“Anything else you require, Councilman?” Evan asked, and Seath could swear there was a bit of sass to the tone. In the short time they had been there, neither Teller or Evan had called Greene Alpha. He wasn’t their Pack Alpha, of course, but as an honorific, it could still be used. They hadn’t used it, only “Councilman” and Seath couldn’t help but wonder if there was some meaning to the word choices.
Greene looked flushed. “No, thank you, Evan. Teller.”
The two shared another look but said no more as they left. For a moment, Seath wondered if the witch and the Elf were lovers. There was something unspoken there that suggested intimacy.
Seath watched as Greene’s hands trembled slightly. “I am being pulled toward The Council in many ways, Seath. I have consulted with every consultant I know, and this is the right move. I know you are ready. The only question isifyou are. When you are, the coven can do the ceremony and Pack Alpha will pass to you.”
Seath let out a breath. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
A quick grin flashed over Greene’s face. “Neither was I.” His eyes strayed to the door that had just closed. “In so many ways.”
They paused in a comfortable silence for a moment, each refreshing their coffee and considering the weight of the words that had just passed between them.
“Perhaps it was unfair for me to start with that line of talking. We have to think about the upcoming visit from Tremon and his people. All this Pack-talk can wait until after that.”
“I don’t know what there is to say. The astrologer was wrong. Prince Donovan is not meant for me, Alpha. Lycan is.”
“And all the evidence supports that. Just look at the Pack. I’m behind you on this, Seath.”
“I will not apologize. Not for Lycan. That’s my hard limit. I will make reparations, if I have to, but I would remind everyone that it was Tremon’s astrologer who predicted us as fated.”
“Tremon is refusing to make demands until after we meet. So, we will prepare for all the eventualities, and see which one it is that appears.”
Seath ran with Lycan, spending every moment they could spare together. Luke and the coven were in agreement that the best thing would be for Lycan to spend a lot of time in his wolf form, and he did. Within a week, his shifts came easily. For his part, Seath remained in awe of the beauty of his mate.
“You are worried.” Lycan accused him one evening as they finally relaxed in their nest together. Seath breathed in Lycan’s scent, the last traces of his heat had left that morning. Lycan’s heats were regular now, and he still began them in the omega-nests, just as the Alpha-Mate would. When he came to Seath, he was ready for what his Alpha had to give.
“Tremon Jokull is a known wizard, love. He’s angry, and rightfully so, that the prince’s betrothal is now in question.”
“Tell me about him.” Lycan moved, one leg coming over Seath’s, causing Seath’s breath to hitch at the intimate contact.
“I really know very little. Tremon is the prince’s uncle. He stepped in when the prince’s parents, the Queen and King, were killed. The Queen was Tremon’s sister. Due to the unrest when that happened, we never met or started any courtship. There was no need. I was helping here when Greene was at the Council, and the prince was figuring out lines of succession and how to lead from his place in the line for the throne.”
“What was the plan? You are Pack Legate and he’s a Prince.” Lycan’s head hammered hard at this talk. He knew now how to stay away from memories, but some things he had found still hurt to hear about, like a warning it could jog a memory. This talk was dangerously close to having his stomach rolling, but ever since his wolf had come, since the last coven, he had been much better at controlling how he reacted even to the sharp memories. He couldn’t get to them, but the pain of them was lesser when he stumbled upon them. Luke and Caine believed it to be the fast-healing powers of his wolf.
Seath pulled Lycan closer, adjusting so his mate was comfortable in his arms. “Donovan is not first in line for the throne. He has older siblings. Notably, an older brother and sister who would rule before he does. They are a monarchy, going by blood to rule and not strength or dominance. And in Taured, omegas don’t rule at all. Or haven’t. It is a point of political contention.”
“What about magic?”
Seath ran his hand over Lycan’s lean shoulder. “They believe the magic is in the bloodline and that is enough to lead.”
Lycan sighed, enjoying the feel of Seath’s hands on him. He was worried, more so than Seath, about the upcoming visit. His head hurt when he thought of Donovan or Tremon. In a way, it scared him. So close to those locked away memories it seemed. Maybe they had been locked away for a reason and a good one. But he didn’t want to tell anyone, didn’t want to appear afraid of the man who had been pledged to Seath originally.
He was falling for Seath so deeply that if . . .if Seath looked at Donovan and changed his mind . . .Lycan tried to breathe but it was hard. The idea of Seath loving another was too great for him to contemplate for long. Something told him that if his wolf-healing had not been restored these thoughts would be even more difficult to have.
But the truth remained. Seath had been swayed away, quickly, from Donovan. Maybe that was fate. But if it wasn’t . . .Lycan’s head pounded and not from locked down memories this time. Seath was a good man, a good Alpha, and Lycan felt what they had surpassed everything he had ever felt.
The feelings were strong, clear. As clear as the mating mark on his neck. He had nothing to worry about.
And then his head got involved.
It wanted to worry about things like how quickly they fell together, how quickly Seath had left the mate foretold to him. How he himself was still putting pieces of himself together and maybe had been easily swayed.
As Seath drifted off, Lycan pressed the gold shimmer of his mating mark. There was no doubt that was the mark of a fated mate. Would Tremon and Donovan come to challenge the mating? Or simply demand some sort of reparation. Lycan shivered, leaning into Seath, who ghosted a kiss on his lips, before turning him, spooning his back to Seath’s warm front.
Lycan drifted then, Seath’s larger body protecting him in their nest.
Seath had a dream, and not one he enjoyed. In his dream, a young man stood before him. Beautiful face and omega-perfect body.
