Fire Wolf: CINAED (New Scotia Pack Book 3) Read online

  Fire Wolf: Cinaed

  Title Page

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  FIRE WOLF

  Cinaed

  New Scotia, Book 3

  Victoria Danann

  Copyright 2016 Victoria Danann

  Published by 7th House Publishing

  Imprint of Andromeda LLC

  Read more about this author and upcoming works at VictoriaDanann.com

  CHAPTER ONE

  Before the end of a full year, the remainder of the wolf people of the Elk Mountain tribe came to regret staying behind, none more than their new leader, heir apparent, Windwalker, son of Stalkson Grey. He had stayed out of moral obligation so that those left wouldn’t be without any leadership. Thankfully, little by little they began to see that proponents of the move had been right. About everything.

  Every day humans came closer, removing timber right up to the boundaries of the Elk Mountain reservation. The wolf people found it appalling that the reason why nature’s beauty was being defaced and replaced was often for second homes.

  That was not the only front on which they were threatened. Corporations had both politicians and lawyers hard at work trying to find ways to revoke the centuries-old reservation land grant. Win saw the writing on the wall. As his father and the elders had predicted, eventually they would either find a way to do it legally or simply take the land. It wouldn’t be the first time such a thing had occurred.

  Every couple of months, Win got word from his father, usually delivered by the demon, Deliverance. Everyone thought that the friendship between Stalkson Grey and the demon was beyond odd, but friendship is no more a respecter of persons than is love.

  Deliverance would drop in, literally, and say something like, “Your pops says he misses you and that there’s plenty of room if you can get the rest to change your mind.”

  Win would say, “Next time you see him, please say we miss him, too, and we’re working on it.”

  That was what he would say until the day when he said, “Please tell my father that the Elk Mountain stragglers would like very much to join our sisters and brothers. What do we need to do to make that happen?”

  Deliverance grinned broadly simply because he knew the news would please the old werewolf king and, for reasons beyond his understanding, he cared about Stalkson Grey’s happiness.

  “Be prepared to bring only what you can carry,” he said. “If you tell me when, I will ask people to help with transport. My daughter and granddaughter. Maybe an angel or two. I don’t know. We’ll get ‘er done.” He cocked his head at Win. “Do you say ‘get ‘er done’ or is that somebody else?”

  “I, ah, do not usually say ‘get ‘er done’, but I understand the concept and won’t object if you’re partial to the expression.”

  “I’m not. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what the Romans are doing, if you know what I mean.”

  Win looked confused. “I really don’t.”

  Deliverance made an exasperated noise. “Son of Stalkson Grey, try to focus. When do you want to go?”

  “Is a week too soon?”

  The demon laughed. “No. I was a little anxious thinking you might say right now, only because I’m not fully fueled. A week is good. What’s today?”

  “Wednesday.”

  “Ah, perfect. Hump day.” Deliverance smiled. “One of my favorites. My fellow mules and I shall arrive at nine sharp on the next hump day. Any questions?”

  “Will you ask my dad if there’s something in particular he wants us to bring?”

  The demon shrugged. “That will mean making another trip back here before go day.”

  “Well, yes…”

  “That’s asking a lot, don’t you think? I don’t like being taken advantage of.”

  “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to…”

  “Never mind. Your presumption is already forgiven. Groveling will not be necessary in this case.”

  “Thank you?”

  “Righty-oh,” said the demon, using old-fashioned jaunty slang as he disappeared like vapor on a desert wind.

  Win was surprised how few requests had been made for the transport of things from his world. He took that as a sign that the wolf people were every bit as content as his father’s messages had implied. One of the exceptions was the request that came from his cousin on his mother’s side.

  Cinaed, or Ken, as most people called him, had asked for books. Specifically, science books regarding everything from agriculture to animal husbandry to land and water management. Liulf had frowned when Ken put in his request, reminding him that they had agreed to restrict both development and use of technology.

  Ken had been quick to point out that science offered a world of applications that had nothing to do with warfare, things that supported peace and productivity. Liulf believed that if Ken could persuade him, he would be able to make a case before the Council. If it came to that.

  Members of New Elk Mountain had been even busier than their counterparts in Loti Dimension. Whereas the shifters being transported in the second wave exodus only had to decide what material thing was most important, New Elk Mountain tribesmen had a week in which to prepare for the doubling of their population.

  Of course new housing couldn’t be constructed in that time, but everyone was prepared to host guests until the settlement could be expanded to accommodate the new arrivals. Other colonies donated blankets, food, and lamp oil to help friends and lay the groundwork for a friendly peace with the newcomers.

  Luna had jumped in to organize and make sure that everyone had a place to sleep. In all the excitement, it didn’t escape Stalkson Grey’s notice that she was exceptionally anxious. She jumped when he approached silently from behind and encircled her in his arms.

  “What troubles you, mate?” he said.

  “What makes you think I’m troubled?”

