Ch.9

***

"Kye is my wolf you cannot just announce that you plan on claiming her!" Raiza yelled.

It was two days after the fight with Andrea and I was finally able to move. My recovery meant that once again everyone was meeting in Raiza's office, and I meant everyone. Aunt Laura, Uncle Levi, Sadie, Skye, Savvy, Aunt Violet, Carson, Ember, Ryan, Aspen, Corrigan, Maren, Willow, Raiza, Andrea, Azarias, Tess, Viviana and I were packed into Raiza's office.

Viviana and I stood apart from everyone else and it felt like we were facing a angry mob. "If you are unhappy with the circumstances blame your Sigma, Raiza." Viviana said coldly. I had been trying to calm her down over the last two days but she was being unreasonable. Not that I didn't understand why, but dealing with her when she was like this was even worse than normal. She refused to listen to anyone and showed no emotion. In a way it scarred me because it reminded me of the Viviana when I first met her.

Raiza flinched at Viviana's tone and as one the group's focus shifted towards Andrea. "What exactly happened that day?" Raiza asked. The pack had arrived in time to see Viviana releasing me of Andrea order's and her intent to claim me as one of her pack but apparently missed the part where Andrea had pissed Viviana off.

Corrigan stepped forward and addressed Raiza.

"Andrea and Kye where arguing about Viviana again and Kye said something that pissed Andrea off. Andrea lost control and attacked Kye." Corrigan briefly explained.

"You intend to claim Kye because an adolescent wolf lost control?" Raiza demanded.

"No, I could care less about what lead to their fight. I plan on claiming Kye because your Sigma said and I quote 'Kye is my Servari I have every right to attack her.'" Silence met Viviana's statement and she continued to gaze over everyone with the same cold look she had on her face since the incident. I moved closer to Viviana touching her shoulder. "She didn't mean it like that. I told you I'm fine." Viviana glanced at me and her gaze warmed. "Tell me honestly Kye, would you truly mind if I took you back with me. You were so ready to escape this pack only a few days ago. It has been one thing right after another since you returned here. You were always happy when you were with my pack. When you were at my side. Return with me." Viviana gently implored.

Andrea's growled ripped through the room echoed by Ember, Raiza and Corrigan.

"She is not going anywhere!" Andrea said. Viviana looked away from me her gaze going hard again. "You were ready to send her off with Azarias a few days ago without any regret despite the fact that it could have very well killed her." Viviana accused. Andrea bristled and started forward only to be held back by Raiza. "Sending her with you, it is certain she will be killed, Mate-killer." Ember growled.

My vision went red and my wolf howled as it sprung forward. I have never shifted so fast before. I jumped in front of Viviana, my wolf challenging Ember to say another negative thing about Her.

"Enough!" Andrea pushed her way forward until she stood before me and Viviana. "Kye, has made it clear she trusts you. She even told me that night that she respects what you did. I want you to explain to me what happened in your own words that night you killed my father. I want to understand just why Kye trusts you." Andrea demanded.

I glanced back at Viviana she still wore the cold look of indifference on her face but I noticed she was conflicted. Andrea had never asked for her side of the story before, no one other than I had. Now just because she was mad at Andrea was not a good enough reason to let this chance slip by. I nudged her shoulder with my head and whimpered, urging her to tell her tale. Viviana closed her eyes and leaned against the wall behind her. For the longest time no one moved, no one spoke. I almost gave up hope she would explain when Viviana finally spoke. Her voice sounded different than before instead of her indifference or even her playfulness a haunted tone filled the room.

"Mordecai, had been in power as Epsilon for generations not only was he one of the strongest wolves on the planet he was also one of the oldest. When I met Gardener he was not yet serving as one of his many Servari. Everything was perfect between us, we were happy, things changed once Gardener become his Servari. There were little changes I noticed at first than it only escalated he became more withdrawn, he always smelled of alcohol, he became more and more...jumpy, every time I saw him he would have a bruise or be sore. Finally I couldn't take it no more and demanded to know what was going on." Viviana paused. I saw her pain and nudged her again. She buried one of her hands in my coat.

"He refused to admit anything was wrong. He blamed it all on the stress of his new job and promised everything would be fine. I didn't believe it but I trusted him so I let it rest. Weeks later Gardener came to me desperate he said that Mordecai needed to be challenged. I refused, if I failed I knew what it would mean for us and didn't want to risk Mordecai's wrath. Gardener tried to convince me for days until he finally gave me an explanation about his behavior and why I needed to issue a challenge. Mordecai had become unhinged in his later years, he found sport in abusing his Servari, his pack. It was his Sevari's job to keep that information from leaking to the public. After that it didn't take much for me to agree, after some of the things Gardener told me I wanted to rip Mordecai's throat out. He told me he wished the burden could fall on someone else but we both knew there was no one else even close to his power. Gardener made me swear that I would do whatever it took to bring Mordecai down."

