Standard disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people or actual events is purely coincidental.
You may contact the author at Ulfr57@gmail.com All comments, suggestions and/or obsevations are welcome if presented respectfully.
Please support and donate to the Nifty Archive! Chapter Seven:
"Being ready is not what matters. What matters is winning after you get there."
(Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, USMC, April 1965.)
"Well of course I sound like a babbling idiot Hank..." Danal stated, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and his forefinger, his eyes red from lack of sleep: "How else would I ever get you to understand me?"
Hank Bauers smiled, patting his old mentor on the back playfully, winking at Max Donnelly and Hadrian Mumsford, who had just arrived that morning: "I'm sure that whatever it was that you were going on about seems of utmost importance to you, but I have to be going, I actually have something relevant to do." Hank retorted.
Barely shooting him a sideways glance before returning his attention back to the old book laying spread out before him, Danal waved him off with a flick of his hand: "By all means don't let us keep you from leaving as soon as possible."
Hank chuckled, before nodding at Hadrian, clasping Max's hand: "Alpha, I understand the importance of putting some distance between Billy and Baxter, but are you certain I shouldn't stick around until at least the Quorum meeting is over with, especially after what Timmy told us last night?"
Max appreciated his newly acquired Gammas concern and his reluctance to be so soon parted from his Alpha, but he knew his son Billy was growing restless and becoming more impatient.
He and Carl had already had to talk him out of just jumping in the truck he had given him to go check on Gavin. They both knew he would have made a beeline straight for Baxter first and they were fairly certain how such an encounter would pan out, and right now, they needed Billy focused on today's meeting.
Max just smiled, as he ushered Hank toward the door of the Reliquary: "I'll have Carl, Jason, and Jake there and Atticus and his team outside the Lodge standing guard, I think that is more than adequate protection."
As they stepped outside, Hank turned to him expectantly: "Alpha, it's my duty to be concerned for you and my Beta's safety."
There was no doubt to Max, that Hank had valid concerns and that part of the problem was that he hadn't even had time to properly offer his submission to his new Beta; something that customarily he was required to do within a timely manner as a show of respect.
Max just nodded his head before solemnly offering a compromise: "Do what you feel you must, but I want you on the road within the next half hour, understood?"
Hank beamed, bowing his head respectfully, before jaunting off down the steps, heading toward the path that led back to the Lodge, at a trot.
"Are you about done with all this drama?" Carl McGregor asked Brock Gryzinski, who had been continuously voicing his complaints about having to re-arrange his communications equipment to make room as Carl had some of Atticus's men helping to set the Lodges main room up for the Quorum meeting later that day.
"I can't speak for everyone..." Carl continued sardonically: "But I could use an intermission right now."
Brock huffed, snorting his disapproval at what he perceived as an invasive intrusion into his space. It was a sound he had made repeatedly and it was beginning to grate on Carl's last nerve: "I don't see why you can't just have your meeting at the amphitheater of the ceremonial grounds, instead of trying to squish me and all this equipment into one tiny corner." emphasizing his point, by yet again slamming another hard shell travel case down on the floor.
Having had enough of Brock's petulant behavior, Carl just turned around, heading toward the main door of the Lodge, shouting over his shoulder: "Just get it done Gunny, if you have any more further complaints, I suggest you just write them down on a piece of paper, fold it, and shove it up your ass!"
Atticus, who had just been listening to their conversation at what he felt was a safe enough distance, leaned his head toward Carl as he passed by him, whispering: "Thanks for that, you do know I'm the one that's never gonna hear the end of it after you leave right?" before rolling his eyes skyward as Brock shouted from across the room: "I heard that Walker!"
Carl just smiled mockingly back at Atticus, responding: "We all have our crosses to bear."
Atticus just frowned and sighed forlornly: "Yeah, but some are heavier than others."
Carl just chortled to himself as Brock shouted from behind the partition they had erected to separate the comm equipment from the main room: "I can still hear you!"
As Carl stepped through the doorway, he shook his head, smiling faintly, offering Atticus a consolatory glance before leaving.
Taking a deep breath and deciding that what he really needed at that moment was a nice hot cup of coffee, he headed back toward the bivouac.
So far, the morning had gone pretty well surprisingly, considering the news Timmy had relayed to them, Danal and Atticus in the early morning hours, not long after returning to the camp after his little covert excursion.
The news had been troubling and they were all still on high alert and Max had ordered increased security, especially around the Lakatos campsite.
