TERRITORY:.

PREQUEL.

By Susan A. Bliler.

DEDICATION.

For Mama Our true pack leader.

Chapter 1.

What in the f.u.c.k is he doing here? Chloe seethed at the sheer audacity, her dark almond shaped eyes glinting with fury. Releasing her mother's hand, she stood and stepped out of the pew before she strode determinedly down the aisle without looking back.

Outside the church, she found a secluded corner and tucked her slight frame into the dark recess before exhaling slowly. Her breath escaped in a great white puff. The rain had been falling for five straight days, and in Montana cold always accompanied the rain.

Chloe tilted her head up to the drearily darkened sky and let the fat drops splash down on her too warm cheeks. Five days of rain, and five days since her brother had been killed. G.o.d she wished she smoked, or drank, or had some horrible habit that could give her even a minimal respite from the throbbing ache of misery that had settled in her chest. She couldn't breathe and she didn't want to. She wanted to find a dark corner, curl up, and sleep for a hundred years so that when she woke the memory of her older brother would have faded and she wouldn't know the dull pain that now squeezed her heart so tight that she didn't think she could stand it.

How much pain can a person take? She'd asked herself that question over a hundred times in the past five days. G.o.d, I can't do this!

Tears stung at the back of her eyes and she inhaled deeply, surprised that her tears would choose now to come forth. All throughout the day she'd waited for her tears, but they hadn't come. They hadn't come when her mother moaned in agony as her brother's casket was wheeled into the church, and they hadn't come when she'd stood to tell the room full of strangers what a wonderful human being her brother had been. Finally, after enduring dry-eyed the misery of her only sibling's funeral, she'd concluded that she'd cried every last tear that she could and there simply weren't any left within her to shed. But now tears welled in her eyes and it disgusted her that her emotions were so raw that she honestly didn't know if they came from sadness at the loss of her brother or anger at the appearance of her enemy.

Pushing off the wall, she dropped her head and looked down at her hands. They were small hands, but capable. Anger roiled within her as she envisioned stalking back into the church and wrapping those very hands around the throat of Dell Blackbird. Motherf.u.c.ker! He's got some serious bra.s.s to show his face here! It was insulting. As if her family hadn't been injured enough by the Blackbirds, now in their most solemn hour Dell had the nerve to show up.

For what? Out of respect? Her teeth clenched and her hands balled into tight fists at the thought of Dell extending his hand to her mother and offering up his sympathies. Son of a b.i.t.c.h!

But even the anger couldn't last. She was too exhausted. Over the past five days she'd run the gamut of her emotions, and she'd felt pure raw sentiment more powerfully than she'd ever believed she could feel. Now it seemed she couldn't hold on to any one emotion longer than a few fleeting moments. It took too much energy, and at the end of the day she knew that no amount of anger or agony would bring her brother back.

Dell walked confidently to the front of the church. His powerful frame donned the appropriate form fitting black suit. He shouldn't be here he knew, but it wasn't in his character to stay away. He heard audible gasps as members of the Lott family watched him stalk to the front of the church.

The room reeked of pain and sadness. It was stifling, but the worst was the heavy air of regret. Not his own regret, but G.o.d knew his contributed. Then slowly, the deeper he walked into the church, the scent of anger grew stronger as more and more acknowledged his presence. It was a risk to be here, but it was honorable and whether the Lott family knew it or not, he was an honorable man. His family was honorable.

He pulled a braid of sweetgra.s.s from the inside breast pocket of his dark suit jacket and stepped up to the casket. Donnie Lott looked more peaceful in death than he ever had in life. Dell had only ever seen the other man angry and he swallowed back bitterness at the knowledge that the Blackbird family had been the cause of Donnie's anger and death.

Donnie was a mere two years older than Dell, the exact age of Dell's older brother, Mace. Staring down at the still cold form, Dell remembered the ridiculous headline in the local paper four days earlier. 'Two Men Fight to the Death Over Suicide of Local Woman.'

Dell exhaled deeply as he tucked the sweetgra.s.s under Donnie's stiff fingers. "Swift travel brother." He turned then and was slammed by the overwhelming scent of blinding fury. His eyes slid over the church, not making direct eye contact with anyone in particular as he tried to pinpoint the source. When a slender female in the first row stood and turned to storm down the aisle, he knew the scent had come from her. Chloe.

Dell had heard nothing but good things about Donnie's sister. While he'd never actually met her, he knew that she was well liked in the community for her generosity and kindness.

Dell watched as she shoved open the back doors of the church and disappeared into the rainy night. With her fury gone, the room settled back into their pain and misery and none was more prominent than that of the elderly woman in the front row.

Solemnly, Dell approached the woman he knew to be Donnie and Chloe's mother. If she knew who he was, Bea didn't let on as she stood to accept his outstretched hand and to thank him for coming. Dell inhaled deeply trying to catch the slightest hint of anger or resentment, but there was only pain. It was the type of pain that could only emanate from a mother attending the funeral of her only son. He'd scented the same agony yesterday when his family held ceremony and his mother watched as his own brother was buried.

