Page 24

Grey

A Few Days Later

I’m heading to Riley’s for a council dinner with the Youngs. I’ll get to meet the rest of Erica’s sisters.

It’s been a couple days since Meadows attacked and while we’re still vigilantly working on fortifying security as well as learning more about him, Riley and his mate’s issues are now centerstage.

Though I’m focused right now on helping Riley with what’s coming, I’m also planning to take this opportunity to learn about the potions and poisons he’s weaponized with and I’m hoping my biological mother’s side of the family is forthcoming with information, with knowledge. I want to be able to fight fire with bigger fire. Hotter fire. Hellfire.

We’re focused on Riley’s SCC issues for the moment and if by the time it’s done with there are no further developments on the Silver Hills front, a few of us will be heading down there and forcing our way beyond their fences to make our point clear. Our point being that it’s time for a conversation, time to make it crystal clear that we won’t tolerate another attack. Time to make it clear that he’ll be lucky to still be breathing after the shit he’s pulled.

I also want to see what the state of things are there. I suspect it’s time to help that pack find their way to new leadership.

Rye filled us in on the story of Erica’s perceived transgressions and punishments seven years ago and he understands and can’t hold any of it against her because it wasn’t her that wanted to hurt him. It was the SCC that sentenced her to a harsh punishment of hiding the truth from him. She performed a spell to make him fall for her and they punished them both for it despite the fact that they’re fated to be together anyway. I don’t blame Rye for being so livid. They kept his mate from him for seven years. He mourned and so did she because she couldn’t relieve him of his pain. I know from my conversation with Vivi it profoundly affected her.

On a positive note, Riley is sounding and acting like himself again. Proof that pushing away your mate fucks with an alpha. It’s better that they’ve gone home. Easier to look after everyone if we’re all inside our village.

The past couple days haven’t been great at home though. Stacy’s been in her head, subdued, even more timid. She gets stressed out every time the phone rings or the doorbell dings. I know it’s partly because of what she’s worrying about, but suspect she’s tuning into my mood, too, and that’s not helping matters. Though I’m trying to be patient, being in tune with her emotions is fucking with mine. I’m ready for this shit to be over with, soon so we can get on with building our bond.

Then again, hurdles have gotten in the way of every mating in the council so far so why should my mating be any different?

I’ve been in and out, going for a run with the council brothers in the mornings, I’ve met with the guys at Joel’s a few times as we continue to dig into the Silver Hills pack. We’re keeping vigilant watch on the two entrances into the village – the four corners and the old backroad. We’ve popped a few trail cams up in the woods at some other possible entry points as well and all alphas, betas, council alphas, and retired council alphas are taking turns doing patrols.

The entire situation is frustrating but what’s fucking with me the most is the constant fear pulsing in me from her. It’s messing with me and it’s fucking with my wolf. Two nights in a row I’ve had to purr most of the night to get her to sleep, waking with her when she jolts with bad dreams. If not for the innate need to stay close to her along with the task of trying to get her back to sleep with purring I’d be tearing out of the house in search of her fucking brother. So we can put an end to this bullshit.

She’s beyond distraught that he tried to take out three council alphas. She’s probably scarred from seeing two of her pack’s betas smoldering as charred ash. She’s indicated she’s worried about the state of things for the people back home . And I can’t help but feel irritated when she calls it home , because at my core, my instincts are to make her home with me, and I know her worries have her holding back. I think she wants to give herself completely to the mate bond, but bottom line: she’s damaged. Damaged from living in a fucked-up pack under a tyrant alpha who doesn’t care for his people.

Though she’s distant with a constantly pulsing stress coming at me, she’s trying to dote on me. She’s doing what I imagine is nesting as she cleans the house and waits on me like her life depends on it. While walking on eggshells with me.

I’m used to being able to put others at ease and this is the time that supposed gift needs to work. And it’s not working. The key to that is putting an end to this drama with her brother. And I know down to my gut it’ll be a rocky road ahead.

As for progress with Jared, all he’s told and shown us isn’t much help so far. The settlement of the Silver Hills pack seems to be behind the tall fences of their salvage business. Roughly made fences made of a combination of different sheets of siding and old fence pieces. The scrap metal and car parts yard isn’t currently open for business, marked as temporarily closed with not much motion around the gates, though Jared can scent shifters as being nearby. He doesn’t know how many, doesn’t know much – says it’s a majority of women, and kids as far as he can reckon but the scent coming off the place is foul.

