Dawn's Path: Completed Work

"I don't know if I share your optimism," Keene said. He hated the glimmer of hope in Angel's eyes. She knew better than anyone how depraved the rogues under Roark's command truly had become. There would be no saving each and every rogue. And she knew it. Some would have to be put to the blade. But, she was right. There were good men and women out there, lost, without master, a purpose, or a home, that just needed someone to show them the way. Keene was no savior of rogues. And she wasn't suggesting that he was. What she intended was for him to fill the void Roark left behind until a true leader could be found. It would take a master of incredible power to undo the damage Roark had done. The rogues were feral. And the longer they remained on their own, the more difficult the task would be, and the fewer there would be worth saving.

"It won't be easy to track every rogue down. And I don't think the rogues will willingly be yoked to a master. Not so recently after being freed from Roark," Dane said. He'd argue Angel's point. Debunk her idea until it was nothing but dust. But, necessity dictated otherwise. She was right. The brothers were grossly outnumbered. And the city was a keg of dynamite just waiting to explode. Killing did something to a man. The taking of another person's life, no matter how justified it might be, was never easy.

Their options were limited. Go into the city and hunt down each and every rogue. Put them to the blade. Or find a way to come to a compromise. If he had done what the law required, Keene and Angel wouldn't be standing here debating her point. Dane would have been forced to put them down like feral dogs.

Not even the brothers were exempt from the law. And Patrick had shattered the sacred trust placed in him and taken a human life. At the time, Dane believed Patrick deserved the full measure of the brotherhood's justice. And he would have been more than willing to see it, and Patrick, executed.

Lucien was wiser. A better man than Dane knew he could ever be. He saw what Dane did not. To Dane the law was the law no matter what the circumstances. Lucien had seen the gray in a law that to Dane was black and white. And looking back, after becoming the leader he'd never wanted to be, Dane saw the folly in defining life and the world as either right or wrong without any in between. There were plenty of shades of gray and much mercy to be given to those who deserved it.

"That's just it. Don't oppress the rogues. Give them support and a direction to follow and they'll do the rest themselves. Keene, you're not Roark. You could never be like him. The rogues don't need another master. What they need is a leader."

"How can you be so certain?" Dane asked. She'd peeked his interest. But, he did not quite share her enthusiasm. He needed Keene here. The man was a powerhouse, relentless in a fight, and one of his best warriors. Dane sure as hell didn't want to send Keene into the field alone with nothing more than Angel's vague assumptions to go on.

"I saw the rogues. They're living in Roark's old HQ, scrabbling around in the dark. Left to their own devices they will continue killing or worse fall into another master's hands. And believe me there are masters out there that make Roark look like a choirboy.

"I have a contact, a rogue, who can lead us to the others. He knows the city. He knows the rogues. And Dane, I have to tell you. He has the power of a master. I've felt it. And I get the impression he's been living under Roark's nose the entire time. Yet, not even Roark was crazy enough to go head to head with him. He claims he's a stray. But, I don't believe him. He's something else entirely. He's hiding from something or someone. And I have no idea who. It doesn't really matter. He's smart. He's strong. And he's just the man we're looking for. We just have to convince him to take the job.

"I have a feeling that Carter represents the majority of the rogues more than he's willing to admit. He...they want the same thing we do. To be left alone and in peace. For all that the rogues are and are not, they were once people. They still are people. And isn't it the brotherhood's job to protect people? Keene please, don't you want to try?" Angel wasn't above begging to get Keene to see things her way.

She had no idea of Carter's true background. He could be a cold-blooded killer. He could be a lot of things and probably was. But, a willing slaughterer wasn't one of them.

Keene raked his hand through his hair. Sure, he'd be a face the rogues would recognize. Angel's idea did have some merit. Some. But, it wouldn't be as easy as she was making it sound. Years, perhaps decades would be spent undoing the damage that Roark had spent centuries creating. It wouldn't happen over night, if it happened at all. Attempting to gain control might cause a war. And war could spell the end for all of them.

