Disclaimer: The Twilight book series and all recognizable characters and situations belong to Stephanie Meyer I don't own any of that. But I do so love her stage.
Revised A/N please read:
For this story A shifter will phase the first time in his early teens if the father is still actively phasing. Adam was surprised when Coinin first phased, it should have happened already if it was going to.
Anything written in italics is a flashback, random thought, or text message depending on the context.
Chapter 12 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Unknown Pov
Port Bukeraton Lucacini
True Alpha Cevin Eryin had never been anyone's fool, but as he stood on the balcony overlooking the pier, he felt just plain stupid. His sources said the Ipsa domina lupus would be traveling from America today.
His shifters monitored the international flight arrivals in both Port Bukeraton and Jeroisa City all day, but she never turned up. Now he was wondering if she had been spirited into the country under his very nose.
He glanced over as the Acadia door slid open. His grandfather's envoy Geoffery Couvxti stepped out of the luxury apartment. Cevin raised his eyebrows now this was a surprise. The two men greeted each other like old friends.
"The old man wants to see you," said Geoffery.
Cevin chuckled, "The old man couldn't pick up a phone? Tell me Geoffery how important is this? Can it wait?"
Geoffery leaned against the rail and crossed his arms, "If it wasn't important I would have called you. Trust me you want to hear this."
Cevin sighed, "I supposed it won't kill me to drive down and see what he wants."
Adam Lightfoot's Pov
Jacob eyed me thoughtfully while I explained the Eryin's quarrel with Matthew. "What the hell Adam? You're saying Miriella isn't welcome in Ivan's Peak?" he sounded offended.
I felt myself tense. "No I'm saying it's her choice," I rebutted.
"So what exactly is Eryin a state? A country?" he arched one eyebrow inquisitively.
"Eryin is like a principality, but it owes allegiance to the crown. Cevin Eryin's right to rule is hereditary, I tried to explain.
Jacob said, "Well I'll go up to Ivan's Peak for tonight, but tomorrow I'm going to start looking for a place here in town." He started to turn away but stopped, "By the way, Miriella want's to meet all of you. She said she is going to invite us to her brother's castle so we can meet him to. Oh and Leah, she said her brother's pack will love to meet you." Leah rolled her eyes.
I didn't miss the concerned look Julien gave me.
Sam cleared his throat, "Emily and I also have an announcement. He punched Jacob on the arm. "It's not nearly as exciting as yours," He smiled at Emily encouragingly.
Emily stood up from her seat on the blanket. She nervously wiped her hands on her jeans, "It turns out that there are doctors in this country who specialize in these types of injuries. She gestured towards her face. "Sam and I decided to see what can be done for me and hope we have you support," she said.
It turned into one of those feel good moments. The pack wasted no time rallying around Emily. Our impromptu meeting broke up, and we started drifting off to interact with others in the park. Collin and Mark joined a game of soccer. Sam and Jacob decided it looked fun and joined in.
Old Quil that distinguished gentleman, forgot his dignity enough to roll around on the quilt with the Uley twins. This was my first time seeing this side of him.
Julien said, "It's fun seeing things through their eyes. Everything is shiny and new."
"It's extremely enjoyable. You should have been there the first time Miss Leah tried Cavhory Soup," I agreed.
Speaking of which... I noticed Leah leaning against a tree. Her body language suggested she was upset. I followed her gaze over to where Coinin was buying balloons from a wandering vendor.
They were speaking Lucacinian and the girl was flirting. Coinin was mostly being polite, but if I didn't speak the language, I would swear he was initiating it. Oh Leah things are about to change for you! If I know Matthew, and I do you are going to be the most spoiled imprint!
"Maybe we should encourage him in light of her imprint," Julien said close to my ear.
I chuckled, "Oh no you don't! I'm not doing anything to anger Leah. I like my Sue's bed and I don't want to be banned from it."
"Adam Lightfoot is henpecked! Wait until I tell Chase!" Julien teased.
Just as I was about to retaliate, "Leah is an imprint?" whispered Seth from behind me.
The first thing Earl Bishop taught Jacobs pack was how to have a private conversation around other supernaturals. We use an octane just below our range of hearing. I was so focused on Julien, I didn't realize Seth was close enough to overhear us.
Julien whistled quietly.
I thought about it and said, "I think we can take Seth into our confidence, yes she's an imprint."
Julien turned to Seth, "This has to be kept quiet for so many reasons, one being your sister's safety. She is going to need bodyguards when this goes public. Can I count on you to keep this confidential even from Leah?"
Seth said, "I won't tell anyone. Is he famous or something?"
I said, "You could say that.
Seth glanced over to where Coinin was trying to coax Leah into talking to him.