"On behalf of my family, I'd like to express to your our deepest regret and most sympathetic condolences. Please know that we pray only peace, hope, and strength for you and your daughter."

The frail looking woman clasped Dell's large hand in both of hers before nodding and looking up. Her mournful brown eyes shimmered with unshed tears, "I too pray we all find peace."

Her words spoke volumes. She knew who he was, and with a divine beauty, she stood before him wishing him and his family well as she stood attending her own son's funeral. Dell's throat thickened with emotion as he nodded once before lifting her hands to his lips and kissing them before he released her soft fingers. Dell made no eye contact with any other attendee as he strode from the church.

Chloe tucked her body tighter into the dark corner as she heard the church doors creak open. Is it over?

She groaned inwardly as she realized the funeral continued, someone had just decided to leave early. She eased out of her dark recess and inched down the wall to peer around the corner that hid her from view of the church's front steps. Catching sight of the hard frame dressed in a sharp black suit, she recoiled instantly forcing her frame harder against the wall. Dell. Anger swelled within her again as she debated confronting him. But what was the use? It wouldn't solve anything.

They killed your brother! She shoved off the wall, prepared to confront a man she'd never even met, but her resolve dissipated when the sound of approaching footsteps had her plastering herself back up against the wall.

"Well?"

Chloe heard the female's voice and peered around the corner to see that Dell was standing face to face with an unknown woman, his back to Chloe. Like Dell, the woman had raven black hair, but hers was pulled up into a tight chignon that emphasized high cheek bones.

"How'd it go?" The woman prompted.

Dell sighed heavily before offering a weary sounding, "As good as could be expected."

"No problems?" The woman prompted.

Problems? Why would there be problems at a funeral? Granted the Blackbirds weren't welcome, but it's not like Chloe's family would cause a mutiny at their arrival. Well, no one besides her.

Chloe moved her head trying to catch a better glimpse of the woman who stood only shoulder high to Dell even in her black high heels. The woman was dressed for attendance, her outfit nearly replicating Chloe's. Both women wore black pencil skirts with black suit jackets, but while the other woman's perfectly applied make-up and well done hair were shielded from the downpour by the black umbrella she held, Chloe felt like a drowned rat. Her hair was now plastered to her head, and she could feel the rain running down her face in chilly rivulets. She didn't care; she knew she wasn't going back into the church.

"No problems." Dell conceded.

Chloe thought she caught him motioning with his head in her direction, so she quickly pulled back and quietly settled herself back into her dark corner. Does he know I'm here? Impossible! She tried to listen in on the rest of Dell and the woman's conversation, but the rain picked up and the cacophony of rain splatter on asphalt and nearby pa.s.sing cars drowned out their words.

Chloe tilted her face up and closed her eyes, letting the rain pelt down on her face. I don't give a f.u.c.k! Rain. RAIN! she challenged mocking the skies.

Distracted only momentarily by Dell and his friend, Chloe's thoughts reverted to her brother. The heavy weight of sorrow that she'd been carrying for five straight days settled back onto her chest. She toed off her heels and completely ignored them, leaving them on the ground next to the wall as she pushed off it and began walking away from the church, no longer caring if Dell or his friend spotted her.

She was halfway down the block when the sharp cadence of heels clicking rapidly down the pavement caught up with her.

"Chloe."

She ignored the call.

"CHLOE!"

She didn't turn to acknowledge the woman that had been talking with Dell even as she caught up to Chloe and lightly touched her arm.

Instead of trying to stop her, the woman kept pace as she switched the hand in which she held her umbrella in an effort to afford some sanctuary to Chloe as well as herself.

"I'm Cindy."

Chloe didn't break her stride as she gritted her teeth. Like that should mean something to me!

The woman continued, "Cindy Gorr."

"And?" Chloe bit out angrily, wanting to be alone.

The woman grabbed Chloe's arm roughly and jerked her to a stop. "My maiden name is Blackbird. I'm Mace's sister."

Chloe stuttered to a halt and turned on Cindy with angry eyes. "What do you want?" She could see now that the woman had a light sprinkling of freckles high on her cheeks, but that was the only interruption to perfect tan skin that left no question as to the woman's native ancestry.

"Dell would like a word."

Chloe snorted. "No. That's a word, take that to him."

Cindy's features darkened, "You can come willingly, or I can make you."

"Well," Chloe scoffed, "you can certainly f.u.c.king try."

Cindy frowned at the slightly taller woman, "It wouldn't be a fair fight."

"If you find yourself in a fair fight," Chloe began, "then you haven't planned properly."

Cindy's frown cracked into a genuine grin. She too enjoyed the expression and used it often. She tilted her head studying Chloe silently, deciding that had they met under different circ.u.mstances, the two would have been fast friends. But they hadn't, and Chloe had no idea who or what she was f.u.c.king with. "He won't wait much longer."

Chloe shook her stiff fingers before she ran them down her rain drenched face. "Look, I just buried my brother." Chloe c.o.c.ked her head, a scowl marring her features. "You remember him? Donnie. Donnie Lott." Chloe took a step closer in challenge, "You know, the one your brother killed."

