“Well, we first met when he soaked me with a jet wash…. Then we got together after a few days or so when we were fishing. And the proposal, well, that was very recently actually… I haven’t even got the ring yet.” she gave him a dark look back. “He asked me in a public place in front of other people and he knew I wouldn’t say no. So I kind of had to accept straight away.”
“None of that sounds very romantic Sebastian.” His mother chided him. “You should do it properly, if you do it at all! Make sure you do it again … properly this time.”
“Oh I will. I am going to do it very properly. Quite soon in fact. Then we’ll have a proper family engagement party. And then we’ll have the wedding the following month. How does that sound? Mrs Carter senior and Mrs Carter to be…. Proper enough for you?” He was looking very serious now.
Laura’s mouth dropped open a touch. So did his mothers. His father sat quietly watching them all…
“Yes… I think so Sebastian.” Said his mother finally. “It will be a rush to arrange that quickly, but just about doable.”
“I’m off to see Ben and Georgia…” announced his father. “I need to start smoothing things over about little Tara.” He left the house silently.
“You two might as well unload your things up at the cabin. It’s all clean up there, I did it yesterday. I’m going to lie down for a while. Too much excitement for a day… far too much…. And too much brandy too…” His mother went upstairs and closed her door.
Chapter 22
“Laura… please don’t be angry. I’m sorry to rush you. But I want this so much…” Seb looked at her desperately.
He sank to his knees in front of her.
“It’s a bit late for that!” she said crossly.
“No it isn’t. This is actually it… the real moment. Are you ready for this….? Miss Laura Shaw, I would be honoured if you would become my wife. I love you, want you and need you. I can’t live without you. Please say yes!”
“Can I think about it for a little while?” she asked holding back a smile.
His face looked strained and actually rather worried.
“Okay, I’ve thought long enough… Mr. Sebastian Carter, as I love you, want you and need you too, I will accept your rather late but very proper proposal. Can I have a ring soon please?” Her luck was definitely changing for the better, she thought. Being married to a vet was a good alternative to being one… she could work with him all the time… and how could she say no to this…. to anything he asked of her… ever? She was about to become a real life Mrs wolf…. What a hot thrill that gave her!
He stood up and twirled her around in his arms and gave her a rather long steamy kiss.
“Seb, take me to your place right now and show me your bed… you have to be very nice to me after putting me through all this terrible Tara news and post traumatic proposal syndrome… ”
He swept her out the door and practically threw her in the truck.
“We’ll be there in one minute… can you wait that long?”
“Me? Oh I can wait quite a while, I have a lot of patience… what about you?”
“I think I can last two minutes at the most, that gives us one minute to get in the bedroom. Let’s go.”
They drove the truck up the lane a very short distance and stopped outside an old but presentable cabin.
He opened the door and Laura barely managed to take in her surroundings before she was rushed into the bedroom, unceremoniously pushed on the bed and undressed in two seconds flat.
“Well, well Mr Carter…” She began in a sexy voice “… judging by the state of you it looks like you want something from me very urgently….come and get it then… How about the fastest, hardest piece of action ever followed by some nice soft and slow… then I’ll take a look around… if I’m allowed a short break?”
She turned over, on her hands and knees watching him undress at her side.
“Your two minutes are more than up…” She said impatiently.
He jumped on her finally thrusting himself into her roughly.
“Owww and wow! That is certainly very hard action! Now, just how fast can you go?”
They launched into a very noisy session….
His heart melted every time at the sight of her, the touch of her and her rather outspoken manner in the bedroom … would he ever get enough of loving her… it was highly unlikely!
Tara was the furthest thing from his mind right now. In fact she was never in his mind. Never had been even once, definitely not in this sense!
Chapter 23
He shouldn’t have been so dismissive of her.
Tara was not one to take this sudden humiliating unpairing gracefully.
She sat close by behind Seb’s place listening and plotting some form of revenge as they worked each other up into a very noisy frenzy in his little love cabin.
She covered her ears with her paws. He had been stolen from her. There was no one else like him. Her life was over. The passionate sex going on in that cabin right now should have been happening to her. He was her dream, her love…
She wanted Laura fucking dead. She would see it happen. Right in front of her own two eyes. Actually, she would do it herself and damn the consequences. She was going to rip her throat out and eat it.
She would be watching and waiting for her chance.
Chapter 24
“Sebastian son… I need a word” his father called him into his study and shut the door.
His ma had taken Laura to town for clothes and wedding things… He appreciated there was a lot to do and he might not see her much over the coming few weeks. He was content though. He would have so much of her later, after all the fuss was over.
“We have a little problem.” His father said seriously. “Ben, Georgia, Tara…. All the Wilkins and many more … they’re not accepting this little union of yours. Now you know Ben is an elder…. His brother too…. Well we may well be outnumbered at the next meeting. If that happens, you can’t marry her. The Elders won’t do it. We need to get some more on our side. You’ll have to help… sweet talk a few. Now do you think you can do that son?”
