8 comments/ 7497 views/ 12 favorites The Final Insult Ch. 01 By: KemMyst Dear Readers, It's been many years since Anne has been brought into the McKenna pack. Things have changed and new challenges await. Enjoy, KemMyst ************* He was dying. There was no avoiding the fact. He could see it in their faces, the way they screwed up their noses when they entered the bedroom. They could smell the decay. His wife, his love of 18 years, one of their saviors, was at the bedside with him. Tears streaming down her face that nothing seemed to stem. She wasn't eating and looked pale and drawn. Duncan was already gone. And Marcus before him. Most of his children had come in to bid him farewell, except for the baby. But Anne had brought him to kiss his father, and sent him off to play. Joy had even come from her new home, with the Cole pack, to witness his passing. He called Callum in and sent Anne out to get something to eat. "Devon, I don't want..." "Go on. This is between Alpha males." She left the room, closing the door behind her, and burst into fresh tears. "Son, we've discussed a number of these items before, but I want to revisit them and add some additional instructions that have to do with your mother." "What about Mom?" "I want you to take care of her and the new life she's carrying, after it's born." "Mom's pregnant?" "Yes. I've apparently started another child in her." He took a deep breath, and coughed a little, releasing it. "She hasn't told me yet which means one of two things. Either she wants to spare me the thought of my child entering this world without its father, or... she's thinking of ending it." "You really think she'd do that?" "She's stubborn, analytical, and practical. She may think it's for the best. But I won't leave this life until I have her promise that she won't. But, Callum, there may be a hard choice to make when it's born, if my illness means deformity you know what must be done. Don't give her a chance to see it first, or she'll want to keep it regardless." Callum nodded. "I'll take care of it, and her." "Thank you. Now, as to the other things we should discuss..." ***** "Have you given thought as to who will be your Beta? Your brother's still a bit too young to take on the role, although he will ready be with time." "If I had to choose, well, I've been thinking about Alex. He makes some good choices and we agree on a number of things." "Agreement is not the only thing you need from your Beta. He must be able to stand up to you, and disagree, if he feels it's in the pack's better interests. He'll also, of course, need to be ready to take over, if something were to happen to you." "Dad. I do know all this." Devon looked at his eldest son. At 18, Callum was going to have to take on the role of Alpha early and Devon prayed that the other packs wouldn't take the change as an opportunity to overthrow his family. His son looked much as he and Duncan had in their youth. Black hair, blue eyes, the scar on his forehead from his birth. The voice that sounded so much like his own. "I know, I know. Sorry. The only problem with choosing Alex is Amanda. She's a bit too concerned with status. She tried hard to hang onto Duncan and she tried to coax me into some things while your mother was carrying you. Alex understands, but she'll be very unhappy with the drop in status, once Edmund comes of age. Nick just, isn't suited. And William... Wesley... No, I agree. Alex is the best choice. You should probably speak to him sometime soon." "We've already had some discussions." "Good, good. You've been with me on foraging trips and know how to get into the store. It wouldn't hurt to leave some cash if you end up with some. Be careful when you're around the humans. Don't steal a license plate for the truck but take advantage if you happen to see one lying by the side of the road, especially if it's out of state. You know how to change the access codes on door. The solar panels are going to need replacement soon. You'll probably need to pull out some gold and take it in." His father was rambling, trying to remember everything that needed to be taken care of after he was gone. Callum was pretty familiar with all of it, having been Beta for the past year or so after his uncle Duncan had died. Also, of course, he had been groomed from a young age to be Alpha one day. It was, however, coming sooner than either of them had expected. "Now, as for your mother's place in this pack after I'm gone. First, you must realize she's a formidable force. Don't make the mistake of underestimating her. You're very familiar with seeing her defer to me but, when she gets into a situation, she becomes very commanding and decisive." "She stood over me when I was wounded, looking to face off four members of the Matlin pack. After she ran off, and they caught her the first time, when they came back for her, I tried to get her to go back to the compound while we held them off. She refused to leave. She's brave and passionate and oh so stubborn. Once she makes up her mind about something it's almost impossible to move her." "I know you've heard the story before but I need you to understand. Just after I got these scars and we got back into the compound she stood there and gave orders. Duncan should have been in charge but, through sheer force of will, she took over. And the rest allowed it. Her reasoning was that Duncan was Beta and she was Alpha, so she had every right to take command." "She made good decisions, the right decisions, but we both know it wasn't her place to lead. I wish I had more time to prepare you for this, that you were older but..." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Callum, she's always going to see you as her little boy. She's going to feel she should take over until you're older. You have to take command of this pack as quickly as possible, before she gathers her wits and counters you. While you will be Alpha, you aren't mated and she will still think of herself as the Alpha female. She won't take the reduction in her status easily." "Ask her counsel, ask her ideas, but you will be the leader of this pack. It won't be easy. Her pregnancy may be enough to keep her occupied for a while but, then, you've also seen how she gets near the end. I'm not sure how she's going to react without me around to temper her." "And, just as hard, you're going to have to send Temperance and your mother, since she's still fertile, out to bring in human males. Temperance should start soon. I would have done it earlier, if I had had any idea what was going to happen after Marcus died. But..." A heavy sigh. "Hopefully, by the time your mother has to go out, she'll be comfortable with you in command. Depending upon how things progress, you may need to send your sisters and some of the other young women out to do the same. Take it in stages, and be careful, you don't want a couple of them to get together and try to take over. If you think it will help, at that time, actually at any time, feel free to invoke my name with your mother. But don't use it often, or it will lose its effect on her." He coughed again. Callum brought him a glass of water. ***** "You son of a bitch, where do you think you're going? You promised me decades." He tried to laugh and broke down into a coughing fit. It was in his lungs now. He wouldn't last much longer. "Sorry, love, I didn't want to leave you until we were both old and grey. And being nuisances to our great grandchildren." He picked up her hand and kissed it. "Come up here with me." She looked into those blue eyes and the arm he had put out to enfold her. Carefully, trying not to hurt him, she climbed up into his arms. He groaned as she leaned against him and she started to pull away. His arms went tighter around her. "No, stay with me." He put a hand on her belly. "I wish I could be around to see what you have in here this time." She wasn't anywhere near showing yet. "Devon... How do you know?" He smiled at her. "I've never told you, but you smell different when you're building babies." She gave him a halfhearted smile through her tears. "So, you've known, every time, before I told you?" More coughing, his face red. "Yes. It was always so wonderful to see your excitement, how you would tell me." He tipped her face up towards his. "But you weren't gonna tell me this time, were you?" The tears came a little harder. She shook her head. "Why?" "Because I've been thinking about ending it." He looked at her, startled at her frankness but not necessarily surprised. "Anne, no." "Devon, think about it. We're running out of adults to take care of the children, to bring in food, to keep this place up, to protect everyone. It isn't fair for me to bring two more mouths into this pack..." "Two. Twins? It's too early." She put a hand to his face. "The way I feel, I can tell it's twins again." His voice got stronger. "Promise me. I want you to promise me you won't try to get rid of them." She looked at him, trying to keep a determined look on her face. Stubborn, she could be so stubborn. "Anne." Now it dropped lower. "Promise." His hand snuck under her shirt and he caressed her breast. Her breath caught in her throat. "Devon..." His face dropped towards hers and he nuzzled her neck. "What are you doing? You're not in any kind of shape..." "Promise me. I just want to taste you one more time before I go. Promise me you'll keep the babies. Anne, wife, love, promise me." She sobbed against his chest. "OK. OK, dammit. I promise. I promise. I don't know how I'm going to do this without you." She lapsed into a serious bout of crying as he held her and his hands continued to stroke and caress her. "Thank you. Thank you." The crying slackened. "Now, take these off." With shaky hands, she struggled to remove her clothing and dropped the pieces to the floor. "There. I dreamt about you from the first time I saw you naked." She smiled a little again at the memory as his hands came back to her. "So soft. And you smell so good. Woman, I'm gonna miss you." "Don't go. Please, stay with me." "Shhh. Relax. Close your eyes. Focus on my hands." She closed her eyes and felt the hands of the man she loved on her body. His touch arousing her, making her feel so alive. She focused on the sensations, tried to forget that he's dying. He knew her well, knew what she craved, knew how to send her over the edge, how to make her want him. She was wet, just seeping, as he stroked and rubbed her sensitive clit. She sucked in a breath and he dipped his fingers in. "Oh, so slippery. So wet. For me." He brought his fingers to his mouth and, eyes closed, sucked on the juices he'd started flowing from her. "Mmmm, good. Come up here, let me lick you dry." She got up on her knees and, carefully, knelt over his face. She let out a small cry as his tongue touched her. He coughed again, and she started to pick up a leg to move off of him, when he grabbed her hips, holding her still. The coughing abated. "No, no, I'm not done with you yet. Stay where you are." She settled back down, bracing her upper body against the wall behind the headboard. One of her hands went to her breast as he began to lick her folds, dipping into the space between, sweeping from back to front. She let out a small moan as his tongue caressed her. "Feel good?" "Always." His hands gripped her hips and tipped her towards him. After a few more strokes of his tongue, he sucked her clitoris into his mouth. She leaned her head against the wall as her hands reached down to his head. He nibbled, he licked, he brought her up, and held her there. "Oh, gods..." Every time she thought she'd go over the edge, he slowed, and kept her there. "Don't..." "Oh, please." She shrieked as he now bit lightly on that sensitive nub and her hips started to buck. He held her tightly, chuckling a little, as he took her once, twice, three times over in rapid succession. And then released her, panting and shaking. She leaned against the wall again, sucking in air. She took a few moments to recover, then pulled her knee over his head and moved to lie down once more beside him. He stopped her before she got all the way down and looked into her eyes. "Now, if you wouldn't mind doing all the work, I'd like to feel you around me one more time." She looked down his body, sure enough, his erection was tenting the bedcovers. "Devon, I'm going to hurt you." "No, you won't. C'mon, give a dying man his last wish?" She looked at him and started crying again. "OK, I'm sorry, not funny." He brought her forehead to his. "But it would feel so good to be inside you." She held herself over him. "You'll tell me, if I hurt you?" She looked into those blue eyes, searching. "Yes." He was lying, of course. She pulled back the bedcover, trying not to notice his swollen joints, hear his breathing getting worse. "Maybe I should just..." He took her chin, and looked into her brown eyes. "No. I want to feel you around me. I want to stroke inside you. There's nothing else that feels that good." She sank down to kiss him as he took his hardened length and pointed it where he wanted it to go. She sank back onto him and, as wet as he'd gotten her, she slid on easily and they both moaned into each other's mouths. She pivoted, now sitting upright on him, and noticed a slight grimace of pain. "Devon..." "How can you still feel this good when all those babies have been through there?" She cupped her breasts, "There isn't much I can do about these but there are exercises for that." "Really? Like what?" "I've used them on you before, you just didn't realize they had more than one purpose." She tightened the muscles, doing Kegels around him and he sighed at the sensation. "Oh, that. Mmm, well then, I enjoyed your exercises as much as I enjoy the results. Now, my love, shall we dance?" She smiled, sinking down to kiss him again, then sat back up and began to move up and down on him. Her hands caressed his chest as his roamed over the front of her body. ***** Callum cracked the door to check on them. With the soundproofing, they wouldn't know if something had happened or not. While it was something he had seen, occasionally, he was surprised to see his mother astride his father, riding him. Anne paused, looking at the door. A ragged plea. "No. Don't stop." She turned back to her husband, caressed his broad chest, and resumed moving up and down on him. Callum closed the door tightly again. He walked away and met Alana coming down the corridor. "No, no, I wouldn't go in there now. Give 'em half an hour or so." "Why? What's wrong?" "She's giving him a final send off." She looked at her brother, realized what he meant but he had to be joking. "No. He's too sick." "Well, they're going at it like bunnies anyway. Can't you smell it?" Alana sniffed, yes, the smell of sex was there, in the air. She shook her head. "Unbelievable." "Oh, and Mom's pregnant again." "Oh, no, not now." "Yep. We're gonna have our hands full with her." "I hope we have enough applesauce." ***** "Oh, this feels so good. A little faster, my love." Trying not to put any weight on his chest, she drove a little faster. "Are you sure your hips...?" "Fine. Don't stop." She bounced on him a bit faster, a bit harder. "Now. Now, Anne, now!" She slammed down on him twice until she felt the familiar stretch that came with his knot expanded inside her. Pressing down with her hips she ground against him as he groaned. She could feel the pulsing within her as she took the last spurt of his seed from him. Warm teardrops rained down on his chest as she sat above him. He sucked in a breath and began coughing again. She took his face, hoping that the coughing would slow. He was wheezing, like he was having a hard time drawing air. Finally, finally, it ebbed and he started breathing a little more normally again. He reached his arms up to her. "Come down here. Lay on my chest. Let me put my arms around you." She shook her head. "It'll be harder for you to breathe." "If you could take my weight, I can take yours." Unable to deny him anything now, she slowly sank down on him, watching his face. She saw him grimace at the pain and he hauled her the rest of the way down. "Mmmm." His arms held her tightly. "Thank you, for everything." They laid there, quiet, until he slipped out of her. He finally loosened his hold and she carefully dropped to his side, head on his shoulder, a hand caressing his chest. His eyes closed and she watched him breathing, debating if this signaled the end. It was louder now, harsher. The door opened again as their eldest three peeked in to check on them. "Mom. You OK?" She nodded at them and the door closed, left ajar slightly in case she needed to call for someone. Not that there was anything anyone could do. She felt the warmth of his body against hers and pulled the covers up a bit more. It was some time later that she finally decided he probably wouldn't wake again. "Devon, it's OK. I love you." She was surprised when he shifted in the bed and opened his eyes once more. "There's one last thing before I go." His voice was quiet, rough. He beckoned her closer. "You know what you'll have to do now." "I can't. I won't." "You will. You have to." He coughed again. It was getting worse. She listened to his labored breathing, wishing there was something she could do to stop this. "You're not going anywhere McKenna. I forbid it." The phrase echoed in his mind. This was what she had said to him after Ian Matlin had almost killed him. Just before he slipped into unconsciousness on the dining room table. The day before she had professed her love to him. She laid her head down on the bed next to him, her arm across his chest. "I'm right here, Devon. I'm right here." She stroked his face, his hair. "I'm right here." His voice, tired, pained came to her. "Tell me about my youngest." She sniffled, sighed. "There's one of each, a boy, and a girl. They have dark hair and blue eyes..." **** The howl came a little later that night. Despair and anguish. The Alpha was dead. In short time, it was echoed by eight other voices. The children mourned their father's death. She refused to release his body for hours after his death. Callum began to consider bodily pulling her from him but she finally smoothed his hair, planted a kiss on his cold lips, and left the room without looking back. She went to the room Joy was staying in, crawled into the bed, and fell into an exhausted sleep. She refused to watch his body being placed into the ground. She sat in Joy's bed quietly keening until they came back. Then, her two eldest, Alana and Joy, coaxed her upstairs for something to eat. "I'm not hungry." "C'mon, Mom, you have to. You'll lose the baby if you don't eat." She closed her eyes for a moment, then picked up a piece of bread and chewed it, mechanically, as tears began to roll down her cheeks again. She finished what had been put in front of her then sniffled, her hand curled up against her lips. The baby came up to her and small hands grasped at her. "Mama, come play with me." She looked down at him through her tears. Her voice wavered. "And, what would you like to do, my baby?" "I'm not a baby!" "Sorry, Ryan. What do you want to do?" "Outside and play hide and seek." "OK, sweetie, let's go." "We'll clean out your room while you're outside." "No! Don't you touch anything in that room!" "But, Mom..." "I said no. I'll take care of it." It was a couple of days before she could bear to start going through his things but, with Callum as Alpha, there were things he needed to have. She handed some things over to Callum, put some other things upstairs for the others. His trousers she rolled up and tied with a thong. The bedcovers remained and she wrapped herself in them, in his scent. For the next few weeks, she was found prowling the corridors at night, wandering into the workshop, caressing the wood, the workbench. She couldn't sleep without him in the bed beside her. She was caught dozing, here and there, often with a hand on her belly. Thinking of the last piece of him she had left. The Final Insult Ch. 01 Six years earlier She was suckling their latest child - their seventh from her 4th pregnancy. Devon watched her with a smile on his face. He softly touched his daughter's head, the light covering of hair, and kissed his wife. It was 12 years after the edict had been called, since she had been brought into his pack. The problems of the women dying seemed to be abated. The only reports now of deaths had fallen back to the usual. The old, the injured, occasional deaths in childbirth. His grandmother, Ivy, had died two years ago. Devon and Duncan were now the eldest members of the pack. Anne smiled at him. "How long do we have together?" "Decades." "Devon?" "Yes, love?" "I've never asked you, how old are you?" He touched the side of her face, stroked down to her chin. She took his hand and kissed it. He looked like he was in his thirties, as she did. Many of the pack members hadn't changed much since she had first met them. The young ones, of course, changed the most. He smiled at her. "What? Are you robbing the cradle? Or am I?" "Summer has come 62 times since I was born." Her mouth dropped open. "Uh, wow." He stood and posed. "Pretty well preserved for an old man, aren't I?" He sat back down beside her. She was still looking at him, as if she couldn't quite believe it. The baby was about done, starting to fall asleep. Anne generally went topless when she was nursing their children, completely clothed at other times as that's what she was used to. And she now typically wore a deerskin skirt, her other clothes long since fallen to pieces. "Decades, my love. Years and years." He cupped her other breast, rubbing the nipple with his thumb until it stood at attention for him. He then dropped his head, suckling, tasting her milk. His other hand was on her thigh, and moving upward. "Mmm, good." He'd found her curls, and rubbed along her lower lips. Her head tipped and her chest began to heave but her free hand clutched at him. "Devon, stop. It's only been three weeks; I'm not healed yet." "And longer than that since I've been able to taste you. Just a taste, Anne, that's all I want. I know we can't do anything else." He continued to stroke and touch her, building the tension in her, the ache beginning to build in her belly. Wet, wet, she was getting so wet. He laid her back on the skin, hearing no further complaints from her, and the baby moved into the crook of her mother's arm. He moved between her legs, and flipped her skirt up onto her belly, as he continued to stroke her. His finger transferred some of her slickness to the sensitive bundle of nerves at the top of her folds. There was no sign of blood as the fluids seeped from her, so she was healing well. But he smelled her arousal now, as well as her juices. And he practically drooled at the thought of licking them from her. "Does anything hurt?" She shook her head, her eyes closed, as her breathing deepened. He raised her knees and wrapped his arms around her legs, opening her to him. The lips of her pussy opened like the petals of a pink flower. He blew lightly on them and they pulsed. She growled lightly at him, her pussy throbbing. "Gods, Devon, you started this, don't leave me out here like this." He smiled again. He gave in and licked her, once. She moaned. He pulled back, briefly, and she whimpered. He savored the taste of her on his tongue, teased her a bit more with his fingers. She started to squirm. "Would you like an orgasm, my sweet?" She grabbed his hair with her free hand and dragged him towards her. "Yes!" He chuckled, holding back again, and she growled at him again. "Devon.." He dipped his head and left a wet trail from her knee to the edge of her folds as she sucked in a breath. Then, he repeated the action on the other side. Her hands clenched and he watched the flow of her juices increase, leaking out of her and onto the skin, puddling there. He moved closer, his fingers holding her open for him. She squirmed but he took a firmer hold of her and took a deep breath, taking in the scent of her and her arousal. Spicy, and sweet underneath. Her hand reached out for him again and he dodged her fingers. The tip of his tongue now circled her clitoris. "Ooh!" And her hips tried to rise from the skin but he was holding her down. Emma shifted a little in her arms and her attention shifted to the baby until she felt his tongue sweeping over her. Her chest was now heaving, and her body was filmed with sweat. "Mmm, sweet. I could do this all day long." He returned to what he was doing, barely touching her clitoris as he swept up her juices. Her voice was low, husky. "Don't. You. Dare." Her legs began to shake with the tension. Emma sighed, and whimpered slightly. He realized that he'd best finish her off soon, or she'd begin thrashing. He licked at her a bit faster, then flicked his tongue over her sensitive bud. "EEeeee!" Her hips tried to buck as she was swept into an intense orgasm. He held her tightly, to keep her from rolling over, or trying to get out of his grasp. She sucked in air as if she'd run for miles. He took one last taste, and she tensed again. As she started to relax he loosened his hold on her. Moving up to her side, he curled up beside her, throwing his arm across her chest to touch their daughter. "Well, Emma. See what your mother drives me to?" She turned to look at him, at a loss for words, for once. "You.. You.." He grinned at her, licking his lips. "Wolf?" The pack had grown and was at thirty members now. While the other packs may have gone about making their women endure as many pregnancies as possible, Devon McKenna had, with input from the women, agreed that a recovery period of at least two years was better for their health and that of succeeding children they would bear. Some of the other packs had had several of their young ones die, were now overrun with children, and having difficulty feeding everyone. Callum was becoming quite the little Alpha, although his older sisters would have none of it. Anne had delivered a set of twins between Edmund and Emma, two girls, Shawna and Sandra. Duncan still had no mate; he'd not been able to produce a child with either Amanda or Temperance. Amanda had ended up with Alex and they had three children, Sean, Grace, and Ella. Temperance, who had been with them now for 11 years, had mated Marcus and they had two, Lea and Henry. Valerie and William now had three, Wesley, Aidan, and Elizabeth. Beth was expecting her third, after Emily and Devon. Jen had endured a couple of miscarriages between delivering her two children. Unfortunately, her pregnancies had always been problematic and she had died giving birth to her daughter, whom Kevin named Jen. While both Anne and Beth were nursing at the time, Beth took the little one, as Anne was dealing with her twins. After about a month of watching his daughter being suckled by another woman and grieving the loss of his wife, Kevin had kissed both of his children and gone off into the woods. He had not returned. They had found no trace of him. There would not be another mating ceremony in the McKenna pack until Alana and Wesley's. Joy mated into the Cole pack. Life went on for the packs. More children were born, over time. They worked and grew, struggled and loved. There were matings, births, and deaths to report. They enjoyed the woods and hills in the summer, and retreated to their compounds for the winter. And, still, they were far enough away that the humans had yet to encroach on their territory. The council meetings went on as usual, but they began to report an increase in deaths for the males. Certainly there were more older males than females as a result of the virus, and this was assumed to be the reason. So, no one took much notice. The council requested additional information of the packs as the reported deaths continued to come in. A couple of the older Alphas died. Certainly they were older, but not past their prime. The ages of the dying men got younger. Anne listened to the reports, keeping much of her speculation to herself, but she feared for the McKenna brothers. Devon cornered her one night, after the latest reports from the council, seeing her distraction. "Anne, something's wrong. Tell me what you're thinking." She took her husband's arms and looked up at him. He was still as handsome as he'd always been, strong, virile. She loved him. "Devon." She swallowed. "I want us to stop sending someone to the council meetings. I want us to stop mingling with the other packs at all." "What? What are you talking about? Why should we stay away from the others?" He took her shoulders, saw fear in those brown eyes. "Anne!" "It hasn't come here yet. Maybe, if we stay away, it won't." He pulled her close and lowered his voice. Her pulse had sped up, she was really afraid of something. "I'm not following, love. Tell me what you're thinking." "I love you, Devon." "I love you too, my wife. Don't shut me out. What are you afraid of?" She took a deep breath, her eyes wet. "I think your virus has mutated. I think it's killing the men now. I don't want you to be one of them." It wasn't until Marcus fell ill that the council realized the gravity of the situation. Anne asked for, and was given access to, the older pack records. She started looking back, trying to determine when the virus started killing the women versus when the men who were now dying were born. Joy got her records from the Cole pack. When they heard about what she was doing, Riordan pack sent theirs as well. She worked through the statistics, and found a positive correlation between female fertility and a fatal outcome from contracting the virus. Women in their childbearing years, and young women shortly after attaining puberty, were the ones who succumbed most often. There was some evidence that the woman's mate may have contributed to the lack of female pups. Unfortunately, the sex of the babies the pregnant women were carrying was unknown after they died. Therefore, it was about 40 to 45 years ago that the virus had begun its insidious destruction of the werewolf population. And, while it killed many of the fertile women, it seemed that the men had contracted it as well, but they were simply carriers. Until now. Men born after their mothers had likely contracted the virus appeared to be resistant. If it was related to reproductive capabilities, it was far worse for the men, as they maintained their fertility throughout their entire adult lives. And there was no knowing if the sons and daughters born to the made were women would be subject to it. When Marcus died Anne took off into the woods and was gone most of the day. Devon buried his youngest brother and went off in search of her. She hadn't gone very far. He found her, huddled in a circle of mushrooms under an oak, sobbing inconsolably. He sat beside her, put his arms around her, and pulled her into his lap. He held her as she cried as though her heart would break. There were no words he could use to comfort her. No false promises would dry her tears. There was nothing that any of them could do but wait. The virus would come for them, or not. The previous month She came around the corner and saw her husband, outside, with the two eldest boys. She started an exaggerated swaying of her hips as she sashayed by them. He lost his train of thought as he watched her go by, taking a deep whiff to smell her. The boys looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Mom and Dad were at it again. The boys held their places knowing the lesson was about to end abruptly. Their father wouldn't be able to resist what their mother was about to do to him. Sure enough, her hands went to the bottom of the shirt she was wearing and, with a backward glance to him, she pulled it over her head and dropped it. He shifted and launched himself at her. She was already shifting and had been far enough away that he couldn't get to her soon enough. And she was fast. The Chase. It was a game they played from time to time. He had to catch her, but he had to catch her for real. It was rare that she ran slowly enough that he could catch her easily. They were in a