Archive (Halfblood Club Book 4) Read online

  “Oh, great. Speed dating for complete idiots.” She closed her eyes and shook her head; she couldn’t believe that she had forgotten her grandmother’s property was within a pack territory. Her grandma had been pressing her to start dating seriously, but she had just brushed it off as grandmotherly pestering. Apparently, Grandma had taken matters into her own hands.

  “Sirnel, maybe you should get some of the other alpha females here to help out. I don’t think that the guys will be much use.” Rebecca shook her head at her brother and frowned.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well if you had been able to get your brain out of her pants for more than a few moments, I would say let you stay. But we can’t contaminate the games by getting her too familiar with you. It would be cheating.” She smiled slightly as Melissande coloured brightly, red flooding into her cheeks.

  A heavy sigh broke through him. “Yes, I guess you are right. I don’t want her sent off with someone who won’t respect her just because I became too familiar.”

  “He’s leaving?” Disappointed was a mild word. Crushed was the only one that fit.

  “Yes, Melissande, I have to leave. That way I have a chance to be presented to you at the games, if I am a winner.” He sat next to her and leaned forward for a delicate kiss. She tasted his breath for an instant, spicy and wild, then his lips gently pressed into hers. Her lids fluttered closed and her entire focus was the soft strength of his mouth on her. It was as if her entire body was using that light touch as a spur to its arousal. She knew that taste, had dreamed that taste. Her pulse pounded in her veins, and then he was gone.

  * * * *

  As he drew away, the skin across his cheekbones was flushed and tight.

  He really wanted this woman in his bed, and he was willing to kill to have her there. She tasted right, perfect, and he wanted more.

  Chapter Four

  The females that the pack leader sent over were all the sisters or relatives of her suitors, and therefore all interested in keeping her relaxed and in a good mood. They put aside their normal snobbery toward the child of a beta, and treated her as one of them. Mostly. There was little fighting and posturing, as would normally occur in that situation.

  The first night was a giant sleepover with a pillow fight and lots of pedicures. The women were obsessed with nails and hygiene. A kit appeared out of nowhere, and before she knew it, her fingers and toes were soaking in warm water, with a movie in the DVD player. The night flew by in giggles and whispers.

  Mel woke in the morning to her toenails being an unlikely shade of cherry. Her fingernails were tinted a metallic blue. She sighed softly as she remembered all the times that the half-blood club had gathered in just such a way to the same results. More unlikely colour combinations, but a similar result in the long run.

  Mind you, the wer women didn’t drink, so there was a glaring difference right there.

  They spent the day gossiping about the guys, each woman making her brother out to be a combination of Superman and Laurence Olivier, and all the others shooting the ideals down.

  It was surprisingly fun, even if she was behind on her scripting schedule. There was no way that she would be able to write with all of these women here. It was frustrating. She needed to write out the spells. And that meant distracting the wolves.

  Having one of the girls send her brother out for barbeque supplies struck her as an inspired idea. They were all in favour of meat for lunch. The big giggling match came when the brother came to make the delivery. All the girls formed a wall to keep Melissande and him from meeting. The rest of the day was uneventful; the ladies did housework while trying to get information from her on her preferences in a man.

  Her virginity was not a matter for public discussion, so she could hardly tell them that she had no idea of what she wanted in a man. Let alone a werewolf.

  The magic was building in her and she had to let it out. The urge only grew in her as the day waned on. Finally she had had enough just as the sun was going down.

  “Ladies! I need some privacy.”

  Becs was their spokesperson and she piped up, “But Melissande, we are having so much fun!”

  “I just need to do some paperwork. And I need privacy to do it.”

  One of the younger women piped up, “Paperwork? Like homework?” Bright blue eyes were looking at her curiously.

  She tried not to roll her eyes in exasperation. “Yeah, I just have to do a bit of homework right now. I will be back in half an hour. Put another movie in, ladies. I will be with you shortly.”

  Pulling rank in a room full of wolves was not something for the faint of heart. She drew herself straight and stared them down.

  The betas tried to meet her gaze and looked away when the set of her jaw indicated the determination with which she was insisting on her privacy. The alphas were tougher. Their wills clashed with hers and she steeled herself to fight for her rights in her own house.

  “You will remain here while I do what I have to. Go ahead and make yourself some popcorn.” By assigning them tasks, she was asserting her status within her household. It was hard for her to do, but her mother had drilled her on the basics of pack behaviour when she was a teen.

  At that time, it had been in case her grandfather made contact, but since that never happened it was coming into practice now. Her mom’s beta status would have kept her in the pack, if it hadn’t been her lack of power and her pack’s birth rate. Three females for every male. They could spare a few powerless females.

  It was those lessons that kept her back straight and her will strong. After a few minutes, the two alphas nodded and moved the other women into the kitchen.

  As soon as they had gone and she could hear them puttering in the other room, she grabbed her equipment and headed off to her bedroom.

