To Love a Stray Ch. 11 Pt. 02

"All we can do for the moment is wait and see how things turn out, if Edwin does move back here. Then decide what to do," Baxter says evenly.

"Do you think Wade is going to order punishment for Rosy?" Mitchell asks worriedly.

"Isn't this enough?" Sam asks through clenched teeth.

"I'll try to talk to him over the next few days." Baxter says quietly. "After having to listen to Rosy's reaction he might be more likely to go more gently with her."

"Why the hell does he keep treating her like any other stray?" Malcolm demands. "Rosy is clan not a stray!"

"What is it with this clan? Why is everyone trying to put a label on that poor little she?" Baxter demands. "Yes she should have been born clan, but she wasn't! And from what you lot say she identifies herself as a stray. We have all heard you can't trust a female stray, first chance they get they try to eliminate all female competition. Would you Williamson boys rather your father took chances with your sister's safety?"

"I am not listening to you stand up for Wade!" I say tightly as I get to my feet. I am in no mood to listen to this conversation.

"Why don't we all go over to the workout shed?" Baxter asks. "Some good old fashioned sweating should help you all feel better."

* * * * *

It is quiet in the quarters as I walk through the screen door and along the hallway before turning to go into the sunroom and towards the bedrooms. I suspect I will find Sam and Mitchell in their room; they have been very detached from the other warriors over the last three days.

Edwin had only stayed in the cage with Rosy overnight. The next day he had emerged from the main house, got into his vehicle and driven away before any of us had gotten close to him. Sam and Mitchell had wanted to chase after him and give him a beating for going into the cage with Rosy. Luckily it had been easy to dissuade them from pursuing him, getting them to wait here in case Rosy was allowed out of the containment room.

I stop at their room and look in, I am pleased to have found them, but both of them have closed looks on their faces as they turn to look at me.

"I was just looking for you pair to tell you Baxter, Dwayne and I are about to go and speak to Wade about Rosy being allowed to return to the quarters." I tell them as I stand in their doorway.

Sam glances at Mitchell and Mitchell gives a shrug.

"Rosy should have come out of that cage by now if Edwin left of his own accord." Sam says tightly.

"I intend on finding out why she is still in there and what punishment Wade has decided to insist on." I tell them levelly.

"Our sister is locked in a cage or in a room." Mitchell snaps viciously. "Knowing what she has been through Wade is not punishing her! He is torturing her. Wasn't sending your brother in there punishment enough? Being pregnant nearly sent her crazy not too long ago."

"The Were Board of Governors isn't going to like her being a single mother and I sure as hell am not letting Edwin marry my sister even if she is pregnant to him." Sam snaps tightly.

"I'll take full responsibility for her." I say as I meet the eyes of first Sam then Mitchell. "If Rosy will have me, I'll marry her and treat any kitt as if it was my own flesh and blood."

Sam narrows his eyes and goes to speak but I beat him to it.

"This isn't about her possibly being pregnant; it isn't about righting a wrong. When ... when Rosy took off with Wade's car it hit me that I'm in love with her. Then this shit Wade has pulled sending Edwin into the cage with Rosy, it made me realise how much I love her. A kitt, if she is pregnant, if that is what Wade planned. The kitt will be Rosy's kitt, how could I not love it?" I ask seriously.

"You're a good tom Micah, but there just might be a huge problem." Sam says with a tired sounding sigh. "Mitchell and I have been talking and we think that maybe with all that has happened to Rosy she probably can't handle any tom mounting her. She never let you even try to mount her just before we left for the meeting. There were things that went on at the Alpha meeting with Connor and Kell, and we all heard her reaction to Edwin."

"You're not the only one who has wondered about that. I've heard about what happened with Rosy accidentally presenting to Connor." I admit evenly.

"It's Rosy's choice what she does once we get her out of that house." Mitchell says evenly. I eye him silently for a moment. Finding Rosy has matured his instincts quickly, Sam is a force to be reckoned with but unless I miss my guess, Mitchell will be the one not to underestimate.

"I never said it wasn't Rosy's choice." I say quietly. "So do you two want to come while Baxter tries to talk to Wade? Rosy is your sister after all."

"I'd sure as hell like to hear what Wade has to say for himself." Sam says tightly.

"There's one thing I want to get straight here and now." Baxter says just a few feet away.

