Lara laughed softly. “Can’t you see? He’s been given a duty.”
My mouth rounded at that as I whipped my head around to look at her, wondering how on earth she’d even know that was a thing, then I flickered my gaze back to catch Daniel’s with mine. She couldn’t know what that phrasing would mean, not with her so recently having arrived in this society, but I knew what it meant.
Especially when his cheeks turned bright pink and his line of sight was on par with the carpet beneath his feet.
“Covenant?”
Just one word, and a simple nod would make me accept what he was saying. Which he gave me.
Which, in turn, had me blowing out a breath.
The Mother knew about Seth.
I mean, she had to know, of course. He and the baby in Maribel’s belly were the first true siblings to ever be born—not like twins, who were ‘accidents.’ The entire family was important to the Mother’s plan. But this went deeper than that.
Daniel had appeared out of nowhere, reprimanding Seth like he was a guardian or something. Whatever Seth had done to me, Daniel had managed to control it.
Was that a gift she’d given him?
I rasped, “I understand, Daniel.”
His shoulders hitched like he felt guilty for withholding things from me, but I understood. What happened during our covenant was something we had no control over, and something we’d never forget.
I could remember mine as if it were yesterday, and with the current ache in my bones, I could confirm that, most definitely, my covenant hadn’t been the day before—I was a hell of a lot older now.
Blowing out a breath as I remembered that eerie place, where the mist surrounded a forest of trees, where I stood looking up into a sky that was filled with nothing, and a voice that came from everywhere and nowhere like the best stereo system in the world, I carefully got to my feet and rasped, “Whatever you need to fulfill your duty, son, you just let us know.”
Daniel’s head jerked back at that, and tears pricked his eyes. The sight of them made me want to walk over to him, to hug the kid, but I couldn’t.
Not when Seth was there.
So close.
Too close.
What he’d done to me, I didn’t appreciate.
And the thought of having him in the house with my woman and child, and that Daniel was evidently tasked with a duty that would require him to be near Seth at all, set me on edge. But Daniel saw my hesitant step forward, and those tear-brimmed eyes filled with disappointed understanding.
I knew why he cried too.
Acceptance.
Blind acceptance. Not just because of the covenant, but because I trusted Daniel too. I knew him and would fight for him.
Ah, fuck.
I forced myself to move forward, ignoring the evil kid on the bed, and strode over to him. Grabbing his shoulder, I hauled him into me and hugged him tight—if ever there was a kid who’d needed hugs, it was Daniel. And I knew that because the lonely boy in me had needed them just as much as he did now.
While I knew Sabina was incredibly affectionate with him, he was an alpha whelp. He needed to know that being so strong didn’t mean he couldn’t get a fucking hug every now and then.
As I squeezed him, I felt the second whatever Seth was doing hit me. I backed off, and knew I was right to when Lara called out, “Ethan. Move away.”
Daniel jolted a little, ducking his head with dismay because I knew he hadn’t wanted the hug to end, and I muttered, “Sorry, son.”
He gulped. “You keep calling me that.”
“It’s what you are, isn’t it?” I rasped, before I cut a look at Seth, who was back to staring straight ahead at the wall.
What in hell’s name were we going to do with him?
I scrubbed a hand over my face, before I muttered, “Daniel, you understand that we have to lock this door.”
He nodded. “I do. He’s a danger to his sister.”
I jerked at that. “His sister? Not his mom?”
“Maribel’s only in danger while she’s in her belly.”
The fact that he knew the kid in Maribel’s womb was a girl was telling enough. Maybe he figured he’d said too much, because he twisted around and, ducking down some, peered into Seth’s eyes and grumbled, “What are we going to do with you?”
That was a question I’d just asked myself, and it felt wrong to leave the burden on Daniel’s shoulders, but fuck…
Just, fuck.
What were we going to do with the evil little bastard?
Only the Mother knew.
Eli
“The child is imperative.”
I stared up at the totem, cursing under my breath at the only words the Mother would tell me about Seth.
This, supposedly, was an alpha’s gift.
Constant contact with the Mother.
Only, it was bullshit.
She barely let me communicate with Her anymore, and when She did, if the conversation didn’t follow the train of thought She wanted, then I’d be stonewalled.
That was, of course, if She even let me into the goddamn sacred circle.
She knew when I had something on my mind, and would act accordingly. Locking me out of the one place that was mine by right.
I gritted my teeth at Her answer, and snarled, “How is he imperative? The child is a lunatic.”
“The child is imperative.”
She was worse than a fucking broken record. Reaching up, I rubbed a hand through my hair and snapped, “This is ridiculous.”
“Ask the right question, and I’ll answer.”
The place where She answered wasn’t like the land where I’d claimed Sabina. It wasn’t Earth either though, wasn’t the circle back in Highbanks. It was foggy all around me, the totem up ahead, the sky a dull gray with stars twinkling through the mass of clouds, but shadows were at my feet so it looked like I was floating.
