In Loving Memory of Nancy Stone

That night after the festival Viv had stayed out in the woods with Aiden and had seen Astrid leading members of the pack on a run in the middle of Lakeview and Vivian was everything but pleased. It was currently two in the morning and she and Rudy were discussing while I sat and watched bored.

"What do you mean, tell Gabriel?" Vivian demanded.

"Why him? He hasn't won the Ordeal yet." Viv had decided not to keep quiet if she saw things going wrong again, but she obviously had not expected to tell Gabriel.

Rudy paced the living room. His sturdy compact form and firm stride was comforting. "And what did you expect me to do?"

"Talk to Astrid. Make her stop."

Rudy and I laughed bitterly. "That'll be the day." He said

"No shit!" I added earning a look from both of them.

"So why would she listen to Gabriel, then?" Vivian asked irritably.

"Because she respects him." Rudy said as I went back to petting a sleeping Artemis.

"Because she wants to screw him, you mean." Rudy stared her down with piercing gray eyes that did not appreciate Viv's comment.

"She respects him because she's afraid of him. Power is the only thing Astrid understands. She isn't sure how far he'll go." He paused. "And neither am I."

"Then why tell him?"

"As far as I can see, he's the only option we've got right now. We can't use a leader who wants to rule with his brains but not his teeth." Vivian rose to her feet.

"My father led with his brains; you mean he wasn't a good leader?"

"Vivian!" I shouted shocked at her revelation.

Rudy ran a callused hand through his hair. His eyes looked sad. "Your father was the best leader we could have had for the time we had him, but this is a time of unrest. We need a leader who understands the power of his jaws."

"I'm tired of violence." Viv growled flinging her arms out in annoyance.

Rudy nodded. "But it doesn't matter what we're tired of, we've got it all the same. We would have never moved the Five so quietly out of West Virginia if Gabriel hadn't beaten the sass out of them." Yeah, He had taken them on in the charred ruins of the inn yard when they were set on waging a stupid, hopeless war against the town. Rafe was knocked silly and the others bloodied, but not a scratch on Gabriel. He had threatened to kill any one of them that moved three paces from the convoy going to Maryland. Smeared with ashes, he had strutted afterward and I had hated him for it, even though I would have beaten the five myself if I could have. My uncle was barely dead, and Gabriel was taking control. He was not a leader; my uncle was a leader. My uncle had dignity.

"And when you all arrived," Rudy continued, "Gabriel was one of the first to get a job and put all his money toward getting others settled while he crashed on people's floors or in the woods." In addition, boy had he smelt like it, I thought. Nothing like a welder with no place to bathe.

"So you're going to support Gabriel at the Ordeal and not go for it yourself," Viv said. That peaked my interest. She really has lost focus.

"Viv he said he wasn't moving with us why the hell would he fight in the Ordeal?"

"Yeah, guess so. Now, time for bed, Girls. Too late to do anything tonight."

"Night!" Viv and I chimed both heading to her room.

"Thanks for backing me up." Viv growled changing into her pajamas.

"Vivie you know I'm always team Vivian." I pouted jumping on to her bed where she had just laid down.

"You didn't show it." She whined with a hidden smile.

"What I'm tired I can't function when I'm tired. It's too late for this stuff!" I shouted as I exited Viv's room to enter my own room.

I quickly slid into shorts and an oversized shirt before sliding into bed next to Artemis who immediately started licking me. I laughed softly swatting her away. Once we were settled on our separate sides, I fell right asleep to tired to even consider not sleeping.

The next morning I woke up around 7:30 AM. I lay in bed for a minute contemplating the events of last night. Gabriel showed up, then The Five, then Astrid which simply led to a very colorful conversation between Rudy and Viv leaving my head rather sore and achy from all the crap. One can only take so much drama before their head implodes. I stood up groggily shuffling down stairs to find uncle Rudy standing in the kitchen with my coffee all ready to go for.

"Ugh you're a God sent!" I muttered grabbing the cup gingerly and taking a hearty sip.

"I guess we will talk to Gabriel tonight at Tooley's." Rudy said grabbing his own coffee.

"Wait us? Oh no no no I'm not going anywhere I'm going to lazy around and enjoy my summer like a normal teenager for once."

