The future was clear either way. She was wolf. He was witch. History had already shown them what happened when the two tried to mix.
Still, she hugged him back, determined to hold on as tightly as she could, for as long as she’d be allowed to.
Chapter 6
Despite the game of musical homes she’d played growing up, Giselle’s experience with travel had been limited, and flying was a rare treat. The whole circus act of trying to check in and make it through security, scuttling about carrying shoes and purses in large plastic bins while bored attendants verified your gender and sent you for a pat down, was pure comedy.
Had she been in any rush through the process, Giselle might not have kept such an even temper. For her, the longer it took for them to get to their final destination, the more time she had to enjoy just being herself. Because as soon as she stepped off that plane she’d cease to be Giselle the newly-adopted wolf, and she’d instantly transform into the future Alpha of the Long Tooth region.
At least that was what Richard had implied when they boarded the plane. However, when she stepped off it, there was no mysterious feeling that came over her. Unless the overwhelming need to sneeze counted.
Time spent in the dry heat of the desert had changed her, and the moist cloying air clogged up her nose within minutes.
She’d take a few sneezes though if it meant being around so much green. The desert was a monochromatic palate of browns, but now they were no longer confined to that portion of the color wheel. Here, where rain was more than a rare sighting, the ground was covered with grass, trees bloomed with flowers and fruits, and all manner of plants it seemed grew naturally without the aid of sprinkler timers and miracle feed to keep them alive. And even better, as they drove toward their first destination, Giselle noticed the complete lack of cacti.
“Holly crap, it’s so green.” Taylor took the words straight out of Giselle’s mouth.
“And smell that air!” Giselle said with a chuckle. There were wolves here – that was obvious – but the natural smells of earth, grass, and flowering trees masked them so well, it was a reminder of their place in nature. Here they were home. This was where their kind belonged. This was where her kind lived. And that sobering reminder brought her back to task.
“Don’t be nervous,” Martina whispered in her ear, as if saying the words could somehow remove the knot tightening in her stomach.
Giselle kept her eyes locked on the road as their rented minivan cruised down the highway. “I wasn’t until you’d reminded me,” Giselle lied. Her Worry in all shapes and sizes consumed her thoughts, and no amount of empty platitudes was going to remove them. She stared out the minivan’s back window, marveling at the way the trees created a barrier between them and the neighborhoods nearby.
“You can’t lie to a wolf.”
“Just taking it all in,” Giselle said absently, as she continued to look around and take in all the greenery. She’d missed that most of all. Growing up she’d loved it; taken it for granted. Two years in the desert had stolen that beauty from her, and being back here in the thick of it, where grass grew unchecked and trees were wildly green and lush, gave her a slight pang of homesickness. A little voice in the back of her mind begged her to rethink her determination to stay in the desert.
“It’s quite beautiful here.” Martina glanced out, as if trying to see what Giselle was looking at, and then shook her head. “Vivian has asked us to stop in as soon as we’re in town. I’m sure it’ll be a quick greeting; just an ice breaker. And your first opportunity to meet your father. Then we can all go out and have a nice meal together. Okay?”
She’d said it so nonchalantly. Meet your father. Like it was as simple as meeting an old friend.
Chief among the thoughts clogging her mind was wondering what it would be like. Meeting someone important was always hard to do, but her father, Alpha that he was, had been left in a state of nothingness. She would see him more than meet him. And there was no way for her to truly prepare for the feelings it would stir.
Given that Martina had made the comment so easily, she couldn’t have known how those words would affect Giselle. She smiled back at her adoptive mother, appreciating that in her own way she was trying to lighten the mood.
“Food solves everything.” Giselle’s stomach growled in agreement. “Can we order steak?”
“If you play nice, yes.” Martina winked.
Gavin and Richard in the front of the van mumbled something that sounded like they’d arrived, and the nerves that had not bothered Giselle for the majority of the day came rushing back. She reminded herself to breathe. In through the nose, and out. Slow and steady.
