A Primal Right.

[lovenhardt1]

Title: A Primal Right.
Author: lovenhardt1
Banner:qafmaniac.
Word Count: ~58.000. This chapter 3.415
Pairing: Adam/Tommy (Werewolf).
Warnings: Sexual content, minor character death.
Rating: NC17
Disclaimers: The people you might recognize in here are NOT mine. I'm not making any profit, I'm only doing this for fun. There is no way this ever happened and so on. Oh…. And werewolves don’t exist either…. Sowry.
Beta:thrace_adams. Thank you sweetie for all your help, I love you so much for it! All your hard work made mine shine.
Type: Werewolf AU. Romance with just enough angst to make it good.
A/N: This fic is written for my dear friend dkymekare because she loves wolves above.
I had some really incredible cheerleaders on this fic!!! I love you all dearly! And I couldn’t have done it without you! So THANK YOU!!!

Please do not link/copy/share/whatever this anywhere. Thank you.

Summary: You know that feeling of being in control? Of knowing what happens next? You’ve got it all worked out, knows it’ll be hard work but worth it. You’re so focused on carefully laid plans that you kinda forgot about you…. but then something or someone comes along and changes everything. Suddenly you’re not even in charge of your own heart anymore. Yeah. That’s what happened to me.

Sit down and let me tell you a story… you might want to put your legs up and get comfortable, we’ll be here for a while.

It all began a day I was letting my wolf have some fun in the woods…



The morning of the council meeting came way too soon. In the days leading up to it, Adam was grumpy and worried but most of all annoyed with the fact that he was being left behind to wait.  His annoyance rubbed off on me and we had a bunch of stupid fights about ridiculous things, like what to eat or what not to eat or who exactly stole the covers during the night when I was shivering from cold. We'd fight one moment and the next we'd be letting our frustrations out in bed, making up the best way imaginable. I worried too, but not about meeting the council. When I received the acceptance from the pack and they welcomed Adam, a relaxed calm determination took over. I lost the feeling of angst that had been hanging over my head.  What I did worry about though was Trent. He hadn’t been home yet and other than Mia nobody had seen him out in the woods. Mia had asked me about him several times but I avoided answering her. It was no longer a secret in my pack how Trent felt about me, but I didn't want to talk about it when he wasn't around because it would feel too much like a betrayal.

We left at the break of dawn and arrived half an hour early, despite that the council was already assembled in the great room. Just like the first time, it took away my breath and my heart pounded. This was it, my moment of truth.

I remembered the first time I ever entered that room. I was perhaps ten years old and I was holding my father’s hand. I felt so little and intimidated but also breathless from the beauty of the room. “Made for great men to rule in,” my father had told me.

It practically breathed power. There were three thrones with beautiful ornaments, a vaulted ceiling whitewashed with  golden patterns decorating the arch of it. The floor was made of marble, three different colors with variable patterns.

Darren interrupted my reflection when he strode across the floor and reached out a hand to greet my mother. “Dia, welcome.”

She took his hand and with a small nod she accepted his greeting.  He turned to face me and I took his hand in a firm grip to show him that I wasn’t intimidated by him.

“And you too Thomas.” He seemed a bit surprised, but it was only for a split second so I wasn’t sure that I didn’t just imagine it.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet us.” I said.

He smiled that little cold smile that always makes me think that he must have seen too much or not enough, to make a cynic out of him. He turned to greet Mia as well.

“And you Mia, welcome.”

Mia took his hand and she made me damn proud when she held her head high and proud. “Thank you Darren.”

He looked at all three of us and with a sweep of his arm he invited us to approach the thrones. We walked behind him until he held a hand up silently telling us to stop. He took the last few steps up and sat down on the throne in the middle. The two other members of the council acknowledged us with a nod and then Darren spoke.

“So I understand there is a problem?”

It was only natural that mom being the current alpha took the lead, a determined tone evident in her voice.

“No, not a problem, just an urgent matter we need to discuss before the full moon.”

Another of those cynical smiles and a quick glance at me. “So I hear.”

