David peered out into the night as the limo approached the long abandoned air base. George AFB had closed at the end of the last century due to budget cuts, and even civilian flights had dried up in the end. The base was a ghost town these days; the only things calling it home now were cockroaches, tarantulas, and wild coyotes. A sign flashed by announcing their destination. It was still legible despite desert storms attempting to sandblast the lettering into obscurity.

The limo turned into Phantom Street through the main gate, and onto the base, Charles piloting the big car smoothly. Off to the right, David could make out a group of storage tanks glowing in the dark. They were still white after years of abandonment. There was nothing else to catch his eye but broken fencing with the desert flatlands beyond, and scraggly sagebrush clinging to life in sandy soil.

“Why an air base?” he asked. “Why not a warehouse in the city, or one of the rundown buildings in Monster Central?”

Danyelle snorted.

Stephen smiled. “A few reasons, but the main one would be that Jonas controls this entire area absolutely. The Desert Warriors are a big pack. They claim the base and desert all around here as part of their wider territory, and are strong enough to make it stick. That in turn means our privacy is assured.”

“And the desert is good for hiding the bodies,” Ronnie added. Lawrence nodded seriously. “You’ll learn that secrecy isn’t a luxury; it’s a way of life. It’s survival.”

“Just so,” Stephen agreed. “Some things, even what we would consider to be the least shocking, have a tendency to upset the human authorities. Our disputes are not the least shocking, or rather the results of them aren’t. We do our best not to draw attention to our little wars, not always successfully.”

David turned his attention away from sightseeing and back to Stephen. “What’s going to happen? What can I expect tonight?”

“That’s hard to say. We can rely upon Raymond to try weaselling out of any sanction or punishment for his actions. That’s a given, but how he plans to do that I have no notion. Your statement of intention regarding Ms. Burdett here will be a spur to him. He’ll think of something that we won’t like, I’m sure.”

“No doubt. You think me foolish to have said it within his hearing?”

Stephen shrugged. “Secrecy remember? Revealing one’s plans to enemies is never a good idea.”

“I didn’t plan it. I don’t want to take over the Alley Dogs.”

“But you will?”

“If I have to.”

“That’s all that matters, and it might come to that. This escalation over Ronnie’s rogue status must be ended before it gets completely out of my control. The root of the problem isn’t Ronnie herself; it’s my refusal to give her back. The Alley Dogs see her as a rogue female in need of punishment; while I regard her as no different from other loners who I’ve taken in. I pride myself upon keeping my word once given, but even if that weren’t so, I still wouldn’t give her back. It would set a bad precedent. She’s mine to discipline or reward, as all of you are. I’ll not have anyone thinking they can interfere in my concerns whenever they feel like it.”

David shifted uncomfortably at hearing that, but it wasn’t as if he was surprised. It was part of the deal. Stephen was very open about it. He wouldn’t hold anyone against their will, but if they wanted to work for him and enjoy his protection, they had to toe the line; his line. Stephen ruled his House, no other, and those living under its roof accepted that or they could leave LA. It was as simple as that.

“The Alley Dogs consider it a kind of kidnapping despite the fact Ronnie gave herself to Stephen willingly,” Lawrence put in. “They still think of her as one of their own.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” David protested. “Georgie tried to kill her.”

Ronnie grinned. “Of course it makes sense, maybe not in human terms, but we aren’t human. In Raymond’s mind, I defied him—my pack leader. I’m not dominant enough to do that and get away with it, so he has to punish me. If I won’t accept his rule over me or my punishment, then he has to kill me to maintain his authority. It’s really very simple and direct. In the eyes of the pack the only thing I did wrong was not let him screw me.”

“That’s insane, and disgusting.”

“Not really. It’s a tradition among the bigger old-fashioned packs like the Alley Dogs for unmated males to have their pick of the unmated females. The smaller family packs don’t do it for obvious reasons, and there are a lot more like them now than there are packs like the Alley Dogs. I could have avoided the obligation entirely by choosing a mate, but Callia and I didn’t like any of the males enough to do that.”