Max didn't believe that either the senior Lakatos or Paul were involved in anything nefarious, but he wasn't about to take the matter lightly considering the events of Friday evening, nor did he want to alert the perpetrator by doing a surprise search, not knowing whether the individual was working alone or not.
The rest of the night had been spent in Max's arms, in the loft of the cabin, where they made passionate love way into the wee hours of the morning, leaving Carl still feeling slightly euphoric most of the morning.
Even his neck had stopped throbbing, though he couldn't help but keep touching the mating bite that would now permanently mark his neck and him as belonging to his Alpha and his mate Max.
Carl was proud to bear his mark, proud to also be his Beta. He had wanted this for so long, that it still felt a little surreal to him and was probably why he was constantly finding himself absentmindedly fondling it frequently before catching himself, blushing furiously at the remembrance of the moment it happened.
It had really surprised him, that when they returned that morning to camp, Max had pulled both JD and Billy to the side and had spent a good portion of the morning explaining to both of them what had transpired, why he had waited so long, and what to expect going forward.
Both seemed to take it well, even offering Carl a few wane, awkward, blushing smiles as their father explained the purpose and permanence of the mating bite on his neck.
But the part that had pleased Carl the most was not only hearing how proudly Max explain about the pending pregnancy but in the boy's enthusiasm upon hearing that they were going to have another brother.
Both had seemed thrilled at the prospect, offering both their father and Carl heartfelt congratulations, that was until a little later, when they were sharing the news with the others in their Unit and Timmy pointed out, innocently enough, that the new baby would also, technically be Jason's brother too, since it was his mom who would be carrying it to term.
Carl could see how deleterious that observation had been to JD and Carl had used the moment to segue into doing some damage control, that he himself had helped inflict, between JD, Jake, and even Jason.
Max had offered to help smooth things over, but Carl wouldn't hear of it, saying that it was his mess and it was his to try and clean up.
At first, he sought out Jake and apologized for jumping to conclusions about Jason and him, much to Jake's relief. They chatted for a while, Jake making sure Carl knew and could relay to Max that he was still all in on the long-term plan and could definitely be counted on if the need arose, during the Quorum meeting later that afternoon.
Jake did point out and wondered if perhaps either Carl or Max would help him approach Jason about the topic since he was his Alpha, knowing full well that he would be attending the meeting that day as well and not wanting him to be surprised by what he intended to do, if the need arose.
Carl would have liked consulting Max first, but knew as far as Max was concerned, his feelings toward Jake hadn't changed at all and actually pushing Carl to make amends with both Jake and Jason earlier.
Seeing that JD was being distracted by Timmy, he agreed to meet with both Jake and Jason back at the cabin, where they could have a little privacy, knowing that the odds were, that Jason might not be that happy with what they were going to discuss with him.
In the end, though Jason wasn't happy about the state of his current status with JD, he had to admit, that whatever the outcome for JD, that he was hoping it would be what was best for JD and his soon to be newborn.
Jason made it clear, he wasn't happy about it, but he did understand, knowing currently, there was little as a boyfriend he could offer JD, let alone his child.
Carl was certain that wouldn't remain the case, even in the near foreseeable future. Jason would almost assuredly be recognized as the Southern District future Regent and with that recognition, would differ certain benefits, such as living and educational cost, all of which Carl was certain Max would not approve unless Jason agreed to a few stipulations, not least of which, Carl was reasonable sure, would entail Jason's completion of his high school education.
There were many other considerations, but in the end, Jason had to cede, that for the foreseeable future, what was best all-around, was for him to concentrate on his studies, learning about the Heritage and how things operated with his District and the security of his family, as well as the growth of his future pack.
By the time they had concluded their conversation, Carl not only felt sad for Jason, about all that was being placed on his young shoulders, and what he was being expected to put to the side, and how well he was handling it all. Leaving Carl once again being impressed with how well his mate had gauged this young man, realizing, that though Jason was only seventeen, he was handling being an alpha with more maturity than many others twice his age.
Jason had further demonstrated that maturity, by ending their conversation by instructing his new Gamma to focus his attention on JD and to make him priority number one.
Carl could see, by the broad smile on Jake's face, he needed little encouragement in that regard.
Next up had been seeking out JD and seeing if he could undo some of the damage he had caused between him and Jake. To Carl's almost immediate relief, JD seemed both agreeable and amenable to the idea.
Carl was certain Timmy had something to do with that and being one not to look a gift horse in the mouth, he was happy when he saw the two huddled together a little while later, a faint smile on JD's lips as he leaned against Jake, near the campfire with Jake's arm around him.
