With a soft moan, Ajei's eyes slowly cleared back to their near black colour as he stared down at her.
"Are you all right. Did you faint? The baby—"
"Um yeah, I got spirit jumped!” She interrupted. Ajei looked at him with a little bit of a confused expression on her face.
"You hit your head, let me help you stand.” He said and gently he aided her to her feet.
"I think I need an ice pack.” She told him while she winced in pain as she sat at the large round wooden table.
"I'll get it. You cut your head too; I'll get a face cloth as well.” He said and rushed off to get one for her.
Holding the ice pack to her head just over the top of the wash cloth, Frank scrutinized his mate. She was only wearing her bra and panties and it looked as if she’d come downstairs not even dressed.
"So who came to visit you?” He asked.
"A local spirit, it came to warn me of an invasion!” She explained. Her eyes grew darker as her jaw set. He knew that Ajei would be calling forth her big guns if she thought it would be bad and the look on her face suggested it was going to be.
"How bad?"
"We will lose members of the pack...many members!” She said, her words like cold steel.
"How much time do we have to prepare?” He asked. Now that many of his men were gearing to invade the attackers of the Denver pack this didn't bold well.
"Not enough. The spirit refused to tell me any great detail nor would it give me a vision other than a massacre of the Feral pack and their kinfolk. It said a traitor walks amongst us."
"Who?” He asked His own voice sounded more demanding than he’d meant to.
"One of the Feral pack!” She said as her hands trembled.
* * *~~~ * * *
Alaric sat at his and Hall looked the group of werewolves over. Several other highly trained men which he’d personally chosen for this attack mingled with his pack. Within a few days everything would be ready to make the attack and they could strike at the heart of the Feral Pack. Greg was busy with their maps, laying out the attack line and the position he wanted the kinfolk snipers to take up. Five of his best shooters stood beside his beta and listened while they studied the map as well.
He waited for Greg to finish and pulled him off to the side. He needed to speak with him about the women and children of the Feral pack. This wasn't going to go over well. "What's wrong?" Greg asked as they stepped into the nicely decorated office he kept here.
"We need to make it very clear to them I want no one left alive!” He stated coldly.
"Alaric..." Greg held his words as Alaric narrowed his eyes menacingly at the man.
"Not a single Feral left, not even kinfolk."
"That will not sit well with many of them."
"They've trained for war. War is ugly and this will be no less. If they can't follow their orders then they can leave the pack!” He said. He finalized it with a slam of his fist on the large mahogany desk.
The framed image of his child fell with a soft cracking sound onto the Tuscan stone tiled floor. Gently he picked up the picture. The crack ran across the glass straight through the image of his daughter. Rage burned in him as it fueled his desire to kill the Ferals.
"Make sure they know what is expected of them!” He snarled and Greg left without any further words.
Sitting in his large leather chair behind the desk, he gently removed the photo from the broke frame. The Ferals may have the backing of the Amalgamation, but he had the Alliance and tonight thirty more werewolves would be here from various packs all ready to do what needed to be done. He’d asked and received permission for only those willing to do the job at hand. Alaric could understand outsiders being hesitant, but not his own pack. Mica had been a Dickson wolf after all. Their shining jewel and he blamed the Ferals for her undoing.
Alaric walked to the small liquor cabinet and pulled the aged bottle of scotch whiskey out and poured some into a crystal glass. It burned slightly going down as he slugged it back, then he poured himself another. With a bit of a heavy heart, he looked about the office. The place was decorated in rich woods and stucco walls which held photos of various members of the pack and Gatherings he’d held and had been to.
The book shelf adorned some of his collection of classics as well as things he collected over the years. The beautifully carved walrus tusk he’d brought back from a trip to Anchorage Alaska brought a memory of Mica to mind. She loved the piece so much, as a little girl he had to repeatedly tell her not to touch it as she always went straight for it when he’d brought her here. Now if she were only alive he’d let her have it. Would give her anything she wanted.
The pain of losing his child was more unbearable than it had been losing his mate. Diana had been the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. When the arranged Mating had taken place, he was more than thrilled with his Alpha's choice. But then again his father had always tried to ensure Alaric got what he needed to ensure the pack would stay prosperous.
When she’d died giving birth to Mica he had wanted to die. Yet the need to care for the most precious gift Diana could give him, kept him going. Mica had become his reason for living. Losing her, he lost more than just his daughter, but that very reason. Now all he could think of was getting the ones he held responsible and that included the Feral pack.
Chapter 24
Victor had just finished explaining to her that he wanted her to go stay with Chris and Rachel for a few days to protect her while he was gone. That idea didn’t sit well with Mica at all.
"What about Shea!” She demanded. There was still a pending threat of someone taking the girl.
"Shea will go stay with Jake and Jenni. Those arrangements I've already made as well.” He said. He was trying to mask something that she couldn't quite read.
"Well I could have gone there too.” She said. The look deepened in Victor's eyes.