He was disgusted at the thought of Ronnie having to prostitute herself to gain a little safety. “Do all the bigger packs force their women to do this?”

Lawrence shook his head. “Not for a long time now. I’m not certain, but the Alley Dogs might be one of the last holdouts in LA. I know the Desert Warriors don’t do it, and they’re the biggest pack I know of.”

“Leon Pullen’s Ghost Hunters are nearly as numerous. They do not hold to the old ways,” Stephen said, not revealing how he felt about it. “I think you might be right about the Alley Dogs.”

“I can’t believe you’re not outraged by this,” David said and Lawrence shrugged. “And you’re not either, are you?” he said to Ronnie.

“It’s not as if I didn’t enjoy myself,” Ronnie protested. “I’m alpha don’t forget. You’re acting as if I didn’t have choices. No one forces me to do anything. It wasn’t rape if that’s what you were thinking.”

He just stared at her in confusion.

“There are plenty of betas among the Alley Dogs,” she said softening her tone as she realised how he was feeling. “I chose partners from among them, not the alphas, and I’m strong enough to be dominant. It was when Raymond started taking an interest that I ran. I was fine with the betas. We had fun.”

He knew that shifters were uninhibited and very sexually active. Living with them in the barracks at Lost Souls, he would have needed to be deaf and blind to miss it, but he couldn’t feel easy with it himself; not yet, and maybe not ever. He still thought like a human. Imagining Ronnie living that way made him angry, but he had no right to feel that way when she saw nothing wrong in it.

“What did Janine think of Raymond’s sudden interest in you?” Stephen asked.

“Who is Janine?” David said.

“Raymond’s mate. She sent Georgie to kill me,” Ronnie admitted. “I don’t blame her for it. She could hardly kill Raymond, could she? If she did, she would lose her place.”

“But I thought Pederson sent Georgie that night.”

“That night?” Ronnie frowned at David, but then she brightened. “Oh the night we met? Yes, he did. Raymond wanted me brought back, but Janine wanted me dead. Georgie would have killed me though. She never liked me and could easily get away with it. She only had to say I wouldn’t submit and fought to the death. It would have been the truth. I was determined not to go back.”

He remembered that night clearly. It had been a vicious fight and it would have been to the death if the cops hadn’t arrived when they did.

The limo slowed and pulled up outside a huge hangar building. There were trucks and cars parked haphazardly on the apron illuminated by light spilling between the main doors which had been left open a short space. He estimated there were only a few dozen vehicles. There couldn’t be many people attending the meeting.

Everyone climbed out of the car, and flanking Stephen like the honour guard they essentially were, they entered the building. The moment they entered, Mist reacted, becoming more alert to their surroundings. There were a lot more shifters inside than the vehicles could account for. Many, many more. Hundreds. Stephen made no mention of it, his pace did not falter, but David felt his power flare briefly, as if surprise had caused his control to slip. He said nothing however and led the way toward a small group of shifters standing together near a long trestle table set up at the far end of the hangar. It was nothing fancy, just a battered wooden table with plastic chairs tucked under it. Functional. The computer atop the table though looked modern and out of place in the current surroundings. Carafes of water and some glasses rounded out the props supplied for the meeting.

There was an open space in front of the table about thirty-foot square and bordered in chalk to create an arena with the concrete freshly swept clean of dust. Mist went hyper-alert at the scent of old blood. David eyed one or two suspicious looking stains on the concrete and knew that challenges must often play out here. He wondered if he might get the opportunity to kill Pederson tonight, and make use of the arena so obligingly laid out.

