Instincts

We arrived at the farm mid-morning the next day at the gates to the farm that looked more like a ranch with the way land was fenced off from the main road. I caught sight out of the current windows tall males on horse back with Stetson wide bream hats on their heads that were herding large wondering beasts back to the main area of the farm. One of the males road up to our cabby as it stopped just short of nearing the entrance road into the farm.

Erica opened the door waved him down. "Archer. I came with my new mate and my sister to talk with Night's kids and elders. I got news to tell them about the hunts progress they need to hear." Erica said.

"You brought that bastard Marcus Blood here?! Bitch you-" He started but stopped talking when I snarled at him from inside of the cabby.

I remained hidden for now but I made it known her mate was listening to this jackass. Erica stared at the man her eyes glowing with her rage and power now in full display. 

"I'm not here to answer your questions. Your alpha is off away on the hunt. I'm here regarding the hunt he asked of my pack to do on good faith. You'll shut your damn mouth puppy and turn your ass around and tell the elders watching the youths that we will be arriving soon to see them." Erica said coldly and closed the door in his face.

Erica knocked on the roof of cabby and the driver of the horses started them down the road to the farm's private road. The gates were quickly opened and then we were led inside. I sat back in my seat frowning and looked at Erica.

She stared back at me. "You want to ask me a question. Go ahead." She said.

"You get that kind of bullshit often because of Marcus?" I asked.

"Yes. We do." Fire answered for her. She motioned with her head to Erica. "She gets it a lot more because she's the alpha of the pack and all me not so much." She said with a grin.

Erica wasn't smiling. "I've told the others you aren't Marcus Bloody Williams. Everyone is knows about out worlders that arrive here like you do. We've even had a number of out worlders recently over the years coming here." She said and pausing staring at me.

I stared at her. "But, that's not going to convince them all the same or stamp down their fears sense I have his body and face now." I said nodding my head. "I can use that. It will also be for the best that people expect a type of behavior from me that way they won't see me move. However, it would be best if the people understand I don't tolerate disrespect given to you and Fire. I don't give fuck what these people think about me or say but they will be respectful toward you two in my presence or I will rip out their disrespectful tongue." I said calmly meaning every word and intention for violence.

In my old life it was a different time and culture. In this life and world things more simpler in some ways and more violent in others. This world moved by principles that depended on assorting dominance and strength or the innocent suffered the most.

Fire leaned over to rub my knee. "Don't worry honey. This is the last time that sort thing will happen now." She said.

Erica stared at me and nodded. "Yes. I have been slack in duties in regards to this kind of thing. I understand where it can lead. I have allowed people to say a lot about Marcus and assume shit about you." She said.

I shook my head. "I don't think you've been slack in any way with your pack or duties. I just get the impression people here are to damn free with calling people out of their name when addressing a man's woman or family. Even in my old culture such talk would earn a man a free ticket to getting his shit kicked in. You are on a first name relationship with that jackass. You know what he was really doing by calling you a bitch in front of me, right" I said.

Fire straightened up and went very still in her seat. Erica flushed but she looked serious. "It is the same way in this world. What he did was very reckless. I have no sexual relationship with him." She said.

I nodded. "I believe you. I just want to warn you about my one hard line. I'm pretty easy going in general. I just don't play dominance games. I'll go for the throat if pushed." I said.

"Will you allow us to introduce you to the elder son of Knight and attempt to explain a few things." Fire asked.

I nodded. "Whatever you think best. I'm only here to solve a homicide case." I said.

They seemed to relax as I said this. We came to the main area where I saw group of all males herding and large beasts and a tall young man with boyish looks and the scent of male not yet in his prime with several old men of similar build and oddly Chestnut brown red hair. The horses stopped and Erica and Fire quietly got out to go over and talk with them. I waited inside the cabby.

I got the strange feeling as my boots set foot on the ground of hush following me exiting the cabby. Erica and Fire were making introductions wheel the cab drive a top cabby nodded to me. He was a pack brother of Erica's people.

I turned taking in the large farm house and farm as a Horde of cattle grazed a distance away. Erica was talking to the eldest son of the victim and attempting to introduce me in. I saw the elders with them silently watching. They eyed me and then they saw something on my face or they connected the meaning of my arrival to the truth quickly.

