Okay this one is rated PG-13, because there is a little bit of swearing in
it. What did you expect when these two meet again? I apologise for those
looking for happy endings - we'll get there eventually.
By the way - any input into what you thought of this scene would be warmly welcomed!! Please review!!
Chapter 11
Cat glanced at her Mother in concern. Ever since they had left the Cates house she had been striding along like all was right with the world, but her body language and the set, polite, smile on her face begged to differ. Something was really up. And how.
Now she hadn't understood all of what her Mom had said back at the house, but she did get that Mom had a history with both that Vivian woman and her son, who by the sound of it was now Alpha. And probably an asshole, especially since the two of them had been the main reason her Mom had left Wolf Lake in the first place. Which seemed like a pretty cool little town so far.
She looked around, enjoying the warm sun on her face. It was early in summer and the shopping area was bustling. She clocked each figure that passed with interest, playing her own personal game of Wolven recognition. Yes, that one - no, not that one. But what was interesting was how the Wolven reacted when they saw her Mom. Half actively stopped in the street, expressions ranging from shock to curiousity written large across their faces. The others either bobbed their heads in acknowledgement or murmured a greeting, looking strangely smug, or satisfied. On a few of the female faces, though, the look was outright green eyed envy. Cat looked at her Mom and frowned. I mean, her Mom was gorgeous and that, even in her Wolven form, but none of these people even knew she could flip now, so it couldn't be that. So why jealousy? She was still pondering this mystery when the gravelling roar of a truck engine and the screech of tyres announced the arrival of a whole 'nother set of problems.
For Sophia this morning was turning into one hell of an eventful one. One minute she was walking down Main Street with her daughter and the next the squeal of tyres and the hard grip on her upper arm changed the parameters completely .
Luke looked down at the woman whose arm he was gripping. Some part of him was aware that he was pressing hard enough to hurt, that there would be cerulean bruises rising on creamy skin tomorrow, but another part of him was too caught up in the reality of a rich scent and rapidly narrowing brown eyes to care. Sophia Donner. Here. At last. Under his hands, in his nostrils, the light breeze lifting bits of her long hair to caress him. He shifted, his body suddenly tight, caught between his original fury and a rising tide of lust. The little part of him that was still objective tracked her face, still as memory and a yearbook photo had shown him, only the sharpness of cheekbones and the elegantly groomed brows showing the transition from adolescent softness to adult restraint. Her lips were still soft and plump, the face still that perfect oval, the skin still smooth and creamy, rapidly flagging with a blush as her scent changed, confusion shifting to irritation. He realised he had been standing there staring at her like a fool, in the middle of his town, for far longer than he had intended.
With a shake of his head he straightened up and took a firmer grasp of her arm, noticing from the corner of his eye the worried look on the face of the teenager who was hovering protectively.
"Sophia". His voice was low, more growl than word.
She pulled her head back to look him in the eye.
"Mr Cates." Her tone was ice and disdain mixed and it fired all of the fury that had been dying down since he touched her. "Let go of my arm."
From the minute he had arrived and grabbed her, her emotions had been in a tailspin. And so she did what time and experience had taught her best - she threw up her barriers. Barriers as tall and wide as the Walls of Jericho, and just as impervious to non divine intervention. And so her voice when she answered him was cool and composed, and as neutral as it would be to a disagreeable stranger. Which was, she might have agreed later, somewhat of a tactical error.
With a snarl he shifted his grip to her wrist and started to pull her to his truck. Furious, she dug in her heels and resisted, using all her considerable strength to maintain her position. "Let go of me Lucas - or you really will regret it!"
Like a switch had been thrown he was in her face, only inches separating them, the hot puffs of his breath an intrusion on her skin.
"We can do this in private, Sophia, or right out here in the street. Your choice. But we are doing it."
Their eyes clashed, the classic irresistible force and immoveable object. After a second of furious internal debate Sophia carefully removed his hand from her wrist and turned to her daughter who was hovering anxiously, clearly torn between barrelling in to assist her mother and wanting to stay out of reach of what was obviously a huge, very pissed off guy.
"Cat, why don't you home now? Mr Cates and I have some - things - to discuss."
Cat looked from one to the other anxiously. So this was Lucas Cates. Hhhmm - no wonder her mother thought he was a dick. A cute dick, sure - but a dick never the less.
"Are you sure Mom?"
Sophia smiled as she picked up the lightly veiled uncertainty. "I'm sure sweetheart. I'll be fine. Lucas won't hurt me - will you Lucas?" Unspoken, the intonation of the word *again* hung in the air like fog. Cat twitched as she saw the big guy suck in a short breath and almost flinch at her mother's cool, dismissive tone. Yeah - this guy might be big, but he was no match for her Mom. She could take him easily.
