Dawn Redeemed

Nash hadn't heard that name in a very long time. Practicality had forced Nashoba Blackstone into obscurity over half a century ago. Erica was a smart girl. Perhaps too much so. For the moment, she hadn't put two and two together yet. He thought it would take her months to shovel through the paperwork. She'd done it in a matter of days. Torr and he were going to have to have a little heart to heart before she figured it out. Erica was teetering on the precipice of discovering the biggest secret his family had. "I think he would have enjoyed meeting you too."

"Erica are you holed up back here somewhere?" Torr called out playfully as he squeezed through the narrow opening between open drawers and piled folders.

"I'll see you two at supper then," Nash gracefully slid out of the office.

Erica closed the folder on her desk. Obviously, she wasn't going to get any where on this file tonight. "Torr, I didn't expect to see you here."

"I didn't expect to see you here either." Torr set a fresh, chilled bottle of water on Erica's blotter pad and tossed her empty into a blue recycling bin beneath the desk. "Eloise called and invited me to supper tonight." He leaned on the corner of the desk, enjoying quite a nice view as Erica bent to slide on her sandals.

"Nash invited us," Erica said. She was beginning to suspect a matchmaker in the mix somewhere. "Either you're stalking me or someone is setting us up."

"I'd guess the set up, but...Erica have you ever eaten a meal here? Hardly a quiet romantic setting."

Erica snickered and nodded in agreement. "I haven't eaten with this many people since my grade school cafeteria days."

"Supper will be worse."

A wildly flirtatious thought tickled the back of Erica's mind. Her heart pounded in response to the wicked images flashing in her brain. She slid her foot out of her sandal and ran her bare toes up Torr's pants leg. The thick, coarse hair on his leg tickled lightly. "Maybe we can play footsie under the table."

Torr's chest rumbled with an enthusiastic growl that was all male. He slid off the desk and trapped Erica with his muscular arms, resting one on either side of her shoulders and rocked the chair back till her feet dangled in the air. He worked his hips in between her thighs and leaned in closer. "I like the sound of that." Her tongue skated nervously and invitingly across her lips, leaving a trail of glistening moisture in its wake. He was closing in to take her up on that invitation when the nervous titter of little girl laughter broke them apart.

Marianne elbowed Fallon and did her best to hide the grin on her face. "Supper is ready."

Erica blushed madly. "Ok. Fallon, go wash your hands. We'll be right there." Tiny footsteps pounded down the hallway further and further away. She took Torr's hand and let him pull her up onto her feet. "Nothing like an audience," she joked, flaming red once again.

Torr had his mind set on a kiss and he was going to get one, even if it wasn't the big spit swapper he'd planned on. He gripped Erica's hand tighter in his and dragged her closer. She was too self-conscious to allow him a full sampling of her lips. Instead, he settled for a soft, brief peck. Nice. Soft. Warm. Sweet. "Come on. Around here, he who hesitates doesn't eat."

Erica made a light clucking sound with the tip of her tongue. "I guess I know where I stand." His kiss and been so wonderful. Sweet and passionate, soft and gentle and way too brief. Once she'd gotten over her initial embarrassment of being busted by her kid, she was all for more kissing. Instead Torr was dragging her out of the office toward the kitchen.

Torr shrugged as he flipped off the light and settled Erica's purse on her shoulder. "Hey, I'm a guy. A hungry guy. Everyone needs sustenance, including you. Now, c'mon before its all gone and we end up eating at Happy's."

Erica adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder and stumbled along beside Torr. "Hey, I like Happy's." The dining room was the hub of activity for this big house at this time of day. People were practically stacked upon people, scrambling for plates and silverware, greedily digging in with unbridled enthusiasm. Erica frowned as a hunk of meatloaf big enough to feed a small country landed on her plate. Gingerly, she pushed the meat out of the way as Torr plopped a heaping pile of mashed potatoes right next to it.

"Eat up," Torr grinned as he passed the potatoes. Mealtimes were the worst part of bachelordom. He was a pack animal at heart, born and bred. He hated eating alone.

