A Wolf’s Duty
Jennifer T. Alli
Copyright 2010 by Jennifer T. Alli
Smashwords Edition
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven
Chapter Thirty Eight
Chapter Thirty Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty One
Chapter Forty Two
Chapter Forty Three
Chapter Forty Four
Chapter Forty Five
Epilogue
Chapter One
Meetings were truly the bane of his existence Tobias decided as he was forced to sit through yet another painfully boring session with his council of advisors. They weren’t discussing anything he had not heard before at some point in time. They had, after all, been going through the same motions for the last two hundred years. Being royalty isn’t all it’s thought to be, he mentally scoffed allowing his mind to wander. These meetings rarely needed his active input, so long as he nodded and made the correct noises of agreement occasionally, the twelve other figures that surrounded the table believed he was paying attention. It was a skill he had learnt early on.
He supposed that wealth was one of the benefits of his position. Even though they were sitting in a private setting that no one else would see, they were still surrounded by riches and luxury. The table that they were currently seated around could have been made simply from wood but that was not the case. The rich mahogany table was instead inlaid with ornate patterns wrought in gold. Ancient tapestries and paintings adorned the stone walls and the room itself was large enough to comfortably seat at least fifty people instead of the mere thirteen that currently filled it.
He allowed his mind to wander until he heard a statement that brought him to attention, immediately demanding he was alert.
“Your highness, it’s time you found a mate,” the Council's chairman, Adam, intoned. As was typical of their people Adam’s appearance was frozen at the prime of his life and though there were at least three hundred years separating them, he looked no older than thirty-five years old. His short cut blonde hair didn’t contain any greys and there were no lines around his blue eyes.
Tobias groaned, inwardly bracing himself for what was to come. All eleven other members of the council seated around the table nodded eagerly.
“You’re aware of the law of succession, your majesty. You can’t claim the throne without a mate and the definite chance of a legitimate heir.”
Shaking his head in astonishment, he quickly grinned at Adam, baring his elongated canines. Scanning the familiar faces, he found that they were all frowning at him, even those he usually considered allies. “I’m aware of the law.”
“You can’t expect your father to rule forever. He has sat on the throne for five hundred years, he deserves to retire and you’re his last surviving son. You must take over,” Adam continued.
“Again, I’m aware of those facts, but you act as though I’m avoiding taking a mate when you should all be well aware that nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve searched our clans vigorously and haven’t come across my mate, so my father will simply have to hold onto his crown. It isn’t as though he does not find enjoyment in being supreme ruler of our people. Kingship isn’t that much of a hardship. I’ve waited more than two hundred years, which is almost unheard of, therefore it only makes sense that she will arrive soon enough. As my mother is constantly telling me gentlemen, patience is a virtue. I’m surprised that this council of advisors is so lacking in something that’s so important.”
“My prince, the clans grow restless; they want you on the throne,” another inserted.
“Well they can want all they like,” he snapped. “My father is a good King, they’ll have to be content with that. There’s nothing more I can do, I can’t magic a mate out of nowhere.”
“My Prince perhaps you should consider taking one of the high born ladies as your Princess.” At the suggestion, silence filled the room and all eyes turned nervously to the Prince awaiting his reaction.
“Are you insane!?” he roared, throwing his chair back as he stood.
“How dare you even suggest such an act? This meeting is over!” His stormy grey eyes flashed amber and his voice became rougher as his fragile control on his anger began to slip. “If you want your hearts to remain beating within your chests then I suggest you never mention such a thing again. I’ll only take my true mate as my princess and if the people don’t like my decision then they can either deal with it or find themselves a new Prince. It’s that simple. I won’t choose them over her as they should well know. None of our mated males would choose me or any member of the royal family over their mates and I won’t do so either. I’ll wait!”
Striding from the table he flung open the double doors shattering their intricate glass panes in his anger. Walking down the long stone path that led to his parents’ suite, he felt his anger multiply as he dwelled on what he just heard. Take a false mate! The very idea makes my stomach churn. I should have killed them all for even allowing one of their number to make such a suggestion.
“Mother! Father!” he yelled upon entering their opulent and richly designed suite. In his anger, the deep red that covered their walls only served to increase his bloodlust and make him regret not spilling the blood of the advisory council.
“What is it, dearest one?” his mother asked, deeply concerned as to the reason for his obvious anger. Standing from her golden chaise and rising to her full height, she quickly cleared the distance between them. Laying a pale hand on his tanned forearm, she pulled him into the suite’s living room attempting to gain a degree of privacy. Although over six hundred years old, the queen’s features remained frozen in time so she no longer appeared to age past thirty years. Her long red hair fell in waves down her back and piercing grey eyes roamed over her son’s features.
“Those imbeciles, that have the gall to refer to themselves as my advisors, made a suggestion to me.”