"Now you know darn well Viv can't and won't willingly talk to Gabriel without you."

"She will have you though! Come on Rudy please."

"I'm nit the one that needs you there Viv is."

"But-"

"Cyn." Rudy cut me off abruptly.

"Okay but you're taking me out to dinner!" I shouted at him as I went upstairs to do laundry and other chores until we went to Tooley's that night.

I showered and dressed around seven putting my make up swiftly before meeting Viv and Rudy outside.

Gabriel's black-and-silver motorcycle was in the parking lot of Tooley's bar, exactly as Rudy had guessed. Rudy went in to find him while Viv and I waited outside, my arms folded while she tapped her foot impatiently.

A pair of bikers in cut-off denim jackets over bare chests came out of the bar. The tall one did a double take on Viv. He grabbed his crotch and issued her a very specific invitation. The other one laughed as if that was the funniest joke he had ever heard, and his gut jiggled. Viv and I gave them the finger.

"Hey, you're not too friendly," the tall biker complained, changing direction to walk slowly toward Viv. The smile had left his face. "Ain't you got no respect?" His friend trailed him. His grin was mean. "But tell you what, maybe we could kiss and make up," said the tall biker.

"I'd rather kiss a slug," she said, her temper flaring. Viv regretted her words when she saw his hands ball into fists. His skull ring glittered ominously.

"Don't you dare take another step." I warned lowly however, the tall man, asshole, did not listen so I proceeded with my signature move. I went down low and kicked out rotating my leg and knocking him off his feet. I moved back up slamming my foot down on his stomach hearing a reassuring clack in response.

"I see you've met my sister and her friend." I recognized Gabriel's throaty growl. The short biker froze, a look of panic on his face; then he turned.

"Hey, Gabe! Your sister, man. Wow. Real pretty girl. I was just telling' her. Yeah. Your sister. Wow."

"Uh, come on, Skull. We got a party to get to," his friend chimed in whom still resting beneath my foot. I growled stepping back and repositioning my arms over my chest glaring at the guy as he stood up gripping his ribcage. When they turned the corner, Gabriel and Rudy burst out laughing. "We could have handled it," Vivian said, annoyed at his amusement.

"Um actually I already had it handled and I'm pretty damn sure I broke a rib or two when I was handling it." I told them all matter of factly. Breaking bones is not an easy task.

"I know, baby," he answered, surprising me. "And any other time I would have gladly stood and watched, but Rudy tells me you've got news for me."

"I'll get my chance to smack him around another time, then," Viv said.

They walked farther out into the shadowed parking lot. "So, what's the word - little sister?" he asked. I wanted to laugh at him for keeping up that crap about Viv being his sister, but the smoldering look in his eyes made me bite back my sarcastic response.

`"Astrid led a run along the river last night," Viv spoke quickly.

"She did, did she?" His tone was casual but I could see a slight tic in his cheek. "And who was on this run?"

While she listed them he listened with head bowed, stroking the small scar on his lip.

There was silence when she had finished. Viv glanced at Rudy, but he was watching Gabriel, a worried look on his face.

Finally Gabriel spoke. "I guess I'll be paying Miss Astrid a little visit," he said softly. He looked up and his pupils caught the glare from a distant streetlight - they glowed red.

What had Viv started?

PartTwo

The next day Viv and I had done some shopping, her for paints and me to restock the fridge. Once we got home, I showered and changed into a pair of sweats. When I went downstairs, I heard Viv and Esme.

"Dad would have straightened everything out, wouldn't he?" Vivian said. "We wouldn't be in such a mess if he was around."

"I don't know." Esme spoke unsure of herself.

"Sure he would. He would know how to keep Astrid in line. He'd stop anything bad happening."

"But he didn't, did he?" Esme said. "The inn burned. People died. If he'd lived, he'd be challenged as unfit."

"That's not true!" Vivian cried, but it was true.

"You know it's true," Esme said. "In his wolf-skin he was as strong as any of them, but he was a gentle person in many ways. He'd feel so bad about failing he'd probably step aside for someone else without a fight."

