by Jessica Snow
"Not at all," Akiko said. "Although I will defer to Melanie or Kimberly to tell you. Sisters?"
Melanie took a spoonful of maple syrup blended with butter that had melted off her pancakes and swallowed it luxuriously. "Oh, not too much, you know how it is. We were just thinking, Kimberly's got a proposal for the Gathering we think you boys would like."
"Oh, what's that?" Keith asked. He had switched off his active Link during his walk with Edward and was truly in the dark.
"Not much," Kimberly said conversationally. "Just going to war with the silberjagger. What do you think?"
Keith looked to Melanie, who grinned ferally and nodded. He glanced at Akiko who also nodded before returning his eyes to Kimberly, who sat in her seat faux-casually munching on a sausage link. "I think you should hand me a plate for some breakfast," he said. "And then we need to get to work. Planning a war is a hungry business."
Chapter 40
The winds were around the base of the Lockwood Tower as Melanie got out of the Hummer H2. While not the most ecologically friendly vehicle on the planet, she had to admit it was comfortable, at least the way Keith had customized it. With handcrafted Italian leather seats, upgraded Fox shocks and a ton of other enhancements that she couldn't see, it was like floating on a marshmallow the entire drive back from Lockwood Manor. Even with her stomach, which seemed to have doubled in size in the past six weeks, she was comfortable.
"I'm sorry you guys had to have that car delivered all the way up to the Manor, Keith," said the giant of a man who was the purpose for the huge vehicle. Standing just over six foot six, Edward Stormstout was the sort of man who garnered attention regardless of whether he wanted to or not. "But that was about the best car ride I've ever had."
Melanie turned to see Keith, who was no small man himself at six foot four and about two hundred and thirty pounds climb out of the driver's seat. "Thanks, Edward. It's actually been a long time since I drove this car, we got it for a real estate deal that was over some pretty rough terrain, and we couldn't take any of the helicopters."
"In any case, this is one awesome ride. Makes my truck that I had in Canada look like total junk," Edward replied. He patted the hood like it was a thoroughbred horse before turning away.
"After you kicked in the side when you heard that we were getting betrothed, it probably was a piece of junk," Kimberly, Keith's twin sister and Edward's Mate, replied as she followed Edward out of the back seat. "Or did you forget about that?"
"You kicked in the side of a truck?" Melanie asked, turning. As the only non-shapeshifting individual in the Waldwyck family, she sometimes forgot just how different the various abilities her family could manifest itself. "Like, dent the panel kicked?"
"More like boot print visible in the side panel after it finished rocking up on its side hinges and almost flipping over," Kimberly deadpanned as she shut her door. "Thankfully our initial negative reactions didn't get in the way of finding something wonderful."
Edward pulled his Mate in close, the six-foot brunette Lycan looking tiny next to the gigantic man, kissing her on the lips. "How in the world do you think I could have ever resisted someone as beautiful as you?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm quite sure that would be a pure impossibility."
Keith rolled his eyes and reached out, taking Melanie's hand. "Were we that goofy with our affection when we first Mated?"
"What do you mean were?" Melanie said with a laugh. "If it weren't for your son in my belly, you'd be challenging Edward to a race, seeing who can carry his Mate up the stairs of the Tower faster and get her into bed first.”
"She does have you there Keith," Kimberly said, sticking her tongue out at her brother. "Or should I tell Edward about all the things you two got up to?"
"All right, all right, truce," Keith said good-naturedly. "I give up. I guess that's what I get for having an Alpha Female as my sister. Come on, let's get inside, this wind can't be good for the baby."
"Now who's the worry wart?" Melanie said with a laugh. For days, Keith had been chiding his sister for being overly worried about Melanie's health, fretting over every bump, sneeze or draft of cool air. Still, the very early spring air was biting at her ankles, and she was happy to go inside the beautiful Lockwood Tower.
Reaching the elevators, the four of them climbed into the express elevator that was reserved for Keith and Kimberly's usage as the Clan Alphas. However, instead of going all the way to the top floor, it stopped one floor down, opening on a bare apartment that still bore the markings on the walls and floor of the recently removed furniture. "You guys good here?" Keith asked, looking at his sister. "You can both come up if you want."
