by Ayer, T. G.
His words were designed to incite the prejudices of the alphas, but it didn’t seem to be an all-out success. A few heads were nodding, but many more were shaking in disagreement.
As I surveyed the room, my eyes met Justin’s. The sadness in his expression made my heart ache. Not that it mattered, but I wondered how he felt about a union with me now. Would he think it was such a good idea anymore?
Marsden cleared his throat. “The ruling includes the following: all second-generation mixed alphas who are part of a Walker/non-Walker union will automatically be disqualified from alpha rights.”
His words chilled me to the bone. The new ruling meant, should I continue my relationship with Logan and we settle down, then I lose my right to alpha-hood.
***
Chapter 6
I didn’t like it.
Not that it had ever meant much to me considering I’d always rebelled against my alpha responsibilities, but when your rights were being removed, then everyone had the right to be concerned.
“I’m afraid I don’t see what right you have to instill this ruling,” said the jaguar alpha who’d spoken earlier. I struggled to remember his name. Deacon. Matthew Deacon. “It doesn’t make sense. Sometimes alpha genes are extremely dominant in third-generation offspring. Sometimes they are stronger and more alpha than most.”
What he was saying was true. I knew of alphas who were third-gen mixed-breed that produced a feline counterpart that was stronger and more powerful than many of the full-bloods.
“That does not mean they have a right to rule.” A voice cut through the hum of disagreement. Francine Waters. An icy voice to match the icy blonde.
“We haven’t had a problem with it for centuries. Well, forever if you want to be specific. Why now? Why are you making a minor issue into something bigger?” Deacon asked, still not backing down.
“It’s not a minor issue,” Waters snapped. “It’s a matter of the dilution of the bloodline.”
“Bloodlines are diluted no matter if you are alpha or not,” said Deacon, his tone kind, his eyes far from it. It was clear to anyone watching that he didn’t particularly like Ms. Waters.
“Be that as it may, we believe the right to rule must preclude those who will dilute the bloodline.”
“We aren’t royalty to be bothered with bloodline purity. What exactly is this all about?” an irritated voice piped up.
“So what? Are we going to go back to the dark ages where our mates are chosen for us? Will the Walker Council now act as marriage advisors to the ruling families, then?” another voice shouted.
Marsden held out his hands, waving down the rising voices. “You will have plenty of time to record your disagreement to the ruling. Please take your time to think about this from all angles.”
“So are you saying if we don’t agree with this ruling of yours, you will not ratify it?” Marsden glanced at the speaker, a lynx alpha from Colorado. The expression on the council leader’s face was stony. The lynx alpha laughed. “I see. We have time to voice our disagreement, to table our dissatisfaction. But in the end, you will still ratify the ruling anyway.”
The room erupted into cries of disagreement.
“That isn’t fair…”
“We should have a say…”
“This goes against our rights….”
“The council is taking their responsibilities too far…”
The secretary banged his gavel again, but nobody seemed to care. I was numb, trying to process the whole thing. Beside me, Dad and Iain had remained strangely quiet. I wanted to know what they thought, but a tiny part of me wondered if they agreed. Maybe they also had issues with my relationship with Logan. Iain had certainly disliked him to begin with, but I’d been under the impression it was because of the whole Sentinel-Omega rivalry.
Around us voices rose and fell. Most of the alphas respected my father and would stand with him in this case. It wasn’t as if I’d ever done anything for the colony that would make them want to sacrifice anything for me. So I wasn’t expecting them to stand up for me personally. I just hoped there were enough first and second-generation mixed-bloods within the alpha families that would ensure the alphas didn’t allow the ruling to go through.
I leaned over to my father. “So what if the majority of the alphas disagree with this ruling?”
“It certainly seems like it doesn’t matter who disagrees.”
“But can they really do that?” When he didn’t say anything, I asked, “So what if they decide the Walker Council now chooses the alpha leaders, that dominant Walker blood no longer has a say?”
“As ridiculous as that sounds, it looks pretty much like they could do that too if they wanted,” said Iain, a cold, hard anger in his voice.
“Then I think the Walker Council has gotten way too powerful if they can stand all the alphas down when and if they want to.”
“We agree, but little can be done about. We’re left with lobbying the current council members to ensure the vote doesn’t go through.” Dad shook his head as if he couldn’t fathom what was happening.
“So one nay will stall the ruling from being ratified?” I asked, curious about the process but fuming at the reality of it all.
Dad nodded, but his eyes were hooded with worry. “But I’m not sure now if they can be stopped.”
“How the hell did it get to this?” A voice at Dad’s back made him swivel around in his seat. A jaguar alpha elder from the north spoke with Dad and Iain in low tones for a few moments.
When he left, I asked, “What was that about”?”
“Just someone as unhappy with this whole situation as we are. Seems the alphas are pulling together on this. It’s not a matter of the bloodline issue any longer. It’s more to do with the fact that the power of the High Council has reached a danger point. The alphas no longer have a strong vote in major decisions. It used to be that we were consulted, that our opinions were taken into strong consideration. But it seems the balance has shifted. Something has changed that we aren’t aware of.”
