by Lisa Oliver
“There weren’t any other alphas in the pack she could turn to?”
“No.” Lifting his head, Con stared into his eyes, looking for something, Ven wasn’t sure what. “Brian was the strongest pack member after I left, even when Donny was alive. Donny didn’t have much in the way of physical strength, but he could tap into his alpha power, and no beta or omega wolf could withstand that if he threw it around. I still don’t know why Brian attacked you the way he did though. I was in the same room and surely he’d have known, even if you couldn’t or wouldn’t subdue him, I would.”
“A lot of paranormals underestimate my abilities. I did tell you that,” Ven said softly. “They never win against me. And it could be, if Brian thought you were at all like your brother, that he believed you’d join in the fight too – preserving your status as total alpha of your pack or something like that and getting you all moved out of my territory.”
“I’m glad you handled Brian. It was all over so fast, and I know you had every right to kill him. Sending him for council justice means the whole messy business is out of my hands.” Con rested his head on the top of Ven’s and it was Ven’s turn to do some neck sniffing. Con’s hand on the back of his head let Ven know he was wanted there.
“Babe,” Con continued. “I wish I knew what was going on. I walked in there today and it was like facing a room of complete strangers. Megan couldn’t scent that I was mated, even when she was almost as close to me as you are now.”
“If she’s not familiar with your scent, maybe she just didn’t think to sniff for any differences.” Ven tensed slightly. Thinking of Megan being so close to his beloved caused ancient instincts to flow to the surface of his lizard brain. If she was a threat to his mating, especially now, then…
“Relax, babe.” Con soothed, clearly sensing his agitation. “She is not now, and never has been a threat to our mating.”
Hearing Con so certain, about that at least, helped Ven curb his instincts. The steady thump of his beloved’s heart under his ear and the gentle swoosh of his blood helped.
“I know it’s not easy for you to hear, babe, but we do need to talk about this. I need to understand what’s going on. Fuck!” Con tugged at his hair with his free hand. “It’s like I’m missing a vital piece of the puzzle, and I can’t think what. The whole pack are behind Megan, that’s understandable. They know her. They had it all planned out – all of them voted on the plans they made; can you believe it? Their decisions were all laid out for me without asking my input at all. According to them, I’d mate with Megan, petition to the council to have Brian released, and ask for land from the council so we could set up a new territory, away from Rockville.”
Ven forced himself not to react to the Megan mating statement and focus on the bigger picture. “Do any of the other survivors have family ties to Brian that could explain why they want him back even after the way he behaved in my conference room?”
“None at all. From what I could see among the pack members, the only ones who had much to do with him were Jonny and Megan. Brian was a loner when he petitioned Donny to join the pack. He quickly proved himself stronger than anyone else who was there, and Donny made him the pack second. That was about two years ago.”
“That position holds a lot of weight in a pack,” Ven said thoughtfully. “That could be why the other pack members feel loyalty to him, but if they adhere to the old ways like you said, then they had to know Brian’s lucky to be alive.”
Con huffed. “The old ways among my pack also meant thinking that wolf shifters were on top of the paranormal rankings, with vampires coming well down the totem pole.”
“They distrust vampires?” Ven frowned. It wasn’t an unusual stance among some shifter groups, but that line of thinking just raised more questions. Like why the pack didn’t push his beloved harder to find somewhere else to live.
“They distrust absolutely any other paranormal species. It wouldn’t have mattered if you’d been a cat shifter, a squirrel shifter, or a dragon shifter, or even a demon, they’d have still found a way to justify what Brian did.”
Ven sat up, still keeping his hands on his beloved, but so he could truly see Con’s expression. “If you knew they hated vampires, then why did you bring them all to Rockville. Surely, there were other places you could take them?”