The tension in the room continued to build as Viviana continued her story. The story was difficult to hear for some it would be hard to believe but the raw emotion rolling of Viviana in waves was the only proof needed to understand how true and how painful this story was.

"When I went there that night I had no idea that Mordecai would order Gardener to fight. When the order came I wanted to rescind my challenge even though it would mean my death. Gardener stopped me, silently through our bond he reminded me of my oath to him and he showed me...he showed me exactly why Mordecai needed to be stopped now before...before he killed another family."

"What do you mean killed another family?" Raiza asked. Viviana jumped at the sound of Raiza's voice and buried her hand deeper into my coat.

"Thomas another one of Mordecai's Sevari, was a close friend of Gardner's, hadn't followed one Mordecai's insane orders. Gardener found out that Mordecai killed Thomas Lynch, his wife and their three year old son. Gardener forced the images of what happened into my head...they were...they...they still haunt me. Mordecai was completely deranged."

Silence followed and I shifted back into my human form and wrapped Viviana in my arms.

Viviana stood up straight and gently pushed me away. "For Gardener's own child to say to me that she had the right to abuse another wolf because that wolf was her Servari. Gardener gave his life to protect his fellow Servari to protect the wolves whose safety he was responsible for. I refuse to leave Kye here so she can be abused by your Sigma Raiza, she is returning with me."

Andrea seemed in shock but she still managed to protest. "I never abused Kye."

Viviana didn't even spare Andrea a glance. "We will be leaving as soon as the poltergeist has been taken care of." Viviana said to Raiza.

"I never abused Kye! I was mad and lost control of my wolf. She was always defending you, always with you and she never explained why she was perfectly fine with what you did. I was calming down and about to release her when you intervened. I would never harm her." Andrea said.

Viviana turned and started towards the door. "I have nothing to say to you." Viviana said. I grabbed Viviana's arm and yanked her around. "Stop acting pissy. I have been jerked around enough with Raiza and Azarias. I will not let it happen again with Raiza and you. You know damn well Andrea did nothing wrong, even you still lose control over your wolf every now and then. You're just upset because Andrea said something she really shouldn't have. Stop being a coward and be her mother and teach her just why she shouldn't say what she did."

A collective breath seemed to be held after my outbreak. "I have nothing to say to her." Viviana's responded. Annoyed with the dense wolf I slapped her upside the head. "Don't be stupid." I growled. "Kye!" Raiza warned. Viviana glared at me but she relaxed just the smallest amount and I relaxed. I had finally gotten through to her. "What exactly do you suggest I do, pup." Viviana asked. "Talk with her, be honest with her for once and stop letting the past rule you." I said. Viviana looked form me to Andrea the question clear on her face. Andrea looked from me to Viviana before nodding. Silently they left the room, I really hoped they finally talked with each other.

"That wasn't the first time you heard that story was it?" Ember asked. "I told you before I stayed with Viviana's pack twice. The first time was right after the accident I was not in a good place. Neither was Viviana, she acted more like she did today, always cold and indifferent. Her own pack seemed uncomfortable whenever she was around. Unlike everyone else I didn't avoid her instead I was drawn to her. In the end I heard her story and we both helped each other heal a bit."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Raiza asked.

"It wasn't my story to tell. She didn't say anything and she didn't want me saying anything so I held my tongue. She did the same for me."

***

Raiza dismissed the meeting not long after Viviana and Andrea left. If things went well between them than hopeful the only issue left to take care of would be the poltergeist. Raiza had informed us that she put a request into the army for them to send a unit with a spirit seer since there was no one in the coven or pack that was able to see them. It would take at least two weeks before anyone arrived.

As soon as I left the office I decided to go for a run things had changed so much in so little time I just needed to clear my head.

My paws hit the ground in a rhythm and I lost myself in the run. My wolf rejoiced in the freedom of the run being free to do as she pleased. I didn't realize just how far I had come until I noticed the scent of three unknown wolves in the air. Changing direction I raced off toward the possible danger. The wolves where near the middle of pack land and I sensed no pack escorts with them.

I reached a clearing directly in the path of the three wolves and it didn't take long for them to reach me. The biggest on was a dull gray and he moved forward confidently. My hackles raised and my wolf growled challenging him to dare come closer. The darker gray and brown wolf on either side of the bigger one stepped forward teeth flashing.

I growled a warning and the dull gray wolf froze for a second before he shifted into his human form. Unhappily I shifted to my human form as well.

"You dare challenge me!" The once gray wolf demanded. In his human form he was a giant with pale brown hair and brown eyes, and both his tone and face held a wealthy dose of arrogance.

"I challenge an outsiders who try and cross pack boarders." I growled.

