Authors: Quinn Loftis
“If you think the life of a Canis lupis historian is interesting, you would be wrong. No offense, but seriously? Sitting, waiting on your Alpha to send you data to archive gets old really quickly. Going through ancient archives and converting them to digita
l
; format? Boring! Some days I think stabbing myself in the eye with a
spoon would be more interesting, s
o you can imagine my excitement at having the Great Luna appear. I’ll remember next time not to get excited until
after
she tells me what she wants.” ~Wadim
Wadim laughed as he read the latest t-shirt his sister had sent to him. This one was probably not something to wear around the pups – not that there were any in their pack. He frowned at that thought.
“Historians do it over and over and over…” he read the shirt aloud, smiling at the slight jab she was adding to the sexual innuendo. They continually argued over the fact that history was doomed to repeat itself. Her argument was that people change and, therefore, history had to change. His argument was, “I’m the historian and I know more than you”. She always growled when he threw that one at her. He folded the shirt haphazardly and laid it on the end of his desk, amongst the many papers and files. He had been working on getting the most recent happenings of their pack into the database. Vasile had been adamant about recording the reappearance of the gypsy healers, and the dormants being mated to full-bloods. Wadim was trying to keep events up to date in the system
and
continue to work on finding archives that pertained to the current crisis. The older archives were still in paper form, which made the job very time-consuming. He was operating on very little sleep and knew that he needed rest. Having his eyes cross at the computer screen due to exhaustion wasn’t exactly conducive to accurate record keeping.
He checked his watch and saw that it was only 6pm. Bedtime or not, he was going to fall asleep at his desk or his bed, wherever he landed.
“The bed it is,” he spoke into the empty room, heading for his quarters.
He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Wadim knew that he was still asleep even as he sat up on the edge of his bed. Looking around, he realized he wasn’t in his room. The room he was in was illuminated with a soft light
that seemed just bright enough to keep darkness dancing several feet away. He stood and turned in a circle, looking around him. The walls were stone grey and all around there were sconce lights. In between each sconce was a picture of a wolf, or group of wolves. Wadim could tell by the sheer size of them that they weren’t natural wolves. These were Canis lupis. There was a large, round, deep purple rug in the center of the room. A glass table was on the rug and around the
table was
various chairs, including a love seat and a chaise lounge.
He took a step forward, toward a white, wing-backed chair. The air rippled around him and caressed his face gently. He looked for a window or door, something that would have brought the breeze. He once again turned in a full circle. Standing behind him where the bed had been was a beautiful woman. She was tall and had long white hair that glowed with a soft halo of light. Her eyes were also white, no pupils, and seemed to glow with the same light. She had a straight nose and full, pink lips that were turned up in a soft smile. A shimmering cloak shifted from silver to purple with her movements.
Wadim watched in awe as she walked toward him, although with the grace that she moved it was more like gliding. He couldn’t look away as he waited for her to speak. When she finally did, her voice was a soothing balm that eased every worry and quieted every busy thought.
“Welcome, Wadim, keeper of the knowledge of the Romanian pack, child of mine.”
Wadim wasn’t sure if he should bow, kneel, or kiss her hand. He didn’t know the protocol for meeting the Great Luna, for he was sure that it was her that stood before him
“A simple ‘hello’ will do, keeper.” Her laugh was a musical chime that brought a smile to his face.
“You can read my mind?” H
e asked tentatively.
“Of course. I created you; I know everything about you,” she told him.
Wadim ran a hand across his face with a small groan. “Man, that cannot be good.”
Again with the musical laugh. “I have not brought you here to discuss your own life, Wadim. Not yet, anyway. There are bigger happenings going on in your world, bigger than any one being of any one species.”
She motioned for Wadim to take a seat and she took the one across from him.
“I have been petitioned by one of the great Fae, Perizada. She has come to me on behalf of the wolves, my wolves. How much do you know about the situation unfolding in your world?”
