Chapter 1
I huff one last time and slam the paper in my hand onto the desk. Still more rebellions. This one is the smallest with only five wolves. I lean back in my leather chair. Cheek resting on my closed fist with my right elbow on the arm of my chair. I close my eyes to think back. It has been ten years since the night I took over as Lady of the Western Lands. Of course there has been resistance. I expected as much. They came in doves. Waves after waves until people either left or came to acceptance. I am under no illusion that I have their respect but fear works just as well as loyalty. The smirk my lips curled into died when I think back to the village massacre two years ago. The slaughter of wolves, mates, and their pups was not what I had in mind and not what I ordered. Instead of instilling into everyone that we were still one pack with a new alpha it divided those near the Southern border against us. I publically had Orochi whipped and demoted. Now in charge of maintaining supplies has tempered him. Barely. I strive to be honest and fair in all my dealings. That rainy night aside. I did what needed to be done. What no one else has the balls to do. These lands needed an alpha and the one that they had… well I'll just let resting dogs lie.
My nose picks up a familiar scent long before my ears hear the soft knock. "Enter Kanna." I straighten in my chair. I never let on to how tired I am. Any sign of weakness would bring about anarchy. Being so close to the end affords me no mistakes. I know my loyal ten will always serve me but the pack now contains over seven hundred wolves. Unbeknownst to my team I have given them numbers. Kanna is two. My eyes appraise her as she stands in the doorway. It doesn't take long because she is 4'11'. White flats cover her feet. Pressed white slacks have a crisp white shirt tucked into it. A white belt through the loops. Thick white hair falls a little pass her shoulders. Bangs brush her eyes. Eyes completely black and seem lifeless but that isn't true. Her eyes have seen so much that they are impartial to everything and I do mean everything. Poised, silent, and impenetrable. She comes off as an angel when in fact she is an oracle. I meet those seeing eyes with an eyebrow raised. She normally says what she has to say and then she leaves. "Any day now." I begin to drum my fingers on the mahogany wood. "He is on his way." Her voice doesn't waiver not once. Her posture gives nothing away.
It is my eyes that widen slightly. Not significantly but a bit I couldn't control. Of all the news I could be expecting this wasn't it. Nothing about the Northern packs, not the reconstruction sites, not the upcoming ceremony. He is on his way. Collecting myself I stand and casually walk around my desk. Leaning against the front of it, I cross my arms and covey a level of nonchalance I don't feel. "Well." Pleased my voice is solid. "Make sure everyone is ready to receive our honored guest." Kanna turns to do my biding. "And send Kuro to me." I toss as an after-thought. I walk back to my seat and settle in. Swiveling my chair around to the wall of glass behind me that I may look out at my view. I see pass the futuristic buildings lining the street. People liter the streets below but they are insignificant. My gaze wonders to my left past three skyscrapers to the blue water. I can practically see myself standing on the beach. Toes digging in the sand, hair being tossed by the wind. I feel the spray of the water on my face as waves crash onto the shore. He calls my name. I don't close my eyes because that would give away to feelings I've locked deep. Rokuro is standing behind me. I smell him. Not his scent but sweat. He must have come from the gym. I tell him what I need. "Juu Hito at six." I don't bother turning around. He bows and leaves. I know he bows because he does so with every command.
Well Rin girl. The show is just getting started. Closing my eyes, I breathe deep. By the exhale I am standing and heading to the sliding glass doors. There is a white lycan etched into the glass on the right. A cyan crested moon is on the left glass. When closed the lycan is howling at the moon and below reads Takashi Enterprise. Kikyo meets me just passed the doors with my cream coat. Helping me into it she states. "The meeting with Hidaka Holdings has fallen through. They said the paper work-" "This is not a merge." I remind her softly. She sucks in a breath. She has learned over the years that soft means angry. "This is a takeover. Get Noriko Hidaka to sign the fucking papers or it will be your ass." I tie the sash around my coat. Her scent is mixed with anxiety and fear. Fear is good. Kikyo looks down and backs away slowly. The sign of submission is all I need to know that she takes me seriously. I know I am snapping but dammit I thought I would have more time. Kikyo settles back behind her white desk. "There is a message from Kohaku and Jaken wants you talk to you. He said it's urgent." I make no more comments as I wait for my personal elevator. Everything is urgent with Jaken. Even dinner is urgent to Jaken. These are the moments I regret not killing him. The elevator arrives and takes me to the first floor.