Kimberly shook her head. "No, it'll be okay. I just want to do some planning with Edward, and then we'll be up for dinner. We have a lot to talk about, with the new Gathering starting soon."
"I agree. Okay, well, we'll be just upstairs. See you in a bit."
Kimberly and Edward got out, the doors of the elevator closing behind them. Kimberly flipped the light switch, and the dim space was lit up. While the space was lower than in Keith's penthouse one floor up, it was still immense, with ten foot high paneled ceilings that rose to almost fifteen feet in places. As opposed to the wood paneling and natural ambiance of Keith's place, however, the apartment was painted a utilitarian off white.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Edward asked as Kimberly walked towards the center of the apartment. Like Keith's penthouse, the center of the living room was dominated by a sunken circular area with a fireplace in the middle. "I mean, this was your mother's apartment."
"I'm fine. Really," Kimberly replied. "When I think of Mom, this isn't the place that I think of her. When she and Dad were the leaders of our clan, they were upstairs, or in the Manor. This apartment was supposed to be for me or Keith, but since neither of us was willing to have the other in a so-called demoted situation, we never used it. Mother had this place decorated for her after Dad died and Keith became Alpha, but she was almost never here. I would see her at the Manor, or over the Internet as she traveled the world. This place was nothing more than a placeholder, a spot she stayed instead of a hotel when she was in town, that's all."
"I see," Edward said. "I guess I can understand. Then, why’d you take another apartment on a lower floor when Keith became Alpha?"
Kimberly laughed and shrugged. “Because being an Unmated Lycan Alpha Female living with her Unmated brother would’ve been weird. Even still, I ended up sleeping in the guest room three or four nights a week. We are twins, and close."
Edward chuckled and pulled his Mate in for another hug. "That's good. Which is why we are installing a stairwell for going upstairs. I figure our little nephew is going to be running up and down those stairs almost unceasingly before you know it.”
"Most definitely," Kimberly replied. "And who knows? Maybe soon we can talk about him being joined by a little cousin."
"Uh-uh," Edward said with a grin.
"What do you mean uh-uh?" Kimberly asked, a small frown on her face. "I thought we agreed a baby would be fine."
"We did, but you only said cousin. I was thinking more along the line of cousins, as in plural," he growled lightly, pulling his Mate in for a kiss. "That is, unless of course you think I'm not going to find you beautiful and sexy after having a baby."
"You better not, Mr. Bear," Kim growled back, pulling him towards the depressed central ring of the apartment. The built-in sofa, while not as high quality as the one upstairs, looked soft and inviting to her right then, exactly what she needed. "Or else. I only have one regret."
"What’s that?" Edward asked as she pulled him down onto the couch. The furniture groaned, unaccustomed to someone of Edward's size sitting on it. "Hmm, seems we're going to need to get that reinforced when we do the renovations for this floor. But what is it you regret?"
"Not being able to have a baby now," Kimberly replied. She had for years taken birth control pills in order to prevent a forced baby by another Lycan Alpha, a n
ot unheard of practice in some of the more violent clans. Her position made her more of a target, as the offspring would be exceptionally strong, a trait sought after by Alphas looking to cement their bloodline. Still, she had been off the pills for a week now, and would be back to her normal cycle soon.
"In time, my love. But first, we have three things to do."
"What's that?" Kimberly said as Edward's hand pulled the shirt from the waistband of her jeans. "Besides getting me wonderfully naked."
"First, we have a Gathering to get through and a Mating to announce. Second, we have to help Keith with his becoming Alpha Male of Clan Thornblood. And of course one other thing."
"Oh yeah," Kimberly said with a mix of regret and anticipation, her Lycan nature for combat struggling against her inner desire for peace and tranquility in order to have a family. "The war with the Silver Bringers."
