The Prophecy (Saga of the Chosen Book 1)

by Petra Landon

  “I’ll ask him” Duncan conceded with a knowing look at Hawk. “Close the door, Hawk” he directed before turning away. Tasia watched Duncan disappear into the Alpha’s Room. She waited with trepidation, soon joined by Hawk who gave her a reassuring glance. Duncan emerged a few minutes later.

  “Tasia” he invited, holding the door open for her.

  “You’ll be fine, Tas” Hawk whispered to her.

  Duncan cast her wan face a shrewd glance as she approached him.

  “Hawk is right, Tasia” he assured her softly.

  Tasia’s eyes shot up to meet Duncan’s gaze. He gave her a reassuring smile, one reminiscent of an earlier time when she’d been in sore need of a confidence boost after another disastrous audience with the Alpha.

  “He’s more bark than bite when it comes to you. It’s the nature of being an Alpha. You can never afford to display even an ounce of weakness - Shifters are best managed by a display of exemplary testosterone.”

  Inexplicably cheered by a timely reminder of Duncan’s own words to her, Tasia turned to face the Alpha’s desk with more composure as the door swished shut behind her. Only to be confronted by an empty chair. Tasia gaped at it in confusion for a moment before glancing around the room hesitantly. She located him in the corner of the room furthest from the door, his face partly in the shadows as he leant against the wall.

  “What can I do for you?” the inquiry was delivered blandly, all inflexion carefully leached out of his voice. It made Tasia nervous. She wished fervently that he’d step out of the shadows to allow her a peek at his face.

  I guess not. Why would I ever catch a break!

  She took a deep breath and stepped forward. “I … wanted to apologize for what I said earlier. I didn’t mean it. I’m very thankful for everything the Pack … for everything you’ve done for me.”

  Raoul contemplated the forlorn face raised towards him. Uncomfortably aware that she was not the only one who’d been impolitic in her anger, Raoul’s sense of guilt pricked at him over her words. He knew what would put her a little more at ease. This uncanny ability he seemed to have pertaining to her let him know it. He took a deliberate step forward that brought his face into the light.

  The gold eyes that met her gaze seemed impenetrable. But it was the determinedly stoic expression on his face that spurred Tasia on.

  “I should’ve told you about my father. It was a mistake. But not because I don’t trust you. I’ve just gotten so used to keeping my secrets that it’s almost instinctive. I remember you from the night when the vampire bit me. That night is fuzzy for me but I’ve a vivid memory of Hawk and you in the room with me. I can still hear your voice telling me that everything was going to be okay. You got me out of there. How could I not trust you? You fought for me. I remember how bad things got in the hall that night, but you didn’t abandon me. You could’ve easily chosen to walk away; I was a stranger you owed nothing to! Instead, the Pack and you fought for me. I’ll never forget that. I can never forget that.”

  Incredibly disarmed by the simple and heartfelt apology, Raoul opened his mouth to forestall her. As he met her gaze, her eyes a little red-rimmed at the edges from tears, an image slammed into him. Hawk holding her tight while she sobbed in his arms. Lights twinkled in the distance on the water; ignored by both man and woman as she cried her heart out, too miserable to appreciate the spectacular vista before her. Raoul almost staggered back, his shock so great at the vivid vision. What the bloody hell was that, he wondered dazedly. His imagination had never been this wild – of that he was sure. This weird ability that allowed him to read her made him aware of her regret and contriteness. That part he could comprehend easily for those very emotions coupled with guilt were exactly what had driven him to brood privately in here. But these images searing through him were something else – this was no mere sensing of her emotions!

  Trapped in his own private hell, Raoul fought to clear his mind even as Tasia stared at him uncertainly. That had not been his imagination at work! It couldn’t be, Raoul concluded firmly. Yet the thought that this bombshell of a daydream or fantasy, or whatever the hell it was, had not been induced by his imagination was an even more stupefying prospect to face.

  Tasia noted the obvious shock in his gold eyes at her words. He didn’t believe her, she thought in dismay. Why else would her simple apology induce this much consternation in him! A mix of shame, regret and guilt engulfed her anew, driving her to more candid speech before she lost her nerve.