She was saying, "You don't owe me any explanations!"
"But Leah, the balloons are for the twins!" Coinin said pleadingly.
Seth snorted, "That's a lie sucker! I saw him flirting! But anyway what about him?"
Julien said, "She has a choice like any other imprint." Poor Coinin! you left out the part about him not flirting. I'll have to tell Seth later.
I said, "Seth Leah is going to need you to look out for her interests."
Julien gaped at me, "You don't trust Elijah to look out for her?' he asked using Matthew's middle name.
I sighed, "Elijah is overprotective, especially after Ioana. Leah is independent and won't like restrictions on her movement. Seth can smooth things over."
Seth said, "I'll start right now! Where is he? Shouldn't he be here trying to meet her?'
Julien said, "He thought she was with Jacob, So he sent me to make contact as not to interrupt their family. I was to inquire if they as a couple were open to a friendship."
"So you're some kind of wing-man?" he asked.
I'd had enough, "Seth Julien is a member of Matthew Elijah's Elite Black Guard."
Seth frowned, "But you said the Elite Black Guard were oh..." He started to catch on.
Julien and I watched his eyes open as wide as saucers.
Cevin Eryin's POV
Villa of the Three Moons, Vin Luna
When I arrived at grandpa's villa a wave of nostalgia hit me. Several of his werewolves were milling about, with them were some shape-shifters. I could see him sitting on the veranda pitching his usual propaganda.
"The traitor Bronwyn of Eryin choose safety over valor. Soon we will rise again and oust the pretender. Matthew Hemming will denounce his war loving ways and bend his knee to his true king Cevin of the Eryin," he expressed himself with the fervor of a zealot.
His long hair swayed around his shoulders and caught the waning sunlight in a strawberry blonde halo around his face, an uncommon shade for a Child of the Moon. Yet his cool ochre eyes gave him away completely. They burned with the silvery sheen unique to his kind. I was struck as I always am by how well he looks for an elder. His hair is just now starting to go gray.
He grabbed me in a bear hug, "Cevin you're a sight for sore eyes."
"How are you grandpa?" I asked.
"Well I'm not dead yet, that means I'm OK," he answered.
He watched me with a contemplative gaze. "We haven't greeted you properly," he said decorously lowering his head.
As one his werewolves started to bend their knees, but I stopped them all with a look. "Grandpa Prince of the Eryin is my rightful title. I have no claim on Leydwolf or Vin Luna" I reminded him gently.
He studied me intently. "We're all one country now. Remember you made a promise to your father," he pointed out.
"To rule Eryin, yes! Prince of Eryin and King of Lucacini are two different things. You know this!" I replied impatiently.
"So you're saying meanwhile, you don't mind bending your knee to the pretender?" he challenged.
"Of course I do! But he is the king and I won't commit treason. I'm preparing to make my case at The Round Table," I retorted.
"Bah! Our loved ones will never be safe as long as that warmonger sits on the throne!" he stated emphatically.
I held his gaze, "Grandpa there's no love lost between High Alpha Hemming and I, but let's face it the Canis Shifter war was my father's doing," I reminded him gently.
My grandpa Jedidah Crohme is a bitter old werewolf, who is out of touch with reality. It wasn't always like this. I don't remember my mother. When she disappeared, father felt grandpa could provide the best environment for me. And he was right, I have many happy memories of my early years spent here with grandpa and Amy Whiterspoon my au pair.
This lovely villa used to be filled with the wholesome scent of soap and the aroma of baking bread. Children of the Moon don't form packs, but there were always people around. Grandpa is a spiritual leader among his people. My surroundings had a different vibe when I used to visit father and hang around his pack.
We were happy until father emerged as High Alpha and won Rex. He issued an edict naming the reigning Queen Agnes Hemming a pretender in favor of himself. Then he used the alpha voice to align the packs against the crown causing resentment and simmering rebellion.
At first grandpa refused to take sides. In me he had ties to the Eryin. My maternal aunt Ioana Crohme was engaged to then Crown Prince Matthew Hemming tying him Leydwolf. Grandpa's stance upset father so much that he sent for me and I was returned to Eryin. Ioana was in Leydwolf so grandfather was left to wait out the war in Vin Luna.
Pack wars are relatively civil. Battles over specific turf are fought until one side surrenders, but never to the death. This went on for a while as backed by a High Alpha the Eryin were steadily advancing into Leydwolf.
Just before her wedding aunt Ioana was killed in a hit and run accident. Wild rumors ran through the packs that her death was not accidental. My grandpa blamed Leydwolf and allied with the Eryin. The conflict escalated into an all-out war little was held sacred.