I asked Stacy about the living arrangements, and she shakily drew me a rough sketch map of the place behind those fences, showing a main office, some out buildings, then fences behind the junkyard, leading to some bigger buildings, then squares dotting around a figure eight layout where the pack member homes are. Beyond that are some more outbuildings and storage sheds, a fence line around the back. Jared said he sent a drone over and had to get it close because of structures and piles of scrap metal and tarps over areas, making it hard to see anything besides junk from that view, but his drone went dark. Homing didn’t work to get it back, so we figure they must have gotten their hands on it.

I left a second message for Wyatt Meadows on his cell.

“Wyatt, this is Greyson Blackwood trying you again. Hoping the reason for your recent attack is that you didn’t get my first message. So, listen… I’d like to sit down with you. Since we’re linked through your sister, let’s sit down and iron out whatever your beefs are. I’m willing to listen despite the repeated attacks on us. We can meet on neutral ground, so everyone feels safe, but man, this needs dealing with and it’s in nobody’s best interest for there to be another attack on my people. Since you’re my mate’s brother, I’d like us to work this out without further pain for anyone involved. But this is the last olive branch I extend.”

I repeated my phone number on the recording and then left a quick message on the Silver Hills Salvage number with my mate’s voice on the recording.

“This is Grey Blackwood of Arcana Falls. I’ve left a couple important messages for Wyatt Meadows on his cell voicemail. If he or anyone else on his team could contact me as soon as possible it’d be appreciated. Stacy is with me, she’s safe and well and so long as Meadows does not continue to lash out, we’d like to chat about an amicable relationship between our group and yours. If someone else is checking this message and wants help from a pack who can show you the way to new and improved leadership, call me.”

I rambled my number off again.

No one has returned my calls.

It shits me I’ve had to play nice with this piece of shit, but I’ve done it for her.

I asked my mate if she’d like to come with me to Rye’s today, to meet Erica, my other cousins, and my great aunt – to have dinner with the council and their mates as well as some of the council members’ parents.

Fear gripped her so viscerally, I immediately let her off the hook. I felt pissed off though, and although I didn’t say anything, she knows I’m pissed so she’s been walking even more gingerly on her eggshells.

She’ll have to get over this eventually, but now isn’t the time to press. I’ve always been a patient guy, but my patience is on a knife’s edge.

Part of me wonders if I should press because once she sees she won’t be treated poorly by my pack, it’d help. She needs to see the family she’s become part of.

I want this shit over, but I’m not impulsive and it has served me well. Now is not the time to change. I’ll continue digging for information while doing my best to keep her and the rest of my pack safe. Once all this shit is behind us with the SCC beef Riley’s got to deal with tomorrow, I’ll have his help too.

***

Riley’s yard is filled with smiles and laughter and I’m wishing I’d insisted she come. I know it even more when Ivy Savage leans in to ask, “How’s Stacy doing?”

“She’s nervous about meeting everyone.”

“I’m sure she is,” Ivy says softly, eyes full of empathy.

Amelia leans in. “We’d be happy to put her mind at ease. We should do it as soon as possible.”

Ivy nods. “Definitely.”

My sister pipes up. “I’ve already talked to them about her. We need to show her nobody is holding a grudge. That the girls understand.”

“That’d be good,” I say. “I’ll make sure she comes to the next pack event.”

“Good idea,” Ivy agrees. “We’ll do our best to make her feel welcomed.”

“Appreciated.”

Ivy Savage’s eyes are full of empathy. Clearly, she’s a good woman. And seeing how she’s settled in despite how things were a few weeks back does my gut some good. Things were extreme with her and Ty. That she’s now carrying his baby and integrating well within the pack gives me what I need. I know I can continue being patient with my mate – she’ll settle.

The mood at Rye’s is good overall, but there’s strain over this meeting at the town hall tomorrow with three members of the Supernatural Council Collective. They’re coming to talk about why they forced them to spend seven years apart, those seven years with Rye believing his mate drowned.

