Traditions_The Sweetwater Pack

by Terri L Vest

  She studied the large man in front of her from under her lowered lashes. He seemed to be the one in charge. He was strong and self assured. His hair was a natural spiked style, his shoulders broad and strong. His arms and legs were muscular and he moved with power in his steps. She worried about whether she really could outrun him. If she tried to run, she would ruin the persona of a scared girl and there'd be no coming back from that. Unless she really could get away, using her skills of rapid shifting, strength and maneuverability that were usually only held by those higher up the pack order, there'd be no way to talk her way out. She decided she would use the attempt to escape only as a last resort. She kept her eyes lowered and her mouth shut for now.

  One of the other wolves returned and, taking his human form, called out to the leader. "It looks clear Derrick. I can't smell or sense any others in the area."

  For a brief moment, the menace fell away from the man's face as he acknowledged the returning wolf. "Thank you, Lee. Stay alert and keep scanning. If we're going to be successful, we don't need anyone sneaking up on us." Shifting back, the wolf nods as he slips away.

  Turning back to Reika, a menacing scowl slid across his face as he addressed her once more. "Tell me about the wolves in your pack. How many are there and who is the alpha? If you hope to get out of here alive, you'd better not lie." His voice bordered on a growl and was full of promise for violence if she disobeyed.

  Reika knew she couldn't divulge the truth of the pack size and she'd never throw her father to the mercy of those only promising violence. She was well versed on what angry, marauding packs would do to an alpha in order to take his territory. She'd never allow that to happen to her father! She remembered what Foster had said about the plan he had for both packs and the benefits of size and strength so she decided to tell him that instead.

  Keeping her voice soft and meek she said, "I don't know how much I can tell you since I'm not privy to the politics of the pack, but I know that a recent treaty was signed between the two largest packs and they've joined forces to battle against the packs we've heard about outside our state. Since this new treaty, I only know that we've become very large now. Is that of any help to you?" Furrowing her brow, she looked up questioningly, hoping to appear to be seeking his approval.

  "What are the names of the two alphas now in control?" he asks. She's not sure if his look is of doubt or of pondering the possibilities of continuing on with his plan, but she's confident if he hears their names, it could tip the scales in her favor. "Silas Collins and Foster Kennedy" she said, "the Sweetwater pack and the Carbon County pack. They're the two largest packs in this state!" she says with a bit of pride in her voice.

  His brows furrowed to a scowl and his shoulders drop an almost unnoticeable amount, yet Reika sees it. "YES!" she thinks. He turns away from her slightly while he calls to his team. If they're just a scouting team, then she felt confident this would soon be over. She hoped that was true!

  Once the others rejoined him, he addressed them saying, "It's worse than I thought. Seems the two largest packs have recently joined forces. This won't be as easy as we'd hoped." The other wolves dropped their heads and pawed at the ground with a low growl rumbling through their chests. The leader spoke up, "I'm not saying we're definitely not going to do this, but we need to get more information on the situation before just jumping into it. I don't want anymore losses than absolutely necessary; preferably NONE, but we all know territorial wars are brutal and unmerciful." He nods to the wolf he'd sent to scan further, "go back and tell the others there will be a meeting when the sun goes down. I want all group leaders to gather their members and meet up at the lake. If we commit to do this, it must be agreed upon by the majority. If we fail, I'm not going down for it alone!" Nodding, the wolf quickly leapt back into the brush. "For the rest of you, keep a close perimeter guarded and let me know if you sense anyone approaching." They all turned and ran off. Turning back to Reika he said, " This is not your lucky day little lady. It seems you'll be staying with us for a while longer. We can't have you running off and telling anyone about us."

  This was not what Reika expected and she knew once they joined the rest of their group, she'd never get away. She was still outnumbered and doubted her chances now, but they were better now than they would be later. She knew that Silas was well known both in and outside of the state. Her chances of remaining a frightened little girl to them would be short lived. Once they knew who she was, they'd have the leverage they needed against the Sweetwater pack.

  Derrick approached her, and while motioning for her to stand he said, "As long as you behave and not try to run away, you will be treated well. If, however, you decide to try and run, you will be shackled to a tree until we find a reason to either release you, . . . or get rid of you." The unspoken threat of death hung in the air around them. He grabbed her arm and led her through the woods to a nearby location that others of his group had gathered. She tried to note details of where she was and where they were headed incase it could be useful for her rescue. Trying to be subtle about it so as not to draw attention to herself, she made a mental image of her whereabouts as she walked along.

  She knew that she must only use running if left with no other choice. After arriving at their camp, she watched them talk amongst themselves. She had been trying to remember anything from her days of training that might be useful to her. Most physical moves of escape would be risky and she decided they were to be used only if threatened with harm. She did however remember something that she'd asked her father about one day and hoped that it would be useful now.

  As leader of the pack, Silas had an open line of communication through a mental connection with all of his pack members. It should be even stronger for her as his daughter. Before she tried it with him, and put her father in a dangerous situation, she decided to try it with Foster first, since he was closer to where she was now.

