Hey guys here is the second part of the POV, Happy Friday and we hope everybody has a great weekend.
As my alphas sat in stunned silence, I pulled out a chair for my mate and then seated myself at the head of the table. No one spoke. I scanned the table seeking a challenge. Not one of them had the courage to meet my stare. They all knew that an example would have to be made and none were eager to be the first.
I leaned forward and in as calm a tone as I could manage, demanded “Explain yourselves.”
Silence.
“I am waiting for one of you to tell me why you stood by and did nothing while my mate was assaulted on a daily basis.”
Finally, Jim spoke, “I knew she would be OK. Curran, she had to prove that she belonged.”
“Yes,” Mahon rumbled. “Nobody expected that she would be allowed to sit at your side without spilling some blood, my liege.”
Yeah, actually I kinda did. Last time I had checked I was in charge around here. It was time to gently remind them of that.
I leaned forward and repeated, “Allowed?”
I let it sink in.
The realization of it hit them. They just told me what I was allowed to do. I heard the alpha of the Jackals take a deep breath and hold it.
I stared at them. “I will say this only once. I am the one who allows. I allow all of you to live and I allow you to rule your own clans as you see fit. Whether or not I continue to do so depends solely upon what you say and do in the next few moments. Be very careful.”
It was Aunt B who spoke next. ”Clan Bouda provided the Consort with both counsel and protection from unlawful challenges. No one who answers to me harmed her.” She glanced over at Daniel and his mate. “The same cannot be said of the dogs, however.”
Of course. She wouldn’t have lifted a finger to stop the wolves from digging their own grave. The hatred between the boudas and the wolves went a long way back. Wolves had greater numbers, but boudas played the game better.
“We broke no laws,” Daniel protested. ”Everyone knows the alpha of the Bouda Clan cut a deal with Beast Lord’s mate.”
Jennifer, his mate, nodded. “Yes, because she wanted special status for her degenerates.”
A slow smile crept over B’s lips. “We all know how much the alpha of the Wolf Clan loves his mate and defers to her. Out of curiosity, how many of his wolves was he willing to sacrifice to indulge her?”
“The human had to prove herself like we all did,” Daniel said. “It is the law. It is fair.”
“Fair, really?” I asked. “Who among you has faced twenty-two challenges in two weeks?”
None had of course. Not even Mahon, our Executioner, had killed so many so quickly.
Speaking of law. I addressed Jennifer directly. “If I recall correctly, Daniel, despite being chosen upon the retirement of his predecessors, had successfully faced a number of challenges before choosing you as his mate. However, you have never been challenged. Do you know why that is? Because according to the law the two of you are so fond of quoting, whoever challenges you will also have to fight Daniel. The alphas fight as one. If one of the alphas is injured, it has been an unspoken courtesy among the Pack to wait until both are on their feet before a challenge is issued. It is the matter of honor. If you take another’s place, you must win it fairly. You did not afford my mate the same courtesy.”
“She killed my sister,” Jennifer screamed.
Good, let’s get it all out there. Settle things once and for all. “True, your sister went loup and attacked her. Kate didn’t cause it and killed the one who did. Your anger is misplaced. As a matter of fact, she did you a favor. If you were any kind of alpha, you would know that putting your sister down was your responsibility. It was your burden to carry. Your are the next of kin.”
Jennifer clenched her teeth. I measured every word carefully. I couldn’t challenge her, because the challenge had to come from the ground up. But if I said enough, she would challenge me.
“My mate assumed your burden and instead of gratitude, you hate her for it. She is the constant reminder of your weakness. You want to fight her, but you can’t. Instead you goad others into doing what you can’t bring yourself to do. It is your greatest failing. However, because I am merciful and just, I will offer you a chance to atone.”
“I will not apologize or bow to her. I’ll die first.” Jennifer snapped at the air like a mad dog.
Good, let’s just see about that then. “Again, you misunderstand. What I offer is a chance at the revenge you seek, but properly this time. Challenge us. Couple to couple, as it was meant to be.”
I gave the rest a warning glance. “No one will interfere. Just the two of you against the two of us.”
Kate tensed next to me. Under the table I gave Kate’s hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her that I was just bluffing and that it would be alright. Well, not really, but I was confident that even as we were, we could take them, and all the rest if need be. As long as they believed we could do it, we wouldn’t have to.
As Jennifer began to rise – she really was either stupid or crazy – Daniel grabbed her arm, almost too quickly to see, and yanked her back. She landed in the chair, hard.
She opened her mouth. He gave her a flat stare. She shut her mouth and dropped her gaze. Her face turned red.
