Dawn's Path: Completed Work

"Uh hum," Drew agreed. Vampires could see quite well in the dark. And what was her point? His focus was pinned on this woman. He could care less what his Sons saw. The heat from her tongue, as it toyed with his, made his groin throb furiously. God, she drove him crazy. But, it was such a sweet brand of insanity.

"Someone will see us," Tala whispered in protest. His lips tickled against hers. Asking unasked questions and saying unsaid desires. Her hand reached out on its own accord and trailed down his bare muscular back, so warm. "You're practically naked." Drew had dressed for the occasion in a ceremonial loincloth and nothing else. If she didn't slow him down, and pace herself, she could quite easily and happily spin out of control.

"So." Drew continued his soft assault. Weakening her defenses. Her lips, brushing against his were heaven. Continuing to knock on the gates, gently, slowly, softly, he'd wait until they sprang open, inviting him in. "I thought nudity didn't bother you," he whispered against her lips.

"I've changed my position on that," Tala said weakly. She shifted forward. Trying to wiggle free from where he'd pinned her between his body and the tree. But, her lips pressed harder against his as a result. Responding to his gentle coaxing with a thrust of her tongue. Probing and caressing his mouth, running along the curved point of his fangs, fully descended in arousal. She kissed him with everything she had.

Drew sensed Tala's emotions mixing with his. Creating a volatile crucible ready to boil over. He heard the soft thump-thump of her racing heart. He smelled, the sweet scent of her arousal hanging heavily in the air. And her lungs, had yet to take in breath since he'd placed his lips to hers. So close, but not quite willing to invite him in. Not yet. He broke the kiss and backed away. "I have a gift for you."

"A gift?" Tala asked. Gasping in shock from the abrupt retreat of his lips from hers. Shakily, she took his hand allowed him to pull her to her feet. Tingles of desire shot up her arm at the warm grip of his fingers on hers. The man could change moods and trains of thought so quickly. One minute he was trying to get in her pants, and the next, he was practically dragging her along a narrow trail bordering the bluffs.

"Do you trust me?"

"Absolutely not," Tala retorted. She didn't dare as much as blink. Scanning his well-muscled frame, the curve of his lips, and the glint of mischief in his eyes for clues as to what he was up to. Strong hands reached behind her shoulders and lifted her off her feet, shifting her so that she rode him piggyback style. She yelped in shock at the sheer speed in which he moved. So fast that it was nothing but breeze, tousling her braid. Clinging tightly to his shoulders and wrapping her arms around his strong, broad chest she hung on for dear life as he ran through the woods.

"Where are we going?" she sputtered. His laughter echoed around her. The woods, blackened by darkness, rushed past at a dizzying speed. Even her wolf, bolting at top preternatural speed would have been unable to catch up with him. His silence and the pace in which they traveled unnerved her. She could have relaxed, knowing that he wouldn't drop her. His grip was tight, strong, and safe. But, she didn't like to be out of control and at the whims of anyone, especially him.

Drew burst through the woods and emerged into a clearing. The house, lights burning a yellow through the windows, illuminating the darkness, filled the once empty plot of land. Tala squealed in delight and leapt off his back, running for the man and the people lining the porch to welcome her home. "Father!" Practically crying with joy, Tala jumped into his arms, laughing as he spun her in a tight embrace.

"Tala." Nash held his daughter tightly. Overcome with joy. She had not jumped into his arms like this since she'd been a little girl. Gently prying her hold free from his neck, he lowered her to her feet. She was exactly the same as she had been when she'd left on this journey. But, something was different about her. She'd changed. He nodded to the Great White Wolf, and wrapped an arm around Tala's shoulders.

Nash wasn't quite certain of the man the Great White Wolf had chosen to lead them. The man, or rather, the spirit wolf had come to him in a vision and told him it was time to come home. He'd expected the man to be more like his brother and less like a vampire. And he'd been wrong. Drew fought what he was. He battled the spirit wolf inside of him every step of the way.

The pack was divided, fighting amongst them selves, ripe for a new alpha to find the bravery to challenge his position. It had taken every bit of strength Nash had possessed as an alpha to convince everyone in the pack to leave behind everything they'd ever known and make the journey to this distant home. And Nash wasn't certain how much time he had before the new wore off, the uncertainty about the Great White Wolf and about this place faded and a challenger stepped forward. The pack was his secondary concern. His first, went to his daughter. And he could sense the battle within her, as well.