“I’ll do whatever is needed dad… But I can’t help thinking this is all rather archaic…. The pairing, The Elders…. It’s something from a bygone age! If anything bad happens over this, I am not sure how I’ll take it.”
“Seb this is not archaic, it’s important… you know there are reasons for it all. It’s your heritage, our world…. But all is not lost… we have time to work on people. Take Laura to visit them. She’ll win them over, believe me, if she can’t then no one can… I know she’s human but even I can see what she’s got! I understand your love for her completely Sebastian…. You need to be consistent… keep visiting, keep friendly… this is a diplomatic process… spin doctoring. D’you understand me. You are on a campaign son. The campaign for your future happiness.”
He left his father’s study in a bad mood. Why did his love for her have to be so difficult for other people?
He wasn’t aware that Tara was doing a little spin doctoring of her own. Telling a few half-truths and some downright lies about their relationship. It was raising a few hackles in the community. Poisoning a few minds…
Laura was oblivious to the undercurrents and politics going on. She was engaged in round after round of meetings, fittings, arrangements and so much mother-in-law-to-be companionship that she was overwhelmed. She longed for Seb and the quiet time after this was all over. They hadn’t spent a moment alone together during the day in two whole weeks. He’d been dragging her out every evening too, to meet this person and that person and every bloody person it seemed. She was on display… like an ornament that everyone wanted to examine… a human ornament.
She sat in Ellen’s, her mother in law to be’s, truck waiting whilst she dropped off an order in town. She was day dreaming when a truck pulled up next to theirs. Suddenly someone was shouting horrific things right in her face through the open window. The angry m
ale spat at her and got back in the truck swearing at her. Her eyes stung with tears. This was no random assault… this was Tara’s kin. She felt the full venom of his words as they struck her like a lead hammer. He’d said she would be dead in a month…. She was shaking like a leaf as Ellen returned a moment later.
“Laura, what is it dear? You look white as a sheet!” She asked in alarm.
“Tara’s going to kill me Ellen… He just said so…” she pointed a shaky finger at the red truck disappearing around the corner ahead.
“This has got to stop!” Ellen said in disgust as she set off in pursuit of Tara’s brother in law.
They arrived at Ben and Georgia’s where the red truck was already parked up. Ellen got out and approached the door. Laura stayed inside the truck watching.
It swung open and out strode a very large woman with a menacing look.
“Georgia… let it go!” said Ellen loudly. “We’ve known each other since childhood… this wedding, this supposed happy time, it shouldn’t tear our friendship and community apart. We should be friends, be accepting… These things happen! Life is not set at birth; you know that and I know that. For God’s sake Georgia… the poor girl’s just been terrorised by one of your own family…!”
“She’s not one of us… she’s not welcome… you don’t know just how strongly this is being viewed by the Elders Ellen. Your son has committed a terrible wrong. He has also destroyed my daughter’s life. How can I act like nothing has happened? What d’you want me to do – turn up at the church with a pretty hat and sing hallelujah? Go away and think about how you’d feel if it were you… There is a division in place now. The Aye’s and the Nay’s… We are in the Nay’s and I’m telling you there’s way more of us than you!”
With that she went back in slamming the door.
Ellen got back in the truck and drove them home in a strained silence.
They arrived back at Ellen and Patrick’s and she was ushered into the living room and told to sit and wait. Ellen made a quite a lot of phone calls and soon there were quite a few people arriving in the house. Seb and his father returned. They had been at the practice today. He came over and hugged her tightly, stroking her hair and kissing her head.
With everyone present Ellen started an unexpected speech. Actually, thought Laura, it was more of an appeal for help and advice….
“Today I had a one of the saddest experiences of my life. I have learned that there has been plotting and scheming behind our backs to cause trouble for my son and his intended. I am informed that there is now officially a division in our community over their union. Laura’s life was actually threatened today by Tara’s brother in law… Tell me people… what shall we do? Because I am at a loss in truth. My good friend of 40 years has now cut ties with me over this. Is there an answer out there… Anybody?”
There was silence. The door creaked open and in came a late arrival. It was a very old white haired man… Everyone looked at him. Almost deferring to him as he passed by. He had an air of importance. Seb squeezed her hand. He whispered in her ear. “Chief Elder.” He walked up to Ellen and rubbed her arm affectionately. He started to talk, very slowly, in a peculiar manner to Laura’s mind… But she certainly got the general idea.
“One must consider how it has been since the first generations arrived in the Adirondack… How we have maintained a pure line, not to weaken the shifting strength and ability. Any deviation from the path is a transgression, a violation of the Theriomorphia. That is why we choose mates wisely; we pair at birth to mix the genetic pool sufficiently and to ensure that the shifters presence on this earth can continue in perpetuum. Shifters must pair with shifters so that phasing is not dangerous when mating and that the offspring is of our kin.” He focused his attention on Laura suddenly “For our present human company, there is a way. But it is not guaranteed… nor is it safe. It would require an affirmation, blood mixing and hypnosis under hallucinogen. It may prove fruitful, it may not. As it now stands there is no question of this union taking place. It is not a holy one.” He took Ellen’s hand and kissed it lightly. “I am sorry, but it is my decision and our laws must stand firm.”