There was a moment’s pause. “Honestly, when I researched the list of options the council gave me, it just felt right to me.” Con shrugged and a pale pink tinge showed on his cheeks. “I’ve never been speciest and I believed this place would be a safe haven for all of us to start over, away from the threats of other packs, and away from the bullshit surrounding the Donel name and territory. The council guards told me staying would be a dangerous idea, especially as we don’t actually know who did kill my brother and the other pack members that night. I only knew Bartholomew Jones’s pack was expected for dinner, and there were foreign wolf scents through the house after the murders. But who knows if it was his pack, or if someone else broke in and slaughtered everyone?”
Ven made a mental note of the name and vowed to pass it onto Mosh. He’d know everything about that wolf shifter by dinner time. “So, you got a gut feeling about coming here. How did the pack react when you told them?”
Con’s sigh was long and loud. “I didn’t feel the need to discuss it with them. I just told them to pack up so we could move. I made the mistake of thinking that by being alpha, my decisions would be respected, and the others would trust me to do what was right for them. I didn’t count on Megan having master plans of her own, or how Jonny would twist what you said when we first met, when he related your rules to the others. Honestly, the way it was coming across today, your simple rule about requiring members of your town to contribute through work was akin to some kind of slavery. Megan reminded me we had three omegas in the pack, and they needed to be protected, so couldn’t work in town.”
“And you didn’t agree?”
“Why would I agree with her on that? I moved us here so we would all be safe, not just Megan and the pups she’s carrying. There’s no reason why the omegas can’t work. Working gives a person a sense of worth, it doesn’t matter what they actually do. But getting a paycheck, making a contribution to the community, those things do matter. A job, no matter how small or menial, gives an individual a sense of pride, a reason to get up in the mornings.”
“And none of your pack members were familiar with the concept?” Ven had the idea he already knew what the answer was, and sure enough, Con shook his head.
“In the Donel Pack members are cared for by the alpha. An alpha can’t protect his followers if they are working in a town environment, away from the pack, and scattered across various job sites. That’s what my father always thought, and it seems Donny had similar ideas.”
Ven allowed a small smile to show. “No wonder I pissed off your pack with my little welcome speech. I agree with you one hundred percent on the value of working, my beloved. Yes, there are some people in town who can’t work. We don’t shun those who are infirm, or disabled in some way. But they still contribute, whether it’s volunteering to babysit children, or providing meals and coffee for the construction crews, or reading stories to the little ones in the library. I genuinely believe that’s why we have such low crime statistics here.”
“Or it could be that the leader of the town is such a badass.” Con smirked. But just as quickly he was serious again. “I am worried, my Prince. There is something about the pack that I can’t put my finger on. Something that still nags me about Donny’s death and how it came about.”
“I’m sure it will all come out in the fullness of time.” Reaching out, Ven stroked the scruff on Con’s jaw line. “Brian was picked up by the shifter council this morning. They are aware I want a full report of why he felt attacking me was a sensible thing to do, and, I told them to interrogate him about the night of your brother’s death. They’ve promised a full report no later than tomorrow lunch time.”
“I�
��m not sure it will help.” Con nuzzled into his hand. “The council guards already questioned Brian. He said him and Jonny were going out to buy more booze for the dinner party, even though the wine cellar was full. According to their accounts, they didn’t know how Donny and the others were killed or why.”
“Maybe Brian being in a cold cell, without the chance to view the sky might change his perspective on things, beloved. Not to mention, the council interrogators are far more skilled in extracting information than the regular guards are. We’ll have to wait and see what comes in the report. In the meantime,” stroking Con’s cheek one last time, Ven got up and held out his hand, “how about I show you some of the things this town has to offer, and we’ll get a late lunch.”
“I need somewhere to put my things first,” Con indicated his bag still sitting by the door.
“Our suite was the first place I’d planned on showing you. That could take a while.” Ven winked and Con’s answering laughter warmed his heart for the first time that day.
