King's Wolf

Prologue

Author's Note: This is the sequel to Wolf’s Cub—dedicated to Thyme

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Dominic stood up, his goblet in hand, Rafael and Mellisande seated to his right, Michael and Colin to his left.  Lycan stood by the doorway, his arms crossed over his impressive chest, a team of his fellow Metamorphs lined up on either side of him.  Dominic caught his eye and sent a thought to his mate.

You make a fine figure of a man in that uniform, Wolf.

I’d rather take it off and show you how much finer I look…and taste. Say your piece and then we can get to our bed, Cub.

That is King Cub to you, Wolf.

Lycan laughed. Indeed, it was his mate who looked well in his royal velvet and silk wedding finery donned for the wedding of his twin, Rafael Emory, his Heir and Prince of the First Kingdom, now Consort to the Queen Presumptive of the Third Kingdom, Mellisande Allym, of the House of Dyad.  Colin had performed the ceremony a short while ago. Now was the time for feasting and toasting, until the bridal couple was sent to their wedding bower to consummate their vows.

Dominic’s wedding gift, among various other more personal items, was to sign over to Rafael a large grant of land in the Second Kingdom, which he as eldest had inherited from their mother, the last surviving Royal of her generation. Along with the treasures that necessarily passed to the next King or Queen, there was much that could be given elsewhere, and would have, had their mother ever thought to leave a will. While Nic’s land grant and the treasure that accompanied it fell short of being the actual title of King, which Dominic did not claim for himself either, he hoped that having a beautiful home on the Kingdom, along with the title of Regent over both the First and Second Kingdoms, would be sufficient to placate Mellisande, who had not been told in advance of his intentions for that largest of the three kingdoms.

Due to the large Metamorph population, and its rough terrain, Dominic had announced his decision at his coronation that morning that at least in the Second Kingdom, the Metamorphs’ right to self-rule would be unfettered by Telepath Royalty, and Nic would be known as the Leader of the Telepaths, just as each group of Metamorphs chose their own Leader. At the wedding, he announced that whenever he was absent, Rafael would be his Regent, explaining that unlike a Beta, a Regent would be a second Alpha, ready to step in whenever the first was not there.

All that was politics, and only as much as was needed to be said for the stability of the Kingdom and to show that his brother had his full confidence as a leader was mentioned on this happy occasion. As far as ownership of all that had belonged to the Royals of the Second Kingdom, to the extent that he could transfer it, Nic did, quietly arranging with the scribes, Colin, and his father, for that property to pass to his brother instead of him, along with formally naming his brother his heir to the First Kingdom. Nic knew that taking care of all the legalities as promptly as he did was making Michael and Rafael nervous; Michael because he worried that Nic’s unusual level of conscientiousness was a portent of danger to reign, and Rafe because he mistrusted his mischievous twin. Colin, however, approved of his actions, saying it showed that Nic’s new responsibilities were sitting well on his shoulders. Nic smiled warmly and thanked him for the compliment even as he laughed inwardly at his brother’s skeptical expression.

In truth, they were each a bit right—and a bit wrong.

Nic was feeling the weight of responsibility more than he ever had during his carefree days on the island—but it was especially true now when he did foresee danger coming-- a war that he believed, deep in his soul, he could prevent from destroying his people. To do it, he had to trick his family, which he regretted, but tricking his family was something he was quite good at.

And…he might be wrong. Which would be a very nice thing. Indeed, as the old saying went that was one of the first things Colin taught Melli when she was honing her skill of being a seer, and which the twins used to tell her over and over when she was frightened by some of what she saw… sometimes a dream was just a dream.

For now though, he had only the “fun” part to finish here, and then hopefully he would be able to go to his bed—and his handsome mate. He’d been amazed at the number of people who had returned to the Emory flag once they had defeated the enemy forces of the Authority in Candone and the surrounding cities. The main palace of the First Kingdom was not a happy place for his father, and at Michael’s suggestion, they’d built a new, more strategically sound and aesthetically pleasing palace near the waterfront. The new court provided the Emory family with a lovely residence.  Citizens flocked to see the handsome new King and his family at their Court.

