Fire Wolf: CINAED (New Scotia Pack Book 3)

• Title Page
  
• CHAPTER ONE
  
• CHAPTER TWO
  
• CHAPTER THREE
  
• CHAPTER FOUR
  
• CHAPTER FIVE
  
• CHAPTER SIX
  
• CHAPTER SEVEN
  
• CHAPTER EIGHT
  
• CHAPTER NINE
  
• CHAPTER TEN
  

FIRE WOLF

Cinaed

New Scotia, Book 3

Victoria Danann

Copyright 2016 Victoria Danann

Published by 7
^th
House Publishing

Imprint of Andromeda LLC

Read more about this author and upcoming works at
VictoriaDanann.com

CHAPTER ONE

Before the end of a full year, the remainder of the wolf people of the Elk Mountain tribe came to regret staying behind, none more than their new leader, heir apparent, Windwalker, son of Stalkson Grey. He had stayed out of moral obligation so that those left wouldn’t be without any leadership. Thankfully, little by little they began to see that proponents of the move had been right. About everything.

Every day humans came closer, removing timber right up to the boundaries of the Elk Mountain reservation. The wolf people found it appalling that the reason why nature’s beauty was being defaced and replaced was often for second homes.

That was not the only front on which they were threatened. Corporations had both politicians and lawyers hard at work trying to find ways to revoke the centuries-old reservation land grant. Win saw the writing on the wall. As his father and the elders had predicted, eventually they would either find a way to do it
legally or simply take the land. It wouldn’t be the first time such a thing had occurred.

Every couple of months, Win got word from his father, usually delivered by the demon, Deliverance. Everyone thought that the friendship between Stalkson Grey and the demon was beyond odd, but friendship is no more a respecter of persons than is love.

Deliverance would drop in, literally, and say something like, “Your pops says he misses you and that there’s plenty of room if you
can get the rest to change your mind.”

Win would say, “Next time you see him, please say we miss him, too, and we’re working on it.”

That was what he would say until the day when he said, “Please tell my father that the Elk Mountain stragglers would like very much to join our sisters and brothers. What do we need to do to make that happen?”

Deliverance grinned broadly simply because he knew the news would please the old werewolf king and, for reasons beyond his understanding, he cared about Stalkson Grey’s happiness.

“Be prepared to bring only what you can carry,” he said. “If you tell me when, I will ask people to help with transport. My daughter and granddaughter. Maybe an angel or two. I don’t know. We’ll get ‘er done.” He cocked his head at Win. “Do you say ‘get ‘er done’ or is that somebody else?”

“I, ah, do not usually say ‘get ‘er done’, but I understand the concept and won’t object if you’re partial to the expression.”

“I’m not. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what the Romans are doing, if you know what I mean.”

Win looked confused. “I really don’t.”

Deliverance made an exasperated noise. “Son of Stalkson Grey, try to focus. When do you want to go?”

“Is a week too soon?”

The demon laughed. “No. I was a little anxious thinking you might say right now, only because I’m not fully fueled. A week is good. What’s today?”

“Wednesday.”

“Ah, perfect. Hump day.” Deliverance smiled. “One of my favorites. My fellow mules and I shall arrive at nine sharp on the next hump day. Any questions?”

“Will you ask my dad if there’s something in particular he wants us to bring?”

The demon shrugged. “That will mean making another trip back here before go day.”

“Well, yes…”

“That’s asking a lot, don’t you think? I don’t like being taken advantage of.”

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to…”

“Never mind. Your presumption is already forgiven. Groveling will not be necessary in this case.”

“Thank you?”

“Righty-oh,” said the demon, using old-fashioned jaunty slang as he disappeared like vapor on a desert wind.

Win was surprised how few requests had been made for the transport of things from his world. He took that as a sign that the wolf people were every bit as content as his father’s messages had implied. One of the exceptions was the request that came from his cousin on his mother’s side.

Cinaed, or Ken, as most people called him, had asked for books. Specifically, science books regarding everything from agriculture to animal husbandry to land and water management. Liulf had frowned when Ken put in his request, reminding him that they had agreed to restrict both development and use of technology.

Ken had been quick to point out that science offered a world of applications that had nothing to do with warfare, things that supported peace and productivity. Liulf believed that if Ken could persuade him, he would be able to make a case before the Council. If it came to that.

Members of New Elk Mountain had been even busier than their counterparts in Loti Dimension. Whereas the shifters being transported in the second wave exodus only had to decide what material thing was most important, New Elk Mountain tribesmen had a week in which to prepare for the doubling of their population.