I give a startled hiss and spin around to face him as Sam and Mitchell come out of their room to eye Baxter silently; suspicion evident on both their faces.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you young hot blooded toms are considering trying to overthrow Wade. Now is not the time. Jazzy is not well enough to step up as Queen to the clan. And has the Were Board made a decision about restoring territory to Rosy or are they waiting to see how she adapts to clan life?" Baxter asks evenly. "Now is not the time for a revolt. The clan would need one or both of those she-kitts in full health and not under punishment for a serious transgression."

"What makes you think we'd turn against Wade and Marissa?" Sam asks with narrowed eyes. "If it wasn't for them and Kurt Black, Mitchell and I would have most likely been victims of a hostile takeover ourselves."

"You two would not be the sons of Jeddah Black if you were willing to accept what has happened lying down. Not to mention you Micah, you're too much like your mother's father not to want to right this." Baxter says evenly. "The plan for now is to go over there and I talk to Wade, negotiate his letting Rosy come back here."

"We go and see about getting Rosy back home." I agree quietly.

"That's all I need to hear." Baxter cuts in quickly. "If Wade asks me in the future if I heard any of you talk about possible trouble from this I can honestly say all I have heard is mutterings against Edwin."

When Baxter turns and heads for the hallway I hesitate a moment as I glance at Sam and Mitchell before turning and following Baxter. I hear both of them follow and I smile savagely to myself. Having Rosy's brothers with us will carry a lot of weight in bargaining with Wade.

Outside Baxter is waiting with Dwayne and he moves to walk beside me as I head for the main house. It is obvious Wade has been waiting for us when he steps from the front door and walks to the yard fence. Cantrell Yates and Mal Inness follow him to stand back behind him.

Was Wade expecting trouble? Cantrell and Mal are certain to be backing for him in case of trouble from within the ranks of his own clan I realise instantly. Suddenly I am glad Baxter is here with his steadying influence and knowledgeable advice.

"Mal, Cantrell." Baxter says on a friendly note and steps up to the fence to offer his hand to the two visiting Alphas.

"Baxter." Wade says sounding slightly reserved.

"Wade." Baxter gives a quick nod and glances towards the house door as if expecting someone else. "Sam and Mitchell here are looking for their little sister; they said she should be out of the cage by now."

I hear a low growl come from Mitchell and glance behind me, Sam has placed a hand on Mitchell's shoulder and Dwayne is stepping closer on the other side.

"Rosy was charged over several serious crimes and I have ruled on her punishment." Wade says tightly and I immediately sense we are not going to like the punishment he has decided on by the way he has crossed his arms and is glancing between us.

"Why weren't we told so we could see her and ensure she knew her rights?" Sam demands tightly.

"Kurt Black was here and spoke on her behalf." Cantrell Yates says evenly. "As it is Wade is only insisting on punishment for one of three charges and being mighty lenient at that. He could have decided on punishment and had it carried out without asking the advice of any of us."

"What punishment have you decided on?" Baxter asks cautiously as he looks towards Wade.

My heart is pounding and I can hear the low growls coming from Sam and Mitchell. I can only think of two crimes but I know Wade would have been very thorough with his charges.

"I believe Rosy had the best of intentions when she acted as she did so I am only acting on her theft of my car." Wade says evenly and I hear sharp intakes of breath behind me. We had been expecting charges over the gun or exposure of our species' existence.

"Six months in a cage and frankly if it had been me I would have been pushing for maximum sentence on her two major crimes. Female or not she acted like a feral stray that needs to be put down." Cantrell says with a hard frown.

"Six months in a cage! That will kill Rosy!" Mitchell yells in anguish.

"Micah, Dwayne." Wade says with a glare of authority over Mitchell's cry. "Take Sam and Mitchell back to the quarters and ensure they remain there until they have calmed down. Baxter I want to talk to you."

"Do as your Alpha ordered." Baxter says firmly jerking his head towards Sam and Mitchell.

Sam and Dwayne have hold of Mitchell who is struggling in their grasp; undoubtedly he wants to remove Rosy from Wade's house immediately.

"Now Micah." Baxter snaps with such authority that I forget I am head warrior and he is nothing more than an outlier.

