Dawn's Destiny

"You don't even know what the outcome of this decision will be do you?"

"I don't care what anybody thinks," Tala said. She truly didn't. And she'd included her father in her realm of 'don't care'. Narrowing her eyes in an expression so much like her dad's, she immediately righted her scowl. What was his problem? He'd told her to go to Drew, to love him while she still could. Had he really not expected her to survive the fight with Grant? Of course, he hadn't. She, herself, hadn't. And that she had, thanks to Drew, surprised them both. Her father hadn't truly realized the depth to which she'd taken his advice. Her wolf had chosen her mate, and she, her husband. And now, with the fight over and Grant in exile, dear old dad was backpedaling.

Oh, he wanted his heirs. And the grandchildren he'd planned for her to birth to take their place in the pack when the time came. But, he himself had not thought ahead. Tala's children would not be like the other children. They would be born hybrids, a mix of both worlds. And that had never happened before. Not even in the very beginning of the pack, had a child been born of both vampire and wolf blood. The Great White Wolf's, the first Great White Wolf, had been a mix of vampire and wolf. But, his offspring, her great, great, great, great on and on and on, grandparents were born to a human mother. Nana was all wolf.

There had never been two sides in one being, one side competing for dominance over the other, a lesser, side, before. Tala was a mix of both worlds now. Drew's blood had changed her. To save her life, he'd given her the gift of his vampire half. And while she was just beginning to understand how different the two worlds were. Her wolf didn't seem to mind sharing with the vampire side of her.

There was pack out there. Children born in exile like Grant's would be, if he ever fathered them. They were raised human and knew nothing of the wolf. Emptied of pack magic, so far from the source, they passed on the genes from generation to generation. But, without that spark to activate the wolf side of them, the children were as human as any other human being on the planet. And they did just fine never knowing. In fact, the few Lost Children that the pack had managed to find were sometimes better off never knowing their wilder side.

This whole conversation was based on hypothetical rhetoric in Tala's opinion. While it was true Drew was fertile and quite capable. He'd passed his gift on to her. And not even he could guess at how deeply it had changed her. She might not be able to conceive. Female vampires were as sterile as the males. Drew had planted his palm on her stomach in a leap of faith and perhaps, in hope. But, hopes didn't always make the impossible possible.

Only time would tell if she were to be a mother or not. And while it pained her that the ability to have children might have been exchanged for her life, she couldn't bring herself to regret what Drew had sacrificed on her behalf to save her. There were plenty of little ones running around. Everyone in the pack had a hand in the raising of the young. She'd spent many nights pacing the floors comforting a sleepless infant while its parents enjoyed the hunt. And while it might not be the same as having one of her own, if she ever had the urge to cradle a newborn, play peek a boo with a toddler, read a cherished story to one of the school age children, or even ease a teenager through a fit of angst, all she had to do was do it.

"I'll make every effort to keep her safe," Drew interjected. He was back in the hot seat. Seated in the same wingback chair he'd sat on his first meeting with Nash. Today's test was a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee. And while it was better than the harsh sour mash Nash had served during his first visit. Even with the addition of a generous dollop of cream and three heaping tablespoons of sugar, Drew could not force the stuff down. The dark, bitter brew was not for the meek. And while Drew was learning to embrace his tri-natured self, he had not braved to test the waters. Eating and drinking, it had been so long and he simply had no desire for it.

Today was supposed to be an amicable day where her father and he would come to an agreement. The most likely conclusion was for them to disagree. But, he at least hoped they'd accomplish something rather than an epic stare down between father and daughter. They were so much alike, Tala and Nash, that neither one of them was going to yield anytime soon. And Drew took it upon himself to extend an olive branch between the two of them. Breaking up the intense moment between father and daughter.

He understood Nash's reluctance to give the union his blessing. Drew had similar doubts himself. He'd saved Tala's life and in the process turned it into something else, something different. Nash was grateful to have his daughter whole and unscathed. Walking in the land of the living instead of that of the dead. But, saving her had come at a heavy price. Drew was an inexorable part of Tala's life now. And the two of them were happy about it. Unfortunately, Nash was a little less enthused.