  “It was unforgiveable of me to impugn your trust or question your intentions. I’m truly and deeply sorry. It was spoken in a moment of anger and regretted immediately after. I hope you will forgive me.”

  Raoul’s stunned gaze met the gray eyes that shone with unmistakable sincerity as they looked up at him in entreaty. Brought to his senses by the plea in her voice and the straightforward artlessness of her words, Raoul attempted to shake off the shock and stupor that currently held sway over his mind. “Shall we agree to chalk this one up to a spike of temper all around, hmm?” he suggested softly. “I’ve a terrible one myself.”

  She contemplated him silently for a minute. “That’s very kind of you. But your words to me were not unkind, merely honest. I “, she paused for emphasis, “was unkind.”

  “I should’ve left you to rot in the leech nest that night, instead of directing my Shifters to fight for you.”

  “You wouldn’t last a day out there, not with Anderson and the leeches and Lord knows who else circling you.”

  Damn, damn, damn! He’d been both, brutally honest and definitely unkind, he realized with deep remorse. Those candid gray eyes held repentance and guilt in spades but no blame. No, she was certainly wrong there. He’d allowed his temper and his issues with wizards to goad him into speech that he regretted very much.

  “I accept your apology. In return, I hope you’ll accept mine. I said some things that I regret very much” he said somberly.

  “You spoke the truth” she responded wryly. “You were right; I did need a reality check.”

  Raoul frowned slightly. Gone was the woman who’d stood up for herself so passionately, going toe to toe with him. The fire in her seemed extinguished. She could be naïve and even rather impulsive at times but she was definitely not someone in need of a reality check. This would not do! He shoved away the remnants of his shock and confusion at the startling vision with an effort. There would be plenty of time to sort that out later, he told himself.

  “I thought you’d agreed to accept my apology” he countered, the gold eyes serious. “I’ve quite a temper when I lose it.”

  Yes, but you rarely lose it. I’ve seen you in action, remember. Your sense of control rarely allows you to lose it. I guess I’m one of the few special ones that you make an exception for.

  Still, Tasia could appreciate how much that admission had cost him – a very private man notorious for his reserve.

  “You had just cause” she was frank. “I should’ve told you about my father. This will not happen again. I give you my word that while I have a relationship with the Pack, I will forewarn you if anything to do with my past crops up.”

  And I will strive to make sure that I do not attempt to punish you for the sins of another, Raoul pledged silently. Then it suddenly struck him what her precisely worded assurances implied.

  “Tonight has made you re-evaluate your relationship with the Pack” he stated astutely.

  Her eyes dropped away from him but she remained silent. Goddamn it, he should’ve paid more attention to Duncan’s advice. For the first time in his life, Raoul found himself fumbling to come up with the right words to convince her. The irony of it was that it fell upon him to sway her away from a path wherein lay disaster for her. And their last debacle of a conversation had left him with very few options.

  “I had the impression that barring the unfortunate experience in Chicago, you’ve enjoyed working with us.”

  “I have” she hurried to assure him. “If I occa
sionally sound unsure it’s because … I’m not sure that I’ll ever fit in here.”

  Raoul eyed the downcast head speculatively.

  “I think you could fit in well if you wanted to. All collectives have people maneuvering for influence and power and the Pack is no exception. You showed an innate deftness in diffusing that little scene between Elisabetta and Hawk on the flight from Chicago.”

  She had only stepped in when she’d realized that no one, least of all the Alpha, was going to do anything to prevent it from getting ugly.

  “I wouldn’t get any work done if I stepped into every petty squabble involving my Shifters” he remarked softly.

  How could this particular man read her so easily, Tasia wondered anew in chagrin.

  “You give me too much credit” she said hastily. “It’s just that I understand Hawk. I wouldn’t know how to handle a situation if it involves another Shifter.”

  “Tas, please” Hawk pleaded, the words wrung out of him. “Don’t cry! I can’t bear it.”

