Dawn's Path: Completed Work

"Bridezilla." Janine scrambled to pick up the mess. Rolling her eyes at Angel's lack of enthusiasm, she carefully slipped the samples Angel hadn't managed to destroy back into the box. Angel just needed a little more time to get used to the idea. "I was just kidding about the strippers," she mumbled.

Tala snickered and took a bite of toast. "I wasn't."

Angel slammed the door to the bedroom she'd officially moved into with Lance. Her stuff was still stacked along the far wall, as she had yet to unpack it. And if she was going to go through this crap in order to formalize their marriage. Maybe, she wouldn't. The oak door strained from the force of her slamming it so hard and a loud boom echoed off the walls. "Lance. What do we have to do to be officially married?"

Lance glanced up from his comic book and eyed Angel suspiciously. There was only one explanation for Angel's sudden bout of cold feet. Janine. He was going to rattle her fangs out of her pretty blonde head if she screwed this up for him. Angel quivered with fury. Fisting and unfisting her fingers, in a gesture that indicated that if he did take a crack at Janine, she wanted a turn too. "What's going on?"

"Janine and her damned wedding planning. I don't want a caterer and printed napkins. I just want you, Lance" Angel flopped down on the royal blue upholstered loveseat and buried her face in her hands. "I thought I could do this. I want to give you a beautiful wedding. I want to be a good wife. But, cocktail weenies and bubble machines? I don't even know what in the hell taffeta is. How can I possibly be the bride you deserve if I can't even decide on a menu nobody is going to eat anyway? She wants strippers, Lance. Strippers at my bachelorette party."

"Come here, wife," Lance coaxed, patting the empty spot beside him on the bed. He was going to kill Janine for this. His protective nature sparked to life. Nobody upset his wife and got away with it. Nobody. He got it. Janine in her usual over the top exuberance to be helpful had gone too far. She always did. She was harmless, truly. But, being face to face to her for more than five minutes was overwhelming. How well he knew all about that. He stroked Angel's hair as she cuddled up next to him. "The ceremony is just a formality. Nothing more. Marriage is about two people committing their lives to one another. Not about printed napkins or caterers. I already consider you my wife in every way that counts. And I am your husband. I will love you for eternity, cocktail weenies and taffeta aside. The strippers though, I can do without."

Angel's heart melted into a puddle at the honesty and conviction in Lance's words. She didn't know what she'd done to deserve this man. But, she thanked God for him everyday. Lance and his brothers were deeply religious, worshiping their goddess and proving their loyalty through obedience to the Great Father. She didn't want to take the ritual away from him. Not when it held such meaning to him. "What about everybody else? Won't they be upset if there's no ceremony?"

"Who cares about them? You're the only thing that's important to me. You and your happiness is all that matters." She didn't buy it. She didn't believe him. And yeah, his little pep talk sounded like something straight out of a cheesy greeting card. But, he did mean it. He'd like a wedding. But, if it were going to cause Angel this much distress, he'd rather not bother. It just wasn't worth it.

He sighed as Angel snuggled against his chest. His woman. The only one who had captured the very essence of his soul and taken it prisoner. The funny thing was, he didn't want it back. "We could skip the wedding and go straight to the honeymoon," he whispered suggestively.

"I'm not having printed napkins and damn cocktail weenies," Angel muttered. She wanted a wedding just as badly as Lance. She was just too embarrassed to admit the truth. She didn't want to give up her dream of her one perfect day. Lance's fingers worked their magic, relaxing her as they massaged her scalp. It was difficult to stay angry or focused on the trivialities of life with him running his fingertips through her hair.

"No honeymoon then?" Lance finger walked down Angel's shoulder and brushed them across her forearm, pausing to tease a nipple with his thumb. His wife had a nasty temper. And when she was pissed she could hold a grudge. Hoping he could tease and coax her into the mood, he playfully scooped her up in his lap and nibbled at her earlobe.

"I guess we can pretend the wedding is already over and fast forward to the honeymoon." Angel slid down in the bed. Forgot about Janine, the cocktail weenies, and taffeta bows. Focusing on loving her man. Practice really did make perfect. Lance knew exactly how to coax her out of a funk and spin it around into something far better. There was no curve of her body he had not explored to its fullest. But, he didn't seem to mind taking his time to review each and every one of them in painstaking detail. Maybe to someone else, he wasn't perfect. And it was only she who thought he was perfect in every way. And that was a good thing. Because he was the man she was planning to marry.