Chapter 78

Erica stared across the table at Kacie. Tristen was attentively pouring more milk into a large tumbler for her. Erica had just met the couple last week and Kacie hadn't looked pregnant then. Kacie was a petite girl with short wavy hair that framed a cherub like face and deep set green eyes the shape of almonds. Today, there was no mistaking the fact that she wasn't a little pregnant, she was huge. Maybe, Erica had been so frazzled by her first day on the job that she hadn't noticed. Or perhaps, Kacie had been wearing an outfit that didn't show her expanding belly quite so much. Erica dismissed her observances and ate quietly as she tried to catch bits and pieces of the dozens of conversations buzzing around her.

Fallon ate as slowly as she could. Her mom stared across the table at her, giving her one of those looks, as she impatiently waited for her to finish. Fallon didn't want to go home. Not that she didn't love her aunt and uncle, because she did. She just didn't want to leave yet. The longer she could put off going home. The more time her mom and dad would have together. Maybe if her parents spent enough time together. They'd fall in love and get married and then the three of them would be like a real family.

Here, Fallon felt like she fit in. Marianne was like the sister she never had and Daniel, despite that he was annoying, a big brother. Little Evan, who was even peskier than Daniel and always asking questions, had been adopted by her as a little brother. The adults were nice too, like aunts and uncles, not strangers. Shayla had even let her hold the baby. Fallon had never held a baby before, not a real one anyway. These people were one big family, and Fallon wished she never had to go home again. Here, she was one of the kids and she was home.

"Fallon honey, hurry up. You need to hop in the tub before you go to bed," Erica encouraged. She'd never seen Fallon take such care with her supper before. Her daughter was becoming more and more attached to the family. In a way, Erica was glad that Fallon had made so many friends so quickly. But, it frightened her too. If for whatever reason things didn't work out, Fallon would be heartbroken to never see them again.

Fallon stuffed the last bite in and pushed her plate to the side. Where it was swiftly snatched up by Daniel and whisked away to the dishwasher. "Can I play just one game of checkers with Marianne before we go?"

Erica pushed her chair away from the dining room table and stood. "No, not tonight. You'll see Marianne in the morning." She stretched and threw her purse over her shoulder. "Mom is tired, Fallon."

"Ok," Fallon said with a pout. Pouting sometimes worked, not always though. Tonight was one of those times where no amount of pouting or child protest was going to get her what she wanted. Dejectedly, she shuffled toward the door.

"Nash, thanks for supper," Erica said.

"My pleasure. You and Fallon are welcome to join us anytime. In fact, Mouse was wondering if Fallon would like to spend Friday night here for a sleep over."

"A sleep over? Let me think about it, but I don't see any reason why not. Thanks for everything, Nash. Really. I can't believe Fallon cleaned her plate like that." Erica sighed, "I guess when we finally get our own place I'm going to have to learn to cook."

Nash shrugged casually. "Either that or have supper with us every night." Erica had yet to realize how important the pack was to the future of her little girl.

"That's a nice fringe benefit," Erica shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "I'd better get Fallon to bed," she said awkwardly. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Erica. Torr, I'll see you in the study in a few minutes."

"Of course," Torr walked Erica and Fallon to their car and saw them safely buckled in. He crouched beside Erica's rolled down window and leaned in. "So you're going to be a free woman Friday."

"I thought you'd catch on," Erica said.

"It'd be a shame to waste a free night sitting around in that thing you call a robe with curlers in your hair, reading a cheap romance all by your lonesome wouldn't it."

Erica snorted, "I have naturally curly hair. I don't wear curlers. But, the thought of having an evening to myself does sound tempting." She was grateful that the flood light attached to the side of the house was too dim for Torr to see her cheeks redden.

"How about a date?"

"You know someone who wants to go out with me?" Erica flirted shamelessly. Her heart pounded in her chest. Torr smelled like a mix of soft, worn leather, pine, and male musk. A light dusting of whiskers shaded his chin and lower jaw, making him look all the more sexy than he already did.

"I might," Torr answered casually playing along. He toyed with a stray curl that had escaped Erica's tight bun with his finger and gently brushed her cheek with his knuckles. He wanted this woman here and now. Patience was one quality he and his wolf did not share. His wolf would stalk prey for miles and spend hours studying its movements before he moved in for the kill. He was different, he wanted what he wanted and he wanted it now. But, if he moved in too quickly, Erica would flee like a startled doe and he'd lose his only chance at capturing her.

