“There is no need to apologize. I must admit it was an… uncomfortable experience but one I am grateful for.” She set aside the cup of coffee she had been drinking. “My name is Natasha, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Sam smiled both at Natasha and Roland who had been sitting quietly throughout the brief exchange. “Natasha, would you mind coming with me? Nafarius has a few questions for you and as I’m sure you can understand his is anxious for some answers.”
Roland frowned at her. “Sam, Natasha is still weak and tired from her ordeal. I’m sure you can understand that she needs some time to recover.
As far as things went it was the first time Roland had ever contradicted his mistress, the fact that he did so in front of an outsider didn’t go unnoticed. Sam looked at him a growled; there was a distinct warning in her voice said, “She has had plenty of time to rest and a few questions will not overexert her.”
Sam stood and Natasha, obviously wiser than Roland, followed. Roland having remembered his place looked contrite. “May I join you?”
“No.” Sam didn’t spare him another look as she led Natasha past the bearskin and down the corridor. Under normal circumstances she would have allowed Roland to accompany them. However, exclusion was the price he would pay for the insult.
Several pack members watched quietly as the two women passed through the common area. The similarities between the two of them didn’t go unnoticed to anyone but the two women themselves. Nafarius was waiting for them outside; he was holding court upon his throne settling disputes that had risen between the pack members over the past month. Most were settled as the occurred without any issue but occasionally there were those things that required a more formal arrangement. Therefore, once a month Nafarius sat and listened to both parties to a complaint. His word was law and often times he metered out harsh sentences when the complaints were minor or groundless. Such a system encouraged compromise and insured that only the worse cases were brought before him.
He had decided to question Natasha in a formal setting for several reasons. One, he knew that his pack would want to be present and he saw no reason to keep things from them, especially when it could mean danger. Two, a formal setting was likely to appease her own pack if and when they came looking for her. He didn’t want any accusations that he had harmed or encouraged Natasha in anyway. After finishing with the last case of the day he turned to Sam. “Where is Roland?”
“He will not be joining us.”
Nafarius raised and eyebrow at the note of anger he heard in her voice but refrained from asking. If Sam saw a reason to forbid Roland’s presence then he would support her in that. “Very well, but someone should be present to speak on the woman’s behalf.”
“I believe she is capable of speaking for herself, however, I will speak for her should the need arise.” Sam stepped forward, placing herself on Natasha’s left and directly across from her husband.
Nafarius wasn’t surprised. Sam’s stance was not a show of disloyalty to him but instead a way of telling the pack that at that moment Natasha had her support and anyone in the pack that stood against Natasha also stood against Sam. It was a powerful move, one the almost ensured Natasha’s acceptance into the pack, if that’s what it came to.
Natasha also saw the powerful ally she had just acquired and she vowed not to disappoint Sam. She had already spoken with Roland and explained her situation in hopes that he would speak on her behalf with his leader. She couldn’t believe her luck upon learning that he was second-in-command; the only one more influential over the pack’s leader was his mate and she now stood beside her.
“I am honored by your mate’s show of loyalty as well as grateful for all she has done for me. I know that without her I would not be here today. It was with great risk to herself that she saved me from certain death. I owe her my life and my loyalty.” Natasha wasn’t surprised to note that the clearing had filled with over a hundred pack members. Originally draw out of simple curiosity the full meaning of her words held them. “I would also give my loyalty to you as leader of this pack and ask that I might seek shelter — and sanctuary — among you.”
“From what do seek sanctuary?” Nafarius asked.
“Not from what but from whom.” Natasha took a deep breath and steeled herself. “I wish sanctuary from my mate, Nicholas.”
There was a collective gasp among the members; Nafarius was up and off us his throne and striding towards the woman before the last of her words had died. “Get out! Take your lies and whatever else you came here with and go!”
“Nafarius!” Sam watched in horror as Nafarius grabbed Natasha by the upper arms and shoved her backwards. She didn’t know what but something the woman had said obviously upset him. She had never seen him so angry and there had been plenty of times when his temper had flared. But it had been nothing like the white-hot rage that threatened to boil out from him.
Natasha landed hard on her backside. The pack members had moved back and there was nothing there to stop her from falling. “Please! I understand why you wouldn’t want me here but please listen to me!”
“No! There is nothing you can say or do to convince me that you’re here for any reason other than to cause harm.” Suddenly, Nafarius realized just how dangerous her presence could be. “Get her up!” Two men stepped forward and pulled Natasha to her feet. “I want her secured in the back room. No one is to enter and I want two guards outside at all times.”
“Nafarius, what is this about?” Sam stood watching as the young woman was dragged away. Turning to her mate she asked, “Who is Nicholas?”