“The mating that should have taken place at the full moon isn’t going to happen. Tommy found his true mate and Mia and Tommy have decided to break the pact.”

Darren looked a t mom thoughtfully, tapping a finger on his lip. “Hmm. Is this true Mia? You’re releasing him from the pact?”

“Yes. Of course I am. I couldn’t deny him his mate that would have been cruel.”

Another speculative look, this time it took him much longer before he spoke again. And I got hit by the feeling that he was trying to make Mia squirm. To see if she really meant her words.

“But you understand your pack could be of interest to others then?”

Mia stuck her chin out defiantly and I had to resist laughing because Mia in her stubborn and defiant mode is about as cute as it gets. “I’m stronger than I look, I can hold my own.”

Darren nodded slowly and searched her face. “Perhaps. Time will tell. But you have my wishes for a happy future.”

“Thank you.” The way she said it was almost daring. I’ll tell you Mia has got some balls. My heart swelled with pride.

Darren snapped his head and pinned me with a cold look. I straightened up and met his eyes with an easy calm that I know for a fact confused him.

“So the pact is off the table and you’re going to mate another? Who?”

Darren was clever but it was obvious he was playing games. I had no doubt that he'd done some investigating the very second we asked for an audience. Except I had no idea how much he knew which made playing games difficult. I knew I would have to remain calm, so I held his gaze and without so much as a blink I told him as little as possible. “His name is Adam.”

“Oh I see. And he’s human isn’t he?”

And there it was, Darren tipping his hand. Now I knew just how careful I had to be. “Yes he is. And we didn’t exactly follow the straight path to each other at least not by wolf law.”

“I heard that too.”

“I thought so. We’re here today to resolve any issues there might be because of that.”

He tilted his head and tapped his lip again. I could tell that by being this upfront I'd thrown him off his game, he was expecting fear and I showed none. “You realize Thomas, that you broke the law, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“As an heir to your pack I’m sure you’re educated in our laws.”

“I am. At least by the ones we live by on daily terms.”

He looked a little puzzled and I had to hold back a smirk, I had given him a bone and he knew it he just didn’t know what to make of it. His eyes narrowed. “So you know the punishment for your actions.”

“Yes I do.”

“Do you accept them?”

He watched me intensively, waiting for my fear to break free any minute. When I nodded, he seemed almost relieved that I didn’t start to beg. He leaned back on his throne and listened to me.

“Of course I accept the laws, but there is always the one exception that validates the rule. And my case might be just that exception.”

He snorted and the two other council members shared a worried look. “What makes you dare to think so?”

This was it, this was when I had to step up and defend myself. I took a deep breath and let the words flow.

“I’ve never met Adam before that day in the forest. I was just letting my wolf have a little stress relief when I heard the cry of a stranger being attacked. His voice called out to me, pulled me by my wolf until I stood between him and an extremely grumpy bear. I risked my life because my wolf willed me to. My wolf knew Adam before I did. Adam’s wounds were severe, he was dying and I did the only thing my wolf would let me; I changed before him and offered him survival on my blood. He took it. I dare to claim my wolf knew his mate before I did. I dare to claim that saving his life was the only thing I could do. I also want to point out that I did not claim him even though my entire being ached for him to belong to me. I only did what was necessary to keep him alive.”

For a long time all three men just stared at me. Then Darren let out a little noise, sounding a lot like a suppressed laughter. I didn’t quite know what to make of it.

“I suspect that since you’re here with Mia, both packs have been informed about all this?”

“Yes.”

“And Dia, your pack welcomed Adam even though they knew this could lead to Thomas being condemned to be an outcast.”

“Yes they did.” My mother’s voice was filled with warmth and pride of her pack. Darren had that speculative look playing on his face again. “All of them?”

“Yes all of them.”

“Hmmm, I’m going to need more than that.” All three of us tensed, what the hell did he mean?

Darren looked across the room at a woman I hadn’t noticed before.

“Alice, will you be so kind to ask Trent to get in here?”

“Yes sir.”

