Six Weeks Later....Thea

Thea watched out the corner of her eye as Desiree stared down at a blue and gold invitation with a dark frown. Thea pretended to examine the light teal yarn in her hand as Desiree flicked her wrist and threw it into the garbage. Thea dropped the yarn and picked up the needles as she heard Desiree whisper angrily.

"I don't know how April was able to do this but I know she had something to do with this invitation.  I haven't heard from the higher ups since Vincent died and Simon took over. Now all of a sudden here they are wanting me to show up at the summer summit."

Thea wrapped the yarn around the needles and tried to mimic what Barbara had shown her to no avail.  Thea turned to Barbara and saw she had closed her eyes for a nap. Thea smiled slightly and continued to pretend so she could eavesdrop on the conversation Michel and Desiree were having in the kitchen without them aware.

*

"Ah," chuckled Michel as he took in Desiree's flustered expression.  "That explains the angry look on your face.  Why do you think she had something to do with it?"

"Simon never married her so she cannot rightfully gather the remaining members of the Johansson pack.  She needs me to come back and do it for her," sighed Desiree as she shuffled some papers.

Michel frowned, "Are you going to decline the invite?"

"Hell no," snapped Desiree as she leaned over and snatched the invitation out of the garbage.  "I'd have to have a death wish not to attend."

Michel nodded in agreement as he walked pass her to the cabinet.  "That's true.  I heard the Neil Lamont ignored one of their summons, I mean invitations.  Shortly after the whole pack was attacked by rouges."

"I remember that," frowned Desiree.  "It was talked about by everyone for years.  Even the police got involved.  That pack is a prime example of why packs should remain in consistent contact with the council and other packs."

Michel grunted as he grabbed a tall cup and got some water.  "So what are you going to wear to the event?"

"I have no idea, laughed Desiree as she patted her hair.  "Do you think I should go to the salon and have my hair redone?  I think the color could be more vibrant."

Michel chuckled, "I think you should make a day out of it.  Take Thea and Barb too so they can have a spa day.  Looking at Thea there's no telling when she's gonna be placed on bed rest."

*

Thea ears peaked up at the thought of a spa day but she schooled her features to make sure they didn't know she could hear them.   Thea smirked since her pregnancy she'd been able to hear better but didn't think anyone would appreciate the fact that she could hear them across a crowded room.  With a frown she thought back to something else Desiree and Michel had discussed.

Thea check to make sure Barbara was still asleep before she reached in her pocket and pulled out her cheap flip phone.  She pressed the small globe in the middle of the keypad she waited for the Internet browser to appear.  Thea quickly pressed her keys until she'd typed out name Neal Lamont.

Are they in the mob or some type of gang, thought Thea as she bit her bottom lip and waited for results to populate.   When nothing came up she frowned, Maybe I spelled it wrong.  Thea chewed her lip and retyped Neil Lamont and waited patiently as several news articles showed up.  Damn I need to be more specific to find out what they were talking about.  

Thea snapped the phone close as she rose and stretched her muscles.  She turned and saw that she'd gained both of their attention and sent them an innocent wave. I need to find out if I've just associated myself with the mob, thought Thea as she watched them walk out the kitchen toward her.

"Thea," smiled Desiree as she walked  toward her.  "You look like you are going to pop any minute," she laughed.

Thea looked down at her stomach and frowned, "I'm only in my second trimester.  I prefer if you didn't say I looked like I was about to pop."

"Yeah but with triplets I'm sure you are going to give birth early," insisted Michel as he walked out he kitchen and handed Thea a cup of water.  "There's no way you'd make it to 40 weeks."

"Yeah," mumbled Thea as she stared down at her stomach and smiled slightly.  "Dr. Becker -."

"She told you to call her Brenda," interrupted Desiree warmly as she reached out and touched Thea's stomach.

"Brenda," sighed Thea tiredly, "said I'll probably be put on bed rest in the next few weeks so I don't go into labor before 33 weeks."

"33 weeks seems early," murmured Barbara as she opened and wiped her eyes.  Barbara stared around the room before her gaze landed on Thea's protruding belly.  "She should have put you on bed rest an immediately," chuckled Barbara.  "You're like 24 weeks right?"

