Silver Moon: Bk. 02 Ch. 02

All sexual relationships are 18+. Enjoy.

*****

While she was resting she felt Arthur wandering around and feeling rather confused. She didn't know why but felt he needed to talk to someone. Amariah gently nudged him in their direction since he was from Dan's country. When he was close enough she would wake Dan so he knew the man was nearby. Beyond that she was simply going to relax and enjoy the human world.

Arthur felt rather bad for leaving Helda that way but he simply had to get away for a while and think. His nice comfortable world had been tossed into a blender and for the moment he didn't know which end was up. When he had originally come here he had expected to be in a hotel, spend a few days working with the new Alpha and go back and file his report. Since there was a new Alpha he had expected some extra paperwork which was normal. They, his country, was very careful to keep track of the more dangerous non-humans and that included changes in leadership of the packs.

The first day had been okay even though he had rather expected to have a headache. Dan definitely wasn't what he had expected as a wolf and an Alpha as well. It had quickly gone down hill from there as Dan started talking about everything that was going on. It had turned into what was going to be a political nightmare for him and his country. Dan wasn't from this world, that still boggled his mind, had pups scattered everywhere, wasn't quite a lycan anymore as well as all the other lovely things he had told him.

Hell just his being a clan lord in the Silver Kitsune clan was enough to cause problems. Now he had a mate who was apparently related to the Red Kitsune clan which they had little contact with. The country the Red Kitsune clan was in was rather a mess since their politics were rather messy. Over the last fifty or so years he knew of at least three assisinations of senior officials. The country was nominally ruled by an emperor who was nothing more than a spoil brat. The kitsunes tended to stay to themselves as well. There were lycan's there but they, to the best of his knowledge, had been beaten into submission.

What sort of impact Dan was going to have going down there with his soon to be mate couldn't even be measured. Just looking back at the last few days and his experience with Dan indicated he tended to cause change standing still. If he actually managed to organize this 'counsel of wolves' he was working on it was going to change a number of things. As of now he was related or connected to two Kitsune clans, the wolf packs in two countries, and who knew what was going to happen with the wolf spirit. If Dan became any sort of senior member of that tribe that would connect him with virtually the entire west coast.

"Gods why me? I was happy where I was and doing what I was." That was most definitely a mutter since he was now a kitsune himself and was told he was probably going to be the mate of Helda. To be honest that was freaking him out more than anything else. He had been a bachelor for most of his adult life and didn't mind it. There had been a few ladies that he had spent time with but they were mostly friends.

It was about then that he was getting close to where Dan was. He didn't know Dan was near and was simply enjoying all the plant life growing around the springs. Arthur knew that it had to be maintained and groomed but it looked very natural. He had noticed others wandering as well and traded a few nods and greetings. Maybe finding one of the private or smaller springs and soaking would help since he was feeling tense at the moment.

Amariah gently nudged Dan and he started coming out of his talk with his wolf. That rather confused her since she was a spirit Kitsune. Yes she could change forms but didn't have the human side that he and the Kitsunes here had. She was still curled up on his chest and was quite comfortable at the moment.

Dan opened his eyes and stretched though he was careful not to disturb the little fox. He was still rather bemused by her having appeared and taking up residence on his chest. Dan could tell she was a spirit and not human and she was only the second spirit he had really seen. The first two he wasn't sure he could really consider as having seen them since he had been trounced by one. That and he had frankly been in shock. While laying there contemplating her he heard Arthur muttering and he didn't sound very happy. "Hey Arthur everything okay? Well other than waking up not sure who you are now?"

Arthur was surprised when he heard Dan call out since he had been heading to Lady Mari's suite to see her and their babies. "Um..." He didn't really know how to answer that. When he stopped in front of the spring Dan was apparently in he noticed it was set for privacy. "If you aren't busy would you mind if I came in? I really need to talk to someone and I have a feeling you would understand better than most."

Dan considered snorting but could tell that Arthur was being honest and really did sound like he needed to talk. "Sure come on in and if you want strip down and soak some of your problems away." He tossed a towel across his groin since he was nude at the moment and didn't want to make Arthur uncomfortable.

