Unknown Wolf

Dealings with a Father

***** Lucy's POV

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, causing my eyes to flutter awake as I groaned. I had not slept well with my usual nightmares taking over and being in a new house. I stretched my arms above my head and then opened my eyes to see Arthur hovering indian style at the foot of my bed. There was a click, flash, and I screamed. Trying to scramble, I fell to the floor tangled in blankets.

"Got it!" He exclaimed, "Ooo that's a good one." He laughed and looked over the edge of the bed at me like a small child would do holding out the picture of me waking up.

"Ugh..." I groaned, rubbing the back of my head. "Arthur, what in the world?" I moaned.

"Get up sweatheart it's nearly eight, and we have to get a video to your dad before the two of you leave." He smiled down at me.

"Are we sure I'm here by my own free will? That sounds like some weird kidnapper stuff to me..." I got up cracking my neck and stretching some more.

He winked at me, "Hurry up, sleepy head. Also I'm loving the white rabbits!" He laughed, and with a crack, he was gone. I rolled my eyes. Now I see the need for Rowen to do that so much around Arthur. I looked down at my pajamas. They were cute. I wasn't about to wear anything silky or revealing with Rowen hanging around.

I got up , took a quick shower, and brushed my teeth. I picked out a pair of light colored jeans and a white peasant top Rowen had picked out with a green vines and blue flowers design stitched upon the shoulders and around the neck line, and got dressed. Then french braided my hair. I finish off with some light makeup.

I walked slowly down the stairs, looking at the pictures on the wall. One had to be Arthur's parents. His mother was beautiful. A petite woman with long blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. She was beaming as his father wrapped his arms around her waist. He was about Arthur's height with the same soft brown eyes that held that special twinkle. He had short brown hair and the smile that Arthur beamed all the time.

The next step was a couple of pictures of Arthur as a young boy playing and smiling. His blonde hair windblown as he ran. Even as a child, you could see the mischief and humor in his face as he played.

Another step down there was a picture of of Arthur's mother about sixteen with what had to be Rowen's mother at the same age. They were standing in a large lavender field with a bushel of lavender in their arms, and they were smiling ear to ear at each other. Arthur's mother was in a soft pink cotton dress with her long blonde hair in a side braid. Her blue eyes were a light blue whereas Rowen's mother's were the same dark blue she had passed to him. Her auburn hair shining in the sun like a copper penny put in a matching side braid. She wore a light blue sundress. They seemed so happy in that moment, innocent.

Then my eye caught another photograph of three little boys. Ryker, with his dark black hair, he seemed annoyed. He stood a little to the side of a young Arthur, who was the oldest of the three, and Rowen, the youngest, was side hugging Arthur. Both of them smile and laugh on the stairs of the farmhouse.

Arthur snuck up behind me, making me jump. He looked at the pictures that had distracted me. A sadness catching around his eyes, but his smile never faltered.

"You scared the crap out of me, Arthur. Why are you always just appearing?"

"Character flaw, I guess." He shrugged, smile widening. He looked back at the picture of his mother and Rowen's touching the frame. "They were so beautiful, weren't they..."

"Yes, they were, and happy there."

"They were cousins. Their mothers were human sisters who got pulled into the other worldly. One marries a wizard, the other a werewolf. Rowen and I grew up together when Roland allowed it. Ryker's mind was always poisoned by his father. He rarely came, and he didn't enjoy it while he was here. Rowen came and spent every summer with us until his mother died. Later, as he got older, he found excuses to slip away to visit us. Rowen was always more like his mother." He sighed after reliving the memories good and bad.

"So you're not just close friends, but cousins." Arthur smiled and nodded. "Where are your parents, Arthur?" I whispered. Curiosity is getting the better of me.

"They died in an accident when I was sixteen." He stated sadly, changing the subject quickly to avoid having to go into further detail. "Come on. Let's get some breakfast."

The kitchen was a bright, sunny yellow with white cabinets. A smaller round table to the side where Rowen sat with a coffee and the morning paper surrounded by large windows with sunlight streaming in. Two french doors opened onto a small patio outside, surrounded by flowers and herbs. Further out, you could see a personal vegetable garden and a grassy lawn ending in corn fields.

