by Terry Spear
"As if you would," Myla said. “I don’t believe a word you say.”
Glancing at his sister, Simon tilted his head to the side, telling his sister to stay out of it, no matter how good her intentions were. He didn't want her making an enemy of Gia also, though he suspected it was too late for that.
"Normally, I wouldn’t have howled for help. You’re right. I would have handled it, like an alpha would. Like a potential leader would," Gia said. "I wouldn’t have howled, looking to be protected like some little beta wolf. Or pretended that I was the innocent one, needing to be rescued."
Letta groaned and Simon quickly took her hand. “How are you feeling, Letta?”
Myla was at her side too, taking her free hand. “You’re safe now.”
“As if I’m the big, bad wolf,” Gia said, sarcastically.
Letta glanced at Gia. “Sorry for your injuries. You shouldn’t have attacked me and I wouldn’t have had to defend myself.”
Scowling, Gia snorted. “Ha! Make up a story, why don’t you.”
“You’re the one who’s made up a story.” Letta turned to Simon. “I don’t have to stay here, do I?”
“Maybe in a cage,” Gia said, as if she had any say in it.
“We’ll move you to our cottage, Letta,” Simon said. “Myla, can you watch over her there? Or do you need to rest and Ronan can watch over her?”
“I’ll be fine. I can take care of her.”
“You can stay here,” Simon said to Gia, and then he lifted Letta in his arms and carried her out of the healer’s hut.
“I’ll come check on Letta later,” the healer called out to them.
“I’m so sorry,” Simon said to Letta.
She didn’t say anything.
“I shouldn’t have put the collar on you.” Simon couldn’t believe Gia would stalk Letta down and attack her.
“It didn’t knock me out.” Letta gave him a small smile of victory.
Glad she didn’t seem angry with him that Gia could have killed her, Simon smiled down at her. Then Myla opened the door to their cottage for him.
He carried Letta into the room that was now hers and laid her in the bed, and then Myla covered her with a blanket.
“I’ll be here to get you anything you need,” Myla said.
Simon cleared his throat. “I need to leave. I have to speak with the council. But I wanted to ask before I go, why did you leave, Letta?”
“I wasn’t leaving you and Myla or the pack. I was going to see if Ena or Brett could remove my collar and then I was returning here to gloat.”
Simon nearly laughed, except that this was so serious, he shook his head instead. He removed the collar from around her neck, wishing he’d done so earlier. All that had mattered at the time was that she was brought home to have her injuries taken care of.
"We don't want you to leave us," Myla said.
"She's right," Simon said. "I'll be back in a while." He left the cottage and stalked through the woods to the council hut.
Ronan had already alerted the elders of the council as to the problem between the two she-wolves, so they had gathered, and he was guarding the council hut for the moment. Simon thanked him and entered the hut, then closed the door.
"You can send her away," Argos, the leader of the council said.
"Her brothers would object," Simon said.
Argos lifted a brow. "The scorpion fae has brothers also?"
Simon let out his breath in exasperation. He had suspected who Argos had meant by saying Simon should send her away, but he wasn't allowing Argos, or anyone on the council, to change his mind about this. The only way he'd let Letta go was if she didn't want to remain with them, and who could blame her?
"You know very well who I mean. Any wolf who injured one of our own would be banished, unless there was good evidence the wolf was acting in its own defense," Simon said.
"Gia's brothers say the scorpion fae attacked her first."
"Gia's words against Letta's," Simon said. "I can tell you that Letta didn't start the fight and that Gia had no intention of returning Letta to the pack. She had every intention of finishing her off before we could rescue Letta. Why would Letta attack Gia?"
"Gia wanted to please you, so when she learned the scorpion fae had run off, she tried to convince Letta to return with her," Argos said.
"So she nearly kills Letta? Letta is new to our ways. No one has taught her how to fight as a wolf. What would she gain by taking on Gia?" Simon knew the council members understood the right of it, but he was also certain they worried about the consequences of Gia's actions and if Simon banished her, her brothers would go too.