little glade, one of their favorite places, when he tumbled her. She came up and stood across the glade from him, ready to take off again. Devon was feeling a bit out of sorts and was irritated now. He shifted and headed for her. She skipped away and shifted. "Dammit, woman, submit!" This wasn't normal, it sounded like he was mad at her. She stopped. "Devon, what's wrong?" He reached for her and stumbled slightly. She took in the look of consternation on his face and her legs buckled. She fell to the ground, the world swirling around her. "Oh, gods, Devon. No." He dropped to the ground beside her, took her in his arms and raised her face to him. "Duncan's been gone this past year. We had to assume it would come for me too." She buried her face against his chest and he felt the tears start to fall. He held her like that for a time, then took her face and kissed her. "Anne. All the time we have together is now. Let's enjoy now, my love." His hands slid down her body, tracing her curves, her waist, her hips, his fingers climbing up her back. He brought her to him, crushed her chest against his, and her breath left her. He wrapped her legs around his waist and traced her shoulders, down to her behind. Lifting her slightly, his mouth started on hers, dropped to her neck, her throat, one of her breasts as his arms cradled her to him. He nipped at a stiffened nipple, and she arched backward. "Oohh." Her hands caressed his chest, and she dragged her nails down his belly, and he groaned. She grasped his shaft, squeezing lightly, as she worked one thumb over the tip, feeling the precum collected there, spreading it. She stroked him, using both hands between their bodies, and his head tipped back. She kissed the side of his neck, and set her teeth against it. She couldn't really do any damage, in her human form, but she closed them, catching a tiny bit of skin between her incisors and he jerked in her hands. Her juices were coating the bottom of his cock and trailing down his balls. He tipped her backwards and raised that warm, wet, oozing flesh to his mouth. He took a deep breath, inhaling the rich scent of her arousal, and the smell of her. Her scent had peaked again and she had always been hard to resist at this time. The Final Insult Ch. 02 Dear Readers, Time has passed and many males have died, new things are set in motion. Enjoy, KemMyst ******** Three years later "I don't like it." "Mom..." "I will not bring another man into your father's bed." "Dad knew that we'd need to bring in new blood again. He told me I was going to have to send you out to bring a man back here. Would you rather it was Emily? Or Sandra and Shawna when they come of age?" She took a couple of deep breaths, tears stinging her eyes. "No. Damn you, Callum." She had known this day would come. Temperance had already coaxed a male into the pack, and, while he was not particularly strong, she seemed to care for him and was pregnant. She had tried desperately to think of a way to avoid the entire situation, but Devon was no longer here. "Alright, would you consider a compromise?" "Such as?" "The goal is to bring in new blood, to produce children not subject to this virus, correct?" Callum nodded, keeping a determined look on his face, although his mother's words stung. "I will go out into the world, when I am fertile, and coax men into having sex with me. If I don't become pregnant within two years", she took a deep breath, "I'll bring one back with me." "One year." She looked at him, ready to argue, then dropped her head. "Agreed." He took her hands. "I'm not doing this to try to hurt you. The pack needs this from you." "Callum, I've had ten children. There's already too much of my blood in this pack." He opened his mouth to rebut. "Don't worry. I will do as you ask." She stood, her back straight, and left the room. She went outside, into the early spring snows, and ran until she was too tired to think anymore. Her period was coming soon, that meant she had two weeks to prepare before returning to the human world, for the sole purpose of getting a man to impregnate her. Beth cornered her later. She knew Anne well enough to know when something was wrong. She'd been different since Devon died, but this was more than that. "I've gone back to being a whore again, Beth." "You mean Callum means for you to bring in another man?" "I'm as subject to the whims of the Alpha as anyone else. Besides, he threatened to send Emily, or Shawna and Sandra if I didn't. They're too naive about the outside world. The women don't choose there, it's the men. And too many of them are too much like Ian Matlin. They wouldn't be safe." ***** In the smoke and noise and crowded conditions of the bar, he was hard pressed to smell anything. But his eyes kept returning to the woman in the corner, staring morosely at the drink in front of her. He'd seen her here a couple of times before, always alone, about every three or four weeks. She looked to be in her mid thirties, long brown hair, brown eyes. She'd always come in alone. A couple of times he had seen her leave with one of the men and then she'd disappear again. He'd also seen her tell others to go to hell and leave her alone. He'd seen broken down women in a couple of bars he'd been to before, but she wasn't like that. She held herself tall, looking people in the eye, unashamed. But what had driven her to haunt the bar, seemingly looking for sex with random men? ***** Well, here she was again, sitting with a drink, trying to entice some random healthy male into having sex with her. A woman alone in a bar. She felt like drinking herself into a state where she really wouldn't care what happened to her, but the scales would tip too much in the men's direction. While her change meant she was stronger than before, she'd still be hard pressed to hold out against some of the stronger men if they decided to try something. Even though she didn't like what she was doing, she wanted as much control of the situation as she could get. When half the patrons got drunk enough, they'd hit on her, some with friends egging them on to see if they could get her to agree to a grope in the backseat of their car. She picked up the beer, taking another drink, and looking at the regulars and some irregulars at the bar, at the pool table, and otherwise sitting around swilling themselves into oblivion. He sat at one end of the bar. He seemed to keep to himself, not really mingling with any of the others, although they clapped him on the arm and made smalltalk from time to time. He was also one of the few that hadn't tried to get in her pants. His hair was a light brown, and wavy. He was on the tall side, with a broad chest and big arms. Once, when she glanced at him, he was looking at her. His eyes were a startling grey color. There was something about him, the way he held himself, although he did seem a bit arrogant. As if he were better than the others. He finally decided to see if Rick knew anything about her. Catching the bartender's eye, he motioned him over. "Want another one, Ethan?" "No, Rick. Thanks. I was just wondering. Know anything about our mystery woman in the corner? She got a name?" "Nope. Never heard a name. None of the guys have ever gotten one out of her." "She ever pay with a credit card?" "Nope. Always cash. And, at her age, never had a reason to card her. You thinking of giving her a try or something?" "No. Just wondering. She just comes in here every so often and sometimes leaves with a guy. She's not even really trying to pick someone up. What do you suppose her deal is?" "May be some random heiress out slumming. Who knows? If you find out, let me know, huh?" "Sure, Rick. Hey, I will take another one after all. Make it two." He took both beers over and asked if he could sit at her table. She looked at him rather closely, and agreed. He tried talking to her. Her answers were short, noncommittal. She looked at him a little more closely. "What are you, a police officer?" He laughed, yelled over the crowd, "Hey, Rick, am I a cop?" "You, Ethan? Yea, and I'm the pope." She released an exasperated breath. "Look, not to be rude, but is there something you wanted?" He sat there, talking to her, or trying to, through a couple of rounds of beers. She saw some men looking at her, probably friends of others she'd been with, but he didn't leave. "Look, I really need to you to go back to the bar." "Why?" "None of your affair." Still, he didn't leave. He had spoiled her hunt for the evening. Not that she was terribly disappointed, mind you, but Callum would begin to wonder if she were actually doing what she said she was. She came back, the next night. When he turned to look at her, she caught his eye and glared at him from the corner. He watched, later, as she left the bar in the company of another man. He finished his beer and walked out into the night air. Ethan heard the man's groans as she rode him in the front seat of his pickup truck. The windows were cracked in the warm air and he could smell sex. From the shadows near the back of the bar he watched as the man nuzzled at her neck, pawed her breasts, and pushed up inside her. Then he heard, "I'm gonna cum!" and the man made the groan signifying he was spraying her insides. She stopped moving and her head turned. She seemed to be staring at him. But, she couldn't possibly see him back here in the shadows! After a few moments, she got off of the man, arranged her clothing, and got out of his truck, stuffing something in a pocket. Was she just a whore? She didn't act like she needed the money. Or was it drugs? Had she actually seen him, watching her? Who was this woman? The wind shifted and, suddenly, he got a good whiff of her. My god, he'd never smelled anything like it! He'd smelled something good when he sat opposite her in the bar the last time, but you never knew where it was coming from inside the bar with the smoke and crush of bodies. She disappeared again for another three weeks or so. When she did return, he waited until she had almost finished her first beer, then walked over to the table with two more and sat down. She took the proffered beverage and took a drink. "Who are you?" "The queen of England, and you?" "The pope, no, wait, that's Rick." He shook his head. "I'm Ethan." He put out his hand. She looked at it, thought a second, then took it. She pulled him a little closer over the table. "So, you like to watch, is that it?" He pulled back. She had seen him. But how? "I'm just trying to figure you out." "I'm not that interesting, quit trying." "I'm just trying to be sociable." "Not what I'm here for, go away." "Alright then, shall we go outside?" She looked at him a little more closely, chugged the beer, and stood. "Alright." They went outside and he opened the door to his Blazer, helping her into the backseat. She closed her eyes and started thinking of Devon touching her. He got in behind her. She had her eyes closed. She was wearing a button down shirt and a long skirt. The buttons were partly undone as an enticement of sorts, to expose the tops of her breasts. He started unbuttoning the shirt and pulled it open to reveal them. She was wearing some sort of device that supported them, holding them up higher, while revealing everything else. It didn't cover a thing. He cupped them, they were a little soft but nicely sized and he teased the nipples into rigidity. His mouth descended on one of them, sucking, while his hand pushed up the skirt to touch the softness between her thighs. He opened his eyes when he realized she wasn't wearing panties. Everything pointed to having sex quickly, with little fuss and fumbling. She was just starting to get wet as he stroked her and pushed a finger inside. He picked up his head briefly, to ask the question, "How much?" She glared at him, and pulled away, starting to pull her shirt back together. "I'm not a prostitute!" He pulled her back. "OK. I'm sorry. It's just.,, What are you trying to do?" "None of your business. Yes or no?" He looked at her again, taking in the smell of her in the enclosed space of the SUV, smelling the beginnings of her arousal. Now that he had her here, there was no choice. "Yes." She closed her eyes again as he pulled open her shirt, shoved up her skirt, and touched her. Her hands went to his jeans, pulling open the button and unzipping the fly. She stroked him lightly, through his underwear, as he licked and nibbled at her breasts, while working a couple of fingers inside her. She worked his pants and underwear down over his hips and took his shaft in her hands, working it into full hardness. There was nothing tentative about her actions; she knew exactly what she's doing, how to ready him. Her eyes opened again briefly when she realized he was uncut. That was somewhat unusual for this day and age. Then she moved over and straddled his hips, as he guided himself into her readied sheath. "Oh, that's nice!" She cracked an eye at him, and, with her hands on his shoulders, commenced the pistoning of him within her. He stroked her back, he suckled on a breast, then nuzzled her neck, he cupped her ass, helping her ride him. In the heat of an early summer night, their bodies both filmed with sweat. He took her hips to move her faster and harder onto him, shifting his own hips to meet her on the downstroke. Just before he was ready to explode, he grabbed her waist, but the slickness of her body made him lose his grip as she came down one more time. He lodged his knot in her and released his load. Her eyes opend wide at the sensation, and she looked at him, disconcerted. "Um.." Then, she took a decided sniff of him. He tossed out the explanation he'd devised. "The doctor says I have a varicose vein there. It's gonna take a little bit before the swelling goes down." He could swear she smelled him again as she closed her eyes, waiting for him to deflate. She made no comment, no disparaging remark, but he swore he felt her trembling. He'd always been so careful with the human females he'd been with. Stopping them before they managed to come all the way down and he tied with them. They'd always taken the explanation at face value; some of them weren't very smart. And there hadn't been many. It was a few minutes before he slid out of her and she gave him a rather studied look as she pulled her shirt together and got off of him. She climbed out of the truck as he sat there, a bit stunned, with his pants around his ankles, looking at her. She turned to leave and he had the presence of mind to call to her, trying to pull up his jeans as she walked away. In the dampness of the night, they were stubbornly resisting him. "Hey! What's your name..." She looked back briefly and he heard her last word to him before she got into a dark colored pickup truck and rode off. "Anne." She spent the next couple of weeks worried and distracted. She ransacked her old journals, looking for something specific. When she finally found it, her mood dropped and she went off by herself for a while. The older children were worried and tried to draw her out, but she wouldn't tell them what happened. Finally, five weeks after she had come back from her last visit to town, she grabbed Alana and they go to the Medical lab. Anne got up on the table and looked to her daughter. "Get it out of me." "Mom, what is it? What's wrong? What are you talking about?" "It doesn't matter, just get this thing out of me!" "Are you pregnant?" "Yes. And I want it gone." "I'm getting Callum." "No! Don't tell him!" Alana looked at her mother with sympathy and headed out the door. "Alana, get back here!" Alana returned with her brother and Beth. "I don't know; she just went nuts." Anne was rifling through the Medical instruments and was holding a scalpel in one hand. Callum wrestled it from her grip. "Mom, what are you doing?" "I want it out of me, now!" "What are you talking about, why? "It's a Matlin! I won't have it inside me!" "What? How do you know it's a Matlin? Were you attacked?" She shook her head. "How in the world could they have found you?" "He was a wolf. He had a knot; we were tied. He said his name was Ethan. It's the only one it could be. Ethan Matlin left his pack over twenty years ago and I managed to get with his... his... I won't give birth to a Matlin! Get it out!" After extracting a promise that she wouldn't do anything rash for a moment, the three of them went outside, closing the door, to discuss the situation. Beth tried to explain why it was so horrible for their mother. The children had heard the story before, but not all the details. "Anne had a couple of run-ins with Ian. She doesn't just hate him; she reviles him." "He's dead." "Yes, but anything associated with him is also tainted in her eyes. That means anyone in his pack, whether they deserve it or not. You saw how she struggled with letting Alicia and her baby into the pack." "Nick was there the whole time after she ran away from us, and I've some other viewpoints from some of the others. But she never really said what happened before the men arrived. Three of the Matlin males had her surrounded and she was on the ground. When our men got there, they shifted the attention and she got back with Devon and the others. You know how fast she is." Callum and Alana nodded. "Anyway, they started back from the Matlin range; she had gotten that far away with you. She was tired, probably a combination of her pregnancy, the run, and the adrenaline. Devon sent Kevin back for the truck and ended up carrying her since she was slowing them down. They'd made it most of the way back when Ian returned for her with seven of his pack. Devon put her down to make a final stand and pushed her to go home. She wouldn't leave. It probably would have made it harder to fight them since they'd have to worry about her as well but, luckily, Kevin arrived in time with the truck." "There was an attempt, a little later, by the Matlins to come in and get her. But, we had put things in place to make it harder for anyone who tried to attack us." "After you were born, Devon reported to the council that she had died. Ian wanted her that badly and Devon was not going to let her go. I've been told she trails a scent that has the men lusting after her." She indicated Alana. "We can't smell it, because we're female, I think. I don't think you can smell it because you're her son." "Later that spring or early summer, your mother and Valerie were outside with the four of you. Ian came back into our range with four others. She ordered Valerie in with Wesley and tried to get the three of you back into the compound, but you were too small. From what she told us, they surrounded her and she concentrated on keeping you alive. They started attacking her, throwing her off balance and one of them knocked her down. Ian got behind her, knocked her down, and mounted her." Alana gasped. Callum looked at her. "Right here? In our compound?" "That's how obsessed he was with her. Devon and the others came out and he knocked them over. Ian picked up Joy and took off. Devon went after him. Anne fought off one of the other males and got you back to the compound, where Jen and I grabbed the two of you. She made sure you were alright, then went after Ian and Devon and Joy." "She told us the rest of the story while your father was unconscious and she was nursing you. She found the two of them, facing off, not out of the McKenna range yet. She was getting ready to give herself up to Ian, to trade for your sister, when Ian dropped her. Devon tackled him and they fought. As Anne was starting to bring Joy back something happened and Devon ended up on the ground, with Ian's teeth at his throat. She launched herself at them, knocked him over, and ripped his throat out. She told us that, if she had gone with him, that she'd figure out a way to kill him before the month was out. And I believe she would have." A deep breath, collecting her thoughts. "When Ian took his three human females, he reported at the next council meeting that he had already had several matings with them. They wouldn't have gotten comfortable with their situation that quickly. He was raping them, regularly. They also reported a death about 3 months in. I can only assume one of them wasn't any fun any more or fought back and made him mad or, maybe, he hurt her so badly she died." "That's what your mother was facing. Ian Matlin was a monster; could his sons be any different?" Her two older children looked at the ground. "There're other things in your mother's past than only contribute to her bad opinion of the Matlins." Beth's breath hitched a little. "She told me, after Marshall attacked me, that she had been raped by a friend when she was in college. And Marshall hurt her too." "On top of that, and as much as you aren't going to want to believe it, your father.. No, the word seems too strong. It was after she was taken, before you were born. She wasn't willing, but she did submit. I expect it was only because we were in lockdown and she couldn't get away. She ran as soon as she got the chance." "Your mother's been hurt by men far more times than any woman has any right to be. She has good reason to hate men. But, she loved your father, and loves all of you." Callum and Alana were stunned. Callum looked like someone just killed his puppy. "How do we get her through this? I won't let her get rid of it, even if it is Ethan Matlin's baby." Beth swallowed. "She would do better, I think, if she were mated. But that won't happen anytime soon since she's still mourning your father. She's just as likely to fight you about it since it's supposed to be her choice and she didn't even have that the first time. Hopefully she'll feel better about it when the baby moves. She was very protective of you when you were born, wouldn't let anyone near you, or touch you, for days. You've seen how she was with Devon and Bev when they were babies. We can only hope that the maternal instinct kicks in when it's born. If not, you'll probably have to see if one of the others can nurse it. I don't know. I'm really not sure how we can help her. It's really up to her." The Final Insult Ch. 02 ***** She hadn't come back. Had he scared her off? Had something else happened? "Rick. Seen her at all?" "Not since you took her outside. What happened?" "I dunno. Nothing that should have scared her away." "Didn't get rough with her?" "No, no." "What if the cops come looking for her?" It was a couple of weeks later that a letter was left at the bar with Ethan's name on it. Rick handed it to him the next time he came in. "What is it?" "Dunno, some young fella just left it for you. Said you should know." "It wasn't her?" "Nope." Rick tried to watch over Ethan's shoulder as he opened the envelope. He could only see two lines, a few words. Ethan stared at the words on the small white piece of paper. 'It's affecting the men now. You've been exposed.' He crumpled it up and shoved it in his pocket. "Bad news?" "I'm not sure. Let me know if she comes back and I'm not here, OK?" "Sure thing." "What'd this young guy look like?" "Black hair, blue eyes, jeans, big in the chest. You OK?" "Yeah, fine." ***** The scent on the paper was wolf. Someone had come down to warn him. How did they know where he was? He needed to find out what was going on. The only place he could really get information would be to go home again. His father would probably be just as likely to kill him as welcome him home. It was warm enough, maybe he could just watch and catch one of the others alone outside and find out what the hell was going on. He really didn't want to meet up with Ian. His father. He had left because of him. And, what about her? He'd been exposed and he had to assume it was the virus; they had been talking about it for years before he left. It had to be her. Who was she? She wasn't surprised at his knot but she hadn't smelled full blooded werewoman. What had happened since he'd left? Two months later He finally got up the courage to go home. He got 2 weeks off work since it would take him a while to get in, and out, and he needed to find the right opportunity to get someone alone, find someone he could trust to talk to. She hadn't come back to the bar. No one had seen her since that night in his truck. It had been a couple months now. She had never stayed away for much more than four weeks before. He hadn't hurt her; she didn't seem upset, except when he asked her the cost. Anne. All he knew was her first name, what she looked like and what she smelled like. And no one else had come around asking about her. Who was she that no one was looking for her? Or had she just gone home? ***** Her mood was grim. She had tried a couple of ways to get rid of it. But the hated fetus in her womb tenaciously clung to her. Little could be done to lift her spirits although Beth and her older daughters tried. "You can't be sure who it was. Other people have left their packs before, look at great great grandad." "Anyway, it's yours. You'll never see him again. It will be raised here. A McKenna." Callum grew more and more concerned about the depths of her melancholy. If she actually had this baby, would she neglect it? Would he have to kill it to bring his mother back? Would she kill it? She didn't want it that was certain. The only time he heard her laugh anymore was when she played with Devon and Bev. Or when she watched the younger children play. He worried even more when she started taking off alone, coming home having run herself to near exhaustion. He organized a search party the first time she was gone overnight. She returned the next day around lunchtime, ignoring his questions. Refusing to tell him where she'd been. And, there were a couple of little things that went missing. A hammer, some wire... ***** He left his Blazer near the bottom of the wilderness area where he grew up. He started off carrying a small duffle bag. A couple of serious backpackers watched him march off, chuckling and shaking their heads. He trudged off for a distance, watching for humans, and then shifted to wolf. Grabbing the duffle in his jaws, he trotted off to his father's home range. The ranges had changed slightly in twenty years but he was surprised that he didn't smell his father's scent at the markers. He hid the duffle just outside the range and began scouting around. ***** She had difficulty thinking of anything but the parasites growing within her. She was mad. Mad that Callum had forced her into this, mad at Devon for dying and leaving her subject to the council's whims, again. Mad at herself for not recognizing Ethan for what he was, and at her body for allowing this connection. She got to the point where she had trouble tolerating the others, the sympathetic looks and whispers. And, she'd have to go out and do it again after these were born. She had gone off into the woods to clear her mind. And Callum had the temerity to question her as to where she'd been and what she'd been doing, as if she were a child. She loved her children but she didn't know how long she could stay there anymore with Devon gone. Ryan was six and Devon and Bev were two. While she considered taking her youngest with her, she wasn't sure she could care for them all by herself. They would be better off with their siblings and the other members of the pack. She wouldn't be too far away. And she wasn't sure Callum would allow her to take them. She'd been considering her options and had some hard choices to make. They all left her alone as she sat on Devon's grave. "Oh, Devon, I've tried to get rid of them, but they stubbornly cling to me. Ethan Matlin's twins. The others don't believe it's him, but I'm sure it is. Why? Why was it him?" She played with the petals of the late violets that were scattered on his grave. