“Is it me or did Malcolm want to say something, but never got around to it?” Ellie asked as they returned to their meeting. “Of course he’s learning. Telling me what I’m doing only makes his life frustrating. He’s finally figured out that forcing decisions out of my hands means he’s complicating things unnecessarily. I know exactly what his problem is, and I don’t blame him for worrying about it.” “Great, can you tell me what his disapproval is about?” “A photo opportunity means our faces are verified as faces of influential shifters. He’s afraid a group or person will come after us and hunt us. Which is bound to happen one way or another. After all, he and I did admit to being shifters before this. The only difference is that no one could verify our claims. They could dismiss it as we’re trying to pretend to be shifters because it’s controversial. This interaction with the media will seal the deal and verify us as shifters. Basically, we’re putting th
They rushed down to a waiting vehicle. Their security staff were coldly quiet, and the ride could be described as uncomfortable at best. Melody knew she wasn’t in the best hands. They wouldn’t harm her, but they wouldn’t go out of their way to sacrifice in order to save her. This she had to console herself to. Ironically, they could slip past a small group of protesters. The small number of protesters surprised Melody. She’d gotten the feeling from the news that people were far more plentiful that felt this way. These people wanted to lock away all supernatural creatures for the safety of all humans. They rejected the idea that once upon a time, all supernatural creatures were from human stock. She’d even seen these fools wearing silver collars as if that would save them from some expected attack on them. Melody figured it was to protect them from vampire bites. It went along with the prayer beads, crosses, and garlic many of them carried. They didn’t
As the luncheon started, they noticed that several human media people were allowed in, and they were quietly speaking to different people. It wasn’t a simple thing to watch. Everyone was uncomfortable and leery of the entire event. Malcolm sat beside Melody with several others at their table. Ellie sat beside Melody on her other side, with Jordan beside Ellie. “As far as we’ve been able to find out, this is a meet and greet with the media so that they can get to know the influential shifters in the city. They want them to learn about us and what to expect.” “So? What are we doing here?” “Melody, you’re my mate and have a reputation of your own as the Fox of Bay Street. Think about it. You are almost as well known as I am. We might not be as rich as the Wolversens, but we have our own influences. We appear to have become a power couple in the eyes of the general public.” “So what? They want to do a human interest piece on the non-humans?”
The people at the luncheon turned out to be the NARC Ambassadors and the Toronto Council of Alphas from the supernatural interests. From the human side of things, the mayor, several city councillors, and a representative from a newly created federal office. The luncheon went well, with the attendees stuck speaking to several members of the press before an official press conference started. The small interviews were to prove that they weren’t so different from humans in their lives. From paying taxes, working, and family life. The press asked about all of it. Several questions, though, Malcolm refused to answer. When the real conference started, there were two rows of tables staggered so that the press could see them all. The Ruling Council sat at the tables above the Toronto Council of Alphas. With the city, provincial, and federal representatives with the Ruling Council on the top tier. The mates of the Alphas, along with
“They’re monsters and you’re treating them like royalty. What about the real people you’re ignoring? Why are they getting special treatment? They brought this trouble onto the people of this city. They should pay for this. Kick them out of the country.” He couldn’t have been a day under sixty years old. The intolerance dripped off him like an oily sludge. He was the type of person who made up their minds with only a slight understanding of a few facts. Then right or wrong he’d come to his conclusions and stick to them. His slate grey hair looked like it hadn’t seen a comb in a long while. It stuck out in several places at awkward angles. Malcolm watched him marvelling at how this man thought he would be considered credible to the general public. He looked like he was homeless and down on his luck. Yes, his clothes were, but he must have slept for several days in or near the protest lines. “You’ve got nothing to say, because you know I’m right. Send them back to their home p
“So, you want us to leave and take them with us? How do you suggest we do that exactly? If we could have done that before, do you truly believe that we wouldn’t have? As for sending the Fae back, most of the portals that were used are dead or sealed. They sealed them with the intention of never opening them again. Without knowing how many Fae exist here currently, we can’t risk closing them all. You sound like we were the people that invited them back, when the truth of the matter is that humans did that, and we can’t find out why, because the Fae have devoured all the humans involved. So, please understand we have mixed feelings about you, yet none of us have told you to leave and go home to a planet that doesn’t exist. Do you now understand why we are struggling to take any of you seriously?” “Where’s your proof of these fictional humans that did that? I want receipts.” “Oh, we have receipts. I’m aware of one video showing a rath
