She was Pack, and the bond told him that she was his.
Not that he had any idea what to do about that.
“We’re letting humans into our circle now?” a wolf named Stephen asked as he blocked their path.
Max let out a warning growl. His family wasn’t close enough to hear what was going on, and since he and Cheyenne were just at the right angle to be out of sight, he wasn’t even sure the others knew they were near.
“Move out of the way, Stephen. We’ll go over everything during the meeting.”
“With her, is what you’re saying.” Two more wolves came closer, and though Max was more dominant than each of them, they were surrounded. Frankly, Max didn’t want to show Cheyenne exactly what he could do with the strength he held in his veins.
“Yes, with me.” Cheyenne lifted her chin but didn’t come from behind Max where he’d subtly put his body in front of hers. She was a damn strong human, and if she chose to turn to a wolf, she’d be high on the dominance scale for sure. But she didn’t have claws or fangs to fight with right now if it came to that. But she met the others’ gazes, and that spoke volumes.
“She’s Pack, Stephen.” Max held back more of a growl since he didn’t want to get into a fight in the middle of a Pack circle. “And she’s mine.”
He felt Cheyenne stiffen next to him, but when she slid her fingers into the belt loop of his jeans—since she couldn’t hold his hand on that side of his body—his wolf prowled under his skin, wanting more.
Stephen’s nostrils flared, and he lowered his gaze, as did the others on either side of him. Max knew that it wasn’t just for him either, it was for Cheyenne. Stephen and the others knew who was the more dominant in this group, and it wasn’t Stephen and his friends.
When they skulked off, he tugged Cheyenne toward the tree line so they could talk. He needed to get a few words out before they had to stand next to his family and deal with the world and the dangers that were greater than what was going on between the two of them.
“Well that was interesting,” Cheyenne said, her brow raised. “Is that going to happen often?”
Max pinched the bridge of his nose. “It shouldn’t, but like Brie said yesterday, things are off-kilter here with so many changes. Gideon and the others have a handle on it, but there are still skirmishes. And we’re wolves, Cheyenne. Sometimes, our animal instincts come out to play.”
“I get that. Of all humans, I get that.”
She was a vet, so she would, but still… He reached out and traced his finger along her jaw, unable to hold back. His wolf wanted to do more, but he knew this wasn’t the time or place.
“Thank you for defending me. Verbally, I could have done it myself, but I know my strength and fighting skills against wolves and cats is not there yet.”
“I know we need to talk about it, but I’m your mate, Cheyenne. I’m going to protect you. I would have before because you’re a friend, but now it’s my duty and my privilege to do so.”
She licked her lips, and his gaze went to them. Unable to stop himself, he leaned forward and brushed his lips along hers. Her lips were so soft, her body so close that he could scent himself on her. She sucked in a startled breath, and he pressed forward with slightly more pressure before pulling away.
“Should I apologize for that?” he asked, his voice low. He knew they needed to go before they were late, but this was important. Everything seemed so important these days.
“No. I would have stopped you if I wanted to.” She tilted her head. “I’m going to say something that’s probably going to annoy you, but since we’re going about this from the wrong end and, frankly, it’s already worrying me, I’m just going to say it.”
His wolf pushed at him, but he ignored it, worried about what she was going to say. “Okay.”
“The others say you used to smile. Used to be the one who hugged and laughed and held.”
He was the one who stiffened this time. “I’m not that man anymore.”
She reached up and cupped his jaw. She had to go up onto her tiptoes since she was so tiny compared to him, but he didn’t move away from her touch. Didn’t want to. “I know. I never knew that man. I only know the man before me. The one who isn’t as broken as the world thinks.”
He growled, annoyed at that word. Broken. “I’m not a broken man. I’m just not the same.”
“I know.” She pressed her lips together, staring at him as she moved her hand away. He missed the touch. “So, what does this mean?”
“I don’t know, but you’re stuck with me. I hope you don’t mind a mate who isn’t going to fucking smile.” He’d used the word mate, and her eyes darkened. Something was going on between them, and he could feel it across the bond.
That made her smile, if only for a moment. “Whatever you say. Now, let’s go see what the others say. Because it’s not just about you and me. But, Max? One day, it will have to be you and me.”
He didn’t say anything, but he knew. They would do what they could for the others, fight for the Pack, and deal with this new magic. But at some point, he’d have to deal with this new mating bond tearing at the shards within him, doing what nothing could do before.
Finding him.
Chapter Six
Cheyenne wrapped her fingers in Max’s belt loop under his right arm once again. She liked that he trusted her enough to put that side of him toward her. She knew he didn’t do it often, if ever, with others. And she knew that he had his other arm away from her so he could protect her and himself if something came at them.
She’d figure out exactly how she felt about all of it later.
For now, she found herself standing in the middle of the Brentwood area of the Pack circle, the stone seats surrounding her. The elders sat in the section next to them. She was still trying to catch up with what had just happened between her and Max, let alone what was going to happen with the rest of the Pack, as Gideon began the meeting.