“Did you even see this coming?”
“I’m afraid we did see this coming.” A voice spoke behind me, and I twisted around to face Justin. “It’s been a point of concern for a number of years, but this ruling is worse than we ever expected. Something has to be done.”
I said nothing, but Dad looked at Justin, his gaze dark with concern. “Are we meeting?” was all he asked.
Justin nodded. “I’ll let you know the details as soon as I hear.”
“Will they want us on board, considering?” Seems the alpha bloodline issue had struck a chord with Dad too.
“Of course, Corin. Don’t even think that the alphas will sideline you on this.” His tone was sharp, as if it annoyed him that Dad had even asked the question.
Dad just nodded and Justin left his seat and walked farther down the line to stop and talk with another alpha family. I scanned the people in the room and for a moment, I was relieved to see that few eyes were on me or any of the other half-bloods with relationship issues.
Until my gaze fell on Michael Waring. He was staring straight at me, caring little if I noticed his attention. The look he gave me didn’t disguise his dislike. The Warings were one family I’d never want to contend with. If you wanted to see entitlement in action, you only had to look at the Waring alphas. They were cougars from Washington and seemed to think their location meant they got to tell everyone else what to do. Most alpha families paid them little attention, and the reality was they had more enemies than friends.
Now Michael, whose father was the reigning alpha of his clan, stared at me with a potent hatred in his eyes. Michael, whose advances I’d deflected just before I’d fled to Chicago. It didn’t make sense though. Why hold a grudge against a half-breed with the new ruling now coming into effect. But a niggling thought still remained. I was one of the most powerful alphas in the US. If we had to step back into the Dark Ages and fight amongst the alphas for the right to rule, I’d pretty much
wipe the floor with Michael’s ass. Was that it, then? He hated me for rejecting him?
I sighed, wanting to rub my forehead to ease the ache behind my eyes. But that would be a show of weakness, and alphas were not weak.
I just wanted this to be over so I could go get Mom.
The gavel knocked again and the room subsided into silence. During the discussion, the council members had remained at the table, had not mixed with the alphas at all. Smart move since so many of the alphas were so unhappy.
“Now that we have the ruling on record, we can adjourn the meeting. You will all receive copies for the addition via email within the next day. And of course, we welcome any discussion regarding the new ruling. Meeting adjourned.”
The moment the gavel hit the block a final time, the room erupted into discussion. The council members filed out in a hurry, and it was easy to see why. They weren’t the most popular people around. A large number of alpha families gathered around us, and a few of them patted me on the back or the shoulder, murmuring words of support and encouragement.
We stayed until the first alphas began to leave, an Odel family rule of old. We were officially the highest-ranking family, and even in Justin’s home, Dad acted as the host. Not that Justin minded, either. He’d been an honorary member of our family since we’d joined his in marriage.
***
As soon as Grams and I got back to the apartment, she rushed into her room and grabbed her bag. She glanced over her shoulder as she headed for the door. “I really have to go. I’m not sure if I’ll get back before you return, so be careful, Kai. I mean it. Don’t go taking any unnecessary chances.”
“Yes, Grams.” I agreed, knowing as I spoke that I merely said the words to satisfy her. Whatever happened when I went to Wrythiin, it would happen as needed. I had no plans to avoid anything the Wraiths may have in store for me.
The apartment was silent after she left, just the soft tick-tock of the hall clock to break the deathly pall. I was bone tired and needed some sleep, but the insistent vibration of my mobile told me I had at least one message waiting to be attended to.
A glance at the list of texts confirmed a message from Lily and one from Logan. It was well into the early hours of the morning when we’d returned from Justin’s, but I responded to both messages, hoping both senders were asleep and would receive them in the morning, thus relieving me from any further disturbances.
No such luck.
The phone buzzed and I was forced to answer. “Hey, Lily. Why are you still awake?” I asked, keeping my voice light.
“Where the hell have you been?” came the strident question.
“Sorry, it’s been a freaking long day.”
“I was worried,” Lily replied, an accusing note to her words.
“I’m sorry. I got home late, then saw Tara, then had to head off to a Walker Council meeting that still makes my stomach turn.”
“Walker Council?” Lily asked. “What do they want?”
I sighed and sank into the couch. “Nothing much. They just want to make sure half-breed alphas who don’t partner with another full-blooded Walker lose their alpha-hood.”
“What? But, Kai, what about Logan?”
“Hey. It’s not as bad as it sounds. It looks like the alpha families won’t be taking the council’s shenanigans lying down.”
“So someone is going to do something about it, then?” she asked hopefully. She seemed as upset about this as I was.
“I certainly hope so. And by the way, Lily, this has nothing to do with Logan, okay?”
“What do you mean? If what they say stands, then you won’t be allowed to be with him.” Her voice was strident and almost panicky, as if the thought that anything happening to Logan and me would devastate her.
“Lily,” I said, keeping my voice low and even. “I’m young and so is Logan. We both have a lot of life left before us. This isn’t the time in either of our lives to be making long-term life choices.”