He even felt there was less tension between JD and Jason, even though Jason seemed to keep a polite distance from the pair throughout the afternoon. Carl's intuition told him, that for the immediate future, this was best for JD, but knew deep down inside, that though JD not only loved his lifelong best friend, he wouldn't have gotten so upset with Jason if he didn't have similar feelings for him as well. Carl knew, that emotions that ran that deep, didn't just disappear over a single incident, and with Jake's new lifelong bond to Jason, he had to wonder how those strong emotions might influence their future interactions.
While he was on his way to check the last of the arrangements at the Lodge, Carl watched as Hank appeared, running towards him from the direction of the Ceremonial grounds.
Carl paused as Hank caught up with him, silently admiring the shape of the forty-four year olds sweaty, shiny body, thinking to himself, what Hank lacked in sheer bulk, he more than made up for in definition.
Overall, Hank's body seemed very proportionate to his six feet four-inch height, coupled with the fact he knew few people who were better fighters than Hank Bauers, but also the blatant obviousness of the man being very easy on the eyes, all of which only added to his innate natural appeal.
Carl usually wasn't attracted to the smooth, mostly hairless types, Hank was one of those rare exceptions. His rather slim face and high cheekbones, offset by his squared jawline and broad set nose and nostrils, and of course, the deep amber tinged irises of his long-lashed eyes, only added to the overall effect.
The handsome, tall blond also had a very gregarious personality that made him naturally amenable, leaving Carl to believe, that Hank seldom had problems finding sexual partners, let alone gratification.
As Hank approached him, Carl duly noted the subtle nod which he instinctively knew was in deference to his status as Beta to their mutual Alpha.
On some level, Carl had been expecting this. Being Max's second in command now warranted an acknowledgment at the very least symbolically or by a direct act of submission by any future or present pack subordinates.
Carl was of course intuitive enough to realize that this was what was happening at that very moment and wasn't in the least bit surprised when Hank asked if they could speak somewhere privately.
Leading Hank back to the cabin, and noting how he now maintained a respectful two-foot distance behind him, that no sooner had they made it through the door, Carl made a beeline for the center island that separated the living room from the kitchen. Carl turned to face him, resting his elbows on the island counter and leaned his lower back against it, with his hips thrust out and patiently waited while Hank stood a mere two feet in front of him, in the traditional passive parade rest stance any Marine would have taken in similar circumstances.
"Isn't there something you should be doing Gamma?" Carl asked pointedly, glancing down at his own crotch then back to Hank's watchful eyes, knowing full well Hank was merely waiting for some signal or acknowledgment indicating his acceptance in offering to his Alpha's Beta, an act of submission.
Carl also knew what was and wasn't permitted. To date, there hadn't been time for Max to fully break in his new Gamma, meaning he hadn't mounted him yet, and since Max hadn't, then it was definitely off bounds to his Beta. Carl knew Hank would have regretfully and respectfully declined if he had asked him to.
So Carl did the one thing he could do, he left the decision up to Hank, knowing that in of itself was a form of submission, knowing full well Hank would want to do the most he could so not to appear as being reticent or holding back and possibly offending his Alpha's chosen Beta.
It was with absolutely no disappointment on Carl's part when Hank dropped down on his knees and shuffled over to him, looking straight up into his Beta's eyes as his fingers found the belt buckle to his camo trousers and unfastened it as his fingers began to fumble with the clasp and zipper.
Carl remained perfectly silent, controlling his breathing and willing his cock to stay limp, making a mental note, which he put on repeat in his head: "This wasn't about sexual pleasure, no matter how good it felt."
Hank's warm hands soon gripped the waistband of his trousers and began to gently tug both his pants and underwear down slowly until they were down to his knees.
Carl offered him a slight grunt of approval as he waited for what he knew would come next.
Without breaking eye contact, Hank stared up into Carl's deep emerald-colored eyes, a faint smile crossing his lips before pursing them together as he brought them closer to the head of Carl's fat limp cock, before placing the most gentle and reverent kisses right on his piss slit.
Deliberately maintaining a steely emotionless expression on his face, Carl knew this would spur the Gamma into an even bigger display of submission until he offered some sign of approval.
Without hesitation and maintaining his undaunting eye contact, Hank's thin-set lips parted, allowing them to slip tightly around his Beta's glans, swirling his wet tongue around it, before continuing to engulf his entire tumescent dong into his oral cavity and began grinding his lips against the very base, his nose twitching slightly as the wiry, thick patch of auburn pubic hair tickled his nostrils.
