The Keeper Finds Her Mate

by Red Phoenix

  “Brother, can we talk?”

  He stopped sharpening his knife and moved over so Layla could sit beside him. She joined him gratefully, wrapping her arms halfway around his burly frame. “I have missed you.”

  “Me too, Layla. I disliked not being here when Mother passed. The world is empty without Mika.”

  She looked up and was momentarily thrown off by the color of his eyes, so similar to Etan’s. Oh, if Ezra only knew…

  “The days feel colder without her here,” she said, resting her head against his beefy shoulder.

  “Yes, I agree. How is Father holding up?”

  “It has been hard for him, Ezra, so hard. But he has remained strong for the clan, even though he is dying inside.”

  “Mama was too young. Fate was unkind to us all…” his voice caught. He waited several moments before adding sadly, “And now you must choose a mate without the wisdom and advice of your mother.”

  “Yes,” Layla said, letting out a painful sigh, “but at least I have you.”

  He snorted. “I make a poor substitute, Sister.”

  Layla growled softly, “Yes, you do.”

  He wrapped his arm around her, tentatively because of her injuries. “You have a serious decision ahead. I cannot know all the responsibilities being Keeper entails, but I do know Mama told me once that being Keeper broke her heart into pieces.”

  Layla had never heard that before. “What did she mean?”

  Ezra shook his head. “I don’t know, Layla. She only said it that one time, but it is something I’ve never forgotten.”

  “There seems so much about Mama that I never knew,” she said forlornly.

  Her brother squeezed her tight and she whimpered in pain.

  “I’m sorry, Layla, I forgot. Thank the gods you survived the attack,” Ezra said, kissing the top of her head. He lessened his hold but kept her close. They were quiet for a long time, but the silence was profound. It allowed her to still her emotions and think.

  Layla realized that a Keeper’s life was a lonely one, that living with the secret of knowing what she did could get her killed. Alone because of that knowledge, partnered with a mate who would be forced to share her every full moon as well as raise children who were of mixed parentage.

  This was not the life Jerric or Mika had wanted for her because they knew and had lived the sacrifice…

  But Layla was still unsure if she was willing to give up everything she knew and treasured to escape her fate. She loved her people and was proud to be part of the Daric clan, despite the terrible secret she held.

  Layla left Ezra, still feeling unsettled. Although she hadn’t expected to sleep, she woke to the early morning call of a dove and her father snoring. She quietly exited the tent and walked into the fog-layered meadow just outside the village to watch the sun come up. The recent puma attack had made her too fearful to venture far from the village, but she needed the solitude.

  It was strangely comforting to feel quite alone in the world, surrounded by the mist and the supernatural magic of pre-morning dawn. She cried out in fear when that solitude was broken by a dark figure approaching her in the haze.

  “It’s only me, Layla.”

  She relaxed and held her hand out to him. “Valen.”

  “How are your wounds today?”

  “Healing…”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He paused for several moments before stating, “Your father spoke to me. He wants me to release you.”

  Layla looked up into his sad eyes. “I did not suggest it.”

  Valen brought his hand up to caress her cheek and then thought better of it and let it fall to his side. “I am a part of the future success of this clan. I believed you were part of that future as well.” He stared at her, his voice heavy with emotion when he said, “I will accept it if you choose another to mate, but only because it is my duty to do so.”

  “I have made no decision,” she assured him. “I don’t even know Gannon of the Sholto clan.”

  His growl was low and ripe with pain. “I was told that you owe him your life.”

  She disliked seeing Valen this way. She put her hand on his shoulder, stating, “You know I’ve grown to care for you.”

  “And yet you are considering his offer.”

  She bristled, taking her hand away and answering defensively, “I did not ask to be put in this position, Valen.”

  “Your indecision is disappointing…but understandable. The Keeper surrenders her life for the good of the clan. It is not an easy sacrifice to make.”

  She added in a low whisper, “And she must perform heinous acts punishable by death.”

  Valen looked at her with what she interpreted as patronizing kindness. “Layla, you have not considered the full extent of what would be required of you in the years to come. This is the role I have been groomed for. The role I accept without reservation. I understand that you did not have that benefit, being thrust into the role after your mother’s premature death.” He added tenderly, “I do not hold it against you, Little Flower, if you are unsure that is where your duty lies now.”

  “Hold it against me?! Curse you and your arrogance, Valen! I take my duty to the clan very seriously.”

  “Have I ever questioned it?”

  Layla was about to argue with him, but reminded herself that his past hostility towards her had been meant to fortify her resolve, even though it had made her resent him deeply at the time. However, if she was honest with herself, those old resentments still played into her feelings towards him now.

  She snarled angrily, “Everything, everything was taken from me at the Bonding Ritual.” The building rage in her heart at being placed in that position bubbled up like a natural spring. “I was innocent and free until that night. What’s happened is unbearably unjust!” She started walking back towards her father’s tent, angry with Valen and with fate. “Maybe I choose to reject this life that has been forced on me.”

  He called after her, “You were not the only innocent that night, Layla.”

  Layla let loose all the conflicting emotions coursing through her veins and focused it on him. Before sprinting off, she cried, “I have every right to claim back what was stolen from me!”

