David's Dilemma: La Patron's Den, #4

By Sydney Addae

David's on a mission for his dad, La Patron, to check out Canada for possible expansion. He's traveled from British Columbia to Quebec. He heard of packs in the isolated areas in Newfoundland and became lost in the Torngat Mountains. Lost and low on supplies, he finds himself in a prison for a horny Queen who insists he and Cain bow to her. David intends to survive without dishonoring his parents or the pack. Despite everything, David's heart is taken and he refuses to think otherwise in David's Dilemma.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sydney Addae
• Release date: May 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781937334925

Book preview

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David’s Dilemma

David’s on a mission for his dad, La Patron, to check out Canada for possible expansion. He’s traveled from British Columbia to Quebec. He heard of packs in the isolated areas in Newfoundland and became lost in the Torngat Mountains. Lost and low on supplies, he finds himself in a prison for a horny Queen who insists he and Cain bow to her. David intends to survive without dishonoring his parents or the pack. Despite everything, David’s heart is taken and he refuses to think otherwise in David’s Dilemma.

This is the fourth book in the La Patron's Den Series.

Thanks to my Facebook group, La Patron's Den. This book celebrates all we've been through together for the past four years. Thanks for your support. Thanks to Michelle and Vicky, two great Admins. Also thanks to Kathy B., Vicky Z., Karen M., Sally R., Tristin C., Catherine M., Michelle J., for your continued support in the Nation.

Thanks

Sydney

Book of Jasher

Chapter 43: 36-47

36 And after this, Jacob rose up from the ground, and his tears were running down his cheeks, and he said unto his sons, Rise up and take your swords and your bows, and go forth into the field, and seek whether you can find my son's body and bring it unto me that I may bury it.

37 Seek also, I pray you, among the beasts and hunt them, and that which shall come the first before you seize and bring it unto me, perhaps the Lord will this day pity my affliction, and prepare before you that which did tear my son in pieces, and bring it unto me, and I will avenge the cause of my son.

38 And his sons did as their father had commanded them, and they rose up early in the morning, and each took his sword and his bow in his hand, and they went forth into the field to hunt the beasts.

39 And Jacob was still crying aloud and weeping and walking to and fro in the house, and smiting his hands together, saying, Joseph my son, Joseph my son.

40 And the sons of Jacob went into the wilderness to seize the beasts, and behold a wolf came toward them, and they seized him, and brought him unto their father, and they said unto him, This is the first we have found, and we have brought him unto thee as thou didst command us, and thy son's body we could not find.

41 And Jacob took the beast from the hands of his sons, and he cried out with a loud and weeping voice, holding the beast in his hand, and he spoke with a bitter heart unto the beast, Why didst thou devour my son Joseph, and how didst thou have no fear of the God of the earth, or of my trouble for my son Joseph?

42 And thou didst devour my son for naught, because he committed no violence, and didst thereby render me culpable on his account, therefore God will require him that is persecuted.

43 And the Lord opened the mouth of the beast in order to comfort Jacob with its words, and it answered Jacob and spoke these words unto him,

44 As God liveth who created us in the earth, and as thy soul liveth, my lord, I did not see thy son, neither did I tear him to pieces, but from a distant land I also came to seek my son who went from me this day, and I know not whether he be living or dead.

45 And I came this day into the field to seek my son, and your sons found me, and seized me and increased my grief, and have this day brought me before thee, and I have now spoken all my words to thee.

46 And now therefore, O son of man, I am in thy hands, and do unto me this day as it may seem good in thy sight, but by the life of God who created me, I did not see thy son, nor did I tear him to pieces, neither has the flesh of man entered my mouth all the days of my life.

47 And when Jacob heard the words of the beast he was greatly astonished, and sent forth the beast from his hand, and she went her way.

48 And Jacob was still crying aloud and weeping for Joseph day after day, and he mourned for his son many days.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: THIS passage was found in the Apocryphal Book of Jasher. I took the liberty of naming the wolf, Salah, and using her in this story as a fictional character. Please understand Salah is a complete work of fiction and not found in the Book of Jasher or anywhere other than this story.