My heart dropped, what the hell did he want Trent for? I sneaked a peak at Mia and she looked worried. My palms began to sweat and I fought the urge to dry them off in my pants. I focused on disguising my scent and remaining calm. Trent had given us his word, he had welcomed Adam. I just had to trust my old friend. He had been just as close a friend as Mia and he wouldn’t betray me. I kept those words like a fucking mantra in my head as I watched Trent enter the room.

He shot me a quick pained glance before turning his attention to Darren, who smiled his cold, hard smile. Trent winced visually.

“Trent. Welcome.”

“Sir.” Trent kept his eyes on Darren and I know he felt my gaze, I know he kept looking at Darren because he couldn’t meet my eyes.

“I asked you to join us today because you asked to see me two and a half years ago. Do you remember that?”

Trent looked down at the floor and said in a low voice before looking back up at Darren. “Yes, I remember.”

“You came to me, to this council to ask if it was possible for Thomas to be released from the pact if he fell in love with someone who was more destined to be his mate than Mia. Do you remember I asked you, who you thought that wolf could be? Do you remember your answer?”

I managed to hold back the whimper that pressed to get free in my throat. I had no idea that he had been that dedicated, that his feelings had extended to that. I apparently hurt him more than I thought I could. In that moment I was so relieved that Adam couldn’t be with us. I was never going to tell him this. Never. But I had to talk to Trent about it sometime and it would have to be sooner than later. And then I needed to apologize to him for being the reason his feelings were put on display, nobody deserved that.

“Yeah. Me. I wanted it to be me.”

It was barely more than a whisper but it could just as well have been shouted form a mountain top. Mia looked at me, confused and yet it was clear that she was fitting the pieces together. She pushed at my mind and I let her in.

You were lovers? She asked.

No never, and I didn’t understand the extent of his feelings before it was too late. I thought it was innocent, like you and me, and I never took it for anything but friendship.

Why didn’t you tell me?

I wish I had, but I was too ashamed. I hurt him Mia. The look she sent me was filled with emotions.  But one shone above all the others and that was love. I offered her a small smile.

Darren, thank god, was occupied with Trent and didn’t notice us. “So it is safe to assume that you would most likely be the one wolf that would care the most about the subject of Adam.”

Trent shot me a nervous glance. I managed to keep my features neutral.

“I guess so.”

“So tell me.” Darren prompted.

Trent looked utterly confused. “I’m not sure what it is you want to know, but I welcomed him just like the rest of the wolves did.”

Darren looked stunned; he had not expected that answer at all. “Did you? Hmm, that’s quite impressive.  I guess your feelings towards Thomas changed along the road.”

“No…” Trent looked away from Darren and this time he looked directly at me. He held my gaze for the longest time. I don’t know what he saw but something changed in him. He winked at me and smiled softly before looking back at Darren.

“They didn’t and unless I find the mate created for me I highly doubt they ever will. But Adam is meant to be with Tommy, I’m not. I can’t fight Mother Nature. Neither should the council.”

Darren raised his brows at Trent’s boldness. “So tell me Trent, will Adam be good to the pack, will he fit in even though he's human?”

“He already does, the other wolves seem to care for him very much.”

“Hmm. So they would protect him as they would one of their own?”

Trent looked at me and for the first time in over two years I could see my old friend again, the friend I loved dearly, the friend I could share everything with.  He looked back at Darren and said with complete confidence, “Yes, I believe they would.  Some of them already think of him as a member of the pack.”

“Would you?” Darren’s voice was hard and sharp, meant to force the truth out of Trent, who tilted his head and obviously put some thought into his answer.

“Is there a threat to him I don’t know about?”

“Just answer my question.”

“Yes, I would. Tommy would expect me to; my alpha would expect me to, isn’t that what you do in a pack?”

“Touché. Would Adam want you to?”

I felt like this was a trick question but Trent answered it like he did all the others.

“I doubt it; he’s the kind of guy that wants to fight his own battles.”

That got Darren’s attention way more than I wanted it to. It was a trick question; the thing was I couldn't figure out just what he wanted with that little tidbit.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm. Thank you for your time Trent, you may be excused.”

