Crescent Moon
Part 2

Summary: Richard and Jean-Claude realize they must rely on each other in Anita's absence.
Disclaimer: All characters, situations belong to author Laurell K. Hamilton. I'm only borrowing them to help pass the time. Don't sue me.
Author's note: Big thanks to Melinda for the bunny and the beta!

Standing a short distance from the ancient throne which served as the focal point of the Thronnos Rokke Clan's lupanar, Jean-Claude looked past the assembly of werewolves gathered before him to the shadows of steep hills beyond the clearing. He then gazed up into the night sky at the crescent-shaped moon nestled among a dazzling array of glittering stars.

With Jamil and Shang-Da at his left side, Sylvie on his immediate right, Richard took his place on the throne. Jason stood beside the black curtain behind the throne, keeping his eyes determinedly on Jean-Claude. Despite the fact Jason was a young werewolf Richard had personally mentored, Jason was here tonight for Jean-Claude, not his Ulfric. In many ways, Jason belonged more to the master vampire than he did to Richard. Tonight, that arrangement might prove beneficial, so Richard was not about to begrudge Jean-Claude the young wolf's loyalty.

Richard's attention was divided between watching Jean-Claude's silent scrutiny of the moon, and the packs' agitated rustling. On any other night, most of the lukoi would be up in arms by now over the inexplicable delay of the meeting, but tonight, the pack stood before their Ulfric, merely watching and waiting.

The wolves' wary, inquiring eyes shifted from their Ulfric to the master vampire in their midst. As expected, Jean-Claude's presence had both unnerved and excited them, but there were none of the usual aggressive displays or angry outbursts Richard had anticipated Jean-Claude's presence might have provoked. In fact, it seemed the vampire's presence was actually deterring it--but with power, not intimidation or awe.

There was no doubt in Richard's mind each individual pack member could feel his increased power tonight and had rightly attributed it to Jean-Claude. Jean-Claude's link with the lukoi and Richard, enhanced their links to each other. Richard had never felt this kind of unity with his pack, even when using Anita's power. The fact the wolf was Jean-Claude's animal probably had something to do with that. Richard could combine his power with Jean-Claude's in a precise, perfect blend that touched the lukoi on a different plane. That combined power flowed throughout the lupanar in a permeating wave, tying them all together as a single entity made up of many harmonious powers and one collective mind.

He knew it gave the wolves the same sense of unity he felt, and served to strengthen their own powers. Apparently, for the time being, they were too preoccupied with soaking it all in to be 'up in arms' about anything.

Jean-Claude was still staring up at the moon. Richard turned his gaze towards the moon as well and his mind immediately flashed on a darkened wood of poplars and wild ash trees that was at once both familiar and unfamiliar to him. The forest's floor was thick with fallen black limbs and decaying yellow leaves. They crunched beneath the paws of several large gray wolves as the animals paced to and fro. Richard could see the wind ruffling their fur, hear their excited whines, and smell each individual wolf's musky, gamey scent. In the sliver of light from that crescent moon, a man's slender, pale hand extended towards them, palm upward in offering. A small cloud of breath billowed from his parted lips in the sharp coldness of the night as the wolves rushed forward to greet him. The sensuous sound of Jean-Claude's distinctive laughter filled the air.

Richard quickly looked back at the master vampire in front of him. Slowly, as if sensing his gaze, Jean-Claude peered over his shoulder at the Ulfric and smiled astutely. It made Richard wonder if he had purposefully shared that memory with him.

"I see many new faces," Jean-Claude told him. He made a sweeping gesture with his hand over the assembled werewolves. "The pack has grown. There are some here I have yet to meet."

Gazing out at the lukoi, Richard realized how true the vampire's statement was. The pack had grown so fast since he'd become Ulfric, even he didn't know everyone on a close personal basis yet. He was hoping Jean-Claude could use this time before the meeting began to bond with the pack. If they knew who, and what, he was to them exactly, it might sway their loyalty in the right direction when the time came.

"Do you want me to formally introduce you?" Richard asked Jean-Claude, with a shrug of inquiry.

Jean-Claude shook his head slowly. "There is no need for formality," he responded, dispelling the notion with a quick wave of his hand. "But an introduction would be nice."

Richard stood up. All eyes were immediately drawn to him. He cleared his throat.