Dominic stood for a moment and beamed at the gathering, which included many of the higher ranking townspeople who had never joined in with the Authority. They were looking a bit askance at the large Metamorph men, but the women at least were finding that their handsomeness excused much.  None was better looking than the leader of the Wolf Metamorphs, with his long golden hair and amber eyes, his broad shoulders with such muscular arms showing in his sleeveless vest. But there were other leaders present, including only believed to be creatures of bards’ songs, such as the ancient Horse Leader, Faris, and the legendary Pelien, Elder Leader of the Mountain Cat Metamorphs. Faris sat quietly by the fire with the Elk Metamorphs, who kept the curious away, while Pelien, after a dramatic entrance with four of his strongest men, stayed mainly in the shadows and out of view of most of the humans. While he enjoyed a quiet chat about old times with the Horse Leader, Michael kept a close watch on the Cat Leader from a distance, feeling caution and curiosity warring within him. They’d met three days earlier, at Rafael’s bonding party, but he did not trust the Cat Leader, for all that such a powerful Elder would be a worthy ally; as he noted to Colin, everything that could be said in his favor as an ally would count doubly against him as a foe.

“Cats are sly,” had been Ran, the Raven Leader’s contribution, when asked, “and none more so than Pelien. You cannot risk refusing his aid, but accepting it is risky too. It is a good thing that he rarely bothers to get involved in our affairs anymore—and by that I mean the affairs of the Three Kingdoms. His cats hunt and mate and leave the rest of us to the rest of us. The Authority left them alone too.”

Dominic thought of those comments as he surveyed his guests. Pelien was watching him with an expression that was impossible to read—though that was not a surprise, he supposed. The Cat Master was ageless, and like the cat, had a natural aloofness that was just as inherent a part of his bearing, as the Dog Metamorphs who grinned and practically wagged their good cheer at him. Dominic’s own grin widened as his gaze fell on that area of the hall where the Wolf and Canine Metamorphs were standing. Some howling would start soon if he did not get things moving along, he surmised, and then there would be one angry Queen to face.

“Honored guests, dearest family,” Dominic began, aiding his voice with magic so that it reached every guest, from most honored to the lowliest maid. “I toast the beauty and wisdom of the loveliest and smartest of sisters, as well as the brilliance and courage of the most intelligent and bravest of brothers, and, simply put, the best sister and brother a man could ever have.  May the goddess bless them with long years together to share their love, many children to make us all rejoice and to run them and all our family off our legs….”

Laughter followed that comment. Dominic proceeded to speak for several minutes more, sharing anecdotes from his shared childhood with the wedded couple that made Michael and Colin shake with laughter, as Nic portrayed Melli and Rafe as the wild children, and himself as the epitome of youthful wisdom and prudence. The guests loved it, while Melli and Rafe just smiled and held hands throughout the long amusing toast.

Finally, Dominic saw his mate beginning to look impatient, so he wrapped it up with a final wish for “a life of peace and joy between all, Men, Metamorphs and Telepaths, leading to a new prosperity for all, led by our beloved Mellisande and Rafael.

“To Mellisande and Rafael!”  Dominic clinked glasses with his new sister-in-law and then bent to kiss her, before hugging his brother tightly.

“I’m so happy for you, brother,” Dominic whispered into Rafe’s ear.

“Thank you, I’m happy for me too,” Rafe grinned as he echoed his brother’s words from his now long-ago first night with Lycan. Nic laughed and hugged him again.

It was not long after that Rafael and Mellisande took leave of their guests and their family. Rafael spent a few final moments with his father while Mellisande did the same with Colin, so long her surrogate father.

“You made a beautiful bride, Melli,” Colin told her, hugging her close. 

“Colin, I have no words that could possibly express all I owe you, all you’ve done for me through the years….”

Colin held his fingers to her lips. “You have been the daughter I have been blessed by the goddess to raise. I could not have loved you more if it had been my body that gave you life.  It has been a joy to watch you grow to womanhood, and it is a joy now to see you married to a man I know will honor and cherish you as you deserve.” He bent his head and kissed her brow. “May the goddess continue to bless you, my child.”

Michael held Rafe in a close hug for several long moments. “Your mother would have been very proud of you, son.  I may not have said it enough, but I could not be more proud of you than I am today. You’ve grown into a fine man. Despite all you’ve been through, you’re on the threshold of a wonderful new life and I know it will be brilliant.”

“Father….” Rafael felt his throat tighten. He did not have Dominic’s way with words but suddenly, he felt a calm flow through him and he knew that it was all right, his father knew all that he wanted to say to him. He smiled, his love shining in his violet eyes, so like his mother’s had been, yet also so much more thoughtful, more caring, Michael thought.  Rafael would make a wonderful father.

