7. Miranda

SEVEN

MIRANDA

The next morning my heart drummed inside my chest and my panther paced as I headed to Neo and Kiera's place to talk to her. The walk from my camper to theirs was a blur as my mind raced with how to explain everything to Kiera without revealing too much, yet knowing full well I had to lay it all out there in order for her to do what I wanted her to.

Kiera sat in front of her camper in a bag chair, reading a book while soaking up some sunshine.

"Hey," she said, noticing me walking up. Her brows puckered. "What's wrong?"

"I need your help," I blurted out.

"Okay, sure. With what?" she asked, her tone soft.

Everything came pouring out—Ethan, the tribe rules, how I thought I'd spotted Lucius twice now. Kiera listened to me talk, her expression serious, while she touched the pendant at her neck. It was a protection stone, one I knew also offered a sense of grounding in times when information you didn't necessarily want to hear was tossed at you.

"Can you help me make Ethan an amulet?" I asked, hoping she said yes.

"That's a lot to ask. Creating an amulet to block Lucius's influence isn't simple, which you know," she said, her tone still soft.

"I don't know what else to do. It feels wrong to do nothing. I can't leave him unprotected."

"I understand that, and I don't think you should, either." Kiera set her book down. "You know I'll help you, but you need to talk to Neo about it first. This isn't just about you or this guy. It involves the safety of the tribe, too."

"I know," I said. "I plan on talking to Neo and the others."

We chatted for a few more minutes and then I left. The walk back to my camper felt longer than usual, each step seemed heavy with the gravity of what I needed to tell the others. Not knowing how Neo would react when he learned I was hanging out with someone that tribe rules said I was forbidden to had my stomach twisting. Mentioning that I thought I might have seen Lucius only added to my anxiety because I knew that alone would be enough to ruin everyone's day.

I hated being the bearer of bad news.

Even so, Ethan could be in trouble and my panther insisted on making sure he was protected. She wouldn't settle for anything but his safety being secured with one of the amulets.

Honestly, neither would I.

By the time I reached my place, my decision was made. I would call a tribe meeting tonight before I left to meet Ethan for our date and tell the others everything. My fingers trembled as I tapped out a group message to them all, asking to meet.

Neo tried to press for more information, but I ignored his request, which wasn't the smartest idea. He could be a loose cannon at times, especially when it came to the safety of the tribe. Once everyone else agreed to meet tonight, I crammed my cell into my back pocket and exhaled a slow breath.

I spent the rest of the day steeling myself for the confrontation, rehearsing what I'd say and filling more orders for my store. While I worked, I tried to anticipate the concerns the others might have about Ethan. The list was long, which made me realize panthers weren't a trusting breed of shifter.

When the time came to meet with the others, I walked to the picnic table, my palms sweaty. Kiera was the first to join me.

"I didn't mention anything to Neo," she said, moving to sit beside me.

"Thanks." I flashed her a smile. "But I didn't think you would."

Kiera wasn't the type to go behind someone's back.

"Also," she said, pausing to lock eyes with me. "I started gathering the things we'll need for Ethan's amulet."

Relief trickled through me.

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling slightly emotional.

She winked. "You're welcome."

A few minutes later, everyone else showed up. My heart pounded against my ribs as I took in a deep breath, feeling the weight of their collective gaze on me.

"Thanks for coming," I started, my voice steady despite my nerves. "I'm just going to delve in and start with Ethan."

"Woo," Savannah gushed from where she stood, tucked into Daxton's side. "Who's Ethan? Wait, from the market, right? Kiera mentioned he helped you clean up your booth in the rain."

"Yeah," I said, trying to hold my cool. "We have a date in an hour."

"And why did you call a meeting to tell us about your dating life?" Lorenzo deadpanned, looking more than annoyed with me. "You're dating someone. Who cares?"

"A little sore about her possibly being the next to find a mate?" Daxton tossed his way.

"I didn't say anything about him being my mate," I corrected, and felt my panther's irritation with me for it.

