by Terri L Vest
Claire loved her father and always tried to please him. She did trust that he'd never make a bad match for her and she knew that she must be brave and trust him now. With this thought, she raised her head, squared her shoulders and nodded. "Yes mother, I can do that. I will make father proud." she said while smiling reassuringly. Standing, she straightened her skirt, held her head high for the alpha daughter she was and headed for the door. Her mother led the way to the living room. Once they arrived, she seated herself by her mate and waited, hoping for the best from her daughter.
Standing in front of Claire was the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen. With a slight gasp, she found her mind suddenly racing with the possibilities of their future, causing a soft blush to rise to her cheeks. She could tell that he was tall by the way he filled the chair he sat in. He was sitting in a relaxed manner, until she had entered the room. Then immediately, he stood and clearly approved of what he saw in front of him. Claire dropped her eyes, increasing the blush she wore so flatteringly as she felt his eyes on her.
* * * *
Silas was the young, powerfully built, self assured third son of the alpha to the Sweetwater pack. He had been perfectly happy with life as it was, before his father had informed him of his mating. Being third born, he'd thought that the threat of the forced pairings his brothers had endured would skip him since the need for heirs had been taken care of by them both. Silas came and went as he pleased and was getting a slight reputation as a womanizer. He didn't think of himself as such. He didn't play them per say, he liked to think of it more as he enjoyed them, many of them, as often as he could.
His father, Gabriel Collins, however, had decided that it was unbecoming of an alpha's son to behave that way, so he promptly put an end to it by telling Silas that he was to take a life mate and it would be of his father's choosing. "A pact is to be made with the Laramie pack and our Sweetwater pack, to cease the struggles between us and unite us as family. Houston Thatcher is a powerful leader of a strong pack and a decent territory and it would greatly benefit our pack with a union between the two! I've arranged for a mating between you and their daughter and you will make me proud by doing as I say and do right by her and her pack! Am I clear?" Gabriel's hard stare left Silas no options, no discussions.
"Of course, father. It will be as you wish", said Silas. He knew better than to argue with his father. Their pack was the largest one and it was ruled by the iron hand of his father Gabriel, and once he'd made a decision, it was law. "You are to go and ready yourself for a meeting with her. Be sure you are presentable as an alpha son," said Gabriel, dismissing Silas with a wave of his hand.
Silas turned away before the shock of the order had shown on his face and he risked suffering his fathers anger. He shouldn't be surprised with the abruptness of the decision. It may or may not have just been made, but enlightening Silas with it, was a last minute decision, Silas was sure. So typical.
Sighing, Silas turned toward his room to begin preparations for a meeting with his betrothed. He had never seen her, but he had heard the few rumors of her beauty. Seems she doesn't leave their pack very often so the opportunity for rumors to start were slim. Pondering that, he decided he liked that. The chance that she'd enjoyed anyone else's company was also slim, and he knew he liked that a lot.
Reaching his room, he showered and chose a set of clothing that he knew would be very flattering for him. He wasn't going to give her any reason at first glance to back out of the deal. He was sure his own father would blame him for purposely sabotaging the meeting so he wouldn't have to pair up. Then his life would become very difficult. Nope, he'd do his best to entice her and seal the deal. No one would have to know about his small tryst's on the side as long as he kept her happy and well taken care of. "Maybe this won't be as bad as I initially thought", Silas smiled to himself. She'll be naive and not worldly. This should be quite easy to pull off. Nothing much should have to change after all. I can do the right thing, meet my responsibilities and have my fun. Feeling much better about things now that he'd thought it through, Silas completed his preparations and waved to his father as he headed out the door to his not so different new future.
* * * *
Standing in front of Silas was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen. She was both beauty and purity rolled into one. Could this be the woman his father intended him to mate with? If so, Silas would count his blessings. His future was looking brighter!
Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he stepped forward, reaching out his hand to take hers, and proceeded to place a soft, tender kiss upon the back of her very delicate hand. Her father was making the introductions, but Silas was so taken by what he was seeing that he missed what Houston was saying. Sensing as much, Houston cleared his throat and, reaching for Claire, pulled her to his side. Silas let her hand slip from his grasp as he stood upright, taking the stance of an alpha son.
Houston guided Claire over to the couch where he proceeded to sit with her and Lily. "Tell me son, why is it again that your father has seen fit to ask for my daughters hand in a bond with his son? What do you have to offer that would make me release my only daughter to a stranger?" Houston's gaze was heavy on Silas, full of intimidation and confidence. Silas wasn't one to cower before anyone, so he squared his shoulders and seated himself in the chair across from the couch.