"For those of you who may have been sleeping under a rock for the past three years," the Ulfric began facetiously, "this esteemed person standing beside me, is Jean-Claude. He is the Master of the City. He is your master, as I am your master. We are his animal to call." Richard glanced over at the vampire. "Jean-Claude and I are one person tonight. If any one of you tries to harm him in any way, it will count as an act of agression against me personally, your Ulfric, and will be a challenge to my authority. Hear this, all of you. I will not hesitate to punish...or even kill, anyone who causes him injury." Richard paused to scan the startled faces peering up at him. "I'm not speaking metaphorically either. What harms Jean-Claude harms me as well and vice versa."

"How is that possible?" someone asked to his left.

Richard recognized one of his newer members. "Jean-Claude and I are part of a triumvirate of power. Both of us share our power with Anita Blake, your lupa, in a forged, metaphysical link."

"How does it work?" another voice called out.

Richard didn't see who it was, but turned and faced the direction the inquiry came, then peered over at Jean-Claude. "You could probably explain it better than I could," he stated.

The master vampire smiled, but shook his head. "You're doing just fine. Keep going."

Richard frowned briefly, then continued. "The triumvirate lets us draw power from each other to increase our own. Liken this exchange of power to a river current, running back into the same sea which fed it at a different geographical point." The Ulfric licked his lips nervously and looked back at Jean-Claude for reassurance.

The vampire merely nodded. "That is the way a triumvirate should work anyway," he added, flatly.

Richard sighed and faced the lukoi once more. "Jean-Claude has graciously consented to share his power directly with me from now on. Before, I've only tapped into his power through Anita. I'm sure many of you can feel the affects Jean-Claude's direct power has on mine."

There was a low murmuring among the pack as they commented on that aspect with each other. Richard saw Stephan heading towards him and gave him his undivided attention.

Stephan knew Jean-Claude personally. He worked at Guilty Pleasures and served as one of the vampire's flunkies from time to time. So, it didn't surprise Richard when the young werewolf directed his question at Jean-Claude.

"But why are you here, Master? Physically here, tonight?" Stephan began hesitantly, as if unsure he was allowed to question Jean-Claude about such things.

The vampire's eyes flicked to Richard's briefly with unspoken inquiry, before answering Stephan's question. "Proximity to each other enhances our power even more," Jean-Claude replied ambiguously, clasping his hands behind his back unobtrusively.

The look on Stephan's face told Richard that wasn't the answer he was hoping for, but Richard was grateful Jean-Claude did not reveal their intent for the evening. Richard stepped forward and held up his hands.

"Just know this," he declared. "Jean-Claude has agreed to be here tonight because having him close to me increases my power, just like he said. Exactly why he is here, is between Jean-Claude and myself. The meeting will begin shortly. We shouldn't have too much longer to wait." With that, Richard resumed his place on the throne and took a deep steadying breath.

Out of the corner of his eye, Richard spied a woman making her way to the front of the pack. It was one of the newer members of the Thronnos Rokke Clan, Paris. Richard couldn't help but notice she was wearing a flimsy white blouse so sheer he could make out every detail of her white lace brazier, and red capri pants so tight, they left little to the imagination. Richard tried not to stare at her, but she was a very attractive woman and she knew it.

Paris liked to think her position in the pack was above that of her true status because she believed Richard was attracted to her, and therefore, her opinions mattered far more than they actually did.

Richard would admit to finding her intriguing, and too often tolerated the prerogatives she thought that gave her, but he also found her utterly irritating at times. Now, as she continued forward, smiling with a cloying sweetness and bearing a single long-stemmed rose in her perfectly manicured hands, Richard shook his head subconsciously. He had enough things to deal with tonight without having to fend off Paris, but as it turned out, Paris wasn't approaching him after all. Her sights were fixed on the vampire standing rather inconspicuously on the fringe of the assembly. Well, as inconspicuous as Jean-Claude could be, Richard noted, in black leather and crepe.

Jean-Claude turned his attention fully on Paris as she came to stand before him.

"There was a rumor circulating that you might be here tonight, Jean-Claude," Paris began in a soft, coy voice, respectfully keeping her head bowed. "I've always wanted to meet you, but have never had the chance to before. My name is Paris." She curtseyed rather melodramatically and then extended her hand, offering the vampire the white rose she held. "May I personally welcome the Master of the City to our lupanar."

As Jean-Claude accepted the rose from her, Paris looked up at him and smiled.

