chapter fourteen
While they’d checked on Kallie, the sun had risen above the tree line and brightened the forest trail. Light filtered through the foliage and birds sang.
The nutty, smoky smell of the bonfire wafted through the trees, curling up Sasha’s nostrils. Her stomach growled.
The clearing was full when she and Tabor reached it. Most shifters stood around doing more talking than eating. At least arriving late meant there was no line to the cauldron. Sasha dished up a heaping bowl of hot grains. When she offered it to Tabor, he shook his head and laughed.
“That one’s for you. I’m not as hungry.” He proceeded to fill up a bowl with about half the amount that Sasha had taken.
She didn’t understand how he wasn’t famished after their nocturnal activities. Well, she didn’t have to be told twice. Sasha began scooping porridge into her mouth, barely chewing, as she swallowed mouthfuls while walking alongside Tabor.
He led her over to Chase and Hudson, who stood beneath a tree watching the morning gathering. Hudson held on to a bowl filled with half-eaten grains. An unfinished bowl sat on the ground near Chase’s feet.
When the two saw Tabor, they lifted their chins in greeting.
“You two still unclaimed?” Tabor asked.
Chase grunted and folded his arms over his chest. “The elders have dictated enough of my life this week. They can’t force me to claim a mate within the year with one snap of their fingers.” He kept his eyes on the shifters mingling in the clearing while he spoke.
Hudson nodded.
“What about the rest of them?” Tabor asked, pointing his nose into the clearing.
Chase looked at him sideways. “Weren’t you around last night?”
Sasha slipped her arm through Tabor’s. “We were busy.”
Ever since she’d told the council her intentions to claim Tabor, she felt like sharing the news with the rest of the pack. Let the elders try and stop them now. They’d asked her to wait, but they hadn’t said anything about keeping it quiet. Sasha’s smile stretched to her eyes.
Chase turned to get a closer look at them. “You two?”
Hudson turned his back to the clearing to stare at them. “The two of you are making a claim?”
“That’s right,” Sasha answered, lifting her chin. “Don’t worry, I didn’t force him or anything, didn’t use my clout as a council member or pureblood.”
“I would think not,” Hudson said, humor dancing in his eyes.
Their small group broke out into laughter. It eased the tension and felt good after all the bad things that had happened over the past month.
“Well, hey, congratulations,” Hudson said, smacking Tabor on the back.
“Umph, thanks,” Tabor said, recovering from Hudson’s heavy-handed slap.
Hudson gave Sasha a hug, which made her eyes water. His warm gesture reminded her that while she no longer had family, she still had friends in the pack who wished her well.
Chase hugged her next then shook Tabor’s hand. “Glad something good came out of this,” he said. “Though I imagine this isn’t what the elders had in mind when they asked shifters to step forward and claim mates.” He chuckled. “Good on you for turning things around on them.”
“Did anyone else express interest in claiming a mate?” Sasha asked, repeating Tabor’s earlier inquiry.
“They’re all just beginning to mull it over,” Chase said. “Let the games begin.” He tilted his head sideways, indicating the shifters milling around the clearing. “They’re all sniffing each other out.”
Hudson snorted. “Chase and I don’t want any part in it. Well, I don’t anyway. Chase doesn’t have to hold out on my behalf.” Hudson turned and smiled slyly at his friend. “Wait too long and Palmer might snatch up more she-wolves.”
Sasha’s lip curled. “Don’t remind me,” she growled.
Chase shook his head. “It’s moments like these that I’m relieved my parents are no longer around to see what’s become of the council. That and Becks. I’m glad they weren’t around for that.”
Hudson hung his head solemnly.
“You’re not leaving the council after you shack up with your wizard wolf, are you?” Chase’s head jerked when he looked at Sasha. “Please tell me you’re not leaving pack matters entirely in the hands of Jager, Garrick, Palmer, and Raider.”
“Never,” Sasha said with a snarl. “Speaking of Raider, did he make a claim on anyone last night?”
Chase huffed. “No, but from the looks of it Emerson, Camilla, and Sydney are trying to get their claws into him.”
Sasha followed the direction of Chase’s eyes to the center of the clearing where three of Palmer’s daughters had surrounded Raider. They invaded his personal space, fighting for his attention. Raider’s usual relaxed stance was rigid and his jaw tight as Camilla placed her hand on his muscled arm. Her giggles echoed across the glade.
“May the best sister win,” Chase said, rolling his eyes upward.
“Or he could ask the council’s blessing to mate all three,” Hudson said. “Would serve Palmer right. Poetic justice, don’t you think?” He glanced sideways at Chase. “At least Jordan has more sense than the rest of her family. Where is she, anyway? I didn’t see her last night.”