They were good fighting men, and had been loyal, up to this point.
"I would never have mated Gia, even if Letta had not come to our village. Gia doesn't get along with most of the she-wolves in the pack," Simon said.
Beatrice, the only woman on his council of five, agreed. "She minds herself when she's around your sisters and me," she said. "The younger she-wolves, she has nothing to do with, nor does she with the older ones. But when it comes to eligible she-wolves…" Beatrice shook her head. "I've counseled her numerous times over her behavior. If she sees you are remotely interested in or friendly to an eligible female and she learns of it, the wolf will have to deal with Gia's wrath."
"Why has nobody said anything about this to me?" Simon knew she wasn’t pleasant with the other she-wolves, but he hadn’t known she would bully them.
"The strongest of us leads," Beatrice said. "If she became your mate, then you and she could make a powerful team."
"If I ever learn you know something like this about the pack members, and you don't keep me informed, you'll be removed from the council." Simon was furious. No wolf would bully other wolves in his pack. Yes, in the wild, the wolves that were not fae wolf shifters, did, but he needed his pack to work as a cohesive team, a family.
Beatrice inclined her head, acknowledging his ruling.
"So now do you see?" he asked the others on the council. "Gia has had it in for Letta from the beginning."
"She's a scorpion fae," Argos said.
"She's a wolf shifter like us. And she's a healer. Not to mention she has some special skills none of us have. She could be an asset. Many of our people have welcomed her to the pack for saving Myla." Simon paced in front of his council members. He knew they'd have heartburn over sending Gia away, and her brothers following her, but he wasn't sending Letta away.
"She ran." Steel was Simon's age, the youngest man on the council, everyone else gray-haired and much respected by the pack. Though he was just as respected for his just and fair opinions. Simon had included him on the council to help represent a younger point-of-view. "The scorpion—"
Simon gave him such a sharp look, Steel corrected himself, "Letta. She ran. Why would you want her back? Send her to the dragon shifter fae. The princess wants her. Let her deal with her."
"She wasn't running away," Simon said. Everyone looked at him with disbelief. He didn't blame them, since he'd thought the same thing until she told him why she had left. "She was going to find Ena and see if she, or one of her staff, could remove the collar. And then she was returning here to prove I couldn't control her. She wants to stay with us."
The council members exchanged looks.
"I'm sorry," Beatrice said. "I should have told you about Gia's actions before this."
Simon nodded. "After what Gia pulled with Letta, and after hearing Beatrice's testimony, how Gia's reacted to other females in the pack, I would feel compelled to banish her. But the consideration must be made concerning her brothers. So here's my recommendation. We keep Gia in the pack, with a stern warning that if she intimidates any she-wolf in the pack, she'll be banished. The same goes for Gia's brothers, if they attempt to hassle Letta in any way. Letta stays with the pack, unless she chooses to leave. If Gia starts a fight with Letta, she's banished."
"What if Letta starts a fight with Gia?" Steel asked.
"I'l
l deal with it."
"You can't be thinking of taking the wolf as your mate," Argos said. "She's a—"
"Wolf shifter like us." It didn't mean that Simon was going to, but he wanted them to know that he was open to the notion, if she was interested too, at some point in time. He couldn't even believe he was considering it.
All of his council members were each mulling that over, and he knew that they realized she could be their co-pack leader, so they'd better treat her well. Not that she would treat them badly, if they didn't, but karma could bite them back.
Usually, when they had a situation of this magnitude, his council members made recommendations first, and then he told them what he was going to do. This time, he couldn't help jumping in with both feet and telling it like it was going to be from the beginning. He knew they would have defended Gia’s actions over a wolf who hadn’t belonged to the pack all these years. "Do you have any other concerns or suggestions?"
Steel cast Simon a small smile. "You do realize if you keep her, Letta, in the pack, you might have some bachelor wolf fights over her."
