"Yeah and?"
"Alaric has three other larger packs willing to sign on to this Alliance they are building. Rumor has it that the packs towards the east are starting to do the same. Building up their allies in a show of strength as the Alliance grows. Apparently they believe Alaric and Derrick are planning a grab for territory.” He told him flatly.
"Damn it, this isn't good."
"Yeah tensions are getting pretty high according to Bethany. I can see a fight between the two groups over turf. It will most likely have a rippled effect on the smaller packs that don't join a side." Mike added.
"Great just what we need!” He snarled.
"Sorry I didn't have any better news. Well good luck tonight. Hopefully things will turn out.” His brother told him before hanging up.
He stepped over to the water cooler and got a drink. Victor tried to fathom how he’d be able to keep his pack from being either wiped out or integrated by the larger packs. With a werewolf population of only seven males in a pack of thirty family members the Feral pack would never stand a chance if attacked. Now his only chance for protection from Alaric's group laid in his having mated Mica. If tonight's meeting fell apart he may have to do the unthinkable to save his people.
He picked up the phone and called Frank Valtor from the southern pack in California. They were a larger group, who were mostly neutral and stayed that way as other wolves were leery of them. They were rumored to have shamans in their kinfolk member's and that didn't always sit well with other werewolves. But just in case he needed an ace up his sleeve, he’d start the way for a new friendship. However, it meant making a promise that Mica might kill him for. But he was the alpha and he’d protect his pack no matter what that cost would be.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Ajei had handed him the phone and he looked at her oddly. “Who did you want me to call?”
“It’s for you.” She said with a smile. The phone rang in his hand and he looked at it then his wife. He shook his head as he answered. “Hello.”
“Hi, I’m looking for a Frank Valtor.” A deep male voice stated.
“This is him.”
“My name is Victor, I‘m alpha of the Feral pack. I was wondering about getting together to discuss a possible alliance.” Victor said.
Frank looked at his wife, she nodded her head. “Yeah, we could do that. Can I ask why this sudden inquiry?”
“Well as you may be aware, there has been a shift within the packs of the Seattle area. I think having an allied pack in the north could be fruitful for your pack as well as my own.”
“You know how that is accomplished. I assume you’re ready to make arrangements for a future mating between our families.”
There was a bit of a pause on the other line. Frank heard the heavy sigh come from the other alpha.
“Yes. However, I have no children yet.”
“You’re aware of my pack and the kinfolk women?”
“Yes, the spell casters.” Victor stated.
“Well no, not exactly that. But it’s close enough. Your first born will need to marry my youngest son.” Frank stated.
“And if my first born is a son?”
“It won’t be, I can guarantee that.”
They talked for a few moments more and reached an agreed upon a time and place to meet. After he hung up, Ajei looked at him and smiled.
“We need to be there earlier than that.” She said.
“Why?”
“Because Victor is going to die.”
* * * ~~~ * * *
Alaric's eyes were riveted on the large younger man standing beside his child. The heated words had flown from one to the other and as several humans walked passed, they eyed them nervously, Alaric felt his self control wane.
"She’s my mate and not returning to your Pack!" Victor growled low. His body language told Alaric that he was prepared to fight for Mica.
"This has gone on far too long...Mica get over here!” He snapped at his daughter.
"Dad..."
"She's not going anywhere!" Victor said stepping in front of her.
"Mica!” The younger wolf growled as his daughter stepped around him
"He's still my Dad!"
"That's right and I never gave you permission to have her. I’d ever allow her to be dishonoured by a flea bag like you!” He nearly spat the words out as the images from the video Greg had shown him, replayed in his mind.
"Dad!” She yelled at him. "I bit him.” The words that his only child had just uttered sat on the fringe of his mind, slowly soaking in.
"You...bit...him?” He repeated it incredulously as he stared at her.
"Yes...dad I claimed him first. Victor is my mate!” She moved her long loose hair from her neck to reveal the Feral tribal Mark. She’d only have one if she’d allowed him to claim her.
"But he raped you!” He stared at her, the disgust very audible in his voice.
"No! That’s not exactly what happened...I...We...” Her eyes looked close to tears and with a roar he lashed out.
His only child had willingly accepted the man who raped her as her mate and then had the gall to expect him to accept the bastard who had done it. His grip on her wrist caused her to squeal out. Victor lunged towards them and Greg leaped to intercede. As the other two men fought he felt the rage wash over him at his only child dishonoring him like this. Making a fool out of him.
As the roars of the other two men fighting echoed across the parking lot, so did the slap he gave Mica. "How could you do this!” He yelled at her. She said nothing, only stared up at him in what looked like shocked disbelief. Her hand covering the large red welt his open handed slap left on her cheek. A flash of blue and red lights turned into the parking area, forcing them to end their meeting. As they watched, Mica willingly left with the Feral wolf.
Chapter 9
Curling up into his arms Mica sobbed. This hadn't turned out the way she’d wanted. Her father had looked at her with such disgust and rage that her heart broke. He’d slapped her. Not once had he ever laid a hand on her in all of her nineteen years And now because she’d chosen Victor, he’d looked as if she’d stabbed him in the heart.
