by Zana Wilder
Suddenly, his muzzle shortens, his claws retract and his body shifts. He's no longer in wolf form, and no-longer alpha. I let out a relieved sigh. Thank fuck that worked.
The air is full of whooping and hollering. I look around at my pack, pleased to see their overwhelming acceptance. Only a very few faces peer back at me looking disappointed with the outcome – bloody thirsty arseholes.
Freya and my mother rush over, pulling my father up and enveloping us both in a shower of kisses. Much to my astonishment my father takes my hand and shakes it before pulling me into his embrace. A sudden rush of acceptance washes over me.
“You had to bloody do it your way, didn't you? Always have to be different” he grumbles half smiling, before allowing himself to be half carried away by Angus, followed by my mother clucking and fussing, towards the medic.
There's no time for too much self congratulations – the formal ceremony commences straight after the fight. I small hand slips comfortably into mine and I peer down at Freya. Her eyes are brimming with tears and I catch her chin in my hand.
“What's wrong baby? Why the tears again?”
“Happy tears Aaron,” she sniffles “I'm so proud of you, of how you handled that”
A warm glow fills me. I'm pleased with myself, but somehow hearing it from my mate reaffirms the achievement. This is the alpha I want to be – firm, just, violent in protecting my pack but not needlessly violent. Suddenly she's hitting me in the chest, and it bloody hurts. My eyes widen and I catch her hands quickly, stopping the onslaught.
“What the fuck?!”
“Don't you ever keep something like that from me again” she hisses, her tone taking on an oddly dominant air “Tavey had to tell me, mid bloody fight, that if neither of you submitted it would be a fight to the death” one of her hands escapes my clutch, and she gives me a final solid punch to the breast bone before flouncing away leaving me protesting to her back.
Bloody hell. I swear that woman is becoming more Luna every fucking day. I love it. Mostly. I rub my sternum ruefully and let Tavey help me into the ceremonial robe.
“With the blessing of the pack council, I, Beta Angus of the Fenrir Watch, pass the Lupine Chalice to our new leader, Alpha Aaron, Son of Connell, his Luna-in-Waiting Freya Faye, and to our new second, Beta Tavey” Angus hands me a cup, and I take a small sip , before passing it to Freya and Tavey in turn, while the whole congregation applauds and yells.
The ceremonial pomp over, everyone is free to mingle, and eat. For shifters food is always a big part of anything we do. A massive buffet is spread out under the canopy set up for the occasion. Being spring, it's chilly, but large heaters and some zip-on sides are keeping it cosy.
I'm physically and mentally exhausted, stuffing my face and nodding and smiling at people is about as much as I'm capable of right now. Thankfully no-one seems to expect much more. The initiation into the Watch will come in a few weeks, so at least for now I don't need to worry about that.
I wander over to the table where people left their gifts. It's a bit much, I don't need extra gifts. Just being the alpha feels like a bloody gift. I'm drawn to a plain looking parcel perched on the end of the table.
I turn it over thoughtfully in my hands. It's much heavier than I expected. Curiosity gets the better of me, I'd intended to wait until tomorrow to open any of these... but... one won't hurt.
Like a kid at Christmas I rip the paper open hurriedly, discarding it on the ground. In my hands is a stone. A rather plain looking stone about the size of my fist. I turn it over slightly confused... nothing different on the other side. Playfully, I toss it in the air. As I go to catch it a beam of light shines on it and the whole thing glows with a dark metallic sheen. The transformation shocks me so much I drop it. Hastily picking the stone up again I search for signs of what it might be, or who it's from. Nestled in among the discarded wrapping paper is a note on a plain brown card.
“Here's to celebrating your alpha-blooding, heard you might have a use for something like this. Call me whenever you need my help – Love Sam” I can almost hear her silky tones again just reading her words. I look between the stone and the note, more confused than ever.
A small cough beside me makes me look up guiltily.