This place was so homey and welcoming. Arthur's mother had successfully made this into her own personal happy place. I went over to the fridge where Arthur had pasted my picture with magnets. I looked ridiculous with my eyes full of shock and some major bedhead going on. I let out a small, embarrassed scream ripping it off the fridge.

"Hey, now that's my picture!" Arthur yelled and took it from my hand, smiling. "I'm keeping this treasured momento forever." He chuckled, slipping the picture in the pocket of his shirt.

I rolled my eyes as he laughed at me, "She's fun, Rowen. I like having her around to tease."

Rowen shook his head, smiling into his coffee and staring at his paper, trying not to get sucked into Arthur's nonsense. I went back to the fridge and poured myself a glass of orange juice. After making a small bowl of yogurt and berries, I went to sit down with Rowen at the table. Arthur came back to the table to join us with a large plate of pancakes.

"Well, look at you two. Lucy is eating all healthy, and Rowen is starving himself in the morning. Don't mind me while I just gorge myself on these yummy pancakes." I giggled, and it was Rowen's turn to roll his eyes.

"Don't worry, Arthur, we won't judge you when you're fat." Rowen said before taking another sip of his coffee.

"You only live once," Arthur shrugged and dug in.

**************

"Alright, just stand real nice there in front of the white screen. Hold the newspaper up so they can see the date on it. Perfect."

"Arthur, are you sure you aren't in the kidnapping business? This is very weird."

"Lucy, don't you think your father is gonna want some proof you are okay? I can't go taking you back. What other options do we have?" Arthur stated. "Now I'm going to turn the camera on, and you tell your dad whatever you think he needs to hear."

"Thanks, that helps." I said sarcastically. He shrugs and starts up the camera.

"Hi dad, I'm fine. I'm sorry for everything. I know you must be scared and angry, but in the moment there wasn't a better option. Rowen saved me from his brother and has continued to keep me safe. I trust him and believe it would be safer for everyone if I just stay hidden for now. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me, but I feel that being there will only cause all of you to be in more danger. I love you, Daddy..." I wiped a tear from my cheek, and Arthur stopped recording.

"That was good enough, princess." he came over to hug me, and I began crying into his chest.

"I know this is hard for you, but I also know Rowen. He will die before he lets anyone hurt you, and he will eventually find a way to sort out the issues in the werewolf world." I sniffled and looked up at him as he smiled down at me and patted my head.

"Rowen is like my little brother, the last real family I have. Though I am definitely the more handsome fun one," he winked, "He is only the way he is because of everything he has been through. My mother always said if he had had more of a normal childhood, he would have been as smiley and mischievous as I was."

I smirked at him, "Okay, okay. I still am." He laughed, "The point is when he is with you, Lucy, he is more himself. He is more relaxed and happy. I can see how, in just a few days, he has let down some walls. I know you're still on the fence about the mate thing, but Rowen isn't like his brother and father. He loves you already. I can see it."

"I don't know," I tilted my head in question.

Arthur just smiled at me, "Be patient and open with him, and eventually, you will see it too. Now I have to get this to your father. Be back in a flash."

With that and another crack, he was gone. I don't think I'll ever get used to that. I walked around looking for Rowen, but I didn't see him in the house. I came back in the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. Then I went out the french doors onto the patio to find Rowen sitting in a patio chair staring out into the yard.

"There you are. I didn't know where you wandered off to." He turned and gave me a weak smile as I went to sit next to him. He was so quiet but looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Penny, for your thoughts." I said, looking him over.

He shook his head, "It's nothing." He forced a smile. I sighed, deciding to leave it alone if he didn't want to talk about it.

"Arthur told me that your mothers were cousins. I saw the picture of them on the stairs. They were both beautiful." I said, trying to keep up a conversation with him.