"It'll be okay." Victor whispered into her ear as he pulled her closer.
"How,” She sobbed louder. “He hates me!”
"Give him time Mica. Maybe in a few more months, then we can try to talk to him again.”
Looking up at her lover with his rapidly healing fat lip and black eye, she was grateful it hadn't turned deadly. Werewolves healed much quicker than normal humans, but dealt enough damage they too could be killed. Gently he kissed her on the forehead, before he guided her to their bed and made her lay down.
"Get some sleep, I'll be in soon, there are a few things I need to do.” He told her and he left. She heard him walking around out on the deck moving towards the front of the boat house, then it started and she felt moving.
Victor took them out to the center of the lake like he said he would and she strained to hear. She could barely make him out talking with his brother. Mike had returned to the boat with them and the two brothers were supposed to go fishing tomorrow. Something Victor said he’d cancel. Mica had told him not to and now as she looked in her night stand draw at the test she planned on taking in the morning while no one was here, her heart got caught in her throat. What if she was pregnant?
* * * ~~~ * * *
He knew that there was no way in hell there would ever be any reconciliation between them and her father now. As he moored the boathouse to the dock, Victor felt more than just a little nervous about this fishing trip given how Mica's father had reacted at their meeting. However, when he told her he’d stay home, she nearly had a meltdown.
"I packed you boys a lunch." Mica said as she stepped down onto the dock.
"Mm, smells good." Mike said. He took the bag from her and planted a kiss on the top of her head and then ruffled her long locks.
"Really, it’s only tuna sandwiches!” She said with a smi
rk. The two had become close and Mica acted like the sister Mike never had.
"Haven't you tried Victor’s cooking?" Mike asked. His face scrunched up in mock disgust.
"At least I don't burn soup!" Victor retorted back as he grabbed his fishing gear and the bag of sandwiches Mica held out for him.
Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her long and hard. She smelled of tuna, mayo and that new perfume she liked to wear.
"Maybe I should stay and—" Mica silenced him by placing a finger over his lips.
"Oh no you're not. You two have been planning this trip for weeks, go have some fun and bring me back a big fat fish to cook for supper!” She told him.
"Mm fried trout!" Mike said as he headed up towards the path they would take to go to the beaver dam.
"We'll be back early. Jenni is still coming out right?” He asked. He’d called Jenni to come stay with Mica as he didn’t want her to be alone.
"Yes she's taking me to get some supplies at Grangers' store." Mica said and then she shooed him off the dock.
Walking beside his brother without saying too much, Victor had wondered how much longer he should wait until he told Mica of the plans he and the Alpha to the Valtor pack had made. The thought had him nearly cringing.
"Mike, you remember Frank Valtor?” He asked.
"Yeah, he's that shaman from down south right?"
"Sort of, his mates a shaman, he's an Alpha werewolf." Victor grinned.
"Scary none the less. People who make weird potions, voodoo dolls and spells freak me out." Mike said.
"I made a deal with them.” Victor blurted out.
"You what!" Mike stopped dead in his tracks. The look on his face was more than just shock, there was a bit of horror seeping into his expression as well.
Victor took a deep breath and looked at his brother. He should have brought Mike in on this from the start, but now it was too late. They needed the Valtor pack as allies.
"How could you do that Victor!"
"We need them or this Accord that Alaric had signed with the Timber pack will end up forcing us from our territory or wiping us out. There are not enough of us to fight off an attack!” He explained.
"But what's in it for them?"
"Mica..."
"What!"
"Not like that!" Victor snapped. "They want a mating between their youngest son and our first born daughter."
"That's not a certainty, girls are rarely ever born?" his brother’s facial expression showed he was upset
"They can change that.” He said.
"Oh god! Mica's willing to go along with this!"
"She doesn't know yet.” He told him and watched Mike’s eyes go wide.
"She's going to fucking kill you!" Mike laughed suddenly.
Mike calmed down after Victor explained everything to him. How they were coming up to meet Mica and create a bond with them first. None of it would be done without her consent. Everyone had to be willing to reach this agreement. If Mica didn't like the idea of an arranged mating between the two packs, they could try to come up with a different arrangement.
"So when are you planning on telling her this?" Mike asked.
"I'm not sure, she's stressed out now and well I don't know if anytime will really be the right time."
"Man I hope for your sake, she takes it well!"
* * * ~~~ * * *
Mica sat in the kitchen and looked at the test again. It was pink, she’d known the truth but only now had it really sunk in as she stared at the plastic testing device. This was her third month without a cycle and now she felt a little light headed. This changed everything.
Jenni sat across from her still babbling on and on about a baby shower and learning to knit booties, buying Itsy Bitsy baby clothes. As Mica looked up at her friend with tears streaking down her cheeks, Jenni fell silent.
"Oh Hun...this is a good thing! Why on earth are you crying?” She asked as she moved to enveloped her into her arms.