"How thoughtful of you, Paris, to welcome me so intimately," the vampire replied in a sultry, breathy voice. "I speak of intimacy because I have quite a penchant for roses, did you know? And because your gift speaks to me with a personal language. A language of the heart." He paused and studied the flower with a savory finesse. "A white rose is symbollic of passion. How appropriate your choice...for I can tell you are a passionate woman." He brushed the rose petals across his lips, inhaling its fragrance deeply, then reached down and trailed the rose bud slowly over Paris' flushed cheek. "Merci beaucoup, ma cherie." The vampire layed the rose carefully on the smooth stone at the top of the back of the throne.

Richard rolled his eyes, finding it hard to believe women really responded to that kind of condescension. When he looked out at the mesmerized faces of the women in his pack, however, he realized not only did they respond to it, they reveled in it. Exuding his charm, Jean-Claude had cast a spell over them as effortlessly as if he'd used his vampiric powers. With Paris, Richard could almost understand, but how Jean-Claude had ever gotten Anita to fall in love with him using so much drivel, was one of those unanswerable mysteries of the universe that would forever plague mankind.

Thoroughly enchanted, Paris batted her eyes and took a deep, ragged breath before turning somewhat reluctantly to face Richard.

"Won't you tell us why Jean-Claude graces us with his presence tonight, my Ulfric?" she addressed him, her voice seductively dropping an octave.

Normally Paris' efforts were spent on Richard. His lupa was A.W.O.L. and Paris was ambitious, to say the least. What she hoped to gain from currying favor from the vampire, Richard couldn't say.

Furrowing his brow, Richard cleared his throat. "He's here because I wanted him here," he stated, a little more harshly than he had intended.

Unphased, Paris only smiled, reaching up to caress her cheek where Jean-Claude had touched it with the rose. She stood staring up at the vampire with blatant adoration as more of the lukoi drifted forward to greet him. The master vampire stretched out his hands, exchanging small touches and soft words with them, pouring his power over them while basking in theirs.

Feeling inexplicably annoyed, Richard had to admit, the master vampire was suave and romantic, and some women were simply drawn to that sort of thing. Richard had just never personally seen anything to this degree before, and it made him think about Anita again. He and Jean-Claude were polar opposites, yet she claimed to love them both.

Somehow, someway, Jean-Claude had stolen half of Anita's heart and held it captive under lock and key. The only thing Richard could think of was, there must be some secretive side to Jean-Claude that only Anita knew, that Richard had yet to see. Some complex part of himself the vampire normally kept hidden away that had made her respond to him--that made her fall in love with him.

Well, Anita loved him too, Richard told himself, as he watched Jean-Claude at the forefront of the pack, mingling with his wolves; men and women alike now.

It was hard to forget the bitter rivalry Anita's divided heart had forged between them, and even harder to actually join forces with said rival. Passing his hand over his face, Richard told himself to calm down. The rivalry was over and had been for a long time actually. But the way the lukoi interacted with Jean-Claude now filled Richard with an ironic sense of that old jealousy.

Richard had hoped Jean-Claude could win them over this way. He would need their loyalty as much as Richard did. Jean-Claude was their master just as Richard was their master, but the wolves seemed almost eager to accept the vampire's authority over them. The look in their eyes told Richard they would die for Jean-Claude if he asked them too. It had been a long time since Richard had seen such devotion for him reflected in the eyes of his pack.

Jean-Claude glanced over at Richard and smiled triumphantly. It suddenly occurred to Richard that perhaps that was the point of this patronal display. Perhaps Jean-Claude was trying to teach him a lesson.

"Jean-Claude," Richard called out, swallowing down his suddenly flaring temper. "Enough already. Back off."

The master vampire faced Richard again, surprise flickering in his dark eyes. "Whatever do you mean, mon ami?" Jean-Claude replied quietly, reschooling his expression into one of complete guilelessness. "I seek only to soothe and commune with them. It is within my right to do so. Their animals recognize me and respond to my power."

Richard rose to his feet and was standing before the vampire in the blink of an eye. "You heard me," he said through gritted teeth. "You've proven your point. I see how they submit to you." He grabbed Paris and hauled her away from Jean-Claude despite her hiss of protest, dispersing the others with a forceful wave of his hand. "They're responding to your power all right. Look at these women. They're ready to fall down and worship you."

Jean-Claude fought a smile. "I can assure you, I have done nothing supernatural to cause that," he confessed with a smug arrogance, placing his hand over his heart to emphasize his earnestness.

Richard fought the urge to reach out and grab him by the throat. That kind of aggression would certainly shatter any pretense of an alliance he had hoped to project to the pack, but it was tempting. Besides, he never said anything about him hurting Jean-Claude.

