“Are you okay?” Caine asked as they eased out the door to Brightwater.
“I had a strange dream last night, and Donovan was in it.”
Caine raised an eyebrow, but Seath shrugged. The dream had been odd, but the omega dancing for him in the dream was nothing like the detached prince he had just met. Although, they had looked the same.
“Did you detect anything?” Seath asked once they were back in the SUV, headed to the Pack House.
Caine’s mouth went into a tight line. “I have some theories. For a short meeting, that was most enlightening.”
“Do tell?”
Caine gave a sharp shake to his head. “I will need to follow up on something, as soon as we get back.”
And he did. As soon as they exited at the Pack House, Caine disappeared with vamp speed. Seath and Greene conferred for a few moments, but it was clear Tremon was waiting to discuss things formally, and so all they had really accomplished was being good hosts.
Seath sighed as he walked to his rooms, happy to have Lycan’s arms to fall into.
Chapter twenty-five
The Pack House Has a Say
Bythenextmorning,Caine had made it back from whatever errand had taken him away the night before and he and Luke flanked Seath as they watched the procession of Tremon and his entourage make their way to the Pack House.
The Council representatives had arrived first that morning, and breakfast had been the sort of stuffy, political affair Seath hated. He had only been able to think of how much better, and easier, it would be when Lycan could be there with him. He was much better at those things than Seath. But it wouldn’t be appropriate today, given the context of the meeting and why the three Councilors were here in the first place to show-off Lycan in his rightful place on Seath’s right. So that seat had remained empty for the entire meal as no other solution seemed wise.
Greene, of course, stood at the head of the receiving line in the foyer. This time as Alpha of the pack, and the three Council members next to Seath. They would hear the issues Tremon had and come to a consensus, a ruling of what should be done due to the broken bond between the two countries that were both members of The Council.
Seath shifted his weight. The threshold was tense, but the worry rolling off his mate was too much for him to handle without wanting to offer comfort. A move he shouldn’t make. Lycan stood to the side, by Van and Trav, overseen by a protective Puck. Even Teller, who seemed focused at all times on Greene, had placed himself strategically in-front of Lycan, as well. Caine, of course, was there, fangs ready for anyone who looked at the Little Wolf sideways.
Seath gave the cheetah Alpha Puck a nod of appreciation. He liked that Puck was so close to Lycan — just in case. And Puck nodded solemnly in return. He took his protection of his friend and the Alpha-Mate seriously. Van and Trav were close to Lycan, and Puck was a good Alpha, looking out for everyone he cared about, and that included the heat-mates of his omega.
From the scents in the air, the tension, it seemed, was getting to everyone.
Up the drive came Tremon and his people. In long flowing robes and official dress, he looked part military captain and part warlock. The rest of his people were dressed smart in the clothing that would easily be found in the well to do of any Council nation.
The wide front doors of the Pack House were open, with Greene and Teller on the portico, and everyone else visible just inside the grand foyer.
Tremon did not stop to regard the Pack House. Instead, he marched straight for the door.
At the top step, Tremon’s advance was halted, as if he had been slapped in the face. He smoothed his clothes in an attempt to recover from whatever had set him back on his heels.
“What is the meaning of this, Greene?” Tremon spat, color high on his cheeks as he remained on the top step and no farther, at a sort of standoff with the Pack that remained scattered across the top of the portico and the inside of the Pack House.
Greene stepped forward and pushed against the air. It didn’t budge, as if there was some invisible barrier there instead.
“Let our guests in.” Greene’s Alpha voice made everyone want to obey, but of course, there was nothing they could do to effectuate the order.
“I don’t believe that Threshold magic obeys an Alpha voice.” Caine smoothly slid over to Greene. He stayed a deferential step behind and saw Tremon’s judging gaze. In return he sent a predatory smile that made Tremon swallow hard.
With Greene’s nod to proceed, Caine stepped forward and also pushed against the air, although he let his fingers rake across it, as if he was inspecting the grain in a piece of wood.
“It appears the Threshold magic does not trust you, Tremon.” Caine dropped his hands. “Any reason that would be?”
The flush on Tremon’s face grew deeper in color as the three Council members whispered among themselves.
“What is the meaning of this! I demand—”
A thunderous crack cut through the air, not booming, but loud.