“Obviously you didn’t agree with it.” The loud voice of the King joined their discussion as he reclaimed his mate’s hand and drew her back to the chaise, his large frame seemingly overwhelming her more slender one. Smiling widely at his last surviving son, regardless of Tobias' obvious anger, he ran a hand through the dark curls he had passed on to Tobias and prepared himself from the imminent tirade.
“They suggested I take a mate so I could ascend to the throne,” he spat out between tightly gritted teeth.
The King’s blue eyes twinkled in mischief as he discovered the source of his son’s anger. “And they’re right! I want to retire while I’m st
ill young enough to enjoy my grandchildren.”
“Be quiet and listen,” Tobias growled. “You’ll never be too old to enjoy them; you’re a werewolf for crying out loud, we’re practically immortal. It’s not the taking of a mate that has angered me; it’s who they want me to take”
The queen frowned in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“They don’t want me to wait for my true mate, they think I should just take one of our noble ladies. I’m even fairly confident that one or two would take me, regardless of their real future mates.” He internally winced as one in particular came to mind. What a mistake that was. He mentally sighed as a vision of a woman with long blond hair, vibrant blue eyes and an angelic face floated through his mind.
The King’s eyes narrowed and his muscles tensed in shock. “Did you kill them?” The quietness of his voice made both the queen and Tobias realise that the King too was now angry. His temper demonstrated in the opposite way of his son with his normally warm demeanour becoming cold and as frosty as ice.
“No.”
“I’ll do it for you then.” He stood raising his gaze slightly to directly meet the eyes of his son. “A suggestion like that is tantamount to treason in my eyes, and I won’t suffer such fools to live. You must wait for your mate no matter how long the wait is; she’s the only one for you. Don’t stray from your belief that you will find her. I’ll remain on the throne until you do, even if that means I’m King for another five hundred years.”
“Thank you father; I’m sure she’s out there, I just have to find her.”
*****
“Alexandria! Alexandria!” The frantic voice of her mother swiftly ejected her from the peaceful utopia her book had immersed her in and thrust her swiftly back to the harsh realities of her life. Looking around her surroundings briefly, she took in the familiar smallness of her almost closet like room her eyes landing briefly on her few possessions. The second-hand bed creaked beneath her as she shifted, glancing at her battered desk and even more battered wardrobe, before coming to land on her prized possession; a small shelf containing the few books her mum had managed to buy her, often at great cost to herself. As she smiled her thoughts turned to her loving mother before the woman in question burst through her door.
“Alexandria hide!” she whispered, her tone urgent. Momentarily frozen by the wild look on her mother’s face she failed to respond, prompting her mum to grab her by the arm and pull her from the warm bed.
Dragging her across the small room, she opened the wardrobe door before thrusting Alexandria within its confines. At sixteen Alexandria had only just reached the 5ft mark and so Natasha bent down to pass on her warning, gently brushing one of her daughter’s wild curls from her face. Staring into bright green eyes the exact same shape and colour as her own, Natasha again cursed her weakness. Cupping her cheek Natasha's pale skin contrasted against her daughter’s caramel skin, but she didn’t see the differences between them, fear narrowing her attention until all she saw were problems and solutions.
“Alex, it’s daddy,” she rushed, “he’s not himself.”
“Is he drinking again mum? He promised he wouldn’t, he swore to us.”
“I know sweetheart, but we haven’t got much time. Stay here. Whatever happens don’t come out. Promise me.”
“Natasha! Where are you? I know you slept with him! Come here you slut. I’m gonna teach you a lesson!”
Both mother and daughter visibly shuddered as Fred's slurred voice echoed through the halls.
“Mum, you can’t do this. He doesn’t know what he’s doing when he’s like this. Hide with me!”
“Where are you, you filthy whore?!” His voice was closer now and their fear multiplied correspondingly.
“Promise me you’ll stay here. Promise me!” she hissed.
Surprised at the vehemence in her mother’s usually calm voice, Alexandria found herself nodding in agreement.
Smiling in relief, Natasha gave her a quick hug before closing the door and stepping back. Watching through a slim gap in the doors, Alex saw her father walk in.
“There you are Natasha; I’ve been looking for you.” Fred’s voice was sickly sweet as he approached his wife and she trembled in response as his large meaty hands clasped her shoulder. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” he raged, spittle flying in her face. “I know you fucked him.”
“Who Fred? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t slept with anyone honey, I love you, you know that.” She smiled gently, hoping to convince him of her innocence.
“LIAR! I know you had sex with him. Just admit it. Tell me the truth you slut.” He shook her with every word, convinced of her guilt.
Help us, someone help us. Alexandria thought, hoping against all odds that someone would come to their aid. I’ll even take one of his drinking friends right now. I’m desperate, someone help us. Her mind screamed though no sound emerged from her mouth.
