The next weeks go by in a blur. Besides upping the hours of training to ensure Cassum will be ready for Trials, I spend every minute with Raelyn, mostly in my bed that we now share. My Alpha duties slip, something my mother coldly reminds me of one morning before we sit down for breakfast.

"I'm glad to see you so happy, I really am, but this can't continue. It interferes with your responsibilities."

"How?"

"Did you know there was trouble in one of the new territories? Niccolo had to dispatch fighters to help Zyron restore order."

"Fuck. Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Because you aren't around much. You spent hours on end with Cassum in the woods, and the rest of the time, you make yourself rare by locking yourself in your bedroom. This has to stop."

I smirk. "Don't you want me to prepare Cassum for the Trials?"

"Stop it. You know exactly what I mean." Her glare is lethal. "Besides, Raelyn is still a mated she-wolf. It sends the wrong message."

"Her and Dante's mating was arranged, and he cheated on her with his true mate while they were together."

"I don't' care."

"Then why do you have such a hang up about Raelyn and me?"

She huffs. "It's perception, Kendrick, and you know it. Quite frankly, I'm surprised by your behavior. You're not a young pup who can't control his hormones. I expected more of you."

The air deflates out of me. My whole life, she and Dad have suffocated me with expectations. I was tossed into the Alpha role long before I was ready, just because my brother Loyal couldn't wait to call for Trials. I tasted from my father's vein of life when my wolf wanted nothing more than to roll on my back and wash my siblings' blood from my snout. Killing my father had sliced away a part of me, a piece that Raelyn was able to mend. Why is it so hard for my mom to see that?

"And that warlock is still around," Mother carries on. "She's causing trouble by flirting with some of the unmated males. When will you put a stop to that and send her away?"

"It's not that easy."

"No? What's the problem?"

I don't even know anymore. "She's teaching Arabella about plants."

"Arabella is already an excellent healer, she doesn't need a warlock to poison her ways with dark magic."

"Not all magic is bad."

"Is it not?" Her smile is belittling. "Then tell me one example where something magical worked out for us werewolves. The few encounters we had with the Sentinels left absolute mayhem in their wake. No survivors, unless you count the warlocks."

I rub the bridge of my nose; this conversation is giving me a headache. "It's winter solstice this week. I ask Rikka to leave right afterward."

"Why wait?"

My fist comes down hard on the table. Luna or not, she will not challenge me. "Because I said so."

"Fine, have it your way, but don't come crying to me when shit hits the fan." She bangs down the last plate on the placemat, huffing as she turns away from the table. I stare at the empty space she skipped where her mate usually sits.

"Did something happen to Seth?"

"I got tired of him and Cassum was kind enough to dispose of him."

I smirk. "You could have asked me."

"Unfortunately, you were busy with Raelyn, and I didn't want to interrupt all the moaning." Shooting me the nastiest grimace, she slams the door to the dining room behind her.

Fuck, Mother and I have never had such a bad fight. Maybe she is right and I should realign my priorities.

Cassum comes strolling in with this weird smile. I'd bet she eavesdropped.

"What do you think I should do?"

She actually manages to carry on with her innocent act by fluttering her eyelashes at me. "Not sure what you mean."

"C'mon. We both know you've been listening."

Her sneer confirms it. "First off, I'd apologize to Mother before she tells you to run this place by yourself. Then I'd stop banging Raelyn every waking minute."

"It's not that bad."

She stares at me with a raised brow. "You're my brother, and I love you, but man, you and her act like you've moved to rabbit town."

"Okay, I get it. What about Rikka?"

"Let her stay until after the solstice. That way, you don't have to admit defeat on all fronts."

My shoulders slump. "I suck at this Alpha stuff."

"Bullshit. You're a great Alpha. This is just a minor setback. You're in love—everyone gets that—but now it's time to focus on something other than your mate's tits."

"You better kill Dante quickly, so I can make it official."

