by Chris McHart
Anthony raised an eyebrow.
“I wanted to turn the old guest house into a shelter for mates who don’t want to stay with their partners. Is that all right?”
The room fell silent instantly. The silence was even more palpable than yesterday. Did he say something wrong?
“Why would you think to ask me something like that?”
“Because...” What exactly was he gonna say?
Anthony looked like he was going to explode at any moment. His eyes were hard, and he slowly stood. What did Josh say to make him that mad?
“I wanted to ask you if the mating laws would also be changed. And I need your permission to use the guest house.” Josh took a step back while he spoke.
Anthony looked dangerous, grinding his teeth and slowly approaching Josh. He’d always loved how much bigger Anthony was, but now was the first time Josh wished he wasn’t over a head smaller. Anthony was scaring him.
Each of his steps was calm and deliberate, yet the alpha radiated power.
“You don’t have to ask me anything like that. How did you get the idea that suddenly everything is going to be different here? I’ve got enough other things to do than deal with something like this.”
Josh retreated even further. Had he gotten it so wrong? Was Anthony just like his father?
“I’m sorry. I didn’t– I didn’t mean– I didn’t mean to interrupt. It was just that I thought it was a good idea – and...”
“Why don’t you just do it?” Anthony said every word loud and clear. “These laws will change as soon as I get to them, and otherwise, just do what you think is right. You don’t need me to explain every step of the way to you. Since when do you need people to tell you what to do? Decide for yourself what you think is right. I’m assuming it will be the right thing.” Anthony turned around and went back to the table just as slowly. He sat down again and looked at the pack members. “Where were we?”
Josh shook his head. What had just happened here? Anthony was an asshole. You couldn’t say it any other way. He hadn’t wanted to know anything else, just if it was okay. There was no need to talk to him like that, especially not in front of the highest ranking members of the pack. How were they ever to respect him as the mate of the alpha when Anthony treated him like he was unable to choose whether to have tea or coffee for breakfast?
Anthony wanted to change the laws, as Josh had expected, but at the same time he’d treated him like Josh was a small child. Like his mate wouldn’t be able to make a tiny decision himself, even if the new use of the guest house was not a small one.
On the other hand, he’d talked like Josh was supposed to know Anthony would really change the laws.
That didn’t make any sense, no matter which way he looked at it.
He cast one last glance at his mate, then turned around and left the great hall. Tears stood in his eyes as he repeated the words in his head. To be addressed like that in front of everyone. He thought he knew Anthony, but this was the second time in less than 24 hours that he realized how little he knew about the man he was supposed to spend his life with. The man at whose side he’d live here.
Josh didn’t go back to the guest house. He walked aimlessly through the streets. They were deserted, like before, and he wondered where everyone was. Why didn’t anyone work outside? Why weren’t there any children?
It seemed like a ghost village, but he had seen the villagers yesterday. Just– where were they? As he walked, he kept wiping tears from his face. They just didn’t stop, no matter what he did. It was frustrating and humiliating and–
Josh stopped in front of a half broken down house. He’d made a decision to help them all out of the situation yesterday, and all he’d achieved was to have tied himself to someone who didn’t want him.
He’d forced Anthony to mate with him, and Anthony resented him. That was the only thing he could think of.
Finally, he went on. He didn’t know how long he’d been walking through the village. Whenever he arrived at the outskirts, he turned around and went back until he found the next road he could turn into.
At some point he stopped and sat down on a fallen tree stump in front of a house. He stared at the opposite house without really seeing anything.
What was he supposed to do now? Should he go back and start converting the guest house? Should he try talking to Anthony again? Or... What options did he have? He didn’t know.
If only he could get back to the city and live like he’d done before. But he was now part of that pack, and he doubted he could leave so easily. Maybe if Anthony changed the law and he didn’t have to stay with his mate anymore, then he could go back. He didn’t want to annoy Anthony even more. It was pretty clear the man didn’t want him, and Josh wouldn’t keep reminding him of what he’d done to Anthony.
He sat there for a long time, staring at the house. Shadows moved behind the windows, but no one came outside. This complete silence was spooky.
It made him nervous, like the whole village was holding its breath waiting for something to happen.
It took him forever to get up and go back to the guest house. Maybe at some point he should eat something, but at the moment he wasn’t hungry at all. Actually, he was just sick, with nausea that wouldn’t go away no matter what he did. But considering the events of the last few hours, he probably shouldn’t be surprised. He’d be more surprised if this feeling disappeared anytime soon.
He knocked at the door of the guest house again and entered before Theresa could open it. She greeted him with a questioning look.
“It’s all right. I asked him. He wants to change the laws, as I said before.”
“But he hasn’t gotten to it yet?”
Josh shook his head. “No, he didn’t. I think it’ll be a while before he gets there. I don’t know if he’ll make it today or tomorrow or this week, but he promised me he would.”
“Then we’ll have to wait until the time comes. There’s nothing we can do before then.”
“Theresa!” a loud voice echoed through the guest house. “See that you get back in the kitchen! I want to eat!”
