Page 26

W e all ate until all the pizza was gone, everyone having gone back for seconds or thirds. Afterwards, Matilda surprised Leera with a batch of some kind of flaky-looking pastry-cookie in the shape of a bow with coarse pink sugar on top. Apparently, Leera had mentioned them being her favorite in passing one day, so naturally, Matilda found a recipe, tweaked it to her standards, and made a werewolf-sized batch.

With Leera happily nibbling on cookies and sipping on a glass of sparkling cider, I offer my men glasses of whiskey before we begin working through Leera's agenda for the meeting. I'm momentarily shocked when my sister scoffs at me and requests a glass of whiskey for herself. I have to remember that not only is she here, but she's not much younger than me. Leera makes me apologize for being inconsiderate, Benny and Dolos snicker, and with everyone ready, we proceed.

Leera pulls out her laptop, opening it to the agenda she's drafted, and turns it so that both she and I can see it clearly.

“Before we begin, does anyone have anything they would like to ensure that we discuss?” Allowing a moment of silence, I look around the room, giving everyone time to chime in. When no one has anything to add, I move forward.

“First thing on the docket—we've loosely discussed this but not at great lengths, which is what we need to do. During our upcoming bye-week, we will be journeying to Sabbax to find what we can about this prophecy. Leera's professor Willa will be joining us. She's a witch and has agreed to be our liaison of sorts. We will want to avoid disclosing that Leera is the lost princess of Zabella and that Andrei is, in fact, the prince. While that information could be helpful when dealing with their rulers, it's not something we want to risk getting out yet.” I pause, allowing myself to look around the room and ensure no one has any thoughts or opinions so far. “With that…Andrei and Benny will be going with us. The rest of you will remain here.” The room breaks into a cacophony of complaints from those being left behind. “Slate, I need you here monitoring literally everything. You know you won't be able to do that from Sabbax.”

He nods with a scowl.

“Runa, we haven't completed our pack bond, meaning I can't reach you if something were to go awry. I'm sorry, but I can't take that chance with your life. As much as I don't want to leave you here.” I level the twins with a look, ensuring they understand that it's them I'd rather not leave her with if I had a choice.

“Speaking of. Eris, to be frank, you not coming because for the first time in our time together…I can't…I can't trust you.” The room falls silent aside from Leera's small gasp. He raises his head, and his eyes meet mine. “We've stood side-by-side for so long that I never expected this from you. I don't give a fuck that you've got baggage. We all do. I care that you're hiding something from us that is affecting your ability to be a fully present member of my most trusted men. The way you're treating your mate…” I shake my head, ashamed of my brother in arms. “Even if she wasn't my sister, this is unacceptable. You have until our return from Sabbax to figure your shit out,” I finish solemnly.

He's grinding his teeth, but his frustration doesn't feel like anger.

He's drowning in some kind of guilt and shame. Leera informs me through our bond, tilting her head up to me. But there's still a resilience there. Give him time, she finishes, resting her hand on mine.

I offer her a nod and continue, “Dolos, for lack of a better explanation, you need to be here to help your brother sort out his shit.”

“Understood,” Dolos says with a smile and assurance not only for me but for Runa too.

Khaos is doing everything within his control to not shoot daggers at me with his eyes. “And why am I being benched?” he asks.

Releasing a sigh, I say, “I need you here. I need you to take charge and protect them and my pack in my absence. I haven't left this realm in a very long time.”

My words hit their mark in his heart when he realizes the level of trust I am placing with him, and the irritation bleeds from his features, scrubbing his hands over his face. “Fuck. Okay. You have my word.”

We lock eyes and nod.

“Any more questions regarding our trip to Sabbax?” I ask and give everyone plenty of time to respond.

I'm about to move on when Matilda pipes in, “Well, there is one thing.”

Tilting my head at the small smile on her face, I ask, “What is it?”

“Oh, it's silly really, but would you mind if I make a small list of a few things for you to bring back with you? They have the best herbs, meads, and some medicinal things.”

A laugh escapes me as that was not what I had expected her to ask, “Of course. It doesn't have to be a small list. Write down anything you need and want.”

Leera is taking notes of the entire conversation as we go and updating the meeting agenda for everyone while alternating between bites of the cookies that Matilda keeps passing towards her with a smile.

“Moving on, this is an easy one. I just wanted to let everyone know that Khaos and Runa have asked to formally join our pack and will do so at the full moon ceremony following our return from Sabbax,” I inform the group, nodding to Khaos and smiling at Runa.

