratifying romp between the sheets, none of the males interested her long enough for her to pay attention. And after 300 years of being a single femme fatale, carefree sex was starting to take its toll on her. With no mate and no child to call her own, Eulalie was only now coming to understand the feeling of longing and emptiness so many of her female pack members often whispered of. Her father, the Changeling Lord of the East, had no desire to have her mated. Not only because he had enough sons to take over his throne but also because that overbearing ogre didn't think any male was good enough for her. But damn it! To be mateless all her life? That was just pure selfishness. Perhaps she should give herself a year. Find a nice wolf -maybe someone like Merkel and then settle down. "Yeah right," she muttered under her breath. As if she would submit to any male. But then again, she'd never bedded a red wolf before so maybe the experience might not be too bad. Who's to say she had to marry him? It would be mutual fun and when it was time to break it off, neither would hold a grudge. That was just how things were between Changelings. Besides, that would just give her an excuse to visit the Southern lands more and spend time with Lady Rose and her beautiful prince. "Sister mine, if you frown any harder, I might find it difficult to pry your brows apart." Taking her eyes away from the smouldering ashes, Eulalie tilted her face up to the broad genuine smile of her youngest and most beloved brother. Those blue eyes with gold rims echoed her own. "Eirikr, we all know your fingers won't make it back to your side whole if you dare." Her tone was harsh but from the glint of laughter in his eyes, she knew her joke was not lost on him. There could never exist a universe in which Eulalie would dare raise her hand against her baby brother - not that he was ever insolent to begin with. Trusting, kind, gentle and openly loving would be a better description of Eirikr. Even in his dominance, he never gave a command that intentionally hurt anyone's feelings. Nor did he take unwilling lovers as was the norm practiced by their brothers and father. In fact, the one and only lover he had ever taken - despite her disapproval - was that Pureblood cousin of Etienne's. She must have been scowling at him for Eirikr began to draw her into his warmth, dousing her in his calming heartbeat and scent. Sighing, Eulalie cursed how time flew by, robbing her of the moments when her baby brother was well... still a baby. Truly, was he already 200 years old? "What ails you sister? If it is a male, I will rip out his heart if it makes you smile again." Now wasn't that the problem? "I wish there was one so you could threaten to do exactly that to him. Alas, there is none!" she complained. "Is it a mate you are looking for? Or simply... pleasure?" His eyes averted at the mention of the last word. Indeed, her brother was an anomaly in that aspect; a detriment only to himself for the Pureblood female he had sworn monogamy to had no intentions of ever being with him again. "I wouldn't rule out the former," she whispered, almost ashamed at having to admit that to him. "But unlike you, I do not wish to tie myself to anyone -yet." Pressing a kiss on her forehead, he cupped her cheek and smiled. "Perhaps I could help. You know I do a lot of trade with the nearby islands and personally, I've met some wolf nobility who might... be of interest to you." "And no females are of interest to you?" She arched an eyebrow at him. "Please. Let us not conduct morbid confessions unworthy of this evening," he laughed. "We've got a long night ahead of us." Eulalie knew he was evading the issue but her brother was right. As with their customs, the burials would commence at midnight all the way till dawn. And Eulalie would be the one to dig the most graves and lay to rest the most innocents. Fucking long night. *** Titus, son of Theodore of Eilean stepped into the receiving hall of his manor and inspected the contributions from the village households. Due to the atrocities that the hyena Changelings assaulted on their village a year ago, nearly half of their arable land had gone to waste. And with the fish Changelings retreating closer to the sea, the rivers of Eilean were bereft of the beautiful polished gems that had often been given as tribute to the Lord of the West. "Chief Titus, I am afraid this is all we could offer the Lady of the South this year." The mortified look accompanying the treasurer's apology said it all. What a first impression to make to their new ruler. With the shifting of boundaries between the Western and Southern lands, Lady Rose of the South now provided the protection and support that Eilean desperately needed to rebuild its town. In fact, under the new southern rule, taxes have been greatly reduced, trade encouraged and from their last negotiations with the council of advisors, connecting roads were being built linking