Broken Melody (Luna's Children)

by Melissa Kay Clarke

  The self-serving smile broadened into a satisfied smirk. “Let the pup go.” His eyes stayed on Alpha Hennison then slowly turned to Cayson who stood and rolled his shoulders, making the bones in his neck crackle and pop.

  “Where is Zandria?”

  “She was in that room when I left for the hearing this morning.” Simon didn't even break a sweat but he did look around nervously for a moment.

  One of the Enforcers appeared in the doorway. “There's a small empty room underground, no furniture just some rancid food, empty bowl and a lot of dried blood.”

  “And her scent, the room is drenched with her scent.” Cayson lifted his head and sniffed. Turning to the south, he pointed. “And it goes that way.”

  Idiots. Everyone knows a cur doesn't have a traceable scent. Simon agreed with his inner beast and couldn't help but chuckle at the pure absurdity of Cayson's statement. “By all means, let's go find her 'scent'.”

  NINETEEN

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  Every jolt and movement of Zandria's body made pain scream through her nerves and muscles. It wasn't quite as bad as it was earlier when she lay on the bare floor, but it was enough to make its presence known. Bobby grunted and stumbled and she cried out when his shoulder pressed into her stomach. He quickly recovered, readjusted her weight and resumed his trek through the woods.

  A snap followed by a snarl stopped him in his tracks. Zandria looked up and into the golden stare of a black wolf. It was huge, covered in thick dark fur and was staring at her. Quickly she dropped her stare to his chest, not challenging him in his dominance. She sucked a breath into her lungs and held it a moment. Then the wolf disappeared as Bobby swung around.

  “Jackson. Where's your brother?” There was no response, just the sound of paws crushing dead leaves underfoot and heavy breaths from Bobby. “No answer? I didn't think you two knew how to pee without instructions from the other.”

  A loud growl answered his goading. Suddenly, Zandria was tossed from his shoulder, landing with a grunt on the ground that knocked the wind from her lungs. Looking through the hair covering her eyes, she watched as Bobby's wolf lunged at the other.

  Gabriel prepared himself for the onslaught but though they were similar in size, he was no match for the more seasoned beta. Bobby bowled him over, the two rolling in the dirt throwing up sticks, dust and a shower of dried, brittle leaves. Snarls filled the air along with fur and the flash of snapping teeth. Bobby rolled off of Gabe and crouched down, fangs bared. There were several long scratches along his brown flanks and dark blood matted the fur in several places.

  The two circled each other warily, golden eyes locked on one another. Bobby lunged to the right. Gabe moved towards him and his jaws closed on nothing. Instead, a howl broke from his maw as Bobby's jaws clamped on Gabe's scruff. Zandria winced as the big brown shook the black beast until he flew through the air, crashing into a tree with a yelp and crumpling at the base in a heap. Bobby threw his head back and howled his triumph.

  It was short lived as the noise of many more sounded from the way they had just come. Bobby whirled around and glared at her, calculating his chances of getting away with her. With a snap of jaws in her direction, he ran towards her, leaped over her prone body and disappeared into the trees.

  Within moments, the space was filled with bodies. She blinked as someone grabbed her in strong arms, burying their face in the hallow of her neck. “Zandria,” Cayson's cry was strangled. "Oh Luna, baby." The pain in his voice almost broke her.

  “Cay?” She croaked then cried, “Cay. Is it you?”

  She felt something cold graze her skin and then the ropes were cut and pulled away. She cried out when her abused limbs were suddenly freed and blood flowed into her hands. He gently took them in his hands and rubbed them. She hissed as the stinging sharpened but then relaxed as it faded away.

  “Let me check her out.” She looked up at Chase as he bent over her.

  “Back away!,” Cayson snarled and pulled her closer to his body. "Mine!" The honey gold of his wolf glared at them as his lips rolled back exposing sharpened fangs.

  “Hey, Goliath? Come on now, you know Chase won't hurt her. Remember, we love you and we love her. Please, let him check her over. She's been pretty well worked over while here. Please?” Carson placed a hand on her twin's arm.

