Way of the Wolf: Shifter Legacies 1 (40 page)

“The
Alley Dogs
consider it a kind of kidnapping despite the fact Ronnie gave herself to Stephen willingly,” Lawrence put in. “They still think of her as one of their own.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” David protested. “Georgie tried to kill her.”

Ronnie grinned. “Of course it makes sense, maybe not in human terms, but we aren’t human. In Raymond’s mind, I defied him—my pack leader. I’m not dominant enough to do that and get away with it, so he has to punish me. If I won’t accept his rule over me or my punishment, then he has to kill me to maintain his authority. It’s really very simple and direct. In the eyes of the pack the only thing I did wrong was not let him screw me.”

“That’s insane, and disgusting.”

“Not really. It’s a tradition among the bigger old-fashioned packs like the
Alley Dogs
for unmated males to have their pick of the unmated females. The smaller family packs don’t do it for obvious reasons, and there are a lot more like them now than there are packs like the
Alley Dogs
. I could have avoided the obligation entirely by choosing a mate, but Callia and I didn’t like any of the males enough to do that.”

He was disgusted at the thought of Ronnie having to prostitute herself to gain a little safety. “Do all the bigger packs force their women to do this?”

Lawrence shook his head. “Not for a long time now. I’m not certain, but the
Alley Dogs
might be one of the last holdouts in LA. I know the
Desert Warriors
don’t do it, and they’re the biggest pack I know of.”

“Leon Pullen’s
Ghost Hunters
are nearly as numerous. They do not hold to the old ways,” Stephen said, not revealing how he felt about it. “I think you might be right about the
Alley Dogs
.”

“I can’t believe you’re not outraged by this,” David said and Lawrence shrugged. “And you’re not either, are you?” he said to Ronnie.

“It’s not as if I didn’t enjoy myself,” Ronnie protested. “I’m alpha don’t forget. You’re acting as if I didn’t have choices. No one forces me to do anything. It wasn’t rape if that’s what you were thinking.”

He just stared at her in confusion.

“There are plenty of betas among the
Alley Dogs
,” she said softening her tone as she realised how he was feeling. “I chose partners from among them, not the alphas, and I’m strong enough to be dominant. It was when Raymond started taking an interest that I ran. I was fine with the betas. We had fun.”

He knew that shifters were uninhibited and very sexually active. Living with them in the barracks at Lost Souls, he would have needed to be deaf and blind to miss it, but he couldn’t feel easy with it himself; not yet, and maybe not ever. He still thought like a human. Imagining Ronnie living that way made him angry, but he had no right to feel that way when she saw nothing wrong in it.

“What did Janine think of Raymond’s sudden interest in you?” Stephen asked.

“Who is Janine?” David said.

“Raymond’s mate. She sent Georgie to kill me,” Ronnie admitted. “I don’t blame her for it. She could hardly kill Raymond, could she? If she did, she would lose her place.”

“But I thought Pederson sent Georgie that night.”

“That night?” Ronnie frowned at David, but then she brightened. “Oh the night we met? Yes, he did. Raymond wanted me brought back, but Janine wanted me dead. Georgie would have killed me though. She never liked me and could easily get away with it. She only had to say I wouldn’t submit and fought to the death. It would have been the truth. I was determined not to go back.”

He remembered that night clearly. It had been a vicious fight and it would have been to the death if the cops hadn’t arrived when they did.

The limo slowed and pulled up outside a huge hangar building. There were trucks and cars parked haphazardly on the apron illuminated by light spilling between the main doors which had been left open a short space. He estimated there were only a few dozen vehicles. There couldn’t be many people attending the meeting.

Everyone climbed out of the car, and flanking Stephen like the honour guard they essentially were, they entered the building. The moment they entered, Mist reacted, becoming more alert to their surroundings. There were a lot more shifters inside than the vehicles could account for. Many, many more. Hundreds. Stephen made no mention of it, his pace did not falter, but David felt his power flare briefly, as if surprise had caused his control to slip. He said nothing however and led the way toward a small group of shifters standing together near a long trestle table set up at the far end of the hangar. It was nothing fancy, just a battered wooden table with plastic chairs tucked under it. Functional. The computer atop the table though looked modern and out of place in the current surroundings. Carafes of water and some glasses rounded out the props supplied for the meeting.

There was an open space in front of the table about thirty-foot square and bordered in chalk to create an arena with the concrete freshly swept clean of dust. Mist went hyper-alert at the scent of old blood. David eyed one or two suspicious looking stains on the concrete and knew that challenges must often play out here. He wondered if he might get the opportunity to kill Pederson tonight, and make use of the arena so obligingly laid out.

Stephen picked out a broad-shouldered man in his early thirties with shaggy straw-coloured hair and green eyes. He was arguing with Pederson about something, but obviously getting nowhere with his remonstrations. The other pack leaders, David guessed they must be the Alphas here to judge the dispute, were listening and nodding along with the argument. The discussion abruptly ceased as Stephen arrived.

“What is the meaning of this?” Stephen said. “Since when does calling the conclave require such numbers in attendance?”

“And good evening to you too,” Jonas said. “Raymond felt insecure without bringing most of his pack along. I decided that my boys should supervise them, if you take my meaning?”

Stephen glared at Pederson. “This betrayer should be given no special treatment. The other leaders of our community have followed our rules, as have I.” He waved a hand toward David and the rest of his entourage. “Make them leave.”

The pack leaders murmured.

“They aren’t going anywhere,” Pederson said. “You are vampire, not shifter. You have no rights here but those we let you have. Treating you as our equal is a courtesy that can and will be remedied.”

Jonas grimaced. “We’re here to judge your actions at Lost Souls, not revisit old ground.”

