by Khloe Wren
~ * ~
"What the hell? Arson? Are you serious?"
Dominic's body all but vibrated with anger. People could have easily been hurt or killed on that ship. As it was, the ship was gutted and a massive amount of wood had been ruined. Trees took decades to grow so their timber should be used well, cherished for the precious gift it was, not wasted like it doesn't have value. He just couldn't understand how people could light fires on purpose. Fire was unique in its ability to completely wipe out lives and property from the face of the earth--not something to be taken lightly.
"Did the investigators work out how it was started?" He asked his dad.
"The investigator said the point of origin was definitely in the sleeping cabin. The mattresses and bedding were soaked in accelerant then set alight. The Captain reported smelling petrol as he approached his ship just before he noticed the smoke and raised the alarm." His dad shook his head as he spoke.
"Do they have any suspects?" Dominic really wanted this guy caught, just what they needed at the heart of summer was a hyped up firebug with a jerry-can of petrol and a lighter running around the place.
"Well, they are pretty sure it's someone who is familiar with the docks. They're looking at a couple of workers. Apparently the Captain of that particular ship has been taking out his frustrations on a couple of them for a while now. Guess one or more of them decided to get him back with their own style of justice." Jake said on a sigh.
"Does he think they will be able to lay charges for it?" Dominic knew full well, just because they 'knew' who did it, didn't mean they could charge the bastard for it.
"Nah, he doesn't think they will be able to get enough evidence to charge anyone, but the manager down there is planning on sacking both the workers who are involved anyway. He doesn't want the risk of any more ship fires." Jake's voice held more than a little frustration in it--Dominic could relate one hundred percent.
"I know how you feel, Dad. I hate that these bastards get away with it so often, leaving them free to do it again." Dominic scrubbed his face as he sighed. There was no point in getting all worked up. There wasn't anything he could do to change the situation.
"Not much we can do about it. Now son, onto a different matter. I want you to start sitting in on the monthly meetings with me soon. That means you need to learn who all the members of the Council of Alphas are." His dad had leaned back in his chair as he spoke.
"What? Why would I need to sit in?" Dominic was confused. What was his Dad on about?
"You are the future, son. When it's time for me to step aside as Alpha, you will not only be Alpha of the Leap here in Rosebery but of the Continental Leap, you will be our representative on the Council of Alphas."
Dominic sat down hard into the chair in shock. His father had previously told him he would be the next Alpha of the Leap here in Rosebery, but he'd never drawn the now obvious conclusion he would also be the representative at the Council. He watched as his father pulled out a note pad and tossed it towards him with a pen.
"You'd better take notes; it will take you a while to get them all straight."
Dominic sat up, grabbing the paper and pen before he settled in for his lesson.
"Okay, you know about Choden Sangye, but I'll refresh your memory. He is the original shifter, the first of our kind. Created in 1759 when he was fifteen. He is the only one of us who is immortal. He also has a boatload of other tricks. Don't ever be surprised that he knows things that he shouldn't or turns up in places you wouldn't expect. Don't bother trying to work him out either; you won't be able to, so save your energy. He will always be the Head Alpha. Any problem you have that you need advice on. You call him.
"As for the others, you know that even though each continent has many Leaps, each continent has a ruling Leap. The Alpha of that Leap is the Council Representative for that continent. So, there are seven Council members plus Choden. I'll only give you a brief run down of who and where for now, but I'll go through their strengths and weaknesses another day; you'll never remember it if I dump it on you all at once. Let's start with North America. Maddix Torres is the Alpha; he lives in Maple Ridge, Canada."
Dominic cut in on his father. "Hang on, Dad, you're going to have to spell these names for me. I want to make sure I get them right from the start."
"Fair enough and a good point. Some of them are a mouthful. So, Maddix is M-A-D-D-I-X and Torres is T-O-R-R-E-S. You got that one?"
"Yep, all good. Who else?"
