“If she used her amplification abilities on his other warriors,” she explained. “Then they would fight harder and have more drive to protect the pack. It’s probably what’s made them so successful against Dark Moon.”
Now that my mother brought up Dark Moon, it got me thinking. Shade had two unique powers. Did Alpha Huxley want her curse or her amplification ability? It seemed that either would make her a highly effective weapon.
I shuddered to think of the effect it could have if it was combined with Huxley’s ruthless ambition.
“Speaking of Dark Moon, they were sniffing around our borders a few days ago,” I confessed. “Knowing what we know, I think they were looking for a way to get to her. I think Huxley wants to force her into becoming his mate so he can use her.”
“If that’s true, then we need to do whatever it takes to protect her,” my mother demanded. “Not just because she’s your mate, but I can’t even begin to imagine what an alpha like Huxley would do to her. He’d use her abilities to destroy everyone who opposed him. We would all be in danger.”
“Don’t worry, Mom,” I said. “I’m not going to let anything happen to her ever again.”
“I know, Caelan,” she praised with a smile. “That’s why theGoddess gave her you. Because you’re the kind of wolf who deserves her. You’ll do right by your mate.”
I sighed, happy to know my mother approved of Shade. “Is there anything we can do to end this choosing ritual? Now that Shade knows we’re mates, I’m really uncomfortable courting other females around her, even if it’s just for pretend.”
“I know, my boy,” she replied, patting me on the arm. “You’re almost there. You just need to get through the family dinner before you can announce a final choice. If you want, you can dismiss Briggita. Then only Sunny and Shade would be left, and since they’re family, we’d only have to make one trip.”
I grinned at the devious look in her eye. Alpha Butch would be forced to acknowledge that Shade was his other daughter, and we could take Sunny home and leave her there.
“That’s not a bad idea, Mom,” I replied. “Should be an interesting dinner with Alpha Butch and the daughter he doesn’t acknowledge exists,” I added sarcastically.
“Well, you know. Two birds with one stone,” she said with a mischievous smile.
***
The next morning, I went straight to Shade’s room. I hadn’t been able to sleep all night, turning over the conversation I’d had with my mother till dawn.
“What’s going on, Caelan?” she asked as I settled into the chair across from her. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine,” I assured her as I took her hand, feeling calmer instantly. “I just had a couple of things to discuss withyou.”
“Okay.”
“First of all,” I began. “I wanted to let you know that Briggita has been dismissed from the choosing. You and Sunny are the only participants left.” I couldn’t tell by the look on her face if she was bothered by the news. Did it anger her that the choosing was still in effect even though she was my fated mate? Or was it that Sunny was still technically a candidate?
“This will be over soon,” I promised, hoping my words would ease her mind. “And then I can tell everyone that you are my mate. We just have one more hurdle to cross before we can call it finished.”
“And what’s that?” she asked.
“Well,” I said nervously, squeezing her hand. “We have to go to Thunder Moon to have dinner with your father.”
“What?” she exclaimed.
“It’s supposed to be like a chance to see if the families can get along. It’s obviously just a formality at this point, but it still needs to happen before I can officially end the ritual. My parents and I will be there, but I didn’t want to blindside you.”
“Couldn’t you just have dinner with Sunny and my father?” she asked, her pale eyes wide. “Do I have to be a part of it?”
“I’m afraid so.”
We sat there for a few minutes as she stared at the ground, worry creasing her brow.
“He won’t admit that he’s my father,” she stated with certainty.
“He’ll have to.”
“I don’t want to force him, Caelan,” she replied.
“I don’t think we have much choice here, Shade,” I admitted with a sigh. “You’re also his daughter and heir, but he’s treated you like a servant, striking you down to omega for something that wasn’t your fault. It isn’t right. He deserves to face the consequences for his actions.”
