The Normal Life
By Didi
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters that are recognizable and I certainly don't own the show. Don't sue me cause all you're going to get is lent, and not much of that either.
Author's Note: A thousand apologies for the delay in this next chapter. I've had some trouble getting my muse to cooperate with me. Sitting down to write has become more chore than enjoyment in the last couple of weeks because I couldn't seem to find any satisfaction in what I wrote. But... I'm back and I'm gearing up for the finale to this story. Hope you guys enjoy this brief installment. And thanks for waiting so patiently for me.
Rating: R for restricted under 17.
~~~~~~~~~~
-Sophia's POV-
Something was wrong; I could smell it in the air. It tingled down my spine and made me cold from the inside. It was as if a dense fog of tension rolled into Wolf Lake and put everyone on alert. "Luke?"
"I'm right here," he answered from the window where his eyes never stayed steady, always searching and watching. "It'll be all right." But his tone told me otherwise. He was nervous, everything about him screamed balancing-on-the-edge-of-a-blade.
"What is it?" I had to ask, knowing that any answer I get wasn't going to be one that I was going to want nor like to hear. Contrary to what most people thought, I wasn't as naïve in the ways of the pack as I would have the rest of them believe. My father may not talk about the ways of the old, but you can still pick up so much just be listening.
As new Alpha, my dad was looking at a long and possibly deadly night. Any member of the pack could challenge him for leadership.... All they'd have to do is kill him. Hell of a way to get a job for life.
"Luke, please. Just tell me what's going on?" I asked, coming up behind him to look through the window. The moon was full, but then when was it not full, and the fog was like pea soup. But wolves don't need just their eyes to see, there were plenty of other senses that we can use that are more accurate. Still, the fog was thick enough to make me real nervous. Bet the humans have never seen anything quite like this before. "Don't keep me in the dark."
"Creed isn't through yet," Luke replied, pushing me gently on the shoulder, moving away from the full view of the window. "The vote was close, not as close as he would have liked it but it was close enough that anything could happen tonight. And after what happened in the woods tonight, you better believe things are going to get ugly."
"What happened in the woods?" I wanted to know.
"Creed tried to take down my new brother-in-law. But then, you already knew that, didn't you? You were there." His eyes were still in the fog, watching some...something that I wasn't seeing.
"The men in the cabin."
"Yeah," he shifted again, putting his nose against the cold glass, he treached behind him to turn off the light. "Donner made it real clear to everyone at the meeting that there was going to be no bloodshed tonight and that Kanin was under protection. No one was to go after him, for any reason. Ruby, of course, backed him a hundred and ten percent. Creed blatantly challenged your father's authority by going after Kanin. It's World War Three out there tonight. Everyone is taking sides."
"Then I should be with my dad," turning to the door.
He grabbed me by the arm. His eyes glowed with an intensity that was frightening. "You said so yourself earlier, it take one bullet to bring an Alpha down. And it would take only one hostage for Creed to get the upper hand."
The fear raced through me so fast I was surprised that I could still stand on my own. "What are you saying?"
"There are about a dozen loyal followers circling this house, making sure that you stay put and safe. Anything happens to you, you really think your dad will let any of us live?"
I laughed, had to or I'd start screaming. "My dad isn't like that."
"He's the Alpha. He's your father. If you think that tonight is going to be the first and last time he kills, you're more naïve than I thought." With what I can only assume to be wolven strength, he shoved me into an armchair. "You're not going anywhere, and if that means I have to hog tie you to that chair, then that's what's going to happen."
For a moment, I was almost tempted to see what he'd do if I did challenge him. But there was something in his eyes, something that was too serious by half. "What's wrong, Luke?"
"Something's happening," he replied, more to himself than to me. His eyes were searching the shadows. "There's too much movement."
"What should we do?" I've never been in a situation like this before. No wonder my father didn't want me in this world, it was frighteningly real.
"Stay put for now," his eyes glowed as he watched the fog. "We go out there, we risk exposing ourselves to enemies."
"You think that they'll try to hurt me?" I wish to hell that I didn't sound so small and lost.