Stephen picked out a broad-shouldered man in his early thirties with shaggy straw-coloured hair and green eyes. He was arguing with Pederson about something, but obviously getting nowhere with his remonstrations. The other pack leaders, David guessed they must be the Alphas here to judge the dispute, were listening and nodding along with the argument. The discussion abruptly ceased as Stephen arrived.

“What is the meaning of this?” Stephen said. “Since when does calling the conclave require such numbers in attendance?”

“And good evening to you too,” Jonas said. “Raymond felt insecure without bringing most of his pack along. I decided that my boys should supervise them, if you take my meaning?”

Stephen glared at Pederson. “This betrayer should be given no special treatment. The other leaders of our community have followed our rules, as have I.” He waved a hand toward David and the rest of his entourage. “Make them leave.”

The pack leaders murmured.

“They aren’t going anywhere,” Pederson said. “You are vampire, not shifter. You have no rights here but those we let you have. Treating you as our equal is a courtesy that can and will be remedied.”

Jonas grimaced. “We’re here to judge your actions at Lost Souls, not revisit old ground.”

“But it is relevant,” one of the other Alphas said. “Stephen’s status and actions are the cause of the dispute. It’s perfectly in order to debate that.”

Pederson’s smile slowly widened.

Stephen was shocked, and David wasn’t the only one to sense it. Lawrence murmured something to Ronnie uneasily. It was obvious Pederson had been working his contacts among the pack leaders, and to good effect. More than a few nodded and murmured their agreement.

“I’m officially requesting here and now, that the conclave consider removing Stephen Edmonton’s right to take part in our deliberations.”

Jonas hissed. He glared at Pederson, but it was obvious he had nothing to help. He sighed. “Show of hands?”

The vote was close. Damn close, but it failed to pass. David relaxed a little. Nothing was decided. Pederson looked uneasy again, but Stephen didn’t look reassured. Jonas indicated seats, and everyone moved to find places at the table. One of the men activated the computer to record the meeting.

Jonas began. “Firstly, this conclave has been called not by House Edmonton, but by the Alley Dogs to discuss the disposition of the alpha wolf, Ronnie Burdett, currently resident of House Edmonton—”

Stephen interrupted. “She is not resident, guest, or any other term you might wish to apply. She’s mine; my wolf to reward or discipline as I see fit. No one takes what is mine.”

“You’re out of order,” Jonas said without rancour, and David noted that he’d conveniently allowed Stephen to put his full case without interruption. The balance restored after Pederson’s earlier attempted end run, he went on. “You’ll have your turn to speak and make your claim upon her in due course.”

Stephen nodded his agreement.

Jonas turned to Pederson. “It’s my understanding that you staged a raid this evening upon House Edmonton without declaration of challenge or war. Is this the case?”

“He stole one of my—”

“Is that what happened, yes or no?”

Pederson scowled. “Yes but—”

“Yes will do,” Jonas said, cutting the Alpha off, and the other pack leaders murmured unhappily. “No one was killed or suffered lasting injury, which is very fortunate for the Alley Dog pack as I would’ve been forced to take punitive action in lieu of damages if there had been. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, a sneak attack on any one of us cannot be ignored. Our laws are clear. A declaration of intent—whether that’s a simple challenge or a formal declaration of feud or war—must be registered with this conclave before hostilities are initiated. Before, not after the fact.”

Pederson glared. “And would any of you have done differently? The vampire took one of my wolves and he’s refusing to give her back. Tell me that you wouldn’t have done the same and I’ll call you all liars to your faces. I didn’t go to Lost Souls to attack him,” he waved a hand at Stephen. “That should be obvious. It was daylight. He was still dead for the day! I went to talk to my wolf and persuade her to return. If not for this loner, I would have seen Ronnie and brought her home.”

David laughed at that.

“You have something to add?” Jonas asked.

“I was... made? Turned?”

“Changed,” Lawrence supplied. “Vamps are turned.”

“Okay. I’m new as I’m sure you all know, but maybe you don’t know how new I am. I was changed on the night Ronnie escaped by Georgette Starett. I’d like to take this opportunity to make my intention to kill her, formerly known.”