"We'll see." Erica slid the car into reverse. She was enjoying keeping Torr dangling like a worm on a hook. Kept the game fun. Already, she was taking a mental inventory of her closet and what she'd wear. Maybe, since she'd gotten paid, she'd treat herself to a new outfit. As long as she shopped from the sale rack and skipped a new pair of shoes. She'd have enough money to splurge a little. "Fallon, say goodnight to your dad."

"G'night Dad," Fallon said, waving at him through the car.

Torr waved back and stepped out of the path of Erica's tires. He could smell the tangy scent of nervousness on her skin and he sure didn't want to get his toes ran over when she pulled away. The headlights barely broke through the darkness of the oncoming night, shining in a haphazard show of light against the black outline of trees. He lifted his fingers to his lips and blew them a kiss. He saw Erica and Fallon both reach to catch it, exchange a glance, shrug, and grin sheepishly at each other. The red glowing tail lights of the car disappeared around a dark bend in the lane as they drove away.

Once Erica and Fallon were out of sight, Torr couldn't put it off any longer. He gathered up his composure and made his way to the study for this great meeting of the minds. He could not conjure up one good reason in his head as to why they wanted him at the meeting or why he wanted to go to the meeting.

Chapter 79

The meeting was informal. Drew thought it best to keep the appearance of things cool and casual. Nash heartily agreed. He sat on a buttery soft leather loveseat with an arm draped over Eloise's shoulder. Even though summer was fast approaching a small fire danced merrily in the fireplace. A carafe of amber colored whisky and four glasses sat in between the loveseat and two matching wingback chairs. For the moment, both Drew and Nash also agreed to keep the rest of the pack out of it for now. Only the key players needed to be involved at this point.

Drew sat in a wingback with his legs crossed, his elbows rested on one thigh and his index fingers pointed up like a steeple on which he rested his chin. He stared deeply into the cut crystal carafe and studied the firelight that cast reflections of dancing light through the amber colored liquid. He hadn't partaken of alcohol when he was human. The drink looked harmless enough and it was very beautiful in the firelight. It looked good enough to drink. And thanks to the gift he'd received from his wife Tala, he could indulge. The vampire in him was too ingrained. The ability to drink and eat was completely lost on him. Food looked and smelled delicious. Drink intrigued him, but not enough to try it. Chocolate looked sinfully decadent. But for him, nothing appealed to him, except for the rich, sweet taste of blood. The life root of his sustenance for over two centuries.

Drew sensed Torr's hesitancy the second he walked through the threshold. Torr wasn't his to ask anything of. The man didn't belong to anybody. As the Great White Wolf, Drew knew he could defeat Torr in battle. He could force him into compliance. But that wasn't how Drew or his wolf rolled. Everyone had freewill and he was counting on Torr's sense of duty and honor instead of forcing him down the path he had to travel. "Torr, please have a seat."

Great, Torr thought to himself, just what he needed. Torr felt a shimmer of the Great White Wolf's power prickle along his senses. Wonderful. The Great White Wolf usually didn't intervene in the day to day goings on of the wolves without a damned good reason. Torr took a seat and poured himself a shot of whisky. He had a feeling he was going to need it before this meeting was through.

"Pasiwiwuhkernekah Ptweowa, Great White Wolf," he dipped his head to Drew as show of respect, "Eloise, Nash." The energy rolling off the three pack masters, the most powerful of his kind, was strong enough to kick in his dominant instincts into overdrive. He should get out while he still could. Instead he gulped down the shot in his glass and reached for the decanter. "I take it this isn't a social visit."

"No, I'm afraid not," Drew answered, waiting for Torr to swallow down his second hit from the whisky.

Eloise toyed with the handle on her china tea cup. "Our packs are suffering, Torr. They can no longer sustain themselves as separate entities. We need your help."

"Why me? I'm not a pack master. How can I possibly help you?" Torr asked. The second shot of whisky spread like fire along his limbs, leaving them heavy and tingly.

"These are dangerous times, for all of us. We live in a global society now, Torr. Nothing remains hidden forever. Sooner or later we will be discovered." Nash tossed a newspaper from Oklahoma out on the table.

