Born in Fire

Chapter Six

*Kalama*

Julie led me to the next room. I could hear the voices of people and the cladder of silverware on plates before I entered the room. Once I did, the voices and cladder stopped, as nearly fifty members of the Pack set their eyes on me. Keeping my face neutral, I nodded to everyone. Julie led me to the food table, the whispers of, Luna, filling my ears. I ignored the stares and whispers, piling my plate with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a roll with butter. Still ignoring the stares and whispers, I led Julie to a table, towards the head of the room, where three others, a she-wolf and two men, were eating. They stopped as I approached, looking at me with admiration. I looked at them, smiling, “May we join you?” The male closest to me, stood. He towered over me. His chiseled biceps were bigger than my head and stretched the black t-shirt to its limit. His bald head, shined under the light. Black stubble lined his jaw and his eyes were dark, but shined with the grin on his face. Everything about him screamed, Warrior. “We would be honored, Luna. Beta Julie.” He said, pulling both mine and Julie’s chairs out so we could sit. “I’m Jackson.” He said, offering his hand. I took it,

“Kalama.” Jackson gestured to the other man.

“This is Ben.” There was no doubt that Jackson and Ben were brothers. However, Ben’s black hair was on the shaggier side and his dark eyes held an intensity that only an experienced Warrior could have. Ben’s muscles were just as big as Jackson’s, but I guessed Jackson to be older, if only by a couple years. A scar crawled its way up Ben’s cheek to the corner of his right eye. He nodded at me and I nodded back. I looked at the woman, who bobbed up and down in her chair. I guessed her to be about eighteen, probably just got her wolf. She shared Jackson’s and Ben’s black hair. It was long and held away from her face in a loose ponytail. Even though she sat, I could tell that she was also on the taller side. Her lean body was riddled with muscle. Her eyes were lighter, but I had no doubt that she was Jackson’s and Ben’s sister. I smiled at her, holding my hand out. She went to take it so fast that she nearly tipped over her glass of water. Her face went red as she grabbed the glass, keeping it from spilling. Jackson chuckled, while Ben just shook his head. “You’ll have excuse our sister, Luna. She’s been extremely excited to meet you.” Her face went red again.

“Jackson, you promised not to make a fool of me.” Jackson chuckled again,

“I don’t have to make a fool of you, Sam. You do a good enough job yourself.” Sam frowned at him. I chuckled.

“Don’t worry, Sam. Honestly, I know how you feel.” Sam smiled, her cheeks lightening. Sam did most of the talking after that as the rest of us ate. Half-way through, I got the overwhelming feeling that someone was staring at me. I glanced around the room. Everyone seemed to be sneaking glances my way, until my gaze landed on a table at the back of the room. A woman around my age was staring at me. Her grey eyes throwing daggers at me. She had the body of a Warrior. Her dirty blonde hair was cut short, and she seemed to ooze anger, anger at me. I met her gaze, staring until she looked away. I continued eating, though I could still feel her eyes. People soon started finishing and Omegas came in to start cleaning up. The she-wolf who had been looking at me walked over, two other women on either side. I could feel her anger as she came to stand between Ben and Sam. I leaned back in my chair, meeting her dagger filled gaze with one of my own. She leaned on the table. Her eyes flicked to my collarbone, where Caspian’s mark rested. Her lips turned up in a snarl, her canines elongated.

“A challenge.” Ash purred inside my head.

“Well would you look here? The Alpha’s newest b***h has joined us.” She said, loud enough for everyone to here. Everyone went silent, waiting to see how I would react. I could hear the low rumble of growls coming from those who sat with me. I knew I couldn’t let her get away with her challenge, but I could give her the option to continue. Ignoring the low growls coming from the Warriors and Julie, I stood, leaning on the table so my face was level with hers.

“And you are?” I made my voice firm. She frowned, surprised that I didn’t feed into her taunting.

“Delilah.” She stuttered. I gave her one of my own evil grins.

“Well, Delilah. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and let you walk away this one time.” Delilah narrowed her eyes. I narrowed mine, silently willing her to do what I knew she would. She laughed. It was an annoying sound, like she was trying too hard.

“Aww, the Luna’s afraid.” She said, turning to look at everyone in the room. “Do we really want a scared little pup as our Luna?” she asked the room. Whispers started up again, questioning my authority.

“Better do something.” Growled Ash. Delilah turned back to look at me, a smile of satisfaction on her lips. Just as her eyes met mine, I pulled my arm back and punched her, throwing every bit of strength I could muster into it. The punch connected with her nose, blood squirting around my knuckles as I felt the bones give.

