“Missed you.”
He caressed my cheek, and I could see the hunger in his eyes that my kiss had engendered, “Me too. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
He grunted, “Alpha werewolves don’t like surprises.”
I raised an eyebrow and said archly, “Really?” and reached around him and pushed the door closed.
He looked amused, but shook his head, “No, not as a rule.”
“So it’s a control thing, you don’t like being out of control, as a rule?” I asked teasingly.
I kissed him again, and his hands started to roam my body. I wanted him badly in that moment, and the fact that nine others of the pack were outside didn’t give me pause. There was no true privacy in pack, not with their powerful sense of smell and hearing.
“I think I can change your mind,” I said in sultry challenge, right before I slid my body down his, until I was on my knees.
I was pretty damned sure, he really liked the surprise that followed…
Chapter Fourteen
I’d had plenty of time to type up my report after both my surprise, and what followed before he’d returned to putting up dry wall. I didn’t regret it for a second, but the intensity of what we shared, and how easy it was for me to lose control in his presence, still shocked me at times.
Still, there was something very comforting in knowing he was the only man I’d ever been with, or would be with. That I turned into a wanton hussy around him, and couldn’t get enough of him, I had no control over.
I suppose I was a bit of a hypocrite that way, I didn’t like the feeling of not being in control any more than he did. We were definitely a matched set, but still finding our balance. At least he had similar issues when it came to me.
After the report, I spent some time thinking about my mother and father. I really missed them at times, especially when I had questions or doubts. Between my own feelings and judgements, the coven, and now the pack, I found it harder and harder to know exactly where the line was as far as the tenets went. Could I be rogue already?
I didn’t think so, I still followed the rules, I was just worried I was twisting and rationalizing my actions. Which is why I missed and thought of my mother so much that afternoon, I really needed her advice, but I had to figure it all out on my own.
Jared had asked me earlier to come home with him tonight, and I had agreed without thought. Although I did want nothing more than to do so, I still worried about my effect on the pack dynamic. I hoped the ally bond would put all that to rest, but it would open up other questions as well.
Jared was my mate, and would always stand to protect the pack. As my mate, I could stand and protect him without qualm or worry, even if not asked, and still be following the tenets. By doing that, I’d be protecting the pack as well, through association. The question then became, what about when Jared wasn’t there?
According to the tenets, I’d have to stand by, and not interfere unless asked.
But… when the pack bond connected me to the pack, I would feel a pack member’s distress and request for assistance through that bond to their pack mates and allies when they were threatened. That meant I could defend the pack even without Jared there, by the rules. Since that call on the bond could be accurately said to be a call for help, a surrender of their free will to the pack and its allies.
It was too easy and neat.
I worried that by joining the pack bond, I’d be deliberately doing it just to be able to get around the tenets, in spirit if not in fact. There were other reasons for the ally bond of course, and getting around the tenets in that way hadn’t even occurred to me when I initially wanted to do it. But I still worried that taking the bond at all would be breaking the spirit of the tenets.
It felt like cheating.
But did I have a choice? As soon as I was turned into a vampire I had no way of staying apart and distancing myself from all other beings any longer. Although that’s not completely true, I could have become a rogue vampire, and hidden from their world. That still seemed like the worse choice.
Of course, on top of that I still worried about my intentions when Lisa or Ceara asked for my direct intervention instead of just for information. Was that just a farce to get around the rules, or did they truly understand and respect what asking me for help meant to a spirit sorcerer. Given human nature, I had to believe it was a little bit of both, it was why our species stayed separate in the first place. To avoid temptation to protect those we had close ties with.
I also knew no matter what the truth was, I’d be accepting the pack ally bond, and I’d continue to help the coven when asked. I believed in the tenets, and tried to follow them as best I could. In my position, what else could I do? I was part of three worlds now, coven, pack, and spirit sorceress, I could only do the best I could and honor Inari’s tenets the best I knew how.
I’d just feel a lot better about it, if my mother was around to advise me. They say it’s impossible to serve two masters, and in a very real way, I now served three. How could I possibly balance that and stay true to my beliefs?
Bob walked into the back room and crossed his arms.
“No more trips for you. Jared becomes impossible when you’re gone little vampire.”
I smiled lightly, “I’m sorry, did I make your job harder?”
Bob’s face finally cracked into a smile, “Yes, but I can handle it.”
“You can?” asked Jared who walked in behind him.
Bob nodded completely at ease, Jared’s glare just rolled right off of him.
I snickered, “Are we going?”
Jared nodded, “We’ll take your car, we’re going to the restaurant for dinner.”
I packed up my laptop and got up, “Same one as last time?”
Bob replied, “Of course, it’s steak night.”
I giggled, “Isn’t every night steak night for you mutts?”
Jared shook his head in amusement, but didn’t say anything about our banter. I was fairly sure he really like the fact that I got along so well with at least one of his pack.
Bob glared at me, to no effect, and his voice was faux haughty.
“I’ll have you know we have venison and pork nights as well.”
I snickered, as I entered the code to alarm the building, and we all piled out the back.