"No.” He said in a near snarl and she saw his jaw line tense.
"Victor you need to let me make my own decisions.” She told him trying not to let the feelings in her rise.
Ensuring her rights had never been so important to her. Being held captive had made her relish her freedom and having someone tell her what to do wasn't sitting well with her. Regardless if it was her mate, she felt as if she was being controlled and that made her angry.
The sound of a vehicle pulling into their driveway ended the discussion. But Mica had full intentions of making Victor understand her need to be in control of her own self. Mica looked out the kitchen window and saw the familiar old minivan as the engine turned off.
"Jenni's here.” She said.
"I'll get the door.” He told her.
Jenni was bounding to the house and Victor got the door before she could knock. As she stepped inside Mica could tell something was wrong.
"Sorry to show up unannounced but we have a problem!” She said a little out of wind.
"What's wrong?" Victor asked.
"It's Scott...he took really sick and well...” She looked nervous for a second as she looked to Victor then directly to her. "He's asking for you Mica.” Jenni said.
The tension in the air was instant. Victor's body stiffened and his luminescent eyes narrowed. Mica knew he didn't like finding them the way he had and she still felt guilty over it. However, her need to go to Scott was there, as well as the fear of losing him. This was not going to be easy she knew as she placed a hand on her Mates arm.
"I need to go Victor. He’d do the same for me.” She simply stated.
"Mica I don't...” He stopped as she raised an eyebrow at him ready to defend her rights as Scott's friend.
The look on his face told her he was going to tell her not to go. As he demanded her to do just that Jenni backed away submissively as Victor became angry. Mica would do no such thing.
"Victor, you have no right to tell me I can't' go...for god sakes he saved me!” She growled out.
"I have every right I'm your mate.” He roared back.
"That doesn't make me your personal possession!"
"It makes you my mate and I'm also your Alpha and I'm telling you to stay away from him!” His eyes were darkening by the second.
"I'm going...he took care of me when I needed him."
"Yeah I know! I saw just how he took care of you!” He yelled.
Those words hurt and she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. It had been a low blow to say it in front of her best friend.
"Victor, I thought you were dead!” She stammered.
"Did he take care of all your needs!” He was really mad. She could tell as his hands trembled and she felt him shifting slightly as his claws grew in length.
"I told you nothing happened.” Her tears threatened to escape her eyelids.
"And I want to keep it that way. So you’re forbidden to go!” He yelled and she stared at him with disbelief.
He was trying to order her not to be Scott's friend. To have nothing to do with the man who not only helped her through the birth of Victor’s child but rescued and kept them safe. Turning on her heel, she stormed silently to their bedroom and gathered a few things for Lea into her diaper bag. Then she walked into the living room and she readied her baby to go.
"What the hell are you doing?" Victor demanded.
"I'm leaving and you'll do good to remember Victor I'm the Alpha Bitch here...not you! You’re not my Alpha anymore or did you forget?” She stated venomously as Lea let out a gurgled growl of her own as Mica picked her up.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Victor watched dumbfounded as his mate put their daughter in the car seat and left. What was he to say. He’d screwed up, all because he felt jealous of Scott. Now Mica was more than pissed at him. As Alpha Bitch, she’d just overruled anything he could try and order her to do because he’d relinquished his actual Alpha rights during the blood bond ceremony with Frank. It was something Mica still had and she outranked him in the hierarchy of the Pack. No one here would deny that either.
Seething to himself, he gathered his gear. Frank would be picking him up in less than an hour and he had wanted to have a pleasant few hours with his family before he left. Not a stupid argument because he felt insecure over a human. Victor couldn't help it though. He knew Mica had feelings for this guy and the image of them together in a more intimate way invaded his mind. It burned him to the core to think that it was something that could have happened or that may end up happening.
The silence in the house got to him. He’d listened to the emptiness of his home for far too long. And now he’d drove Mica out of their home. He knew she’d be back, but for how long he wasn't sure. He silently cursed himself as he saw headlights pull into the drive. Victor wasn't going to be able to say goodbye to her before he left and that bothered him as much as her taking care of Scott did.
As he and Frank left the small community, he tried to concentrate on the job ahead. However, he knew there was no way that would happen. This battle was going to be a bloody one and they would most likely loose pack members. The last thing he had wanted was for his people to get tied up in this war. He’d only wanted to keep them safe. Now as they headed into what was to be a bloody battle, a wave of uneasiness washed over him. There was not a single werewolf Valtor pack member in the town tonight and his people would be short four members. That only left three werewolves to protect his people.
Frank, who had been extremely quiet, suddenly turned the radio off after they had driven for nearly half an hour. "We need to talk."
"About?" Victor asked, he really wasn't in the mood to talk.
"There's a traitor in the Feral pack.”
"Like hell there is!" Victor growled out. His bad mood now darkened at the suggestion that one of his own was a traitor.
"It's Jake." Frank said in a sombre tone.