Trent nodded and turned around to leave. Before he left though, he stopped and reached out take my hand. I met him half way and we squeezed each other’s hands for a short moment and then let go.

“We’ll talk later okay?” I said in a low voice.  I got a small nod and a tiny smile in return. When Trent closed the door behind him Darren claimed my attention again.

“So it looks like you really did get your whole pack behind you in this Thomas.  And Mia’s too.  I’m very impressed.  This Adam must be something special.”

I wanted to smile at that so bad, he had no idea how special Adam truly was.

Mia snorted quietly, “Or maybe Tommy is the special one?”

Darren laughed and looked at Mia. For the first time he didn’t seem as cynical. “Oh I don’t doubt the love Thomas has earned for himself in both packs, Mia. He’s been enchanting everyone since birth, but you can’t tell me that the wolves don’t respond to a human that wants to fight his own battles.”

She looked just as shocked as me at that statement.  “No. I can’t.”

My mother cleared her throat and took a step forward, holding the family books close. “Darren? If I may?” She glanced quickly at the books and Darren raised an eyebrow.

“But of course Dia.” He made a gesture towards a table by the wall. And we all moved over there.

“These are the books of our pack. They’re handed down from generation to generation and go as far back as there were wolves that could write. I am sure there are books like that in your pack too. I know for a fact that the council has a library filled with books like these from extinct packs and protocols to every judgment the council has ever executed.”

“That’s true Dia. I’m beginning to think that you have something in those books of yours that makes you think you or rather Thomas has a case?”

“There is! And not only one incident, but three.  And I didn’t go all the way back.”

My mother earned an impressed look from Darren and he slowly opened the books where mom had marked them. “Then by all means let us have a look.”

Darren started to read and the level of concentration he put in was nothing short of impressive. He looked up at the other council members and motioned a finger to get them closer.

“Hmmm. Gentlemen it looks like young Thomas does have a case here. Interesting.”  He looked up briefly, glancing at my mom before returning to the books, “Would you excuse us while we talk this over?”

It was a polite question but none the less an order and we followed it without question. When we came out Trent was waiting for us. He hurried over to me and we hugged each other.

“Oh God, Tommy, I didn’t want to be here for this today but-”

“You had no choice. I know.”

“I’m so sorry if I fucked up anything.”

“Don’t. You didn’t.”

The door opened behind us and Darren said, “Thomas. Please come in, we have agreed on the matter at hand.”

I walked in back into the room with my head held high. Darren looked at the two other members before returning his gaze to me.

“Thomas. The council has agreed that there are special circumstances in your case, that you were acting out of the wolf’s need to protect its mate. Furthermore, you seem to have all the support you need from your pack. We see no need to disown you or make an outcast out of you. You may go back as the heir to your pack and I look forward to seeing you as an alpha at the next full moon.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and heard mom and Mia do the same. The relief was palpable in the room. And pure happiness bubbled in my chest.

My mother was the first to speak. “Darren I actually wanted to speak to you about that. Is there any chance Tommy can stay my beta for a little while longer? I think it would serve my pack well if that could be arranged.”

“Thomas is about to turn twenty-five; it is by that age he is required to take over, I am sure you need him to do so too.”

“But I think it would be a good thing for Tommy to settle in a bit with his mate before he has to adjust to taking over as alpha as well.”

Darren’s face turned hard and there was no doubt that our supreme ruler’s patience was at its end. “All good leaders know how to juggle several balls. I have no doubt Thomas can handle the task. I know you have great faith in him too, so I can assume that is not why you're asking this. Tommy becomes alpha by the next full moon as planned, be satisfied that he still can.”

“Three months is all I ask.”

“No, my answer is final Dia. You may all be excused.”

I put an arm around mom’s waist and started to guide her to the door before she did something stupid like growling her frustration out. I looked at Darren one last time and said, “Thank you for taking the time for us.”

“It is what we’re here for. Now go. I’m sure Adam awaits your return.”

I flashed him a smile and walked out feeling like I could conquer the world.

chapter 11