“I’ve been recording all the recent events but haven’t had much time to talk with Vasile. He's been helping Decebel get the Serbian pack reorganized.”
Wadim spoke of his pack as if she knew them; he figured she must since she was the one who created them.
“Much has happened since the battle between the witch and my wolves. Desdemona is on the move. She is seeking out an ancient evil horde to release on your realm and she has been pursuing the one being that has the knowledge to open the Veil in order to allow that evil to cross over. Now she has found him. As of right now he has not decided if he will help her. His heart is not yet consumed with evil. There is still good deep within him – good that needs just a tiny light to pierce through the darkness that is attempting to overshadow him.
“Desdemona holds a great temptation before him, though whether she can deliver what she promises has not yet been determined. Perizada of the Fae has been a great friend to my wolves and long continued the task I set before her. The others of her race have grown complacent and comfortable in the peace they have enjoyed for so long. I will not allow them to sit comfortably behind their Veil while the human realm is destroyed.”
Wadim listened attentively, feeling her passion and love for her creations, and even those that she did not create.
“What are you going to do?” he asked.
“I am going to stir things up a bit,” she answered, with what could only be described as a smile full of mischief. “I have decided that I can create a situation that will be good for all concerned. My wolves are dwindling in numbers due to the lack of true mates. This was of my own doing, for which I am truly sorry. When I saw the destruction they were bringing amongst themselves I made it very difficult to procreate and, over time, this has caused a population with too few females. The tide is turning. My wolves are beginning to gather themselves once again. The love of the half-blood mate of the prince, the fierce faithfulness of the dormant, and the pure heart of the healer are bringing a new era to the Canis lupis species. Because of this, I am going to help my wolves replenish their numbers. I will bless them with offspring that will bring joy to their packs and I will unite them with another supernatural species.” She paused as Wadim processed all that she was saying. “My wolves need mates. Since their creation I have only allowed them to mate within their own species. I cannot allow them to mate with full-blooded humans and form true mate bonds, of course, because the humans lack magic. However, I can make it possible for another magical species to become compatible.”
“Fae,” Wadim whispered in fascination.
“Correct, keeper. I will make the Fae compatible true mates to the Canis lupis. The bond will be no less intense than if it were two wolves. Their combined magic will create the bond between their souls. The mating between the two species will force the Fae to come out of hiding. Despite their laziness, they are still very loyal to their own kind and will not leave one to face peril on his or her own. I will start with two from your pack because of the faithfulness that the Romanian Alpha and his wolves have shown me. I want you to be the one to share this information with Vasile and Decebel. These two Alphas have proven their loyalty to their species and to me. They will determine who else deserves to know this information.”
Wadim was speechless. The Great Luna wanted him to share the most important information in the history of their kind. This would forever alter the course of their species. And he had been complaining about being bored. Guess that would teach him to complain.
“I trust you to do this, Wadim. You have proven to be a very accurate and truthful keeper. I know that you will tell all that I have imparted to you. Do this as soon as you awaken. Tell my wolves how very proud I am of you all.”
Wadim felt his eyes grow
heavy and close against his will. Seconds later he sat up in his bed with a gasp, alone in his dark room. He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear the sleep and looked around to see if he really was back in his room. He pinched his arm.
“Ow,” he grumbled, but quickly forgot the pain as the Great Luna’s words filled his mind.
He jumped up, making a bee line to his computer. After pulling up a blank document he began to type everything she had told him. Once he was finished he picked up the phone and dialed Vasile’s cell number.
“Vasile,” the Alpha's deep voice rumbled.
“We need to talk,” Wadim panted breathlessly.
“Pack your things. You will go with us to the Serbian pack’s mansion. We have a meeting tonight.”
Wadim hung up and realized that he must have slept the whole night even though it only felt like a short time. Shaking his head to clear it, he began to pack. His mind was racing over the possibilities and the consequences of the Great Luna’s decree.