I take hold of one of Mitchell's arms and with Sam on his other side we force him to walk back to the quarters. He is silent and I do not doubt for one moment that he is planning some attempt to remove Rosy from here.

I pause at the door of the quarters when the others are going inside and glance back towards the house. Cantrell and Mal are by the door while Wade and Baxter stand by the fence. Baxter appears to be talking as I turn away and head inside.

"...He's going to kill her that's what he's going to do!"

I hear Mitchell's angry voice before I reach the lounge room; I pause in the doorway and take in the scene before me. Sam has hold of Mitchell and he is trying to contain his younger brother.

"What the hell is going on?" Steven demands with agitation as he turns to look at me. Mikkarl and Callum are also in the lounge room glancing between the struggle going on between Sam and Mitchell, then at Dwayne and myself with growing alarm.

"He's trying to make Rosy go crazy and kill herself." Mitchell roars with anguish. Sam is finally forced to throw his brother to the floor and pin him down bodily.

"Calm down!" Sam yells at him.

"Wade has given Rosy six months in a cage." I say angrily.

"Is that all?" Steven asks in disbelief.

"Isn't that enough?" Mitchell demands angrily.

I glance his way. His face is tear stained and Sam is trying to brush his own face against his shoulder while restraining his brother. I stride over to them, push Sam aside and lift Mitchell to his feet by the front of his shirt.

"Your sister is alive and we can work on getting you and your brother in to see her." I snap angrily as I glare into his face. His mouth is opening and closing silently as he struggles in my grasp causing me to tighten my grip.

"For God's sake let him go Micah! He can't breathe when you hold him off the floor like that." Steven yells at me and I realise that both Sam and Dwayne are trying to rescue Mitchell from me. Stunned I release my grip and back up several steps as I take deep breaths.

"We all need to calm down." I manage before heading for the kitchen sink. I turn on the cold tap and splash water over my face several times before filling my cupped hands and putting the water on the back of my neck. I brace my hands on the sink for several minutes before turning the water off and turning around to face the other room.

I hear Baxter whistling a happy tune as he approaches the quarters and I am ready to grab him and shake some sense into him as I hear the screen door open and then his footsteps in the hallway.

"I got some good news for you lads," Baxter says lightly as he walks into the lounge room. "We are about to turn a bedroom in this building into the biggest cage about. Put bars on the windows and reinforce the doors so the building can be secured as necessary. Anchor points for a chain are to be put in at several places as well."

"What are you on about?" Dwayne demands beating me to the question.

"A few weeks in the cage in the secure room, a pregnancy test -- which he mentioned under his breath out of ear shot of his friends, and Rosy gets to come back here. Wade is convinced she will try to run." Baxter says as he looks around meeting our eyes. "Marissa made her feelings known over this matter while I was over there. Since Edwin is happy to go off on work assignments and leave Rosy all by herself, Marissa is spending as much time as she can with Rosy but she wants Rosy out of the cage."

"Can Mitchell and I go see Rosy?" Sam demands with a quick glance towards his brother.

"Afraid not. Wade intends that Rosy learns a healthy respect for werecat laws." Baxter says with a shake of his head.

"So he did it, he really sent Edwin into the cage?" I ask even though I know the answer. All my hopes that Wade had not enforced his decision were to no avail.

"There's no undoing it boyo." Baxter says quietly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I stand in the corner of the cage my gaze averted as Wade fastens a collar securely around my neck, locks it with a key and attaches a strong but light weight chain. He gives it a gentle tug to ensure it is secure before taking a firm hold of the chain and taking a step towards the door of the cage.

"Come on Rosy. Time for you to come out of here." Wade tells me quietly.

It has been four weeks since my heat has finished and Doc had been here yesterday to draw blood for a pregnancy test since my period hadn't arrived. I don't need to hear the results. I know I am pregnant. Edwin had come into the cage with me when I came into full heat. I refused to accept him, but he had over powered me and tied my wrists together to prevent my fighting him. My inner cat had accepted the defeat and he had mated with me until he was sated the following morning. I became very aggressive towards him and Wade had yelled orders through the door until Edwin finally left the cage after loosening the bonds on my wrists so I could remove them myself.

"Come on Rosy," Wade urges patiently and I follow him from the cage. I don't react when he hands the chain to Edwin and I am left to follow Edwin to the main part of the house.