CHAPTER ONE

DAVID, SON OF LA PATRON, followed by Cain his adviser and several of La Patron’s Knights, walked along a rugged path in the Torngat Mountains in the northern most part of Canada. Having heard the legends of the native Inuit people, David acknowledged Tungak, the most powerful spirit in Inuit mythology, asking permission to travel before they began their climb.

At higher elevations, nothing stirred, no wind, not even a breeze. Other places were arid and dry, while others were brutally cold. This was their third day in the area following David’s hunch to track a Pack in the area.

So far, his parents indulged him, allowing him to lead the expedition. But if they didn’t find proof soon, his father would demand they return to civilization. David sensed a nearby Pack but couldn’t zero in on their exact location, they were like ghosts. What better place to hide than in mountains called place of spirits?

In his tent last night he sensed a strong presence of someone or something. David wasn’t sure which but couldn’t deny a strong energy had kept him awake long hours into the night. Cain said it was the abundance of wildlife calling to his beast and suggested they hunt before leaving the area.

In addition to the polar and black bear, David sensed the heartbeat of the wolf. It baffled him that Cain and none of the others sensed it. This morning, he woke feeling a kinship of sorts to the majestic beauty of the land and took a small group to discover the secrets of the remote place. With reverence and appreciation, they were careful not to disturb the area where some of the oldest rocks on the planet rested, dating close to four billion years old.

The craggy surface and unforgiving landscape didn’t appear suitable for human life, totally at odds with the foreign heartbeats he sensed. Three hours later, discouraged, tired, dusty and dirty, David turned to Cain.

"We’re going in the wrong direction; the feeling isn’t as strong this way." He looked around the vast mountain vistas, seeking clues of life.  In the distance, he spied what appeared to be water coming from a large rock and headed toward it.

"Where are you going?" Cain said, following with the five Knights.

"There’s something here. Watching. Wolf for certain, but different." David continued, moving with sure-footed steps.

"I’m not picking up anything," Cain said.

That struck David odd, which caused him to hesitate for a brief second. "That’s strange. He looked over his shoulder at one of his Father’s oldest friends and stopped. The energy? You’re not picking up on it?" He looked at Cain and then at the Knights who had moved closer.

Cain glanced at the Knights, gauging their reactions as he spoke. No. I don’t sense anything out here. Well, nothing that alerts my wolf. The mountain is humbling, I sense the people’s ties to the land, which is to be expected. But nothing recent, or pertaining to my beast.

The Knights shook their heads and murmured they didn’t sense anything either.

You’re La Patron’s son, it’s possible you’re more sensitive, Cain offered.

That may be true, but David didn’t think so. Follow me. He turned and moved in the direction of the spot he’d seen moments before. Two hours later, what he had assumed was water flowing from a rock was a trickle from between two boulders.

How had he seen the water from that distance? Why did it look so different now? The trickling sound was muffled as if someone didn’t want it heard. Curious, he moved closer, inhaled and shivered. The most delectable scent in the world teased his nostrils. He had to get closer.

The five Knights sat on nearby rocks watching and drinking water from their canteens.

Cain walked over to him, placed his hand on his shoulder. You find something?

Snared, unable to speak, David stepped closer to the scent. His hand went through the rock, he lost his balance and fell. Cain reached out, grabbed his flailing arm and was pulled down with him to the rocks below.

A JOLT OF AWARENESS woke Nadira from her rest. Someone new had entered her domain. She remained still and looked overhead into the crystals. Two men. She inhaled and frowned. Not men, exactly. One young, and the other old. The past and the present colliding with the future. The younger one bore the mark of the Black Wolf.

Nadira growled low in her throat and sent a whip of energy to greet them. The older responded. She looked closer at the young, marked one and sent a stronger lash of energy at him.

He still did not respond.

Intrigued, she sat up. Maybe these two were worthy of her attention.

