Chapter 6

"We have worn out our welcome,"I reported as soon as the door closed behind me. I showed restraint by not adding "again."

"Anton thinks that people enjoy the pleasure of his company." Bredon, the Pack's Second and my best friend, did not hide his frustration.

I had known the Lycan for centuries, and he rarely showed emotion. His father had beaten him repeatedly when he was young for that infraction. I believe that Anton knew it took a lot for Bredon to lose his temper, so when he was bored, he pushed his Second for sport.

"Perhaps one of the Fortescues will kill him for smoking their best cigars…?" I said, hoping to lighten my friend's mood.

"Nobody has yet. I think the last attempt was fifty-three years ago." He was dropped onto the sofa and reached for his laptop.

It had been decades since I'd suggested we take the Leader out. The last time, I'd been upset over Anton's stubbornness regarding Talia's ability to leave the Reddlands.

Like his father, Anton enjoyed having the beautiful female at his mercy.

Bredon had worked relentlessly behind the scenes to secure invitations for Talia in England and France. He'd managed to attract the interest of a Lycan Council member who had wished to act as her patron while she'd created a sculpture for his living quarters.

She was using the name Talia currently. However, she would never erase the memory of the youngster, Natalya, standing bravely as her father introduced her to the Redds.

I only had a vague idea of how much she'd paid for that period of freedom. I know Anton had tripled the fee for her most recent trip since her last one five years ago.

Bredon and I had grown close to and protective of Talia when her father had brought her to the Redd Pack as a possible Contracted Mate for Bredon's father. She'd been twelve at the time.

Victor Redd had had few morals, but entertaining a child as a Contracted Mate was something he'd rejected. After her father had pushed the Packleader too far, one time too many, Victor had him killed, and she became Victor's ward. She was dependent upon the Redd's Packleader and a captive to his whims.

My father, Victor's Second, had thought Anton might select Talia as his Contracted Mate. However, she'd proven too strong-willed for him. He preferred meek females.

She would never be described as meek.

"Why are you smiling?" Bredon asked.

"I had a good workout with the guards." I pulled a beer from the mini-fridge.

"It is time to review the guards when we return."

"Anton's only? Or yours, also?"

"Anton's. It is one of the Second's official responsibilities." Bredon frowned. "We work regularly with those who are assigned to me. We know them."

I wondered how many of Anton's would be there. Some were so loyal that they refused to see what was happening. Others had taken the opportunity to disappear with their families when the Leader was away.

The Redds were dying spiritually, financially, and literally. The centuries of being cut off from others had caused the birthrate to dwindle as the bloodlines had weakened. The Lady refused to bless couples with babes. Anton had no reason to outlaw fighting to the death amongst our members. Other packs did not want to mate with a Redd. They considered us to be antiquated and radical. Unaffiliated Lycans did not apply to join us. In addition, our Leader refused to accept humans who wished to be changed to Lycan.

My phone vibrated. I checked the screen. "I need to take this call." I headed to my bedroom to converse.

"Are you well?" I asked.

"Hello to you, Sig." Talia's tone was teasing.

"If you wish for social niceties, you should call Bredon." It had become part of our game for me to treat her brusquely.

"Bothering him makes me feel guilty," she said softly. "I don't want to make more work for him or you. I know that you've both fought my battles for years."

"You possess a gift. The Lady would not wish you to stay locked away on the Redds' land. Your work should be shared with the world." I sprawled on my bed. Her voice soothed my wolf.

"My time away is coming to an end. I'll have to return to the Pack."

"Have your people arranged for more shows? Perhaps you can stay out another year or two?"

"I'm tired of living with an hourglass, watching the sands dwindle, knowing I must soon return." She let out a long sigh. "I'll go back and be there for the ball. I'll do my duty."

"What is your timetable?"

"I'm leaving Chicago in two days."

"Bredon and I are finishing business here. I think it will be another week or two before we return."

"I'll look forward to that." She always felt safer when we were there.

Something was on her mind. I knew her too well. She never looked forward to returning to the Reddlands. She liked to extend her stay and push her luck until I had to bring her back so that Anton did not become angered.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Why would you ask that?" She spoke too quickly.

"Because I know you." I found that I was grinning.

The silence seemed to pulse between us.

She sighed. "Do you ever get a feeling, and you can't shake it?"

"Yes. I think that is how we have survived so long." My wolf was constantly on guard for an attack.

"I feel like something big is going to happen."

"Something good for you?"

"I don't know, and that is what worries me."

I closed my eyes, savoring this moment. Talia rarely shared her fears with me.

"That's why I want to be close. I know I'll be safe with you…and Bredon."

My heart warmed. She had so much faith in us. I would protect her with my life. "Perhaps you should stay on the road a bit longer."

"No. I want to come back. Some things need to be done there."

"I understand. I look forward to seeing you."

"Me, too."

She ended the call, and I continued staring at my screen for a moment.

Then, I got up. My father's lessons kept me from relaxing. Erik Axel had been respected for his work ethic. He'd toiled for years, attempting to attract opportunities for our Pack.

Victor was short-sighted. He'd passed that trait to his son. He believed all was well if he had a full belly and a female to rut.

He'd started the Redds down the path to our destruction.

I could only pray I would find a way for Talia to be spared.