"Maybe Rudy's right. We need a different kind of leader now. One who doesn't hesitate to hurt if he has to, for the good of all." She reached out a trembling finger and touched the lips of a face that would be nowhere now, ever, except on a square of Kodak paper. "But for his time," she whispered, "oh, he was the best."

As Esme spoke, I began to contemplate what Rudy had said. A leader like that was what we needed, but I do not believe Gabriel is the one to be that leader. I would never be able to follow him if he was alpha and Astrid or Esme were head bitch, as I knew one of them would be.

"Let's go out," Esme said abruptly, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes. "Let's cheer ourselves up." She grabbed Vivian by the shoulders, and then planted a quick kiss on her daughter's nose. "Go grab Cyn. We will treat ourselves to dinner. We deserve it. "She leaped to her feet.

"I'm right here, but I just changed into sweats." I told them stepping into the living room

"Well change out of them we'll go to Tooley's and see if any of the pack is there," Esme said.

"We can't do that," Vivian said. "We're underage."

"Nonsense," Esme insisted. "As long as you don't drink, no one's going throw you out. Especially since you two will definitely improve the decor." Esme smiled proudly at her daughter and niece. "You look just like me, Viv and you my darling are just mystical with that black hair and those icy eyes." Esme stroked the bridge of my nose playfully before me and Viv went upstairs to get dressed.

I made sure to get dressed before Viv so I could speak with Esme alone.

"Well don't we look hot today?" Esme grinned as I walked down the stairs.

"Well I do try." I flicked my hair mockingly. "Aunt Esme?"

"Hm?" She looked at me curiously.

"It's okay, to hate them. My mom, dad, and Uncle Abraham. It is okay to hate them for leaving us. For thinking that we could live without them. I hated them for months after the fire and then one day I realized that I was living and I was moving on without them, but I would have never realized that at some point if hadn't of hated. So its okay, Viv won't understand that but I do and there isn't anything wrong with it." I spoke to my aunt just before Viv started coming down the stairs.

"Watch it, Bucky," Esme warned, hand on hip, but I knew she would have been disappointed if he had not noticed.

"You ain't working' tonight," growled the owner, Terry O'Toole, from behind the bar. "What you doing' here?"

"Can't tear myself away from you, honey," Esme said, and slid oh so sweet and slinky into a chair. I saw Tooley color slightly, and saw the twitch of satisfaction on his lips.

"They ain't drinking'," he snapped, pointing at Vivian and me with a dishtowel.

Vivian shrugged. "Don't like to anyway." I said as Viv and I sat down with her mother and crossed Viv legs in a way she knew made them look a mile long.

"I know you're under twenty-one," Tooley added, as if someone had argued with him, and he began to polish the water stains vigorously off a glass no one would look at too closely anyway.

"Hi, Brenda," Esme said to the waitress who appeared. "We'd like three orders of grease on a bun with all the trimmings. A draft for me and a Shirley Temple for my baby girls."

"Make that two Cokes," Vivian said. Brenda winked.

"Want me to goose those?" Vivian shook her head.

"Nah. The old lady needs to keep her job." Me and both bust out laughing at Esme's stricken face.

"Old lady!" Esme squealed, and Brenda left giggling.

It was not until they were wiping the crumbs from their mouths that more members of the pack came drifting in, some still yawning from after-work naps, others ready to raise the devil. Tooley's was the place to go, the place to find out where the party was. Most of the wolf-kind came to our table and greeted us. There was no new leader yet, and Esme was the widowed queen. In addition, she is a tasty morsel. I could see it in the eyes of the males and the tight smiles of their mates. A female on the loose was a dangerous creature; she could challenge another bitch for a male she fancied. Some of those male eyes strayed to Vivian and I, too, and Viv preened at the thought of being a threat. She and Esme exchanged knowing looks, their lips plump, curved, and smug. I simply sat with my legs crossed with hand on my drink. The group around the TV was larger now, swelled by wolf-kind. Two were males who would run with Astrid. A cheer went up. The game had turned. I noted a couple of bikers sauntering over to their table within my per phial vision. It was the same two from the other night - Skull and his sidekick. They never learn. I looked up at the tall one, Skull, and noticed that he was leaning to one side more then normal and me very proud. The second I looked at them, they turned and headed right out the door.

