Nature of the Pack

  Nature of the Pack

  by Jae

  Published by Ylva Publishing, legal entity of Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

  http://www.ylva-publishing.com

  Copyright 2013 Jae

  Smashwords Edition

  First Edition: November 2013

  Edited by Brenda Errichiello

  Cover Design by UlinneDesign, Neuenkirchen

  Cover Photo by bucaniere | Fotolia und serge-b | Fotolia

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, and locations are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons or events, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Table of Contents

  Author’s Note

  Nature of the Pack

  About Jae

  Other books from Ylva Publishing

  Coming from Ylva Publishing in spring 2014

  Author’s Note

  “Nature of the Pack” takes place after the last chapter but before the epilogue of my novel True Nature. Rue and Kelsey had a moment to catch their breath after the rollercoaster of events in True Nature, but now they’re facing new challenges. I hope you enjoy sharing their adventures.

  Nature of the Pack

  “Put your hand here,” Kelsey said. She leaned closer to Rue on the couch, took Rue’s hand, and guided it. Rue’s calluses tickled Kelsey’s skin, sending shivers through her body.

  “Like this?” Rue asked.

  “A little more. Yes, yes, that’s good. Now move your fingers in a circle. Yes, exactly like that.” The feeling of being watched made Kelsey look up.

  Their Saru guard, Zoe, peeked over from the kitchen and stared at them, her face a bright red.

  Danny glanced up from his PSP game too. He looked at Zoe and then to Kelsey’s hands, which guided Rue’s to form the right hand shape.

  “So that’s the sign for shape-shifter?” Rue asked.

  “Exactly. And this means wolf-shifter.” Kelsey combined the sign for wolf with the one for shape-shifting.

  Zoe hurried away.

  “What’s going on with her?” Rue glanced at the Saru’s retreating back. “She looked flustered.”

  Danny grinned and signed, “She thought you two were using your hands for something more fun than signing.”

  Heat rushed up Kelsey’s neck and made the tips of her ears burn as she realized how her sign language instructions must have sounded to the Saru.

  The devilish sparkle in Danny’s eyes reminded her of Garrick. At fourteen, her brother had constantly played pranks on the other pack members. Just a few years later, he had become a responsible second-in-command. She hoped Danny would find his place in the pack too—even if it was a rather unusual pack.

  Rue shook her head. “You know, you Wrasa have dirty minds.”

  “Us?” Kelsey and Danny exchanged a glance.

  The doorbell shattered the silence. Lights flashed.

  “Saved by the bell,” Kelsey signed to Danny.

  “I’ll get it,” Zoe shouted.

  Since their return to Clearfield two months ago, the Saru had isolated them from the rest of the world. Most of the time, Kelsey was secretly grateful. After she had outed the Wrasa to the human public, every stranger—Wrasa and human alike—felt like a possible threat to Kelsey.

  Zoe’s steps stopped in the foyer, and then Kelsey heard her open the front door. “Ma’am, sir, how may I help you?”

  Ma’am? Sir? Unless she was talking to Tala, her commander, Zoe rarely used such a respectful tone.

  Kelsey tensed. Was a high-ranking Saru or even a member of the council standing at the door? Had Jeff Madsen come to take her away from Rue and Danny after all? She gripped Rue’s arm.

  “We’re here to see our daughter,” a deep voice said.

  Dad! Now her parents’ scent drifted in from the front door, making Kelsey’s eyes widen in alarm. Great Hunter, what are they doing here? As far as Kelsey knew, Jeff Madsen had ordered them to stay in Oregon, even after the council had lifted the travel ban they had imposed on all shape-shifters after being outed to the human public.

  Kelsey shot up from the couch. She threw a quick glance at Danny, who had stiffened, probably smelling her anxiety. “Stay here,” she told him, and with a glance to Rue, she added, “Please, stay with Danny.”

  She rushed out of the living room. The first thing she saw was her father’s steel-gray hair towering above Zoe.