  “No” Tasia cried out, the tears finally spilling over. “This cannot be fixed. Even you cannot fix it” she wailed.

  Raoul went rigid, his eyes widening in renewed shock as more vivid images seared through him. It felt as if he were there, experiencing her emotions. He could feel the beat of Hawk’s heart, the despair in Tasia and even the smell of leather in Hawk’s new car. His heavy lids dropped hastily, to shield his eyes and thoughts from the woman who stood before him. As he grappled silently with this new set of images in his head, he could sense her confusion and puzzlement as she studied him.

  “No doubt” he said brusquely, his response short. There was nothing more to say. She did indeed understand Hawk at a fundamental level.

  “You’re not planning to walk away from us again, are you?”

  “Not like this, Hawk” she hurried to assure him. “Never like this. Besides I promised to work with the Pack for three months.”

  “Talk to Alph. He’ll hear you out. Once he’s calmed down, he’ll be more receptive.”

  “I feel horrible, Hawk” she confessed in a small voice. “I was very unfair to him.”

  His eyelids lifted abruptly to pin her with his gaze, the gold eyes intent in their regard.

  “Don’t make any hasty decisions on this” he directed at her. “You need us but never forget that the relationship goes both ways. We’d never have made such headway in investigating Lady Bethesda had it not been for you.”

  Shock and surprise flitted across Tasia’s face. That was the most forthright thing he’d admitted yet about her work for the Pack, even though he was being too kind. She might possess magic in spades but the kind of power this particular Shifter collective could pack was beyond her reach.

  “Remember that” he warned softly. “You can’t hide away for the rest of your life, Big Eyes. Take it from someone who’s tried it, it does not work!”

  Tasia’s eyes widened with astonishment at his words.

  What! Does he mean that he once hid away …?

  She groped around for the right words to ask him what he meant but he was already on the move.

  “Come on. It’s late. We can talk more tomorrow.”

  He strode to the door and Tasia followed him after a startled moment.

  “Come up to the Pack Room at noon tomorrow. I have some questions about your father.”

  Tasia nodded mutely, still thrown off balance by his previous statement.

  “I told you this once before. And I’m more confident of it now. You and I can do better together. Much better. But only if we trust each other” the last was said very softly.

  Yeah, we don’t make the same mistake twice, just new ones each time.

  He held open the heavy door for her before she could respond to him.

  Duncan glanced up from his chair as Tasia walked out with the Alpha behind her. Hawk, pacing before a section of the book shelves, whipped around at the sound of the door. His eyes scanned Tasia before shooting a glance at the Alpha. What he saw on their faces must have reassured him for he strode forward towards Tasia with a smile.

  “Did you take her out tonight?” Raoul’s voice stopped Hawk in his tracks.

  “Alph?” he inquired, puzzled by the hard note in the Alpha’s voice.

  “Away from the Lair” the Alpha clarified in a softer tone.

  “Yeah, I thought Tasia could do with some fresh air” Hawk said easily.

  “That’s okay, right?” Tasia asked in some alarm. She didn’t fancy being a prisoner at the Lair again.

  “You’re safe with Hawk. But until we can sort out this thing with Anderson, I’d prefer it if you didn’t go out by yourself.”

  “Don’t worry, Tas. Both Sara and I plan to make ourselves available as your escorts. You won’t be bored” Hawk reiterated hastily at the sight of Tasia’s crestfallen face.

  Tasia gave him a wan smile. “You’re never boring, Hawk.”

  “Where did you take Tasia?” Duncan inquired curiously.

  Not Telegraph Hill! Not Telegraph Hill! The silent refrain pounded in Raoul’s head.

  “We went up to Telegraph Hill” Hawk responded.

  The rest of the conversation faded into the background as Raoul froze abruptly. He stood utterly stupefied, Hawk’s words ringing in his ears. How the hell could this be, he wondered to his utter mystification and complete shock. He was no stranger to powerful magic. The Charbonneaus, his mother’s family, were known for the extraordinary magic flowing through their veins. But this was like no magic he’d ever heard of.