Jonas nodded. “Noted,” he turned to the computer using shifter. “Formal notification of challenge is heard and accepted.”

The sound of rapid typing came from that end of the table.

“Continue,” Jonas ordered.

“There’s not much more to say. Georgie attacked Ronnie not to bring her back but to kill her. Ronnie had no choice but to seek sanctuary with Stephen. I was there. You can tell it’s the truth. Ronnie was seriously injured and I was changed when I tried to intervene like an idiot. Pederson can say he came to Lost Souls just to talk, but he attacked me unprovoked and landed the first blow. I was security on the door and did not challenge him—”

“Lie,” Jonas said without a flicker of expression or emotion.

David frowned. “I did nothing but bar the door and prevent him entering my territory. I didn’t challenge him. It was my right to protect my pack.”

Jonas turned to the others. “What say you? He isn’t lying by intent, but preventing entry could be considered a kind of challenge.”

The shifters whispered among themselves. One man gave the verdict. “It’s a side issue and of no import. We judge no fault can be attributed to either party. Let’s move on.”

Jonas nodded. “What happened after you were attacked?”

“We fought, I won easily—”

Pederson snarled angrily.

“—but the Alley Dogs went furry when Stephen’s wolves arrived. The fight was brief because the police were called. Before they arrived we, both sides, got out of sight in the club while Edward spun the cops a story they would swallow. Stephen woke up not long after that, and Raymond weaselled... I mean called for arbitration.”

Jonas grinned at the slip.

“We called you, and that’s about it.”

“Very well. Does anyone have questions for this man?”

No one did.

“Your turn, Stephen.”

Stephen nodded. “You all know me and that I believe in fair dealing and honourable conduct. Some of you roll your eyes when you hear that... yes Leon, I saw you.”

Leon Pullen, Alpha of the Ghost Hunters and acting as clerk on the computer grinned. He was the pack leader of the second strongest coyote pack after Jonas’ Desert Warriors and was allied with him.

“But think for a moment, all of you, what it would mean to be devoid of the concept entirely. You think me an anachronism and old fashioned in my thinking to hold to such ways, but without at least a framework like this our community would devolve into chaos. I’m not foolish enough to lower my defences even against allies. None of us trust too deeply; it’s survival 101 for non-humans, but what would it be like if we could not at least rely upon the few laws we have put in place here in LA?

“I will tell you. We would have what the rest of the Republic has right now. Even our illustrious state of California does not enjoy the relative peace we have carved out for ourselves here in LA itself. Remember what it was like forty years ago? Those of you too young will have heard the stories. They do not do it justice I assure you. Killings nightly were the least of it. Entire packs decimated, vampire Houses rose and fell yearly taking out ally and enemy with abandon. So when one of our own flouts our laws to attack my house unprovoked—”

Pederson snarled, “Not unprovoked! That’s the entire point of this conclave!”

“Shut it!” Jonas snapped. “You’re out of order and I’ll decide what the point of the conclave is. That’s my job. You’ll get your turn to put your side. Go on Stephen.”

“When the Alley Dogs attacked my House unprovoked I was angry as anyone would be, but I knew that I could bring my grievance here and see justice done. Now what do I find? I can already sense you leaning toward leniency. Why, because I’m not one of you? Because I’m vampire and not shifter, I should be treated the way the humans treat us all, with contempt? Think about what you’re doing. Our laws don’t prevent conflict. We still have our little spats, our broken alliances and feuds, but they do regulate them. We are, mostly, successful at keeping them out of the human world and their notice. Mostly. Do you want to be in a position where that regulation has no power?

“You all know what has been happening in the city. I have an unknown vampire making newborn vampires and releasing them rogue onto our city streets. I have OSI sniffing about. I have police officers attacked and others poking into things we all need kept out of the media! I do not need this shit!” he roared making them all jump at its unexpectedness. “I need you to reign in the idiot Alley Dog Alpha and let me get on with the job you gave me!”