CHAPTER TWO

DAVID! ADAM YELLED waking from sleep. Thoughts scrambled, he tried to see into the darkness covering his brother, invading his mind. "Renee, Jackie, where’s David?"

Bella reached over and placed her hand on his arm. What’s wrong? Your heart’s about to come out your chest.

David’s in trouble.

"I can’t reach him," Jackie said.

"Me neither," said Renee.

"We’ve got to find him, Adam said, dread churning his gut. Jackie talk to Sarita, see if she can locate him."

Okay.

"Have you contacted Daddy?" Renee asked sounding near tears.

"He knows, he has to know, Adam said, fighting down the fear choking him. Please Goddess, not my brother, Adam prayed. Is he still in Canada with Cain?"

Yes, northern Canada with the Knights, Renee said. "Adam, what happened? Why can’t I sense him? This isn’t right, David’s always ... he’s always here."

"Sarita can’t reach him," Jackie said in a low, somber voice.

"That’s not good," Renee said.

Not at all, Adam agreed.

"She’s worried," Jackie said. She hasn’t been able to reach him for the past three days.

What? Renee yelled. "Why didn’t she tell somebody? Why didn’t she tell Asia or Hawke, so they could tell Daddy? This could've been avoided if —"

She did. Asia knows. Cain’s been in contact with Daddy every day, last night in fact, Jackie said.

Oh, Renee said. Did they break up or something?

"Something," Jackie said. Sarita didn’t say that, but I got the sense things aren’t that good between them.

"She’s been gone a long time, I never understood why she couldn’t come home for a break," Renee said.

"The same reason Tomas isn’t coming home," Adam said reminding Renee of his close friend and her longtime boyfriend.

"Not the same. Storm’s my mate, that’s a supernatural connection. Sarita doesn’t know if she and David are mates. She could’ve come to see him, eased his mind," Renee said stubbornly.

"How’s any of this back and forth helping us find David? Jackie said. We should be able to lock on him. When I almost died you guys locked on me."

That’s true, Adam said. Let’s meet and link up. The next moment they were in their old playroom on an astral plane. "Weird how this room never changes." They touched hands and sought David.

Renee gasped when she saw him lying on the ground looking like a broken doll with his eyes closed. Immediately, they sent healing energy to his body. They heard the muffled sounds of bones popping and realigning. Sweat poured from their collective brows as they tried to coax David’s wolf to shift and finish healing.

"No," David whispered.

"Thank God," Jackie said as she wiped her eyes.

"David? What happened?" Renee asked sniffing back tears. Her brother had been near death, she couldn’t take this continually happening to her family and broke down in loud sobs.

"Fell, David whispered. Don’t cry, Nee."

She cried harder.

Why don’t you want to shift? Adam asked after taking several deep breaths.

"Watching. Someone’s watching, waiting. I need to know who, what they are," David said.

How can we help? Adam said reaching over and hugging Renee.

Wait with me.

"We’re not going anywhere, Jackie said. If we have to pull energy from everyone we know, whoever’s watching had better not start a war up there."

"Old. Really old energy. Hidden for a long time." He sounded stronger, even though his body hadn’t moved from the ground.

"Can you come to us?" Renee asked.

The next moment David sat in the room with them while his body remained inert below. Renee hugged him. He patted her on the back while watching Adam wipe his face.

Jackie didn’t bother hiding the tears in her eyes and allowed them to fall. What happened?

He told them of the past three days, the energy and the mountain trek this morning.

Sarita said she hasn’t been able to reach you in the past three days, Jackie said frowning. That’s too much of a coincidence.

David hadn’t realized he hadn’t spoken to Sarita which was strange. Surely, they talked last night or the day before. The more he thought about it, he couldn’t recall their last conversation. Worse, he hadn’t given her any thought. He’d been consumed with finding whatever hid in the mountains.

Tell her I’m alright, David said. 

The three of them stared wide-eyed at him.

What? David asked unsure what was the problem.

You’ve never done that, Adam said, looking at David carefully. Did you hit your head?