"Is that leash and collar really necessary?" Marissa asks as she comes out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron.

"At this stage it is. I can't trust Rosy not to try to run away." Wade tells her.

Marissa sighs heavily and shakes her head. "I'm sorry but I still believe what has been done is wrong."

"Oh come on Mum, aren't you happy you're going to become a grandmother despite the fact Jazzy didn't end up pregnant?" Edwin asks.

"Thank heaven for small mercies." Wade mutters before dropping a quick kiss on Marissa's cheek. "We're just taking Rosy over to the quarters since the warriors are so keen to have her move back in there."

I follow when Edwin leads off only too happy to be out of doors once again after far too long shut up in the cage. I look around eagerly once I am outside noting how the seasons have changed in the past six weeks. I stop at the door into the quarters not wanting to have to go back inside after such a brief time, but Edwin grasps the chain inches from the collar and drags me inside knowing I will have no option but to follow.

"Alright men, I hope you have those anchorage points in like I ordered." Wade says ahead of both Edwin and me, and I hear movement in the lounge room as I follow Edwin along the hallway towards it.

"Yeah we do," I hear Sam answer.

"Where are you Micah?" Edwin demands as he all but drags me behind him. I realise with some surprise that he is not comfortable in the quarters.

"I thought I told you never to come in here!" Micah growls.

"I got a little present for you." Edwin says as he walks into the lounge room pulling me behind him on the leash. Micah starts growling and I try to stop from getting closer but Edwin is ruthless in dragging me into the centre of the room. He pulls me past himself and pushes me towards the others. I keep my head down in shame and don't look around.

"You can have her now. Give her another few months and you can take that collar off her because she'll be too heavy in kitt to run." Edwin sneers. "Even you should be able to catch her then."

"Get out of my house before I kill you." Micah snarls and I whimper as I sink down to kneel on the floor. I have nowhere to go except back to that dreadful cage.

I pull at the chain that is still attached to my collar and feel relief when Edwin releases it and I am able to gather it onto my lap.

"Micah!" Wade growls in warning.

I crawl towards Micah hoping for protection from Wade's displeasure. I am greatly relieved when Micah moves to stand between Wade and me where I crouch on the floor.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Micah I watch in disbelief as Edwin drags Rosy into the quarters on a leash and collar. She stumbles along with her head bowed and shoulders slumped. He is cocky and smart as he all but flings her towards me. I can smell her fear and distress and worry it could not be good for her in her pregnant state.

"You can have her now. Give her another few months and you can take that collar off her because she'll be too heavy in kitt to run." Edwin sneers. "Even you should be able to catch her then."

His taunt sends rage flooding through me, every instinct screams at me to protect her.

"Get out of my house before I kill you!" I warn him savagely. I am horrified when Rosy sinks to the floor and begins pulling at the chain in fear.

"Micah!" Wade growls in warning.

When Rosy crawls towards me I move to stand between her, Wade and Edwin. They brought her into my house, now it is my duty to protect her, even if that means from them.

"And I want you to leave as well! You gave him my, my she-kitt and let him breed her even though we could hear her screaming her refusal from over here when he did it! And now he comes and throws her at me like some discarded toy he doesn't want anymore!"

"You will remember that I am the Alpha." Wade snaps angrily.

"And that makes what you've done all right?" I demand. "What you allowed him to do?"

"I'll be back to talk to you in the morning." Wade tells me.

"Where's the key to that thing?" I ask angrily as I motion towards the leash and collar.

"It stays with me," Wade says firmly.

"She can't change with that on!"

"Precisely." Wade says and heads for the door.

I can only watch as Sam and Mitchell move quickly to Rosy. She is on her feet almost the instant Mitchell speaks to her, cuddling close like any frightened she-kitt. I want to protest, I want to be the one to hold her but reason dictates I give her time and space. It is a big possibility she doesn't want any tom near her after having Edwin forced on her, not to mention her earlier experiences.

I turn away to send a text message to Baxter Barnes. He'd had to return to his home and job but had asked me if once Rosy was out of the cage could he return and meet her properly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Rosy "And I want you to leave as well! You gave him my, my she-kitt and let him breed her even though we could hear her screaming her refusal from over here when he did it! And now he comes and throws her at me like some discarded toy he doesn't want anymore!" Micah growls aggressively sounding very angry.