Dawn Redeemed

"I've ordered the records, decades worth of genetic research, destroyed. People will marry for love. Have children and stay together because they want to. The old ways are gone. If we'd been strong enough, Seff would have never moved in and broken us apart. We would have found the strength to stand against him. We were... I was so afraid of the outside world that I kept us fenced in. My pride caused our downfall."

"You can't blame yourself. Everyone has choices. Do you think that a fence would have stopped them if they really wanted to see what was on the other side? What Seff did, to your pack, to you, is unforgivable. I'm not sorry to see him gone. You're right though. The old ways are over. We have to lead our packs as one into this new era. Its up to us." Nash walked into the kitchen and poured Eloise a fresh mug of coffee, adding cream and sugar till he got the mix just the way she liked it.

Eloise took the mug from Nash's hand and sat it on the table. "You really think we can do this?"

"We'll start right here, under this roof and work our way out. Scouts are still searching for any remnants of the Lost Children. Tracker and Catcher are handling your property in Texas. And Torr, whether he wants to admit it or not, is the Pack Master of what remains of his father's wolves. By rite of challenge, he won his place and their loyalty. I think we're already half way there.

"I have no doubt that there are Lost Children all over the globe. More of our kind than we can ever imagine. And slowly, but surely, we'll find them," Nash said. "And we'll offer them a home and family beyond their wildest imaginings."

"One big happy family?" Eloise asked.

Nash nodded and snatched her cup taking a deep gulp of the too sweet liquid. "One big happy family. Now, I've got to get a hold of someone to get our new accountant set up with the items she requested before she has a meltdown."

Eloise snatched her mug back and smiled up at her husband. She didn't know if what he dreamed of would ever truly come to pass, but he believed it would. And if he could dream big and believe even bigger, so could she.





Chapter 51

Torr lifted his face to the warm breezes of late spring and inhaled the crisp air. So fresh and new that it was practically alive with promises. He was still wearing the sweats he'd borrowed from Alexander earlier this morning. Breakfast had been both enlightening and intimidating. Alexander made a hell of an omelet, but he was a horrible host. Torr understood. Alexander looked on Erica as a daughter, and he was, just like any father, trying to protect his little girl. By the time Torr had finished his first cup of coffee his head was reeling from trying to answer Alexander's endless barrage of questions.

He could see where Alex got her tenacious nature from. Every answer he gave earned him more questions. Finally, there was a lull in the conversation and Torr hightailed it to the nearest exit.

He tried to answer Alexander's questions as best as he could, but there was one he didn't have an answer for. When was he going to tell Erica the truth about him? Uh... never. If only he could. If only he never had to. Before too long the truth would become apparent all on its own. He was just now beginning to earn Erica's trust and know his daughter. Telling the truth now would blow it. He needed more time.

Fallon would accept him, of that he had no doubt. She was eager to reach out a trusting hand and pet his wolf. Hell, she might even think it was cool to have a werewolf for a father. Erica, on the other hand, was terrified of his wolf and would rather put a bullet in him than pet him. She would undoubtedly not share her daughter's enthusiasm. She'd look upon what he'd passed down to their daughter as a curse. And in so many ways, it was.

No matter how Fallon tried, her nature would always give her away. She could pass for human, by appearance alone, but she'd never really fit in. He knew the pain that was in store for her. The pain of watching life from the outside, wishing for more, and never getting welcomed inside. Only if he managed to keep her by his side and make her a part of Nash's pack would she ever find peace and home.

He needed time to handle this carefully, otherwise Erica might take Fallon so far away that he never saw her again. He'd only just found her. And the truth was not worth the risk. The fact that his wolf could be dangerous wasn't one that he could smooth over with vague talk. Erica had a right to know. Deep in his heart, he knew his wolf would never hurt her or Fallon, but Erica deserved to know that the potential, as remote as it was, existed. She needed to see him as his wolf, to be able to look past the fur and the fangs, deep into his soul without fear.

Throwing her into this by changing in front of her wouldn't be the approach he'd choose. Telling her casually wouldn't do the trick. She'd never believe him. The truth was a ticking time bomb with a very short fuse. If he didn't come up with something soon, somebody else would do the job for him. And that he definitely didn't want. If she was going to learn the truth. He'd rather she learn it from him. No one could answer the questions she'd have better than he could. For no one who had threatened to tell had walked a mile in his skin.