"South America. Fernando Molina, that's F-E-R-N-A-N-D-O, M-O-L-I-N-A. His Leap is based in Arica, Chile. Asia's representative is the newest on board. Dishi Wee, D-I-S-H-I, W-E-E. He's in the Himalayas, India. Europe's is Tristian Laprise, T-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, L-A-P-R-I-S-E. He's in France, the Besancon region. I believe that's a little east of where Adele's mother was raised, near the Swiss boarder. Now, who haven't I covered?"
"You've covered North and South America, Asia and Europe."
"Ah okay, so Africa would be Obi Traore, O-B-I, T-R-A-O-R-E. He's in Springbok, South Africa. And last but not least, Antarctica. Joe Fairley, Joe with an 'e', Fairley is F-A-I-R-L-E-Y. He lives on the Mawson compound down there. His is by far the smallest Leap in number, even leopards find the cold down there a little harsh."
Dominic looked over the list. He was sure he'd have the names and their locations sorted in no time, although being able to spell even half of them might take a while longer.
"How soon do you want me to join in on the meetings?"
"We might just leave it until you get things settled with Adele. Your mind won't be fully on board until you complete the mating. I just figured I'd start off your lessons a little earlier, give you time to remember everything by going slowly through it all."
"Thanks, Dad. You mind if I head out? Conner wanted to go for a run this afternoon."
"Sure, you boys have fun. Just wish I could join you, but I have way too much here that needs doing."
Dominic ripped the page from the pad and tucked it into his pocket, a grin on his face as he left his Dad's office. He and Conner always had fun on their runs. With all the tension he felt from trying to win over Adele, he really needed the stress relief it gave too.
Chapter Six
Cole slammed his ute door shut in anger. Fired. Bloody hell. He'd been careful; made sure he left no proof. No one could prove he lit the damn fire, but because he and Ben were seen arguing with the captain, they both got sacked. He'd arrived home before he realized it. He was so damn mad he just wasn't tracking. He stormed up to his front door and slammed through it. Out of habit his eyes instantly searched for his slave. She stood in the middle of the room, still as a statue with her eyes wide in shock. He stood still and watched in admiration as the color drained from her face. She started to shake as she obviously read the mood he was in.
That's right, slave, you and me are going to go a few rounds tonight.
He knew that because it was only eleven in the morning, she wouldn't have been expecting him. He also knew she could read him well enough to know she was in for one hell of a night. He stalked up to her, unlocked the collar, grabbed her arm and dragged her downstairs. He didn't have the patience to wait for her to greet him properly today. He needed to vent, calm down, get his focus back and she was the perfect tool for him to do it. She stumbled along after him down the stairs then into the basement. He shoved her ahead of him into the room. He didn't draw things out like he normally did. Normally he took his time, enjoying her shaking in fear of what was to come.
Not today.
Today he needed his release too badly.
He quickly got her wrists in the cuffs and hung her on the hook. He stood back a moment to look her over; fucking beautiful. He'd only been working on her for a few months, yet she was already on the verge of becoming a woman. She must be older than he originally had thought; sometimes being wrong was a good thing. Her breasts had grown since he first inspected her--they still had a long way to go but they were definitely getting there. She s
till didn't have any hair, but that suited him. He liked to be able to see all of her.
"Look at you, slave. You're becoming a woman so quickly. I don't have the patience to deflower you tonight but tomorrow I think. Yeah, definitely tomorrow I'll be up for taking you. Up your training, make you completely mine. That's what I'll do. What do you think about that, slave? Ready to be mine, completely, forever?"
He watched her eyes as they dulled, lost focus, almost like a piece of her just died. Good, she was accepting her place. When he saw her tears start, he smiled evilly. He had just about broken her spirit; once that happened she would truly be wholly his. Mind, body, soul--completely his.
