We eat and talk more about how much or how little, if anything, is needed for the books. Lealla tells me her imagination is very good, and if need be, she can create a story from the inspiration of seeing us together. She said there’s something magical about love, especially in the early stages.

Rion takes my hand in his. “I’m leaving it up to you, Ari. I’m happy telling the world how much I want to be with you and how we met. Any adventures we go on. But it’s up to you whether or not we share it. I wouldn’t want to agree to anything that would upset you. You come first.” I nod and try not to blush as I go back to the meal before me.

After a few bites, I place my fork on the plate and face Lealla again. “Tell me about the upcoming pack war. Ford said I’m important to it.”

Lealla gives Ford a pointed look, then returns her gaze to me. “I wasn’t going to tell you this yet. I wanted you to solidify your bond with Orion a little more first.”

“I’m not ready to become anyone’s mate yet, so I’m not sure how much solidifying there is to do.”

“Every moment you spend with him, your trust and acceptance grows. That’s what helps make your bond stronger. Not the actual act of mating with him and committing yourselves to one another. Though, that is the final piece of becoming his.” And I’m back to blushing.

Ford leans forward. A wicked gleam in his eyes. “There are other options, princess. You could have me for a mate. You don’t need a wolf.”

Rion is back on his feet, but this time he shifts into a wolf and is rounding the table toward Ford as he snarls. Ford stands quickly. Instead of teleporting away from the wolf, he holds his ground, his fangs extending, ready to attack. If I weren’t so worried about what was about to happen, I’d be fascinated watching Ford. There’s a real vampire in front of me.

Orion doesn’t hesitate, lunging for Ford. Now I’m going to have to get involved. I was perfectly content to remain on the sidelines. But them fighting changes things.

Standing, I rush to the other side of the table and throw my body weight into Orion, pushing him off balance. He stumbles and shakes his head. Those green eyes of his wolf finding mine.

“Don’t,” I state firmly. “I get it. You’re jealous, but I’m here as a guest, and I’d like to learn as much as I can about my future—our future. So if you wouldn’t mind, shift back and let’s talk about things.” I swing around to face Ford, who is chuckling at my back. “And you! Why must you provoke him? You know he’s going to come at you. You’re not new to this world like I am, and even I know better.” I shake my head, walking back to my side of the table all the while mumbling, “Freaking wolves and vampires. I can’t even have a nice dinner without them trying to tear into each other.” Ford laughs.

Rion is back in human form and by my side in the blink of an eye. His hand grips mine; the familiar jolt of our connection rushing through my veins. When I’m fully turned toward him, he cups my face in his hands. His eyes are full of concern. “I’m sorry, Ari. I lost my temper. Where you’re concerned, it seems I only have two modes—calm and rage.” I’m lost in the sea of his eyes. He could probably say anything at this moment and I’d agree. How easily I get swept away in him.

“Hey, princess!” Ford yells from across the room. “Can we get back to the task at hand? I have places to go. People to annoy.”

Reluctantly, I break the contact with Rion and turn toward Ford. “You’re already accomplishing one of those, and you haven’t even left this room.”

“Feisty.” He smiles. “I like it.” Rion growls beside me.

“Ari is right,” Lealla adds. “Can we please get back to our discussion? This fighting isn’t helping anyone.” She’s not angry, at least not that I can tell. If anything, she’s a bit amused.

We take our seats again. I hope this is the final time we have to stop the conversation. I’d like some answers.

“The pack war,” I say, reminding Lealla where we left off.

“Right. Before I tell you what I know, please be aware that my visions aren’t concrete. Normally, I only see as far as putting two mates on the same path to meet each other, along with a few other details. There are no glimpses into their futures, how many kids they’ll have, if there’s imminent danger, etcetera. But with you and Orion, it’s different.”

“You never told me,” Rion speaks up.

She shakes her head. “I didn’t want to upset you. Your feelings toward the Diaminsey Pack are strong, and rightfully so. What they did to your parents, it was horrible. At least Aries and Dante made things right.”

“But they didn’t,” Rion replies as his fist slams down on the table, jostling the silverware and causing me to jump in my seat. “They may have killed the men who murdered my parents, but the pack, they didn’t cast them out or punish them in any way for their crimes against other wolves. Their alpha and beta are the ones who need to pay. Everyone takes orders from them.”

“Orion,” Lealla says gently. “I know you want to get revenge. Believe me, I do. Aries has told you over the years that it wasn’t the time, and he was right. Nothing you do will bring them back.”

“They are still out there! I have a mate now. I must protect her! I don’t want her living in this world, knowing paranormals like them are out there. Ones who have no regard for life and family.”

I slouch down in my seat. Not at his hard tone, but at the fact that I don’t want to be part of the reason he murders others. I understand his need to do so. He lost his parents. My world would fall apart without mine, but that doesn’t mean more death is the answer. Then again, this is no longer my world I’m living in. This is pack life. The rules are different here.

