Hide and Seek - a Halloween tale (Part I, PG-13)
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:43 am
Because I'm incapable of writing anything even remotely resembling a "short" story, this will be posted in two parts. I thought I'd get it all done today, but...the best laid plans and all that. Part II will be posted later this week.
Just a piece of AU fluff for Halloween - I hope you enjoy it!
Many thanks to GuardianAngel and DSR for putting their eyes on this and making sure I didn't miss anything.
HIDE AND SEEK, Part I
The big wolf’s ears pricked forward at the snap of a twig under a careless foot and a muffled curse.
Vampires, Ben thought with a soft snort of disgust. Top of the food chain, my furry ass. Vampires might have the advantage when hunting in the city, as they could blend in with the humans easier than werewolves, but put them in the forest and they were as helpless as pups during their first full moon.
He sat back on his haunches and wondered again how he’d been talked into this exercise in absurdity. He resisted the urge to chew his tail, a habit of frustration his uncle had always deplored, and let his tongue loll out in a wolfy grin. He didn’t have to wonder - if Beth had been hard to resist as a human, it was impossible to say ‘no’ to her now that she was vampire.
Her natural beauty had been enhanced tenfold by vampire allure after she’d been Turned, the stronger aspects of her personality elevated to a dazzling degree, all combined into a double-whammy that made her irresistible to human, vampire and werewolf alike.
She’d clasped her hands under her chin and fluttered those baby blues when she’d wheedled her favor out of him. He’d cast a helpless look at St. John, but Mick had just cracked that goofy grin he’d been wearing since he’d slipped that wide gold band on Beth’s finger and shook his head. Ben was on his own.
Come on, Ben. Josef says I need the practice, and besides - Halloween’s going to have a full moon this year. You’re going to be out hunting anyway, so why not play with the new vampire at the same time?
After putting in calls to his Uncle Calvin and Josef, Ben had finally agreed. Beth had squealed and thrown her arms around him in a hug so tight, he’d felt a rib or two pop. When her sensitive hearing had registered the sound of bones breaking, Beth had let go with stammered apologies and an abruptness that had sent Ben crashing to the floor. Mick had chuckled when he’d reached a hand down to help the ADA to his feet.
Sorry about that, man. Sometimes Beth forgets how strong she is now.
Ben had bitten back a grunt of pain and forced a grin at a tearful Beth as he let St. John haul him to his feet, assuring her he’d be fine. Werewolves didn’t heal quite as fast as vampires, he’d told her, but his ribs would be back to normal in a few hours.
Ben shook his golden head and concentrated on the forest’s blackness. He lifted his muzzle and took a delicate sniff of the October air, barely holding back the urge to howl his delight at the prospect of the night’s activities. Once he’d been convinced it would be in everyone’s best interest for St. John’s fledgling to hone her hunting skills in the forest, he’d anticipated Halloween with a great deal of relish.
Hide and seek in the forest, with him hiding and Beth seeking. Ben quivered with delight at the thought of pitting his Were instincts against the baby vampire’s developing skills. Josef had told him not to go easy on Mick’s fledgling. Ben had told him not to worry - the day he couldn’t best a vampire barely six months old was the day he’d ask his uncle to fill him full of silver.
His black nose twitched as three distinct vampires scents wafted from the forest floor. The scent of one newly Turned, shreds of humanity clinging to the edges of newborn vampire, the stronger scent of the one that loved and Turned her, and the overwhelming scent of the one from whose line they both descended. He eased himself down, laying his muzzle on his paws as the murmur of voices drifted into his ears, Beth’s whispers tight and anxious, Mick’s voice low and reassuring, and Josef’s authoritative and impatient.
It seemed the fledgling was nervous.
Wolves were blessed with infinite patience. As both sires attempted to soothe the fledging’s fears, Ben made himself more comfortable. While he waited, he played back the events that had led up to Beth being made vampire instead of Were.
Contrary to the humans’ belief, Turns and Bites were rarely made by accident. Accidents led to rogues and mongrels, and worse, to discovery. Each potential addition to a kiss or a pack was was subjected to endless discussion, careful consideration and a thorough background check. Once a human was deemed a beneficial addition to an Alternate community, months of work and preparation began. The “birth” of a newborn wolf or vampire was greeted with great joy and celebrations.
Accidental Turnings and Bitings were handled with swift and brutal force. The hapless offspring were put down and the offending sires dealt severe punishments, often death. Some slipped through the cracks, but all mistakes were eventually corrected.
By all rights, Mick should have been dispatched immediately upon his Turning, Ben mused. If Coraline had Turned her peasant American in Europe, her brothers would have removed his head before Mick realized what had happened to him. As for Coraline, her illegitimate fledgling was the least of the crimes for which she was currently being punished.
When wars broke out over suitable candidates being coveted by both vampires and werewolves, the Vampire Council and the Were Elders met and hammered out a tentative truce. For every one mutual suitable that was Turned, the next would be Bitten. The system had worked to everyone’s satisfaction until Beth Turner.
Beth had popped onto the SummerOak Clan’s radar after Mick had revealed himself to her at that fountain in L.A. After witnessing how accepting she’d been of the vampires, Ben’s uncle, Calvin Summers, had thought Beth would make a fine mate for one of his many sons or nephews. He’d bided his time until a mutual Turn had been made before staking his claim to the blond reporter.
When the news of Calvin’s intentions trickled down to the vampires, it was all Josef could do to keep Mick from declaring open war on the the wolves. He’d sat, quiet as a cat at a mousehole, when Mick had stormed into his office, demanding Beth be given Community sanctuary, yelling at the top of his lungs he wouldn’t allow Beth to be turned into any kind of monster, especially not a mongrel. Josef had finally spoken up when Mick had reached into a gun cabinet for a high-powered rifle.
Before you start collecting wolf pelts, let’s try some diplomacy first, Josef has suggested as Mick broke open a box of shells on his friend’s desk and began stuffing them in his pockets. Perhaps we can talk some sense into the Weres before you destroy a treaty centuries in the making. Besides, he’d said as he’d eyed the gun in Mick’s hands, werewolves are as big as small horses. You’ll need something bigger than that Winchester, and those bullets aren’t silver. You might as well throw rocks at them.
