For Love of a Wolf: Alric's Story

by SpikesKat

Chapter 14

Every mile further away from Tala he got, the crankier his demon became – never mind that he was on his way to see his family. By the time he reached Jocelyn’s estate and was ushered through the gates, it was all Alric could do to keep his demon submerged.

He abandoned the car out front of the main entrance for someone to park and loped up the steps; the door opened just as he made to let himself in. A brief smile lit his face as he thought about the staff and their propensity for anticipating the needs of their employers.

The blood bond called to him as soon as he stepped inside and he headed off towards the study before the butler could direct him towards the others. He stepped inside, and the discussion being had came to an abrupt halt.

Buffy ignored the subtle signs Alric was giving off that screamed “stay back” and rushed over to give him a bone-crushing hug in welcome. “I was worried…” she whispered in his ear, her tone just sharp enough to hint at motherly concern.

Alric just barely managed to bite back a retort and reluctantly returned the impromptu embrace. “I’m fine,” he replied abruptly. It wasn’t the Slayer’s fault his demon was on edge and there was no point in taking out his bad mood on her. 

“Alric…” 

Alric lifted his head from Buffy’s shoulders and met his sire’s assessing gaze; he prayed he didn’t flinch beneath the intense scrutiny.

“Spike was just telling us of his dealings with the Triad,” Buffy murmured. She crinkled her nose, indicating the gory details he was painting for the benefit of the others. Alric couldn’t help but smile – genuinely this time; for all her skill with dispensing with the various lowlifes of the world, actually reliving the tale had never been one of her high points. 

He allowed himself to be led over to where the clan was stretched out on the various chairs and couches arranged about the study, taking a vacant seat on a couch next to Clayton as the Slayer resumed her place by Spike. The other vampire quirked his brow at him in silent question, but Alric just shook his head and listened as his sire began speaking once more – explaining how he’d left the mutilated bodies of the three Triad members as a warning to anyone that dared attempt to facilitate another demon gathering of that nature. 

Discussion soon turned to the various breeders. Alric took the floor, explaining that many of the owners of the larger “farms” had already left by the time they’d gotten there. He went on to explain that there were several breeders right here in Europe, a few of whom specialized in children.

Then he dropped his bombshell. 

“There’s more out there, though. I’ve a lead on a few breeders based out of Asia, and I’m going after them. Alone.” 

Alric stood and left the room as all hell broke loose behind him. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Spike found his childe in one of the bedrooms in an unused wing of the estate.

Alric paused mid-kata as his sire stood in the doorway, rose to his full height, and sheathed his sword. He forced himself not to fidget as Spike just stood there saying nothing. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he lowered his head and looked away. 

“Don’t try to stop me,” he whispered quietly. “Please, Sire…” 

“Alric…” Spike began. He could see his childe’s distress, his agitation. And he almost made him explain. Almost. Instead, he sighed. Gave what passed for his permission. “Alright.” 

He frowned at the hopeful – and extremely relieved – look upon Alric’s face. There was something his childe wasn’t telling him. 

“Thank you, Sire,” Alric replied sincerely. Grateful that he would be parting on good terms with his sire – if not the others. 

“Should bloody well thank me,” he muttered. “I’m gonna have to put up with the Slayer’s whining until you return.” 

Alric nodded and wisely held his tongue. 

“When will you leave?” 

“Tonight. I’ve a Chinaman to track down who owes me his life. And if I wait too long, the trail will grow cold.” Alric lowered his eyes and waited for Spike to tell him no, that there was time yet for him to leave, hell, even flat out change his mind and demand he stay with him and the others.

The understanding in his sire’s eyes when he stepped close and forced his head up nearly made him cave. Confess all about his Consort and his reasons behind what he was doing. The words were right there on the tip of his tongue.

“I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk, Alric,” Spike told him quietly, his thumb stroking lightly against his childe’s cheek. Then he pulled Alric close and invited him to drink.  