Nobody is happy about them coming right now, but it couldn’t be pushed off and I can’t help but feel like shit is going to kick off with them, somehow some way. Because everything feels wrong right now. My gut is leading me to believe that whatever is coming… it won’t be a breeze. I won’t subject my mate to that meeting. She’s not ready for something this amped, but I went into the house to use the john and heard some of the women having a secret meeting about a surprise birthday party for Erica and I’ve decided that’ll be ideal for introducing her to everyone.

***

“A word?” I request.

My father shoots me a grim expression before he moves out of the yard. I follow him to the other side of the Savage Construction storage building.

“Your attitude with the Youngs is far from welcoming, Dad,” I say.

He grinds his molars, nostrils flaring.

“Erica is pack now. And Dad… these folks are all kin to me. They’ve made it clear they want to be family, and I plan to explore that.”

“There’s a lot of history. I’m here. That’s me doin’ my best.”

He was in a mood when he dropped Stacy off to me at the cabin, of course, but when I asked her how his demeanor was with her, she said he was friendly.

I sent a text message to Bailey about it afterwards since Bailey made sure to tag along. She phoned me and told me Dad has been grouchy since my mating, isn’t talking much, that he and Mom had a big blowup of some sort and they’re barely speaking. Mom’s got a smile on her face today, asked me how things are going, and was disappointed Stacy didn’t come. She wants us over for a family meal soon.

“We need to talk,” I say to Dad. “I think it’s time to give me answers about Soleil.”

His eyes flare with light showing his heightened emotions. He grinds his molars some more before he says, “This isn’t the time or place, son. But we’ll do it. I do want you to have the facts from my perspective now that they’re working their way into the fold. Let’s talk after this SCC bullshit is done with. I’d ask that you keep your eyes and ears open with the Youngs, but I already know you, so I know you will.”

I agree to put a pin in it for a few more days and slap his back. “Maybe it’ll help to unload.”

He rolls his eyes. “That’s what your mom and sister try to tell me. Not my style.”

“Letting it fester doesn’t seem to be doing much good either, does it? Might be time to try something new.”

He gives me half a smile. “I’m gonna feel a lot when I let myself dig into those memories. I won’t be near Carrie when I do.”

“Okay?” I prompt.

“Gonna say it anyway. Be careful. My experience with them hasn’t been good. I’d hate you to have to deal with bullshit and deceit.”

“Obviously you’re telling me your former mate deceived you.”

He scoffs bitterly, but offers nothing.

“Just because one witch was dishonest doesn’t mean they all are.”

“Know that,” he mutters.

“If you’d sired me on just anyone, it wouldn’t necessarily be such a big deal. But we know there’s witch blood in me, always known it’s not latent. The hunches I get. The way I can typically put people at ease, open them up to talking, agreeing to my side of things. Especially humans. After seeing the carnage at the cabin the other day from what Erica did to those fuckers, it’d be useful to learn what sorts of magic I might be capable of. What might help us as a pack down the road. Stacy’s brother’s using tools I should have knowledge of, right? I’ve got witch blood as well as being a council alpha, so I might have as much magic as my cousins do.”

“I know. Always known it. Felt it from the minute you were born how much you’ve got in you. As did she.” His gaze darkens even further. “Just spooks me after some of what I saw with Soleil. When she left, I was not… it was not good, Greyson. They said they wanted to get their hands on you when you turned eighteen to start training you, wanted visitation with you as you grew up, but I told them they could wait until you decided if you wanted that. Lyrica told me you’d not be able to wait long after your mating. And that’s checking out with everything else happening. Let’s go for a ride one day next week, talk after this SCC shit is over with. All right?”

“Yeah, Dad.” I clap his shoulder. He claps mine in return.

I’m letting it go despite the questions brewing in my gut because I can see that this is gonna require a different setting for my father. And maybe a big ole bottle of Andy Quinn’s moonshine.

“I’ll drive to Silver Hills with you if you want,” he says. “Help out there and we can talk on the drive. That’ll give me space to process before I get home to your mom. Don’t feel right even bringing her up anywhere near where Carrie lives and breathes. Can you give me this, Greyson?”

I nod and slap his back. He returns the gesture.

“Happy? With your mate?”

“Lot of baggage muddying the waters with her. Once this shit is sorted with her brother, once that coast is clear I’m sure she’ll settle. But yeah, she’s everything, Dad.”