"Enough is enough. Whatever you're doing. Stop it now."

Slowly, the master vampire turned away from the lukoi and focused on Richard. "Why are you so...offended by what I have done?"

Biting his lower lip to keep from saying what he truly wanted to say, Richard leaned closer to Jean-Claude. "These are people. Don't treat them like animals."

Jean-Claude narrowed his eyes slightly and frowned. "Oh, but half of them are animals, mon ami. Just as you are half an animal. You deal readily enough with their human halves while choosing to ignore the animal inside them. That kind of policy will never work with werewolves." He paused and gestured out at the assembly. "You must recognize both the person and the animal."

So this was a lesson after all. Richard closed his eyes and counted to ten before replying. Unfortunately, he didn't feel any calmer when he reached ten. "Listen to me," he glowered at the vampire. "I'll deal with my pack in my own way, thank you. I will lead them, Jean-Claude. Me. Not you."

"Then lead them, Richard," Jean-Claude snapped back. He shifted his weight to one leg and planted his hands on his hips letting his posture convey his frustration and confusion at Richard's fractious behavior.

Richard shook his head forcefully. "I won't let you take my pack from me like you took...." He abruptly stopped, but knew he had already given himself away. He turned and stalked back to the throne. He dropped into it and roughly massaged his eyes.

At first, Jean-Claude looked genuinely startled, then he purposefully softened his expression, and walked slowly over to Richard. He moved to stand directly in front of the throne and bowed his head.

"Is that what this is all about, mon ami?" the vampire inquired, his voice barely audible.

Richard started to deny it, but then looked up into Jean-Claude's eyes and felt his resolve slip away. There was a quiet comprehension in the vampire's steady gaze that made Richard ashamed of the ill-will he still harbored towards him. He nodded reluctantly, swallowing down the uncomfortable thickness in his throat.

"Maybe," he confessed and quickly looked away.

With a theatrical flourish, Jean-Claude dropped to one knee in front of the wolf king, which drew a collective gasp from the assembled lukoi, as well as Richard.

"I will not take your wolves from you, my Ulfric," he began, keeping his voice soft and toneless. "We share them...as we unavoidably share many things which make us more alike than I know you would prefer."

"Like our powers?" Richard concluded hesitantly, not sure where this conversation was going or what point the vampire was trying to make. He was still too shocked by Jean-Claude's little show of submission in front of the pack.

Raising his eyes, Jean-Claude smiled up at Richard, and shook his head slightly. "I was speaking of our love for Anita. We share that and something else. Or have you forgotten, mon ami? We share her rejection. Anita has banished me from her life as thoroughly as she has banished you."

A shadow of pain darkened the master vampire's eyes, and in that instant, Richard knew how much Jean-Claude loved Anita. He had always believed Jean-Claude was simply infatuated with her, and only professed to love her, so he could utilize her power. Richard had never truly believed the vampire really loved her as he did. And clearly Jean-Claude was just as hurt by what she had done, as he was. Something else they shared, Richard noted dismally.

"I'm sorry," Richard murmured. "I tend to get a little overly possessive sometimes, as I'm sure you know."

"I know."

Richard sighed heavily and forced a smile. "Next time just tell me to stop being such an ass and face the fact we're in this together, like it or not."

Jean-Claude cocked his head. "I would not put it quite so crudely." He smiled again, then rose fluidly to his feet and resumed his place behind the throne.

A ragged snarl suddenly cut into the ensuing silence. "I don't believe this!" an angry voice rang out from the assembled lukoi. "What is he doing here? How many more outsiders do you plan to saddle us with, my Ulfric?"

Richard and Jean-Claude turned as one to face the figure pushing his way to the front of the pack. Richard tensed with recognition.

Now the meeting could begin. Jacob had finally arrived. The proverbial thorn in Richard's side. Jacob contested and disagreed with Richard on nearly everything he proposed. He was far from declaring himself Fenrir, but he was splintering the pack in two, pulling those down with him who shared his disenchantment. If Richard couldn't rein them in, Jacob would try to stir his supporters to revolt without having to challenge Richard directly himself. But if Richard got in his way tonight, there would be a challenge issued, and Richard would be the one to issue it. If he really got what he wanted tonight, the mere threat of a challenge would keep a real challenge from being declared.