Drew tried hard not to take it personally. Nash was concerned about Tala and the possible implications of what he'd had to do to save her life. Nash had a future of a sort all planned out for her. Marriage. Babies. And Drew had quite possibly taken that away from her. He thought about asking Doctor Thomas Sterling for a little assistance with the issue. It would be nice to know if he truly did have swimmers in the pond. That and to give Tala some reassurance that the changes her body had undergone had not robbed her of the thing her father wanted most and the pack so desperately needed. Surely, there were scientific means to determine such things in this day and age. But, he quickly changed his mind about it. The wolves had a terrible secret in their blood. And as Tala had changed, so had he. The potential ramifications of it, of what might happen if others found out, could be devastating for the wolves. There were many vampires out there who would kill to have what Drew thought he might possess.

"That's not good enough," Nash huffed. "No. The pack won't be there. I don't agree with this at all." Nash rolled his eyes at his stupidity. He never could stop Tala from doing anything she truly wanted to do. And it was an exercise in futility to try. Drew was a prime choice in a mate. And Tala's wolf had chosen well when she chose him. But, as for his daughter, she'd chosen wrong in this man. He had always envisioned himself bouncing a chubby, cherub faced grandchild on his knee. He even had a blank spot saved on the mantle for his future grandson's picture to be placed. He just hadn't planned on his grandson sporting fangs or that there might not be a grandson to take a picture of at all.

He was grateful that Drew had saved Tala's life. It had cost the man to do that. When he'd told Tala to go to Drew, love and live an entire lifetime in one night. He hadn't thought past the moment to what might happen afterwards. He couldn't have thought of how close she'd come to dying or what it might have taken to snatch her out of death's grip. He knew, staring at that empty spot, just big enough for a picture frame, he was wasting his time. Tala and her wolf were mated. And what he'd inadvertently set into motion could not be stopped. The mating was unchangeable and irreversible. And while his daughter lived and was happy and whole. He'd lost so much of her.

Drew had different customs. Mating didn't require the approval of the pack master. They happened. And while it was his job to aid the males and females of the pack with finding the right mates, usually, Mother Nature took care of things for herself. Drew sat stoic and straight-backed in the chair, his posture rod stiff and perfect. He'd come here to satisfy the human part of his nature and ask for her hand in marriage. Weddings were not important to the pack. And while mating was a celebration, it was generally a private affair.

"Dad. I'm going to do it no matter what. But, having you and the pack by my side, supporting me, would sure make it a lot easier." Tala scooted to the edge of the rolling desk chair she'd pulled across the room. She'd tried to explain to Drew that her father wouldn't understand. The wolves had no such customs requiring a father's approval. They mated, end of story. But, Drew had insisted that he do this properly and ask for her hand. Tala bit back the 'I told you so' stinging the tip of her tongue. "Dad. What if you hadn't had to lose mom? What if you had a choice? Wouldn't you have chosen to save her? Given anything?"

Nash closed his eyes for a minute. Remembering the night of his wife's death in absolute clarity. He'd held her hand as she passed from this world into the next. She'd lost too much blood. Became too weak and exhausted after the long and hard labor she'd endured bringing Tala into the world. And she'd slipped away. Her eyes glazed in death. Locked on her baby girl. Tala, reminded him so much of her. Her eyes, her laughter, and her mannerisms, even though Tala never knew her mother, were exactly like hers.

Tala had replaced his wife. Nash had pinned all his hopes and dreams on his daughter. Invested every spare moment to her care and happiness. Sometimes, unfair as it was to his other children, he'd placed her needs above theirs. They'd needed him too. And he'd turned his back on them. Unfortunately, not only was his short sidedness unfair to her siblings, but to Tala as well. She'd needed freedom. And he had smothered her. Tried desperately to keep her from growing up. But, she had grown up into a fine woman. And her future lay with Drew.

If his wife had lived, it would have changed so many things. Maybe, he wouldn't have made the mistakes that he had. "Yes, I would have," he answered. "I would have given anything for her to see you grow up." Beaten by the gentle press of his daughter's hand against his knee, he looked up. She wanted Drew's happiness. All she asked of him as a father and of the pack was that they show up. That and maybe, pretend to be civilized instead of the unruly bunch of heathens they usually were. "The pack and I will be there."

