by Petra Landon
“No.” He shook his head. “Hawk was right to ask for it. My decision was based on the merit of his request.”
She could still remember her first meeting in the Pack Room with him, his relentless questioning, those cold, accusing eyes and his aggression. The man who had comforted her at the Vampire nest had turned into a cold, unpredictable, and scary Shifter. Tasia had been terrified and unsure of which way to turn and who to trust. In the end, the night at the nest when the Shifters had fought so desperately for her, and Hawk’s entreaty to trust his Alpha had convinced her to accept the Alpha’s bargain. Even then, she had been unsure. It had taken multiple skirmishes, many false starts and missteps, and hours of soul-searching to decide to stick with the Pack. The Alpha’s willingness to try and accommodate her concerns had also helped seal the bargain the second time around.
Her time with the Shifters had changed her. A newfound confidence in herself — no more running for the shadows, when faced with a threat. Friendships that enriched her, a huge difference from her lonely and isolated life at the periphery of both human and Chosen alike. And now, a gradual footing in the Pack — a steady job, and protection from any dangerous Chosen gunning for her. All because of one man, his decision to offer her a place in the Pack, his persistence, and his insistence to his Pack that they accept her.
“I sense rising gratitude for a certain Alpha” he remarked, openly amused.
“Beware, witchling” he said softly. “Or I might let it go to my head.”
“You will not” Tasia flushed.
You already have a swollen head.
As amusement warmed the cold eyes, she took the fight to him. “You say my presence forced you to confront your views. So, if not for me, they might never have been challenged? That would be a shame.”
He leant forward, the gold eyes glinting with amusement. “It would indeed” he murmured. “Although Duncan does do a good job of holding a mirror to me, on the rare occasion I need it.”
Rare occasion he needs it indeed.
Tasia straightened.
The arrogance of the man.
“I’m rarely wrong” he stated simply, with an air of arrogance that belied the expression of amusement on his face.
As outrage flashed across her face, he added insidiously “And on the rare occasion I am, you’ll set me straight.”
Stopped in her tracks, a confused Tasia repeated slowly “I’ll set you straight?”
“You have experience with this — a cat called Tiger. I haven’t forgotten.”
She stared at him, while a gamut of expressions flitted across her expressive face. Color surged up her face as snatches bubbled up from a night of danger and excitement, fueled by blood loss and trauma.
“Not again” she stammered, trying to pull herself together. He had reminded her of this once before.
An eyebrow arched in mock surprise, his voice was deadpan. “Asking me about my beast form, witchling? That’s not something I ever expected from you.”
Tasia stared at him speechlessly. She felt ill-equipped to respond to his lighthearted teasing. With Hawk and her other friends, she’d have a smart comeback. Not so with him. She hadn’t even known that he had it in him.
“Lost for words, witchling?” For just a moment, he looked like a naughty schoolboy.
“You’re teasing me” she muttered, almost like she needed to say it out loud, notwithstanding the evidence before her eyes.
“You’re easy to rile” he remarked, seemingly pleased with himself.
“Come on.” He sprang up. “Time for bed.”
Tasia stood up. “What time is it?” she yawned.
“A little after three.”
She glanced at him. “Long drive?”
“I’ve a room here for nights like these. Perks of being the Alpha.”
Tasia stepped out of the car, burrowing into her jacket for warmth as Duncan courteously held the door open for Sara to alight next. The night air chilled Tasia, her jacket doing nothing for her bare legs under the chocolate-colored dress she wore. Sienna, Sara and she had embarked on an impromptu shopping trip the day before, making an outing of it. Duncan had good-humoredly agreed to escort the ladies. Jason, Hawk and Joaquim, in addition to Duncan, had been considered enough of a contingent against any remaining remnants of Bianchi’s Vampires. Tasia had had a fantastic time with her new friends — it was starting to feel like things were settling back to normal. She could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Her strange life cooped up inside the Lair with the Shifters was coming to an end. And, thanks to the generous stipend from the Pack, she found herself flush with money for the first time in her life. All three ladies had indulged in dresses for Atsá’s party and the evening had culminated in a raucous dinner at a popular North Beach restaurant that Duncan had surprisingly proved adept at getting last minute reservations for.