Jacob's aggression seemed to fill the air, skewering the flow of power which had unified the pack moments before. His power pelted everyone close to him, and several of the werewolves immediately began to shift. Deep growls and piercing howls soon split the night air. The ones who remained in human form shouted and snarled and grumbled in as gutteral a language as their lupine counterparts. The pack physically split in two, many rallying around Jacob as if he were their risen savior. Many rushed forward in a surge of emotion, waving their arms and gesturing to stress complaints lost in the swelling tide of noise.

Wearily, Richard looked up at Sylvie who immediately stepped forward, raising her hands for the pack's attention.

"Quiet down!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs. "You'll get your turn to speak in time!" She managed to quiet the wolves directly in front of her who turned to hush the ones behind them. When silence had fallen on two thirds of the pack, Sylvie tried again. "Let's have order! Your Ulfric wishes to speak!"

Richard raised his hand, effectively bringing a noticeabley higher degree of silence over the lukoi.

"I realize some of you are new to this pack," Richard began, carefully keeping his voice level, but still projecting it across the clearing. "We do things a little differently here, a little more democratically than what you're used to probably. Remember what I said earlier about challenging my authority? Well, tonight, I propose we vote on whether that kind of defiance be dealt with as a formal challenge. Are we agreed?"

"You call this a democracy?" Jacob grumbled, pacing a short distance from the throne. "Did I miss the vote about letting a vampire in our midst? When was this decided? Tell the truth, Richard. We only vote on matters you do not want to take responsibility for."

"Do you have something against vampires, Jacob?" Richard taunted and sat forward as something suddenly occurred to him. Would he be talking about Jean-Claude in such a derisive tone if he knew who he was exactly? Or was he really that audacious? "Are you aware of who he is?"

"I know who he is and I know who he isn't," Jacob muttered. "You're Ulfric here, Richard. Why do you think you need the likes of him beside you?"

He was that audacious, Richard concluded and sat back. He licked his lips before answering.

"If you're so certain I'm Ulfric, Jacob, why are you belittling my attempts to lead democratically? Voting on proposals allows everyone to have an equal voice."

Jacob sneered. "The fact that we vote at all shows you've no backbone for that throne," he shot back, his dark eyes glittering with anger. "A true Ulfric tells the pack this is the way it is going to be. The only law we need is our tradition. It has served our kind for centuries. Who are you to declare it unfit?"

Richard scowled at the werewolf, his hands balling into fists on the armrests of the ancient stone chair. "If that's the way you prefer things, why are you getting all bent out of shape about my decision to bring Jean-Claude here tonight? We didn't vote on that, as you so eagerly pointed out."

"Like I said, we only vote on things you don't want to feel guilty about later."

A scattered chorus of agreement sparked through the assembly of lukoi.

Richard could hardly believe his ears. Jacob was definitely testing the limits. His power was radiating from him like a withering heat. He'd instigate a rebellion tonight, if Richard could not put a stop to it soon.

Cool fingertips touched Richard's face on either side, gathering his long hair together behind his neck. Richard jumped slightly, somewhat startled by Jean-Claude's unexpected caress. But the power between them mingled and rose, pushing Jacob's back with a forceful shove. Richard realized the vampire was creating a physical connection to reinforce his power against Jacob, and relaxed.

Jacob must have felt their infuence because Richard noticed he suddenly seemed to withdraw into himself and look around warily.

Richard's confidence rose along with his power. "So tell me, Jacob, if I up and order you executed for your constant insubordination without first putting it to a vote, would that make me more Ulfric in your eyes?" He struggled to tamp down his temper and took a deep calming breath. "The old laws may have served our kind once but we're not barbarians anymore," Richard continued, addressing all of the lukoi. "We're shopkeepers and waitresses and businessmen. We don't kill our own simply because we don't agree with them. We hear each other out. We compromise. And yes, we take a vote."

Jean-Claude tapped Richard on the shoulder. Richard turned slightly and peered up at him. The vampire subtly bent forward, keeping his eyes on Jacob who was pacing in front of him.

"Your dissident, mon ami?"

"How'd you guess?" Richard replied quietly.

"A dangerous personage to keep around," Jean-Claude murmured. "I would not wait too terribly long to deal with him."

"Hmm, my thoughts exactly," Richard grumbled and glanced at Jacob. "A bluff, Jean-Claude, that's all. No bloodshed."

"And if your proposal succeeds and he calls your bluff? What then?"

Richard didn't get the chance to answer Jean-Claude. Jacob was speaking again. Both the Ulfric and the Master of the City turned their attention back on him.

