The Pack and The Ruffian

Amber sat at her desk, it was barely five in the morning, she was cranky, tired, and pissed off. She held the letter that Jane had given her as she'd walked into the Gamber, Amber/Garrison Security offices. She knew she should call Sam, let her read the newest threat from the woman who'd sent them a message through two men a year ago. Whoever she was, she'd gone quiet, and they'd had twelve months of peace and quiet. It seemed now, that that time was over, and they would have to step up their search for her. Their last information on her was that she was a Ruffian, a rare breed of immortal that solved their boredom by torturing and sometimes killing their victims. Usually women, with rare mention of men. No one really knew what they were. Except that you don't want to be the one caught in their web. Amber threw the letter on her desk and stood to walk to her window. She looked out to where Mya trained with the Gamber guards. She noticed that Sam and Jane had joined the guards too. As she looked down, Sam looked up and their eyes met. She smiled automatically, the punch to her gut as they linked and she felt Sam's love fill her. Still the best feeling in the world for her. Her smile was met with a frown and Sam broke from the group, then disappeared as she entered the building. Amber sighed and walked to her coffee machine and poured two cups, then walked to her desk and sat back down. Their morning was about to get ruined, their peace and quiet a thing of the past. Sam walked in a minute later, her eyes locked on Amber's. She walked to her and leaned down to kiss her. Amber cupped her face and held Sam to her, to prolong the kiss. Sam groaned and pulled back, she grinned as she took a cup of coffee and made her way around the desk to sit. "You just had amazing s*x not an hour ago, and you kiss me like that. And then call me insatiable." Sam gestured to the letter on the desk, her eyes darkening. "What is that?" "First, I'll never get enough of you. And second, a letter from our golden-haired woman." Amber lifted the letter and held it out to Sam. Apparently, our time is up and we should get ready for her." Amber's blue eyes burned with anger. "She's broken the silence then," Sam said as she read. I think I've waited long enough. It's time to start our game. Please send Mya my love. I can't wait to find out what she tastes like. Sam's green eyes flashed. "She keeps referencing Mya in her threats. What does she want with her?" "I don't know, but I don't like it either." "I think that it's time to follow the one lead we have." "We don't even know if it's a real lead," Amber said. "The only way to find out is to go and ask them." Sam stood and walked to the window. "We'll have to take Jane and Mya and Luke." Sam shook her head. "We can't leave this, wait until she comes to us. I don't want to live like this anymore. We all deserve to run free without worry. Mya doesn't let Taylor or Jane out of her sight unless one of the Gamber is with them. And they won't let her go anywhere without a guard either. It's ridiculous, they are guards, and they need guards!" She threw her hands in the air, spun back to Amber. "I want her..." "Moooom!" The shout was accompanied by fast footfalls. Trixie, the pixie that was now glued to Addi, came flying in and skidded to a halt on Amber's desk, Addi right on her heels. "Woah! Both of you slow down!" Amber laughed as she grabbed papers that nearly fell from the table. "What's going on?" Addi was three, but her body and mind were at a nine-year-old level. Her wolf, well no one really knew what level her wolf was on yet. Addi grinned at Amber, then ran to Sam, who picked her up and hugged her tightly. "Well kiddo, spill the beans. What's going on?" "Pax bit me." She waited for Sam to put her down, then lifted her leg so Sam could look at her ankle. "Honey, when did he bite you?" Amber asked as she walked closer to inspect the bite. "Now, we're playing in the mudroom..." She trailed off as Sam's head snapped up. "I know we aren't supposed to, but gran was with us." She grinned sweetly at Sam. You said we couldn't be alone. We weren't alone. And why do you call it the mudroom, when there's no mud?" "We just do. What were you doing in there with gran?" Sam asked. "Just playing, mom. But look! He bit me!" She jabbed a finger frantically at her ankle again. "Honey, there's nothing there, does it still hurt?" Amber asked. "No, that's what I'm saying! He just bit me, there was blood and now nothing!" She grinned. "Gran wiped the blood off and then it was just gone." Pax came rushing in and skidded to a halt at the desk. "I'm