Havermouth, Eight Years BeforePack gatherings happened every month. It was encouraged that all members of the pack attend, however in reality it was rarely more than half the pack. August and Abigail accepted that life interfered, and that the Havermouth estate would both struggle to contain the entire pack and attract the human’s attention if all members showed at once.The full moon went for three nights on the average month, with the Moon Goddess honored the first night by a Hunt in the Havermouth Estate’s grounds. Pack members who could not attend due to work or family commitments, often performed their own worship at home, therefore Havermouth was well known for its very large but non-aggressive wolf population.The Gales were regular attendees of all three nights of the full moon every month, Charlie seeing it as a necessary part of maintaining a high profile as appropriate for his role as a leader in the community and using the opportunity to further his agenda to become the p
Havermouth, Present Time“Have you done this before?” Talen stood behind Rhett, the heat of his palms on Rhett’s shoulders scorching through Rhett, and sending his pulse to his c-ck. The words were breathed into Rhett’s ear, sending sensation down his neck, so that he tilted his head to the side in instinctual response, his eyelids growing heavy.Vampires, he thought, had the ability to lure their human prey into submission and forgetfulness. It did not quite work on werewolves, but it worked well enough that he had exposed his neck for the vampire should Talen choose to sink his teeth into it. The vampire’s mouth brushed over the skin sending a shudder through Rhett.“Yes,” Rhett admitted watching as Aislen stepped between Cameron’s legs and stroked her fingers through his hair. Their kiss was achingly sweet, his red-haired mate glowing with happiness. “To a few human girls, but not normally…” He hesitated to say it in front of Aislen. Not normally intending for them to enjoy it, but
Havermouth, Seven Years BeforeHeath was not surprised when August and Abigail called the Gales, the Edisons and the Salems to a group meeting at the Havermouth estate. The drive to the pack grounds with his parents was silent, the atmosphere heavy with expectation. It was only as they pulled into the driveway, Charlie glanced into the rear-view mirror.“Why do you think that we have been called here?” He asked Heath in the tone of voice that implied that Charles knew but was seeing what Heath’s response would be.“Why do you think we have been called?” Heath asked back.Charlie did not reply, pulling up neatly next to the Salem’s Porsche. “Ostentatious,” Charlie muttered disapprovingly as he got out of the car.Heath did not reply, his eyes meeting Rhett’s. The Salem’s were standing on the porch with Abigail. Catherine Edison’s BMW was parked, but there was no sign of the Edisons. Heath politely greeted Abigail and followed as they were led into the house.Rhett pulled a face, obviou
Havermouth, Present Time Heath was chafing at the bit by the time Talen and Aislen returned to the house. Talen parked his Ute in the driveway and then walked to the passenger side, scooping Aislen out and carrying her to the door. “Hey,” Aislen said sleepily as Talen transferred her into Heath’s arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest burying her face into his neck. Heath felt some of his tension melt away as he pressed his face into her hair and breathed in her scent – she was okay, despite what the day had held for her, she was in his arms and unharmed. “I’ll grab the things out of the tray,” Talen said, already turning. “Talen,” Heath said, his tone carrying every iota of warning, that there was going to be words between them. “In due time,” Talen was unflustered, casting a look over his shoulder. “Patience, Heath.” Heath blew out his breath but turned into the house. “Patience Heath,” he muttered and felt Aislen shake with her laughter, her br
Havermouth, Present TimeHeath slid out from under Aislen. It had been nice to lie there holding her and he had lingered breathing in her warm, sleeping scent. Just lying in each other’s arms was not something that happened between them frequently, both in the past and the present. He had been tempted to stay, to let himself slip into a much-needed sleep, but he had things to speak to Talen about that would be easier said without her hearing, so he eased away very carefully, and tucked the sheets in around her so that the loss of his body heat wouldn’t wake her.He pulled on his jeans and shirt and carried his shoes out into the hallway with him, padding down to the kitchen. Talen and Tyler were watching a documentary on the Pyramids and drinking wine. Heath paused in the doorway in order to observe them. He had not had the opportunity to gauge their relationship to each other, to work out its dynamic.There was a comfortable familiarity between the two men, in a non-sexual way. Heath
Havermouth, Seven Years BeforeHeath was dressing in his bedroom when Charlie entered. Heath tucked his shirt into his jeans and turned, picking up his knit top from the bed. He could remember precisely five times since Heath had entered his teens that one of his parents had entered his room. Other than the housekeeper, Heath’s room was his own territory, and he guarded it like any alpha guarded his den.Charlie saw the flash of wolf in Heath’s eyes and sighed. “I am here to speak to you.”“Yes, dad?” Heath remained where he was.“Your hostility is not appreciated, Heath,” Charlie reproved.“I would have come to your office. This is my room.”“Your territory,” Charlie concluded for him, wryly. “It is perhaps fitting that this conversation starts this way, on the night that you become formerly recognized by the pack as an alpha, something that is normally reserved for older werewolves.”“I am only two and half years off,” Heath replied defensively.“A lot can happen in two and half yea
Havermouth, Present Time“There is a saying that a man’s reputation is like his shadow,” Talen observed calmly. “It sometimes follows him, and sometimes proceeds him, but it rarely fits him like a glove. Come sit on my knee, little demon,” he held out his hand.Aislen slipped onto his lap and put her arm around his neck leaning into his comforting warmth and size. “I know all about reputations,” she agreed nuzzling in and breathing in the scent of his skin. “I have quite a reputation myself – the Triquetra’s whore.”“Hmm,” Talen refilled his wine glass and offered it to her. His thumb stroked over the skin of her thigh, a small caress that melted her heart in its absentmindedness. Even when distracted by something else, he touched her with a gentle intimacy. “It is rare for a vampire of my age to be unknown, especially if they frequent the same area for some time. I have preferred not to leave this continent for the last couple of centuries, and therefore my reputation, like my shadow
Havermouth, Seven Years BeforeRhett hung in the doorway and watched as Phillip Salem moved around the elegant and modern kitchen making toast and coffee. Rhett’s mother was making herself scarce, as was normal when Phillip was in Havermouth. She rented office space above Deborah’s florist, giving herself both the excuse to see her lover, and a retreat from Phillip.Phillip looked up, sensing Rhett’s gaze. “Want a coffee?”“I’ll make it,” Rhett edged into the kitchen warily. Things between him and his father tended to explode unexpectedly. There was a direct correlation between other things happening in Phillip’s life and his tolerance for his son.“For f-k sake Rhett,” Phillip said with disdain as he dragged his eye over Rhett. “You look like you dressed in the dark in clothes that you found in the bottom of the laundry hamper. How the hell you manage to have the reputation that you do looking as you do, I don’t know.”“It’s the school uniform,” Rhett hunched his shoulder as he poure