Chapter Eleven
Con was only feeling marginally better as he dressed for dinner. He had that edgy feeling; one he hadn’t felt since he was a child. The one where you know something big was planned, and it’s meant to be a positive thing, but you’re not sure if anyone’s actually going to show up. For Con, the feeling was magnified by the worry he wasn’t sure if he even wanted his pack members around for dinner. Wolf protocol demanded a shifter never shared food with a person they felt ill-intention towards, and his precious Ven was probably more thick-skinned than he looked. But Con didn’t want his mate subjected to taunts, rudeness, or any of Megan’s schemes. Her hatred, the sheer viciousness in the way she verbally attacked him earlier that day, still left him uneasy.
Ven will have his guards around, Con told himself firmly as he straightened the knot on his tie. His suit was new – a present from Ven along with a half a dozen others in their now shared wardrobe. His mate had to take a call and stepped out to take it, but he’d specifically asked Con to stay in their rooms until they were both ready to go down to the restaurant; a request Con was happy to comply with.
I shouldn’t be this nervous. His tie as straight as it would ever be, Con sat on the edge of the bed, resting his elbows on his knees. It was the not knowing that was getting to him. So much had changed and that was beside the claiming a mate angle. He thought back. Was it only two months before the only thing he had to worry about was whether to put peanut butter or honey on his toast, and if he wanted to join his work colleagues for beers on a Friday night?
Oh, Donny, why did you have to die the way you did? It just wasn’t fair. His twin might have been an addict, but he thrived on pack life and in the end, he was trying to do what he thought was right by merging his pack with another in the bid to keep his wife and new pups safe. To know, to even suspect that same wife had been working against Donny all along, with some plan Con couldn’t even comprehend, made the thought of sitting down to dinner with her even more sickening.
“Ready, beloved?” Ven’s open smile did a lot to ease Con’s anxiety. “I’m sorry I had to take that call. I promise, I’m not keeping anything from you. I have ties with the European vampire council and every now and then someone calls, looking for advice to deal with problems they should never have allowed to develop in the first place. It’s all very tedious, but as I tend not to break ties unless I absolutely have to, I do my best to be courteous when they do reach out to me.”
“You have so many hidden depths.” Just talking to Ven reminded Con of how insular and isolated his life had been. “I’m sure they were glad of your advice. You’ll let me know, won’t you, if there’s anything I can help you with.”
Ven came over, something else Con was starting to appreciate already. He was quick to cuddle, hold, or simply touch, as though knowing Con’s animal and human halves both thrived on the affection. “You’re going to be more help to me than you will ever know,” Ven said softly, leaning over for a simple brush of lips that said so much more than words. “Now, I know you’re fretting, but there’s no need to. Whatever happens tonight, will happen, and worrying about it won’t change the outcome. All right?”
Con nodded. There was no point in mentioning worrying was in his nature: that one of the reasons he didn’t believe he was alpha material was because he was unsure and anxious in unfamiliar situations. He took the hand offered him and allowed his mate to encourage him to the bedroom door. In a lot of ways, Ven was right. He couldn’t change what was going to happen at dinner, he just had to get through it one breath at a time and keep his mate safe.
The restaurant looked busy, but the table the maître de lead them to was set apart from the others. Ten place settings were laid out, and Ven led Con to the head of the table, where two seats were set. “Mosh and Luke will be joining us for dinner,” Ven said calmly.
At least we’ll have someone to talk to if my lot don’t show up. But Con and Ven had barely had time to place their drink orders, when there was a stir at the door. Megan and the rest of her pack had arrived. Con couldn’t think of them in any other way. The omegas fluttered around Megan as though worried she might come to some harm while Jonny tried to look bigger as he held Megan’s arm in a proprietary fashion. Megan was dressed in white, in a gown designed to show off every inch of her pregnancy, her long hair left loose over her shoulders as if to emphasize her Madonna image. Con went to stand, but Ven’s hand on his arm stopped him.
“Remember your rank. You don’t stand for them,” Ven whispered, pasting on a smile as he looked up, greeting the newcomers. “Megan, don’t you look radiant. I swear those pups must be due any day now. Please, allow my maître de to get you seated.”