Still, Carl remained ambivalent, giving off an air of detachment causing Hank to up his game, which he did by beginning to gently suckle on his Beta's flaccid pecker, causing it to slowly erect in his warm, wet mouth.
Carl had no intention of letting Hank get him off, that wasn't his intent at all, but Carl knew he had a substantially thick eight-inch dick and he was pretty sure the last time Hank had ever sucked one was probably a little over twenty years ago when Bannor Griffen, his former Alpha had still been alive.
He didn't really know what he had expected to happen, perhaps get Hank to back off as his cock stretched its way into his throat and activated his gag reflex as its thickness clogged and stretched the membranous tissue, cutting off his oxygen.
But Hank didn't budge, even as his eyes began to water and the cocksucker tears poured over his cheeks, his eyes never even so much as flinched as he forcibly held himself perfectly still, his face flushing red as the need for oxygen began to subsume his consciousness, but still he held fast and true, his eyes never wavering as they stared deeply into Carl's.
With a shove of the palm of his right hand against Hank's forehead, Carl backed him off his palpitating dick: "That'll do Gamma." was all Carl said, as Hank got to his feet, watching intently as Carl stuffed his burgeoning organ back into the confines of his trousers and carefully zipped it back up and refastening his belt buckle.
Carl watched as Hank wiped his mouth and chin with the back of his hand before awkwardly quipping: "Sorry if that wasn't up to par with what you're accustomed to Beta..." He stammered, before confirming what Carl had already suspected: "I haven't done that for almost twenty years."
His eyes grew a little distant for a moment, as if caught up in a memory, and judging by the faint smile on his face, the recollection must have been a pleasant one, before answering the unasked query written in Carl's eyes: "Yeah, Bannor always enjoyed a nice robust face fuck after a hard workout, amongst other things." Hank concluded with an impish wink, reminding Carl how more alike so many alphas were than not.
Having accomplished what he set out to do, Hank made his apologies for the short duration of their time, letting Carl know that Max had instructed him to be on his way to retrieve Baxter and get on the road back to North Carolina before Billy was any the wiser, who they both knew was already pushing hard to head back home, knowing full well his intention was to reunite with Baxter after being separated from him for two weeks.
A disaster in the making if he had ever known one Carl noted offhandedly: "Yeah, Max is right, Billy meeting up with Baxter right now, in the confused state he's in, couldn't result in anything but trouble."
"Agreed." Hank concluded, adding: "I wouldn't want to be either you or Max when he finds out Baxter is on his way home with me."
"We'll manage," Carl stated halfheartedly, offering Hank a wane crooked smile.
Hank just shook his head: "I don't think you'd be saying that if you had seen what I saw him do the night before, it was both amazing and terrifying at the same time Beta, I definitely wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of him being pissed off."
They hugged briefly before Hank jaunted over to his youngest son, quietly pulling him to the side and letting him know he was departing.
Carl returned his attention back to other matters, not wanting to dwell too much on what Hank had said.
The overall mood of the camp had grown slightly less strained through the rest of the afternoon, but all that changed as more and more vehicles arrived, loaded with the various Alphas and their attendees, which mostly consisted of a beta and a gamma, which was the normal, customary entourage one would expect for such an important gathering.
While he had made it a point to greet each new arrival as cheerfully as possible, he couldn't help but pick up on the overall stoic mood that seemed to hang over the compound like a dark cloud.
Even more foreboding, most seemed to be eyeing both Jason and Billy suspiciously while keeping their distance from either. Carl found himself hoping that Max and Danal would make their appearance sooner rather than later.
Timmy didn't know exactly everything that had transpired within the Lodge after Max, Danal, and the others had entered to have their little pow-wow, but both Max and Carl had asked him to stay with JD while they did so, and though they didn't precisely use the word "protect", Timmy had just made the decision to interpret it as such; so when Atticus had joined them at the bivouac and solemnly stated that JD's presence had been ordered by the Quorum, Timmy had insisted on accompanying him.
Atticus didn't seem keen on the idea, nor could he explain to Timmy why they wanted him since neither he or his men were allowed to attend the meeting, Max had explained earlier, that though Atticus and his Unit were given the task of security for the compound, and were all part of the Heritage, that only pack members and their alphas were authorized to attend a Quorum meeting.
It wasn't difficult for Timmy to pick up how unsettled and nervous JD had been all day, noting a spike in the levels of his anxiety when Atticus had made the request, but when Atticus suggested Timmy wait outside the Lodge when they reached the main entrance, a sudden urge and need to protect him came over Timmy and he refused Atticus's suggestion.