He smiled to himself when he thought of the poor wolf who would be the first paired with a Fae.
This is what happens when you complain about being bored
, he thought to himself. He pulled the strap of his bag over his shoulder and grabbed the flash drive upon which he had saved the documentation of the Great Luna’s words. As he began to climb the stairs he muttered under his breath,“Just sitting around, minding my own business, whining about archiving, and then BAM, 'your species will be able to mate with a totally different species. Oh and by the way, Wadim, it’s your responsibility to relay this information'. That'll teach me to complain.”
“Once you’ve been to one bonding ceremony, you’ve been to them all. The Blood Rites, however, are a whole 'nother bag of tricks…literally, if you’re creative. I’m just saying.” ~Jen
“Where are you, my Alpha?” Alina spoke to her mate, who had a far-off look in his eyes. They were waiting for the others to arrive in the meeting room of the Serbian mansion. Vasile and Alina had shown up just before dusk and the others in Vasile’s pack were getting settled in the rooms that Jen and Decebel had prepared for them.
“I’m just wondering if we will ever see days of peace in my time as Alpha. Will we ever have grandchildren dancing around our feet? Will I hold you at night and not worry if we will be fighting for our lives the next day?” Vasile pulled Alina into his arms. She laid her head on his chest as he stroked her hair lovingly.
“All you can do is what is right. Fight the evil and the ones who would use it to devastate the weak with those who are pure of heart and have the will to stand against it. You lead them, you give them your strength, and you trust that not one of us will rest until good prevails.” Alina pulled back to look in his eyes. “We might not see days of peace, or play with our grandchildren.” She choked back on her words as she spoke of the little ones. “We might never go to sleep knowing that we will wake up and open our door to a bright morning. And that’s okay, because I have loved and been loved by you. I have fought by your side, I have borne your child, I have laughed, cried, hurt, rejoiced, and mourned with you. Those things are my peace.”
Vasile placed his hands on either side of his mate’s face and gently pulled her toward him. Their lips touched, and even after two centuries, the passion that started as embers burned bright and strong. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood up on her tiptoes to get closer. Vasile growled softly and Alina laughed lightly as she pulled away. He looked into her eyes and saw the man she believed him to be. A man can go to his grave with pride when he has seen in his woman’s eyes that he is her hero, her lover, her friend, and her confidant.
~
Jen, Jacque, Sally, Rachel, Crina, and Cynthia all sat around the coffee table in one of the many sitting rooms. Each held a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
“Do we know if Peri has been able to get Legolas’ brothers and sisters to join our cause?” Jen asked as she took a sip of her hot chocolate, cringing as it stung her tongue.
Crina and Cynthia, who had also been taking sips of their drinks, immediately began choking as they laughed at Jen’s words. Rachel was smiling, beginning to understand some of Jen’s humor, even if she didn’t understand the reference.
“Jen, just because they are Fae doesn’t mean they are anything like the Lord of the Rings characters,” Sally pointed out. "Not to mention, Legolas was an elf."
Jen shrugged. “Yeah, but it’s so much more fun to refer to them as Legolas' cousins or baby’s daddy than just calling them Fae.”
Jacque nodded. “She does have a point.”
Cynthia was shaking her head. Once again the three girls were trading banter like the world wasn’t coming to an end.
“To answer your question,” Sally said, “Peri told me during one of our little…”
“Potions classes?” Jen blurted.
“Harry Potter!” Jacque yelled out.
“Point.” Jen nodded at Jacque.
“Seriously? You guys are going to play 'what’s it from?' now?” Sally asked. She crossed her arms across her chest, attempting to look intimidating.
“What is 'what’s it from?' now?” Rachel asked.
Jacque piped in. “It’s a game where we just have normal conversations like usual. But then throughout the day we throw movie quotes out that are appropriate for the topic. To get a point you have to be the first one to call out what movie or television show it’s from. It’s a very mature game for very mature women.”