  “I’m sorry,” Zoe said. “I’m not authorized to let you in. You need to wait until my commander returns.”

  “We’re her parents.” Her mother’s voice lashed out like a whip, making Kelsey flinch. “We don’t need authorization to see our own daughter.”

  Zoe stood her ground. “This house and everyone in it stands under the protection of the Saru. If you try to enter without permission, the council will have your pelt.”

  “Who says I don’t have permission?” Franklin entered the foyer, going nose to nose with Zoe. “Out of my way, cub!”

  “Sir, if you don’t step back, I’ll call in backup and have you removed from the premises,” Zoe said, a snarl in her voice.

  Kelsey rushed over before the situation could escalate. Under the pretense of hugging her father, she stepped between Franklin and Zoe. Her father smelled of his favorite leather recliner, instantly reminding Kelsey of her childhood.

  “Dad, Mom.” She hugged her mother. For a moment, she let herself enjoy the way her mother’s pencil-and-guitar-strings scent mingled with her father’s.

  Her mother’s callused hands stroked along Kelsey’s arms, across her shoulders, and down her back, as if to make sure Kelsey was still in one piece—or maybe to mark her with the pack scent.

  Kelsey fought not to pull back. “What are you doing here? How did you find out where I was?”

  Her mother clung to her as if she would never let go of Kelsey again. “Jeff Madsen called us yesterday. He said we can finally take you home, so we got on the next plane.”

  Kelsey squeezed her eyes shut. I should have known that Madsen wouldn’t just accept my resignation.

  Her mother patted her arm. “Pack your bag. We’re taking you home.”

  This is my home. But, of course, she couldn’t tell her parents that. Kelsey rubbed her forehead.

  “You and Little Franklin.” Her father lifted his head. His nostrils flared. “He’s here, isn’t he?” He stared in the direction of the living room.

  “He smells just like Garrick did,” her mother whispered. Her eyes, as hazel as Danny’s, held equal amounts of pain and joy.

  Kelsey’s mouth went dry. She had dreamed of this moment since she had first suspected Danny was her nephew. She had imagined bringing Danny home to meet his grandparents. In her mind, it had always been a joyous day for all of them. But now that the moment had come, doubt gnawed at her. Her parents wanted to take Danny away from Rue, and that was a really bad idea.

  But she couldn’t deny her parents an answer. They had a right to know. “Yes. Danny is here.”

  “Danny?” Her father’s voice rumbled through Kelsey as he placed a hand on her back.

  “Little Franklin,” Kelsey said. “His name is Danny now. He grew up in a human family.”

  Her mother pressed her hands to her mouth. “Oh, Great Hunter! Franklin, what did we do? We
should have never given up the search for him.”

  “We combed every inch of that riverbank, Della.” Franklin pulled her against his side. “If Garrick and Sabrina, two strong adults, didn’t make it out of that river alive, what were the chances that a baby had survived? We didn’t know.”

  “We should have.” Della buried her face against his chest. “We should have sensed it somehow.”

  Kelsey had gone through the same thoughts during the last few weeks. Sometimes, she had wanted to call her parents and shout at them for keeping the truth from her. But all the screaming and shouting in the world couldn’t change what had happened.

  “Where is he?” Franklin pushed past Kelsey.

  “Sir!” Zoe grabbed his arm to stop him. “You can’t just—”

  “I can and I will.” Franklin glared at Zoe’s hand on his arm as if he was about to rip it off. “Don’t you know who I am? I was already natak of one of the most powerful packs in America when you still had your kitten teeth. Let me go if you know what’s good for you!”

  Zoe jerked her hand back as if she had burned herself. She ducked her head and stepped aside.

  Great. Kelsey cursed the fact that Tala, Zoe’s commanding officer, had gone on a last-minute grocery run with their housekeeper. Unlike Zoe, Tala wasn’t easily intimidated.