"Don't worry. I'll call for Trials as soon as the next heat is out of my system."

~~~~

For my pack, winter solstice has always been the biggest celebration of the year. This one is even more special since it coincides with Nicollo and Arabella's mating ceremony. My beta wanted to get it done before the heat—why wait to start a family when you already tiptoed around your true mate for the past seven years? I couldn't agree more.

The night is calm with the bite of frost in the air. The moon sparkles off the freshly fallen snow and the icicles that drip-froze from tree branches deflect the torchlights as if they were colorful ribbons. Arabella's little sister plays the flute. She picked a more vivid song to reflect Arabella's spunky spirit and I find my foot tapping despite the seriousness of the occasion.

Linking arms with me, Raelyn smiles. Dressed in a smoky-blue long gown she borrowed from Everest, she looks amazing. Her hair is pinned up to a bun and I can't stop glancing at her slender neck. Her skin is so fair it reminds me of fine, ivory porcelain. My wolf rumbles, her appearance is pleasing him as well. Mesmerized, I stare at her and would've missed my cue to step forward if Cassum hadn't nudged me in the back.

"Let the Moon Goddess view favorable upon this union."

Arabella stretches out her hand and endures the cut without a flinch. Nicollo's wolf still snarls at me, obviously irked that I'm hurting his true mate. It takes some effort on my Beta's part to keep matters contained.

I reach for his wrist and make a quick incision. He smiles at me with teeth, his nature not aligned with his skins as they fight for control. Popping joints. Razor-sharp claws breaking to the surface. My wolf growls in warning. That settles it.

Fingers intertwined, they raise their hands toward the sky. I watch his face as his bloodstream is flooded with her emotions. Love. The need to protect. Gratitude to have found his true mate. Must be an amazing feeling to fuse your soul with the one holding your other half. He howls at the moon before bending down and marking her as his. The sudden hormones seeping out of her stir my wolf's lust.

I step closer to Raelyn and spoon her from behind. Leaning in, I press my lips against her earlobe. "I wish that was us."

"Me too."

Arabella completes the ceremony with the bite. As the two stroll off hand in hand, every unmated male barks into the night. Nicollo snaps his teeth in their direction. Claiming ceremonies this close to the heat drive everyone crazy; that's why they are best held in the spring and summer. If my Beta hadn't requested this special favor, he would've had to wait like any other member of my pack.

The crowd disperses and most pack members head over to the club house. It's party time. Only a few mothers with their small pups, all wrapped in warm coats, hats, and gloves, have started to build a snow wolf.

I squeeze Raelyn's cold hand. "Let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

Suddenly and without warning, Rikka appears out of the shadows. She twines her arms around me, nestling her face against my back. ""Food would be fantastic. And I could use a stiff drink."

"What are you doing?" With my arms still around Raelyn, this must look so weird. I free myself from Rikka's embrace. Unfortunately, the twist of my body forces me to let go of Raelyn.

I'm about to tell Rikka off when Raelyn's wolf is at her throat. Her teeth go for the warlock's vein of life. I expect a fountain of blood—already coming up with excuses why I'd have to disturb my healer just minutes after her claiming—when Raelyn's wolf retreats with a whimper. A strong stench of sulfur floods the air. She rolls her snout in the snow, rubbing hard. The whimpers grow louder.

I stare at Rikka. "What the fuck did you do to her?"

The witch has gotten back to her feet, her hands raised by her sides. "Inferior being. Do you really think you can harm me?" Golden rays fly from her fingertips at Raelyn like fake laser beams shot from a toy gun.

A pup squeals and runs to hide behind her mother. A little male is crying hysterically. The stares I get from the gathered pack members are hard. I'm their Alpha. I have to do something.

Stepping in front of Raelyn, I'm barely spared by a bullet from Rikka's hand. I curl my shoulders, ready to shift, but then decide against it. A bloodbath is not what these little pups need. "Rikka, stop."

The warlock drops her arms. "I only defended myself. You saw she attacked me first."

"Whatever you did, reverse it."

"I can't."

She gets on one knee and presses her palm to the ground. Her lips move with whispered words. Smoke rises from her hand. The sulfur stench makes me gag. Raelyn, back in her skins, is screaming and convulsing on the ground. My wolf breaks to the surface. Just as I'm about to shift, a flash of light drives me back. Andrenior is standing in the middle of the clearing. A bunch of pups howl with terror.

The young warlock smirks. "You summoned me, my lady."

Rikka points at Raelyn's twitching body. "Quick. You need to heal her."

Squatting down, he touches her forehead. "She's burning up."

"I shot some fire spears at her, but I swear, it was only to protect myself."

Andrenior clicks his tongue as if he doesn't believe her. He strokes Raelyn's cheek with the back of his hand. Mumbled words are carried by the wind. A laughter. An explosion of light. Tears run down Raelyn's face before she pulls herself into a shivering ball.

I leap forward, but Andrenior's rising body blocks my way. "She'll be fine. She just needs to sleep it off. It's sort of like a hangover."