Mica gripped a hold of her and cried. The stress of the last few months had taken its toll and now she was going to have a baby. Her father's enemy's pup was growing inside her and they were very near to going to war with her familial pack. How was she supposed to explain to a child that its own grandfather would want nothing to do with it just because it was a Feral.
After she calmed down Jenni made them both a hot cup of Chi tea and they sat curled up beside each other on the sofa.
"Are you going to tell him tonight?" Jenni asked.
"No, on his birthday.” She’d decided to wait to tell Victor. His birthday was coming up and she figured it would be the best gift a she-wolf could bestow her mate.
"Oh he’s going to be so happy...the whole pack will be...oh my god can you picture Mike as a doting Uncle!" Jenni laughed and so did she.
Mike would make a great uncle. Mica knew that he was in a hurry to have his own mate and a family. This baby would be spoiled and she knew there would be no stopping Mike from giving her child everything it wanted. Victor too, but she also knew that money was tight and he wanted a dozen or so babies Mica thought three or four would be good enough.
The slight noise of the screen door opening had her shoving the pregnancy test under the cushion of the couch as she looked at Jenni and she giggled.
"Hey look what we got!” She heard Victor say as he stood just inside the kitchen. He was all smiles as he held up supper, the large lake trout dangled from his hand while his other was hidden behind his back. Mike stood beside him laughing at something they had been talking about. How strange she thought that she could come to love this man so much in such a short time. He’d stolen her from her home and had mated her without her father's permission. Now all she thought about was how happy he made her. With a smile she realized it didn't matter if her dad accepted him. She did and they were going to have a baby.
After Victor put the trout in the sink, he pulled his arm out from behind his back revealing a bright fiery red flower.
"Oh it's so pretty!” She said and the tears welled in her eyes. The simple gesture told her so much and as she took it from him, he stole a long passionate kiss.
"All right you too!" Mike said from behind them
"Jeez you need to get a room!" Jenni added her two cents.
"You smell like fish!" Mica said wriggling her nose at him and everyone laughed.
"I need a shower, I will be out soon.” He told them. He left after giving her a quick peck on her cheek and then headed for the bathroom.
"So what did you girls do all day" Mike asked as he gutted the fish. The smell and sight made her gag and she ran to the rail outside as Victor was in the bathroom
"Are you all right?" Mike asked as he and Jenni followed her out.
"She has a touch of the stomach flu!" Jenni told him.
"Well maybe you should have soup for supper and not fish.” He said still looking all concerned.
"I'll be fine!” She told him as Jenni went back to get a hand towel for her.
"Are you sure you're all right? I mean I heard you this morning in the bathroom when Victor was tethering the boat.” He was looking at her with a scrutinizing gaze.
Mica couldn't look Mike in the face and lie. Her eyes darted to the ground and he gently took her by the hand.
"Hey what's wrong?"
"Mike...I..."
“Mica are you—" he never got to finish asking as Jenni stepped out.
The look that passed between her and Jenni must have told him.
"Oh my god...does Victor know yet...he never told me!" Mike exclaimed in shock.
"Victor doesn't know and you can't tell him!" Jenni ordered.
"Why not? What's wrong?” He sounded panicked. “Is something wrong!”
"Mike keep it down!" Jenni snapped at him.
"I want to tell him on his birthday. So you have to keep it a secret!" Mica pleaded.
"Are you sure you should wait?" Mike looked anxious.
"Yes I'm sure." Mica answered.
&nbs
p; "Wait for what?" Victor asked and all three of the shot their heads towards the screen door
* * * ~~~ * * *
Everyone had gotten quiet all of a sudden and Victor felt as if he walked in on a big secret. Mica looked to Jenni, Jenni looked at Mike and then all three looked at him.
"Way to go Victor," Mike retorted abruptly. "Now your surprise party is ruined!"
"Surprise party?” He asked eyeing them suspiciously.
"Yes we were going to have a surprise party. You know the big 30 this year!" Jenni said.
"I don't need a party." Victor said. He really didn’t need to be reminded that he was eleven years older than his mate. Now as he looked at Mica she clutched a hand towel and looking very pale.
He scented the air and his nose crinkled up. The sour smell of vomit nearly made him gag. Looking right at his mate, she turned red.
"You were sick?"
"Stomach flu." Jenni answered for her.
"Yeah, it's going around." Mike added suddenly.
"Really?” He asked as he put his hand to Mica’s forehead.
"Maybe you should go lay down Hun. I can cook supper for the boys tonight, Jake can fend for himself and Gable." Jenni told her as she rested a hand on her arm.
"No, it's all right I will be fine." Mica said.
"No, she's right you should go lay down. Me and Victor can clean up after supper." Mike volunteered. Victor looked at him bewilderedly.
"We can, can We?" Victor retorted.
After supper Mike and he did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen for Mica. She hadn’t touched a bite nor did she look as if she felt any better. All she ate was some dry toast and drank some apple juice before retiring for bed. Normally they sat at the table playing cards and telling one another things about their lives so far.
They were still trying to get to know one another more. As he learned about her and her life, he felt the bond between them deepen. Now it was him and Mike at the table drinking a few cold beers.
The Lycan Wars- Revised Edition Page 6