"Try being the operative word there," he replied with a trademarked Lucas Cates grin.
I have to hand it to the guy; even at moments like this he could still make my knees go weak with just a glance. It was a rather disturbing amount of power he has over me. "Will you be serious here?"
"Honey, I am serious," he said with a quick flash of his eyes before he turned to the window again. "Anyone that thinks they're going to get to you will have to rip my small intestines out and use it as guitar strings first before they're going to lay a finger on that pretty head of yours."
"Thanks for that mental image there, Luke," I grumbled at him as my eyes took in the fog-shroud night. Something was happening, out there in the night. Something horrible and possible life changing. If only I was stronger, like Luke. If only I was wiser, like Mr. Blackstone. If only.... If only I could do something.
I hate being helpless.
~~~~~~~~~~
-Luke's POV-
I hate being helpless.
I really, really, really hate being helpless.
Especially when I can see the gleam of uncertainty and fear in Sophia's eyes. She was deathly afraid, and I can't say that I blame her. I would be too, if the fate of my father was... Well, hardly productive to rehash all that. She was scared for her dad and let's just leave it at that. And we both know that there isn't anything either one of us... or anyone for that matter... can do about it. It was all up to the Sheriff... the Alpha now.
I've got to remember that. Matt Donner is Alpha. He isn't just Sheriff Donner anymore. He isn't just Sophia's dad anymore. He isn't someone I want to be ticking off just for the fun of it anymore. He is Alpha; and that demands some certain level of respect and loyalty.
Plus he's my mate's father. That means I've got to watch my p's and q's around him. No more of that immature, selfish stuff that I would normally pull... Well, at least not as often as I use to. Hey, a leopard can't change its spots overnight.
A movement in the night caught my eyes. Two shadows that danced through the dense fog. It wouldn't have mattered to me knowing that there were those out there protecting Sophia. But this was different, the stance of the two were too familiar not to alert me. Way too much movement for this to be a friendly call. "Sophia," pushing the curtains closed and her back. "Your dad keep anything deadly in the house?"
"Deadly?" her eyes were gleaming in the night again. I wonder if she has any idea what an incredible turn on it was to see her going native. Nope, I highly doubt it. "As in a service piece?"
"Anything that is going to put a rabid animal down," leading her away from the window. She was safer in here. Matthew Donner no doubt took precautions living in this two for so long. He knew all our strengths and all our weaknesses. "Anything that's going to keep the someone from going for your throat."
The calmness that suddenly descended on her was rather disquieting to watch. She was scared; I could see it in her eyes. But that was a good instinct to have now; fear makes you fight harder. She walked calmly to the desk by the side of the living room and pulled open a drawer. The gleaming 32mm looked ridiculously right in her hand. "Will this do?"
"You know how to use it?" shedding the shirt she had dug out of her father's closet for me. Not a good idea to shred the Alpha's close. But then again, I may be doing the guy a favor. Plaid. What was he thinking?
Sophia flipped the chamber open, checked that it was fully loaded, spun the chamber back into place and thumbed the safety off.
"Right, dumb question," I replied, pulling on the elastic waist of the sweatpants she gave me. It gave me perverse pleasure to watch her watch me undress. There was sensual feminine appreciation in her eyes that almost made me forget what I was doing. No time to think with my libido now, there was too much at stake. Not the least of which is the life of the girl in front of me. "Don't shoot at shadows, you might hit one of us."
"I'm not stupid," she snapped, her fears bring up her backbone. "I learned how to shoot before I learned to ride a bike."
"Figures that your dad would prepare you," I replied, shaking loose my limbs in all my glory, enjoying the way Sophia's eyes stray then snap back then stray again. "You can look all your like, baby. Doesn't bother me one bit."
Even in the dimness of the room, I could see her blush. But rallying her spirits, "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to go help my fellow brothers of the furry four-legged variety."
"I'm coming too," she said, picking up her jacket.