As he plied Mick with scotch and talked the younger vampire out of locking Beth in his apartment for the next decade, Josef contacted Logan and had him start digging into the clan’s activities for any scrap of leverage he could use to keep Beth among the living and non-furry. When the scruffy hacker reported back with his findings, Josef’s eyes had glowed silver with satisfaction. He’d tried to send Mick home with reassurances that he’d take care of the problem, but Mick was adamant. Anything that affected Beth affected him, and he wasn’t going to sit back and let some treaty take her away from him. After Josef exhausted every argument, he gave up and made an appointment with Calvin Summers.
“Listen to me, Mick. You’re about to get a crash course in pack politics.” Josef sat across from his brother in the back of the limousine, watching him fidget. Mick was a bundle of energy, knee bouncing as he drummed impatient fingers on the seat. “For Christ’s sake, you’re making me nervous. Have a drink and try to calm down.”
“I can’t calm down.” Mick waved away Josef’s offer of a drink and shifted on the black leather seat. “What if this doesn’t work? What if Summers doesn’t agree? What if--”
“Mick, Mick. After all these years, you have so little trust in me.” Josef sat back, let a smile play across his lips. “What do you think I do all night?”
“Besides trying to buy up the universe?” Mick’s mouth twisted in a wry grin.
“Ha. You jest, but if it wasn’t for the work I do, you would spend all your time in hiding, scavenging or fighting the wolves instead of playing at being a P.I. and bedding the delightful Ms. Turner.” Josef leaned forward and gave Mick a deliberate sniff. “It probably would have been wiser to delay those particular activities until after we met with Summers. A wolf’s sense of smell is twice as sharp as ours and he’s going to take offense at smelling Beth all over you.”
Mick scowled. “Like I care.”
“You should care, my friend. Calvin’s staked a claim on Beth, and he’ll see your sleeping with her as encroaching on his territory. I know you have no use for protocol, but in this case, you have to stay quiet and let me do the talking. The treaty between us and the wolves is tenuous at best, and I’m going to have to do some serious tapdancing to get Beth out of turning furry once a month. Mick,” Josef held up a hand when Mick opened his mouth to protest, “this is important and doesn’t just affect this Community. If we break treaty, it will impact every Community and Clan in the United States, and the Old Ones will have no choice but to intervene. Believe me, none of us want that.”
Josef took a sip from his glass, held it up in question. “Sure you don’t want one?”
Mick shook his head. “Just talk, Josef.”
“Very well.” Josef crossed his legs, adjusted the crease in his trousers. “I don’t know how much you know about the Weres, but they’re a very tightly knit group. Clans consist of the family of their leader and their mates and children, and absolute loyalty is expected. The Alpha of the pack is obeyed without question, and the worst fate to befall a wolf is to be banished from their Clan.”
Mick nodded. “Not much different than us.”
Josef saluted Mick with his glass. “Not exactly. Unlike Weres, vampires are loners for the most part. The only reason vampire Communities work is our common fear of discovery, and every society needs rules. Weres take that to the extreme - their whole lives are controlled by pack law.”
“So why’s Summers so anxious to get his hands on Beth?” Mick asked. “I can’t think of anyone who’d fit in worse with the wolves. Can you imagine what she’d say the first time Calvin ordered her to do something?”
Josef smirked. Beth was her own woman, impetuous and headstrong, and wouldn’t last a day in the rigid pack structure. “I have a feeling I know. He wants to grow his pack, and he has several sons and nephews that need a mate. Beth’s a strong woman, and would certainly give some lucky wolf healthy offspring.”
“Wait a damn minute.” Mick sat up straighter, his eyes flashing silver. “Are you telling me he wants Beth because she can--because he wants her as some kind of breeding machine?”
Josef nodded. “I believe so.”
“No way. No way in hell am I gonna let that happen.” Mick felt the vampire surge forward at the threat to Beth. “Let him find someone else to breed him more dogs. There’s gotta be women in his pack.”
“Very few and no purebred females,” Josef said. “The SummerOak Clan has a particular problem with having girls.”
“How big a problem?” Mick demanded.
“There hasn’t been a female born to Calvin’s pack for seven generations, since his own daughter was born. All the females in his pack are Bites.”
“Seven....” Mick’s voice faded as his jaw dropped. “Josef, just how old is Calvin Summers?”
The corners of Josef’s mouth turned up in amusement. “I’d wager he’s upwards of 250 years or so.”
“They’re immortal, like us?”
Josef shook his head. “No. Weres can live for several centuries, but they do eventually die. Vampires are, for all intents and purposes, already dead, so outside of losing our heads or being barbequed, we can exist forever.”
Mick settled back in his seat. “So what’s the story with Calvin’s pack?”
Josef poured himself another drink. “Wolf births are very dangerous, as the babies are born as pups, complete with teeth and claws. Many females die in childbirth, and Calvin’s mate was no exception. She was a witch before she was Bitten, and when she realized the child she was giving birth to was going to kill her, she put a curse on Calvin and the baby. The daughter would be barren and no more females would be born to the pack.”
Mick felt an icy fist clench in his gut. “Even more reason to keep Beth human.”
Josef glanced out the window as the limo came to a stop outside a downtown Los Angeles highrise, then turned back to his friend. “Mick, this is important and you need to listen to me carefully. You have to keep your feelings to yourself and let me handle things. Alphas are extremely touchy and take offense easily. If you offend Calvin, he’ll expect your punishment to be immediate and severe. As your sire and Community head, I’ll be forced to oblige him.” Josef grinned, fangs peeking through his lips. “Don’t make me spank you in front of the big dog, please.”
Ben let out an aggrieved snuffle as the elders continued to cajole the newborn. Personally, he felt Uncle Calvin had dodged a bullet where Beth was concerned, but Calvin still felt the sting, despite the concessions he’d wrung from Josef.
Calvin came to his feet when Mick and Josef entered his office. Taller than Mick, the leader of the Summeroak Clan was thin but well-built. His dark brown hair was shaggy and liberally shot with gray, as was his goatee. An imposing figure in jeans and a flannel shirt, his face darkened when his gaze landed on Mick.
“You brought a friend, Josef,” he remarked, low voice light.
“According to the treaty, I’m allowed to bring a second to any meeting with you, Calvin.” Josef’s voice was smooth as he held out a hand to the rangy wolf.
Calvin bared his teeth as he shook hands. “Only if we’re at war, Kostan.” His voice took on a steely edge. “Are we at war with each other and someone neglected to tell me?”
Josef’s smile was easy, but his eyes were cold. “Hardly, Summers. We’re just here for a friendly conversation.”