"Behold," Jacob sputtered mockingly, gesturing at Jean-Claude and Richard, but clearly addressing the lukoi. "The real power behind Richard's throne revealed. The message tonight is clear. With Richard we get a package deal. Two for the price of one. Not his lupa, a human, who has all but abandoned us, not even a Geri or Freki. But a vampire who means to enslave us!" He pointed at Jean-Claude, but turned to face the lukoi. "To him we are nothing but mindless fodder, for tainted sex and supernatural blood. Is this what you want? Richard would have us ruled by a being who feeds on us!"

Several things happened at once after Jacob's outburst. At first, the most noticeable thing was the shocked silence that fell over the lupanar as Jacob's supporters edged slowly away from him. As Richard had hoped, Jean-Claude had garnered their respect before the meeting, if not their undying devotion. They seemed to know Jacob had overstepped his bounds this time and were not about to side with him against the master vampire.

Jason suddenly bolted forward, his eyes fixed on Jacob with murderous intent, clearly feeling the sting of a personal insult. Jamil and Sylvie sprang after him, and had to hold him back. Paris took the opportunity given her and rushed Jacob. She cursed at him and spat in his face for deriding her newfound lord and master.

Meanwhile, Jean-Claude had stalked out from behind the throne and was now heading towards Jacob, his power swirling around him like a cold wind. Richard shot to his feet and seized the vampire by the shoulders.

"Don't!" Richard snarled in his ear, feeling Jean-Claude's power shoot through him with the physical contact. "They're just words! Inciteful words. That's what he does. I told you that!"

Jean-Claude raised his hand, and Richard was hit with another blast of power that made him catch his breath. His own power flared in response and crashed over Jean-Claude like an ocean wave breaching the shore.

Jean-Claude pulled Richard's power into him, his body shuddering as he did. He stood staring sightlessly for the span of a few heartbeats as he allowed himself time to adjust to the melding of such force. Then he faced Richard with eyes that had bled to a solid fiery darkness.

Richard slowly released the master vampire and moved to stand beside him.

"Jean-Claude, please," Richard entreated, a little breathlessly, as he struggled to ride the power as well. "You have a right to be pissed, but don't kill him."

The vampire took a deliberate, menacing step forward and smiled when Jacob gave him ground.

"That's better," Jean-Claude whispered thickly. He glanced back at Richard and shook his head. "Do not fret, mon ami. I will not take someone's life for just committing a mere faux pas," he assured. His deep velvety voice was laced with sarcasm. "After all, that is not the way of your pack, but I do believe a little discipline is in order."

Jacob paled as Jean-Claude turned his attention back on him. He seemed to know he was in deep trouble this time. Everytime Jean-Claude stepped closer to him, he took another step back. Jacob narrowed his eyes and growled low in his throat at the vampire.

"Don't you dare hurt him, Jacob," Richard growled back, his mind readily recalling his pledge to Asher. "You hurt him, I'll kill you. You even try to hurt him, and that will be considered a challenge to my authority, which we will be voting on whether or not to make that kind of challenge dealt with like a real one. So either way, you're dead." Richard motioned sharply to Shang-Da and Stephan, who were standing on either side of him. They seized Jacob by the arms and dragged him up before the vampire.

Richard noticed three of Jacob's staunchest supporters were moving forward to aid their friend. The Ulfric wasted no time in intercepting them. He grabbed the wolf closest to him by the forearm and wrenched it behind his back, driving him to the ground on his knees in front of him. He pushed him forward into the other two who caught him and quickly pulled him away.

"I mean it, damn it!" Richard snarled. "If any of you so much as scratch him, I'll kill you!" He gestured back at Jean-Claude. "He has every right to exact punishment on Jacob. Jean-Claude does not tolerate the kind of disrespect I have put up with time and time again. Well, this is the end of it. I'm not putting up with it anymore either."

The Ulfric turned and went to Jacob's side to address him, and pressed his shoulder up against Jean-Claude's arm for physical contact. He pulled the vampire's power back over his own, and sent it raining down on the hapless werewolf before him to help emphasize his point.

"I am your master and Ulfric. You need to start recognizing authority, Jacob, whether you like who wields that authority over you or not. Jean-Claude is your master as well. You are his animal. Accept that fact and give him what he wants."

Jacob shook his head, fixing his eyes on his Ulfric in desperation. "Please, please," he begged over and over again. "Stop him, Richard. Don't let him bite me!" He screamed suddenly as if overwhelmed by the thought and struggled harder against his captors. "Don't let him bleed me!"

