“Ah, Arabella.” He said, a knowing glint in his eye. “You don’t want to give up your seat for her?” He seemed genuinely confused and Bjorn didn’t blame him, not after everything Kem had been through to get his mate. That had included standing up to the Council, and considering that Ari was a force to be reckoned with, as well as the intimidation factor he and Drayce brought, it said something that Kem would go that far. For the most part, shifter society worked on earning respect, an ingrained habit from their more primitive days, and Kem had earned Bjorn’s the moment he’d refused to marry Aella Dentro.
“Of course I would.” He said indignantly, and watched the smirk form on Kem’s face. Bjorn let out a warning growl, but Kem just chuckled.
“So you want a way to claim her and let you both keep your seats?” Bjorn nodded. “You know, I never did understand that rule.”
“It was to make sure the Council members stayed impartial.” Kem laughed loudly and Bjorn had to smile in response.
“So basically, they didn’t want the Council run by women.”
“Pretty much.”
“Despite the fact that it’s now very effectively run by a woman.” Bjorn was about to protest, but the look on Kem’s face told him not to bother. While on the surface, the Council was an impartial group of five shifters, each with an equal amount of power, there was little doubt that it was Ari that ran the show. Pride welled up inside him at the thought of how strong a mate he was getting, even if she wasn’t completely his yet.
“Despite that.”
“I can talk to Aella, or get Lia to, see if they can put something to the High Council.”
“Would they get involved?” Kem shrugged.
“I’ve no idea, but if anyone is capable of changing the system it’s my sister-in-law.” The smile he gave was somewhat affectionate, much to Bjorn’s surprise. From what he’d heard, Kem and Aella hadn’t got off to the best start. Of course, that could have been down to the fact that Kem had shown no interest in her, despite her almost infamous beauty and power. But he was now married to Aella’s younger sister, Lia, and as she was also a nymph, the link between the two Councils had happened just the way they’d wanted it to. With the added bonus of being sealed by true mates.
“I don’t doubt that.” Kem stood up and made for the door, but turned back around to face Bjorn before leaving.
“Does Arabella know what you’re doing for her?”
“No,” he admitted, thinking back to the moment in the Council chambers when he’d very nearly claimed her. Except that, ever since Ari had revealed to Kem that the biting part of mating wasn’t actually necessary, he suspected that he already had, and she was just fighting the truth. His only consolation was that she wasn’t fighting it because of how she felt, but rather because of what being mated would cost her.
“Maybe you should tell her how you feel.” Bjorn pulled a face at that, and Kem smiled back sadly. “Think about it Bjorn. Not telling her could end badly.” The other man looked lost in thought, as if remembering some unpleasant experience. Kem waved goodbye, leaving Bjorn alone in his office.
“Maybe,” he muttered.
5
Ari sighed as she filed away her paperwork, glad that the day was nearly over. She loved her job, especially when she managed to save innocent people from being punished for something they hadn’t done. But she just hadn’t been able to concentrate since the moment she’d pushed Bjorn away.
The memory kept playing through her head on repeat. Leaving her to wonder whether she should have just let him claim her. There was more than a small part of her that wanted him to, but she wasn’t quite ready to give up her Council seat yet. Maybe she would be when the necromancer problem was solved, that would at least give herself a sense of closure. But then there was her family. Her sister would be happy for her, and her brothers wouldn’t care, but she couldn’t imagine her parents approving of a mate that wasn’t a fox shifter. Well, her Dad would probably come around, but her Mum was another story.
And yet, the thought that shifters only got one true mate just wouldn’t leave her head. Sure, they could falsely mate, but that just wasn’t the same. That thought always seemed to be followed by a sense of certainty that Bjorn was the one for her.
Her back stiffened as she felt eyes on her, and she turned slowly, knowing who she was about to see. He looked awful, his dark hair standing on end, and his eyes drinking her in as if he was dying of thirst.
“Bjorn…you shouldn’t be here.” Even if there was a part of her that was thrilled he was.
“Ari please, I needed to see you.”
“We can’t be seen together! Imagine what would happen if we were.” Inwardly, she begged for him to say that he didn’t care, that she was more important than his reputation. Despite it all, her heart sunk slightly when he didn’t.
“I found something about the necromancer.” Disappointment welled up inside her now that she knew he wasn’t actually here for her, but she pushed it aside and tried to focus on his news.
“What?” She hated being so curt, but it was either that or cry.
“Male, about 6’3’’, late twenties to early thirties, dark hair,” he read from a small leather bound notebook, which she knew he always kept to hand. He’d once let it slip that it was a habit he’d picked up from his father, but when she’d tried to find out more, he’d closed off. She’d let it drop after that, already worried about the way her feelings were taking her.
“So, he could be anyone then.” Bjorn folded his arms across his chest, no emotion showing in his eyes. She shivered, not liking this side of him. Especially as she hadn’t seen it since they first met.
“Hardly, there aren’t that many necromancers.” He had a point. Shifters weren’t that numerous, and necromancers were even less so. Or at least, as far as the rest of the paranormal world knew they weren’t. The necromancers were incredibly secretive, not sharing any information about themselves with the other Councils, even when they should. It meant that no one had any idea just how many of them existed, or how powerful, the necromancers actually were.