Within a year True Alpha Matthew started showing the signs and emerged as a High Alpha. This evened the odds and worried father greatly. He now faced a dominant alpha of equal rank with the power of Pack Hemming and the authority of the crown behind him. Leydwolf systematically began to regain ground.
Alpha Hemming called for an alpha challenge for Rex. Father proposed a stipulation that the winner takes all. If he could prevail Queen Agnes would renounce the throne.
In an unexpected move Hemming accepted. Both parties agreed this alpha match would settle the question of the crown for all time. Father reneged three years later on his deathbed.
I remember the angst of those days leading up to the match. Miriella and I clung to father during the day and fall asleep in his arms at night. He told us elaborate stories about our ancestors.
I'll always remember the day before I lost the two most important people in my life. Father, Miriella and I made a surprise trip to meet grandpa in Jeroisa City. That night he asked me to promise to bring the crown home to Eryin. He counseled my sister and me to always uphold the honor of our family. That was the last we saw of him until the day he was returned to Eryin for his funeral.
In many ways Matthew Hemming stole my childhood. Father was exiled immediately after his defeat. Although grandpa was pardoned and occasionally permitted to visit me in Eryin, it was many years before I was allowed to return home to Vin Luna.
High Alpha Hemming in his wisdom appointed a young alpha Adrian Grigore of Pack Cole as my guardian. He was friendly enough but strict in preparing me for my role as Duke of Eryin, and once I phased True Alpha of Pack Eryin. While most kids my age were playing games and having sleepovers, I was studying pack law and learning to lead. Sometimes I was allowed to have fun and be a kid, but not very often.
I stared into my grandpa's eyes, "Grandpa one day I will rule a free Eryin. Until then we just have to be patient. Why did you send for me?" I asked. I hope I didn't drive all the way out here from Port Bokerthan for inspirational speeches.
He walked over to the table and poured two drinks. He handed me one and asked, "Do you know what your sister is up to?" Ah why are you worried about Miriella? You've never liked her.
I frowned, "No she is upset with me and not taking my calls why?" I should have let her cover Port Bukeraton. It's not like this mythical she-wolf actually showed up.
Grandpa said, "She was spotted in the company of First Beta Lightfoot and a shape-shifting she-wolf, not a Child of the Moon." He watched my face carefully waiting for my reaction.
I heard myself swear, "This she-wolf do you think she is the one?"
"The one in the prophecy? I'm told she appears to be about the right age, but that's hard to tell with any shifter," he answered.
I started pacing, "You do realize she could be in danger right? Why didn't you call me?" I asked.
He shrugged, "How did I know you didn't know about this? I called you to find out what's going on."
I ran my hands through my hair, "What is Miriella thinking? The she-wolf could be in Leydwolf by now!"
Grandpa said, "I suggest you find out and then control your sister."
Unknown POV
Two hours later
Jedidah always felt energized after crossing wits with his grandson. He looked up when the female werewolf entered the library. Unlike the shape-shifters females were plentiful among his kind. Anaca shook out her silvery locks almost a perfect match to her eyes.
"There are signs of intruders on our eastern boundary but so far they are elusive," she reported.
Jedidah snorted his competition was always sending spies around trying to sniff out the secrets of the master viticulturist passed down through his family for generations.
Anaca sniffed the air, "Has Cevin come around to your way of thinking?"
Jedidah chuckled, "He will play his role like a good puppet, just like his father before him."
"He's much more stubborn than Ivan," she said with a note of pride.
Jedidah stilled, "Be warned broken puppets can be replaced. If Cevin remains recalcitrant we still have the other one."
She walked over to stare out the window concealing her expression, "Ah yes the baby. He'd be a man by now."
Jedidah said, "It was really clever of Matthew to hide him all these years."
"I wonder what he named him," she said wishfully.
He walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "It's better that we didn't get attached to him. It makes things easier yes?"
"Yes," she answered quietly. He could smell the salt from her tears.
Jedidah said, "He is Matthew's only heir and will resurface eventually. Take comfort in that". He patted her shoulder awkwardly.
A/N: Thank you for reading, following and reviewing this story. I appreciate it.
Matthew and Ioana were a modern couple. They lived together before their marriage. She became his Alpha Female when they announced their engagement.
I am sending special teasers to anyone who leaves me feedback via review or pm.
Teaser: The next chapter will be called Home away from home followed by "Leah's Imprint". where Leah and Matthew finally meet. Need I say more?
For the purpose of this story werewolf gifts are very different than shape-shifter abilities. Hybrid shifter/werewolf children like Cevin Eryin randomly inherit the abilities of one parent not both.
A dormant shifter can still pass along the genes like Billy did.