You want us to talk to Sarita for you? Jackie stressed the last word.

Why don’t you tell her? Renee asked watching him closely.

David opened his mouth and then snapped it closed. I don’t know why I said that. You’re right, I’ll tell her. I’m supposed to do that, not you. He shook his head. Must’ve lost it for a second. He met their gazes, read their concern and exhaled. I’m alright, I promise. Why hasn’t Daddy reached out? Did you tell him I fell? David needed to change the conversation. Something was off, but he didn’t know what.

Raw, sensual energy flowed over his inert body. If he wasn’t here with his den-mates, he would be thrashing in pain on the ground as Cain was. He sensed the presence of someone and wanted his dad’s eyes on whoever came close.

No, Renee said. Didn’t you call him?

David hadn’t and tried to reach him but couldn’t. Fear coated his throat. I can’t get through to him.

Jackie’s eyes widened. Hold on. The next second David saw his father in his sister’s gaze. What happened, David?

David explained their morning and the fall. "Didn’t the Knights contact you?"

No. I haven’t been able to reach anyone this morning. I didn’t know you’d fallen until just now. Let me see where you are.

David returned to his body. He heard Jackie yell before his father short-circuited the whip of energy that hit him and Cain.

What is that? David asked his dad.

"Female energy. Old, sensual. I’ve never sensed anything like it before," his father said.

"Is it wolf or something else?" David asked trying to mask his fear.

"Wolf and something. But definitely a wolf. My guess is it’s someone who’s lived in the mountain a long time. I hear water, which is necessary to live. Looks like a cavern or something. I’m going to try and help Cain," his father said.

David inhaled. The scent he’d tasted before, wrapped around him, filled him and teased his mind with sensual promises.

David, his dad called, mentally shaking him. The next second his system was flooded with chilled energy that had the effect of a cold shower.

"What is that?" David said in a ragged voice. It smells incredible. I...I want to smell more of it.

No, Son. It’s a drug that incapacitates men. Powerful and deadly. I’ve linked Abel to Cain to help him combat it. What he needs is female energy. Jackie’s not impacted at all. One second.

David tried to find the scent again but was blocked.

Okay, I’ve linked Cain to a female source to help dissipate the scent. I want the two of you out of there. Can you see the place you entered? his father asked.

"No. All I see is rock.  I must’ve fallen through a veil or warded gate. Cain was holding on to me. The Knights were sitting a few feet away and haven’t followed us inside, which means they can’t," David said. He explained no one else but him had sensed the energy.

You’re right, that’s strange. I doubt it has anything to do with me, but you never know. First, let’s find a way to get you and Cain out of there. Can you move?

"Yes. David sat up, stretched and looked around. Why couldn’t I reach you before?"

I don’t know. One thing at a time. Abel should have Cain almost done. I want both of you to shift, you’ll need your senses on high alert. Plus, I don’t think that scent will affect your beast.

You’re sure? David asked as he flowed into his beast.

"Not 100%," his dad said as Cain moved to stand next to David.

"Let’s look around and see if there’s a way out of this place," Cain said.

CHAPTER THREE

SARITA HEARD HER NAME and turned. Kim, her former college roommate walked toward her with a soft smile.

Happy to see her friend, Sarita returned the smile and met her in the middle of the doctor’s lobby. Similar in height with dark, long hair pulled back in a pony-tail, jeans and a tee-shirt, Kim pulled Sarita close in a loose embrace, something she always did.

Think positive thoughts, before you know it you’ll be going home to see your parents and David. You’ve got this, Kim said moving some of Sarita’s long, dark wavy hair and placing it behind her ear.

Sarita nodded and took a deep breath. Thinking positive thoughts and hoping you’re right. Thanks for coming, I know this is out of your way. Tell Jake I said hi. Kim and Jake, her mate, were headed for a weekend trip out of town but made this stop to check on her to wish her well.

Will do, Kim said smiling. You’ve got something for the pain or the itching?

