by Tamara Hoffa
Bastian raised Alice’s hand to his lips again and kissed her palm. “Are you ready to dine, my dear?” he asked, as if no one else was in the room. Alice frantically looked around the room, her eyes met Jenna’s begging for help. Jenna shrugged her shoulders and flippantly waved her hand. Alice rolled her eyes and if looks could kill, Jenna would have been dead on the spot.
“Um, yeah, sure. Let’s eat.”
“Send the guests to the dining room, Bradley. We will join them there shortly.”
“Very well, sir.” Bradley turned on his heel and silently left the room. Bastian swallowed the last of his wine, his gaze still firmly fixed on Alice. He set his glass on the table and stood, extending his hand to help Alice from her seat. Once they were both standing he finally turned to the rest of his guests.
“Dinner awaits.” He gestured toward the door and led the way, his hand gently guiding Alice by the waist. The group entered the dining room and Jenna stifled a gasp at the opulence. A table large enough to seat forty people was bedecked with a brilliant white linen table cloth and deep red napkins folded into fans at each place setting. Gold flatware, and crystal goblets edged in gold sat beside china plates ringed with gold, then red, and finally cream in the center.
What must be Russian tapestries, depicting scenes of wolves fighting men at war adorned the walls. The ceiling was at least twelve feet high, with exposed wooden beams crisscrossing the expanse of white stucco. The floor was black marble. In all, the room was breathtaking.
Over half the seats were filled. Jenna had wondered where Bern’s guards had disappeared to while they were in the library. They were now at the dining room table, along with several men she had never met.
Bastian led the group to the head of the table. He seated Alice to the right hand side and Bern to the left of himself at the head. Jenna sat beside Bern, with Martin next to her. She recognized Guiles and Hans and knew a few other of Bern’s guards by sight, but not name.
Once everyone was seated Bastian began introductions. “Jenna, Alice, this is my second, Anton, and my lieutenant, Viktor. I will not burden you with introduction to all the guards, it would be too many names to try to remember. Bern, Martin, you have met before, yes?”
Bern and Martin nodded. Jenna and Alice exchanged greetings with the two men seated next to Alice. Both were tall and handsome with sharp eastern European features.
Two women brought out covered trays, they stopped beside Bastian’s chair and uncovered the trays. “Sesame salmon croquettes, sir.”
“Lovely, you may serve, my dears,” he responded.
Jenna couldn’t quite fathom how formal Bastian’s household appeared to be, but when the succulent little morsels were set in front of her, she sighed in bliss. Oh this was going to be some meal.
The dinner was beyond belief. The appetizers were followed by beef consume, salad, beef wellington, with roasted potatoes and baby asparagus, a decadent chocolate mousse, and then a cheese platter. Jenna was well aware that her bear ate like…well a bear, but it appeared wolves were rather voracious too.
Even so, conversation flowed throughout the meal and Jenna was surprised when she looked at her watch to discover over two hours had passed while they consumed their meal.
“My dear ladies, would you mind terribly if Bern and I escaped to my office for a few moments of business talk? Martin and Anton can keep you company in the garden until we return.”
Jenna nodded. “Of course, that’s fine. Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner.”
Bastian took her hand and kissed it. “My pleasure, my dear. Your company turned simple fare to an extraordinary experience.” Bastian rose from the table. “Come, Bern.” He turned without bothering to see if Bern followed, arrogant in his position and power.
Chapter Ten
Before Bastian could reach the door Anton jumped to his feet. “Alpha, do you not think Martin and I should join you?”
Bastian turned and gave his second a withering look. “No, I do not. If I felt you should join us, I would have included you in the invitation. Please take the ladies out to the patio and give them a tour of my lovely gardens. We will join you when our business is completed.”
Bern felt the alpha’s power surge through the room. It was palpable. Damn, the were was strong. Every head in the room, including those of his own guards bowed. Anton looked like he was going to swallow his tongue. Anger burned in his eyes, but they dropped to the floor.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Bastian turned on his heel and left the room without another word or gesture. A man confident in his power. Bern followed, glad he wasn’t on the bad side of this wolf. They didn’t return to the library, but headed right down the long hallway, stopping at a small office, much like Bern’s own private space.
