Hello, here is the continuation of She Wolf series. I would suggest that if you have not read that series, then you may need to read that series before reading this story. None of the characters in this story is real. So please read and then relax.
I want to thank Overstar for taking time to edit this chapter. Any mistakes found there in are not reflexive of his editing, because I tweaked the story once more before submitting.
I hope you enjoy the story and look forward to hearing what you think.
*****
Your son has shamed you once again. He took is mate to dogs to prevent her from dying. Honestly Gregor, that young man is a true embarrassment. No wonder his mother chose to die rather than stay here to raise the pathetic creature she gave birth to. You must do something; the bitch and his bastard child need to be dealt with as well. You, my dear husband, are the council. Will you allow this blot, this mistake, to make you a laughingstock amongst your kind?
Esmerelda spoke to her mate. She loved the life she lived, but there was only one dark spot, the child he had with his first wife. She worked her whole life to erase that mistake. Gernick should have been killed and laid to rest with his mother over eight centuries ago. If Esmerelda had her way, she would not only rid the world of his vermin, but free the world of his bitch and bastard as well.
But she could not strike on her own. She had to wait. Gregor was the oldest of their kind and he was the deciding vote on the council. So for centuries she manipulated her husband to get her way. She hated Gernick Ivanov, and had taught her children to hate him as well. Only one child defied her, and that was her failing. She should have sent Gernick away sooner. Her son, Garrick, bonded with his half-brother and that bond had yet to be broken. He was the only one to stand against them as far as the bastard was concerned. But to get rid of this blight, she might have to sacrifice her first born. She'd miss him, but she'd do it willingly.
"Soon Gernick, you will join your bitch of a mother, and you'll take your whore and bastard with you."
*****
Thunder clapped as a summer storm brewed outside the mansion. Amerie and Claus were sitting in the atrium enjoying the late summer rain. The two decided to stretch out in a hammock; Claus looked at the beautiful woman lying beside him and was flabbergasted. "Amerie are you alright? I know the past few weeks have been full of changes." He was referring to the birth of their grandson and reunion with their wolf family. He was so grateful that Nicky and baby Jonathan lived that he thanked the Gods and Goddesses himself. Because they survived, Gernick had a reason to fight now, and he'd make damn sure he was there for his son.
Claus knew this lovely woman was his mate, but he had not told her yet. It was something special about this woman. He knew it the first time he laid eyes on her. She was nearly insane from hunger and despair, but something in him could not let her go. He had to save her, and he did. He brought her home.
To Claus, Amerie Valdez Vlad was an angel; she had the clearest skin and bluest eyes. Her sun kissed blond locks often fell across her brow. She considered herself older, so she wore her hair in tight up do. He longed for her to allow her locks to flow freely. He smiled as he imagined the beautiful sight she would make as she lay in his bed, wearing nothing but a smile, waiting for him to join her.
Amerie was lying next to him when she realized he was becoming aroused; her body reacted instinctively. She had not been with a man since Nicolas, and that was over four hundred years ago. She was surprised by her reaction. She quickly moved to get up when he encircled her waist and held her close. "Don't go." he whispered. "I like being here with you."
Amerie was confused. Here she was in a secluded room with a man who was clearly aroused and he was asking her to stay. She had no idea what caused this reaction, but she knew it wasn't her. "Claus, I think you need to be alone, It's clear you were thinking about someone and um..." she blushed.
Claus smiled, "Do you want to know whom?" he asked.
Amerie looked into his eyes and read his desire. "Um, you are a virile man. I'm sure whoever she was; well, you seemed to be captivated by the thought of her." She explained as she climbed off of the hammock.
"Amerie, we can't keep ignoring this. I will be blunt. I want you, but I want more than just a fling. You mean the world to me and I hope soon you will come to accept me. I want to be more than your friend." He kissed her cheek.
""What about Nicky? I know you may think it's silly, but this will affect her. She's been through so much Claus. What if she can't accept..." she explained.
"Stop, she and Gernick are adults. They re married and have a child. We have raised our children, and dedicated our lives to them. We deserve a shot at happiness as well. Amerie. I want that shot with you." He kissed her lightly. "Give us a chance, alright."
Amerie nodded, "OK, but we take it slow." he hugged her then. His mate accepted him, and that was all he needed to hear.
