by Pace, Pepper
“Where’s the baby?”
“Paul has her at the cottage. I told him I didn’t mind watching her but he said she was being temperamental and he wouldn’t subject me to that.” She smiled and I knew that Sam relished any time she had with the baby. But yeah, BJ could be a handful now that she could walk. And if you took your attention from her for one second she’d get into the most unlikely things. I’d found out the hard way that you could not baby-proof your house enough when there was a toddler around. She’s already swallowed a penny, placed buttons in her nose, pulled a brass lamp from the table on top of her head … and probably a million other things that Paul has not found fit to tell me about.
“Okay. Do you need me for anything? I think I’ll go over there for a while.”
She picked up a planner and waved it in the air. “Just take a look through this some time this evening. Nothing too important.”
“Okay.” I flashed myself to the cottage. There was just a pile of clothes strewn over the floor and three wolves lazing about in a big puppy pile with BJ sitting contentedly in the middle of them. She happily yanked tails, poked her fingers towards eyes and tried to taste fur while the Wolf Pack indulged her, swishing a tail away from her teeth or using a big paw to keep her at bay if her probing fingers reached for something that it shouldn’t.
Paul, the biggest of the Wolves thumped his tail happily upon seeing me but dropped his head back to rest on his paws.
The Wolf Pack are actually shifters, which is more than just being a Werewolf—although that was the easiest way to define them. In legend, a true Werewolf can only transform during the full moon. But a shifter can change at will although the moon is the force that draws them closer to their beasts. During the full moon the shifter must find time to change and hunt or they lose control of the Wolf.
Shifters can be the ‘Wolf’ or a hybrid of human and Wolf which we call Werewolf. But a shifter-Wolf could never be confused with a natural one. For one thing a shifter-Wolf is the size of a full grown human. Next, a shifter-Wolf doesn’t have the same canine appearance—you can actually recognize the human characteristics in the face of a Wolf. Tyler has a softer, rounder face than Jason and Paul. Jason’s eyes are wide and spaced further apart, Paul’s lips curl upward and I’ve never seen a canine do that!
Now the Werewolf is more like the legends. They are bigger and taller than the average human with a fur covered bodies although they don’t look very hairy. You can see each line and muscle in the Werewolf’s body. In Tyler’s case you can see the impressions of small breasts and her torso is slimmer even while her shoulders and arms are massive. A Werewolf has teeth that are so long it’s hard to imagine that they all fit within its mouth. They have canine hind legs but are much bigger and they have human-like arms and hands with talons that can cut and shred. Their faces are truly monstrous and although I can tell the difference between one from the other it’s not because they resemble themselves as humans. They don’t. When they become the Werewolf they are no longer just themselves. Something else that lies partially dormant comes to the surface, which is the reason that no Vampire will ever control a Werewolf.
They can barely control the Wolf in themselves.
Julie raised her arms for me to pick her up and I stepped carefully between the limbs of the huge Wolves and lifted her into my arms. After propping her up on my hip I reached down and scratched each of them beneath their chins and atop their heads between their ears. Paul rolled onto his back practically begging for a belly rub and I indulged them all with a brief rub of their undersides.
“Okay, okay enough.” I chuckled when Jason playfully tugged my pants leg to prevent me from stopping. One by one they morphed back into human form, stretching and coming to their feet. They were comfortable with their nudity but slipped on pants and shirts.
“How was the pack meeting?” I asked.
Paul leaned in to kiss me and then smiled. “Better than we could have ever imagined.”
They explained that by the weekend they could secure an old farmhouse that was on the outskirts of town. It had once been a horse farm and had a number of acres as well as barns and anything else that they could need. Then they would begin the Werewolf selection process.
I propped Julie on my knee as I sat on the sofa listening to their excited chatter.
“The safe houses,” Julie smiled. “The humans living in them are accustomed to the supernatural and given the opportunity I think any of them would desire the chance to be equal in strength to those that have tormented them.”
I frowned. “Yeah, as long as they understand that they aren’t going out to get revenge.”
Paul just smiled.
My frown deepened. “Uh … you aren’t planning to do that, are you?”
The Wolf pack exchanged looks and Paul spoke. “No. Not exactly. But let’s just say that I haven’t forgotten what those bastards did to you.”
I stood up pulling the baby into my arms. She gave me a surprised look and then plopped her head on my shoulder sleepily. “Whoa, you guys aren’t planning a Vampire-Werewolf war are you?!”
Paul shook his head adamantly. “No, that wouldn’t benefit anyone. Besides, I want the Wolves as deeply undercover as the shifters in Europe.” He pulled me into his arms and held me loosely until the tension left my body. “Just remember that once upon a time when you were up against a wall and you thought you had nowhere to turn.”
I listened silently. When I had been turned I was told that I would be the lowest Vampire on the totem pole; sacrificed when needed and forced into servitude. Yeah, I remembered that well.
“Well from now on we are going to make sure that there are … options.”
I shook my head in confusion. “Paul-”
He placed his lips lightly on mine. “I only want protection for you, us and others that need it. That’s all.”