Theresa jumped and turned around. “Can we talk later?” She looked over her shoulder and Josh saw that she was scared. Very scared.
“Can I come with you?”
“Why?” Theresa turned back to him and looked curiously at him.
“Would that make the situation any better?” He nodded toward the kitchen.
“You’re just a submissive mate. Only an alpha can do that. I don’t know if you’re above her, and I don’t know if it’d make the situation better, to be honest.”
“All right. If you need anything, you know where we’re staying right now, don’t you?”
“Theresa! What the fuck are you doing? Are you dreaming?”
Her mate seemed pissed off, and Josh didn’t want her to be punished because of him.
“Yes, I do. Thank you. We’ll talk when the laws change.”
Josh nodded to her and left the guest house while she hurried back to the kitchen. He didn’t want to know what would await her because she’d kept her mate waiting, but he couldn’t change it either. He didn’t have any idea where he stood as the alpha’s mate in the hierarchy and didn’t get enough insight yet to find out.
Normally, he would ask Anthony, but he was pretty sure that wasn’t a good idea. That would only cause trouble.
Slowly, Josh went back to their house. It was empty, and Lindsay and Jeremy had cleaned the kitchen before they left. Josh made himself something to eat. Should he bring Anthony a sandwich? He stared at it in his hand, then put it back in the fridge. No, he wouldn’t do that. Not after how he behaved.
He ate the sandwich at the kitchen table and played around on his cell phone.
A message from Ash popped up. How are you, man? Have you settled in yet?
Josh stared at the message, then pressed his finger on the dial button. It only rang twice, then Ash took the call. “How are you?”
Josh swa
llowed. “Fucked.”
“What’s the matter?”
Josh told him everything. They had no secrets from each other, and even if they did, it wasn’t something he wanted to keep secret. He needed someone to listen to him, and his best friend had always been there for him.
Ash kept quiet while Josh talked and when he was done, he just said quietly, “I’m sorry.” Then he went silent again.
It took a while until Ash finally spoke again. Josh himself couldn’t say anything. Repeating what’d happened had exhausted him and he stared at the kitchen table without really seeing anything. Tears stood in his eyes and he fought not to let them fall. He didn’t want to cry again.
“I didn’t know Anthony could be like that. I really didn’t think this was gonna happen. I’m so sorry he’s acting like this now. Do you want us to come and get you? I’d have to talk to D because I don’t know if I can go alone in the pack or how–“
“No. I’m pretty sure I can’t leave. Anthony hasn’t changed the laws yet, so I think I need to stay here. But once he does, that might be an option.”
Ash was silent again for a moment. “Then you need to stay there now? I’m so very sorry, Josh. It’s horrible, and I really thought you and Anthony could get along. Jesus, I could have sworn you two would end up together someday. Whenever I’ve seen you two together, I’ve felt something, a certain… connection. I never thought I’d be so wrong about him. And I also think that D was wrong. Otherwise, he’d never allowed you to mate with Anthony.” Ash’s voice broke.
This kind of event upset his friend a lot. He was reminded of what’d happened to him. Once again.
The past few days had brought decidedly too many memories to the surface for Ash. Even though he swore his magic had pushed the memories so far into the background that he forgot them most of the time, Josh knew it couldn’t be easy for him. Despite everything, Ash suffered from what had happened to him, at least if memories were dragged back to the surface as it must have happened yesterday and today.
“I’m sorry I reminded you. I don’t think any of us had an idea of how things would turn out, and I just hope it was the right decision to get us all out of this situation. I have to admit that I’d rather have an asshole as a mate than to sit in a cell somewhere with a crazy alpha thinking about how to kill us all. Compared to that, it’s still the lesser of two evils, even if I’m not feeling too good right now.”
Ash laughed quietly, but it sounded half like a sob. “If you put it that way, it makes sense. I’m still sorry things are shitty right now. I really wish I could help you. Do you want D to talk to Anthony? Maybe he can tell him it won’t work that way.”
“No, I don’t want that.” Josh frowned and played with a scratch on the old wooden table. He ran his fingernail over the groove again and again and felt the unevenness. “I don’t want D to know what’s happening between us. And I also don’t think Anthony would take it well if his brother interfered with our mating. We’ll just have to deal with ourselves, I think.”
Ash was silent for a moment, then he said, “If you’re sure, then we’ll stay out of it. But the moment he becomes aggressive towards you in any way, that’s over. I’m not going to let the same thing happen to my best friend that happened to me, no matter how you feel about it. And I don’t care if it’s my brother-in-law. I’m also pretty sure D would kick his ass if he ever does anything to harm you. That doesn’t mean what’s happening right now is okay, but–“
“I know.” It could be a lot worse. That’s what Ash didn’t have to say. At least Josh was just ignored, which wasn’t so bad in itself.
“Thank you. And no, believe me, I don’t want you to hold back either. As long as he doesn’t even look at me, everything’s fine. I can live with that.”