“What is it?” asks Freya, her eyes sparkling “I can feel its power from here”
Wordlessly I hand her the stone. She takes it like its a bloody baby, cradling it in two hands, rocking it, peering at it. I clear my throat, making her start in return.
“Any idea what it is? I'm stumped!”
“It's a Severance Stone you numnuts!” Freya exclaims “Don't you remember Carl and Morganna describing it? This is the most amazing gift ever! Morganna might be able to reverse her spells now!”
I snatch it back and stare at the once-again plain looking stone in reverence, stroking it's smooth surface.
“That is the best gift... after becoming alpha!” I exclaim and start back towards the tent to find Morganna.
“Not so fast lover-boy. Who's Sam? Why has she left you her number?” Freya's tone has a distinct edge to it. Ah shite. There are distinct disadvantages to having a mate.
It takes a lot of reassurance before Freya accepts that I met Samantha once and once only, that she's a vampire, and that we were never, ever intimate. I leave out the part where she came on to me – I've got the feeling that wouldn't go down well.
Chapter Forty-Two
Freya's POV
I'm so excited to see if we can get Morganna working with the Severance stone, but I can't get Aaron's guilty look out of my mind. I've been feeling ropey for days, his ex-Luna Rite ladies are here and now this; a girl can't help but feel a bit insecure. Something seems off with this gift.
Why would a completely different species help out, for a second time, out of the blue. It doesn't make sense. I really, really want to believe him, and ninety percent of me does... but I've been tricked too much before. A little part of my soul will always remain wary now.
It kills me inside to see the flicker of hurt that crosses Aaron's face when he realises I don't trust him unquestionably. Tough shit. Trust is earned. I try to push it all to the side and concentrate on having an amazing evening, surrounded by family, friends and my Alpha-mate.
I am so proud of the way he dealt with their arcane traditions; finding a way to prove himself fairly and without bloodshed. Well, only a little – both Aaron and his father needed a few stitches, and his father's dislocated shoulder had to be reduced. But they're both alive and seem more connected to each other than before.
The next morning I can't wait to explore the possibilities of the Severance Stone. After sneaking out of bed super early, I find I'm not the only one. It's as if the thing is magnetic – Tavey, Morganna and I all seek it out. We pass it around, and exchange ideas over how to reverse the wolf-shifter separations. It's the happiest I've seen Morganna look, and the air around her doesn't seem so dark or oppressing today.
In the end, because Morganna is sure she remembers the spell, it proves relatively easy to work out how a reversal might work. She doesn't have the strength in her to do much casting unless under extreme pressure, but I think Tavey and I should be able to adapt the technique we used before, and channel our energy into her. Now we just need to persuade the shifter's we can do it.
The first to step up is Carl – I'd have thought he'd be put off by his previous experience with Morganna but he seems even more enthused about this than before. Although I can tell there's worry behind his eyes, he doesn't voice it.
I persuaded Aaron that we should use the clearing by the waterfall – I feel so much more full of energy there. I can't really explain it. Connell gives me a weird look when I mention it, apparently it's some sacred Luna site that's important for the Watch. Maybe I'm cut out for this Luna shit after all!
Tavey, Morganna and I sit down in a circle and motion him to join us in the centre. As he walks nervously towards us he passes Aaron. Swivelling suddenly to stand before him, Ca
rl drops to his knees, his head bowed. For such a big, rough man it's an awkward pose. I can't hear the words he growls, but it's obviously heartfelt.
Aaron places a hand briefly on his head before Carl rights himself and continues toward us. What the fuck was that?
I don't have much time to think about it. Morganna makes Carl hold the Severance stone, explaining his wolf should emerge from it to rejoin him. I thought we would need the exact stone used to separate him from his wolf, but apparently they work more like a portal.
We join hands and begin. Tavey and I concentrate on filling Morganna with energy, and she concentrates on Carl. The room expands into something vast around us, and when I look up we're all hovering just off the ground and spinning slowly.
We whirl faster and faster, and suddenly I can feel another wolf in the room, Carl's wolf. It seems a long way off and there's some kind of invisible barrier between us.