  His golden eyes closed and he tightened his embrace around her. Ours! Nobody touches her. She is ours! His beast snarled. I will protect her. Cayson pushed against the agitated beast. It took several moments but eventually he emerged on top. Opening his eyes, he nodded and let Chase lift her from his lap. Standing, he moved to as close as he could to them, watching every move as Chase checked her over. Looking down at her, he winced and the fury again burned white hot in his soul. She was covered in bruises, cuts and scrapes. Her normally blond hair was matted and streaked with dark dried blood and who knew what else. Her jeans were shredded and hung off her hips and the ratty top she wore was so dirty he had no idea what color it had originally been. Every square inch of her skin was caked in filth and dried blood.

  She was beautiful.

  His heart hitched and he reached out, touching her face with his fingers. He smiled at her encouragingly as Chase gently prodded her body. Only a few times did she make any sounds.

  “Considering the visual state, she is in remarkably good condition. I don't think the finger is broken, but it's definitely hurt. In a few days, it should be good as new. I would like to get her back to the hotel, cleaned up and rested. I need to do a more thorough exam.”

  “I'm sorry but not yet, healer”

  All head turned as Councilor Oliver walked up. “We still have a few matters that will need to be discussed. Please bring the girl back to the compound. We will try to make this as quick as possible. I'm afraid it's necessary - we need to establish her position so we know where to go from here.” Behind him the other members of the council stood watching the scene impassively.

  Cayson scooped her up into his arms and started walking. “Put me down, Cayson, I can walk.”

  He ignored her and instead tightened his grip on her body. She had been gone less than two weeks but he knew she had lost quite a bit of weight. Under the bagginess of the tatters of her clothes, he could still detect her delicious curves but they were not as pronounced as before. “I like you right where you are,” he growled. She locked her arms around his neck and enjoyed his closeness, nuzzling her face against his neck and closing her eyes. She knew she stank, she could smell her own filth, but it didn't bother him.

  They broke through the trees and strolled past the little shed. Zandria's eyes fell upon it and she shivered slightly. It was only the second time she had seen it, but she knew it would be etched in her memory for a life time. Thankfully, a few moments later, it disappeared from view as they reemerged in the commons.

  “Tigger!!”

  She was attacked while still in Cayson's arms by her older sister, Willow. “Oh gad, Tigger what have you been rolling in? You reek!' She took a step back and wiped her face where tears were falling. “Mumma and Daddy will be so relieved to see you.”

  “Please Cay, please put me down,” she looked up in his face. “Please?”

  He sighed wearily then slid her down till her feet touched the ground. She sucked in a breath and staggered slightly but he caught her, wrapping his arm around her waist to steady her. Willow pulled her in her arms again and hugged tightly.

  “I thought you said I stank,” she whispered into her sister's ear.

  “You do but I don't care. I'm so happy to see you again.”

  Someone cleared their throat and Willow let her go. Cayson pulled her back against his body and tightened his embrace draped possessively around her waist. Behind Willow, the Council stood waiting along with Simon who had a decidedly sour look on his face. Stark fear swept through her body and Zandria whimpered, pressing herself closer to Cay. Whispering endearments to her, he snarled. “He'll never touch y
ou again,” he growled possessively as his honey hued eyes locked on Simon.

  “Alexandria Rogers, it has been said that you are a wolf and not a human. The actions of several claims brought before this council now hinge on that supposition.” Carl turned to Jeff. “You may proceed with your argument.”

  “As it has been said, everyone knows that only a wolf can be the true life mate of another wolf. We may dally with humans but only a true mate will fulfill us. Because of that irrefutable fact, Zandria cannot be a human and must be a wolf because she is Cayson's true mate. As evidence, I ask them to show the mating marks that they both bear on their chests.”