“But it is relevant,” one of the other Alphas said. “Stephen’s status and actions are the cause of the dispute. It’s perfectly in order to debate that.”

Pederson’s smile slowly widened.

Stephen was shocked, and David wasn’t the only one to sense it. Lawrence murmured something to Ronnie uneasily. It was obvious Pederson had been working his contacts among the pack leaders, and to good effect. More than a few nodded and murmured their agreement.

“I’m officially requesting here and now, that the conclave consider removing Stephen Edmonton’s right to take part in our deliberations.”

Jonas hissed. He glared at Pederson, but it was obvious he had nothing to help. He sighed. “Show of hands?”

The vote was close. Damn close, but it failed to pass. David relaxed a little. Nothing was decided. Pederson looked uneasy again, but Stephen didn’t look reassured. Jonas indicated seats, and everyone moved to find places at the table. One of the men activated the computer to record the meeting.

Jonas began. “Firstly, this conclave has been called not by House Edmonton, but by the
Alley Dogs
to discuss the disposition of the alpha wolf, Ronnie Burdett, currently resident of House Edmonton—”

Stephen interrupted. “She is not resident, guest, or any other term you might wish to apply. She’s mine; my wolf to reward or discipline as I see fit. No one takes what is mine.”

“You’re out of order,” Jonas said without rancour, and David noted that he’d conveniently allowed Stephen to put his full case without interruption. The balance restored after Pederson’s earlier attempted end run, he went on. “You’ll have your turn to speak and make your claim upon her in due course.”

Stephen nodded his agreement.

Jonas turned to Pederson. “It’s my understanding that you staged a raid this evening upon House Edmonton without declaration of challenge or war. Is this the case?”

“He stole one of my—”

“Is that what happened, yes or no?”

Pederson scowled. “Yes but—”

“Yes will do,” Jonas said, cutting the Alpha off, and the other pack leaders murmured unhappily. “No one was killed or suffered lasting injury, which is very fortunate for the
Alley Dog
pack as I would’ve been forced to take punitive action in lieu of damages if there had been. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, a sneak attack on any one of us cannot be ignored. Our laws are clear. A declaration of intent—whether that’s a simple challenge or a formal declaration of feud or war—must be registered with this conclave before hostilities are initiated. Before, not after the fact.”

Pederson glared. “And would any of you have done differently? The vampire took one of my wolves and he’s refusing to give her back. Tell me that you wouldn’t have done the same and I’ll call you all liars to your faces. I didn’t go to Lost Souls to attack him,” he waved a hand at Stephen. “That should be obvious. It was daylight. He was still dead for the day! I went to talk to my wolf and persuade her to return. If not for this loner, I would have seen Ronnie and brought her home.”

David laughed at that.

“You have something to add?” Jonas asked.

“I was... made? Turned?”

“Changed,” Lawrence supplied. “Vamps are turned.”

“Okay. I’m new as I’m sure you all know, but maybe you don’t know how new I am. I was changed on the night Ronnie escaped by Georgette Starett. I’d like to take this opportunity to make my intention to kill her, formerly known.”

Jonas nodded. “Noted,” he turned to the computer using shifter. “Formal notification of challenge is heard and accepted.”

The sound of rapid typing came from that end of the table.

“Continue,” Jonas ordered.

“There’s not much more to say. Georgie attacked Ronnie not to bring her back but to kill her. Ronnie had no choice but to seek sanctuary with Stephen. I was there. You can tell it’s the truth. Ronnie was seriously injured and I was changed when I tried to intervene like an idiot. Pederson can say he came to Lost Souls just to talk, but he attacked me unprovoked and landed the first blow. I was security on the door and did not challenge him—”

“Lie,” Jonas said without a flicker of expression or emotion.

David frowned. “I did nothing but bar the door and prevent him entering my territory. I didn’t challenge him. It was my right to protect my pack.”

Jonas turned to the others. “What say you? He isn’t lying by intent, but preventing entry could be considered a kind of challenge.”

The shifters whispered among themselves. One man gave the verdict. “It’s a side issue and of no import. We judge no fault can be attributed to either party. Let’s move on.”

Jonas nodded. “What happened after you were attacked?”

“We fought, I won easily—”

Pederson snarled angrily.

“—but the
Alley Dogs
went furry when Stephen’s wolves arrived. The fight was brief because the police were called. Before they arrived we, both sides, got out of sight in the club while Edward spun the cops a story they would swallow. Stephen woke up not long after that, and Raymond weaselled... I mean
called
for arbitration.”

Jonas grinned at the slip.

“We called you, and that’s about it.”

“Very well. Does anyone have questions for this man?”

No one did.

“Your turn, Stephen.”

Stephen nodded. “You all know me and that I believe in fair dealing and honourable conduct. Some of you roll your eyes when you hear that... yes Leon, I saw you.”

Leon Pullen, Alpha of the
Ghost Hunters
and acting as clerk on the computer grinned. He was the pack leader of the second strongest coyote pack after Jonas’
Desert Warriors
and was allied with him.

“But think for a moment, all of you, what it would mean to be devoid of the concept entirely. You think me an anachronism and old fashioned in my thinking to hold to such ways, but without at least a framework like this our community would devolve into chaos. I’m not foolish enough to lower my defences even against allies. None of us trust too deeply; it’s survival 101 for non-humans, but what would it be like if we could not at least rely upon the few laws we have put in place here in LA?

“I will tell you. We would have what the rest of the Republic has right now. Even our illustrious state of California does not enjoy the relative peace we have carved out for ourselves here in LA itself. Remember what it was like forty years ago? Those of you too young will have heard the stories. They do not do it justice I assure you. Killings nightly were the least of it. Entire packs decimated, vampire Houses rose and fell yearly taking out ally and enemy with abandon. So when one of our own flouts our laws to attack my house unprovoked—”