Of course new housing couldn’t be constructed in that time, but everyone was prepared to host guests until the settlement could be expanded to accommodate the new arrivals. Other colonies donated blankets, food, and lamp oil to help friends and lay the groundwork for a friendly peace with the newcomers.

Luna had jumped in to organize and make sure that everyone had a place to sleep. In all the excitement, it didn’t escape Stalkson Grey’s notice that she was exceptionally anxious. She jumped when he approached silently from behind and encircled her in his arms.

“What troubles you, mate?” he said.

“What makes you think I’m troubled?”

He gave her a little squeeze. “Don’t play your games of female wiles. I know every one of your moods.” He kissed the top of her head. “And your expressions.” He kissed the top of her shoulder. “And your tone of voice.” When he nuzzled into her neck, she let out a little squeal followed by a giggle. “So tell me now. I know other places that reap more than…”

“Alright!” she said and squirmed until she turned around in his arms and faced his breast bone. “I didn’t have a chance to get to know the others. We met and,” she glanced up for a second, “fell in love. Then we moved here right away. What if they don’t like me?”

Stalkson Grey’s chest rumbled as he barked out a laugh. “Not like you? Then we’ll have to build a new facility to house the insane.”

“I’m serious.”

“As am I. Everyone loves you, Luna. Perhaps they were standoffish in the beginning, but that didn’t last long. Right?”

“Right.”

“So don’t worry. You’re alpha’s mate, the most powerful female in all the land.”

She smirked. “You mean except for the other alpha’s mates.”

“When I say
the
land, I mean
our
land.”

“I see.”

He ducked down to look her in the eyes. “I hope you do. No worries.”

“Okay.”

“No worries?”

She rolled her eyes. “No worries.”

“What I like to hear.” He looked around the clinic. “There’s nobody here. You want to play healer and…”

She laughed and slapped at him. “Get out of here. I’m trying to get ready for a population explosion.”

He sighed. “The burden of leadership.”

“Don’t make fun of me. You’re not the only one with responsibilities.”

“No fun intended. Promise.”

“Ha.”

He smacked her on the derriere playfully. “I was commiserating.”

“You were being an ass.”

He smiled wolfishly. “You mean I was being an ass man.”

She pointed to the door. “Out. I have work to do.” He pouted and gave her puppy dog eyes that almost made her relent. “Here’s the deal. You go peaceably now and tonight I’ll put on the red lace teddy you like so much...”

“Okay. Going.”

“Later.”

“Count on it,” he growled as he cleared the door.

CHAPTER TWO

That is how it came about that on hump day hence, excitement could hardly be contained among the populations of both Elk Mountain and New Elk Mountain. Never was a community more eager and elated by the prospect of being reunited with friends and family.

It was a beautiful sunny day. The air was clear and just cool enough to serve as notice that winter wasn’t far behind.

New Elk Mountain looked more and more chaotic as the number of new wide-eyed immigrants swelled. Stalkson Grey waited anxiously knowing that Win and his family would be last to leave and last to arrive. He suspected that he knew what NightCloud would be carrying in her arms; his first and only grandchild, a nine-month-old named Grey.

True enough, Cloud arrived right behind Win carrying a cute little fellow who clung to his mother, but looked around with intense and intelligent eyes.

The king embraced his son, patting him on the back roughly. When he pulled away, he let himself take the measure of Grey.

“Hello, Cloud,” he said, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek. “May I?’ He held his hands out to his grandson to come to him. Grey didn’t shrink back. A tiny baby frown formed on his forehead for a minute while he made up his mind about the stranger.

The king stood stock still, but kept his hands out, waiting. At length the child made up his mind and practically leapt in the direction of his grandfather.

Stalkson Grey laughed. “Not only extraordinarily handsome, but an excellent judge of character as well.” He looked over his shoulder to find Luna. “Luna! Look at my grandson! His name is Grey.”

She laughed. “I heard.” To Cloud she said, “Welcome to your new home. We’re so glad to have you.”

While Luna was welcoming Cloud, Win looked proud enough to burst the seams of his shirt.

“And who’s this?” Stalkson Grey nodded toward the young woman standing behind Cloud.

“This is Cloud’s niece, Starfire. She’s been with us for a while.” Win pulled her forward for introductions without saying why she’d come to them. He didn’t want to make the situation awkward for her by mentioning that her parents had been killed or reopen the wound.

“Starfire is a wonderful name,” Luna said. “Come to the house. We didn’t know to expect you, but we have room.”