Disclaimer: The Twilight Series and all recognizable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. I don't own any of that. But, I do so love her stage.

A/N: Anything written in italics is a flashback, random thought, or text message depending on the context.

Remember Coinin's favorite Chase Hemming mural of the black and white alpha wolf who reminded Leah of a Siberian Husky? Read on to learn his identity.

*Please see the authors note at the end of this chapter for info and acknowledgements*

Chapter 21: A Long Time Coming

Coinin's Pov

Elijah didn't move a muscle. He simply stared at me with those steely green eyes of his. I broke eye contact stifling a cringe. I've been phasing less than three months. What made me think I could take on the wolf king?

He didn't sound angry when he said, "That's your decision Coinin."

Adam butted in, "Are you actually going to admit he's not yours?" His tone suggested exactly that.

Elijah stood up, his eyes sought Adams, "I just did."

Adam lowered his eyes studying the floor and then looked back up, "Look Ioana..."

Elijah raised a hand cutting him off. He said, "Coinin look at me."

I lifted my eyes to meet his steady gaze."We're not related by blood, but you're still mine," he said bluntly.

This didn't surprise me. I remember him as my adopted mom's cousin who spoiled me whenever I visited here as a kid.

Adam sighed, "Why do I feel like there is more to it?"

Elijah paused a couple of minutes before he said, "Because there is. I made a pact with Issac."

Adam rubbed his temples, "Prince Issac was involved?"

My shoulders relaxed with relief since they seemed content to ignore me.

Elijah pulled his t-shirt over his head, "Yes but keeping his secrets now will do more harm than good. Phase!."

I never get tired of watching Adam phase he does it so smoothly.

Elijah glanced at me and said, "Phase Coinin." before phasing himself.

I stood there gaping at the familiar black and white wolf until I remembered he was waiting for me to phase. It was you in the mural!

For the next twenty minutes I watched spellbound as my mother's story unfolded in the pack mind. The memories started with Elijah introducing her to Crown Prince Issac Hemming. It was love at first sight, but problematic because Prince Issac had been recently widowed. To avoid a scandal they kept their relationship secret.

Prince Issac told Elijah he'd gotten my mom pregnant. He wanted him to consider being my god father. He also made Elijah promise to protect his family if anything should happen to him. Two days later Prince Issac was killed, ambushed by vampires while patrolling the border.

Elijah and my mother grew close through mutually mourning Prince Issac's passing. Weeks passed and their affection for each other grew. Their relationship was platonic, but they became engaged to protect my birthright.

Queen Agnes pressured them into setting a wedding date. She felt a legitimate heir was the boost the war torn country needed. Less than a month before my due date, my mom flew home to Vin Luna to purchase a traditional wedding dress.

Elijah was about to board his own flight to Vin Luna, when he received devastating news. My mom was struck down by a vehicle, driven by her own bodyguards. I was born but in a weakened state. My mom wasn't able to survive the childbirth. The bodyguards were still at large. She was cremated in observance of an arcane werewolf tradition.

Sir Jedidah bought me to Jeroisa City and Pack Hemming closed ranks to protect me. The official story was that my mom and her unborn child were killed by a hit and run driver. A memorial service was planned and the flags were flown at half mask.

The day before the mom's service Sir Jedidah handed me to Elijah. Apparently, he could not bear to look at me. He accused Elijah of ordering my mom's death and stormed out.

Elijah's American cousin Rita happened to come for the wedding. She heard me crying and came to investigate. She immediately fell in love with me.

Elijah stayed up all night soul searching. My parents would want me to have a real home and proper guidance. By the morning he had reached a decision. I would be going home with Rita.

The next day at the memorial service Sir Jedidah snubbed Elijah. He returned to Vin Luna and allied with the Eryin.

All these years Elijah has supported me from a distance. He made sure Adam was a constant presence in my life. He believed I was Issac's son until the day I phased.

It was quiet around the pool when Elijah finished his story.

Adam said, "For the record, the rest of us believed you were sired by Elijah."

"Were you ever going to tell me?" I wondered.

Adam answered, "We knew that one day you would start asking questions."

I braved a look at Elijah, "Thank You sir."

He stood and shook himself out, "You're welcome." Our quality time was over the wolf king was back.

"How are you feeling about all of this?" Adam asked.

I answered honestly, "It's a lot to process."

He started to stretch, "That's understandable."

My errant surprise at this new soft side of the wolf king flashed through the pack mind.

Adam chuckled internally, "That first night we brought you home, he panicked every time you cried." He shared a memory.