The pack was settling into the house. Curious onlookers lined the porch, eager for a first glimpse of their new Great White Wolf. "I can't believe you're here," Tala stammered. Her father was every bit as intimidating as ever. Tall, big, broad shouldered and brawny with muscle, his tanned face scarred from countless skirmishes. She'd never been frightened of him though. Never had a moment's worth of hesitation when it came to speaking her mind to him. But, Tala was nervous and intimidated, now. Tasked with the formal introduction of her father to Drew. She could not speak her heart. Not now. Not with Drew fully understanding his duty and so reluctant to fulfill it. He stood to the side, instead of coming forward as a pack master of his standing should. Manners had little place in the pack. Social graces were lost on the wolves. They did not respect them. And they would not respect him for very long.

Rather than introduce her father to Drew, in her shock not realizing the two men had to have already met, at least, in one plane of existence, she diverted her attention and hopefully his, to the house. "I can't believe the house is finished so soon. It looks incredible. How is the move going? Did everyone get moved in?" She babbled on and on. And it was so unlike her that her father cocked an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes in suspicion. There was no use putting it off, she led her father away from the porch steps and over to Drew.

Nash inhaled the essence of wolf scent in the air and felt the compelling pull of the Great White Wolf, commanding him to yield, both his throat and his pack to him. Nash was a strong enough wolf not to cower in the presence of such authority. The Great White Wolf wanted to play human, or rather vampire, and Nash followed suit as Tala introduced them.

"The Great Father, aka, the Great White Wolf, aka Drew," Tala said nervously, introducing her father to Drew with pride and trepidation. She thought she'd have more time to prepare for their meeting. Thought she'd have more time to teach Drew the basic nuances of pack behavior. Drew was too human, shaking hands and speaking softly in greeting. Her father had very definite ideas about the type of man she should be involved with and Drew would not meet his criteria on any point. "This is my father. Pack Master, Nashoba."

"Nash," he corrected. In a gesture of friendship, he grasped the Great White Wolf's right bicep and squeezed tightly. He could not bring himself to shake hands in the human custom for any longer. And it was past time to start this young pup's introduction into the world he'd inherited. Kokumthena was right to bring the pack here. The land was blessed and fertile, teaming with wild game. And the vampires, powerful cousins, protectors, alliance with them would only increase the strength of the pack and the vitality of the vampires. But, as for their leader, Drew was sorely lacking.

His eyes narrowed as he saw the expression in his daughter's brown eyes whenever she hazarded a glance at Drew. What was it? Love? Respect? Admiration? Maybe, all three? The glances, Drew shot back at her reflected the same secret code. And had Nash bristling with instinct to protect his daughter. Now that he and the pack were here, keeping an eye on her would be his main priority.

Nash was a wise man and a smart one. Any relationship between Tala and Drew would have to be carefully monitored. Drew was too weak to lead the pack. The wolf inside of him knew how. But, until the vampire and the man accepted the wolf, Tala having anything to do with him, beyond a role as tutor would cause more problems. Dangerous problems. And as much as he obeyed the wisdom of the goddess, long for Drew to take his rightful place as leader of the pack, all the much more did he follow the instinct to keep his daughter safe from herm.

"Drew." With a firm grip, Drew returned the gesture, squeezing Nash's right bicep. The man was everything Tala had said he would be. Exactly what Drew would expect of a master. Powerful, charismatic, and shrewd as hell, nothing got past the man's watchful eye, especially not his daughter. Tala's father was a leader. The right claimed through birth and fought for in sweat, blood and pain. Raw power, confidence and strength exuded from every pore of the man. His tanned skin bore the scars of battle. A long jagged line zigzagged down his left cheek and across his neck. A mark the man wore proudly as evidence to his strength and ability to defend his pack and his position.

Nash was a powerhouse of muscular strength. Brawny, with thick muscle bulging beneath is plaid shirt. Hard, calculating brown eyes tinged with gold watched Drew's every move. Nash stood a head shorter than Drew, yet he felt as if he were the one looking up to meet his stare. Power smacked at Drew's skin, tingling along his flesh. Nash was unarmed. But, with the raw force of his aura, a man like him wouldn't need to be. Wolves relied on their bodies, their claws, and their lethal sharp teeth and the steel clamp of their jaws for defense. Drew had no idea how much influence Nash had over the spirit wolf inside of him. But, his wolf raised his hackles at the defensive invasion of another wolf in his territory. And Drew thought Nash included his daughter in very much what he considered to be his territory and he did not like Drew sniffing around her in the least.