“About Beth Turner.” Eyes the color of honey assessed a glowering Mick. “You’re Mick St. John, the vampire who thinks her your mate.”
“She IS my mate,” Mick growled through lengthening fangs. “And if you think--”
“Mick.” The single word from Josef was knife-sharp. “Let me handle this.” He turned his attention back to Calvin, his face deceptively placid. “We’re here to negotiate removing Beth from the pool of suitables.” At Calvin’s nod, Josef took a seat opposite the alpha’s desk and crossed his legs. “Believe me when I tell you I’m doing you a favor here, Summers. That woman has trouble written all over her. Mick runs himself ragged trying to keep her out of whatever messes she’s determined to get herself into. Besides, she’s as stubborn as an old mule. You’ll never get her to submit to pack law.”
“Really.” Calvin’s eyes danced with merriment. “It couldn’t be that Mick wants to keep Ms. Turner for himself.”
“I want her to stay human. I never wanted her involved with this world at all.” Mick crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat with a glower. “I want to keep her safe.”
“She’ll be safe - with us,” Calvin pointed out. “There’s no place safer for Ms. Turner than in the bosom of my pack.” He smiled. “I have many fine sons and nephews that will be happy to take her in hand and keep her safe.” His smile grew teeth. “She’s already acquainted with my nephew Ben - she works for him, I believe. Perhaps with no vampire interference, she’ll see him as an acceptable mate and will bear him a son or two.”
“You sonofa--” Mick snarled and lunged forward. Josef snaked out an arm and shoved Mick back into his chair.
“You. Sit.” Josef pointed a commanding finger at Mick when he would have jumped to his feet. “Stay. Behave yourself or I’ll put you in the corner.”
“The young one needs a lesson in manners, Kostan.” Calvin came around the desk, easy smile frozen as lupine eyes shifted to a glowing yellow. “Perhaps he should be reminded his elders deserve respect.”
“You’re baiting him and you know it, Summers.” Josef’s own eyes were icy as he put himself between Mick and the wolf. “We’re here to negotiate, not play games.”
“I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time coming here, vampire. I have no intention of relinquishing my claim on Ms. Turner.” Calvin waved a dismissive hand towards the office door. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have pack business to attend to.”
“Very well.” Josef headed towards the door, a jerk of his chin indicating Mick should follow.
“Josef...” Panic reared up and gripped Mick by the throat as he got to slow feet.
“Have faith, Mick.” Josef paused, his hand hovering just above the door knob, and swiveled his head towards Calvin. “By the way, old man, when is the most convenient time for me to schedule a hearing with the Old Ones?”
Calvin blinked. “A hearing?”
“To bring breach of contract charges against you and your pack, of course.” Josef’s face was a picture of innocent sincerity.
Calvin gripped the edge of his desk, his clawed fingers gouging marks in the antique wood. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, vampire.”
In a blink of an eye, Josef was standing over Calvin’s desk, fully vampire. “You know damn well what I’m talking about, mongrel.” All traces of civility were gone as Josef spit out words between gleaming fangs. “You’ve been a very naughty dog, Summers. I know you have a son that regularly breaks humans laws, and I can prove you arranged to have your nephew hired as assistant district attorney after Josh Lindsey was killed to keep Harry out of jail.” Josef tsked-tsked, clucking his tongue against his teeth. “You know as well as I do any interference in the human world requires approval from both the wolves and the vampires. I certainly don’t remember this being brought to my attention. Do you, Mick?”
Mick let his own vampire surface and bared his own fangs. “Sure don’t, Josef.”
“You thought you’d slip an inside man past the vampires into the D.A.’s office.” Josef slammed a sudden fist on the desk, making it and the man behind it jump. “You circumvented the process, my friend...plus you can’t tell me you didn’t pressure nephew Ben to offer our Ms. Turner a job so he could unduly influence her and you could keep a closer eye on her. That’s against the rules and you know it.”
When Calvin opened his mouth to protest, Josef silenced him with a growl. “Given enough time, I can expand my accusations to include treason. If the Council finds you guilty, no only will you lose your life, so will your pack - every single one down to the youngest pup.” Josef ignored the twinge of conscience and played his hand. “I happen to know two of your females are close to their whelping,” he said, disregarding Mick’s horrified intake of breath. “ I seriously doubt you want to watch them lined up for a firing squad.” Josef fought back his repulsion at the thought of the murder of innocent Were pups, keeping his face expressionless. Better for Calvin to believe him a monster than for Beth to become Were. Mick would never recover.
Calvin closed his eyes. One potential Bite wasn’t worth the lives of the rest of his pack, and there was no telling how far Josef could be pushed. “Very well, Kostan.” He leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin. “Neither of us wants to involve the Old Ones in a local matter, so I will surrender my claim to Beth Turner.” His lips curved into a sharp smile, one Josef didn’t trust for a second. “On two conditions.”
*************************************************************************
“I’m not sure I can do this.” Nervous, Beth tucked a stray blond lock under the black stocking cap she wore and paced back and forth in the clearing Mick and Josef had chosen to meet. “I forgot how much I hate the woods at night.”
“Oh no you don’t, Blondie. It was your idea to drag us out here in the middle of the night.” Josef reminded her as he zipped up his leather jacket. “No backing out now because you’re scared of the dark.”
Mick wrapped his arms around his fledgling when Beth began to growl. “Knock it off, Josef. Don’t antagonize her tonight.” He pressed a kiss to Beth’s temple. “What’s really going on, Beth? I know you can’t be afraid. There’s nothing in these woods that can hurt you now, and even if there was, Josef and I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
Beth leaned against the hard chest at her back and tried to relax. She stared up at the full moon and searched for the right words. How could she admit to Mick she was afraid of failing in front of him and Josef?
A finger of a cloud drifted over the orange-red surface of the moon. Josef lifted his face and grinned, the moonlight glinting off his fangs.
“Blood moon. Perfect.” He shot a narrowed gaze at Mick’s fledgling. “Come on, let’s get this over with. It’s Halloween and I have a house full of treats waiting for me.”
In spite of her nerves, Beth rolled her eyes and snapped, “Good God, Josef. They’re women, not Hershey bars!”
“Beth.” The single word from Mick was low and commanding, and had Beth biting her lip and fixing her gaze on the toes of her hiking boots. “That’s enough. Ben’s waited long enough and the rest of Calvin’s pack is getting impatient.”