Chapter 70

Tala's knees weakened at the sight of Drew. He was dressed in battle scarred black leather pants and a matching jacket. Daggers hung off his the belt slung low on his narrow hips. And the hilts of twin swords peeked over his broad shoulders. His heavy, black, lug soled combat boots had seen too much action. Battle scarred and scuffed as the rest of his gear. Everything on him, from the buckles of his weaponry holsters, to the 9 millimeter Glock strapped to his thigh was black and lethal. His sleek ebony hair was slicked back off his brow and gathered into a short cue at the base of his skull. His expression was intense, all business and battle ready. "Going somewhere?" she asked.

She did her best to appear unaffected by the power and lethal beauty of him. Whatever it was he was doing wasn't her business or her concern. He had the fierce expression of a warrior about to go into battle. Her eyes followed his movements as he checked the tips of his arrows and slung the bow and the quiver over his shoulder. Concern for him welled within her. If something were going down, shouldn't he tell her? It was a matter of practicality, she told herself logically. It had nothing to do with the man or the wolf inside of him. Or the flare of attraction she felt surging through her. She was about to bring her family here. And if she were bringing them into a worse situation than they were already in she had a right to know.

"The city," Drew answered. Dane had alerted him to the possible danger the men on patrol faced. And he was not about to let his men deal with the threat of a rogue master alone. He tightened his glove and flexed his fingers. The leather was worn soft with age, fitting him snugly like a second skin. He had difficulty focusing on the mission with her standing beside him. Staring up at him, her eyes rounded with concern. The mere sight of her, soft and beautiful, dressed for summer in an embroidered, pink cotton blouse and barely there jean shorts that showed of the luxurious length of her legs made the man in him whimper in a sudden surge of lust. He'd rather she wore turtlenecks and baggy sweatpants more suited for the coolness of the pre-spring weather.

Tala bit her bottom lip in confusion and pulled an arrow out of his quiver. The silver point was serrated and lethally sharp. An arrow meant for killing large prey. "I know crime is rampant in the urban areas," she said, replacing the arrow in the quiver and inching her fingers over his chest to tug a dagger free from the sheath at his hip. The ornately carved onyx hilt was surprisingly light and perfectly balanced for distance throwing. The curved blade, shone in the overhead lights. The edge was smooth and razor sharp. Sliding the dagger back into place, she dragged her fingers down to his thigh and checked to make sure the safety was in place on the gun. He was geared up for war and for death. "But, isn't this a bit extreme?"

A curl snaked across Drew's lips as her fingers traveled over his body, sampling the various weapons strapped to him. "Not for the part of town I'm going to. Parking is a bitch." He playfully tugged on her braid, dragging the soft end over her upper lip to distract her. "There are some matters that need my attention."

"And they require you to be geared up like that?" Tala filled in the blanks realizing that Drew was willingly placing himself in danger. She didn't want to fuss and carry on like a worried wife. But, she cared about what happened to him and worried about the danger he and his warriors would face. "I don't suppose you'd let me tag along?" she asked tugging her braid free from his grip. Her wolf was a natural born fighter. And as a human, she'd had plenty of practice defending herself. Came with the turf of living in a house full of men who had once been boys and didn't realize that she was a girl until she started filling out and looking like one.

"No, not this time." The sound of the concern in her voice tugged at his heartstrings. He liked the fact that she worried about him. Her reluctance for him to dash into battle was a sure sign. As much as she wanted to deny it, that she had feelings for him. He rested his hand on her shoulder and guided her forward with his fingers into a hug. "I'll be back before you have a chance to miss me too much," he said. Gently, he reached down and tilted up her chin, pecking her lightly on the lips in a shy, sweet, well-timed kiss.

Maybe, he was taking advantage of the moment. Women and their emotions were a well and often used tactic in the battle of winning their hearts. Maybe, he wanted more of what they'd shared in the woods. Who was he kidding? Of course he did. That was the best 'almost sex' he'd ever had. Slowly he deepened the kiss. Savoring the sweetness of her lips and the taste of her on his tongue.