  “Raoul” Duncan called out softly, puzzled by the dazed and strange expression on the Alpha’s face.

  Raoul attempted to pull himself together, exerting control with herculean effort.

  Tasia said something softly to Hawk who let out a laugh, an unfettered sound with his head thrown back. In response, she beamed up at him, the smile breaking through the wan look she’d worn since their dust up earlier tonight.

  “Come on, Tas. Let’s walk you to your room.”

  Raoul watched the two walk out together, Hawk’s taller head angled down towards Tasia to catch her words. The picture they projected was that of a couple, comfortable and familiar with each other; cocooned in their shared intimacy and oblivious to the rest of the world.

  Bewildered, shocked and thrown off balance by the extraordinary visions of Tasia, Raoul let his normal implacability slip for a few moments. Duncan observed him, perplexed by the strange and almost petrified expression he’d glimpsed on his friend’s face. The gold eyes followed the couple exiting the room, a light in them that gave Duncan serious pause. He’d never seen that particular light in his protégé’s eyes but he knew what it meant. Oho, he thought in sudden realization, so that’s where the lie of the land is! Suddenly everything fell into place for Duncan. Raoul’s inexplicable actions when it came to Tasia now made sense – he’d been very hard on her at times whilst allowing her much more leeway than he allowed his Shifters at others. The inherent contradictions in Raoul’s handling of her that had so puzzled and concerned Duncan could finally be explained. Even the mystery of her uncanny ability to get under the skin of an Alpha notoriously renowned for his self-control was resolved.

  For the first time, Duncan had an inkling of the struggle that had been raging within Raoul. The human and beast counterparts had probably been at odds over her. The emotional part of Raoul determined to push away a young woman it suspected of possessing enormous power over him while the rational part reluctant to let her go, knowing she would be vulnerable without a powerful protector to watch over her. He wasn’t sure which part of Raoul wanted her but, as far as Duncan was concerned, this was very good news. This, he was confident, Raoul could figure out – his beast and human parts would sort this out for themselves. The corner of Duncan’s heart that had been troubled and anxious for the boy he’d rescued and watched over while Raoul had gone through hell and back, finally relaxed. It was going to be all right. Raoul would be absolut
ely fine.

  “You like her” Duncan declared the moment they were alone, a hint of amazement underlying his confident statement. There was a part of him that marveled at not seeing this before. Raoul was a remarkably self-controlled man who never let his feelings show but Duncan knew him better than most. The signs had been staring him in the face all along.

  Raoul’s eyes flashed to him, the gamut of irritation, incredulity and amusement warring with each other to be reflected on the handsome face. “Like her” he muttered. “What am I, in kindergarten? I don’t like her. I want her.” He sighed softly. “That makes it a very different ball game.”

  “Whatever you young kids call it nowadays” Duncan retorted placidly. “A rose by any other name – you know how that goes.”

  Raoul felt a spurt of silent amusement well up in him. There was only one man he knew as adept at instilling terror into a gaggle of recalcitrant Shifters as he was at quoting Shakespeare.

  Duncan scrutinized his protégé calmly. He had observed enormous change in Raoul since Tasia Armstrong had come to the Alpha’s notice. If she was responsible for melting a small corner, even unknowingly, of Raoul’s frozen heart, then Duncan was all for it. Raoul showed a renewed determination to engage with other Chosen; no longer was he content to stay aloof to merely run his Pack on his terms. There was a purpose and energy in him now. A willingness to forge new alliances, to immerse himself in Chosen affairs like never before, to attempt to work with other Chosen and to apply himself to endeavors he’d never have considered before. Raoul was suddenly ready to be more than a powerful Shifter Alpha; to play a more prominent role than the narrow one he’d crafted for himself when he first came to San Francisco to command this Pack. If her presence had unknowingly awoken Raoul’s deadened soul, then Duncan could only give thanks to a Lord he had long stopped believing in.

  “I’m very happy for you, Raoul” this time Duncan’s tone was sober, unlike his usual placid demeanor.