“Then I’m counting on you to say something if that ever changes. And I really hope for Anthony’s sake that it doesn’t. If something changes, it needs to be for the better.” Ash’s voice was hard, and Josh could imagine too well what the wizard would do if Anthony harmed him. It wouldn’t be nice to witness.
“Thank you. I really miss just coming over to talk to you.”
“So do I. It’s just not the same to call, but right now I can’t think of another solution. I think you could leave if Anthony really changes the mating laws, but I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask D.”
Josh stared straight ahead. Right. If the laws fell, he could leave. Then he wasn’t tied to Anthony anymore. But perhaps he needed to find out whether this also applied to an alpha’s mate.
“You’re right, but I’ll deal with Anthony myself.”
“All right. Just let me know if you need anything. Whether it’s someone picking you up from the pack, or just someone to talk to. I’m here for you.”
Josh swallowed and played again with the scratch on the table. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
“You’re supposed to know that already. We’ve really been friends long enough for this.”
“Right.” A light smile stretched over Josh’s lips. They really were. “Okay, so I’m gonna let you go back to whatever you were just doing, and I’m gonna make sure we have something to eat in the house. After all, Lindsay and Jeremy also live here, and they both deserve something in the fridge.”
“Fine. Text me or call me if you need anything, any time.”
They said goodbye, and after he hung up, Josh stared at the table for quite a while without really seeing anything.
Chapter 15
Anthony
* * *
They’d been discussing pack issues for hours, without getting much done, at least in Anthony’s eyes. To say the oldest pack members weren’t keen on changes was an understatement, and they did their best to assure Anthony he could go on mostly as the former alpha had done. As if.
The only reason he was still sitting at one table with them was to find out about the pack structures, finances, and other important issues. He’d figured it might be easier to get it from the eldest members, but so far, he wasn’t having any luck.
Allegedly, there was enough food for everyone, and they didn’t need anything else. Anthony doubted that, but so far he hadn’t managed to really get to the bottom of it.
What the pack’s eldest cared about were the borders, which their former alpha seemed to have been obsessed with. Anthony didn’t care at all as long as no one bothered them when they ran in their animal forms, but they hadn’t gotten that yet. It was useless to even discuss with them. They didn’t understand he was different from his father.
By now, he just wanted to drop his head on the table and get some sleep. Then he wanted to see the pack’s financial records to decide what was really important.
But he didn’t get that far. Maybe he should put his foot down, but he was trying to handle it the way he had seen Gerome rule. He didn’t rule with an iron fist, but with cooperation and making people understand why he did something.
Anthony was getting the feeling that wouldn’t work out for the pack, at least not for the moment.
One of the pack members stood and gave them an apologetic look. “I need a word with my mate. I’ll be right back.” She smiled at him and hurried over to the place where a man was standing with his hands in front of him. He kept his eyes lowered and seemed to shrink as she hurried toward him.
Anthony tried to ignore the conversation, mainly because the other ten members at this table resumed the discussion of a pack up north.
Jesus, this was tiring.
They’d already chewed through the topic earlier, and Anthony really didn’t know what else there was to discuss.
“You will do as I say!” The woman who had gone to her mate raised her hand like she was going to slap her mate.
Within seconds, Anthony was on his feet, and a loud no echoed through the room. He didn’t know if he’d spoken or just sent it telepathically, but the woman froze in the middle of the movement. Her mate crouched before her, seeming to anticipate the slap. This obviously wasn’t
the first time this had happened.
That was enough now. That was definitely enough.
Anthony’s voice roared when he spoke. “From now on, no mate has to stay with their partner, and no mate has to obey what their partner tells him or her. That law will no longer exist. Everyone is now free to do what they want and live where they want. Maybe I should’ve done it right away, but it’s about to change. My mate Josh has prepared rooms in the guest house where the mates can move to if they don’t want to stay at home. Everyone is free to settle into one of these rooms as long as they abide by certain rules, which I will announce later. Or Josh, of course.”
Silence followed his words, then cries erupted.
“You can’t do this!”
“Our pack will go down!”
“How can we stay strong if everyone can do what they want?”
“Quiet!” Anthony’s voice echoed throughout the room. He waited until the voices fell silent. Then he spoke again, more quietly, but just as firmly, “That law is long outdated. I witnessed how it was changed in different circles and packs, and no chaos broke out. To be honest, it works much better, and this is one of the few packs where it hasn’t been changed yet. I’m not going to watch anyone get treated like a second-class citizen. Or like a slave. And either these new laws will be followed, or you can leave the pack. In this regard, there will be no tolerance and no excuses.”
His voice still echoed loudly through the room, and he felt his pack members shy away from his power.
He hadn’t noticed how powerful he was until his mating. But now he knew it, and he’d use it to change the conditions in this pack for the better.
The woman who’d just tried to hit her mate came back to the table. “This is not a pack I want to live in. I’m leaving.”
“Please. Don’t stop on my behalf.”
She threw a burning look in Anthony’s direction then whistled. Her mate flinched and hurried in her direction.
“He can stay here if he wants. He doesn’t have to go with you.”