Morganna stands suddenly, chanting dark, horrible words that leave dread running through me. I don't recognise the language, nor recall having ever seen it written in any spell book, but inherently I know this is a dark majik. The air is heavy and suffocating.
Without warning the feeling of wolf fills the room and the four of us crash to the floor. Has something gone wrong? I can't think straight, I'm so tired I can barely open my eyes. I manage to drag my head up off the floor just in time to see Carl's expression change. He goes from terrified to ecstatic in a split second, and a second after that, he shifts.
We did it. We fucking did it. My head hits the floor with a crack, but I don't feel it as I drift into unconsciousness.
It takes days to perform the same spell on all the hostages, and I'm drained after each and every one. Strangely I seem to recover quicker than Tavey and Morganna, but it does seem to upset my whole system more than either or them – I'm violently sick after each reversal. It's a hundred and ten percent worth it though – the joy in the eyes of the shifters after we bring their animals back makes it all worthwhile.
No-matter the breed of shifter, if Morganna had split them, we manage to pull them back. They all pledge unwavering allegiance to Alpha Aaron. He's doing none of the hard work, just accepting all the credit - I allow myself a little grimace. He's a bugger.
Aurora is a worry – I thought she'd be ecstatic that we were managing to reverse the shifters Morganna had split, but if anything she's even fucking angrier and more despondent.
Morganna didn't separate Aurora from her wolf, so it was always unlikely she could re-unite Aurora. Of course she tried, but Morganna couldn't pull Aurora's wolf back. It was a blow, to both Aurora and Aaron. I think Aaron was hopeful Morganna might be powerful enough.
Aurora's wolf was there though – I swear could bloody sense it, even if the other's couldn't. It's so frustrating! We're loosing Aurora. She's more and more distant. Something has to be done, she's a loose cannon, I'm not sure what she might be tempted to do next. I catch her at a quiet moment and pull her aside.
“Aurora? There's something you should know.” She looks at me with one eyebrow raised “Aaron wasn't sure I should tell you because well, no-one else seems to have sensed anything...”
She takes two quick steps towards me and I can tell she's already imagining far better news than I have.
“Fuck my brother, he's an overprotective arse. If it's about me, he has no right to keep it from me!” She grabs both my hands and looks into my face.
“Uh, don't get too excited Aurora. I don't think it's anything big, and I really don't get why Tavey and Morganna don't sense it...” I pause, taking a deep breath.
Her shoulders sag a little at the implication it's not the news she was hoping for. I've started now – it's as good as done.
“When we first met, you took hold of my hand. I'd only just learned about your wolf separation, so I thought I must be wrong, but I was sure I could sense her” I say gently “She's called Nala, isn't she?”
Aurora's eyes widen a little – it's rare that we share our wolves names with anyone other than our mates. She probably hasn't told it to anyone yet. I don't mean to shock her, but I need her to believe me.
“Um... yes... how did you...? You're sure she's there?!”
“I wasn't to begin with, but anytime we touch I get a sense of her. When Morganna tried the reversal on you I was just there to act as an energy source, but your wolf was able to communicate with me a little; her name at least.”
I take her shoulders and give her a gentle shake “Aurora, you have to get her back... it's like the longer she's away from you the more she's fading” I sigh, unable to convey the sensation in words properly.
“Oh, fuck. What do I do? Aaron won't let me leave to try to find my separator, and I don't see how anyone else is going to do it better than me.”
“We'll work it out together Aurora. You're not alone in the this. I promise.”
“I am.” she states bluntly “Aaron won't listen.”
“Won't listen to what?” my mates voice still gives me a thrill. Even though I disagree with how he's dealing with his sister, I can't help but be glad to see him.
“To me” Aurora's voice takes on a shrill tone “You won't listen to me! I need to look for my separator Aaron. You have to let me go. Freya can feel my wolf, and she's fading!”
“Enough” Aaron's voice booms, full of alpha dominance “I shouldn't have to repeat myself. The sister of the alpha strolling around alone would be at risk in normal circumstances. Without your wolf you're just an easy target.”