Simon figured that. He guessed that no one had shown Gia much interest because they thought Simon and she might become mated. Maybe now, they would make an attempt and she’d become mated and the rivalry would end between her and Letta.
"You?" Simon asked his friend.
Steel just smiled.
Simon smiled darkly.
No one else on the council had a thing to say, and he figured they assumed his mind was already made up as far as where this would go. It was.
Ronan was outside, keeping any wolves away from overhearing what was being said inside the council hut. Wolves had such good hearing, that it was important to keep the council meeting private until all was decided. Concerning his decision, Simon would tell the parties involved, Gia and her brothers first, and then Letta. After that, Argos would let the rest of the pack know that no wolf would badger any other wolves in the pack.
When Simon left the council hut and headed to the healer’s hut to talk with Gia and her brothers, he overheard Gia’s brothers talking inside the hut about what they would do if Simon kicked Gia out. They would fight him to take over the pack, leave and gather their own pack first, or try to convince him to change his mind, let Gia pay for the consequences of her actions, or all leave and they wouldn't look back.
Simon opened the door. When Simon entered the healer's hut, the brothers cast him superior looks. Gia appeared worn out, good one on her.
Simon explained what he'd decided, prefacing it with, "We've known each other from the time we were young pups, and I'd hate for something like this to come between us. Gia will remain in the pack. If you agree with my decision, we go on about our business. We'll give the women a chance to heal, and from there, if they choose to be friends, it's up to them. But no more fighting between the two of you."
"What if she starts—" Gia began to say.
Simon raised his hand to stop her objection. "We fight as a unit, always ready for the worst-case scenario, and no fighting within our ranks. If you badger any female, you're banished, Gia. If you have issue with my ruling, tell me now."
The men all shook their heads, looking relieved they didn't have to leave the pack because of their sister's shenanigans. But Tomas was smiling a little, and Simon wondered what was up with that. He had known him forever, so he could pretty much guess what he was thinking. Not this time.
Simon bowed his head to them in agreement and they did the same to him, all but Gia. She was one obstinate wolf, who reminded Simon a lot of another. Hannah.
Simon left the healer's hut then and headed for his own cottage to speak with Letta and prayed she was doing better. But when he arrived, he found her sound asleep.
"What has been decided?" Myla asked.
"Gia and her brothers will stay, but no more infractions of the rules. Did you know that Gia was giving some of our she-wolves a hard time?"
"No. Who said she was? I mean, I know she snaps at some of the she-wolves, but I’ve never seen her get physical with them. She doesn’t dare do anything like that with me. Mostly, I’m sure, because I’m your sister, have your confidence, and I’m no threat to her in the mating department."
"Beatrice is the one who finally said so. She's been warned also that if she withholds information about something this important, she could find herself dismissed from the council. And Steel is testing me."
"Oh? How?"
"He intends to court Letta."
Myla sighed. "Does he not realize he won't win against you?"
Simon smiled. “Who says I’m in the running?”
Myla took his arm and led him into the kitchen. “Because I know you, dear brother. Help me make lunch. It is time and Letta was going to help me, but she’s now indisposed.”
10
The next day, Letta was sitting in the living room, a blanket on her lap, receiving several wolves, male and female, who came by to wish her well and to welcome her to the pack as if she was visiting royalty. She was glad to see the outpouring of friendship from the wolves, when she’d been afraid they might have believed Gia's lies.
When the last of the wolves had left Myla and Simon’s cottage, Myla brought Letta and herself a cup of jasmine tea and sat down again in the living room.
"You have made many friends among the wolves of our pack. It didn't hurt that Simon learned what Gia was doing to some of the she-wolves and put a stop to it. They know you're the reason for helping them out." Myla sounded proud of her. "I believe Gia is in the proverbial doghouse and no one wants to be treated that way. She's been trying to convince whoever will listen that you were the aggressor and she was defending herself. I don't think anyone believes her. Not when they know her better than that.”