Erica had never seen so much food or so many people gathered around a table, casually eating, talking, and laughing. Lunch was a very open and relaxed affair around this house. People came, filled plates or grabbed sandwiches. Some sat at the table to eat. Some grabbed a handful in passing and kept going about their day. Gingerly, she took a plate and loaded it with salad and a fresh piece of fruit.

Erica searched the crowd for Fallon, thinking her daughter would emerge from the basement/class room with the other kids. She should have been able to spot her daughter in the mass of people, like a raisin in a bowl of rice, one of two redheads amongst a sea of sleek hair in shades of brown and black. There were a couple of others, like her that were transplants or not genetically related to this family, with hair in shades of pale blonde and light brunette. Awkwardly, Erica munched on her apple and stared out the sliding glass door into the spacious backyard. She was too embarrassed to just barge in on one of the many conversations and take a seat amongst strangers. After all, she was just the hired help.

Erica heard Fallon's laughter flitter in from the open screen door. Squinting out across the yard, she saw her daughter, sitting under a tree, giggling with Marianne. Great, her first day on the job and her kid had ditched her for her friends.

"Is that your little girl?"

"Oh," Erica hurriedly chewed and swallowed her bite and smiled at the curvy blonde. "Yeah, that's Fallon. We were supposed to eat lunch together. I guess I got stood up. Mom just isn't as cool as she used to be, I suppose." Awkwardly, Erica wiped her fingers on the crumpled paper napkin in her fist and extended her hand. "Erica."

"She's just being a kid," Claire said dismissively. "Unfortunately, the older they get, the less cool we become. I'm Claire."

Erica liked Claire's handshake. Not one of those brief, wimpy finger brushes that women tend to call a handshake, but a real one palm to palm with a firm squeeze and a good shake. Claire's smile was warm and welcoming, very genuine. "Good to meet you. See that big macho guy over there?" She asked pointing to a small grouping seated at the far end of the table.

"Yeah," Erica snickered at the muscular wall of a man, trying to coax a stubborn toddler into a bite of applesauce.

"That's my husband and the kid dribbling applesauce down his chin, that's my son, G.T. He's still young enough to think his mom is the coolest person ever." She laughed lightly as her son spit a mouthful of applesauce at her husband. "As for his dad... I think G.T. thinks that I am way cooler than him. I'd better go rescue my husband. If you don't mind sitting in the splash zone and wearing a bit of applesauce. You're welcome to join us."

"Ok, sure." Erica followed behind Claire and chose a chair as far out of G.T's range as she could get.

"This is Hunter, Marianne's dad and my husband's twin. Gina, his wife," she said pointing to a petite brunette with sparkling green eyes. " And of course Grant and G.T."

"Hi," Erica said as she sat down.

"Good to have you back," Gina said with a smile.

"Good to meet you," Grant said. Reluctantly, he admitted defeat and dropped the spoon into the applesauce. "Claire, I can't get him to eat. I've tried everything."

"I told you, give me a crowbar and I'll get him to eat," Hunter teased.

"Stop it," Gina huffed and nudged Hunter playfully. "I think I want kids until I spend a few hours around this one. He's my nephew and I love him, but I'm always glad to give him back to his mommy and daddy."

Claire sat in front of her son's highchair, in the seat that Grant had abandoned. Picking up the sticky, applesauce caked handle of the spoon, she scooped some up and held the loaded spoon out to her son. "G.T. eat for mommy." She smiled in triumph as G.T. took the bite off the spoon and swallowed it down. "See, its all in the approach."

Grant grunted through a bite of turkey sandwich and swallowed it down along with a snappy comeback that would get him in nothing but trouble. "So, Erica, how long are you going to be with us?"

"Um, I'm not sure yet. Permanently, I hope. It's going to take me months just to get all those documents scanned into the computer and make back up copies. After I do that. Then I can start doing what Nash hired me to do. I can't believe he doesn't have the originals stashed away someplace safe."

Grant shrugged. "That's my dad for you. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he doesn't have mason jars stuffed with hundred dollar bills buried in the backyard."

