Nick of Time
Nick of Time copyright 2008 T.A. Chase
Part Eleven-
Gryphon stared at Pavel and shrugged. “What are we going to do, my friend? There’s something strange going on in this town. When a lycan pack calls a Conclave, you know there is trouble. Wolves are independent to a dangerous degree.”
Part Eleven-
Gryphon stared at Pavel and shrugged. “What are we going to do, my friend? There’s something strange going on in this town. When a lycan pack calls a Conclave, you know there is trouble. Wolves are independent to a dangerous degree.”
“Especially this particular pack,” Jess said as he joined the other men in the living room. He grinned at the vampires. “Sorry, couldn’t help but overhearing you.”
“So you thought you’d join us?”
Pavel glared at Jess, but Gryphon detected a small amount of interest sparking in his friend’s eyes.
Jess flopped onto the couch next to Pavel. “Listen, I’m getting the feeling that it’s going to end up being the four of us against the rest of them. No matter what you think, Nick is my family, a member of my pack as far as I’m concerned and I’ll protect him as such. If that means barging into your private conversation, so be it.”
“I told you I’d take care of Nick,” Gryphon growled, tensing with anger.
Jess held up a hand. “I know you did and I do trust you, for the most part, to take care of him, but that doesn’t mean I won’t help out and watch your back. It’s not just humans you have to be careful of. Your fellow vampires didn’t seem all that thrilled with Nick.”
Frowning, Gryphon stood and moved to the balcony doors, watching the morning sun rise. “They didn’t and I’m not sure why.”
“Could it be because of whatever Nick has become?” Pavel crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the floor.
“The thing is I don’t really know what Nick is now. Earl certainly seemed impressed by him though.” Gryphon made a mental note to go and talk to the owner of the bed and breakfast before they left. “What’s different about the Ashton pack, Jess?”
Gryphon wanted to think about something else for a while and trying to figure out what was wrong with everyone else seemed like a good idea. Jess looked up at the ceiling for a second before answering.
“The Ashton pack is headed by an Alpha female like my mom.”
“Big deal. Obviously that isn’t anything new. Though if you knew that why were you surprised when you found out her Beta was female?” Pavel poked Jess’s thigh with his foot.
“Come on, what woman names her daughter Spike? Even if she is a lycan?”
“True.” Gryphon agreed. “But if being female doesn’t make this pack different, what does?”
“The Ashton pack was founded by a mated pair of lycan. The difference is the male can’t shift, even though he is a lycan. He has no wolf shape. They have three sets of twins, one boy and one girl each, except for their youngest. Somehow he ended up being born without a twin. They vigorously protect their territory from any invasion by other packs. The Alpha doesn’t play politics with the other pack and doesn’t bow to the Lycan council. If she called the Conclave, you can believe the issues facing us are serious.” Jess sat up straight, his expression grim. “I’m afraid we might be getting ready for war.”
“War? Quit being so dramatic, Jess,” Nick teased as he walked out the bedroom Gryphon shared with him.
Gryphon snagged his hand and dragged him down onto his lap, pressing their lips together for a good morning kiss. The minty taste of toothpaste had never turned him on before, but mixed with Nick’s own unique spicy flavor, Gryphon’s cock filled and he deepened the kiss.
“Maybe you two should skip the Conclave and stay in your room,” Jess commented with a laugh.
Nick pulled away, stood and went to punch Jess in the arm. “Shut up.”
The ring of the phone blared into the room. Gryphon grabbed it.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Ericksen?”
“Yes, this is he.”
“It’s Earl at the front desk. The Alpha from the Ashton pack is here to see you. I have breakfast ready in the dining room for your friends if you’d like to meet her there.”
“Please let her know we’ll be right down.”
“Certainly, sir.”
Gryphon hung up and turned to look at his friends. “It seems we won’t have to wonder much longer. The Ashton Alpha is downstairs waiting for us.”
Gryphon watched Nick tuck in his shirt as they made their way down to the lobby. How will the other lycan react to Nick? Gryphon was intrigued at the different reactions to his lover. Maybe the Alpha would be able to tell them what Nick was. Still not trusting most humans, Gryphon didn’t want to ask Earl unless no other option presented itself.
“Hello, I’m Savannah Canis, Alpha of the Ashton pack. I hope you don’t mind us meeting you here like this.” The petite dark haired woman stood, holding her hand out to Jess. “You’ve already talked to my eldest daughter, Spike, and this is my eldest son, Rover.” She gestured to the other two people standing behind her.
“Ma’am.” Jess shook her hand and tilted his head, offering her the submission her position as Alpha afforded her. “I’m Jess Henning. My mother is Alpha of the Winston pack. These are my friends, Nick, Gryphon and Pavel.”
Introductions out of the way, they moved to the dining room for breakfast. Gryphon and Pavel watched as the others filled the plates.
Gryphon waited until everyone was seated before asking, “Why have you called the Conclave, Mrs. Canis? Have you had problems with this Parvo virus Jess’s pack is dealing with?”
“Call me Savannah, please.” A puzzled frown appeared between Savannah’s eyebrows. “Parvo? What are you talking about?”
Before Jess could explain, Gryphon said, “We’ll let Jess tell you in a moment. Why did you call a Conclave?”
Spike growled her displeasure at Gryphon’s seeming disrespect, but Savannah shook her head.
“Spike, it’s okay.” She met Gryphon’s gaze. “You’ll hear the details at the meeting, but we have reason to believe there’s a group of humans interested in harming preters. Three lycan were attacked several days ago and they’re positive the humans knew they were more than wolves.”
“How can they know that?” Gryphon rubbed his jaw. “For the most part, preters keep their other natures secret around humans.”
“It was the worst mistake I ever made,” Spike admitted.
9 Responses “Nick of Time”
Oh man, so excited, loved allergies, was sad to see the end of it. Now have grown to love Nick of Time, to know they are intertwined is fabulous, if only tuesday wasn’t so far away 🙁 grrr
I agree with everyone’s comments. I loved that you have merged these two stories and now we will get to hear Spike’s story. This is just wonderful and makes it such a joy to get to Tuesday.
I’m with everyone else on this one….the merging of the two stories is seamless and I love the way this is developing.
I just love the way you so seamlessly incorporated the problems the lycans were developing at the end of Allergies into this story!
You’re such a genius, TA! Can’t wait for Tuesday.
Fasinating! Great job TA, I can’t wait for more.
sandie
I suspected earlier, but forgot to comment on it. Yay for the intertwining stories!
And double oh yay for the good post!
The merging is perfect!
Love both instalments this week, TA.
TA, you leave me speechless *a second of silence as she bows head humbly*
The way you have merged the two stroy lines is marvelous. I really am speechless. Your talents are expanding at a phenomenal rate and I will be proud to tell people ‘I knew him when….’
Ok,ok,sniffiling time is over! Let’s talk about something important…can I have the guy in yesterday pix?? Robert’s gone and I need some serious arm candy. lol
YES! We get to hear about Spike! I am SO glad you put these two stories together! It is working out wonderfully! It just fits!
Another wonderful installment and I am SO excited about Tuesday!!!