  Silently she rolled out the scroll that would house the spell and began to concentrate on the effect that it should have. Ten minutes later she had a scribble that she couldn’t read, but she was under the gun in the energy department, so kept going on the other.

  Now that they were written, there was just one more step. Holding the writing up to her face, she blew across every letter and smirked as magic swirled from within her to wrap around the inks and take them into the parchment. The first went quickly, but the second one took quite a bit out of her as she tried to focus and blow her magic across the page.

  The words fought her, but finally fell into the spell-script that she couldn’t read. Jinx had always been able to put the magic into the spells, she just was not able to make them work. She would need a magic user to read the spell to determine its actual purpose. She thought that one would induce impotence and the other was a fire-proofing spell, but she couldn’t be sure unless someone used them.

  Now all she had to do was face a room of ticked-off werewolves with pedicures. Why didn’t life get any easier?

  * * * *

  It wasn’t nearly as awkward as she had anticipated. The ladies accepted her right to privacy on her own territory with surprising grace, and she just knew that she would be in for a heck of a time when she was on pack land.

  They watched a movie and then their sleeping bags flared out. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day, they needed their rest.

  And so, Melissande slept in a house full of wolves. A very surreal experience.

  Chapter Five

  The ladies had her up and showered early. They seemed to be in a hurry to get to the event, and not just because they were drooling over each other’s brothers. Rebecca had gotten a call early in the morning, around one. It seemed that another pack had requested representation in the event, and it was turning into a multi-pack jamboree.

  There were now a minimum of four packs involved and the girls could hardly wait to meet all of the eligible wolves that wouldn’t be going home with Mel. It was an unheard of event, to have so many packs meeting under a flag of truce to have a games day. They looked forward to a lot of fun
, and a field full of partially clothed men.

  A minivan arrived in front of the house and they all clambered in. A soft shriek of dismay rippled through them as the vehicle refused to start.

  Mel smiled and said, “Pop the hood.” As the engine was exposed, she smiled and fished her gremlin out of the works. “C’mere you little bugger. We are just going down the road. I’ll be back soon.” She looked at him closely. “Where is your squirrel?”

  The gremlin chortled and grabbed onto her hair. He wasn’t going anywhere. She climbed back into the van and the others looked at the beast with disgust. “What is it?”

  “A gremlin. He thrives on stalling cars. Especially if I am in them.” It was one of the thousands of things that caused her friends to name her Jinx. She stroked him lightly and he nipped at her fingers in response.

  “He follows me wherever I go, and so he will be coming with us today.” Her tone brooked no interference. Inside she was giggling madly. Getting away with bringing a violent pet with her broke any number of pack rules, and she couldn’t be more pleased.

  The van started with no trouble this time and they were off in a few moments.

  The ride took less than twenty minutes and the crowd that had already gathered was flattering to say the least. The excitement was palpable as they disembarked from their transport.

  Mel reminded herself that they were there to take home an Archive, not her specifically. They wanted the power for their clans. She just came along with it.

  * * * *

  It had all the air of a festival or fair. Tents dotted the field and flags with clan markers flew from each.

  It looked like they were staying for the long haul. This was going to be more than a one day event. She asked Rebecca, “How long is this going to take?”

  “Well, if it had just been one clan, it would have been over and done with in a day. But, with the other four, it should be around three days in total.” She explained while she led Mel to a tent with five guards around it. Each represented one of the clans and was there to keep any from pressing an attraction, to their advantage.

  “This is your tent; we will bring you here each day, and take you home every sundown. It will be a place for you to rest and relax. It will also provide a meeting space where you can speak with the various clan leaders.”

  Oh, fantastic. She was going to be interviewed by them, probably to make sure that she was what they said she was. Mel was not looking forward to it. The alphas were notoriously arrogant and adhered to traditions that were beyond the bounds of normal behaviour.

  “That is great. Can I get someone to bring me a Coke?” She sounded plaintive to her own ears, but she was facing something that she had tried to avoid her entire adult life. Dealing with werewolves.

  “There is a cooler inside with a selection of beverages and meals will be brought to you.” Becs was polite and firm. She was giving the beta an order. Too bad that this beta was not going to follow orders.

  “That’s great. Just so we are clear, I am not going to confine myself to a stuffy tent.” She faced the alpha directly. A clear challenge. “This event is being held because of me, and I am going to watch every bit of it.” There was a murmur of disapproval in the group, but no one spoke out against her statement. They were going to let her have her way.

  As a concession she said, “You can send an honour guard with me, but I will have free rein here. I am not a prisoner, and I do not react well to being treated like one.”

  Rebecca mulled this over for a moment and then moved off to speak with an older male who was watching their little group. He had the stamp of an alpha and she met his gaze as it connected with hers.

  She fought her impulses and stared him down. She kept her arms at her sides, her shoulders relaxed and her mindset confident. Apparently satisfied, he nodded and Becs looked relieved.

