Keith
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Jace leans against the edge of my desk, arms folded.
My wolf growls. The bastard has become more irritable each passing day.
All he wants is to find Hope. To confirm the beguiling scent is hers.
I had much more self-control with him and even I was starting to feel irrationally moody.
Jace's judgement wasn't helping.
“Yes.” I don’t look up from the map I’m marking.
He exhales slowly. “I get that this female has got your wolf all twisted but lying to her father just to get a read on her isn't the smartest idea.”
I slam the pen down. “Well, what the hell am I supposed to do?”
“Oh, I don't know. How about trying a little thing called telling the truth.”
I meet his eyes. He knows as well as I do the problems around that. “I don't want to get her hopes up.”
He laughs at that. “Goddess Keith, it's not like the girl is going to cry herself to sleep if it turns out not to be true.”
I frown at him. “No but it can put thoughts into other females' heads. You know how fast words spread. If anyone thinks I'm looking for a mate, I'll soon find an influx of females being pushed at me. This includes other Alphas dangling alliances over my head with the condition of marrying their daughter.”
Many males wait for their fated mate to settle down. However, when it comes to Alphas and royals, chosen mates are more common. Lines of power can’t wait around for a fated mate to ensure succession.
I could announce that I was waiting for my fated mate but because of my blood, I would only have a handful of years before the Alpha King and the council started calling for an heir.
“Fuck. So, what's the plan then?” Jace says easily switching gears.
That’s one of the reasons I love him. He is always on my side.
“Blue Rock has one of the best healers within the ten great packs. I was going to ask Alpha Clinton if I could join him on his trip home to check on my power.”
“Mmm,” Jace hums thoughtfully. “I can't find any fault with it. You can scope out the female—”
“Hope,” I correct him. I don't know why but for some reason, him using her name is important.
“—scope out Hope,” He continues. “And get checked.”
I roll my eyes of course he would focus on that.
There were many who knew my family was a distant relation of the royal family but only few knew the extent of Lycan blood that ran through to my vein. Like the other royals, many assumed it was so diluted that it only provided more advanced senses, but they were wrong. Only a select few, like Jace, knew the truth.
Hundreds of years ago, the Luna of the first shifter King and his Luna gave birth to twins. Two white wolves, a prince and a princess. The prince went on to inherit the throne, while the princess was said to have died in a rogue wolf attack sometime after her brother's ascension.
In reality, she was separated from her pack during the rogue attack and while running from a group of them was rescued by a Lycan. During those ancient times, Lycans and werewolves were bitter enemies but it didn't take long for them to recognize each other as fated mates. After bonding with the Lycan, the princess vanished from history, aware that their coupling wouldn't be accepted by their world.
Hundreds of years later, my family is the direct descendants of the union between the princess and her Lycan mate.
Over the generations, the bloodline had thinned, with each generation being able to tap into less and less of our Lycan traits, until me.
When I turned sixteen, I did something no other shifter from my line has been able to do since the first generation of offspring. I turned into my Lycan form by tapping into my ancestral powers.
It was a third form no one was expecting. My wolf, a massive sliver, being already stronger and faster than its peers, was already one to be feared.
Add on my Lycan genes and I became the cause of both awe and fear.
None of that has ever mattered to Jace though. He was more concerned with making sure the power inside me wouldn't hurt me.
“Yes. I’ll get myself checked as well.”
Balancing two spirits inside a body is already a lot of work, but three? There is no precedent for this.
“Good when do we leave?” Jace says standing to his full height.
“We.”
He raised a brow daring me to contradict him. “Where you go, I go. I thought you already accepted this by now.”
“Fine,” There was no point in arguing. “I guess I'll just have to be extra charming at dinner.”
***
“Alpha Clinton, I have a request I’d like you to consider,” I say as I take a sip of the honey wine served with dinner.
Since this was the last night Lotus pack would be hosting the Alpha, we organized a family style dinner with him, his partner Karen, her two children, my father and myself.
The dinner has been going well. My father was regaling Karen and Clinton with a story of his latest hunt with the Alpha King while the daughter, Lisa—Lina—Lara…something or the other tried her best to catchy eye.
Her brother seemed oblivious to us all, to lost in his own thoughts to pay much attention to what was happening around him.
Once there was a break in the conversation I pounced on my chance.
“Just Clinton is fine. I think we're past the stage of formalities,” he smiled generally at me. “How can I be of assistance?”
“I'd like to request to join you when you return to Blue Rock. Emma Emerson is one of the most prominent healing talents in the grater packs and I wanted her assistance in a health assessment.”
“Of course,” he said quickly. “Is everything alright?”
Under normal circumstances his question would have put my wolf and my Lycan on high alert. But I can sense from his tone that he isn't trying to exploit a weakness. In Fact, his tone is paternal.
“Yes son, how are you feeling,” my father adds.
“I'm alright. My wolf has just become agitated since the ascension and I wanted to see if the Healer could give me insight.”
“Emma is the best. If anyone can help you, she can,” the daughter…Lessi? Says with bright enthusiasm.
I smile placatingly at her.
“Leah is right,” ah so that's her name, Karen agrees. “We will call ahead to clear her schedule for you.”
“That is too kind, really,” I say to the older female.
“Nonsense, Blue Rock would never allow an Alpha of your caliber to be held up. You'll be taken care of, rest assured.”
Karen smirks as if the matter is settled so I tip my chin in a way I hope is gracious.
Clinton pats Karen's hand as one would a dog when they've done a good job at something. She doesn't seem to mind from the way she preens beneath the gesture.
My eyes connect with my father’s, and he gives me a small nod. I know what he assumes. He thinks this is really about the mingling of my Lycan and my wolf.
I'm not going to correct him.
Not until I see hope and figure out for myself what she is to me.
Dad nods, slowly. “Good call. Silver wolves were said to be born for war. I'm sure the solidification of the pack bond is a lot for your wolf to get used to. She may be able to help with the transition.”
“My thoughts exactly,” I say ignoring how the daughter's eyes light up at the confirmation of me headed to her home.
“Will anyone be joining you?” Alpha Clinton asks.
“My beta, Jace,” I reply.
As expected, my father jumps at the chance to be helpful. “Good you boys go get that sorted and I’ll oversee the pack until you return.”
“Thank you. Father.”
“Oh, and Keith,” he adds, with a mischievous smile. “Who knows what else you'll find at Blue Rock. I've heard Clinton's eldest daughter Tessa is a fine female. A fierce warrior as well.”
“Father,” I growl in wanting to be aware of Alpha Clinton at the table.
I don't want to do anything to offend him. Not when I need him to get access to Hope.
He raises both hands, backing off. “What? I’m just sitting. It wouldn't hurt to start thinking about potential Luna’s. You’ll soon need an heir.”
“As lovely as I’m sure Tessa is, I think the pack deserves my full attention right now. I’ve only just assessed.”
“He’s right Gavin. Let him find his footing first. Mates can come later,” Clinton says good naturedly.
My wolf and my Lycan tossed snarls at my father for even suggesting I take another female.
I had to agree.
Even with only her scent, I knew no other female but Hope would do.