I was screaming my little head off. Elijah was holding me awkwardly. He said, "Call doctor Banlian!".

Adam laughed, "Again? Should I ask him to spend the night? Come on Eli baby's cry!"

Elijah rolled his eyes, "Can you at least call Daniel? He knows a lot about babies."

Adam walked over and adjusted me in Elijah's arms, "Hold him like this."

All I could say was, "wow."

Somehow Elijah managed to snort in wolf form. He said, "You were such a tiny baby." just as he phased.

Leah's Pov

Seth and I got lost so I was late getting to the clinic. We rode the elevator to the third floor, where we disembarked into a lobby. Collin and another security guard were standing near the reception desk.

A female werewolf wearing an employee ID badge looked up, "Hi I'm Cheryl. You must be Dr. Clearwater?"

I said, "Yes I'm Leah Clearwater."

She looked relieved, "They are in conference room 12 E around the corner and to the left."

I did a double take when I walked in the room. A wolf who had to be Cevin Eryin, sat drumming his fingers on the conference table.

Dr. Craine stood up, "Alpha Eryin this is Dr. Leah Clearwater from La Push Washington."

Cevin Eryin inclined his head, "Dr. Clearwater." His silver eyes almost as familiar as my own traveled over my face.

"Now that everyone is here, lets get started," Dr. Craine said brightly.

The intake conference was fairly straightforward. Dr. Craine walked us through the research process. Cevin's vitals and abilities were recorded on charts and graph's. The research team started the stress and other medical tests on him.

Under the guise of taking notes, I studied him furtively. His featured are more rugged, but his resemblance to Coinin is uncanny.

He was asked to report to the lab the next day. The research team spent another two hours inputting and analyzing data before finishing up for the day.

Dr. Craine pulled me aside, "Dr. Clearwater we have a narrow window to study this phenomenon. I need you to be here on time and prepared."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry it won't happen again."

"I need a volunteer to stay and finish analyzing the slides," Her smug look said she knew I would agree.

Two hours later I rushed to find Seth. It was less than two hours before my date with with Elijah and I still had to get ready.

Seth was standing in the middle of a group of girls. "Hi sis," he said looking innocent.

I straightened to my full height, "How did you manage to find girls in the middle of a research facility?" I asked to low for them to hear.

He had the presence of mind to look embarrassed. "Cheryl called her sister and she bought some of her friends," he answered equally quiet.

One girl who didn't even reach Seth's shoulders said,"Wow you really are a lupa."

Another girl who had to be Cheryl's sister gushed, "Isn't it exciting?"

I stayed to chat long enough to be polite before I dragged Seth out of there. Collin was downstairs waiting for us. Seth dropped him off at the pack house on our way home.

It was really late when we walked into Jacob's apartment, I headed for the shower. My grooming took longer than usual because I had to blow dry my hair. I took my time doing my shimmery cat eye make-up to perfection. I choose kiss-proof Red Velvet lipstick for a glamorous touch.

I had to decided which of the two outfits I packed for tonight was best. I finally decided on a form fitting black mini dress paired with a cropped tan jacket and belt. On my feet I wore a pair of sexy two tone peep toe heels. Chunky nautical jewelry completed my look.

I heard Seth let Elijah in a few minutes ago. He was trying a bite of whatever Seth was cooking. Both men turned when I walked in.

"Whoa! Where do you think you're going dressed like that?" Seth teased.

Elijah grinned at me, "You look amazing."

He pulled me into a hot sexy kiss neither of us was in a hurry to break.

Seth was making his plate, "Oh Leah I forgot to ask, how did it go today?"

"It was the weirdest thing, Cevin Eryin looks just like Coinin," I replied.

"Get out of here!" Seth exclaimed.

"They're cousins," Elijah volunteered.

Seth and I gaped at him, before asking questions at once. Elijah held up his hands to ward off our interrogation. "Ask Coinin," he said firmly.

Seth fake pouted, "Okay."

Elijah and I held hands when we walked out to his truck, an oversized GMC Sierra with reinforced doors and windows. I scooted as close to him as the seat would allow. We spent the drive talking and singing with the songs on his CD player.

The restaurant was nestled in a quaint little cove. We walked across the parking lot, through a breezeway into an open dining area. candles flickered on most of the tables casting the area in a mellow glow. A full kitchen built to resemble a ship's galley was the focal point in the center of the room.

A long bar with oak wine barrel taps stood on the left side of the room. The right side featured a huge Lobster tank which glowed with muted artificial light. An elderly woman watched us from behind an antique hostess station.