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do when they're born. I know it isn't their fault that they were conceived, but I don't know if I'll be able to see anything but Ian when I look at them. I don't know if I can do this." She curled up on her side, her hand on the grave, as if she'd curled up next to him. "I do know one thing though. I can't stay here. I've found a place, I think it's where Beth's pack lived, and I'm fixing a building up. I'm pretty sure I can make it through the winter. I can't stay here anymore; I'll leave the pack to our children." She stopped writing in her journal. Callum had been in her room, apparently looking for clues, and had been in her most recent volume. She'd have to hide it somewhere. ***** Ethan haunted the edges of the range, looking for two of his friends, twins, Liam and Levi. He stayed downwind, trying to catch the scent of his family, or his friends. There were a number of younger folks running around; the pack appeared to be thriving. His brother, Dylan, came into sight one day and he watched the interactions with other pack members. It looked like he was Alpha! Where was his father? What had happened? Ian had been in his prime when he'd left. Four days after he arrived Owen ended up at the edge where he'd hidden. He stepped into view and Owen raised his hackles and growled. Ethan shifted. "Owen, it's me. Ethan." Owen shuffled, and whined. Ethan extended a hand. "C'mon, Owen. You remember me." Owen sniffed, shifted, and faced Ethan. "I can't believe it's you. What are you doing here? Dylan's not gonna like this. Are you back?" "Owen, something's happened. I need to know what's gone on since I left." ***** He was getting more and more worried about his mother. Alana hadn't been able to get anything out of her and she wouldn't talk to him about it at all. In fact, he was sure she probably blamed him for her current state. It seemed the only one she would talk to at all was Beth, and, no matter how hard he tried, she wouldn't tell him what was going on in his mother's mind. Her behavior had gotten odder as her pregnancy progressed. Locking herself in the science lab, disappearing for days... She'd found the place a few weeks ago now. The buildings were rundown, but some were in better shape than others. She concentrated on one, since it had a couple of rooms and a fireplace. She gathered some stores she'd found in the other buildings into one of the rooms, brought in a table, assembled a bed, of sorts. She also started tearing down one of the outbuildings to repair it. And she started collecting wood. What would she do with the babes? The Cole curse had given her twins again. Children of the hated enemy. Maybe she could leave them at the Matlin's camp; let them deal with raising them. ***** "Ethan. Ian's dead. Been gone 20 years now." "Twenty years? That long? What the hell's been going on?" "Dylan's Alpha. Some things have changed, but we're having a tough time of it. Especially lately." "You know about the virus, right? The one that was taking the women? " Ethan nodded. "The council brought back the new blood edict." "You're shitting me!" "No. It's true. Ian brought in three human females, as required. Young, pretty. And, well, you can probably figure out how that went." Ethan shut his eyes, and shook his head slightly. "Yeah. How long did they last?" "We took them in the fall, just before winter hit. He ended up killing the first one about three months in. He never did get one of them pregnant." "In the spring we came across a female in our range. She ran away from the McKennas. Ian, Dylan, and Lewis tried to catch her, get her back to the compound but she slipped away. Lewis said she was really fast. The McKennas came after her, looks like she was their Alpha." "Alpha? And she ran away? Wait, I thought Devon's wife was dead." "She was a captured human female that he ended up mating and marrying." They both turned at the smell of someone coming. "Owen, I'm not here, OK? I'll find you later." Ethan shifted and took off. The Final Insult Ch. 03 Dear Readers, Things come together and fall apart. Enjoy, KemMyst ******** Callum was working with Edmund again. He was almost ready to take over as Beta. Alex had been a real help the past four years but he knew the position was temporary. However, Eddy was distracted today. Jen had just turned 14 and she was starting to show interest in him. Callum sighed and began to wonder if he would ever have a mate of his own. His father had been mated by the time he was 17 and he was already 22. ***** She never stayed away more than overnight. They'd all gotten used to it although they all worried while she was gone. Alana and Callum finally stopped grilling her every time she came back. They were still bothered that she would leave Devon and Bev for a day but she knew they would be cared for and watched until she returned. She'd gotten the hand pump working and had gotten all the rusty water out of the way, had checked the fireplace, and had gotten firestarting materials and some utensils. She checked the snares and skinned and cleaned the rabbits. She set up the skins to tan them. Suddenly, she straightened up, with a hand to her belly. Then she sat back down on the floor, with her back to the wall, resting her head back against it. They'd moved. She'd just felt the quickening. It seemed early, but she knew the sensation. She opened her eyes and stared off into space. Unshed tears glistened as she wished fervently that these belonged to Devon and that he was still alive. ***** It was a couple of days later that Ethan caught up with Owen again. He had had a lot to think about after the initial conversation. The new blood edict initiated. His father dead and Dylan now in charge. Owen had started telling him about a female that ran away from the McKennas, apparently she had something to do with his father's death. Devon McKenna's wife, a human female, brought into their pack and changed. The new blood edict meant bringing in females, changing them, and mating with them to produce offspring. Bringing in new blood. So, if Devon had mated her, she must have been pregnant when she ran. Owen, where was Owen? He needed him to finish the story and so he could make the connections. He also needed to know what was going on now with the men and the virus, since he had apparently been exposed to it through this woman, his mystery woman. Who was she? Where was she? He also now realized how much he missed pack life. But there would be trouble if he tried to come back. He didn't know how well everyone liked having Dylan in charge and he certainly didn't know if he could come back into a subordinate position. The fight for Alpha was a fight to the death. Did he want it? Did he want it that badly? Owen finally emerged on the edge of the range. "Thanks for coming back, Owen." "It is good to see you, Ethan. This is a hard time." Ethan looked a bit more closely at him. Owen sighed. "Where was I?" Ethan closed his eyes. "The McKennas came after their female Alpha." "Pregnant, of course. Part of the terms of the decree. Well, Ian wanted her in the worst way. He collected a bunch of us and we went back after them. Eight of us against five of them. They were getting close to their range when we caught them. But one of them came back with a truck and they got away from us. Ian was pissed." "He had us go back, a few days later, to try and get into the compound, and get to them, to her. But they had set up some serious defenses. Roland and Joshua were injured pretty badly. So we backed off. But Ian was obsessed." "Later, it was reported that she had had a daughter, and died. So that was that." Ethan looked at Owen. "But, you're telling me this story for a reason. How did he die?" "She wasn't dead. We were out hunting later that summer when he caught wind of her again and we all went off after her. We caught her outside the compound with her pups. She had three." Ethan's eyes widened. "Anyway, we surrounded her. Levi knocked her down and then Ian was on her. He mounted her, right there in their compound." Ethan couldn't believe his ears. "That's insane!" "He was nuts about her, wanted her in the worst way." "So, that's when..." "The McKennas came out, and Devon knocked them over. Ian grabbed one of the pups, and took off. Devon went after them." "He left the pups alive?" "Nuts. I told you. Anyway, there were four of them, with her, and four of us. And the fighting began. She ended up blinding Liam in one eye, got the pups inside and went after Ian and Devon. The fighting went on a bit longer until a couple more males came out and we were outnumbered." "So, we lit out for home, chased by the McKennas. We passed them on the way back. Ian was dead, Devon was badly hurt, and she was standing over him with the pup." "Dylan had a helluva time in the transition but ended up doing OK. He's got his legs under him and has done well by the pack for the last 20 years. Except for lately." "What's been going on?" "The men are dying now. We've lost eight in the past couple of years. More before that." "How?" "They start having trouble walking, then the joints swell and get painful. Sounds like they just hurt all over. Once it gets into their lungs they go downhill fast. Doesn't take much more than a month." Ethan closed his eyes. "Because of this, the Alphas have sent some of their females out to pull in human males." The last piece fell into place. He mumbled to himself. "That's what she was doing." "So, you heard all you need? Ready to tell me why you came back?" He took a couple of deep breaths. "Owen, I haven't seen anyone since I left. I got a note, a few weeks back, just two lines. It said it's affecting the men now. And that I'd been exposed." "If you haven't seen anyone, how do you think you were exposed?" "There was a woman." Owen nodded, knowingly. "So, what are you gonna do?" "I don't know yet. I'm gonna hafta think a bit. Thanks, Owen." "I'd better get back. I'll check a couple more times if you decide to hang around a bit longer or if you decide to do something else." "OK." "Hey, Ethan? How is life with the humans?" "Not the same." Owen turned to leave. "Oh, Owen?" "Yeah?" "Is there an Anne in the pack?" "No." He thought a minute. "Only Anne I know of is Devon's female. He died about three or four years ago. Callum McKenna is Alpha now." "Thanks again, Owen." ***** She'd driven most of the mice away and devised containers that they'd have trouble getting into. She could also now close up the building so that the critters couldn't get in and mess things up. She had a good mess of wood assembled and could use the other old buildings if things got dire. Furniture was set up and some hides and covers readied. Now she needed lights and some things to keep her occupied. Some books, her journals. She was bringing in fruits and leaving them to dry. Still a bit to do before winter came but she had to get back. ***** He went back to the copse of trees where he'd been staying outside the range. He had to think. His father was gone, his younger brother in charge. The pack was doing OK but they were losing men to the virus now. Anne. His mystery woman. The women, at least, some of them, were being sent out to bring in human males. But she hadn't tried to lure anyone away, she just came to the bar every few weeks to, apparently, have sex with men. Her Alpha apparently giving her some latitude. She had worn no makeup, no perfume. She came to the bar in a skirt and a button down shirt without much of a bra underneath. She'd gone out to have sex in men's vehicles. The pace hadn't been leisurely; there was no drawing out of pleasure. In fact, now that he thought about it, he wasn't sure she got much pleasure from him that night. And she hadn't insisted on a condom. And, after she'd been with him, she hadn't come back. It hit him like a punch to the gut, and he lost his breath. She was pregnant. She had come to the bar, having sex, with the express purpose of getting pregnant. The timing was about right. And she hadn't come back so she must have accomplished what she had intended. Pregnant. There was a werewoman out here who was carrying his child. ***** Anne was on the table in Medical, as Beth and Alana were checking her condition and the babies. She'd told them she expected twins again. She didn't seem to care how things were going, didn't want to listen to the heartbeat. "You might want to gain a little more weight but things seem fine." She didn't answer and Alana and Beth looked at each other. She seemed far too depressed and they were worried. Alana took her hand. "Mom?" Anne's eyes went to her. "Have they moved yet?" Anne looked to her daughter, her eyes a little wet, and nodded. Alana patted her hand. "Good. Any problems?" Anne shook her head. "OK, we'll check on things in another month." Alana cleaned off the couple of instruments as Anne sat up on the table. Beth climbed up to sit beside her, put an arm around her and took her hand. "Anne, listen to me." Anne nodded. Beth turned her face so she could look her in the eye. "No, really. I want you to actually assimilate what I'm saying." "OK. What is it?" "Did he hurt you? Hit you? Force you?" "No." "Even if he is Ethan Matlin, they can't all be that bad." "Have you talked to Alicia? Really talked to her? The men in that pack are mostly brutes, and, even still, with Dylan in charge. Do their women still really choose?" "Ethan left the pack over twenty years ago. Either Ian forced him out, or he left on his own. That would indicate he wasn't aligned with his father's interests. It's not the babies' fault who their father is. They're McKennas now. Your babies." Anne slid off the table, Beth still had ahold of her hand. "They aren't Devon's." She let go, and walked away. ***** The only Anne Owen knew of was Devon McKenna's widow. Their range wasn't too far. He had four days left. He would go and see if he could find her. ***** Her trips to what she had begun to consider her new home were becoming more frequent. She felt comfortable there. There was little to remind her of the sad times in her life and she had a lot to keep her occupied. It would only get more difficult as her pregnancy progressed. She'd have them in early winter. What would she do then? She wasn't sure yet. ***** He moved his 'camp', such as it was, closer to the McKenna range and started looking for her. He stationed himself downwind of the entrance, up above on a little ridge. He watched the comings and goings. Luckily, no one came his way. If they'd seen or scented him, they would hunt him down. There were a number of children outside, running around and playing. They seemed to be doing well. His father had been jealous of the McKenna compound, the size, the defenses. The size of the pack that could be housed there. Nothing the first day. He was gonna hafta head for home sometime tomorrow. He came back the next morning to watch again. A few pack members started to emerge as he settled down to watch. Later in the morning he watched as one woman walked around the back. He could just see her as she sat on the ground there. He took a closer look as she came back around. Long brown hair, about the right height, thick around the waist. But he wasn't sure. He couldn't smell her. It was about lunchtime when they all went inside. He snuck closer. When they started coming out again and he saw her emerge with two small children. It was her. He could smell her now! He headed for her, before he could think better of it. The women yelled and they and the children hurried inside. She turned, stood, and watched as he approached and a couple of the pack's males advanced to meet him. He dropped into a relatively submissive posture as the two males came out and growled and sniffed at him. The two men shifted and the younger man demanded, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" He shifted to face them and he watched her eyes go wide. "My name is Ethan." He pointed at Anne. "I'm here because of her." Involuntarily, her eyes took in the look of his body in the daylight. "What do you want with my mother, Matlin?" "I haven't been with the Matlin pack for years." He looked to Anne, addressed her. "That's mine, isn't it?" She put a hand on her belly and backed away. Without a word, she turned her back on him and walked into the compound. "You aren't welcome here. Go away, Ethan. And don't come back." He watched her retreating back, looked at Callum and the other males, beginning to collect behind him. He shifted to wolf and walked away. His mind raced. He'd found her. She was pregnant. No one had denied that she was bearing his child. Devon McKenna's widow was having his child. What was he going to do? What could he do? Not much for now. He left, went back to his job, his other life. He was distracted; everyone noticed it. Rick asked him what was wrong, if he was OK. Ethan made noncommittal answers. One day Rick caught him staring at the corner table where she used to sit. "You got it bad, Ethan. Haven't found her, huh?" "Yea, I did. She went home." "You talked to her?" "No. She wouldn't talk to me." "Ouch." Rich shook his head. "Sorry, bro. Guess you gotta move on. Here. On me." Ethan took the beer, took a long drink. "Man, I can't." "Whaddaya gonna do?" Ethan looks Rick in the eye. "Go back there." "Thanks, Rick." He stood to leave. "See you later." Another couple months He gave notice at the plant; they made furniture. The owner had always liked his work, and told him he'd always have a job if he ever decided to come back. He started selling his stuff and buying supplies. He rented a garage as close to the McKenna range as he could get and began loading it up. Mostly food, canned or dehydrated. A couple of little luxuries, as far as camping was concerned. He set up the back of his Blazer so he could live in it. He'd lived amongst the humans for too long; he wouldn't have included some of those things, years ago. Finally, he bought a small lockbox, pulled all his cash out of his bank accounts, and put all of it, and his important papers (from a human standpoint), into it. He sat behind the wheel of the truck; everything was ready. He took a deep breath, started the engine, and drove away from the life he'd known for 24 years. He set up camp a distance away from the McKenna range then began watching the compound. He watched the McKennas come, and go, hunt, and play. He saw her, sometimes with children, sometimes alone, but never where he could get to her. She was bigger now. He counted back, almost 6 months. How much longer would it be? While waiting for his chance, he started concentrating on her face. He rarely saw her smile. Whatever was going on with her, she wasn't happy. He watched her one morning, then left to get something to eat. When he came back, she had disappeared. Their Alpha, and a couple of the women, looked like they were searching for someone briefly, then gave up. She wasn't there that afternoon, or evening, or the next morning. Was she having the baby? He saw a brown wolf later, slinking in from the northeast. It turned out to be her. Where had she been? He kept watching the ins and outs of the McKenna pack. He concentrated on being there at lunchtime and, a few days later, saw her take off to the east. He circled, looking for her scent, and followed. He lost her when she went into a small stream. He cast about, searching, but couldn't figure out where she'd gone. Giving up, he returned to where he'd lost her and settled down to wait. He spent an uncomfortable night, watching for her return. He was about to give up the next day, tired, hungry, when he caught her scent. God, she smelled good. He headed for her. Leaping out at her, she stumbled, and he got over her, his jaws around her throat. She went rigid, still, considering, then kicked at his belly. She started to struggle. He shifted and grabbed her hind legs. She left a good gash on his forearm as he tried to get ahold of her forelegs. "Stop. Stop. I just want to talk to you." He had a raging hardon that she felt when she shifted and she struggled more. "Stop!" She went limp and he loosened his grip. She started to scrabble away and he grabbed her legs and hauled her back, trapping her legs under his calves, holding her wrists with one hand, her throat with the other. The position was awkward, because of her belly. Though she would be stronger now, as a made werewolf, she couldn't match his strength, since he was born one. He wasn't going to let her go until he got the answer to his question. She glared at him; he looked at her. "It's mine, isn't it?" No answer, just that look. "Goddammit! Answer me, woman!" He took a firmer grip. She answered him through clenched teeth. "Yes. And, gods, how I hate them." "Because of me?" She glared at him. "Why?" "I never would have let you touch me if I'd known what you are." He was confused. "A wolf?" "A Matlin!" "You don't even know me." He looked at the hate and suspicion in her eyes. "My father hurt you, didn't he?" Looking at her closely, he saw it was true. "I'm not like my father; I left because of him." She wasn't sure, still suspicious. "Look. I didn't hurt you. I didn't force you. I did what you wanted and you got the result you were after." Now she simply looked at him, annoyed. "Let me go." "What are you gonna do?" "None of your business." He touched her belly; she twisted, trying to avoid it. "This makes it my business." The babies moved under his hand. His attention shifted. "Oh, wow." She closed her eyes and he looked at her again. "You're not mated, are you?" "The pack will take care of us." "Then why are you running away?" He surprised her; it was true. She was planning something. Her chest heaved. "Let. Me. Go." He remained where he is, looking at her. "You can't keep me here forever." He blinked. It was true. He never thought past finding out if she had his child in her belly. Now what? He sat up and looked her over, cooler air suddenly washing over his erection. Damn, what was this? He wasn't even thinking of sex. Medium brown hair, longer than he remembered, brown eyes. The scar on her left shoulder, probably where she had been bitten for the change. The mating mark on her neck. Her breasts were fuller now, the tips rose colored. He hadn't seen that in the darkness outside the bar. And it smelled like she was aroused. He suddenly felt the urge to touch her, reached out, and brushed his fingers over her left breast. She gasped, scrabbled away, and stood, chest heaving. Her nipples were now both firm and taut. "Leave me alone." She shifted to wolf and took off. Damn. Damn. As if she didn't have enough trouble to try working around the others, now this. He knew for certain now. He had come back, looking for her, and had obviously seen her take off. He must have tracked her to the stream. Now what? What did he want with her? Had he gone back to his pack, and come here to claim her? He hadn't said anything. Wasn't it her choice, now? The next council meeting was in another week. So they didn't know if he was Alpha now. He hadn't acted that way. He'd come alone. She raced into the compound and went to her room. And, now, of all times. She was in her horny phase and his smell and touch had her going. She lay back on the bed and ran her palms over her sensitive breasts, teasing her nipples, a little painful now because of the swelling but pleasurable because they were so sensitive. She felt the throb, down below, as she flicked and pinched them lightly. Then, one hand reached around her swollen belly, to stroke her swollen lips. She dipped a finger in, spread the slickness to her clitoris, and began to rub. Spreading her knees wide, she worked herself up and over the edge. She squealed, then dropped back, panting. The Final Insult Ch. 03 Now, what was she going to do about him? Gone. And so fast. He looked down at his throbbing cock. "And you. I wasn't even thinking about that." He took hold, squeezing lightly, and groaned. Then he began stroking, considering the look of her body, her scent, what he remembered of being in her. He increased his pace, and groaned again, as he spattered the grass in front of him. Now, what was he going to do about her? He'd quit his job. There was nothing to go back to. Subconsciously, he must have meant to come back. But his father's pack, his brother's now, didn't seem right, wouldn't be comfortable. He could petition the McKennas but, would they accept him, would she allow it? Go it alone? Living was hard here, and trying to go it alone almost suicidal. Winter was coming. He had to make some sort of decision soon. Almost done. She was about as prepared as she would get. She snuck off once more and had not met up with him again. The babies would come soon. He went back into town, and brought as much back in as he could. He'd set up a tent on the eastern side of the McKenna range and cached most of his supplies. One last examination. Heartbeats. Good. Weight. In range. Dilated. Yes. Just a little. The birth would be soon. She took off when she felt the first contractions. She had to make it to her new place. She'd had ten children and hadn't had any problems since Callum; she didn't expect any trouble even though these two had decided to come a little early. She had a couple more pieces of clothing with her. He was out, roaming around, looking for rabbits and hoping he might come across her, when she flew by. He was startled when he saw a wolf streak through the woods ahead of him. He was downwind; it was her. He followed, until he hit the stream again. He couldn't see her, couldn't smell her anymore. No. This time he was going to find out where she was. He started downstream, looking for tracks, trying to find where she came out. He had her scent now. She had to stop a couple of times for the contractions. They were more frequent than she expected. The first pup was coming too quickly; she wasn't sure now if she'd make it there. But she wouldn't make it back now either. She was within sight of the cabin when she felt the urge to push. She whined and cried as her eleventh child made his way into the world. After cleaning him off, she carried him into the cabin, wrapped him up, and started the fire as she awaited the coming of the second baby. Finally, he found her track, and headed off in the direction she took. As the wetness from the stream dropped away, he started tracking her by scent. Suddenly, he caught a whiff of woodsmoke. He stopped, sniffing, when he found the pool of fluids and tissue from the birth. Some clothing lay on the ground nearby. He picked his head up and looked around, catching sight of the buildings as the first snow began to fall. He made a circuit of the area and checked the outbuildings before concentrating on the one she was in. He heard noises, crying. He had, of course, been around when women gave birth before. He'd heard moaning, cursing, crying. He listened outside. It sounded like she was having the baby now, alone. But, the fluids outside, wouldn't that be where she'd had it? Suddenly, she began screaming. He shifted, and entered the building. There was a baby, wrapped in a skin, in a basket by the fire. She was in a corner, squatting, straining. She relaxed a bit, panting, and, eyes glazed, looked at him. "Something's wrong." Another contraction hit and she closed her eyes and screamed again. It tore at him. "I'll get help." He closed the door behind him, shifted, and sprinted for the McKenna compound. He stood outside in the snow, yelling at them. "You were told not to come back here." Out of temper, he yelled, "She's having the baby. Something's wrong." The gates opened and questions began. "There's no time. She needs help, now!" "Where is she?" "A bunch of old buildings, off to the northeast." Beth disappeared inside as Ethan was held at the door. "Where are you going? We have to go!" "Tools. Instruments." Beth returned quickly with some things and a couple of bags to carry them. "Hurry! She's in a bad way." She told the others she was off to the old Palin compound and that she was going alone with Ethan, arguing with Callum, Alana, and Nick. Nick looked at Ethan. "If anything happens to her..." "I get it. Let's go." Beth threw him a bag. "Carry this. Let's go." They took off running for the buildings. He was surprised that she made a beeline for the old compound. The snow was beginning to build and the wind was making it difficult to see. They heard her screams of pain and the baby crying as they closed on the building. They shifted, and entered. Beth went directly to Anne, who was panting and straining. Beth touched her shoulder. Drenched in sweat, the floor beneath her slick with fluid, Anne looked up at her. "Won't come." The next contraction ripped another cry from her lips. "I need to see." In obvious pain, and moaning, she slid down to the floor, and spread her knees, shaking. Ethan hovered in the background, picked up the first baby and unwrapped it. A boy. He had a son. Beth looked to him. "Get over here and help me." Eyes closed, Anne was rocking and crying. Ethan hauled the bags over as she shrieked again. "The cord's keeping the baby from coming. Now, when she relaxes, get your fingers around the cord and try to pull it away from the baby's head." The contraction ended and she panted, whining. "Anne. I know it's hard, but try not to push. Anne?" Anne's eyes opened and she focussed on Beth. "Don't push." Ethan was trying to get his fingers around the cord. "I can't get it." Anne moaned, eyes tightly closed, fists clenched. "Alright, grab the scalpel." "One more time, Anne." On the second attempt, Beth got her fingers around the cord. "Now. Get the scalpel in there and cut it." "What?" "Cut the cord, now. No wait." Anne was pushing again and the cord tightened around Beth's fingers. "Owww." The contraction ended and Beth pulled the cord away slightly. "Now!" Ethan, afraid of hurting the baby, slid the scalpel in and sawed at the cord. "Just pull it." It parted more easily than he expectd and blood spattered from the parted ends. "Now, get behind her, lock your arms under her breasts, and help her push when I tell you." Beth was holding the baby's head through another contraction as Ethan positioned himself. Beth touched Anne's face. "Ready, Anne? Let's get this baby born." Beth took her hand and watched the contraction start. "Now. Push!" Ethan bore down on her belly as the shoulders emerged. "Good. Good. OK, once more." The baby, another boy, slithered out into Beth's hands. He wasn't crying. Beth held him by his feet as Ethan looked on and Anne wearily opened her eyes. A slap on his bottom failed to bring a response. Ethan was crestfallen. "He's dead." Anne closed her eyes again and tears began to fall. Beth cleared the baby's mouth. "One more thing." She swung him, back and forth, by his feet. "C'mon, baby. C'mon, little boy. Breathe for me." A little gasp and he sucked in air. "C'mon, do it again." One more swing and she brought him up into her arms. "Good boy." She looked to Anne and Ethan. "He's breathing." Ethan, still sitting with his arms around Anne, let out a whoop of joy and kissed her. Beth put the baby on her belly and gave him a look. "I just... I didn't mean...." Anne's unsteady hands went to her son. Beth massaged her belly and was startled by a gush of blood. "No, Anne. No, no." She looked at Ethan. "You, take the baby and put him with his brother." She continued to massage. "C'mon, Anne, where's the afterbirth?" He moved out from behind her, took his second son and placed him beside his brother. He turned back, seeing far too much blood for his liking and the worried expression on Beth's face. "Just one more thing, Anne, and you'll be done. C'mon, where is it?" "Ethan. Get a piece of rawhide or something and tie off the end of the cord that's coming out of her." He looked around for something, stymied. "Quickly!" He found her knife and cut off a strip of hide. Moving between Anne's legs, he took hold of the slippery, bloody cord hanging from her and tied it off. The bleeding slowed, but didn't stop. Beth continued manipulating her belly. "Go find something absorbent. I'm going to have to pack her off." "Anne. Anne?" Wearily, she opened her eyes; she was going pale. "How about names? What will you call them?" Ethan returned to hear her say in a low voice, "Grief and Sorrow." "That's not fair. They're innocent babies, Anne. How about Gregory? Clay?" Anne shook her head. "Evan?" Nothing negative, a shrug. "OK. Erich?" A general nod. "Good." She motioned Ethan down and spoke quietly to him. "Get behind her again, like you were before." On the cold slick floor, he sat behind her, and pulled her back into his arms. "Anne. We need the afterbirth to come. Can you push for me?" Anne gathered her strength and Beth nodded at Ethan. The boys were in the basket, crying. As Anne pushed and Ethan added pressure, Beth put tension on the cord. "Again!" She felt it start to move. "OK, once more, push!" Anne closed her eyes, gritted her teeth and groaned while Ethan pressed on her belly. The afterbirth came loose, followed by more blood. "She's gonna bleed to death." Beth gave him a dirty look as she started packing Anne with the material he'd brought. Anne's eyes closed and her head fell back against him. "No. Do something." Beth finished up and looked to him. "Now, carefully, get her on the bed and look to the fire. And you need to stop voicing every thought that comes into your head." Beth took care of the tissues from the birth, went to the pump, and began cleaning up the mess on the floor. The Final Insult Ch. 04 Dear Readers, Anne has had two boys but the difficulty isn't over. Enjoy, KemMyst ****************** "The boys are hungry." "She's unconscious. The boys will have to wait awhile." "We can't let them starve. Is there someone in your pack?" "Temperance is nursing, but we can't move Anne. And they won't starve in a couple of hours." Ethan added another log to the fire and stirred it slightly as Beth settled Anne in the bed. She was relieved to see the packing wasn't soaked with blood. She then checked the boys, who were hungry, crying. The older boy sucked on her finger strongly, while the younger boy was weaker. Ethan opened the door to a blast of cold air and a swirl of snow. A brief look outside, and he slammed the door closed. "I guess nobody's going anywhere soon." Beth went to the door and looked out. The snow was deep; the wind was blowing. "Great." They went through the building, finding food and other things. Beth dressed and started working on food. Ethan looked at his sons and then to Anne. Beth caught his look of concern. "Will they live?" Beth turned and looked at Anne, pale, unconscious, but breathing regularly. "I hope so. But, she's not like us; she doesn't heal as quickly. But she's strong. If she decides to fight, I believe she'll be OK." "If?" "This isn't something she wanted. She's still mourning Devon." "So she was Devon's mate." "Yes." "Are you her daughter?" "No. I'm her friend. We shared something awful together a couple of months after she came to us." Ethan looked at her and Beth looked back. "You smell it, don't you?" "Yes. What is it? Why does she smell like that?" "We have no idea. She just does. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she's part wolf to begin with." Ethan's look indicated his confusion. Beth picked up the younger twin, and tried to coax him into taking some of the concoction she'd mixed up. He took a little, but then screwed up his little face, and stopped. She carried him over to Anne. Beth touched her face. "Anne, we need to get the boys fed." Her head shifted but she didn't wake. "OK, if you could get behind her and prop her up we'll try something." Ethan moved behind Anne. "Carefully, we don't want her to start bleeding again." Ethan got her partway upright. "A little higher. Good." Ethan watched, over her shoulder, as Beth manipulated her left breast. His hand came up, trying to mimic the action on her right. She swatted his hand away. "Don't." "Why not?" "Have you ever nursed a baby?" "No. Of course not." "Then all you're doing is fondling her. This is different." Beth continued, coaxing the first fluid from Anne's breast. She set the nipple in the baby's mouth. "C'mon, take hold." He rubbed his face against her breast, not finding his way. "Why him first?" "He's weaker, and in worse shape." She moved the baby and smeared some of the first milk on his lips. He smacked his lips slightly and sucked on her finger a little. "Here, take hold." This time he latched on and began nursing. Beth released a held breath. "OK, put your arm around him so he doesn't fall off, while I get his brother." She turned to get the other baby and found his hand had strayed to her right breast again. "Don't touch her; she wouldn't like it." "Why? Do you know? Why am I so horrible? I didn't hurt her." "Your father attacked her, came for her more than once, took her baby girl. You're the enemy." Ethan looked hurt. "It's how she feels about anything Matlin." "I'm not my father." "You aren't making your case by touching an unconscious woman who'd rather take her own arm off than have you touch her." Beth settled the other boy at her other breast. "Both at once?" "This isn't her first set of twins." "How many children has she had?" "She's incredibly fecund. This makes twelve." Ethan looked incredulous. "A dozen children? That's.. That's..." "Incredible? Impressive? A lot?" "Uh, yeah." Beth checked Anne, then watched the boys nurse. The younger twin was starting to lose pace, and would be done soon. "So, how did you find her?" Ethan told her about seeing Anne in the bar, watching her go outside with other men, and disappearing. The babies finished nursing and were placed together in the basket. A meal was made and they ate. Ethan described his life with humans. Beth was interested, knowing little of human society, so she listened intently. Time passed and Ethan checked the outside, worked on the fire, and assessed the supplies in the building. Beth crawled onto the bed with Anne and curled up beside her. After another hour or so the boys woke, moved, and began crying again. Anne reacted, shifting on the bed, but still did not wake. Beth checked her eyes and spoke to her. "Anne?" No response. Beth pulled the covers back and saw that Anne's breasts had begun leaking. Not quite awake but her body was responding to the boys' cry of hunger. "Ethan? If you wouldn't mind?" Ethan took his position, carefully crawling behind her and lifting her upper body, resting her back against him. Beth brought the boys, one at a time, to their mother. Thankfully, the younger twin had figured out what to do and readily latched on and began sucking. While they watched as Anne's babies nursed at her breast, Ethan thought of a question he'd been meaning to ask. "How did you know where we were going?" "She told me she'd found a place she considered a refuge. I thought it might be here but I told her not to tell me since Callum could make me tell him. When you told me the direction I knew exactly where she was. This was the Palin compound. I was born here." "Why would she come here, to have the babies alone?" "She didn't expect any trouble with the birth and I guess she didn't want to have them at home. You can see she had this place prepared for her to be here a while. But they came a little earlier than they were expected." Ethan gestured at the door. "Winter's here. Did she think she could last here 'til spring?" "Looks like." "With the babies?" "I guess. I don't know what she planned to do once they were born." Ethan looked a little grim. "You're thinking she might let them die?" "If she hates me that much..." Beth swallowed. "I'm sure she thought about it", Ethan closed his eyes, "but I really doubt she'd actually do it." He looked back to her. "She has a maternal streak a mile wide. Once she has babies, she'll do anything for them; she'd die for them." Ethan looked at her. "What?" "When I was tracking her, I found a spot, outside. I think it's where she had my first boy." Beth looked at him. He was talking as if he expected to be a part of their life. "So, she brought him in here and wrapped him up." Ethan nodded. "I guess so." "See? She didn't leave him to the elements." The boys had fallen asleep. He touched their heads, stroked the fine light hair, checked out their tiny little fists, tiny fingers. "You've not had children before?" Ethan shook his head. "They're beautiful." She took them to the basket and covered them, yawning. Ethan released Anne back down to the bed. Beth checked Anne, loosening the packing. While some blood oozed from her still, most of the bleeding had stopped. Beth fashioned a pad and tied it in place. "I'm about done. I'm gonna get some sleep." Ethan nodded. "OK." He sat in a chair near the fire with a hide pulled up under his chin as Beth crawled in with Anne. The boys woke again in a couple of hours and started crying. Anne stirred. Sleepily, she called out. "Devon, could you get them?" Beth opened her eyes, hearing the boys' cry, and moved to get up. "Devon...," she groaned. Beth put a hand to Anne's face. "Anne?" Anne started, and her eyes opened suddenly. "Ow! Oh. Beth? Where's Devon?" Beth put on a sad look on her face. "Anne, think." Beth saw her considering and the tears started. "The babies are hungry. Stay there. I'll bring them over." Anne shifted up, making noises of pain as Beth brought one of the boys over. Anne settled him at her breast and looked around as Beth fetched the other. "What's he doing here?" Ethan watched, quietly, from the chair. "He found you, came and got me. He's been helping." Anne glared at him. "We're snowed in." She looked at her children. "Two boys?" "Yes." "When?" "Yesterday. The cord was wrapped around Erich's neck. Then you started bleeding. I think everything's gonna be alright. How do you feel?" "Tired, sore, pissed. Mostly like a milk cow. They have names?" "I suggested some and you agreed to Erich and Evan." "Who's who?" "Evan, the oldest, on your right and Erich, on your left. Unless you want it the other way around." Anne yawned and rubbed her face. "You should eat something." "I'll try." Beth took the boys back to the basket and brought Anne something to eat. She managed to get something down before she fell asleep again. Beth looked to Ethan before crawling back in to get some more sleep. "Nice restraint." "Do they really eat that often?" "Yes." ***** Nick, Callum, and Alana were frantic. The snow was building and Anne, Beth, and Ethan were out there somewhere with two babies. Hopefully. If she was having trouble with the birth Anne or the babies or all three could be dead. And who knew what Ethan would do with Beth. Anne's bias had rubbed off on the others. No one considered him trustworthy. Even worse, none of them was truly sure where the Palin compound was. Nick had asked, but Beth had never gotten around to showing him where she'd been born. ***** The storm raged for three days. The snow was deep. The world revolved around feeding the boys, getting Anne's strength back, and keeping the fire going. Anne ignored Ethan completely and started examining her sons a bit more thoroughly. Beth kept the food going, coaxing Anne to eat, and checking to make sure she didn't start bleeding again. She and Ethan continued to talk and Beth began to warm to him. He'd been kind, helpful, and hadn't made any untoward moves toward her, acting the perfect gentleman. He was, however, starting to act more possessive of the boys and, apparently, of Anne. The snow finally stopped, and Ethan ventured out to see if they could get out. He tried a couple of directions, trying to find open space. He fought his way back, an hour later, covered in snow. "It's too deep. I can't find a way out. The drifts are running 6 or 7 feet." Beth assessed the stores, again. "Well, I'd say there's enough here to last us a month." Anne's weary voice came from the bed. "Sorry. I didn't plan on having you with me." Beth sat on the bed beside her. "So. You really meant to run away from the pack?" "It belongs to the children now. I don't feel right there anymore." "You wouldn't last the year, especially with the babies." A burst of fire and anger from her. "Keep your opinions to yourself, Matlin. I wasn't talking to you." "Now, look." Beth looked concerned at this sudden outburst from Ethan. "Number one, I grew up here and I know how hard it is. Number two, we're stuck here for a while so be civil. Number three, in case you've forgotten, I'm the one who saved your life." "Oh, please, like it was really me you were looking out for." He stood, clenched his fists, and made a noise of impatience. He stomped outside, slamming the door behind him. "Anne. He hasn't done anything to deserve that. He hasn't been anything but helpful since he found you here." Anne made no comment. "You're way too stubborn for your own good; you know that?" She now looked at Beth, surprised. Beth went outside as well. "What the hell can I do to convince her that I'm not some kind of monster?" "Sorry to say, but it was a good ten months before she finally decided to let herself feel anything for Devon." Ethan looked at her, crestfallen. "Just what do you expect, Ethan? She's only seen you for a few hours. What do you want from her?" He blew out a breath. "I don't know. She's the mother of my sons, my children. But she makes me crazy." "You'd better decide something pretty quick." Beth turned to go back inside. "She's an Alpha female, mated or not. She doesn't take to weak, indecisive males." Back inside, Anne was standing by the side of the bed, eyes closed, holding on. "Anne. Anne. Anne. What are you doing?" Hunched over, she was slowly trying to straighten up. "Been in the bed too long. Where are my clothes?" Ethan came back in. "You were bleeding badly. You should be in bed." He walked over, picked her up, and placed her back on the bed. He hissed at her. "Are you trying to kill yourself?" She glared at him. "I know, none of my business. But", a slight hesitation, "your sons need you." Beth mentally thanked him for choosing the right word. Anne looked at her infant sons and burst into tears. Ethan looked shocked. Beth dragged him outside again. "Not a word. It's the hormones." "I thought that was over now." Beth laughed. "Not by a long shot. Her body is adjusting to having the babies outside now." Anne, now dry-eyed but not looking happy, sat on the bed. "OK. How long do I have to stay here?" "I'd say a couple more days." "Where are my other clothes?" "Oh, uh, sorry." Beth was wearing Anne's things. "I didn't find anything else." "I brought an extra set with me. I had to set them down when..." She looked at the door. Under a few feet of snow now. Anne requested her journal and, between nursing, sleeping, and eating, wrote for a day and a half. Beth and Ethan talked, tended the fire, made meals. Beth heated water and cleaned and examined Anne, then washed up herself. Ethan checked the rooms and shifted some things around, fixing things, tightening the place up. He hummed to himself as he worked. The weather cleared and the sun came out. The temperature started to rise. Things started to drip. Anne was allowed up and walked around slowly, shadowed by Beth. Ethan went out and scouted around, for fresh meat, for the possibility of getting out. "If the weather holds, we can probably get out tomorrow." "Anne. Do you think you can make it back home?" She sighed, resigned to returning to the McKenna compound. "It won't be fast." ***** Callum, Nick, and some of the other males had been scouting for them since the weather broke. "I don't care. I want to hear from you if you find anything unusual. Even if it's just a piece of fur." Alex had a good idea of which direction to go, but Amanda was due to deliver any time now and he didn't want to leave her. They could easily miss an overgrown cluster of buildings. They should be out hunting, adding to the food supply for winter, but Callum wouldn't hear of it. He wanted his mother found. ***** The next day dawned brightly. Beth put away most of the food stuffs and cleaned up the utensils. Ethan pulled apart and doused the fire. Anne was nursing the boys, a female wolf on the bed with her pups. The boys finished and Ethan and Beth looked at each other. "Are we ready?" "I guess." "Alright. Let's go." Anne grabbed Evan by the scruff and picked him up. Beth shifted and picked up Erich. Ethan opened the door and they walked out. Ethan closed the door and shifted. Beth loped off in the direction of the McKenna compound. Anne followed and Ethan brought up the rear. They moved through mud, snow, slop. Anne picked her way pretty carefully as she was still a bit unsteady. A little more than halfway, Anne paused, and sat, holding Evan. Ethan came over to her, prepared to carry Evan the rest of the way, and she growled at him. They sat, waiting, resting, until she was ready to move again. As they approached the compound they ran into the search party. Nick yelped and ran up to Beth, touching her muzzle and rubbing against her. The others crowded around, sniffing Anne, and checking out the new pups. Callum growled at Ethan and he and William barred his entry into the compound. Beth turned and shifted. "Callum, they wouldn't be alive if not for him. The least you could do is thank him." Callum relented, allowing him in. The women and children came out, crowding around, welcoming them back. Devon and Bev came up, hugging and kissing. "Mama." "Mama. You're back!" "Oh, look at the babies!" Anne went inside and sat in the first available chair with Evan and closed her eyes. Beth sat nearby with Erich. Ethan hovered in the background. "Your mother is very tired, children. But I'd like you to meet your new brothers. This is Erich and that is Evan." Ryan pointed at Ethan. "Who's that?" Beth answered. "This nice man is the one who helped your mama." Ryan, Devon, and Bev went over to hug him around the legs and hips. "Thank you." "Thanks for helping mama." Ethan was taken aback by the gesture. Beth handed Erich to Sandra and grabbed Callum, Alana, Eddy, and Nick. "I know everyone's opinions have been colored by what Anne's told us and what we know of the Matlin pack but Ethan hasn't done anything to support that. He never came anywhere near me and we were stuck in a cabin for six days. He was a perfect gentleman." "He helped where he could, including helping in Erich's delivery. She would have died, with the babies, if he hadn't come here." "We had days to talk, while Anne was recovering. He hated what his father did, that's why he left. He had no idea, until he came back, that Ian was dead." "Why did he come back?" "I'm afraid that's my fault." They all turn to look at Callum. "I left a note for him at the bar. I thought he should know about the virus." "He hasn't gone back to his pack. He said he did talk to one of them, to find out what had happened the last 25 years. But he wasn't going back. He doesn't want to fight Dylan for Alpha. He's here, alone, and it's winter." "Are you suggesting we let him stay here?" "He has nowhere else to go." "Mom won't like it." "Your mother isn't in charge." As the excitement died down, Anne was helped down to her room with the boys. Callum, Eddy, and Alex took Ethan aside. "Wes, can you get him something to wear? I think Uncle Duncan's clothes will fit." Callum clasped his hands behind his back and started pacing, looking at Ethan, who was currently flanked by Eddy and Alex. "Where are you staying, Mat.. Ethan?" "I have a tent and some supplies east of here." "We found the tent. You really expect to make it through the winter in that?" "I figured I'd try it." "What about your pack?" "They're not my pack anymore. Dylan's been Alpha almost since I've been gone and I have no desire to fight him for it." "Go back to the humans then." "I've left all that behind. Maybe I'll just go back to the Palin compound. Your mother did a fine job of fixing up one of the buildings." Callum stood before him, looking him in the eye. Twenty-five years his senior, and a rogue, Ethan Matlin looked back at him. "I'll tell you frankly, I'm not sure I trust you. I don't know where your loyalties lie." Ethan looked to object. "But. Beth has spoken well of you, and you did save my mother and the pups." "So, I offer you a place to stay, at least for the winter. However, if I get any inkling of betrayal or you touch one of the women I will kill you." "Understood. And thank you, I think." "Don't thank me yet. We're gonna catch three kinds of hell from my mother." Ethan was given Duncan's room. Eddy took him on a tour. "So, you're Beta?" "Yeah, Edmund. But, everybody calls me Eddy." "You're Anne's son, of course." "Second son, fourth child. You wanna hear the tree?" "Yes. I would." They stopped. Eddy looked at him. "My mother was taken under the new blood edict. Dad, Uncle Duncan, William, and Marshall found her camped out not too far from here. Alone." The Final Insult Ch. 04 "She was pregnant when Dad mated her about four months later." "Joy, Alana, and Callum were born first. I came next, three years later. Next was Shawna and Sandra, then Emma, then Ryan. And Devon and Bev were born after Dad died of the virus. I'm named after Mom's father." Ethan was amazed at all the luxuries that they had, considering how he grew up. He lingered in the entertainment room, looking through the movies, and the books. He was both pleased and a bit frightened to find out his room wasn't very far from Anne's. He spent part of the next day in the workshop, looking at the tools, through the wood. Then, since Anne was still recovering, he asked if someone would go in with him so he can see his sons. Alana obliged. ***** The next morning, Ethan was closest, on his way to see his sons again, when the anguished scream echoed down the corridor. "NOOO!" He headed to Anne's room at a dead run, followed by several others. Tears were rolling down her face as she puffed tiny breaths into Erich's mouth and nose. "Breathe, Erich. Breathe, baby." His heart thudded in his chest. Evan was crying in the crib. Anne kept puffing little breaths, watching Erich's chest rise and fall. Alana and Beth came up to her. "Let me try?" Anne looked at them and passed Erich to Beth with shaky hands. Beth tried puffing little breaths in as she looked Erich over. His eyes looked fine. She opened the hide and touched him. He felt cool to her. "Please, please, please." Anne was pleading with her. Beth pulled Alana's hand to touch the baby and she closed her eyes in acknowledgment, tearing up. "Breathe, Erich." "He's gone, Anne." She moved to take him back. "No. He can't be." Beth kept hold of the tiny body. "I'm sorry." Beth turned for the door. Anne lunged at her. "He's not. Give him back." Ethan grabbed her. "Let me go you son of a bitch!" Ethan turned her to face him and pulled his arms tightly around her, and pulled her against him. Emotion coloring his voice, Ethan said, "He's dead, Anne. Our son is dead." She pounded on his chest, screaming, "Don't you say that to me. Get OUT!" He continued to hold her, struggling in his arms, as the others left the room. He held her, crying and pleading, as tears ran down his face, and Evan cried in the crib. Finally, a little quieter, she pushed at Ethan's chest. "I have to feed Evan." He released her and she turned to the crib. Picking up her remaining son, she sat in the rocker and settled him at a breast. He suckled, whimpering a little, as her eyes closed and the tears continued to roll down her cheeks. He watched her for a moment, walked behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She flinched away from the contact. He took a deep breath and left the room, passing Callum in the hallway. He wandered into the workshop, selected a piece of wood, and set to work. Callum took a deep breath before entering his mother's room. Evan was rubbing his eyes and she was stroking his back. "Mom?" She opened her eyes to look at him. "Is there.. somewhere special that you want him?" "With his fath.." She closed her eyes and swallowed. "Could you put him with Devon?" "Sure, Mom. The weather's still good. We'll do it this afternoon." The members of the McKenna pack, and Ethan Matlin, stood in sorrow as the baby was placed in the ground above Devon. Ethan stood to one side, stoically, as his son was lowered gently into the grave. Anne was curled up on her bed, grieving in her way. The dirt was replaced and Ethan placed a marker on the freshly turned earth. The carving stated, simply, 'Erich, my son.' Callum clapped him on the back. "I'm really sorry." "Why isn't she here?" "I don't know. She wasn't here when we buried Dad either. I guess she just can't stand to see 'em go in the ground." Beth turned back, looking at him standing over the grave of a baby. She let go of Nick's hand and walked over to him. "There's nothing as awful as losing a baby." "I didn't even get to know him." "You'll know him through his brother, and his mother." "What about her?" Beth sighed deeply and looked at him. "She's in a lot of pain right now. I think she blames herself. You should know that, as soon as she found out she was pregnant, she wanted us to abort them. She believed that it was you, a Matlin, who had gotten her pregnant. And the last thing she wanted in the world was to have one growing inside her. But, we wouldn't help her and I think she may have tried something herself. But, obviously, it didn't work. She was out of sorts the whole pregnancy. And now that Erich has died..." An exhale. "She's never lost a baby before and she hasn't been the same since Devon died. I don't know how to get her out of the dark place she's in. It's like she's dying a little bit each day. She's surrounded by people who love her and is still utterly alone. If she didn't have Evan I'd be even more worried about her." She looked at him more closely. "Don't be surprised when she runs." "What? Away? She'd leave Evan? Or take him with her?" "No, no, nothing like that. She runs to keep from thinking about it too much. Outside, if she can. She can't go fast enough in the tunnels, but she'll run those too." "Can you think of anything I can do to help her?" Beth heard the sincerity in his voice, looks at him. "You're falling in love with her." "No." The denial was a little too quick. "She's the mother of my children", he closed his eyes, "my son. I want them both to be happy." "She wants to be tough and independent. She wants to believe she doesn't need anyone, but she does. She can hold a grudge forever. She's very passionate and very stubborn." "Why are you telling me this?" "She's much happier with a mate." Ethan raised his eyebrows at her, his eyes wide. "I'm not suggesting now. But, go, see your son, talk to her. You've both lost a child. If this hasn't stamped out any feelings but grief in her, she'll start to smile again. It's going to take time. Just, be careful about touching her, don't get her mad." "It's strange, something just makes me want to hold her, touch her. Of course, on top of that, I think, I wish we could find a way to comfort each other right now. We've both lost our son." "You think it's bad now? Just wait a couple of months. Devon and I had some good talks about this. Her scent is going to change, and get stronger. And we're going to be stuck in here all winter." Ethan let out a breath, looked at the ground. "Maybe I should just go, now, while I've got the chance." Beth turned to go back inside. "No. Don't." The weather turned back for the worse; the snow built. Anne was found some mornings in the meeting hall, in the entertainment room, in other odd places, asleep with Evan. He fussed regularly the first few weeks, missing his brother. Anne had trouble sleeping, herself, and walked the halls at night, with her infant son. Ethan took to making late night/early morning rounds and covering them when he found them. Still weakened, she started running the tunnels. But she tired easily and gave up after a few days. She wrote in her journal, read, and was occasionally coaxed into watching a movie. She finally smiled one day when Alana pulled her hand to her own belly, to feel the movement of her second grandchild. Evan grew stronger. Running around, playing with the other pups. He settled down at night and started demanding all of his mother's attention. Ethan had been more or less accepted into the pack. The others asked him about his life with the humans, life in the Matlin pack, his plans. He helped out where he could and was generally kind and courteous to everyone. He spent time in the workshop, trying out the equipment, checking the wood. Grudgingly, Anne allowed him to pick up and play with his son. Ethan smiled, laughed, and marveled at his firstborn. He settled in, comfortable in some ways, uncomfortable in others. It felt good to be part of a pack again. But they'd put him in Duncan's room, which seemed very weird. And then there was her. She didn't look at him, barely spoke to him. A grudge was right; he racked his brains for anything to change her opinion of him. It was about 7 weeks later that he understood what Beth had meant about her scent. It had changed, and was stronger. In Medical, an examination showed her to be healed from the birth. She was reminded to get more protein while she was nursing and released. She was still not up to full strength, but essentially recovered. Ethan had been tinkering around in the workshop. He'd already fixed some of the chairs. Some of the cabinet doors needed work. While he could, of course, do utilitarian things with wood, he really enjoyed carving. He removed a couple of the doors, just simple solid panels, and cleaned them up. Taking his time, and humming, he looked over the doors remaining, the layout of the cabinets, and designed a rather intricate scroll work pattern to overlay on them. A small child wandered into the workshop, sucking her thumb and trailing a small, very dirty afghan. Ethan looked up from his work. "Hello, little one. Are you looking for someone?" "Do you like my mommy?" He was taken aback by such a direct question from one so small. He crouched down next to her and sniffed. "You're Bev, aren't you?" Looking at him, wide-eyed, she nodded. "Why would you ask such a question?" "Cuz mommy needs a mate and then I could have a daddy. My daddy died. So, do you? Like mommy? Do you?" Those wide, innocent blue eyes continued to stare at him until he said, "Yes." She now ran out of the room, squealing with delight. Great. She'd probably run around telling everyone and it would probably upset Anne that she had been so close to him. He carved and set the first door and started work on the second. The women all admired the work as he went back to continue what he was doing. Anne came into the kitchen and was called over to look at it. "Mom, look at this, isn't it gorgeous? Ethan carved it." Anne went shock still. "Ethan?" "Yea, are you alright?" She turned, shaken and angry, and made for the workshop. Ethan made an unintended gouge in the piece he was working on as she slammed in and started yelling at him. "What are you doing in here? Get OUT!" "Why? I'm just trying to help." She gritted her teeth and her voice dropped low. "I don't have to explain myself to you. Get out of Devon's workshop." Ah! So that was it. "No." Her chest started to heave in anger and her eyes began to shift color, lightening, then glowing amber. Her hands were now fisted. He looked at her, amazed at her eyes; he could feel the rage rolling off her. To be the object of such intense emotion. "I'm not hurting anything. It's a shame to waste such well kept tools. They should be used, to build, to fix, to create." "What would you know about creation?" She moved closer to him, shaking, her eyes burning brightly. Callum, Beth, Alana, and Eddy stood outside, watching the confrontation, ready to intervene. "I know you've got this idea fixed in your head that I'm some kind of monster. And it's buried so deep", he pointed at her forehead, careful not to touch her, "that you refuse to see the evidence all around you." A low growl rumbled in her throat. "Devon could've taken over the pack, changed everything, but he chose not to." "He'd have been dead within a year." "Maybe. But did you think things would change overnight? I wasn't part of it. I left. After Devon killed my father..." "Devon didn't kill Ian." she stepped up to him, watching his eyes, "I did." He looked at her, shocked and amazed. Callum moved to enter the room. Eddy, in lockstep with him. Beth put a hand on Callum's forearm. "You..." "...killed Ian. Me." He grabbed her arms. She looked at him, as if daring him to retaliate. She hissed at him under her breath. "Do it." The Final Insult Ch. 05 Dear Reader, Left you wondering - here's what happens next. Enjoy, KemMyst *************** "Devon didn't kill Ian." She stepped up to him, watching his eyes, "I did." He looked at her, shocked and amazed. Callum moved to enter the room. Eddy, in lockstep with him. Beth put a hand on Callum's forearm. "You..." "...killed Ian. Me." He grabbed her arms. She looked at him, as if daring him to retaliate. She hissed at him under her breath. "Do it." He looked at her a breath longer, then quickly pulled her against his chest, wrapped his arms around her, and cradled her head to his shoulder. "I'm sorry." She went rigid against him, her arms trapped under his. What the hell?! What was he doing? "I'm sorry for what my father did to you and that you had to kill him." Gods, what was this? Why wasn't he trying to kill her? She started to struggle. He loosened his hold and she pushed away slightly. He took her face in his hands and kissed her. She stiffened, closed her eyes, and held still for a second, before gasping, and pulling away, her hand over her mouth, her eyes widened in horror. She turned and bolted, pushing through the four at the door. She retreated to the tunnels and she ran. She ran until her breasts became painful and she knew it was past time to feed Evan. She stopped, head down, breathing hard, and thought. She had to go back to her room. So she went back, hoping she wouldn't run into Ethan. But he was there, holding Evan, when she returned. She fixed him with a look as she took their son and sat in the rocking chair to feed him. Realizing she had closed down completely now, he stroked Evan's head lightly, and left the room without saying a word. Beth passed him in the corridor, noting the lost look on his face. She knocked on Anne's door and entered. "How are you?" Anne shook her head, also looking lost, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Do you feel anything for him?" "I can't. Beth, Devon has only been gone..." "Five years, Anne. Devon has been dead for almost five years." The tears spilled over. "Then why do I still think I'm gonna see him walk around the corner, hear his voice, feel his arms around me? Why does it still hurt so much? Why do I still miss him?" Beth's voice got quieter. "I know how much you loved him, but you've mourned him long enough." Anne opened her eyes to look at Beth again. "You were pregnant, unwilling to give in. And he believed you'd never care for him." A sigh. "The only thing Devon wanted was for you to be happy here. He'd still want that." "You've been unhappy too long now. It's time to let go of the pain and let some other feeling in." She caressed Evan's head, kissed it. "He's kind, considerate, and, whether either one of you wants to admit it, he loves you. And, I think you've grown to care for him too. Open yourself to something other than grief." "You and Devon didn't have a choice to come together. But it's your choice now." For two full days she avoided him, leaving a room when he entered, turning around when she saw him in the hallway, ignoring him when he came to visit Evan. He got frustrated, distracted. He finally hunted down Beth to talk. "Now what? She won't even look at me anymore." "She's afraid. That's good." "Afraid of what?" "Afraid of what she's feeling. She's been closed off so long now that any other feeling is frightening to her. It means she's healing." Ethan looked confused. "I thought she had recovered from the birth." "That isn't what I mean." Beth smiled slightly as she turned to leave. "She's finally getting over Devon's death. She's almost ready to let him go." **** The discovery was made that afternoon and announced at dinner. A side of venison had been lost and rats had contaminated some of the dry goods. They were going to have to start rationing food and hope for some breaks in the weather. At 40 members, most children, it would be difficult to