Chapter 41
"So you think they're really decorating down there?" Melanie asked as she grabbed a juice from the refrigerator. Since her capture by the Hunters and subsequent rescue by Keith, who led a coalition of Thornblood warriors, Aklark Bear warriors, and Kimberly in a heavily armed attack helicopter, she had found herself with an insatiable appetite for fresh fruits along with her baby inspired the desire for rare meats. Thankfully, Keith's more than adequate bank account made sure that she came home to a fully stocked refrigerator of locally grown organic fresh fruits.
"Oh, they'll get to it eventually," Keith said. He probed his Link to his sister and found that it was sealed off on her end. He could break through, but it would be rude and unnecessary. "Although it looks like they might be doing some other things too."
"Good for them," Melanie said, draining half the bottle. "If I didn't need to first drink then and then ironically pee like a racehorse, I'd be up for it too. Our son seems to have a habit of kicking me right in the bladder on a regular basis."
Keith came over and rubbed Melanie's stomach, kissing her cheek before looking at her, his amber eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay? He isn't hurting you, is he?"
"Not at all. He's a good little baby, he's just squirming and getting his exercise. He's going to be big and strong like his Daddy." Melanie wrapped her arms around Keith and laid her head against his chest, listening to the quiet bass thud of his heartbeat. "You can feel him, can't you?"
"Yes I can," Keith said. It was true. While Melanie's Link with their son was stronger, and would be for a good portion of the first two years of the baby's life, he could sense his son growing inside of her. I love you, my little boy.
The flood of warmth that came over the Link made tears of happiness spring into Keith's eyes, and he blinked them away quickly. I know, my son. I'm looking forward to seeing you too. Mommy and I are both looking forward to it. So is your Aunt Kimberly.
There was a quick flash of recognition, and Keith smiled again. Kimberly would be very happy to know she was already known to her little nephew, a pleasant side effect of her being Keith's twin. That's right.
"He's very well loved," Melanie said, reaching up to stroke Keith's cheek. "As am I."
"You're the greatest thing that has ever happened to me," Keith replied, kissing her fingers. "But before we get carried away, let me ask you something."
"Oh, what's that?" Melanie said with a smile. Getting carried away, as Keith put it, was always pleasurable, and usually ended up with both of them fully naked, wrapped up in each other's arms. As tempting as the idea was, she knew she wanted to wait at least a few hours. The drive from Lockwood Manor to the Towers may have been comfortable for a car ride, but it had still been hours sitting in a car. She wanted to be rested and ready for both of them to enjoy themselves. Besides, with a baby coming soon, a quickie before dinner was more difficult than it used to be.
Keith smiled as he read the train of her thoughts. "I was thinking the same thing. But I wanted to ask you about getting a gift for Edward and Kimberly. What do you think would be a good Mating present?"
Melanie thought. "That's a tough one. I mean, money is practically no object for either of you. I don't even know if you even have separate bank accounts, or just draw on a single Clan account."
"Actually both," Keith said. "For anything corporate related we both draw off the Clan account, but we do have separate spending accounts that are paid for through Clan funds. It's not much, a living stipend really. The tradition for Clan Alphas was to be as fully integrated into Clan finances as possible, to give the Alphas a reason to devote themselves fully to growing the strength of the Clan. We have some things in our personal accounts, but not much. You've never thought about it before?"
Melanie laughed and finished her juice, setting the bottle in the sink to be washed and recycled later. "Not really. Keith, as luxurious as all this is, and as awesome some of the experiences you've given me are, it's not about the money. It has never been. Sure, riding in a super helicopter or sleeping in our suite at the Manor is great, but I don't need to ride in a helicopter to love my life with you. What I need is you, our Sister, and our baby."
"And Edward?" Keith asked as they walked towards the living room. Keith knelt down and started to build a fire, a habit he enjoyed doing despite the fact that the pit came with a natural gas starting system that could fully automate the entire thing.
"He's a good guy," Melanie said. "Kimberly seems to be taken by him, and in time, I bet we will too. By the way, you two made quite a pair fighting those guys down in Mexico. A gigantic bear and a gigantic wolf wrecking shop on a bunch of assholes who deserved everything they got. Very impressive."