"I'm 18," stated Thea with a blank expression.

"Oh you look further along," laughed Barbara as she stood up.

"Leave her alone," sighed Desiree as she took in Thea's upset expression.  "You know she's emotional right now and you're always messing with her.

"She needs to stop being so sensitive," quipped Barbara as she rubbed Thea's belly.  "I wish I looked half as good when I was pregnant with one.  She's practically glowing."

Thea gave them a small smile as she headed toward the door.  "It's Saturday and I have a report due Monday.  I'm gonna go ahead and leave now."

"Thea," called Barbara as she pulled out an envelope.  "Baby don't you need your paycheck?"

"Oh yeah," giggled Thea as she walked back toward Barbara.  "I also need to drop this off at the bank."  Thea gave a small wave and hurried out of the door.

As she closed the door she heard Desiree, "I need to find a dress for the summit in two weeks.  I hope April crazy ass not there talking about taking over someone else's territory again."

Thea covered her mouth to stop the gasp and hurried to the elevator and pulled her phone out and typed:  Neil Lamont + disappearance.  She cringed when the first article came up and snapped her phone close.  "God I hope I misunderstood," groaned Thea as she walked into her apartment.

*********

Two weeks later ... Desiree and Michel

Desiree wiped her sweaty palms down the black skirts of her Tony Bowls asymmetrical silver bead gown as she stepped out of the black stretch Navigator.  She kept an impassive expression as she watched other shifters alight from their chauffeured vehicles and walk into the glass building.

"I can't believe I had to come to this," groaned Desiree as she pasted on a smile and turned to stare at Michel.  "I'm relieved you agreed to be my plus one.

Michel smiled as he popped the collar on his black slim fit Vera Wang tuxedo.  "I'm happy you invite me," he chuckled as he held out his arm. 

"Whatever," giggled Desiree as she batted her eyes at the older man.  "I love what you did to your hair," she cooed.

"I combed it," smirked Michel as he ran his free hand through his silver locks.

"You did a wonderful job."  She paused as they walked to the entrance and handed a young Asian human her invitation.  "Let's get this over with," whispered Desiree as she marched through the entrance in into what her idea of hell was.

*

Roderick stood next Cyrus and stared at the large crystal chandler that hung low from ceiling.  "Why did we have to come to this," mumbled Roderick as grabbed a flute of champagne from a waiter dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants walked passed.

Cyrus pressed her lips together as she grabbed a glass, "Because William and Jasmine are out of the country and because Gabe is indisposed."

Roderick sighed as he took a sip of the extra dry champagne, "I'm tired of coming to these things.  Nothing ever happens."

"Just smile and nod," teased Cyrus as she took a flute.  "We only need to be here for a few hours to make sure the Midnight Pack is represented and then we can leave."

Roderick turned his face up as he stared around the room, "I feel like this is a popularity contest."

"And we'd definitely win," laughed Cyrus as she brushed her free hand over her hand embroidered red dress.  "The Midnight Pack is definitely in the top three of the strongest and most influential packs in the world.  Definitely number one in the US."

Roderick gave a curt nod to a silver haired woman that waved their way.  "I think it's time we mingle," he gritted out through clenched teeth.

"Yes," came Cyrus flat toned response as she started toward a small group of cat shifters, "let's get this over with."

Cyrus entered the group and shook hands and made small talk about the new rules for several minutes before she nodded and wished everyone well so she could proceed to the next group.

"I am definitely going to make sure Gabe pays for this," smiled Cyrus through clenched teeth.  "This is the most tedious one yet."  She waved toward one of the council members and sent them a brilliant smile.  "If I didn't know better they're weeding out the weaker packs."

Roderick raised his glass to his lips and took a sip of the champagne.  "Cyrus they do this every five years or so.  Soon dinner will start and the humans will be dismissed and they will discuss various issues."

"Like," asked Cyrus as a familiar, yet unfamiliar, smell assaulted her nose.

Roderick lips turned down as if in deep thought.  He raised his nose and the air and sniffed, "Do you smell that?"