“Do you think she will try to kill me again?” Letta really needed to learn how to fight better as a wolf.
“I think she’ll want to, but she may feel it’s too risky. And if she did kill you, Simon, and most everyone else, would look at her as the prime suspect.”
Someone knocked on the door, and Myla went to get it. When she opened the door, she frowned. “Tomas. Simon isn’t here.”
Letta knew Tomas was one of Gia’s brothers and definitely not her friend.
“I didn't come here to see him. I’d like to speak with Letta, if I may,” Tomas said to Myla.
Why? To apologize for his sister’s rotten behavior toward her? No thanks. Gia would have to do the apologizing, and Letta suspected she’d rather die than do that.
“Let me see if she wishes to speak with you.” Myla closed the door and whispered to Letta, “Do you want to see him?”
Letta nodded. She figured she needed to make an effort to be friendly with Gia and her brothers, if it was at all possible, since she was going to stay with the wolf pack. If Tomas was offering a chance at conciliation, she’d accept it. She suspected he was in charge of his brothers but didn't have much control over his sister.
Myla opened the door. “Come in, Tomas. I don’t think you need introductions.” Myla made him some tea and then took a seat nearby, watching over the situation, being protective of Letta.
Letta so appreciated her for it.
Tomas sat on a chair opposite the couch where Letta was sitting. “First, I want to apologize for my sister’s behavior.”
“That she attacked me without provocation.” Letta wanted to make it clear to Tomas that if he was apologizing for his sister, he knew just what he was apologizing for.
“Uh, yes.”
“Good. Thank you. I’m glad you understand the truth of the matter.”
“Right, well, I don’t feel it’s enough to just apologize to you, considering how badly you were injured.” Tomas was eyeing her with what she thought was something akin to interest, but Letta wasn't buying it.
“How badly she injured me.” Letta could see a pattern of Tomas downplaying his sister’s actions.
“Right. To make up for it, to show you we harbor no il
l feelings toward you, I wish to court you.”
Myla nearly dropped her cup of tea.
Letta snapped her gaping mouth closed. She finally found her tongue and said, “That’s very sweet of you, and I feel most honored, really.” Not. She figured just where Tomas was coming from—allow him to court her and then Gia would be free to change Simon's mind about courting her. Letta wasn't a scorpion fae without some of her own resources. She could be just as wily as a wolf. And she wasn't going to be outmaneuvered. Of course, it might mean that she was going to make an enemy of Tomas and the rest of the siblings. But she didn't believe she was anything but, anyway. “But…I’ve agreed to court Simon. If things don’t work out between us though, I’ll definitely consider your proposal.”
Myla looked surprised to hear Letta say that. Letta wondered then if she really thought her brother had. She would have to tell her it was all just a ploy, but that she would straighten it out with Simon when he returned to the cottage.
Tomas’s face turned red. “Simon has said nothing of this to anyone.”
“I’m sure he didn’t want to mention it until we had our first few dates, after I heal up, of course.”
Myla was quiet, watching the emotions play across Tomas’s face: surprise, disbelief, annoyance.
Tomas abruptly stood. “I’ll see myself out.” He didn’t say he wanted to see her if it didn’t work out between her and Simon. She was certain he would be miffed at anyone for turning him down for a chance at a courtship. She was certain he wouldn't want to truly go through with a mating either, just wait until his sister had what she wanted. Tomas hurried for the door and let himself out.
Hadn’t he ever been rejected before? Letta smiled and finished her tea.
Myla smiled at her and waited for Tomas to shut the door before she spoke.
Simon entered the cottage right after Tomas left. “What was that all about? Was he giving you trouble?” he asked Letta, looking ready to run out of the cottage and take Tomas to task.
“Tomas apologized for his sister attacking Letta, unprovoked,” Myla said.
“Good.” Simon shut the door and joined them.
