Dawn Discovered

Gina didn't realize how hard she'd been clutching Anna's hand or how heavily she'd been leaning on Angel and Kayla. Her hand was white and stiff from the strain and Angel and Kayla were supporting her weight with their shoulders. "I'm sorry." She said releasing Anna's hand and righting her body into a sitting position.

Sharing her story had been a release for her. She felt as if she were no longer alone and floundering in the darkness. Hunter was her love, her first true love and her only love. But, in these women, she'd found kindred spirits. She'd found friendship and support. A sisterhood forged through the flames of pain and suffering.

"Maybe, you're trying too hard to be normal. Just try being you. Acknowledge your fears. Think your way through them. And if you still feel afraid. Call someone. Let someone help you. Let someone be your rock. Remember, if you have a bad day, and you will. There'll be better days to come. Soon enough, the good days will begin to out number the bad ones," Angel said pensively. Anna and Kayla nodded in agreement. And added their own personal pearls of wisdom to Angel's statement.

Gina sorted out the advice. She had plenty to think about. Their stories were still fresh in her mind. Their experiences burned her with their pain and poignancy. She sat with the women. The house smelling like garlic as the chicken simmered in the crockpot. They kept each other company as the afternoon began to fade to evening. Although she enjoyed the sisterhood, she started to wonder exactly where Hunter was and what he was up to.

Hunter said a brief greeting to Mouse and then sent her off to finish her homework. Daniel, he'd been informed, was locked in his room. Mouse was very specific in telling him this. Leaving him curious about what his middle son was up to. Tristen, he'd paid a visit to on his way through the garage, was busy worshiping his Camaro. The car was actually coming together under a thick coat of body putty and primer. Hunter had business, private business for the Great White Wolf to discuss.

He closed the doors to the study and locked them behind his back. "I'm glad you're here, Psaiwiwuhkernekah Ptweowa, Great White Wolf. And Father, this concerns you as well." The Great White Wolf was the Great Father of all Pack, leader of their race. Before Drew, his brother, who had been killed defending the fragile border between the spirit world and the living, had held the prestigious title. How odd, that the Great White Wolf, leader of all Pack and The Great Father, founder of the Sons and father to the vampires, also known affectionately as Drew by those who knew him closely, were one in the same.

"By all means, please go ahead." Drew said, motioning for Hunter to take a seat. Drew had stopped by on a social call when Hunter intercepted him. Requesting that he have a private audience with Nash and himself. The expression on Hunter's face was determined. Whatever this big meeting was about really didn't matter. Despite their input, Hunter had already made his decision. Free will was a gift of the goddess and he would not intervene or overrule the choices Hunter had made.

"I've taken Gina as my mate," Hunter began. What he wanted to do was sacrilege. Not taking Gina, a human, as his mate, but what he planned to do afterwards. He was leaving the life of the wolf behind. Choosing to become human.

"Well done," Nash congratulated. Guessing that Hunter was only beginning to tell him the real reason for his visit. "I'm sure the kids are thrilled. Especially Mouse, she's been so long without a mother."

"The kids don't know yet. I wanted to speak with the both of you before Gina and I told them."

Nash settled back in his chair and pressed the tips of his fingers together in contemplation. "Why would that be? There's nothing forbidding the union of a human and a wolf. It's not an optimal mating, to be sure. But, you've not broken any pack rules."

"That's just it. I'm leaving the pack." Hunter rested his weight nervously on the balls of his feet. The formality slipped away from him. And although he was a man, he was transformed back into a little boy sitting before his father. "I'm sorry, Dad."

"The pack is your family, your lifeblood. And you wish to turn your back on it? You're turning your back on your children? What's to become of them? Tristen only began shifting a few weeks ago. He needs the guidance that only a father can provide. Daniel is almost at the age himself. Who will guide him? And Marianne, what about her? Will you take away the father that she's only begun to know so quickly? I know you love Gina. But, would you place your love for her above the love of your children. IS this what she wants? Hunter you've served this pack loyally and with bravery for decades. I'd hoped we had many, many more left together," Nash said, trying to bite back his outrage at Hunter's decision.

"Gina doesn't know. I wanted her to accept me for what I am...was. And she has. This is me. This is my decision. She had nothing to do with it. I lost one wife. I can't go on for decades and centuries after she's gone. And I can't ask her to change for me. I can't take her life away for the sake of having more time together. She's human and she's going to stay that way."