"You'd better be," Tala huffed. Twisting out of his grip before she did something to really embarrass herself like latch onto him and beg him to stay. Drew was a leader and he had a job to do. He may not be in wolf form. But, she could feel the powerful alpha prowling though his mind. Eagerly anticipating the fight to come. She pressed her hand to her burning lips. Watching as he walked, his shoulders squared with determination, away from her.

Tala could only guess at the danger Drew and his men faced. She didn't really understand vampire politics. In her world, the world of the wolf, there were no politics as such. There was a hierarchy. Alphas led the pack. Betas were the second in command. And the omegas, born lowest of the low, had it the worst. The males were trained to fight from the moment they were old enough to toddle. Often, they became loyal but lethal killers, defenders of the alpha first and the pack second. The female omegas, just as intelligent and beautiful as any woman in the pack, were often the last chosen as a mate. Often not chosen at all. They served the pack in all things. Cared for the young and the elderly. Kept house, cooked meals, and in general kept things running smoothly. To fail to live up to the expectations of the pack was death for an omega.

Very few dared to step beyond the roles they were born into. It was the belief of the pack that to do so would upset the natural order of things. And wolves were all about social order. Their lives depended on it. She was lucky in some ways. Her parent's genetics, both of them alphas, ensured her place in the pack. And it also condemned her as a prime female, the most desired to breed with. Men battled brutally over her. Everyone but Drew, that was. He seemed quite happy to leave her standing in the hallway alone, confused over the politics of his world and her place in them, if she had a place at all.

In all the pack's searches, they'd never found another pack. Lost Children, yes but never a pack. Therefore, there were no wars over territory. Only battles for alpha and for mating rights, and those fights were one on one, beast against beast, male against male and the winner took all.

Tala longed for the solace she had when in wolf form. Things were so much simpler when one did not have a voice to be misunderstood or human worries to cloud the mind. She was on here. Drew couldn't admit to himself that he was pack. He knew nothing about the comfort and companionship Tala got from her family. She drew upon his magic. Used it to bind her wolf to her. Otherwise, she'd be completely alone, exiled from her world.

Once she was certain that she was far enough away from the scrutinizing eye of the cameras guarding every inch of the grounds surrounding the compound. She stripped and gave her body over to the wolf. Allowing it to consume every part of her. Barking at the joy of release, the wolf loped into the woods in search of mischief and a meal.

Drew sensed Tala's loneliness. And he vowed upon his return he'd do a better job in taking care of her. For now, he had other things, more pressing things to consider. Perhaps, the females could assist until he could see to her needs himself. They were the gentler sex and as such understood Tala better than he.

"My place is at my husband's side." Lori argued boldly with the Great Father or Drew as he'd insisted she call him. She was geared up and ready to hop into the idling SUV. Ready to go and defend her man. She held her ground and jutted out her chin stubbornly as she disregarded his scowl of disapproval.

"Don't worry. We'll bring Keene home safe and sound," Anna whispered to Lori. She was nervous and excited all at the same time. The gift that she hated and feared had earned her a place with the warriors. She was a secret weapon. To be used if things got really ugly. Her gift was something that no foe, no matter how powerful could stand against. Unfortunately, she had little control over the demon once it was released.

The demon, the power leashed inside of her, didn't care who it struck. Once released, it consumed, crushed the life out of any living thing. Friend or enemy didn't matter in the least. Anna didn't understand how the gift came to her or why. The only thing she was certain of was that the energy fed and drew its strength from the goddess.

Toby stood on the sidelines. Agreeing with Lori. He too wanted to go, to protect his wife. But, someone had to stay behind to hold down the fort. And he'd drawn the short straw as usual. Vampires and technology did not mix. He did not want to return and find the compound in shambles. His wife would go without him. "Lori, we need you here. To help protect the compound," he said.

"I know bullshit when I hear it," Lori meekly protested. She allowed Toby to navigate her away from the SUV. He was struggling with the need to stay close to Anna just as much as she was struggling with her need to be at Keene's side. Seems, neither one of them were destined to get their wishes. They'd stay behind and keep the hallowed halls safe. From what, she didn't have a clue. But, it made her feel better to think that she had something purposeful to do. Maybe she and Alex, and the others left behind would start a sewing circle or have a quilting bee.