So he was unwilling to let her throw away her life or his own.
Daniel bowed his head in a slight nod. “Clan Wolf begs the Consort for her forgiveness. We are sincerely sorry for any offense we may have caused. We wish to express our continued loyalty and obedience to the Beast Lord and his Mate.”
Well said, perhaps there was hope for him after all.
“What about the rest of you?” My gaze lingered for a moment on the alphas of Clan Rat. Thomas and Robert Lonesco shook their heads in unison.
Thomas, the older and larger of the pair, spoke. “We have no dog in this fight.” He smiled a little, showing very even white teeth. “We did not vote for her because we did not know enough about her.”
Kate leaned in and whispered to me, “After I killed the Jackals, they sent me chocolate.” Good, in truth I actually liked them both and would have regretted killing them.
I looked at the aforementioned Jackals replacements.
The female, Tracy, spoke. “We have no problem with the Consort. We are indebted to her for our current position.”
I had expected as much. All that was left was Clan Nimble and Mahon’s heavies. The old bear I would deal with privately. Clan Nimble was a sort of anomaly within shapeshifter society. Its alphas, an older Asian couple, ruled not because they were the strongest but because their age and wisdom was highly respected by their subjects. It did not hurt, of course, that their devoted betas were a vicious pair that was feared by the rest of the clan and many in the Pack. They kept their elders from harm and it was understood that they themselves would take their place as alphas, when the time came.
The alpha of clan Nimble stood, drew himself to his full height, and then bowed deeply without his gaze ever leaving me. He held the bow then straightened and in a very formal tone proclaimed, ”Clan Nimble remembers the understanding his Majesty has shown to us, and would never dishonor itself by repaying that kindness with treason or betrayal. The consort has fought admirably and earned a place of respect at our lord’s side.”
Ok, a simple ‘we got your back’ would have sufficed but if he felt more comfortable with formality then so be it.
“We respect Clan Nimble and hold its friendship in high esteem.” Ahh, that got him, he almost smiled, bowed once more, and sat again.
Almost done.
“So, it’s all settled then. Unless there is anything else, you may depart in peace. Mahon, you stay,” I commanded. The rest filed out as quickly as they could while maintaining a semblance of dignity.
Kate turned to me. Her eyes asked me, “Do you want me to stay?”
Silently I shook my head. “No, you don’t want to be here for the next part.”
Brrr, legit chills up my spine! I’m really happy to find out what happened after the “Explain yourselves” line. And oh, oh, I do hope we get to see Curran’s conversation with Mahon, that’ll be some major kaboom.
Ohhhhh YAY i love this the way he lets jennifer dig her own grave although i think its going to be a long time till the wolves are reliable. have i mentioned how much I love love love Aunt B, if not i do.
Probably not the place for this, but I was over at Nalini Singh’s blog, and she’s just posted the cover of an anthology coming out in October called Angels of Darkness which features your name. Do you feel in a position to talk about your contribution to it now, or are you planning to wait until after Hexed comes out?
That was awesome!! Always wondered what happened in that meeting. Can’t wait to hear what Mahon has to say for himslef.
thank you, thank you, thank you, that was the best thing in a somewhat lousy week; of course it would have ranked right up there even had I not been sick and had half my clients not show up at their appointments and not let me know ahead of time that they weren’t coming in
I liked this part even more than the first.
I´m concerned about Kate, though. I think Jennifer will keep trying to kill her, with or withour her approval´s mate. She doesn´t seem the kind of woman to play by the rules, at least after her sister´s death.
I´m eager to read the third part, as well. I think I´ll like it even more. Like the saying goes “you´re saving the best for last”
Thank you for this- it’s always interesting to see events that are “skipped” over. This is also a great teaser for the next book in seeing the relationship between Alphas and “Head Alphas” Curran and Kate.
I can see why Kate needs a guide in shapeshifter politics. Have a great week! Don’t let Monday hit you too hard (can you tell I’m a fan of Mondays? ala Garfield?)
i love curran in protective mode lol the council are like putty in his hand and i like hehe
so desperate for more these snippets are what keep me going till the next book.
just also thinking that if the council ever found out about kate’s heritage then their is going to be blood and curran will have his work cut out for him keeping kate safe.
i love curran in protective mode lol the council are like putty in his hand hehe
so desperate for more these snippets are what keep me going till the next book.
just also thinking that if the council ever found out about kate’s heritage then their is going to be blood and curran will have his work cut out for him keeping kate safe.
Love Curran confronting the wolves. Please tell me we will be in on the Mahon coversation!