  Derrick led her over to a table near the outskirts of camp. "Sit here until I send for you. Someone will be by in a while to see if you need anything." He let his gaze roll over her, studying her as if trying to decide something. He brushed a strand of hair back behind her ears in a much more tender manner than she expected. She didn't flinch with the intimate move but kept her eyes low in submission. Starting to walk away he paused, then turned and looked back at her as if in thought. " I really mean you no harm," he said with a softer tone, which changed to a more threatening one when he added, "unless you do something foolish like try to run away". Staring at her more intensely as if to emphasize his message, he turned and walked away.

  Reika was glad to have been left alone so she could concentrate. Hoping that their imprint would give her the connection she needed, she focused on Foster's face, his smile, the look of love he carried for her in his eyes, the warmth of his embrace and the sound of his voice.

  "Foster, can you hear me? I NEED you!" She paused a moment to see if he'd reply. What if he was involved in a meeting or something. If his mind was busy with other things, would it interfere with their connection? "FOSTER, please answer me! PLEASE let this work!" She was sure to keep her face passive so as not to give away what she was attempting. Lower pack members didn't have the ability to reach out with a mental connection, and if caught doing so, there would be no talking her way out of it! She tried one last time before calling out for her father. "FOSTER PLEASE!"

  Just as she was about to give up, she heard him. " I'm here my love. What's wrong? Where are you?" Sighing with relief, she felt she just may have a chance to get out of this alive! "Foster, I've been captured by a pack that I believe belongs outside the state. I think they are planning to attempt a take over! When they asked me what I knew of the local pack and it's alpha, behaving as a lower pack member I said I was unaware of pack politics but I believed our pack had just joined with another large pack. He asked who the leaders were and I told him. He seemed to rethink his plan, but I don't know for how long. They are meeting with the rest of their members to decided what they are
going to do. The one who seems to be their leader told me I would be treated well if I didn't attempt to run, but he threatened death if I tried. I'm outnumbered by many strong males and I don't think I could outrun them. Can you contact my father and work with him to help me? I believe this to be the situation you were foreseeing. I'm not sure one pack can handle the size of the group I see around me. Oh Foster, please don't let my father run into this carelessly because of his love for me. You HAVE to get him to accept your plan and really join forces - and SOON!" she finished.

  "I'm coming for you my love! Don't do anything that could get you harmed. I will go to your father and make him listen to me! Be safe and know, I WILL get you out of there if I have to storm the place alone! With that promise, Foster ended their connection.

  Though she felt relief that she was able to reach him and her rescue was on the way, she worried that her father would never listen and may try to harm him instead. She prayed that her mother would be there and able to calm him and bring reason to him at a time when Reika needed him the most. As long as he listened before acting, she knew that Silas was a strong and good leader and wouldn't hesitate to join forces if it meant the safety of any of his pack members, but especially his daughter. Now she hoped that they could do it in time to save her!

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  As Foster was wrapping things up and the council members were slowly filing out, Reika's voice appeared in his head sounding scared. "Foster, can you hear me? I NEED you!" With the soft and quiet noise in the room, he wondered if he was imagining it due to his desperate need to be with her. He listened to see if it would happen again. Hearing nothing, he returned to gathering his papers, and his thoughts on how he was going to accomplish what he needed to accomplish in the short amount of time allowed. Just as he was deciding it was his imagination, he heard her again.

  "FOSTER, please answer me! PLEASE let this work!" Knowing it wasn't imagined, he motioned to Jett that something was wrong and went to find a quiet spot in which to allow him the concentration he needed to communicate with her mentally.

  "FOSTER PLEASE!" Foster quickly tuned in to her, seeing her in his mind as if she were right in front of him. " I'm here my love. What's wrong? Where are you?" Hearing her say, "Foster, I've been captured . . ." was enough to get his full attention. After hearing her story, he fought to contain the fury he felt. Someone had his mate and he would see to it that they would regret that move to their last breath! He assured her that he was coming for her and knew his first course would be to go to her father. Whatever it took, he would get him to join with him and his pack to go rescue her, before seeking revenge on those foolish enough to take her!

  As Foster returned to the table where Jett stood, his body language told Jett all he needed to know on whether his news was serious or not. He hadn't seen that look on his face in a very long time. It was his war face and he meant business. "What can I do to help?" Jett asked, not needing details to offer his support to whatever had happened.

  "It's happened", he growled. "The packs outside the state have joined together and are planning an attempt to over run us. Worse than that is. . ." pausing he turned to look Jett in the eye. "They've taken Reika", he said with a deep growl rumbling through his chest, then slammed his fist on the table hard enough to collapse it. "Until my last dying breath I will do what it takes to get her back, then rip the heart from every last one of them", he roared!

  Jett didn't even flinch with the violence of the move. He'd seen him like this before and knew there'd be no calming him down until he achieved what he meant to do. "How can I help?" he asked. He'd follow Foster into the depths of hell if he had to and knew that the rest of the pack would as well if needed.

  Foster paused to look at Jett and felt the concern, loyalty and support pouring off of him. He knew he could ask anything of him and he'd do it. He trusted his second more than any other in his pack. Stepping forward he placed his large hands on Jett's shoulders as he softened his features. "Thank you Jett. I am proud to have you as my second and I hope you know I trust you more than any other and know you would accept any task I may give you. I know you have my back and I hope you know I have yours as well!" Jett simply nodded and accepted the honor he'd just been given.