Josef grinned as Beth straightened and nodded. The Alpha had agreed to keep his pack out of the forest until midnight, so Beth and Ben could hunt each other uninterrupted. Being a full moon and Halloween, the rest of Calvin’s Clan were restless and anxious to roam the woods, and Beth knew the longer she tarried, the longer she kept the werewolves from enjoying their night.
When Calvin had laid out his terms for relinquishing Beth to the vampires, Mick had been horrified at the first condition, and Josef as equally horrified at the second.
“First condition.” Calvin’s smile grew teeth, canines gleaming yellow under the fluorescent glare of his office light. “Beth Turner has until the next full moon to be Turned.” He pointed a long finger at Mick. “And you will be the one to do it.”
“No!” Only Josef’s sudden grip on his jacket kept Mick from leaping over the desk and wrapping his fingers around the Alpha’s throat. “She stays human!”
“That’s not going to happen, St. John. If the vampires want to harbor Ms. Turner without Turning her, then the Weres are within their rights to offer her the choice.” The Alpha shrugged. “Perhaps you’re afraid of how she might choose.”
“I’m not Turning her. I won’t take her life.” Mick was adamant. “I won’t agree--”
“Yes, you will.” Josef’s expression was placid as he nodded at Calvin. “Your first condition is acceptable.”
Mick’s face was thunderous. “Josef, no! Beth’s not--”
“Beth IS.” Josef lifted his hand and silenced Mick’s outraged sputtering. “You’re fighting against the inevitable, my friend. You knew this day was coming - albeit, I wasn’t counting on it being so soon.” Josef’s lips twitched at the corners. “As a human, Beth’s more vampire than you are and you know it. Turning her will only make it official.”
“Since you’re being so agreeable, Kostan,” Calvin’s eyes gleamed, “I’m sure you’ll be happy to accept my second condition. The next two females that are mutually suitable will become Weres.”
Mick coughed into his fist to hide his smile as Josef’s smirk vanished. “TWO? You’re insane if you think I’m going to give up TWO! We’re short on Cleaners as it is, and Clarissa was counting on--”
“Give it up, Josef.” Mick chuckled when the elder whirled to face him. Josef’s eyes were wild and icy, his fists clenched. “If Beth’s giving up her humanity, you can give up the next two Turns.”
Calvin’s bright gaze danced from elder to younger, then spit in his palm and held it out. “I take it we have an agreement, gentlemen?”
Josef had had his misgivings at Mick being in charge of Beth’s Turning. Even now, Mick struggled with who he was, and Josef wasn’t willing to let his brother pass those insecurities on to a newborn. In addition, Mick’s love for Beth had made it nigh impossible for him to control her when she’d been human. Josef hadn’t been sure Mick would be able to do any better with Beth as a vampire.
Mick, however, had surprised him. As reluctant as he’d been to Turn Beth, Mick took to his sire duties with a devotion and seriousness that had Josef seeing his friend in a new light. Mick was gentle but firm with his fledgling, guiding with love when he could and asserting his dominance as sire when he couldn’t. For her part, Beth was the model student. She was quick to learn what both Mick and Josef had to teach her, but was sometimes slow to listen. She could also be stubborn and petulant - typical of most newborns - but a single word in Mick’s “sire” voice was usually sufficient to bring Beth back in line.
“It’s too much, Mick.” Beth’s voice jerked Josef back into the present. “There’s too many noises, too many weird smells. I don’t know where to start!” She shifted from foot to foot. “Can’t we just go back into the city?”
“Just relax.” Mick tried to soothe his agitated fledgling. “I know things smell and sound different here in the forest than they do in the city, but it’s important for you to learn to adapt to your surroundings.”
“Why am I having such a hard time out here?” Beth resisted putting her hands over her ears. “I didn’t have any trouble at home.”
“You grew up in the city - everything there is familiar to you,” Josef supplied. “It was simple to learn how to handle the sensory overload of things you see, hear and smell every day. Out here, you’re dealing with the unknown.”
“I know it’s a little overwhelming, babe, but you can do it,” Mick encouraged. “Close your eyes and concentrate. Try to pick out Ben’s scent.”
Beth complied, eyelids sliding shut over silver eyes. Ben had let her watch him shift last full moon, so she’d know what he looked and smelled like as a wolf. When Ben agreed and started removing his clothes, an aghast Mick had ordered Beth to turn around.
Beth sucked back a giggle as she turned her back on a grinning Ben. “But I want to watch him shift.”
“I don’t care.” Mick jammed his hands on his hips. “You don’t need to see him naked. Now stay turned around.”
Ben was a beautiful wolf, with a golden brown coat, a white blaze down the center of his chest and a full tail with a black tip. Beth raised her face to the night and inhaled, searching for Ben. She turned a slow circle and stopped with a slow, fanged smile when the wolf’s earthy, primal scent drifted into her nostrils.
“Got him.” She pointed towards the north with her chin. “He’s upwind from us, about a half a mile.”
“Good girl,” Josef approved while Mick beamed like a proud papa with a gifted child. “Are you ready to go play with the puppy?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Beth rubbed her hands down the front of her black pants.
“You’re going to do just fine, Beth.” Mick gave his wife a quick kiss. “Trust your instincts and remember, Josef and I aren’t far away if something happens you can’t handle.”
Josef exchanged glances with Mick, then gave Beth a reassuring smile. “Very good. Let the games begin.”
Before Beth could blink, Mick and Josef disappeared in opposite directions, leaving her alone in the darkness. Squaring her shoulders, Beth headed in the direction of Ben’s scent.
*****************************************************************
Sensing movement from the vampires, Ben sat up, ears twitching. Beth had caught his scent and was moving towards him, her footsteps steady and sure. Lolling his tongue out in a anticipatory pant, he got to his feet and prepared to head deeper into the forest. So intent was he on Beth’s forward progress, he failed to hear the presence behind him until it was too late.
With a whine, the golden wolf slid unconscious to the forest floor, bleeding from the blow to his head.
Just a piece of AU fluff for Halloween - I hope you enjoy it!
Many thanks to GuardianAngel and DSR for putting their eyes on this and making sure I didn't miss anything.
HIDE AND SEEK, Part I
The big wolf’s ears pricked forward at the snap of a twig under a careless foot and a muffled curse.
Vampires, Ben thought with a soft snort of disgust. Top of the food chain, my furry ass. Vampires might have the advantage when hunting in the city, as they could blend in with the humans easier than werewolves, but put them in the forest and they were as helpless as pups during their first full moon.