On my way out I pass several members of the pack. They call greeting which I return with a nod. Taking my Ray Bans I perch them on my face. "Alpha." Alex the security calls to me. "Enjoy your day Alex." I send him. He's a good lycan and very courteous to his mate. Although I don't believe Masumi would accept otherwise. Outside I cross to my jet black Murcielago. Tented windows, red rims, red neon underneath. The black leather on the inside has red trim. I take my jacket off. Toss it into the passenger side as I slide into my seat. Pulling out I proceed to head home. At two o'clock there is little traffic for which I am grateful. I drive in silence. Just the purr of the engine. After thirty minutes of winding roads through the city I pull up to the compound. 12 bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, 11 car garage, elevator, home theater, indoor basketball, state of the art gym, 4 recreational rooms, two kitchens, and grand ball room all sitting on 30,000 acres and I haven't even left the house yet. I drive up the stone driveway. Going through security on the right as the left is for exits. I crack my window so that my scent may travel to the lycan on security duty. The iron lycan gate retreats before me. I pull around the triple fountain, grab my jacket, and get out. Another lycan slides in to take my car to the garage. Wolves and lycans linger about. Some in wolf form, some in human, and some humans are naked. Something about enjoying swinging free.
I take my shades off and climb the four steps to the door. A wolf opens it for me. Masao is his name if I am not mistaken. A shame he is a wolf and not a lycan. There is a hierarchy that is undisputed and traditional. Alphas before betas and lycans before wolves. "Alpha." I nod to his greeting. He is loyal to the pack and I respect that. There are twenty or so people going to and from with various duties to keep the pack running. They used to stop and stare but eventually they got with the program. Now I just get the customary nods or greetings unless urgent. And I mean really urgent. The flooring in the foyer is white marble. A grand staircase is on the left wall leading to the hallway that runs the length of the back and right wall. The railing is metal with a black finish. A grand chandelier hangs from the vaulted ceiling. I make my way upstairs. Confidence sounds off with every click of my four inch Christian Louboutin. Entering the master bedroom, I throw my coat on the cream chaise. Entering the master bathroom, I sit in front of my mirror. Washing off makeup, unpinning my hair from its bun, and I peel off my clothes. Headed straight for a shower. I sigh as the water hits me from all sides. Steam rises from the heat. I lean my head on the wall. Finally, peace. My mind conjures up images I have long since denied.
Snow falls around me in a forest clearing. I twirl laughing. Hands outstretched to grab every snowflake. My smile encompasses my face, eyes twinkling my laughter can be heard for miles. I spin some more until I am dizzy. Laughing all the while. My hair flies behind me. I bend and pick up more snow. Tossing it in the air I giggle. "Don't you think there is enough snow falling already?" The question sounds like a rebuke but I hear the amusement in my mate's voice. I look over my shoulder at him. Sesshomaru. "Why milord." I begin to walk slowly towards him. Seduction isn't necessary. He has proven that time and time again. Still I won't lie. I am swaying my hips just so. "One can never have too much of what they love." I finish. I am a foot away. His arms wrap around my waist pulling me forward. "Never?" He whispers against my lips. "Never." I repeat. I jar my eyes open. Turning off the water I get out. I dry off as I enter my master bedroom.
Two chandeliers hang from the vaulted ceiling. The walls are cream. The floor is dark cherry wood. The master bed is a California king directly facing the balcony on the over side of the room. I put on pink and gold Pro Athlete leggings and matching tank top. Pulling my waist length hair into a high ponytail I leave my bedroom. I jog down the stairs a spot Kanna. "Make it 5 Kanna." Kanna doesn't say anything as she continues to the kitchen but she does give me a nod. I need the meeting moved up. Would have it at this very moments but I know that not everyone is here. Heading down into the basement to the gym. I shouldn't call it a basement. More like the lower level. Down here is the full length basketball court, the movie theater, a wine cellar, three storage rooms, mechanic room for the cars, a massage room, and two rec room. The other rec rooms I converted to a medical lab and a chain room. I head to the gym and proceed to put my body through a rigorous workout. A few hours later I am a tired sweaty mess but I enjoy it. Drinking my bottle of water, I see Kuro in the mirror. "Everyone is waiting for you." Recapping my bottle, I make my way to the mechanic room. It is soundproof and in case anyone gets out of hand I have numerous object to which I can remind them of their place.
