Reno nodded. He’d been in that boat once himself. His older brother had taken over the pack back home in Texas, but with the knowledge of his own potentially rogue tendencies, he hadn’t returned. While he could have fought for the leadership and possibly won, the peace and stability of the pack would have been severely damaged. In the end, he couldn’t do that to his pack mates, even if it meant condemning himself to the life of a rogue. Thankfully, he’d found his place at Lycan Link. “What about the third one. Is he part of the same family?”
Brad shrugged. “No one knows. They look enough alike, but he was found in a human orphanage.”
“He’s a half?” Reno gave Brad a sharp look. A genetic quirk resulted in most half-breed Lycans being female. Not only that, half-breeds usually lacked the ruthless dominance needed to meet the entry requirements for the cadet program.
“Nope. Full-blooded. Someone noticed his scent in amongst a group of orphanage children at a park. Some discreet investigating revealed he’d just been dropped off there. No background records at all. His adoptive pack speculates there was a pack war or natural disaster and he was a lone survivor.”
“But to leave a Lycan pup in a human orphanage… ” He shook his head in disbelief.
“Hey, I didn’t say it was right or if that’s even what happened. It’s all just speculation. Point is he was found, taken in, and when the adoptive pack couldn’t handle him anymore, he was sent here. Actually, he’s been enrolled longer than any other cadet.”
“I thought you said they were some of the best. Why is he taking so long to graduate?”
“He keeps screwing around. Never passes the tests. As a matter of fact, if he messes up this time, the Dean is threatening to kick him out pass or no pass.” Brad shook his head. “Personally, I think he fails on purpose. He doesn’t have anywhere to go when he leaves, so he just keeps hanging around. And when he hooked up with those other two, well… This is home now, I suppose.”
“Nowhere to go, eh?” Reno leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table and studied the distant figure of the young were. “Is he Enforcer material?”
Brad smiled and took a sip of his coffee. “I was hoping you’d ask that question. When I read his file, he struck me as exactly what you need. He’ll take a lot of training though. You’ll probably have to knock him down and put him in his place more than a few times.”
“I can do that.” Reno sat back and smiled. He liked a challenge. “Hey, if this works out, I’ll owe you one.”
“Want to pay up in advance?” Brad quirked an eyebrow at him.
“How?”
“This girl I’ve been seeing—Tabitha—she has this friend named Brandi who’s interested—”
A football came whizzing between them causing both men to jerk backwards. Seconds afterwards, a sheepish looking young man appeared apologizing profusely. Reno growled at him and then exchanged a laughing look with Brad when the youngster took off with his tail between his legs.
Still chuckling, Reno stood up. “I’ve got to go. I have a class to teach in a few minutes.”
Brad nodded. “Don’t forget about Brandi, though. I’ll point her out to you.”
Reno waved his hand negligently and went on his way.
Chapter 3
Lycan society is dominated by pack life. A pack is more than a large family. Each member is highly dependent on the others for nurturing and support. When one member falters, the whole pack suffers. For this reason, pack members are highly protective of each other, instinctively recognizing that the common good supersedes personal wants and desires.
Brandi yawned and stretched before complaining over her shoulder to her roommate. “Why would anyone bother explaining pack life in a text book written for werewolves? Isn’t it just a tad redundant? I mean it’s like explaining swimming to a fish! Why do we have to read about something we’ve experienced every minute of our lives since we were born?”
Spinning around in her chair, she stared at her friend expecting a quick reply. Tabitha was usually up for a good debate, but this time no response was forthcoming. Long blonde hair hid most of the girl’s face as she bent over her own textbook, her legs curled up under her as she sat on the couch.
“Tabi? Don’t you think studying pack life is ridiculous?” She issued the prompt again and eventually Tabitha mumbled something, obviously lost in her own studies of computer technology and not really listening.
