Thank you all for the positive responses I am getting! Some of you want to know what color Sophia's pelt will be. I decided early on that I was going to take a bit of a different approach to the whole white wolf issue. Ruby will be the only white wolf in this story as they are rare. The significance of the white wolf will be slightly different here as well, as you will read in later chapters. I wanted Sophia to be on a somewhat level playing field with the other females and let her natural qualities stand on their own.

As to Presley getting what she deserves... well, you'll have to wait and see!

Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Rivals

On the way to diner Lucas was feeling very excited. He could not believe that Sophia had kissed him! He didn't even have to use any of his attraction energy on her. He now knew how passionate she can be and he was thrilled that she wanted him. He also knew, however, that he would have to take it slow with her. He wasn't use to waiting. There were always plenty of willing females around him.

Sophia was sitting and thinking as well. She was surprised at how easily she kissed him back and how much her body wanted him. What's wrong with me? Why can't I just relax and enjoy myself? She found that she was angry with herself for not acting like a normal skinwalker. She could now admit to herself that she really liked Lucas a lot, but there were other things to consider. He did say that he liked her a lot but what exactly does that mean? Does he want to be my boyfriend? Does he just want to sleep with me? She wasn't sure she could be so casual when it came to Lucas. She felt that it would hurt a lot if she slept with him and then found out that he slept with someone else the next night.

When they walked into the diner, Lucas stiffened and slowed down. Sophia looked at his face and saw him looking towards the pool tables in the back, so she followed his gaze.

Tyler Creed and his two buddies were playing pool and drinking.

"Just ignore him," encouraged Sophia. She led him to a booth and they both sat down across from each other. Lucas was still watching Tyler.

"Lucas? Do you want to go somewhere else?" she asked.

I'm not going to let him run me out of the diner.

I just meant that he seems to be distracting you.

He looked back at Sophia. Sorry baby. Maybe this isn't a good time to practice. Let's just get some drinks or something.

That's fine. What's been happening with Ruby while I've been gone? If it's o.k. to ask, that is?

They kept projecting on their private mental path so that Tyler would not hear.

Tyler's been getting more anxious about getting rid of Kanin. He's always bugging my mom about it. He says that if she doesn't think of a way to get him out of town, then he will kill him. He says he's tired of having to hide Ruby away and that he wants to be able to live in town with her.

He just can't kill him! It would bring more police here to investigate!

Exactly. And Ruby would never forgive him.

What will your mom do?

She says she's working on something. She won't say yet. I can tell that she is getting pretty worried herself about Kanin knowing too much. To tell you the truth, even though I don't like Tyler, I do want Ruby to be able to live in town again. I really miss her.

Do you ever get to see her?

Yeah, Sunday nights we meet on the pier, as wolves of course. Tyler never lets her out unless she's in her wolf.

Well, at least he lets her meet with you.

I'll give him one thing. He does seem to love her. He tries to do things to make her happy.

I'll be right back.

Sophia got up to go to the restroom. As she passed Tyler and his friends they stood up straight and followed her with their eyes, smelling for her scent. "Yummy and sweet," she heard one of them say. Sophia hurried her pace a little quicker.

Tyler now sauntered over to where Lucas was sitting. "Very good taste Cates. Sophia Donner! Who'd have ever guessed!"

Lucas said nothing but just glared at Tyler as he sat down in Sophia's place and lit a cigarette. "I tell you bro, she's really blossomed!" Tyler continued.

"I'm not your bro," Lucas growled.

"Whoa... why all the hostility? I'm married to your sister, so that makes me your brother." Tyler replied casually.

"Posturing for position are you?" Lucas challenged.

Tyler smiled and wagged his head. "You know I can rip your ass up if I wanted to."

"Then let's do it!" Lucas growled standing up from his seat.

"Settle down pup!" Tyler laughed, not even getting up. "If you don't know why I haven't tried anything with you, then your pretty dim."

"You're just afraid you'll lose." Lucas baited.

Now Tyler stood up, starting to get angry. Sophia came out of the bathroom and saw them. She decided to stay out the way and watched from a distance. Other skinwalkers in the diner were also looking now.

Lucas and Tyler locked eyes. They took their conversation private.

Tyler began.

Listen to me Cates. The only thing stopping me from getting rid of you is Ruby. I don't want to be Alpha if it means losing her.