Nash inwardly grinned as Drew shifted his eyes to the ground. He knew the human customs as well as anybody. But, he also knew the rules of his world. And in looking away, Drew had adhered to the letter of human law and broken one of theirs. Admitting in act that Nash was the stronger wolf. For the moment, no one would challenge his authority over the pack in that small seemingly meaningless gesture that he'd bested the Great White Wolf. "I've saved the best room in the house for you," Nash said proudly to Tala. Grinning, he won a second round, as she stretched up on her tiptoes to give him a loving peck on the cheek.

Tala squeezed her father's battle scarred fingers. "I should go back to the compound and get my stuff," she said. She needed to get Drew alone and give him a crash course in his new world. He'd made a fatal error in judgment and broken eye contact with her father. And in the world of wolves and predators, that made him prey. And there were other things, she probably should have mentioned, before their first kiss, before they'd done the things they'd done. And definitely before she'd fallen in love. The nervous babbling so out of character for her seemed to be throwing her father off the bigger issues. And so she went with it. "There's this woman, a vampire, of course, living there and you would not believe the miracles she can work with a charge card."

Nash chuckled and gently tugged on Tala's braid. His daughter was covering for something. She had a secret. "The internet. Such a wonder." He turned to Drew sternly giving his instruction. "Have her back before dawn. The pack has a busy few days ahead of us. Mapping out the woods and marking territories. Setting up hunting parameters."

"Naturally," Drew nodded. He understood the need to make their home and the surrounding grounds as secure as possible as quickly as possible. "Is your new home to the pack's liking?" he asked.

"Remarkable. Thank you so much for coming to our aid in our time of greatest need. It'll take some getting used to, of course. Now, if I can convince Tala to choose a mate, settle down, and fill this house with babies. I can die a happy man," Nash said. His eyes narrowed as Tala blushed furiously red and Drew swallowed hard, averting his eyes to the ground. So it was as he'd suspected. Tala had chosen her mate. She might not be able to admit it yet. She might not even fully realize it. But, her wolf did. Nash would not allow her to choose a male so weak and so human in his way of thinking. Drew had power. He had potential. But, he had yet to fully embrace it.

"It was our pleasure," Drew said, clearing his throat. Tala's father had clued in quickly. And there was no missing or confusing the threat in his hint. Drew contained his power and the wolf growling at the presence of another alpha. "Our goddess has blessed us greatly and it was an honor to give assistance to our cousins." Drew glanced up at the full moon, low on the eastern sky. "Tala, we should be going." Would the woman or the wolf win out? He wondered as he led her into the darkened woods.

Chapter 78

Once they were out of eyeshot of her father. Drew snatched her hand and held it tightly in his. "Which bedroom is yours?" he asked, spinning her to face the house lights glowing in the distance.

Tala could feel the curious eyes of her pack mates on her back. Uncomfortably, she withdrew her hand and stuck it in her pocket. Drew was used to dealing with others of his ilk. He'd never dealt with another wolf, except for her. And even then, she had to alter herself to him more than he did to her. Wolves missed nothing. They were cunning, shrewd, and sometimes lethal. She'd understood the threat in her father's statement. And while she did not agree with him, what could she possibly do to fight it? "I'm not sure yet. Why?"

"Well, I want to make sure I sneak into the correct window. I don't think your father would appreciate it if I climbed into his bed by accident." He slung his arm across her shoulders and guided her into the line of his body. Altering his stride to match hers.

"Maybe, the better plan is for me to sneak out," Tala countered. She was ashamed by so many things. She hadn't sensed the presence of her pack so close to home. While she was happy and pleasantly surprised by their arrival, she'd let herself get caught up in the heat of the moment with Drew and failed her pack in the process. She should have been there to greet them when they arrived. She'd failed Drew in not being honest with her father about him. A braver wolf would have stood her ground. She'd been so certain of her feelings about Drew. But, her words had burned to ash on the tip of her tongue in the presence of her father. She'd wronged Drew and shamed both him and herself. "I wouldn't want you to startle someone and get something valuable bitten off."