"No...That's not possible. He's my cousin for Christ sakes."
"Look the spirits told Ajei and warned her, he’s going to sell you out."
"The spirits are wrong Frank. I've known Jake all my life and he wouldn’t do that."
"He already has..."
A deep sinking feeling came over him. Jake was one of the werewolves left behind to safeguard the pack. Mica was at their house right now and if what Frank was saying was true, then she and Lea could be in danger. "Turn around we need to go back now!"
"No, we need to keep with the plan."Frank stated.
"But Mica is there...” He felt helpless suddenly. Panic for his family filled him and if Frank didn't turn the car around, he might have to take matters into his own hands.
Victor took a quick glance over at him and Frank grinned.
"Easy big guy I sent some of our allied members to keep an eye on things. We have thirteen wolves in and about the area to safeguard everyone.” He told him.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Victor asked.
"Because I believe Jake may have your place bugged as well as other places. We need him to continue believing we aren’t on to him. Besides if I had told you while we were still in town, you would have killed him."
"But what about Mica...I need to warn her.” He said as he took his cell phone out.
"No Victor, so far only you, Ajei and myself know and we need to keep it that way. At least until we find out who it is Jake is working for." Frank demanded.
"Frank if anything happens to them..."
"Victor relax, I have Max, Rick and Morris tucked in close and left them orders to follow Mica. They will protect them and make sure nothing happens." Frank said. But it didn't abate the fear Victor felt.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Greg was going over the aerial maps again with two trackers. They were kinfolk and he’d be sending them in again to the Feral territory to lay the bear traps in the woods. Before he had used them to try to obtain tissue specimens for Collin. Now they would be used to keep the Ferals from escaping. Many of them would be the woman and children. He felt sick at the idea, it was senseless.
The cans of spray they used to disrupt their scents were already sitting in the box by the other supplies needed for this senseless massacre. Looking over the hall, he saw them talking amongst themselves. Many were a little uneasy with the orders he’d just delivered. Yes they were trained for this, but it didn't mean they had to like it.
The soft buzz of his cell phone drew his attention to it and he saw it was Max. Stepping outside he answered it. "Yeah?"
"We got a bit of news about the Feral's.” He said.
"Go ahead, it's safe to talk."
Listening to his long time friend, he knew things in the pack would be digressing. This Lt. Adams being there would cause tension for Victor and that would help in the attack. The fact that both Frank and his Shaman mate were there didn't bold well. The woman was feared by many of the werewolves in the northern hemisphere.
"I have something you need to do. It concerns Mica and the baby.” He told his inside man after he finished his report.
"Whatever you need Greg."
"On Thursday at three in the morning I need you, Rick and Morris in position to take them. Tranquillize her and get them the hell out of there. I have a safe house set up in Carson at 594 Jefferson Street.” He explained. The small town held not a single werewolf and they could stay hidden for a while until his plans to overthrow Alaric were done.
Greg had no intentions letting Alaric learn his daughter was still alive or that he had a granddaughter. He needed to get them safely tucked away and as the attack would begin Victor would be forced to leave her side. Getting her out was going to be only half the battle. Keeping her would be no less of a feat. He only had one shot at this and if not Mica as well as Lea could end up dead by her own father’s men.
Chapter 25
The soft cool dampness of a wet facecloth being gently applied to his forehead made Scott open his eyes. An angel looked down on him with worry playing in her crystal blue eyes. Mica had come and he felt his heart flutter at her being near to him again.
"Mica you came.” He whispered
hoarsely. The rawness of his throat hurt as did every part of his body.
"Sh of course I came. Now be quiet and let me take care of you.” She murmured and he felt as if he was going to be okay now.
"Thank you.” He whispered weakly and he coughed a little when he tried to swallow.
"Where's Lea, is she okay?” He asked, ignoring her demand to be quiet.
"Upstairs with Jenni. She’s fine, now you need to be quiet. Let me get you something to drink.” She told him and he felt her weight lift off the edge of the bed.
He listened as the tiny kitchen tap turned on and she returned with a glass of water and a straw.
"Here try and take a sip.” She said as she helped him to raise his head.
It hurt to drink and he coughed a bit raspy as he tried to swallow.
"Thank you Mica.” He said as he felt her hand slip into his.
"I'll always be here for you Scott.” She smiled and he warmed inside. He saw something besides concern in her eyes and hoped it was what his heart wanted it to be.
As she continued to sit with him, he felt safe and he let his eyes close. The fever made him very tired and as he drifted off to sleep the most tantalizing smells filled his nose. Somehow a part of him knew it was Mica's scent and it stirred more primal longings inside him. The dream he had reflected those stirrings.
* * * ~~~ * * *
Mica felt Scott's forehead, he was burning up. The vomiting had started again and even the Shaman's couldn’t make him well. This had been all the same things she’d gone through, however, they seemed to be developing faster in him and she was worried as to why.
The Lycan Wars- Revised Edition Page 16