Sarita looked around the near-empty room and nodded. She didn’t like discussing her condition but since Kim had the same problem, they discussed everything.

Good. She squeezed Sarita’s hand. Hey, you’re not alone, if you need anything, call me or David. We’re here for you, always. She leaned forward and touched Sarita’s forehead with her own. Love you, Dimples, a nickname she’d given Sarita because of the deep dimple in her right cheek. Take care of yourself.

Sarita inhaled deeply, sought courage and nodded. Will do. Have fun and call me when you get back. Be safe.

Will do, sweetie. Let me know what the doc says. Kim looked at Sarita again. You sure you’re okay? I can stay until you’re done.

Fighting the urge to beg her friend to stay as she had all the other times, Sarita forced a smile and shook her head. No, you guys don’t want to get to the mountains after dark. You’ve got a ways to go. I may stay in town myself rather than drive to my aunt’s in the dark. She released Kim’s hand and stepped back as her name was called.

See, I’m going in now, this won’t take long. Go on, have fun. Talk to you when you get back. Sarita waved goodbye, turned and walked toward the nurse who escorted her to the examination room.

After changing into an exam gown, Sarita stood waiting near the door for the specialist to enter. She closed her eyes and said a quick prayer that this doctor could help her. No one else had been able to do anything. She pulled the garment closer and bit down on the corner of her lip as footsteps stopped in front of the door. Moving back a bit she watched the door open and then released her breath when Dr. Lisa entered.

Hello, Sarita. I’m Dr. Lisa, we spoke on the phone yesterday. She extended her hand. Sarita shook it and took another step back.

The doctor read information on a hand-held tablet for a few seconds and then waved her hand in front of Sarita’ chest and down toward her pelvic area. Everything seems normal. Let’s have a look at the problem.

Sarita exhaled and took off the gown.

Dr. Lisa gasped.

Sarita didn’t blame her. She did the same thing almost every morning.

I’ve never seen anything like this. The black lines are translucent, I see your flesh behind them. The doctor ran the pad of her finger down the longest black line from Sarita’s shoulder down to her pubic hair. How does this feel? She looked at Sarita.

Like you’re running your hand on my skin. There was nothing wrong with the nerve endings. I tried to peel them off once, used a knife to cut out the lines. Not only did the skin grow back, but the black lines doubled in size. Never did that again.

I’m sure. Dr. Lisa pushed, then pinched the black line while watching Sarita. A few seconds later, she shook her head.

Sarita’s heart dropped. Another dead-end failure.

Your blood work is normal. One would think there would be a different color or something behind these black jagged stripes. Fascinating, the doctor murmured as she stared at the dark lines creeping across Sarita’s abdomen like a bad tattoo.

No, I bleed red. Sarita could do without all the fascinatings. She wasn’t in a zoo or a freak. Not yet anyway.

The lines have been growing for five years? the doctor asked.

Sarita closed her eyes, took a deep breath and nodded. She’d explained all this before. Why had she allowed Kim to talk her into coming here? Nothing ever worked. Yes. She left it at that.

If you’d let me run more tests —

Sarita whirled around. What difference does it make?

Helpless, the full-blood doctor shook her head. I don’t know.

Exactly. My wolf can’t stop this from spreading or make it go away. Soon it’ll spread to my chest and back, up my neck and then my face. I’ve been told it’s a curse. Another doctor said it’s a blessing. Another said I’m doomed unless I get the curse lifted. Depressed, Sarita sat on the edge of the examination table and dropped her head. How could she go

Reviews for David's Dilemma

[mintedrose · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wish I liked this book more, but I didn't. It seemed overdone to me, with too many story lines and characters. I had to go back and read previous pages to stay on track. Love David, but in my opinion, he just doesn't come across as a future Alpha of the Nation, no matter how many times someone said it. He's definitely an Alpha Wolf, but more on Hawk's level. Intelligent, smart, cunning, etc., but as compared to Tyrone and Tyrese at this age, Silas' and Jasmine' pups seems too pampered and were more interesting to me as children.