I am the last to enter and as such my eyes sweep the room. A typical car garage tricked out with all the latest toys. Body kits to one side, spare parts on another, tires and rims hand separately on racks on the wall, and I hate that a few engines hang above out heads. Sure Titanium is holding them several feet high, but really? There is nowhere else they could have gone? There is a room off to the side of the one we are in for paint jobs. In the center of everything is a 1948 Ford De Luxe. Katashi calls it a beauty. Honestly it looks like the red car from Grease, but I have no need to hurt his feelings. The whole Juu Hito has gathered. To my left is Rokuro. He is my military strategist. A full blooded lycan who joined Desert Storm because he thought it would be fun. He is sick even if he is my number 1. But since loyalty is all I require I will keep it moving. Sitting on top of a metal desk leaning up against the wall are the twins. Ryo is the oldest by two minutes leaving Ryuu as the youngest. Ryuu hates to hear it but it's true. At 20 he needs to get over it. Both have dragon in their blood. Ryo is ice with blue hair and eyes and a blue dragon that goes up his left arm and down the front shoulder. Ryuu is fire. Same exact thing instead, you guessed it red. Ryo is 5 and Ryuu 6.
"Honestly, I am sick of this." Liz the blonde haired blue eyed Caladrius states. Liz is a biochemist, neurosurgeon, and my number 3. She walks over and snatches the cigarette out of Ryuu's mouth. "Man what the fuck!" Ryuu jumps down and towers over Liz's 5'3' frame. "I am sick of this. How many times do I have to tell you to quit smoking?" She has balls because Ryuu's eyes are glowing. "You don't fucking tell me." Even I have to raise an eyebrow. Interesting statement to tell your wife. I ignore the bickering and my eyes move to number 10 Akira. He is my lycan with a slick tongue that does a little of everything but mainly he deals human relations. Katashi is next. As number 7 he is in charge of transportation. From cars to bikes to private jets, and even a tank or two. Not sure why but something to do with Ashton Carter. Currently Mr. Carter is the US Secretary of Defense. Why these two know each other I have no clue. Next is Kanna. As impartial to the bullshit as ever she is 2. Hiro is 8. A lycan who is almost too good at getting info on anyone of any species. Hell he even has a file on me. I want to see all that is in there but I have bigger fish to fry. The red head is Hayami. She is in charge of international affairs along with Tatsuya. They are 4 and 9 respectfully. Tatsuya reaches his breaking point. "Who gives a shit? You want to know who? No one. Ryuu put the fucking cigarette out. Too many lycans in here with sensitive noses and we really don't want to hear you bitch when Liz puts you out." Ryuu balls up his fist and Liz looks smug.
"When you are all finished." I look around the room again. Silence falls. I begin "We have no time to waste as He is on his way. So Liz I need the lab up and running as I am sure there with be casualties. Hiro find out how long he has been out, and how he got out." I take a moment to glare at Liz. She looks down submissively because she knows I am three steps from killing her. Ryuu moves Liz in front of her but we both know it is worthless. I will deal with Liz and her incompetence. "Kuro gather the pack for an attack. Twins, I need the compound on lock down. No one leaves and no one enters without my approval." My eyes move to each person I am talking to. "Kanna, I need to know as soon as you know." She nods. "Tatsu and Haya follow Kuro." I trust my team and know we will whether this storm.
Once I dismiss everyone I go back upstairs. Back into the bathroom only this time a bath. I fill the tube with hot water and bubbles because I know not the next time I will be afford such luxuries. Getting in I hiss a little. My muscles are sore. Leaning against the back of the tub I relax. Eyes closed and head back I allow my mind the freedom to wonder in whatever direction it would like. I sink deeper still until the water comes up to my neck. "Ah." I am determined to enjoy this. I begin to hum softly to myself. Songs my mother sung to me as a child. Songs her mother sung to her. A smile filters across my lips as I remember my family. An alarm sounds. And a red light flashes at the top of the bathroom door. Shit shit shit!. I rush out of the bathroom. In front of my dresser. I begin pulling on a pink tank top and black shorts. No time to drying off nor getting underwear. I grab a hair tie off the dresser and run out of my room. In the hallway I see people running out the front door and the back door. I don't bother with the stair. Jumping the balcony, I run out the front door and come skidding to a stop. There about 12 yards from my front door. Is a sight to behold. Wolves and lycans alike fight in the front yard. And right in the very heart of the madness is the very person that should be laying in an incubator. But he isn't. Instead he is wreaking havoc in my pack. Kuro runs pass me in lycan form but I am not to be out done. Shifting immediately, I charge into the thick of things. Run right up to Sesshomaru himself.