He sat back on his haunches and wondered again how he’d been talked into this exercise in absurdity. He resisted the urge to chew his tail, a habit of frustration his uncle had always deplored, and let his tongue loll out in a wolfy grin. He didn’t have to wonder - if Beth had been hard to resist as a human, it was impossible to say ‘no’ to her now that she was vampire.
Her natural beauty had been enhanced tenfold by vampire allure after she’d been Turned, the stronger aspects of her personality elevated to a dazzling degree, all combined into a double-whammy that made her irresistible to human, vampire and werewolf alike.
She’d clasped her hands under her chin and fluttered those baby blues when she’d wheedled her favor out of him. He’d cast a helpless look at St. John, but Mick had just cracked that goofy grin he’d been wearing since he’d slipped that wide gold band on Beth’s finger and shook his head. Ben was on his own.
Come on, Ben. Josef says I need the practice, and besides - Halloween’s going to have a full moon this year. You’re going to be out hunting anyway, so why not play with the new vampire at the same time?
After putting in calls to his Uncle Calvin and Josef, Ben had finally agreed. Beth had squealed and thrown her arms around him in a hug so tight, he’d felt a rib or two pop. When her sensitive hearing had registered the sound of bones breaking, Beth had let go with stammered apologies and an abruptness that had sent Ben crashing to the floor. Mick had chuckled when he’d reached a hand down to help the ADA to his feet.
Sorry about that, man. Sometimes Beth forgets how strong she is now.
Ben had bitten back a grunt of pain and forced a grin at a tearful Beth as he let St. John haul him to his feet, assuring her he’d be fine. Werewolves didn’t heal quite as fast as vampires, he’d told her, but his ribs would be back to normal in a few hours.
Ben shook his golden head and concentrated on the forest’s blackness. He lifted his muzzle and took a delicate sniff of the October air, barely holding back the urge to howl his delight at the prospect of the night’s activities. Once he’d been convinced it would be in everyone’s best interest for St. John’s fledgling to hone her hunting skills in the forest, he’d anticipated Halloween with a great deal of relish.
Hide and seek in the forest, with him hiding and Beth seeking. Ben quivered with delight at the thought of pitting his Were instincts against the baby vampire’s developing skills. Josef had told him not to go easy on Mick’s fledgling. Ben had told him not to worry - the day he couldn’t best a vampire barely six months old was the day he’d ask his uncle to fill him full of silver.
His black nose twitched as three distinct vampires scents wafted from the forest floor. The scent of one newly Turned, shreds of humanity clinging to the edges of newborn vampire, the stronger scent of the one that loved and Turned her, and the overwhelming scent of the one from whose line they both descended. He eased himself down, laying his muzzle on his paws as the murmur of voices drifted into his ears, Beth’s whispers tight and anxious, Mick’s voice low and reassuring, and Josef’s authoritative and impatient.
It seemed the fledgling was nervous.
Wolves were blessed with infinite patience. As both sires attempted to soothe the fledging’s fears, Ben made himself more comfortable. While he waited, he played back the events that had led up to Beth being made vampire instead of Were.
Contrary to the humans’ belief, Turns and Bites were rarely made by accident. Accidents led to rogues and mongrels, and worse, to discovery. Each potential addition to a kiss or a pack was was subjected to endless discussion, careful consideration and a thorough background check. Once a human was deemed a beneficial addition to an Alternate community, months of work and preparation began. The “birth” of a newborn wolf or vampire was greeted with great joy and celebrations.
Accidental Turnings and Bitings were handled with swift and brutal force. The hapless offspring were put down and the offending sires dealt severe punishments, often death. Some slipped through the cracks, but all mistakes were eventually corrected.
By all rights, Mick should have been dispatched immediately upon his Turning, Ben mused. If Coraline had Turned her peasant American in Europe, her brothers would have removed his head before Mick realized what had happened to him. As for Coraline, her illegitimate fledgling was the least of the crimes for which she was currently being punished.
When wars broke out over suitable candidates being coveted by both vampires and werewolves, the Vampire Council and the Were Elders met and hammered out a tentative truce. For every one mutual suitable that was Turned, the next would be Bitten. The system had worked to everyone’s satisfaction until Beth Turner.
Beth had popped onto the SummerOak Clan’s radar after Mick had revealed himself to her at that fountain in L.A. After witnessing how accepting she’d been of the vampires, Ben’s uncle, Calvin Summers, had thought Beth would make a fine mate for one of his many sons or nephews. He’d bided his time until a mutual Turn had been made before staking his claim to the blond reporter.
When the news of Calvin’s intentions trickled down to the vampires, it was all Josef could do to keep Mick from declaring open war on the the wolves. He’d sat, quiet as a cat at a mousehole, when Mick had stormed into his office, demanding Beth be given Community sanctuary, yelling at the top of his lungs he wouldn’t allow Beth to be turned into any kind of monster, especially not a mongrel. Josef had finally spoken up when Mick had reached into a gun cabinet for a high-powered rifle.
Before you start collecting wolf pelts, let’s try some diplomacy first, Josef has suggested as Mick broke open a box of shells on his friend’s desk and began stuffing them in his pockets. Perhaps we can talk some sense into the Weres before you destroy a treaty centuries in the making. Besides, he’d said as he’d eyed the gun in Mick’s hands, werewolves are as big as small horses. You’ll need something bigger than that Winchester, and those bullets aren’t silver. You might as well throw rocks at them.
As he plied Mick with scotch and talked the younger vampire out of locking Beth in his apartment for the next decade, Josef contacted Logan and had him start digging into the clan’s activities for any scrap of leverage he could use to keep Beth among the living and non-furry. When the scruffy hacker reported back with his findings, Josef’s eyes had glowed silver with satisfaction. He’d tried to send Mick home with reassurances that he’d take care of the problem, but Mick was adamant. Anything that affected Beth affected him, and he wasn’t going to sit back and let some treaty take her away from him. After Josef exhausted every argument, he gave up and made an appointment with Calvin Summers.
“Listen to me, Mick. You’re about to get a crash course in pack politics.” Josef sat across from his brother in the back of the limousine, watching him fidget. Mick was a bundle of energy, knee bouncing as he drummed impatient fingers on the seat. “For Christ’s sake, you’re making me nervous. Have a drink and try to calm down.”