the north-west territories directly to the city. And what had Eilean offered in return? Perishables. Even though Titus knew Rose personally and knew she would never hold it out against his people; it still shamed him to have his village fall short on their tribute. Pathetic. "Hale, assemble the head of families who have at least two sons. I will address them as soon as they are ready," he ordered, grateful that the treasurer didn't even bat an eye as he strode out to complete his task. The village clock had barely made its chime for the next hour when the first family arrived - a farmer and his two sons, both of whom looked barely fifteen years of age. From the uncanny resemblance, Titus concluded that they were twins which meant separating them would be hard; if not harder than taking them away from their families. So when Hale finally entered the hall with the last of the families, Titus took a deep breath and gathered his fellow villagers. "Thank you my brothers for coming here on such short notice. I will not try and sugar coat this nor leave you in suspense any longer," said Titus, taking a step back and pointing to their miniscule tribute offerings. "I require each family present to offer me one of your sons as tribute to Seurri. They will be trained as soldiers, fed and cared for by the royal infantry." As expected, some of the younger boys gripped to their fathers while the older ones, on the brink of independence, stepped forward with their heads bowed. Still, it didn't prepare him for the wailings that followed -some from the parents and some from the child. "I am not making this request lightly. Remember that many of you would not have gotten your children back from those hyena caves if not for Lady Rose." His sister had been one of the two who didn't make it. "But Chief Titus! How am I to till my lands with one less son?" asked the father of the twins earlier. Titus nodded at his concern, reaching forward to pat the man on his shoulder. "The Council of Elders will convene tonight to draw up a plan. We'll make sure all available hands farm these lands in the next season." Even if it meant taking the women away from their hearth to work the fields. "Take this night to spend time with your sons. We will leave at daybreak for Seurri." *** The Council of Elders were of his late father's contemporaries, each member already at that age where a successor had been groomed and sat by his side during their monthly meetings. Tonight however, was an exception. Titus had requested the protégés to be given the veto-ing powers tonight; their predecessors providing only advice. It hadn't gone down well. At all. "It is not my intention to displace you my Elders," assured Titus as he addressed the company of eight seniors and their successors. "But this matter has greater impact on the next generation -they would be the ones making the sacrifices." "And our experiences count for nothing? Did you not think your father had to make such decisions in the past too?" This came from Hale's predecessor, a wizened elder whose mind was so sharp; he still spotted mistakes in his protégé's accounting. "Unlike previous tributes to the West, the Lady of the South has greatly reduced our taxes so why is there a need to supply the city with men? My calculations put us only at a deficit of an equivalent to four hundred units of silver." Only? That equated to nearly double of their crop harvests this year! "In more prosperous times, yes perhaps we could have measured up to that. But let me ask you this. Who is to say that this deficit will not go against our favour in the future should we request for help from Seurri? If we were to be attacked again, why should the Lady Rose send military support when another equally deserving village has paid its dues in full? Summoning the Wolf Ch. 01 The Southern army is limited in numbers now and the city itself is still recovering from the onslaught of war last year. So do not think for a minute that we can just sit on our asses and expect help at the click of a finger!" Titus rarely raised his voice, especially in front of an Elder, so when he snapped his fingers punctuating his last words, everyone sat upright. No one dared to look him in the eye - except one. "Chief Titus, I am in favour of this motion," Hale cleared his throat as he raised his hand. "Our warrior class has been reduced to a handful of men, many of whom have taken to farm the lands to survive. Who then will come to our aid if not our own brothers?" Turning to the others in the room, he continued, "I would offer myself as tribute if I could and it would be an honour." "You will do no such thing Hale," replied Titus kindly. As touched as he was by the loyalty of his friend, Titus would not accept the sole child as a tribute. "The life of a soldier is cruel and harsh. That is not something I will pretend otherwise. My only consolation to the families affected is that they should still have a