  Kelsey hurried after her parents. Things were getting out of control. “Dad, please.” She tugged on his arm to slow him down. “Calm down, or you’ll scare Danny. He’s still struggling with all of this.”

  But her father didn’t listen.

  Just as he was about to enter the living room, Rue blocked the doorway, hands on either side of the doorframe. They stood facing each other, neither moving an inch.

  Della stepped forward and took her place to Franklin’s right, leaving the spot to his left for Kelsey.

  But was that really still Kelsey’s place? Whose side was she on?

  * * *

  “Who the hell are you?” Rue clamped her hands against the doorframe and denied the strangers entry. She was sick and tired of the Wrasa taking over her home and her life. Whoever they were, she wouldn’t let them get their hands on Danny.

  “Rue, these are my parents,” Kelsey said from behind the tall man.

  Her parents? Oh, right. Rue remembered the photo Kelsey had put on their mantle. They look a lot more…intense and impressive in person. She relaxed her grip on the doorframe a little, but then she remembered that they were also Danny’s grandparents. She eyed them suspiciously. Why are they here? How did they even find out where Kelsey is? Had Kelsey called them without telling her? The thought hurt.

  Rue mentally shook her head. No. Kelsey wouldn’t do that. She studied Kelsey’s parents.

  Except for the orange-brown eyes throwing daggers at her, Kelsey’s father had little in common with his daughter, but with her fallow-and-brown-streaked hair, her mother looked like an older version of Kelsey.

  “Nice to meet you,” Rue said but didn’t let go of the doorframe.

  “You!” Kelsey’s father barked. When he jerked his head forward, he nearly head-butted Rue. “I know your voice. You’re the human who almost got Kelsey killed!”

  He lunged forward, but Kelsey was faster, maybe because his scent had telegraphed an attack. Kelsey wrapped both arms around her father and held him back. “No! Don’t hurt her!”

  Zoe rushed over and struggled with Kelsey’s mother, trying to pull her away.

  Danny darted across the living room and slid to a stop to Rue’s left.

  Rue whirled around. “Danny, stay back!”

  But Danny didn’t listen. He probably hadn’t even lip-read her words or seen her signs because his gaze was fixed on Kelsey’s father. His wolf sparked alive in his eyes as he snarled and bared his teeth.

  Kelsey’s father froze in Kelsey’s grip, his gaze on Danny. “Oh, Great Hunter! Franklin!” He strained forward, but Kelsey pulled on his shoulders and Rue blocked his way.

  “Get away from my son!”

  “He’s not your son, human!”

  Rue clutched the doorframe to keep herself from hitting Franklin. “Yes, he is.”

  “No. He’s our grandson.”

  “He doesn’t even know you.” Rue felt Danny press closer against her side.

  Tala bolted over from the foyer, with Mrs. Mangiardi huffing and puffing behind her, trying to keep up. “What’s going on?” Tala put down the grocery bags she was carrying, grabbed Kelsey’s father by his coat, and pulled him back.

  Kelsey’s father whirled around and growled, sounding as if he were about to gut her alive.

  “Stop it,” Kelsey shouted. “Stop! All of you.”

  Only once before had Kelsey raised her voice at Rue. Memories of that night sent shivers up and down Rue’s spine. She forced back the images.

  Kelsey’s parents seemed just as surprised. Even Tala stood gaping at Kelsey.

  “I thought we would teach Danny about our rich culture, the loyalty among Syak, and the beauty of pack bonds. Instead you’re squabbling like dogs who want the same bone.” Eyes narrowed, Kelsey looked from her parents to Rue. “You know, if you keep acting like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if Danny didn’t want anything to do with any of you. I know I don’t.” She whirled around and hurried up the stairs.

  * * *

  Rue knocked on the door to the bedroom she now shared with Kelsey.