Chapter 7
The seat of power for the Pacific Coast had been in the pack home in Olympia, Washington. She’d seen the wealth that her friend Ash’s pack had amassed and the beautiful home the Thrace family lived in, but nothing had prepared her for the lavish estate of the Silverman pack home. Hotel would have been more apt. Stepping out of the car, her feet landed on a gorgeous cobblestone driveway. Under the porte-cochère they were shaded from the sun, though there was really no need with the overcast day. But still, the lavishness of the home she’d yet to step into had made its mark on her. This was a pack that had wealth, one she could have belonged to under better circumstances; and yet... she did. Though she did not feel it.
“Hold your head high. Don’t let them see you nervous,” Richard whispered in Giselle’s ear.
“I’m not nervous,” she lied. Her nerves were teetering on the edge of a breakdown, but not for the reason Richard was thinking. Meeting other wolves, especially Ace and Jay’s mother, aroused her curiosity, especially now that she saw the mansion – no, palace – they lived in. And years spent as a lone wolf had given her a natural curiosity regarding others of her kind. Excitement more than nerves gave her the strength to head toward the house of Vivian Silverman.
“We’re to meet with your family first. There will be a formal reception.” Richard spoke as if he expected her to hang on his every word, but Giselle’s train of thought had derailed the moment she’d laid eyes on the towering home.
She reminded herself to breathe again. Slow her heart. Rein in her excitement and nerves before they overwhelmed her.
Thank the gods for Di and Taylor. They took her by the hand, offering their support, and that show of solidarity gave her the strength she needed to proceed up the stone steps toward the large set of stained glass French doors.
Richard’s voice droned on in the background, a faint whisper overpowered by the roar of Giselle’s thundering heartbeat. Try as she might, she could neither slow it nor will her nerves to ease up. Despite there being no enemy at the gates, the fight or flight instinct had taken hold. Giselle reached the front door but couldn’t muster the strength to ring the bell.
She wasn’t just meeting other wolves; this was to be her first encounter with her father. Orion Silverman. Once proud and strong, now laid low by Fate. The unknown sent a chill of fear through her, freezing her legs where she stood and halting her progress. What would she see when she was brought face to face with him? Could she handle it?
“Lovely. Just beautiful.” Martina’s voice was filled with joy. “I can see why they chose this as home.” She joined Giselle and gave her a reassuring hug. “You ready for this?” she whispered.
“Sure.” Giselle put on her bravest face.
Before they could ring the bell, the doors parted, and a man greeted them.
Neither particularly tall nor short, he failed to stand out as an impressive wolf of the north. Perhaps that was why he’d chosen to be a butler and work for the Alpha family.
Giselle looked at him with curiosity because he was an unknown wolf; however, the feeling was clearly not mutual. The butler hardly gave her or the family a second glance, speaking over them rather than directly to them. “Welcome, Hernandez pack. We have been expecting you. Nancy here will take any coats and hats.” He raised his hand briefly to indicate
a small woman waiting with arms held out, and then continued to drone on as if he’d rehearsed not only his speech but the actions as well. “You will please follow me to the solarium for tea and coffee.” He didn’t bother to wait for them as he turned on his heel and began walking away.
“Well, okay, then,” Giselle whispered under her breath, unimpressed with the snooty way they’d been greeted. By the smell of them, both the butler and the maid were wolves, but neither of them showed any respect in her presence, merely formality. Noteworthy, but not something she’d bring up just yet. If they had been informed she was the new Alpha to be, there should have been quite a bit more bowing and scraping.
Jay’s earlier warning haunted her, a subtle reminder that there would be enemies all around her.
Eyes and ears open, she reminded herself, as the pack walked after the butler.