"Thank you, Dad." Tala leapt up and gave him a huge bear hug. "I love you." Today she felt as if she'd run a marathon. Traditions were not easily changed. And she'd broken all the rules in her choices. Blazing new paths and perhaps, someone else might follow her example. Her father was a visionary of sorts. He too changed the rules when necessary. When the pack benefited from the changing of them. He'd let Grant live. And that spoke volumes about how far her father was willing to go.

"You too, Baby Girl."

Drew bowed to Nash out of deep respect. Nash's consent meant everything to Drew. There were many worries left unspoken. And so many questions nobody wanted to ask. Sometimes, it was all a man could do to handle one thing at a time. The rest would come as it came. He would have married Tala in secret even if Nash hadn't given his approval. But, it was nice to have the pack master wolf on his side instead of against it. Today was a test and it wasn't the drinking of a putrid cup of coffee. For the two of them were far beyond that now. "Thank you."

Nash returned Drew's gesture. The Great White Wolf was growing in confidence and in power. His circle of influence expanded to encircle the whole pack. Drew was more comfortable with himself now than he had been on their first meeting. When he'd choked down the whisky for no other purpose than to make a good impression. Nash could care less whether Drew ate or drank or not. As long as he was capable of making good on his promise to be good to Tala was the most important thing.

The coffee was cold in the mug Drew had set on the table. A thick layer of whitish film congealed over the dark coffee. With a smirk, Nash reached over and lifted the mug to his lips, downing the contents in one gulp. Tala elbowed him and shook her head, frowning in dismay. Nash shrugged her off and wiped his mouth across the back of his hand. Drew lifted a brow and struggled to restrain the chuckle building behind his tightly clamped lips. Leader to leader they respected one another. But, man to man and perhaps, father to son-in-law, they'd always be at odds with each other.

Drew threw a casual arm across Tala's shoulders and gave Nash a casual grin, earning him a deep growl from the old wolf. No, they'd never agree about much. With the exception of one thing, Tala's happiness and well being and that of the pack's would always come before their own. He steered her out of the room and thought to call Thomas for an exam sometime soon. He needed to know, for his benefit as well as hers, if he truly could father children and if it was better to protect her from it or just let nature do what she would do.

The sun shone brightly and there was not a cloud in the sky. Tala lifted her face into the breeze, enjoying the play of its warmth across her cheeks. Drew looked away and slid the protective glasses over his nose. Even though he saw just as well with them as without, some habits were hard to break. Tala squinted in the brilliance of the light. She did not have a vampire's outright aversion to the sun. But, she was not as tolerant of the rays as she had been. And he regretted that change in her most of all.

"Drew. When are we going to do this?" Tala had a vague idea of how weddings worked and what they entailed. It didn't seem too complicated. Although, some weddings were very big, overdone affairs, she had a feeling Drew would want something simple and understated.

"Whenever you'd like."

"Is now too soon?"

Drew chuckled. "Werewolves, always so impatient," he teased. He tugged playfully on her braid as she ducked out from under his arm and bolted into the trees.

"Drew, bite me!" she shouted. The day was simply beautiful with a hint of the promise of a glorious summer. A spring day like this was simply too beautiful to waste. She stripped. Being sure she had Drew's full attention, teasingly sliding her underwear down over hips. Worry would not ruin this day or any other that was to come. Her wolf panted in her head and bolted into the forefront of her mind. Tala surrendered herself to the wolf and let her have her way. Hoping Drew would follow suit and let his wolf out.

The black wolf shook off the last traces of Tala's scent from her fur and trotted off into the underbrush. Yipping for her mate to follow. The smell plump game quickly averted her attention and she was off on the trail of a fat, lazy rabbit.

Drew shook his head. He'd never quite gotten used to seeing Tala in her wolf form. The animal was sleek and graceful, her fur black as night, and her eyes far too human to be mistaken for those of a natural wolf. Grinning. Catching the scent of her wolf. He darted into the woods, following her trail. Her wolf was fast and cunning and before he could catch up with the magnificent creature, she'd captured a nice lunch and was lazily sprawled out on the ground savoring the spoils of her hunt.