Torr picked up the newspaper and skimmed the headlines. One in particular caught his eye. The article reported a random wolf sighting in downtown Oklahoma City. "What's this got to do with me?" Torr asked, tossing the newspaper onto the table.

"There are at least a dozen more just like this one from different newspapers and websites across the country," Nash said.

"We have to have unity, Torr. Our people weren't prepared for the kind of life we left them to live. They've never been on their own before and we just left them to fend for themselves," Eloise said. "They don't know how to survive on their own. They have no pack master to turn to. Even the ones that followed us here have had their share of difficulties."

"Sounds like bad management to me." Torr shifted in his chair and leveled his gaze at the Great White Wolf. "You are the master of us all. Why aren't you taking care of them?"

"They'll only respond to the voice of the one they call master. I can't call them. There's too many of them spread over too great a distance to physically search for them one by one and bring them home. Torr, these are your people. This is your pack. You have to call them," Drew said.

"You mean force them against their will to abandon their homes and then tell them what kind of life to live. Do you know what its like to stand on your side of the fence and only be able to dream about what waits on the other side? My father forced such a life on them. I. Won't. Do. It." Torr took a long swallow of his third whisky and held it in his mouth for a few minutes, letting it burn his gums and tongue, before he swallowed. "I'm not a leader."

"Yes, you are. You defeated your father in battle. You inherited the pack through his death. They are yours to lead and they wait to hear your voice," Eloise said gently. "I was there with you in those dark times. I know this isn't something that you want. I understand your fear. Call them. Lead them to safety. The Great White Wolf will take it from there. Torr, we have to unite as one or we're all going to go down. Bit by bit, the world will tear at us until there aren't any of us left."

"With what we know from the records of our three packs. We estimate that there are less than five hundred of us left in the country. That's a generous guess. There are Lost Children out there who don't have any idea of their roots. Rogue Wolves without any master to call them home at all. We need to focus our efforts on finding them instead of containing the fallout from your father's quest for dominance," Nash added. Torr needed to hear the hard truth. Eloise was being too gentle with him. Torr had no choice but to take responsibility for his pack.

"Torr think of Fallon." Eloise changed tactics. Torr's jaw was set hard as steel. Force and badgering wasn't going to work with him. They needed another angle to use to convince him to help them.

"Leave my daughter out of this," Torr gritted.

"Unfortunately, she's very much in this," Nash said. "What's going to happen to her when she grows up? She needs the safety, stability, and protection that only a pack, a unified pack, can provide. Only you can see to her future. Call your pack. Unite with us and they will follow your example. There will be no more battles over territories. No more fights for dominance. Can't you see how much safer this arrangement is for all of us?"

"And become a puppet on a string," Torr added. To think he thought his father was dead and gone. Even from the depths of the grave the bastard still haunted him. He had to kill his father to be rid of his hold. Now his freedom was threatened once again. They wanted his allegiance and his loyalty. His father made beautiful speeches like this to the people he slaughtered one by one in the square.

"No. If I meant to turn you into a puppet, I would have already done so. I do have the ability to force your aid," Drew said. He wasn't threatening, just stating the facts. He aimed a small shimmer of his power at Torr. Torr cursed and grimaced as the waves spread along his skin. Some people needed a little more convincing than others.

"I would have died first," Torr shook off the sting of Drew's power and growled low in his throat.

"I know that, therefore, I didn't press the issue," Drew said coolly. "Packs want a leader. They need one. You need one. It is in our basic make up. And, as you know there are far worse leaders than me."

Torr shook his head in agreement, "I do." He couldn't stand the thought of Fallon growing up the way he did under his father's torturous rule. His father killed first and asked questions later. Many, many died by his hand. "I won't force anyone."

"Nor do I expect you to. Just call them to you."

"What will happen to the ones who refuse to submit?"

"All societies have rules. We are no different. We must live in silent obscurity. This," Drew said, pointing to the newspaper on the coffee table. "Can not be allowed to continue."

Deep in his heart, Torr knew Drew was right. There could only be one pack and one leader. Families were out there lost and alone. The splintered factions of packs scattered across the country were in danger of extinction. They were hunted by humans. They fought to the death amongst themselves. And the threat of discovery loomed like a dark cloud over everyone's head. "Fine, for Fallon's sake, I'll do it."