Down the hallways and through a set of lovely wooden double doors sat a room bathed in light. Windows from floor to ceiling, and above, a glass roof, allowed every last drop of sunlight into the room. She could imagine on a truly sunny day this room would be brilliant. Today, however, overcast as it was, the natural light felt cozy. Cushy, oversized couches in a paisley pattern of cream and tan were situated in a large u-shape facing the back lawn. A table sat on the back wall, covered with carafes of tea and coffee and another tray with little cakes and finger sandwiches.
The flight over had been long, and the bag of peanuts she’d been offered had done nothing to take the edge off her hunger. She could easily devour all they’d offered and still not sate her wolf’s growling belly. She hoped the meeting would be short, remembering that Martina had promised steak. That had her wolf sitting up and begging.
Seated on the couches were two people she had yet to meet: an older woman, about Martina’s age, and another who was maybe a year or two older than she herself. These must be David’s wife and daughter. She’d hoped to see Ace or Jay, but they were nowhere to be found.
Neither the woman nor the girl stood to greet them. Richard stepped ahead of Giselle and her family.
“Madame Silverman, may I present the Hernandez pack? Alphas Martina and Gavin.” He paused for them to step forward. “And their daughters, Taylor, Diana...” He paused again as the girls stepped forward in turn. “And finally, Giselle Richards, daughter to Orion Silverman.”
The butler stood still, as if waiting for more orders. Giselle had never had a butler before, but she’d seen actors play them on TV. None, however, looked as miserable at their job as this one did. Rather than keeping a stiff upper lip, he appeared to be looking down his long nose at her and her family, as if having to announce them was not worthy of his position.
“Thank you, Derek, you may go.” Mrs. Silverman waved her hand in dismissal “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s new. A gift from our friends in the central territories for hosting such an important event. He needs quite a bit of training still,” she finished, with a polite laugh.
Giselle wondered if she should too. Not knowing what was expected of her had her anxiety turned up to eleven. The weight of all eyes landing on her nearly stopped her in her tracks, but she knew she had to pay the part. Giselle stepped forward and nodded to the two women in turn. “It is a pleasure to meet you both,” she said, keeping her voice still and calm.
A long pause had Giselle sensing more than just animosity between them. If her claim as Alpha was acknowledged, she’d unseat this family from their comfortable position as leaders of all the Pacific Coast, but even more than that, she could feel their hatred and blame for the death of David. Still, though, they were wolves, and held true to their respect for position. Breaking the silence, Madam Silverman forced a smile across her face.
“Welcome to my home. I’m Vivian Silverman and this is my daughter Leila. You’ve already met our boys. They are fetching Orion, and should be along shortly.”
Giselle gulped back a knot of fear, still not emotionally ready to see her father.
Martina took the open invitation, hooking an arm through her husband’s and pulling him with her to sit on the couch opposite Vivian.
Giselle turned to her sisters first, hoping to convey with eyes alone her desire to be as far away from that woman as humanly possible. There was no mistaking the vibes of hatred emanating from Vivian, though it hadn’t been Giselle who’d ended her husband’s life. When her sisters returned dumbfounded stares, Giselle looked to her escort for advice.
If Richard was bothered by the waves of unpleasantness Vivian was giving off, he didn’t show it. He held a hand out toward the couch and turned his head ever so slightly in that direction. The signal was clear; she had to go sit.
So much for a pleasant meet and greet. Already she felt the fibers of a noose tightening around her neck. Keep your enemies close was an old adage she’d learned. This meeting already had all the hallmarks of that sentiment. And yet, decorum dictated she play along.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Giselle straightened her shoulders and stepped forward toward the couch. Mimicking Martina, she hooked an arm through each of her sisters’ and pulled them along as her own personal entourage.
“You needn’t be afraid.” Vivian’s tone said otherwise. And the slight curl to her lips was definitely not a smile. “You are guests here. And as I understand it, we might soon be calling you our Regional Alpha.”