  Zandria looked up at him. He nodded and pulled his shirt off his torso and tossed it on his right shoulder. She pulled the collar down on her shirt enough so that the mark was visible. There in the same position on their chests sat a mark, about two inches round of red and white swirls and lines. Where Caysons was white outlined with red raised ridges, Zandria's was outlined in red and raised in white. A gasp sounded around the commons followed by murmurs. Zandria looked up and saw the edges of the ground filling with people she had known for the last several years. Some of them glared at her in disbelief while others shook their head sadly. Cayson's arm tightened and she felt him pressed against her back. His presence calmed her.

  “There is your proof. Alexandria would not have those marks if she was not a wolf!” Jeff finished triumphantly.

  “How do we know those are real marks? They could have created them with branding or tattoos. If she's a wolf, then shift! Show us!” Simon yelled.

  Gertrude stepped forward. “The mating marks cannot be forged. Branding or tattooing will not create the same sort of unique configuration.” She stepped forward. “May I?” Cayson nodded. She touched the mark that rode his chest and then the one that graced hers. She smiled and turned around. “These are true marks.”

  The tight look on Carl's face grew hard. He and the other councilors gathered and whispered among themselves for several moments. He took a step forward and spoke. “Very well, the girl Alexandria Rogers, is hereby declared to be a wolf and as such, is subject to the same rights and privileges as any other pack member.”

  She found herself swinging in a circle. “See, I told you that everything would be just fine.” He nuzzled her neck and took a deep breath. Inside, his wolf whimpered and basked in the nearness of their mate. She clung to him in near desperation. The soft voice inside of her murmured happily.

  “Then I demand she be held for the murder of my daughter, Laura Winstead.” Simon's eyes had turned dark and flecks of foam gathered at the corners of his mouth. “I demand her life! It's my right as alpha of this pack and father of the deceased. I demand justice!”

  Cayson thrust her behind his back. “Over my dead body!” he snarled.

  “That can be arranged, pup”. Simon took a step forward.

  Cayson stared him dead in the eyes. “You can try it, Winstead,” he growled under his breath.

  “Are you challenging me, welp?”

  Cayson didn't drop his gaze and nodded slightly. “If you think you will get your hands on my mate again, you bet your furry ass I challenge.”

  “Stop this at once,” Carl's voice thundered across the commons. “The matter of her guilt is not a part of this session. We will hear her case at another date.”

  “NO!! Your challenge is accepted!” Simon snarled and lunged forward, shifting immediately. Cayson shoved her to the side then in a flash of shredded denim, he shifted. The two met in the middle of the commons in a fury of fur and gnashing teeth. Cayson's gray was bigger than Simon's brown but only by a thin margin. Whereas Cayson had youth on his side, Simon's beast was full of cunning with one thought on his mind – to kill this insolent pup quickly then deal with his daughter's murderer. The two clashed and then pulled away, circling each other warily. Cayson growled, snapping his jaws towards Simon who watched the younger wolf warily, waiting for his chance to pounce.

  The sounds of the challenge pulled out every other member of the village – or what was left of them. Whispers and pointing towards Zandria filled the air, but she saw none of it. She sat on the ground, her eyes locked on the life or death match before her. At her side, Willow clutched her younger sister's hand in hers while Dakota stood vigilance. Behind them, Chase, Carson and Jeff watched.

  After the initial clash between the two, they had pulled away from each other in the makeshift ring and circled. Cayson had his teeth bared and a low growl rumbled from deep in his chest. With one quick glance to the side, he assured himself that their mate was safe. Simon saw it and chose that moment to strike.

  With a streak of brown, Simon pounced on top of Cayson, jaws snapping towards his throat. Cayson twisted his head around, barely avoiding the killing move, and clamped on Simon's leg. With a snarl and a shake of his great head, a loud snap sounded in the commons followed by Simon's pained yelp. Cayson held on to the leg and rolled over, catching the older wolf under him before jumping up.

  Zandria gasped as blood dripped to the ground from a gash on Cayson's side. Behind her, Chase whispered, “He's okay, it's just a scratch.” She nodded numbly.