"Well, sir, my father feels that a treaty between the two packs could prove advantageous for us all. As we all know, with the battles for territory that have raged on through the years, just because we have peace right now, it wouldn't take much for an uprising from any one of the packs to stir up the violence again. And pardon me for saying this sir, but we both know that your territory would be a prime target for any pack wishing to enlarge their own with. My father already holds the largest territory and is the strongest alpha among them all. This merging of the family lines lies strictly in his concern for you and your pack. The best way to secure your safety is to merge with you and lend the support of our much larger forces to keep you safe." Finishing, Silas leaned back into his chair, signaling his readiness for further questions.
"If we offer you so little, then why this push to take my daughter as your wife?" asked Houston, scowling.
Silas saw that he was about to blow everything and knew his father would be livid if Silas lost this connection. Hastily he added, "Don't get me wrong sir. I'm not saying there is no benefit to us at all, implying we are just doing you a favor. On the contrary, my father values your knowledge and skills and wishes to work more closely with you in securing our territories. Also, as his third son, we realize that you would be honoring us by allowing your only daughter to become my mate. I humbly ask your forgiveness if I've appeared to be arrogant and less than appreciative of the true jewel you would honor us with!" Dropping his head in respect and acknowledgement of Houston's position, Silas waited for a sign of acceptance of his apology.
Houston didn't know if Silas was sincere or not, but it all sounded good. He'd heard a few rumors about Silas and knew he would be arrogant. However, he also knew that his knowledge in warfare was extensive and he was very intelligent. He'd have to have faith that his daughter could tame the 'roamer' out of him for the sake of his pack and it's security.
"Very well then," Houston began. "I think you two young people need to spend some time together to get to know each other better." Catching the small victory smile beginning on Silas's face, Houston immediately spoke up. " However, mark my words young wolf, do anything to hurt my daughter or make her unhappy and you will find that our small pack size can still make your life very difficult!"
Losing the smile, Silas looked properly scolded and was beginning to see that perhaps this pairing might not be as easy to slip out on as he was originally thinking. But then, with a beauty such as young Claire, perhaps he might not want to after all.
CHAPTER FOUR
As Silas and Claire strolled out across the property, Silas found that he really did enjoy spending time with her. She ha
d appeared timid and meek. Quite the contrary! Once away from her family, she soon loosened up and showed Silas that she had a vein of fire within her. He found out that this mating had not been her idea or choice, but she had agreed, to please her father.
Keeping her eyes low, Claire decided to speak her mind regarding the rumors she'd heard about him. "I've heard the stories you know. I may not be assertive and worldly like many of the alpha daughters, but I do know what I want. My father has told you that he'll tolerate no bad behavior or unhappiness caused by you. But I can tell you this, if I agree to be your mate, I will expect your loyalty. Anything short of that could cause you a good deal of unhappiness."
Saying that, Claire stopped and raised her eyes to Silas to gauge his reaction to her strong words. She tried to temper her words with a touch of mischievous warning and a slight smile. She had to wonder though, if she'd pushed too hard too soon.
Silas had never been spoken to in such a manner by any female, alpha daughter or not. At first his instinct was to bristle and he considered showing her who would be the true leader of their household. He narrowed his eyes and studied her. It was hard to say if she was teasing him or being serious. However, he knew the importance of this union and the consequences if he failed. His father had made it clear that this was to be his new path. Seems his world was changing rapidly and not by his own choice either. He wasn't quite ready to bow down to her authority just yet.
"Am I hearing you correctly? Are you saying that it is you that would rule our household then?" There was no smile on his face as he waited for an answer to that very important question.
Claire now realized that she had insulted his ego and his position. She was serious in what she said, but once again, her temper had ruled her mouth. Her father would be very angry if she caused this proposal to be withdrawn. "Forgive me, Silas," she said. "I have a tendency to let my temper rule my mouth at times. Though I am serious about expecting your loyalty, I mean no offense or threat to your position within the household. You must understand though, I have been raised in a home of mutual love and respect. Whether they started that way or grew into it, I don't know. But it is what I know, and what I desire for myself." Finishing, she turned towards Silas, lowered her eyes and waited for his response. She hoped it wasn't one in anger.
To her complete surprise, Silas began laughing. The longer he laughed, the louder he got. At first she was confused and wondered if he'd lost his mind. She couldn't help but to start chuckling herself, and before long she was laughing loud and hard as well. It was settled, they'd both lost their minds. Could the stress of this situation be on him as well? Could he be feeling forced into something he didn't want?
As the laughing died down, they were both wiping at their eyes and Silas motioned for her to join him on the ground under a tree. She took some deep breaths to replace the oxygen she'd lost laughing and settled herself in the grass. As Silas sat next to her, he reached for her hands. Taking a breath, he gazed into her beautiful eyes and realized that they were going to make quite a couple. Both seemed to have a well of fire, yet both were intelligent enough to temper it with smart decisions.