Melody didn’t want to upset everyone or be rude after everything that happened today. So she waited for Jordan to take Ellie to their place and then she went into the bathroom and quietly read the report.It was as bad as she feared. Under the lose of the last elders, the Den collapsed. The adult pups of the elders abandoned their parents out of grief and frustration when they would allow no one to seek help.Before they left the Den, the kits were nursed back to health by the two girls. Those kits survived because they had developed an immunity. Sadly, though, the rest of the adults were a hodgepodge of results. Those that survived were under medical care and the authorities were looking for new dens to take them once they no longer needed medical care.Several kits were now orphans as well. She and Ellie would never see their childhood home again. That came with mixed feelings for Melody, and she couldn’t understand why she felt so emotional about it. Margret had always bee
Melody was taken aback by Malcolm’s admission. After everything he’d said and done over the short time, they’d be back together. She still didn’t know how to respond to him or how to approach him. She’d never expected him to see her problems. Did the pack have room for the orphaned kits? What about shifters and other supernatural beings within the Foster system? It didn’t take long for Melody to lose interest in attempting to relax in the bathtub. She couldn’t there were too many things coming to the forefront. She needed to write things down and talk to Malcolm about them. They needed to address them with other groups. When she got out of the bathroom, Melody found Malcolm starting David’s bedtime routine without being asked to. That was a pleasant surprise until he had to pass it off to her and take a call from another alpha. She readily took David from him and finished up with him. Once David was in bed, she found Malcolm in the sunroom
The investigation took weeks, and by then they’d moved into the packhouse. Life slowly got back to normal. The pack warmed up to Melody and Ellie. When they realized they were the minds behind their products. The she-wolves embraced them readily. Malcolm and Jordan split their time between the city and the Muskoka territory. Even the various construction projects were progressing well, with no more interference. The Fae were nowhere to be seen. But there were new rogues in the shadows of the neutral zones, and they weren’t living there quietly. The council of alphas were making plans to deal with them along with an ever pending war between the Toronto packs, the Scarborough Grove, and the Don Valley. It was something that cropped up again and again. They had history and family conflict. No one could blame them for the father they had. Now there’s a girl driving a wedge between them again, with her mere existence. Ellie was concerned about Jordan. He’d have to come to terms wi
“When I stepped into leadership of this pack, I made it clear we wouldn’t hold on to old prejudices. This might not be a message that got to some of the most recent pack members. This is a historic time and events have been fast and furious. So, I will state this again without naming names or telling tales out of school, as the humans say.” He paused and looked about. Several uneasy people were now relaxed. “That’s not to say those people will avoid the appropriate punishments later. Now, we are a wolf pack who recognizes fate can grant us mates who aren’t wolves. We don’t punish a person for their species, race, lack of magic, or anything like that. If you have a problem with another, you seek to resolve it without harming each other. Yes, I know for some that is a tough thing to do. But we do that within this pack. I have heard that someone has used their station and position of responsibility to force their political beliefs onto the pack as a whole. The reports I rece
“Now you’re sure we have everything. I’d hate to get there and find out we’re missing something.” Melody was checking her bags again. Malcolm could see her anxiety in her actions. Normally, she would never reveal it. Now he figured it was her motherly instincts kicking in to protect and care for her pups. “Melody, there will be other families there. I’m sure if you’ve forgotten something, someone will have it.” If looks could kill, Malcolm would need a healer, at least if not an undertaker, as the humans would say. Melody didn’t appreciate his assurances. As Jordan passed him with another car seat. They had to install three of them and that was the last. Jordan made eye contact with Malcolm, and they exchanged a sense of commiseration. Malcolm figured it was because Jordan just escaped a similar situation upstairs. “Ellie, let me get the base in the car and then I’ll come get the pups for you. I don’t want you to carry two of those heavy car seats. Just