“I can’t calm down.” Mick waved away Josef’s offer of a drink and shifted on the black leather seat. “What if this doesn’t work? What if Summers doesn’t agree? What if--”
“Mick, Mick. After all these years, you have so little trust in me.” Josef sat back, let a smile play across his lips. “What do you think I do all night?”
“Besides trying to buy up the universe?” Mick’s mouth twisted in a wry grin.
“Ha. You jest, but if it wasn’t for the work I do, you would spend all your time in hiding, scavenging or fighting the wolves instead of playing at being a P.I. and bedding the delightful Ms. Turner.” Josef leaned forward and gave Mick a deliberate sniff. “It probably would have been wiser to delay those particular activities until after we met with Summers. A wolf’s sense of smell is twice as sharp as ours and he’s going to take offense at smelling Beth all over you.”
Mick scowled. “Like I care.”
“You should care, my friend. Calvin’s staked a claim on Beth, and he’ll see your sleeping with her as encroaching on his territory. I know you have no use for protocol, but in this case, you have to stay quiet and let me do the talking. The treaty between us and the wolves is tenuous at best, and I’m going to have to do some serious tapdancing to get Beth out of turning furry once a month. Mick,” Josef held up a hand when Mick opened his mouth to protest, “this is important and doesn’t just affect this Community. If we break treaty, it will impact every Community and Clan in the United States, and the Old Ones will have no choice but to intervene. Believe me, none of us want that.”
Josef took a sip from his glass, held it up in question. “Sure you don’t want one?”
Mick shook his head. “Just talk, Josef.”
“Very well.” Josef crossed his legs, adjusted the crease in his trousers. “I don’t know how much you know about the Weres, but they’re a very tightly knit group. Clans consist of the family of their leader and their mates and children, and absolute loyalty is expected. The Alpha of the pack is obeyed without question, and the worst fate to befall a wolf is to be banished from their Clan.”
Mick nodded. “Not much different than us.”
Josef saluted Mick with his glass. “Not exactly. Unlike Weres, vampires are loners for the most part. The only reason vampire Communities work is our common fear of discovery, and every society needs rules. Weres take that to the extreme - their whole lives are controlled by pack law.”
“So why’s Summers so anxious to get his hands on Beth?” Mick asked. “I can’t think of anyone who’d fit in worse with the wolves. Can you imagine what she’d say the first time Calvin ordered her to do something?”
Josef smirked. Beth was her own woman, impetuous and headstrong, and wouldn’t last a day in the rigid pack structure. “I have a feeling I know. He wants to grow his pack, and he has several sons and nephews that need a mate. Beth’s a strong woman, and would certainly give some lucky wolf healthy offspring.”
“Wait a damn minute.” Mick sat up straighter, his eyes flashing silver. “Are you telling me he wants Beth because she can--because he wants her as some kind of breeding machine?”
Josef nodded. “I believe so.”
“No way. No way in hell am I gonna let that happen.” Mick felt the vampire surge forward at the threat to Beth. “Let him find someone else to breed him more dogs. There’s gotta be women in his pack.”
“Very few and no purebred females,” Josef said. “The SummerOak Clan has a particular problem with having girls.”
“How big a problem?” Mick demanded.
“There hasn’t been a female born to Calvin’s pack for seven generations, since his own daughter was born. All the females in his pack are Bites.”
“Seven....” Mick’s voice faded as his jaw dropped. “Josef, just how old is Calvin Summers?”
The corners of Josef’s mouth turned up in amusement. “I’d wager he’s upwards of 250 years or so.”
“They’re immortal, like us?”
Josef shook his head. “No. Weres can live for several centuries, but they do eventually die. Vampires are, for all intents and purposes, already dead, so outside of losing our heads or being barbequed, we can exist forever.”
Mick settled back in his seat. “So what’s the story with Calvin’s pack?”
Josef poured himself another drink. “Wolf births are very dangerous, as the babies are born as pups, complete with teeth and claws. Many females die in childbirth, and Calvin’s mate was no exception. She was a witch before she was Bitten, and when she realized the child she was giving birth to was going to kill her, she put a curse on Calvin and the baby. The daughter would be barren and no more females would be born to the pack.”
Mick felt an icy fist clench in his gut. “Even more reason to keep Beth human.”
Josef glanced out the window as the limo came to a stop outside a downtown Los Angeles highrise, then turned back to his friend. “Mick, this is important and you need to listen to me carefully. You have to keep your feelings to yourself and let me handle things. Alphas are extremely touchy and take offense easily. If you offend Calvin, he’ll expect your punishment to be immediate and severe. As your sire and Community head, I’ll be forced to oblige him.” Josef grinned, fangs peeking through his lips. “Don’t make me spank you in front of the big dog, please.”
Ben let out an aggrieved snuffle as the elders continued to cajole the newborn. Personally, he felt Uncle Calvin had dodged a bullet where Beth was concerned, but Calvin still felt the sting, despite the concessions he’d wrung from Josef.
Calvin came to his feet when Mick and Josef entered his office. Taller than Mick, the leader of the Summeroak Clan was thin but well-built. His dark brown hair was shaggy and liberally shot with gray, as was his goatee. An imposing figure in jeans and a flannel shirt, his face darkened when his gaze landed on Mick.
“You brought a friend, Josef,” he remarked, low voice light.
“According to the treaty, I’m allowed to bring a second to any meeting with you, Calvin.” Josef’s voice was smooth as he held out a hand to the rangy wolf.
Calvin bared his teeth as he shook hands. “Only if we’re at war, Kostan.” His voice took on a steely edge. “Are we at war with each other and someone neglected to tell me?”
Josef’s smile was easy, but his eyes were cold. “Hardly, Summers. We’re just here for a friendly conversation.”
“About Beth Turner.” Eyes the color of honey assessed a glowering Mick. “You’re Mick St. John, the vampire who thinks her your mate.”
“She IS my mate,” Mick growled through lengthening fangs. “And if you think--”
“Mick.” The single word from Josef was knife-sharp. “Let me handle this.” He turned his attention back to Calvin, his face deceptively placid. “We’re here to negotiate removing Beth from the pool of suitables.” At Calvin’s nod, Josef took a seat opposite the alpha’s desk and crossed his legs. “Believe me when I tell you I’m doing you a favor here, Summers. That woman has trouble written all over her. Mick runs himself ragged trying to keep her out of whatever messes she’s determined to get herself into. Besides, she’s as stubborn as an old mule. You’ll never get her to submit to pack law.”