Arthur slowly walked in and though he noticed the little fox on Dan's chest he simply ignored it. He turned away and stripped before sliding into the water and leaned back. "How the hell do you do it Dan? Deal with all the changes that seem to keep getting tossed at you?" Frankly he felt tired and abused at the moment and it could be heard in his voice.

That Dan did snort at. "I would say by now I have become sort of numb but that isn't really the answer you are looking for. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer that I can give you." He contemplated the water and decided to join him. "Okay little one time for you to move. I am going to soak in the water." He ruffled her ears as she yawned and nipped at his finger. "Oh, I see how it is. I have to have permission to pet the ears huh?" He picked her up off his chest and settled her on the chair.

He slid into the water and leaned back and sighed. "I really am not sure how to answer that in a way that is right for you. Part of it is because I have been around for so long and seen so many changes. When I was growing up we had horses and wagons. There wasn't any such thing as electricity or computers. Hell nobody had even really considered flight at that point. Over the years I watched all that being created, fought in a number of wars, and even taking over the pack I called over." As he was talking he opened the fridge and pulled out a beer waved it at Arthur. Once he took it Dan pulled out another.

"So instead of me sitting here and speaking about things that might not have any relevance to your problem ask or tell me what is going on." He was wrapped up enough in his own issues at the moment that he really hadn't considered what might be going on with Arthur. Or a better way of putting it was in general he had since it had just been this morning he had been changed. Further implications hadn't really come to mind due to what had been happening with Dan.

Arthur listened to Dan and that sounded so strange but wolves tended to live a long time. When Dan finally finished speaking Arthur had to pause to gather his thoughts. "Well there are a number of questions I do have but Helda sort of tossed me for a loop. We did go to her place and talked." He took a sip of the beer before continuing. "Did you know that the most common reason for a non-Kitsune to receive a tail is when they mate one?" He figured Dan was smart enough to catch the hint.

Dan listened to him and then had to blink since that was so out of the blue. "Um, never really thought..." He sat up and turned and looked at Arthur as the implications hit. "Oh... Oh my that wasn't something I had really thought about or knew. I received my tail when I was introduced to the spirits. Mari I knew was going to be Geoff's mate so didn't consider that." Pam was going to be his mate as well and he had learned that before he came up.

He scratched his beard as he leaned back and tried to organize his thoughts. "Um, well crap, I am really not sure what to say about that." That definitely tossed Dan for a loop and when he tried to contact Alysson he received a feeling she was busy and not to be disturbed. He sighed and took a drink of the beer. "What do you think about it?" Dan needed a few moments to gather his thoughts.

Arthur sighed as well since he was hoping for a better answer from Dan. "I don't really know. It was completely out of the blue. You know rather like a slap in the face when you aren't expecting it. Just sort of bam and then shock." He leaned back a bit more and was glad the spring wasn't to hot so they could soak and talk for a while.

Dan couldn't help but shake his head. "Let me ask that question a bit differently. Completely ignoring all the political crap that is likely to come up due to your job what do you think of Helda?" Dan liked her as a person and enjoyed talking to her though they hadn't spent much time with each other.

Arthur frowned. "I am going to sound so analytical when I say this. First she is a very lovely woman. I couldn't help but appreciate her looks yesterday. Second she felt comfortable to be around. I knew that I could be myself and she wouldn't judge me. Third she was very enjoyable in bed last night. It has been a while for both of us but she was very relaxed about it." He drank more of the beer. Arthur wasn't going to get drunk but it did help some.

Dan had to grin. "I don't want any sort of details but you have to admit they are very enjoyable in bed. I have had a few encounters with the Kitsunes and greatly enjoyed them." He finished his beer and pulled out another and opened it. "So as far as her potentially being your mate what are your thoughts?"

Arthur smiled but didn't say anything. It simply wasn't in his make up to comment on his encounters. "Well at least one encounter I know of and when is she due?" He had to needle Dan a bit since he felt this was somewhat his fault. If Dan hadn't flown him up this wouldn't have happened. "Totally confused. I am a bachelor and have been for ages and being mated never really crossed my mind. Not saying I was celibate but my work rather is my life. I enjoy it and meeting new people and never really noticed anything lacking in my life."