sorry, Addi," He said and jumped back when Trixie flew at him. "Trixie!" Amber shouted and Trixie flopped down on the desk, her little arms folded over her chest as she glared at Pax. “It’s okay Pax, look, there’s nothing!” Addi stuck her leg out at him, and he grinned. “See!” “Trixie, if you hurt him, I’m putting you in a cage!” Sam warned. Trixie, who’d moved closer to Pax as he’d looked at Addi’s leg, stuck her tongue out at Sam. “I swear she’s a tiny Mya,” Sam mumbled and looked up at the door as her mother walked in. “Mom.” “Morning. Sorry, I was keeping these two busy with the ball pit, but she got away from me.” Diane grinned at Addi, who hugged Amber’s leg now. “She’s a slippery one.” “That’s okay, Diane.” “Why were you guys in the mudroom?” Sam asked. The mudroom was a huge room that had several pits filled with softballs. It was a playroom, one of the many the Gamber used to relax in. After one of the children was hurt, she’d told them it was only for the grownups. “I thought it would be okay since I was with them,” Diane said. “Was it not?” She sounded a little unsure now. “No, no, it’s fine,” Sam said. “I just wondered, since these two know, they aren’t allowed in there.” “They both told me, but as I said, I told them it’s okay, as long as one of us sits with them and they don’t do silly tricks. I don’t know where the bite came from.” Diane shook her head. “But she was fine.” “She is fine.” Amber laughed. “She’s just excited that it healed so quickly.” “It did that,” Diane said. “I think she may have some of your blood in her too.” “Of course, she has,” Sam said. “Your mom means my Lycan blood,” Amber said, worry in her voice now. “Oh, is that possible?” Sam asked. She laid a hand on Addi’s head. “Could she be like Amber?” There was no worry in her voice. “You’d be okay with that?” Amber asked. “Of course! It would mean she’s just as indestructible as you,” Sam said. “I could check her blood. Run some tests.” “No, no, don’t do that,” Amber said. “Let’s let the kids be kids.” She squeezed Addi one last time then walked to her desk. “We need to talk to you anyway. Addi, you and Pax go play.” She held up her hand as they turned to run. “Not in the mudroom!” “Yes, mom!” Addi said. She waited for Trixie to settle on her shoulder then took off with Pax on her heels. “They’re good kids,” Diane said. “Busy, but good kids.” “Yes.” Amber agreed distractedly. “What’s going on?” Diane asked. She looked from Amber to Sam. “Sit mom, we need to ask you a favor,” Sam said. She walked to Amber and laid her hands on Amber’s shoulders. “We have to go to Amber City for a short time. Would you be okay to look after Addi while we’re away?”  “That’s a silly question, you know Alice and I love to have her with us.” She smiled at them. “Why?” “I’ll explain it a bit later, I’m going to get everyone together, so we only have to explain once.” Sam kissed Amber’s head and left the room. “She’s worried,” Diane said. “Yes, the stranger, the woman, she’s been in contact again. And again, she’s threatened, Mya.” “And you think she’s in Amber City?” Diane sat forward. “Are you taking Mya with you?” “Yes. We’ll take Jane, Mya, and Luke.” “Is that enough backup?” Diane asked, worried. “Yes, we’ll be okay. It’s a long shot.” Amber closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m not even sure it’s a shot at all.” She opened her eyes again. “But it’s all we have.” Sam came back in with Jane and Mya in tow. “Sit down, you two. Dad’s on the way.” “Morning.” Mya sat on the couch and Jane sat down next to her, their hands linked automatically as they waited. “Jeez, that was a good workout. That damned lot of new recruits have spunk.” “You’re just getting old,” Sam joked. “Old, you’re one to talk about old.” Mya laughed. She stopped her next words when Mark walked in. “Morning. What’s going on?” He sat down next to Diane and smiled at everyone. Since he’d recovered he’d not shifted into his wolf. He kept saying that he’d been one long enough, but they all knew he was scared that if he did, he’d not be able to shift back. Sam had the same fear. “Okay, here.” Amber handed the letter to Diane. “Pass it along.” Diane frowned as she read and then handed it to Mark, who shook his head and handed it to Jane. Mya read with Jane. “Son of a b***h!” Mya swore. “We can’t leave this alone anymore, I can’t sit here and wait for whoever this is to strike!” “That’s why we’re going to Amber City,” Sam said. “You, me, Amber, and Jane.” She held up her hand. “We’ll take Luke too. But that’s all. I’m not leaving the pack unprotected.” “You should stay here,” Mya said. “Let me and Jane take out some of