Thankfully Atticus merely shrugged, offering Timmy a sly smile as he opened the door for the two of them to enter.
Timmy hadn't come by his decision lightly, JD had explained earlier that his Dad had warned him that it was a high probability that the Quorum might bring up his breaking of the "code" which JD had explained as him having had sex with a girl before his eighteenth birthday and the subsequent pregnancy that had resulted, were apparently a big no-no.
JD didn't know exactly what to expect, but his father had warned him it might result in some form of punitive action being leveled against him and that both he and Carl were duty-bound to abide by the Quorum's decisions. He had also told him, that in the eventuality of that happening, he might have a possible out for JD and that he would know it when it happened and to accept it.
"Don't worry JD..." Timmy said confidently: "I won't let anything bad happen to you." as they stepped through the door.
Timmy couldn't explain, nor did he fully understand all the changes in himself that he had been experiencing since first picking up that silver medallion and his bizarre, acid trip-like dream encounter with Aphrodite, but there was absolutely no mistaking the changes he had been experiencing since then.
Even that old guy Danal had said there was something different about him now. Max had agreed with him, but neither of them felt that they could elaborate any further, or speculate about the nature or extent of what they were perceiving, but as more and more time passed, Timmy was beginning to figure out some of those differences himself.
First of all, was the whole scent thing. Everyone in that room had it to one degree or another, that woodsy masculine aroma that seemed as alluring to Timmy as his own natural musk seemed to be to them.
Timmy had overheard more than one of the guys he trained with state he smelled like honey and freshly dug dirt and in fact, though he couldn't seem to smell that on himself, he had on Brock Gryzinski, he could even smell Brock's scent on Atticus and Atticus's on Brock.
He had also noticed that his hearing had improved on certain levels as well as his eyesight, especially at night, but what he had noticed the most of all, was his physical strength.
Last night he had attributed the sensation of feeling lighter to being possible weight loss, due to the increase of training he had been undertaking, but this morning, when he decided to leap into the lake to take a morning swim, his leg muscles had propelled him higher and further than they ever had before.
The incident had intrigued him enough, for him to slip quietly into the woods later that morning and put himself through a somewhat rigorous workout routine.
What Timmy had managed to figure out, that it wasn't the fact he was lighter due to weight loss, he was a whole lot stronger, which also made him a lot faster as well, both of which took some getting used to as he put himself through his usual gymnastic moves and exercises until he had a fair enough assessment of his new physical capabilities.
He still had no way to gauge the limits and range of these changes, lacking the proper equipment to do so, but he knew it was neither marginal nor negligible.
It was in part why he was now so confident that he could probably defend JD from most potential physical threats and judging by the rather hostile mood in the room and the very mounting stench of aggression exuding from several of those he didn't know, that when one particularly large guy, who's Timmy's nose had distinguished as having a scent very similar to Max's and deducing that he must be what the others had dubbed an alpha, had practically growled that a "human" shouldn't be allowed in the room while giving Timmy what he called the evil eye.
Timmy could see that Max was about to say something but headed him off, taking an instant dislike to the other alpha: "JD is my best friend and I'm not going anywhere!"
Both Max and Carl shot him a stern, questioning look before Timmy quickly added: "I don't care who says to the contrary, so unless you intend to try removing me forcibly I suggest you get on with whatever it is you intend to say or do."
Timmy wasn't surprised when Billy rose to a standing position right beside his father, at the head of the room, right in front of the partitions that separated the main room from the communication equipment. Nodding at Timmy, a broad grin spreading across his face. He could also see that Carl, who was standing behind Jason and Max, now had his hands on Jason's shoulders and Timmy quickly figured out that Carl was trying to stop Jason from standing and joining Billy as he faced the murmuring and grumbling crowd.
At that time an older gentlemen rose up, to stand next to the one that had first addressed Timmy. He had met him earlier when Danal had introduced him as Hadrian Mumsford back at the bivouac.
"Young man, we mean no offense to you or your kind, but this is a Heritage matter and while we commend your loyalty to your young companion, this is a discussion best left to those of the Heritage and doesn't really concern you." the one called Hadrian said calmly to Timmy.
Timmy just smiled back at him and though he didn't sense the same smug arrogance the one he stood next to gave off, Timmy couldn't help but detect the dismissive nature of his tone and Timmy wasn't having any of it, responding: "When you say this is a Heritage issue, do you mean its only for those that change when they're eighteen and hold that silver medal thingie, 'cause it changed me too when I held it."