“Probably pretending she’s not related to Palmer or those three,” Chase said, inclining his head. “Speaking of sisters, yours is glaring at you, Huds.”
Hudson turned his head, searching the clearing until spotting Taryn who was, indeed, glaring in the direction of their group.
“More likely glaring at you,” Hudson said, elbowing Chase.
“You should go check on her,” Chase said, picking his bowl off the ground.
“Where are you going?” Hudson asked.
“To see if I can find Jordan before patrol begins.”
“Better hurry,” Hudson said.
The two friends waved to Sasha and Tabor before striding off in opposite directions.
Once alone, Sasha raised her brows. “Nice to see we’re not the big gossip.”
Tabor grimaced. “Enjoy the peace while it lasts. I fear we’ve heard the last of the congratulations.”
Sasha threaded her arm around Tabor’s. “Or maybe everyone will be too busy selecting mates of their own to bother us.”
“Tell that to Zack and his friends. They’re glaring at us right now.”
Sasha searched the crowd until she spotted them near the cauldron. Once she had a lock on their location, she glared back, lip curling the slightest bit over her front teeth.
Tabor straightened to his full height. “Do I have your permission to toss him on his ass if he misbehaves?”
Sasha growled. “If Zackary or any of his friends threatens or insults you in any way, they’re all mine.” The curl of her lips turned into a wolfish grin full of promise.
As though sensing her threat, Zackary’s friends quickly looked away from her and Tabor, shifting their focus to Rosalie and Olivia, who were huddled together whispering near Raider. Zackary continued to glower in Tabor’s direction until a cry rose above the crowd.
Everyone turned to look at Amber, who lifted her hands in the air. “It’s time! Francine’s water broke!”
Francine stood nearby, bent over wet soil. Her head jerked up. Through clenched teeth she roared, “Where’s Palmer?”
Everyone began looking around, scratching their heads. Not Sasha. She strode forward and made her way to Francine while Tabor followed several steps behind.
“We need to get you back to the den,” Sasha said, placing an arm around Francine. Sasha met Tabor’s eyes. “You can help with delivery, can’t you?”
Before he could answer, Francine snarled. “That half-breed isn’t delivering my baby.”
Sasha removed her arm from Francine and gave her an icy stare. “Amber,” Sasha said. “Help Francine to the den.” Sasha lifted her head and looked around at the faces gaping back in the clearing. “I’d like a male volunteer, as well.”
When no one volunteered, Sasha’s eyes scanned the crowd.
“Wiley!” she hollered.
Zackary’s friend winced.
“You and Amber will escort Francine to the den.”
Wiley gulped and stalked over carefully as though approaching a hissing lynx.
“Hurry, you big oaf, before I have this baby right here,” Francine snapped.
Wiley jumped in place then hurried to Francine’s side.
“My pup is coming!” Palmer’s voice boomed through the clearing.
Shifters moved aside as Palmer barreled across the glade toward his mate. His face was flushed with excitement, a huge dopey grin spreading up his cheeks. Even Francine’s splintering glare couldn’t diminish his elation.
“Where the hell have you been?” she snapped at her mate.
“I came as soon as I heard,” Palmer said, kissing her forehead.
Francine scowled and pulled away.
“Come, let’s get you comfortable.” Palmer turned to Wiley. “You take one arm, and I’ll take the other.”
“No,” Francine snarled, eyes flashing. “Not him. Sasha.”
Sasha did a double take. “You want my help?”
“Yes,” Francine hissed between clenched teeth.
Sasha chewed on her lower lip and looked at Tabor.
“Go,” he said. “I’ll handle patrol.”
Sasha kept chewing on her lip.
“Well?” Francine demanded.
“Head to the den,” Sasha said. “I’ll catch up.”
Wiley, who had begun to back up with a look of relief, stopped when Sasha said, “Wiley, you can help Palmer with Francine. I’ll be right behind you.”
Wiley’s body slumped.
“Let’s go, Wiley,” Palmer said.
Wiley had no choice but to try and take Francine’s other arm, which she pulled away with a snarl. “I don’t need your help now.”
While they bickered and made slow progress across the glade, Sasha leaned beside Tabor’s ear, speaking in a low voice. “I’ll meet you at the bluff as soon as I can. Until then, watch out for trouble, and I don’t just mean vulhena.”
“Understood,” Tabor said. He kissed her cheek and forced a smile, as though trying to ease the worry written across her face. “Don’t worry about me. Powerful half-wizard, remember?”
But that only worried Sasha more.