“I’m afraid this game isn’t going to make a whole lot of sense to you considering you've been living on fig trees for decades and your only form of entertainment was injuring your werewolf husband so that you could use your healing skills.”
Everyone but Rachel gasped at Jen’s bluntness. Rachel was laughing. She had told Jen about how Gavril would purposefully injure himself just so she would have something to do.
“I’m just saying,” Jen spouted at the outraged faces.
“Anyway, Rachel,” Jacque continued, “that is the game.”
“Perhaps I will just listen then. I’m sure Jen will say something that, though I may not understand, I will still find amusing.”
Cynthia laughed. "That’s an easy thing to do. Jen only has to open her mouth and you’re just about guaranteed to laugh, and despite their brashness, she probably means no harm.”
“She’s really very short on charm!” Jacque hollered just as Sally and Jen yelled, “The Princess Bride!”
"Good one, Doc." Jen grinned at Cynthia.
"Okay, seriously," Sally said, collecting herself. "Peri said the council isn't going to lift a finger to help us out."
Rachel snorted. "That's no surprise."
"What do you mean?" Crina asked.
Rachel leaned forward and set her cup on the table. "The Fae are the most powerful of all the supernaturals and, at one time, they were the disciplinarians of our realm."
"Like the police of the sups?" Jacque asked.
Rachel stared at Jacque blankly.
"Rach, just go with it," Jen encouraged.
"Okay then, yes, like the police," Rachel agreed. "After the purge of the witches they retreated beyond their Veil and have had very little to do with this world. Especially since the absence of healers. So it doesn't surprise me that they don't want to get involved. They live in peace, safe in their world."
"Yeah, well, what happens when this world is brought to its knees and the death and destruction brought on by Mona comes knocking on their door?" Sally asked. "What is Peri going to do?"
"She hasn't really come out and said it in so many words, but I think Elle and Adam are going to be helping out again." Sally noticed Crina's shoulders stiffen when she mentioned the Fae. Maybe she didn't like them, Sally thought.
"Sally mine, we're getting ready to meet."
Sally jumped at the sound of Costin's voice and let out a yelp.
Jen jumped up at that. "Bloody hell, Sally. Are you okay?"
Sally blushed. "I forgot to mention something," she muttered.
Jen's head snapped around to Jacque. "I told you she was holding out on us. Didn't I tell you she was holding out on us?"
"Yeah, yeah. You told me. Now sit down and zip it so we can grill her for information."
"I'm just saying – I
knew
she was acting weird. But does anyone listen to Jen? Nooooo, of course not. It's not like I'm brilliant or anything."
"Jen."
"What!" Jen snapped.
"Sit it and shut it." Jacque pointed to Jen's seat. "Now," she growled, pinning Sally with her emerald eyes. "Spill it healer."
"Well, I was going to tell you guys last night but then the meeting and Peri and then…" Sally stammered.
"Blah, blah, blah. Sally, get to the point." Jen made an impatient motion with her hand.
"Costin and I can hear each other's thoughts," Sally blurted out.
"Shut up!" Jacque grinned.
"That's what I'm talking about. It all starts with the mind talk and next thing you know you're rolling around getting wrapped up in the sheets like a burrito." Jen was up, doing a little dance as she spoke. She stopped when she realized everyone was staring at her. "What?" Her forehead wrinkled.
Crina, Cynthia, and Rachel were shaking their heads with small smiles on their faces. Sally was covering her face in embarrassment and Jacque was rolling her eyes.
"Jen," Jacque started.
Jen held up her hands. "I know, I know. Always with the ‘don't talk about sex, Jen', ‘keep your clothes on, Jen', ‘be a boring square, Jen'."
"Did you hear me, baby?"
Sally jumped again. "Oh, crap, I forgot he spoke to me." She stood and walked away, turning her back on her friends.
"Yes, I heard you. Sorry, I was distracted by the
girls
."
"Hmm, I must not be doing something right if your friends distract you better than I do. Guess I'll have to remedy that."
