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  “If you’re banished, where will we go?”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll find a place.”

  When they drove across the bridge, leaving Chanta pack land, Fawn looked out the back window and cried.

  * * * * *

  Nash drove Fawn to his home and bundled her into his bed. He held her tight and let her cry. He’d spent endless nights dreaming about her and wanting her with him, but the cost was tearing her apart. Even if he was banished, his father and mother wouldn’t turn him away. But Fawn was losing everything.

  His heart ached for her. Had he exacted too high a price?

  Would her heart be so broken they wouldn’t find happiness?

  Finally, Fawn fell asleep. Nash got a beer out of the refrigerator and twisted off the cap. He’d taken one drink when his cell phone rang. The caller ID told him the call was from Ben Ages, his second-in-command.

  “Hey, boss, we got a problem.”

  Unless people were hurt or dying, Nash had no intention of leaving Fawn. “What kind of problem?”

  “The bridge is blocked.”

  Nash had crossed the bridge less than two hours ago. “Was there an accident?”

  “Nope. You’re not going to believe it. The teenagers and the unmated wolves are camped out on the bridge, refusing to leave.”

  “What the hell? Why?”

  “They’re not going to leave until the elders sanction you and Fawn as mates.”

  Nash’s father had said he’d call the moment a decision was made. “But our elders haven’t made a decision.”

  “The Chanta elders made an official announcement. All of the young people are protesting, both Chanta and Arasani.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “Other pack members are joining them.”

  “Which pack members?”

  “Your friends. Your mother’s here.”

  Way to go, Mom. “Did the elders order you to move them?”

  “No orders have been issued,” Ben said. “I imagine they would call you first. But it wouldn’t matter.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “All the guys have said they wouldn’t enforce the order. They’re behind you, boss. All the way.”

  “What’s happening on the Chanta side of the bridge?”

  “Elder Clay’s down here yelling at his pack members, but they are ignoring him. More are coming.”

  “How big is the crowd?”

  “Fifty and growing. I heard the Trakker kid rallied everyone.”

  “Derek?”

  “Yes, he’s with a Chanta girl.”

  “Ella.”

  “Is Pack Leader Rivers with you?”

  Nash knew that Ben had heard that Fawn had been dismissed and banished, yet he had still referred to her with respect. “Yes, she’s here.”

  “I think the two of you should come down here and see this,” Ben said.

  Nash smiled. This was exactly what Fawn needed. The show of support would go a long way toward healing her broken heart. “We’ll be right down.”

  * * * * *

  “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

  Fawn knew something was happening. Nash had awoken her, told her to hurry, but hadn’t explained the emergency. He was driving fast, heading for the bridge. “Has something happened to my mother?”

  “Your mother is fine. I don’t want to tell you,” Nash said. “I want you to see for yourself.”

  Fawn saw a crowd gathered on the bridge, most of them young people, all in wolven form except for the uniformed Arasani pack security officers who were standing by their vehicles. Fawn’s heart thundered in fear. “Has there been an accident? Has a vehicle gone into the river?”

  Nash stopped the SUV and killed the engine. “They’re here for you.”

  “Me?”

  “They’re protesting.”

  Some faces she recognized. Others she didn’t. “Why?”

  “They’re protesting against your banishment and your dismissal as pack leader. I think Ella and Derek are the leaders.”

  Fawn spotted Ella. Head thrown back, Ella’s plaintive howl filled the air. The other wolves joined her. “She shouldn’t do this. They shouldn’t. They’ll get into trouble.”

  “I understand Elder Clay was here yelling at them. I don’t see him now.”

  “That’s not good. Most of them are students.”

  “They’re also protesting for your right to choose your own mate,” Nash said. “And if you look at that crowd, there are Arasani wolves as well as Chanta. They’re protesting for their rights, their future.”

  Fawn scanned the faces in the crowd. He was right. “It’s extraordinary.”