“Really.” Calvin’s eyes danced with merriment. “It couldn’t be that Mick wants to keep Ms. Turner for himself.”
“I want her to stay human. I never wanted her involved with this world at all.” Mick crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat with a glower. “I want to keep her safe.”
“She’ll be safe - with us,” Calvin pointed out. “There’s no place safer for Ms. Turner than in the bosom of my pack.” He smiled. “I have many fine sons and nephews that will be happy to take her in hand and keep her safe.” His smile grew teeth. “She’s already acquainted with my nephew Ben - she works for him, I believe. Perhaps with no vampire interference, she’ll see him as an acceptable mate and will bear him a son or two.”
“You sonofa--” Mick snarled and lunged forward. Josef snaked out an arm and shoved Mick back into his chair.
“You. Sit.” Josef pointed a commanding finger at Mick when he would have jumped to his feet. “Stay. Behave yourself or I’ll put you in the corner.”
“The young one needs a lesson in manners, Kostan.” Calvin came around the desk, easy smile frozen as lupine eyes shifted to a glowing yellow. “Perhaps he should be reminded his elders deserve respect.”
“You’re baiting him and you know it, Summers.” Josef’s own eyes were icy as he put himself between Mick and the wolf. “We’re here to negotiate, not play games.”
“I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time coming here, vampire. I have no intention of relinquishing my claim on Ms. Turner.” Calvin waved a dismissive hand towards the office door. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have pack business to attend to.”
“Very well.” Josef headed towards the door, a jerk of his chin indicating Mick should follow.
“Josef...” Panic reared up and gripped Mick by the throat as he got to slow feet.
“Have faith, Mick.” Josef paused, his hand hovering just above the door knob, and swiveled his head towards Calvin. “By the way, old man, when is the most convenient time for me to schedule a hearing with the Old Ones?”
Calvin blinked. “A hearing?”
“To bring breach of contract charges against you and your pack, of course.” Josef’s face was a picture of innocent sincerity.
Calvin gripped the edge of his desk, his clawed fingers gouging marks in the antique wood. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, vampire.”
In a blink of an eye, Josef was standing over Calvin’s desk, fully vampire. “You know damn well what I’m talking about, mongrel.” All traces of civility were gone as Josef spit out words between gleaming fangs. “You’ve been a very naughty dog, Summers. I know you have a son that regularly breaks humans laws, and I can prove you arranged to have your nephew hired as assistant district attorney after Josh Lindsey was killed to keep Harry out of jail.” Josef tsked-tsked, clucking his tongue against his teeth. “You know as well as I do any interference in the human world requires approval from both the wolves and the vampires. I certainly don’t remember this being brought to my attention. Do you, Mick?”
Mick let his own vampire surface and bared his own fangs. “Sure don’t, Josef.”
“You thought you’d slip an inside man past the vampires into the D.A.’s office.” Josef slammed a sudden fist on the desk, making it and the man behind it jump. “You circumvented the process, my friend...plus you can’t tell me you didn’t pressure nephew Ben to offer our Ms. Turner a job so he could unduly influence her and you could keep a closer eye on her. That’s against the rules and you know it.”
When Calvin opened his mouth to protest, Josef silenced him with a growl. “Given enough time, I can expand my accusations to include treason. If the Council finds you guilty, no only will you lose your life, so will your pack - every single one down to the youngest pup.” Josef ignored the twinge of conscience and played his hand. “I happen to know two of your females are close to their whelping,” he said, disregarding Mick’s horrified intake of breath. “ I seriously doubt you want to watch them lined up for a firing squad.” Josef fought back his repulsion at the thought of the murder of innocent Were pups, keeping his face expressionless. Better for Calvin to believe him a monster than for Beth to become Were. Mick would never recover.
Calvin closed his eyes. One potential Bite wasn’t worth the lives of the rest of his pack, and there was no telling how far Josef could be pushed. “Very well, Kostan.” He leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin. “Neither of us wants to involve the Old Ones in a local matter, so I will surrender my claim to Beth Turner.” His lips curved into a sharp smile, one Josef didn’t trust for a second. “On two conditions.”
*************************************************************************
“I’m not sure I can do this.” Nervous, Beth tucked a stray blond lock under the black stocking cap she wore and paced back and forth in the clearing Mick and Josef had chosen to meet. “I forgot how much I hate the woods at night.”
“Oh no you don’t, Blondie. It was your idea to drag us out here in the middle of the night.” Josef reminded her as he zipped up his leather jacket. “No backing out now because you’re scared of the dark.”
Mick wrapped his arms around his fledgling when Beth began to growl. “Knock it off, Josef. Don’t antagonize her tonight.” He pressed a kiss to Beth’s temple. “What’s really going on, Beth? I know you can’t be afraid. There’s nothing in these woods that can hurt you now, and even if there was, Josef and I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
Beth leaned against the hard chest at her back and tried to relax. She stared up at the full moon and searched for the right words. How could she admit to Mick she was afraid of failing in front of him and Josef?
A finger of a cloud drifted over the orange-red surface of the moon. Josef lifted his face and grinned, the moonlight glinting off his fangs.
“Blood moon. Perfect.” He shot a narrowed gaze at Mick’s fledgling. “Come on, let’s get this over with. It’s Halloween and I have a house full of treats waiting for me.”
In spite of her nerves, Beth rolled her eyes and snapped, “Good God, Josef. They’re women, not Hershey bars!”
“Beth.” The single word from Mick was low and commanding, and had Beth biting her lip and fixing her gaze on the toes of her hiking boots. “That’s enough. Ben’s waited long enough and the rest of Calvin’s pack is getting impatient.”
Josef grinned as Beth straightened and nodded. The Alpha had agreed to keep his pack out of the forest until midnight, so Beth and Ben could hunt each other uninterrupted. Being a full moon and Halloween, the rest of Calvin’s Clan were restless and anxious to roam the woods, and Beth knew the longer she tarried, the longer she kept the werewolves from enjoying their night.
When Calvin had laid out his terms for relinquishing Beth to the vampires, Mick had been horrified at the first condition, and Josef as equally horrified at the second.
“First condition.” Calvin’s smile grew teeth, canines gleaming yellow under the fluorescent glare of his office light. “Beth Turner has until the next full moon to be Turned.” He pointed a long finger at Mick. “And you will be the one to do it.”