“My deepest apologies. What about chicken, or buffalo, do you have those nights too?”
I popped my trunk and put the laptop in it, and then gasped when Jared snatched my keys and went for the driver’s side.
Damn it.
I settled for glaring at my mate, who looked smug as he slid behind the wheel. I decided it wasn’t worth the fight, even normal human men felt the need to drive all the time, I imagined for an alpha werewolf it was a necessity. Still, my car damn it.
Bob snickered, “Close your mouth little sis, before you catch flies.”
I sighed and gave up when Bob opened the back door and slipped inside, of course the head enforcer was riding with us. Not that I minded. I got into the passenger seat of my car, and as my iPhone automatically connected to the car stereo system, I searched through my music.
I’d downloaded a song for just such an occasion as this, and I giggled as the speakers started blasting Patti Page, how much is that doggie in the window. I’d considered hungry like the wolf, or who let the dogs out, but the one I’d picked was much more insulting, and funnier. Apparently Bob agreed, because he laughed halfway to the restaurant, but his eyes promised revenge…
About half the pack was at the restaurant when we arrived, and the three of us joined the twins, Tim, and Reah around a large rounded table. I was fairly sure now there was a pecking order reason for this particular group of people to be together all the time, even though Jared was open to any in the pack, and protected all, he was mostly surrounded by people in leadership positions.
Where Ted was, I had no idea, nor did I ask. Maybe he was restrict
ed to the pack land for now, I didn’t speculate about it for very long either.
I wound up between Jared and Reah as we sat down.
Reah said, “Hey Miku, glad to see you back.”
I smiled, “Thanks. Everything going okay?”
I kept expecting Reah to not be happy with me, especially after what happened with her father Sunday night. But she seemed as delighted with me as ever, which made me relax a bit more as the waitress came over and took our orders.
All of the wolves ordered a twenty-six-ounce porterhouse, I settled for a New York strip. I loved steak, but I wouldn’t be able to move if I ate one of those.
Once the waitress left Reah answered my question.
“Everything’s great. I’m looking forward to the full moon. I think you should try to drop that shield tonight, during the ritual may not be the best time for us to try and get used to it. I’m fairly sure that after you won’t even need it, we’ll feel you as a part of us.”
Bob nodded mock sagely, “Even if you are an evil little vampire.”
I was a little nervous about that idea, and ignored Bob’s sally, and said, “Later tonight we could give it a try? For at least a few minutes maybe?”
Jared said, “It’s not that bad.”
I looked at him for a moment. I’d dropped my shield when we fought the water sorcerer, so that I could focus all my power to shield him from his own power source, and for my spirit lightning attack. He was the only person in the pack that had felt my magic so far.
“If I remember right, you growled at me on that rooftop,” I pointed out.
Jared nodded reasonably.
“We were in a fight at the time, and there was all that adrenaline and aggression. My wolf was out, in control, and on a hair trigger for threats. Even then all I did was growl. It won’t be a problem without all that, just uncomfortable. It also helps that we’re already accustomed to your unique vampire scent, so we’ll only have to deal with your vampire magic.”
“Alright, we’ll try it,” I said dubiously.
Reah said, “We should get together soon, go dress shopping for something nice for that night.”
I smiled, and saw through to the real reason, she wanted to get to know me better.
“I’d like that.”
I’d considered that I might have the answer to the pack’s problem regarding Reah, and it popped in my head in that moment. She was the mystic, but hadn’t really been old enough, or been taught enough, before her mother died. It occurred to me I could do it, if I spirit walked and read the mystic of another pack. It would take time to pass on that instruction, but I could do it.
I still didn’t like the idea of reading my friends, but a stranger from another city wouldn’t be an issue. I’d gotten the idea from when I’d read Tina, to access her soul’s knowledge from the past.
Problem was, Reah and I weren’t that close yet, and I had no idea how to make that offer without offense. Werewolves were proud, even the females, and I knew she was teaching herself even if that wasn’t as effective as asking for help. I assumed they had to be, proud and stubborn I mean, to survive the overbearing and overprotective males. I suppose it was just as well that I was stubborn too.
I suggested, “Maybe this Saturday? Legends won’t be done until Friday.”
Assuming there were no more emergencies, I’d be there.
Reah shrugged and all their heads turned toward the kitchen when the door opened and our food came out.
I held back a chuckle, shifters took food very seriously.
Reah looked back at me, “That sounds perfect.”
As usual for shifters, the conversation ceased, as we all dug into our meals…
Chapter Fifteen
I’d like to say I didn’t feel a bit nervous, but that would be a lie. I was also pretty sure they could scent my concern.
After dinner, I’d let Jared drive, or so I told myself, and lowered my shield in the car. Reah had joined us, and sat with Bob in the back. I felt a bit tense as not only was my magic affecting them, but I felt the strong instincts to protect myself from them as well.
Reah’s voice was a bit strained.
“See, no problem at all.”
I laughed, “It could be worse, like it will be when I’m surrounded by twenty-eight shifters.”