"Saddle up," John Mark said as he slid into the back seat. This time, Dane was driving and Drew, who still argued that horses were by far the best way to travel, was sitting in the passenger side. He grasped Robbie's hand and snuggled her against him. Maybe, they could make out like a couple of teenagers on the way there.

Patrick ruffled Janine's hair. "Keep everyone in line. Ok." He kissed her forehead and climbed into the third row of seats, next to Anna. He so enjoyed tormenting her, always had. Torturing her was his favorite hobby, like painting or poetry. And She would be trapped with him for over two hours on the ride into the city. He cackled in delight and rolled down the tinted window to wink in mischief at Janine.

"Anna," Janine shouted, stretching on her tiptoes to lean into the rolled down window over her husband's chest. "You have my permission to zap him with a few volts if he gives you any trouble," she teased. Patrick immediately reached around to rub his ass. She'd zapped him there before, just a little love tap to get his attention. And all these months later, the spot was still numb. Anna had unleashed the full force of her fury on him and she'd almost killed him in the process. Patrick had rushed in unthinking trying to stop her from reducing Roark to ash. He knew she would and could not handle taking a life even one as useless as Roark's. Janine pecked Patrick on the lips with a brief kiss. "Love ya babe."

Candace stood between Chris and Alex. Giving the warriors a big wave as the black, powerful engine revved up and the SUV pulled down the drive. She didn't make waves. She could barely handle a paring knife let alone a dagger. And she had no desire to go where she'd be more of a hindrance than a help. But, her son and her husband were out in the field. Facing the same danger that the warriors were driving into. She was a wife and a mom, and worrying about every little thing was encoded into her DNA. She needed something to do to take her mind off things. Leigh, Alex's mom, had tried to teach her to crochet. But she was just a bad with a crochet hook as she was a dagger. So she resolved that there must be some stray scrap of lint that needed cleaned up or a dish to wash...somewhere.

"Ladies, we should have a party." Janine said, feigning joyful exuberance she did not feel. Of course, she was worried. Did every time Patrick went out into the field. But, entertainment and keeping the others busy was part of her sacred duty. Faces around here were too glum. Postures stooped. And someone needed to do something to liven things up a bit.

"A party?" Alex lifted a brow curiously.

"A surprise bridal shower for Angel," Janine retorted. "She fired me. Can you believe it? I'm still trying to win her over and regain my job as her official wedding planner."

"A bridal shower." Chris's eyes lit up at the idea of a celebration. "Sounds great."

"A bridal shower it is," Candace agreed.

Chapter 71

Angel accompanied Lance as he made his patrol. The glare of the sun burned through the dark protective lenses. But, she toughed it out anyway, just to be by his side. The town was subdued this afternoon, quiet streets and closed storefronts, a blissful early spring day had everyone outside, shucking their coats and gloves in exchange for windbreakers and jogging shoes.

The woods were also quiet. The creatures of the forest seemed to be dozing in the warmth of the midday sun. Lance smelled the wolf and steered clear of her path. The woods were no longer theirs alone. They had to learn to share. And he wasn't sure how much humanity Tala maintained when she was in her wolf form. He would defend Angel and himself against the razor sharp teeth and dagger like claws, if he had to. He was hoping just avoiding the wolf and the trail she preferred would be enough.

Lance was distracted by the beep of the cell phone strapped to his waist. Grinning he read the text. Janine used any excuse for a party. And she had a good one tonight. He could claim innocence and male ignorance that he knew nothing of the plan. And he didn't, till now. Angel would probably not admit that she wanted a bridal shower. But, she'd love it secretly.

He wondered what the men folk would do while Angel was attending her impromptu bridal shower. Satisfied that his rounds were completed, he walked back to the compound with Angel at his side. He kept her occupied with small talk. Pointing out the names of the budding trees as they passed them. Identifying the wild flowers and their medicinal purposes as he paused to pluck a few petals and tuck them behind her ear. He traced the outline of deer tracks and the five-fingered prints of the raccoons that came to the stream to drink. Things he'd learned as a boy. She humored him, nodding politely, as he played tour guide through the woods. He did it to give Janine time to set up for the party and to keep Angel busy and out of his thoughts.