“I think,” my mother said smoothly, “that perhaps those who are not family should excuse themselves. We have private matters to discuss.”
It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a queen’s command.
The council members filed out. Some quickly, others reluctantly. The five lesser members went first, followed by Soren, who castone final, unsettling glance at Riley before disappearing through the door.
Vix was the last to leave. She paused at the threshold, shot one final look at Riley, calculating and cold, and then she was gone.
The door closed behind her, and I exhaled, some of the tension leaving my shoulders.
With the council gone, the atmosphere shifted.
My mother settled back into her chair. My father remained standing, arms crossed. Patt and Thessa flanked Riley protectively, which, knowing my siblings, was exactly what they were doing. My wolf approved. His pack was protecting his mate.
“So,” my father said. “It is true. You mated a human.”
“She’s not human,” I said immediately, moving to Riley’s side, my hand finding the small of her back in a possessive gesture. My wolf bristled at the implication that I would mate someone unsuitable to their eyes.
“She appears human. She smells...” My father inhaled, frowned. “She smells of wolf. But barely. Her wolf is almost... invisible.”
“That’s because she hasn’t shifted much.” My voice was firm. “She was born a wolf, but her blood was dormant. The claiming awakened it.”
“Dormant?” My mother leaned forward, curiosity brightening her features. “How is that possible?”
“She was raised in the human world. Her parents made her flee through a portal when she was a child. She had no idea what she was until the claiming triggered her first shift.”
Understanding dawned on my parents’ faces.
“A dormant wolf,” my father murmured. “I’ve heard of such things. Rare, but not unheard of. Wolves who were separated from their packs as children, raised without knowledge of their heritage. Their wolves go quiet, waiting.”
“Waiting for what?” Thessa asked.
“For a trigger to wake them,” my father said. “Usually trauma. Or...” He glanced at me. “A mate bond strong enough to break through the dormancy.”
“She’s a white wolf,” I added, and there was pride in my voice. Pride that I couldn’t and wouldn’t suppress. “Pure white. Rare and special.”
“White?” My mother’s voice rose with interest. “A white wolf?”
“Yes. She’s absolutely stunning. I hadn’t seen any other wolf like hers.”
A look passed between my parents. Surprise, perhaps, or recognition of significance. White wolves were creatures of legend. Prophesied wolves. My mate was special.
“And even if she were human,” I continued, steel entering my voice, my alpha presence expanding to fill the room, “she would still be my mate. I would have claimed her regardless. She is mine, and I am hers. That is not up for debate.”
“No one is debating it,” my mother said gently. “We’re simply trying to understand.”
“What my wife means,” my father added, “is that we want to know more. About her. About where she came from.”
The tension in the room eased slightly. Riley relaxed beside me.
“You mentioned her parents fled,” my mother said. “From where? Do you know which pack they belonged to?”
“House Mirabelle.”
The reaction was immediate.
My mother went still. My father’s expression shifted. Even Patt had a surprised expression.
“Mirabelle,” my mother breathed.