Drew interrupted the men. "If I could ask. How do you know this is what Gina wants? Aren't you being just a bit self-centered to do her thinking for her? You say you want her to remain human. And I agree, unless there's no other choice, she should. But, how can you say that she doesn't want for you to remain as you are as well? I would suggest that you speak on the matter with her before you make your decision.

"You're banking on the fact that if you go human, you'll have a long and happy life with her. I know all too well, as do you, how short that life can be. You think she'll leave you a widow if you remain as you are. There's nothing to say, no matter what your form, that you won't do the same to her. Death has no time line and knows all ages and races. Vampires die. Werewolves die. And so do humans, nothing guarantees any of us a long life."

Hunter bowed his head. "You are wise Supreme Pack Master. But, I've made up my mind. This is what I want. I want to live one happy life with this female. I want to spend it with her as a human."

"This goes against Pack law!" Nash said pounding his fist on the walnut desk. "I forbid it! I order you to follow my instructions as the alpha and Pack Master." Nash trembled with rage. He'd lost his son for decades. He'd raised his grandchildren in his son's absence. And now, with Hunter back, whole and complete, he was not going to risk losing him again. He was powerless to stop Hunter. But, that didn't mean he couldn't try.

Drew butted in. Playing the role he hated to play, as Supreme Pack Master. He overruled any decisions or edicts handed down by Nash. "I do not take away free will even though I have the ability to do so. I will not call his wolf forth. Each of us has a path to choose. Those who love us the most may not understand the path on which we choose to embark. But, each man must choose his own path and his own destiny. If this is the path you have chosen, then you are free to walk it. But, you would do well to heed my advice. Talk to Gina before you make your final decision. Listen to her and take her words to heart."

Hunter bowed his head. "Thank you, Great White Wolf. I will consider your words. Whether as a wolf or a human, the Pack has my continued service and loyalty. In this, I will not waver. As always, my duty belongs to my Pack. As my love, belongs to Gina." He left the room. Softly closing the door behind him. He would not burden Gina with this choice. He would explain, make her understand the necessity of his decision, once the painful separation from his wolf was complete.

"How much time does he have left?" Drew asked.

"If he doesn't shift, not much. If he isn't strengthened by the shift, his body will start to change. He'll weaken. His senses will begin to dull. He will age. If he remains close to us, perhaps the proximity will extend his life, a little. But, in a handful of decades, he will die. Within a month or two, he and his wolf will be irrevocably separated, if he survives the separation at all. Some do not."

"That isn't long," Drew said pensively.

"No. It isn't," Nash answered. Drew had tied his hands. He would do nothing that could harm Gina. In fact, he owed Gina a great debt for returning the Hunter he once knew to the pack and to his children. But, he had to protect his son from himself. Separation from the wolf was permanent once it occurred. Hunter's solution to Gina's early and inevitable death was a permanent solution, a way to slowly commit suicide until he joined his mate in the grave. He planned to tempt Hunter, in ways that would be hard if not impossible to resist.

Hunter got back to the cabin just before dark. The sky was a deep purple with shades of gold and hues of pink. Shadowy limbs stretched high into the pinpricks of light emerging into the darkness. The air was cool and damp, thick with the promise of rain. His feet made crunching sounds against the gravel as he walked up to the cabin and its promise of warmth and comfort. "How's my girl?" He asked as he dutifully set the grocery bags down on the kitchen table. He smiled brightly at the vampires, "Thanks for keeping Gina company today."

"Oh, it was no problem. We really should be going," Anna said. Gesturing to Kayla and Angel, she took the hint. Hunter wanted to be alone with Gina. "Janine is planning a big party tonight. You really should stop by."

Hunter lifted the lid to the crockpot and inhaled the spicy scent of the chicken. "I think we're going to enjoy a quiet evening to ourselves tonight. But, please wish everyone there a 'hello' for us." He lowered the lid and began to put away the groceries.

"Sure, no problem," Kayla said. "And the best to the both of you. I hope tonight is a good one." She hugged Gina lightly.

"Goodnight. And thanks again you guys," Gina said, waving after the women as they left. She got up off the bed to inspect what Hunter had picked up at the store. Determined, she went to the silverware drawer and picked out two place settings. "I'm starved."