Malcolm didn’t stay long after that at the meeting. The elders clearly had a lot to chew on and get straight. He’d gone on to remind them their job wasn’t to run the pack or tell people what and how to do things. They weren’t to threaten the pack members if they said or did anything. Their job was to advise and give council. Use their experience and list, assist in finding answers. Guide the next generation. Someone had lost their way and Malcolm would keep an eye on them. So this wouldn’t happen again. They were getting ready to settle down for the rest of the evening when the elders appeared at their door. This time they requested if we could introduce them to the new pack members. A far cry from the morning. Malcolm noticed the speaker wasn’t there, but Cathleen was. “I’m sorry about all of this, Alpha. I truly didn’t believe it. Gisselle was sent by the others. However, I spoke with her about how unreasonable the horrible words were. She agreed with me. I just ask that you
Malcolm was unhappy when he entered the elder’s meeting room to hear this information. What were they thinking, pulling this? Running on rumours and speculation. That wasn’t how he or how he expected his pack to run. Malcolm waiting rather impatiently for a response that didn’t appear to come fast enough for his liking. “Tight lipped, are we? Anyone else like to step up to the speaker’s spot and inform me of exactly what my mate, they accused your Luna of what and by whom?” “I can’t tell you who reported this to us, but I would love to fill you in on this. It’s rather disgraceful, over-the-top, and factually unbelievable.” Cathleen stood up from her seat, a look of sour disapproval on her face. “To make matters worse, they kept me out of the loop on the births that happened at the cottage. This, I gather, was to ensure that I didn’t spill the beans about what they were doing.” “Madam, if you’d please state the accusations that they forced m
Gisselle found herself basically being escorted to the elders. She was sure they weren’t pleased with her right now after the subtle stance she took. Now she’s having to tell them their information about the Luna was full of misleading or outright false information. That wouldn’t go down well either. She entered the building that the elders used for their private meeting. Cathleen was there this time. She’d been missing when the elders stopped in to see the Luna and recognize the pups. “I hear they left me out of the loop in being told the pup was born early this morning.” Cathleen cornered Gisselle about this as soon as she got there. “For that, I’m sorry. I left a message with someone, and they were supposed to contact everyone. Whatever happened, it wasn’t on my part, I had my hands full at the time.” “Tell me you found these fools were acting out of ignorance and that none of this is true.” “Truthfully, none of it was true. Not
When Malcolm woke up, his phone was inundated with messages, wanting to know about everything. From where was he, to be everyone alright, even a few inquiries about complaints from a couple of elders about him throwing tradition to the wind? Business seemed to be well contained, with only a few reassurances that he takes his time, and it would be managed for him. That meant he would need to deal with several things here at home, make several decisions, and find his footing in this new dynamic. If someone told him he’d be mated and a father of two right now, three years ago, he’d have laughed at them and asked them what they were smoking. Now he had one almost running. They needed to get some safety items set up in the cottage. Malcolm was there to catch David this time before he fell down the stairs. No one told him pups moved that fast. Now there were four! He thought he’d let Melody look after this. But with the mess in how people were communicati
Malcolm was more than annoyed with the elders. This was his family and his pack. That meant his word was law and what they did was overstep their place. He didn’t have to listen to their advice, and that’s all their words should be. A voice of experience or a different perspective. They shouldn’t be demanding anything. “What is going on out there?” “Insensitive, self-important ninnies every one of them. The elders were downstairs. They expected you to give birth and then get up and walk down to them so we can present the boys to them officially.” “Is that what it was?” Melody sighed and kissed David’s head as he cuddled. He was still trying to wake up after being woken up several times during the night. “I would have thought you’d want to get it over with.” “We don’t have a name for this little one. I’m not leaving anything to chance. They make me worry that if we don’t have a name, then they’ll select one themselves to expedite things. Are they still giving yo
Three hours after returning to the cottage, Malcolm saw his pup come into the world. It wasn’t at all what he’d expected and if they had any more, he’d gladly wait elsewhere. Gisselle believed the little male would be another pup. So, Malcolm finally made a list of the information he needed to add to the pack’s registry. He couldn’t believe that he’d not added Melody or David to the registry. They’d added Ellie along with the twins. He hoped that’s why no one was respecting them before this. Once things quieted down, it was late enough in the morning for the elders to make their appearance and demands clear. They wanted to be introduced to both pups and do it all official. Malcolm was more than annoyed by this. They expected to be catered to without thought to Melody’s health or anyone else. Why did it even have to be today at all? “Alpha, could you let me handle this as the Luna’s healer? It’s my duty to ensure she recovers. I know you haven’t said anyth