get enough food for them all. They still had a couple of months of winter left. The mood of the pack had turned now, more to fear than anything else. Some of the other packs were starving during the winter, now it looked like they might go hungry, too. The meal was quiet. Ethan took Callum aside afterwards. "If we can get out to the east side of the range, I have stores there. It will help if we can get to them." "What do you suggest?" "I'll build a sledge. If the snow isn't too deep we should be able to get to them. It's a lot of stuff. Maybe three of us." "How long to build the sledge?" "Maybe a couple of days." "Do it. William and Colin will go with you. Eddy can probably help you with the sledge. We'll keep this quiet for now." Ethan nodded his understanding. ***** Anne finally began to speak to Ethan again and look at him. He was relieved that she hadn't pushed him away for longer. She avoided touching him at all costs, but he believed now that that would come. However, her scent was building and he had to rein himself in tightly to keep from touching her. He caught Beth in the hall one day. "You're right. It's getting worse." She looked after him as he moved away, confused and concerned. **** The men took off on a clear day. Ethan, William, Colin, and Nick. It took longer than anyone liked, but they returned, triumphant, with the food that Ethan had cached. Enough to replace most of what was lost. The pack gathered around, happy that things would be easier, that there was more food, and less chance of going hungry. Everyone helped, bringing hot beverages for the men, unpacking the sledge, putting away the supplies. Anne was in her room when they returned, although aware of what was going on. She stayed in her room writing and thinking. Almost a third of the pack was of her blood, including the baby Alana would have soon. She had been in close proximity to Ethan Matlin for about three months. He hadn't challenged Callum or any of the other males. He hadn't gone anywhere near any of the girls. He'd been helpful, the perfect guest. And he was Alpha, whether or not he led a pack. If he had an evil nature, would he have been able to suppress it so long? His father certainly hadn't had that capacity. He could have easily wreaked havoc, done serious damage, but hadn't. And Beth trusted him. At dinner, Callum announced the gift, although everyone already knew, and formally thanked Ethan. "In addition, I've consulted with other members of the pack, and we offer you a permanent place here, if that is your wish." Ethan glanced at Anne, whose eyes had dropped to the plate before her. Unable to see her face, he couldn't tell what she was thinking. Then he realized the rest were waiting. "Thank you for your generous offer. This isn't something to be entered into lightly. I'd like a couple of days to think about it." Callum looked at Ethan's eyes. "Of course. We await your decision. Let's eat." Food was passed and everyone ate. It was a noisy set of tables, the pack about 40 strong. Adults helping youngsters, mated couples whispering secretly to one another, young folk looking at their peers of the opposite sex. And he thought of how good it felt to be there, to belong again, to be able to watch his son grow up. There was only one thing left. A mate. He wanted her, yes, loved her, he thought, but it wasn't up to him. It was her decision. Did she feel anything, at all, for him? He watched her, coaxing Evan into taking some of his first solid food. Later that evening many of them were in the entertainment room. Anne finished a book she had been reading and returned it to the library. Acknowledging the others with a hint of a smile, she started to leave the room. She ran into Ethan in the doorway and they both shifted a couple of times, into each other's way, as they attempted to pass one another. Ethan chuckled and Anne ghosted a smile. She lifted her head to look at him, her expression unreadable. "Ethan, I'd like to thank you for what you've done for the pack." She took a deep breath. All eyes in the room were now on them. "It seems my judgment was clouded." He took her hands; she allowed it. "I don't discount that you had reason to think badly of me." "You were right, though, I was blind to the evidence before me." "I hope that..." It came from half a dozen voices in the room. "Oh, kiss her/him, already!" She closed her eyes, tightened her lips, and chuckled slightly. As she raised her head, he looked into her brown eyes, seeing a hint of fear, and she looked into his grey eyes, seeing the same. The kiss was light, brief. "Oh, come on. That wasn't a kiss." Closer, he put a hand around her waist, the other at the back of her head and pulled her lips to his. Her hands, trembling slightly, found his shoulders. The second kiss was longer, deeper. As the kiss broke he looked to her for acceptance and swept her up into his arms, then turned for the bedrooms. Hoots and catcalls behind them made them blush. He took her to her room but stopped before entering. "Would you rather..?" She closed her eyes and swallowed. "No. It's OK." He kicked the door open, then closed, and laid her gently on the bed. She closed her eyes again as he removed her skirt. He stripped, stood over the bed, and looked at her. Long brown hair, pooled under her, the face, the body, not quite relaxed. Rose colored areoles on firm breasts, the tips just begging to be touched. Her waist was smaller than he expected, her belly showing the marks from her pregnancies. Her legs were tan, tight, well muscled. Then her hips, wide, womanly, able to hold his weight so he wouldn't crush her. Curled brown hairs nestled above the place he'd been only once before, only this time he'd make her whimper, and maybe scream. He wasn't getting on the bed with her, what was wrong? She opened her eyes to him studying her. His chest was broad, but, then, all of them were, something about being a werewolf. Shoulders, strong, arms, well muscled. Grey eyes, a study in anticipation. Wavy hair to his shoulder blades, almost the color of her own. Some hair on his chest, nothing excessive, down to a narrow waist, an ass you could bounce a quarter off of, and a cock that would make most women gasp. And gasp she did. How had she not noticed his size? Her mouth suddenly went dry and she licked her lips. He smiled at her from the bottom of the bed and moved closer, took her feet and pushed them farther apart, so that he could look at the treasure nestled between her thighs. She closed her eyes again as he noted the color of her pussy lips matched the rose shade of her nipples. Her scent was getting stronger and he could see the moisture beginning to develop there. She felt the mattress shift as he got onto the bed, felt him move beside her. He put his hand to her face. "Open your eyes, Anne. Look at me." The lids opened to reveal her brown eyes, looking a little sad. "Do you have any idea how good you smell?" She smiled sadly at the memory. Devon had asked the same question the first time he had come to her in this room. Her eyes got a little wet, and she blinked at sad tears. "So I've been told." He moved closer, his hand on her waist, his face at her neck. "Your heart is beating faster", he whispered. "Are you afraid?" "A little." He stroked the hair on the side of her face. "How long were you together?" She sniffed. "Eighteen years, before he left me." "If you let me in, I promise I won't leave you." "You can't promise that." He sank down to kiss her, stopping her protests. His hand traced down her body, up her arm, across her waist, fingertips tracing lightly on her skin. She shivered. She felt the warmth and firmness of him against her hip as his fingertips continued their travels across her skin. Her hand moved to his shoulder, his neck, up to his hair and his mouth traced to the hollow below her ear, at the back of her jaw. Her chest began to heave as she closed her eyes and he moved down along her collarbone to her throat. He then engulfed a hardened nipple in his mouth, his fingers finding the other, and she gasped. Suckling at the one breast, he was startled by the liquid that came into his mouth and pulled away slightly. She opened her eyes. "Um, sorry, lactating." He smiled and chuckled a little, then bent down to lick up the milk that had seeped from her breast. "Mmm. So, this is what you give my boy?" "Our boy, yes." "It's not a problem if I take some?" "A couple of mouthfuls won't hurt." He licked at her nipple, flicking the other and she felt the jolt go down to throb in her center. "Does it feel different, when he's there?" "Yes. He sucks harder, because he's trying to draw the milk out. The feeling is.. pleasurable, but very different." His hand traced down to her thighs, delving between to slide his fingers through the moisture that had risen there. She'd gotten very wet. He worked two fingers inside and his teeth captured her nipple, pulling up to tighten it. She gasped, her back arched, and her nails grazed his skin. His eyes opened wide. "Does it hurt?" She released a languid sigh. "No. Oh, no." He moved, parting her thighs, and knelt between them. She reached out to grasp him and he took her wrists and pulled them away. Her eyes widened in surprise and fear and she struggled. "Let go." He sank down on her. He touched her face with his free hand, turned her face towards him. "Anne. Anne. Anne! Stop." He heard her pulse racing now, in fear. "No." She moaned. He spoke softly to her. "I haven't been with many women." He took a deep breath. "If you touch me now, I fear this won't go any farther." She opened her eyes to look at him and he released her wrists. "If you want me to stop, right now, I will." She looked at him a moment longer. "I'm sorry. Don't go." Her hands went to his shoulders, then she pulled them away. "Um, where?" He kissed her neck. "Anywhere but there." Another deep breath. "As it is, I don't know how long I'll last", he whispered. "Shall we see?" He shifted downward, finding her breast again, as he moved to nestle the head of his cock in her slick folds. Her hands twined in his hair. She says one word as he got his knees under him. "Yes." He pushed into her, a little tentative, and went all the way in on the third try. She murmured lightly as he filled her completely and he groaned into her neck. Her muscles tensed slightly around him, then she loosened, adjusting to his size. He was bigger than Devon was. It had been so long since she'd had a man make love to her. Okay, it wasn't like he'd never done this before but he felt as if he couldn't move without bursting. She was so warm and slick around him, the muscles holding him, surrounding him. She gave him a quick squeeze with those muscles. Right, he had to move. He pulled out, feeling the air cool the juices that had covered his member. And he slid in again. She picked up her knees, tilting her pelvis, and he slid in a bit deeper. Gathering himself, he began thrusting, finding a rhythm. She shifted her hips up to meet him, her eyes closed. But she wasn't panting, or whimpering, as he'd like her to be. He stopped his thrusts and nuzzled her neck. Straightening his legs, and pushing her knees down, he rolled them both over,.. and off the side of the bed. His head bounced off the floor and her weight helped knock the breath out of him. Then he felt her start shaking. Catching his breath, he took her arms and pushed her up, looking at the tears rolling down her cheeks. He was about to ask her if she was hurt when he realized she was desperately trying not to laugh out loud. He hugged her back down to him and started laughing himself. She propped herself up on her elbows and wiped the tears from her eyes. "If you prefer the floor, there was a gentler way to go about it." "Points off for the dismount?" They both started snickering again. He pulled her down, and kissed her, feeling the softness of her hair falling around his head and shoulders. He stroked her back as Evan began crying. She picked her head up and his arms tightened around her to pull her back against his chest. "I'm coming, sweetie." Amazing, all he had to do was cry and she practically forgets I'm here. And what was going on with her breasts, those start leaking when he cries too? She got her hands under her and pushed. "Let me go." He nuzzled her neck. "Not yet." "Let. Me. Go!" The tone of her voice startled him into loosening his grip. He looked at her, stunned, as she got up, walked to the crib, and picked up Evan. He sat up, watching her sit in the rocker and start to rock as Evan took hold and began suckling. Dumbfounded, his erection fading, he stood. Anne had her eyes closed, rocking and nursing their son. There was a smile on her face and she rubbed his back with her free hand. He picked up his pants, pulled them on, and quietly left the room, glancing back once. She didn't seem to notice him leaving. William and Nick saw him in the hallway. "What happened? We figured you'd be sleeping there tonight." Ethan looked embarrassed. "The baby started crying and she went to feed him." "Her breasts started leaking?" Ethan nodded. "And the hungry baby cry claims another victim!" "They're completely focussed on the baby when they hear the hungry cry. It's as if nothing else in the world exists. Their breasts start leaking and they can't seem to get a baby on one fast enough." "OK, so, when to you get to have sex again?" "You can start up again as soon as they've healed, you just have to plan for the right time." "And you can't make an afternoon of it, at least, not until the baby's older." "So, you figure out the timing, get in right after he's fed and plan on being done before he gets hungry again." Ethan scrubbed his face. "OK. Thanks, guys." They slapped him on the back as he moved past them to go to his room. Nick and William looked at each other and laughed. "Oh, he has no idea what he's in for." He dreamed of her again this night. Actually, he dreamed of them, together, a family. He was back in a pack again; he belonged again. There was only one thing left - a family, a mate and their children. But he couldn't claim her; it was her choice. It was supposed to be her choice. Would she? They'd made a start, she had warmed to him, but that didn't mean she'd choose. What would he do if she didn't? How long could he stand to wait? Oh, she smelled good, what was it about her that made her smell like that? What had Beth said? Something about her being part wolf to begin with? Part wolf? Maybe he should find out what that meant. Mmm, a family of his own. He was in that state, just before waking, when all things were possible and it felt so real. He was with her; she was surrounding him and he had his arms wrapped around her. It was warm, or maybe it was just them. His heart sped up and he heard hers do the same. He pulled her mouth to his, and pressed his tongue against her lips, demanding she open for him. He plunged into her mouth as he plunged into her depths. She began gasping as they moved more quickly and he caressed her soft skin. Suddenly, she shrieked his name and arched backward. His release came as well and they collapsed against each other, gasping and sweating. Dampness on his belly brought him to wakefulness. He'd had a wet dream. What was he? A teenager again? He needed to control himself, especially around her, since she still didn't trust him completely. Any hint that he was like his father and he could kiss any chance with her goodbye. He was in the workshop again, carving his design into the wooden panels. He worked slowly, carefully, feeling the wood, enjoying the smell of the newly exposed wood. It always helped him relax and let him think. He was back in a pack, where he felt a part of a community again. He'd missed it while he was with the humans, but he hadn't realized how much. He hadn't thought he'd ever be able to come back to this, had expected to live out his life alone. But, because of her, he now had a place again with his own kind. Callum was beginning to press him for an answer, thinking that, since he had carried Anne off to her room, he would quickly agree to remain with them. The Final Insult Ch. 05 But he had scared her last night, without meaning to. This meant she was still on her guard with him. He thought of going to talk to Beth again but he had to stop going to her for advice. He did, however, want two questions answered. While she wasn't avoiding him now, she seemed a bit timid all of a sudden, which struck him as very odd, contrary to her character. But, then again, he was a little reluctant to approach her as well. The rest of the adults watched the interaction of the two with some amusement, and some concern. At dinner, Anne seemed to be focused on Alana. Alana was eating little and looked unsettled. Everyone looked up as Anne got up and moved around the table to crouch near her daughter. She slid a hand onto Alana's belly. "Sweetie, are you having contractions?" Anne felt the muscles tense as Alana nodded. "Mom, I'm scared." Wesley looked at his wife, both frightened and excited. "Ali? Really?" "How long now?" "A couple of hours." Beth shoved a couple more things in her mouth and rose from her seat. "Do you want to go upstairs or to your room?" "I don't know if I can do it." "Yes, honey, you can." Anne stroked her hair. "It's the most wonderful thing in the world. Just wait until you see that baby. He'll be so beautiful." Alana took a couple of deep breaths. "Um, our room, I guess." "Alright, sweetie, let's go. Take your time. Stop us if you need to." Alana stood, a hand under her belly, with Anne on one side and Beth on the other. Anne looked up at the table. "The rest of you, finish the meal, we can't waste food. There won't be any excitement for a while." Emily brought Evan to Anne after a while as both Anne and Beth tried to reassure Alana and keep Wesley calm. The contractions came closer together as the evening progressed and Alana began panting and whining. Wesley squeezed her hand tightly enough to make her cry out when her water broke. Anne pulled her hand out of his grip and patted him on the shoulder. "Wes, that's normal. The baby's on its way now. But, since it's her first, it'll still take a little while. Maybe you should take a little walk." She guided him to the door. Alana groaned and panted through another contraction. When it was over she looked at her mother. "Mom, how did you do this seven times?" Anne smiled at her daughter, rinsed her face off. "Beth will agree with me. The treasure at the end is worth it." Beth nodded, smiling. "Sweetie, don't be afraid to scream or curse if you need to. We've done it or heard it before. If you want to get up and walk, we'll help you. Ask for what you want or something that will make you feel better." "Can Wesley stay?" "Of course, dear. Beth?" "She's not crowning yet, but she's close." "You're doing well, sweetie. I'll go get him." Anne left the room to hunt down Wesley. "How much more will it...nnnnn." The contractions were much closer now. Beth held her hand as she endured this contraction; it was a big one. "You won't even remember it, when it's over." Anne returned to the room with Wesley, who was looking a little queasy. "Now, Wes, unless Alana has an objection, I would suggest you climb up behind her and hold her. How does that sound, sweetie?" Alana, sweating and panting, nodded. Carefully, he climbed up and pulled her back against him, holding on tightly. Beth grabbed his arms to pull them apart a little. "She's gotta breathe, Wes." He kissed his wife. "I love you, Ali. How are you doing?" "OOoohh...I feel like pushing." "Do it!" Came out in stereo as Anne and Beth quickly shifted position. She closed her eyes and bore down. The contraction peaked and Beth said, "Crowning." Anne held Alana's hand. "It'll be over soon, baby. Wes, wrap your arms under her breasts. You can help her." Another contraction. "Oh, God, it hurts!" "We have a head. Dark hair." "Almost done, Lana. That's the worst." Another contraction brought the shoulders, then the rest emerged into Beth's arms with a lusty cry. "A boy!" Alana cried and Wes kissed her. "Look at our son, Ali. Look what you did." Beth laid the baby on Alana's belly and attended to the cord. Alana checked out little fingers, the dark hair. "Hello, baby." She looked to Wesley. "Andrew?" Wes nodded. "Isn't he beautiful?" Anne smiled and nodded, her eyes a little wet. She kissed Alana's forehead. "Congratulations, baby, you have a beautiful boy." She looked to Beth, as the new family got acquainted. "Everything looks good. Let's let them get some sleep." They practically fell over Callum, who was sitting on the floor, asleep. He rubbed his eyes and looked at them. "You have a new nephew, Callum. Time to go to bed." "OK, mom. She's OK?" "They're both fine." She returned to her own room. It was past time for her to feed Evan. She closed the door and let her eyes adjust. He wasn't crying and he wasn't in his crib. She started to panic until she realized Ethan was asleep in the rocking chair, with Evan asleep in his arms. The scene was poignant, straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, and she smiled. She gently extracted Evan, who whimpered slightly at being removed from his warm resting place. She sat against the headboard, pulling Evan into position. As he began suckling and she stroked his back, she looked at Ethan, his face relaxed in sleep. Could she love this man? Her feelings for him had softened and she was willing to try an intimate relationship with him. Could she allow herself to be that vulnerable again? When Evan finished, she curled up beside him on the bed. Sometime later that morning, Ethan woke, and panicked himself, wondering where Evan was. Between the scents and sounds of breathing, he realized Anne had come back to the room. The sight of her and Evan on the bed together was so enticing that he dropped his trousers and climbed in behind her. She made a contented sigh and relaxed into his arms. Feeling a contentment he'd never known, he fell asleep holding the mother of his son. She woke to Evan fussing slightly and a man's strong arms around her. As she put a finger in Evan's mouth to quiet him she wasn't sure if she was pleased or annoyed at the liberty Ethan had taken by climbing in the bed with her. She shifted upward, to feed the baby, and Ethan stirred. He now faced her hip and his arm now laid across her thighs. Her head was tipped back and her eyes were closed as she cradled and caressed their son. That had to be one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. He propped up on his elbow and his hand came up to fondle his son's feet. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. His hand moved from Evan's feet and he touched the soft skin at her waist. She closed her eyes again as he caressed the belly that held his children. "So soft. Let me touch you?" She was relaxed, content, comfortable. "Yes." His free hand now began to move, flirting with her navel, caressing the curve of her hip. He traced her fingers, moved up her arm to her shoulder. Evan slowed, stopped. Ethan's hand dropped to Evan's back. He rubbed his son's back, then sat up, and took Evan from her arms. She watched Ethan put their son in the crib and return, his cock now standing at attention. Her skin was tingling and he'd barely touched her. He climbed back onto the bed with her, sitting beside her, facing her. He reached out and touched her cheek. "How is Alana?" "Good. I have another grandson; his name is Andrew." His hand went into her hair and he kissed her. His mouth left hers to travel along her jaw. "Another?" "Joy, my eldest, married into the Cole pack and had her boy a couple of years ago." Her hand started at his knee and moved up to his chest. "I'm a grandmother." His hands stroked down her arms as he kissed her neck, her collarbone. "Is that supposed to dissuade me? You don't know how old I am." He cupped her breasts and rolled over the nipples with his thumbs. His mouth dropped to one and she sucked in a breath. His hand moved lower, circled in her curled hairs before pushing lower, to her wet folds. She murmured and her legs parted involuntarily. He circled her opening with his forefinger, stroked her clitoris, and pushed a finger inside her. He felt the muscles tighten a bit around his finger. He worked her, with his fingers, as she got wetter, sliding his finger in and out, stroking her clitoris. He pulled her to his lap and kissed her again, then pulled her over to straddle him. Raising her by her hips and, hearing no protest, he slid her onto his hardened shaft as they both moaned into each other's mouths. It took an additional movement before he completely plumbed her wet, warm depths. He put his mouth to her ear. "Please. Show me what you like." He looked at her, then laid back on the bed. She was a wonderful sight, a curvy woman's body, impaled on his cock. Warm, soft skin. Long hair. Eyes burning with intelligence, determination, and passion. She flipped her hair behind her back and he felt it against his thighs. She licked a couple of her fingers. She wet one nipple, then cupped the other breast, rubbing that nipple with her thumb. He watched closely as she caught it between thumb and forefinger. She didn't pinch, didn't pull, it was as if she was wobbling it between. She took a couple of deep breaths and moaned. And she was getting wetter still. Her right hand came up to her jaw, then, nails against her skin, traced down between her breasts, past her navel, down the inside of one thigh, and up the other. It stopped, briefly, where her leg met her body. His mind, his entire world right now, was focussed on the fingertips of that hand. She slid over, above her folds, at the bottom of those tightly curled hairs, and pressed deeply, making a couple of small circles with her fingers. He listened to her pulse race, her breathing pick up, and her smell began to overwhelm him. His hands came out from under his head and he caressed her knees. She pushed them away. "Don't touch." Her voice was now husky. Her hands resumed what they were doing, one at her breast, the other between her legs. He felt her trace around her opening, since she was mashed down on him. Then, dipping in beside him, she gathered some of her own slick dew and moved it up to her clitoris. Seeing she had his full attention, she took a deep breath and rubbed, small circles over and around that sensitive spot. "AAh!" Her eyes closed, her head tipped back, her mouth opened, and her hips started rolling. He felt a throb in the muscles surrounding his cock. Her heart sped up, she began gasping, and the rolling of her hips got stronger. He held her loosely, to steady her, but her movements were stimulating him more than he expected. He'd been watching closely, learning how she liked to be touched, but he couldn't contain himself any longer. He grabbed the hand at her pussy and pulled it to his lips. She did whimper now, in disappointment. He licked the stickiness on those fingers. "Oh, that's good." Her eyes widened as his got darker and she gasped. He sat up and took her by the hips, then began lifting her up and down on his cock. Her hands were on his shoulders, her breasts rubbing up and down on his chest. He put one hand around her back, and twisted the other between their bodies, thumb on her clitoris as she pumped up and down on him. He felt the heat of her body, the scent of her in his nose, her skin starting to film with sweat, her pulse and breathing rapid. She was making small noises as they both edged closer. He tried to think of anything else, so he wouldn't come before she was ready. He let her back a little, and took her nipple with his teeth, biting lightly. He then switched to drawing strongly on it and was rewarded with three things: a small spurt of milk, a screech, and the intense pleasure of her muscles contracting in waves around him. She came down hard one last time and ground against him as his knot bulged. "Oh, yes. Oh, god." She panted and swallowed as he pulled her tightly to him. The movement sent another tremor through her and he jerked within her, spurting more of his seed. She rested against his chest and sighed. "That was incredible." She smiled, thinking it was good, great even, but incredible? Not yet. He must be as inexperienced as he'd said. Of course, for some men, their release was all that mattered. Or, perhaps Devon had spoiled her. They remained that way for a time and his eyes began to close as he softened within her and slipped out. She got off of him, tired herself, but decided to check on Alana. She retrieved her skirt, set Evan on a hip, and headed down the hallway. Beth was just leaving the room. Anne opened the door again slightly and looked at the new family. Joy on their faces. Her baby was nursing a baby of her own. She closed the door, smiling. "Everything looks fine and I gave her some pointers. It took him a couple seconds to catch on but he's drawing well." Anne nodded. "Good." "We missed breakfast. Want something?" "I should probably wash up first." "I can smell him on you. Let's go." Beth took Evan while Anne showered. As she dried off, Beth asked, "So, how was it?" "Oh, good, very nice." "Nice? No fireworks?" Anne smiled. "Yes", she moved her head in an indeterminate way, "a little one. He asked me to show him what I like." "Well, that's good, isn't it?" Anne nodded. "Maybe he was a little scared." "Hmm, maybe." Her stomach growled. "Umm, food sounds good. Then, I think I need another nap." As Anne and Beth got something to eat, Ethan stirred. He stretched, smiling, and reached for her. He sat up, surprised that she wasn't there. Looking around, he saw Evan is gone as well. Should he stay or go? Since she was gone, he opted for go. He washed up, then went back to the workshop, humming. William and Nick chuckled to each other as they went by. Beth wandered in as Anne went back to her room to get some more sleep. He looked at her, took a deep breath, and planted his hands on the workbench. "I thought... She was gone when I woke up." "She's got a lot of ties here, a lot of things going on in her life. That makes it more chaotic, more complicated." He sighed again. "You've helped a lot, but I can't keep coming to you for advice." "So?" "I just have two questions." Beth looked at him. "You said a while back she's part wolf already?" Beth nodded. "How?" "She calls it the Cole curse. The women in her family began having multiple births after her great grandfather married into the family. His name was Jackson Cole. One of the Cole pack left about a hundred years ago and raised a family with a human woman." "You're kidding me! He left his pack for a human?" "It appears so. Joy mated into the Cole pack and has checked the history." "That's pretty incredible." "Hard to believe. Still... What was your other question?" "I'm almost afraid to ask." He sighed and looked at her again. "You said it was months before she let herself care for Devon." Beth nodded. "Do you have any idea", another sigh, "what happened to change her mind?" "It's really something you should discuss with her. No, never mind, you're not there yet. Ethan, I can't really tell you what was going on in her head, although I'm closer to her than anyone else, that's something only she can answer." He looked saddened by her statement. "I can only tell you what I saw, and heard." Beth sat. "It's probably best to start at the beginning since it all speaks to what she is." Ethan nodded, urging her to continue. "Anne was captured up here in the hills. She had come up here, alone, camping." Ethan's eyes widened and he nodded, that's right, that's what Eddy had said. "She wouldn't tell us her name. The other two women were terrified, barely eating, keeping to their rooms." "Amanda and Temperance." "No, Temperance came later. It was Amanda and Terry." He opened his mouth to ask a question, but closed it again, letting Beth continue. "But Anne, she was different. She ate well and kept looking around although she really didn't speak to any of us. Thinking, planning." "We..." Beth paused, thinking better of telling him