"Along with Jimmy Hoffa's brief case and the Hope Diamond," Hunter added. "My dad is a bit old fashioned. He doesn't really trust technology. We've tried ...trust me we've tried." He hurriedly finished the rest of his sandwich. Gina was feeling a bit playful. Her foot snaked up his pants leg, toes massaging his groin under the table. He gulped down the last bite and stood. "Well, I've got to get busy. Nice seeing you again, Erica."

Gina's cheeks flushed at the prospect of an afternoon delight with her husband. "I should get going too. I hope you and Fallon can stay for supper tonight. I'd love the chance to introduce you to the rest of the family." She dropped their empty paper plates into the trash and darted up the stairs after her husband.

The sound of clanking plates and the whir of the dishwasher became audible over the fading din in the dining room as the lunch crowd dwindled off to go about the rest of their day. "G.T, you've got applesauce in your hair," Claire said as she picked at the sticky mess. "If you'll excuse me Erica, I've got to dunk Little Man in the tub." She gathered up her son in her arms and grabbed his hand, waggling his fingers at Erica. "So nice to meet you."

"You too," Erica called after Claire.

"Well, I hate to leave you, but I've got to get things ready for this afternoon's Spanish class. After lunch Nash takes the kids for a hike in the woods to burn off some of that extra energy. Then I get them." Grant pushed his chair back from the table and stood. "I'll see you around?"

"Sure." The dining room was empty except for her. She picked up her plate and tossed it into the trash. Not sure of what else to do with herself, she wandered back to her office. She squeaked in surprise when she saw a pair of black boots, big enough to go kayaking in beneath her desk.

Toby poked his head out from under the desk. Nash called desperate for his technical expertise and Toby was putting the finishing touches on his install. "Hi, you must be the new accountant. I'm Toby, your tech support guy."

Erica's eyes widened in surprise. "Um..." nervously, her hands went to her neck. This was one of those times she wished her cousin had never told her about 'the other side'. Oblivious ignorance was so much better than the truth, at least in this case. "Um...," her feet inched backwards step by step. Her office was the size of a postage stamp, but the door seemed to be miles away. "I...ah..." she could practically hear her knees knocking as she stared down at the vampire. Talk about the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing. If Alex hadn't clued her in, she wouldn't have noticed the subtle differences. She would have thought the guy stretched out under her desk with a bundle of wires and cables in his hands, although he was heart wrenchingly attractive, was otherwise just an ordinary guy.

Toby could hear Erica's heart doing a salsa dance in her chest. Her pupils dilated

and her nostrils flared in terror. Blood rushed through capillaries, flooding her cheeks with heat. She knew what he was. Her fear an instinctive response to the predator she sensed within him. He slid out from under the desk and gave his t-shirt a tug. Slouching his shoulders and ducking his head, he let a thick clump of sleek chin length bang fall over his eyes and tried to look as non-threatening as possible before he gave her a heart attack. "Its ok, Its not like I'm going to bite."

Fallon polished off her apple and tossed the core as hard as she could into the small copse of evergreens lining the back yard. "I'm not going to beg you to hear my secret," she said stretching out on the grass. Leaves danced on a tangle of branches over her head, dappling the sun across her nose and cheeks.

"Ok, so tell me," Marianne said, giving Fallon an impatient eye roll.

Fallon sat up and grabbed Marianne's hands. "I have a dad."

"Well silly, everyone has a dad," Marianne retorted. Fallon's hands were trembling in excitement in hers.

"I know that." Fallon jerked her hands away from Marianne's. Sometimes her new best friend could be such a Miss Smarty Pants. "I mean I have a dad. You know mom's boyfriend, Torr? He's really my dad. I made him the necklace because I was trying to be nice, but can you believe it? I finally got to meet my dad."

"That's great!" Marianne faked the wide eyed surprised look she knew Fallon would anticipate. She'd already figured out that Torr was Fallon's dad. Despite the fact that they resembled one another, and the shiver of energy she felt from Fallon's awakening wolf. She'd over heard a few hushed conversations between her grandpa and Eloise, here and there. Sometimes, it paid off to be a fly on the wall. There wasn't much she didn't know about the goings on in the house. "So, do you like him?"

"Yeah, he's really, really nice. Besides, he makes my mom happy."

"And what makes your mom happy makes you happy?" Marianne put the finishing touches on the clover chain she'd been idly weaving with her fingers and slid it over Fallon's head. The white flowers tangled on her crimson curls, forming a crown of honey sweet scented blossoms.