~ * ~
As Alpha of Australia's Continental Leap, Jake was entrusted to make sure certain tasks were completed; the Search being one of the main ones. Fifteen years after the last comet passing was the year 2001. In that year, the fourteen shifters who had been conceived when the comet passed would have shifted for the first time. The responsibility to find each continent's new shifter pair has always fallen to the Alpha of that continent's Continental Leap, but in the last year the Council of Alphas had decided to start searching for other lost shifters too, the ones that had been orphaned, adopted or simply lost track of. They were all lost in a world that didn't understand them. The Alpha of each Leap would constantly watch news reports and search online for strange sightings and the like. Then they would go or send someone on their behalf to go and find them. They would either be brought into the closest Leap, or time would be spent educating them so they can stay where they currently were. It was a massive task. They each started by drawing up a family tree, writing a list of known missing shifters and whether they would be an adult or a child. The next step was to consolidate the lists so if they had moved continent, they could still be found.
Jake looked up from his desk as his son, Dominic, walked in. He'd grown into such a good strong man. Despite his strength, he was not violent in the least. He'd always exuded a calm aura that radiated to those around him. He very rarely lost his cool no matter what happened. He was a man Jake was proud to call his son. He knew he would make an excellent Alpha when his time came.
"Heard you were looking for me," Dominic said as he took a seat opposite him.
"I'm sure you've noticed. I've been getting more and more involved with the Search and other Alpha matters of late, and it's beginning to take up a considerable amount of my time."
"Yeah, I know. You're doing a great job. There's got to be so many lost shifters out there struggling," Dominic said with more than a bit of pain in his voice. Compassion was another trait his son had in spades.
"Thanks, son. Well, the problem is your mother would like to see me every now and then." He quietly chuckled at Dominic's wince. "So, I've decided I'm going to step down as captain here at the station. I just don't have the time. I've recommended you be promoted to captain and the State Office has agreed--so long as you want it, that is. So, from now on when you're not out in the field, you'll be working in here learning from me so I can show you the ropes and get you settled."
Jake did his best to hold off his laugh, but Dominic, frozen in shock, was funny as hell. After a moment or two, Dominic shook his head and focused on him.
"You sure, Dad? You won't miss it?"
"Hell yeah, I'll miss it, but I'll still hang around to volunteer and help out when I can--you won't be rid of me that easy."
"When will it be official? Who knows about it?"
"Just as soon as you say yes it will be official. And I haven't told anyone yet--except your mother of course. Thought you would like the pleasure of that task. Perhaps dinner down at Top Pub? Maybe you could convince your lovely little mate to stop ignoring you for the night?" Jake finished on a chuckle. The last couple of weeks had been highly entertaining watching Dominic try to get Adele's attention and Adele trying to avoid Dominic's. Jake wasn't worried though. They were mates, so sooner or later Adele wouldn't be able to resist and would cave in to Dominic.
"I wish, Dad. She's still ignoring me. I got one amazing kiss three weeks ago. Then the next day she had closed right up on me."
"Talk to Kit, she'll be able to convince her into coming along with her. Adele is still living with her, isn't she?"
"Yeah, she sure is. Do you need me for anything right now or can I go start planning for tonight?"
"You're good to go, son, enjoy your freedom while you can," Jake said with a wink and a chuckle as his son all but ran from the room.
~ * ~
As Adele stood in front of Top Pub with Kit, she wondered how the hell she'd let Kit persuade her into this one. Oh yeah, that's right, she was half in love with Dominic after their one and only--albeit toe-curling--kiss three weeks ago and couldn't seem to keep herself away from him. Kit nudged her toward the door while whispering in her ear.
"C'mon, Adele, you know what you really want to do--and it ain't hanging out here on your own." Adele glanced over her shoulder, glaring at Kit, her new best friend, as she raised her hand to open the door. Since moving to town and staying with Kit, they had bonded. Adele felt like Kit was her sister, the one person she could open up to without fear of judgment or rejection. She knew Kit would keep her secrets; she didn't even freak out when Adele had confessed to her about her dreams of snow leopards.
"That's what scares me, Kit. I shouldn't want what I want".
Kit gave her a wide grin and a wink as they entered the pub that was full to capacity for Dominic's promotion celebration.