Thanks, great start to the weekend! I love the chocolate reference! Hope you have a great weekend and thanks again for the treat of a snippet!
i think.. none *was* eager to be the first, and clan bouda provided [...] with both *counsel* and protection.
You’re right and I fixed it, well the counsel part.
Now I can’t wait to see what comes next.
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ooh ! thank you very much! it was really cool.
But i was a bit surprised that Jim called Curran Curran during the meeting.
Muhahahahaaaaa Whats next ?!?!!?!?!? Mahon’s going to get what ? great peek behind the Beast Loard, thanks
YAY! Thanks for the second part! I can’t WAIT to hear Curran chew out Mahon! I wanna hear the surrogate father/son ‘chat’.
Can’t wait for POV 3
All I can keep saying is COOOOLLL!!
There is no other series that has me grasping for every POV short!!!
Curran and Kate are so exciting to read. I especially love their strength!!
Great POV!!!
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Thanks so much! It was great
words can’t express how much I (we) appreciate these Curran POV’s.
Thank you.
Thanks so much for part 2. Really enjoying Curran’s POV. Looking forward to part 3.
theres gonna be a part 3 waaaaaahhhh :0
um… do we see what happens with Mahon?
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I LOVED it!!!!! Thank you so much, it left me on the edge of my seat.
I find it fascinating that with as few words as have actually been dedicated to who and what Mahon is, his character holds a great deal of strength and presence. Your writing here and within the books is consistently engrossing and vastly entertaining. Thank you both for being so dedicated to the work that you do. It shines through in the finished product making for very grateful fans.
oh my gaw that was freaking spine tinglin. *shuddershudder*
SQUEEEE!!!! I have always wanted to know what he said to them. Aunt B is absolutely one of my favs. lol She’s so manipulative.
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Teehee… You tell them Curran! I love it when he whips it out and smacks everyone upstide the head with it. Thank you for this and I can’t wait until part 3.
That was great! I love Curran and enjoy hearing what he is thinking!! He’s a hoot!!
Thank you, enjoyed it immensely.
I loved it!!!!
Awesome! Oh man, I can’t wait till the next book comes out! *L* Thank you so much for doing this–helps me from going bonkers till the next one is out. *L*
thank you so much for this…. and on my birthday too
Thank you
That POV rocked !!! I’m dying to know how Mahon explains his actions… or lack thereof.
Curran + Smackdown = Total Awesome!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! =)
I have to sign on twitter more often if this is the sort of cool thing I can expect from you! YES! This rocked. I’d wondered what happened when Curan woke. Thank you so much!
I love how Curran handle this. Can’t wait for part three! I can’t wait to read the conversation between Mahon and Curran. Hope everything went well since Mahon practically raise him. I forgot why Mahon is against Kate? Hmm.. time to re read the books again.
He explains almost at the end of Magic Bleeds. Basically, he doesn´t think Kate is good enough (even “animal enogh”) for Curran.
He´s like Ted Moynohan from the Order in one aspect: he thinks cats matches with cats, sups with sups… and humans (like Kate) with humans. Not with Curran.
thank you!!! can’t wait for the next part,this was very awesome!
oh my goodness, thank you so much for the curran povs, right now, i’m really curious as to what happened with mahon and curran. really, i just can imagine kate having 22 fights in two weeks.
This was a GREAT scene! I like this part even better than the first part. I love it when you develop scenes further and we get to read something new that isn’t in the books.
Oh, but now I am dying to know what happens between Curran & Mahon. Maybe there will be a Part 3. (I hope!!)
OH MAN!! This is soooo awesome Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t wait for the next installment. I am sitting on the edge of my seat saying, “Why did he have to stop there? What is going to happen with that old crafty Mahon? How will Curran handle him and not cripple his effectiveness within the pack? ” So many questions….so few answers right now
Curran is goin to kisk his a$$ and the boadas are gonna send some Charmin for Mahon. Lmao
Entertaining as always. I’m so glad these are coming in the lull between books. Gives those of us with nothing to do…something to do lol.
Too awesome for words….. bring on Curran and Mahon BRING IT ON!!
Jeez is possible this can get better? I find it perfect! Loved it! I want part 3 NOW lmao. Love Curran!
Thnaks Gordon!
Love reading Curran’s POV. Can’t wait for the next installment.
I loved it and appreciated it, now the only thing that would make me more on edge, would be what would happen if she ever got pregnant?
Awesome!
Big Thank You!!!! Busy potty training my boy, this is the first chance I’ve had to get online…….I sooooooo needed this!!!!!
O My God, I love it. This is amazing !
I think, I need part 3 ! :3
Can’t wait for the next part…. Father/son showdown! So glad we get a Curran POV too