Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Disclaimer: Patricia Briggs owns everything, I'm just trying to do it some justice.
Ch. 6: A Mother's Rage
APOV
As the jet began its decent to the private landing strip in Aspen Creek, tension started ratchet up in the cabin. We all knew that once the plane was on the ground it was only going to be a few precious minutes before they had to deal with Leah. They clamored out of the Leer and into Bran's Humvee. Mom had rolled her eyes when she'd seen it then gave me that amused Men and their Toys look. I stifled the giggle that threatened to slip from my throat. Once Hank had the jet buttoned down, he joined them in the Vee and the Marrok drove off. He'd already called the Pack; they were supposed to meet us at his house.
LPOV
I had not gotten much sleep during the night. Instead, I paced the holding cell like the caged predator that I was. Five hours ago, I was finally able to drift into a light but exhausted sleep. The severing of my Mate Bond is what forced my eyes open. Over the years, I had come to understand that Bran needed our bond to cage the monster he kept buried deep in his psyche. Over the years, I had learned about my husband's early years; how his witch mother had forced the change on him then kept him as a pet. That knowledge was another motivating factor in backing Jerry's plot. I hoped that monster went on a killing spree at the hospital.
The Southern slut brought a loaded plate of breakfast fare but I ignored it out of spite. I trusted these wolves about as far as I could throw them and would not put it past them to have poisoned the food. Hunger eventually got to me; I pulled the plate to me then forced myself to eat the cold, congealed, eggs and sausage. The food settled in my stomach like a load of bricks. Nerves caused nausea so I banged on the steel re-enforced door and begged to use the bathroom. I heard several of the Pack up in my kitchen but had to suffer the indignity of being marched to the bathroom by a couple of the town's human residents armed with silver loaded automatics. To add insult to injury, they watched as I threw up my meal.
It was late afternoon when I heard the familiar sound of the Marrok's Humvee pull up the drive. I had skipped lunch and continued to pace about my prison as I tried to come up with a way to salvage things. Bran's control had to be close to tatters by now so it should not take much effort on her part to convince him to spare her life. There were no other female wolves in the Pack besides Sage and the Omega bitch mated to his son. That simple fact meant that he was going to be more pliant to her charms. The ancient fool would be too worried about his image to do more than give her a slap on the wrist.
A few months of playing nice then all would be forgiven and forgotten. After the fool had been lulled into a false sense of confidence, I would call my contact within the Trophy Hunters and rid myself of him once and for all. I looked forward to playing the part of the Merry Widow. There was enough money in her husband's various personal accounts to set her up comfortably in Paris for many years. Besides, now that the Beast was dead, there were several French Alphas that were less dominant than she was. A liberal application of her feminine wiles and one of them would be her most willing puppet.
The door was unlocked then Tag opened it. He and Asil led her back upstairs and out into the back yard. Time to start this little game.
BPOV
I dropped Hank off at his place then drove to my home. Instead of going inside after I parked, I led the others out back. The rest of my Pack had already assembled there and I wanted to get this over with. We needed to celebrate the news about the twins and the return of my love but the Leah situation had to be dealt with first. I stalked over to a stone bench in the middle of the back yard then stood atop it. Charles, Anna and Blue Jay had taken up positions to the right of the bench. Everyone noticed the Native American beauty and there were several whispered conversations about how much she looked like the descriptions of my lost mate. I ignored the murmurs and sent a mental command for Tag and Asil to bring out my wife.
A few minutes later, Leah appeared in between her escorts. Her eyes narrowed when they found Blue Jay but she showed some restraint by remaining silent. The procession stopped ten feet from my perch and I took a few moments to gather my thoughts. After three deep breathes, I finally looked in her eyes and spoke.
"Leah Cornick, for too many years I have allowed you to abuse my power and the position that being my mate had given you. Last night, you went too far by attacking a member of the Marrok Pack. There was no just cause for it, only your own hatred and jealousy. Such a crime is punishable by death. What have you to say for yourself," I said in a voice that betrayed none of my emotions. I watched her expression change when she realized that whatever she had planned was not going to work.
"Fuck you, Bran. My only regret is that I had not ripped the little whore's throat out. Besides, you never loved me and now you have found another Indian slut to warm your…," Leah started to fume but was interrupted when she was knocked to the ground by a red-gold wolf with a black swath of fur that went from the top of her head and down her back.
BJPOV
I watched as the two wolves led the traitor from the house and had the pleasure of watching the smug glint in her eyes fade as Bran laid the charges against her. When the harlot spewed those vile words, red tainted my vision. Before anyone had a chance to do anything, I was in my wolf form and she was on the ground beneath my claws.
Leah started to panic then tried to change but that was not going to happen. My claws tore into her exposed belly and I made sure she suffered for everything she had done to my children and the Pack. A quick glance at my daughter showed that Anna was being affected by the screams of pain. I tore out Leah's throat with my fangs and ended it. My wolf wanted nothing more than to eat the carcass of our enemy but I wanted nothing of that tainted wretch inside of me. Once the deed was finished, I changed back to human form and called on the Spirits to clothe me then took my place with my children.
"I really need to learn how to do that," Anna muttered wistfully.
"We can work on that later, my darling," I whispered to her and she smiled.
A couple of my mate's wolves gathered up the shrew's remains then took them away for disposal. Bran allowed the gathered members of the Pack to talk amongst themselves while they waited for their comrades to return. When they returned, he told everyone about the twins and Anna moved through the wolves to show off a copy of the ultrasound picture. I noticed the love and pride that beamed off my son as he looked at his wife. I spent many years in my Spirit form worried about my child, especially after he was molded into his father's enforcer. For the past century she tried to find a way to ease the loneliness that was Charles' constant companion.
The spirits aided me with my quest and alerted me that my goal would be reached as the result of Jerry Wallace's ill conceived plot. When Bran learned about the related trouble in Chicago, I went there and found Anna. I slipped into her dreams then learned of the abuse she suffered at that bastard, Leo's, instigation. The slip of an Omega was scared and lonely but at her heart was the perfect mate for Charles. I stayed in the shadows of her subconscious when she woke up then gave a subtle push here and a gentle nudge there to prick her conscious just enough to call the Marrok about what she knew about the disappearance of young Alan Frasier. The rest was history and I hadn't meddled in their relationship again until the pregnancy. Anna's mother had died a long time ago and I knew she needed guidance that only I could give.
As soon as the heart felt congratulations were given, Bran explained who I was and the story of my return. I was greeted by all the wolves and made to feel welcome. It was obvious that they were thrilled their Alpha found a new mate and that she was his True Love. The impromptu Pack meeting evolved into a barbeque. Tag directed my love and son as the three men gathered at the massive grill. Asil joined them and the four discussed various types of barbeque. The rest of the pack left to gather supplies and the human residents of the town. Anna, Sage and I sat around watching our respective mates revert to their caveman roots while we discussed plans for my daughter's baby shower and renovations to her home. The celebration lasted until ten at night.
Bran nearly had a heart attack when I told him that I was going to stay with the kids. I loved him but that doesn't mean I'm not going to make him work for it…