He slaps my cheek with affection. “Bring her into the fold with the pack. Don’t keep her isolated at home. That’s the best way to do it.”

I nod. “You’re right. I’m already plannin’ on it.”

“Good. Sweet little thing. Needs protecting. Sense she’s omega and the sort that needs to nurture to feel right in her own skin.”

“I think that’s spot on,” I tell him.

We make our way back to the yard.

Mimi, who I know is my late maternal grandmother’s twin sister is looking at us when I step into the yard. She turns away to face Rye as he speaks up to everyone about the plan for the meeting tomorrow, wanting a strong show of support from the council and previous council members.

When he stops talking, Mimi says, “I’d like to speak to you.” She turns to give me her unnerving silver gaze, adding, “And you.”

I feel the tension rolling off my father as I pass him to follow her and Riley upstairs to one of the bedrooms.

She begins to fiddle with a small dish of potpourri, lighting a tea light and setting it into the dish while Riley and I wait, Riley sitting on the end of the bed, me leaning against the wall.

“We’ll talk once that gets going. It just needs a moment.”

“What is it?” I ask.

“It’s a spelled herbal blend that’ll ensure no one outside this room hears what we discuss. Not even if they have wolf shifter super alpha hearing and have their ear pressed to that door over there.” She points to the door and the gemstones on her fingers catch the light and send a prism of color that feels like it hits me hard. Something flutters in my gut. Behind my eyes. Something strange. Familiar.

“I’ve been looking forward to having a talk with you, Greyson Blackwood,” she says ominously.

She said as much in the dry cleaners’ back when Riley found out his mate wasn’t dead.

I wait for her to elaborate. She looks at him instead for a long moment.

“We’ll talk, the three of us, then I’ll ask to be left alone with my nephew so he and I can have a delicate conversation.”

“Fine by me,” Riley agrees, looking unfazed by the exclusion.

We wait a moment as Mimi watches the dish of potpourri. As the fragrances permeate the air and the scents climb, she sits in the rocking chair in the corner of the room, and I plant my ass on top of a long dresser.

“I was made coven leader just a couple of years ago when my sister Lyrica died. I knew as coven leader that I was supposed to notify the SCC when the time came that Erica was to reveal herself to you. Before the reveal. I chose not to do it. I knew they’d want to intervene, take the lead on managing Erica’s powers instead of letting her discover things organically. It would’ve affected the way you two came together, worked out your issues, and not in a positive manner. See, I also knew the way Vivica knew it was time for her sister to move things forward with you because of your council’s mating order, that it also needed to happen with minimal interference. I didn’t know details of all of the interference by my nieces in your relationship and your reunion, but I knew they would get involved and I trusted them as I always do… to do their work based on the facts they have, based on their strengths, and based on their training. I saw that there would be more pain for you both, but it would help you two move forward, forging an unbreakable bond that comes from the pain you both endured. Now, there may be consequences for me. The council could sentence me to those consequences tomorrow.”

I straighten up. So does Rye.

She keeps talking. “My nieces don’t know this, and I don’t want them to worry about it in addition to everything else. I made decisions based on what I know and what I believe. The witches coming here tomorrow have been waiting for this meeting for a very long time.”

Riley sighs.

“Have they indicated how they’ll sanction you?” I ask.

She shakes her head in the negative. “They haven’t reached out, but I don’t doubt it’ll come up tomorrow. Some would say I could lie and say Lyrica didn’t tell me. Feign ignorance assuming they’ve followed the birth order news with your council so would know it was time, but I don’t play that way. I own my decisions, always, and frankly after all they’ve done…” She shrugs. “Erica’s enhanced powers are nobody’s business but Erica’s. She’s a fully trained witch. Nobody has the right to question her when she’s done nothing to earn suspicion in seven years. She already answered for her previous perceived crimes. I haven’t even asked her questions about her strengths. It’s up to her to seek guidance if or when she decides she needs it. It’s her choice to go to the SCC or not for assistance. There has been more than enough interference in my niece’s life and yours, Riley Savage.”

He makes a sound of agreement.