Grabbing the garment, I tossed it cross the room. "You're going to behave like the spoiled princess that I know you are not and stay here. We have enough to worry about without having to watch over you out there. Go to your father's room, I'm pretty sure he's got the most secure room in this house. Stay there until I or Ruby or your Dad come and get you. You don't open the door for anyone else. And you shoot anyone that tries to force the issue. We clear?"
I knew that was the wrong thing to say when her eyes narrowed darkly. I hadn't realize that anyone's eyes could go from worry to furious in two point two seconds. Lord, she's got the most beautiful honey color eyes in the world. Wait... honey colored? Oh boy, she's really mad now.
"I'm not some helpless, useless female that need some stupid night in armor to rescue her," she poked me hard in the chest, wolf strength and everything. I'm glad that I have a stronger constitution than her. "I am not going to just sit idly by while my people are out there..."
"They are there on order to protect you," knowing she's not going to like that very much. "We are here to protect you for the sole reason that you are the Alpha's greatest weakness in the world. You know what's going on out there?" pointing to the dark window. "You know what I'm going to be walking into out there? An all out attack. That's what happening out there. My friends, your friends, friends of you dad, they're out there keeping Creed's followers out of his house, away from you. Cause they know and I know that if anything happens to you, Donner will lose. He'll do anything to protect you. We can't hand Creed your dad's weakness on a silver platter." I pushed her toward the stairs, none too gently. "Now get upstairs and stay there. I've got friends to help out."
For a moment, I thought she was going to flip out on me, and not in the way I would have liked. But someone stopped her. For a few heartbeats, she just stood here, half on the first step looking at me. Then her hand was sudden at the back of my neck, pulling me forward with a strength I hadn't realized she possessed. The kiss was pure beauty. It tasted like first bloom of spring and last snowdrop of winter. A hundred stars exploded in two seconds. "Be careful," then walked up the stairs without another word.
I was in heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, I had intended for this particular part to be longer before I moved onto the next section but it didn't quite work out. I know that I've been varying that point of views of the characters to get a more well rounded story going. But I didn't like where I left this and honestly don't want to wait another two chapters to get back into this particular subplot. So...Would anyone mind if I did Sophia and Luke's POV again for the next installment?
By Didi
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters that are recognizable and I certainly don't own the show. Don't sue me cause all you're going to get is lent, and not much of that either.
Author's Note: A thousand apologies for the delay in this next chapter. I've had some trouble getting my muse to cooperate with me. Sitting down to write has become more chore than enjoyment in the last couple of weeks because I couldn't seem to find any satisfaction in what I wrote. But... I'm back and I'm gearing up for the finale to this story. Hope you guys enjoy this brief installment. And thanks for waiting so patiently for me.
Rating: R for restricted under 17.
~~~~~~~~~~
-Sophia's POV-
Something was wrong; I could smell it in the air. It tingled down my spine and made me cold from the inside. It was as if a dense fog of tension rolled into Wolf Lake and put everyone on alert. "Luke?"
"I'm right here," he answered from the window where his eyes never stayed steady, always searching and watching. "It'll be all right." But his tone told me otherwise. He was nervous, everything about him screamed balancing-on-the-edge-of-a-blade.
"What is it?" I had to ask, knowing that any answer I get wasn't going to be one that I was going to want nor like to hear. Contrary to what most people thought, I wasn't as naïve in the ways of the pack as I would have the rest of them believe. My father may not talk about the ways of the old, but you can still pick up so much just be listening.
As new Alpha, my dad was looking at a long and possibly deadly night. Any member of the pack could challenge him for leadership.... All they'd have to do is kill him. Hell of a way to get a job for life.
"Luke, please. Just tell me what's going on?" I asked, coming up behind him to look through the window. The moon was full, but then when was it not full, and the fog was like pea soup. But wolves don't need just their eyes to see, there were plenty of other senses that we can use that are more accurate. Still, the fog was thick enough to make me real nervous. Bet the humans have never seen anything quite like this before. "Don't keep me in the dark."
"Creed isn't through yet," Luke replied, pushing me gently on the shoulder, moving away from the full view of the window. "The vote was close, not as close as he would have liked it but it was close enough that anything could happen tonight. And after what happened in the woods tonight, you better believe things are going to get ugly."