I felt a stirring in my center and Tyler rose from the couch to slip my dozing daughter from my arms. I barely noticed as I began to feast on Paul’s delectable lips, my tongue lightly swiping them before exploring the depths of his mouth.
He groaned and pulled my pelvis against his and as Jason and Tyler retreated to their bedroom with the baby, I allowed the succubus her time to play.
~***~
By the end of the week, the farmhouse had been prepared and the pack was ready to select the humans that would be a benefit to us. We were under the gun—not just because we didn’t know when the Elders would drop the hammer on us, but because we had less than a week until we reached the apex of the full moon. It meant the selected humans had to be infected and the virus allowed to take hold within mere days. The process would be long and painful. To be infected a human had to be bitten, and it had to happen repeatedly over a matter of days
If it didn’t ‘take’ by the apex then they would have to start the entire process over for the next full moon.
So Paul prepared to move out and into the farmhouse along with Jason and Tyler to begin the arduous work ahead of them. Before leaving he told me that he wanted to talk to me about something important.
I was preparing to grill some steaks—one of which would be mine. As we got closer to the full moon it brought out my desire for meat. I looked at him curiously.
“Is everything alright, babe?”
“Yeah.” He leaned against the counter. “And I want to make sure it stays that way. There are too many threats against us for me to leave my family unprotected.”
I smirked and dried my hands on a towel. “I’m pretty capable, babe.”
He nodded but I saw his eyes take in my fuzzy pink bunny slippers and my apron that read ‘I love you like a fat kid loves cake’.
“Well I definitely wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end after making you angry.” He said simply. “But this Council has some serious enemies with not only all of the other Vampire Councils but also with the Elder board. I don’t want to leave you and BJ here alone.”
I walked over to him and slid
my arms around him while staring deeply into his emerald eyes.
“I won’t let anything happen to us.”
His expression remained serious but he lowered his head briefly in order to place a light kiss on my lips. “I want Alexis to move in here while I’m gone,” he said.
My eyes nearly popped out of my head. “What?”
“You heard me.”
I pulled away, staring at him in shock. “You said you didn’t want him in our house-“
“I could afford to be selfish than. I can’t now. Alexis loves you and he’s proven that he’ll do whatever it takes to protect you. You love BJ and that means he’s going to do the same for her. I want him to move in here while I’m away.”
The idea of living with Alexis again caused a deep spike of regret … and yearning. “I don’t know, Paul … “ I also couldn’t forget my wounded pride that he’d rejected my offer to have both him and Paul.
He watched me for a moment before continuing. “Baby … I do know what I’m asking. I know that you love him and he loves you. But he’s not really here. He stole Ran’s body because his is imprisoned somewhere else. And it will continue to be that way until his prison term ends or he breaks out and brings down the wrath of the most powerful Vampires that exist.
“He is a lot of things, but he is no fool. When this ends he will return to where he came from.” His eyes locked onto mine. “On that I can guarantee you.”
I searched his eyes. Did he know about the offer that I’d made to Alexis? Maybe I had underestimated my husband … maybe he would not have agreed to such an arrangement. He was understanding about my monsters but that didn’t mean he would embrace Alexis.
Well, it was no longer an issue. And although I didn’t think I’d need protection I quickly remembered Paul’s previous pack, and the way they had swarmed the manor and killed two of the most capable Vampires that I knew.
I nodded my head. “Okay.”
He just watched me for a long time. “Okay.”
No. This was not an easy decision for him either.
After dinner I called for Alexis and Ran to meet me at Johan’s manor. I gave them enough travel time to allow Ran to be driven there. He was essential to me maintaining some form of control when with Alexis. When you love a man, it is hard enough to control your desires, but having a sex demon as a part of your very make-up, ups the ante. If there was going to be a relationship between me and my two husbands then it would be in honesty with no more secrets.
When I saw human Ran and Alexis walk through the front door of the manor I hid my grin. Ran’s human body had gained weight and instead of wearing jeans he had on a warm-up suit.
I hugged him and then looked at the two men. “Thank you for coming. Shall we go into the front room?”
Ran blushed. “I have to go to the bathroom again.”
Alexis glared at him. “You went right before we left your home.”
“I know!” He snapped, a blush creeping up his neck. “You’re the one that selected a human with the bladder of a peanut shell!” He then stormed up the stairs to the bathroom.
My brow quirked upward at their exchange. I didn’t know if their relationship had grown due their mutual need for each other, but I could clearly tell that Ran was not afraid of Alexis.
“Is everything okay, my love?” Alexis asked instead of just delving into my head and searching my thoughts. I appreciated that. He was learning.
“Yes. But I wanted to talk to you two about something important. How are you?”
“You no longer sound displeased at me.”
“Well … I was out of line. You were right to turn me down-”
He closed his eyes briefly before meeting mine again. “I did not turn you down. I simply refused to give you an answer until you found it within yourself. Your true self; the one you doubt.”
My face felt hot. Ahhh.
“And did you find your own answer to the question that you asked me?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“And it is?”