Reassured she gave her a tiny, albeit nervous, grin.
"Okay. I'll see you at supper?"
"Of course. I'll be home soon."
Despite the older woman's reassurance Cat still looked distinctly nervous as the two of them pulled away in Luke's truck, leaving her standing forlornly on the sidewalk.
Inside the truck you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. Sophia stared out the window at the so familiar scenery, her fury rising with every passing moment. How dare he just grab her and manhandle her in front of her daughter? Shades of days past indeed. Although the last time he had tried that she had thrown him half way across a car hood. Just let him try again this time - she'd show him what she'd learned Outside.
For Luke's part he found himself stealing little glances at her profile, his heart sinking as he noticed how her mouth was set in a tight line . It had always been difficult to make Sophia mad, but by God you really didn't want to be in the firing line if you did. His own mouth tightened in response. Okay. If that's how she wanted it. He had a few issues he needed settled as well.
They pulled up next to a small cabin in an isolated clearing. Sophia recognised the place, it being one of the traditional meeting places of the Alpha and Lieutenants. With a slam of his door Luke left the truck and stalked into the cabin, leaving the door swinging behind him in obvious invitation. She followed warily, trying to rid her traitorous mind of how good his butt had looked in those well worn jeans.
Inside the air was still and warm, almost stuffy, but Sophia hardly noticed. All her attention was focused on the rigid figure facing her.
"Sophia."
"Lucas." He winced at her formality. She always knew how he hated that name. Well - if that's how she wanted it.
"My Mother and Sherman tried to feed me some bullshit story about there being a danger to the Pack." He ran a hand through dirty blond hair, watching her closely.
"It's not bullshit." She was hostile and off balance, confronted with the physical reality of him after all these years, matured and strengthened and faintly over powering. "Nothing less than a threat to the Pack could have driven me back here." *To you*. The unspoken thought hung in the air, souring the atmosphere.
So then. She was still mad. Or more likely she still hated him. Even though he had never talked to her in private again after he had cut her dead for her own safety, even with that he had always harboured the vain hope that she had forgiven him for what he had had to do. But looking into those icy chocolate eyes he knew that was unlikely. So. If she wanted to play hardball, he could oblige. He shifted, putting Luke to one side, taking on the mantle of the Alpha again, snuggling his wounded ego into the protective blanket of authority.
"So - all these years you knew there was a threat to the Pack and you chose to keep it from us? How very - considerate- of you."
"I told Sherman. Sherman knew from the beginning." Sophia was aware that she had somehow shifted from righteous fury to vague stirrings of guilt, and she didn't like the feeling.
" But Sherman didn't tell me."
Angry, she lashed out in retaliation.
"Well, you should keep a better control of your Keeper. And of your Pack."
The minute she had said it she knew it was a mistake. He stiffened and then smiled very slightly, his eyes catching and gleaming in the dimness.
"That's right - I should, shouldn't I? So Sophia - will you tell me just how I can keep better control of you?"
She backed up, reaching out for the table behind her for support as he moved towards her. Suddenly she was very aware of him as Alpha, projecting dominance and tightly leased power, strength washing over her in waves.
"I'm not part of your Pack."
He circled her and she turned to face him.
"I beg to differ. You might not be able to make the full transition," he hesitated momentarily as something unreadable flickered over her face "but we share the same blood."
"You cast me out."
"I never did anything of the kind. You exiled yourself - remember? And now as Alpha I have a right to demand you rescind that exile."
Her head had been slightly lowered but now it shot up, nostrils flaring, eyes suddenly wild.
"Demand?" She stalked forward and he found himself backing up in his turn. "You dare to say you demand something from me? After all that you took before?"
They both paused, faces close, emotions raging. She was so close, he could have just reached out and touched her, run his hand over the silk of her hair, tasted the sweetness of her lips. Her scent was wine and honey, intoxicating, with a hint of musk, and he hesitated, momentarily off guard. She caught his sudden shift in mood and shivered, eyes wide. He reached out to touch her face, the warmth of the skin heady against his fingertips, and moved closer.
"Sophia."
She could feel the warmth of his flesh, the hint of vanilla and spice that was his scent burning in her nostrils. He was giving off heat like a forest fire, and she found herself caught in the burning regard of his eyes.
"Come home. I'll - We've missed you so. We need you here. There is so much you could do for us. You belong with us. You and your daughter. We need a Seer. She belongs here, with us. You are Pack."