son back home to pass on their family name. And for that Hale, you must stay here." And with that, the motion was passed: each of the eight young protégées in favour of Titus's decision to send their men as soldiers in the city's army. Now, the only hurdle left was the acceptance by Lady Rose herself. *** Eulalie's muscles felt like they had been stripped, roasted then twisted around her bones as she laid the final body to rest in one of the thirty-seven graves she had dug. The child had been so tiny; she could fit the entire length along her forearm alone. And that realisation had ripped her heart out brutally. "Rest in peace for all eternity my children..." she whispered into the night. "I will not rest until the one responsible for all this is dead. This is my promise to you." For a start, Eulalie was planning to follow whatever remaining hyena tracks she had discovered two nights ago along the mountain river. "No. You will return home with me and rest. Do not think for a moment that I do not know what fills your mind." The voice of her brother seeped into her consciousness. "Lord Etienne is due tomorrow night so there is no need to set off right now." "You can update him Eirikr. I must not lose those tracks," she replied, clenching and unclenching her knuckles in frustration. "Even the slightest of rainfall will wash their scent away. I cannot afford that." Even then, Eulalie did not fight Eirikr when he settled her in front of him, feeling the familiar gallop of the horse as it sped off home. Grateful for the silence he offered, Eulalie leaned her head back against his chest and allowed herself -just for that short horse ride -to cry. There would be no shedding of tears once her feet were on solid ground again. "We are here." Her body was lifted off the horse effortlessly but where she expected a lecture, Eirikr had only given her his back. Instead, he focused on debriefing and dismissing the other wolf soldiers who had accompanied them. Only when they were truly alone, he turned to her; one hand wrapped over her shoulders. "Come, you need to eat." He had bullied her into her room, forcing what looked like soup and bread down her throat before pulling the thick blanket over her and ordering her to sleep. Eulalie knew she could never be like this with anyone - not even with her other siblings -except him. To be seen as weak would have been the perfect weapon against her. "Are you off to tend to the child?" she whispered just as he was about to close the door. "Yes. Rest well sister mine." A click of the door later, Eulalie felt truly alone. No, not alone. Lonely. Just for once, she wished it was someone other than her baby brother who could love her enough to tuck her into bed without asking anything in return. But then again, it was just his nature to be nurturing and caring. How did he turn out that way when she had been the one who raised him? After his mother died, Eulalie had been tasked to care for him but there had been no coddling on her part. Even before teaching him to read, write and count, she had trained him to fight, to scout and to hunt. And yet with every beating he had received -whether it was due to his poor stance or his loss at sword fighting, Eirikr had always given her his most precious smile and loved her just the same. Over time, she too had learnt to love him back and maybe because of that, she was just slightly selfish in wanting to share him with anyone else. But then she had seen the way he handled the child they found in the caves -the same one he was now tending to, no doubt. Disbelief had quickly been eclipsed by a yearning. Indeed the child was everything he wanted and hoped to achieve with that woman of his. And to see the possibility so clearly in his arms, Eulalie knew there was no denying her brother of his need to claim the child as his own. Whether or not he had to fight to keep it was another story. *** Guided by the scent of sweat and horses, Titus almost felt at home again as he knocked on the gated door of the Seurri royal infantry. Behind him, the nervous young men of Eilean shuffled their feet, their eyes wandering as they took in the city centre for the first time. "Titus you bastard!" The door swung open and a bearded man with thick arms grabbed him in a fierce bear hug. For a moment, Titus felt his ribs being crushed under Merkel's body and caught the open-mouthed look of fear on his boys' faces. "Merkel, it's good to see you too," he managed to choke out. "Oh and who are these? You brought me snacks?" Colour drained completely from their faces as the red wolf Changeling released Titus and stomped towards them, flashing his pearly whites. "We'll fatten them up first," replied Titus with a laugh. But as one of the boys faceplanted onto the ground, he gave a tickled sigh. "Sooner, rather than later I hope. Depending on what Lady Rose says, then these men are all yours - to train that is." Turning to the village boys, he nodded