EIGHT
RIVEN
My world had collapsed, caved in on itself and destroyed what I loved.
Indigo.
The damned Christmas lights flashed on and off, and I yanked the cable from the wall with such force, the tree toppled over and ornaments smashed. They reminded me of my heart.
Go after him. Or I will. My wolf was so distraught he insisted he take his fur and follow our mate.
No!I was in no mood for my beast taking charge.That will make it worse. Though how much worse could it be?
The minutes ticked by, irritating me by acting as though nothing had happened. Time should have come to a screeching halt and all attention should be on me because Indigo was horrified by who I was.
But the council had to be informed of what happened. I hated that my personal business wouldbecome public property, but that was the way of the pack. Very little could be kept secret.
I grimaced at the sour taste in my mouth, and I fell onto the couch, ready to dial Antonia.
“Didn’t go well, huh?”
“He thinks it was all a lie.” My voice cracked. “Everything between us.”
“Give him time.” Antonia’s wasn’t one to wallow and wouldn’t allow me to. “His worldview has shattered.”
“Time?” I tugged at my hair. “That won’t help. My mate thinks I'm a monster.”
“That’s not true. He cares for you. Anyone with eyes can see that.”
“You didn't see his face.” I shuddered at the memory. “It was as though he’d woken up from a nightmare.”
“The council.” She changed the subject.
“Yes.” I rubbed my eyes, wanting to sleep and blot out the memory of tonight. “Call them. Meeting at dawn.”
After she hung up, I stared at the star on the floor near my foot. Crashing onto the hardwood had chipped a bit off one point. I was tempted to crush it under my boot but shattering it wouldn’t improve my mood.
Instead, I wandered through the cabin tidying up. A coffee cup Indigo had left in the sink and the book he’d been reading was still open. He’d forgotten a sweater draped over a chair, and I brought it to my face and inhaled his scent. I pressed harder so the wool smothered me and my tears mingled with the knitted stitches.
I ran my mind over the days since we’d met. Maybe I should have told him sooner. But when and how? Thenight the wolves howled in the forest? Or when we were on our hike and we startled a deer nearby? There was no handbook that laid down the rules for how a shifter informed his human mate who he was.
Sleep refused to claim me, and just before dawn, I headed to the lodge.
The elders sat around a large table with my uncle at the head. Their grim expressions were expected, though that could be because they had to get up early. But that idea or maybe it was a delusion was shattered when Uncle Lionel spoke.
“You lost control.” His lips curled into a snarl.
“I didn't. I was blindsided.” I kept my voice level, not wanting to inflame the situation more than it already was. “Indigo wasn't supposed to be on the path during the run.” Even to my ears it sounded like a sorry excuse, and Uncle held up his hand.
“A human knows about us before you mated.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “And the same human has moved out of your cabin. I’m guessing his reaction wasn’t favorable.”
My stomach clenched at being reminded of Indigo’s face.
An elder spoke up. “What if he returns to his normal life and tells everyone about us?”
My jaw hurt from clenching my teeth. “He won’t. We can trust him.” I gave him my heart and he flung it back, but he was a good person. He was in shock.
Uncle slammed his fist on the table. “Your judgment is compromised because of themate bond.”