"Then let me take her to her room."

"She's running a high fever. Best to keep her out here, covered with snow."

"You'd better pray she wakes up without a scratch, or I'll tear both your throats out."

"Sure." A mocking smile curls Rikka's lips, challenging me to try.

Fangs exposed, I snap at her. This has gone far enough.

"You need to calm down, dude. It's uncool." Andrenior smiles at the closest pup peeking from behind his mother's legs. "No need to scare the little kiddies."

"I want you gone. Both of you." My mother's loud voice rolls across the field like thunder. Dressed in her warrior cloak, she's flanked by Kenna and Everest. My sisters look grim. Everest is carrying her sword. This time, Mom won't back down. I walk across the field toward them to meet them halfway.

My mother's eyes are dark with fury. "This has gone far enough. They are endangering the pack."

"Let them just stay until tomorrow. I have to make sure Raelyn is okay." I pull her away to get out of my sisters' earshot. "Please, Mother. She means everything to me."

"Emotions are clouding your judgment, Kendrick. You are no longer in control of your feelings. This is dangerous."

My wolf rises up. He doesn't like this new disrespect. I fist my hands to stop my joints from popping.

"I love Raelyn. She's my true mate."

"She carries too much negative energy."

I shake my head. "You keep saying that, but honestly, I would sense if that were true."

"You are blinded. She got you under a spell."

Fur ripples my skin. My wolf roars with anger, this time by the disrespect toward his chosen mate. "Bullshit. You are only jealous of her because you know that sooner or later, she'll take your place as Luna."

"Is that what you think?" Mother's laugh is incredulous. "Fine. Have it your way and make her your Luna. I quit."

That's not what I meant. "You can't. Raelyn isn't ready for leadership. Your pack needs you."

"Not a chance. You have to make a choice, Kendrick. It's either her or me, but I will no longer sleep in the same packhouse as this female and a bunch of warlocks."

"But Mother—"

"What will it be?"

I stare at her before I let my gaze stray. Raelyn is still on the ground.

Helpless.

Vulnerable.

Weak.

I swore to protect her. How can my mother give me an ultimatum? It's not fair.

"Please. I promise I'll sort all of this out once Cassum went through the Trials. Don't split up our family. If you don't want to do it for me, do it for her. She needs you to get through this."

When she sighs, I know I got her. Her guilty conscience about Cassum being chased off the territory and turning rogue runs simply too deep. "Okay, we are all under a lot of pressure at the moment. I'll give you time to think things through until after Cassum called for Trials. But those warlocks have to leave."

"And I promise they will . . . Soon."

She arches a brow.

"I just need to ensure Raelyn is okay." My smile is intended to take some of the explosive tension out of the air, but her glare quashes my efforts.

"Make it happen, Kendrick. I mean it. You're the Alpha, but your constant indecisiveness about the warlocks makes the other males lose their respect. It's not a position you want to be in."

"I know."

I watch her march off with my sisters in tow. Exhaling through tight lips, I turn back toward the other end of the clearing. Andrenior actually had the audacity to smooth things over with the pups and is eagerly building the snow wolf with them. The mothers beam as if he is the nicest kid and not a threat who could kill them with some stinky-sparkly crap. Rikka sits straight as a stick on a tree stump; the moon reflects off her hair like a silvery arch. She looks like the image of a painting I saw in a textbook. I think the humans call it angel with a halo.

When Raelyn suddenly sits up, both Rikka and Andrenior squint at her like they can't believe it.

I pull her to her feet, holding her hands until she finds her balance. "How are you feeling?"

She presses her palms to her temples. "I have a bad headache, but otherwise, I'm okay. What happened?"

"You and Rikka got into it. You were jealous because she came on to me."

"I remember." She mumbles something under her breath that sounds like "it wasn't the first time."

"Let me take you to the packhouse, so you can lie down."

She shakes her head. "I'm burning up and need some fresh air."

"Then let me come with you."

Before I can shift, she holds me back. "You told me you're starving. Tonight is meant to be a celebration. Let me go and you spend time with your pack."

"But Raelyn—"

"Please. I need some alone time."

I'm torn. On the one hand, I should respect her wishes, but a nagging voice in my head insists that she is hurt and needs me to take care of her.

She makes the decision for me by shifting. One long leap and the shadows of the forest swallow her up. I turn back to Andrenior. With Raelyn seemingly alright, there is absolutely no reason for him and Rikka to stay.

He and Rikka exchange a glance. "Something is seriously off with her."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

"Her recovery. It was way too fast."

"Maybe she's a quick healer."

Rikka shakes her head. "After what I did to her, she shouldn't even be alive."

That makes no sense. "What are you saying?"

"She is able to repel warrior magic. At least to a degree. Why and how, I cannot say, but trust me, Andrenior and I are going to stick around until we know what is going on with her."

~~~~

© Sally Mason 2018

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