She had been lost in a dream of welcome, of spices and vanilla, comfort and sensuality, but those last few words jerked her back to reality like a bucket of ice water. She hastily moved away from him, craving the lost contact with every atom of her being.
"No."
Luke looked up, dazed and reaching for her, confusion spreading across his face.
"I won't do this. I won't have her chained here."
He frowned, annoyed. "What do you mean - you won't have her here? She belongs here, Sophia. She belongs to the Pack."
Unfortunately in his irritation he used almost exactly the same tone of voice his mother had earlier and it had a somewhat similar effect. Her head shot up and her whole body stiffened.
"She doesn't belong to anyone. And neither do I. You lost that chance, - Lucas - 16 years ago, when you fucked me and then left me. Remember?"
He winced at the harshness of her tone, and reached out to her. "Sophia -"
"No. I won't do this again. I won't!"
"But this time - I promise-"
"Don't give me your promises, Lucas Cates. You promised before. To love, and to never leave me. And then," she smiled grimly, "you left me to the Wolves. And I don't mean metaphorically."
"Sophia, just let me explain."
"I won't hear it. I don't belong to you. We don't belong to you - not this time."
His fists clenched as he struggled to keep a hold of his temper. God - if she would just listen!
"Your daughter at least belongs here. She has a duty to this Pack."
She stared at him, incredulous, and laughed suddenly, the sound high and wild, and more than a little hysterical.
"Duty. You have the fucking nerve to talk to me about duty?" She moved toward the door and he blocked her.
"Get out of my way, Cates."
"Not until you acknowledge your responsibilities to this Pack."
She measured him for a moment and then smiled thinly.
"Hear me now, Alpha. I am not part of this Pack. Live with it. I do not acknowledge your authority. Not over me, and especially not over my daughter. We don't belong to you, Lucas Cates. And we never will. Now get out of my way."
There was a battle of wills as the two of them glared at each, each poised to react. Then Luke broke it by reaching for her. Quicker than he could have believed possible she twisted out of his grasp and the next thing he knew he was lying on the floor, his lower body a red edged blaze of pain centred on his testicles.
Dimly he was aware of the click-clack of her heels as she stepped over his recumbent form and exited, leaving only the trace of her scent and an eloquent silence behind.
By the time he could stand again he had had plenty of time to consider what else, apart from self defence, Sophia had undoubtedly learned Outside. Perhaps it was time for a different set of tactics, 'cos the old ones certainly didn't seem to be working.
By the way - any input into what you thought of this scene would be warmly welcomed!! Please review!!
Chapter 11
Cat glanced at her Mother in concern. Ever since they had left the Cates house she had been striding along like all was right with the world, but her body language and the set, polite, smile on her face begged to differ. Something was really up. And how.
Now she hadn't understood all of what her Mom had said back at the house, but she did get that Mom had a history with both that Vivian woman and her son, who by the sound of it was now Alpha. And probably an asshole, especially since the two of them had been the main reason her Mom had left Wolf Lake in the first place. Which seemed like a pretty cool little town so far.
She looked around, enjoying the warm sun on her face. It was early in summer and the shopping area was bustling. She clocked each figure that passed with interest, playing her own personal game of Wolven recognition. Yes, that one - no, not that one. But what was interesting was how the Wolven reacted when they saw her Mom. Half actively stopped in the street, expressions ranging from shock to curiousity written large across their faces. The others either bobbed their heads in acknowledgement or murmured a greeting, looking strangely smug, or satisfied. On a few of the female faces, though, the look was outright green eyed envy. Cat looked at her Mom and frowned. I mean, her Mom was gorgeous and that, even in her Wolven form, but none of these people even knew she could flip now, so it couldn't be that. So why jealousy? She was still pondering this mystery when the gravelling roar of a truck engine and the screech of tyres announced the arrival of a whole 'nother set of problems.
For Sophia this morning was turning into one hell of an eventful one. One minute she was walking down Main Street with her daughter and the next the squeal of tyres and the hard grip on her upper arm changed the parameters completely .
Luke looked down at the woman whose arm he was gripping. Some part of him was aware that he was pressing hard enough to hurt, that there would be cerulean bruises rising on creamy skin tomorrow, but another part of him was too caught up in the reality of a rich scent and rapidly narrowing brown eyes to care. Sophia Donner. Here. At last. Under his hands, in his nostrils, the light breeze lifting bits of her long hair to caress him. He shifted, his body suddenly tight, caught between his original fury and a rising tide of lust. The little part of him that was still objective tracked her face, still as memory and a yearbook photo had shown him, only the sharpness of cheekbones and the elegantly groomed brows showing the transition from adolescent softness to adult restraint. Her lips were still soft and plump, the face still that perfect oval, the skin still smooth and creamy, rapidly flagging with a blush as her scent changed, confusion shifting to irritation. He realised he had been standing there staring at her like a fool, in the middle of his town, for far longer than he had intended.