  "Now, I need you to call all the councilmen back. Once they are all here, tell them what's happened and that it is now my command that we attempt to unite with the Sweetwater pack in order to deal with the pending threat. Have them spread the word to the pack, and make it clear it better be in a supportive manner or there will be hell to pay! If I'm fortunate enough to have Silas accept my proposal and we pass back this way, I will expect nothing but a welcoming attitude to surround any who accompany me. Make that very clear. If you pick up on anything less than welcoming, I expect to have names and will deal with them once this is over. Make sure they know that!"

  With that warning, he headed out the door in long, rapid strides. His next stop would be to meet with Silas. Treaty or not, he knew that together they would bring Reika home safely and punish those who thought the two packs were anything but deadly! After today, none would dare threaten the pack members or this territory again without knowing that it would be the last thing they would ever do!

  Heading for the woods and the Sweetwater pack territory, he shifted into his wolf and ran like the devil was after him. His muscles rippled beneath his fur and he flew over the brush as if there was none. Before he knew it, he'd reached the border between the packs. He refused to pass over out of respect for the Alpha's authority. He raised his head and howled his request for a council with Silas as his voice carried strong and clear. Within moments, a reply returned saying it had been granted and a mental image of where the meeting was to be held was sent.

  Foster resumed his powerful stride and quickly found himself approaching Silas in his wolf form, standing strong and confident and leaving no question of his ability to attain his will. Knowing that it was seen as less of a threat, Foster quickly shifted into his human form and slowed his approach until he stood in front of Silas and his second. He noticed Claire standing a bit behind Silas and was glad that she was there to help things move along quickly.

  Silas shifted to his human form and quietly took in the man before him. He'd heard of Foster and knew that he led the Carbon County pack with strength and a strong sense of justice and fair play. If they hadn't been rivals, he'd easily admit that Foster was exactly the type of Alpha to be admired. However, they were rivals and he couldn't help but wonder what gave this young alpha the courage to seek an audience with him.

  "Silas, I thank you for seeing me on such short notice. Our two packs have a problem and I'm hoping we can quickly come to a decision on how to handle it. Unfortunately it comes with some information that will probably not make you happy, but I'm afraid it is because of it that I now come seeking your help". Foster's gaze quickly slid over to Claire as he looked around the immediate area for any threats to his safety. He noticed that she looked nervous and shocked. He hated that he had to divulge the imprinting this way but there was simply no time to find a softer way around it. Reika's life now rested in the ability to get Silas on board as quickly as possible. He would try to leave Claire out of it as much as possible as he relayed what had happened.

  "Is it possible for us to have a more private meeting location as I don't wish to cause anyone any distress or embarrassment? I was hoping this would all come to light in a more guided and gentle way but there is no time for that now." Silas raised an eyebrow at this very strange request but the energy radiating off of this young alpha held only a feeling of truth and genuine concern.

  "Alright. I wouldn't usually allow this but I feel your concern and will grant it this time. Please follow me". He turned and led the way back into the room that was used for council meetings. Reaching for Claire he placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her in the same direction. She placed her hand on his arm and motioned for him to come closer so she could whisper. He pulled back with a
slight surprised expression and nodded. He turned to Roy and said, "Please show him in and get him seated. Bring some water to help cool him. I will be with you both in a moment." Roy nodded and led the way with Foster following.

  Silas guided Claire to an adjoining room and closed the door. As she seated herself at the table, the nerves she was feeling from what she knew was about to happen clearly displayed on her features and body posture. Silas noted her apprehension and sat next to her, taking her hands into his own as a sign of comfort and support. "My dear, what is troubling you so? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

  Claire lowered her eyes and took a breath. She could sense that something was wrong and knew that Foster would never take this upon himself and risk losing Reika unless it was important and very necessary. "Silas my love, I fear you are soon to be very angry with me, and I won't blame you for it. However, I'm hoping and praying that you'll listen to everything before making any snap judgments or decisions. You know I love you with all my heart - I would die for you - and would NEVER dream of betraying your love or your trust unless it was something that couldn't be avoided, . . . right?" she asked with a tremor in her voice betraying her fear.

  "Of COURSE, my love!" he said with concern and apprehension washing over him. "Tell me what has you so worried."

  She dropped her head, saying a little prayer that things would turn out alright, took a deep breathe and simply said, "I can not allow you to come up in front of another Alpha looking foolish and uninformed. Therefore, I must tell you now that Reika and Foster already know each other and in fact love each other deeply because of an imprinting that just happened a couple of days ago. They didn't even know each other when it began. It happened VERY quickly and through no initial deception or plotting on anyone's part. I met with them today to see if I could get a feel for what this young alpha was like and I liked what I saw very much. He seems to be a very kind and honorable young wolf and the connection I saw between them feels very real. I fear that something very wrong has happened because I feel Foster would never take it upon himself to come to you alone and risk losing Reika's trust. Please give him a chance to speak on this reason before you allow your anger to get away from you."