“Oui, monsieur,” the taxi driver replied before turning the cab and driving back down the gravel drive.
Now to meet Josie’s pack and find out what was going on here in Paris.
***
The food finally arrived, and Josie wanted to moan in delight over the small sandwiches. The salmon salad on pumpernickel bread melted in her mouth, and she couldn’t help but reach for a second sandwich. Her stomach rumbled again. Anton winked at her and slid one of the cucumber sandwiches onto her plate. She blushed, knowing his lycan hearing couldn’t help but hear her stomach’s complaint. Laurel and Susan were talking about Y chromosomes and infertility and gene therapy. Josephine quickly became lost.
Why are you here in Paris? Josie asked Anton telepathically. She had heard of this couple while in England. All lycans were informed when Asena, mother of their race, picked Laurel as her new shaman and priestess. Anton was considered Asena’s warrior and protector of the shaman. They served all lycans as Asena’s representatives.
My mate and I came to Paris for this conference before going to England to see Grigori and his mate, the English Alphas. Do you know them?
Oh, yes. I lived with them for the last two years. They are wonderful, taking orphaned children into their home, schooling us in all things lycan. My adopted mother works as their cook.
What are you doing here in Paris?
She could almost hear his disgruntled thought: alone?
I’m originally from the pack in Paris. In fact, I am the heir to the Alphas. Or I was. I’ve come back to make my claim.
There is a pack here in Paris? I would love to learn more. None of us in Siberia knew there were other packs still around.
I’m going to meet them tonight at the Café de Luna Bleu on Boulevard de Clichy, if you and your mate would like to join me.
We would be delighted. Any news of other lycans is important to my mate’s research. Is this pack having problems with having children, especially girl children?
I’m not sure what the current numbers are. I believe that only three girls were born when I was. There were at least twice as many boys.
You see our problem then. We need female mates for our males.
How did you find your mate? Josephine asked, sending her thoughts to Anton. She liked him. He was easy to talk to.
She was living in Siberia. I followed her up a mountain in a thunderstorm. It’s a long story. But, she was tasked by Asena to find the cure for our breeding problems. We have been working on it for two years now. Laurel is considered a genius by human standards, which has helped her get further than others could in the same amount of time. We still don’t have the answers. Anton sipped his tea.
I didn’t realize how problematic this was. Grigori’s mate is a human, and they are heartbonded. How is that possible? Josie picked up another tea sandwich and popped it in her mouth.
Some human women who have psychic abilities are able to heartmate with our males. My brother’s mate, Violet, is one. She gave the pack twin girls almost four years ago. She is pregnant again, a boy this time. They can already connect to him telepathically. He will be a strong Alpha and take his father’s place one day.
Really? Here in Paris the hereditary line runs through the females. My mother was the last Alpha female from that line. When I make my claim, my mate will become the Alpha Male. Josie reached for a scone and added it to her plate.
I’ve never encountered this before. My twin sister was the only female born to my parents. She is Beta to the Alpha Female. Her husband’s family has been Betas for several generations. Anton stared at her confusion.
Our pack was started by a strong woman. She gathered lycan refugees from Russia and other countries together in the early 1400’s. They stayed together for protection during the unrest in France. When she took a mate, he became the Alpha male. We’ve done it that way ever since. Josephine looked out the window. The pack in Paris had a long proud history. She wouldn’t let his reaction rattle her.
So, what will happen when you make your claim? You’ve been gone for two years?
Five, actually. Josephine looked at Anton, then reached for her tea. My right as heir is by blood. I will fight another female if necessary.
I will go with you. I want to see how your pack accepts your claim. Anton smiled and winked.
“Josephine, would you like some cookies? She has that faraway look again. Probably mooning over her fiancé,” Susan said to Laurel.
Laurel laughed, the notes brightening the room. Josephine blinked and smiled at the sound. “I would love some cookies, Susan.”
“How long have you been engaged?” Laurel asked.