And what of this man, Carter? He'd never heard the name or felt as much as a trickle of this otherworldly power Angel had claimed to feel. If there were another master in the city, Roark would have ended him, quickly. Unless...no, that couldn't be. Not this far from his holdings. There was only one master Roark feared. Only one he envied and held the least bit of respect for. Only one that was powerful enough not to cross paths with. An ally and an enemy of such power, Roark tread lightly in his presence. O'Sullivan. And if that master were in the city he'd come for a reason. Not for conquest. But, to claim what was rightfully his, and it wasn't a city, it was a person.

The pieces fell together and they made perfect sense. Someone had been cleaning up after the rogues, someone wanting to avoid drawing the wrong kind of attention to the city and perhaps, to himself. Carter wasn't just some random vigilante doing good for goodness sake. He was the missing piece to the puzzle Roark had never been able to solve. "Dane?"

"We should discuss this with the Great Father." He dragged a hand through his hair and corrected himself. " I mean, with Drew." The man had been known by no other name since before Dane had been alive. And old habits were hard to break. Just another of the many things he had yet to learn. He'd completely dismissed Marcus and Sam's report. Chalking their run in with the mystery rogue of such power up to a lack of experience on their parts. It seems, and Angel stood here in front of him, her eyes glimmering in defiance, he was wrong. There was a stranger in the city, one that had previously avoided not only Roark's attention but the brotherhood's as well. Angel's plan had one flaw though. Whoever this vampire was. He might not be willing to play along. He'd kept to the shadows for a reason. He'd hidden and hidden well in plain sight. And it would not be easy to flush him out.

Angel saw the flicker of indecision in Dane's eyes. He would not make a move unless the Great Father told him to. And they did not have time to wait for a committee meeting to determine the rogues' fate. "I'm doing this with or without your backing. The rogues don't deserve to be slaughtered. And if you go in, if you don't at least try, that's what you and this almighty brotherhood will be guilty of. And that makes you no better than Roark."

"What makes you think they'll listen to either of us? Why would they?" Keene bent low and shouted his questions in Angel's face. He'd been the devil to most of these rogues she was so hell bent on saving. He knew these rogues a far sight better than she did. And he'd seen what they were capable of. She knew the facts for what they were. She'd suffered plenty of abuse at their greedy hands. She was seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Yes, there were a few worth saving. A. Few. But, there were many, many more that were not. She was willing to risk his life and hers for a handful of lives. The rogues would not have done the same for her. And definitely would not for him.

"They won't listen to me. But, they would to you. I'm sure of it. Keene, I'm not asking you to save the world, just one small corner of it. I know the truth for what it is. Do you think just because I have fangs I've forgotten? Just give the rogues a common cause and a chance. What do you think binds the Sons as one? Do you really think it's the blood of the Great Father? Or love for the goddess. Or that it is some kind of inexplicable magic? Maybe, in part it is. But, the bigger part of it is that we believe. We have a purpose. Belief and purpose are powerful things."

"You humble us all," Dane said. And she had. Angel had more reasons to hate the rogues than anyone. And more cause to sate her need for revenge. That she was willing to put aside her personal feelings to see the bigger picture spoke volumes about her true character and about his that he had been so reluctant to do the same. "Keene, if you're willing, the task is yours to accept. I'll put a team on tracking down our illusive Carter. See if he is the man Angel believes him to be."

Keene bowed to Angel. Somewhere along the way she'd grown into the woman he always knew she could be. "I'll do my best. For you, Angel."

Angel grabbed Keene, squeezing him in a hard embrace. "I knew you'd say yes." Embarrassed by the sudden display of emotion, she released him and stepped back. "I'll pack a bag and come with you."

"No. You stay here. It might get dangerous and ensuring your safety is a complication I don't need." Keene saw the scowl of disapproval spread across her features and steeled his expression. He should have known he'd get an argument from her. He always did. But, he could not afford to let her accompany him. He would have his hands full with the rogues. And it would be hard enough to rally them together. To them, she was nothing more than Roark's plaything. And the last thing she needed after coming so far was to deal with this particular aspect of her past.

"I can handle myself." Angel slid the dagger out of her boot and pressed it to his neck to prove her point. She moved so quickly that her movements were a blur and Keene had been taken completely by surprise.