Brandi sighed at the lacklustre response to her mini-rant. She’d really been hoping for something to distract her, but it seemed nothing would be coming from that quarter. With a slight pout, she turned back to her book and began to read again.
The Alpha is the designated leader and all other pack members look to him for guidance. He assumes his title either by default from his sire or by earning the position through a political voting process. On rare occasions a leadership challenge might occur which usually results in a fight to the death, however this is less common in modern times. Political manoeuvring, even small campaigns within the pack, are becoming more and more the norm when determining leadership.
Brandi rubbed her eyes and shook her head, trying to stay awake. The air in the small apartment was stuffy and far too warm. She shifted in her chair, adjusted the small fan so it blew directly at her, and sat up straighter in the vain hope it would help improve her concentration. For the past few days, her thoughts seemed to have been racing in a million different directions at once, even interrupting her sleep, and she couldn’t afford not to be at her best, not this close to exams.
Once an Alpha assumes his role, the mantle of responsibility weighs heavily. Alphas are charged with overseeing all that occurs within the pack from the approval of matings and naming ceremonies to the conducting of departing services. They need to ensure that sufficient sources of food and water are available at all times as well as proper shelter from the elements. This entails obtaining and maintaining a territory of suitable size to support the pack and protecting said territory from outside threats.
One of an Alpha’s greatest challenges is dealing with those rare Lycans that are classified as rogues—a designation not to be applied too liberally due to its severe connotations. A true rogue lacks the proper pack mentality, is disruptive to the established hierarchy, and can endanger the whole pack with its aggressive behaviour and reckless ways. An Alpha must keep the well-being of the whole pack in mind when contemplating the fate of a rogue and should employ a variety of intervention techniques before resorting to banishment or termination.
Brandi scanned ahead a few paragraphs, debating about not reading them, but her conscience pricked and she forced herself to plod through every word. Finals were the following day and it would be just her luck that they’d ask for an essay on the role of the Alpha. Propping her chin in her hand, she continued to read, the hypnotic ticking of the clock in the background making her eyelids grow heavy. Another yawn slipped past her lips.
The Book of the Law is an Alpha’s most important resource. It contains the entire summation of Lycan wisdom and should act as a guide for all of the Alpha’s decisions. Alphas need to maintain order within the pack’s ranks and ensure that members are treated justly and equitably as outlined under the Rights and Freedoms Act (revised Lycan Council annual meeting, 1956).
It is important to remember however, that the Book of the Law was written by the ancient ones after years of persecution and near extinction of the species. Harsh times called for harsh measures. However, Lycan circumstances have improved considerably over the past few centuries and as a result some laws and clauses need to be interpreted with caution. Alphas need to reflect wisely on the spirit and intent of a law, rather than the exact wording, before enacting it. When in doubt, Alphas are encouraged to look to their own Council of Elders or to contact High Council at Lycan Link itself should clarification be needed…
Suddenly Brandi’s whole body jerked and she sat up, hissing at the pain that radiated from her neck and shoulders. For a moment
she was disoriented, wondering why she was face down on her desk rather than in bed, then it all came back to her and she growled at herself for dozing off.
Looking around, she saw that Tabi was no longer ensconced on the couch and the small apartment was quiet. Forcing her bleary eyes to focus, she stared at her watch. Seven o’clock.
“Oh my gosh, I’ve slept through half the afternoon!”
There was no reply to her comment. Was Tabi even home? Scrubbing her hands over her face, she stood up and padded about the apartment looking for her roommate.
Nope, she wasn’t in the kitchen or the bathroom either. A soft tap on the girl’s bedroom door garnered no response, however there was a note on the message board by the door. ‘You were sound asleep, so I let you be. Gone with Brad. Back in the morning.’
Brandi frowned and shook her head in disbelief. The night before exams and her friend was out showing off her wide and varied appreciation of the male form. Brandi stared at the note and pondered the name listed. Brad? Was that the same one as last week? Or had that one been named Ryne? Not that it mattered. Tabitha could sample the male buffet all she wanted. Brandi had enough to do without keeping track of her roommate’s love life. Too much was riding on successfully completing this last set of courses.