I take in a breath between my teeth. He's being needlessly cruel. The more he talks like this the further he's driving Aurora away.
“Fuck you Aaron. I'll take Lyell with me if I have to – but I am doing this” Aurora spits “he will protect me with his life.”
Aaron lets out a cold laugh. “I have forbidden the two of you from associating. Even ignoring the fact you seem determined to defy me, what makes you think he will protect you Aurora?”
“He's my mate” She fires back before clamping her hand over her mouth and looking guiltily between us. “At... at least he thinks he is. We... we won't know for sure until I get my wolf back.”
Oh shit. I know Aaron doesn't trust Lyell around Aurora. This is going to send him through the roof. I glance sideways at my mate, and slip my hand into his, urging him over our mind-link to go easy on her. All I can feel from Aaron is a cold fury I didn't know he possessed, and buried at it's heart is fear, fear for his sister.
“You can not be mates” he states slowly, deliberately, ignoring her crossed arms and defensive stance “Didn't he tell you?”
“He tells me everything!” Aurora clenches her fists, but she sounds less certain and Aaron's heartless laugh can't help.
“Then you'll know he can't be your mate because he already had a mate, once.”
“I... I didn't know..” Aurora sounds very small now “but... there are second chance mates”
“Stop.” Aaron bellows “Stop this fanciful nonsense. You go and you ask Lyell why he was banished, why he was a rouge before we took him in. You ask him what he did to his own mate. Then, little sister, reassess if you still want to play at happy families with him after that.”
Tears stream down Aurora's face, and I feel them pricking the corner of my eyes too. But Aaron hasn't finished.
“Once you've got the truth from him, you will never talk to him again or I will banish him from this pack. I will have him branded if you threaten to go after him”
“Then I will do this alone” she says, flatly.
I grab Aurora by the shoulders, trying to hug her. She rips herself from my grasp and runs away crying. She's not coming back, I can tell.
“What the fuck Aaron?!” I hiss. How can he be so fucking insensitive? That's his bloody sister... and what if she is Lyell's second chance mate? I storm past him to find Lyell.
Chapter Forty-Three
Aaron's POV
I can't express how angry I am with my sister for disobeying m
e. I can't let her disobey her alpha just because she's my sister. She doesn't understand, I can't be lenient on her. If she would just behave and let me do the work of finding her wolf I wouldn't have to punish her.
Now I have to make an example of her. Her and fucking Lyell. I curse the day we accepted that bear into this pack. He's a good fighter, and has done well by us, but I care less for him than my sister. If I have to make an example of her, and I do, I sure as hell will make an example of him.
Freya's meddling has brought all of this on. If she had just kept her mouth shut like we agreed, like I told her to... What is it with my family and following simple fucking orders?!
I don't know what's got into Freya at the moment. I love her so passionately, so fully, but how can I possibly keep her safe if she goes around behaving like this?! I can't run a pack who think my commands are optional.
I deliberately avoid Freya when she comes looking for me. I know she wants me to send her with my fighters after Aurora but it's simply not happening. Aurora has endangered her own life but she will not endanger my mate's too.
My fighters will find Aurora and bring her home, and then I will deal with her, and Lyell. If I have to lock Freya in our rooms until all this is done I bloody well will. Actually that's not a shabby idea.
I change my tact and actively seek Freya out, putting on my most contrite face. If I apologise I might just manage to persuade her she shouldn't go hunting for Aurora. If I can't, then it's time for plan b.
When I spot her from the distance, obviously ranting at Liz. I have to admit my mate looks radiant when she's angry. She's truly glowing. Sidling up to her I wrap my arms around her and squeeze, lifting her off her feet.
“What do you think you're doing Aaron Varg?” She wriggles hard trying to push me off “I am absolutely furious at you”
“I know baby but you're sexy when you're angry, and I wanted to apologise”
“I'm not the one you should be apologising too” she huffs, but I feel her body relax into mine a little.