Lone Wolf Rising (Paranormal Romantic Thriller) (The Winters Series) (12 page)

'You have no choice.
  The Authority is our best option at the moment.  They will help us rebuild and give us strength for the coming challenges.'
  Rebecca could taste the bitterness with each word her wolf spoke.

“If I were you, I would work on creating a loyal pack as quickly as you can.
  The rogues may be an answer to an unsung prayer.”  The elf said as he gave her a dusty old book simply titled, ‘Rules’  His voice sounded almost like a song on the wind, light and ethereal.   “You’ll also be expected to uphold and follow these laws.”  His eyes and voice changed instantly and reminded her of a crack of thunder as he relayed the warning. 

The book was thick, at least 300 to 400 pages long.
  “Seriously?”  The three stood with deadpan stares.  Rebecca quickly leafed through the pages and glanced at the small print.  “And if I accidentally break one of these rules?”

Francesco shrugged, “The rules are our laws.  What happens when you break the law in the human world?”

Rebecca’s heart sank another level, fear taking hold.  This was fast becoming a nightmare.  It seemed turn after turn; her life was met with turmoil and stress.  Why couldn’t things be easy for once?  She wanted to scream that question to the wolf, but the alpha inside her seemed to be the only thing keeping her together.

“I know it seems we’re setting you up to fail, but you have your grandmother, who’s one of the most powerful witches I have ever had the pleasure of meeting," There was a pass of affection that slid behind Francesco’s eyes for
 the briefest of moments; Rebecca caught it and shivered, "and I’ll also assign Lucky to you, to help you get started.”

“No bodyguards.”
  Rebecca crossed her arms over her chest, her defensive body language matching her words.  The seventeen year old human would have jumped at the chance to have a protector, but not her alpha.

“No, Lucky will act more as
 guide than guard.”  His voice was dismissive, ending the argument that began to formulate in Rebecca’s mind. 

“Guide or
 spy?”  Rebecca countered.  They were back to volleying the ball and it was fast becoming a habit between them.  He may have thought his tone was enough to end the argument but she was not satisfied, fear was a strong motivator.

“Enough!”
  Francesco's voice boomed throughout the small room.  “We don’t need another Authority scandal.”  He turned angry eyes Rebecca’s way daring her to defy him further.  Apparently he was not happy with the game of words they shared.  “Your alpha, no matter the host, has always seemed to enjoy bucking authority.  But it ends here and now.  Do you understand me?”  

Something; her wolf most likely, told her to back down.
  Even Francesco’s two sidekicks shrank back at the tone in his voice.

“Okay, what do I have to do?”
  Rebecca decided it would be smarter to live to fight another day so she resigned to the situation.  Somehow she would have to figure out how to get out of this position without losing her life, because frankly, she had become rather attached to it despite the sadness that seemed to be drawn to it.

“Simple,” Francesco handed her a golden dagger, hilt side towards her.
  “I will swear you in and you will sign in blood.” 

The elf handed Rebecca a bowl and the leprechaun handed her a feathered quill pen and a contract written on old parchment paper.
  The paper smelled of lemon and skin and she was tempted to ask what animal died to make the scroll.  Instead she bit her tongue and asked, “Do I get a copy of this contract?”

“That can be arranged.
  For now, take a few moments to read it.  It’s a standard Authority contract.  You agree to be a part of our monthly meetings, agree to participate in all law making and changes.  You’re expected to appear when summoned by any member of the Authority high council.  You may also be called in to sit on a “judges” panel for various issues when cases come to court.  You’re expected to act as a leader of the supernatural world and understand that you’re now a member of the political world in which we live.  Your utmost responsibility is to make sure you and your wolves, as well as all the supernatural world is kept secret from the human world.  Breaking this law is punishable by death.” 

"Sounds simple to me” Rebecca swallowed hard and muttered to herself as she read through the contract; everything he said was highlighted.
  There were other stipulations but nothing that seemed to sign her life away or seemed unrealistic to ask of her.  At least she hoped.   

She was obviously expected to cut her own hand to sign in blood.
  The dagger was sharp and stung as it bit into her palm.  Rebecca grimaced in pain, but made no sounds.  Then she squeezed the blood into the bowl, dipped the pen in the red ‘ink’ and signed her name on the parchment.  Her signature glowed for a moment as it sunk into the paper, like lotion into skin.   

Francesco chanted something while Rebecca signed; and as if signing in blood wasn’t enough, she felt something sting on her hand.
  “What was that?”  She asked as she felt the area of her hand that seemed to burn.

“A magical tattoo that shows everyone in the magical world you’re a member of the Authority.”
  Francesco answered as if Rebecca should have known this.  His irritation at her lack of knowledge reinforced that there would be little room for a learning curve.

“You branded me!”
  Rebecca spat angrily.  That irritation didn't stop her from voicing her own frustrations.

“It is done.”
  And as simple as that Rebecca was dismissed. 

Her angry grandmother greeted
her when she got into the hallway.  “You foolish girl; you’ve no idea what you’ve done.”  