and jerked his thumb towards the communal resting area, watching as they scrambled to put as much distance between them and the red wolf scowling teasingly at them. "You'd think they've never seen a Changeling before," snorted Merkel. "What a welcome to the big city eh?" The only Changeling kind these boys were used to were the fish variety and those definitely did not have claws or teeth like Merkel. "These were the only men I could spare," he admitted. "It's Eilean's contributions to Seurri." Understanding passed across the red wolf's face. Merkel of all people would relate to the need to give back to the city. After all, Rose had given him and his kind free land to rebuild their lives after their own homes were razed to the ground by hyena Changelings. Placing a large hand on his shoulder, Merkel patted once. "We will watch over them and train them well General." "Who are you calling General?" Titus looked up at the Changeling with a raised eyebrow. For a human, Titus towered over most of his villagers but even he could not match Merkel's height nor built. "And it is not we who will be training them. It is you." "Don't be too sure about that! Thing is, Lady Rose is looking for an army general. Said I handled the sewer situation, as she called it, really well. But see, that's your brainchild. So I must pass this up when I see a more worthy candidate you get me?" said Merkel. "Tell me you did not," groaned Titus, palming his face forehead to chin. There was no way he would leave his village affairs and stay here as a bureaucrat of the army. Sure, he had stepped up as a unit commander during the siege then but that position was merely a speck compared to the responsibility as a General. Providing military aid was one thing but to devote his entire life to a soldier's life? "What of Miria?" "Nah. She's the personal guard of the royal family." Was it just him or did Merkel actually blush? "And besides, she fights too rough." Definitely a blush. And that last sentence was more a compliment than anything. "We were supposed to nominate someone. Heard the Lady will convene with her Council and decide." "And you put me." Titus let out a resigned sigh. "Hell yeah." Another pat on his shoulder, this time harder. "No offence Titus but you're human." Rolling his eyes, he folded his arms and took the bait. "So?" "And I respect the hell out of you - which says a lot since you're not my Alpha and all. But damn, you kept this city alive man." That he did. Against all the odds. Tens of thousands against the few hundred they had defending Seurri? "I appreciate that Merkel. I really do. I just hope the Lady remembers this when I offer my men for her army." "Good luck with that," grunted Merkel. Before he could ask why, the Changeling continued. "The Lord of the West is here. She's always stricter when he's around." Damn. Keeping Merkel's warning in mind, Titus headed to the castle with the memory of the last words Lord Etienne Arceneaux had said to him. The next time you are in the presence of Lady Rose; keep your hands to yourself if you wish to live. It had been just a kiss damn it. One meagre kiss - not even with the tongue kind. And for that, Titus had since not dared to even look Rose in the eye and definitely not the Lord of the West himself. So when he was in full audience of both the Lord and Lady, Titus only wished he could bow lower and kiss the carpet. Even better if he could keel over and bury himself under the tiles. "Titus of Eilean, how lovely to see you again." Titus scrambled to his feet when Lady Rose got up to approach him. "How is the village?" "Very well my Lady. I have come here bearing tribute." Rose looked over at the items he had behind him and nodded with a kind smile. "Thank you for your allegiance and contributions Eilean. Seurri accepts." Taking his eyes quickly from hers, Titus bowed low before going stiff vertical again. "You are most kind my Lady but I am well aware of our shortfall." Tilting his body slightly, he gestured to the twenty scrawny males behind him. "Soldiers, for your army." Silence. Rose glanced over at the boys then back at Titus but said nothing. Instead, she walked back to her throne and sat next to her mate. "Titus of Eilean, tell me, have there been any more attacks?" This came from the Pureblood Vampire seated by her side. "No my Lord." Though his baritone voice still nursed an air of malice, it melted the instance Lord Etienne turned to Rose; his expression softening to something Titus could only describe as love. A silent discussion passed between the couple, ending with a triumphant smile on the Lady. "Then it is not necessary for you to offer me these young men," said Lady Rose. "But my Lady! Seurri is in need of soldiers. Your infantry has lost a considerable number of men in the siege and -" "Indeed," she interrupted, raising a hand to halt his next protest. "I will need hundreds, if not thousands to regain its full strength. What