"Yes, they were first cousins and raised like sisters. They spent every summer together growing up with their human grandmother. They were her only granddaughters, and her daughters let her name them. My great-grandmother was Irish, so she gave them very Irish names. Arthur's mother was named Laoise (Lee-sha), meaning light, and my mother's name was Roisin (Ro-SHEEN), meaning little rose. They were both very dear to everyone who knew them, soft women with big hearts. Both are taken too soon from this world." He paused slightly for a minute before continuing on, "When I lost my mom at eight, my Auntie Lee tried everything to step up for me. She loved me as her own, but only a year later, we lost her and my Uncle Archie too. I didn't see Arthur again until I was eighteen. He is like my big brother, where Ryker never cared for me. Arthur is seven years older than I am, and he has always tried to look out for me the best he could."

"Arthur seems to be a really good man. I'm sorry you both have experienced so much loss."

He turned to face me full of raw emotion, "I never wanted to find my mate. I didn't think I deserved happiness in my life. I grew up terrified that my brother and father would strip whoever she was from me too, and I couldn't bare the thought to lose someone else. I know you don't fully trust me or accept me as your mate, and I understand why. I just want you to know I will never let anyone hurt you because I couldn't handle another death."

His words shook me to the bone and clenched my heart. I knew with my very being he meant what he said. His deep blue eyes filled with sadness and something else. I knew beyond a doubt he would die before watching my death. His words brought so many feelings alive inside me, but I was so confused by them. I didn't exactly know how to respond to his confession, but then I didn't have to as we both heard a loud crack.

Arthur suddenly appeared next to us. He grabbed my water out of my hand and took a big gulp out of it.

"Thank you." He huffed.

"You're... welcome... I guess," I couldn't help but giggle. "How'd it go?"

"Well, for my first meeting with your father... It was... It was a disaster...." He took his large hand, wiping his forehead stressed. "Your father loves you very much. I think at one point he threatened to rip me limb from limb and disembowel me in front of everyone in the room with him displaying my head on a spike."

"Oh my god!" I gasped. Rowen's hand balled into a fist.

"Not to worry, he wouldn't be able to watch your amazing acting qualities or as he said you were forced to say those things and make that video by the big bad Rowen." He chuckled.

"I told you it was sketchy."

"He is glad to know you are alive, and after explaining a little more the situation, he settled down enough to think things through." Arthur continued.

"What do you mean?" I vocalized the question both Rowen and myself were thinking.

"Well, he knows Roland and Ryker are beyond pissed and that they don't have you, Lucy. He also knows more than anything that Ryker wishes to possess you."

Rowen growled at the mere idea.

"Quiet down," He held his hands up in defense, and turned back to me, "Your father also is aware that Rowen is not with them, and his intel are informing him that they have put a price on Rowen's head. Quite a hefty sum, actually. Wonder if we will start seeing wanted posters with your handsome mug on them." Arthur smiled. I giggled.

Rowen rolled his eyes and fussed, "On with it."

"So impatient. You really need to get a sense of humor." He ignored Rowen's pursed lips and continued, "The only thing King Athelstad Grey cares about is the well-being of his daughter, and she is alive and perfectly unharmed. Thanks to Prince Rowen." Arthur bowed dramatically towards his cousin, earning him another eye roll.

"But there are many things he respects and values. One at the top of the list is the mate bond. When I told him you were destined mates, he was floored. He absolutely questioned this, but with some persuasion and enlightenment on who Rowen truly is, he was..... well, he still has doubts. He isn't a very trusting man, and that has probably done him well over the years. Your aunt was surprisingly helpful. She pointed out how by taking you and protecting you, Rowen had forfeited everything, his family, his status, and even his royal standing. Rowen is not a deranged man. He would not do that without cause. In fact, she said out of the three Blackwoods, Rowen was the most sane and collected one. She said that by past behavior, Rowen has not shown himself to be power hungry like his father or brother, but merely a soldier following orders. You also have gained more respect as a ruler than your brother and father, who rule by fear. The king thought all that over and rewatched the tape. He agreed with Lucy that she was no longer safe at Greystone Manor."