Michael grinned suddenly. “I did dance a special dance for you and Melli at your brother’s suggestion—don’t be surprised if you have your own set of twins in nine months or so.”

“Or more than twins.” Dominic popped his head between them, putting an arm over each of their shoulders.  “I’ve heard rumors of as many as four, five at a time….”

“You’ve been listening to Lycan talk of litters, I think,” Michael told him, a grin on his face nonetheless. Rafe looked slightly nervous but accepted another hug from his brother.  Lycan walked over behind him.

“Is this always how long it takes your kind to take a mate to bed?” He looked honestly perplexed. “It is a wonder there are any of you.”

“Dominic keeps dragging things out,” Rafe told him. “You’d think he was afraid of his own bed with his mate.”

Lycan stared at Rafe for a second, and then burst into laughter. Dominic punched him in the side when he showed no signs of stopping.

“I might be a shy, retiring type,” Nic insisted. “Although I can’t quite see Melli as a shrinking violet. I think it is Rafe who might need a few more drinks. Maybe you should give him some tips, Lycan. Father’s dance has intimidated him. Maybe….”

Lycan started to pick Nic up but Rafe pulled his arms down.

“He’s the King now, you can’t just throw him over your shoulder! Guests might see!” he hissed.

Lycan looked at Michael. “I can’t?” He looked disappointed.

Michael laughed and just shook his head. Colin and Melli walking up, arm in arm, caught most of the exchange, and Colin suggested, “Maybe just not in front of his subjects.”

“I can accept that,” Lycan decided. “May the moon smile on your breeding,” Lycan said to Melli.  She raised her eyebrows but managed to say thank you. 

Lycan next slapped Rafe on the back, but before he could offer his best wishes, in his own way, he found his lips claimed by Nic.  Michael looked at Colin. “Well, that is one way to stop those awkward comments. Feel free to use it any time you see me about to put my foot in my mouth.” Colin leaned closer and kissed him. “Gladly. “ He looked at the newlyweds. “I think you should go now while you can.”

With only a few more delays, Melli and Rafe made their escape to the Royal Chamber.

Lycan pulled Dominic close. “How much longer before I can have you in my bed?”

“Not long, I promise.” Nic rested his head on Lycan’s chest, enjoying the feel of the hair that was bared in his v-necked sleeveless vest. “Don’t you enjoy dancing with me?”

“There is a different kind of dancing I’d rather be doing with you,” Lycan murmured, nipping at Nic’s ear.

“Mm, and you are very good at that kind of dancing,” Nic whispered back. “I want you tonight. And I want you to….” 

Just then, there was a slight sound by the outer rooms. Nic might have wished he could have tempted his mate to ignore it and dealt with the trouble himself, but Lycan’s head went up at once. After he listened for a couple of seconds, he signaled to Bran, which caused the Beta to lead a contingent of the Metamorphs out to check what was wrong.  He whispered to Nic who sent a telepathic message to his father.  They met near an alcove.

Michael took action immediately, shifting from genial father of the groom to Royal Assassin, Chief Guardian of the Throne and the Kingdom. His mind started devising a defense plan. “Colin, get the citizen guests out the back. Dominic, you take care of Faris and...”

“No.”

Michael stared. Dominic smiled faintly at his father but then turned to Lycan.

“There seems to be a small Authority force at the gate. Let me go speak to them, Michael.  With my own force behind me.” Nic gave a cocky grin up at Lycan. 

“Nic,” Michael said warningly. “I don’t want you going into any risky situation. This is a special occasion and we want to keep this low-key if we can.”

“Michael,” Nic said patiently. “You and Colin must make sure our people are safe—especially Faris and Pelien, though I suspect the Cat Leader can handle anything that comes his way. I will be fine. I can always teleport away if there is too much to handle.”

Michael did not like the plan but with his senses telling him also that it was only a small Authority force, he could see the point to keeping matters as low-key as possible.

“I will go with you,” Lycan growled as Nic headed in the direction that Bran and the others had gone. 

“No,” Nic shook his head. “You must guard my brother and Melli.  I do not want them disturbed and you are the best one to protect them should anything unexpected happen.” His voice was firm, harder than it had been a moment earlier.