“But…”
“But nothing, Lily.” I fell silent for a moment, and it seemed she had nothing to add. I hoped she wasn’t pouting. “Look. I have to get some rest. I’m falling asleep on my feet.”
“When do you leave?”
“As soon as I wake up.”
“Well, I’m coming with you, so don’t leave without me.”
“Look, Lily—”
“Don’t look Lily me. I’m not letting you leave me behind this time, okay. Anjelo is in Wrythiin too. I have stakes in this too, you know, so you can’t cut me out. You don’t have the right.” No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t negate her words.
I sighed in silence. Lily had me cornered with her argument. Besides, how could I refuse her the right to save the boy she loved? “Okay. I’ll text you when I get up.”
“Thanks, Kai. I promise I won’t let you down. I’ll be useful too.”
“I know you will. Now let me sleep and we’ll talk in a few hours. You get some rest, too. No telling how long it will be before we rest again.”
***
Chapter 7
My sleep broke a few hours later, and I knew that was all the rest I was going to get. I wriggled in the bed, my eyes squeezed shut, reluctant to open them. Already my heart was thudding in anticipation of the mission.
I stiffened as warm lips traced a heated trail down my neck. Logan’s hair brushed softly against my cheek, and I smiled, inhaling the musky, piquant scent of him. It had been a different kind of hell during the funeral, unable to touch him or let him touch me. I’d have said to hell with propriety and manners, but Logan was all about the rules.
Now, though, it seemed he was prepared to break a few rules with me. The strap of my racer back tee slipped off my shoulder, and he kissed my collarbone, sinking his teeth into the sensitive skin, sending shivers of desire along my body, all the way to the pit of my stomach.
I cleared my throat and tilted my head down to look at him. “Just what is it you think you are doing?” Although I tried to be cool, even bossy, my voice came out husky and filled with desire.
“What does it look like?” he asked as he raised his head to look at me, his black eyes filled with fire. My collarbone felt bereft of his warmth, and the look in his eyes destroyed any facade of resistance I might have raised.
“What it looks like is breaking and entering,” I said, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts.
He moved closer, skin sizzling against skin. “Oh no, I entered the property on good authority that the owner was in need of saving.”
“Oh really? Saving from what?” I raised an eyebrow, but it went unseen as Logan returned to burn kisses along my neck, all the way back to my collarbone, and then farther. I wasn’t about to complain.
“Saving from need,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “You see, need is all-consuming, and she has to be saved or else it will mean the death of her.” The other strap of my tee slid off my shoulder, the fabric skimming sensitive skin, heightening the ripples of desire that engulfed me.
“You sure this need isn’t really an Incubus?”
Logan snorted and his breath puffed against my ribs. He’d certainly made progress. I was now down to just one article of clothing.
Logan groaned and pulled me closer, sliding his body up mine, sending sparks of lightning across my skin, firing my senses. The feel of his lithe, muscled body against the length of mine did unmentionable things to my insides. His mouth descended on mine, his tongue driving me to seek more of him.
And in that moment, time stood still. I wasn’t thinking about heading off into unknown danger. All I could think of was the man who held me so tenderly in his arms.
For now, the moment was all ours.
***
I woke with a start and blinked drowsily. Something had pulled me from a deep, dreamless sleep. I accessed my panther sight, the dark slowly melting away until I saw Logan struggling in the bed beside me. I’d been so fast asleep I’d forgotten he was even there. And I didn’t have time to
feel bad either. He thrashed about, tossing his head this way and that. The muscles in his neck were strained, tight with whatever stress his dream created in his mind. He mumbled something, but many of the words were smudged. I managed to make out a few words, and it sounded like he’d said, “Where is she?” and “What happened to her?”
A light sheen of sweat bathed Logan’s body, and he was so hot to touch that I hissed when I put my hand on him to still his frantic thrashing. I ignored the burn and gripped his muscled shoulder, shaking him hard. Who knew what he’d do, but I was prepared.
He slid out of his nightmare slowly, blinking at me as I bent over him. He dragged a hand over his slick face and groaned, dropping his head back against the pillow.
“You okay?” I asked as I hovered.
He gazed at me, his eyes dark and troubled. Then they cleared as he gave me smile. “I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” He was trying to reassure me, and I didn’t want to push him.
Selfishly, I was aware I didn’t have the time to spend convincing him to confide in me. I just had to hope we had enough between us that he could eventually be comfortable enough to bare his soul.
***
I walked out of the shower to the enticing aroma of fresh coffee. Dressing quickly, I headed for the kitchen to see Lily sitting at the marble counter, sipping at her mug and blowing carefully on the steaming surface. Logan stood on the other side of the counter, a mug in his hand. He’d dressed and looked pretty decent considering we’d gotten about two hours of shut-eye. Handing me a mug, he smiled as I approached, and I slipped into the seat beside Lily.
She looked at me, then quickly glanced at Logan and then back at me. I hid a smile. Lily was a little uncomfortable being alone with us.
“You’re early. Wanted to make sure I don’t leave without you?” I asked with a teasing smile.