With a shake of his head he straightened up and took a firmer grasp of her arm, noticing from the corner of his eye the worried look on the face of the teenager who was hovering protectively.
"Sophia". His voice was low, more growl than word.
She pulled her head back to look him in the eye.
"Mr Cates." Her tone was ice and disdain mixed and it fired all of the fury that had been dying down since he touched her. "Let go of my arm."
From the minute he had arrived and grabbed her, her emotions had been in a tailspin. And so she did what time and experience had taught her best - she threw up her barriers. Barriers as tall and wide as the Walls of Jericho, and just as impervious to non divine intervention. And so her voice when she answered him was cool and composed, and as neutral as it would be to a disagreeable stranger. Which was, she might have agreed later, somewhat of a tactical error.
With a snarl he shifted his grip to her wrist and started to pull her to his truck. Furious, she dug in her heels and resisted, using all her considerable strength to maintain her position. "Let go of me Lucas - or you really will regret it!"
Like a switch had been thrown he was in her face, only inches separating them, the hot puffs of his breath an intrusion on her skin.
"We can do this in private, Sophia, or right out here in the street. Your choice. But we are doing it."
Their eyes clashed, the classic irresistible force and immoveable object. After a second of furious internal debate Sophia carefully removed his hand from her wrist and turned to her daughter who was hovering anxiously, clearly torn between barrelling in to assist her mother and wanting to stay out of reach of what was obviously a huge, very pissed off guy.
"Cat, why don't you home now? Mr Cates and I have some - things - to discuss."
Cat looked from one to the other anxiously. So this was Lucas Cates. Hhhmm - no wonder her mother thought he was a dick. A cute dick, sure - but a dick never the less.
"Are you sure Mom?"
Sophia smiled as she picked up the lightly veiled uncertainty. "I'm sure sweetheart. I'll be fine. Lucas won't hurt me - will you Lucas?" Unspoken, the intonation of the word *again* hung in the air like fog. Cat twitched as she saw the big guy suck in a short breath and almost flinch at her mother's cool, dismissive tone. Yeah - this guy might be big, but he was no match for her Mom. She could take him easily.
Reassured she gave her a tiny, albeit nervous, grin.
"Okay. I'll see you at supper?"
"Of course. I'll be home soon."
Despite the older woman's reassurance Cat still looked distinctly nervous as the two of them pulled away in Luke's truck, leaving her standing forlornly on the sidewalk.
Inside the truck you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. Sophia stared out the window at the so familiar scenery, her fury rising with every passing moment. How dare he just grab her and manhandle her in front of her daughter? Shades of days past indeed. Although the last time he had tried that she had thrown him half way across a car hood. Just let him try again this time - she'd show him what she'd learned Outside.
For Luke's part he found himself stealing little glances at her profile, his heart sinking as he noticed how her mouth was set in a tight line . It had always been difficult to make Sophia mad, but by God you really didn't want to be in the firing line if you did. His own mouth tightened in response. Okay. If that's how she wanted it. He had a few issues he needed settled as well.
They pulled up next to a small cabin in an isolated clearing. Sophia recognised the place, it being one of the traditional meeting places of the Alpha and Lieutenants. With a slam of his door Luke left the truck and stalked into the cabin, leaving the door swinging behind him in obvious invitation. She followed warily, trying to rid her traitorous mind of how good his butt had looked in those well worn jeans.
Inside the air was still and warm, almost stuffy, but Sophia hardly noticed. All her attention was focused on the rigid figure facing her.
"Sophia."
"Lucas." He winced at her formality. She always knew how he hated that name. Well - if that's how she wanted it.
"My Mother and Sherman tried to feed me some bullshit story about there being a danger to the Pack." He ran a hand through dirty blond hair, watching her closely.
"It's not bullshit." She was hostile and off balance, confronted with the physical reality of him after all these years, matured and strengthened and faintly over powering. "Nothing less than a threat to the Pack could have driven me back here." *To you*. The unspoken thought hung in the air, souring the atmosphere.
So then. She was still mad. Or more likely she still hated him. Even though he had never talked to her in private again after he had cut her dead for her own safety, even with that he had always harboured the vain hope that she had forgiven him for what he had had to do. But looking into those icy chocolate eyes he knew that was unlikely. So. If she wanted to play hardball, he could oblige. He shifted, putting Luke to one side, taking on the mantle of the Alpha again, snuggling his wounded ego into the protective blanket of authority.
