Malcolm and Jordan prowled carefully down the darkened, wet streets. Their fur was wet, but they weren’t cold like they would be if they were in their skin. It didn’t make sense to bring so many media people here out of false pretence if there wasn’t anything out there. So, what were they missing? Where would this scum hide? Malcolm sat down suddenly when the answer hit him. They were on the outskirts of the greater city. The humans never fixed the differences in their infrastructure when they amalgamated the different cities into one. Technically, the water, sewer, and electricity physically ran through different aging systems. This region wouldn’t have a very active sewer or rainwater removal system. The pipes were large and technically; they were large enough to travel from one location to another. Jordan noticed Malcolm stop and sit. He turned around and cocked his head in question. Malcolm noticed and nosed a storm drain in the gutter, then put
“What is taking so long? Why haven’t they checked in with us? I want to know whether they’re okay or not.” Ellie was feeling the fact her mate wasn’t near. She’d not been able to sleep after Jordan left. It was driving her crazy. How could she be missing the male who made her his mate and blackmailed her into staying with him? How did she come to terms with his conflicting actions? He’d helped with her business setup. He insinuated himself and his pack into her business, so she’d hurt her business if she left. Ellie was sure she was crazy, but she wouldn’t abandon Melody and David here alone. “I get it. But if they are going on the attack. They might not can call or the time to. I don’t want Malcolm calling if it puts him at risk of being discovered and putting anyone at risk.” Melody was trying to stay reasonable through all this, even though she was worried. David had bonded with his father. How was she supposed to tell David he’s been killed? That’s if he dies. This wa
“You’re correct and lucky you caught these symbols. They’re almost covered by the paint used by the most recent graffiti artists. These are definitely something.” They were back in the restaurant’s basement, looking over what they found. “Now we’ve found some form of activity in all five areas. Though we knew by the media in all five areas that they are on to us. They either saw us move into the area or somewhere there’s a spy among us.” The Ruling Council Representative stated as he scrolled through the photos Malcolm sent him. The flat tone in his voice told everyone he wasn’t impressed in any way with the idea that had evidence of activity in all five areas and spies in our midst. “What exactly do these symbols mean?” The Alpha of Maple Grove asked from the back of the room. Everyone was a little edgy now after effectively wasting their time. “I have our researcher who looked them up. Jyn care to tell the group what you have heard so far?” He
They slunk around the poorly made structures, looking for a fanciful needle in a haystack. It was ridiculous laughable to see their steadfast belief that they could compete for within the intellectual arena with their superiors, like myself. They know nothing and yet it’s intriguing to watch them work hand-in-glove with other creations. How did they come to this? Our intention was to create new useful chess pieces for our games and entertainments. Now, it appears there are a few unexpected twists and failures that were not anticipated. The fact they chose to hide from the inferior creature we used as a base to form them, rather than rise up and rule over them. That was disappointing, to say the least. Though their skills to play politics is surprising, they are but amateurs, children playing dress up. Even their languages are disappointing. Be that they have dumbed down the language. Oversimplifying it. There’s no genuine test to their actual
Jordan heard the call also and resisted looking up in curiosity. Legends weren’t clear if some or all of the Shining Ones attracted people to them and forced obedience on them with their appearance alone. He wasn’t going to chance it. “I’ll call you when we get to our destination. We will speak of this then.” “Perfect. I will contact others who can assist with this and this, l be waiting on your call. This is too close for my liking either way.” “Exactly, have a good day. Give my best to your new mate and pup.” Malcolm waved, and they went their separate ways. Jordan and he left the area quickly. “So, do we risk going straight home and risk revealing the pack to the Fae?” “Do you know how to do that? Because I don’t.” Malcolm sighed and settled back in the vehicle’s seat. He thought about how much time they wasted to do what? Nothing. They found out their worst fears are now made real. The Fae were indeed in Toronto, and
Gregory Wolversen was sitting on the floor of his office. His young twins were having an enjoyable time terrorizing several toys with him. Aireka, his mate, and Luna were attempting to teach their elder pup, Evan, how to clean his room because she felt it wasn’t up to their Den Mother to clean his private spaces. Actually, Evan was his nephew and half-brother to the twins. But he’d adopted him. It was all good for now, at least. Of course, once he was firmly planted on the floor and comfortable, his phone rings and it’s never close enough. It’s about five feet away on his desk. Perfectly timed as usual, Jeff, the Black River Pack Beta, entered the large study. “Jeff. Perfectly timed, toss me my phone. It’s on the desk.” “That is not something I ever expected to see in here.” He was laughing as he limped over to the desk and tossed the ringing phone to his Alpha. “I didn’t expect to have a mate, let alone pups. Plans change. Wolversen.” G
The vehicles pulled into the underground garage, Malcolm was off his call and Jordan had the email sent to everyone. Malcolm couldn’t wait to see his family. First, he needed to check in with security. Brief them on what was happening and what they could expect from these developments. He felt right now it wasn’t fair to either Melody or Ellie to need to worry about this since they couldn’t deal with it. He and Jordan agreed they would keep this news from them. They’d do everything they could to keep them safe, but they wouldn’t explain their struggle to end this. After they’d briefed security, they returned to the penthouse floor. They found the women at Malcolm’s watching the news. “Perfect timing. I didn’t know how to record on the TV, so I used my phone to take video of the news report. I think we have a problem.” “What problem?” This instantly got our attention. Melody gave her phone to Malcolm with a video playing a news segm
Malcolm got dressed. The representative had better call soon. They needed time to get everyone into the loop, discuss all their plans and the new events. He wanted this all done as quickly as possible. Everyone needed some kind of hope, some good news. His phone was dinging as he put on his shirt. It wasn’t a call, but several text messages from security. A media alert came through to security from several older pack members. They may have been long retired, but they still filled a purpose. This part of the pack watched the media. They learned to surf the internet looking for keywords and potential breaches in the secret of their existence. Malcolm found a recent news release. It was less than an hour old. He was stunned, and a little disconcerted. The human prime minister made an announcement no one expected. The man stood behind a podium in the room, where he answered questions from the press. “It has come to our attention that we may have,
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