I knew my grandfather, who’d been a strong alpha with a weak omega—at least, that was what Maggie May had told me—had come here twice a week to confer with Her. Father had come once a week. Me? I barely came for these solo sessions once a week because She refused to answer the questions that most needed asking.
If ever there was a time where the whole truth was required, it was now. After what Seth had done to Ethan, I knew speaking with Her was the only way to get any clarity. That had evidently been wishful thinking, though, because She wouldn’t give much of anything to me. Never mind the truth.
“Is there no advice you can give me?” I asked softly, hoping that would buy me an in.
“Follow your omega’s heart. She will guide you on the path you need to take.”
I gritted my teeth at the non-answer. “Putting her in danger is putting us all in danger. I won’t leave Knight without a family—”
“Knight will always have a family.”
That didn’t ease my concerns. At all.
Because Lara? Family. I didn’t want my son to be raised by a woman who had no awareness of the life. Knight was strong. Maybe going to be stronger than me. He needed guidance. Someone who he could butt heads with without being terrified he was going to accidently decapitate them.
“You cannot change the future, son.”
“Free will says otherwise,” I rasped.
“The child is imperative.”
“Which child?” I demanded, wondering if She’d give me specifics.
“The child is imperative.”
Goddammit!
Before I could get angry, before I could earn the pack a smite, I stepped back from the totem and returned to the real world.
When I saw a wolf in the distance, between the trees, I growled under my breath. When Berry darted forward, her head tilted to the side in question, I wanted to step back onto the totem and demand more answers—this time about my mother. In the fallout, I’d forgotten about her and the answers we’d been so eager to seek. Amazing how priorities shifted when you led a pack.
Seeing her here
made me wonder if I’d hoped she was gone for good. Or was I glad she hadn’t run off?
“You betrayed your sons.”
Well, seemed like my rhetorical questions weren’t that rhetorical anymore.
She released a keening whine, before she backtracked into the forest.
“I trusted you with my woman! I wouldn’t have if I’d known how goddamn weak you were,” I hollered at her as she ran away, knowing she could hear me, and hoping the words penetrated the she-wolf’s hide to reach the spirit of my mother within.
Always fucking running.
What she did best.
Twisting around, mouth tightly pressed into a firm line, I stormed off. As expected, the Mother had been useless, and I was left with no answers, no advice, no guidance.
Whatever was heading our way… we were on our own. And while I was no psychic, it didn’t take a fucking fortune teller to figure out a storm was brewing.
Maybe the biggest of our lives.
Todd
“I didn’t expect you to bring me here.”
Her first words came as no surprise, but what did? The slight grimace of pain as she took a seat. I took note of it, but smiled at her as I settled into my side of the booth and told her, “That’s why I brought you.”
“You want to disarm me?”
Yes. That was the simple answer. Of course I wanted to disarm her. I’d never come across a woman in direr need of being disarmed than Lara Krasowski.
As I lifted my arm and rested it along the backrest of my banquette, I cast a quick look around the dining hall, and while I garnered attention, people were more interested in Lara.
I couldn’t blame them.
Even days after her attack, she still scented of hyena.
“I think you need a little disarming, that’s for sure.”
“I like to keep my control tighter than a Sports Illustrated model’s ass.”
My lips twitched. “That tight, huh?”
“Yes.” She tipped her head to the side like she was studying me, and while it felt more scientific than I’d appreciate, that her focus was on me was more than ample for my taste.
I knew she was going to fight the mate bond.
Knew it like I knew my name was Todd, for Mother’s sake, but I could cope with that. I’d dealt with worse. In the end, so long as she was mated to me, I’d deal with all the hoops she wanted me to jump through with a smile.
She broke eye contact with me after a few minutes of what felt like deep analysis, before she peered around the diner. “This isn’t your territory.”
“No. I’m braving the people for you.” I shot her a small smile. “I was invited onto pack land, however, so they shouldn’t tear my heart out and serve it to you on a platter.”
Her eyes widened, and she whispered, “They’d do that?”
“We would if you needed defending.”
The intrusion came as no surprise, seeing as I’d heard Maggie May storming over to me from the counter, but I twisted to face her and greeted her, “I’d expect no less, Maggie. Thank you for welcoming me into your diner.”
She sniffed. “Is it true?”
“What?” I asked, not perturbed by her question. I knew her from old, after all. Knew how intrusive she could really be. “Is what true?” I repeated when she just stood there, pursing her lips at me.
“That you’re mated?”
Evidently, one of the members of staff had a penchant for eavesdropping and gossiping about the ruling family… still, there was no harm in confirming the chatter. “It is.”
Lara protested, “It isn’t.”
I cut her a look. “You can deny many things, avoid many fates, but that is one truth you’ll never be able to hide from.”
Laughing, Maggie agreed, “He’s right there, girl. You can’t hide from a mate bond. Not even sure why you’d want to. Not with this cutie.” She reached over, and my nose crinkled as she grabbed my cheek like I was eight. Then, after she finished tormenting my innocent face, her eyes narrowed into a squint and she turned to Lara. “The girls up at the house say you can feel things.”