"We did make a pretty good tandem, didn't we?" Keith asked. "You know, it was almost as much fun as when you, Kim and I took down those corrupt cops a few months ago. Who knows? Maybe before this is all said and done, the four of us get to really kick some ass."
"I guarantee you that," Melanie said, smiling as Keith finished his fire building and starting it with a single match. She settled herself onto the light brown leather of the ring couch and crossed her legs in front of her. "Congratulations. It's a beautiful fire."
"Thanks, but you know I do this all the time," Keith replied. He stood up, his knees popping with the motion. "Whoa. By the way, what about needing to pee?"
Melanie shrugged and leaned back. "Your son took his feet off my bladder, I'm good for a few minutes. In the meantime, I'd really appreciate it if my Mate joined me on the couch for a few kisses before we have to think about dinner. I promise, no getting out of hand, just a few kisses. In anticipation of later."
Keith smiled and sank down next to her on the well-padded couch, taking Melanie's hand. "In anticipation of later."
* * *
The twin rotor mini-helicopter circled the top of the Lockwood Tower, its small engine humming compared to the normal whirling roar that Keith associated with helicopter landings on top of the Tower. I guess to each their own, he thought as the tiny helicopter settled like a hummingbird onto the pad. The dual contra-rotating sets of blades, so low to the ground that Keith wouldn't even think of approaching it they had stopped turning, slowed down, the engine cutting off.
As he waited for them to stop, Keith took a moment to appreciate the form of the personal aircraft. Painted in blood red and black, it looked like a sports car if you discounted the rotors on top, with an aggressively pointed nose, curved struts, and a tail that helped more for balance than anything else, it was impressive, he had to admit. If the modified Bell 222 that he and Kimberly flew, a replica of Airwolf was dangerous, this was its little brother, just as fast, just as maneuverable, and only missing the firepower.
Keith was surprised when the darkened windshield opened and out stepped his Second Mate, Akiko Thornblood. Coming from a very long line of purebred Lycans, she had only months ago been an enemy. But through the attack of the silberjagger and the death of her Mate, she had come into political alliance with Keith and the Lockwood Clan.
It was that alliance, along with his becoming Alpha Male of Clan Thornblood,
that caused Akiko to arrive a day early for the Gathering. The formal arrivals and pre-Gathering social was scheduled to begin at noon the next day, with the social beginning at seven in the evening. Still, despite the irregularity, it was good to see Akiko. She had proven herself as loyal an ally as she was fierce an enemy, and Keith was glad to have her on his side for the Gathering.
"You look surprised, Keith," Akiko said as she closed the side hatch on her helicopter, slinging a small backpack over her shoulder. "When I said I was bringing in a small helicopter, what did you expect?"
"I didn't expect you as the pilot, honestly," Keith replied, offering his arm in friendship. They clasped forearms in a very old gesture, borrowed from the Romans, that was used for those who were more than friends, but blood allies or more. "How long have you had your license?"
"I completed my pilot's training when you were still watching Saturday morning cartoons," Akiko said with a gentle laugh. Although she was still stunning, looking hardly a day over thirty, she was apparently seventy years old. "When you were sitting around with your sister dreaming about flying that Wolf of yours, I could have gone on the set and actually flown the original."
"I only learned because Nioclas thought that it’d be a fun skill to pick up one summer. I agreed, and we had a lovely time learning on a Bell Jet Ranger. While I wouldn’t feel comfortable flying a large helicopter like a Blackhawk or larger, I’ve kept my skills sharp on smaller stuff like this one here."
Heading towards the door to the stairwell that led to his penthouse, Keith glanced at Akiko. "Can I ask you something, Akiko? Forgive my ignorance, but your speech pattern is rather unique."
"Oh, how so?" Akiko said. "I thought I'd done a good job of eliminating any Japanese accent from my speech. Are you picking any up?"
"No, none at all," Keith replied, a bit chagrined. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. What I meant was that you speak with a mostly American accent, but I sometimes pick up European in your speech patterns and intonation. Did you spend a lot of time in England or something?"