the Gamber and track the lead.” “What lead?” Mark asked. “I thought there were no leads on this woman?” “About four weeks ago, we had a report that someone went missing in Amber. Then another one said that the person we are looking for is connected to one of the city packs. We have a good idea of which pack. There’s one recently rebuilt, after a series of attacks. And I have a good idea that we’ll find what we are looking for there,” Sam said. “I know it’s also a long shot. But we don’t have anything else, and as Mya said, we can’t sit and wait for this woman to attack anymore.” Sam looked over to her dad. “I’d like it if you’d make sure the pack is taken care of, while we’re away.” “I don’t think…” “Please dad, I need someone I know I can trust, and since Mya is going with me, I can’t ask her.” “Okay, I’ll do it then.” He said. “I won’t let you down.” “You couldn’t,” Sam said. “Get things sorted, Mya. We leave today.” “Done,” Mya said. She stood and held her hand out to Jane. “Coming?” “I’ll meet up with you. Just give me a second with Amber and Sam.” “Okay,” Mya said and walked out. Diane and Mark followed her out. “What’s wrong Jane?” Amber asked. “I want her to stay here.” “You and I both know we’d have to tie her down, with chains, and probably kill her too. She won’t stay behind,” Sam said. “This is a threat to her, to you and Taylor. She won’t stay here.” “I need her to stay here and be safe!” Jane dragged a hand through her hair. “This is the second time this woman threatened Mya, and directly mentioned her name. Who the hell is she?” “We’ll find out. I promise.” Amber stood. “But don’t ask her to stay behind. It’s pointless anyway.” Amber took Sam’s hand. “Let’s go find her and deal with the problem.” Sam was uneasy, they were in unfamiliar territory, and from what Amber had told her, the rules were way different in the city from what they were used to. But she didn’t really care, she’d protect her mate, and her family, the only way she knew how. With everything she had. Luke had gone in front, in his wolf form, to scout the path ahead. Sam knew they were in strange pack territory. She could feel the flow of the other Alpha around her, another woman. Things were definitely changing in the world. There were more women leading packs than ever before. Mya grabbed her shoulder a second before she heard the low growl in her mind emanating from Luke. They all moved closer, their steps quick and quiet. She heard a woman ask him who he was and she moved closer. “Back down, Luke,” Amber said. She stepped from the clearing, Sam, Mya, and Jane flanked her. “Luke, shift and dress, please.” She said again. Luke growled and shifted, then went into the cover of trees behind them. He stepped out again, dressed, and stood behind them, watching their backs. A woman and a wolf were in the clearing, both exceptionally beautiful. The woman had white hair and yellow-gold eyes. The other was in her wolf form, pitch black, except for her left ear, which was white. “I ask again, who are you?” The woman with white hair and yellow-gold eyes asked. “I am Sam, I am the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack,” Sam said. She eyed the strangers warily. The one speaking to them was clearly protecting the wolf.  “You’re far from home, Sam,” the woman said. Her gaze went to Amber and she dropped to her knees. The wolf next to her dropped her head. “Custos, welcome to our pack ground.” Sam shifted her body. They obviously knew who Amber was. Amber stepped forward, ignoring Sam. “Stop that, please.” Amber held out her hand and then pulled the woman to her feet. “I don’t need all that. I’m Amber.” “Yes, we know.” The woman tensed as the wolf shifted beside her and stood naked before them. “Give us a moment to dress.” “They’re rude,” Mya said quietly. “We are intruding on their land,” Sam said. She grabbed Amber’s hand as the now dressed women started walking away. “No, I take it back, they are rude.” After introducing themselves as Simile and Emily, Simile led them inside what seemed to be their home. Then she’d gone and gotten them drinks and handed them out. “What brings you this far out of your home?” Emily, the Alpha asked. The other one, Simile, sat down next to Emily. Sam sat next to Amber, Mya and Jane were behind their couch, and they’d left Luke to guard the door. Sam tried to look relaxed as she waited for Amber to lead the way. She knew Luke was on edge, she could feel his tension from outside. Amber looked at her and she shrugged. She’d let Amber lead, for now. “We received a letter, I’m not going to disclose what was in it, yet, but our people traced it back to