“Thank you, I’ll send a message to Alden in the morning.” He was the one with the link to the necromancers, even if it was only a tenuous one. They stood there in silence, sizing each other up and both avoiding what they truly wanted to say. “Was there anything else?” She hated sounding so disinterested, but there was little else she could do to hold it together.
“Ari…”
“I have work to do, Bjorn.” she turned away, but could still sense him behind her. He stepped forward, his footsteps not quite quiet enough for her enhanced hearing to miss. She could feel his hands hovering over her arms and silently begged him to touch her, even as she hated herself for being so weak. He sighed loudly and left, leaving Ari to choke back tears.
6
Bjorn didn’t often feel nervous, but right now, faced with the dark-haired storm nymph he’d heard so much about, he couldn’t help it. It wasn’t that Aella Dentro was physically imposing; while she was tall, she was also slim, with long brown hair and a heart shaped face. After all, he was taller, and broader with a lot more physical strength. It wasn’t her almost infamous temper either. No, what was making Bjorn nervous was the amount of influence this one woman had on his future with Ari.
Bjorn didn’t think that he’d ever felt as bad as he had when he’d left Ari’s office. He knew that she was pushing him away to try and avoid what was brewing between them, but it still hurt. And so, when he’d seen Kem’s text saying that Aella was willing to try and change the laws about mated shifters, he’d been filled with relief mixed with a nervous apprehension. Apparently, she was on a mission to bring the Councils into the modern age, and changing this rule fit right into her plan. Aella flopped down into the seat on the other side of the table in the independent coffee shop, that she’d suggested meeting in. It was somewhere they weren’t likely to be seen together and could easily avoid the questions that would come if anyone knew the
y’d met up.
“So, you want to change the rules?” She smirked at him, and Bjorn shuffled uncomfortably in his chair. He wasn’t sure exactly what it was about her that had him on edge, maybe it was just the air of confidence she had about her, but there was definitely something.
“Yes,” he replied in a clipped tone. She smiled more easily at him this time.
“I won’t bite Bjorn…not unless I’m bitten first.” She winked, making him think that she knew about shifter mating practices. Not that it was really a secret. Most of the paranormal world, and some of the human one, knew that shifters bit their mates. On top of that, Aella’s younger sister was mated to Kem, and there was no way that Aella didn’t know the truth.
“Yes, I want to change the rules.”
“Why?” She cocked her head to the side, which he was sure most men found cute, but was coming across as more annoying to him. Aella wasn’t a stupid woman, she couldn’t be; she’d been a member of the Nymph Council since her father had resigned after the failed marriage pact. He didn’t know what her day job was, but he assumed that it was just as demanding. People with no drive and ambition just didn’t end up on the Councils. Unless they were like him, and desperate to find a purpose in life.
“Because they’re outdated.”
“I can’t say I’d have ever pegged you as the kind to campaign for equality.” Her demeanour straightened, and the coy look left her eyes, letting more of the woman she really was out. Bjorn was secretly relieved that there really was more to her than she’d let on, while simultaneously being slightly annoyed that she felt the need to pretend to be an air head around him.
“Why would it be about equality? There’s nothing unequal about mated shifters not being able to sit on the Council.” Or at least, he didn’t think there was. It was outdated certainly, and stemmed from a time when shifters didn’t often mate outside their own kind, but it wasn’t unequal. Aella looked at him, a confused expression on her face.
“You don’t know, do you?”
“Don’t know what?” he growled, and to his surprise, she didn’t even flinch.
“Mated shifters can sit on the Council. If they’re male.” He sat there in silence as her words sunk in. Women had rarely sat on the Council until recently, so it seemed odd that that would be the rule. Plus, why wouldn’t they know if that was the case? Not that it actually changed anything, not as far as Bjorn was concerned. He couldn’t care less for his own seat, it was Ari’s he wanted to save. “I take it you didn’t know?” she asked softly and took a sip out of the coffee that must have arrived while he’d been thinking.
“How do you?” he deflected quickly, though he genuinely wanted to know. He’d asked Kem for Aella’s help because she had a lot of power, and was quickly amassing more. She made sure that she knew the right people in the right places, and rumour had it that she had her eyes set on a seat on the High Council; whether she could manage it was another matter. No one, not even the member of the lower Councils, knew exactly who held seats.
“You realise there’s a room dedicated to paranormal law in the Council building, right?” No, he hadn’t. More than that, he was certain that none of the Shifter Council had. Otherwise, Ari would have been in that room in a flash, devouring everything she could find and learning how to apply it. There was even a chance that somewhere in that room was something that could help with the necromancer problem. He made a mental note to mention it to her. If she ever spoke to him again.
“Where?”
“Third floor, behind the fountain.” He nodded, knowing where she meant but still not recalling ever being told about what was in that room.
“None of our Council knew.”
“Huh.” She leaned back in her chair and looked thoughtful for a moment. “From your reaction, it’s safe to say that it’s not your seat you’re worried about losing?”