He took a sip and was glad Dan hadn't spoke when he paused. "As far as a mate every time I try and think about it my thoughts skitter away. I think there has been to much dumped on me today and my brain is overloaded. I need to think about it but I know that we have to go back in just a couple of days. That makes it more difficult since I have to deal with the audit, attend the introduction of your pups, try and deal with my being changed and accepted into the clan, and finally being told that I am probably going to be Helda's mate."

Dan contemplated what he had to say and nodded. "I do understand Arthur. I would have to suggest that you talk to Alysson and Jon first and then Helda. I wish I had a good answer for you but I don't. Nothing is set in stone since the future is mutable and this is going to require you to think about what has happened. It is a personal issue at the center and you have to make the decision on how you want to handle it."

Arthur mentally sighed since he had known that but he had been trying to avoid thinking about it that way. "That is true though it doesn't really help me. I think I am going to go to my room, get a bit to eat and I will see you later." He climbed out of the spring and after drying off dressed and left the area.

~~~

Dan eventually headed back to the suite they had been assigned. As he was getting out of the spring the little Kitsune seemed to wake up and with a twitch of her tails she jumped into the air and vanished. He had to roll his eyes. "You are welcome for using my chest as a napping spot." Dan called out after she vanished.

When he arrived back at the suite Pam and Gettie were there talking at the table. "Afternoon ladies and I hope you had a good nap Pam." He leaned over and gave her a good kiss before sitting down. As soon as he walked in Gettie started pulling his lunch out of the fridge and brought it over. "Oh my, that sandwich smells lovely." Dan closed his eyes and inhaled. "Pastrami, dry salami, smoked turkey, and lots of cheese. I might just take Pam up on her suggestion and kidnap you."

Pam frowned at him. "If I remember rightly I said no kidnapping her since I don't want any competition for your attention." She knew better but had to tease him. Just for good measure she lightly kicked him in the leg. "Gettie do you have an oversized fox house I can use? Someone might be sleeping outside tonight."

Gettie simply smiled as the two bantered. "I hope you enjoy the sandwich. Alysson would like to talk to you this afternoon and Paulo and Sylvia will be here for dinner." She was debating on what to make for them and was strongly considering having the kitchens make it. That was going to be a great deal of food and trying to cook it in a normal kitchen was going to be a pain.

Dan nodded. "I rather figured she would be wanting to see me but thanks." As he was eating the little kitsune appeared and sniffed in the direction of his food. Dan glowered at her. "My food and I bite." Just for good measure he took another bite and made pleased noises as he chewed it.

Pam couldn't help but smile at the little Kitsune. "Oh you are darling. Why don't you come here and I will hold you and keep you safe from the mean old wolf." Just for good measure she snitched a piece of meat that had fallen from Dan's sandwich and offered it to the fox.

Amariah sneezed in Dan's direction and padded over to Pam and hopped in her lap. When she was offered the piece of meat she delicately took it and munched it down. Just for good measure she started to bring one tail up and point it at Dan.

He growled at her. "Zap me again and I will get you. Just remember you wouldn't make a snack for my wolf." When she did try to zap him he ducked and snickered. Gettie shrieked and then called Dan names in Kitsune.

"Damn you Dan that hurt. Next time make sure she is pointing her tail in a safe direction." She was rubbing an ear and frowning at him. When she looked at Amariah she frowned as well. "And you young lady control your tails. If needed I will send you back for further lessons." When Amariah lowered her ears Gettie nodded.

Dan had to debate between laughing and feeling bad. Eventually he went with the second option. "Sorry Gettie I didn't even consider what would happen if I ducked the zap. I will do my best though why I seem to have attracted a little stinker I am not sure." He eyeballed Amariah who had settled down and was looking like she was asleep again.

Gettie chose not to say anything since it wasn't her place. "Lady Alysson might be able to give you an answer so you will need to ask her." Once Dan was done eating she stood and took the dishes. "She did say anytime would be fine." Her ear was still tingling and she was feeling a bit grumpy and snippy.

Dan rolled his eyes. "Thanks and I think I will go and see her now. Might as well get it out of the way." He stood and gave Pam a kiss. "See you later and if you see Arthur tell him I will look for him later unless he is busy." He wasn't going to mention what Arthur had told him since that was his personal business.

