“A pleasure to see you both once more,” Tomas says, nodding gently. A low growl rolls in Jasper’s throat. This guy must have been the one to alert the rogues to our presence, and Jasper isn’t happy about being tricked. “I sit as the representative of Igaluk. I trust your connection ceremony went as planned.”
It’s hard to tell if he’s serious or making fun of us, like he knew all those crystals and incense wouldn’t help. Jasper clenches and unclenches a fist.
“This is Akari,” Mal continues, gesturing to the young woman on her far right. Her posture is ridiculous, her hair straight and black as Jasper’s—in fact she bears a striking resemblance to Jasper’s mother. “Akari is Tsukuyomi’s representative.”
Akari bows her head slightly by way of greeting.
“And finally, on my right is Kairos.” Mal gestures toward the wolf sitting between her and Akari. Now that we’re closer I can make out the graying fur around his muzzle. Kairos must be getting on. “Kairos represents Selene.”
“How can he represent anything if he can’t speak?” Jasper mutters.
Mal pauses at the interruption but doesn’t look upset. She sits back with a patient smile.
“Kairos chose long ago to remain in the form in which he feels the most connected to wolfkind. He has remained in his wolf form for the last forty-odd years. We do not begrudge him this choice—in fact, we aren’t even sure if he is still able to shift back into his human state. He speaks through me.”
I quirk my head sideways. What does she mean?
Mal must catch our confused expressions.
“Kairos and I are mates, we communicate via mind-link. Thus I am able to speak for him.”
They can mind-link! Whoa!
Kairos lifts his head to sniff the breeze, perhaps scenting us out, or perhaps using his wolf senses to ascertain whether we’re worth his time. Promptly he flops back onto his cushion, where he remains docile for the rest of the meeting. Maybe we aren’t worthy?
“You are very welcome here in Rogue Sanctuary,” Mal says, before lowering her eyes and her voice. “Now please tell me how the son of an alpha came to be on rogue territory and what your intentions are while you’re here.”
I try to swallow so that I can introduce myself but before I’ve had the chance Jasper takes a small step forward and speaks in his most alpha-sounding tone.
“I am Jasper Apollo, son of Alpha Jericho Apollo of the Elite Pack.”
Mal watches with an amused grin, while Tomas lifts an unimpressed brow, Buck leans forward onto an elbow, and Akira’s face doesn’t move.
“My family owns land a few miles west of here. We were simply camping on that land when your soldiers apprehended us unlawfully. I must demand that we are released at once and allowed to return peacefully to my family’s home.”
In such a large space you’d almost expect the sound to echo, but instead Jasper’s words leave his mouth and seem to die instantly, fizzing to nothing. The council waits a beat, a growl coming from Buck’s direction, then Mal smiles.
“Are you finished, Child Alpha?”
Buck laughs a little at this epithet and Tomas grins wryly, but Jasper is only angered further—I can practically hear his teeth grinding.
“First of all,” Mal continues, “the laws which govern you and your pack hold no bearing here. We have neither acted unlawfully or outside the realms of our jurisdiction. Secondly, the land which you claim toownsits squarely within the boundaries of the territory of the sanctuary. What freedoms your family have enjoyed upon our land were gifted by this council many years ago.”
“Lies,” Jasper says. “My father would never do business with rogues.”
Buck slams a fist on his knee. “How dare you?” he roars, poised to stand and tackle Jasper to the ground.
“There’s no need for violence,” Mal says, holding a hand in Buck’s path. He settles uncomfortably back in his chair and she returns her attention to Jasper. “The use of our land wasn’t gifted to your father.”
Jasper’s eyes narrow like he’s trying to figure out exactly what Mal is saying.
“The house, the land…was given to your mother.”
“What…what are you saying?” Jasper chokes out.
Mal places her hands gently in her lap. “What I’m saying, Child Alpha, is that your mother was no stranger to us here at Rogue Sanctuary. In fact she played a vital role in creating the safe and thriving community we have today.”
Jasper is flummoxed, a bead of sweat is rolling down his temple.