Hunter watched Gina set the tiny kitchen table. He didn't know what the women had discussed during his absence. But, whatever it was had a profound effect on Gina. He sat down to a heaping plate of garlic chicken and brown rice. Dutifully scooping it up with the tines of his fork. "Did you have a nice visit?"

"Yeah, I did." Gina tersely stabbed a golden brown chunk of chicken and poked it into her mouth with the fork. The chicken came to life in a brilliant display of flavors, garlic, onion, sweet sauce, and just a touch of exotic spice. The rice rolled over her tongue, the flavor rich and earthy. The bite was worth her terror of eating with silverware. "What'd you do today?"

Hunter shrugged, downplaying his day. "Went and visited the kids. Spoke with Dad about Pack business. Cleaned the grocery store out of coca powder. Nothing too exciting."

"Humph," Gina said. The chicken was decadent and tasty. Although a little spicy. She gulped at her minted hot tea to ease the burn. "I can't believe how time has gotten away from me. Are you sure that you don't want to spend more time with your family?"

Hunter smiled, reached across the table and grabbed Gina's hand. "Gina, you are my family. And there is nothing I wouldn't do for you."

































Chapter 22

The bar was a crowded mess of partiers in all stages of drunkenness. Thomas had absolutely no zeal for the party atmosphere. But, he was off and he didn't want to spend the evening alone. He could have gone to the compound and hung out with his mother. But, he was trying to create a life of his own. And while she'd be in it, a big part of it actually, he couldn't let her continue to be the focal point of his existence any longer. He was a big boy and could scrounge up his own entertainment. Not that the drunks weren't entertaining as hell. But, this crowd of over indulgers partnering up for the night did little to ease the pangs of loneliness.

"Hey DOC! Thomas!" He turned at the drunken call of his name. Cringing when he saw Ginger sitting at a crowded table loaded with drinks, waving wildly to get his attention. "Come on over and haveadrinkwith us!" She shouted drunkenly, slurring her words. He downed his shot of tequila and ordered another. Slapping a ten on the counter as he snatched the drink and waded through the crowd of dancing couples.

Ginger nudged Jan as she saw Thomas pick his way through the crowd. "There he is. The Good Doctor approaches." Most of the patrons of the bar were couples or singles working on being coupled, at least for the next few hours. Jan was completely miserable, although she made an effort to have a good time. Thomas was equally pitiful, and wasn't even pretending to fake having fun. Ginger shrugged it off. Jan and Thomas should hook up, at least for tonight. Then they could be miserable together, and misery loved company. Besides, she was always on the look out for new and interesting gossip to share.

"Yeah, so," Jan said. She glanced over her shoulder at Thomas. Pretending to ignore him, just as she had promised. He wove through the crowd, guarding his drink as he approached their table. Groaning as she looked around and realized the only empty chair at the table was the one next to her. "Thanks," she spat at Ginger. Begrudgingly, she yanked her purse off the empty seat and draped it over the back of her chair.

Thomas scowled as he surveyed the table. He was too far in to turn and walk away now. He sucked it up and took a seat on the empty chair. He knew most of the table's occupants, friends and coworkers from the hospital and around town. He was about to lift the shot to his lips when Ginger snatched it out of his fingers.

"Tequila! My favorite." Ginger sucked down the shot before Thomas could protest. She waved wildly to the frazzled waitress. Better to order drinks now rather than later. Who knew when the waitress would make her way over to the table again? "Hey everybody, this round's on Doc. Sterling."

What else could Thomas do but smile congenially and mentally calculate his growing bar tab. Of course, nobody ordered the cheap stuff, not if someone else was buying. He ordered a shot of whiskey and a diet coke for himself and another jack and coke for Jan.

He snickered as Ginger leapt up from the table. Spilling more of her drink than she swallowed. She stumbled drunkenly, landing in the arms of her burly, balding, trucker husband. Giggling as he spun her onto the dance floor. "How many has she had?" he asked Jan.

Jan stirred her drink to mix the whiskey and coke. "I have no idea. I lost count at ten," she answered, rolling her eyes. She sipped her jack and coke surveying the delirious and happy throng of drunks dancing badly to some pathetic country song.

"How many have you had?" Thomas shouted over the din of music and laughter.

"Not nearly enough," Jan answered bitterly. She shouldn't have let Ginger talk her into coming. She should have stayed home and watched TV. She should have volunteered to work and suck up some overtime pay to add to her nest egg. Instead, she'd stupidly agreed to tag along. And she was absolutely miserable and felt every bit as alone as if she'd stayed home.