  He gave her a little squeeze. “Don’t play your games of female wiles. I know every one of your moods.” He kissed the top of her head. “And your expressions.” He kissed the top of her shoulder. “And your tone of voice.” When he nuzzled into her neck, she let out a little squeal followed by a giggle. “So tell me now. I know other places that reap more than…”

  “Alright!” she said and squirmed until she turned around in his arms and faced his breast bone. “I didn’t have a chance to get to know the others. We met and,” she glanced up for a second, “fell in love. Then we moved here right away. What if they don’t like me?”

  Stalkson Grey’s chest rumbled as he barked out a laugh. “Not like you? Then we’ll have to build a new facility to house the insane.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “As am I. Everyone loves you, Luna. Perhaps they were standoffish in the beginning, but that didn’t last long. Right?”

  “Right.”

  “So don’t worry. You’re alpha’s mate, the most powerful female in all the land.”

  She smirked. “You mean except for the other alpha’s mates.”

  “When I say the land, I mean our land.”

  “I see.”

  He ducked down to look her in the eyes. “I hope you do. No worries.”

  “Okay.”

  “No worries?”

  She rolled her eyes. “No worries.”

  “What I like to hear.” He looked around the clinic. “There’s nobody here. You want to play healer and…”

  She laughed and slapped at him.
“Get out of here. I’m trying to get ready for a population explosion.”

  He sighed. “The burden of leadership.”

  “Don’t make fun of me. You’re not the only one with responsibilities.”

  “No fun intended. Promise.”

  “Ha.”

  He smacked her on the derriere playfully. “I was commiserating.”

  “You were being an ass.”

  He smiled wolfishly. “You mean I was being an ass man.”

  She pointed to the door. “Out. I have work to do.” He pouted and gave her puppy dog eyes that almost made her relent. “Here’s the deal. You go peaceably now and tonight I’ll put on the red lace teddy you like so much...”

  “Okay. Going.”

  “Later.”

  “Count on it,” he growled as he cleared the door.

  CHAPTER TWO

  That is how it came about that on hump day hence, excitement could hardly be contained among the populations of both Elk Mountain and New Elk Mountain. Never was a community more eager and elated by the prospect of being reunited with friends and family.

  It was a beautiful sunny day. The air was clear and just cool enough to serve as notice that winter wasn’t far behind.

  New Elk Mountain looked more and more chaotic as the number of new wide-eyed immigrants swelled. Stalkson Grey waited anxiously knowing that Win and his family would be last to leave and last to arrive. He suspected that he knew what NightCloud would be carrying in her arms; his first and only grandchild, a nine-month-old named Grey.

  True enough, Cloud arrived right behind Win carrying a cute little fellow who clung to his mother, but looked around with intense and intelligent eyes.

  The king embraced his son, patting him on the back roughly. When he pulled away, he let himself take the measure of Grey.

  “Hello, Cloud,” he said, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek. “May I?’ He held his hands out to his grandson to come to him. Grey didn’t shrink back. A tiny baby frown formed on his forehead for a minute while he made up his mind about the stranger.

  The king stood stock still, but kept his hands out, waiting. At length the child made up his mind and practically leapt in the direction of his grandfather.

  Stalkson Grey laughed. “Not only extraordinarily handsome, but an excellent judge of character as well.” He looked over his shoulder to find Luna. “Luna! Look at my grandson! His name is Grey.”

  She laughed. “I heard.” To Cloud she said, “Welcome to your new home. We’re so glad to have you.”

  While Luna was welcoming Cloud, Win looked proud enough to burst the seams of his shirt.

  “And who’s this?” Stalkson Grey nodded toward the young woman standing behind Cloud.

  “This is Cloud’s niece, Starfire. She’s been with us for a while.” Win pulled her forward for introductions without saying why she’d come to them. He didn’t want to make the situation awkward for her by mentioning that her parents had been killed or reopen the wound.

  “Starfire is a wonderful name,” Luna said. “Come to the house. We didn’t know to expect you, but we have room.”

  “Thank you. It’s very exciting. Coming here I mean.”

  Luna smiled. “You’re going to love it. Let’s get you settled and talk about dinner.”

  “Where are my sisters?” Win asked. “I haven’t met them, you know.

  “Inside. Eager to meet you, too.”

  Things continued to be chaotic in New Elk Mountain, while everybody concentrated on getting housing up before winter. The crop harvest wouldn’t stretch to feed supplement diets for everyone the first year, but game was plentiful and no one would be hungry.

  In a few months it would be time to plant. There was no scarcity of flat fertile land in the valley. All that was required was more able-bodied people to plow, plant, tend, and harvest.

  They would need more firewood, but there would be plenty more strong arms to chop and haul.

  Ken arrived unexpectedly one day bringing a wagonload of fall corn as a gift from New Scotia. He’d been happy to make the trip so that he could see Win. Win was a little older, but Ken still had fine memories of the summers Win had been in Scotia with the Cu Ahlee clan as a boy. He may have also been partially motivated by the promise of new books and the anticipation of finding out what they were and what they had to say, but that was not the reason he gave his uncles.

