by Anita Cox
A collective gasp was heard around the group, followed by murmurs. She held up her hand to quiet the crowd. “Wendy Baker has been mated with the Centaur King. She’s now the Queen and with child. Be certain to send your blessings. Now, on to security. These snakes like to sneak up in the cover of night. They shot bombs at the school as a distraction so they could get to Wendy.” She turned her direction to Tom Johnson. “Tom, let’s step up night patrols.”
“Excuse me.” One of the Gnomes, Joseph approached her. “We can set up motion sensors along the perimeter. I can set the sensitivity to ignore smaller animals. It’ll still go off for, say a deer, but it’s better than nothing. This way, we don’t have to have so many of us out at night instead of in bed with our mates.”
She looked to Tom who shrugged. “Seems like a sound plan. Maybe a few night-vision cameras too? Can you set those up to a monitor in my office…or something?”
Joseph nodded. “That’ll be easy.” He scratched the back of his head. “I think we can do it wirelessly. I’ll have to see what I can get ahold of.”
She smiled down at him. “Thank you. Please let Jake know if you need anything.”
Her Beta stood at her side quietly, but nodded down at Joseph. “I’ll get whatever you need. Just give me a list. Don’t worry about cost.”
She forced herself to stand a little straighter. “Now for the difficult part. If anyone of you here takes issue with our new ways of integration, speak now. I will not tolerate any less.”
A couple stood from the back. She didn’t recognize them, but she hadn’t been around long enough to learn the names of her entire pack.
“Ma’am, it is a lot to take in. First, Colin steps down, then Roman succeeds him, but only for a short time then you’re immediately our new Alpha. Now these little people are running around getting into everything and now Wendy is pregnant with a half-breed.” He cleared his throat as he quickly glanced at Colin. “No offense.”
She could feel the heat rising up her mate’s chest, to his neck, then his face. He wanted to hit something.
“I’m sorry,” she interrupted, “but I don’t know your name.”
The man lifted his chin. “Richard, this is my mate, Trina.” He pointed to the woman next to him, who refused to look up from the ground.
“I see, Richard. Do you wish to leave?”
She watched as his eyes popped open wide.
“Excuse me?”
“If you’re unhappy here, you may leave. I won’t hold it against you.” She narrowed her eyes.
“Leave our pack?”
She walked forward and knelt down in front of the group of Gnomes and whispered. “Would you all do me the kindness of standing next to Jake?”
With bobs of their tiny heads, then all scurried around until they surrounded the Beta. As soon as they took their place, she stood. “These are your pack mates. Will you defend them the same as you would my mate?”
He looked at his mate for guidance. She shook her head.
His voice was low, quiet and pitiful. “I’m afraid not.”
You weak, sorry excuse of a Lycan. In a louder voice, she called out. “Anyone else feel that way?” When no one spoke she continued. “Say your goodbyes to Richard and Trina. They’re going to go home and pack.”
She chastised herself for not discovering this earlier so as not to have outsiders know of their security plans.
“I’ve known them my whole life, Nala. I wouldn’t have guessed it. Don’t beat yourself up.” Colin’s words came through loud and clear, giving her some comfort and appreciation for their new telepathic connection.
“Did your Alpha stutter?” Jake growled as he stomped toward them. “Cowards! Pack up and go!”
After Richard and Trina ran toward their home, she approached Jake. “Have someone on them until they leave. I’ll have Barry draft a check to cover the cost of the dwelling. I may want them gone, but I want to be fair as possible. Got it?”
“Done.” A man of few words, he was already walking away the second her last word was spoken.
She called an end to the meeting and stayed behind with Colin while the pack members dispersed. “That was awful.”
He stroked her back. “It was the right thing to do. Your job is to protect our pack. The Gnomes are part of it now. We survive as a collective, not as individuals.” A soft chuckle rumbled in his throat. “It’s for his own safety anyway. That remark about his sister put his dental health at risk. I was very close to ridding him of his teeth.”
“Yeah, I felt your anger. It’s going to take some getting used to handling my own emotions when yours are rolling into my mind. That was a low blow. I can’t believe he said that.” She cracked her neck. “It’s almost dinner time. Let’s head back to the house.”
She turned to walk away when she felt his hand around her wrist.
“Nala?”
Turning to face him, she held her breath.
“You did the right thing.”
Releasing her breath she nodded. “The right decision isn’t always the most popular.”
Chapter Six
The mood was much lighter around the dinner table as smiles and polite conversation blanketed the room.
Jake joined as the meal was just about done. “Tom’s with Richard and Trina now. There’s a whole lot of screaming going on. I couldn’t take it anymore.” Shaking his head, he began piling food on his plate.
“Screaming?” Colin huffed. “By who?”
“Trina is mortified at leaving, chastising him for what he said about Wendy.” He paused to look at Colin. “I wanted to break his jaw.”
With a smile and a nod, Colin agreed. “Me too.”
“Down boys!” Nala eyed them both. Two alpha males defending their sister’s honor had more testosterone flying around the table than was acceptable.