Fallon smiled widely. "You got it." She hopped up onto her feet and slid into her tennis shoes. "I didn't tell you the best part yet. I get to stay. Mom says that if I work really hard. She'll let me stay here instead of going back to public school."

"Oh Fallon, that's great!" Marianne wrapped her arms around Fallon's smaller body and gave her a big hug. "We'll be like sisters."

Fallon giggled and returned the hug, squeezing as tightly as she could. She bounced in time to the pounding rhythm of Marianne's feet. "I've got a dad and a sister now."

"Ladies, do you plan to join the rest of us sometime today?" Nash asked, clearing his throat. The kids were neatly lined up in a row like baby ducks for their walk through the woods. The only two missing were Fallon and Mouse. "Step it up girls," he commanded the pair of tee-heeing females, rushing them into line.

Fallon shrugged and giggled, covering her mouth with her fingers. Marianne mimicked the gesture and grabbed her hand. Together, they skipped across the backyard and took their places in line. Sometimes, in D.C. when it was only her mom and herself for company, she got so lonely. Now she had a dad, a family, and friends. She really liked this place. And for the first time she could ever remember, she felt one hundred percent like she was home.



Chapter 52

Dust moats floated in the fading sunlight that filtered through the drapes, glittering and fleeting on currents of air. The house was silent, still as the grave. Memories of the people who once lived and laughed inside the walls were all that were left. Ruby wandered from room to room, the echo of her boot steps, the only sound. She looked at the pictures, covered in dust and a layer of satiny cobwebs, the mementos abandoned on shelves, so much left behind to fill an empty house.

The walls were cool and smooth beneath Ruby's fingers. The fading sun could not penetrate into the darkness of the hallway. Unused bedrooms waited for someone to open their doors and put their beds to use. Ruby stopped at the door at the end of the hall and rested her fingers on the knob. She shouldn't be here. She should have turned and walked away the second the insane thought entered her mind. Countless times, hours, she'd shared this space, invited by her sister, but now she felt like a trespasser violating hallowed ground.

The covers on the bed were disheveled and wrinkled, as if Shayla had hurriedly straightened them and moved on to complete some other more important task. Pale light streamed in from half opened mini blinds casting stripes of shadow across the carpet. The closet doors squeaked in mild protest as Ruby pulled them open and ran her fingers along the row of empty hangers till they landed on an article of clothing forgotten in haste.

The cloth beneath her fingers was soft, worn, and very well used. She gave the fabric a gentle tug and it fell, sending the hanger to the floor. The shirt had hung in the back of the closet forgotten, one of Ramon's. She brought the wad of red and brown plaid flannel to her face and rubbed it against her cheek. The cloth was as soft as a lover's touch. His scent clung to the fibers. Ruby fisted the material and buried her nose. Inhaling Ramon's scent deeply into her nostrils, holding her breath to trap the masculine smells that after the years that had separated them, she never forgot.

Carefully, Ruby untangled the shirt from her fingers and straightened out the flannel as best she could. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and slid the shirt over her arms. With her eyes closed, she could imagine that Ramon was wearing the shirt and that he was gently wrapping his arms around her. Her trembling fingers straightened out the collar and slid along the buttons. One by one, she fastened them till the shirt enclosed her in a warm soft embrace.

Ruby didn't have the strength to stand against the onslaught of emotions that battled for center stage in her mind. Guilt at leaving her son and the way she'd absolutely destroyed Hanning. Anger with her sister for being able to move on when she could not. Outrage that Shayla could find love so soon after the death of her husband. Jealousy that Shayla could got the second chance she so desperately wanted. The embarrassment of shame at the way she'd behaved. And Fury with Ramon for sacrificing himself and dying so needlessly when he didn't have to.

Ruby sat on the floor and hugged her knees with her arms. So cold. She was so damned cold. Hopelessness sank in around her with the fading light of day like a dark cloud, smothering her. She shouldn't have come here. She should have left Texas and all the memories behind. She'd held all the pain in for so long and now it was swallowing her whole. When Ramon died, she didn't get the right to mourn him. She had the play the part of dutiful sister and bury her heartbreak deep inside so that no one would see. She suffered in silence while Shayla got to cry and found the peace that came only after the tears fell.