Neither said a word as Alric fed from Spike’s neck. Alric reveled in the intimate moment he shared with his sire, knowing that it would be weeks, perhaps months, before it happened again. Yet at the same time, his demon was clamoring to return to his Consort. Was desperate to, in fact. It mattered not that Bob was looking after the girl. She was his responsibility. His to care for, provide for. His to protect. 

He wished he could talk to Spike about things. Wondered how his sire balanced the needs of family with that of his Consort. And whose took precedence.

Finally he pulled away and tenderly laved at the marks he’d made. 

“Be safe, childe,” Spike murmured, his fingers tracing along Alric’s ridged brows in a show of affection. Then he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Alric alone with his thoughts. 

Spike’s own thoughts were troubled as he returned to the others. Something about Alric’s behavior wasn’t sitting well with him. Something that was staring him in the face, if he’d but open his eyes and look. 

No one said a word as he walked back into the study alone, though looks were bandied back and forth between a few of them. Most notably from the Slayer. He shared his own look with Adam – specifically that he was to see that their youngest was watched over, discreetly, of course.  

Adam nodded, indicating that it would be done.  

Rather than allowing the others to dwell on Alric’s rather glaring absence, Spike got them all involved in locating and coming up with a plan to dispense with the larger human breeding farms located in Europe.

~*~*~*~*~ 

Alric paused at the gate and glanced back in the rearview mirror. The light in the study was on, and if he squinted hard enough, he was sure that someone was standing at the window, watching his departure.

He wondered if Renee was this conflicted when she went off on her own. And if so, he had a much better appreciation for what she was going through at the time.

Already he could feel the ache this separation was causing and he was half tempted to turn around and go back. Only the thought of his Consort, and her condition, made him put the car in gear and drive off. He wanted Tala standing proudly by his side as he introduced her to his family. If it took killing every last breeder on the planet and presenting their severed heads for her pleasure, then that was what he’d do. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Alric woke before Tala and he took a moment to watch her while she slept. She’d whimpered slightly when he slipped into bed beside her and pulled her back against his chest. The soft rumbling purr had come out of nowhere, and though he marveled that he could emit such a sound, he was delighted when Tala settled back into sleep – the constant anguish he’d felt since yesterday subsiding somewhat. Even now, she appeared untroubled and he just prayed she remained that way upon waking.

Carefully, so as not to wake her, he slipped out of bed and pulled on a pair of pants. There was a bit of rustling going on in the outer room as bags were hauled in through the front door and dumped summarily on the table. He grinned slightly, imagining Bob’s pique at having to shop.

He walked out of his bedroom in time to see Bob step back inside the apartment, arms laden with a second load of bags.

“She better wear this stuff, Alric,” Bob grumbled under his breath as he dumped his second handful on the couch. “I’m not returning it. Once was enough, thank you very much. I swear, the shops are insane, what with it getting close to Christmas and all.” Finally, relieved of his burden, he collapsed in one of the chairs. “Next time you do the shopping.” 

Alric wisely held his tongue and started going through the packages, his critical eye taking note of the fine quality of the shirts, pants, shoes, and other things that soon covered every available surface in the living room. Bob also made sure to get rugged outerwear, perfect for winters in the Far East.

“Did you get something for yourself?” 

Bob nodded. “Just a few things to supplement what I already had.” 

“Good. I’m going out tonight. I’ll pick up a few things myself on the card. Tomorrow morning I’ll hit the bank, make a withdrawal, then we’re out of here.” 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Adam found Spike in the study thumbing through the books Jocelyn’s family had managed to acquire from the Watcher’s Council over the years. Though the clan had been through a half dozen already, none of the references to a vampire named Renee had to do with their own Renee.

Spike looked up from his book as Adam approached. 

“What is it?” he asked; his body tensed at seeing his childe’s expression. 

“He’s gone.” 

Spike didn’t ask who. “How?” 