“Finished?” Jonas asked dryly.

“Yes, thank you.” Stephen replied calmly.

“Raymond, your turn.”

“The fight at Lost Souls was an accident,” Pederson said and flushed at the laughter the statement caused. “I went there to convince Ronnie to come home, not fight. If not for the newbie on the door, I would have succeeded. Because he’s new, he challenged me... I’ll make allowances now and not challenge him for the insult done earlier.”

David laughed. “Of course you will.” Jonas gave him a warning look, and he shrugged an apology. “What can I say, Jonas? I kicked his arse and it was disappointingly easy.”

Laughter up and down the table made Pederson flush red with rage. Jonas sighed and shook his head. “I can see you’re going to be trouble. You just can’t help yourself can you? You’ll want to watch that mouth of yours in the coming years. Either that, or you won’t live long enough to settle in here.”

David shrugged again.

“Raymond, you done?” Jonas asked.

“No.”

“Of course not. Go on then.”

“Forty years might not seem a long time to a vampire, but it’s longer than I’ve been alive. A decision made back then doesn’t have the same relevance to me as it does to him; maybe not to any of us. It was a different time. I don’t think we should automatically assume that because our people decided to turn a blind eye to Edmonton’s doings back then, that we should continue that policy.”

“A blind eye?” Stephen said. “There was no blind eye! The packs of LA have left me to clean up their messes for decades! Who but I hunt down the rogues? Who but I take in the loners visiting before they become rogues, or see them safely removed from our streets when they’re rejected by the packs they seek to join?”

“Who but you poaches our people, luring them away with your promises and offers?” Pederson sneered and looked around at the other alphas. “All of us have lost people to this blood sucker. Are you going to tell me you’re okay with that? Are you going to pretend that if Ronnie had been one of yours you wouldn’t have tried to get her back? Fucking hypocrites, all of you. I’ve heard you all bitching about losing someone to him over the years.”

The shifters looked guiltily at each other and Stephen. David noted the reaction and wondered how bad the so-called poached shifters lives had been, that they felt leaving everyone and everything they knew for a life with vampires was preferable to staying. Stephen’s people were amazingly loyal to him. It said something about their situations before they gave themselves to him. Something pretty bad he would judge.

Pederson went on. “I never had any intention of attacking House Edmonton. You can taste the truth of that. I had every intention of claiming what is mine.”

David frowned. Is he telling the truth, Mist? I can’t quite tell.

Yes, Mist said, and no. He never intended to fight at all, but would have stolen our She without fighting. That is what he means. It was a raid still, but not one where he expected the need to fight.

Tricky bastard. They’re falling for it.

Indeed, the others were nodding at the truth they sensed in his words and looked surprised they were able to. Pederson smiled smugly. Jonas looked surprised too, but then narrowed his eyes as he caught on.

“What I want from this conclave is a new direction,” Pederson went on. “It’s time to look again at House Edmonton’s status as a pack. It’s not a pack and never was. Our laws do not fit, and bastardising them to fit any vampire House is ridiculous.”

Many of the Alphas were nodding now. Lawrence looked uneasily toward David, and he got the feeling his friend was willing him to do something, but what could he do? Lawrence’s eyes were saying “fix this!” but how? He wracked his brain for an idea as Stephen took up the challenge.

“And how precisely will you revise our laws?” Stephen asked. “I have broken none. Which of them would you change?”

“Treating you as Alpha of a pack that doesn’t exist is custom not law,” Pederson snapped. “That first.”

“Would you prefer to treat me as what I am? Would you prefer I treat you as others of my kind do yours outside the safety of LA?” Stephen said ominously. “You would not enjoy the experience.”

“Don’t threaten us.”