“Look who Jason and I found” Sienna hailed them.
Tasia turned to see Hawk and Caro walking towards them, with Sienna and Jason in tow. She could sense that though Sienna was astonished by Caro’s presence at Hawk’s side, the Wizard was trying to hide it. Jason seemed somewhat bemused by it all. Hawk’s eyes held a wicked glint that indicated he was enjoying himself hugely, while Caro was her usual composed and self-assured self.
Sara stepped forward to give Caro a warm hug. “Impeccable timing for once, Hawk” she said laughingly to her brother. “Now, we can all go in together and Caroline won’t feel like a stranger in there.”
“An excellent idea, Sara” Duncan said approvingly. “Hello Caroline. You must tell me sometime why you let this irascible boy convince you to give him a chance.”
“It was singularly hard work, Duncan.” Hawk wiped his brow with an exaggerated gesture.
Caroline remained composed. “He can be very persuasive when he puts his mind to it.”
“You’ve hit the nail on the head, Caroline” Sara concurred whole-heartedly. “The real job is convincing Hawk that it’s worth it.”
Jason prompted everyone. “Shall we?”
“Absolutely.”
As everyone trooped in together, Sara glanced at Duncan. “You’re shocked, Duncan?” she asked softly. They were still a ways from the house. Once closer to the houseful of Shifters, there would be no private conversation.
“A tad taken aback” he admitted after a momentary silence. “You’re not.” He quirked his eyebrow at her.
“Nope” she grinned. “I approve very much. As does Tasia, I suspect” she added with a glance at her friend beside her.
“Very much” Tasia assented promptly.
“For what it’s worth, so do I” Duncan murmured quietly. He did approve of Caroline for Hawk, for more reasons than one. He was very fond of Hawk, and the boy needed someone who would stand up to him when necessary. From what he’d seen of Caroline, she had an independent and feisty streak that would stand her in good stead.
Also, Duncan was immensely pleased to have his suspicions confirmed that Hawk’s feelings for Tasia were platonic. Knowing what he knew, any jostling over Tasia’s affections would ill serve everyone, the Pack as well as Hawk. And, he rather suspected that Raoul’s famed self-control and detachment would fall by the wayside if that were to happen.
Sounds of revelry permeated the air as they approached the house. Atsá lived in a big house built high into the hillside, backing onto woods. It was a bit of a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, on the outskirts of the quaint town of Sausalito across the bay from San Francisco.
The large drawing room was crowded, the revelry in full swing as the Avians and their guests let their guard down. As the new group of arrivals stood framed by the doorway, there was an instant of silence. Shifters turned as one to stare at the motley group. Then, Atsá strode forward to greet his guests and the Shifters turned away to speculate more discreetly about the new guests. Tasia wasn’t sure who surprised the Shifters more — Sienna and Jason, her, or Caroline Hamilton in Atsá’s drawing room. Shifter
s who frequented the Lair knew Caroline by sight, so the Wizard was not a stranger to them. But her presence here at a Shifter celebration must surely mystify them.
If Atsá was astonished by Caroline’s presence, he hid it well, graciously welcoming her when Hawk introduced her to his grandfather.
“I know your father, child” Atsá remarked. “Please give him my regards.”
Caroline murmured politely, and then, Atsá was greeting Tasia.
“Welcome, Tasia. I’m glad you could join us tonight.”
Sara and Hawk were a little stiff with Atsá, but the Were-Alpha did not linger, welcoming them as easily as he had Sienna and Jason.
Duncan strode over to a group of Shifters, but Hawk and Sara stuck with them.
Evgeny wandered over to them. “There’s dancing in one of the other rooms” he announced excitedly.
“Looks like your idea at the Lair celebration has caught on, Hawk” Sienna remarked.
Soon, Tasia was caught up in the swing of it. She danced with Evgeny, Hawk and Jason, who, she knew from the Lair party, was a surprisingly good dancer. In between, there was food and plenty of laughter with her friends. She noted how deftly Duncan drew Jason into his conversations with Atsá and Maartje, and how much respect Atsá commanded amongst the gathered Shifters.