Josephine could tell the way Laurel was looking at her chest that she saw the heartmate cord binding her to Valerii. Where Laurel and Anton’s binding cord was thick and bright, Josephine’s was thin and light.
“Not long at all. I am meeting Valerii for dinner.” At least, she thought that was what they decided.
“Valerii Belikov?” Anton asked, smiling. “He’s a wonderful man, very strong and dependable. We went to school together.”
“Wait, you know her fiancé?” Susan asked, her tone doubtful.
“Yes, I do. We are both originally from Siberia. Valerii was living in England last I heard.” Does he know about your claim to the Paris pack?
Yes, does it matter? Josephine sent.
I wouldn’t think so, but your bond is not cemented into place. Valerii will not like you near other unmated males. Males are very aggressive at this time of the mating cycle.
“Well, that is amazing,” Susan said. “When I met Josephine this morning, I knew we would be friends. Now you two show up. Isn’t the universe wonderful with its synchronicities?”
“Oh, yes. I believe there is a force for good directing our lives. I never would have met Anton otherwise,” Laurel said, smiling at him and squeezing his hand.
He smiled at his wife, his eyes going soft with tenderness.
Josephine sighed. Would she ever see that look in Valerii’s eyes?
Chapter Six
Valerii stared at the people sitting at the outside tables of the Café de Luna Bleu. With cameras and bags stacked next to their tables, most looked like tourists. Still, when the breeze blew his way, he picked up the scent of several lycans. The smells of good food wafted over him, and his stomach rumbled.
He handed another wad of bills to the cab driver through the window, then watched as the cab drove away. He hadn’t spoken much to the driver during their time together. Shaking his head, Valerii started toward the café. He took two steps and heard sobbing coming from the alley next to it. Whoever was in distress sounded so forlorn that Valerii couldn’t walk away. He strode over to the alley entrance and peered into the darkness. The narrow alley, lined with tall buildings, was dark, but he saw clearly with his lycan sight.
A young woman was leaning against the wall of a building, her head on one arm, her long dark hair hiding her face. Her sweet, musky scent proclaimed her a lycan.
He walked up to her. Her anguish kept her unaware of his approach.
“What has happened that you cry out here alone, when your pack is only steps away and would offer you solace?” Valerii asked her.
As she gasped, she turned to face him. That’s when he saw a large red mark on her cheek. He studied the shape and could almost make out the fingers and palm of the hand that had struck her.
“Who hit you, little one? No one should abuse a woman like this.” He knew his wolf was in his eyes. His voice was gravelly from an unexpressed growl.
She cowered. Her head lowered, giving him rank in the pack. “My mate disciplined me,” she said barely above a whisper.
Valerii scowled in confusion. No one heartmated could do this to his mate without feeling the pain as if it were his own. He peered at the woman’s chest. No heartmate bond glowed there. “I see no heartmate bond. You have no mate.” Valerii’s tone brooked no argument.
The young woman shuddered, b
ut she lifted her head and looked him straight in the eye. Only another Alpha wolf would do so.
“The Alpha sold me to a human five years ago in exchange for a million euros. I was barely eighteen. He told me it was my duty to provide for the pack, since the Alpha’s money was tied up in a trust for the heir and she disappeared.”
Valerii’s hands fisted in rage; his jaw clenched. His wolf rose in fury. No true Alpha would ever do such a thing. To force a female to accept someone not her mate was delivering her into torment. Her body would protest the man’s touch. Her soul would yearn for her true mate. The fact this woman hadn’t taken her own life was a testament to her strength of will.
“Durant Landry did this?” If she said yes, Durant was a dead man.
“Not him, his father, Andre. But Durant does nothing when he sees the bruises Thomas inflicts on me.”
“Nothing at all? He doesn’t use his telepathy to stop the behavior?” Valerii asked incredulously.