"Ah, here comes the waitress to remedy that." He took his shot and her drink off the waitress's tray. He handed the icy, fiery smelling drink to Jan and cradled his shot in his fingers. Gently clanking his shot glass to hers in a toast. "Here's to you, Nurse Collins."

Jan touched the rim of her glass to his mimicking the toast. "Right back at you, Doctor Thomas Sterling." She watched as Thomas downed his shot, grimacing as the dark amber liquid burned its way down his throat. Sipping at her drink she gave him a nod.

Ginger broke out of her husband's embrace and stumbled over to the table. This would never do. Almost everyone in the bar was hooked up for the evening except for Jan and Thomas. The only single guy left for Jan was Eight Ball. Crazy old Eight Ball, who preferred the company of his pack of mangy hound dogs to people any day. "Come on you two. DANCE! HAVE FUN!" she bellowed in Jan's ear. Tugging on their arms and spilling drinks sloshing all over the table, she pulled Thomas and Jan out of their chairs and reluctantly onto the dance floor.

Ginger shoved Jan hard against Thomas. His arms flung around her small frame to keep her from toppling over. "I guess we'd better do what she says or we may not get out of here alive," he teased. The tempo of the music changed into a slow dance. Couples sighed happily and leaned heavily in each other's arms as they rocked to the slow beat.

"Come on. You two can do it," Ginger coached, pushing Thomas and Jan closer together. She cocked her head to the side. Eager to get into her husband's arms before the song was over. "That'll do," she said with a sigh. She wobbled her way to the DJ to request more slow songs. Now that she had them partnered up. She'd do her damnedest to keep them that way.

Thomas adjusted his arms around Jan's small frame. Holding her closely. Swaying her to the rhythm of the song. He tightened his arms around her, pressing her snugly against him. He stiffened from the light pressure as her hips slid against his thigh.

He smoothed his hand down the length of her sleek, long, walnut colored hair in an intimate gesture. He pushed her hair back away from the tiny shell of her ear and lowered his lips until they were level with her dangling hoops. "Just for tonight, do you want to call a truce?" He asked as his lips rasped against the cool gold of her earring.

Jan's breath caught in her throat as she felt the warm sensation of his words roll down her neck. His hands were woven into her hair. His lips moved softly and silkily across her exposed ear. His arms wound her waist. Instinctively her hands trailed over his shoulders. His muscles rippled lightly beneath her fingers. "I thought you said, and that I'd agreed, this could never happen again," she whispered. Leaning against him, she stood on her tiptoes to reach his ear. His desire became evident to her as she unintentionally brushed against his erection with her hip. Feeling him harden and lengthen because of her started a fire deep in her core that spread throughout her body.

"Tonight is an exception," Thomas replied. His fingers trailed over the narrow patch of bare skin at her waist between the hem of her blouse and the waistband of her skirt. The crowd drank and swayed in time to the music. On the dance floor a disco ball spun and cast rainbows of glittering color down on the dancers. Couples hugged and kissed, snuggling together to the beat of the song. Old love was renewed and new loves began in this magical Never Land of hookups where reality was always just a step behind fantasy and one tip of the bottle away.

Jan closed her eyes and lowered her weight onto her heels as Thomas planted one of the sweetest kisses she'd ever known on her lips. Gentle and soft, slowly parting her lips with the tip of his tongue. Asking and never taking for granted that she'd concede to his idea. She opened up slightly. Brushing the tip of his tongue with hers. Tasting the bitter bite of the tequila and whiskey on his lips. She exhaled as broke the kiss and unwrapped his arms from their resting place around her waist.

Thomas loosened his grip and inched back. Yeah, call him an idiot. Maybe, it was the booze. Maybe, it was everyone around him having fun. And maybe, it was just holding Jan in his arms. But, he wasn't going home alone tonight. He kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. Releasing her, he left her standing on the dance floor alone. He downed the shot of whiskey the waitress had left on the table for him. Pulling a wad of bills from his wallet he dropped the cash on the table in a puddle of spilled liquid courage. He tucked his wallet into his back pocket and cast a meaningful glance in Jan's direction. She stood in a sea of dancing, drunken couples with her arms crossed over her chest, meeting his glance and answering his question with a blush staining her cheeks and a flicker of interest in her eye. The party was in full swing as he made his way through the crowd to the door.