Chapter 56

Wondering if he'd ever be happy again with these people sitting in his front, Logan disgustedly dropped the report he'd been reading and got up to pour a cup of warm coffee—at least it was hot and would warm his innards—then radioed his communications unit.



"Is Queen Vicky present ?"



"No, sir."



"Get through to her, tell her I want to see her."



"Alright, sir."



"The next sales will be better," that was if there will be a next. He thought.




"The sales dipped when the management changed. It took an unexpected while to get things into place. We did not..."




"I saw that," Logan dismissively interrupted the new sales manager. "I'll be in a meeting with a leader, I believe we are done here."



"I have a request, sir," although not so evidently, his voice shook as he spoke.



"Request?" Logan said.

That's some guts.



"Yes sir, I just want to implore you to give this administration a second chance at this. I believe the next report will be better than this. It took time to get a grip" The mid-age man explained



"I did not employ you, mister, just to hear about how difficult it is to get a grip of what you're supposedly professional," Logan said.



"Sincere apologies, sir."




"I will get to you," Logan said, calmly waving them a final dismissal.





•••





The seeming invincibility of the werewolf comes from the alcoholization process. When this craven beast is wounded in either human or wolfish form, the act of transformation brings instant healing. Thus, all traces of former action is lost. What this means, the brave hunter is one who never knows who is the beast among us. The deadly and cowardly creature that slinks into the woods with your bullet in its flank at night may yet walk with you hale and hearty come to the morn.




Ashley lifted her eyes from the page.




Beginning to think she'd be spending the rest of her life huddled under the blankets of the wide bed she had been since her return.




Juggling the information in her head. The moon season is the only best hope she'd ever held on to.

Whatever process her alcoholization is going to take on, she is ready to become mated to Logan.





•••





Logan had risen unusually early that morning, and Ashley groggily heard him milling around the room just as the sun started streaking through the window.

Soon she smelled the aromas of perking coffee and bubbling oatmeal, but her night had been a bad one, full of uneasy dreams that she only vaguely remembered. She was finally enjoying a block of peaceful slumber and didn't much care about food or sunlight.




Suddenly, she sprang to a sitting position. Good God, a sunny morning. Nothing could keep her waiting any longer. She could become a wolf. It was the start of a new season.




"We could perform the ritual today, Logan?"




Logan, who'd been pouring coffee, turned at the sound of her voice.




"Good morning, sweetie," he said instead. Of course, she did not respond to that. All she cared about was what she'd just said.

"We could visit Queen Vicky today, you spoke to her already, haven't you?"



Without answering, he walked over and handed Ashley a cup. Although it was a kind gesture, his hard face didn't look kindly at all.



Ashley didn't care much. She flounced out of bed, nearly spilling her drink in her haste, grabbed her duffel bag, and went into the bathroom. She came out fully dressed and again asked Logan to do the same.



"After we eat," he said in a tone that left no room for argument. At least not from someone who felt as hungry as she did.



"I demand you take me to Queen Vicky," Ashley stated firmly, over her bowl of oatmeal. "The space is here. There's no reason to wait."




"Mmm." Logan shoveled another spoonful into his mouth.



Ashley waited impatiently until he swallowed. "Well?"



"Tomorrow." He dished up another load of cereal.



"No! Today!"



"The Queen isn't free today, she will be tomorrow."



She got up irately and took the bowl to the table, slamming it into the table causing its contents to spill in a jump.

"How can you be so sure, you haven't even called her."



"I spoke to her yesterday, Ashley, right after my appointment with my manager and his team," Logan said.



Ashley sighed.



"Ashley?" Logan asked, "Do you understand the gravity of this process?"



"I don't but I will. I just want to lift the only barrier between me and you. I just want to be sure I'm accepted by your people. I want to be a part of your world so bad." Ashley said tears hanging on her lower lash.



"Come here, baby" Logan dropped his bowl.



"We will go through this together, it won't be easy definitely but we will go through it together"

Ashley nodded.



"Queen Vicky hasn't performed this ritual in decades, she has to prepare." He wiped the tears from her eyes with his fingertip.




"She will be ready tomorrow?"



"She should."



"Will you be okay?" Logan asked.



"You are leaving?"



"Wolves survive in packs; Hybrids survive in packs and unity." Ashley understood that.




It's their season, he should be with his pack.




"You can have Jessica stay with you if you want," He said and she smiled.




"I love you."