“Durant is not a strong telepath,” she said. “I think he’s afraid of Thomas. My husband is a very powerful man here in Paris. Durant’s father died unexpectedly, leaving him as Alpha. He has tried to help by giving all his family’s money to the pack. But if I divorce Thomas, the million euros Durant gave the pack must be returned. Durant cannot afford to buy my freedom.”
“What is your name, little sister?” Valerii asked, reaching out to push her hair behind her ear.
She flinched. Valerii was careful to keep his touch light. Lycans were demonstrative. They craved touch. Her response only troubled him more. Moving slowly, he drew her into his arms and pressed her face to his chest. “I will not allow this to go on. You are safe with me, little sister.”
“Bijou, my name is Bijou,” she said. “Thank you, I didn’t think I could go on any longer.”
She burst into tears. Valerii held her gently, letting her cry into his chest. How had this happened? This morning the old woman mentioned pack members mating without a heartmate bond. Males could do it without physical discomfort. But no children would come of these unions. Did they all do it for money? Such actions were unheard of in the lycan world. This pack was in terrible trouble.
***
“Dr. Fortescue is a wonderful man,” Susan said. “I’ve met him only twice. He seems to really care about his patients and their troubles. He believes that with enough time and experimentation, gene therapy can cure all our ailments.”
“You know Norris Fortescue?” Josie asked, her wolf rushing to the surface.
Easy, little sister, Anton sent into her mind.
Josephine could feel fur pushing up through her skin as white lights started to swirl around her. She pushed the wolf back, gaining a semblance of control. Not everyone was conspiring against her.
“Did I do something wrong? Are you angry with me?” Susan asked, paling.
“No, of course I’m not angry with you.” Josephine hid her face with her hands. With her wolf so close to the surface, her eyes would begin to glow. She didn’t want to scare Susan.
“I must be overly tired. I could have sworn I saw...Never mind.” Susan rubbed her eyes.
She saw me starting to change? Josie sent in a panic into Anton’s mind.
What do you know of this woman? Anton asked.
She said she knew when she saw me she needed to help me. Another time she admitted she knew things about people. Maybe she’s psychic.
Too bad she’s married. She could possibly heartmate with one of our males.
She loves her husband, Jack, very much. I don’t think she would leave him.
Laurel wants to convince her to help with researching our breeding problems. We could introduce her to some of our males and see what happens.
That’s not fair, Anton. What if she did bond with one of them? She’s a married woman.
Without mates, our race will go extinct. Mates love each other. She would forget her husband.
“Josephine? Are you not speaking to me? Can you tell me why you dislike Dr. Fortescue so much?” Susan asked.
Josie gulped. It was one thing to carry on a telepathic communication while Susan was distracted. Now, Susan thought Josephine was ignoring her. Josephine smiled at her friend, trying to reassure her. “He was once involved with a group called Doctors for a Better Humanity.”
“Yes, he warned me not to get involved with them,” Susan said. “I guess some of their experiments aren’t very ethical. They get away with it by having laboratories in Third World countries where no one checks up on them.”
“He warned you away?” Josephine asked in surprise.
“He did indeed,” Susan said. “He told me he had taken a job with them when he got his doctorate. He was very young and didn’t know what kind of group they were. There was a terrible accident, and people were killed. Now, he warns people he trusts to stay away.”
Josephine sat still, her mind racing. Why would Fortescue send mercenaries after her if he didn’t want to be a part of this group doing experiments on lycans?
“I’m sorry if I jumped to conclusions, Susan. I met Fortescue when he worked for this group.” He was the only one who’d actually helped her. Could she be wrong about him?
“I would be happy to set up a meeting with him. I’m sure he could set your mind at ease.”
“Not right now, Susan. I need to meet my fiancé and family.”
“That’s right. Would you like to change? The bathroom is through there.” Susan waved toward a door.
I’ll meet you and Laurel in the lobby at six, Josephine sent to Anton.
“Thank you, Susan. It was nice meeting you, Laurel and Anton,” Josephine said, gathering her bags and walking into the bathroom.