Bastian closed and locked the door behind them. He indicated a plush leather chair in front of the desk and walked over to a built in bar along the wall. “Cognac?” he asked.
Bern nodded and he poured a small amount into two snifters and swirled the liquid, staring into the glasses. He turned and brought one to Bern, perching on the edge of his desk. “I know you must be curious as to why I asked you here.”
“I’ll admit, my curiosity is piqued.”
“I have been watching you, Bern. Now, don’t go getting your hackles up. I don’t mean spying on you. I mean observing you from afar. Watching your style of leadership. I think you are a good man. A good bear.”
While Bern didn’t need the approval of a shifter from a rival clan, it was still gratifying to hear praise from someone as strong as Bastian. “Thank you, but I don’t think you brought me here to sing my praises.”
“No, son, I did not. I am about to share something with you that only the highest ranking members of my pack are privy to, they and the family members of the weres involved.”
Bern sat forward in his chair. “Something is wrong.” It was a statement not a question.
“Frightfully so. Two of our pups have been kidnapped.”
Bern sat back stunned. “How? When?”
“How, we do not know. They were taken from their own beds in the dead of night. No trace, no scent, no tracks. It is as if they vanished into thin air. One was taken last month, the other, two weeks ago. We have increased our night patrols, done everything we can think of, but we have found no trace of the children.” Bastian looked at the rug on the floor, his age and the weight of his position showing on his face. Sadness marred his patrician features, and for only a moment he looked defeated. Then determination overcame the weariness. “I will find those children, but I fear I may need help. It is not an easy thing for one such as I to ask for assistance.” Bastian locked gazes with Bern. “I ask for an alliance with the Honey Corner’s Clan. I will blood bond with you. Stand with you against all enemies, if you will do the same for me.”
It was all Bern could do to keep his mouth closed at the unexpected and serendipitous suggestion from the alpha. Bern had a feeling he knew who had stolen the children and they would need all the help they could get protecting both clan and pack if the humans were targeting their progeny.
Bern took a deep breath. “I am deeply honored you would consider such an alliance, Bastian. I will have to discuss it with my clan, but I think the idea has merit. We have had a group of campers under surveillance in the woods outside Honey Corners. We believe they may be HUNTS agents. Do you think it’s possible they could have kidnapped your pups?”
Bastian nodded. “I do not know if it was those men, but I do believe it is HUNTS agents who have taken the children. I have heard rumors of this happening in other packs in Tennessee and Louisiana. Not just children, but shifters of all ages disappearing. Also, experiments going on.”
“God, why can’t they just leave us alone? What have we ever done to them?”
“It’s not what we have done, my friend. It’s what we are. They want what we have, the freedom from disease, long life, strength. Humans can be greedy, selfish beings,” Bastian said wi
th a sad smile.
“You’ve seen too much in your life haven’t you, my friend?”
“Sometimes I fear I have. There is one more thing I must tell you before you bring the prospect of an alliance to your clan. I have enemies.”
Bern laughed. “Don’t we all?”
“No, you misunderstand me. An Alpha from the north, Sergei, is looking to challenge me. He thinks I am old and weak.” Bastian smiled. “He is wrong, of course, but still he is…as you would say, poking the bear.” Bastian laughed. “I thought you should be aware of the threat.”
Bern nodded. “You are an honorable wolf, Sebastian Von Drake.” He downed the balance of his cognac. “Now, let’s join our lovely ladies in the moonlight.”
“I can think of nothing I would enjoy more.” Bastian rose and clapped him on the shoulder. Though their alliance had not yet truly been formed in the formal sense, a bond between the two men had definitely been forged.
The two men stepped onto the moonlit patio and found Jenna, Alice, Martin, Anton and several others sitting in lovely wicker furniture and enjoying the crisp fall evening. Quiet conversation floated to Bern’s ears, his sweet Jenna’s voice was clear above all the others to him. Telling Alice about her kindergarten class.