"The best plan would be for you to admit our relationship to your father. Then we won't have to sneak at all," Drew said. Yes, his worldview was limited. And he had no experience with doting fathers or princess daughters. Tala was an adult. A woman. And that she'd cowered to her father didn't sit well with him. It was ludicrous.

He led Tala through the woods. Carefully picking out a path. He wanted to spend the rest of the moonlit night on the bluffs alone with her. Her body draped around him like the finest silk cloth. Holding her and loving her until the dawn broke through the horizon. "You are a grown woman are you not? Do you not have the right to make your own decisions about your life?"

"Unfortunately, its not that simple, Drew. My father is the Pack Master. Everything I do has an impact on him. It could endanger his life. He's not a young man. He's fought hard to keep his title. I worry about him. Obedience is not an option, Drew. Not in this. My life doesn't belong to me. It never has. I live for my pack. I live for him. I always have, Drew." Tala followed Drew to the edge of the woods and out onto the open space of the bluffs. The partiers were gone and the field quiet. Filled with the earthy, pungent scent of smoldering logs from the bonfire.

Tala didn't really care about her things. She wanted an excuse to be alone with Drew. But, her father would raise a suspicious eyebrow if she came home empty handed. Maybe, if she hurried and left the bluffs just before sunrise, she could make it to the compound and throw a few things in a bag to get him off the trail that would lead straight to Drew.

She felt completely powerless and stupid. A thirty-five year old woman should not be subject to anyone's desires but her own. She should not have to answer to her 'daddy' like a little girl. She yielded to the gentle tug on her hand and sank to her knees at Drew's side. The bluffs were a sacred place and bathed in moonlight, as they were, gave them an eerie beauty.

"Could your father force you to choose a mate?" Drew asked. He stretched out on his back and eased Tala into the crook of his arm. Together they stared up at the stars and distant planets so far out of the grasp of their joined hands.

"The practice isn't unheard of. But, it is rare. He'd rather I make my own choices. Just as long as the end result of my choices are in line with what his are for me." Tala's voice was hinged with sarcasm and bitterness as she spoke. "Love is nice. Love is what I want more than anything. But, it has very little purpose in my world, Drew. I should have warned you."

"But, you wouldn't make that choice for yourself? Your father's dream for you isn't what you want for your life is it?" He shifted his weight and leaned over her on one elbow. The fingers of his free hand traced the gentle slopes and curves of her face.

"No. I don't. It terrifies me. My mother died in childbirth. Bringing me into the world. I grew up watching my father suffer the loss. I can't. I don't want to have children, Drew. Not now. Maybe, not ever. Not with a man I don't love. And if I did chose a mate I truly loved, as my mother did my father. How could I take the chance of having his child and leaving him behind alone to raise it?"

"But that's not your only reason is it?"

"I used to think so," Tala answered. The light tracing of his fingers across her lips, so soft and gentle sent butterflies dancing in her stomach. Her toes curled in her boots at his touch. She wanted so much. Maybe, expected too much out of this life she'd been given.

"But," Drew coaxed. He needed to hear her say it. If nothing else she could admit the way she felt to him, even if she could never admit it anyone else.

"I've already done the unthinkable, Drew. I've fallen in love." Tala's heart pounded as the confession tumbled from her lips. Drew's fingertip paused at the edge of her jaw. His eyes darkened. And his lips descended on hers in a wild and desperate kiss.

He had the words he'd longed to hear. And he swallowed them up as they fell from her lips like stars from the heavens. Kissing her, Drew cursed the worlds that separated them. And he despised the fact that he was a part of both of them. "Tala, tell me what to do. Tell me how I should be. You love me. And for some reason, that scares the hell out of me. Why?"

Tala's hands reached up to caress Drew's chest. The moonlight glistened off his bare flesh so smooth beneath her hands. "You already know, Drew." She tipped her chin and kissed him again. Their tongues danced in a wild frenzy, her back arching into him as he stroked a path down her body. "This guy I love. He's sexy as hell. And when he kisses me..." she licked her lips in eager anticipation, preparing for another kiss. "The moon and the stars..." Gasping, she opened her mouth to accommodate the invasion of his tongue as he pressed his mouth to hers.