~~~

Since the door to her office was open Dan walked in and settled down in a chair. "What did you need to see me about Alysson? Arthur and Helda or something else?" He took the cup of coffee her assistant handed him before he had left the room and closed the door behind. Dan really hoped it wasn't anything major or he might just sneak out of the manor and go home and hide.

Alysson smiled when he walked in and settled down. "As far as Arthur and Helda that is something they need to work out before I can really say anything. What I wanted to talk to you about is the Grey Wolf Chief is going to be here shortly with his mate and daughter. He has asked to speak to you at some point today. I figure this might take a day or two and I know you need to get back before the moon. If needed you can be flown to their territory to finish the talks but since this is neutral territory as far as this goes I hope not."

Dan had to agree with that. "Great. Do you know when he is going to be here? How formal are they? Helda is working on my new robes currently and I don't want to insult them by dressing up or down too much." It was silly but appearance was very important in things like this. If you dressed one way they might think you are a snob and full of yourself. Another way and you could be seen as not taking the issue serious enough. It was also possible to indicate they weren't worth your time as well. He didn't need anything like that currently.

She shrugged slightly. "For now I would go with some nice slacks, shoes, and shirt. Wear your jewelry as well since it indicates your rank and affiliation. Have Pam do the same as well since they are going to need to meet her as well." Alysson contemplated the ceiling for a moment. "They are going to be here close to dinner time. I will have one of the small dining rooms set aside for you."

Dan sighed. "That might be for the best. In a way it would be considered neutral ground where if we met in one suite or the other it could indicate a sign of strength or weakness." He hated politics but having been Alpha for so long he wasn't to bad with them. "I will talk to you later Alysson."

~~~

Once he arrived back at the suite he settled on the couch. He could tell the ladies were in the suite and guessed they were in the bathroom based on the sounds. As he was sitting there he frowned and then groaned. "Damn it I was going to have dinner with Sylvia and Paulo. I completely forgot and am going to have to reschedule. Damn, damn, damn."

*Paulo it is Dan. I am so sorry but something came up and Pam and I are not going to be able to eat with you this evening. Business and all that lovely stuff.* Dan even sounded ticked mentally as he contacted the boy.

Paulo paused what he was doing and shook his head. *I understand Dan though we would really enjoy having a meal with you.* He mentally sighed. *I do need to talk to you before you leave sir.* He was going to ask to be allowed to stay here. Paulo liked living here and already had a small place picked out for when they were old enough to be on their own. Mari had been very helpful in arranging that.

Dan really wasn't surprised that Paulo wanted to talk to him. *Come hell or high water I will talk to you and Sylvia before we go back. I will also ensure that we have a dinner together as well. I will have Gettie take care of the planning. Later son.*

He stood and walked into the bathroom and he was right and wrong. He had assumed that Pam was bathing and Gettie was simply talking with her. Actually both were in the tub, one at each end, and looking quite relaxed. "Hmm, mind if I join you?" He was already stripping down and after nudging Pam slightly slid down behind her and pulled her back against his chest.

She squeaked slightly when he came into the bathroom and started to strip down. "Dan there are ladies in here." Pam winked at Gettie as well. "Granted you have seen both of our bodies but still have some respect." She did lean back against him and after a slight wiggle sighed in contentment. "I have to admit I do like having you in my life. This is so much more relaxing than bathing alone."

Gettie snickered slightly. "I see how it is, you just want to get one more look at a former lover huh?" She pretended to cover her chest up with her arms and laughed when she got growled at. "You are looking a bit tense Dan. Do you need anything?" She might be relaxing in the tub with them but she was still their assistant.