your pack. Someone here sent us this letter.” Simile sat up and lifted her hand. “If you tell us what it said, we may be able to help you find out who sent it. I assure you. It wasn’t one of us.” “I can’t be sure of that,” Amber said. “Besides…” Sam sat forward and cut her off. “Let’s cut to the chase here, baby,” Sam said. “She set her glass down and locked eyes with Emily. “I don’t take kindly to threats, not to me, my mate, or my pack. The letter was a promise that revenge would be taken on us.” Sam held up her hand when Simile wanted to interrupt. “If it didn’t come from you, someone in your pack sent it.” Sam vibrated. She was angry. And scared too. Now that they were sitting in the center of an unknown pack, she wondered if she’d done the right thing to bring Amber and Mya out here. “May I see it?” Emily asked quietly. Amber knew they didn’t have many options, and she could feel Sam shaking. She held out her hand to Mya who placed the envelope in her hand. Then held the letter out to Emily. But the other woman took it. A look passed between the two women. “I’m not taking chances with your life either.” She took out the letter and read it, then handed it to Emily. They folded it back up and handed it back to Amber. “This is not from our pack. As you saw as we walked through, we’ve been a bit busy rebuilding, after an attack on our pack. What’s left of it, helped rebuild. And to top, it off, none of our people are stupid enough to threaten the Custos.” “I’m sorry about this, but I have to agree with Sim, we are busy with our own problems, we don’t have the time or inclination to start another war.” “Another war?” Amber asked. Momentarily distracted. “What war is happening here, I haven’t heard anything about this?” She looked over at Mya and Jane, they shook their heads. “Mya, make a few calls, please, I’d like to meet with the Amber City people. Gods, I wish they’d change the name.” Amber rubbed a hand over her face, she was exhausted. Mya nodded and walked out to make the call. “Don’t worry yourself about this, we’ve got it handled,” Emily said. “Would you like to stay the night?” “I wouldn’t want to put you…” Amber began but Sam interrupted her. “We’d appreciate it.” She grinned at Simile who nodded at her. “Thank you.” “Emily, why don’t you call Kris and my dad, let’s see if we can find out who sent this.” Simile stood. “Alpha, let me show you to the rooms.” “Just Sam, we only need two, obviously Amber and I share, and Jane and Mya share too. Luke will be on duty through the night, so he won’t need a bed.” Sam told her. She was not going to let her guard down just yet. “We have guards on duty, and he must be tired.” Sam and Amber stood with Simile. “He’ll keep. No offense, but I want one of our own to keep an eye open.” Sam shrugged. “I have a feeling we’re in the right city, finally, to find the bastards who keep threatening what’s mine.” A low growl rose in Sam’s throat. Amber laid a hand on her chest. She felt her wolf settle and smiled down at Amber. “Sorry.” She looked to Simile. “Thank you for letting us rest here.” “No problem, let me show you where you’ll be sleeping. And then we’ll go over to the eating hall, the food is to die for.” Simile led them to a room. “Unfortunately you two will have to stay in the cabin just outside, we don’t have another room inside the main house.” “That’s no problem,” Jane said. She didn’t love the idea, but they’d be close enough. Sam watched Simile lead Mya and Jane out, then turned to Amber. “Are you okay with this?” “I’m tired,” Amber admitted. “So, yes. What do you think?” “I think they’re good and honest. They don’t know who sent the letter. And I have a feeling if it is one of their pack, they will pay for it. I also think they’re hiding something and need help.” “I got the same feeling,” Amber said. She went into the bathroom and splashed water on her face. “I’m quite hungry. Let’s go find them and get ourselves fed.” Sam nodded and they made their way outside. They saw the group standing talking and knew the second Mya spotted her, she straightened and looked stiff. She wondered why surely after all the time passed Mya knew they were good. “Take that stick out of your ass, Mya, these nice people will think I abuse you,” Sam grumbled. “Don’t start,” Amber said. “I heard the food here is amazing, where do we get some?” Amber smiled at Emily. She turned her head when two people came walking toward them quickly. Sam stepped in front of her, and she rolled her eyes as Mya stepped in front of Sam. “Would you two please, relax?” She complained and stepped out from behind them. “Kris, how are you?” “Amber?” Kris ducked