Chapter
 Eight

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”

~
Fyodo Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
 

Rebecca 

Rebecca’s grandmother hadn’t spoken to her on the way home.  The silence was uncomfortable.  She thought better of trying to start a conversation or even mentioning the fact that her car was still at the Refuge downtown.  She could convince Savvy to give her a ride to pick up the car tomorrow.  She did, however, want to know more about the fact that she was a witch, but decided that conversation could wait until grandmother had calmed down. 

The tension in the car was miserable.  It didn’t improve when they arrived home, either, as the only thing grandmother said to her was, “It’s late, and you have studying to do before you return to school on Monday.”
  It was a clear statement that she expected Rebecca to continue with school despite the supernatural situation she suddenly found herself in.  Yet another layer to add to her already complicated life.  Without another word, or even the chance to protest, grandmother slammed her bedroom door in Rebecca’s face.

As Rebecca started up the stairs to the room she shared with Savvy a shadow crossed the French doors which led to the back yard.
  Without thought for her own safety, guided only by instinct to protect her house and family, she decided to investigate.  Instinct that was in overdrive thanks to her new alter ego.

As she peered out the window she saw her brother talking to the neighbor, Natalia.
  Rebecca sighed with relief knowing her family was safe for the night; despite the small fact she didn’t think Natalia was good enough for her brother.  Truth be told, she didn’t think anyone would be good enough for her brother.  This over-protectiveness for Hunter existed long before her decision to become a wolf.  

Big sister issues aside, what was so important for them to be meeting secretly this late?  Initially, she wanted to see if there was any sign of the strange man who stood on the street staring at her bedroom window yesterday.
  Just as she turned the knob, Savvy bounced into the room with her usual cheery demeanor.

“Let them be.  You still have to give me some explanations about what is going on.”
  Savannah’s voice stilled Rebecca’s fingers on the door knob.   

Rebecca sucked in a deep breath, planted a smile on her face and spun around on her heel towards her sister who happened to be holding out Rebecca’s car keys.

The look on Savvy’s face showed little amusement as she dropped Rebecca’s keys on the counter with a clunk.  “When were you going to tell me?”  Savannah crossed her arms against her chest.  They were identical in many ways but if one looked closely they would see Savvy was a few inches shorter and slightly more curvy than Rebecca was.

“Tell you what?”
  Rebecca’s nerves were tingling as her body prepared itself for the familiar rush of hormones flooding her body; the flight or fight response.  Unfortunately, Savvy and Hunter were the only two people Rebecca could not, or would not escape.  It was them against the world.  Even as Rebecca considered telling Savvy her secret, she was reminded by the inner voice, the wolf, 
'You’re bound by a blood oath not to tell your secret.'
  If that wasn’t enough the invisible tattoo on Rebecca’s hand began to burn, serving as a warning.  The Authority had all their bases covered; now Rebecca regretted not reading the contract she signed more thoroughly.  Maybe she should have told them she needed a lawyer to look it over.  Perhaps she could argue she signed it under duress or maybe she could argue she was only seventeen when she signed it.  Now she found herself wondering what else she agreed to with her own blood.

“Seriously?” Savvy glared at her with identical blue eyes.
  “This is the biggest news our family has had in months!  I can’t believe you haven’t told me already.” 

She knew!
  By gods, somehow she knew.  Rebecca was suddenly flooded with relief of not having to hide this secret from her sister.  “Savannah I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, it’s just…”

“What I can’t figure out is why you’ve been keeping him a secret.”
  Savvy started towards the kitchen cabinets and pulled out some tea as she turned on the tea kettle. 

“It’s simply not that easy too… wait, him?”
  Rebecca looked at her sister with confusion clearly defined on her face in the form of furrowed brows.

“Your boyfriend, silly!”  Savvy gushed with the happy news. 

Warning bells exploded in Rebecca’s head as she tried to remain calm; fitting because Savvy was making them chamomile tea.  Rebecca’s first instinct was that someone was impersonating being in a relationship with her so they could get close to the family.  Which was not that ridiculous of a thought since her entire pack was recently massacred.  Of course, Gabriel was her first suspect.  Something about him made her uneasy.  Besides, she couldn’t figure out who else would gain any benefit from telling Savvy they were dating.  “Okay, sis, I’m confused?”   

“Lucky.
  He is super cute, sis.”  Savvy grinned showing her approval.  “How else do you think I would’ve gotten your car?”

Once again the warning bells ignited in Rebecca’s mind, only this time it was for a different reason.
  Two problems suddenly became an issue.  One, “Sis you can’t just get into a car with a strange boy who tells you he’s my boyfriend.”  It puts her in danger, now more than ever before, not that she could say that out loud.  “What if he was a rapist or murderer, or something else?”

“Okay, paranoid much?”
  Savvy asked, irritation beginning to show on her face and around her eyes.

It was in that moment that Rebecca realized
Savannah was making three cups of tea.  “Savvy who is…”

“Hi
, baby.”  Lucky chose that moment to come into the room and immediately wrapped his arm around Rebecca’s waist.  He must have seen the confusion swimming in her eyes because one moment he was pulling her close and the next he crushed his mouth against hers.  Rebecca could not lie; she had imagined what it would be like to kiss him.  He was handsome and gentlemanly and all, not to mention how protective he was.  While her wolf found that irritating her human side found it flattering.  But her imagination couldn’t have prepared her for the intensity of the kiss.