Congratulations and excitement fill the room once more, with the exception of Eris, of course. Runa is blushing, and Khaos is just being Khaos by doing everything in his power to look unbothered.

Looking down at Leera when I see the next item on the agenda, a small, crooked smile finds its way to her face, but she nods for me to continue.

“That brings us to the topic of Leera's powers. So far it seems as though she can heal, has a connection to people's feelings, and something we don't understand to do with souls. Did I explain that well?” I ask her.

She nods and speaks to the group with an air of maturity and grace that is very becoming of my beautiful miracle, “Correct, Roman. To explain things from my side to help you better understand, the healing I had no conscious awareness of. Khaos was hurt, and I was upset. I had no idea that my tears could heal him, but I'm so very grateful that they did.” She smiles at her soul-brother, earning her a rare smile from Khaos in return. “The feelings are weird and kind of hard to explain. Sometimes I can sort of see them, like the edge of the horizon on a hot day. Sometimes I can feel them. Not feeling exactly what that person feels but being able to assess what they're feeling.” She stops and looks to me as if she’s waiting for confirmation.

You’re doing incredible, Princess. Keep going, I encourage her.

She takes a breath and sip of her cider before continuing, “The souls situation was also strange and even harder to explain. They didn't want anything from me. They didn't say anything. They just kind of wrapped themselves around me before floating towards the sky. It wasn't just after the prayer song. India had done it first. I don't even know if that's considered a power, but being able to feel their souls was…it was so many things. I should have been frightened, but it was an almost comforting feeling. And their souls…with the way they died, you'd have thought their souls would be angry or tarnished in some way. Humans believe that souls that experience profound trauma can become trapped to haunt the earth, never being able to pass on and truly rest…” she trails off, lost in thought.

“What if that's it?” Andrei's voice breaks Leera from her thoughts.

Her brows scrunch in confusion. “What's it?”

“The power,” he says, before elaborating, “What if wolves’ spirits are the same way? Maybe you allowed their souls to peacefully return to the Moon Goddess without the agony of what they went through?”

Leera's eyes fill with tears, and there are nods and thoughtful faces around the room.

“Are there not any elders that would know? Maybe someone at the palace—" Benny suggests before I cut him off.

“No.”

All eyes fly to meet mine.

“Asking around will spread the word. The royal shift was already felt. If we start asking questions, it will reach our enemies, and that’s not currently an option. When it is, we will find out everything we can. We just wanted to make you all fully aware, and if anyone had thoughts, they could be discussed,” I end with a stern finality.

After another couple hours of general discussion regarding all that we've been encountering these recent months and fine-tuning our plans moving forward, yawns begin to spread through the room, signaling everyone's need for rest.

As Leera and I bid good evening to our family as they make their way out of the room, the energy between us begins to change, casting the trickle of awareness across my skin. While she says good night to Matilda, I lightly trace my fingers up her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind. When I finally reach the collar of her shirt, I gently run my finger just along the inside of her collar. Her body is stuck between fighting to maintain composure in front of Matilda and melting completely into my touch. The scent of her arousal begins to fill the room, and she's biting her lip to keep from gasping or moaning. Matilda shoots me a knowing scold before bidding us good evening and leaving the dining room.

Leera turns sharply, swatting at my chest, her face violently blushing a crimson red. “Roman! Was that really necessary?” she whisper-screeches at me playfully.

Smirking, I nod and hold my hand out to her, and she instantly accepts. I pull her body into mine, nuzzling her neck and her new mark. “I think I deserve a reward.” My voice rumbles against her skin, causing her to shiver and sigh.

“And what exactly are you being rewarded for?” She quirks a dark gray eyebrow at me with an ornery smile.

Leaning forward, I knead my fingers into the supple skin of her perfect little ass, lifting her off of her feet and even tighter against me. Her body perfectly answering mine, wrapping her legs around my waist, her arms winding around my neck. “For not ravaging you in front of everyone. I haven't been able to truly think clearly since I carried you down from the roof. I never knew fuzzy pink burritos were my thing,” I tease.

She throws her head back on an abrupt laugh, exposing her neck to me and making me instantly hard against her, not that I wasn't already well on my way. She seems to notice as well because when her head levels and her eyes meet mine once more, her lids are hooded, and the brilliant icy-blue of her eyes is quickly becoming clouded with lust.

“Take me to bed, mate,” she says in a demanding voice I was not expecting from her, making me groan and stumble to dart through the door and to our room.