“No!” Only Josef’s sudden grip on his jacket kept Mick from leaping over the desk and wrapping his fingers around the Alpha’s throat. “She stays human!”
“That’s not going to happen, St. John. If the vampires want to harbor Ms. Turner without Turning her, then the Weres are within their rights to offer her the choice.” The Alpha shrugged. “Perhaps you’re afraid of how she might choose.”
“I’m not Turning her. I won’t take her life.” Mick was adamant. “I won’t agree--”
“Yes, you will.” Josef’s expression was placid as he nodded at Calvin. “Your first condition is acceptable.”
Mick’s face was thunderous. “Josef, no! Beth’s not--”
“Beth IS.” Josef lifted his hand and silenced Mick’s outraged sputtering. “You’re fighting against the inevitable, my friend. You knew this day was coming - albeit, I wasn’t counting on it being so soon.” Josef’s lips twitched at the corners. “As a human, Beth’s more vampire than you are and you know it. Turning her will only make it official.”
“Since you’re being so agreeable, Kostan,” Calvin’s eyes gleamed, “I’m sure you’ll be happy to accept my second condition. The next two females that are mutually suitable will become Weres.”
Mick coughed into his fist to hide his smile as Josef’s smirk vanished. “TWO? You’re insane if you think I’m going to give up TWO! We’re short on Cleaners as it is, and Clarissa was counting on--”
“Give it up, Josef.” Mick chuckled when the elder whirled to face him. Josef’s eyes were wild and icy, his fists clenched. “If Beth’s giving up her humanity, you can give up the next two Turns.”
Calvin’s bright gaze danced from elder to younger, then spit in his palm and held it out. “I take it we have an agreement, gentlemen?”
Josef had had his misgivings at Mick being in charge of Beth’s Turning. Even now, Mick struggled with who he was, and Josef wasn’t willing to let his brother pass those insecurities on to a newborn. In addition, Mick’s love for Beth had made it nigh impossible for him to control her when she’d been human. Josef hadn’t been sure Mick would be able to do any better with Beth as a vampire.
Mick, however, had surprised him. As reluctant as he’d been to Turn Beth, Mick took to his sire duties with a devotion and seriousness that had Josef seeing his friend in a new light. Mick was gentle but firm with his fledgling, guiding with love when he could and asserting his dominance as sire when he couldn’t. For her part, Beth was the model student. She was quick to learn what both Mick and Josef had to teach her, but was sometimes slow to listen. She could also be stubborn and petulant - typical of most newborns - but a single word in Mick’s “sire” voice was usually sufficient to bring Beth back in line.
“It’s too much, Mick.” Beth’s voice jerked Josef back into the present. “There’s too many noises, too many weird smells. I don’t know where to start!” She shifted from foot to foot. “Can’t we just go back into the city?”
“Just relax.” Mick tried to soothe his agitated fledgling. “I know things smell and sound different here in the forest than they do in the city, but it’s important for you to learn to adapt to your surroundings.”
“Why am I having such a hard time out here?” Beth resisted putting her hands over her ears. “I didn’t have any trouble at home.”
“You grew up in the city - everything there is familiar to you,” Josef supplied. “It was simple to learn how to handle the sensory overload of things you see, hear and smell every day. Out here, you’re dealing with the unknown.”
“I know it’s a little overwhelming, babe, but you can do it,” Mick encouraged. “Close your eyes and concentrate. Try to pick out Ben’s scent.”
Beth complied, eyelids sliding shut over silver eyes. Ben had let her watch him shift last full moon, so she’d know what he looked and smelled like as a wolf. When Ben agreed and started removing his clothes, an aghast Mick had ordered Beth to turn around.
Beth sucked back a giggle as she turned her back on a grinning Ben. “But I want to watch him shift.”
“I don’t care.” Mick jammed his hands on his hips. “You don’t need to see him naked. Now stay turned around.”
Ben was a beautiful wolf, with a golden brown coat, a white blaze down the center of his chest and a full tail with a black tip. Beth raised her face to the night and inhaled, searching for Ben. She turned a slow circle and stopped with a slow, fanged smile when the wolf’s earthy, primal scent drifted into her nostrils.
“Got him.” She pointed towards the north with her chin. “He’s upwind from us, about a half a mile.”
“Good girl,” Josef approved while Mick beamed like a proud papa with a gifted child. “Are you ready to go play with the puppy?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Beth rubbed her hands down the front of her black pants.
“You’re going to do just fine, Beth.” Mick gave his wife a quick kiss. “Trust your instincts and remember, Josef and I aren’t far away if something happens you can’t handle.”
Josef exchanged glances with Mick, then gave Beth a reassuring smile. “Very good. Let the games begin.”
Before Beth could blink, Mick and Josef disappeared in opposite directions, leaving her alone in the darkness. Squaring her shoulders, Beth headed in the direction of Ben’s scent.
*****************************************************************
Sensing movement from the vampires, Ben sat up, ears twitching. Beth had caught his scent and was moving towards him, her footsteps steady and sure. Lolling his tongue out in a anticipatory pant, he got to his feet and prepared to head deeper into the forest. So intent was he on Beth’s forward progress, he failed to hear the presence behind him until it was too late.
With a whine, the golden wolf slid unconscious to the forest floor, bleeding from the blow to his head.
I find myself fascinated with the inner workings of vamp society (and Weres, too). And Josef could have met his match in Calvin. 
LOL, I'll admit it freely - my one experience with childbirth was a screaming nightmare. It tends to trickle down into my fic. 
I was hooked right away and hung on every word! 
I sure hope Mick and Josef are still close by.
I completely loved it! 
Especially, "Don't make me spank you in front of the big dog." 
and "Sit! Stay!" 
And, of course, "You've been a very naughty dog!" 
(Altho, he didn't let Calvin know that....Josef is a great poker player.) Josef is tough & even brutal when he has to be, but he does have a conscience, and he's basically a decent guy on the inside. 
I'm wondering what that conversation between Beth and Mick was like??? 
Sounds like being a she-wolf would really blow! 
But I would love to see a flash-back of what that was like for both of them, either Beth's memory of it, or Mick's. (Hint, hint!) 
Calvin, of course. He is indeed a VERY naughty dog! 
Is he double-crossing Josef & Mick??? Planning to kill all three vampires??? When Ben comes to, I bet he'll be none too happy about that! Perhaps it's time for the SummerOak Clan to have a new Alpha? 