possibly can twenty boys -who by the looks of it have never even picked up a sword -do for me?" Titus locked his jaw tight. She was right but he hadn't travelled all the way here for her to send them away. "They are young and inexperienced and know nothing of loyalty or obedience." He paused, lifting his obsidian eyes in the direct line of her sight. "But, these are the best soldiers to mould and train as you wish my Lady. They do not have the arrogance of experienced soldiers nor previous masters who may demand their allegiance." Rose kept her eyes on him; her lips curving slightly at the ends. "Then I accept. But on one condition." When he remained silent, her smile widened. "Merkel and Miria have both nominated you to be the General of my army. Will you consider?" He didn't get a chance to speak for she was already nodding to herself. "If you're wondering why I've not chosen them, it's simple. This is the city of humans so naturally a human should lead the people. Don't you think so?" There was only one answer to that question and his Lady made clear of it as she delivered her ultimatum. "You and your men may stay the week. And at the end of it, I wish to have my answer. Do not disappoint me." Titus could only bow his head in agreement. *** Lord Etienne Arceaneux kept his eye on the retreating human's back, his mouth slightly parted to display his glorious fangs. Titus had been polite and proper, keeping his eyes averted and speaking only when required. But during those few seconds where his gaze had landed on Rose, Etienne had to physically look away lest he jumped out of his seat to remind the human of his place. "There is no need to burn a hole on his back Etienne. Titus is not here to harm anyone." Did he really need to remind her that that human had kissed her? But his mate seemed unrepentant. "His sister just died then. He was merely seeking comfort." His molars clenched and rubbed against each other in response. Oh that's right. Rose had allowed that contact; allowed that kiss. All because she felt compassionate. "I do hope that would not be a norm in your court," he replied dryly. "I truly do not wish to pile dead bodies at the castle gates each time I visit." "You will do no such thing." Despite the calm in her voice, Rose had slits for eyes as she stared at him in warning. "Your sole purpose here is to see our son." Etienne grounded his teeth together again. They had been doing these visits for how long now? Eleven months? The initial visits had been short, two days at most, but then he found himself staying longer and longer until he wasn't sure anymore regarding his visitation schedule. Not that there was one. But as the Lord of the West, Etienne had always pride himself on being systematic. Days had to be calculated to maximise travel time, especially now that he wasn't spending much time in his own lands. Up to a point where his cousin Zahara was sending him scrolls pertaining to the affairs of the Western Lands here at the Southern castle. He would always scour through them -mostly, at night when both Rose and the baby were asleep. That was his responsibility as the Lord of the West. Getting off the seat he had been warming for the past hour, Etienne took a few steps before getting on his knees in front of his seated mate. "Rose my love," he whispered, clasping both her hands in his. "It saddens me to leave tonight, but know that I will return in two weeks for Aengus's birthday." His beautiful mate nodded softly, the hazel of her eyes sparkling somewhat as though they were clouded with tears. "Has it truly been a year?" Patting her abdomen, she smiled. "Feels almost like yesterday when I was a whale." Catching the scent of her embarrassment, Etienne leaned forward to capture her lips with his own. She should never feel the need to be ashamed of her body in front of him. Not after the many times he'd proven to her how much he simply adored her every curve. Cupping one of her heavy breasts in his palm, he smiled against her lips and whispered, "Your beauty robs me of my breath. I would stroke you for hours, lick you, drink from you..." With his other hand, he took her fingers and forced her to understand the effect she had on him. Always. Eyelashes fluttering, she tried to look away. This was why he loved the woman so goddamn much. Even after months of having sex in every possibly way and in every available corner, that innocence and pureness in her eyes still sent lust instantly crawling up his skin. "Just say the word Rose. And I'll stay." Muffled words against the side of her neck. He could hear the quickening beat of her pounding heart and smiled as he grazed her skin with his lips. "The Council of the Clans need you." Her voice slightly shaky; fingers pushing gently against his chest. "Then come with me. It would honour the Western court to host my son's birthday." Rose and Aengus belonged by his side. Hadn't he changed the laws allowing all marriages to be