“My job is to protect you,” Lycan said.

I need you to keep my brother safe, Wolf. He is the key to the next generation. Please do as I say, for love of me.

You know something.

I know I love you—and I trust in the goddess to bring us all through our trials. Now please, guard their chamber. And their lovemaking—it is important that they not be disturbed. This is the time the goddess has ordained for their child to be conceived—trust me on this. They must not be disturbed, and stopping them is why this force is here.

Lycan kissed Dominic one more time, a hard, quick kiss. Then he ran for the stairs that led toward the private chambers of the Royals.

For his part, Nic walked briskly to the area where the Metamorphs had willingly marched to face whatever the problem was—to fight for him. Yes, they were fighting for Lycan, the Wolf Leader, Beran, the Bear Leader, Ran, the Raven Leader, as well as all the other Metamorph groups Nic had brought beneath his banner. But he knew that in this time and place, they were facing possible danger once more, primarily for his sake, for the sake of the Emory family, and he had to be there. But he also needed to be sure that Rafe, his beloved twin and Melli, his sister of the heart, and now his brother’s wife, would have the best protection he could give them, and that was Lycan.

Nic had a sense that serious trouble had come so he was surprised to see such a small attack force at the outer gate.  They were firing at the Metamorphs who were letting them waste their arrows for the moment.  He walked up to Beran and Bran.

“They are a jolly lot, coming here for target practice when we’re having a party. I told Father, we should have invited them. Now they’re crashing the party.”

“You’re going to have to show better manners whenever you get around to making an honest man of Lycan,” Ran said, as he swooped down between them, smoothly making the transition back to man in mid-landing.  Nic always found his the most awesome metamorphosis, but Ran tended to ruin the beauty of the sight as soon as he spoke, not with his voice, which was beautifully melodic, but his words, which were as down to earth as his flight was heaven-borne. Also, his coarse words were generally accompanied by the even coarser action of spitting, which was the case now, as he directed his spit toward the attacking force.

Bran laughed. He told Nic, “Always take advice on manners from a raven, Cub.”

“Let me see if I can find out what they want. They cannot think they are doing any harm with this nonsense.”

“Be careful. Never trust these curs.” Beran stared out over the field, his big hand shielding his eyes. It was the hour before sunset and the sun was in front of them, causing a glare that made it difficult to see.

“I will go forward to talk to them. Bran, Beran, you’ve got my back. Ran, can your men keep an eye on things from a good distance high up—out of arrow range.”

“I don’t think Lycan would like this plan, nor your father,” Bran said, frowning, wishing his Leader were there.

“Lycan is doing exactly what I asked him to do, as is my father,” Dominic said, looking Bran in the eye. The older man nodded, seeing the strength and leadership that he’d always known was in Lycan’s cub.

The other Metamorph leaders also nodded their agreement with Dominic, Ran shifting into this avian form to communicate with his men, who took that as their signal to morph also.  Bran and Beran flanked Dominic.

“Hail! Cease your fire. Is there one amongst you who can speak for whomever sent you?”

“Send us your leader and we will send you ours, boy. Our leaders don’t talk to animals and children. Pretty as they might be.” There was rude laughter from the archers and Beran turned to Bran.

“Well, that is rude of them,” Nic commented lightly, untroubled by the dismissive words. He had grown up much in the past few months, Bran thought, approving of the change. He remembered when a young Lycan used to flare up at every slur aimed at his “pretty” face.  Now such remarks merely made him laugh. He even confessed to Bran once that he believed he would be sorry when they stopped, as he would know then that he was getting old.

This young leader was still many years from the day when his comely face would not attract attention of all types, Bran thought.  The Emory twins were physically as alike as two men could be, yet their Nic sent off a different aura, a sensuality that attracted the notice of men and women. Lycan kept a close watch on him when they were among other Metamorphs, making it clear that Nic was mated. Metamorphs did not usually cross a line like that unless they were deadly serious. Humans—they were a different matter altogether. Men of a certain type had no respect for another male’s bond. It was disgraceful how they would poach where they did not belong without serious intent, just for a random whim, or worse, for mischief.

Some of the men arrayed against them were looking at Dominic with lust in their eyes, and it would drive Lycan to fury if he saw it. It was ….

“Unnatural,” Beren’s deep voice pronounced it. Nic and Bran turned their heads to stare at the quiet Leader.