“It … probably wouldn’t have worked.”
He stared at me as if waiting for me to say more.
I blushed deeply. “I didn’t think it through. It wouldn’t have worked.” I crossed my arms in embarrassment at being made to face my mistakes. “I don’t think I … would love you the same if you would accept a relationship like that.” I finally met his eyes. “You said you would not share me. And Paul wouldn’t have either.”
Ran entered the room again, muttering about something being wrong with the human’s prostate. I led them to the front room. Kat had arranged for it to be redecorated simply in browns and beiges. We decided that the minion could care less what the room looked like so might as well keep it simple.
“Thank you for coming,” I said as we took seats. I noted that Ran sat next to Alexis on the sofa instead of selecting a wingchair as I had.
“Nothings wrong, is it?” Ran asked while his face clouded in worry.
I shook my head quickly. “No. But Paul … “ after a brief hesitation I decided to be more truthful. “ … and I think that it would be a good idea for BJ and I not to be alone. He intends to move into the farmhouse in order to prepare the new Wolf Pack members. And … well there are a number of threats out there—and a lot of angry Vampires that don’t like me much right now.”
Ran frowned and he looked unsure which surprised me. Of the two, he was the last one that I thought would have any trepidation. Alexis still had not made a response.
“Kim,” Ran began. “I haven’t said anything yet but … I’m going to ask Paul to turn me into a Werewolf.”
I blinked, surprised. “But … “ I was preparing to argue that he was a Vampire when I realized that while in the body of a human he was human. Which was precisely one of the reasons that Alexis had stolen his body to inhabit—so that he could regain at least some of his Vampire abilities.
“I’ve thought about it since the last meeting. I won’t be of any help to anyone as long as I’m stuck in this body.” He gave Alexis a side-long look. “And he won’t return my own until this is over.” He shook his head once his gaze fell on me again. “There’s no telling how long that could last; it could be months … maybe even longer.”
I ran my hand through my hair and held it there, clutching my springy curls as I thought hard about every single angle. I looked at Alexis. “What are your thoughts on this?”
“I have none,” he shrugged. “He can do whatever he wants to that body. The human that once owned it has met his true death.” His expression took on a speculative look. “It seems that only something that is non-living can withstand being pushed from its body.” He met my eyes again. “But digress. I do not believe he has the ability to move someone from their body. Only I can return him to his own. If something should happen to the human body before I’m ready to vacate this one, then it is my belief that your First Lieutenant will be lost.”
I was surprised at the total lack of emotion in Alexis’ voice. He really didn’t give a shit about what he’d done to the man that had once lived and breathed in the body that he’d hijacked. And he didn’t care one way or another if Ran’s spirit got stuck without a body.
In that moment I couldn’t figure out one reason why I loved Alexis.
I turned my attention back to Ran. “Are you sure that you want to do this? If you’re hurt during the turning-”
“If I don’t do it than I’m weak as a kitten.”
I nodded in understanding. “Okay.”
Ran looked at Alexis but curiously didn’t appear angry at his cold words. “I think that Alexis should stay with you. My blood donors can still feed him. He knows how to locate them.”
But Alexis still had not responded to my request.
“Well?” I asked.
“Tell me one thing,” he said. “Whose idea was this?”
“Paul’s.”
“I will do as you ask,” he said, his expression not revealing this thoughts.<
br />
I wondered if his answer would have changed if I had answered differently.
CHAPTER 14
When I returned to my home Paul was waiting for me. The house was quiet; no Sam or BJ.
I appeared in the living room where he waited for me. “He said yes,” I said with no beating around the bush.
He nodded, not appearing surprised.
“Where is the baby and Sam?” I asked.
“Sam is keeping her for the evening. I asked her to move in here while I’m away.”
I nodded. I considered myself to be a good mom, but my sleep is like death and that just wasn’t conducive to parenting a toddler.
He pulled me gently into his arms and held me. “Ran contacted me. I like his idea and he would be a valuable addition to the pack. He’s got battle training and he’s fearless.”
I felt relieved that Paul wasn’t worried that being turned into a Werewolf could affect the Vampire in Ran. Besides, there were other more pressing matters that I felt we needed to discuss, so I shelved my concerns about turning Ran.
“Paul,” I sighed. “You don’t have to worry about … Alexis being here.”
“I’m not.” He pulled back enough to look into my eyes. “I know that you went to him that night … after we’d made love.” Before I could explain he continued. “When you returned you smelled like him. But you didn’t smell like sex with him. So I figured that whatever conflict you have has been settled.”
My face felt warm. “Paul, I—”
“The only thing that I’m concerned about is that your conflict has been resolved. Has it?”
“Yes.” I said firmly.
He nodded, his expression unreadable. “But I already knew that.” He kissed my lips lightly and his eyes grew warm. “Don’t make me any promises that you can’t keep Kim. And don’t lie to me again.”
Lying wasn’t just the words that came out of your mouth, but sometimes what you didn’t say …
I looked at him earnestly. “I swear it. I will never lie to you again.”