Bucky came over with two of his friends - Esme's age-mates still in their prime. "Damn Cyn, honey what the hell did you do?" Bucky asked putting arm around me.

"I would love to know how a teenager scared away two of my biggest tyrants away." Tooley asked as well.

"Oh it was nothing."

"Nothing? The tall one, she knocked him off his feet and probably broke or at least badly bruised one of his ribs." Vivian said.

"Well he was perverted dick.

"That's my girl." Esme said leaning over to kiss my forehead.

"Way to go Cyn!" Bucky cheered pulling me into him.

"I know right! I was wearing combat boots too, it was perfect."

"Well I sure wouldn't want to mess with you." Tooley commented from behind the bar before heading to serve a customer.

"Come on I'm treating you, young lady, to a game of pool." Bucky said moving towards a table to set up.

"Only if I can break!"

"Fine fine." I did a small happy dance before grabbing a pool stick and chalking it up. I angled my shot straight and shot straight sinking in two solids.

"Woo I'm solid." I said turning to realize the whole bar was staring at the front door where Lucien Dafoe came stumbling through. He was a mess. Blood covered half his face and still dripped from a gash on his forehead. He clutched his left arm, which dangled uselessly from his side. His shirtfront was in tatters, and whatever had shredded it had shredded his chest.

The bikers gawked through the door. They flinched when a howling devil stormed in - Astrid. "You coward!" she shrieked at Lucien. "You piece of shit!"

The bikers looked at each other, shock giving way to sniggers. "What's going on here?" Tooley stepped in front of the bar, a scarred old baseball bat in his hands. A couple of regulars moved to back him. "I don't want you bringing trouble into my place," Tooley said.

"Chill, man," said Bucky. "Family business." He pointed a finger at the bikers and they left in a hurry.

"I'll get you for laughing," Lucien called after them. It was more whine than threat. The pack drew in from around the room and circled Astrid and Lucien. I walked over as well standing next to Vivian Jolting forward to balance Lucien when he stumbled. Two human women slipped hurriedly out the door. A man trailed after them, casting curious glances back. Some of the others around the bar looked like they would be happy to follow.

"Who did this?" Esme asked for all of them.

"Who do you think, you asshole?" Astrid spat.

"Hey no need to get snappy she simply asked what we were all wondering, would one of you care to explain?" I defended my aunt stepping back from helping Lucien.

"Gabriel," Lucien said, almost blubbering. "That bastard, Gabriel."

A hum swept around the circle.

"Why would Gabriel do that?" Bucky demanded. "

"'Cus he's power mad," Astrid said. "He wants to beat us into following him. Do you want a leader who'd treat us that way?"

"Oh stop it we need to get Lucien medical attention." I growled out wiping blood off on my jeans.

"I agree with the girl get that man to a hospital." Tooley added sharply.

"This isn't the place, Astrid." Esme added.

"Who cares what you bitches think?" Astrid answered.

"I do," said Bucky. His eyes were narrow and dangerous, his clean-shaven face now slightly shadowed. More than half the circle muttered agreement. Lucien grabbed his side, moaned, and collapsed to the floor. He sat there looking vaguely surprised, a bubble of blood at the corner of his mouth.

One of Bucky's friends put his hands under Lucien's armpits and hauled him up. Bucky grabbed Lucien's legs. They carried him to the door. The door where Gabriel stood.

Bucky stopped dead. "Hey, man," he said quietly. Bucky was Gabriel's best friend.

Gabriel only nodded. He stood there a moment longer, silent and dark against the glare of a streetlight outside. His fathomless eyes took in the people around the room, daring anyone to challenge him. "It's not healthy to party with Astrid right now," he finally said in his subterranean growl. "I'd advice against it."

With that, everyone filed out as Gabriel stepped aside. Except for me.

"Gabriel tell me they wouldn't see reason. Tell me they were a threat to the pack." I whispered lowly.

"Why, want to be able to defend me?"

"Bloody moon no, but when Vivian starts blaming herself I want to be able to honestly say she had nothing to do with it."

"Lucien refused to see reason and was a serious threat to the pack."

Review Please

Love

~Toxic