her head and held out her hand. “What brings you all this way?” “Let’s go get some food, and we can talk about all of it,” Emily said. “This is my mother and the Luna, Kris, and her uh, partner, Andy.” Amber frowned, this was news to her. “Partner? Where is your father?” Amber realized that for Emily to be alpha Drake must be dead. Why had she not been told? “There seems to be a lot you don’t know, Amber.” Simile said. “Come on, we’ll fill you in.” Sam and Amber, with Mya and Jane, followed Simile. It appeared that she was being kept out of the Amber City loop. And she intended to find out why. “Where is this Diego’s pack?” Mya asked. They were all sitting around a huge table the next morning, after being filled in on the trails of the other pack they’d all gone to bed for some much-needed rest. Andy, the head of security wasn’t with them, she wondered where the woman was, and why she’d leave her alpha alone with strangers. “We don’t actually know.” Simile said. “We first encountered him when he took women from our pack, he had them locked up in a warehouse, and Andy and I went in, got them out. He attacked me, and the one thing led to another, and he struck a deal with Emily.” She shrugged. “He’d have killed you,” Emily said. “You should have let him.” Simile grumbled. “Then this would not be happening, and you’d be out of danger. The pack too.” “And you’d be dead. I’d not be alpha with you dead.” Emily said. “Besides, I thought we could have more time. The attack on the pack and the death of my father sped up this whole mess.” Emily shook her head. “And we are no closer to finding out who attacked us. Diego said it wasn’t him, and I tend to believe him, since he’d lose his chance to take the pack from me, through killing me.” Jane watched the two carefully, it was clear they were close. “And you don’t think he’s just lying?” She asked. “No, no I don’t,” Emily said firmly. Sam looked from Amber to Emily. “What did the Amber council head say?” “He basically said that we had to keep our war on our land. And there would be no going back on our deal. If I did, he’d make sure the pack goes to Diego.” “The rules are different here,” Amber said. “But still, not that different. I’ll speak to him today. This is a complete misuse of power. And the way Diego went about this, is forcing your hand. That’s unacceptable.” Amber laid a hand on Sam’s leg. “I don’t mind the wager. I can take him. What I don’t like is the fact that he wasn’t dealt with when he took our women. And that the attack on our pack is not being handled.” Emily said, her voice hard and cold. Amber could understand why. “Yes, I can see that.” Amber looked at Mya. “Did you get me that meeting?” “I keep getting his secretary, and she says he’s booked solid.” Mya shrugged. Amber felt her body start to shake, her Lycan was irritated at the lack of respect, and she tried to fight her down. She didn’t want to deal with that side of her now. “I see,” Amber said. Her voice must have given her away, as Sam sat up. “We’ll go see him,” Sam said. “He’ll see you. He has no choice.” Sam rubbed a hand over Amber’s back. Worried about her lover and the stiffness in her body. “Are you okay?” Simile asked. She felt the power emanating from Amber. “I’m fine, please excuse me a minute.” Amber stood and Sam followed. Sam shook her head and Jane and Mya. “I’ve got this one.” She followed Amber into the cover of trees and watched her pace. “You okay baby?” “Furious,” Amber growled. “So angry, can’t think.” She grabbed at her head and stopped to look at Sam. “Okay, I’ve got you. We’ll go see this bastard and figure things out. He won’t get away with this.” “Those women were left to fend for themselves. Why would he allow such behavior from a wolf? He’s supposed to be a leader, someone the wolves can trust to take care of them.” “Sometimes men can’t handle the power they get, it goes to their head.” “He should lose his,” Amber grumbled. “I should just rip it off.” “As entertaining as that will be, we can’t, there are ways to deal and more legal ways.” Sam smiled and held out her hand. “Come on, you know you don’t like blood on your shirt.” “You’re trying to make me laugh,” Amber said, her eyes clearing. “Is it working?” Sam stepped forward. She took Amber in her arms. “He’ll pay for the pain he caused, directly or indirectly, but first we have to go see him.” Sam kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her mouth. “We’ll make sure he pays.” “Okay.” Amber shuddered. “I’m sorry.” “No need baby. I love all of you, even the scary part.” Amber did laugh then. She knew Sam had a strange affection for her Lycan and dark side.