Richard knew Jean-Claude was doing 'something' to Jacob by the way the vampire's power was flowing around him, but was hesitant to try to stop him. He had to admit, it was good to see someone as powerful as Jacob cowering and begging for mercy for a change. Jean-Claude wasn't really harming Jacob, just bullying him in a way Richard personally never would. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad for the pack to think of Jean-Claude as the 'power behind the throne'. It would only help bolster Richard's bluffs if they believed he'd sic the Master of the City on them if they gave him too much trouble.

"Jean-Claude," Richard said, folding his arms across his chest in an attempt to appear casual. He waited until the master vampire looked at him before continuing. "Don't bleed him, okay?" Richard noticed his eyes were back to normal, but he still looked intimidating. Jacob's fear was a thick bitterness in the back of Richard's throat.

Jean-Claude nodded. "As you wish," he consented, but not before facing Jacob and licking his full lips with a decided savor. "Be still now. I've no intention of hurting you."

He reached up and stroked the side of Jacob's face, but Jacob flinched at his touch, looking like he was being attacked more than caressed. He struggled against the wolves who held him again, trying to break free of their grasp. The vampire admonishingly clucked his tongue at him, and took ahold of the back of his neck to keep him still.

"Why are doing this?" Jacob gasped, leaning as far away from the vampire as he could.

Jean-Claude rubbed his thumb over Jacob's cheek. "I know you meant to insult me," he duly informed him. "But instead, you have insulted my pomme de sang--which I find far more offensive." He paused and glanced back at Jason, who was still being subdued by Jamil and Sylvie in front of the throne. Jean-Claude took a deep, measured breath. "Jason means much more to me than what you have so crudely implied. You will apologize to him now to make amends." The vampire signaled to Stephan and Shang-Da to release Jacob. They did, and Jean-Claude immediately drew him forward.

Growling, Jacob tried to push away from him. He turned his face to the side, determined not to look the vampire in the eye if he could help it.

"And if I don't?" Jacob snarled. "Everything I said was true, you can't deny it!"

Jean-Claude smiled, as if pleased to be given another opportunity to show his nefarious side. He wrapped his arm around Jacob's back and crushed the werewolf against him. Then he slid his fingers through Jacob's hair and jerked his head back, exposing the long, line of his bare neck.

Jacob blanched; his terror, combined with Jean-Claude and Richard's consolidated powers, held him all but paralyzed in the vampire's arms.

Seeing this, Richard almost told Jean-Claude to release Jacob, but forced himself to let the vampire finish what they'd started.

"If you do not wish to make amends, I cannot force you," Jean-Claude continued softly. "But know this, my wolf. I may not be allowed to taste of you this night, but there will be other nights my hunger will burn. One of those nights, I will seek you specifically to slake my thirst, and I will take no measures to make it pleasant. Do you understand?" He smiled again, this time purposefully flashing his fangs. As Jacob squirmed in his arms, Jean-Claude leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Best to just apologize now and put it all behind you."

"I'm sorry!" Jacob hissed through his teeth.

"Not to me," Jean-Claude stressed with feigned exasperation. He all but threw Jacob at the foot of the throne in front of Jason. "Him."

Jacob landed heavily on his knees and wisely chose to stay there. He glanced up at Jason hesitantly and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Jason. I'm sorry, all right?" He paused and squeezed his eyes shut tight as if apologizing was actually painful. "I wasn't talking about you specifically...I swear it." Jacob's body unclenched, and he exhaled forcibly as if in relief. He slumped against the ground and cradled his head in his hands.

Richard glanced questioningly over at Jean-Claude, who stood staring down at the errant wolf passively. Chills rippled down Richard's spine and he felt his power settle over him again with an unnaturally cold rush of air. Whatever the vampire had been doing to Jacob, he had apparently stopped.

Nodding his acceptance of Jacob's apology, Jason glanced up at Jean-Claude with unspoken gratitude, and shrugged out of Jamil's grasp.

Jean-Claude nodded benevolently back at him, and stepped around Richard to resume his place behind the throne.

That seemed to be everyone's cue to go back to where they were moments before. Richard slumped into the throne with relief and dragged his hand roughly through his hair.

Jacob climbed shakily to his feet and pushed his way back among the other pack members.

Richard motioned Jean-Claude closer, and the vampire readily leaned towards him. "That worked even better than what we had planned," Richard relayed quietly. "He played right into our hands."