"What happened in the woods?" I wanted to know.
"Creed tried to take down my new brother-in-law. But then, you already knew that, didn't you? You were there." His eyes were still in the fog, watching some...something that I wasn't seeing.
"The men in the cabin."
"Yeah," he shifted again, putting his nose against the cold glass, he treached behind him to turn off the light. "Donner made it real clear to everyone at the meeting that there was going to be no bloodshed tonight and that Kanin was under protection. No one was to go after him, for any reason. Ruby, of course, backed him a hundred and ten percent. Creed blatantly challenged your father's authority by going after Kanin. It's World War Three out there tonight. Everyone is taking sides."
"Then I should be with my dad," turning to the door.
He grabbed me by the arm. His eyes glowed with an intensity that was frightening. "You said so yourself earlier, it take one bullet to bring an Alpha down. And it would take only one hostage for Creed to get the upper hand."
The fear raced through me so fast I was surprised that I could still stand on my own. "What are you saying?"
"There are about a dozen loyal followers circling this house, making sure that you stay put and safe. Anything happens to you, you really think your dad will let any of us live?"
I laughed, had to or I'd start screaming. "My dad isn't like that."
"He's the Alpha. He's your father. If you think that tonight is going to be the first and last time he kills, you're more naïve than I thought." With what I can only assume to be wolven strength, he shoved me into an armchair. "You're not going anywhere, and if that means I have to hog tie you to that chair, then that's what's going to happen."
For a moment, I was almost tempted to see what he'd do if I did challenge him. But there was something in his eyes, something that was too serious by half. "What's wrong, Luke?"
"Something's happening," he replied, more to himself than to me. His eyes were searching the shadows. "There's too much movement."
"What should we do?" I've never been in a situation like this before. No wonder my father didn't want me in this world, it was frighteningly real.
"Stay put for now," his eyes glowed as he watched the fog. "We go out there, we risk exposing ourselves to enemies."
"You think that they'll try to hurt me?" I wish to hell that I didn't sound so small and lost.
"Try being the operative word there," he replied with a trademarked Lucas Cates grin.
I have to hand it to the guy; even at moments like this he could still make my knees go weak with just a glance. It was a rather disturbing amount of power he has over me. "Will you be serious here?"
"Honey, I am serious," he said with a quick flash of his eyes before he turned to the window again. "Anyone that thinks they're going to get to you will have to rip my small intestines out and use it as guitar strings first before they're going to lay a finger on that pretty head of yours."
"Thanks for that mental image there, Luke," I grumbled at him as my eyes took in the fog-shroud night. Something was happening, out there in the night. Something horrible and possible life changing. If only I was stronger, like Luke. If only I was wiser, like Mr. Blackstone. If only.... If only I could do something.
I hate being helpless.
~~~~~~~~~~
-Luke's POV-
I hate being helpless.
I really, really, really hate being helpless.
Especially when I can see the gleam of uncertainty and fear in Sophia's eyes. She was deathly afraid, and I can't say that I blame her. I would be too, if the fate of my father was... Well, hardly productive to rehash all that. She was scared for her dad and let's just leave it at that. And we both know that there isn't anything either one of us... or anyone for that matter... can do about it. It was all up to the Sheriff... the Alpha now.
I've got to remember that. Matt Donner is Alpha. He isn't just Sheriff Donner anymore. He isn't just Sophia's dad anymore. He isn't someone I want to be ticking off just for the fun of it anymore. He is Alpha; and that demands some certain level of respect and loyalty.
Plus he's my mate's father. That means I've got to watch my p's and q's around him. No more of that immature, selfish stuff that I would normally pull... Well, at least not as often as I use to. Hey, a leopard can't change its spots overnight.
A movement in the night caught my eyes. Two shadows that danced through the dense fog. It wouldn't have mattered to me knowing that there were those out there protecting Sophia. But this was different, the stance of the two were too familiar not to alert me. Way too much movement for this to be a friendly call. "Sophia," pushing the curtains closed and her back. "Your dad keep anything deadly in the house?"