They looked at the tall muscled boy in dark grey collar shirt and jeans glaring down at my mates while looking angry but he smelled oddly like he was close to losing his shit. The elders looked worried. I motioned for them to get closer to the young man.

They froze but moved to do as I asked quietly. I approached my mates and they quieted down moving away as I stepped forward the elders crowded in a little closer for the moment. The young man didn't notice what his elders were preparing for.

He glared at my face and then he spat on my face. "Bloody Marcus bastard. What the hell are you here for?" He said and snarled at me. I held up a hand at my mated as they started snarling at the boy.

They backed off as I came closer. I stared at the boy. "Mr. Night. I am sorry to inform you but your mother has passed away." I said.

He punched me in my nose. Blood flowed my nose as he roared at me and beat at my chest and face strongly at first then weakly. The elders came in closer. I did nothing as he raged at me and then fell into my arms.

I held onto him as violent painful sobs and cries came out of him. I held onto him until I passed him onto an elders arms. The boy cried softly holding onto an elder. I moved away letting the others close in around the boy and holding him and shielding him from our gaze.

I turned my back on then and felt a shift again but things more calm. Erica and Fire still looked pissed off. Erica ripped off a piece of shirt and used it dab at the blood on my face and nose.

"Alright. We are going to need to inform the others of what happened." I said.

"No. No. I'll do it." The boy said.

I turned back to him he stood with elders around. His face was wet and looked embarrassed but more calm now. I nodded. "As you wish Mr. Night. Your the head of your family now so I'm only here to assist you in the matter of finding your wife's killer. I am Danny Sage. I am Ranger assigned to helping you find justice in this matter." I said holding out my hand.

The young man took my hand. "I am Frank Night. Can you bring up your system menu for my elders so they can see it and confirm your job title. They have the eyes for it." He said before letting go of my hand.

"System menu" I said.

A window appeared in front me.

Name; Danny Sage

Age: 60

Class: Ranger (level 12)

Hobbies: Conversationalist, bartender

Education: Highschool, military combat training, police academy. business management

Skills: Marksmanship, investigation. bounty hunting, enhanced senses, advanced stamina magical creation, elemental magic, intelligence. Perception

Alliances: Angie Wells (adopted sister) Mr. Big, Drake (owner of Crossroads) Erica Williams (mate) Fire (mate)

The elders crowded in and examined my menu and they nodded their heads. Frank seemed to relax. "You can put your menu down now sir." He said.

I nodded and waved a hand and it disappeared. I stood facing Frank Knight. "My apologies Mr. Night but I will need to speak to your younger siblings to gather information on who might have harbored ill will to your mother. Mr. Night do you wish a moment with your family to break the news to them?"

The young man looked terrified of telling his siblings the news but he with encouraging looks from his elders nodded. "Please give me a few minutes to get them ready." He said and hurried away with two elders followed him but three remained behind looking at me.

I got out my notebook and pen. I looked at the most dominant staring at me with silver blue eyes. "You are?"

The man grunted. "Ghost Redclaw. I am his uncle. To my left here is my cousin Hank. To my right is my brother Sam. Mr. Sage. How did you get introduced to this situation?" He asked.

I nodded to my mates. "I was working a case for an oracle. She told me I would get a case from my mates. So now I'm working for them." I said.

"Hmm. So why would you be working for them when your the alpha of their pack. You should have known a great deal about these events already." He said.

I shook my head. "I'm under a different pack elder Redclaw. Erica is the alpha of her own pack and such matters aren't my business to deal in and I have a job of my own. I am working this case because your pack alpha brought my mates into this situation so now I'm here to assist in helping with that. Can you tell me about Miss nights habits and her daily routine and such." I said.

He along with the others shook their heads at me. I waited with notebook and pencil ready. Elder Redclaw stared at me. "Did Luna really send you to this realm and kiss your soul?" He asked in a funny voice.

I smiled. "Yes. Yes. She did. Is that all?" I asked.

"I hear talk you associate with a Draconian witch-ahh!" He stopped because I grabbed his throat and held him in my grasp.

I stared at him. "You'll hold your tongue and be respectful when talking about my big sister or I'll remove it from your mouth." I said.

Redclaw smiled slowly. I frowned at him and removed my hand. He nodded to me still smiling. "Ask your questions now." He said.

Damn smart ass were-wolf. I sighed. "Alright. Where were you when you got the news of Miss Night had gone missing?" I asked.