Which was coming of course, soon.
Bob sniffed obviously, and his words were filled with innuendo.
“It doesn’t seem like you’re that afraid.”
I blushed.
I couldn’t help it, as I felt the slight tension from our instincts between Jared and myself, I remembered what Kelly had said more than once before. Maybe it would be very exciting, if I kept my shield lowered when Jared and I retired to his bedroom tonight. Surrendering myself to him while I felt the instincts to defend myself sounded… hot.
It would feel dangerous, while at the same time I knew I’d be completely safe.
Damn Kelly anyway, for putting that thought in my head, and werewolf noses for scenting my body’s reactions. It was a bit mortifying actually. Of course, none of the werewolves in the car really cared, arousal scents were just another natural thing they dealt with in the pack. Privacy wasn’t a thing for the pack.
Bob had just teased me because he was Bob.
Reah pretended not to notice.
Jared had a smug look on his face.
“Do they know we’re doing this?” I deflected.
Reah shook her head absently.
“No, maybe I should call ahead, so everyone can kind of prepare.”
She shot me an apologetic look and pulled out her cellphone.
The rest of the ride we made small talk. I wanted to ask about Ted, but knew that would just make Jared grumble and say he’d taken care of it. I took a deep breath when we pulled onto the property and headed towards the back of the house.
Jared said, “You’re safe, nothing will happen.”
I just nodded, I wasn’t truly worried for myself. If one of the pack attacked me, I’d just knock them out. I was afraid of the fallout if that happened, not of anything actually happening to me.
I shook my head a little disgusted with myself, I wasn’t always this neurotic, not that I remembered. I just felt off balance right now, both as a spirit sorceress trying to follow the tenets, and as an independent woman. Complicated just didn’t cover it. I knew the ally bond wouldn’t fix everything, but it would help with a few things I thought.
All my worries were apparently for nothing, as I got out and we went into the backyard, no one attacked, or even confronted me. Not even Ted, though I did catch a suspicious glare from him. I also noticed the pack seemed to be avoiding Ted, which was disturbing on some level to see, but also a comfort.
Apparently most of the pack was on the alpha’s side in this, I wasn’t arrogant enough to say or think they were on mine. I didn’t like Ted at all really, but I did hope once the ally bond was done, he’d be able to get passed his hatred and mistrust. Some part of me doubted it though.
Still, his instincts as a werewolf would be to protect anyone bonded to the pack as an ally. I was curious to see which would be stronger, unthinking hatred and prejudice, or instinct.
After about an hour at the table with the usual suspects, I decided that was long enough to prepare the pack for the short ally ceremony coming next Monday night, and put up my spirit shield. Everyone visibly relaxed, me included, it may not have been overwhelming, but there had definitely been an affect.
Shortly after that, the pack went for an evening run, which I happily joined, and then Jared and I retired to his bedroom for the night. Despite my curiosity in the car, I didn’t lower my shields at all while we made love into the night, before we finally slept.
Chapter Sixteen
Wednesday morning arrived too soon and I got up against my better judgement. After a pack breakfast, we headed to legends. Just three more days and they’d be finished with the place. There was a little more work to do, but they
were also starting to paint today, and we left both the front and back door open for fresh air.
Despite my worries of last night, I’d wound up having a pretty good time with the pack, and not just Jared. Bob’s constant teasing, and my growing friendship with Reah definitely helped as well. I had hopes I’d fit in as well there as I did in the coven, if not better.
I still worried of course, conflict between the pack and coven would be a serious problem for me. But that seemed like a small danger, neither Jared nor Ceara wanted conflict.
As the workday waned, I started to think I’d actually make it a second full day at Legends, but I should have knocked on wood. It was fifteen or so minutes later, around half past three when Cheryl walked into the back office.
My stomach sank.
“What happened now?”
Cheryl chuckled, “Maybe I’m just visiting to stare at the cute wolves.”
I prayed to Inari for patience.
Cheryl lost her smile as she came to the point, and I knew that meant it couldn’t be good.
“Actually, more of those videos just started to appear, this time on the river walk in San Antonio. In that section with the restaurants and bars? Ceara wants you back now, and Melody is taking you all to San Antonio. She wants to move fast, just in case the air sorcerer hasn’t left yet.”
I nodded, and headed for the back door, and used mind speech to say goodbye to Jared. I was sure he’d already heard where I was headed and why, so no further explanation was needed.
He replied, “Be careful. If you have to fight, go for the throat.”
I understood what he meant, hit fast and hard before my opponent had a chance to launch his own attack. Easier said than done, if this sorcerer was truly even faster than Ceara, that would be difficult. Of course, if he was that much more powerful than I was, my plan was to hide behind Melody.
It only seemed prudent.
I jumped into the car, and headed toward the coven at unsafe speeds. Unsafe for a human anyway, my vampire reflexes were incredibly fast, and my spirit reach enabled me to know if anyone was in or near being in my way for a mile out. I only had to slow down twice, and made it back in record time.
Sorcerous Rogue: Spirit Sorceress: Book 3 Page 8