"He agreed?" I asked, unbelieving, "Just like that without adding to it?" That didn't sound like my father. He always had the last say and added his own terms.

Arthur smiled and shook his finger, "Oh Lucy, I dare say you know your father well. Your guards, they failed you that night, and let's just say your father isn't thrilled with them. They need to earn back his good graces. They volunteered to come with you to help keep you safe and literally die for you if so, be it. Your father agreed."

"So what we have to tote around these two knuckle heads that have already failed her once before?" Rowen growled. Shaking his head in frustration.

"Wyatt and Justin seem to be very capable soldiers, Rowen, and you could use all the help you can get." Arthur reminded him.

"Their names are Wesley and Jordan, Arthur." I'm pretty sure he messed their names up on purpose. "They are two of our best soldiers and my personal bodyguards. Who went up against Ryker and lived to tell the tale, so what exactly were my father's terms." Rowen gritted his teeth at the name correction and my vouching for their character. Arthur smirked at his disdain. Yes, he messed up their names on purpose to get under his cousin's skin and took joy in his reaction.

"Either Rowen brings you home to him, or he allows your guards to accompany you and watch over your best interests. He believes if Rowen refuses, then he is proving his suspicions correct in that he can't be trusted and you have been taken hostage."

I turned to Rowen, and he was seething at the idea. He looked down at me. I pursed my lips and put my hands on my hips glaring back at him.

"Who all was in this meeting with him hearing the details of this plan, and now know of these guards tagging along?" Rowen glared at Arthur, who merely seemed to be enjoying the show.

"Just her aunt and the two guards. No one else was present. Like I said before, he is not a very trusting man, very paranoid, in fact." Arthur answered.

"And how am I supposed to get them the proper documentation without Jason available now?" He waved his hand annoyed at Arthur.

"Her aunt is already working on that for you. Only the four of them will know anything about this. Besides the too guards, only the king and her aunt have any knowledge of my visit or anything dealing with you and Lucy. That's apparently the extent of the people this man trusts." Arthur raised an eyebrow, and I smiled. "I have helped sort out some minor details. Their new aliases will be Wyatt and Justin Gentry. They are Lindsey's two older brothers who come to help you on the ranch."

"Ranch?" I c****d my head in question.

"Jesus, Arthur, is there any detail you didn't give them?" Rowen roared, making me jump.

Arthur unfazed simply said, "They don't know where the ranch is or your aliases."

Rowen was livid and cursing under his breath, pacing back and forth.

"Rowen that place has so many protective spells on it it's almost as impenetrable as this place, but even safer as Ryker has never been there and neither your brother or father have any knowledge of it." Rowen stopped and threw him a look. Arthur shrugged. "What else could I have done? This is possibly your future father-in-law. How badly do you want to piss him off?"

If looks could kill, Rowen whipped around and turned on Arthur, his eyes starting to glow. I'm pretty sure veins were beginning to pop out of his neck, and even I cowarded, afraid. Arthur stood firm and looked him in the eyes as he unleashed his fury yelling boldly. So much so the ground beneath us began to tremble.

"I couldn't give a rat's ass how angry he is! My only concern is her safety, and I am willing to do anything to keep her as safe as unhumanly possible. If anything thing befalls her because of this ridiculous demand of his, I will personally come for him myself after ripping to shreds anyone who dares to lay a finger upon her. I am doing my best to protect her from those monsters, and I really don't give a damn who the hell it pisses off Arthur!"

"Good!" Arthur growled back annoyed, "Hope you're willing to tell him that because you're about to."

I heard a small click, and Arthur pulled out a recorder that he had just stopped. I gasped as I watched him disappear with nothing but a crack.

"s**t!" He spat towards where Arthur had just disappeared. He screamed at the sky, eyes still glowing for a moment. Then he turned towards me, and I took a step back. He seemed hurt again by my fear, and the glow began to dwindle from his eyes.

He looked down in shame and whispered, "I'm sorry."

I felt his pain and sadness radiate off him, and it drew me closer to him. I touched his shoulder, but he pulled away from me. After which, I stood frozen watching him walk swiftly into the house.