"Yeah," frowned Cyrus.  "It smells vaguely like Thea."

Roderick eyes moved around the room his gaze landed on every human and dismissed the idea that the scent came from them.  He swung his eyes to the over-decorated entrance and his eyes locked on an older red head that stood next to a silver haired man.

Cyrus followed his gaze and frowned, "Why would two displaced shifters be here?"

"Do you know who they are," asked Roderick with a curious expression on his face.  "Both of them vaguely -."

"They sorta smell like Thea," inserted Cyrus.  "But not exactly like her but like some variation of her."  Cyrus wore a confused expression as her eyes tracked them as they walked toward one of the newer council members.  "They are going to speak to Claude of the Ravenswood Pack.  We should go introduce ourselves."

Roderick shook his head, "No we shouldn't."

"But their scent," snapped Cyrus as her eyes took in every inch of them.

"It's probably a relative of Thea's. Not the bitch Carolyn," sighed Roderick.  "But Thea's father was from the Chicago area."

"Yeah," sighed Cyrus.  "Thea told me her father was from a town called Matteson and that he was disowned when he'd done some things they didn't approve of."  Cyrus eyes never left the older red-head.  "But I still want to find out who they are."

Roderick released a frustrated sigh as he allowed Cyrus to drag him toward the older couple.  "Just don't bring up Thea or her family," he growled.

"I won't," sighed Cyrus sadly as they stepped into the small circle.

"Claude Bonhomme," smiled Cyrus as she glided to him with both her hands out.  "How are you and your lovely mate?"

Claude turned and stared from Roderick to Cyrus before a smile lit his features.  "They are wonderful," he exclaimed as he took Cyrus hands.  "I didn't think I'd see anyone for the Midnight Pack with William and Jasmine out of the country and Gabriel doing missionary work."

"The Midnight Pack," whispered the red-head as she turned to stare at Roderick and Cyrus.  They both waited for her to say more but the silver haired man gripped her arm and shook his head.

"I'm Desiree Johansson and this is my friend Michel."

Roderick eyes widened as he reached out to take the woman's proffered hand.  "Johansson?"

"Yes!" Desiree gave a sincere smile as she stared into Roderick's eyes.  "I'm aware that the Midnight Pack was challenged without permission by my son Simon and members of the Johansson pack.  I'm also aware that he and several others were killed.  I hold no animosity toward your pack for my son's ignorance.  I had lost him as soon as he decided he wanted to mate a rogue with as much sense as a rock and ambitions that were beyond her grasp."

"April," complained Cyrus as her face scrunched in distaste.  "She was a piece of work.  Gabe had just won the fight when she declared she'd make him a great Luna."

Desiree nodded sadly as she looked around the room.  "I'm hoping not to bump into her today."

Claude chuckled as he pointed toward another group.  "April is the plus one of Leopold.  I'll go speak with him to make sure that she is never within five feet of you.  You are after all the dowager Luna of the Johansson pack."

Desiree lips pressed together at the title, "I prefer to be called Desiree Johansson owner of Flow House."

Michel nodded his head in agreement, "But let's not talk about that anymore.  I apologize but we didn't catch your names."  His dark eyes waited patiently for a response.

"I'm Cyrus McLean niece of the Luna of the Midnight Pack and this is Roderick Madison my mate," responded Cyrus as she gazed over Desiree's shoulder to watch Claude talk to Leopold.  "I believe the dinner bell is about to ring.  Why don't you join us," asked Cyrus as her gray eyes twinkling stared into the gray eyes of Desiree's.

"It's an honor," smiled Desiree as she turned and arched an eyebrow at Michel.  As they walked into the banquet room she leaned toward Michel, "It would be nice if Flow house can claim an affliction with the Midnight Pack even if it's superficial."

Cyrus giggled at Desiree's statement before she looked into Roderick’s' set face.  "What's wrong?"

 "Nothing," snapped Roderick as he blanked his expression.  "I also don't think we should mention what we discussed earlier to Jasmine or William."

"I agree," nodded Cyrus as she smiled over her shoulder at Desiree and Michel.