everything "...closed up for the winter and stayed below." Ethan had, of course, seen the doors but likely considered them defensive. "We showed them around, Devon explained the new blood decree and they started walking around and mingling. Anne went down to the tunnels." "Devon changed them all, one at a time. Amanda came through pretty easily. Terry had a high fever, had a seizure, and died. The packs lost about one in eight women. He changed Anne last." "Oh, right, how did we find out her name? Duncan and Spencer were able to track back to her truck. They got her name, camping plans, and that she'd been let go from a chemical company." Ethan's eyes widened again. "A chemist?" "Yup. Anyway, she ended up with a high fever too. Devon, Duncan, and Marcus took turns holding her in the pool until her fever broke." "When she got better she walked around sniffing everything and she told us all what she thought we smelled like. Abigail was roses, I was clean sheets, Marcus was coffee, and Devon was chocolate and hot pepper. Has she told you what you smell like?" Ethan shook his head. "She had a much easier time shifting than Amanda did and started running around the tunnels as wolf." "She'd read, help with meals, there were only 16 of us then, and run around, but mostly she kept to herself." "Devon went to them, as the decree required, every other night. Two or three months in, in the middle of winter, Spencer..." another pause, eyes closed... "followed her into the tunnels and attacked her. Devon got to them before he could do much, but Spencer didn't get what he really wanted. He got drunk and raped me instead." Ethan closed his eyes. "Anne was there for me, let me stay with her, helped me, told me what had happened to her when she was young. Spencer, well, Devon and the men went after him, and, killed him. I mated Nick later that month. And Anne was pregnant." "Their ritual was the next month. I had talked to both Anne and Devon about their relationship before I was mated to Nick. Amanda had settled well into the pack but Anne resisted us, even though she was a wolf now too. Anne was trying to reassure me before my ceremony. She told me how nice it could be, how good it could feel." Beth gave a sad little smile. "And I asked her if Devon made her feel good. She said yes, but it wasn't as nice as it could be, because she wasn't there by choice and because she wouldn't let him." Ethan nodded, looking away. "She said, well, her words were, 'I'm just a whore here.' When I talked to Devon he confirmed it. Then, at their ceremony, we all saw it. They didn't kiss, she didn't touch him, all she did was lay there in the bed." Ethan shook his head. "Devon moved into her room and there was an argument about that. I'm not sure, I never asked, but I don't think she let him touch her after the pregnancy was confirmed. She certainly didn't let him close outside of their room." "Owen said she ran." "Where does your pack think you are?" "They're not my... I told Owen to keep it quiet. If they think anything, they've gotta think I went back with the humans." He sighed. "So, she ran..." "When the weather got warm we opened up again and, after a couple of days, when no one was watching her, cause Devon told us all to, she covered herself in bear grease and took off. Headed straight for the Matlin range. Ian and two others came across her. Devon took Marcus, Kevin, Alex, and Nick and went after her. She got away, back with Devon and the others, and they headed back here. Devon sent Kevin for the truck. Ian came back with more males to get Anne, but Kevin got there before any serious fighting broke out. Devon had tried to get Anne to head back alone when Ian came but she wouldn't go. She stood with them." The Final Insult Ch. 05 "After they got back she helped set up better defenses, some weapons. Ian came back with, probably most of the men two days later. We held them off, drove them away, hurt a couple." It was all pretty much matching up with what Owen had said. "But she was pregnant, why would she run away?" "Remember the stubborn part? When she was first taken all she expected was rape. When Devon explained the decree, then she just expected to add multiple pregnancies to the abuse. The mating ceremony meant nothing to her. She submitted to Devon, but the only thing she wanted was to get away from us. So when she got the chance she ran off, away from us." "She went wolf when she delivered the triplets and wouldn't let anyone near them for a couple of days. She did have trouble with Callum but he emerged with some coaxing." "Ian caught her outside a month or so later, with the pups. They went after her, knocked her down, and Ian mounted her. Devon knocked them over but Ian grabbed Joy and took off. Devon chased them. Anne got Callum and Alana in and went after them, while the men were fighting." "She was gonna trade herself for Joy but Ian dropped her and Devon was on him. Somehow, Ian got Devon by the throat. She rammed Ian and ripped his throat open. Devon was badly hurt; they brought him back in her truck." "It was the next day, after he regained consciousness, that she told him she loved him. She smiled, and laughed, and loved Devon for the next 17 years. And they had 10 children together." "So, let me get this straight, she decided she loved him after he almost died?" "Of course not. He was kind, considerate of her. He loved her. She realized what she almost lost, she loved him before that, she just refused to admit it, refused to give in. She was so focussed on not wanting to be here she wouldn't let herself feel anything for him." "Now that he's gone, she's adrift. She can't go back to the humans and she feels alone again, like she doesn't belong. While her children provide a link, they're old enough now that they're not the anchor they were." "And, because of all that, because when she feels something she puts her whole heart and soul into it... well, I think she's afraid to love again. To open herself up to the pain of losing someone again. So she's fighting it." "What do you feel for her? What do you want?" "I want.. them, her." Beth nodded. "What else?" "A family. A pack." He sighed. "The rest of my life with her. But", another sigh, "it isn't up to me, is it?" "LUNCH!" The call echoed through the corridors. Beth turned for the door; Ethan put a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry, I guess I have one more question." Beth looked at him, his grey eyes entreating. "After the trouble with Erich, can she have more children? Is it safe for her?" "You do love her." Ethan closed his eyes, waited a few seconds. "Yes. But I don't think I dare tell her that." "Devon never told her that he loved her because he thought she'd never, never love him. He just tried to make life as pleasant for her here as he could, within the terms of the decree." "So, can she? Have another child? Without, without..." His throat tightened; he couldn't finish the question. He loved her enough that he was balancing the cost of her life against his desire for more children. He wanted her that badly. "We can't be certain, but I think so." "Thank you." Beth went down to lunch. Ethan joined the others a few minutes later. Everyone was paying attention to the newest member of the pack, as Alana and Wesley had both come up with Andrew. Alana was beaming, Wesley couldn't stop grinning, and Anne smiled at her daughter and new grandson. Ethan looked at them, a little jealous. Controlled chaos was fairly normal at mealtimes, but it was less controlled today. The meal was raucous. The Final Insult Ch. 06 Dear Readers, I'm having the darndest time with this submission. Anyway enjoy the penultimate chapter in this story. KemMyst ************** Life continued on. The pups grew stronger. Winter weather continued to keep them indoors. Beth found she was expecting again. Ethan finished the cabinets and began working on some furniture for his room, including a rocking chair. The craftsmanship was exceptional and the others admired his work. Some began asking him for pieces for their rooms. Ethan watched his son, spent time with Anne, and took her to bed three or four times a week. He had also told Callum he wished to stay with the McKenna pack. Anne's mood lifted. She smiled more and laughed occasionally. She went along with his sexual overtures but didn't initiate anything. Ethan slept in her room at times. And, while he was getting closer to her and his feelings for her grew, he held back from letting her know how he felt, not wanting the finality of her rejection of him. He held his tongue, so as not to force a response from her. He had thought that she smelled good before, it seemed her scent was still increasing. The mood in the pack shifted. Spring was approaching. Suddenly, everyone's thoughts were on their mate or a member of the opposite sex. The spa pool was almost constantly occupied now. Couples would disappear and come back flushed and smelling of each other, and sex. Eddy was caught with Jen. Callum looked at Emily but she showed no interest whatsoever in him. Evan was sleeping through the night now. Ethan planned a more prolonged lovemaking session with Anne. He got some of the berry wine that Wesley had made and lit a couple of candles in his room. He found her in the hallway. He pulled her close and kissed her, then whispered. "I'd like to show you something." His eyes had darkened as he looked at her, hungrily. She smiled. "And what might that be?" "Come, and find out." He took her hand and led her to his room. He had her sit on the bed and brought her a glass of wine. "Anne. You know I've told Callum that I want to stay." She nodded, now afraid of where this conversation was going to go. "I only want to tell you that I'm happier than I've been in 25 years and it's because of you. Thank you." He drank. She did, too, relaxing a little more. "And, now, I'd like to make love to you 'til dawn." He pulled her closer, his hands on her body, his mouth on her throat. He smelled the first spark of her arousal as she ran her hands into his hair, then he groaned as she dragged her nails down his back. His mouth dropped lower and he laid her back down on the bed. Her milk came into his mouth, just a taste, and he bit lightly on her nipple, making her gasp. He raised her arms over her head and whispered, "Stay there." He looked at her hair, pooled out on the bed behind her. He moved her head to one side, and his throat tightened as he looked at her mating mark. He stroked down her neck, down her arms, her sides. He ran his forefinger between her breasts, down to her brown, curled hairs. Large, warm hands on her thighs. Palms running up her body. Over her breasts. Up her arms. He sank down on her, kissing her again, down her throat. Taking the mounds of her breasts in both hands, he alternated between them, biting and pulling lightly on one nipple, while flicking at the other with his fingernail. She moaned. The head of his cock found the folds of her wet pussy and he groaned as he pushed inside those warm, muscled walls. Moving slowly, he began to work in and out of her, twisting his hips occasionally. She sighed and her heart beat faster. He pistoned into her, building her up slowly. Just as she began to pant he pulled out, and she whimpered. He took her by the hips and rolled her over, pulling her up onto her hands and knees. She moaned and growled lightly as he took her hips and plunged in, filling her completely. She pushed back against him with each thrust as they began to move more quickly. Sweat filmed their bodies as his sack slapped against her. He firmed up further as he reached around to rub her clitoris. "Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes. Oh!" She sucked in a huge breath as he pulsed inside her and roared as his knot bulged. The spasms from her muscles made him moan as he was drained of his essence. He came down on his hands, stopping himself from crushing her. He carefully lowered them to the bed, rolling them onto their sides. "Mmmm." He inadvertently brushed over her breast as he put his arm around her and she throbbed around him. "Whoa." She smiled, chuckled, and he kissed her. "OK, at this rate I won't last til dawn." ***** The next day, after lunch, Emily caught Anne in the hallway just outside her room. "Anne, can I talk to you about something?" Beth and Nick were worried about their eldest daughter. At 18, she hadn't mated. Fortunately, she also showed no sign of turning. Callum had had several discussions with them concerning her. Anne nodded. "Sure, Em." "Can we talk in my room?" "Of course." Emily opened the door, letting Anne enter first. She closed the door, leaning against it, as Anne turned around. "So, Emmy, what's on your..." The question was stopped in her mouth as Emily pulled Anne's mouth to hers and kissed her passionately. Anne stiffened and her eyes widened, as Emily's tongue stroked hers and her hand moved down to Anne's waist. Emily broke the kiss and sighed into Anne's neck. "Mmm. I've wanted to do that for a couple of years now." Anne put her arms around the young woman. "Emily, sweetie, you know I don't feel this way about women. Besides, I'm old enough to be your grandmother." "I know, I know. But you smell so good and I love your hair." Anne stood there, trying to figure out how to get out of this without hurting Em's feelings. "Emmy..." "No. It's OK. I know this isn't for you. But, I thought I'd see if you'd try it once, like some of the other girls. After all, you aren't mated yet." "Other girls? Mated? Who said I was getting mated?" Emily twisted a little. "No one." Her hand moved to Anne's breast, and she cupped and squeezed it lightly. "We all just figure you and Ethan will...", kissed where her neck met her shoulder, fingers in her hair, more attention to that breast. Anne's body responded in spite of herself. Emily whispered to her. "I smell you." Anne wasn't pushing her away so she persisted, dropping her mouth to Anne's breast. The hand that was toying with her breast now dropped to her hip. Anne's mind analyzed the differences between Emily's soft hands and body as compared to a man's. She shivered and felt the throb in her pussy. She also smelled Emily's arousal. Emily's voice had dropped to a seductive whisper. "Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to have a woman make love to you?" Emily sucked on her nipple and was rewarded with a small moan and a small amount of milk. "Mmm, so sweet." At this time in her cycle, Anne was highly receptive to sexual stimulation. Emily stopped and looked into Anne's lust hazed brown eyes. "I want to take you to bed, Anne. Will you let me?" Anne had never experimented when she was young, but she knew others who had. She'd always considered herself heterosexual. But, who would know better than a woman? She was wet between the legs now. Who would it hurt? Emily was right; she had no mate; she was free to do as she pleased. "Would you be upset if it never happened again?" Emily smiled. She was almost convinced. "Disappointed maybe, but I understand. Besides", she whispered conspiratorially, "I've found someone." Anne looked at her, surprised. "Here?" "No. Riordan pack. We're trying to figure out how to be together." "Won't she be upset?" "I told her, she's ok with it." "Do your parents know?" "Not yet. I want them to meet her first." Emily sat on her bed, and patted the spot next to her. "Are you willing to stay with me a little while?" She held out a hand to Anne. Anne looked at the gorgeous young woman sitting on the bed. "I've never done this before. I probably won't be very good." "Shall we see?" Emily leaned over to kiss Anne again and her hand went to Anne's waist. Anne stopped her and Emily groaned. "Just one more thing, Emmy, and I promise I'm done." A young, impatient face looked at her. "Do you know what happened to your mother before she was mated?" A huff and a nod. "Spencer raped your mother because he couldn't get to me. If my scent is affecting you the way it affects most of the men I don't want to have you taking out your frustration on anyone else. I don't want to be responsible for anyone else being hurt. I'm serious." A deep breath. "I get it. C'mere." They kissed again and Emily's hand went directly to Anne's breast. Anne's hand was a little slower, working beneath Em's shirt, and brushing by soft skin on the way to a firm, young breast. Anne squeezed lightly, then found Emily's hardened nipple and lightly rubbed thumb and forefinger over it. "Mmm." She then grasped it and wobbled it, as she enjoyed. "Oh, neat. I like it." Emily pushed Anne back onto the bed and put a hand on her thigh. "I think we need to get rid of some clothes." Emily pulled off her blouse and skirt and helped Anne out of her skirt. Anne looked at the young, lithe body above her. "You're gorgeous, Emmy. I can't imagine why you'd want to touch me." Emily smiled and sank down to Anne. She kissed Anne again, tongue probing strongly into her mouth. Then worked down her body, drawing on a nipple while her hand traced down Anne's belly, and hip. Anne's hands, still tentative, were on Em's shoulder, the other cupping a breast, working at the erect tip. Anne murmured as Emily continued flicking her tongue on Anne's nipple and her nails were pulled lightly across her belly, then to her thigh. Anne shivered and moaned lightly as fingertips lightly stroked her thighs. Emily watched as Anne's neck arched and her head began to twist. "You look delicious." Em's fingertips finally touched the slippery flesh between Anne's thighs. "Have you tasted yourself?" Anne gulped and nodded. "Yes." Anne had managed to slide her nails down Emily's belly, flat, unmarred, to circle in the soft hair above her sensitive bud. Emily sucked in a breath. "So, what do you taste like?" Em's fingers were stroking Anne's nether lips, feeling the engorgement, the warmth, the slickness. "Tell me, before I taste." Emily moaned now as Anne had pressed on, and made some tight circles on her clit. "Um, I don't know. Warm, salty, kindof like um, gravy." "Mm, let me see." Just as Emily started to move, Anne pushed a finger to her tightness, she met resistance, and jerked away. "Em.." The tone of her voice and sudden movement stopped Emily's progress. "What?" "You're intact." "Um, yeah." "But.." She pressed her body down on Anne's, grinding against the older woman's pelvis. She nipped the side of Anne's neck. "Yes, I've fooled around with a couple of the guys, but they never got that far. I've been attracted to girls since I was 6. Probably before that. So, that... little thing's just never happened." Emily kissed her again. "It's just that no man has been there, not that I haven't done this before." Her hands were moving on Anne's body again and she started to shift down her body. Anne pulled her nails down Em's back and Em gasped and arched her neck. Taking the incentive, Anne rolled them over, her hair covering both their heads and shoulders. Trailing kissed and light bites down Emily's jaw, across a collarbone, and down to her small firm breast. Em sighed, ran her fingers into Anne's hair, and pulled her more tightly to her. Anne shifted between flicking her tongue over Em's tightened nipple, sucking on it, and biting lightly on it. Em's chest heaved, her heart speeding up. Anne brushed over the other nipple, using her nail, teasing, while lightly stroking her shoulder, over her face. Em's breathing deepened and Anne pushed a knee between Emily's legs. Her hand now moved downward, lightly tracing along Emily's arm, the side of her breast, her waist, her hip, down her leg. "Oooh." Emily shivered and twisted slightly. Anne persisted and Emily began to whimper as she fisted her hands in Anne's hair. Anne now moved lower, sucking on the flesh of the small ribcage where the breast met her chest, worked across her ribs, down her midline to her navel. Shifting off the young woman, Anne continued stroking, licking, touching, running fingers up and down Emily's thighs, across her belly, tracing her hip bones. Em's fingers tightened painfully in Anne's hair. "Oh, god!" Lower still, Anne's lips brushed from navel to hip, down to the junction between leg and belly and sucked the spot near the top of her soft, light brown curls. Em twisted, arched. "My god. Oh, stop teasing. Touch me." Anne chuckled. "I am, Em." "Please?" Em's legs opened wider. Anne pressed her thumb just above the hood of Emily's clitoris and rubbed small circles. Emily shifted her hips, needing, wanting more. A light touch now, brushing by her clit as Emily sucked in a breath. Anne blew against Em's pussy lips and watched them throb. Still a bit hesitant about what she was doing, Anne's tongue lightly brushed over her folds. "More." Another light lick. "Oh, please, let me come." Anne licked more firmly on her clit, the rush of blood made it crimson, warm. Em's hips were rolling, heart pounding, breathing heavy. Anne sucked on Em's clitoris strongly. "Oh, god, oh, god, oh, goooddd!" Anne flicked her tongue on Emily's clit now and the young woman thrashed. "Oh, god, stop!" Anne relented, climbing up next to Emily as she trembled in the aftermath. Chest heaving, eyes closed, Emily finally quieted. She turned and kissed Anne. "Mmm, I'm in love." Seeing Anne's eyes widen, and expecting an objection, Emily's fingers went to her lips. "Seriously. If that 'wasn't very good' I don't think I'd survive your best." She broke into a wide grin. "But I'd die with a smile on my face." She giggled and Anne smiled and shook her head. "Anyway", a quick smooch, "it's your turn. Ready?" Anne sighed, smiled and nodded. Emily straddled the older woman's hips, her light brown waves cascading over her shoulders, blue eyes alight with desire. "I could just lick you all over." She kissed Anne again, their breasts pressed together, and lightly brushed her lips to Anne's ear. "You know, you've never told me what I smell like." She started to nibble on Anne's neck. "Mmm. Jasmine. The ocean." Emily sat back and began lightly brushing her fingertips over Anne's skin, her shoulders, her sides, her collarbone. She licked her lips as she watched Anne's nipples tighten. Taking a breast in each hand, forcing them higher and closer together, she rubbed her thumbs over the sensitive tips. Anne released a shuddering breath and watched Emily's head drop to take one of those tips into her soft, warm mouth. Emily first sucked, to draw forth a small amount of milk, then licked it up, running her warm, wet tongue over and around Anne's nipple. "Such a treat." She pressed on, caressing Anne's breasts, paying a lot of attention to them, as milk continued to seep out. Anne's head tipped backward and her mouth opened. Emily could smell the extent of Anne's arousal, juices seeping from her. "Now, for that taste." Anne's skin was flushed and her hands slid off of Emily's knees as Em moved down to settle herself between Anne's thighs. She lowered her head and inhaled deeply. Anne raised her head, brown eyes hooded with arousal. "OK, Em, what do I smell like?" "Mmm." Another sniff. "Difficult. Complex, rich, warm, good." Anne sighed. "Never got a good explanation from Devon either, mmm." The sentence ended on a moan as Emily stroked her lips and licked her, once, twice, again. Anne's legs tried to close and Em easily held them open as she continued to work Anne's pussy. Licking her folds, stabbing her tongue inside, flicking over her clitoris. Anne squirmed, moaning, panting. Emily wrapped her arms around Anne's hips, raising her knees and shifting her pelvis, while continuing to work Anne with her tongue. Anne's skin flushed and Em smiled to herself as her heart sped up. Anne's head twisted as she continued to squirm. Not quite getting the responses she'd hoped for, Emily switched her tactics and slid two fingers into Anne while sucking on her clit. "One more", the voice was breathy. Emily added another finger, working the rough patch inside. The muscles around her fingers twitched and she hooked her other thumb around to rub strongly on Anne's sensitive nub. There was a small gush of fluid as Anne's back archesd. "Oh, yes. There." A little more attention to that rough patch as the contractions pulsed around her fingers. "Oh, gods. Mmm." Anne fell back, chest heaving, as Emily licked the stickiness from her fingers. She then climbed up beside Anne, resting her head on Anne's shoulder, an arm around her waist. A brief kiss and they both sighed. Warm and comfortable, they slipped into sleep. Anne shifted, her breasts full and painful, and she stretched. Emily sighed, stroking her face. "Don't go." "I have to feed Evan." "Oh, sorry. I enjoyed this, thank you." A quick kiss. "It was nice, Em..." "But... I'm not a male." Anne closed her eyes, nodded. "Their smell, their weight, being filled, it all feels so good." Anne touched her face. "I've got to go." Emily stretched languidly in the bed as Anne retrieved her skirt. ***** Leaving Emily's room, she walked down the corridor to her own to get Evan. She nursed him, smiling slightly. Experimenting with a woman, at her age. It was pleasant, enjoyable certainly, but she truly loved having a man pleasure her. As Evan finished up and she placed him back in the crib she thought she had better get cleaned up. On her way to the shower she ran into Ethan; they smiled at each other as they passed, until he got a whiff of her. He grabbed her arm and sniffed. "What have you done?" She narrowed her eyes and looked at him. "What do you mean? Let go of me!" "You smell like sex." Another sniff and he grabbed her other arm. His voice gained volume. "Who was it? Who were you with?" The argument was loud enough for others to take notice. "Who do you think you are? Let go of me." She tried unsuccessfully to pull away from him. "I won't tell you again. Let. Go. Of me! You're not my mate!" A pause as she considered. "I don't want another mate!" His grip on her tightened. "No. I want you to tell me who it was." He was shocked when she suddenly shifted to wolf. He stared at her as she stood before him, forelegs splayed, hackles raised, a growl rumbling in her chest. What the hell! She felt threatened. His wolf yowled at him to change as well. He held back. The change started and he forced it back. Things would spin out of control if he shifted to face her. He clenched his fists and stood still as she snarled at him. A couple of the others came into sight as she backed away from him, then turned and ran back to her room. His fists opened, he took a few deep breaths, and looked down the hall to where she disappeared. What in god's name had just happened? He tried to analyze the last few minutes. She smelled of sex, but he couldn't tell who it had been with. But it wasn't him. Why would she go to someone else? Things were going well between them, or so he thought. "Ethan?" He turned to face Callum and Eddy. Oh, shit. "What's going on?" Eddy picked up his mother's skirt, holding it as he and the Alpha faced the older male. Their nostrils flared. Ethan scrubbed his face with his hands. "I'm not sure I know." Another deep sniff and Callum's eyes narrowed a bit as he continued to look at Ethan. "I'd prefer to get your explanation before I talk to her." Damn. It was now an official pack matter. He was likely to get his ass thrown out. He took a deep breath. "I passed your mother in the hall and smelled, well, I smelled sex and she hadn't been with me." Callum looked at him, his expression grim. Eddy's face was unreadable. "So I grabbed her arm and told her to tell me who she had been with." He took another breath. "I couldn't scent him." The Final Insult Ch. 06 "She's not your mate, Ethan. She doesn't have to answer to you." Ethan dropped his eyes and his voice. "I know. But I was... shocked and upset. I guess I figured that, if I could find out who it was, that I could understand why." Callum nodded. "Go on." "She wouldn't say who, told me to let her go, tried to pull away. I wouldn't let her go. Well, she went wolf." "And what did you do?" "Nothing. I stood there, didn't say anything. She backed away and took off." "That's all?" "Yes." "OK. We're going to go talk to Mom and find out what's going on." Ethan closed his eyes and nodded. Callum and Eddy headed for their mother's room. "I'm not looking forward to this." "How bad do you think it is?" "It's bad enough that she went to someone else. It may be that we can't allow Ethan to stay." A pause. "I hope it's not Peter." "He has nothing to gain. She's never even looked at him." They reached her door. "Ready?" Eddy nodded. A deep breath and Callum knocked on the door. Beth opened it. Callum looked past her, to his mother, in the rocking chair with Evan. "Beth, if you don't mind?" Beth glanced back at Anne, then looked at Callum and Eddy. "She won't tell me." "OK." Beth closed the door behind Callum and Eddy and headed for the kitchen to help with dinner. She caught sight of Ethan, pacing back and forth. He glanced at her and she shook her head once before continuing to the kitchen. Ethan closed his eyes, then walked to his room. Should he start packing? He didn't have much so it wouldn't take long. Besides, it was still deep winter. He hadn't hurt her - would they throw him out? What would he do then? What could he do? ***** Anne looked at her eldest two sons as they entered, her youngest son in her lap. "OK, mom. I'd like to hear what happened." "Do you really think this is necessary?" "Anything that disrupts this pack is my business. You evidenced an extreme reaction. I need to know what went on between you and Ethan." She closed her eyes, held Evan a little more tightly. "Mom? Tell me." She opened her eyes as Callum and Eddy attempted to identify all the scents in the room. That of their mother dominated, of course, but they also found Evan's, Ethan's, Beth, Emily, even lingering traces of their father's scent, after all these years. But nothing to identify the male she had been with. "As I passed Ethan in the hall he grabbed me and demanded to know who I'd been with. I refused to tell him and told him that. I told him to let me go. He asked again and I answered in the same way. He wouldn't let go." "So you went wolf?" "It got me away from him." "And what did he do?" "Nothing. Well. He started to shift, but he pushed it back. I, I growled, snarled at him, backed up, and took off." "Who was it?" "Excuse me?" "Who were you with?" This had the potential to go very badly if she told them. "I won't tell you." "Why? Is he mated?" She inhaled and chose her words carefully. "No. We're both unmated, and adults. More than that, you don't need to know." "But, to go wolf, during an argument? If he didn't hurt you, why would you feel the need to do that?" She breathed and they watched her contemplating. As she looked back at them they saw painful memories in her eyes, before she exhaled to answer them. "My sons, none of you know much of my life before your father brought me here." Callum and Eddy waited as she closed her eyes again. "A long time ago, I was in a relationship with a man who started out what I thought to be very loving, protective, but he became very controlling. He would question where I had been, who I was with, what I had been doing. If I was slow to answer or didn't answer he would grab me, yell at me until I did or he got it into his head that I wouldn't. It was hard to get away from him, but I did." She paused. "So it reminded you of a man who hurt you when you were young. He bruised you, hit you?" Anne closed her eyes and nodded, buried her nose in Evan's hair. Evan started squirming in her arms and she put him on the floor. "Is there anything else you want to tell us?" She looked up at him. "Do you think I'm lying to you?" "As you've reminded us, Mom, you haven't lived all your life in the pack. Maybe you're protecting him." She looked at him and he saw the mixture of emotions in her eyes, sadness, hurt, fear, but, mostly, truth. "OK. I'm sorry. But I have to be sure." She blinked, taking a deep breath. "Do you have a recommendation, a suggestion, as to what I should do about you two?" "You're Alpha, Callum. It's for