Max was her mate, there was no denying that, though she didn’t know what it meant in the grand scheme of things considering they had the bond but hadn’t taken steps to make it happen in the first place. The kiss they’d just shared was their first true kiss, and while she could still taste him on her lips, it hadn’t lasted long enough for her to sense what it meant, or what it could mean.
“You look lost,” a male wolf said from her side.
She froze, then looked over at the man, his dark hair and eyes intense. And from the depth of knowledge and time in those eyes, she knew this wolf was far older than anyone else in this stone circle. This man, this wolf, had to be an elder.
“I feel lost,” she answered, surprised she’d spoken at all.
“I’m Xavier. And you’re Cheyenne, our new Packmate and Max’s mate.”
She blinked and held out her hand, wondering how Pack members greeted one another. She supposed sniffing each other like true wolves wasn’t appropriate, plus, she wasn’t a wolf.
Yet.
No, she wasn’t going to think about that.
“Nice to meet you.”
Xavier wrapped his hand around hers, and she swallowed hard at the power radiating from him. Oh, Max and Gideon—and probably the rest of the Brentwoods—were stronger in terms of dominance, but the saying that knowledge was power wasn’t lost on this man. Or her.
“We’ll speak soon, I’m sure.” Then, Xavier released her hand and turned to where Gideon stood.
Though the circle was filled with the magic of the wolves, witches, and Aimee, their sole cat shifter, Gideon spoke into a microphone, probably because the Pack was so large that bellowing would get annoying after a while. He stood in front of a stone wall that held large screens where his face was shown like he was a singer at a concert or a preacher at one of those megachurches her parents used to go to until they passed when she was in college.
The arena they were in was actually outdoors, and she assumed it was because shifters were far more in tune with nature than most humans. It actually reminde
d her a bit of the Coliseum of ancient Rome, though far smaller and more modern with upgrades. She knew, though, that the stones she now sat on were older than she was, probably even older than Max since the Pack who created them was the first Pack to ever form. She hadn’t known until recently, but apparently, the Talon line came from the original hunter and the moon goddess from ages ago and had evolved into what the Pack was today. Cheyenne couldn’t comprehend the vast layers of history that must live within the wolves and walls of this den, but then again, maybe those who lived it didn’t dwell on it. It would be hard to remember every instance of being when you lived for hundreds of years.
And she knew if she so chose, that would be her burden, as well.
She swallowed hard, and Max shifted closer, giving her strength so she could focus on Gideon as he spoke. She didn’t want to think about the fact that Max soothed her as much as he did, but then again, she couldn’t help but think of the man that pulsated in her chest thanks to their new bond that tasted of heat and raw power.
“Let the circle begin,” Gideon bellowed into the microphone. Maybe he did need to shout after all, since speaking over hundreds of wolves at once would be difficult in any situation. She knew that not all of the Pack was there since some had to watch the younger ones and others were on patrol and guarding the den, but almost all of the Pack had to be in attendance. That meant the amount of magic and power within these stones was so immense, she could taste it on her tongue, feel it on her skin, and she wasn’t even a magic user or shifter like the rest of the people surrounding her.
As soon as Gideon spoke, the wolves grew quiet. So silent, Cheyenne had to open her mouth and crack her jaw a bit since the lack of sound had almost created a vacuum that made her want to pop her ears. She couldn’t explain it any other way, and when Max looked over at her, raising a brow, she shrugged. She wasn’t like anyone else here, and she would just have to learn her way …or run like she had before.
Only she didn’t know if she was going to be able to run this time, not with the new bonds settling into her without her even knowing.
“As you know, Blade has declared himself Supreme Alpha. We have no idea what he means by that, but we do know that something is coming from him and the Aspens.”
The others grumbled, speaking to one another, and Gideon let them have that time. She figured that with so much tension in the area, having an outlet, even just a vicious whisper, would help.
“No one has ever been a Supreme Alpha or Alpha of all the wolves. That, at least, is what we think he means. He wants to rule over all the Packs, have every Alpha answer to him. And in this new world where we must live within the human rules and find our way when the world knows who we are, maybe the idea of having one governing body is a good idea.”
The others growled at that and, frankly, Cheyenne wanted to, as well. She knew that having so many Packs around the world who didn’t do things exactly the same way could be an issue. Some were still in hiding, others, like the Talons, had been forced out into the open. Everyone knew who the Talons were and who many of the individual wolves within the Pack were. It had been dangerous in the beginning and, frankly, Cheyenne wasn’t sure it was any less dangerous now. Considering the fact that she couldn’t go home at the moment because of her connections to the Packs, she just didn’t know.
“Blade, however, is not our Supreme Alpha.”
The others cheered, though she noticed that the Brentwoods and elders stayed silent. They all knew what was coming, after all, or at least knew what dangers they were all facing.
