One Night One Secret

by Hollie Hutchins

  “Agreed,” she said. “I have so many questions, but right now I just want to look at you both.”

  “We could never get enough of looking at you,” he said, leaning down to take her lips in a gentle kiss.

  “Ewww, come on you guys,” Jason said, his head caught firmly between his parents.

  “Alright, alright,” Aelnoth lifted the boy into his arms. “I think we have bothered your mother enough for one afternoon. She needs her rest. Dr. Thomas said if we let her rest today and tomorrow, we can take her out of here. You’d like that right?”

  Thank god, she thought, giving them both a weak smile.

  “Yeah!” Jason said, shooting his fist up into the air.

  “Then let’s do that!”

  “Wait, don’t go, just a few more minutes,” Susie said. She didn’t want to be alone in the room.

  “I’ll be back soon,” Aelnoth said. “Jason has a session with his own doctor, but then I will be back. And I won’t leave until we walk out of here together.”

  “Promise me?” she asked.

  He leaned down to kiss her again, this time with a spark of something more to come.

  “Promise,” he said.

  Chapter 28

  The council room was a hollow square room, stonework and dark blue banners covered the walls. There was a long high table at the head of the room and stone benches facing it, one on the left, and one on the right for the aggrieved parties to sit and be judged. Behind the benches, there was a low wall, more like a divider and then several other benches where a few select witnesses and spectators could sit. Aelnoth remembered being terrified of this room as a pup. It’s echoed dampness and severity felt imposing, even then. Life and death was decided in this room.

  He sat alone on his bench, Susie, Jason, his mother and sister directly behind him. Susie had been out of the infirmary for a week, and it was decided she was well enough for the council meeting to commence. If he had his way, they would have waited another week, but he was being selfish.

  The other side of the room was completely empty. There didn’t appear to be many spectators today. He nodded to Symes who sat in the back, arms crossed, one lock of his dark blonde hair hiding his eyes from Aelnoth’s view. He would forever be indebted to his friend for helping him to save Susie’s life. Despite his feelings regarding humans.

  Since coming out of the infirmary Susie had been withdrawn. Dr. Thomas had told him, privately, to give her space. Sometimes suffering a great trauma caused humans to retreat from those they cared for.

  He wanted desperately to confess his love to her. There never seemed to be an opportune moment. She was either preoccupied with Dr. Thomas, with Jason, or sleeping. He had given her the bed to allow her space to heal, sleeping instead on a worn couch in the main part of their rooms. She did not object so he felt that it was what she must have wanted. He was torn, he yearned to stay by her side but he would not force her.

  He turned his head, looking back at her. She sat regally. One leg crossed severely over the other. Her tiny frame rigid with worry. Despite her recent ordeal, Aelnoth thought she looked lovely, if not a touch stern in the black pantsuit she wore with her straight, short hair held off her face with two small clips. Her icey stare melted as he caught her eye, and gave her a quick smile. What he wouldn’t give to see that smile reach her eyes again. No matter how Aelnoth tried to convince her that this meeting was merely a formality, he knew she wouldn’t accept it as such until it was over. There may be some harsh accusation, as was the king’s way, but he trusted when Symes told him there would be leniency.

  The elder council slowly entered the room. The council was typically made up of five plus the king. However, with Aelnoth defending, and Catori bound to her rooms, only three clan elders remained from the royal packs, Lord Newaygo, Lord Tahki, and Lady Sokanon. As the king entered all in the room rose to their feet.

  Aelnoth smiled as he heard Jason take in a sharp breath. The boy must be in awe. He knew the human world still had kingdoms and royalty, but that was mostly for show. King Symes was the real deal, a true monarch. He stood tall at over 6’5” with a thick barrel-shaped chest that gave him the air of a mighty warrior. He made a good show of formal occasions, coming in with a long blue cloak, trimmed in mink and carrying a long gilded staff, topped with a large, deeply blue sapphire. He chose not to wear a crown. And even in his advanced years sported a full blond beard, not a hint of gray touched his beard or the hair on his head. His voice had a deep timber that Aelnoth liked best late at night when he would loosen and tell bawdy jokes. The king had always been fun to be around. If all went well today, Jason would be lucky to enjoy the more pleasant aspects of his royal highness. Aelnoth was quite fond of the man, and looked forward to sharing him with his son.