  Jerric was waiting for her when she returned. He seemed serene, calmer than she had seen him since Mika’s death.

  “I have found Gannon of the Sholto Clan worthy of you.”

  Layla shook off the taint of her conversation with Valen and sat down next to her father, curious what had him so hopeful. “What did you discover, Papa?”

  “His grandfather heads their clan. Gannon was mated for several years but his woman died in childbirth with their first pup. Neither survived.”

  “Oh…” Layla was saddened that Gannon had known the love of a mate and her loss.

  “Whereas I see dangerous ambition in Bram, I do not sense that with Gannon. He wishes to align his clan with the strength of ours, but that seems to be where his ambition ends. I get the distinct impression that Bram means to rip our secret from your bleeding heart should he get his hands on you.”

  Layla shuddered at the visualization. “I agree, Papa. Bram is ravenous for power. I do not trust him.”

  “I believe an alliance with the Sholto clan would be a good one. However, it should not be the reason you mate with Gannon. The Daric Clan is strong enough without such an alliance.”

  “What did you think of the man himself?”

  “He has the self-assurance of an Alpha leader, tempered by the pain of loss. I believe he would make a good mate, and his people are in need of a healthy heir.”

  Layla lay down on his mat beside him, grunting from pain, the wounds still making their presence known. She laid her head in her hands as she had when she was a pup, and looked at her father sorrowfully. “Papa, to be honest, I’ve never thought of leaving our clan. The idea of it frightens me.”

  Jerric’s reply was straight and to the point. “What frightens you more, Daughter? Living out your l
ife for the clan as their Keeper, or forging your own destiny separate from us?”

  She felt a stirring in her spirit. As frightening as the prospect of leaving was, there was something enticing about striking out into the unknown.

  Gannon came to her that afternoon. Triss had stopped by to inform Layla that she’d left a basket in her favorite spot. “I provided a modesty covering as well, since he is not of our clan.”

  Layla took a deep breath, suddenly feeling nervous about meeting with the Alpha alone. So much had happened between them, yet they knew nothing about each other.

  “Any advice?” she asked her friend.

  Triss looked at her sorrowfully. “I don’t want to lose you, but I also want you to be happy.” She forced out the words. “Be true to yourself, Keeper. Do what is best for you.”

  “Sound advice, sweet friend,” Layla replied, rubbing noses with her.

  Jerric entered the tent to announce Gannon’s arrival. “He’s outside waiting for you, Daughter.” She didn’t miss the sparkle in his eyes; Jerric was excited by this match.

  Layla blushed. It was disconcerting to find herself in the position of being pursued by a potential mate. She deflected her embarrassment by teasing her best friend. “Better be some fine edibles in that basket, Triss. I don’t want to lose my chance with him because of terrible food.”

  “I guarantee he will be pleased.” She grinned. “In fact he may even come seeking to woo me afterwards.”

  Layla pinched her cheek playfully as she walked past on her way out to greet Gannon.

  She was shocked to see all four Daric Alphas present. They stood as a unit, their attention focused solely on her. She wilted under their watchful eyes and momentarily forgot the gracious speech she had planned for Gannon.

  “It is a fine day, Layla of the West,” Gannon said, cutting the awkward silence with his deep, guttural voice. Layla looked down at the hand he held out for her, and smiled. She placed her small hand in his and was gratified by his firm but gentle grasp.

  “A fine day,” she echoed distractedly, conscious only of the heavy stare of all four Alphas. She could feel their driving need to protect her, their instinctive jealousy and their physical struggle to override those natural instincts. She found it hard to breathe under the weight of their gaze.

  Layla couldn’t take the pressure and did what came naturally. She stripped off her clothes and allowed the wolf inside her to have its way.

  Crying with painful pleasure, she embraced the increased heat as her bones began to shift. She fell to all fours and watched as her delicate hands became mighty paws. Once the transformation was complete, she shook her head several times, then raised her snout to the heavens and howled.

  She looked to her left and saw that Gannon was almost done with his own transformation. His coat was a silvery gray, darker than her white coat but matching in hue. It delighted her, and she barked with joy before taking off.

  Layla felt all the stress fall away from her as she bounded off into the forest with Gannon following close behind. She drank in the feel of the sunlight filtering through the trees as she guided him to her favorite spot—a place only Triss and she knew existed.

  She slowed down and entered the clearing reverently. It was a magical place, this hidden oasis. A small waterfall trickled down from a rocky cliff, as the sun shone down in a ray of light onto the gathering pool below. She examined Gannon in his wolf form, noting his large forepaws and solid shoulders, but it was those hypnotic ice-blue eyes that captured her.

  As Gannon approached, she instinctively lowered her head. Layla felt a tingling sensation as he sniffed her, exploring her with his animal senses. He walked around slowly, taking in all of her scent before transforming back into a man.

  She followed his example. Triss had been right to include a modesty covering, as she became acutely aware of their nakedness once she was human again.

  It was noticeably different being in the presence of an outsider. Layla quickly opened the basket her friend had thoughtfully provided and pulled out the thin, gossamer-like covering. What had Triss been thinking? This was almost as good as wearing nothing.