"I know you can. It's Lance I'm talking about. Your absence almost drove him crazy." He ran his hand between the blade and his neck. Angel was fast and sure of herself. She could handle herself against one unarmed male, if he didn't put up a fight. Rogues fought hard and dirty. And against several armed opponents, she didn't stand a chance. Not that he would ever tell her the truth about that.

"Lance is my..." Exactly what was Lance to her? Not her lover. That sounded far too cheap and paltry to define them. Boyfriend, sounded too juvenile for the love that she felt. Fiancée? The subject of marriage hadn't even come up, yet. What was he? She huffed and stammered for a moment. "Well, he's not my mother and I can do as I please."

"Of course. But, I am not letting you come along. For my sake and for his sanity, stay here." Lance made a convenient excuse. Keene was not above exploiting her feelings to get what he wanted. And it wasn't exactly a lie anyway. Lance had been unbearable during her absence.

Angel snorted, "That's stupid. Lance can take care of himself." She jutted out her chin in defiance. Keene was going to need her to make contact with Carter. "If he wants, he can come along too."

"No. He has things to do here," Dane interjected. He understood exactly why Keene didn't want Angel tagging along. The mission would be dangerous. And while Angel was capable of defending herself, she wasn't ready to go toe to toe with a gang of rogues. Keene couldn't watch his back and hers too.

"But," Angel stammered in protest.

"Angel, everyone here has a job to do. You've done yours. Now let Keene do his," Dane interrupted. This conversation was over. Debating it was going to waste valuable time and try his patience to the breaking point.

Angel snapped her mouth shut. She had plenty more to say, but the spark of determination in Dane's brown eyes, told her that his mind was made up and any further arguments were a waste of time. "Fine. Whatever," she huffed. She stormed off. But, she had used obedience and respect as part of her argument on the rogues' behalf. And if she couldn't walk the walk, she shouldn't have talked the talk.

Dane shrugged, watching Angel storm off in a cloud of feminine fury. "She'll get over it."

Keen nodded. Yeah, she would. "In a couple of hundred years, maybe," he said. He knew that Angel resented the fact that they were trying to protect her. The reason for it didn't matter. Her pride was wounded and she would hold a grudge. Lance, would have to keep her occupied and out of trouble. For now, she was following orders. But, for how long was anyone's guess.

Chapter 59

Chris and Anna had been fervently sketching for hours. Wading through wads of crumpled plans, eraser shavings, and broken pencils until they were finally satisfied with what they'd come up with. Although the winter had seemed endless, spring was just a few weeks away. And they could get started on the next phase. The building. It really wouldn't take long to construct a home. The planning was the hardest part. The rest of it was just hammers and nails, the putting together of raw materials.

"I think we've got it," Anna said. Squabbling the way only best friends could. Anna had finally come up with something that would meet the needs of a busy growing family while providing the security and secrecy, and the open floor plan Chris had required. She'd insisted on a huge wrap around front porch. And Anna liked the idea of combining something old-fashioned in the design.

The size of the home Chris had in mind was going to be a little tricky to keep hidden, especially above ground. Anna chose to stick with the traditional and skip on the frills in her original plan. Simplicity was the key. Non-descript, old-fashioned weatherboard siding and a wrap around porch would give the impression that the house had been there forever. And that it was just another massive farmhouse left behind from days gone by. Three stories of bedrooms and a main floor constructed with rustic yet durable materials should stand up to plenty of wear and tear for generations to come. She'd slipped in a few nice security features such as bulletproof glass in the windows and doors, reinforced exterior walls strong enough to withstand the force of a small hurricane, a fire suppression system plumbed throughout the house, and her personal favorite, a network of hidden corridors complete with escape hatches.

The main level consisted of a large living room and an even bigger dining room and full service kitchen big enough to feed a small army. The business end of the house was clumped together in a series of rooms off the main living area. A full basement helped to disguise the size of the house from the outside. The open space could be divided into several smaller spaces suitable for classrooms and playrooms for the kids. An absolute necessity since the wolves home schooled their children.