  The fight continued for several more minutes with each getting a few scratches and bites on the other. Finally, Simon feinted to the left, but Cayson was too smart to fall for it. As he put weight on his broken leg, pulling to the right, a flash of gray bowled the brown over and when the dust settled, Cayson stood over his opponent, muzzle red with bright arterial blood. Beneath him, Simon lay still for a moment before shifting back to human.

  Cayson backed up towards Zandria, shifted and collapsed on the ground. She jumped up and ran over, dropping to the ground beside him. He pulled her to himself and buried his face in her neck. “Zandria” he croaked, leaning heavily against her. Jeff and Chase appeared and helped him to his feet. Carson took a blanket and slid it around his waist, tying it off. “For modesty,” she murmured. Behind them, a couple of Enforcers had taken Simon's lifeless body and removed it from the grounds.

  “Cayson Hennison has won the challenge.” Carl's voice rose over the murmuring. “The rules of a challenge are absolute.”

  The grounds erupted in a symphony of screams and shouts as a brown wolf charged the commons, dodged around the enforcers.

  “Zandria!” Willow screamed.

  She looked up as the beast bore down on her, fangs bared and claws extended. She knew that wolf – she had just watched him attack and almost kill Gabriel. It was Bobby, the beta. It took her just a split second to realize that it was true, your life does flash before your eyes when facing death. There was a roar in her ears followed by a blinding pain between her eyes. She squeezed them shut tightly, waiting for the killing blow that was only a heartbeat away.

  When it didn't come, she opened her eyes and was met with a world washed in grays, blacks and whites; it was as if all the color of the world had drained away. How strange. She looked around and saw everyone looking at her in amazement, even Bobby had stopped a couple of feet away and was staring at her in shock.

  They don't know what to think about us.

  The voice was back and much clearer than ever.

  Who are you? She asked it.

  I am us. We are me. We are wolf. It returned. It was soothing but strong and filled with pride. We are free at last!

  Wolf? What does that mean? She looked down at the ground and noticed two snowy white paws under her. She took a step back and opened her mouth to ask what was going on and was met with an animal yip.

  Zandria had shifted.

  TWENTY

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  The next morning, Zandria was summoned to the council room. Beside her, Cayson sat holding her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. Behind him, her family sat along with Jeff, Chase and Carson. She felt another hand on her shoulder and smiled as her father squeezed it gently.

  It had been a joyous reunion. She had been so shocked at her first shift, s
he didn't know what to do, so had laid on the ground, whimpering in terror. In a flash, Cayson had shifted once more and snuggled in beside her, putting his head on top of hers and lending her comfort. They had watched in monotone silence as Bobby was captured by the Enforcers and imprisoned for his crimes against a fellow pack member. Afterwards, Carson has sat beside her and using her dreamer gift, gently showed Zandria how to shift back to human. Once she knew how, the change had been effortless and she stood naked on the commons. It only took a few seconds for Cayson to tug his own oversized tee shirt over her head. “Mine!” he growled possessively then pulled her into his arms again.

  The ride back to the hotel was spent in his lap, his arms wrapped tightly around her. He had carried her up to his room and swept her inside.

  “I need to see my parents,” she slid out of his arms and started towards the door.

  “Later, my love. I think they would rather see you cleaned up than the mess you are now.”

  She had looked at him with her head canted to the side. “I thought you said I looked beautiful?”

  He chuckled. “You are beautiful, my Zandria, but they haven't seen you in some time. Come on, I'll run you a nice warm bubble bath. You'll feel better afterwards.” Reluctantly, she had agreed. An hour later, she had been washed, fed and put into some clean clothes before being taken up to her parents room. They had sat and talked well into the night.

  With the entrance of the council into the room, she returned to the present and squared her shoulders.

  “Due to the nature of the events that took place yesterday, a request has been made to expedite the hearing concerning the death of Laura Winstead.” Carl looked at Cayson. “It's our understanding that you wish to exercise your right as challenge champion and claim Leeco pack as your own?”