Josephine could hear Anton and Laurel reassuring Susan that she wasn’t angry before they took their leave. Were they using their telepathy to take Susan’s fear away? Sighing, Josephine began to undress. The bathroom was huge with a full-size tub and two sinks. “Would you mind if I used the tub?” Josephine called through the door.
“Not at all. Help yourself,” Susan called out.
Josie turned on the hot water and added some shampoo to make bubbles. Then, while the tub filled, she called the change to her. Her body contorted, and her muscles stretched while white lights swirled around her. She was wolf. She wagged her tail and stretched out her front paws. All of her aches and pains disappeared. Even her energy increased. She whined in appreciation.
“Josephine, are you okay in there?”
Calling the change, Josie shifted her body back to its human form. The bandages she’d had on her shoulder and arm lay on the floor forgotten. The wounds had healed. Even the bruise from the bump on her forehead had healed completely.
“I’m fine, Susan. I’m getting in the tub now.” She turned the water off.
“It must have been a noise in the pipes,” Josephine, with her heightened lycan senses, heard Susan mutter to herself.
Josie smiled and stepped into the bubbles. The warm water felt so good. She sank all the way up to her neck. The only way she could feel any better would be to have Valerii there with her. Remembering their shared dream, she moved her hands slowly over her skin His lips had been so soft on hers and then so commanding. Why did he have to look into Fortescue and his men?
Josie sat up. Susan knew Fortescue. Had he fooled everyone? If he hadn’t released Josie that night five years ago, she might never have escaped. Why, then, did he send men to kidnap her from England and bring her back here? She was missing something.
***
Valerii leaned back and wiped a tear from Bijou’s cheek. He wanted nothing more than to get something to eat and find Josephine. But Bijou needed to be hidden someplace safe until the problem in her marriage could be dealt with.
“Is your husband at home?” he asked. Teaching this human a lesson would be a pleasure.
“No, he went back to his office. He gets home around five in the evening,” Bijou replied, wiping at her eyes and stepping back.
; “Are there any belongings you need to pick up? I’ll escort you, and afterward we can go to a hotel.” Bijou was now in his care. No one would hit her again.
“You can’t go to the apartment with me. The doorman would report your visit to Thomas. There’s nothing there that I need except some clothes.”
“We can buy clothes. Come, we need to get a taxi.”
“I don’t even know your name,” Bijou said. “Why are you helping me? No one else in the pack has helped. My little brother, Alain, wanted to. He turned seventeen last month. When this issue first came up, my father rejected the idea. I thought I was safe. Then, our parents were killed one night in a car bombing, and my brother and I became the Alpha’s wards.”
“My name is Valerii Belikov. I am currently a member of the English pack. Your parent’s death sounds a little too convenient.” Valerii reeled from the implications. What kind of Alpha was Durant’s father? All of this seemed wrong and twisted.
“That’s what I thought, as well. So, I told Alain to stay quiet. Once he turned eighteen, we could come up with an idea. That was before I knew what kind of man my husband is. He will never willingly let me go. He would rather see me dead and my brother, as well.”
“Where is your brother now?” The boy would have to join his sister in hiding.
“He’s here in Paris. He works in the café after school.”
“Let’s go get him. He’ll have to come with us. I don’t want your husband going after your brother when he realizes you are gone.”
Bijou led the way to a wooden door in the stone wall. She knocked three times, and the door opened. A young lycan with worried eyes leaned out. “Bijou, are you all right? Henri told me the bastard hit you again. I’m going to kill him.”
Valerii smiled at the young man’s enthusiasm. Valerii felt the same way, and he wasn’t a relative. The resemblance between the siblings was easily recognized; they both possessed fine bone structure and blue eyes.
“Alain, you must come now. This man is going to help us escape Thomas,” Bijou said, gesturing at Valerii.
A Siberian Werewolf in Paris Page 7