Tracy interrupted the banter hurrying into the dining room. “Someone is approaching. Someone in a Jag.”
Colin dropped his fork. “Dammit!”
When Nala shot her mate a look he rolled his eyes.
“Stephany Kincade, Roman’s bitch-of-a-sister.” Colin’s mental words came with an onslaught of loathing. He really detested the woman. The Alpha in her was on guard, the mate in her was relieved that her mate shared the same distaste for the woman. She’d only met her once before and the woman had been entirely dismissive and rude.
Standing from her seat, she tossed her napkin on the table. “Let’s go greet her shall we? I’d rather keep that woman out of my house.”
With a snicker, Colin stood, trying to hide his smile. “Yes, dear.”
They met her in the parking area as she exited her black Jaguar. Her brown hair in a twist, dressed like she had an appointment in court. Her suit, a little too tight for her figure, pushed her boobs up toward her neck.
Nala crossed her arms over her chest. “Ms. Kincade, to what do we owe the pleasure?”
After she swung the car door closed she jerked both hands up by her shoulders and walked around the car.
Nala and Colin snickered as they watched her wobble. Her high heeled boots didn’t maneuver well through the crushed stone.
“Ah, Mrs. Baker, Mr. Baker.” Her blood red lips opened into a wide smile, displaying capped teeth that were too white to be real. “I got word that you were disposing of a few pack mates.”
That was fast. Wonder how she heard? She pushed her thoughts toward Colin, while maintaining a face stiff as stone.
“Trina might have called her. They used to be friends.”
“Yes, we’ve asked Richard and Trina to leave. Are you looking for new pack mates? My understanding was the Chicago pack had already outgrown themselves.” She allowed a small smile to spread across her lips.
“Oh dear.” She looked Nala from head to toe, “you really do dress for comfort.” Turning to Colin, she plastered her fake smile on once more and put a hand on his shoulder. “Well, there’s so much to do at Scottsboro. What a dump. We could use a few lower Lycan
s for labor.”
“Lower Lycans?” Nala narrowed her eyes.
Stephany waved her off. “Don’t take offense dear. Stature is stature.”
Memories of cages and shackles flashed before her eyes. She blinked as she tried to regain her composure. “So Richard and Trina will be members of the Scottsboro pack then…under your protection?”
“Stay calm. She’s trying to goad you.” Her mate’s warning suddenly having her regretting not taking a more diplomatic approach with Richard and Trina. Perhaps they could have been brought around. The thought of them going to live with the harpy standing in front of her made her feel ill.
“My protection? That’s cute. They’ll contribute to their pack and make themselves useful or they can find another pack.” Looking around behind her she said, “Where are my little ragamuffins anyway?”
Looking at the twist at the back of Stephany’s head, Nala fantasized ripping each hair from the root. “They’re packing.”
“Well am I just supposed to stand out here and wait like a vagrant?” She crossed her arms under her boobs. “Or are you going to invite me in?”
Not a second too soon, Richard and Trina rounded the corner in their pickup truck, which was sagging under the weight.
“Looks like you won’t have to wait after all.” Colin flagged them over.
The truck creaked as it rounded the corner and came to a stop. “Stephany!” Trina waved. Nala noticed the swollen and red skin under her eyes where she’d been crying. Guilt crept up until she felt as if she were choking on it.
After a deep breath, she walked over to the open window. She looked at Richard, who refused to look at her, then to Trina. “If your position changes, understand that our door is open. So long as you have such a distaste for the newest members of our pack, then it’s the whole pack that is my priority.” She cleared her throat. “A check for the value of your home will be mailed to you.”
Trina nodded and sniffed. “Thank you.”
“We’ll be fine,” Richard grumbled through his clenched jaw.
Looking over her shoulder at Stephany who was fighting not to twist an ankle as she made her way to the truck, she turned back to them. “I’m not so sure. Just remember what I said.”
“I’m in the black Jag over there,” she said pointing at her car. “Just follow me to Scottsboro.” Looking at the truck she sighed. “Will this thing even go the speed limit?”
The arrogance and insults were grinding at Nala to a point she couldn’t stand. If this particular bitch didn’t vacate the premises soon, she’d have to show her exactly why she dressed for comfort.
Maxine, one of the Gnomes ran toward them with a box in her hand. Her red curls bounced as she ran, calling out. “Wait!”
Stephany spun around and looked down screaming. “A rat!” She kicked her leg at Maxine.
Nala threw her left leg forward colliding with Stephany’s, whose foot narrowly missed hitting Maxine in the face. Grabbing her by her throat, Nala growled. “Do not ever assault one of my pack mates or I will rip out your throat. Do you understand?” Her chest heaved as furious anger boiled in her veins.
“Are you mad! What is that thing? Let go of me!” She pulled at Nala’s hand, trying to release the tension on her neck.
Colin’s warm hand rested between her shoulder blades. “I think you made your point.”
“That thing is a Gnome and a pack mate. It looks nothing like a rat. Apologize to Maxine or I’ll crush your windpipe.” A loud growl bubbled in her chest.