"So - all these years you knew there was a threat to the Pack and you chose to keep it from us? How very - considerate- of you."
"I told Sherman. Sherman knew from the beginning." Sophia was aware that she had somehow shifted from righteous fury to vague stirrings of guilt, and she didn't like the feeling.
" But Sherman didn't tell me."
Angry, she lashed out in retaliation.
"Well, you should keep a better control of your Keeper. And of your Pack."
The minute she had said it she knew it was a mistake. He stiffened and then smiled very slightly, his eyes catching and gleaming in the dimness.
"That's right - I should, shouldn't I? So Sophia - will you tell me just how I can keep better control of you?"
She backed up, reaching out for the table behind her for support as he moved towards her. Suddenly she was very aware of him as Alpha, projecting dominance and tightly leased power, strength washing over her in waves.
"I'm not part of your Pack."
He circled her and she turned to face him.
"I beg to differ. You might not be able to make the full transition," he hesitated momentarily as something unreadable flickered over her face "but we share the same blood."
"You cast me out."
"I never did anything of the kind. You exiled yourself - remember? And now as Alpha I have a right to demand you rescind that exile."
Her head had been slightly lowered but now it shot up, nostrils flaring, eyes suddenly wild.
"Demand?" She stalked forward and he found himself backing up in his turn. "You dare to say you demand something from me? After all that you took before?"
They both paused, faces close, emotions raging. She was so close, he could have just reached out and touched her, run his hand over the silk of her hair, tasted the sweetness of her lips. Her scent was wine and honey, intoxicating, with a hint of musk, and he hesitated, momentarily off guard. She caught his sudden shift in mood and shivered, eyes wide. He reached out to touch her face, the warmth of the skin heady against his fingertips, and moved closer.
"Sophia."
She could feel the warmth of his flesh, the hint of vanilla and spice that was his scent burning in her nostrils. He was giving off heat like a forest fire, and she found herself caught in the burning regard of his eyes.
"Come home. I'll - We've missed you so. We need you here. There is so much you could do for us. You belong with us. You and your daughter. We need a Seer. She belongs here, with us. You are Pack."
She had been lost in a dream of welcome, of spices and vanilla, comfort and sensuality, but those last few words jerked her back to reality like a bucket of ice water. She hastily moved away from him, craving the lost contact with every atom of her being.
"No."
Luke looked up, dazed and reaching for her, confusion spreading across his face.
"I won't do this. I won't have her chained here."
He frowned, annoyed. "What do you mean - you won't have her here? She belongs here, Sophia. She belongs to the Pack."
Unfortunately in his irritation he used almost exactly the same tone of voice his mother had earlier and it had a somewhat similar effect. Her head shot up and her whole body stiffened.
"She doesn't belong to anyone. And neither do I. You lost that chance, - Lucas - 16 years ago, when you fucked me and then left me. Remember?"
He winced at the harshness of her tone, and reached out to her. "Sophia -"
"No. I won't do this again. I won't!"
"But this time - I promise-"
"Don't give me your promises, Lucas Cates. You promised before. To love, and to never leave me. And then," she smiled grimly, "you left me to the Wolves. And I don't mean metaphorically."
"Sophia, just let me explain."
"I won't hear it. I don't belong to you. We don't belong to you - not this time."
His fists clenched as he struggled to keep a hold of his temper. God - if she would just listen!
"Your daughter at least belongs here. She has a duty to this Pack."
She stared at him, incredulous, and laughed suddenly, the sound high and wild, and more than a little hysterical.
"Duty. You have the fucking nerve to talk to me about duty?" She moved toward the door and he blocked her.
"Get out of my way, Cates."
"Not until you acknowledge your responsibilities to this Pack."
She measured him for a moment and then smiled thinly.
"Hear me now, Alpha. I am not part of this Pack. Live with it. I do not acknowledge your authority. Not over me, and especially not over my daughter. We don't belong to you, Lucas Cates. And we never will. Now get out of my way."
There was a battle of wills as the two of them glared at each, each poised to react. Then Luke broke it by reaching for her. Quicker than he could have believed possible she twisted out of his grasp and the next thing he knew he was lying on the floor, his lower body a red edged blaze of pain centred on his testicles.
Dimly he was aware of the click-clack of her heels as she stepped over his recumbent form and exited, leaving only the trace of her scent and an eloquent silence behind.
By the time he could stand again he had had plenty of time to consider what else, apart from self defence, Sophia had undoubtedly learned Outside. Perhaps it was time for a different set of tactics, 'cos the old ones certainly didn't seem to be working.