*Caspian*

           I got the overwhelming feeling that something was about to happen. I took off to the dining room, with John and Neal right behind me. We entered just in time to see Kalama’s fist connect with Delilah’s nose. I saw the blood squirt and Delilah dropped, screaming in pain. I watched as Kalama came around the table, stepping over Delilah to face the two Warriors who had backed Delilah, Joanna and Deborah. The women stood nearly five inches taller than her, but that didn’t seem to matter as she looked them in the eyes. “Do either of you have a problem with me being Luna?” Kalama asked, her voice laced with venom. Joanna and Deborah looked at Delilah, who still writhed in pain, clenching her broken nose. They looked back at Kalama, shaking their heads, and stepped back. Kalama looked at everyone else in the room. “Does anyone else question my capability of being your Luna?” She met everyone’s stare in turn. Then they all stood, and as one, took a knee for their Luna. Joanna and Deborah looked around, before doing the same.

           I could see the tremble in Kalama’s body. I walked into the room, stepping over Delilah and wrapping my arms around her. She buried her face into my chest, inhaling my scent. The trembling stopped. I looked down at Delilah, disgusted. “Joanna, Deborah. Get her out of her.”

           “Yes, Alpha.” They said together, leaning down and dragging Delilah to her feet and out of the room. I looked at everyone else.

           “Everyone back to work.” Everyone filed out, stopping long enough to quickly bow their heads at Kalama. Once everyone was gone, I pulled Kalama away from me, a smile on my face. Her flaming eyes burned bright as she stepped away from me, crossing her arms over her chest.

           “Friend of yours’?” Her voice held all the venom she’d used to address the room. Bay growled and I felt my length stiffen.

           “Our Mate has some bite to her bark.” Bay purred. I dropped my arms, sighing.

           “You could say that.”

*Kalama*

           “It’s happening again Ash.” Ash snorted.

           “Don’t be stupid. She was a plaything before he met us. She’s nothing to him.” My body trembled, Caspian stepped over Delilah, who clenched her nose, blood leaking around her hand. His arms wrapped me and I, instantly buried my face in his chest, breathing in his fresh, rainfall scent. Once the trembling stopped, I stepped away, anger balled in my stomach. I’d been through this once, I wouldn’t do it again and if he decided to do what Evan did, then I would get out again. I looked at Caspian, my voice laced with venom,

           “Friend of yours?” Caspian met my flaming gaze with one of his own, though I could smell his arousal. I pushed my own away, unwilling to back down. His arms dropped from my waist.

           “You could say that.” I felt my heart slip a little. Caspian took my hands in his.

           “But it’s over between her and I. It was over a long time ago.” He placed my hands on his chest. His heart beat against my palms, a smooth melody that seemed to match my own. “You are all I need, Kalama.” I knew his words were true.

           “It’s time to tell him, Kalama.” Ash whispered. I sighed,

           “I know. I will.” I looked back at Caspian. A storm of emotion swirled in the blue depths of his eyes. I brushed my lips against his. “Can we go for a walk? I have some things I need to tell you.” He nodded.

           “John, look after the pack, until I get back.”

           “Yes, Alpha.”

           Caspian took me by the waist, leading me out the back. The backyard opened into a large pool and a hot tub big enough to fit fifty people. Lounge chairs lined the edge of the pool. Little kids splashed and ran, laughing. I could hear the Warriors training in the field, while others roamed the outskirts of the yard. The crisp afternoon air hit my nostrils. Ash stirred, anxious for a run. “Can we go for a run?” Caspian smiled.

           “Of course.” His arm still around my waist, he led me off the porch, pass the laughing kids. The kids all smiled and waved. Caspian smiled and waved back.

           “Luna, Luna. Come play with us.” cried a little boy with arm floaties on. I smiled at him, unable to ignore how much he looked like Neal. Caspian chuckled.

           “Not now Luke. Important Alpha business.” He said, giving the boy a wink. Luke smiled, paddling back to the other kids. We left the kids to their swimming, coming to the Warrior who stood guard. Caspian told the Warrior that we were going for a run and to let him know if anything happened. The Warrior bowed his head, letting us past into the trees. A few feet in Caspian stopped and undressed. I watched him, enjoying the curve of his muscled torso, his lean waist, and long legs. I could smell and see his arousal as my eyes traveled down the length of his body. “Like what you see?” I grinned, a little breathless.

           “Very much.” I said, undressing. I felt his eyes roam over each newly bared skin, the smell of his arousal seemed to slam into my own. My clothes at my feet, I looked at him. Need filled his eyes. I grinned at him. “Like what you see?” He growled in response. Still smiling, I closed my eyes. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, as I called to Ash. She answered my call, excitedly. I felt a ball of warmth in my belly that grew and spread up to my head and down to my toes. I felt my bones pop out of place and lengthen before settling back into place. When I opened my eyes again, I looked through Ash.