"Deadly?" her eyes were gleaming in the night again. I wonder if she has any idea what an incredible turn on it was to see her going native. Nope, I highly doubt it. "As in a service piece?"
"Anything that is going to put a rabid animal down," leading her away from the window. She was safer in here. Matthew Donner no doubt took precautions living in this two for so long. He knew all our strengths and all our weaknesses. "Anything that's going to keep the someone from going for your throat."
The calmness that suddenly descended on her was rather disquieting to watch. She was scared; I could see it in her eyes. But that was a good instinct to have now; fear makes you fight harder. She walked calmly to the desk by the side of the living room and pulled open a drawer. The gleaming 32mm looked ridiculously right in her hand. "Will this do?"
"You know how to use it?" shedding the shirt she had dug out of her father's closet for me. Not a good idea to shred the Alpha's close. But then again, I may be doing the guy a favor. Plaid. What was he thinking?
Sophia flipped the chamber open, checked that it was fully loaded, spun the chamber back into place and thumbed the safety off.
"Right, dumb question," I replied, pulling on the elastic waist of the sweatpants she gave me. It gave me perverse pleasure to watch her watch me undress. There was sensual feminine appreciation in her eyes that almost made me forget what I was doing. No time to think with my libido now, there was too much at stake. Not the least of which is the life of the girl in front of me. "Don't shoot at shadows, you might hit one of us."
"I'm not stupid," she snapped, her fears bring up her backbone. "I learned how to shoot before I learned to ride a bike."
"Figures that your dad would prepare you," I replied, shaking loose my limbs in all my glory, enjoying the way Sophia's eyes stray then snap back then stray again. "You can look all your like, baby. Doesn't bother me one bit."
Even in the dimness of the room, I could see her blush. But rallying her spirits, "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to go help my fellow brothers of the furry four-legged variety."
"I'm coming too," she said, picking up her jacket.
Grabbing the garment, I tossed it cross the room. "You're going to behave like the spoiled princess that I know you are not and stay here. We have enough to worry about without having to watch over you out there. Go to your father's room, I'm pretty sure he's got the most secure room in this house. Stay there until I or Ruby or your Dad come and get you. You don't open the door for anyone else. And you shoot anyone that tries to force the issue. We clear?"
I knew that was the wrong thing to say when her eyes narrowed darkly. I hadn't realize that anyone's eyes could go from worry to furious in two point two seconds. Lord, she's got the most beautiful honey color eyes in the world. Wait... honey colored? Oh boy, she's really mad now.
"I'm not some helpless, useless female that need some stupid night in armor to rescue her," she poked me hard in the chest, wolf strength and everything. I'm glad that I have a stronger constitution than her. "I am not going to just sit idly by while my people are out there..."
"They are there on order to protect you," knowing she's not going to like that very much. "We are here to protect you for the sole reason that you are the Alpha's greatest weakness in the world. You know what's going on out there?" pointing to the dark window. "You know what I'm going to be walking into out there? An all out attack. That's what happening out there. My friends, your friends, friends of you dad, they're out there keeping Creed's followers out of his house, away from you. Cause they know and I know that if anything happens to you, Donner will lose. He'll do anything to protect you. We can't hand Creed your dad's weakness on a silver platter." I pushed her toward the stairs, none too gently. "Now get upstairs and stay there. I've got friends to help out."
For a moment, I thought she was going to flip out on me, and not in the way I would have liked. But someone stopped her. For a few heartbeats, she just stood here, half on the first step looking at me. Then her hand was sudden at the back of my neck, pulling me forward with a strength I hadn't realized she possessed. The kiss was pure beauty. It tasted like first bloom of spring and last snowdrop of winter. A hundred stars exploded in two seconds. "Be careful," then walked up the stairs without another word.
I was in heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, I had intended for this particular part to be longer before I moved onto the next section but it didn't quite work out. I know that I've been varying that point of views of the characters to get a more well rounded story going. But I didn't like where I left this and honestly don't want to wait another two chapters to get back into this particular subplot. So...Would anyone mind if I did Sophia and Luke's POV again for the next installment?
