“How long have they been living here, exactly?” Arianna asked, observing the recently built cottage as Jayson parked his motorcycle under a tall oak tree.

The home was one story, but predominantly large and situated in the middle of the clearing in the forest. It was built on the outskirts of the Caedmon village where the houses were spaced further apart. Two columns flanked the front entrance leading up to a covered wrap-around porch. It was a traditional, yet elegant estate. One that you could certainly lounge around in for days—without being bothered.

Jayson helped her off the bike. “About a month after Devin signed the law welcoming the human branch back into the Pack, the home was completed. They wasted no time moving out of the Caedmon mansion.”

If there was only one thing their present leader, Devin Caedmon, was known for, it was his reserved nature. She couldn’t blame him. The town where the Caedmon village resided was small. Although, Arianna was not as high profile as the pack Alpha himself, she cherished privacy as well. It was one of the reasons why she’d decided to leave the town to pursue a higher education once she graduated high school.

“And his wife…she’s human, right?”

He chuckled. “Right. Don’t worry, we won’t bite.”

Arianna had only known Devin Caedmon as a teenager. They were a good eight years apart, and she was too young then to care about the rumors and scandals surrounding the royal family. It wasn’t until later, when Devin was banished from the pack by his own father, did she learn who he really was. Of course, even back then, news was always slow getting over to the human side of the fence. For loyal human Caedmon, like Arianna, that had changed. In the new Alpha’s eyes, they were all equal. Yet, she was still having second thoughts about facing him.

“I don’t know about this anymore,” she said. “I’m in enough trouble as it is.”

He took her hand. “It’s important that Devin knows what’s going on. Zeldano has also been a threat to us for some time now. You know that more than I do.”

“I could be putting the rest of my family in danger. We risk losing the support of the Alpha.”

“No, you won’t lose him,” Jayson said. “Devin’s not like that. You’ll see.”

Arianna looked back at the cozy cottage again. This time, a light had been turned on over the front door. Someone already knew they were there.

She grasped Jayson’s hand as they walked up the steps onto the porch. Moments after they rang the bell, Devin opened the door.

Arianna couldn’t help herself as she stared at the man she hadn’t seen in over a decade. He was just as she expected him to be. Huge, but handsome. His whole body took up the small space of the doorway. His green eyes sparkled as he peered intently at both Jayson and her. There was a regal manner of danger about him. He had the kind of look on his face that warned anyone not to cross him. She’d heard about him and his recent battle with his cousin, Darius. The outcome had earned him more respect and people began to pay more attention to his silent, but deadly reputation.

“Jayson,” Devin said, finally. His eyebrows drew together when he looked at Arianna again. “Miss.”

“Arianna Klein,” she said.

One of Devin’s eyebrows arched sharply in surprise, and he held out his hand. “The daughter of Anthony Klein? Blood relative of the first human Caedmon.”

“Correct.” She took his hand and shook it.

“I felt the spirit within you…sorry I didn’t recognize you earlier.”

Arianna shook her head. “No need to apologize.”

“Come in.” Devin stepped aside. “I can’t begin to imagine what brings you here this late in the evening, Jayson.”

They stepped inside the cozy cottage and Devin took their jackets.

“News,” Jayson said, placing his hand on the small of her back.

“Doesn’t sound like good news,” Devin said.

“There is really no such thing as good news anymore. I’m sorry to bother you but this couldn’t wait.”

Devin led them to a large family room with a massive sectional. He turned on several lamps to lighten up the dark interior.

At that moment, a tall woman entered the room. Her dark brown hair was piled up on top her head in a bun. She wore a men’s flannel shirt and pants. When she saw them, her hands went to her mouth in surprise. “I didn’t know there were guests.”

Jayson stood, and nodded. “Tamara.”

“Jayson, is that you?” The woman smiled. “It’s been so long.” She came out to greet them.

Tamara was beautiful, from head to toe, even in her choice of attire. Compared to Devin, she was as delicate as a fairy.

“It’s me,” Jayson said, holding out his arms to offer Tamara a hug. “I’d like you to—”

In the blink of an eye, Devin had crossed the room. He moved Tamara out of Jayson’s grasp, and growled deeply.