“Dear, Raymond, I do not threaten anyone here. You speak out of ignorance. None of you has experience of what it’s like living the way you so cavalierly speak of. I have. Shifters are treated as animals, not people; pets at best if you’re lucky enough to be a favourite of one of my kind. None of you would do well in such a life. Being the strongest, you could possibly avoid the worst abuses, but to do that you would have to feed your people to mine. I use the word feed not by accident.”

“We’re strong enough to drive every vampire out of LA entirely!”

“Oh, yes? And do you think it coincidence that there are only four Houses left in LA and not a dozen or more like the old days? Do you think it’s your threat, the threat of shifters who my people consider mere animals to be subjugated, and not ours that keeps them away? If you do, I feel sorry for you. They stay away because Gavin, Michael, Rachelle, and I keep them away. Gavin more than the rest of us in truth. His reputation is enough of a deterrent for all but the most determined. LA has a fierce reputation among my kind, but don’t think for a moment it isn’t looked upon as a prize by envious eyes.”

Jonas intervened. “We’re straying far from why this conclave was called. I think we’ve heard all we need to. Raymond Pederson, Alpha of the Alley Dog Pack of LA stands accused of raiding House Edmonton—vampire House of LA—against the customs and laws we all abide by. I will now hear your words before making my decision.”

Leon Pullen went first as Alpha of the second strongest pack. “I don’t like what he did, but he spoke the truth when he said he didn’t plan to attack House Edmonton. To me that means he isn’t guilty of anything except stupidity. I mean, anyone with an ounce of sense could guess what would go down at the club. Raymond Pederson is a bloody idiot, but that’s not against our laws. Maybe it should be.”

“So, innocent of the charge then?” Jonas asked.

Leon nodded.

And so it went. David listened with growing dismay as each Alpha responded with similar sentiments. In different words, they made excuses for Pederson’s idiocy. Each time his stupidity was brought up, he flushed angrily, but it meant nothing. He had them all on side and bamboozled, but if he thought that would help him, he could think again.

He had promised himself and Mist that he wouldn’t let Ronnie be taken. He exchanged looks with Stephen, and nodded to let him know he was ready to kill Pederson and take his pack. Stephen’s eyes narrowed just a trifle as he caught on, and nodded back his permission. David didn’t need permission, not for this. Ronnie would be his one day even if she didn’t know it yet. He would woo her, but in the meantime, he needed to fix her current situation.

“...innocent of the charge. I would like to see some kind of punishment. A tithe maybe?”

The Alphas rumbled agreement.

Jonas nodded his thanks. “So, the consensus is that Raymond is a frigging idiot who should have known better, but one who is innocent of a premeditated sneak attack upon House Edmonton. I’m advised to levy a tithe as punishment.” He grimaced unhappily. “I see no option but to comply with the conclave’s wishes. A tithe of twenty thousand dollars is levied, and will be given to House Edmonton in lieu of damages.”

Pederson yelped. “What damages?”

“It’s a figure of speech, you moron,” Jonas snarled. “For the inconvenience of you and your cretins attacking his people at the club, and for disturbing the peace. You have a week to cough up the cash before I send my boys round to take it out of your hide.”

Pederson snarled silently, and then nodded reluctantly.

Stephen’s face was cold and hard.

“Before I call it done,” Jonas said. “Any other business?”

David hesitated a moment too long.

Pederson spoke first. “I wish to propose that we deal with the vampire’s status among us once and for all. He’s not Alpha and his band of misfit rogues are not a pack. It’s time we cleaned this up.”

Jonas hesitated.

“Seconded,” Leon said. Jonas shot him a look of surprised betrayal. “Sorry, but it’s better to get it out of the way. Stephen is a friend to the packs of LA, all the remaining vamp Houses are, but they aren’t pack. Maybe it’s time we recognised that. We need to figure out exactly what they mean to us and begin treating them as what they are, not what some of us think they are or should be.”