Laura held her breath. She would do it, for Seb, she would do anything.
“I want to take the affirmation.” She said in a shaky voice. “I believe it’s my choice?”
“No Laura, you could die…!” Seb almost shouted at her.
“But I want to do it for you. Because I love you. What else can we do?”
“Laura…. No you can’t…”
“Sir, when can I start?”
“You may start whenever you wish. Arrange it with Patrick.” He looked to Seb’s father across the room. “Let me know the outcome Patrick. A mental shift is not enough. It needs to be a full physical… you know that, don’t you?”
With that he turned and left.
She sat down in shock. What or earth had she offered and consented to? A physical shift… hallucinogenics, blood transfusions… what else? Alarm bells were starting to ring. Very loudly.
Seb sat next to her with his arm around her thinking. This would be very dangerous and the chances of success were small. They should just leave. Live somewhere else, outcasts, alone… they could have a civil wedding, just like other humans. He would have to give up his heritage, but he would… for her, he would do just about anything. He couldn’t let her do this.
They left for their small cabin as soon as they could, arriving back there in a few minutes by foot.
“Laura that was a very brave offer… but I won’t let you. We can leave… marry as humans. I don’t care anymore! I’m not having you pumped full of drugs and wolf blood plasma and tripping out all over the place. Let’s just go, right now!”
“No Seb. This is your home. Well our home actually. All that work you did… the training to work here with your father. It’s our future. Don’t you see? I have to do it. I don’t want to… but I have to. It’s the only way. I am not running away from it and you will not change my mind… so don’t try!”
His eyes were brimming, so were hers…
He kissed her softly, taking her hand and leading her to the bedroom and lying down with her. He was going to make sure he loved her a lot more before it all began.
“Let’s forget about all that for now.” She murmured sexily… “What have you got up your sleeve for me today? Anything interesting in mind… or even better, in body?”
“Well I do have something special in fact. It’s kind of cute and rock hard and digging in my side just now… If you’re a very good girl I will get it out and you can see it and hold it…maybe even kiss it… but say please first…”
“Oh my God! I just love it when you talk dirty… Show me it right now…..please!” She begged.
Seb took out a small box from his pocket and opened it for her. A large diamond ring sat sparkling inside.
“Sebastian Carter! That is the cutest, hardest thing I have ever seen! Well… almost anyways!” She gasped breathing heavily in surprise. She held out her hand for him to put it on. “It’s so lovely… and so big!” she examined it closely with a serene smile on her face. “Come closer fiancé of mine… I want to thank you for this massive new rock. Tell me what you want in return – I am your engaged slave for the rest of the week!”
Chapter 25
Sadly the week went by much too fast playing slave and master and Laura and Seb were now making their nervous way to the start of her affirmation at Ellen and Patrick’s. They had arranged an initial blood transfer and a small shot of the drug. Mainly to test the initial response. Three sessions were planned before they could attempt the final affirmation.
“Laura… you can still change your mind… whenever you want…” Seb insisted as they stood outside the door of his parent’s cabin.
“I won’t” she said. She was going to see this through no matter how sick it made her. If it worked she would be able to phase, almost as well as Seb did. That would really be something! They would be tr
ue equals then and that idea pleased her way beyond description.
They entered the cabin, greeted the parents who anxiously waited inside and started the process.
Inside Patrick’s small home surgery, she undressed covering herself with a sheet and a blanket. She lay down very still and more nervous than ever on his operating table. Seb held her hand tightly. It was now truly terrifying. She was hooked up to a drip in her arm. The bag of blood hung above her. It looked like any other blood, but of course it wasn’t. It was wolf blood… werewolf blood in fact. She didn’t like the thought of it entering her body but she reminded herself that this what ran round Seb’s veins, in fact everyone in this room, which comforted her a little. She felt a prick in her leg as Seb’s father injected the drug in her.
Almost immediately she started to have a vision… she was running through a field…. Towards some trees ahead… her heart was pounding with the effort of running…. She leapt across a stream and into the dark shade of the forest on the other side. Wolves were gathering all around her howling, yelping, and then it started. The slashing… sharp teeth sank into her body; the smell of blood filled the air. She sank to the ground in shock… Tara’s face swam into her vision… No! She wasn’t going to let her beat her… She rose up with all her might and pounced on her, swiping at her head with her open claws… Tara fell snarling, snapping…. Laura had her by the throat, there was tearing…. It was all over…. So fast…
“Laura… Laura… come on baby…. Wake up…. Come back…” Seb’s worried voice broke through the haze in her mind. “What happened? Where did you go?” he asked urgently.
She opened her eyes and took a few deep breaths.
“Well… I ran across a field, into some trees where I found some rather badly behaved wolves and then I ripped Tara’s throat out. It wasn’t very nice” she said sadly. “I hope they’re not all like that.”
The Pairing Page 7