The Alpha strode in late, with Elisabetta by his side. It didn’t draw any attention from the Shifters, but caused Sienna to silently raise her eyebrows at Tasia. Hawk caught the discreet signal, opening his mouth to comment. But before he could say anything, Sienna jumped in.
“No Hawk, save the thought. Tasia and I’ve already faced his displeasure once and neither of us is in a hurry to do so again” she said laughingly.
Hawk looked intrigued. “You did? When …” he invited, but Tasia shook her head at him. She wasn’t going to indulge in gossip this openly with Shifter ears listening in. Not again, and not about the Alpha. The last time, she had been an unwitting bystander, but this time, she was determined to keep her distance. Hawk might know what he was doing, but she didn’t intend to cause more ruckus in the Pack, and she certainly did not intend to rile the Alpha.
Caroline, puzzled by the cryptic comments, remained silent, conscious of the surrounding Shifters.
Unexpectedly, it was Sara who stated softly “Those two will never be an item.” There was utter confidence in her voice. It was clear who she meant.
Sienna gave a sharp nod, clearly agreeing with Sara. She had spent enough time with the Alpha as well as Elisabetta to appreciate that the two Shifters were poles apart, even without the Alpha’s principle of never entangling himself with anyone from his Pack.
Sara’s statement served to give Caroline an inkling of the context. “Stranger things have happened” she commented, her eyes on Hawk.
“No, Caroline.” Hawk shook his head. “We’re not that strange, but they would be.”
Evgeny made another of his precipitous entrances just then, and the conversation turned to other matters. Most of the Were-Alphas were in attendance tonight, Tasia observed, but the rank-and-file Shifters were from the Avian were-pack. There were families present, partners and mates, and even a few children, but otherwise it was very much a sedate affair. Some of the Shifters greeted Hawk and Sara politely, a few even nodded at Tasia and Sienna, but most kept their distance from their little group.
Eventually, Luis Beltran made his way to them, to greet them and make polite conversation. It was the cue for Sara to disappear discreetly with Evgeny to the dance floor. Tasia noted her friend’s disappearance with a frown. Sara had not yet sorted out her issues with Luis, she realized. The Alpha had offered his assistance on the matter. Perhaps, it was time to consider his offer in good faith. Sara deserved to be happy in her Pack, not looking over her shoulder all the time.
Then, a strange thing happened. Stefan Simeonov made his way to them and asked Tasia to dance. Caught by surprise, Tasia tried frantically to find a gracious way to refuse the Shifter, before Hawk stepped in to the rescue.
“Sorry, Simeonov. She’s promised to me for this one” Hawk said pointedly.
Since her early association with the Pack, Tasia had always kept the striking-looking Were-Alpha with the bright blue eyes at a distance. While she considered Duncan, Luis Beltran and Atsá perfect gentlemen, there was something about Stefan Simeonov that made her wary. Hawk, uniquely attuned to Tasia, had picked up on it.
Simeonov contemplated Hawk as the group around them went silent. “Didn’t mean to step on any toes, Hawk” the Were-Alpha drawled. “Another time, perhaps” he remarked to Tasia with a charming smile.
Tasia murmured a noncommittal response, before allowing Hawk to lead her to the dance floor. As she walked away, she cast an apologetic glance at Caro, who wore a thoughtful expression on her face.
“Thanks, Hawk” she murmured.
Much later in the evening, Maartje strode up to Tasia. “It’s good to see you tonight, Tasia.” Her eyes shot to where Hawk and Sara stood with the rest of their group.
Before Tasia could respond, Hawk strode up to them with a tight expression on his face to engage Maartje in conversation. Tasia sighed silently. She understood what the Alpha meant by Hawk allowing his emotions to rule him. She’d have preferred to have this conversation with Maartje here tonight, where the Shifter guests within earshot would allow them both to get away with cryptic statements. Now, Maartje would likely accost Tasia at a more private venue, forcing her into greater adroitness to manage the situation.
More surprises lay in store for Tasia. Elisabetta walked up to her at the buffet table later in the evening, after Tasia had just refilled her plate with seconds.
