Page 128 of The Mating Quest

Her mouth twisted as she rolled her eyes. Ilana waved a hand and the crystal shards became filled salt shakers, floating over to the counter. “Never can have enough salt, right,twin?”

He chuckled. “Let’s go find yourmate.”

Outside, they found Ethan in a newly-cleared field. To Xavier’s surprise, Ethan wasn’t planting seeds or doing another farmingtask.

He stood before a group of about twenty male and female Lupines, knife in hand. A practice dummy, not a scarecrow, was in the field. Next to it, a tall, dark-skinned male watched thegroup.

“Watch me,” Ethancommanded.

His brother-in-law rushed the dummy as wolf and bit its leg, then Ethan shifted into Skin as quickly as Xavier blinked. Wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and light khaki trousers and work boots, Ethan palmed a short blade and stabbed the dummy’s chest. Then he shifted back into wolf just as quickly, and went for the dummy’sthroat.

Impressed, Xavier watched as Ethan shifted back into Skin. He addressed the group. “Okay everyone. That’s the goal. Use your wolf to initially incapacitate and then when your target is wounded, stab him or her. Remember, center mass! Shift again into wolf to finish him or her off. Use your magick to the fullestextent.”

The dark-skinned male saw them both, smiled and waved at Ilana. Then he clapped his hands. “Okay everyone, line up for your turn topractice!”

Seeing Xavier and Ilana, Ethan came over, shook Xavier’shand.

“What’s going on?” Xavierquestioned.

“Self-defense and weapons training for the pack. We increased raw meat intake this month to empower their Lupine magick and I’m teaching them to use their wolf in combination with their Skindefenses.”

Ethan gestured to the male taking charge, overseeing the young Lupines as they took turns rushing the dummy and then shifting as Ethan did. “Mark, my beta, is working with me a couple of hours a day before dinner to get everyoneprepped.”

He gave Xavier a level look. “Just incase.”

Weapons and tacticaltraining.

Xavier felt a rush of relief. His concerns over Ethan being a contented farmer vanished. The alpha was deadly serious when it came to protecting his pack, and teaching them to defendthemselves.

Ilana aswell.

The Crystal Wizard clapped his brother-in-law on the back. He dropped a kiss on his twin’s forehead. “I have to go. See you bothtomorrow.”

Before he dematerialized back to Tir na-Nog, he felt a rush of gratitude and joy for Ilana. And for Ethan, who would do everything possible to make sure she stayedsafe.

Havingher twin drop in for an unexpected visit was delightful, but she knew he had a dual purpose. The Crystal Wizard had wanted to see for himself if Ethan was up to the challenge Ilana would offerhim.

Ilana grabbed Ethan’s hand. “Let’s go for a walk. I need to talk toyou.”

“Ah, serious time.” Ethan gestured to Mark. “When you’re finished training the junior Lupines, take them inside for sessions in hand-to-handcombat.”

Mark nodded. “Yes,sir.”

She led Ethan over to the gardens they had planted shortly after their wedding. Roses bloomed, ringing a pond where a waterfall crested over several rocks, framed by pygmy palm trees. The garden was peaceful place to gather one’sthoughts.

They sat on a marble bench before a fountain of a wolf playing in water. She loved Ethan so much, and hoped he’d agree to what sheproposed.

“At my last meeting of the Brehon, Xavier told me how the dark times are coming. The Dark Lord has gathered much power in this world. It’s how he was able to resurrect Cormac from his burial place in the Winter Kingdom, and Others as well. Danu always has purpose in what she does. This is why the spouses of the wizards are not only immortal, but equal to their mates inpower.”

His expression remained guarded. “And?”

“I need to ask you if you want the same.” She took a deep breath. “Share my magick. My wizard powers. I’m a baby wizard, still learning, but the magick is robust. Telepathy, telekinesis, manipulatingmatter…”

“Cooking?” he suggested with a grin. “Yours is gettingbetter.”

Ilana laughed. “Well, not really. You’re always going to be better at that. Ethan, it would mean you remain alpha of your pack, but it would mean that if I get intotrouble…”

“You? Naw.” His gazetwinkled.