“He made a sizable withdrawal from one of our banks in London—”

“How sizeable?” 

“Half a mil.” 

“Fuck.” 

“It’s my fault. I didn’t see… I didn’t think…” 

“No. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I’m assuming he’s gone to ground, severed all communications?” 

Adam nodded. Alric was well aware of the clan’s capabilities and was smart enough to get around them. On a whim, he’d made several calls to Alric’s secure mobile phone and they’d all gone straight to voicemail, which meant his phone was off, or destroyed. He’d hacked into the system, and was relieved to find a signal – the phone still worked – and he tracked it through the GPS. 

“The phone signal is just outside Chinatown. Building is owned by a N’agrom demon. Peaceable enough.”

Spike stood and started for the door. “Come on. Let’s see if we can find a clue as to where he’s gone. Asia was probably a smokescreen.” 

~*~*~*~*~

“Don’t go…” 

Joyce looked in the mirror, saw Giles get up off the bed and walk towards her. She blushed, but was helpless to look away as he walked towards her unmindful of his nudity. Over the last week, there hadn’t been one inch of his body that she’d not become intimately familiar with. Still, it was a bit disconcerting, given that she was fully dressed. 

Strong arms slid around her waist and drew her back against his chest. She sighed wistfully and let her head fall back against his shoulder; her eyes fell shut and she basked in the feelings of safety, comfort – love – that Rupert could engender, just by holding her.

“Rupert…” she murmured after some time, reluctant to see an end to her all-too-brief holiday. But it was time for her to get back to work, so to speak. She had artwork and artists to discover, and as much as she enjoyed Rupert’s company, really enjoyed his company, she had a business to run.

Giles could feel Joyce slipping away. And he panicked. 

“Move in with me,” he announced abruptly, shocking even himself.

Joyce’s eyes flew open and locked with Giles’ in the mirror. 

“Wha—?” 

“Move in with me,” he repeated, this time with a little less desperation and a lot more conviction.

“Rupert… I…” She pulled away and turned around to face him. “I mean…” 

“I… I… care about you…” he admitted, cutting off what was surely to be a negative answer. He glanced at his feet for a moment, scared to look in her eyes and see rejection staring him back in the face.

“But what about your job…? The Council? I don’t think—” Joyce was at a loss. Of all the things to come out of his mouth, his proposition was the least likely. No matter what Angelina had hinted at. 

“Bugger the Council,” he whispered heatedly, for once forgetting to adhere to his rigid upbringing – stiff upper lip and all that. “I do not recall where it is written that I had to inform them of my personal affairs. Whom I see has no relevance on how I perform my duties. And if Quentin has a problem with that… well… he can bloody well sod off for all I care.” 

Joyce’s lips twitched. “Sod off?” 

“Er… um… yeah?” 

“Oh, Rupert!” She giggled then. “I… you… ‘bugger the Council!’” Suddenly she was laughing. Laughing so hard tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. She snorted, which sent her off on another round. Her hands gripped the bureau behind her to keep her upright. “I think… that’s the first time I’ve heard you curse aloud. I… I didn’t know you had it in you.” 

“I apologize for being crass, but I—” 

“Crass? Oh god, Rupert… stop…” 

“I hardly see this as being funny,” he frowned. He was damn near laying his heart on the line and the woman was mocking his speech? 

Joyce bit her lip and tried to appear contrite. Which was especially difficult given Rupert’s disgruntled expression. “I’m sorry…” she began, then took a few deep breaths before continuing. “It’s just… you have a… a way with words.” She sobered, stared at him intently. “Do you think this could work? You. Me. Us,” she asked him honestly. 

“Yes,” Giles responded, equally candid. “Yes, I do.” He moved forward, wrapped his arms around her back and held her loosely in front of him.

Joyce looked up at Giles, saw the hesitation and hope in his eyes. 

Then took a chance. 

“Alright.”

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