“You running off and getting yourself killed won’t do any good. Who will protect Ari then? You’re not mated yet, Orion. Even now, she’s fair game to any paranormal out there.” Ford smiles at the same time as Rion growls. Lealla slaps her hand on the table. “Enough! I’m tired of yelling at you two. You’re no longer children. Orion, from this point forward, your main focus needs to be Ariane. Nothing else matters but her. Every move you make, you better take her into consideration. If you don’t, it won’t just be your life on the line. Do you understand?” Rion nods. “Good. Now, let’s get back to Ari’s role in all of this.” It’s the first time I’ve heard her raise her voice. Now I see how she can be someone who looks out for all her packs. Someone who only has their best interests at heart. She’s so strong and formidable.

I sit up tall again. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Like I was saying, my visions aren’t always far-reaching, but I have seen glimpses of the pack war. Although, what you saw in your dream, and what I see in my visions, are slightly different. Your dream shows a scene. One scene. Something you need your attention focused on and that of the pack; whereas, my visions can be of anything, not exclusively pack related. I’ve seen some boring stuff and some exciting.” I nod, still confused, but what else is new?

Lealla continues, “In regards to the pack war, it’s our Avynwood Pack versus the Diaminsey Pack. There has been bad blood between the packs for a long time. It also doesn’t help that our pack is much newer than theirs. They’ve built theirs up over many, many years. We didn’t have that luxury. Their pack is not stronger than ours, however. We may be on the newer side of working together as one cohesive unit, but we are a solid unit. Our wolves are tightly linked and the pack bond is strong. While they may let any good fighter in theirs, we don’t. Our wolves need to get along and have a good heart. They must want to put more good into the world than bad. And they must, above all else, defend their family.”

“That’s all well and good, but I’d like to get to the point.”

Lealla chuckles. “So impatient. You’ll gain more of that as you get older. I have to wade through the fog that fills my mind at times to get to the pack war. Many paranormals are going to get hurt, some will die. At the heart of the battle, it’s always you. You’re the key to stopping the war.”

“What if I don’t want to be the key? What if I want to be an ordinary teenager, who goes to high school and does teenage stuff?”

“Careful what you say, princess,” Ford warns. I wonder why but not for long.

“You’d go back?” Rion asks. “To knowing nothing about us—about me—if you could?” The hurt written all over his face sends a piercing pain right through my chest.

I reach out for him, but he pulls back. “No, that’s not what I meant. You have to try and see this from my side. A week ago, I didn’t know any of this existed. I thought shifters and vampires were all fiction. Now I’m having dinner with them. But that’s not what’s getting to me. I’m no one, Rion, absolutely no one. Yet somehow, I’m at the center of an upcoming war. That doesn’t even make sense to me. Can’t you understand how hard all of this is for me to handle? You’ve had your entire life to know what you are. I’m only me—Ariane Sanderly. An ordinary girl from middle of nowhere North Carolina. Not Ariane Sanderly, girl amongst wolves, who holds the weight of the future of two shifter packs on her shoulders.”

“It’s not only your burden to bear, Ari,” Lealla says. “It’s all of yours. No one expects you to shoulder this alone.”

I stand and place my palms down on the table, leaning toward her. “I don’t want to shoulder it at all! I’m eighteen!” How is this so hard to comprehend? Can’t they see it from my side? Every word they say only adds to the weight on me.

“And you’re growing up faster than most do at your age, but you can handle it. If you couldn’t, then fate wouldn’t have chosen you as a mate for Orion.”

“Now we’re back to that. Can we stay on point here? How am I to stop this pack war from happening, since there’s no way for me to get out of it? How can I prevent it?” I glance at Rion, who is sitting with his head down, dejected. His feelings are hurt, and I’ll apologize for that later. However, this is bigger than him and me. There are many lives in my hands, and I need to face these problems one at a time.

“I’ve tried so hard to see how we get to where we’re heading. I can’t. There’s no clear path. No definitive way I see for it to be stopped.” Lealla lets out a long breath. “Maybe I’m not meant to know. I wouldn’t want to see the deaths of those I care about.

“It’s not just your pack who will be at risk,” Ford adds. “Other paranormals have spoken of a war. If it happens, you won’t fight it alone.”

“Nor will Aries want anyone else to get hurt in his battle. It’s not his way.”

“He won’t have a choice. We’ll be there. Not the entire population, mind you. There are many who want to keep blood off their hands. Then there are those of us who feel that without our help, the Avynwood Pack might lose. And if you do, Diaminsey will become stronger. Their reign of terror is already spreading. They killed a male fae last week. He was part of a small family on the other side of the state. From what I’ve heard, they attacked him without any premeditation. And this is one instance. Imagine if the pack gets bigger or has smaller sects throughout the country. Their morals aren’t intact. A lot of harm could be done.”

“This is my fight—my pack’s fight,” Rion says harshly. “I don’t want anyone else battling it for us.”

“See past your little world, young wolf. There’s a much bigger picture. Your pack is strong, but it’s not enough. Theirs is larger, stronger. And they’ve been training for this for a long time. What have you been doing?”