The way she phrased it had me hiding a grin, but I had no choice to let it out when Lara muttered, “Well, yes, I’m not a psychopath.”
“Good to know,” Maggie grumbled, her disbelief clear. She peered between us. “But you’re a tricky one, ain’t you? I see that unless I pin you down, you’ll answer however you want.” She plunked her order pad down on the table, then asked, “So, let me put it this way. The girls said that you can feel what I’m feeling.”
“Yes,” Lara confirmed, her shoulders hunching slightly.
“She’s your omega then?” Maggie asked, and I rolled my eyes at her.
“I’m courting her, Maggie, not terrifying her.”
“You’re both tricky, probably for the best or you’d drive each other insane with half-answers,” Maggie complained with a huff.
“I’m probably not strong enough to have an omega,” I prevaricated.
She pshawed at that. “Just because your strength comes in different ways doesn’t mean you ain’t strong, boy.” She wagged her pen at me. “Now, what are you eating?”
“I’ll have the usual.”
“What’s the usual?” Lara asked, and I got the feeling she clung to the normal topic with both hands. I’d let her get away with that, for now. I had no intention of scaring her away.
“A cheeseburger with the cheese inside, bacon and avocado. Home fries and…” Maggie squinted up at the ceiling like she was trying to recall my order when we both knew that she knew it by heart. “Cherry cola.”
“Right on the money,” I told her with a laugh.
“I’ll have that as well please, only no avocado.”
Maggie hummed, then drifted away as quietly as she’d appeared at the side of the table.
“It’s good. The best. You’ll enjoy it.”
“Don’t you have a diner on your…”
At her struggle, I answered, “Territory? Or you can call them pack lands as well. And yes, we do, but no burgers beat Maggie’s.” I hummed. “I think it’s the cheese.”
“You two sounded like you knew one another.”
“Maggie tutors. Not so much now, but she still has a few pupils. She’d travel around the three packs in the area every week. In fact, she’s one of the only people I know of who can still freely enter three sets of territories without getting permission from the alphas upfront.
“Back then I needed all the help I could get. My father’s Korean-American, my mother American, but because of how the pack home-schools, my grandparents were the ones teaching me, so I was learning everything in Korean just like they did. I needed help with English. More help than my mom could give me.” Mom had been many things, but no teacher.
“Really?” Her brows rose. “Why? Didn’t you just pick it up by being here?”
I wiggled my head. “Easier said than done.”
“Why?”
I hadn’t intended on getting into this, but… “Gray Rainford, the father of the previous alpha, brought my grandparents over as…” I sighed. “Basically, they were his slaves.” Her shocked gasp had me shooting her a wary look. “For a long time, they were kept to themselves, and everyone was too terrified of him and then his son to ever try to help. There’s a lot of guilt among the pack over how my family was treated. We’ve been the token Asian family for a long time—”
“Until your father was killed?”
“Yes. Until I’d had enough.” I smiled at one of the servers when she dropped off a cherry cola that was already perspiring, and after I took a deep sip, I told her, “My father didn’t iron his clothes well enough one day. That was enough to trigger his rage.” Such a ridiculous way to die, but that was Kingsley Rainford. Ridiculous. On the knife’s edge. Psychotic.
Her brow puckered, but she reached over and grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry.”
“I miss him,” I told her simply.
“I can imagine,” she
replied, her tone soft, her eyes sad as she evidently experienced my sorrow. When she said ‘I can imagine,’ we both knew she felt it as much as I did. There was a curious freedom in that. In knowing that she felt the suffocating grief that often overwhelmed me.
Not that I wanted her to suffer, but to be understood was something any grieving child needed. No matter their age.
“My mom and he were mates. She was trying to encourage him to leave the pack, to move, but it never worked. He was too scared.”
“Why?”
“Originally, my grandparents were North Korean defectors. Their papers say they’re from the South, but they’re not. To get into the US, they took some illegal routes, and the Rainfords always held that against us. My grandparents are still alive, so losing everything would probably be the nail in the coffin.”
“You said your mother was American?”
“She was.” Eying her, I repeated, “They were mated.” I sensed she didn’t understand what that meant, because her expression didn’t change all that much. “In our world, if you’re mated to someone, bound and claimed, when one dies, the other does too.”
Her mouth turned into a perfect circle, a too-perfect circle that made me think of things I had no business thinking right now. She needed to be courted, not seduced. There was a distinct difference—even if I wished I could seduce her, because sweet Mother, she was beautiful.
A true beauty, with her dark hair that curled about her face, the bright red tints that might have been streaks a stylist put in, but weren’t. It was nature who’d blessed her with such beauty.
Her face might not sink a thousand ships to some men, but for me, it did. She was a woman to go to war over.
Thankfully, Eli had seen sense and wasn’t putting anything in the way of us getting to know one another.
I had to wonder if that was because of our conversation, his mate’s good sense, or if he’d just accepted that two mates couldn’t be kept apart.
That was something Lara didn’t understand. But she would.
Moon Child: A PNR Shifter Romance (The Year of the Wolf Book 2) Page 19