The hairs stood on the back of Arianna’s neck and her palms grew hot in alarm.

Jayson’s body grew tense beside her, and she could literally feel the wolf spirit responding on instinct to Devin’s warning.

“Devin.” Tamara placed a hand on Devin’s chest in an attempt to calm him. “I’m fine. He meant no harm.”

“Excuse me.” Devin’s frown faded. “I shouldn’t have acted that way.”

Jayson took a deep breath in, then whispered, “She’s pregnant.”

Arianna’s eyes widened and her gaze dropped to Tamara’s belly. If Devin’s mate was pregnant, she certainly showed no signs of it. Then again, the oversized shirt she wore could have hidden just about anything.

Devin’s wolf had taken charge and its protective instincts kicked in upon seeing his pregnant mate touched by another. Pheromone levels were high in the room. Why hadn’t she sensed it before? Arianna could now feel it down in her very bones. Devin would remain extremely protective—and dangerous—until Tamara delivered. Keeping his offspring alive and his mate healthy was the Alpha’s main priority right now. Even the slightest threat could push his wolf over the edge.

“We confirmed that she was carrying just last week,” Devin said. “It hasn’t been announced yet.”

“I was wrong. There is good news.” Jayson smiled. “Congratulations.”

“I’m Arianna.” Arianna held out her hand to Devin’s mate.

“Call me Tamara.” She took her hand and squeezed lightly.

Although, Arianna had been out of town on business at the time of Devin and Tamara’s wedding, she heard great things about her. Not only was she mate and wife to their leader, she was also a valued citizen in the Caedmon village. It was rumored that she now volunteered at the village school as a teacher. As a human, she’d earned a coveted position in the community, which said a lot about her character.

“We won’t stay long. Arianna and I have had a long day,” Jayson said as they sat down on the sectional, both couples facing each other.

“I understand.” Devin nodded. “You may spend the night here, if you like. It’s a long way back into town.”

“Thanks for the offer, but we plan to head back to the city.” Jayson ran his fingers nervously through his hair. “I finally did it, Devin. I’ve cashed out. Klein and Truman, LP is no more.”

There was a long silence before Devin spoke. “This outcome has been a long time coming, but you don’t seem happy about it.”

“I had selfish reasons for delaying…” Jayson stole a sideways glance at Arianna. “What I did not expect was that Mr. Klein had selfish reasons for rushing the dissolution of the partnership.”

“There are always selfish reasons where money is concerned,” Devin said.

“Do you remember Zeldano?” Jayson asked.

Devin focused, his eyes forming slits. “Which one? Luther or the son, Ivan?”

“In this case, both.”

Arianna swallowed, as her heart beat rapidly. She was relieved that Jayson was doing all of the talking. Her tongue was tied. She was fearful of what Devin would think of her and her family now.

“Ever since the creation of the Caedmon Council, one Zeldano male had always served on it…until halfway into my father’s reign as Alpha.” Devin laced his fingers together and sat back against the sofa. “I remember it all and how it went down. Luther was my father’s Second-in-Command. There was an issue about the amount of royalties he would receive while on the Council. This was never resolved. My father was too busy with other things to make amends. The entire Zeldano family broke away from our pack on bad terms.” He cleared his throat. “Why do you bring this up?”

“Mr. Klein intends to partner with the Zeldanos,” Jayson stated.

Devin’s full attention shifted to Arianna. All eyes were suddenly on her. Blood rushed to her face from being in the spotlight, and she shifted in her chair.

“Why are you afraid of me?” Devin asked.

“It’s not you who I’m afraid of.”

“Of whom?”

“Of no one,” she professed, meeting his feral gaze. “I’m afraid of what you will do to my father.”

His lips formed a grim line. “Then you understand that it is against Caedmon law to transpire against us while still doing business among us.”

“Yes.” Arianna swallowed and hung her head low.

“And you stand against your father in his plans?” Devin asked.

“I believe my father is ill, and that he’s acted in desperation. I don’t want him to do this.”