Displeased with Natasha’s silence, Fred decided to try a different tactic. “Where’s the kid she’ll tell me the truth about your whoring ways. Where is she?”
Natasha’s eyes widened in fear for her daughter and what would happen to her if she were found and her usual weakness momentarily disappeared. “I did it,” she mumbled. The lies felt like cotton in her mouth, but she continued for her daughter’s sake. She’d never survive one of his rages, she’s so small. “I fucked him.” Fred’s grip loosened, his arms instead forming fists at his sides. “BITCH!” he yelled, slapping her full across the face and sending her spinning into Alexandria's desk. Her head hit a sharp corner and she slumped to the ground.
Forgetting her mother’s earlier warning Alexandria sprung from the closet quickly reaching Natasha's side. “Mum. Mum,” she sobbed, reaching over to gently shake her. “Wake up mum.” Gently cupping her head, Alexandria was alarmed to find her small fingers quickly being covered in a warm liquid. Removing her hands she was astounded to find the liquid was red.
Blood! Mum don’t die! I love you. Oh god someone help us! she shrieked within her mind, her body numb and unresponsive to her demands.
…someone help us! The anguished cry tore through Tobias’ mind forcing him to leave the land of sleep. His fangs were fully elongated and dripping with the desire to maim and destroy. His eyes had shifted to their predatory amber, easily piercing the darkness of his room. Looking down at his hands he found that they had become claws and in his transition, had shredded the bedding. The cry came again, stronger and he clutched his head in agony.
What the hell is going on?
Help us, the voice sobbed.
Who are you?
Either the voice couldn’t hear him or was choosing to ignore him but no response was given but the tears continued and each felt like a knife to Tobias’ heart.
Stop crying, you’re killing me here, he snapped clutching his chest as his heart continued to stutter in time with her tears. The tears continued regardless, forcing him to adopt a different method. Calming his ragged breaths, he tried to reach for the person on the other end, forcing himself past his physical limits. He felt his mind calm and centre on hers and he enveloped her in his strength and warmth. The sobs stopped and he breathed deep in relief, as the scent of vanilla entered his nose his eyes snapped open and the connection was broken.
“My mate,” he whispered in awe as his body’s reaction became clear. “She’s young, no wonder I hadn’t found her yet.” A frown appeared on his face as he remembered the tone of her voice and her anxious words. “She’s hurt. Someone had the audacity to harm what’s mine,” he snarled, ripping the remains of the shredded sheets from himself and standing. He felt his muscles tense, urging him to change fully and enact revenge on her behalf. “I’m coming for you little one. I’ll find you soon enough.”
Chapter Two
4 years later
“Alex! Alex! Get your lazy ass out of bed before I drag you out of it!” Fred’s voice easily woke her from her sleep. She was a light sleeper, she
had learned to be and it had kept her from major harm over the years. Scrambling out of bed in response to his summons, she quickly pulled on a large shirt over her small pyjama top, money was tight and new clothes that fit her were a rare thing and so she had to make do with what was available.
No time for shoes, she thought glancing briefly at her battered pair of trainers before looking out of her window at the rising sun. It doesn’t look that cold, if he locks me out again I’ll survive. The last time he had done such a thing, it had snowed and she had been sure that her toes would be frostbitten but the neighbours had begun to complain and he had been forced to let her back in.
Hurrying down the corridor she quickly appeared in the kitchen guessing that was where her father’s voice had come from. She forced her breathing to even out, as Fred disliked it immensely when she was huffing to catch her breath and judging from the look of disgust on his face she was going to need every advantage she could get this morning. Standing in the doorway she briefly took in the monster known as her father, finding it hard to believe that they were actually related. His dark skin had become sallow from years of alcohol abuse and his face was etched with deep frown lines, Fred wasn’t a man known for laughter. His large belly seemed to grow each year and she briefly wondered if he would one day be unable to stand up right at the rate it seemed to grow. She met his gaze and saw that his dark brown eyes had narrowed to slits. Bugger, I shouldn’t have just stood here like an idiot. Now I’m in trouble. Despite her natural instinct to turn and run, experience had taught her that that would only result in further injury and so she shuffled forward.
“What took you so long?” Fred snapped.
Lowering her head and pointedly refusing to meet his gaze, she waited for him to get to the point. Experience had again taught her that he didn’t want an answer to that question.
A moment of silence passed before Fred continued. “It’s Friday,” he noted.
Alexandria inwardly groaned at the reminder. I must be the only person alive who hates Friday, a whole week gone already and tomorrow will be Saturday and I’ll be stuck here, with him. And work has so graciously gone and given me the entire weekend off. I told them I didn’t want it but they were so insistent. She almost groaned aloud as the memory came to the front of her mind.
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