16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Zane

Though bears were not as driven by the full moon as wolves were, it was still a sacred time of celebration for us. Aydan tended to plan our den celebrations around the full moon. This one was no different. Though for the first time in a long time, I was not looking forward to a den gathering.

It was meant to be a celebration of the alliances, alliances that never happened.

Of course, the alpha Griff was still visiting with his three omega brothers. Why they hadn't left as they said they would, I wasn't sure. I left the den politics to Aydan and another Beta, Heath. I'd already helped create a mess for him. It was best to stay far away.

It wasn't my job, anyway. My role was to make sure that the den itself was taken care of the last few days. That meant putting a new roof on the healer shop, because it needed one and Rissa had been waiting patiently for far too long, and fixing the potholes that were plaguing the side streets. I also mowed several yards and had helped to plant fruit trees. All the while, I had been kept away from my mate. Aydan was putting off his discussion and decision.

Perhaps this time apart was our punishment.

Now it was the night of the full moon and we'd quite the celebration planned. I caught sight of my mate from across the road, standing outside the diner. I missed him, and it took all I had not to rush over to him. But until everything was settled, I wasn't going to chance making it worse. Not for me, and especially not for him.

Tonight's den celebration began as a bit of a block party. Tables and chairs were set out on the road, and we all ate our dinner. I loved how we each brought our specialty. Sure, for some, it was a bag of chips, but there was such a wide array of choices and if felt like going to a huge family dinner. After dinner, we'd head behind the buildings to the woods where we would run and play.

This was exactly the kind of event I wanted to share with my mate. And while we were both here, it wasn't together and that sucked.

I hadn't been able to see my mate in several days, and I hated every minute of it. We had spoken, of course; I wasn't going to cut off communication from him. But the conversations had been short, and Ayden insisted on being with his brother when they happened. I didn't see that changing until our guests left.

Several den members mentioned Corey was getting to know the den, meeting people and visiting all the shops. Not a bad word was said about him. They were all growing to love him. So at least there was that.

He crossed the road as soon as he saw me and launched himself into my arms. I stiffened under his embrace, though I hated myself for it. As far as I knew, he was still forbidden.

Corey slapped my chest. "Quit that," he said. "Aydan's just going to have to get used to this. I don't think he's upset as the Alpha. I think he's upset as a brother and a friend. He's butthurt that we didn't tell him."

I wished I believed that, too. I could understand being hurt. But if that was the case, then Aydan needed to say it himself, not act like an alphahole.

"You're my mate, Zane. I'm not going to deny you to our den, and I'm not going to let you deny me either." He kissed me, no care in this world. "You promised me you wouldn't deny me again, remember?"

I needed to be more like my mate. I had promised him.

"You're right, mate," I said, and I nestled into his neck, inhaling his scent that I had missed so much. "You're right."

"Keep that mindset and this mating will go just fine." He pulled back, waiting to make eye contact with me before he winked.

We linked our hands together and walked back to where he'd been enjoying a meal with a few of the other den members. And so that was it. We were mated in the eyes of the den. I was his, and he was mine. There was no denying that.

And Aydan didn't say a thing about our display. My mate had been correct about that. I didn't want to push it, but for the first time since everything went down, I felt like we were moving forward.

After dinner, we all made our way to the woods, walking around the back of the buildings to the edge of the woods, where there was an open area where we could all gather. Aydan stood at the center on a small platform. To a stranger passing through, it would look like a typical park set-up for a community event, nothing more. But any shifter who saw it, would understand the importance of the space.

"Good evening, den members. It's great to be back home in time for this celebration. I want to thank everyone who put in the time and effort to make our meal for this evening. And a shout out to Jamie for bringing all the chips. I don't think there's a crumb left."

There wasn't, and Aydan wasn't teasing Jamie, it was his way of telling both the man and the den that we all brought what we were able to this den and that it was all cherished. The first time Jamie brough chips, he felt bad. Now, it was his thing, and I loved that.

"And I want to thank our honored guests, Griff, Alexander, Samuel, and Finnegan." He hesitated for a moment. "I also want to officially welcome my brother Corey to the den."

A round of applause rang out. Aydan had to see us now, standing together, our hands linked. I couldn't read his expression from this far away, nor catch his scent to determine how he felt about it. In the end, it didn't really matter. If he didn't like it so much, he could cast us out, though I doubted he would.

"I'd like to do a little something different this evening and bring back an old tradition from other dens," he said. "The Ritual of the Roar."

There was a murmur of excitement in the crowd. I knew what he was doing. And if this was how he wanted to play it, so be it.

"What is that?" Corey asked.

"It's a game that other dens play, all in fun. A way to allow alphas to fight, almost like the human equivalent of a boxing match. Friendly, but still competitive."

"They fight in their bear form?" Corey was suspicious, and he probably should be.

"Yes. Generally, the den nominates people to fight, or you can volunteer yourself."

"Why is Aydan doing this?" my mate whispered to me.

"It is fun. It's a great way for alphas to build camaraderie. But mostly, I think he wants to be able to kick my ass without actually hurting me or him." And if that would make this blow over, I was happy to let him get in a few hits.

"So this is a pissing contest?"

I snorted a laugh. "It is indeed, mate."

"Will he hurt you?" The worry in his voice was sweet, but not needed.

"No, he won't. Your brother and I have sparred before over the years. In the Ritual of the Roar, it is customary for the Alpha and his second to fight first so that everyone knows it is in good fun and not malicious." It wasn't like old-school wolf packs who bled each other for fun.

Just then, Aydan shouted into the crowd, "And who shall I take on as my challenger?"

"Beta Zane!" Nate, my little apprentice and current traitor shouted into the crowd.

"Yes, of course. My second-in-command. My best friend." Aydan's lips quirked. "And also, my brother-in-law," he added, gesturing for me to come up. The crowd parted for me. They formed a circle, as was customary.

"Goddamit," I muttered, even though I knew it was coming. There was no way out of this. But if this was what it took to put this behind us and move on as friends, then so be it.

Aydan and I stood face to face, stripped of our clothes, ready to shift and fight.

"Do you think perhaps we could've done this differently?" I asked.

He shook his head. "We've talked about bringing back this tradition. It seemed only fitting that now would be the time for it."

"No time like the present to kick my ass, huh?"

"I'll take it easy on you," he said. He wasn't going to. For some reason he felt like he needed this.

I grinned. "Likewise."

We shook hands, and I knew then that perhaps my mate was right. Aydan wasn't upset at our mating. He was just upset at the course of events and that we hadn't come to him sooner. We would have to talk that out. But for now, if his bear wanted to fight it out, a fight was what I would give him.

After we shook hands, we shifted to our bear form. I couldn't even begin my attack before Aydan was on me.