“How long have you known about this?” he continued to grill her.

“I just found out.”

“Do you believe that you can stop him?”

“It’s too late,” she whispered.

“From what I know of the Zeldanos, their greed is now tenfold,” Devin offered. “If money is his issue, we can help him settle.”

“No…these plans were made a very long time ago,” she said. “Everything has been in limbo…”

“Explain…” Devin said, calmly.

Arianna licked her lips nervously and glanced at Jayson. He was waiting eagerly for her to answer, too, as if he was hearing all this for the first time. Even to her, this news was still a shock. But there was something that he did not know, and she needed to reveal it now.

“There was an agreement signed in blood when I was born. An agreement that would unite both families.” She took a deep breath, and pressed her eyelids closed. “I was promised to Ivan Zeldano.”

“What!” Jayson's outburst caused her heart to jump.

When she opened her eyes again, Jayson was standing, a puzzled look on his face.

“Promised?” Devin whispered.

“Is it true?” Jayson asked her.

She nodded. “It’s what I meant by it was too late.”

“No.” He clenched his fists, and then looked at Devin. “How can we fix this?”

When a brooding look washed over Devin’s face, she knew the answer already.

“There hasn’t been an agreement of this magnitude in thirty years. It’s happened before for similar reasons, I’m sure.”

Tears welled in Arianna’s eyes, but she refused to let them flow. “Can he do this?”

“Under the current Caedmon laws, yes,” Devin said. “Arranged pairing. Just like yours, most deals are proposed at birth and signed in blood as your father has done.”

“What if he’s lying?” Jayson asked. “He’d have to produce the contract?”

“You’re right, Jayson. They’d have to produce a contract.”

“What if they can’t?” Jayson persisted, pacing in front of the fireplace.

“What if they can?” Devin shot back.

“I don’t understand,” Tamara's soft voice cut through the tension. “Why would your father promise you to this man?”

“The Zeldano family has a strong presence and a dense history. Arianna and her family are from one of the original branches of human Caedmon. Combine wolf and human of this caliber and the result could be momentous. We thought we’d found this union before in Jayson and Arianna, but nothing came of their relationship. I am still puzzled by this…” He looked at both of them suspiciously and Arianna felt ashamed for her actions. “There have been accounts of a union between these two lines before, but none where both families were considered royalty. And for that matter, there have been no accounts where both families weren’t loyal followers. This could mean…”

“…a potential uprising against us,” Jayson finished.

“Is there nothing that can be done to stop this,” Tamara asked, then turned to Arianna. “You don’t want to do this, right?”

“Absolutely not,” she replied. “I value my right to choose.”

“The business has not been doing well, then?” Devin questioned her.

“Clients have been bailing left and right,” she said. “His debts have piled as high as the mountains.”

“Delivering could mean a big payday for him?” Devin concluded. “I suspect that the consequences for not holding up his end of the bargain with the Zeldanos could be detrimental—to more than just his bank account.”

Arianna frowned. “When it comes to business dealings, Zeldano always wins. No matter what the cost.”

“To my knowledge, this is correct,” Devin said.

Jayson charged toward the door, scooped up his keys from the tall table by the door, and grabbed his jacket. By the time Arianna rose, he was already out of the door.

“Jayson.” She rushed out onto the porch behind him. “Where are you going?”

“Stay here!”

“I asked you a question.” She followed him to his motorcycle.

“I’ll be back.” The look in his eyes told her that he was up to something. His eyes were a stormy gray against the night. It wasn’t a good sign. “You are safe here.”

“What are you going to do?”

Jayson snatched off one of his leather gloves and caressed the side of her face with his palm. “You belong to me, Arianna. Always have…always will.”

“People have been trying to make decisions for me all my life, Jayson. I’ve played dodgeball enough for now. This is fate’s way of telling me the game is over.”

Jayson kissed her, firmly and slowly. Her lips parted and she tasted the sweet woodsy, aroma of the man who’d been a friend most of her life. He was also the man who’d declared that she was his mate.

He revved up his motorcycle and tugged his glove back on. “This game has only just begun.”