“What are you doing?” Isaac asked, leaning closer.
“Noting down everything we need to find out before our meetings.”
Reading through the list, it was obvious they still had a few details to iron out. “What time do you think we should have them?”
Michael looked up. “How long will it take to get to Carnglaze from here?”
“About an hour with no traffic.” Isaac grimaced. “But this is the height of summer, so traffic is unpredictable.”
“Say we allow two hours to get there. You’re still going to need at least four to reach Richmond.”
“Do the meetings have to be at the same time?” Logan asked. He sat with his arms crossed, and Isaac sensed he was none too happy about being left behind while everyone else went out. He was surprised he’d not offered to accompany Cole. Being separated from his mate like that, especially when he might be putting himself in danger, had to be hard.
Isaac’s gaze drifted to Michael.
“I think it would be beneficial, yes,” Michael answered. “I imagine both groups are going to want to confirm that the other is fully invested. Which is where you two come in.” He looked at Logan and Sam. “Isaac and I will report in with updates when we can, and you can relay them. At least that’s how I imagine it happening in my head.” His smile was wry. “I’d like to say I know what I’m doing, but...” He held his hands out and shrugged. “It’s a little different going up against your own people. I don’t think I ever gave enough credit to those humans who helped us overthrow the government the first time around. And look how we repaid them.” Michael shook his head, and Isaac reached for him, gripping his shoulder and hoping he knew how much he wished he could pull him into his arms because the regret and guilt rolling off of Michael was palpable.
Surprisingly, it was Cole who spoke up. “Speaking as a human who’s suffered under shifter rule, I think you’re underestimating how much of an impact you have. Before the candidate recruitment, we’d all heard the rumours about the McKillan pack, about their alpha.” Michael winced. “But to discover that not only did you start the CEG and help so many humans escape forced pack affiliation, you’re also willing to risk your life to bring change that won’t benefit you in any way.” He met Michael’s gaze, and though his smile was small, it was there, and if Isaac wasn’t mistaken, there was respect there too. “That’s so fucking huge. You have no idea.” He shook his head. “That’s why the human resistance has agreed to meet with you.” Reaching for Logan’s hand, he gripped it tight and his smile this time reached his eyes. “That’s why I’m proud to call you my alpha.”
Isaac had a lump in his throat, so Goddess only knew how Michael was feeling. When Isaac glanced over at him, he got his answer.
Eyes wet with unshed tears, Michael looked as stunned as Isaac had ever seen him. He stood slowly, and Isaac caught Logan nudging Cole to do the same.
Isaac watched in awe as Michael walked around the table to stand in front of Cole. When Cole tilted his chin up, exposing his throat, Michael’s gasp was audible in the sudden silence.
He set his hand at the base of Cole’s throat and brought their foreheads together, closing his eyes. “You’re wrong,” he whispered, “when you said I won’t benefit from this. Because I will. I helped put the Shifter Alliance in power, I’m partly responsible for the atrocities they’ve committed, and Ineedto put this right. It’s the only way I can live my life without drowning in guilt.”
Isaac’s heart ached for him. The pain in Michael’s voice called to him, to his wolf, and he had to grip the edges of his seat to keep himself from going to him.
But this wasn’t his moment.
They needed this.
This small unconventional pack.
Needed it to get through what was coming, and Isaac refused to get in the way of that bonding, no matter how badly he wanted to pull Michael into his arms and kiss him. Because this was something Isaac knew he’d wanted but never dared hope for.
Cole reached up and put a hand on Michael’s neck, and Michael’s shoulders relaxed, his soft sigh like a calm settling over the room. “Then let’s do it,” Cole said, voice as quiet as Michael’s. “Let’s help rebalance the power to what it should’ve been in the first place.”
Michael gave a slight nod and drew back, eyes still wet with unshed tears, and Isaac had to blink away a few of his own. “I suggest we take a break. Get some fresh air and clear our heads. We can pick it up again in the morning.” He glanced to Isaac, and Isaac smiled because that was a great idea. After that little display, everyone could probably do with a chance to catch their thoughts and regroup.
Isaac stood. “My house and gardens are at your disposal. Please feel free to walk down to the beach or retire to your rooms, or whatever you feel like doing. We can meet back here in a couple of hours for dinner.”
Michael leant against the sink as one by one the rest of them filed out of the kitchen. Isaac listened to the voices in the halls as they traded ideas about what to do. He grinned when instead of going their separate ways they all decided to take a walk down to the beach.
The front door opened and closed, and when Isaac deemed them out of earshot, he walked over to Michael, coming to a stop about half a foot away from him.
“Pretty sure I can guess their topic of conversation for the next two hours.”
Isaac grinned. “You’ve given them a lot to talk about.”
Michael smiled back at him. “Yes, I suppose I have.” He reached out to catch hold of one of Isaac’s belt loops and gave the barest of tugs, as though he wanted to reel him in but didn’t know if he was allowed.
That’s my fault.
Stepping forward, Isaac moved until their bodies were flush and gently cupped Michael’s jaw. “In case it wasn’t obvious. I don’t want to go slow anymore.”
Michael’s breath hitched. “No?”
