by Lisa Ray
Alliance of Peace
Book One
Archer
Vampires and Lycans must form an alliance of peace to save man-kind
Book Two in the Alliance of Peace Series is available. Look for it now.
Ryker
This book is dedicated to all readers out there that love a good paranormal thriller with a little romance like I do. Especially a series where I can look forward to the next book.
copyright@LisaRay
All rights reserved
July 2017
Prologue
The war had been over for four thousand years. The truce was a tentative one that survived because each side reminded themselves of the years when war raged and casualties mounted into the thousands. Peace hung over the world and the two sides had even began to tolerate each other quite well. Though each side lived apart from each other, they would pass on the streets and nod or speak. There were even rumors that some from each side had become friends. Some even inter-married. Towns around the world went about their business with humans never knowing that others unlike them were their friends and neighbors.
There was a particular village on the northern boundary of Maine in the United States that was one of these towns. People went about their business of living. On the outskirts of one end of the town were the Lycanthropes. They lived in normal houses with their families. Their children went to school and they worked and blended into every day society. At night, it wasn’t unusual to find them changing and running free in wolf form. It was freedom to them. They never hunted humans. The Lycan were immortal. They could be killed. Lycan were susceptible to silver in any form and could be hurt by any standard weapon. Enough silver killed them.
On the other end on the outskirts were the Vampires. They also lived in normal houses and their children went to school and they sometimes worked side by side with the Lycan and humans at certain jobs. It wasn’t true that Vampires could not be outside in the sunlight. They had walked in the sun since their beginning. The Vampires were immortal also. Vampires could only be killed by a pierce to the heart, beheading or fire.
So in the small village of Brent, Maine, life had held peace and passed without incident and it was a good place to live.
Then word came that something had changed. Strange winds and words arrived of a group of Vampire and Lycan that had joined together and were seeking the old ways of murder and war. In the small village of Brent they listened to the words and on the outskirts a small trickle of worry touched each being. The leader of the Lycan sent word to meet with the leader of the Vampires.
Each hoped this wasn’t going to change the long years of peace that had spread across the world.
Chapter 1
Archer paced his front porch, face down, and his mind far, far away. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear the car pull up and the footsteps as they headed toward his home. He didn’t smell the distinct smell of one of his own kind as the footsteps mounted the stairs. He didn’t even get that second sense that came natural to him whenever someone was near. So when the hand touched his shoulder, he immediately reacted by turning and moving back, crouching in strike position while letting out a deep throated growl.
The other man raised his hands and took a step back.” Whoa there, Archer. When did you get so jumpy?”
Archer raised himself to his full six foot two inches and looked at his oldest and dearest friend. “Sorry, Roman. This talk of rogue vamps and lycans has me worried. I am meeting with Ryker next week. I would like to meet with the council before then. Can you get them together for me?”
Roman saw the worry lines on his friends face, “Of course. But do you really think this will reach us?
“I’m worried that it will reach us and that some of our young on both sides are so easily influenced by power that it could cause big problems.” Archer replied. “Meanwhile, come on in and lets grab a beer while we talk. There’s been more news I want to tell you.
The two friends walked through the slamming screen door and into a definite man’s home. Rustic and made entirely of wooden logs, the large home had a view of the snow covered forests that stretched for hundreds of miles. As the leader, Archer was responsible for all those that made up his pack. It was a responsibility he had never grown lax in even through all the years of peace. He made sure all the men knew how to fight and take care of their families. They trained on a regular basis. Most Lycan in the community were married to other Lycan, but there were a few that had taken human wives or husbands. These humans were included as part of the pack. They were sworn to secrecy and only one time had they been betrayed. But that was many years ago and the human that had betrayed them was long dead. Sadly, by his own hands. That’s what a leader did. Take care of his pack.
Roman went to the fridge as if it were his own and grabbed them both a beer. Opening them, he handed one to Archer. They made themselves comfortable in front of the warm fire in the large living room. Roman leaned back on the spacious couch and crossed an ankle over his knee. Laying one arm along the back, he waited for Archer to speak.
Archer was leaned forward in a matching recliner, his elbows propped on his knees. He took a long drink and looked at Roman. “I’ve received word that the rogues are growing in numbers. Vamps and Lycans that are tired of living like humans have joined in large numbers. I received word yesterday that a group of them have arrived in America. Apparently they are getting organized and whoever is in charge is sending groups all over the globe to recruit. We can’t ignore the problem. Another war would decimate us all.”
Roman had leaned forward as he listened to Archer speak. This revelation was indeed serious.” But the last war we fought was against the vamps.”
“That’s why this is much worse. It seems that vamps and lycans have joined forces to achieve the end result of ruling over the humans. If that happens, the human population wouldn’t stand a chance.” Archer continued, “The humans deserve to live as much as any of us. I will say I am very worried. I believe the vampires and lycans that want to keep the peace are going to have to band together to fight the rogues. I need to get a feel of all our pack and make sure we have none that would even consider going back to the old ways. So I want to meet with the council and then Ryker and then the whole community. If Ryker and I come to an agreement, it must be all of us that agree.”