Megan looked at the seating, clearly not liking the way the table was set out. Mosh and Luke took the seats at the opposite end of the table to Con and Ven, leaving only the middle seats empty. Of course, none of the omegas would sit down until Megan did and there was a tense moment until she chose the middle seat. Jonny sat on one side of her and Roseanne on the other side. Morty, Piper and Anthony went around the table and took their seats there.
“Now, you simply must let me know if you have any food allergies or things I should be warned of. I’ve asked my chef to prepare a special feast, just for this occasion. Nothing?” Ven waited for a reply. When he was met with silence he grinned, showing off his fangs. “Excellent. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with what my chef has arranged.”
“You might have demanded our presence, but I’m not sure we’ll be staying for a meal,” Megan said with a tilt of her chin. “Our pack has always had long standing values, none of which include accepting a same-sex mating. The fact that our alpha has demeaned himself in this manner…”
Ven’s hiss was a clear warning, but Con immediately twigged to the game Megan was playing. Taking a leaf out of Ven’s playbook, Con forced a smile. “Don’t let her taunts upset you, my Prince,” he said calmly. “That’s exactly what this woman is trying to do. She wants to make a deal, don’t you Megan? Otherwise you wouldn’t have turned up here looking like an untouched virgin. You think that by upsetting the Prince, flaunting your obvious pregnancy, and hopefully putting him on edge, that he’ll cave to any demands you have already cooked up.”
“I’m stating the needs of this pack in a manner you as an alpha weren’t able to do because your morals have been compromised,” Megan said primly.
“That is your opinion and you’re entitled to that. That still doesn’t explain what you hope to get out of this meeting.” Con refused to get upset. “You are not an alpha, so you have no cause to make demands. None of your party are alphas either and if you’re hoping the chance one of your pups might be alpha born, well, that doesn’t give you any rights right now either. Seeing as you clearly don’t want to eat with us, state your case or shut up and let us enjoy our meal in some semblance of civility.”
“Unlike you, I’ve listened to my advisor,” Megan snapped. “He advises me to get in touch with
the shifter council and have you formally removed as the alpha of the Donel pack.”
“That’s fine.” Con reached out, finding Ven’s hand and lacing their fingers together. “In fact, I think that’s a good idea. I already told you this morning I am happy for you to all make your own way, provided you leave this territory.”
Megan’s snotty expression faltered. It was clear she thought invoking the council would bring about a different response. “We don’t have anywhere else to go. You ensured that when you dragged us from our home…”
“That will be your new alpha’s responsibility, won’t it? Looking after you all.” Con’s smile tightened but he kept it in place. “I imagine the shifter council will advise, given as there are so few of you, that you be assimilated into a larger pack that holds the same values as you do. The Donel pack name will stay with me as the remaining alpha in that family line, but you don’t have to be part of that pack. In fact, in light of what happened today, I would prefer that you weren’t.”
“You can’t palm us off to another alpha. That’s not what Donny wanted. I’ve got proof. See for yourself.” She held out her hand to Jonny and even before the paper was handed to him, Con knew what it was – his brother’s missing will. A shaft of pain ran through his heart at the sight of the familiar scrawling signature, but rather than read the contents, he handed it over to Ven.
Resting his elbows on the table, Con met Megan’s eyes squarely. “I have to wonder why you produced the missing will now, when I asked about it weeks ago. But it really doesn’t matter what Donny wanted now, does it? Two facts have made themselves abundantly clear today. One, I am mated, to a man, a situation which goes against your personal values. Please note, the pack values are anything I choose to implement so don’t go harping on about things you don’t understand. The man I am mated to happens to rule this territory but that in itself is also irrelevant. My mate’s position doesn’t give you any rights here especially when you refuse to accept I’m mated at all. Two, you’ve already told me you see me as nothing more than a traitor to my kind and refuse to follow my lead. So why did you even come to dinner? What could you possibly want? I’d have thought the best advice your advisor could give you, was to pack up and get out of town.”