  It was late afternoon when he arrived because oxen are not just stupid, but slow as well.

  “Ken!” Stalkson Grey greeted him enthusiastically. “What have we here?”

  “A gift from New Scotia, uncle. Liulf is thinkin’ more corn will be welcome this winter with so many more people to feed.”

  “He’s not wrong. A welcome sight it is. Come in. I’ll get somebody to tend the ox.”

  Luna wasn’t home from the clinic yet, but Cloud was in the kitchen helping with dinner.”

  “Cloud,” Grey said. “Did you ever meet Ken?”

  She wiped her hands on her apron. “I’ve not had the pleasure, but of course Win has regaled me with stories from summers with your family.”

  Ken nodded politely. “Smells like heaven in here.”

  She nodded. “It’s a good thing we have enough for a traveling wolf then.” He smiled, appreciating Cloud’s easy manner and gracious hospitality. “Win and Star are working on the new house.”

  His uncle nodded. Ken wondered who Star was, but reasoned that he’d find out soon enough.

  “This hale and hardy werewolf is my grandson!” Grey said looking down at the baby sitting in a high chair that was clearly made by hand and with love. “His name is Grey.”

  Ken smiled at the boy. “Hello, Grey. Ye’ve got some big shoes to fill.”

  The child gave no response other than to study Ken as if he was a lab specimen.

  Stalkson Grey said something to Luna’s kitchen help, Landa, about getting her son to take care of the ox. He told her to leave the wagon where it was and spread the word that each family could come and get three ears of corn for each grown person in their household.

  Ken was fascinated. “How did ye know how that wagonload would divide amongst your tribe?”

  “Eyeballed it and guessed.”

  “’Tis amazin’.”

  The king shrugged. “I could be wrong. There may be some left over. If there is, we’ll distribute it based on need.” He reached out and rested his hand on Ken’s shoulder affectionately. “Come into the office. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

  Ken followed his uncle into the messy space that could more likely be called a lair than an office.

  After looking both ways down the short hall, Stalkson Grey closed the door and whispered, “How about a before dinner drink? Win brought some Scotch.” When Ken’s eyes got wide, Grey motioned for him to stay quiet. “Don’t worry. I’ll send one back for you and your brothers to share.”

  “’Tis very generous. And aye. I’ll no’ be turnin’ down an offer of Scotch.”

  “Unless we figure out how to make it ourselves…”

  “This is the first I’ve heard that we might be interested in recreatin’ one of the great pleasures of our homeland.”

  “Well, we’ve been preoccupied with survival.”

  “True enough. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “What? Oh, no. No. I wanted to talk to you about an idea that the Council will be discussing at the next Gathering.”

  “Very well.” He accepted a short glass with a finger of amber liquid.

  “This spring I think we should send an expedition to find out what’s on the other side of that mountain range.” He pointed toward the window with his glass. “My tribe is located closest to the range and, as we found out with the dragons, that makes us most vulnerable to anything that may live on the other side. SilverRuff has confirmed that no one has ever bothered to confirm whether or not it’s inhabited.”

  “Huh.”

  “Exactly.” Grey took a
sip and hissed from the pleasure of smooth whiskey sliding down. “I want to know what’s out there. I think everybody who lives here should want to know. I’m going to make a recommendation next Gathering. Before I do, I was wondering if I could count on you to head it up.”

  Ken jerked his full attention to his uncle. “ME!?”

  “Yes. It makes sense.”

  “How so?”

  “You’re unique, Ken. You’re related to three of the four colony alphas. I’m your uncle. Liulf is your brother. And SilverRuff’s daughter is your sister-in-law. Where would we find another wolf who is higher ranking and not an alpha?”

  “Conn.”

  “That brings me to my second point. Conn is mated with family. You’re not.”

  “Ahhhhhh.” Ken set his glass down on the desk and pursed his lips. “So ‘tis no’ a job without peril.”

  “It’s a job with risks, but also benefits.”

  “What kind of benefits?”

  “Accolades and gratitude?”

  Ken snorted. “Seriously?”

  “I need your agreement before I take my proposal to the Council. You’re a young wolf. How can you say no to a bit of adventure?”

  “’Tis easy. Win brought me books that I can no’ wait to crack.”

  “Books?”

  Ken narrowed his eyes. “Do no’ pretend ignorance with me, Uncle. I know for a fact that ye’ve been known to appreciate the way words can be strung together.”

  “I’m not denying that. Look. I won’t press if you’re truly not interested, but perhaps you’ll think about it overnight?”

  “Aye. No harm in that. I’ll give ye an answer in the mornin’.” As they rose and started toward the door, Ken stopped and touched his uncle’s arm. “My brothers have no’ heard a word about this scheme?”

  “You’re the first person who’s been privy to my thoughts on the matter. I haven’t even brought it up with Luna.”

  “In that case, I should probably consider your offer an honor.” Grey nodded. “And were it no’ for the part about how I’m expendable, I would.” He laughed.