Bern stalked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Did you miss me, little one?”
Jenna rubbed her hand through his beard, tangling her fingers in the scruff and pulling him closer. “Always, darling. Isn’t it lovely out here tonight? Come sit with us.” Bern lifted her from the chair and sat, placing her on his lap, all in one motion. Jenna laughed, nuzzling into his neck and whispering into his ear. “Everything okay?”
Her nodded and whispered back. “Were hearing, remember?”
“No, damn it, I keep forgetting.” She giggled. Tucking her face into the crook of his shoulder.
“Get a room, will ya?” Alice groused. “Enough already, with the love feast. We just had dinner for Christ sake.”
Bastian stood beside Alice’s chair and Bern watched the byplay between the two of them. Bastian was so stiff and formal, he looked down at Alice. “Are you comfortable, Alicia?” he asked.
She looked up, momentarily speechless. “My Daddy used to call me that,” she said with a wistful smile. “My parents came to America from Poland when I was seven, he was the only one who called me Alicia.”
“I am sorry. Did I bring up a sad memory?” Bastian asked.
Alice smiled sweetly. “No, not at all, a happy memory. I was daddy’s girl, I miss him.”
“He has passed?” Bastian asked.
“Heart attack, three years ago.” Alice shrugged. “I remember him every day. He was the best man I’ve ever known.” She looked down at her lap, hands clasped tightly together.
Jenna reached over and took one of her hands, lacing their fingers, their gazes locked. Love you, Jenna mouthed, and Alice smiled.
“We really must be going,” Bern said. “Thank you so much for dinner, Bastian.” He looked the wolf directly in the eye. “And everything else. I will speak with you soon.” He helped Jenna to her feet and stood wrapping his arm around her waist. He extended his other hand to Alice, and the three of them headed into the house and down the hall.
Once the entourage was ensconced in the limousine and on the way back to Honey Corners, Bern opened up about Bastian’s revelations.
“Bastian shocked me in more ways than one, my friends,” he said, holding Jenna’s hand securely in his big paw.
“What’s going on, Sippe?” Martin asked.
“Two things,” Bern said. “I’m sorry, Jenna. I hope you don’t mind if we talk business for just a few minutes.”
Jenna nodded. “Of course not.”
“First, there have been kidnappings in the Von Drake pack. Two cubs have been stolen, right from their beds over the last two months. We need to increase night patrols immediately.”
“Oh My God and Goddess,” Hans exclaimed from the driver’s seat.
Bern nodded, “Yes, I know. It’s bad. And the second… The second I think is good, but I need your input, the input of the clan. Sebastian wants to form an alliance. A blood bond between his pack and our clan.”
“Are you serious?” Martin shouted. “That hasn’t been done in centuries. It is an honor beyond—I can’t even think of a word.”
“I know. I was half tempted to bond with him on the spot. Especially after feeling his power tonight. That is one powerful werewolf,” Bern said.
“What held you back?” Martin asked.
“It is not just me involved,” Bern said. “It is the clan, there are advantages, and they are many, but there are disadvantages too. A rival pack is threatening Sebastian. He thinks he will be challenged for power.”
“I doubt there is anyone strong enough to defeat him in battle,” Hans said.
“I do too,” Bern agreed. “But, something is going on, and I have a feeling other things are at play. However, I do think bonding with Sebastian is in our best interest. I just didn’t want to make a decision in haste, or without consulting the clan.”
“You are good a leader, Bern. A good man. A good bear.” Martin clapped him on the shoulder.
Bern’s heart swelled with pride, the look in his second’s eyes made him feel like a king.
“Call a clan meeting for tomorrow, and make sure the night patrols are increased, starting tonight.”
“Done, Sippe.” Martin pulled out his cell phone and began to make his calls and Bern pulled Jenna onto his lap.
“I suppose I will have to leave you to sleep alone in your bed tonight,” he whispered in Jenna’s ear.
