Mates of a Human

Part Six. Chapter Fifteen. Michael

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

With my mother upon my arm, I left the confines of the pack house, breathing deeply the fresh air as it surrounded my body. Even though the imprisonment was more mental than physical, it felt as if the last chains had been cut from me when I left the place I once called home.

I glanced to where my father was turning red, one vein particularly prominent above his temple seeming to pulse as his anger built. It was not difficult to see what had set him off; felines of all shapes and sizes were lounging upon high branches, their amber, yellow and green eyes peering through the plush leaves. There was also a large tiger lazing about upon the roof of a house close to the pack house. He was being 'threatened' by the middle-aged woman who lived in the house with a broom. I don't think Damien was afraid however.

My mother whimpered slightly, I think feeling more the rage of my father than the dominance of the majority of these beasts. I patted her hand, before noticing Gabriel, with the potential Beta, Glenn, at his side. He was putting on a small show for my father, ordering his men to various positions that had no real meaning in the long term of things. I carefully guided my mother towards him, while my father continued to bluster and shout as if his words could force the cats to submit to him.

"Gabriel," I called out softly, pausing as two mischievous wildcats ran across my path, the sand cat batting the tail of the spotted Margay as they played.  Even my mother couldn't help but chuckle over their antics.  Gabriel paused and gave me his full attention, to which I smiled and nodded my head.  "She is out of harms way."

A shudder caused by a mix of relief and finality shivered down his body and it was as if I could physically feel the restrictions he had placed upon himself vanish.  His aura began to seep from every pour.  He was an Alpha-in-waiting, but he was done waiting.  The wolves close to him immediately reacted, submitting to his presence without hesitation.  Others, such as the woman with the broom needed a moment or so longer, but she too cast her eyes down and tilted her head to one side, elongating her neck.  It took much longer for my father to realise what was happening due to the mired anger coursing though his veins, but once he felt it, he turned to face Gabriel with a sneer.

"So this is all your doing!" He yelled.  "You want to challenge me?  Just see what happens to your mate when you lose!"  Several gasps were audible from the ordinary wolves of the pack, who had been busying themselves trying to dislodge the felines or simply came out to complain to the Alpha.  The old man failed to notice and the shift in power continued with slightly more fluidity.  "Shaun!"

"Yes, Alpha," the weak wolf approached nervously, completely suppressed by the aura's of both his Alpha and Gabriel.

"Bring Evangeline here," the old man sneered, bringing much growls of protests that were still silenced with a word from him.  "She should witness as I discipline my son.  I'll remind everyone here who is the Alpha of this pack!"

Shaun ran inside the pack house to do his bidding, while Gabriel and my father began to remove their clothes.  Gabriel passed his to Glenn, who took them quietly, while my father threw them disrespectfully at Giles.  Less than a minute passed before both men had shifted into their wolves, my father was all black, his dark amber eyes the only colour upon his body.  Gabriel was a lot like me, silver, but with a single white paw.

In my mind's eye I sensed their wolves communicate and could already see the outcome that my father refused to admit to, my own wolf stood stoic like a witness to this forthcoming battle for the Alpha position.  He clearly felt secure enough in his own body  and content with our small family that he had no need to become Alpha of the pack he was driven out of.

Shaun came running out of the packhouse and I noticed the black wolf glance his way.  Shaun shook his head, while wringing his hands together.  My father immediately growled threateningly, still convinced that he could make 'his pup' submit.  Gabriel did not bother growling back, simply stared him down and the two wolves began to circle each other, readying themselves to attack and defend.  It seems patience was something Gabriel had in abundance, as he remained unruffled as my father leapt slightly forward in a feint attack once and again.  With neither having any effect, my father backed off for a moment, his pink tongue licking at his black nose, before he leapt again, but this time with intent.