“I’m so sorry,” Maxine yelled. “I didn’t mean to startle her. Please, Miss Nala, I’m okay.”
Releasing her grip she stepped back. Stephany coughed as she slid down the truck, rubbing her neck.
Maxine lifted her arms, stretching so that the little box was near the truck window. “This is to say we’re sorry. We really must have failed getting to know you for you to dislike us so much. I wish we could have been friends.”
Fighting the urge to pick up the little Gnome and squeeze her in a bear hug, she smiled and took a knee. “That’s very generous of you.”
Richard snagged the box and threw it at Trina, who gasped when she opened it to see a large ruby ring. “Oh my. It’s beautiful.” She smacked Richard with the back of her hand and proceeded to cry.
Turning to Colin, she set her jaw. “Get that filth,” she tossed her head back toward Stephany, “off my lawn.”
She stormed off toward the house, seething. How could anyone be so fucking rude? It touched her heart that the Gnomes, even after being dismissed by Richard and Trina, still wanted to give a peace offering…to show their good nature. Lower Lycans? She could only guess whatever classified someone as a lower Lycan, meant that they were not treated as well as the rest. What did ‘lower’ infer? Low quality? Lesser bloodline? It sickened her, the thought of two pack mates leaving to go to that.
Reaching the forest edge, she stopped, closing her eyes. The collective…that was her concern. She couldn’t worry too much about two pack mates that refused to cohabitate with the others. When Grace proposed integration, Nala agreed with the best of intentions—to protect them as well as elevate their pack’s diversity. She wanted to be a leader in the new paradigm. But her decision forced out two pack mates that may have otherwise lived the rest of their lives as part of the Belfast pack without incident.
Top that off with the assault on the Beta’s wife of what was certain to be a rival pack, and she had a mess on her hands. Stephany had no pride. She’d run back to Scottsboro insisting someone come for her head…only hours after she finally bonded with her mate.
The Gnomes weren’t guests any longer. Not only were they not a burden, they flourished into peaceful assets among their Lycan counterparts. They had huge hearts for tiny creatures, often foregoing sleep so new mothers could rest, working extra hours helping the farmers, so that they could be with their family. They made do with what they had, never complaining or asking for a thing. Their only request was to live above ground in actual homes and to be part of a community. Who could begrudge them of that? Who could think that these wonderful little people should freeze to death because a small fire would draw the attention of the humans?
She needed to talk to her King and Queen for guidance. She’d place the call after dinner. She’d gone this far on her own, but with integration, she needed direction. Any Alpha would have the same questions, the same challenges and the same concerns. The fact that she was a female Alpha shouldn’t matter. Smart Alpha’s often seek counsel from elders…this should be no different. So why did she feel like a failure?
Because Scottsboro wouldn’t stay in the past. Because Mr. Kincade would be coming for her, of this, there was no question in her mind.
Chapter Seven
The next morning before breakfast, Nala spoke with Colin and he agreed to return to McGovern University and talk with Roman and Grace. He made mention of checking in on Wendy while they were there.
Dressing for comfort, she felt she’d rather not run the risk of ruining more dress clothes in case the school went under attack once more. Colin seemed to have understood. That, or he kept his wife’s request in mind, because he dressed in jeans and a black, form fitting T-shirt.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about. I knew you’d look good in a pair of jeans.” She winked and nudged him, hoping to lighten the mood. She could feel anxiety rolling off her mate, though his thoughts were quiet. It drove her mad wondering what he was thinking again. Really? What good was having a mental connection if she still had to wonder what was on his mind?
“Actually, I’m just sort of…numb. All I keep seeing is my sister on the floor of the bathroom. I haven’t had a coherent thought all morning.” He blinked a few times then shook his head.
Running the tips of her fingers along his hairline above his ear, she smiled. “That was nausea. Pregnancy is a real bitch from what I understand. Don’t worry. There’s no way Zoltar will let anyone near her. She has an entire herd o
f Centaurs standing guard from what Grace said on the phone.” She cleared her voice and took a step back. “I’m sure if they needed help, they’d ask.”
With a light chuckle and a roll of the eyes, Colin shook his head. “You don’t know my sister. Stubborn runs in the family.”
They stopped in to let Jake know they were leaving before heading to the car. Nala had confidence in her Beta’s ability. He never overstepped and showed loyalty to her almost immediately. Whether that was due to her position as Alpha or half-sister-in-law, she didn’t know, nor did she think it mattered.
Once in the car, she began to relax. The drive there was more comfortable this time, with her mate opening up, talking about the past when he and Wendy were children.
“It was like having an older brother. She used to push me around a lot. Don’t get me wrong, she never bullied me, not Wendy. She’s too busy being a mother to everyone.” His eyes crinkled at the side with this smile and it pulled at her heart, filling her with warmth.
“So what did she do?” She asked as she rubbed her fingers in his palms. Holding hands with him had been her first step toward intimacy and it was something that felt nice to her. She often held his hand when she needed to feel a connection. She imagined Wendy cutting big chunks of blond hair off his head, or moving his chair as he went to sit.