He was looking at Hadrian when he said it, but it was Paul Lakatos who stood up and addressed him: "You're not of the Heritage, the wolf spirit of the Progenitor doesn't burn within you and you're definitely not an alpha so you have no voice in this Quorum."
Before Timmy could respond, Billy interrupted: "I'm sitting in on this council and since my ceremony, none of you have been able to tell me definitively what I am, so how can you say you know what he is or isn't?"
Timmy barely had time to crack a smile at Billy, before noticing the dark curly-haired figure behind Paul, lean forward and started whispering in Paul's ear.
Without preamble, after shooting the man whispering behind him an annoyed look: Paul exclaimed: "There are many of us that were here the night of your ceremony, yet only a handful, all of which are closest to Max, that supposedly saw you display skills no other alpha here could equal, and while I'm not accusing Max of lying, having seen no evidence of such abilities myself, some of us wonder if perhaps it was more than a little bit exaggerated."
A number of the others began to murmur loudly, some in agreement with Paul and others who found his words offensive and uncalled for, and for a few, tense seconds, the murmuring grew into loud and heated exchanges.
Max rose and raised his hand as if he were about to call order to the room when Timmy saw the irises of Billy's eyes flash white for a second as he took a couple of aggressive steps toward Paul Lakatos.
It wasn't the flashing irises that really held Timmy's specific interest, but what he saw appear around Billy as they did so, that he found intriguing, causing Timmy to absentmindedly respond, by clapping his hands merrily, while beaming enthusiastically: "Pretty white puppy!"
Timmy didn't notice as all eyes in the room turned and trained on him and upon seeing him staring gleefully at Billy, shifted to Billy and then back to him when he gushingly shouted: "Do it again!"
A quiet hush fell over the room for a few seconds until the silence was finally broken by Danal, who now stood, looking rapidly back and forth between both Billy and Timmy: "What did you see exactly young man?"
Timmy barely took his eyes off Billy, only for a second, shooting Danal only the briefest of glances, before responding: "I saw this great big white puppy standing where Billy is, though it was kind of transparent and I could clearly see Billy inside it."
Danal glowered quizzically at Timmy, grilling him further: "When you say puppy, do you mean like a real wolf or something like you saw the other night during the attack at the cabin?"
Rolling his eyes like Danal had just asked him something silly, Timmy quipped: "It was big and had four legs, a big bushy tail and sat where Billy is standing, didn't everyone else see it too?"
Danal was about to respond to Timmy when Paul Lakatos threw his hands in the air dramatically and stated: "See, this is exactly what I'm talking about, there are those amongst us who have been hearing this nonsense about Max's son Billy and how special he's supposed to be..." he paused for dramatic effect, his eyes scanning and gauging the room and it's occupants, before continuing: "That those around him have become so delusional, that they're hallucinating or exaggerating what they see, or don't as the case may be." He said the last part as he leveled a mocking glance Timmy's way.
Timmy could smell and sense the tension and aggression grow in the room, but at that very moment is was the strongest between Paul and Billy and Timmy was absolutely certain that any moment now, either one of them could launch an all-out attack against the other, with him and JD caught right between the pair of them.
It was in that tense moment Timmy recalled the words of Aphrodite's warning, telling him that when the white wolf is issued a challenge while taking council from his own kind that Timmy had to find and claim his true name and accept the challenge for the white wolf.
Timmy realized, much to his own chagrin, that this was that moment and that maybe it hadn't all been some dream he had imagined and that if he didn't act soon he could lose an equal voice in the council and never claim the first half of Gemini, and though he still didn't know what that meant, he felt fairly certain it was important.
It was with that in mind, that Timmy stepped in front of Billy and calmly placed his right hand over Billy's chest, effectively halting him from taking another step toward Paul Lakatos, his eyes locking with Billy's, before declaring: "I can fight my own battles Billy, please don't interfere, watch JD for me!"
Billy held his gaze for a moment and for a second Timmy felt he might ignore him before a smile spread across his face and with a wink and a smirk on his lips, Billy whispered: "Kick his ass princess!" before taking his brother by the arm and moving off to the side.
Timmy turned his head to glance at Max, nodding at him before he pivoted around toward Paul Lakatos, who stood across the room with his arms folded over his chest, glowering back and forth between him and Billy.
Defiantly, Timmy walked over to him until he stood about two feet in front of him, meeting his icy glare with one of his own before proclaiming loudly: "I don't take kindly to bad dogs who imply I'm either crazy or a liar."