accepted in his lands? Rose was by all means, the Lady of the West. And she should be in his castle, in his bed and within sight at all times. "Aengus is the prince of this city. His first birthday means the world to them. I would not want to disappoint my people." Frustration boiled under his skin, crawling like spiders all over his body. "I hate shuffling back and forth like this!" "We've agreed on this Etienne..." She pushed him away harder this time, breaking the skin contact such that they were eye to eye. "Until Aengus is old enough, I cannot leave these lands. Who else would I give the reigns to?" He all but pounced on her; scooping and flipping her in a single movement until her lush bottom was nestled comfortably on his groin. "Then I think we should have another son -or daughter. One for each of our lands." He captured her earlobes between his teeth and growled excitedly at the thought. Especially when her laughter, all feminine and soft, made him want to take her over and over again. "Aren't you afraid someone might come in and see?" she giggled, trying to get away from his hold. But being the predator that he was, he wasn't going to allow his prey to escape. "Then we'll make it a quick one," he murmured, licking at the sensitive shell of her ear. "I bet if I flip you on your back right now, I'll find you all wet and ready for me..." And he did just that, pinning her on the cold marbled floor with his hands on each side of her head. Lowering his mouth to hers, Etienne kissed away any further protests before moving a hand in between their bodies to seek out the hot flesh he so desperately wanted to touch. The inviting wetness between her legs made him hiss out in approval. "I want you Rose. I need you." Her parted legs, naked and bare for him was all the answer he needed. In one swift pull of the drawstring holding up his pants, he freed his throbbing cock and surged into her. Their moans were instantaneous -his louder for she was so tight, a slick vice around his cock threatening his sense of control. When he tried to slow down, she gripped his forearms and shook her head desperately. Smiling against their conjoined lips, Etienne pulled her into a sitting position. Gripping her lush bottom, he lifted her up before letting gravity pull her down the length of him; the sounds of their slapping flesh echoing throughout the room. This time, she had been the one to moan; tossing her head back as she ground her hips further to accommodate all his girth. That sound was like ambrosia to his ears, drowning him as he felt her pleasure running down their mating bond into his own. Not caring anymore about holding back, he brought his lips down to the side of her neck and bit down into the tender flesh as his hips pistoned upwards in a pounding rhythm. Her cries of ecstasy urged him closer and closer to his own release -the taste of her blood an added flow of pleasure coursing through him. Holding her body tight, he gave one last jerk and spilled his release into her. *** The feel of her body and the scent of her skin still lingered on his senses even miles after he had left Seurri to return home. The solitary journey only made him crankier than usual and his foul mood was what greeted his hosts as he arrived at the mountainous castle of young Prince Eirikr. "We should have just met on your southbound trip instead," snapped Eulalie as Etienne stormed through the castle gates into the drawing room. "You're always pissed off on this way back." Summoning the Wolf Ch. 01 "Just update me already Princess. This journey is costing me one less day in the West already." Though Zahara held the fort in his absence, Etienne knew the amount of work he would need to tend to upon his return. There was so much his cousin could do, even in her anointed position as an honorary Lady of the West. "Well my Lord if I may," offered Eirikr, stepping forth from behind his sister. "We cremated and buried all the young we could find. However..." His eyes darted quickly to Eulalie as though seeking permission. When she nodded, he continued, "We found one still alive." "What?" His grumpiness evaporated instantly as his head snapped up to pay attention to the siblings. "Where is he, she now? Unharmed? Healthy?" "We cannot be certain my Lord. I... I have housed River in a cot next to my room but I am at a loss as to how to care for the child. It doesn't... eat like us." "You named the child?" Etienne shook his head in disbelief. When it came to children, the Changelings could develop such irrational justifications; something that might be problematic should it be deemed dangerous for the baby -River -to remain alive. "Every life is sacred," reminded Eulalie harshly. "If you promise not to kill her on sight, I will allow you to examine her." It almost didn't surprise him to find out the hybrid child was female. While Changeling conception gravitated towards males, the Vampire half of it always favoured female