Roman nodded his head in the affirmative. He assured Archer he would have the council at the house by eight tomorrow night. Then he and Archer sat in silence for a few minutes before they turned the television on and began to watch the night’s football game. Each ones thoughts drifted back and forth as they tried to enjoy life.
Archers mind traveled far back in time. Before humans were spread across the world, the Vampires and Lycans were mortal enemies. Archer was born into the war. He remembered fighting the battles that left dead spread as far as the eye could see. He remembered the cries of the women from both sides and the wails of the orphans as they roamed a battlefield hunting for their own. Years of this had finally brought the two factions to a frightening realization. They were going to kill each other until there were none left. That was when the Grand Vampire, Gregor, and the Leader of the Lycans, Knox, had met and actually sat at a table together. They had spent hours forming a peace that each side felt was just and equal. As the two leaders, they chose six each of their own wisest to form a council to sit over the lands. Their commitment was to work as one to watch and keep track of any member of either side that went against the peace. At first there were many. Then as time passed and the population of three separate beings grew and spread across the world, the council became obsolete. Peace became the norm and there had only been the occ
asional rogue that each faction took care of on their own. Now, that peace was being threatened.
Romans thoughts weren’t much different. Although he had been born after the Great War, he knew all of the stories that had passed through the generations. He didn’t want to have to fight but he would if he had too. He only hoped it didn’t come to that.
Roman and Archer’s football game ended and the two talked of familiar things. When Roman left, Archer found his bed and went to sleep with a heavy heart.
The next evening found Archer at home and surrounded by his pack council. Made up of three men and three women, they were each hand-picked by him and were the ones he trusted more than any others. He told them all of the development of the Rogues and their whereabouts in America. Each of the six, Roman being one of them, talked among themselves as Archer was quiet and let his words sink in. Besides himself, the other three men were Roman, Walker and Cash. Walker and Cash, like him, had been in the great wars. The three women were Chloe, Arianna and Sasha. Only Chloe had been in the great wars. He would trust any of these six with his life.
When they were quiet, he spoke again, telling them he had sent a runner to arrange a meeting with Ryker, the Vampire Leader. He hoped to meet with him quickly. Each member of the council agreed with worried brow. He told them they would meet again after he and Ryker had spoken. Until then he wanted each of them to listen and pay close attention to the pack. He wanted to know if there was any unrest within their ranks. He wanted to know if the adults were watching their young and if all were truly loyal to the pack and the peace.
When Archer was alone once more, he wished that these problems were only a dream. He wanted peace and contentment. But he could feel the winds of change blowing about the lands and he was afraid they would develop into an out of control, destructive tornado.
Chapter 2
Bella wasn’t at all happy. She opened her car door and hoped in and slammed it with a loud bang that shook the car. Gripping the steering wheel, she let out a growl of frustration. Since graduating veterinary school and serving her internship, she had yet to find a place she wanted to work. She had almost decided that working for anyone else was going to be almost impossible. This was her second job she had worked and she had quit both. The first clinic treated their animals atrociously. The place was dirty and no one cared. When she tried to talk to the owner and lead doctor he assured her that everything was fine like it was. That had been her last day there. The job she had just walked out on wasn’t any better. The doctors were encouraged to over-medicate and perform unnecessary surgeries and procedures for the money. When she had tried to be a GOOD doctor she had been taken into the office and told that she needed to do more to bring in money. She had almost punched the doctor in the face when she told him she quit.
She had a hard time with herding animals through as fast as possible and being in the business of making money. She wanted to take care of the animals and the humans that brought them in. She loved them and she wanted to make enough to live on but not at the expense of the animals. She didn’t know what she was going to do. She started the car and headed home. She was still living with her mother as she didn’t know where she was going to end up.
When she walked into the house she could smell her mother’s spaghetti sauce and her mouth couldn’t wait to taste it. She found her mother in the kitchen where she slammed her small purse and keys down on the counter. Her mother looked up at her face and knew without asking that she had quit again.
Bella looked at her mother and her mother gave her a smile that lightened her heart a little.
Bella’s mom nodded her head toward the table and said,” I saw something in the newspaper I thought you might be interested in. I circled it for you.”
Bella smiled back at her lovely mother and walked to the table. She pulled the chair out and began to read out loud, “Veterinarian wanted. Small town in northern Maine needs a vet. I am the only one here and am retiring. The practice is in the downstairs of a building on the edge of town and there is a two bedroom apartment upstairs for living. I will be leaving and am offering anyone willing to take over my practice owner financing and a year to do the job and make a decision. If interested please call Dr. Bernard at ………………. Bella looked up from the paper at her mom with a confused look on her face.