Paul just grimaced dismissively back at him as the same guy as before stepped up behind him and whispered something in his ear.
Two things happened at that moment, a somewhat wicked, devious grin spread across Paul's face and Timmy was certain he picked up a familiar accent, one that he had overheard the night before when he followed a mysterious figure through the woods that had eventually lead him to the main road and had spoken with just such an accent before accepting a gun from a stranger in a black SUV.
Timmy contemplated exposing him publicly to Max and the others for a moment until Paul interrupted his train of thought, his voice a haughty, mocking boast: "I'm an Alpha boy and I only accept challenges from other alphas, but if it's a fight for your honor you want you're more than welcome to duke it out with my Gamma."
As Paul laughed, he turned around and moved back to his seat. Timmy took the moments in between those actions to shoot a furtive glance at Max, who looked at him questioningly with a stern look on his face.
Timmy both nodded his head and drew Max's sight by side-eyeing the dark curly-headed man right behind Paul Lakatos while bringing his right hand up to his chest and forming it into the shape of a gun.
Timmy could tell by the harsh intense look Max shot the man that his silent message was comprehended as he returned his focus back to Paul, taking notice, via his peripheral vision, as Carl McGregor now stealthily moved slowly toward Paul's small group.
Drawing attention back on himself, Timmy waited until Paul sat back down, arms folded across his chest once again, a contemptuous half-smirk on his face.
Timmy half bowed/half curtsied, with a wide flourish of his sweeping hand: "If your man wins..." Timmy began, his right hand now against his hip, while he regarded the fingernails of his other as his fingers spread out fan-like, before lifting his chin and nose haughtily into the air as if addressing no one of particular significance: "I will acknowledge the superiority of my betters and leave like a good little boy, with my tail tucked between my legs."
Paul chortled, a smile spreading wide across his face: "You won't be doing anything because they'll be hauling you out on a stretcher." he mused as he motioned for the massive blond giant behind him, on his left side, forward.
Refusing to be daunted or at least show that he was, by the six feet seven-inch mountain of muscle that now pounded one large ham fist into the palm of his other hand noisily while eyeing him like a hungry, angry lion ready to grind his bones to dust for the sheer enjoyment of it, Timmy retorted: "When I win, not only will you acknowledge me as an Alpha, but I'll be claiming your Gamma as my own."
Half the room burst out into laughter to one degree or another, but as Timmy locked eyes with Paul Lakatos, all he could do in between guffaws was huff: "Sure kid, anything you say."
Paul's comment garnered a few more hearty laughs from several of the other alpha's, and their beta's and Gammas.
Timmy ignored them all and turned his attention to the blond giant in front of him, barely six feet away, blowing him mocking kisses as he flexed his enormous muscles like a posing Olympian bodybuilder.
Despite his obvious size, it was clear to Timmy that the man wasn't really that much older than himself. Timmy guessed probably about twenty-one or two and judging by the high and tight haircut, yet another Marine, most of whom, Timmy had easily bested during training exercises all of last week, inwardly smiling to himself, noting that was before he under went his own transformation.
Timmy feigned indifference, wondering how long he should actually attempt to drag this out, or would a swift defeat send more of a message? He barely had a chance to consider, before Dalton Becker had made the decision for him by charging at him, his fist forming a fleshy cudgel over his head, making his intent to smash Timmy into a pulp with one blow as plain as the cute, wide button nose on his still boyishly handsome, yet ruggedly masculine face.
As Timmy sprang into the air, tucking his knees into his chest tightly, soaring highly over Dalton's surprised but angry face like a cannonball hurtling toward the large center log rafter, he giggled slightly while imagining all the fun he was going to have playing with his new Gamma puppy and amusing himself by envisioning him in an adorable pink studded collar and a semitransparent pink nylon jock sock and nothing else.
That was all the real motivation Timmy needed before his arms shot outright as he reached the log rafter, his hands catching it, spinning him around before rapidly ricocheting and rocketing him onto Dalton's upper back, where Timmy swiftly wrapped his legs around Dalton's wide, muscle corded neck and locked them in place and began squeezing tightly.
Predictably, as Dalton's arms and hands shot up to try and pry his legs from around his neck, Timmy threw his weight forward, tipping the musclebound new plaything face forward causing him to topple face-first onto the wood floor slamming his forehead against the hard surface, nearly knocking him out, but definitely leaving him more than a little stunned and even more at the mercy of Timmy's vice-like, oxygen depriving leg lock around his throat.