Lucas just stared. It was hard for him to believe that Tyler would give up his ambitions. Could he really love Ruby that much?

Why should I believe that? You killed her best friend? You killed Lloyd.

You already know why that happened. And I have been paying dearly for it, haven't I?

That's between you and Ruby.

Yeah, it is. Tyler glanced over at Sophia. Maybe you'll find out how love can make you do crazy things.

Tyler walked back to the pool table and his waiting buddies. Sophia waited until Tyler was there before she went back to Lucas. He waited until she sat down before he seated himself again. "You all right?" she ventured.

"Yeah, fine," Lucas said. But he did not look like things were fine.

"Let's just go, O.K.? I really don't want to stay here," Sophia pleaded.

Tyler's presence had really put a downer on the afternoon.

They were about to get up and leave when Sherman Blackstone came in and strode over to their table. "Hello you two. Having fun?"

Lucas took a quick glance in Tyler's direction and said, "Not really."

Sherman looked at Tyler and sighed. "Well I'm afraid I'm just going to have to dampen your day a little more."

Lucas became alert. "What is it?"

Sherman sat down next to Sophia and signaled the waitress. He seemed in no hurry to answer. Lucas and Sophia looked at him anxiously.

"Mr. Blackstone, is someone hurt or something?" Sophia asked.

He placed an order with the waitress then looked over at Lucas. "It seems the Silver Lake wolves have been encroaching on our territory lately. Three of them were spotted coming as far in as the north woods clearing."

"What do you think they want?" Lucas questioned.

"Well that's what I was hoping you could find out," he replied.

"I'll take some others and check it out tonight," Lucas decided.

"Just be careful," Sherman warned, "Silver Lake wolves live by different laws."

"I know. But I know they should respect territories. That was agreed upon long ago." Lucas stated.

Sophia did not know very much about Silver Lake wolves. She knew they were a separate pack and that at times there had been conflicts. But there had not been a conflict in a long time, not in her lifetime. The last time there were pack wars, was when Willard first became Alpha and married one of the Silver Lake females. This female became Ruby's natural mother. But that conflict was laid to rest long ago and a peace agreement was made. What could they possible want now?

Sophia had also heard that the Silver Lake skinwalkers lived much more sheltered lives. They had a settlement, but they kept away from the modern world as much as possible and did not allow humans to live amongst them. They did not agree with the way Wolf Lake skinwalkers allowed humans to coexist in the their town, schools, and businesses. Their children did not go to a school and were taught only by the shamans and their parents.

"Come on Sophia, I'll take you home," Lucas said as he stood up to leave.

When they got in the car Lucas said, "Sorry we didn't get a chance to practice today. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"I understand. I hope everything goes smoothly tonight," she worried.

He glanced at her expression. Then he smiled at her to ease the tension. "Don't worry Sophia. Sherman couldn't ask my mother to do it. Silver Lake wolves wouldn't accept a female Alpha. We are just going to find out what they want."

"Why don't they just come into town and talk?" Sophia questioned.

"Because they don't like towns. They are more back-to-nature than we are. And they don't like risking being outnumbered."

When they reached her house, he stopped the car and got out with her. He walked her to her front door.

"You didn't have to walk me to the door you know. You didn't do that yesterday." Sophia smiled at him.

"We didn't do this yesterday either," he replied as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his body turning his head slightly to the side.

Sophia was surprised how quickly he moved, she did not have time to protest. But she found that she did not want to protest. It felt so good to be in his arms. She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck and brought her lips up to his.

The kiss started slow and sweet but soon deepened as they both felt the pleasure of their standing bodies pressed so tightly against each other. Lucas's hands explored her back and Sophia's fingers ran through his hair as they both pressed intimately together.

Then the garage door of the neighbor's house opened across the street and Sophia pulled away. She did not feel comfortable making out in front of old Mrs. Banley. Lucas still held on to her hands and smiled at her embarrassment. She smiled and laughed back.

Then she slipped into the house and stood behind the screen door.

"I think you've had enough kissing for one day," she teased.

"There is no such thing as enough kissing, Sophia," he grinned at her through the screen. He kissed his hand and blew it at her as he turned to leave.

She stood in the doorway and watched him drive away. Her lips were still tingling from the kiss and she reached up to touch them. A big smile formed on her face as she turned to go up stairs yelling "Yes!" to an empty house.

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Well, there it is! Please let me know how I'm doing! Your comments keep me typing!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!