"Outsider? Since when is the future mate of he NightShade's pack Sigma an outsider?" He asked.

A growl ripped from my throat and my wolf pushed to the surface again. This fool was who Andrea agreed to mate with.

"You are not yet mated to the Sigma, if you wish to enter pack land you must do so with the Alpha's approval and an escort." I said.

" The boarder patrol didn' object to letting me through! I have an open invitation from your Sigma to visit whenever I feel like seeing her."

"I have received no order telling me to allow outsiders free reign in pack land. You will remain here until I receive the Alpha's approval and an escort comes. I shall also inform the Alpha her boarder patrol has been failing to do their jobs."

Matthias glowered at me but didn't move and I let my focus shift from him to my pack bond. Annoyed with everything I focused on Raiza.

"Kye is something wrong?"

"Andrea's Neanderthal of a fiancée is here with two other wolves. Apparently Andrea has given him an open invitation and the boarder patrol has apparently been letting him come and go as he pleases."

"Damn, I forgot all about Matthias and now is not the best time for him to be here. The last thing we need is for him to be injured by the poltergeist, his father will go ballistic if anything happens to him."

"In that case I will gladly tell him to leave."

"Kye don't do anything. Play nice until I arrive."

Unhappy with Raiza's answer I focused my attention back on Matthias and his guards. Matthias was still glowering at me and his two guards flanked him still in wolf form.

"Well?"

"The Alpha will be here shortly."

"Why the hell is Raiza coming all the way down here? I'm just here to visit my fiancée!" Matthias said.

I said nothing completely ignoring Matthias. He began pacing back and forth but continued to shoot me a glare every few seconds.

"How long until Raiza arrives?" Matthias demanded after a few minutes.

"The Alpha has more important things to deal with than coming here to look after you, she'll be here when she gets here."

Matthias growled and started towards me. Unable to keep control over my wolf who had wanted to challenge Matthias since he appeared I shifted. Matthias wasn't far behind me, the two wolves that had accompanied him edged forward but when both me and Matthias growled they held their position.

My wolf wanted to charge Matthias and take him down but I keep myself still with the last bit of my control. Raiza's warning to play nice repeating over and over in my head warning me not to attack. Matthias didn't move either but he watched me warily ready to defend if I attacked.

Our unsteady truce held until Raiza arrived with Andrea and Viviana in tow.

"Kye! Stand down!" Raiza ordered. My wolf relaxed slightly but I didn't shift back not with so many outsiders this close to the leaders of the pack. Matthias didn't hesitate to shift back once Raiza had ordered me down, his two escorts followed.

"That wasn't a very nice welcome Raiza. Your pup needs better control."

"Actually the amount of control she has for a pup who first shifted only four months ago is astounding." Viviana said. She moved closer and buried her hand in my coat. "That control is what makes her so fun to mess with. It takes forever to get a reaction out of her and when I do it is always the last thing I expect."

"Epsilon, I didn't hear that you had come to the Nightshade pack. What are you doing here?"

"Apparently there is a poltergeist hanging around, it sounded like fun so I came for a visit."

"A poltergeist?" Matthias asked

"Yes, which is why it would be better if you returned to your pack until the poltergeist is taken care of." Andrea told him

"Can any of your wolves see spirits?" Matthias asked

"No, we have contacted the army they're sending someone."

"That could take weeks, cancel the request. I am a spirit seer let me help you deal with this, Rea." Matthias said.

"Matthias that is dangerous, you should return to you pack and let us deal with this. Maybe take Andrea with you get her away from the poltergeist." Raiza said.

My muscles tensed and I wanted to sink my teeth into Matthias but I didn't dare move.

"I'm not leaving!" Andrea said.

"Neither am I. I can help you Raiza we will be family one day let me help protect the pack and Andrea." Matthias said.

Andrea looked like she wanted to snap at him for implying she needed his protection and I agreed we didn't need this prick to help us.

Viviana's laugh filled the clearing and she released me and moved closer to Matthias.

"Very well, stay." She all but purred before she turned, shifted, and disappeared into the forest.

Matthias seemed to think that was the only agreement he needed and and arced toward Andrea a smarmy smile on his face. "Don't worry Rea, I'll be fine." He slung an arm of her shoulder and together they disappeared after Viviana. His two escorts followed them at a distance.

"He's staying?" I asked Raiza.

"It appears so. Kye why don't you return to your room get some sleep, I'm sure you are still exhausted after what Viviana pulled."

Honestly sleep didn't seem like a bad idea but my gaze drifted to where Andrea and Matthias had disappeared.

"I'll send Sadie and Aspen after her, she'll be fine. Go sleep."

I nodded once before I raced off back towards the barracks. As much as I wanted to throw Matthias off pack lands it appears as if I would be stuck with the jerk until the poltergeist was taken care of.