I cleared my throat, drawing their attention before speaking. “Herd Leader Asithius, if you speak with Councilman Fortier, I’m sure he would tell you that we’ve been working through legal channels, trying to forge a safer future for all wolfkind. Our visit today is in support of that, despite what our detractors may be saying.”
Asithius nodded slowly, gesturing to the seating area for us all to sit on the elevated couches. Whether he was surprised by our forthrightness, I couldn’t say.
Olivia looked at me expectantly as she sat next to Fiona, an empty fourth seat next to her. I hesitated, wanting nothing more than to claim my place beside her as a mate in full. But was that fair? We had so many issues, I wasn’t sure my presence was a benefit to her.
I opted to take the seat next to Samuel, regret lancing through me as I saw the pain she tried to hide by quickly looking away from me.
Damn it.
“I appreciate that Pack Blackwater- or do you prefer Caelestis now, as you’ve taken on the mantle from your father?” Asithius asked.
Kane barely hesitated before answering. “I’ve taken both packs underwing. Either is fine.”
Asithius ducked his chin in acknowledgment before continuing. “I appreciate that your pack has dealt honestly and aboveboard with the other species since you’ve come to power. That is frankly the only reason you were welcomed, after Cysernaphus called me and let me know the request you made of him.”
Shit.
Of course the old bastard dwarven king had forewarned the other leaders we’d be coming. It was too much to expect that he’d only given us the list and let us make our own approach. One parting twist of the knife, just to be a dick.
“So, you’re aware that we need the shard of the omega stone currently protected by the centaurs?” I asked, not daring to share that the reason we needed it was the fact that so many of our females had been Goddess touched. Despite the fact that Olivia and I were now mates, and she was marked, it didn’t feel like my information to share.
If we never bonded and had a child, she could technically live safely inside the bounds of the current law. Brielle and Leigh, however… not so much.
“Yes, I’m aware that you think you need it. I’m not convinced of the wisdom of your plan. The world has been a much safer place since the stone was taken out of wolf custody and fragmented.”
“With all due respect, Herd Leader, the stone is not rightfully yours. It was stolen hundreds of years ago, and Kane and I are the rightful holders of it in its entirety. The wisdom of wolves is the only wisdom that matters when it comes to the care and use of the omega stone.” Brielle squared her shoulders and stared the centaur down as if he didn’t outweigh her many times over, and she didn’t give a fuck what he thought about it.
Asithius pursed his lips as if he’d just tasted something sour. “That may be so, but the omega stone was removed due to the destructive intent of wolves at the time. Whole magical species were nearly wiped off the planet, so I disagree that only your species should determine its care. Frankly, if the pixies knew I was meeting with you about this, they’d be pounding on my door before day’s end. Returning it eventually may become necessary, but the wolf packs of today are no less fractious than those who lost the stone during the omega wars. Surely you understand why I would hesitate?”
I stifled a snarl at the blatant insult to not only my high alpha, but to all of us. “You malign our entire species under the guise of political expediency and call that a welcome? Tell me, Asithius, do you look down on all other species, or do you save your disdain solely for wolf shifters?”
Kane held up a hand, stopping my tirade in its tracks. But his expression told me he agreed with every word I’d spoken.
“My disdain, as you call it”-Asithius didn’t bother to hold back his sneer as he addressed me-“is shared equally by any rabble-rousing species whose actions endanger my own kind. But no matter, because one centaur may not make such a momentous decision as this without the unanimous agreement of the governing herd.”
“We would appreciate you taking this matter to them immediately. It’s urgent, as we are unfairly hunted by our own kind. And I can assure you, Herd Leader, that you do not want Petr? Varga to succeed in his quest to unseat me. He is the only rabble-rouser seeking control.”
“Very well. I’ll leave you with Laurana to be shown to our guest quarters. I will seek the governing herd’s opinion, and we will notify you of our decision come morning.”
“Thank you,” Brielle said with a solemn nod. “I hope they will see that our only goal is to reunite the wolves and spare our species from further persecution. Because, Herd Leader, you were wrong about one more detail. The world hasn’t been safer for everyone since the stone was taken. Our entire species has been in decline for centuries, and we’re not the only ones. Make sure you tell your governing herd that.”
Asithius was silent as he gestured us toward the door, a grim twist to his lips that didn’t bode well for us getting this piece of the omega stone without a fight.Olivia
Laurana was hovering just outside the door when I stepped through, seeming guilty as if she’d been eavesdropping.
“Sorry to startle you,” I murmured as my other pack mates began to come through the door behind me.
“No, no apology necessary.” Her smile was forced, and I wondered again how she felt about her place here.
“Your father told us you’d see us to the guest quarters. He’s meeting with the governing herd, and we’re supposed to hear back tomorrow.”
“Of course. You may all follow me.” She did the special bow again and then trotted off, leaving us to follow at a slightly too-fast walk.
“Something seem off about her to you?” Fiona asked quietly enough that only I could hear.
“Yes, but I can’t put my finger on what.”
She nodded, deep in thought as we traversed the island to the guest quarters. They were perched delightfully close to the beach, the building reminding me of a fancy resort. It was a long, low collection of rooms, each with a separate front door and back sliding doors that faced the gorgeous beach, the crash of aquamarine waves audible even from where we stood at the front of the building.
“There are enough rooms for each mated pair, and two spares for the maidens and your single wolf.” Laurana nodded to Samuel, and my heart plummeted.
They expected me to room with Lucien? Lucien, who couldn’t even sit on a couch next to me for a ten-minute conversation?
I anxiously bit my bottom lip between my teeth. Fiona wouldn’t mind if I crashed with them or the maidens. Well, Elodie. Galyna barely spoke to me, but surely she wouldn’t turn away a female in need?
Before I could ask, Laurana was gone, and my pack mates were beginning to wander off toward rooms.
Fiona, Goddess bless her, turned to me before leaving. “You want to room with us? Or Reed can ask Lucien to room with Samuel and give you your own space if you prefer.”
“There’s no need for that,” Lucien said, his voice unexpectedly coming from just over my shoulder and making me jump. “There is a room for each mated pair.”
Fiona’s eyes flickered hazel as they narrowed at him. “That may be, but you two aren’t bonded yet. If she doesn’t want to stay with you, she’s not going to stay with you.”
Lucien raised both hands in an argument-diffusing gesture. “I’m not trying to start a war here. Just trying to treat Olivia as an equal, instead of putting her at the kiddie table like the rest of the pack does.”
“You self-absorbed bastard,” Fiona snarled, taking an angry step toward him. “You take that back.”
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