Her stomach growled reminding her she’d missed a meal, so she grabbed her text book on the way through the living room and propped it on the counter in the small kitchenette. There were still several sections she needed to read over. With any luck she could get through one while she prepared and ate a quick meal.
The position of Beta follows that of the Alpha. Betas are charged with guarding the Alpha as well as enforcing his edicts. Betas are protectors of the pack. They must be strong and level-headed but also should possess a nurturing quality and be prepared to assist pack members with problems should the Alpha be unavailable.
While one Beta is the norm, an Alpha can choose to have co-Betas should there be suitable candidates within the pack. This can be especially useful when a pack is very large and has extensive resources to manage, whether they be land, money, or both.
Brandi took a bite of her sandwich while still reading, then reached for the can of soda she’d set nearby without bothering to look up. Fumbling for the container, she inadvertently knocked it over, and the brown sugary liquid rushed across the countertop. Jumping to her feet and cursing, she lifted her text book just a moment too late.
“Damn! This might be the most boring book in history, but I paid a lot for it!” Grabbing a dish cloth, she dabbed at the damp pages praying they’d still be readable. After a moment of panic it appeared the book was more durable than she’d thought with only the margins being affected. Setting the book aside, she cleaned the counter with efficient swipes and moved to the sink to rinse out the cloth.
A small window over the sink gave her a tempting view outside. The sun was just setting, faint tinges of orange and pink slowly spreading across the sky while a slightly cooler breeze whispered into the small apartment, fluttering the edges of the curtains, and cooling her warm face. She longed to abandon her studies and make use of the grassy, park-like area that was outside her dormitory. Trees, benches, a baseball diamond, several tennis courts, and a running track filled the space. Usually there were several students using the facilities, but on this final night before exams it was eerily empty except for…
Reno Smith. He was out there again. Brandi squeezed the dishcloth in her hands, water dripping between her clenched fingers as her heartbeat accelerated. Every evening he went for a run at this time; had she subconsciously brought herself to the window at just the right moment? And did it even matter?
She bit her lip and stared, drinking in each feature. God, he was such a hunk. Just the sight of his hard lithe body glistening with sweat made her feel weak at the knees. A dusting of hair covered his chest and arrowed down to disappear under the low slung waistband of his gym shorts, shorts that did little to conceal the interesting bits beneath. Combine that with her memory of their close encounter a few days earlier and she was next thing to a puddle on the floor.
Tabi’s attempt to fix her up with the man had been utterly ridiculous. Reno didn’t need to hit on co-eds; certainly not ones like herself who were a bit too well-rounded and not into physical fitness. She was lucky he hadn’t laughed in her face at her pathetic attempts to ‘attack’ him in class. Thankfully, he hadn’t been an instructor a year earlier when she’d taken her mandatory self-defence course. Brandi suspected he wouldn’t have passed her out of kindness like her own instructor had.
Closing her eyes, she relived the moment Reno had pinned her to the floor. She could still vividly recall every second. His scent, the weight of his body, the wild look in his eye. And that brief moment, when he’d leaned in closer… How could the brush of his nose over her cheek be so erotic? A shiver ran through her at the memory and she licked her lips, the tip of her tongue tingling as if she could actually taste the saltiness of his skin. What would it be like to hear a rumble of desire rise from his chest and to feel his hard body pressed intimately against her core? Her breathing quickened and for a moment she was sure she could actually hear his breathing, laboured from exertion.