births during times of disasters be it droughts, famine or in this case, twisted bloodlines. "My Lord?" A feminine reminder. "Yes, fine. I will merely observe." Both siblings led him upstairs into a dimly lit room which he found odd. Saying nothing, he stepped in and looked expectantly for an outline of an infant on the bed. What he found instead made him jump backwards, a hand reaching for his swords immediately. "A child you said!" His eyes glowed from gold to red as he snarled at the wolf siblings. This hybrid was on the cusps of womanhood - that tender age where her baby features still cushioned her face yet her body was growing and smelling more like a woman than a child. "She cannot be more than fifteen my Lord. A child considering our ages," said Eirikr calmly, stepping in front of him as though to block his view of the female. "You are frightening her my Lord. Please lower your swords." Shock was the only reason for his acquiesce but Etienne still kept a hand at the hilt of his blade as he stepped closer. "Is it necessary to emulate her cave surroundings?" Everyone here had perfect eyesight, even in the dark and neither species were sensitive to light so why - Her eyes. Pure clouds of white, framed by lashes the same multitoned brilliance of red and gold trailing from her scalp. Etienne was sure if he came closer, he would see the characteristic brown spots on her hair. This child looked every inch a hyena Changeling and yet her scent betrayed her nature completely. "Can you hear me?" asked Etienne, watching as the young girl looked up -whether she could see him at all was another issue. "Father, is that you?" Etienne heard someone drawing a sharp breath - it was him. This child spoke in his native tongue and recognised his scent. Having never bedded a single Changeling in his life, Etienne knew only one other explanation. "Scent me again and know I am not who you believe me to be." Her gasp was audible even from across the room. Yet, nothing prepared him when she jumped right out of bed and came straight at him like a charging bull. "Etienne no!" yelled Eirikr. Using his body as a shield, the corded muscles of his arms took on the impact of the seven branched sword as it slashed down, aimed originally for River's head. No sooner had his sword landed the blow, Etienne felt himself smashed backwards hitting the wall; Eulalie's elbow pressed against his throat. "Father! Please!" she screamed, flailing against Eirikr as he held her away from Etienne. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I couldn't save them! My brothers... sisters..." "What is she saying Etienne?" demanded Eirikr, angling his head back with a desperate plea in his eyes. "I have never heard her speak... I just assumed she was mute." No one could have guessed a child raised as a pack hyena spoke only perfect Vampire tongue. "Let me go," he hissed at Eulalie. "I won't... kill her." "Swear to it Etienne. Or else I won't be responsible for my blade on your throat the next time," she hissed back. He could only nod for Eulalie had rested all her weight on her elbow before releasing him. Sputtering slightly, he took only a second to calm himself before addressing the child. "What happened?" he asked. "A murderer! He came in the night and killed them all!" She burst into instant tears, sagging against Eirikr, her face buried in his shoulders. "Etienne please! You're distressing her. Tell her... I'll take care of her. Ask her what she needs," pleaded Eirikr. "Do you know this wolf who holds you? Do you trust him?" The stunned flush on her face told him two things -that her blindness could not differentiate between the genders and that she wasn't aware of the differences between Changelings. He had seen the way her eyes widened at the mention of 'wolf'. Did she even know what that was? "He... he has been kind towards me Father but I do not know him. He speaks a tongue foreign to my ears but I don't... I..." Blind eyes looked up towards his presence. In a low almost muted voice, "I do not know what it is to trust." Etienne felt the impending headache at the edges of his mind and knew this was not something he could solve in a day. If there was one person who could help bridge the language barrier between this child and her temporary guardian here, it would be Zahara. But taking her away from the Western Castle meant he could not leave it unattended for longer than a week. Damn it. He had to find a way to work out his schedule with his mate and son. The times apart were killing him. "His name is Prince Eirikr and he will not harm you in any way. He has given the name River unto you, unless there is another name that you wish to be called by?" The girl pushed herself gently off her muscled support and reached out with her palms towards Eirikr's face. From where he stood, Etienne could see her lips moving, almost as if she was testing the name he had given her and then the name of the wolf before