Daxton didn't say anything more. Instead, he tossed me a look that made it seem like I'd nearly bit his head off.

"So, who is this guy and why did you call a meeting about him?" Neo demanded. Clearly, he felt as though I'd wasted everyone's time.

"Well, because he's not human, a witch, or one of us. He is a shifter, though." All the air seemed to leave my lungs while I waited for Neo to respond—for any of them to.

Neo's brow furrowed. "You know tribe rules when it comes to dating—when it comes to mates."

"I do, which is why I'm telling you about him," I said. "There's also something else… I've seen Lucius twice now, since meeting Ethan."

The mention of him sent a ripple of unease through the tribe.

"Oh." Neo's expression grew grim. "So, you think this guy is connected to Lucius? Maybe someone he has under his control?"

"What? No. That's not what I'm saying at all," I blurted out. In retrospect, I could see how he'd come to that conclusion, though. "I'm worried Lucius might target Ethan after having seen us together, that he might use him to get to us—to me."

"Are you sure it was Lucius?" Daxton asked.

"I think so," I said. "The first time I saw him was at the market, but I wasn't sure it was him because of the rain and chaos. This last time, though—I'm almost positive it was him. He was in shifter form. I went into the woods after him, but he was too quick."

"And you didn't think to tell anyone before going after him?" Neo asked, his tone venomous.

"No," I admitted, purposely avoiding his stare. "I went after him on instinct."

"You should have mentioned spotting him at the market," Neo reprimanded. "Why are you just now saying anything about him? You've put us all at risk by keeping silent."

"I didn't say anything because I knew that would mean having to mention Ethan," I said. "And to be honest, I was nervous about it. I asked Kiera for help?—"

"To do what, exactly?" Neo interjected, his protective instincts for his mate front and center.

I swallowed hard and met his gaze.

"To create an amulet that would protect him from Lucius," I admitted. "He's not safe, and I can't stand by and watch someone I care for be hurt or used against us, not if there's something I can do to prevent it."

Oh, shit.

Did I just admit to everyone that I cared for Ethan? A non-human, non-witch, non-panther shifter?

"You what?" Neo's voice dipped low. "You know our stance on relationships with outsiders, especially other shifter breeds. But this situation—damn, Miranda. How can you be sure Ethan isn't a part of Lucius's congregation? He could be a pawn already under his control, or worse, a willing participant to get to you—to get to us."

A twinge of irritation flickered through me and my panther. She paced, torn between what she felt toward Ethan and our alpha's protective instincts for the tribe, even though they were outright prejudiced.

"Our laws and traditions exist for a reason. They protect us from threats, seen and unseen. While I understand your points, my duty is to consider the safety of the entire tribe," Neo said.

I understood his fears and his duty to protect us, but my resolve didn't waver.

"I know the risks, Neo," I said, meeting his gaze. "Ethan might not be one of us, but something about him speaks to my panther—speaks to me. The Ashen Tribe has evolved. All you have to do is take one look at us to know. We did it unconventionally, but we did it. We changed for the better. Maybe it's time we reevaluate old, outdated rules when it comes to other areas too. Redefine what it means to be part of the Ashen Tribe."

My words seemed to hang suspended in the air. Everyone was staring at me. I could feel their eyes. I could also feel their agreement with me.

We'd changed as a tribe. We'd changed for the better. Maybe it was time to change this.

Neo leaned back, his expression contemplative, and I noticed when the rigid lines of his expression softened. "We'll need to discuss this further," he finally said, his voice not holding any of the harshness I'd come to expect. "And we need to meet him."

It wasn't an outright approval, but it wasn't a dismissal either. It was a cracked door—a possibility.

"Okay," I said, nodding.

As the meeting dispersed, the tension I felt ebbed away. That conversation had gone well, all things considered. Even so, my commitment to protecting Ethan from Lucius had only grown. It had become more than an instinctive feeling. Now it was a duty, one my panther wouldn't let me fail at.