"You aren't the only one to have suffered the loss of a much loved brother."

Chloe shook with rage as she balled her small hands into tight fists. She'd never wanted to punch someone so bad in her whole life. Instead, she dipped her head and ground out through clenched teeth, "My brother was fighting to protect what was his. What was your brother doing?" Chloe watched as Cindy took a calming breath.

"I don't expect you to understand. Look, I'm not here to fight with you. Dell just wanted to have a word with you and I thought it'd be better if..."

"If what? I don't want to talk to him." Chloe pointed in the direction of the church. "I don't want to talk to you! What I want is for you people to leave me and my family the f.u.c.k alone." Chloe turned on Cindy and strode angrily away.

Unable and unwilling to do anything else, Cindy merely watched until Chloe was swallowed up by the blackness of the October Montana night.

As Cindy shook off her umbrella and slid into the car, Dell didn't have to ask what happened. He'd heard it all.

Dell turned to stare out the window and the light that shone down the church steps in multi-colored patterns as it filtered through the intricate stained gla.s.s.

"You should let it go brother."

Dell turned to stare at his sister. "Our brother killed hers because our brother's wolf claimed the man's wife!" His tone was angry. "How can I let it go Cindy? We've ruined their lives and we can't even explain to them why."

Cindy shook her head, "It's not Mace's fault his wolf claimed a married woman. He couldn't control it, you know that."

Dell's eyes glittered with rage. "You're wrong! Mace's wolf couldn't control it. But it's the man's job to control the wolf." Dell shook his head as his eyes slid down to his hands, "This never should have happened. Three people are dead because Mace couldn't control himself. Because of what he was...of what we are."

Cindy argued, "He was in love Dell! Do you get that? He was madly and deeply in love with a woman he couldn't have. He got that. It was his wolf that didn't understand, but it wasn't his fault. Do you think Mace knew that woman would kill herself over her inability to choose between him and Donnie?"

"No," Dell barked, "but if Mace had stayed away, let the man grieve for his wife in peace none of this would have happened. They'd both still be alive. Donnie and Mace would both still be alive."

Cindy turned to stare out her own window, "You don't know what it's like Dell. When you find your mate you'll know, but right now, you have no idea what it's like to have your mate. To claim your mate. I couldn't imagine if another woman had a claim to my Mike. If I couldn't have him." Cindy sobered turning and reaching out to touch her brother's knee, "I can honestly tell you I probably wouldn't have done anything differently than Mace had."

Dell's features contorted into a sneer, "It's inexcusable. And it's weak."

Cindy's lips twitched into a rueful smile as she reclined back into the b.u.t.tery softness of the leather interior that lined the vehicle. "You'll see big brother. One day, you'll see."

"I don't want to see. I want to make amends with that d.a.m.n family for what we've done, for what Mace has done."

"There's nothing you can do Dell. They don't want our help or our apologies. What would you say to her anyway? 'Hi, my name is Dell Blackbird. My brother killed yours but it wasn't his fault. You see we're shifters and my brother's wolf claimed your sister-in-law. So you can see the only resolution was for your brother and mine to fight to the death over love of the same woman.'" Cindy threw up her hands, "Christ Dell, let it go. I'm telling you if we don't walk away now, this is only going to end badly."

Dell shook his head. "I can't let it go. Did you scent her rage? She hates us." He shook his head, his eyes drifting back to the rain, "Unchecked rage begets action. We don't need enemies. We can't afford them. I will fix this-for their sake and for ours. I'll make it right."

"You can't bring them back."

Dell reached up to rap the window with one knuckle. "I know, but I can't just leave things as they are. That family, that girl...she deserves an answer."

Cindy sighed, "And that is the one thing you can't give them."

Silence hung between them for several moments before Cindy sighed and added, "And she's hardly a girl Dell. She's the same age as you."

Chapter 2.

Chloe stood in her mother's bathroom drying her long black hair with a fluffy white towel when she heard the front door click open then close just as softly. Draping the towel around her shoulders, she sucked in a breath, bracing her hands on the sink as she met her own gaze in the mirror.

She looked like h.e.l.l, and for her mother's sake, she wished she didn't. There was nothing she could do about the dark circles under her eyes, so she picked up a brush and attempted to tame her long straight locks into some semblance of order. She opened the cabinet and retrieved her mother's lipstick. Applying a thin layer to her full lips, she took a deep breath then descended the stairs.

"Hi mom." Chloe wrapped her arms around her mother's slight shoulders from behind. She felt her mother stiffen then her shoulders hunched and a long moan of agony tore loose as her mother's body wracked with uncontrollable sobs. Chloe knew she'd fought hard to hang on to her misery through the service, but now alone in their own home; her mother had no strength left.

Chloe didn't speak, she didn't have to. She knew there were no words that would offer her mother any solace, so she did the only thing she could. She simply held her mother as her heart broke into a thousand little pieces within her chest, as her own warm tears slid silently down her cheeks.

Hidden by the thick foliage of the woodlands behind the two-story brick house, Dell watched solemnly as Chloe held her mother.