She and Claus held each other for a while and talked. Soon they realized they each had things to do. Amerie wanted to check on Nicky and the baby so she went in search of her and found her working on her sketches in the library. She walked in quietly, not wanting to disturb her. "Nicolette, I see you've almost finished." She stated admiring the magnificent drawing.
Nicky smiled at her mother and answered. "Yes, I hope Nina and Thaddeus like it. I want to finish the other one tomorrow before they get here. Where have you been, Momma, you seem flushed?" she asked, noticing her mother's flushed cheeks.
"We were in the atrium enjoying the calm of the rain." Claus explained as he walked in. Claus looked at Amerie with such longing that you'd have to be blind not to see it. Amerie didn't respond openly, so Nicky decided to refrain from commenting. However, her job was to protect her mother, and he had better not try to take advantage of her. Then she realized that this was Claus. He was a great guy. Maybe she was mistaken. But just in case, she'd watch him.
Nicolette smiled at her mother and Claus; she loved to draw and for the past five weeks her muse had returned. Gernick had workmen to come in and they were in the process of remodeling two rooms in their home into a studio for her. Nicolette was surprised to learn that he followed her art. He was actually a collector and had several of her pieces on display in many of his homes.
She had invited her friends to visit and wanted to surprise them, so she was creating a portrait of Nina and Thaddeus. She was creating a second painting of the children, grandchildren, and mates. Thinking of the cubs made her miss her little guy, so she decided to peak in on him. She felt a sense of pride as both Claus and Amerie admired her drawings. Claus felt like a proud Papa, because the girl was amazing and truly talented. She was a true testament of his love Amerie, and he looked forward to truly becoming her father one day.
Soon her breast began to feel heavy and she missed her son. Excusing herself from her mother and friend, she walked to the nursery, where she found her little boy wide awake and playing with his favorite toy, a stuffed wolf cub. She smiled and lifted him from his bed. His nanny, Petra, moved to relieve her, but she assured her she was fine. It was time for him to feed anyway. She carried her son to the padded rocker his father had built for them and set offering him her breast. He latched on; drinking receiving the nourishment he needed from his mother.
Soon Nicky felt his small fangs prick her as her drank both the milk and blood he needed to survive. Soon he was full and she burped him. He amazed her. She could not believe that she'd given birth to such a perfect being. "Jonathan, you are so wonderful and so loved. I love you with all I have in me." She whispered to her son as she cradled him close. Gernick heard her words and smiled.
Gernick had come home for a moment. He had to deal with a few issues at his company and now he'd gotten another summons from the council. He needed to see his wife. He loved watching her with their son, and was awed as he watched her nurse their child. He smiled realizing that he was always right. She was the perfect mother for his child.
"Hey beautiful," he spoke as he entered the nursery. Nicolette smiled. She smiled more often now than before. Gernick was home and she was glad to see him. He leaned down and took his son, and kissed his wife. "I'm on a short break, but I needed to see the two of you." Nicolette reached down their bond and sensed he was troubled, but he quickly muted the bond.
Nicky frowned, "Gernick, is everything alright?" she asked. He kissed her once more. "Don't worry love, I have everything under control. I see you're spoiling our son." He stated trying to change the topic. Nicky wasn't falling for it.
"Gernick, don't hide the truth from me. Tell me." She demanded.
"Nicolette, it's nothing. Please don't worry, Love." He insisted.
He held her a moment, kissed the baby, and then returned to his work. Truth be told, Nicolette could never know the truth. He would protect his family from that wretched council no matter what. Gernick knew his mate. Yes, she had mellowed since giving birth to their child, but if she learned of the latest stunt the vampire council was trying to pull, she'd go to war against them herself. Above all else, his wife and child would be protected. Gernick arrived at the great hall and entered he was more or less ignored as he headed tothe office of the one man he knew truly despised him.
*****
Meanwhile, Amerie was working in the garden. Gernick had given her free reign on the garden and all landscaping details for their home. Amerie took her job seriously, and resolved to make sure their home was the most magnificent. She grimace for a moment and then and smiled as she remembered the journey that brought them here.
Gernick had forced Nicolette to join him a year earlier, by threatening her family. You see her daughter had adopted a she wolf named Nina and her three cubs in her life. She loved them beyond reason. Gernick didn't realize her connection to the pack and forced her in essence to cut off her ties with them. It almost cost her life. Fortunately, he realized his mistake and rushed her back to them when she almost died in childbirth. The wolves and Nicolette reunited and all was well.
