Once the Pride had sensed the source of the chaos, they'd converged on the ceremonial platform.He, Shawn, and Trip had shielded El from the crowd.Well aware that one wrong move from any of them could have spelled disaster.
Thankfully, El had been traumatized—that was a verb and an adverb he'd never thought he'd put together in the same sentence—by the situation and had stayed cowering behind their protective wall, allowing them to shield her from the Pride’s gaze.
Not that that had been enough, of course.Only Ryan's dominance had cowed them into action.That little display had inadvertently saved Ryan from any potential challenges this year.That he'd managed to subjugate the Pride’s most powerful members in a time of unmitigated stress was indicative of his increasing strength.
Only a fool would ignore what had happened tonight and challenge his Triad brother regardless.
So, while the situation had been as effective as killing one bird with two stones in that regard, actually getting El back into her skin had been another issue entirely.
The three of them had had to shift then revert back to human form four times before managing to coax her back to them.
The minute their beautiful mate shifted, she passed out.Shawn had one brief tussle over who would carry her, and had trudged back to the lodge with her in his arms and had lain her down in her bedroom.
The four of them had retreated to the main lounge to discuss the next step.
"Her shifting for the first time in that kind of scenario was harrowing.She’s not going to want to be surrounded by us.
“Anyway, somebody needs to go and talk to her father.While you're at it, you can head to Pantera House, tell them to back the fuck off our mate.It's obvious they've been trying to steal her back from under her family's nose.Proof or no."
"Surely it would make more sense for Shawn to deal with Joseph?"Trip retorted, stacking his hands on his hips with irritation.
Shawn dropped down onto one of the sofas."I'm not going anywhere.El and I have been at crossed purposes for too long.If we have any chance of making this work, I need to speak to her now before it's too late."He shot each of them a dark glance."Don't forget, my bond is like yours.This Mother of yours has sanctioned what you have with her.Mine is some freak of nature that you're all too ashamed to discuss with the rest of your Pride.
“At the minute, I'm a dirty little secret.That fucks me off because I have loved that woman too many years to let her go."
Marc was amazed to see the proud man was shivering a little with the power of what he was feeling.It was a strong man who could admit to such a weakness, but Marc could understand.El was their singular weakness.Just as she was supposed to be.A mate and kids were all that counted in this life.Wealth, power, prestige, position… It all meant nothing in the end.It was bullshit that clouded what really mattered.
Trip shook his head at Shawn's words."You're wrong, you know?"
Shawn scowled at him."What are you talking about?"
"You think our bond with her is stronger than what you have with her.That's not true.All bonds are sanctioned by the Mother.Just because yours is unusual doesn't mean that it's weaker.If it was weaker, we wouldn't allow you to be here.You wouldn't be a part of this conversation.The fact that you are is a testament to the power of the bond uniting you with El, and as a result, you with us."
"He's right."
Marc’s agreement had Ryan nodding."Yes, he is.And let's just get this cleared up, you're not a dirty little secret.But the time to reveal something like this isn't at a Triad ceremony.Tonight wasn't our night.We'd already hijacked it slightly because of the newness of our bond.The Pride’s curious.The Triad ceremony normally attracts, what?"He looked to Trip and Marc, hands open and inviting answer."Fifty?Sixty people, most?"
Both brothers nodded.And seeing that, Shawn frowned."There had to be over five hundred people there tonight."
Ryan snorted."Exactly.When I said we'd hijacked tonight, I really meant it.I didn't want to make it more about us when the ceremony was for Angel.It wasn't a slight towards you.Jesus, I only introduced El because I had to.I didn't want to," he explained ruefully.
Marc chuckled."Ain't that the truth."
Shawn grimaced slightly."I'm not going to lie.That does make me feel better about this situation.I know my being here is like a freak show, you guys.I'm sorry about that, but I can't change it, and I wouldn't want to."
"We wouldn't want you to, either," Marc said, his tone genuine and honest because his words were the truth.
Ryan sighed."This entire situation is nuts.Right from the beginning, it's been a whole boatload of crazy, and I know I can speak for all of us when I say, categorically, I wouldn't change a damn thing.Having El in our life is more than worth having to deal with so many tons of fucked up."He rubbed his forehead."Of course, that doesn't mean I don’t also wish things were a little easier.The Pride isn't going to like the fact a Pantera is the First Lady.It's not the first time it's happened, where species have crossed, but never so high up in the ranks."
Marc grunted."In the end, it might be for the good of us all."
"What are you talking about?"Trip demanded.He took a seat opposite Shawn and propped his head on a weary hand."Surely not even you can put a positive spin on this?"
"Just try and stop me," Marc teased.Leaning back against the window, the chill of the glass was pleasantly cool against his spine.He folded his arms across his chest, mimicking Ryan's posture, and explained, "Things have always been dicey between the Pantera and us.At least this way, we are united in one thing.They're not going to want to do anything that will put one of their own jeopardy.Am I right?"
Ryan huffed out a breath."You could be.Things have been tense ever since we snapped up that land from them."
"What land?"Shawn demanded.