“No nookie for you, big guy, sorry,” she whispered back. Bern kissed her neck. “I guess I will have to settle for a little heavy petting in the backseat,” he teased, waggling his eyebrows at her.
Jenna laughed and Alice rolled her eyes. “Oh, give me a break. Can’t you two keep your hands off each other for five minutes?”
“Nope,” Bern answered with a grin and a kiss to his mate. He loved the blush that covered Jenna’s cheeks.
They snuggled together, talking softly and kissing often until too quickly they were pulling into Jenna’s driveway. Bern escorted the ladies to the door, did his customary check of the house and sadly left them with only a lingering kiss to his mate on the doorstep.
* * * *
Jenna and Alice were curled up on the opposite ends of the couch, hot chocolate laced with Bailey’s warming their hands and their bellies. “Okay, so what’s up with you, girl?” Jenna asked.
“What?”
“Don’t give me that, you know what I mean. What’s the deal with Bastian?”
“No deal. I’m not biting.”
“Why not? The man is a hottie.”
“He’s cute. I’ll give you that. In an old world, stuffy, kinda way, but he’s not my type.”
“Oh, please. If you have a pulse, he’s your type. Tall, dark, handsome, powerful, and let’s not forget rich as sin. I bet the girls line up for him.”
“I’m sure they do, and they can just keep on lining up.”
“Come on, Al, you can’t tell me you’re not at all interested. He’s your mate! You have to feel something. I saw it in your eyes.”
“Sweetie, I love you. You know that. I wouldn’t rain on your parade for anything. I’ve seen you with Bern and I know you’re in love. And it’s as plain as the nose on your face that the big bear loves you too. But this mate thing just doesn’t work for me. I don’t buy the whole thing.”
Jenna felt as if Alice had slapped her in the face. A hole opened up in her chest where her heart used to be and tears stung her eyes. “What do you mean, you don’t buy it? You were the one that told me to go for it when I met Bern. You said I should grab on with both hands and take my chance at happiness, and now you say you don’t buy it.”
Alice scooted across the couch and took both Jenna’s hands in hers. “Oh, God, don’t cry, sweeti
e. I’ve made a mess of this. I was right, wasn’t I? You and Bern are happy, you’re happier than I’ve ever seen you, but I’m not a love kinda girl.” She gave a self-deprecating smile. “I’m not sure I even know how to fall in love, and I’m positive that stuffy old wolf doesn’t know what love is. I don’t want a, sniff, you’re mine. Wham, bam, let’s get hitched hook up. It’s just not my scene. I’m sorry, Jen, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wouldn’t do that for the world, but that man is not for me. I’m carefree, and kinda flighty—”
Jenna interrupted. “Ain’t that the truth?”
“Plus, I have my career in Chicago, I’m not going to just drop all I’ve worked for because of a man. That may sound selfish, but…well, I guess I’m a bit selfish too.”
Jenna laughed. “You’re really laying out your faults tonight aren’t you?”
“I guess I am.” Alice laughed. “But, I don’t necessarily consider them faults. I am who I am, girl. You know that. I’ve never pretended otherwise.”
“I know, but I don’t think Sebastian is going to just give up you know. He’s going to pursue you.”
“Well, now that might be fun. I’d like to see if I could loosen up the stick in his ass. I don’t know how the man manages to walk around with it so far up there.” Alice laughed.
“You are terrible!” Jenna sighed.
“Bad to the bone, baby. That’s why you love me!”
They fell into each other’s arms rolling with laughter.
* * * *
Sunday morning found the biggest bouquet of roses Jenna had ever seen on her doorstep, unfortunately they were not for her. The gorgeous, long stem, red roses were addressed to Miss Alice Miller from none other than Sebastian Von Drake.
Jenna carried the huge bouquet into the kitchen where a half-awake Alice sat sipping coffee. “For you, girl,” she said. “I think I’m jealous.”
“Damn, that’s a lot of freaking flowers.”
“No shit. I don’t know if I have a vase big enough to put them in. It may take two, or even three!”