  Nash opened the door. “For the first time in over two hundred years, members of the Arasani and the Chanta packs are standing together. I think we should join them.”

  Fawn hopped out of the SUV. Hand in hand, she and Nash joined the protest.

  The next day the bridge was still occupied. Protesters took turns going home to eat and seeking others to join the group. In wolven form, Fawn stayed with the protestors.

  Nash remained with his security officers and met often with Arasani elders.

  Two days later, the crowd had grown. Parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts joined the young wolves.

  Finally, on the third day, the Chanta elders accepted an invitation to formally meet with the Arasani elders at a neutral location. Nash arranged for conference rooms at the Plaza Suites hotel.

  On the fifth day, the leaders of the Chanta and Arasani elders visited the wolves on the bridge. Fawn stood by Nash’s side as they addressed the crowd.

  “The treaty is dissolved and the exchange has ended,” announced Elder Lance. “The Arasani are welcome on Chanta land and are allowed complete access to the Mountain of the Moon God. This new agreement shall remain in force for as long as the moon shall revolve around the Earth. The pleasure pact is no more.”

  The Chanta wolves howled, expressing their joy.

  When the noise died down, Elder Stone addressed the wolves. “The treaty is dissolved and the exchange has ended. The Chanta are welcomed on Arasani land as long as the moon shall revolve around the Earth.”

  In unison, the triumphant howls of the wolves, Arasani and Chanta, rose in thanks to the Moon God.

  Epilogue

  Nash followed Fawn along the narrow trail leading high above Moon God Lake. She knew the terrain and chasing her scent was a pleasure for Nash.

  He caught up with her and together they crested the summit. Fawn guided him to a lookout point. The moon hung over the far peaks, silvering the snowy caps.

  The yips and howls of young wolves, Chanta and Arasani, running in the valleys below echoed through the mountains. The young wolves were seeking mates beneath a full winter moon. Life was good.

  I can hear their excitement.

  Nash licked Fawn’s muzzle. You made it happen.

  We may have set the ball in motion, but if those young wolves hadn’t the courage to defy the elders and stand up for their rights, we wouldn’t be standing on this sacred ground.

  But we would be together.

  Yes, we would. We’re together and we’re home.

  The cabin of the Moon God was now officially open to newly mated couples as a place to celebrate their love. Tonight, Nash and Fawn were observing their first anniversary.

  Reminiscent of a troubled family in a crisis, the packs had come together. The elders were shocked at the number of young couples seeking sanctions for mating. The next generation and those to come would carry the bloodline of both packs.

  Nash rubbed Fawn’s flank, loving the feel of her silky fur against his.

  How are you feeling?

  Fine. All I needed was some fresh air.

  You going to tell me or not?

  Mama promised she wouldn’t say a word. She’s far too fond of you.

  The start was rocky, but once Fawn had officially been elected as pack leader of the Chanta and the elders h
ad sanctioned their bond, Lyla Rivers had come around.

  Lyla hasn’t said a word. Am I going to be a father or am I imagining things?

  I always loved the August moon.

  August.

  Nash threw back his head and howled, thanking the Moon God for his mate.

  About B.J. McCall

  Born a coal miner’s daughter, B.J. McCall lives on the beautiful California coast. A perfect day includes writing the final chapter of a book and spotting dolphins or whales playing offshore.

  Multi-published in ebook and print, B.J. writes sensual romance in contemporary, futuristic, paranormal and fantasy genres. The phrase “do what you love” applies to B.J. She loves to write and every story is special. She hopes her readers will enjoy each and every one of them.

  B.J. welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Pleasure Pact

  ISBN 9781419943270

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Pleasure Pact Copyright 2012 B.J. McCall

  Edited by Briana St. James

  Cover design by Fiona Jayde

  Photos: Honored Member/Istockphoto.com, Melkor/dazed.com, Deviney and OutofTouch/renderosity.com and Jim Kriger/Shutterstock.com

  Electronic book publication October 2012

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