Joshua glanced at Michael, who was grimacing. “That’s because we were sent solely to smooth over this business with the two idiots who went into your territory. But I don’t have the patience to placate anyone when there is a clear danger in the works.”
“Huh.” Bael rocked back on his heels as he looked Joshua up and down. “I don’t like you.”
Joshua shrugged. “Most people don’t. Which is why Alpha Rafael sends his brother to do these sorts of things rather than me.”
Bael studied him a moment longer before turning to Michael. “What are your Alpha’s suggested terms?”
Michael took over, explaining what they had discussed while warning Alpha Bael that this was still in the early stages and they hadn’t intended on presenting a half-formed plan to him. Bael listened, alternatively scowling and nodding. In the end, he agreed to allow one patrol per day into his territory, as well as meeting in neutral ground to start training his people how to track demon activity. But only if Joshua was present at all times.
“Speaking of.” Bael turned back to Joshua. “Rumor has it you married one of the witches in your pack.”
Joshua tensed at the dismissive tone of Bael’s voice. “I did.”
“Why’d you do something like that?” Bael’s nose twisted in disgust, as though the thought of it alone was offensive.
Joshua’s wolf growled, but he tamped down on that reaction. After sorting out the business with the special ops, he didn’t want to cause another inter-pack incident. “Kira is my mate.”
He liked saying it out loud. He’d said it a few times now, and every time it felt even better. If he told Kira about it—privately, because the confrontation with Sandy didn’t count—would she believe him? He could see it going either way. Then again, if she believed him, it wouldn’t automatically solve their issues. She could be furious at him for not telling her before now. And how could he explain why he rejected her, then?
No. He had to tell her the truth of his past first, then he could tell her she was his mate.
Bael didn’t look pleased with this information, but he shrugged. “I hope you know what you’re doing. It’s the witches’ fault all this is happening to start with, and your Alpha’s already married to one of them.”
“That’s not true,” Michael barked.
Bael lifted an eyebrow at him. “No?”
Joshua moved closer to Michael, giving him his silent support.
“No,” Michael snapped. “It’s not true. We have done extensive research into our town records. Everything indicates that the demons were attacking Nightfall well before the witches arrived. It was only through their efforts that the demons were contained in the first place. The reason the demons can’t attack our towns is that they have magical protections over them. Placed by the witches.”
Bael scoffed. “Sure.”
“It’s true. We can send you copies of all our research if you wish to verify it yourself,” Joshua said, his voice flat. “It includes both journals and official records kept by the Elder Council and Elder Priest of the time. You can even come to the town and look at them yourself, if you wish.”
“What if I want the originals sent to me?”
Joshua shook his head. “I’m afraid that they are far too valuable to allow outside of our archives. But as I say, you are welcome to come view them in person, whenever you wish.”
Bael snorted and scuffed his foot on the ground, as though he was deciding whether to be offended by the offer. He apparently decided that he didn’t care enough. He didn’t give any sort of answer and turned his back on them. He headed back to his truck, indicating without words that the discussion wasover. Joshua repressed the urge to roll his eyes. It was all just posturing.
“Report back to your Alpha. And don’t you let any of your people into my territory without my permission again, or I won’t be so generous next time,” he called as he wrenched open the door to his truck.
Just as Bael started to heft himself into the truck, Joshua stepped forward. “Wait!” he blurted.
Michael had already started to turn away and paused. He gave Joshua a puzzled look, but Joshua only shook his head slightly.
Bael twisted to glare over his shoulder. “What?”
“I would like to ask a favor from you,” Joshua said. He sounded uncertain, which made him wince, but he held Bael’s gaze. “Can I have a copy of whatever information there is on my biological parents? Any genealogy records or other information about my ancestry. I would especially appreciate copies of whatever journals or letters that might have been kept. Though I understand that such records might not exist.”
Bael balanced on the running board, clicking his tongue. “I’ll get someone to look to see what we have. No promises.”
Joshua inclined his head. “Of course. Thank you for looking.”
A grunt answered him, and Bael got into the truck. As he drove away, Michael let out a heavy groan as he headed for their vehicle. “Could have gone better.”
“Could have gone worse, too,” Joshua pointed out.