you to decide." Evan was sniffing around his feet. Callum picked up his baby brother, giving himself a chance to think. Eddy placed her skirt on the bed then stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest. "We have some time yet before thaw. Do I have to worry about you? That this will happen again?" "Not from my end." He looked at her a bit more closely. "OK, Mom." Callum gave Evan a quick kiss and put him back on the floor. In Callum's room, Eddy looked at his brother. "So, Ed, what do you think?" "They each startled the other. After she shifted, he restrained himself, preventing further escalation. It was the correct response." "I agree. Unless something else happens, I'm not inclined to send Ethan away." Eddy nodded. "I couldn't tell who it was, although it seems she was in close contact with Emily." "The only men I scented were Ethan, Evan, and some remnants of Dad. Unless we question everyone, we're unlikely to find out who it was." "We might be able to tell from people's reactions over the next few days. But, do we really need to know? She said he wasn't mated. If so, there's no reason to investigate further." "Hmm, still, why now?" A knock on the door. The two looked at each other, and Eddy opened the door, expecting Ethan. But it was Beth who stands there. She was invited in and Callum looked to her. "What can we do for you, Beth?" "I'm a little worried, Callum. She'll talk to me about anything, but she refused to tell me what happened. Can you tell me what went on?" "She seems to be keeping it quiet for some reason. She would not tell us who it was." "And, her reaction?" "She should have the privacy she expects from us." Beth looked at him, pointedly, hands on her hips. "All I can tell you is that it's a reaction to something that happened when she was young." Beth looked thoughtful, covering her mouth with her hand. "That she would still be affected by something that happened that long ago... Callum, do you realize how special your mother is, to overcome such a past? To love men, as she has?" The men looked at her; she could tell they didn't quite get it. "It's a wonder she doesn't hate you all, after what she's been through." She nodded to them, and left the room. Ethan awaited the knock on his door. When it didn't come he went up to dinner. She didn't greet him or speak to him. She glanced at him occasionally, but there was nothing soft in her look now. How badly was he screwed? She was unrepentant for her part, almost defiant about it. Four sets of eyes kept watch on the two of them and Callum was concerned as he watched Ethan tense up. Thankfully, it was closer to the new moon. Things could be substantially worse otherwise. The meal ended without incident and perhaps things would look better in the morning, after all parties had a chance to think things over. Emily saw the aftermath of their interlude flare into something dangerous and feared for her standing in the pack until Anne reassured her and swore her to secrecy. ***** The next night, Anne was alone in her bed, dreaming. A man's hands were on her, his mouth. She looked up to see Devon's eyes looking down at her. She smiled at him. Suddenly, he was pulled off of her. Devon fought the other man, whose face she couldn't see. They grappled, struggled, and Devon went over a drop off, reaching for her and calling her name as he fell. She suddenly came bolt upright in the bed. "Devon!" Tears rolled down her face as she looked around the room for him, her eyes lit on Evan, in the crib. "Oh, gods, Devon. You left me here alone." ***** Ethan was sullen the next few days. He got no positive response from Anne when their eyes met. She gave him a self-righteous look each time that made him grit his teeth. He gave her a few days to calm down but she remained cool towards him and he hesitated about approaching her, believing that it might only make matters worse. Ethan, needing to bridge the growing chasm between himself and the mother of his sons, finally sought out Beth. "I don't know what to tell you, Ethan. She'll usually talk to me about anything but she's keeping this to herself. And none of the men have stepped forward. We can only infer that she's protecting someone, perhaps herself as well." "Do you have any idea why she went wolf like that? I didn't, I mean..." "Apparently she gave Callum her reasons but he would only tell me that it was because of something that happened to her when she was young. I know she was raped by someone she knew in college; I can't tell you if there was anything else. She's never said much about her life before she was brought to us." Ethan closed his eyes to consider. "It seems she's had some difficult circumstances. Ethan?" He opened his eyes, looked at her again. "I'd like to know, for my own peace of mind if nothing else", a pause, "what would you have done if you weren't in public?" Beth watched as he realized the implications of that question. "I... honestly... can't say. Could I have hurt her? I would never have thought so." Beth now saw fear and pain in his eyes and his voice dropped low. "Beth, am I my father's son after all?" ***** The weather was warming and Evan was almost 4 months old. Anne and Alana were taking a turn in the nursery, watching the children. Alana had been relieved to see her mother smiling and laughing again, and hoped she might find happiness with another mate. Ethan was suited to her, and, actually, more like her father than her mother would likely admit. Her mood, however, had shifted again. She'd grown withdrawn the last few days. Holding their sons, Alana looked to her mother. "Mom, is something wrong?" Anne didn't look at her daughter, staring off into space. "It's too soon", she said quietly. "Your father and I didn't have to worry about this for nine months after you were born. Everything seems to be pushing us to be together." "Do you love him?" Anne's attention shifted to her son. "I don't know. In some ways, he reminds me of your father but sometimes he makes me so crazy, as if I already belong to him because I had his sons." She kissed Evan's head. "You're still finding your way around each other and he's been away from a pack for a long time. Has he said anything? Been pushing you?" "No. Not really. But it's so obvious." "But he hasn't come near you since the argument you had. He knows how it works, Mom. He's leaving it up to you." Anne closed her eyes. "How's the sex?" Now her eyes widened as she looked at her daughter. "I'm a grown woman, Mom. I know how things were with you and Dad." "It's good, usually great, different." Andrew began to fuss and she stood to bounce and rock him. "Do they ever sleep for more than four hours?" "Yes, dear, he will." Anne smiled at her daughter. "Does he make you feel safe?" Startled by the question, Anne took a moment to consider. "Yes." "Good." Andrew started crying with a vengeance and Alana started pacing and rocking him. She just barely heard some of her mother's next words, spoken in an undertone. "It's not as if I have a lot of prospects. Maybe that's enough, especially now. Who am I to resist the fates?" ***** She'd been distracted since that fight they had had and he had no idea how to approach her now. That she had been pissed at him for the possessive outburst had been evident for a couple of days. But now her mood had shifted, to something he couldn't describe, and didn't understand. This was so much more complicated than he could ever have imagined. He walked the corridors, unsettled, trying to figure out what to do now. He headed for the pool, looking for a soak in the warm water after working in the shop. He stopped when he hears voices. "Are you still mad at him?" Her voice wss quiet, almost resigned. "Yes. I've made no commitment to him but he still thinks of me as his. Possessive, jealous men are trouble. In the human world, they generally end up abusing their mates." Oh, shit. He really had done it now. "You know how your scent affects the men. And you've let him get close to you. Did you expect him to take something like that quietly? How would you feel if he did something similar?" A bit of a groan from her. "You know you don't have to make any kind of decision right now." A pause, Beth's voice was quieter. "Something else is going on, isn't it?" He didn't hear the response. "Oh, Anne. Are you pregnant again? Already?" "What do I do now, Beth?" He stood there, his heart pounding in his chest. Another baby? She was pregnant again? What was he going to do now? He found her later that day, alone in the science lab, staring at the wall. He walked up behind her, put a hand on her shoulder. "You know, don't you?" He squeezed her shoulder. "Yes." She took in a deep breath, released it. "I suppose we should get mated." He crouched in front of her. He'd found he wanted this, badly, but not this way. He took her hands. Her eyes were downcast; she didn't look at him. "You don't want this. You don't need me; the pack will take care of you." She closed her eyes, tears leaking from under her lids. He came up on his knees and embraced her. "You've got people all around you who love you. Don't feel compelled to do something you don't want to do because of your condition." They remained that way for a time and he released her when she pulled away. He kissed her forehead. "I love you, Anne. But I'm not accepting your proposal." He rose, put a hand to her cheek, then left the room. ***** Ethan went to Callum the next day. Callum clapped him on the back and greeted him in his hearty baritone. "Ethan! How are things going?" "Callum, I'm grateful that you've let me stay here this winter and that you've all accepted me into your pack." "What's wrong? Are you leaving?" "I seem to be causing your mother more pain than anything else. When the weather breaks, I intend on going back into town, to take care of some things." "And?" "I've missed being out here. I think I'll move into the old Palin range. That building won't take too much more work to set right." "I don't understand. Is it because of the fight? Is she still mad?" "Yes. And no. She proposed to me, Callum. And I turned her down." "WHAT?" "She didn't do it because she loves me, because she wants me, because I make her happy. She did it because I've gotten her pregnant again." "Already?" Ethan nodded. Callum thought for a bit. "There's not much I can do to stop you if you really intend on leaving us but I don't understand why you would. I don't think I could be pried away from my children." "Ever been in love with someone who didn't love you?" Callum's response was quiet and pained. "Yes." Ethan looked back to Callum. "I'd like to keep this quiet. No one needs to know." Callum nodded. "OK. Will you tell her?" Ethan shook his head. "No. I don't think so." ***** The thaw had come. Wildflowers were poking out of the last traces of snow and the pack welcomed the opportunity to get out again. The youngsters romped in the new grass as their parents looked on and smiled. Ethan emerged after the others and looked fondly on his son. Anne was watching him explore with a hand on her belly. He sighed as he made his decision. He would say goodbye to her tonight and leave tomorrow. After dinner that evening he went to her room and knocked on the door. She opened the door and looked at him, confused by the expression on his face. "May I come in?" She turned and allowed him into the room. He looked at the ground, then up to her face. Her eyes were troubled. His chest felt tight and he was having trouble breathing. "I'm sorry. It threw me. I couldn't understand why you would go to someone else. I know you're not mine and that you don't feel for me the way I feel for you. And I didn't mean to give you a reason to feel forced into marrying me." He watched her hand drop to her belly. "I'll accept what you're willing to give me, even if it never goes any further." She looked at him, trying to read his eyes, his face. He placed his hand over hers, the other, lightly, on her upper arm. "Can we try this again?" She took a couple of breaths, closed her eyes for a moment, then looked at him and nodded. He took her in his arms and hers went around his waist. "Beth said I should ask you what I smell like." She smiled and chuckled a little. "Bay leaves." He kissed her, taking her face in his hands. He was surprised when she seemed to melt against him, a little breathless. He pulled away slightly and looked at Evan, asleep in his crib. Ethan ran his hand over the wood. "He made this?" "Mm, hmm." "He did good work." "Yes, he did." "I know you didn't want to come into this life. But I can't say I'm sorry he brought you here." He pulled her close to him again. "I would never have met you, if not for Devon McKenna." Another kiss. "Will you let me touch you again?" "Yes." He stroked her back, then pulled on the ties to her skirt, and allowed it to drop to the floor. He turned her back to him, pulled her hair to one side, and traced the mark on her shoulder, where she was bitten for the change. Then touched the scars from the scrapes on her upper back, the gash on her shoulder, the mark on her hip, kissed her mating mark. Turning her again, he ran his fingers over her belly, up to her breasts, and, taking her chin, kissed her once more. He picked her up and placed her on the bed. She laid there as he looked her over further. "You are beautiful. Do you realize that?" She smiled at him and shook her head. "I'm not." "You are. You're soft, and strong, and curved. And smart. There's nothing more desirable in a woman." "Ethan..." "Quiet, woman, while I extol your virtues." She opened her mouth and he placed two fingers over her lips. "You're brave; you're strong; you're stubborn. I've seen you immerse yourself completely in what you do." He stroked her hair, traced a finger down her sternum. "You throw yourself into what you believe in." He laid down beside her in the bed. "When I left my pack, 25 years ago, I never thought I'd have children. Thank you for giving that to me." This was distressingly similar to the way Devon reacted after she delivered the triplets. What was going on with him all of a sudden? "Ethan, what..." He kissed her again, stopping the question. His hands, warm, gentle, now began sliding over her skin. The tracing of his fingertips made her shiver. When his mouth left hers, she gasped and he said, quietly. "Close your eyes." She looked at him a moment longer, noting a hint of sadness in his eyes. He recognized her confusion, just before the lids covered those brown eyes. Her skin now provided the main input. While she could, of course, smell him and hear him, the other sensations now began to overwhelm her. The warmth of his mouth, the softness of his lips, the feel of his chest hair against her shoulder, her breast. His body was firm against hers and she felt the hardness of him against her hip. His hands were stroking lightly, caressing her. He was avoiding touching any of her more sensitive places for the moment, trying to see how much more he could get from her without touching her breasts or pussy. The smell of her arousal was getting stronger and he watched as the one hand not at his shoulder had begun to stray down her belly. He caught that hand and brushed his lips over it, before placing it on his hip. Her breathing and heart rate had sped up and he knew she was just aching for him to touch her more intimately. She whispered. "You won't hurt us." The Final Insult Ch. 06 "I know. Do you want more?" "Oh, please." He smiled, and his tongue traced her mating mark as his hand brushed over her breast and she gasped. He now directed his attention to her breasts, the nipples tight and engorged. There was a small sip of milk that came into his mouth, nothing like what he had gotten from her before. It was warm, sweet, and she began murmuring pleasantly. Her hands were on him now as he continued his attention to her. His hand traced down to her pussy. Her head started to twist and her cries became louder as he pushed her to an orgasm. He slipped a finger inside her to feel the contractions. As the fluttering slowed, he removed his finger, sliding across her clit again, and she tensed. "Uuh." He nibbled further at her breasts and then dropped further down, flicking his tongue at her navel, and she twisted, squirming. Her fingers were in his hair as he licked his way to her sweet juices. Her spicy/sweet scent had changed, and seemed richer now. The salt from the light film of sweat on her body was in his mouth and he anticipated the change as he closed on her pussy. His thumb rubbed lightly on her clitoris as he sucked on the point where her leg met her body. She gasped again, and moaned, shifting her pelvis, wanting more. He was purposely holding her at a high level of tension, wanting to give her an intense orgasm, hopefully more than one. He wrapped his arms around her hips, replacing his thumb on her sensitive nub. She started shuddering. "Ethan, please." He smiled and she felt his warm breath on her pussy lips. She tried to shift, tried to squirm, tried to pull him closer. "Don't torture me", she groaned. She then sighed as his tongue swept along her folds. He was enjoying the noises she made, the feel of her, the smell, the taste of the juices that were practically flowing from her. He tried to soak in the experience so that he could keep the memory of her when he went. He also wanted to give her a pleasant memory of him. He pulled himself out of his reverie. He pushed his tongue harder against her, into her. She moaned and twisted as he held her tightly. As her legs started shaking he pulled his arm away and shoved three fingers into her wet hole. She shrieked his name as she came and he felt the spasms around his fingers. He pulled his fingers out and she whimpered at the emptiness left behind. He dropped his head, sucking hard on her engorged clit, and she cried out again, as she was swept by a second orgasm. She started gasping, sucking in air, as he pushed her further. She started thrashing but he held her tightly. The next orgasm ripped a high, keening sound from her lips. Before the spasming ended he pushed inside her and groaned. Her fingernails drew blood from his shoulders as it felt as if this climax was not going to end. Gathering himself, he pulled out, then surged forward again. Between the panting, he heard her gasp, "Harder." He pumped into her, through the contractions, increasing his speed, pushing harder. She wrapped her shaky legs around him, shifted her hips, took him deeper. "Oh, gods. Oh, yes." "Oh, Anne." He roared as his knot locked them together and he pulsed inside her. The combination of his hot seed pouring into her combined with the expansion of his knot sent her over the edge one more time. He groaned and laughed as he collapsed on her. "Oh. My. God", he gasped into her hair. After catching her breath, she murmured, "That was incredible." She felt warm, happy, sated, tired, in a good way. She tried to stay awake but was having difficulty doing so as she held the comforting weight of a man on her body. "Mmmm." He finally recovered enough to look at her again. She was falling asleep, desperately trying to keep her eyes open. "Go on. Sleep now." It was a few minutes before his body released its hold on her so he took in her scent, and the warmth of her body against his. He then considered the new life growing inside her, what would it be this time? He dropped to her side and kissed her, pleased with himself and her reactions to him. He fell asleep holding her. ***** It was early in the morning when he woke beside her. He kissed her and she sighed and rolled onto her side. He caressed her belly then stroked her hair and got out of the bed. She was soft, she was warm, and she smelled so good. She was in his blood now. He wanted nothing more than to lie with her, beside her, for the rest of his life. He hated to tear himself from her side, from her bed. But, he had to. He then went to the crib and kissed his son. "Be good, Evan", he whispered. He went to his room, grabbed a small bag and headed for the public areas. "Ethan, what are you doing?" He turned to find Alana, bouncing Andrew in her arms. She looked at the bundle in his hands. "Where are you going?" "I have some things I need to take care of." "When are you coming back?" "I'm not sure." She looked at him more closely. "You don't intend on coming back, do you? Why are you doing this? How can you leave them?" The volume of her voice was rising and he grabbed her by the arm, trying to quiet her. She pulled away from him. "No. I want to understand. The last thing she needs right now is to lose someone else she cares about. Why? I want you to tell me why." Andrew started crying and she bounced him a bit. "If you can get me to understand, maybe I can get her to." He sighed. "She doesn't love me. I'm only making things worse by staying here. So I'm going." "Without saying goodbye to her?" "I did. I'm sorry, Alana. I need to do this. Thank everyone for me. It's been good to be back in a pack." He turned for the door. "Goodbye, Alana." ***** Ethan walked out the door and into the night. Alana was torn, should she wake her mother, the others? What could they do? They really couldn't stop him from leaving. She couldn't believe he'd actually told her mother goodbye - she'd be here, wouldn't she? He smelled of her, and sex. Oh, god, she was going to be heartbroken. Alana sat in a chair, bouncing Andrew, confused and concerned. Morning came, and Anne woke. She rolled over, smiling, but he wasn't in the bed. Evan began fussing, and she took him from the crib and settled in the rocking chair. She cradled her son as he nursed. "So, where did your Daddy go, Evan?" She looked around; his pants were gone. Her milk was slowing as a result of the new pregnancy and she switched him to the other breast as she continued to contemplate Ethan's absence this morning. She began to think back on the things he had said last night and started to worry. She set Evan on a hip and headed up to breakfast. There were three empty seats at the table that morning - Alana's, Beth's, and Ethan's. She mixed up some babyfood for Evan while casting worried glances over her shoulder. Callum was watching her but she didn't catch the guilty look on his face. She sat and fed Evan while eating little herself. She kept trying, unsuccessfully, to push away the feeling that something bad had happened. Could he be out hunting? As the meal ended, Anne finally asked the question. "Has anyone seen Ethan?" Her daughter's voice, sounding sad, came to her, as Alana walked in with Andrew. "I have." Alana looked tired, not unusual as Andrew had turned out to be a handful, but both she and Beth looked rather grim. "He left, Mom. He said he had some things to take care of." She looked at the two of them, blankly. The adults' attention had now shifted to them. Anne was silent, staring, her chest heaving. Callum spoke up now. "He said he's not coming back." She looked now at Callum, as if she didn't understand what he was saying. "He told me that he said goodbye." She closed her eyes and her heart froze solid. He was gone. "Did he, Mom?" She opened her eyes again, looking confused. "Did he say goodbye?" She breathed for a second, not quite trusting her voice. "After a fashion." Most of the others picked up and left. Callum, Eddy, Alana, Wesley, Beth, Nick, Sandra, and Shawna remained at the table with Anne. She looked back at them all, clear eyed, and shoved back her chair. "Well, then", she looked out the window, "it looks gorgeous outside; I'm going to take Evan out to play." The others watched her pick up Evan and leave the room. "OK. That was scary." "Callum, what did he say to you?" Callum was staring at the doorway his mother had just walked through. "He told me that he was leaving and that he didn't intend to return. He said he was hurting her more than anything else." A deep breath. "She proposed to him, and he turned her down." The others looked to him, shocked. "I caught him leaving this morning. He said he had some things to take care of. I told him to explain it to me, because if I could understand, maybe I could make her understand." Alana's breath hitched a little. "He said she didn't love him and that he was only making things worse by staying here." "He loves her. Who here thinks she doesn't love him?" No one spoke up. "So, what do we do now?" Eddy, generally very quiet, spoke up. "Nothing." All heads swivelled to look at him. "The relationship has developed. We can't do anything to force it. Ethan will either discover the new hole in his life or he isn't worthy of our mother. He was happy here, in a pack, accepted, with his son and the boy's mother." "As for Mom, you've seen her. Laughing, smiling. Happy again. Finally. That she loves him is evident. The new baby will only strengthen the bond." "The problem is that everything happened here, where she has too many distractions. Don't do anything. Don't help her if she wants to end this pregnancy. I'm assuming, since nothing's been done, there's no medical reason to terminate it. Don't speak badly of Ethan. There's enough around here now to remind her of him. Just remember, she wants a mate even if she says she doesn't. We all know it's her choice, and Ethan has taken that away from her by leaving. She will seek him out." "Since she's shut down now there's no use doing anything until she starts reminiscing. And then, only gentle nudges. You know she'll just dig in her heels if we push. Everyone hold your tongues until she starts talking about him." ***** Ethan's heart got heavier the farther he got from the McKenna compound. It would be better this way. He'd reconnect with the humans, keep that option open, check on his garage, maybe say hello to Rick. Then, back to the wilds. He'd deprived himself of his wildness long enough, and would return, sooner rather than later. He pushed to get back to his Blazer by dark. It took a little searching to find the key. Then he raised the hood, re-connected the battery and started the truck. Creaking a bit, he took off for town. He got a job again with Mr. Spencer, working on furniture, and took a small room. The Final Insult Ch. 07 Dear Readers, I'm having continuing trouble posting to the site. However, here's the last installment of The Final Insult. Enjoy, KemMyst ******* Anne spent her days looking for medicinal plants and early starches to add to the food supply. She read, watched the occasional show, doted on her son and grandson. She smiled and laughed, but there was an undercurrent of sadness in her. Both she and Beth got bigger. Eddy and Jen stole off together on a regular basis. And, happily, Alicia began spending more time with Callum. Anne smiled when she saw them together, glad that her eldest son, and their Alpha, might finally find happiness with a mate of his own. Emily disappeared overnight now and again, continuing to worry her parents. Anne walked out of the science lab one day and stopped dead. Shawna practically ran her over. "Mom?" She smiled and sighed, a hand to her belly. "She moved." "Can I feel?" "I'm not sure you can, but here." Anne pulled Shawna's hand to her belly. "Oh! There. Did you feel it?" Shawna's mouth dropped open. "Neat." "Wait 'til you feel it from the other side." ***** It was warmer now. His expenses were low and he'd been saving up for some big things for his camp in the wilds. He went back to the bar. Rick asked him where he's been and what he'd been up to. Ethan gave vague answers. What about his mystery woman? He told Rick that he'd seen her and decided to move on. He also told Rick that he had some family obligations that would take him away a lot. He bought a dirt bike and a small cart to pull behind it with his supplies. He moved some of the bigger stuff to the new compound over a couple of weekends. He told Mr. Spencer that he had to take off again and brought another load of supplies to the cabin and began outfitting it. ***** Anne talked to Evan about his father. Beth caught her at it one day. "So what will you tell the little one?" "That her father was kind, and that he loves her." "And when either of them asks where he is?" Anne closed her eyes. "I don't know. I guess I'll tell them he had to leave." "They're liable to blame themselves." "No. It's my fault that he left." "How is it your fault? He's an adult, he decided to go, not you." "I could've told him", a sigh, "that I", a pause, "cared for him." "He's not dead, Anne. You could still tell him." "I asked him to be my mate, Beth. He said no." "Did he tell you why?" "Because I really didn't want it, that I only asked because I was pregnant again." "How did you ask him?" "I said 'I suppose we should get mated.'" "Well, I must say, if I received such an enthusiastic proposal, I would have jumped at it." Anne's voice rose in anger. "I know. OK. I know. But he's gone." "Again. Gone. Not dead." Anne was increasingly restless over the next couple of days, having trouble concentrating. She approached Callum. "Callum, I want to borrow the truck to go into town." "Is something broken?" "No." He looked at her, not speaking, forcing an explanation from her. She looked a bit guilty, dropping her eyes. Taking a couple more breaths, she raised pleading eyes to him. "I want to see if I can find Ethan." It was so tempting to torture her a little bit but he concentrated on being an Alpha. "He's been gone for 6 weeks now. What if you don't find him this time? How many times will you try?" She swallowed, looking at her eldest son. They couldn't afford to waste resources. "Just this once." He hugged her. "Make it two times, Mom. Good luck." She practically ran to her room, to change into clothing that wouldn't look too out of place in the human world. Beth readily agreed to watch Evan, smiling at the excitement in her friend's eyes. She tied a small bag around her big belly and grabbed the keys to the truck, kissing Callum as she passed. "Thank you." "Be careful." ***** Ethan had been working on the cabin. In the heat, and with no one around for miles, he dispensed with clothing. He'd set up the storage system, with the banks of batteries, and was working on putting up the solar cells. He'd already made additions to the fireplace, to increase the efficiency. And a water pump sat nearby, waiting to be installed. Working alone, it was harder and took longer to do the work. But it occupied his mind and he fell exhausted into the bed at night. It wasn't all work, although he had a lot to do before winter. He shifted to wolf and ran around the hills sometimes. Enjoying the freedom that was his birthright. Plus the occasional rabbit. Her smell remained in the bedcovers, and he actually cut a piece off, to have something that carried her scent alone. Her face and thoughts of her body came into his mind at odd times. He sighed and pushed them away when they came. But it seemed to come more often with time, as he started to think of how big she would be now, the sex of the baby she was carrying, and what Evan was up to now. ***** Anne arrived during daylight hours, which was a bit more risky. She parked the truck on the outskirts of town, trying to unobtrusively hide it. She walked around the small downtown area, listening for his voice, trying to catch a hint of his scent, looking for the Blazer. His job, he would have to have one, he'd never told her. But, his skills lent to woodworking. Was there somewhere in town that did that? She stopped into the local inn, a place that served food and rented rooms. At mid-afternoon, the place was empty, save for the couple of teenagers in a dark corner. The woman behind the bar eyed the pregnant lady who walked in in rather unfashionable clothes. She had long brown hair and brown eyes, with a button down shirt that failed to cover that big pregnant belly. However, she moved with a rather lithe grace that belied her condition. "Sumpin' I can do for you?" "Yes, thank you. Is there a place nearby that does woodworking, carving, or something along those lines?" "Only place I can think of is Spencer's, outside of town. Makes furniture." "Which way?" "Southeast, a couple miles. Big building on Martin, you can't miss it." "Thank you." As the woman left, the waitress figured out where she'd seen someone move like that before. Ethan. She loved to watch him come, and especially go. She had tried to lure him into bed, but he never took her up on the offer. Was this his wife? Girlfriend? Sister? He never talked about his family. She didn't want to bring any attention to the truck, so she started walking. A couple of miles wasn't that far. Half an hour later, a concerned woman stopped beside her on the road, and offered her a ride. They made small talk for the five minutes it took to get to the factory. The lights were out and the doors locked. The driver looked at her. "Was someone supposed to meet you here?" "It's closed?" "Uh, yeah, it's Sunday." Anne closed her eyes. Great. She didn't even remember what day it was. "Looking for the daddy? He run out on you?" Anne made no comment. "Whaddya gonna do? Go back to town?" "That would be wonderful, thank you." As they drive back the driver makes a few offhand comments. "Probably better off without him, honey, if he'd run out on his pregnant girlfriend." Back in town, she was dropped near the inn. "You gonna be ok?" "Yes, thank you. I'll get ahold of my family." Anne waved as the woman left, muttering about what bastards men were. She could ask around town, but she'd seen him, met him, at the bar. So, that was probably the best place to try now. If he wasn't there, the bartender would tell her if he had been. She went back to the truck and drove out to the bar. She parked under a tree in the back corner of the lot and sat there, watching some of the patrons arrive. No sign of Ethan's Blazer. She finally gathered her courage and walked to the door. Her hand trembling slightly, she grasped the handle and opens the door. All conversation ceased briefly as she walked inside. The smell was overwhelming, smoke, alcohol, the crush of human bodies. Rick watched her come up to the bar. Ethan's woman, pregnant. She'd come back. Oh, this couldn't be good. "Excuse me, you remember Ethan, don't you?" "Sure. What's going on?" "Have you seen him in the last month or two?" "Damn, lady. He said he'd found you and moved on. I can't believe he ran out on you." "I didn't say that. Have you seen him?" "Yeah. He was back here for a while. Told me he had family obligations that would take him away sometimes." She looked a little confused but then she smiles. "So, he's been here recently?" Rick nodded. "Last night?" "Nope. Haven't seen him for a week or two." Now she looked a little upset. "A week? Or two?" Rick nodded. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, blew it out. "OK. Thank you." As she turned to leave he called out to her. "Hey! Want to leave a message, when he comes back?" She turned partway back to him, "No." then walked out the door. She got into her truck, shaking. Gone. Where would he go? Farther away? He hadn't come back. Gone. Maybe for good. ***** He'd got the place pretty much outfitted. Lights, electricity. Things stored in the outbuildings. He'd go back to work later in the summer, get a few more things. He'd got a place to stay out here; he just wished he had someone to share it with. He looked to the sky. Weather coming in but he'd earned a run in the hills and he was going to take it. He shifted and took off. ***** She'd been a bit sad after coming back from town; she hadn't found Ethan. But she was getting better, maybe letting go of him. She had just helped Beth deliver her son, Grant, and felt like getting out. She yelled to the general population, "I'm going out for a run!" William looked at her. "It's gonna rain soon." She smiled. "Great. I haven't been out in a good shower for a while." Aidan had his arm around Shawna's waist. "Aren't you a little old to be out playing in the rain?" The smile got bigger. "Never too old." "Be back for dinner!" "Yes, mom." Anne shifted and took off, tongue out, loping through the grasses. The air was warm, moist. The grass getting higher. William was right; she could smell the rain coming. She ran through the fields, through the woods, up a hill, enjoying the breeze in her fur, the intensity, the richness of the odors before the storm, the feeling of freedom. A loud clap of thunder and the rain poured down. She stopped, head down, then shifted. She laughed, circling the trees, raising her face to the warm summer rain. Coming out into the open, she put out her arms and twirled, laughing. A good solid kick from the baby and she stopped. "Your mama loves the rain, sweetie, you'd better learn to appreciate it." *** Damn. He hated getting soaking wet. He headed toward home, head down. Partway back, he perked up his ears. Laughter? He had to be hearing things. Who would be out here in the rain? Now full of curiosity, he cautiously closed on the sound, since the rain wouldn't let him smell what was there. Carefully. Carefully. Yes, laughter. He poked his head around a bush and his breath left him. Anne. Twirling around in the rain laughing. She looked gorgeous, glowing. Her breasts were fuller again, the nipples a little darker now, a darker line running from her navel downwards. Her hair was plastered across her shoulders and around her chest. Her belly swollen and, moving? She stopped and dropped her head, talking to the baby? A rivulet of rain trailed between her breasts and ran around her belly. He walked forward, mesmerized by the sight of her. She stood in the clearing, face upturned, eyes closed as he advanced on her. She jumped when a rough tongue ran across her palm. Slowly, she dropped her face and opened her eyes. She placed her hand on the head of the large brown wolf at her side. "Hello, Ethan." She watched his change. A tall, broadchested man with soaked brown hair now stood beside her, fingers twined in hers. He turned to face her, put an arm around her waist, the other around her back and kissed her. The kiss broke when he felt the baby kick him. He put his hands on her belly. "Oh, wow. That's incredible." "I don't think she likes the rain." He smiled. "She's like her daddy in that." She touched his face. "Will you come home with me?" He put his arms around her again and kissed her neck. "Sounds good to me." They ran back to the McKenna compound together and walked in, smiling and laughing. He swept her up in his arms and carried her off to her bedroom, passing several of the others on the way. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, head resting against his chest. The pack all watched and grinned as they were passed. Sandra and Sean kissed each other and walked off to tell Callum and the others. Anne and Ethan missed dinner. They came up later and eat quickly and sparingly, before returning to Anne's room. The next morning they came up for breakfast, grinning like youngsters with a secret. Their mood was infectious and everyone's mood lightened. Callum decided to wait before asking the questions he needed to now. Beth and Nick appeared with Grant; she passed the baby off to Nick. Beth walked over and hugged Anne and kissed her forehead then kissed Ethan on the cheek before dropping into a chair. The meal was its usual chaotic self, but happier, celebrating both the newest and eldest pack members. Ethan went down to see Evan to allow Anne and Beth a chance to sit and talk. Beth was pleased to see Anne's mood so improved, happier than she'd seen her in years. Beth got up with Grant to go back to her bedroom and get some rest. Anne rose from her seat as Ethan walked back into the room. Stumbling slightly, he looked down at his feet, then up. Anne's eyes had gone wide and her chest heaved. Her face was a mask of fear and horror. Frozen for a moment by her reaction, he took another step forward. "Anne?" She broke and ran, out of the room, out the front door. He was about to go after her when Beth stopped him. "Ethan?" "What the hell was that? What just happened?" "You stumbled." "I stepped on one of the kids' toys." Beth's face registered relief. "She thinks it's the virus. Go get her." He went after her, following her scent around the back of the compound. She'd gone to wolf, and was lying on Devon and Erich's grave. He sank down next to her and stroked her fur, then her back as she changed back. Her voice was flat. "I can't do this again." He kissed her and said softly. "I'm not sick. I stepped on a toy." "Please don't lie to me." He laid down beside her and put his arms around her. "I think you're subconsciously sabotaging this through some feeling that you're being disloyal to Devon or that you don't deserve to be happy." "You're blaming me." "No. No. Well.. Let's walk through it, shall we?" She made no dissenting gesture. "You and Callum obviously came to an understanding where you were not required to bring a new male into the pack." A nod. "So, rather than finding a male to bond with, you chose to have sex with men you met in bars so you could get pregnant." Grudgingly, she nodded again. "You found that you were pregnant by me, but they wouldn't help you end it, so you tried something yourself, right?" Another nod. "Now, when you went into labor, you took off." A nod and a sniff. Ethan took a deep breath and said, a little more quietly, "And, after a difficult birth, one of our boys dies." She nodded again, her throat tight. "You're mad because I showed up, mad because Callum let me stay, and then you start to feel something. There's an attraction but you still keep me away, or try - telling me you killed my father, sleeping with someone else, and I'd like to find out who that was, someday. Then, to top it off, I end up getting you pregnant again. So you give me this half hearted proposal, virtually guaranteeing I'll turn you down." She twisted to look at him. "You acted like you were settling. How do you think that made me feel?" "With all this, I leave. You, you invite me back with you. I step on a toy and you take off, straight to his grave and accuse me of lying to you." "What do you think this is? Karma? That you're only allowed one shot at love? Do you blame yourself?" "You're in the age range, Ethan. There's no reason to believe you're immune. It was hard enough watching Devon die." "More excuses. You care for me or you wouldn't have run." He touched her face. "I love you." She opened her mouth. "No. Quiet. Let me finish." "I know you feel something for me. I don't want you to feel forced to make any kind of commitment to me. I've been working on upgrading the Palin compound. I plan on going back into town from time to time, to get more money, to get more for the compound. I'll be staying there, far enough away so you can decide what you want, near enough to see my children, and you, if you're willing. I'll try to be happy with what you're willing to give me. But, I won't lie to you; I want more. Much more." He kissed her forehead. "I'm not sick, Anne." He caressed her belly, squeezed her hand, got up, and walked back to the cabin. She sat up and watched him walk away. She then laid back down and began talking to Devon. Ethan talked to Callum, congratulated Nick and Beth, and talked to Beth for a while. He then went to Anne, pulled her tight, kissed her, and went back to the Palin compound. Anne was thoughtful the next couple of days, then spent quite a bit of time talking to Callum and Eddy. The next day, after breakfast, she told Beth she was going out and might not be back for a while. Beth smiled and waved her off. She ran to the Palin compound and circled the buildings, looking for Ethan. He wasn't there. She shifted and looked further, surprised and amazed at the additions. There was new wood on some of the buildings, a small motorcycle in one, stores and tools in another. He had knocked down a couple and was in the process of rebuilding one of them. Solar panels, other niceties. She went back to the door of the building she had worked on, hand going to the door. She squeaked when an arm snaked around her and pulled her away. "Spying on me?" She could hear the happiness in his voice. She grinned back. "Just had to see what you'd done with the place." His arms were around her waist, his hands on her belly. "When does she sleep?" She smiled again. "Not when I do." She put her hands on his. "Can we talk?" "Of course." He opened the door to usher her in. "No, please. It's beautiful out here. I'd like to stay outside, if you don't mind." He dragged out a couple of chairs and they sat under a tree. He took her hands as he looked at her. "Um. OK. Um." A deep breath. "Maybe it's true. Maybe I'm afraid, maybe I blame myself, maybe, if I don't get close to someone else, I won't get my heart torn out." "How's that working for you?" She chuckled. "Pretty lousy. But I'd like to talk to you about this place." Ethan looked a bit confused. "You know I planned on staying here after the boys were born." Ethan nodded. "The reasons haven't changed. Devon and his brothers are gone; I'm the oldest member of the pack and I don't feel right staying there any longer." "I would like to stay here. I've talked to Callum and he won't prevent me. Would you let me live here?" "What sort of conditions would you place on this arrangement? The seesawing is driving me nuts." "It would be pleasant to stay with you, without demanding too much of each other for a while. Besides", a hand to her belly, "she's gonna make it a little difficult and awkward for a while." "I want you to talk to me instead of running away. Tell me what you're thinking, what you're worried about, what you need. You still don't really trust me yet or trust yourself around me. You've got a lot of life left to live and I want to spend as much as I can with you." The Final Insult Ch. 07 "Ethan..." "Stating facts, love. What about Evan?" She closed her eyes and he took her hand. "Until we... I, figure out where my head is, it might be best for him to stay there with the others." "I'd rather have our son here." "My thought is that we should spend some time alone together, so to speak, before we add family to it." "OK. I'll go along with that, but not too long." He ran his hand over her belly and was rewarded with movement. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of feeling that. How long until she comes? You really think it's a girl?" "I've gotten pretty good at figuring out what's in there. She should make her debut in about a month." Ethan counted back. "Seems a bit long." "Made, remember. Not born." Ethan nodded. "And I am commanded to go back when she decides she wants out." "I know I'd feel better that way." "And Callum has pledged help to get this place prepared for winter." Ethan's eyes were glinting; he was hiding something. "What?" "Not yet. I accept your terms." He rose, leaned over, and kissed her. She smiled. He took her hand as she started to rise. But she then groaned and he caught her as she collapsed. "Anne!" He picked her up and took her into the cabin. Laying her on the bed he listened to her breathing, the beating of her heart. She wasn't warm, so he checked her eyes. Really he had no idea what he was looking for and was now afraid. Should he go to the McKenna compound; get help? But then she'd be here alone. Carry her? The cart! As he turned from the bed she heaved a big sigh and her eyes fluttered open. "Anne?" Another groan. "What happened?" "God, don't scare me like that." He crushed her to his chest. "Can't breathe." He loosened his grip and took her by her shoulders. "Let me get you some water. Stay there." She shoved up in the bed, panting a little. He came back with a cup of water. She took it and he pushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Are you alright?" "Um. Yeah. I think so." She looked around. "Passed out, huh?" "Looks like. How do you feel?" "A little tired." "Alright then. Why don't you get some sleep?" "Stay with me?" He slid onto the bed with her and he cradled her to him. She closed her eyes. Now he started to worry. Was she sick? Was it the virus, after all this time? Was it the baby? Was it the result of her trouble with Erich? Would he lose her, now that it seemed like he might finally have her? He stayed on high alert, listening to her breathing, her heartbeat, for anything unusual. She was curled up on her side with him behind her, arm around her, face in her hair. She woke again after an hour. She found her clothing as he went out again to work on that outbuilding. She looked through the food and started setting up the kitchen before starting a meal. The day was passed pleasantly and they curled up together at night, although neither of them got much sleep. She was uncomfortable this late in her pregnancy and he kept watch over her, for anything that might signal trouble. Two days later she was outside helping him with some wiring. He looked down from his perch to find her sitting on the ground. He watched as she closed her eyes and put her head between her knees. He could hear her breathing deeply as he scrambled down to her side. "Feeling faint again?" "Yes." "Has this happened before?" "No." "Alright then, we're going back." She looked to object. "If nothing else but to get you checked out to make sure everything's OK." She took a deep breath, let it out. "You're right." The McKennas were surprised to see both of them back. Eddy caught them outside. "What's going on? Is it time?" "She's having fainting spells." "I'll get Beth and Alana." Ethan took her arm. "I'm not an invalid!" "No. But you're pregnant and passing out. Humor me." Huffing, and not looking happy, she allowed him to escort her upstairs. Into Medical, he helped her onto a table. A small furred form ran in, yapping. Ethan picked him up. "Yes, my boy, mama's back." He handed Evan off to his mother as Beth and Alana came in. Both women gave Ethan a quick kiss and hugged Anne. Evan was struggling to reach Anne's breast and she pulled him up, closing her eyes as he took hold and suckled. "So, Mom, Eddy said you're having fainting spells." Anne nodded. "How many times?" "Twice", Ethan said. "How does it happen?" Ethan started, "The first time..." "Excuse me, Ethan, but we'd rather hear it from her first." "We were sitting outside, under a tree, talking. Then I stood up. The next thing I knew I was on the bed." "How long was she out?" "Um", he closed his eyes, "a couple of minutes." "What did you notice, see, smell?" "She seemed to be breathing OK, a little shallow." They both nodded. "Nothing strange about her heartbeat, she wasn't warm. I checked her eyes; they looked okay but I had no idea what I was doing. Then she sighed and woke up. Since she felt tired I told her to sleep for a bit and she took about an hour nap." Anne shifted Evan to her other breast. "Sorry, sweetie, I'm drying up on you." "Anything unusual while she was sleeping?" "No." "And, today?" "I was helping with some wiring outside when the darkness started coming in the outside of my vision. So I sat down and put my head between my knees a bit." Beth pulled out the stethoscope and listened to Anne's heart and breathing. Alana checked her pulse, her eyes, felt of her belly. The two younger women looked at each other, and Beth nodded to Alana. "Sorry to say, Mom", both she and Ethan looked up, "but you're getting older and you hadn't quite recovered from the boys' birth before you got pregnant again. It's putting more of a strain on your body. It sounds like your blood pressure." "That's what I figured." "We should check the baby, too." "She's been moving around just fine." Anne slid onto her back; Evan had fallen asleep on her chest. Ethan moved to her side as the examination continued. "How much longer do you think?" "About 3 or 4 weeks." "I don't think it's going to be that long." "Am I dilated?" "No, but you're thinning." "Why are they suddenly coming earlier?" "It could be the change in your physiology. You've been a wolf over 20 years now. And, as much as you may have tried, your musculature isn't the same anymore." "But then I would expect a gradual shift." She looked over. "Do you think it could be Ethan?" He glanced at her, a little shocked. "Me?" The younger women looked at her. "Well, evidence points in that direction." "So, your recommendation?" "Bed rest, limited mobility. More salt." She closed her eyes and nodded. "It'll probably only be another couple weeks." Ethan rubbed Evan's back, took her hand. "OK, you're staying here until the baby comes." He saw the objection begin. "No arguments!" Her mouth snapped shut. Ethan picked them up and carried them to her room. She was a little grumpy, but resigned. "Can I walk around if someone's with me? I'm gonna go nuts in here." "They did say limited mobility, not complete bed rest. You just need to be careful." She looked at Evan, asleep on her belly, whimpering as his sister kicked him. "What will you do now?" "I need to get a couple of things done at home, then I'll be back as soon as I can. Maybe 3 or 4 days. I want to be here when the baby's born." He kissed her. "Would you like me to get you anything before I go?" "Maybe I'll just take a little nap." "Okay, I'll tell the others." He kissed her again, brushed that unruly strand of hair from her face. "I'll be back soon." She was regularly shadowed now and grumbled she didn't need babysitters. However, the precautions were well founded as she had another episode three days later. She started to get more pensive as Ethan's absence continued. He showed up four days after she returned, for a brief visit, then went back again. She was cranky, tired, sleeping at odd hours. Ethan returned. "She's in the pool." Valerie called as he entered. He walked down to the tunnels, toward the pools. Anne's face lit up as he entered. He slid in beside her, sighing as he sank onto the bench. "How are you feeling?" "Like a small whale. How are things going?" "I've pretty much got things done so I can stay here now, if you'd like, until the baby comes." "I'd like that." He kissed her, placed a hand on her thigh. She put her hand on his and he watched a flush creep up her chest as she pulled his hand between her thighs. "What are you doing?" She leaned over and nibbled on his ear as she whispered, "You should know that I get moody and tired the closer I get to my due date. I also get very sensitive. Very horny, all the time." His eyes widened as she stroked him, working on bringing him to hardness. "But we can't.." Again the seductive whisper in his ear. "No. No intercourse. Not anymore. But we have other ways of pleasing each other for the next 2 or 3 months. Sit here." She indicated the top of the bench. He got out, her warm hands still around him, stroking, squeezing, and she twisted in the seat. He groaned when she sucked his balls into her mouth, her tongue working over his sack. He threw his head back. "Oh, god." She felt him start to tighten up and quickly came up on her knees, taking him into her mouth as she circled the base of his cock with her fingers, cupping his balls with the other hand. His hands were fisted in her hair and he fought to keep from thrusting his hips into her face. She tickled the head with her tongue, then suddenly took as much as she could into her mouth, sucking strongly, and released the base. His eyes practically rolled back in his head as the orgasm slammed through him and his seed pulsed down her throat. She caressed his knot and milked him a little further as he struggled to catch his breath. After a couple minutes of sucking in air he sat back up to look at her. "God, woman, I didn't even have a chance to appreciate that." "Sorry, my stamina sucks right now." She was toying with one of her nipples, thank goodness he wasn't going to be able to get hard anytime soon. He recovered enough to pick her up, easily handling her added weight, and he dipped his head to her nipple. Pulling on it with his teeth, she groaned into the side of his neck. Recognizing her urgent need for release, he laid her beside the pool and buried his face in her dripping pussy. The wetness from the pool was replaced by hers as he licked up her juices. Rubbing his thumb on her clit, he was surprised when she quickly went stiff and shaking. He picked his head up to look at her as she murmured and dropped into sleep. He carried her to her bed and covered her, then went to his room to retrieve a pair of pants. He headed up to the woodworking shop, humming to himself. Beth wandered by, on the way from the nursery. Hearing noises, she stepped inside. "Eddy? Oh, Ethan. It's you." "Hi, Beth. Hello, Grant. Yeah, Eddy's not here, haven't seen him since I got back." "Oh, OK. How's Anne?" "Sleeping. Just so you know, I'm here until the baby's born." She smiled. "Good. We checked her again yesterday. Everything looks fine." "Glad to hear it. Thanks, Beth." After telling him he may want to sleep elsewhere, Anne invited him into her bed. She was right, on several counts. It smelled as if she was constantly aroused and she rolled around a lot at night, trying to get comfortable. He woke tired in the morning and took to napping himself. He found out about her nest and found her in it periodically. She was tired, grumpy, horny, and ravenous. Every time he caught her hand moving southward he replaced it with his own. Afterwards she typically fell asleep. One time though he thought she passed out on him again and fretted until she woke. Fall was approaching and everyone concentrated on getting ready for winter. Alicia had asked Callum to be her mate. Shawna had declared her intentions for Aidan and Sandra for Sean. Jen's preference was also well known. So there would be several mating ceremonies soon. And Valerie and Lea were also expecting, Lea with her first. And so, life continued on for the McKenna pack as the leaves turned color. The baby's birth was imminent and Ethan was more and more hesitant about touching Anne. Her breasts were already leaking milk. However, when he caught her masturbating in the bed that night, sawing three fingers in and out of her pussy, the sight and her smell persuaded him to take over. She shrieked, panting, and murmured before dropping into sleep. He curled up beside her, a hand on her belly, and fell asleep himself. He woke to her calling his name. She was panting, whining, and he smelled blood, along with the other fluids. Startled from sleep, he jumped from the bed and went to her. "She's coming." He started to rise from his crouch. "I'll get help." She grabbed his arm in a viselike grip. Through gritted teeth she said, "No. Now. Help me." Unsure of what to do, he stationed himself between her legs. "Oh my god, is that her head?" "Yes", she hissed and fell to panting. "Take her." Another push and the head emerged. Fine light hair. "Oh, god, I should..." "STAY!" The shoulders emerged with a bit of a twist and the rest slid out into Ethan's hands as Anne fell back. He was looking at his daughter, tiny hands and feet waving, fascinated. "Ethan?" He looked up. "Please, give her to me, you have to take care of the cord." "Oh, um, right." He handed the baby to Anne. She held her upside down and slapped her behind, eliciting a cry. "Good girl." She then laid the baby on her belly. Ethan tied off the cord and cut it as Anne leaned her head back against the wall, her chest heaving. "You're bleeding." She swallowed. "A lot?" "No." "That's normal. Could you bring the hide from the crib?" He returned to her side with a soft hide. He checked out his new daughter as Anne rubbed her down and cleaned her off. Ethan looked at tiny fingers, blue eyes, the little nose. "What's her name?" "Rose." Epilogue The Winters pack was small, at nine members, an offshoot of the McKenna pack with strong ties to them. The Alpha pair, Anne and Ethan, had two children. Beth and Nick had their youngest son with them. The last pair consisted of Beth and Nick's eldest, Emily, and her mate, Lorna Riordan. The families all lived in the large cabin with its communal kitchen and sitting room. Unlike the McKenna rooms, however, the bedrooms here did not have soundproofing. The cabin was almost completely above ground, again unlike the McKenna facility. They were in their room, the babies asleep in the crib, Evan curled up with his little sister. The night was cool. The pack was ready for sleep. Ethan pushed Anne's braid to one side and kissed her neck as she sat on the side of the bed. He put his hands on her shoulders and started to massage her tight shoulder and neck muscles. She murmured pleasantly as his strong, warm hands eased the tension from her muscles. "I'm gonna fall asleep if you keep that up." "Mmm, I had something else in mind, or are you too tired?" She leaned back against his chest, looked up at him, and smiled. He took her hair out of the braid and ran his fingers through it, and over her scalp. Her head was turned to his shoulder he started to kiss his way down her neck from her hairline and across her shoulder. One arm had snaked around her waist; his other hand had found a breast. He cupped it, squeezed it lightly. His other hand dropped, lightly stroking across her belly. It wasn't flat yet, but getting closer. The hand dropped lower, fingertips tracing the connection between her leg and body. She shivered under his fingers. Her head had tipped back against his chest and he nibbled on her neck. Setting his teeth against it, over her mating mark, he wished he could cover it with his own. She opened her eyes, understanding what he was thinking, and smiled. She put an arm over her shoulder and touched his cheek, her other hand's nails running down his thigh. He settled her on the bed, kissing and touching her. She arched and moaned, stroking him. Raising himself up, he entered her while sucking on a breast. After the second thrust, she stopped him. She took his face in her hands. "Ethan." Breathing deeply, he opened his eyes in confusion. She looked into his eyes and smiled. "Will you be my mate?" He broke into an enormous smile, wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed her deeply while still embedded in her. She gasped when he finally came up for air. "There's nothing I'd like more." "We can do this privately. Of course, it's my second. If you want the traditional ceremony, I'm willing. We could talk to Callum..." "I'm fine with now, if you are." She smiled at him as he began to move again. After a bit, her head began to arch and he kissed her neck. Her muscles tensed around him as he closed on his own climax. He half shifted and placed his teeth on the side of her neck. She did the same and set her teeth at his shoulder. Her muscles clenched around him as he bit down. His seed pulsed within her, and his knot bulged as she broke the skin on his shoulder with her teeth. They then licked the blood from their lips, raised their heads, and howled. The children whimpered slightly, then fell back asleep. Emily and Lorna, twined together, started. Emily kissed Lorna, smiling. Nick looked at Beth. She grinned at him. "She finally did it." Winter was on the doorstep, and they were enjoying the last of the warmth, pups outside playing, couples sitting outside together in a glade of leafless trees. Anne was leaning back against Ethan, nursing their daughter. Ethan had a hand on her hip, the other covering the hand she had on Rose's back. As Rose started to fall asleep, his hand moved to her hair, drawing it to one side and kissing the mark he'd left on her the night before. Beth snorted. "It's about time." Anne threw her a dirty look. "Well, it is. Why now?" Ethan squeezed her tightly. "That's a good question; I'd like to hear the answer myself." "Do I really have to explain myself?" Five voices chimed in. "Yes!" "What is this? A democracy?" The four of them continued to look at her. "Alright. Alright. I looked over at our two beautiful children. I felt warm, comfortable, safe, loved. And I realized that I hadn't been this happy in years. And it's primarily because of Ethan." She tilted her head to look at him and was rewarded with another kiss. The others smiled and laughed. "If you weren't so stubborn, maybe you would have figured it out sooner." Beth got another dirty look. Ethan looked at Beth and responded, "I wouldn't change a thing." FIN