She heard Costin chuckle in her mind and felt warm breath over her neck.
She shivered.
"Was that you?"
"Yes, Sally mine, that was me. Now, are you coming to the meeting room or do I need to come and carry you over? Which would be completely fine with me."
Sally giggled.
"We are on our way."
"Fine, have it your way. No worries, love. I will find another way to get you in my arms."
Sally was blushing when she walked back over the others.
"Um, Sally, you do realize that we can't hear you talk to him right? You don't have to walk away for privacy like you're on a cell phone."
Sally's blush deepened. "But if I try to talk to him while I'm in front you guys you will tell me that I look constipated."
The room erupted into chuckles.
"Oh, Sally girl, I wouldn't say you look constipated," Jen placated.
"Oh, okay." Sally smiled.
"For all I know you might look like you have gas, or maybe you look like you are in the throes of -"
"Jen!" Jacque cut her off, trying very hard not to laugh. When the others lost their composure Jacque gave in herself.
Sally tried to give them a stern glare, but she was to giddy to be upset. A wide grin spread across her face as she thought about Costin.
"Jennifer, Costin said you all were on your way."
Jen hear her mate’s voice.
"We're heading that way. We had girl things to discuss. Tell Costin not to get his tail in a twist, his little healer will be there in a sec."
"Costin isn't the one asking, baby. I'm asking. And what girl things?"
"Oh, well, in that case I won't tell you not to get your tail in a twist because I think your tail stays in a perpetual state of twisted-ness. And none of your business."
She heard Decebel growl at her. She laughed.
"Love you, my furry fur ball."
"Promise me you will never call me that out loud, in front of anyone."
"Now baby, you know I can't make a promise like that. You're bound to piss me off at some point and I need all the ammunition I can muster."
"Just get your butts in here."
He was growling again which only made her grin bigger.
"Now, now, I will not stand for you talking about other chickadees' bums."
"Jennifer,"
he warned.
"Fine, jeez,"
she relented.
"Come on, girlies. Decebel’s yapping in my ear about getting all our butts to the meeting room."
"I don't know how you put up with his bossiness," Crina commented on their way out the door.
Jen snickered.
"If he was easy, compliant, and tolerant of her, she would turn him into a wolf rug and walk all over him," Jacque explained.
"Seriously," Jen added. "I can't French kiss a rug. Well I could, but then people would think I'd passed from mildly demented into full-blown off her rocker."
Sally cut a sideways glance at Jacque and raised her eyebrows. Jacque gave a slight nod in agreement with Sally's unspoken skepticism.
"Sally, Jacque, I will not hesitate to put super glue on your toilets, so wipe the smirks off your lovely faces."
Crina, Cynthia, and Rachel listened to the girls' banter, shaking their heads and laughing when Jen made a typical Jen statement.
As they walked, Jacque reached out to Fane.
“Hey, wolf-man, I’m feeling a little left out here. All the other men are jumping all over their mates to get their butts to the meeting room.”
Jacque heard him chuckle and then he sent her a mental image of the two of them.
“
I will be happy to jump all over you. However, I assure you it will be for a much different reason.”
Jacque laughed out loud and received knowing looks from the others.
“Have I told you lately that I love you?”
Jacque asked.
“Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it. Now hurry up and get your butt in this meeting room,”
Fane teased.
Jacque grinned to herself and somehow, even after the bonding and marriage, she still got butterflies at the idea of walking into a room knowing she was going to see Fane’s all-too-handsome face.
When they finally arrived at the meeting, the heaviness that cloaked the room brought their laughter and easy banter to an end.
~
The girls walked into the quiet room. The men were sitting in a circle. There were empty seats next to Decebel, Fane, Costin, and Gavril. Each mated female made their way to their respective places while Cynthia and Crina took the empty seats next to Sorin and Drake. Vasile and Alina sat near the front of the room with Peri sitting to their left.