“What are you saying, Beren?” Nic asked, though he deepened his own awareness and now he sensed it too. The men were being manipulated. Their sexual aggression was being aroused more than their aggression to fight.  A powerful shield had hidden the size of the force from them. Strong Telepath magic was at work. His mind went to Pelien, wondering if the Cat Metamorph had anything to do with this, as Nic knew the Cat Metamorph Leader had strong Telepath power as well. He tried to recall the last time he had seen the Cat Master—it was when he was giving his toast. Had he left the hall after that? 

“They want to rape, not fight,” Beren said bluntly. “You must keep the Queen safe.”

Dominic knew now why he had the overpowering instinct to leave Lycan to guard Rafe and Melli and protect their bonding. They had thought the worst of the battles was over with the overthrow of the Authority in most of the First Kingdom. Who was the Master behind these puppets?

“Perhaps you should bring your father, his dance magic…?” Bran did not get the question out before Dominic turned to him, his young face fiercely determined.

“I will handle this problem—with your help if I may have it. Lycan is guarding the Queen and my Heir. No one will get past him even if we should fail in our task here at the gate.  The Assassin and Advisor are ensuring that the townspeople get safely away, as well as our more honored guests. That too is a priority as they would be defenseless before these monsters.”

“You know you have our help, Nic. Tell us what you want us to do.” Bran met Dominic’s look squarely, treating him as he would treat Lycan once a battle presented itself.

“I will send a barrage of rocks at the first rows of archers, to stay the arrows. I would like the wolves to make the first attack run; I will be with Beren’s men, with Ran’s ravens keeping watch for any surprises. I will deflect any larger weapons or guns as I see them or as they are brought to my attention.  Bran, you stay by me, Beren also. We can expect them to focus their efforts on taking me.” His hard voice shifted to his normal speaking voice for a moment as he noted, “After all, I am the prettiest one.” The men laughed, as Nic intended, then set about carrying out his orders.

The plan went well. As they advanced through the ranks of the attack force, turning them into a stumbling, cringing mass on the ground, Nic sensed the presence of another strong Telepath.

It was Him. The one they’d been sensing but never finding in all their battles after Candone. The one who had fought against the Hell Hound with Michael, after helping to raise the fell creature in the first place. He was actually here!

Assassin, come quickly to the front gate.  He’s here.

Nic was careful to project his thought only to Michael. He did not want Rafe or Lycan to come. He feared a trap and knew that Rafe needed to be kept safe, yet he also knew that he had to keep moving forward, to see who it was who had been behind so much evil and yet who had provided critical help when it was needed.

Beren and Bran cleared a path for Nic and suddenly, he could see the man he sought directly in front of him, not ten feet away. He was dressed in black, wearing breeches and a tunic, much as other men did, but his tunic had a hood, which he wore low over his forehead. With the sun to his back, his face was completely in shadow.  As Dominic tried to probe his mind, he was hit with a vision of Michael fighting side by side with the Cat Leader, Colin behind them shielding the guests, leading them away while the two powerful men were all that was keeping back a large force of what appeared to be demons of some type, yet weapon wielding ones. Michael and the Cat Leader were holding their own but neither could leave. Damn it, how had those assassins gotten in?

No easy spell, but mass teleportation  to a prior site of demon bloodshed can be quite effective… if you are not averse to the dark arts. Come with me and this battle can be over now—or continue to fight me and I will send for twice as many forces.

Nic struggled with the powerful mind, battling with it to determine if it was an illusion or the truth.  He was almost there, he could feel the image wavering, when the man did something unexpected. He pulled his hood back for a split second, just long enough for Nic to see his face, then he let it drop again.

The shock of looking into a face that was almost a mirror image of his father’s made him lose his focus. He dimly heard Bran yelling his name, then he heard the anguished cries of his father and Colin in his mind—even the strange voice of Pelien joined in, but Pelien’s told him to have courage.

Good advice. He sent thoughts of love to his father, to pass to the others, as well as a sense that he knew what he was doing. He prayed to the goddess, as he felt himself swirling away in a teleport, that they were not the last thoughts he would ever send to him. Let that image have been an illusion. Let his father and the rest of his family be alive and safe.

Wolf, I love you.

I will come for you, my King. My mate.

I know. 

Pain awaited Nic when the teleport ended. Pain, until the release of unconsciousness claimed him. 

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