She continues. “Yes, I could have tried to manage her expectations more closely, prepare her for the fact her powers would change, but I trust in the organic experience for her. She’s trained. I trust her. And I know to my core that it’s time for the two of you to choose your path forward together.”

“I agree,” Riley says gruffly. “More than agree.”

“She’s already paid too high of a price for doing what she was destined to do. Which was simply to love you, to be your partner. It’s good that you realize this. It demonstrates you’re who she needs.”

Riley flexes his fingers and his jaw muscles. He’s ready to do battle.

I do not blame him one bit.

Mimi continues, “I have every faith in her ability to manage her own magic and after today, faith in you to be the partner she needs and deserves. It needed to happen naturally, though we had to nudge a few things because of how deeply Erica has been wounded. She was truly terrified of facing you.”

Riley nods solemnly. “Wasn’t pretty. Not real proud of some of my actions.”

“But what you two have been through apart and now together, you’ll move forward knowing how precious, how important things are. How worth it the fight is.”

“Absolutely,” he agrees.

“You’re not done fighting, Riley. There are things to come. Dangers. For you. My niece. For all of you.” Her gaze turns to me. “And you’re going to be very involved in all of it. You’re needed.”

I’m listening.

She holds my gaze as she continues. “I want you both to step up and support the coven, family to the both of you. Things may go south in that meeting tomorrow. If I’m put under sanctions, I may not be able to help much. I don’t trust them based on their track record, and I do trust my intuition, which tells me we have a battle ahead.”

“How can I help?” I ask.

She smiles. The smile takes years off her face as her eyes twinkle. She holds her hand out, so I move to her and give her my hand, which she takes in both of hers, examining my palm before turning my hand over and squeezing.

Her eyes flash an even brighter illuminated silver color for a moment, just the way mine do when I’m feeling things deeply. That’s obviously not just a trait in council alphas.

“I’ll tell you exactly how you can help, Greyson Blackwood. And it’ll be the beginning of your training to take your place within the Young coven. It’s a place that might surprise you.”

Everything in me is paying attention. And there are tingles in my body the likes I’ve never felt before. Like something is waking up inside me, something that’s been asleep. Something not unlike my inner wolf. But it’s new. It’s untapped. It’s strange. And I can’t fucking wait. This feels like something that’s been a long time coming. Something that’s mine, that’s been either kept from me or waiting for this moment to reveal itself to me.

“Can you give us the room, Riley Savage?” Mimi asks.

“Absolutely,” Riley replies, rises and is about to move to the door, but Mimi lets go of my hand with her right and reaches for Riley. He accepts her hand; she keeps hold of mine with her left.

“You’re exactly who Erica needs. Everything she’ll ever need. And she’s everything you need.”

“I know,” he replies gruffly.

“In order to take care of her tomorrow, you’ll need to manage your temper. But also… don’t take shit from them. They’ve shoveled enough at you both this past seven years.”

“Absofuckinglutely,” Riley growls.

She nods and lets go of his hand. “I’ll need to talk to Greyson now. He’ll likely need everyone’s help but he’ll succeed with what needs to happen. I don’t know much of it, but I know this much, which is enough.”

“He’s got us.” Riley slaps my back and leaves the room.

Our eyes are locked again.

I want to ask her about her family’s relationship with my father. About my birth mother. I asked Erica if she was still alive and she told me she is. I don’t know if Mimi is in touch with her. But I do expect she’d know I’m full of questions.

But she begins to talk. She says things that rock the foundation of my existence. Everything about my life is about to change and I’m immediately agreeing to be all-in. Seconds after I tell her I’m here for it, the enormity of what’s happening washes over me while she lights more spices in a different bowl and speaks words I don’t understand with our hands clasped together.

Because I’m now linked to her, poised to receive a bounty of magic from her. Her magic. Magic of many of the Young coven members who have passed on or had their magic held in a trust, a holding space that she’s connected to, that she’s just literally plugged me into. And she tells me I’m linked with all members of the coven now as she’s naming me to be her successor, the head of the Young coven. She doesn’t want it revealed yet, but I’m about to learn the full scope of how to be who I’m meant to be.

I’m more than Greyson Blackwood, fourth born of the current council alphas of Arcana Falls. I’ll soon learn what it means to be not only part of the Young coven, but the coven head, the only male member. A wolf shifter warlock.