Casmas Clan: Josiah and Clara
Chapter Seven

~ Josiah Josiah whistled as he strolled through town, glad he wasn't being forced to hunt tonight. He had wanted this night off so he could spend time with Clara on her eighteenth birthday. Even though he hadn't given many details, Dermet had allowed him leave from searching for Zach's killer or the man Zach had been speaking with. Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, Josiah focused on the task at hand.

Clara didn't know he knew it was her birthday, she never told him when it was. Josiah had overheard her and a classmate speaking of it a few days ago. After that day, he had planned and schemed and came up finally with his plan tonight. Now he just had to talk Clara into going out with him. He carried a small, wrapped gift in his hands, hoping it would sway her.

Josiah slowed to a stop when he approached the school, not wanting to be seen by any other members of the Casmás. He didn't want them to know he was interested in a human. Not sure how they would react to such a union. He didn't want Clara to end up like the young girl he had seen dismembered several years ago. She didn't deserve such a death, and he desperately hoped he wouldn't bring it to her just because he was interested in her.

When Clara left the school and began heading in his direction, Josiah ducked down an alleyway to wait so he could surprise her. Josiah waited until she passed him, before slipping out behind her and quietly following her. Lowering his head closer to her ear a few minutes later, he stated: "I have something for you."

Clara jerked, but didn't actually jump, and whipped around to face him. Her eyes were narrowed and she was breathing hard.

"What the hell are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?"

"I assure you, that was not my intention. Here, this is for you."

Josiah smiled as he held out the gift in his hands, hoping to ease Clara's anger at him. Otherwise, his plans would be shot down. He began to worry as his hand and the gift remained suspended in the air for several minutes. His smile just started to waver, when she finally reached out and took the gift.

~ Clara Clara was secretly surprised Josiah had gotten her something for her birthday. She didn't even remember telling him when her birthday was. It didn't mean she couldn't make him suffer for scaring the crap out of her though. Trying to keep her smile off her face, Clara slowly opened the box. She wanted to just rip it open in her eagerness to know what it was, but she had to keep her cool so he wouldn't know.

Clara's eyes widened when she brought out a small purple velvet bag, and a white gold bracelet tumbled out from it. Small charms hung off it from little clasps. The largest charm in the middle was in the shape of a howling wolf. Clara successfully staved off her shudder of revulsion at seeing even a wolf figurine, not wanting Josiah to think she didn't like the gift.

Unable to hold it back anymore, Clara grinned up at Josiah. "Thank you. It's lovely."

"Good. I'm glad you like it."

He took the bracelet from her and clasped it around her right wrist. Instead of releasing her, he continued to hold her hand.

"I have more surprises for you, Clara. But first you have to agree to go out with me."

She raised an eyebrow. "If I don't agree?"

"Then you'll seriously be missing out. Just agree, you'll enjoy it. I promise."

~ Josiah Josiah watched the emotions play across Clara's face. Consternation and curiosity shone the brightest. Still refusing to release her hand, Josiah desperately hoped she would agree. A grin began to form when he noticed the curiosity winning out in her gaze.

"Fine, Josiah. I'll go out with you. Your surprises just better be worth it."

Josiah didn't bother to respond as he used the hand he still held to lead Clara down the sidewalk and toward his first surprise.

~ Dermet Dermet's head rose from filing paperwork and stared towards the door where Harvey had just entered the office.

"You have news for me, Harvey?"

"I do. However, it's not over Zach's killer."

Dermet's brow rose and he pointed to a chair. "Sit. Is it of a Clan member?"

"It is. It involves the pup Josiah and our little witch Clara."

Dermet sat quietly and listened to all of what Harvey had to say with rapt attention. This could work to their advantage, especially if they were mates.

With this thought, he asked: "Are there signs of mating?"

Harvey shook his head. "It's too soon to tell. I've asked Catalina to probe as much as she can since she has befriended Clara. Perhaps Clara will speak of any relationship she may have with him, while Josiah will remain closed-mouth over it." "With his old pack killing any and all humans they could for any asinine reason they could think of, Josiah is very likely not to speak of it in any way or form. He'll attempt to hide it if it goes that far. Keep a watch on both of them, without either of their knowledge. Let me know immediately if the relationship goes into mating territory. Or if anything else changes among them."

Knowing he was dismissed, Harvey rose and left the office. Dermet reclined back in his chair when the door closed. He knew there was something special about that pup and that was why he offered the boy a place among his Clan. Josiah's potential of being the young witch's mate was more than Dermet could ever hope for.

In these difficult times, where every pack and Clan wanted to be the best and strongest amongst the rest, having a witch on your side was a major turning point in your favor. This could work out. As long as the boy didn't screw up. ~ Clara Clara was smiling when she reached the fallen log in the swamps and Pipsqueak sitting upon it, waiting. It hadn't been all that long and Pipsqueak was twice the size he was when they first met. Opening the packages to the three sandwiches she brought with her, Clara sat upon the log next to him.

"Sorry I'm late, Pipsqueak. It's my birthday today, so I was taken out on a date."

Breaking apart the sandwiches for Pipsqueak, she explained everything Josiah had planned for her tonight in her excitement. How he took her to the theater, which she had never been to before, to the picnic dinner on the beach as the sun set. All the way down to the two other presents he gave her to go with the charm bracelet. A white gold howling wolf necklace, she wasn't too certain of his obsession with wolves, and matching white gold crescent moons. All in all, Clara had a wonderful date night with Josiah and readily agreed to go on another with him shortly.