  The door opened almost immediately, and Kelsey peeked up at her from beneath lowered lashes. “I’m sorry,” Kelsey said. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you or left you and Danny alone with my parents. It’s just... This isn’t what I wanted for Danny.”

  Rue slipped into the room and closed the door. “Don’t apologize. You’re right. It’s not what I want for him either. It reminds me too much of the fights after Paula and I split up. But I didn’t give Danny up then, and I won’t give him up now either.”

  “Of course not. I would never ask that of you. Danny needs you. But spending time with his Syak family would be good for him too. We should all work together to make sure Danny gets the best of both worlds.”

  “I’m willing to do that,” Rue said. “But I bet your father would rather pull out his canines with a rusty pair of pliers than accept a human as part of his family. Speaking of which…you haven’t told them about us yet, have you?”

  Kelsey studied the floor. “No, not yet. First, there was the commotion when I shifted on TV, then I told my parents Danny is alive, and after that… I guess I was waiting for things to calm down before I told them about us.”

  “If you want to wait for a while longer, that’s okay.” Rue had been out since she’d been fourteen years old, and she didn’t like hiding, but if that would make things easier for Kelsey, she was willing to pretend that they were only friends.

  Kelsey sighed. “I wish we could. But apparently, Jeff Madsen called them after I refused to leave here, and I bet he told them about us. Even if he didn’t, they’ll smell the mate scent on us as soon as they stop focusing on Danny.”

  Mate scent. Rue still wasn’t used to the Wrasa being able to tell a person’s emotions or relationship status with a single sniff. She pulled Kelsey over to the bed, sank onto the edge, and patted the mattress next to her. “Do you want us to talk to them together?”

  “No. This is something I have to do.” Kelsey snuggled against Rue and burrowed her face against Rue’s shoulder.

  Rue slid her fingers into Kelsey’s hair and massaged her scalp, knowing Kelsey loved that gentle touch. She reached down and entwined the fingers of her free hand with Kelsey’s. “Are you worried about their reaction? They know you’re gay, right?”

  “They know,” Kelsey murmured without lifting her head off Rue’s shoulder.

  “They’re not homophobes, are they?”

  Kelsey shook her head. “They couldn’t care less whether I’m with a man or a woman.”

  “As long as your partner is a shape-shifter.”

  Kelsey sighed. Her fingers twitched
. “Yeah. You have to understand. Becoming involved with a human was a death sentence for us Wrasa for many centuries. It’s hard to change the old way of thinking. I should go and talk to them.” Kelsey lifted her head and tried to disentangle her fingers from Rue’s in order to get up, but Rue didn’t let go.

  Rue added her other hand to the tangle of fingers and squeezed softly. “You’re not in this alone. I’m here to back you up, okay?”

  A smile eased the tension on Kelsey’s face. “Thank you. Where’s Danny, by the way? You didn’t leave him alone with my parents, did you?”

  “No. He’s in his room. Your parents want to talk to him, but Tala and Zoe will make sure they can’t just kidnap him.” For once, the presence of their Saru babysitters came in handy. “I’ll check on him in a second.”

  “And I’ll talk to my parents.” Kelsey let go of Rue’s hand, stood, and walked to the door.

  Her loose-limbed, wolfish stride was familiar by now. Rue watched her all the way to the door. When Kelsey reached for the doorknob, Rue called, “Kelsey?”

  Hand on the doorknob, Kelsey half-turned.

  Their gazes locked.

  Rue got up from the bed, walked over, and cupped Kelsey’s cheek.

  Kelsey leaned into the touch. Her eyes fluttered shut when Rue leaned down and brushed her lips against Kelsey’s.

  One of Kelsey’s hands came up and wove through Rue’s hair, not pulling her close or pushing her away, just holding Rue in place. Kelsey’s lips moved softly against hers.

  Neither tried to deepen the kiss. This wasn’t a moment for passion, but one for confirming their bond.

  When the kiss ended, they stood with their foreheads touching for a few more moments, gathering strength.