Jean-Claude nodded. "Yes, I believe we put on a rather effective demonstration of our new alliance. If anyone chooses to defy your authority in the near future, I will be very surprised." He lifted Paris' rose from the back of the throne and sniffed it delicately. Something in the distance seemed to catch the vampire's eye, and he looked up into the black hills surrounding the clearing. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "If you feel you are no longer in need of my service, mon ami, I think I will take my leave of you."

Richard followed Jean-Claude's gaze into the hills and spied a solitary figure, barely visible in the thick shadows of the craggy rocks. The figure moved and a single sliver of moonlight fell upon his hair. With that flash of gold, Richard knew it was Asher. He sighed heavily.

"How long has he been up there?" he asked Jean-Claude.

"All night," the vampire replied.

Richard recalled how Jean-Claude had been staring into the hills before the meeting.

"Of course," Richard replied. "You wouldn't let him be with you tonight, but he couldn't stay away either. He cares about you too much."

"Yes," Jean-Claude answered softly, carefully keeping his face free of expression. "I know." His eyes brightened as he turned his gaze back on Richard. "He cares about you as well. He's been watching over both of us tonight."

Richard couldn't help but smile at the thought, but forcefully shook his head. "He's there because he loves you. He lusts after me."

Jean-Claude regarded the Ulfric with an amused look. "You are rather handsome, mon ami. What do you expect?"

"Yeah, so he keeps telling me." Scowling with feigned indignation, Richard held up his hand and clenched it into a tight fist. "I'm warning you, Jean-Claude, if you don't keep him off my back, one of these nights, I'm going to slug him."

"But Richard," the master vampire began solemnly. "I was under the impression you had yet to allow Asher on your back."

Since his delivery was so perfectly deadpan, it took Richard a couple of heartbeats for Jean-Claude's teasing to sink in. When it did, the werewolf cringed and made a face.

"Ah, good one. I walked right into that didn't I?" Richard said, and started to laugh. "Now I know where Asher gets it from." He gazed up at the vampire who was now grinning mischievously and felt the first real stirrings of friendship for him. This might just work out after all, he thought.

Richard reached up and took Jean-Claude's wrist, pulling him down closer, his expression sobering.

"I want to thank you," he whispered in his ear. "If you hadn't made a point of acknowledging my authority, none of this would have made any difference."

Jean-Claude shrugged. "I told you, I have no desire to take your wolves from you. You are their king. When it comes to the pack, your authority stands above mine. I would have submit to your will, even if we had not been trying to make a statement tonight."

Richard furrowed his brow. He hadn't expected Jean-Claude to say anything like that, and it filled him with pride. He had learned a lot about the master vampire these past few days, and was beginning to get a glimpse of what it was about him that made Anita fall in love with him.

"You know, I could do this; I could be Ulfric if I wasn't forced to shed blood all the time. If I had someone as devoted and powerful and intimidating as you for my second-in-command, like you have Asher, I wouldn't have to compromise my principles. I wouldn't have to give up my policies." Enthused now, Richard sat up a little straighter and angled his body to better face the vampire. "We didn't draw blood tonight, we didn't hurt anyone, but what we did sent a powerful message to the pack. If you could act as my enforcer--"

Jean-Claude shook his head, cutting him off. "I am sorry, mon ami, but I have my hands full enough as it is with my vampires. Surely there is someone close to you who fits the bill." He absently toyed with the rose he held, thinking long and hard. Finally, he peered down at Richard and smiled. "Perhaps our little Anita would be interested in the job...when she finds her way back home."

That possibility gave Richard pause. Anita, of course. Jean-Claude was right. She'd be perfect for the job.

"Ulfric, are we ready to discuss the remaining concerns of the pack?" Sylvie inquired, breaking Richard out of his reverie.

Richard faced her. "Yes. Yes. Of course. Let's begin." He looked out over the assembly of wolves and raised his voice slightly. "If there is anyone else who would like to challenge my authority first, let them come forward, if not, let's get down to more mundane matters."

Of course, no one came forward. They all merely stood staring up at Richard expectantly, their eyes shifting every once and awhile to the black-clad vampire standing behind him.

Richard turned and looked up at Jean-Claude. "Go on. Asher is waiting."

Jean-Claude inclined his head respectfully. "Merci et bonsoir, mon ami."

Richard nodded. "Goodnight, Jean-Claude."

He watched as the vampire stepped towards the gathered lukoi. They parted to make way for him as he glided through their midst, reaching out and touching his wolves as he passed them by. His wolves.

Richard noticed Jason hesitated only a moment before stepping around the throne, and following Jean-Claude. Together they made their way towards the hills beyond.