her. "Riv...err... Reee...veer..." "Do you recognise the other scent in this room? That is his sister, Princess Eulalie and she will protect you, even from me." "Eye... reek..." she whispered as her palms smoothed over the male wolf's face, ending with a shy smile. "Yuu...ll..." Etienne watched her try and emulate the 'L' sound and failing at the alien consonant. "Your name might take some work Eulalie but I have introduced both of you to her. It seems she wasn't given a name, so you may call her River," said Etienne after a while. With thumbs pressed at each side of his temple, Etienne shook his head and angled his head towards the door. "We will discuss this outside." Eirikr had chosen to stay behind to help the girl back to her bed so Etienne left quietly with the Princess instead. Once the door was closed, Eulalie rounded by his side; quietly awaiting some sort of explanation from him as to the exchange they had in the room. "I will send Zahara here tomorrow and she will tell you all you need to know about the girl." "Is that necessary my Lord?" asked Eulalie dryly. Surely any Vampire could assist us with this translation? Your humble servant Keiko perhaps?" "Zahara is a master of all three languages. She can teach the young how to speak your tongue as much as she can translate what is necessary for you." All he got as a response was a defiant huff. "Meanwhile, did you find any leads to my uncle's whereabouts?" "No but I found some fresh hyena tracks down by the river banks. Planned to follow them at first light." "Very well. Keep me posted." Meanwhile, Etienne had to return to the Western castle for the dreaded meeting with the head of the Pureblood clans. *** After bidding her goodbyes that morning, Eulalie stepped forth from her brother's castle and journeyed southwards towards her own home at the end of the mountain ranges. It was also a fantastic excuse to get away before the Pureblood bitch arrived to try and cozy up to her brother again. Eulalie knew how much Zahara affected him for Eirikr would behave like a love sick puppy. Absolutely revolting. Not trusting herself with allowing that Vampire to remain alive, Eulalie was determined to leave at first light to trek down the river leading towards the mouth and see what hyena tracks she would find there. Somehow Eulalie had a hunch that where the rivers converged; there would be where she'd find her answers. What boggled her most was how they navigated the less than friendly rapids, given that hyenas were not particularly fond of water. By boat? Doubt that. The rocks beneath the rushing current would have crushed any vessel passing by. Unless... they swam through it? She wouldn't rule it out. Following whatever scent markers she could still sniff out, Eulalie continued until she reached the border separating the Eastern and Southern lands. "Well, isn't this interesting." Standing on the boulder right at the tip of the plunging waterfall, Eulalie tipped slightly forward and peered down. No way thousands of hyenas jumped off this ledge into the shallow pool below. If they did, there would be enough water stains on the nearby trees and soil caused by the endless splashing. "Not unless they sprouted wings... or if they could do this." Her smile was half crazed and half anticipation as the woman part of her gave way to the wolf; leaping off the waterfall edge into the abyss below. Howling with laughter, she allowed the droplets to smash her face like tears as her paws padded over the cascading water; the wolf in awe of its ability to run vertically down the crashing falls. Now came the hard part. Angling her face forward, Eulalie gave herself maybe five seconds before her head would smash into the rocks below. If she timed it just right... "Woohoo!" Shifting back into her human form mid fall gave her the most exhilarating sense of danger. With mere inches from breaking her neck, Eulalie then catapulted herself across the pool, escaping the more jagged rocks concentrated where the falls foamed at the pits. Feet finally planted on solid ground, Eulalie pressed her hands to her knees and took a deep breath. With nothing except the sound of the crashing falls behind her and the weight of her dripping hair over her head, she felt almost... at peace. The only problem now was her clothes - or her lack of it. Shreds of the linen she had draped earlier pooled around her, leaving only the strips of leathers criss-crossing her chest and hips. Guess she'd better drop by her own palace and get some decent clothing before continuing down South. Either that or face the endless red faced humans gawking at her like an animal exhibit. Not that she gave a shit. Humans were the one species she had never been tempted by. But then again, since she's going to be in the largest human city in the lands, why not have a bit of fun while she's at it? If memory served her well, there was one human in particular who might just be the perfect test subject.