“That’s not what I said,” he bit out. Too quickly it seemed, as a knowing look crossed over Aella’s face.
“You didn’t need to. So, who is it, Arabella or Nathalie?”
“What?” he asked, taken off guard by the fact she’d even known what question to ask.
“Look, there are only two women on the Shifter Council, Arabella Reed and Nathalie Richards. Then there’s you, asking Kem to talk to me about changing the rule about mated shifters. It doesn’t take a genius to work it out.” She gave him a stern look.
“It doesn’t matter why I want it changed,” he growled at her and Aella’s eyes flashed with anger.
“You don’t scare me Bjorn.” He breathed in slowly, not because he was intimidated by her, but more because what he was here for was too important to throw away.
“Fine, I want it changed so a woman will agree to mate me,” he acknowledged through gritted teeth and a satisfied smile moved over Aella’s face.
“I’m going to assume it’s Arabella, but you don’t need to confirm that. Nathalie doesn’t seem like your type.” It almost scared him how easily this woman seemed to read him, but if it got him what he wanted then he didn’t really care. Bjorn waited for Aella to speak again, knowing that whatever she said next would make or break all his plans. “It should be doable.”
“Really?” He almost sighed with relief, but reminded himself that there was still a long way to go; and that was before it even came to convincing Ari to agree to them mating. Aella nodded and began to explain her plan to him. If she was to be believed, then the rules could be changed in a matter of weeks. And he did believe her. It was difficult not to. He’d not met Aella before, and the things he’d heard about her hadn’t prepared him for the strength of conviction and determination that she gave off. If anyone could do it, he reckoned that Aella Dentro could.
7
Her eyes flicked over to Bjorn’s empty chair without her even wanting them to. She didn’t know where he was, or what he’d been doing for the past two weeks; he’d been at all the other Council meetings, just not this one. Ari told herself that she really shouldn’t care, but being apart from him was starting to take its toll, in more ways that she truly cared to consider. And even if she was struggling to accept how much it was affecting her, it was difficult to ignore her irritability.
“Alden, have you had any progress?” she asked with a sigh. Every time she brought up the necromancer problem, he just waved it off as something he was working on. She almost wished that she’d taken it on herself, but her case load at work was already stacking up, she didn’t need to add to that. There’d seemed to be a lot of falsely accused humans in the past few weeks, and she suspected that several of them were probably linked to the same necromancer that they were investigating. Unfortunately, she’d been focusing on her failing relationship more than on her work, leaving her further behind than she wanted to be.
“I’m working on it,” Alden mumbled, an annoyed look crossing his face. Ari wondered what was going on, Alden was normally laidback, happy to watch everyone else with his large amber eyes. But like Ari, his mood seemed to have deteriorated over the past week or so.
“Not fast enough.” A low rumble came from Ari’s throat and took her by surprise. She’d realised that her inner-fox wasn’t as calm as normal, a lack of sex would do that to any shifter, but she hadn’t realised that it was quite as close to the surface as it actually was.
“I’m working on it Arabella.” Alden’s eyes flared with anger and the two of them stared off, not breaking apart until the doors to the Council chambers slammed open. The two of them whipped around to find out what was happening. Ari had almost forgotten about Nathalie and Drayce, but the two of them looked on too; the former with an amused smile on her face, while the latter had his usual look of disdain. Ari stared in shock as she saw Bjorn stride through the door, a wide grin on his face.
“Evening.” There was a lilt to his voice that told her he was in a good mood. Possibly in a better mood than she’d ever seen him before. Her fox rose even closer to the surface as she realised that he was happier without her, a
nd she had to fight to control the urge to shift and attack. Logically she knew that he’d be several times her size while shifted, and that attacking was a completely lost cause, but her fox wasn’t listening to reason right at that moment in time.
“You’re late,” she snapped and was rewarded with a low chuckle that sent shivers down her spine.
“I had a meeting with the High Council.” He looked straight at her, his dark eyes blazing with something she didn’t want to risk naming for fear of being wrong. “I’ve brought a decree.” His eyes didn’t stray from Ari as he handed the decree to Nathalie. She wanted to break eye contact, to at least give them a chance to deny what was going on between them, but it had been too long since she’d seen him and her eyes refused to be torn away. Nathalie gave a short laugh, before clearing her throat. Even then, Ari didn’t look away from Bjorn.
“The High Council has decreed that as of today, Council members can retain their seats once mated.” Bjorn smiled at Ari, and she was sure that he was watching her as the news sunk in.
“I’ve got a meeting to go to,” Alden muttered, rising from his seat and pushing past Bjorn. The other two following suit. She was somewhat surprised that Drayce went along with Alden and Nathalie so easily, but then again, Drayce hardly ever did what anyone expected him to.
“Wait.” Bjorn held up his hand, but didn’t look at them. “One more thing. As of today, I’m resigning from the Council.”
“Why?” Ari blurted out before she could stop herself.
“The High Council agreed to change the rules about mated shifters, but they stipulated that a mated pair couldn’t both hold seats.” His gaze bore into her and she barely noticed the knowing smile on Nathalie’s face.
The Paranormal Council Complete Series 1-5 Page 7