The memory faded and a new image took its place. Reno was staring down at her. She could feel the touch of his fingers as he ran his hands through her curls. She swore she could hear him murmuring in her ear, telling her how soft she felt beneath him, how much he wanted to stroke her creamy skin, explore her body, cup her curves and thrust…
The daydream faded and with a start Brandi realized that she was rubbing her hands up and down her own thighs. God, what was she, some kind of a pervert? She licked her dry lips and then swallowed hard, pushing the erotic thoughts from her mind yet unable to force her gaze from the scene below. Instead, she leaned even closer, pressing her heated cheek to the cool glass of the partially opened window so she could continue to watch his progress around the track.
The very first day he’d been at the Academy, she’d noticed him. An aura of power and suppressed danger had seemed to surround him, immediately drawing her attention and causing others in the hall to step to one side giving him clear passage. Tall and lean but obviously packed with muscle, his short brown hair had a messy just-out-of-bed look, and the beginnings of a beard had shadowed the lower half of his face. Some might have found him intimidating with his strong chin and nose, however she thought he was fascinating. So strong and confident, a dominant male.
He’d passed right by her that day. Their eyes had met for a second and she’d noticed how he’d quickly looked her over. Her breath had caught in her throat and she’d given him a small encouraging smile. For a moment, she’d thought he’d curved his lips in response as well, but his stride hadn’t faltered and he’d passed on by.
She’d turned to watch him, admiring his rear view and the way he’d walked. It wasn’t cocky like so many of the cadets, just self-assured, as if he knew exactly who he was and understood the purpose of his life. She liked that; knowing what you wanted and where you were going were important to her.
For herself, she knew she wanted to help keep her people safe. Her vivid imagination made her exceptionally well suited for fabricating the stories that were used to hide Lycan existence. Building scenarios, looking for flaws and loopholes in stories, blending fact with fiction, and creating rumours—most Lycans had no idea the exacting tasks that Damage Control involved. It was hard work but extremely satisfying as she’d found out during her apprenticeship this past year.
Brandi watched until Reno was out of sight. Her wolf whimpered as he disappeared, begging that they go after him, rather than staying inside. She sighed. The creature had no understanding of why academics were important.
“Mooning over an unattainable man isn’t going to help me pass my finals, you know.”
“But the male is—”
“Out of our league. We need to put him out of our mind and concentrate on what’s important.??
? She finished the thought before the wolf could. “If we don’t pass, our chance at a career is over. We go back to Kolding’s Pass and end up mated and stuck in the kitchen for the rest of our lives. Is that what you want? To live and die in a pokey, old mining town?”
Her wolf shuddered at the very thought and begrudgingly subsided.
With a final look of longing towards where Reno had disappeared, Brandi returned to her books. Since Tabi had abandoned the sofa, Brandi dropped down on it and arranged herself comfortably before starting to read again.
For the most part, packs are allowed to function with a high degree of autonomy. However, Lycan Link does insist that certain norms be followed. It goes without saying that following The Keeping is of primary importance as is following the Rights and Freedom Act (revised Lycan Council annual meeting, 1956).
If Lycan Link has reasonable suspicion that essential elements of the Book of the Law are being violated, it is within its rights to send Enforcers to investigate. Investigations shall be pursued in a non-confrontational manner with due respect to an Alpha’s authority. At all times, Enforcers will conduct themselves in a seemly manner that upholds the high standards of Lycan Link and will strive to find equitable solutions that allow the pack to remain intact.
Only if all reasonable solutions have failed will Lycan Link move to takeover a pack. The Alpha will be given due notice of this process and can choose to have his case heard before High Council. The decision of High Council is binding. Lycans who flaunt a High Council decision may find themselves facing charges and could be placed in a detention facility for an undetermined amount of time. Appeals are dealt with on a per case basis in conjunction with recommendations made by the attending Damage Control officer.
She let the book drop on her chest and stared across the room. Tomorrow she wrote the final test that would either make or break her chance of being licensed as a certified Damage Control officer. Now twenty-two, she’d spent the last three years preparing for the position and knew in her gut she could do the job. Proving it on paper was the final, yet hardest, step.