  “Lord Ashlu, you know why we have summoned you here?” King Symes asked.

  “Yes, Sire.”

  “You have been accused of willfully neglecting your duties to your clan, and to Undervale. You have been accused of breeding with a human outside of Undervale. You have been accused of having a bastard child with a human outside of the laws that govern Undervale. You have been charged of illegally harboring said child outside of the laws that govern Undervale,” he said. Each charge punctuated by his staff hitting the stones of the council room floor, and the solemn nods of the three presiding elders.

  “Yes, Sire,” Aelnoth replied. It was custom to avoid elaboration on any charges until asked. Though with each charge laid out, Aelnoth saw no harm, and given the opportunity to say so, would have.

  “If the elders and I so chose, Ashlu, you are aware that your title, lands, and position at court can be taken away due to the severity of these charges?”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  “Well, then, explain yourself.” Aelnoth detected a bit of mirth in the King’s stare, but wouldn’t be as bold to assume that he did not take these charges seriously.

  “Your highness, I cannot, except to say, I was young and foolish. Had I known about the boy I would have brought him here immediately. Once I was made aware, I did so. As you can see,” he said pointing back at Jason, “My son is healthy, happy, and as your doctors have attested, one of us. I ask only for the court’s leniency in allowing the boy, and his mother to stay with me, under my care and protection, and that the boy be formally installed as the rightful heir to Ashlu.”

  “Even if we do overlook the transgression that brought the boy to you, it is highly unusual for a human breeder to be allowed to stay in Undervale after their service is complete,” Lord Naygo said. “Should we not release the woman back to her own people?”

  “My lord, I am afraid I cannot allow that to happen,” Aelnoth said.

  “I’m sorry, Ashlu,” Naygo continued. “I don’t quite understand.”

  “Well my lord, I wish to petition the king,” he said nodding at King Symes. “And all of you to allow Susie Masters to stay in Undervale.”

  “My boy, forcing a human to stay in Undervale after her sentence is complete would be unheard of. Barbaric.” Aelnoth smiled to himself as the elders murmured in disbelief.

  “I don’t plan on forcing her, my lord. I intend on making her my mate.” He took a moment to appreciate the looks of shock on the faces of the shifters behind the table. Each of them red-faced and aghast. Ignoring protocol, and propriety he turned to Susie. Her eyes wide, as he reached across the low wall and took her hands in his. He had never experienced the pure dread he faced now. He knew he had to lay it all out on the line, make her see that she was the only thing he wanted.

  “Even before we came to Tradonga, before Tylan took you from me. I knew. I knew that I could not draw a single breath in this world or in any other without you by my side. Suzanne Masters, I love you to the very depths of my soul. I think I must have fallen in love with you that night six years ago in that dark alley. I have never loved another. I will never love another. Will you consider being my mate, marrying me, and raising our son together? You are my family. You a
re my blood. I love you.”

  Chapter 29

  He loves her? He wants her as his mate? Susie swayed, a pit tickling her stomach. Her only anchor was Aelnoth’s strong hands holding her own. He loves her. That was what he said. “I could not draw a single breath in this world or in any other without you by my side” was what he said. The depth of feeling in his eyes told her he was telling the truth.

  It had been difficult for Susie coming out of the infirmary rooms. She had been so happy, relieved to see the growing affection between Aelnoth and Jason, but it was bittersweet. She knew she would have to leave them both. There is no way she thought she would be allowed to stay in Undervale now. The elder who just spoke confirmed that her fears were correct. She was still just a breeder.

  In order to protect herself, she withdrew. She knew her behavior left Aelnoth with questions, but she had to maintain her own sense of self-preservation. But now he wanted to marry her? Mate with her?