  Regardless, Layla slipped it over her head before turning around and facing Gannon. There he stood in all his maleness, neither self-conscious nor ashamed. “I have food to share,” she stated shyly.

  “Fine,” he answered, lying down on the green mat of spongy moss by the water.

  She picked up the basket and set it beside him, pulling out the dried pieces of seasoned meat, tender mushrooms, nuts and honeyed apples. She shook her head as she lifted the lid of a small jug and smelled fermented drink.

  “Would you like some?” she asked, handing him the jug.

  His eyes glinted with interest as he took a long swig and then graciously lifted it to her lips. Layla only took a small sip, already familiar with the effects of the strong brew.

  As they nibbled on the light fare, Layla began asking questions. “How old are you, Gannon?”

  “I’ve counted thirty winters. And you?”

  “Eighteen.”

  He clicked his tongue in amusement. “Just a child.”

  His comment, though meant in jest, ruffled her ego. “I am no child. I’m more mature than many twice my age.”

  He put his hand on hers and she felt her insides quake as he said soothingly, “I meant no offence, Layla. I respect the difficulties you have overcome, as well as your strength of will.”

  Her ego somewhat mollified, Layla took the jug he offered and downed another intense swallow before stating shyly, “I owe you my life.”

  “You owe me nothing, but I’m grateful I was there, Layla.”

  His blue eyes drew her in. So much longing, pain, and promise…

  “I don’t understand how you showed up in time to save me.”

  “I was actually tracking the cat. I had no idea he was about to make a meal out of one of our own kind.”

  Layla growled at herself, dropping her gaze to the ground. “I was such a fool.”

  He reached out and lifted her chin. “We all make mistakes, Layla. You are not the first.” Gannon pointed to a long scar on his thigh. “I, too, have felt the claws of the puma.”

  Without thinking, Layla traced the length of the scar with her finger, with curiosity and admiration, until she noticed the response his manhood had to her touch. She quickly retreated and grabbed an apple, concentrating on chewing it while trying to calm the blush burning on her cheeks.

  Gannon said nothing as he watched her.

  She couldn’t take the weighty silence, so she asked, “Your woman…were you close?”

  The pain that flitted across his eyes answered her question before he opened his mouth to speak. “Yes. We were pledged as pups and were good friends growing up. She was very dear to me.” He looked away. She could smell his deep sorrow and it grieved her.

  He asked quietly, “The young Alpha, Valen. Are you promised to him?”

  Layla met his gaze. “It was an informal arrangement, one made of necessity rather than emotion.”

  “Am I to understand that you have no feelings for the boy?”

  It was Layla’s turn to look away as she contemplated his question. “I hated him for most of my childhood. Even after becoming his Keeper, I resented Valen’s manner towards me, but since the Bonding Ritual… I’ve come to understand his reasoning.” She looked back into Gannon’s crystal-blue eyes and said truthfully, “I have grown fond of him and expected to mate.”

  “What are your feelings now?”

  She didn’t want to deal with the conflicting emotions swirling in her heart. Instead, she hit him with the one question that might end his interest in her.

  “Gannon, you are aware that I am not innocent in the ways of men.”

  He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, smiling lustfully. “I have no need of innocence.”

  His answer and action upset her and she pulled away, stating, “I may not be untouched, but my experience is
limited.”

  Gannon gently pulled her back to him, not allowing the distance. “I have no trouble teaching you the ways of a man and a woman, Layla. In fact I long to show you what these hands and this tongue can do.”

  She whimpered softly as he leaned forward to kiss her. She was drawn in by the allure of him, but she was trembling when Gannon touched her. His lips stopped only a breath away from hers and he smiled, his eyes dancing with mirth.

  “I will treat you as an innocent, Layla of the West. For it is obvious to me that is what you are.”

  He picked up a nut and popped it in his mouth. “You are the best of both worlds—innocent yet wise, delicate but strong. I would be honored to produce offspring with you. I suspect it would be a spirited coupling.”

  Layla noticed the strength of his declaration protruding between his legs. It was an impressive argument. “When would you want the ceremony, Gannon?”

  “I have spoken to your father about it. He agrees there is no reason to wait. We both feel it would be best if you and I leave shortly after dawn because of the long journey. We will perform the mating ceremony the moon after your arrival. It will give you time to accustom yourself to the ways of my people.”

  Layla swallowed hard. If she were to choose this path, there would be no time to regret, no time to change her mind, for she would be gone by the next sun, heading to a place far away.

  New Understanding

  Layla tossed and turned that night. Although she was leaning heavily towards accepting Gannon’s offer and forging a new life with him, that choice came with great loss. She would be separated from her clan, her family—everything she found comforting and familiar.

  It wasn’t until the wee hours of morning that sleep finally claimed her and in the netherworld of dreams she was given a glimpse into another life…

  He was only a few winters old, beaten and scorned for being born an abomination. His people wanted him dead. Even at his tender age, he was aware of that. He’d seen his parents hacked to death before his eyes in retribution for their abhorrent behavior.

  If it hadn’t been for the old man, he would have shared their fate.