Anna had left the laundry area on the main floor and included dumbwaiters from the bedrooms and bathrooms above. Nobody liked lugging laundry baskets up and down the stairs. She'd soundproofed the walls between the bedrooms and included several master suites with full bathrooms for privacy. The attic was open and airy. The space available for whatever the wolves decided to use it for.

All in all she'd done a lot with the five thousand square feet she'd allotted for the project. There were a total of fifteen dorm style bedrooms, five master suites, a media room, a recreation room, ten full bathrooms and three additional half baths, a five car garage with two above garage apartments just in case, several offices, a meeting room, the main living room, a dining room, a kitchen with additional breakfast nook, and a formal sitting area. And plenty of smaller more intimate areas to at least give the occupants some privacy.

The house was large. And there was no hiding that fact from anyone curious enough to drive down the gated winding lane leading to it. But, with a little careful planning the house had a homey feeling without being pretentious or drawing too much attention. Privacy fences around the main grounds would help hide the house from prying eyes and ward off unwanted intruders. The woods had a reputation for being haunted. And Anna had played on the superstitions of the townspeople, using them to her advantage. The gates and security fence had a particularly gothic feel to the design. She was leaving as much of the natural scenery intact as she could, lending to the shadows around the place.

The network of tunnels leading to the brotherhood's compound was accessible from the basement as well as the garage and a few other locations hidden throughout the grounds. Toby had plenty of places to hook up his security cameras and infrared sensors. And the woods around the house were thick enough to hide a small garrison of patrol guards. Flanked by several deep ravines, a wide creek, and dense trees, nobody was going to come knocking without the wolves knowing about it. But, Anna had managed it without infringing on the wolves' sense of freedom. There was a huge outdoor patio, playgrounds for the kids, and even an in ground swimming pool.

"Not bad," Chris agreed. She made some notes on the edges of Anna's design. Future plans, should the family expand beyond the capacity of the original house. She was already choosing durable pieces of furniture, fabrics for the upholstery, and a whole slew of virtually unbreakable knickknacks for the décor.

"We should go show it to Tala and get her approval before we start breaking ground. After all, until we know for sure what the werewolves need in a home, this is just guess work."

"Dane says she's not a werewolf," Chris corrected.

"Well then, what is she?" Anna retorted. In her opinion, if it looked and smelled like a werewolf, it was a werewolf. She shrugged indifferently. There was no point in arguing semantics. Not when everyone had so much work to do.

"I don't know." Chris didn't care what the group was or wasn't. She guessed Tala didn't like being called a werewolf any more than she liked to be called a vampire. It wasn't the fact of what she was. But, the negative connotations associated with it that bothered her. She liked to think of herself as 'diet and dentally challenged' instead of a vampire. Labels were for things, like canned goods and boxes, not people.

"Anyway, let's go find out what she thinks." Anna grinned vibrantly in anticipation. She was itching to get started. And as soon as winter was over she wanted to be breaking ground.

Tala climbed out of the shower and hurried to towel dry. Things were more confusing now than ever. And her sense of urgency was growing day by day. Dane had promised her pack shelter and safety. She should be happy that she'd achieved what she'd come here to achieve and leave it at that. But, there was so much more to it than having a home for her family. Her feelings for Dane needed serious consideration. She didn't want to want him. And that she was forced to rely on him for everything from the food she ate to the clothes she wore was an annoying fact. She hated being trapped underground. She'd never had to ask for anything. He saw to her needs before she needed them. And she hated that he called to her wolf in a way that went soul deep.

Her wolf would have already mated the male and secured her position. Tala would not allow it. She wasn't ready to be mated for life. Otherwise, she would have simply mated with Grant and been done with it.

She'd thought coming here and actually having options and choices would be better. And it was. But, having choices was so much harder than not having them. Drew was a frustrating man. Old-fashioned. Set in his ways. And in general, a real pain in her ass. He was an alpha to his core. Pushy. Demanding. And unwilling to listen to reason, just like every other alpha she'd ever met. He oozed sexuality and masculine conquest to the extreme. And she was another dumb female falling victim to her hormones. What she felt for him wasn't the beginnings of love. Hell, she barely knew him. It was biology, Darwinism, survival of the fittest. And she wanted absolutely no part of it.