  “Are you going to answer my brother?” Alaina intruded her thoughts, nudging her arm. Susie snapped back to reality. Everyone in the room was staring at her, but she only saw two. Aelnoth, his eyes full of love and desire. And Jason who stood between the two of them his head swinging back and forth, hope and expectation shining on his face.

  “I…uh… Yes, I love you with every fiber in my being. I will love you forever. I don’t know how we will do it, but yes. I will only be where you are. I will raise our son with you. You are my family. You are my blood. I love you,” she replied.

  Aelnoth wasted no time or space, jumping over the wall between them and crushing her in a tight embrace. His lips taking hers in a powerful kiss. Jason yelped his pleasure. Lady Ashlu looked contented. Alaina broke out in hearty congratulations. Even Noth’s brooding friend, and her savior, the prince, sitting back in the shadows of the room appeared to have a smile on his face.

  Their kiss only breaking with the persistent thumps of the king’s staff as he tried to quell the celebration.

  “Uh, I hate to interrupt,” he said, all attention turning to him. “But this is still a hearing and we need a decision.”

  Susie looked expectantly at the council.

  The lord who had been speaking before silently conversed with the other two for what felt like forever before addressing the king.

  “You highness, we have conferred, and we think that with your consent, we would like to ask for mercy for young Lord Ashlu. We would like to allow him to mate with his human, and allow them leave.”

  “And the Ashlu title and lands?” the king replied.

  “We see no reason anything should change, sire,” the old lord said.

  “Very well, then I agree! Aelnoth please go in peace with our blessing. Although we would ask that you, your mate, and your family stay on at court for the festival as my special guests.”

  Relief flooded Susie as the king spoke. She could stay. She would marry and mate with the love of her life. It was over.

  Aelnoth was speechless, his arms wrapped tighter around Susie and she looked up at him. Desire coursing through her veins. There was no other man she would ever love.

  “Come,” he whispered in her ear. “We much approach the king and give our thanks.”

  “I can think of a much better way to spend our time,” she flirted back, slipping her free hand into his.

  “Ahhh… you are sweet torture, you know that?” he said, reaching down to kiss her lightly, nipping her bottom lip. “Later for that, my sweet, sweet Susie. Later I’ll you giving many thanks, in ways you can only imagine.” Arousal pooled in her center, she knew he meant it.

  Susie had never been introduced to a king before. Jason was sitting contently playing with a small fur wolf that he had found. Susie felt comfortable leaving him for a moment as Aelnoth led her to the front of the room where the king was chatting with Lady Ashlu, Alaina and the elders. She briefly shot a look back at Symes, he was the only one in the room who did not seem happy with the outcome. She remembered he hated humans, but he had shown her such kindness. With time, she thought, maybe I can get him to come around with time.

  “Your highness, may I introduce Suzanne Masters, soon-to-be Ashlu?” Aelnoth asked giving the monarch a slight bow.

  “Indeed,” the king laughed taking Susie’s hands in her own.

  “Your majesty,” she said giving a curtsy. Completely unprepared for the gregarious embrace the giant man swept her up into.

  “You’re quite the troublemaker little human!” he said.

  “Yes, sire,” Susie replied, laughing at is exuberance.

  “Aelnoth,” he said turning still holding Susie mid-air, to address her beloved. “Symes has been telling me you have some ideas on abolishing the auction blocks.”

  “It’d be my greatest desire, sir, however, I’d also like it very much if you put my future wife down, sire,” he replied.

  “HAHA!” he shouted, planting Susie on her feet. “After the Harvest Festival let’s speak on that more. Your father had some radical ideas on this before he passed. Maybe you can take up the fight?”

  “There is nothing I’d like more,” he responded.

  “Your highness, I have some ideas too,” Alaina chimed in. Susie loved her energy and how excited she appeared at the idea of helping her brother.

  “I would truly like all of the Ashlu pack to lead us on this issue. I hear you have another highly valued human servant?” the kind asked, of course talking about Matthew. Was Susie imagining it or did Alaina blush?