“Tasia Armstrong” the beautiful Were-Alpha greeted her. “I had not expected to see you tonight.”
Tasia was unfazed. Duncan’s compliment about her adroit handling of Maartje had given Tasia’s confidence a boost. Elisabetta, unsubtle and with none of Maartje’s finesse, was easier to handle.
“I was invited, Elisabetta” she countered.
“Of course you were” Elisabetta agreed smoothly, but Tasia could sense that she had surprised the Shifter.
“I don’t see Hawk” Elisabetta remarked sweetly, glancing around her. “Usually, he hovers over you like a dog with his favorite bone.”
Aah, so Elisabetta thinks I’m here as Hawk’s date.
“He’s in the other room” Tasia said calmly. “Were you looking for him?”
“Not particularly.” Elisabetta’s lips quirked. “The stripling and I do not see eye to eye.”
She studied Tasia, the green eyes rife with speculation. “You, I’m beginning to suspect, are much smarter than the stripling. So, I’ll give you some advice. If you intend to stick with the Pack, you’ll need more friends than just Hawk Manotti and his sister.”
“I’ll keep that in mind” Tasia responded, just as the Alpha, in company with Duncan, Luis and Stefan Simeonov strode up to the table to check out the excellent repast Atsá had laid out for his guests.
The Alpha addressed Tasia. “Duncan says he gave you a ride here?”
“Yes.”
“I’m headed back to the Lair in an hour. I can give you a ride, if you like?” he offered. “It’ll save Duncan a trip back — he can drop Sara.”
“Yes, thank you” Tasia accepted before excusing herself. This was as good an excuse as any to walk away from Elisabetta.
“We’re now expected to step in for Hawk with both his sister and his date” Elisabetta exclaimed from behind Tasia.
“Hawk’s busy, Elisabetta” she heard Duncan respond, before she moved out of earshot.
Elisabetta wasn’t pleased by the Alpha’s offer to drive her back to the Lair, Tasia realized. After Bianchi’s attempt on Caroline, the Alpha had made it clear that Tasia should only venture outside the Lair with either Duncan or him. Perhaps, Elisabetta wasn’t aware of this. Or maybe, Sara was wrong, Tasia mused. Perhaps, Elisabetta had come to the party with the Alpha and was displeased by the pr
ospect of a third wheel. The beautiful Were-Alpha’s interest in the Alpha was no secret in the Pack.
The thought discomfited Tasia. Maybe, she’d been too hasty in accepting the Alpha’s offer. Duncan, she knew, would readily agree to a trip back to the Lair.
When an hour later, the Alpha signaled to Tasia that he was ready to leave, it was with some hesitation that Tasia said her goodbyes. She wished Sienna and Jason a good trip — they were headed to San Diego in the morning. Jason had meetings at Wizard Headquarters, and Sienna intended to spend time with her aunt for the holidays. Hawk and Caro had already left, so Tasia took her leave of the others, before moving to where the Alpha waited for her.
A quick glance around the room made it clear that Elisabetta, though in conversation with Stefan Simeonov, had her attention on the Alpha. Simeonov, in turn, paused his conversation with Elisabetta to stare at Tasia, the blue eyes rife with speculation. Engrossed in watching Elisabetta, Tasia missed it, but the Alpha did not. The gold eyes narrowed on the Were-Alpha, his displeasure clear. Simeonov yanked his attention back to Elisabetta to resume his conversation with her.
“Ready?” the Alpha inquired, as Tasia reached him.
She hesitated.
“What?”
She directed an uncertain glance at Elisabetta, who was now watching them openly. “Elisabetta …” she said uncertainly.
“What about Elisabetta?” He was clearly all at sea.
“Shouldn’t we wait for her?” Her voice was tentative.
“Why on earth …?” He stopped. “I’m ready to get out of here.”
He stalked off, and after a bemused moment, Tasia followed him. Guests still milled about the house, and it took her a few minutes to make her way to the door. Once out, she found him waiting for her. He directed her a few blocks away, to where his car sat parked.
It was only once they were in the car and moving that he spoke again.
“Elisabetta and I met outside and walked in together.” It was stated simply, with the economy of precision.