The room fell silent as Timmy tightened his hold, constricting his thighs even tighter, before demanding, in his most commanding voice: "Submit or I'll snap your neck bitch."
As if to emphasize his point, the irises of Timmy's eyes flashed a brilliant blue, tinged with a golden ring as the almost overpowering scent of honey and freshly dug Earth nearly drowned out any other aromas in the room.
He could feel Dalton's muscles swell and tense below him, trying in a last-ditch effort to raise himself off the floor before the oxygen deprivation robbed him of his last bit of strength and barely left him enough to raise his right hand as it tapped the floor several times acknowledging his defeat and surrender.
The room nearly erupted into cheers of jubilation as Billy and JD rushed over to Timmy as he slowly stood, releasing the hold he had on a gasping and subdued Dalton Becker.
Billy grabbed Timmy's right wrist and threw it into the air, in a gesture of his swift and easy victory, slowly turning him around, repeating the motion over and over again.
It was when they finally faced a far less cocky Paul Lakatos, that Timmy caught the strong stench of gun oil and watched in near slow motion as the dark curly-haired man behind Paul glower at him and Billy, his irises flashing a light green as he produced a revolver that barely stuck above Paul's left shoulder and took aim directly at Billy's heart.
In an action far beyond the speed of any mere human, Timmy reflexively shoved Billy to the side just as the sound of gunfire reverberated around the room, causing chaos to erupt all around them.
When the momentary furor settled and a startled Paul Lakatos whipped around only to come face to face with his Beta, Remy Deveaux, whose one wrist was held tightly in the air, with the still smoking gun aimed harmlessly toward the ceiling and his throat held in the vice-like grip of the clawed hand of Carl McGregor, it took several other Alpha's to restrain Paul from killing him then and there on the spot.
Later, as some semblance of order had been restored and Remy Deveaux had been bound, secured, and placed under armed guard with Michael Donnelly and Kent Bauers, and before taking his seat to resume the Quorum meeting, Paul Lakatos made his way over to Timmy and Billy, with a humbled Dalton Becker trailing right behind him, who almost sheepishly kept casting furtive glances at Timmy, before averting his eyes.
Paul extended his right hand to Billy, stating somewhat more sedately than he had previously: "I have already pledged myself and my pack to Jason's and your father's cause and it is with shame and humility for the grievances of my traitorous Beta, that I pledge myself and my pack to whenever you have need of it, Paul bowed his head as Billy took his hand graciously before Paul turned to face Timmy, a brief, furtive smile breaking on his otherwise stern countenance: "I also wish to apologize to you as well for doubting your claim and mocking you, clearly I was wrong Alpha and I would consider it an honor if you and your newly won Gamma would consider sitting beside me as we attempt to conduct the business that we all came here for."
Paul concluded by extending his arm and Timmy smiled impishly as he slipped his own through it as Paul escorted him over to his designated spot.
It didn't escape his notice, that Dalton swiftly moved behind Timmy and maintained a couple of feet distance directly behind him.
Timmy didn't say anything, but he hadn't really expected Paul to give up his Gamma to him, but he found he didn't need to say anything, Paul must have sensed his hesitancy as they sat next to each other and Dalton took up a position standing right behind him: "I have formerly released Dalton from my pack, he is now free to be properly claimed by you at the time of your choosing and convenience."
Timmy wasn't sure exactly what he meant by that, but he didn't want Paul to know that he didn't, figuring that he could just ask Max or one of the other guys later.
As the others in the room also began to settle and waited for Max to call the Quorum to order, Paul leaned his head in closer to Timmy's and all but whispered: "I am ashamed to say Alpha, that I don't know your true name?"
Timmy turned his head slightly, at first locking eyes with Paul's after hearing the way he had just worded what he said, before rolling them skyward thoughtfully as Aphrodite's near prophetic words haunted him again telling him that once in council he would have to find and state his true name.
His thoughts shifted to the beginning of their encounter when right before, Billy had called him princess and being reminded that Max had called him the same thing.
He couldn't imagine Max telling his own son about their limited encounters together let alone about the pet name Max had used, but like so much of Timmy's recent encounters, he couldn't just dismiss Billy calling him the same thing as purely coincidental.
Timmy grinned broadly at Paul, batting his eyes playfully: "My name is Princess, or at least it is now."
Paul looked at him quizzically, before bowing his head slightly: "Princess it is then."
Princess giggled as Paul shook his head and smiled back at him, a slight blush in his cheeks as the strong alluring scent of honey and freshly dug Earth filled his nostrils.