  She would have to remember to ask Alaina about Matthew later. For now, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing, would they really be working to change the entire human trade business in Undervale? It seemed too good to be true. She couldn’t think of anyone better to lead the charge than Noth. He would be a staunch supporter of human rights. She might even be able to help. The human world had a long way to go as well. Maybe their union would be the coming together the two worlds needed.

  “Mom? Dad?” Her pleasant thoughts were interrupted by Jason, something in his voice sounding strained. Her motherly instincts on high alert.

  “Yeah, bud…” She turned, and to her horror saw her baby boy being held in the back of the room against his will. Lady Alard, her eyes puffed and red with rage had a knife against Jason’s throat. Time slowed. Susie’s heart beat loud and hard in her chest.

  “Well, isn’t this just one, big happy family?”

  Susie froze. They were all standing so far away, there was no way anyone would reach Jason before Lady Alard was able to slash him. After everything she had done, and everything she had been through Susie was slammed with a new reality. She was going to lose her son.

  Chapter 30

  At the sound of Catori’s voice, the hairs on the back of Aelnoth’s neck stood on end. He scented fear from Susie, the strongest fear he had ever seen. He slowly turned, moving to put himself between the woman and his mate.

  “Don’t approach me, Ashlu,” Catori shrieked. “Stay where you are, I want you to watch as the life bleeds out of your son’s eyes. I want to give you that kindness, even though you didn’t give it to me when you took my boy.”

  He put his hands up as if the simple movement would quiet her rage.

  “Catori, he is just a child. This is not what you want,” he said. “Take me, punish me—kill me if it will make you feel better. But don’t hurt the child.”

  Both pairs of ice-blue eyes that he had come to love so deeply were frozen in fear. His son was brave, he didn’t make a noise or shed a tear. Aelnoth looked intently at Catori, how could he break through to her so no blood was shed. There didn’t seem to be anyway. She was right he was too far away to attack without risking the boy’s life. Her level of rage and grief would be impossible to rationalize away. Had he a knife of his own, he would be able to throw it with accuracy and hit her between the eyes. But he had no weapon.

  This was it, this was what he had been dreading all along. He was unable to protect his family. Now he would lose
everything.

  “What do you want Catori?” he asked. If he could just keep her talking, maybe he could come up with a plan.

  “It’s simple little lord. I want you to suffer,” she said. “I want to take from you, exactly what you took from me. I want you and your whore human to feel the excruciating pain of losing your child.”

  “I didn’t want to take Tylan’s life, Catori, he left me no choice,” he said.

  “NO CHOICE? NO CHOICE? There is always a choice boy,” she screamed, waving the knife erratically. “You had a choice when you bought the bitch out from under him. I told you before the auction he wanted her. But NO, you are so spoiled, so entitled, you took her for yourself. You forced his hand, now I force yours.”

  Susie grabbed at him from behind silently, urgently letting him know there was an opening. He agreed, he just wasn’t sure how to execute it. If he could keep her waving her hand then the knife wasn’t at Jason’s throat. If he could somehow get the knife away from her.

  “CATORI!” the king shouted, with a firm thud of his staff. “I demand you stop this foolishness. Enough blood has been shed.”

  Aelnoth, using the shock of the king’s order to catch Jason’s eye, with a slight nod of his head, he gave a small signal to the boy by lifting his foot and bringing it down. He had given the boy some basic self-defense while Susie recovered, he hoped Jason had paid attention and remembered.

  “Ha! Try a little harder your highness,” she spat, still spinning the knife. “I have nothing else to lose. You have no power over me.”

  With one hard fluid motion, Aelnoth watched breathlessly as his son lifted his leg and with all the strength the six-year-old could muster, brought it down hard on Lady Alard’s foot. In the same moment, Symes jumped up from his place in the corner and grabbed the knife from Catori’s hand and shoved it into her back.

  Jason ran toward his parents and leapt into his father’s arms. “Dad, I did it, did you see my escape?”