I looked around, "This is beautiful. I've never seen anything like it."

Elijah said, "It's one of my first designs."

"This building?" I clarified.

That familiar humor twinkled in his eyes, "Yes."

"Well it's really nice," I replied.

The room fell silent and as diners and servers alike began to notice Elijah and drop their eyes. The wolves took it a step further and began baring their necks. The hostess curtsied before she greeted us in Lucacinian. I thought that was kind of strange, but the werewolf population breeds unique customs.

Elijah took my hand guiding me towards an archway, "The private dining rooms are through here."

Suddenly I felt tiny pinpricks of intrusive energy race along my skin. The hair rose on the back of my neck. I stopped abruptly and the hostess almost crashed into me.

Elijah squeezed my hand gently turning to face me, "Hawk Simon is announcing himself."

He laid his hand on the small of my back and guided me into a circular indoor courtyard with an atrium.

A shape-shifter approached us, his noble bearing at odds with his demeanor. I instinctively lowered my gaze and studied the flagstone floor.

Elijah proffered his hand, "Simon."

Hawk Simon jammed his hands into his pockets. "Korzka," he said in a deep baritone.

I looked up startled. At the exact same time Hawk glanced at me speculatively. This guy was a lot younger than I'd realized. Dark brows sculpted like wings framed beautiful hazel eyes. His slightly beaked nose balanced his sharp features and square jawline.

I noticed his pierced lip when a silver hoop caught the light. His hair really stood out. A deep blue black in color, he wore it cut in many uneven layers so it resembled feathers.

"Decii zenov-norlve ca acemyn O femeie nouaa," He said suggestively and flicked his gaze to watch Elijah's reaction. What the heck?

Elijah's arm snaked out and encircled my waist gently pulling me back flush against his body. He leaned in and lightly brushed his lips along my neck.

My inner wolf hummed contentedly. Elijah's responded with a low guttural growl that resonated from him into me.

I was reminded of an article I read about the mating habits of wolves. The alpha male pair bonds with the alpha female. Then he guards her from all other male rivals. Hawk was watching us not bothering to hide the animosity in his eyes.

Elijah put his hand on my lower back and started to guide me around Hawk.

Hawk looked down his nose at Elijah. "Lupul torii arei picioare mari." he taunted.

The hostess gasped staring wide eyed at the two men. Elijah said, "This is getting tedious."

Hawk smirked, "No aii da gend ca introduca noi?"

Elijah smiled, a cold harsh smile that didn't reach his eyes, "No." He stared at the younger man, silently daring him to reply.

Hawk had the nerve to look indignant. "Another day then," he said in perfect English stepping back out of our path.

I was so confused. Hawk Simon oozed power, but he didn't defer to Elijah. Nor did he have the aura of an alpha wolf, "What was that all about?" I asked.

Elijah sighed, "He and I disagree on a number of issues one being The Eryin."

"Does he always act like like a ten year old? I asked loud enough for Simon to hear me.

Elijah grinned at me in approval. "Let's just say he is still young enough to learn temperance," he replied with a straight face.

I heard Hawk Simon snort somewhere behind us.

Something about him wasn't adding up. I had to ask, "He's not an alpha wolf is he?"

Elijah glanced at me curiously, "Of course not, That's the Aves Rex."

I remember Adam making sure everyone from La Push could name our kings. He gave us a list to memorize:

The Council Of Four

Matthew Hemming-The Canis (Alpha) Rex

Tiberius Uvimayah- The Felidae Rex

Hawk Simon-The Aves Rex

Dr. Julia Andrews-Elected lifetime member

Elijah had said his name but I didn't realize he was that Hawk Simon! Are you telling me that petulant man child is one of our kings? You have got to be kidding me!

A/N: Thank you for reading, reviewing, and following this story. It means a lot to me.

Teaser: We can't have a united Council Of Four, now can we? In the next chapter the Eryin/ Leydwolf conflict escalates as the opening of the Pre-Round Table nears. Also, Sir Jedidah plots to frame Elijah.

Just to Clarify: Prince Issac was still phasing when he died. Any shape-shifting kid of his or Elijah's would phase in their early teens.

Coinin was 26 when he first phased after a hiking trip to Denali Nation Park. At some point during that trip, he was exposed to the Denali Coven.

Lucacinian Translations:

Decii zenov-norlve ca acemyn O femeie nouaa - So the rumors are true. I heard you found a new woman.

Lupul torii arei picioare mari- Your wolf has nice legs.

No aii da gend ca introduca noi- Are you going to introduce us?

All for now