  “Walther says that it is fine with him. He is our alpha and as host, he has the final say.” Becs was trying hard to impress the man’s importance, but Mel was having none of it.

  “Actually, within reason, I have the final say. I am here to let the clans fight for my hand as it were. If I make a run for it, the Magus clans will be ready to snap me up. It is in my own best interest to stay with the wolves. At least I know that they won’t lock me up in a tower. They don’t have one.” She grinned impishly at the other women and they giggled.

  It was true. The wolves in general liked open spaces and that preference spilled over into their homes. Spacious bungalows were the norm. The worst thing that the wolves would do would be to confine her to pack territory. Usually several square miles.

  Becs led her over to her guards and explained the situation. They were to stay with her at all times, unless she was attending a call of nature.

  “Alright guys, what are your names?”

  “Mark, of the Silverfang clan.”

  “William, Bill of the Yellowpaw.”

  “Edgar, of the Daggerfang.”

  “Timothy, of the Goldeneye.”

  “Alonso, of the Fightinghart clan.”

  Each executed a neat bow as the introduced themselves. She nodded in response to each and then let her feeble senses do their work. “All of you are married.” She smiled as they looked at her in surprise. “Just because I only have one talent, doesn’t mean that my nose doesn’t work.” They looked confused.

  “My mother is a beta of the Yellowpaw clan. She had to leave when she wanted to have a family.” The disgusted looks washed over them in a wave, and were quickly controlled.

  “Melissande, may we conduct you to the first event? They are gathering in that field over there.” Mark took the job of communicator and she agreed with a short nod.

  * * * *

  The cadre of women that was following her were relieved to have their duty interrupted, until they realized that they would have to remain on the sidelines of the events, while Melissande was going to be front row. Then they were after her in a matter of moments.

  Chapter Six

  The first competition was a shapeshifting obstacle course. The competitors went off in sets of four, ran a quarter mile, shifted to wolf shape, ran through a dog course, picked up a banner, dropped it in a bucket, shifted back to human and lifted a log series, then climbed a fence and dropped back onto the ground in half-transformed shape to do heavy lifting, then back to human for the finish line.

  The best part was that they ran nude.

  The first group of contenders stood nearby, completely at ease with their nudity. A messenger was sent to inform them that she had arrived. As one, their heads turned.

  With all of those naked were men looking at her, she should have felt self-conscious. She didn’t, she stared right back.

  Her gaze challenged each and every man there to try and win her. Surprise showed in more than one face. The daughter of a beta was not supposed to be that forward, or that confident. The erections that began at her direct attention were impressive, and flattering.

  She strode to the edge of the field and simply sat on the grass waiting for the games to begin. She did not have to wait long.

  At a signal from one of the alphas the men took their marks. A few restless moments and a sharp clapping of hands broke the silence and the invisible ties that held the men in check. The race was on.

  * * * *

  The initial leg of the race was a simple footrace to a bridge; the leaders quickly separated themselves from the rest of the pack. A warm thrill ran through her as she noticed Sirnel in one of the lead positions. His arms and legs moved smoothly, muscles bunching and relaxing in the gleaming light of the day. It was a beautiful sight.

  Every ideal of Greek mythology was depicted in those men, grace, beauty and strength, and they were competing for her. It was enough to cause a gush of moisture between her thighs. The women sitting near her smiled slightly at the change in her scent, even her nose could detect the same change in them. It was obvious that the specimens of
masculinity that were running were of interest to more than just herself, and several of the losers were going to be well consoled.

  Her pulse was rapid and she watched amazed as the second leg of the race began with a shape shift and a run through a slalom course in their wolf shapes. It was the same style of agility course that dogs trained on and competed in, and apparently the wolves enjoyed them for the same reason. They were both fun and challenging.

  One by one, the men shifted, shook themselves into their fur and began the course. All that was missing was a fly ball, and the course would have been complete. Mel grinned at the image that formed in her mind of the ranks of werewolves running to the springboard to catch a tennis ball. It almost made her laugh out loud, but did help her to get her arousal back in control.

  They completed a seesaw, then had to shift back into human form for the last leg of the race. It was at this point that the weaker of the competitors became obvious. They couldn’t shift back from wolf to human, or managed it and collapsed in a heap.

  Sirnel staggered slightly as he shifted back to human form but ran the final leg of the race to the finish line in first place. A blonde was hot on his heels and on of the girls murmured, “That’s Geoffrey. He is a member of the Yellowpaw clan.”

  As the men finished or dropped out, their placement was dutifully recorded by a panel of judges. They had also been judged on speed and the ease of their transition between forms.

  Rebecca clapped in delight as Sirnel was declared one of the finalists that would compete the next day. “I knew he would do it!”

  “Well, I suspected that he would do it. You had depicted him as a god-like form. No one would dare to displace him.” She laughed at Becs and kept snickering as a flush stained her face.