~ * ~
Dominic knew the moment Adele entered the pub. He'd felt her presence long before he managed to catch sight of her. After about ten minutes of watching her mingle with the others, he started to head towards her--no way could she avoid him at his own damn party, that's for sure. She spun around to face him as he approached her. Hmm, good to know she could feel his presence too. Kit was standing behind Adele and winked at him over her head so she didn't see. What the hell was that about? He didn't have time to work it out as his mate's delicate scent was calling him: natural woman with just a hint of vanilla, so subtle it must be her soap not a perfume. No shifter liked his nose offended by heavy perfume on his mate, especially when her natural scent was so damn irresistible.
"Congratulations, Dominic, our new captain." Adele's sweet voice was like a gentle caress over his skin.
She stood on her tiptoes, placed her hands on his pectorals and chastely kissed Dominic's cheek. Dominic couldn't resist. He wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, lifted her up and pulled her close so they were touching from chest to hip. His other hand wrapped possessively around her neck before he splayed his fingers into her hair. He put his mouth near her ear and whispered quietly so only she could hear him.
"Please, Adele, stop fighting against us. I promise I will never hurt you. Please come out with me on Saturday? Nothing big, I promise. We'll just go for a hike up near the lake, and I'll bring a picnic for lunch. Keep it nice and casual." He could hear the edge of desperation in his voice, but he didn't care. He needed his mate in his arms; needed to claim her.
Dominic turned her face as he nibbled his way from her ear to her mouth. He gave her a quick but passionate kiss he was sure they both felt down to their souls.
"Okay." Adele breathed out once he released her lips.
Dominic grinned like a fool, he was so happy. She'd said yes.
"I'll pick you up at ten Saturday morning; make sure you wear your hiking boots."
He gave her another quick kiss before returning her feet to the ground, releasing her from his arms. His eyes followed her as she wandered over to the bar to get herself a drink. He smelled Kit as he felt her laced hands come to rest on his shoulder, her cheek resting on them.
"So, she's finally weakening to your charms, Dominic. Where are you taking her?" Without removing his gaze from watching Adele's every move, he answered in a quiet voice.
"I'm heading up to the field near the lake with her. I'm hoping when she sees it she'
ll recognize it from our dreams and feel more like everything that is happening is meant to be."
"You plan on telling her everything? 'Cause, man, this plan of yours could back fire big time. What you going to do if she just freaks out and runs off on you?"
"Yeah, I know. I'll see how she reacts before I go telling her anything. I can't wait much longer, Kit. She's my mate; I can't stand having her so close but not in my arms and in my life. She's as vital to me as air."
"Wow, powerful stuff there, Dominic. Well, you'll let me know if I can help you out."
"You already have, Kit. Letting her move in with you, I know you'll keep her protected. If you hadn't done that, I'm not sure what I would have done to make sure she was safe. Probably would have blown any chance I had with her, that's for sure. Then tonight, you dragged her in here."
Kit lifted her head and hands before lightly punching him in the arm.
"Oh no you don't, Dominic. Don't go all mushy on me. Save that shit for your mate who might just appreciate it. And you know full well you'd do the same for me. We're family, that's what we do."
Dominic wrapped his arm around Kit's shoulders for a quick side hug before nodding and releasing her. Yeah, they were family all right. She might not be his sister by birth, but just like all shifter-leopards they stuck together and had bonded as a family.
Chapter Seven
Kelly's mind was fuzzy as she hovered between consciousness and unconsciousness. She vaguely heard him grab the towel, wipe his face and chest, then tuck it into his back pocket. He lifted her down off the hook, causing a new wave of pain that knocked her firmly into the land of unconsciousness.
The sound of his boots hitting the floor upstairs brought her back to the land of the living. Damn, she hurt. Everywhere ached, everywhere except between her legs and that was going to hurt most of all in the morning. She lay in a broken heap on the floor, in a pool of her own blood where he'd left her like yesterday's garbage, sobbing on the inside for all she'd endured and all she was going to have to suffer.