Enjoying, simply enjoying, he stretched out on the grasses heated by the warm spring sunshine and basked in the glow. This was a good life. And his wolf was content to stay in his mind and not battle for control of the form they shared. Little by little, his wolf and he were becoming friends. Learning peace with one another. That cynical part of himself that was far too human niggled in the back of his mind. And yes, while he would never refute that this might be the calm before the storm. He was not about to let the thought ruin his joy. He pushed his worries momentarily away and did something he never truly took the time to do. He breathed, in. His lungs expanded with springtime air. And then, he exhaled, blowing it all out into the atmosphere. His worries, those founded and those of his imagination would there waiting when he had the mind to return to them. They always were.

Chapter 26

Claire awoke with warm sunlight streaming a trail across her cheeks. For a minute she could pretend she was safe and last night had been a dream. Hazarding to open her eyes, she spotted her captor. Grant sat with his huge feet propped up on the edge of the bed, curiously watching her. The heat of his gaze made her uncomfortable. And self-consciously, she smoothed her hands down her tangled hair and scowled at him as she sat up in the bed. "Don't you own any clothes?" she asked, a little snarkily, eying the tight green sweats bulging in evidence that he liked what he saw. And that he liked it way too much. Determined not to let him get to her, she threw back the covers and yawned. Stretching her arms over her head to work the kinks out of her back.

"Actually, no." Grant lifted his feet as Claire tossed the covers back. He'd been watching her sleep for hours. His old wolf habits were still with him. And his wolf woke early most mornings far too eager to greet the oncoming day to be content with a bit of lounging around doing nothing. Maybe, he'd taken a liberty he shouldn't, riffling through Claire's still packed bags. But, he'd been desperate for coffee. And he'd made a big enough pot for two. He rose from the uncomfortable kitchen chair and moved to the battered coffee pot to pour her a cup.

The cabin was bright and flooded with sunshine. So bright that Claire squinted to see the hands on her watch. She was an old fashioned kind of girl. And she preferred a classic hour, minute, and sweep hand watch face to digital displays. Glancing at the time, she her brows lifted in surprise. Mid-morning? She never slept in late. And it was odd that she had. Especially considering the circumstance in which she found herself. "Great, I'm being held hostage by a nudist. Just an ordinary run of the mill social deviant and I was so hoping for a serial killer," she muttered sarcastically. She eyed the steaming mug he placed in her hands and looked up at him suspiciously. Glad to see he was making himself at home and helping himself to her stuff.

The hot coffee was tempting. Black wasn't as tempting as it would have been with cream and sugar though. He could have put anything in that mug when she wasn't looking. Anything. Too bad, he'd forgotten to ask if she wanted cream and sugar to go along with the date rape drugs or the rat poison he'd probably added to her coffee. "No thanks," she said pleasantly, handing the cup back to him.

Grant gritted his molars and rolled his eyes. Claire didn't trust him. Her body trusted him just fine, curling against him as she slept. But, her head wanted nothing to do with him. He took the mug from her hand and took a sip to prove he hadn't poisoned her coffee before handing it back to her. Claire looked up at him with a horrified expression on his face. As if he'd just spit in her mug. Humans and their phobia of germs, he hadn't been around them enough to realize. Not that he needed the edginess of a caffeine buzz. But, he couldn't resist taunting her just a little. He swallowed the mug's contents down in one gulp and exhaled a contented sigh.

Claire eyed the inch or two of coffee left in the pot with intense longing. Too many years of dragging her butt into work at odd hours had made her somewhat of an addict. She needed her coffee worse than she needed oxygen to breathe. But, she wasn't going to admit that to Grant. His biceps flexed beneath the baggy sleeve of his t-shirt-her dad's stolen t-shirt-she reminded herself, as he pumped the hand pump and washed the mug in the ancient sink. The drain was attached to a scrap length of PVC pipe that her dad had creatively trenched and buried some years ago. The pipe emptied into the pit underneath the outhouse. And the sound of running water reminded her there was something else she desperately needed to do.