“You think I should take this practice?” Bella asked. “It’s a long way from Alabama.”
Bella’s mother turned to look at her only daughter,” I would miss you tremendously. But we would visit. I think you need your own practice. I also think you need an adventure. You’ve always been right here. I want you to be happy. If you take this job and don’t like it you can give it up in a year. It says it right there. I just think you should give it a try.”
Bella was quiet for a minute.” But that would leave you alone.” She looked at her pretty blonde mother. Widowed when Bella was six, she had been a great mom. Bella felt responsible for her.
“Bella, you need to quit worrying about me. I will be just fine if you decide to take the practice. I have a great job and good friends and I promise to come see you bunches. You don’t need to protect me.”
Bella looked at her mom and was silent. It was true she didn’t have much of a social life. That wasn’t important to her. But her heart was starting to feel anxious. She longed for something. She didn’t know what, but something. It was at that moment she decided to call about the practice. She went to her mom and gave her a hug.
“You deserve a life, Bella. And I might just find myself a little social life too.” Bella’s mom laughed.
“I’ll call tomorrow, mom. Right now I just want to eat some of your world famous spaghetti and get a good night’s sleep.”
Mother and daughter sat together and ate in a companionable silence. When they were finished they worked in tandem to clean the kitchen and then Bella was alone in her room she’d had all her life. She wondered what it would be like to leave it.
Bella arrived in Maine to a nice summer day. She was met at the small airport by the retiring veterinarian. His name was Dr. Bernard. He was a slight man with a rather thick head of grey hair. He smiled broadly at her as he helped her load her cases into the trunk of his car and then they were on their way. He filled her in on his clients who consisted of an array of cats and dogs, one guile monster and several domestic wolves. Then he told her of his few large animals he saw as needed. It took over two hours to drive from airport to her home for a year. But soon enough they were on the edge of town. The town was extremely small and secluded. There was a small quaint main street with a taste of the old mixed with modern ways of life. She looked at the small businesses as they drove down the main street. They all looked well-kept and nice. Then the businesses ended and after passing two empty lots they arrived at a neat two story house painted a rich forest green. Trimmed in white it was a perfect example of a turn of the century home that had been well maintained. The Doctor assured her it was up to date in all ways. He opened the unlocked door to a clean, homey reception room. He explained that he had one woman that worked for him at the front desk that Bella would meet. She went with the business. She was part of the deal that Bella had agreed to. Bella hoped they got along well. Since the business was small that was all the staff that was needed. The Doctor showed Bella the appointment rooms and the surgery room and the boarding room. The office was neat and well stocked with any and all books of reference Bella thought she might need. Bella and the Doctor went over the accounting books in his office one more time and then Bella heard a woman’s voice as she entered the office.
“You must be Bella, I’m Chloe. I heard I belong to you now,”
There was a twinkle in Chloe’s eyes that Bella couldn’t miss and Bella smiled widely as she realized they were going to get along just fine. “I am, indeed and I am glad you’ll be showing me the ropes.”
The two women shook hands and soon Chloe was showing Bella around the business even more. Chloe was also regaling Bella
with stories of their clients and some of the funny tales that went with them. Soon, the Doctor came and handed Bella the keys and told her he was leaving in the morning but would be available by phone if she had any questions. He told her the upstairs was ready and cleaned and wished her luck and then he was gone. Bella turned to Chloe and for the first time felt a tremor of fear. She was really doing this. She just hoped she hadn’t bitten off more than she could chew. Chloe saw the look on her face and put her arm over Bella’s shoulders.
“You’ll do just fine. And everyone here will all be bringing in their animals to check out the new vet and the new face in town tomorrow. So you may want to get some sleep, I know it’s been a long day for you. I can lock up here. I have keys to the clinic. The door to upstairs is in the back. I’ll see you in the morning. Don’t worry, you’ll be great.”
Bella thanked Chloe and watched her leave. She was alone in a strange house in a strange town where she knew no one. Ah well, that would change, she thought to herself. She walked to the back and unlocked the door at the bottom of the stairs. Flipping on the light, she entered and turned and locked the door behind her. At the top of the stairs she was pleasantly pleased. Someone had left a lamp on for her and the soft glow lit up a small living room with all the amenities she was used to. A door off of one side led to a nice sized kitchen with a table and chairs in front of a picture window. Bella looked out at the day as it was turning to night. It really was a beautiful town. She found a hallway with the first door leading into a small bedroom with a twin bed. Across from that door was a nice bathroom. At the end of the hallway the door opened to a large bedroom with a fireplace. There was even a comfortable chair beside it for curling up in on a cold winter’s night.
It was perfect. Except for one thing. She was starving and thirsty. Making her way to the kitchen she opened the fridge to find it stocked and a nice note from Chloe. She almost cried at the kindness of the gesture. She poured herself a soda and made herself a sandwich and then, after eating, she fell into the large bed and fell asleep so fast she forgot to change her clothes.