"My dear Claire, I feel we've both found ourselves in a situation not of our choosing. However, having said that, I am now finding myself rather intrigued by you. I see your potential to be an impressive mate. You have a tender heart and a gentle outward nature. However, I believe I've gotten a glimpse at the well of fire and spirit deep within as well. I'm thinking that you may be just what I need to turn from my "ways" and I'm thinking that it could be a very spirited ride!"
Silas was looking down at her with a twinkle in his eyes and what Claire found to be a very sexy smile upon his lips. When she stopped seeing the situation as an infringement on her freedom, she realized that there was something drawing her to him as a man. She'd never stopped to think about him being forced into this. Knowing he was made them sort of 'partners in confinement' so to speak, and as she looked at his sexy smile and very handsome face, and his body . . . Whoa! Yup, this confinement could very well be not only spirited, but rather exciting as well!
CHAPTER FIVE
"So you see my dearest Reika, your father and I didn't marry for love. It is tradition that the daughters are mated at the age of 18. It was before me, and it will continue long after you. It's important that an alpha daughter be secured into a strong family before a less than desirable suitor comes calling. Once a mating is completed, it can not be undone. This is why your father has chosen Finn to be your mate. His father being second in command to Silas gives that family a strong position within our pack and will ensure your safety. That, my sweet, is the most important thing to your father and I, along with your happiness. That is why he has allowed you to choose your own from the pack. If you find Finn less than desirable and don't feel he will make you happy, then use this time and opportunity to find another," Claire said as she gazed lovingly into her daughters eyes.
"But mother, Finn already acts like he owns me. He sees alpha leader position for himself within the pack someday and acts like I'm the way to secure that path. He is very handsome, but his inner self isn't as attractive. I know he won't make me happy. I want someone to love and want me for ME, not what having me can lead them to." Sighing, Reika dropped her eyes in defeat, feeling sure her father wouldn't understand.
There were steps she could take to ensure her choice would be final, but could she really take the risk of alienating her father. Could she exist knowing that he was alive and she'd never see him again? Of course, that would include losing her mother as well. As the pack alpha, her father could ban her from the pack and ALL it's members forever if he got angry enough. She wondered if love was all that important if it carried such a huge loss with it. Her mother hadn't married for love after all and look how happy her father and mother had become. You could see the love shine in her mother's eyes and in the way her father took care of her mother. Everything she saw in them, she wanted for herself. Was it even possible to get that with Finn?
Reika wondered if she should give Finn a chance before making any final decisions. He was very handsome and pleasing to look at. Could there be more to his personality than what he shows at first sight? For the sake of her family and it's own future, she knew she needed to trust her father's choice and at least give it a chance. Then, if it didn't work, she'd know she had done all she could to obey her father's wishes. No better time than the present. Time was running out on her freedom of choice. "Ok, mother, I will go see Finn and see if he is more than he appears to be on the surface."
Claire's sense of relief was obvious in the relaxing of her stance and the softening of her face. She knew her daughter to be very stubborn, but was very pleased to see her react more responsibly this time. "Thank you my dear. Just give him a fair chance is all we ask. Your father wouldn't pair you with someone he believed to be bad for you, out of his deep love for his child and the pack." Claire paused, giving validity to Reika's concerns. "However, should you become aware of traits or circumstances that prove he would not be good to you or for you, don't hesitate to let your father know! Alright?" Claire asked as she looked deeply into Reika's eyes, projecting her love and trust to her daughter in the connection they had.
"Alright, mother. Thank you for hearing me. At least somebody does!" Reika said with an eye roll and a last bit of stubborn defiance. Both women caught the slight jest behind the smirk now on Reika's face and chuckled with a release of tension. As they both rose from the couch, Claire mumbled softly, saying, "Oh you will be the death of me yet, oh most stubborn of all my children!" With a smack to Reika's bottom, she turned and left the room chuckling.
Reika knew her mother wasn't upset with her and she loved her dearly for her support in the affairs of the heart. She understood, however, that it was ultimately her father she'd have to deal with, not her mother. Sighing, she straightened up to her fullest height and left to seek out Finn. She only hoped that he would be open and honest with her. IF he truly had any
small amount of affection for her, it could be the building block to something more. She prayed that it wasn't only ambition that drove him to her! Now, she must keep an open mind and deal honestly with him as well. There was strength and integrity in honesty, and she'd accept nothing less from any relationship she would enter into - no matter who it may be.
* * * *
Finn Broderick was a tall, 6' 1" strong young wolf. With black hair and eyes like dull copper, he could be intimidating and he knew it. He had set goals for himself long ago and was driven to achieve what he wanted. Though he loved his father, he felt he was too easy going at times. Finn believed that, to be a highly respected wolf, you had to have a firm hand in all things. Anything less showed weakness, something he couldn't tolerate.