“I wish that it could be under better circumstances.” She’d meant it to sound kind, but somehow Giselle managed to say it with a bit of teenage snark. “Sorry, I mean... for your loss.” There was no saving herself from this conversation. She’d already addressed the elephant in the room, and Vivian couldn’t have looked angrier.
Vivian cleared her throat. “Wolves are often taken before their time. Such is the way of this life as an Alpha. One never knows who’s hungrier for power.”
Giselle’s jaw nearly hit the ground. Had she heard Vivian correctly? Was that a threat? She looked to Martina for confirmation and found her adoptive mother being held back by Gavin’s firm grip. Yep. That bitch had threatened her. But this was neither the time nor the place to shift and accept that challenge.
“The problem with those who are too hungry” – Giselle locked eyes with Vivian – “is they often make dire mistakes. David did not...”
“Don’t you dare speak his name.” Vivian tossed her drink aside, letting it crash to the ground and shatter. She lunged at Giselle, but before she could reach the little werewolf, Richard inserted himself between the two.
“Not the time. Not the place. If you wish to make a formal challenge, you will do so at the appropriate time. And as she is underage, I have been appointed her warrior.” His words were delivered with all the power and conviction of an Alpha, yet Richard had openly rejected the position.
Giselle wished he’d just take it. She wasn’t cut out for this life. Bowing and scraping, ordering people around... The lavish home would be nice, but all the fine trappings of this life she could do without.
Vivian’s features hardened. She stared down her slender nose, threatening death with her eyes, and then in a flash, straightened and smoothed her dress and called out for her butler. “Derek, please see to this mess.”
Martina growled from where she sat, Gavin still holding her firm. “You will refrain from threatening my daughter again, is that clear?”
“She is no more your daughter than I am. You are simply her guardian.”
“And her Regent until she comes of age. You would do well to remember that.” Momma Wolf was out and ready for a fight. Martina had never looked so fierce. “A threat to her is a threat to me. And I do not need Richard to take my place. My teeth and claws are ready when you are.”
Vivian chuckled and returned her attention to Giselle. “You do inspire quite a lot of loyalty, don’t you, little werewolf?”
Giselle didn’t bother to take Vivian’s baited question.
“I’ve heard of all the trouble you’ve caused as well. I highly doubt the Council will accept your Regency at th
e meeting, but you can continue to delude yourself.”
“She has the birthright lineage to the position. Daughter of the true Alpha. Not the second son,” Richard said.
“The true Alpha abdicated...”
“You and I both know that’s not how things work. In death alone can an Alpha leave their post.”
Vivian brushed away Richard’s words like a troublesome fly.
“And,” Richard continued, “Giselle comes with the backing of both the Thrace and Hernandez packs in Las Vegas.”
“Yes. So I’ve heard.” Vivian turned her back on Richard and took a seat next to her daughter, who’d sat nearly stone-still the entire time.
Where Vivian was openly aggressive, her daughter appeared neutral; or perhaps she just didn’t care about the fight. Giselle wondered how she was feeling, having just lost her father and forced to entertain the people who had killed him. That had to be hard, but neither a tear dropped nor a muscle in her face twitched to reveal anything she might have been feeling.
“Is this how it’s going to be, then? Why were we asked to come here if there would be open hostility between our two packs?” Gavin asked, his calm tone a sharp contrast to the women in the room.
“As the former caretaker of Orion... done so out of duty to my husband,” Vivian shot an angered glare at Giselle. “I am now relinquishing that task to his rightful family.”
That Giselle hadn’t been prepared for. To see her father, yes – but not to suddenly become his nurse.
“We had not been informed that this exchange was to happen so soon. But we’ll make the appropriate alterations to our plans to accommodate him,” Gavin said.
“See that you do. He requires special feeding and changing, as he cannot perform those tasks at all. I’ve had his care instructions drawn up by the nurse, so you’ll know what to do. Take special care around the full moon. He does still shift at random.” She finished with a cocky smile.
Fearless Little Werewolf Page 5