“One day, when we finish with the Aspen Pack, when Blade is no longer a danger to our way of life and our pups, then we will need to discuss with the other Packs a better truce.” He held up his hands to stop any murmuring. And because he was Alpha, not a single person objected. Well, because he was Alpha and because he was Gideon. “Parker, the Voice of the Wolves, and now a Talon Pack member, has connected us all, something we’ve needed to do for far too long. We’re in an alliance with the Redwoods and the Centrals, and one with a European Pack is in the works. That much you all know. It has helped us. We have grown stronger. And with what Blade most likely has in store for us, we might have to find more strength, more members of other Packs who are willing to fight alongside us. Blade has used dark magic in the past, he has threatened us over and over again, and we have always come out on top because we fought together. We must keep fighting as one. We must keep calm and find a way to remove Blade from his position. One he made up, but something that we might need in the future. Blade is not our Supreme Alpha.”
The others started asking questions, and Gideon and the others in the hierarchy answered them. Cheyenne noticed that Max remained silent, part of the Brentwoods and the Pack but just separate enough because he had no true titled position. She had heard that he was part of the Talon and Redwood Pack Joint Council, but as the two Packs were practically one at this point with two Alphas, she wasn’t sure what he did now or how he felt about it all. This wasn’t the time or place to discuss it, however.
“As for the other business we need to settle, we’re here with a plea for you all to look into your memories and help us with details.” Gideon looked over at Cheyenne, and she straightened in her seat. She didn’t meet his gaze, had never truly been able to, but she did look at the tightness of his jaw. Max leaned into her, and she could breathe again, unaware she hadn’t been able to before.
“Blade took a friend of our Pack, one who is now Pack herself.” The others growled for her, and for some reason, Cheyenne felt protected. These wolves—not all of them she guessed, thinking of Stephen—were on her side, at least that’s how it felt at the moment. It might change in an instant, but she wasn’t alone anymore.
She had her friends. She had a Pack. She had a group of people who might not be like her but were connected to her in some way. Other than Dhani, Aimee, and Dawn, Cheyenne had never truly had that in her life. Not in school or even at her clinic.
An overwhelming sense of change washed over her, and it was all she could do not to sink into Max’s side and hide from the concern and awareness surrounding her.
Gideon spoke again, this time describing the artifact and what had happened to her. He didn’t mention the torture, the fear she had that she could have died, or that Blade would have reveled in it. Instead, he only spoke of the artifact itself and the fact that she’d seen it.
“If you have seen this before or have read about it, tell us. Go to your homes, to your libraries, search for it. It’s important to Blade. Therefore, it has to be important to us. When we convene again, we will discuss it more, but know we will fight Blade. We will win. And we will live in peace. It’s time for our Packs to do so. Far past time.”
Then the wolves in human form threw back their heads and howled. Max joined in next to her, and she shivered but didn’t move away. Instead, she closed her eyes and let it all wash over her, let the magic and the sense of almost belonging seep into her soul.
When she opened her eyes, the rest of the Pack was filing out of the circle in waves, while some lingered, presumably speaking to one another about what had just happened. The Brentwoods were all talking to one another, her friends giving her reassuring glances as she sat next to Max in silence, not sure what to do next.
Xavier cleared his throat, and she looked over at him. At her side, she could feel Max doing the same.
“Yes?” she asked, a little unnerved by this wolf who seemed to know everything, to see everything. Yet he wasn’t fully immersed in this world. He was far too old for that.
“Gideon came to me last night, came to all the elders. He spoke about what happened to you and gave more details.” She winced, and Max put his arm around her while Xavier had the grace to look ashamed. “I’m sorry he had to tell us, though he might have to tell the rest of the Pack. The details of the blood and sacrifice are what triggered a memory for me.”
She leaned forward and could tell others were doing the same. “A
nd?”
She knew she sounded rude, but she also knew the Pack needed to know what was going on. She needed to know what was going on.
“The artifact, if it’s the same one I’m thinking of, was meant for blessings. So, in times of need, if there was a disaster and they lost an Alpha, it was used to help the Pack live and thrive until the Heir could be Alpha. For instance, if Ryder and Gideon were both lost to us, Fallon wouldn’t be old enough to be Alpha, and we have no Heir after her. If we had the artifact, the power could be drawn from the moon goddess herself to help settle the Pack until we were ready. Until Fallon was ready. But that’s only what I read long ago. There could be other stones that look like the one you described, but I doubt there can be two stones of such power.”
Cheyenne let out the breath she’d been holding, but Gideon was the one who spoke. “Why did Blade need to use it, then? His Heir is still alive, though we don’t hear from him. Audrey said he was on her side though before we lost contact with her.”
“Then there might be other uses for the artifact,” Xavier said simply, though his words and their meaning were anything but simple.
“If it gives power, then maybe it can take it away,” Max said softly, and the others froze. Cheyenne rubbed his knee when he stopped talking and, for some reason, she knew he didn’t like the attention on him. “If the moon goddess is the one who gave the power to the artifact to help the Packs, then that means that power can be put into it. And if Blade used a blood sacrifice—”
“Then he could be using it for something it wasn’t intended for,” Cheyenne finished for him.
“Could he take power away from other Packs?” Gideon asked. “Because fuck us if he can. We need to tell Kade, Cole, and the others.”
Kade was the Alpha of the Redwoods. Cole, the Alpha of the Centrals.
“I don’t know if that’s right or not,” Max put in. “But making sure they know our theories could help.”
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