23. Ethan

-Houseof the Rising Sun—Five Finger Death Punch-

I’ve never trusted the elders and there’s a reason for that. They are the ones that send the mercs out to hunt the offenders. I was their weapon of choice against the criminals in the shifter community. Now, with the five of them here, I’m on edge, waiting for them to expose my darkest secret. I have been single-handedly responsible for the killings of over a hundred criminals by their decree.

Grace keeps one hand on me as we walk back inside. Barrett and mom are running around like chickens with their heads cut off setting up lunch. Grace walks past the table and grabs two turkey legs before heading into the meeting hall.

“Luna…” The Elders address her at once and she nods at them, motioning to their chairs. Grace heads over to the chaise lounge chair and climbs up and pats for me to join her. Carefully, I climb up and rest my head on her lap, protecting her belly.

“As I was saying before, I am the Luna of two packs.” Grace holds her head up high, locking eyes with each elder. “I would appreciate you joining us for the joining of the packs tonight.” Her tone is firmer than usual. I’m not sure what brought about the change, but I like it.

“Why would you need us? You clearly are a Lunar Wolf and hold dominion over all of wolf kind.” Blake questions before taking a bite of his sandwich.

A deep growl builds in her chest and rattles the chaise. Lifting my head to look at my mate, I can see her wolf blazing to life in her eyes. The slow tilt of her head tells me she’s about to lose her temper. “Blake, I was trying to be nice. The Wolverton Pack is in opposition of the packs merging. We will out number his pack by over three hundred wolves. I want to keep the peace.” A sadistic laugh escapes her lips as she rests the second turkey leg in front of me to eat. “I could unleash Ethan and Nicolai, then it will be a bloodbath. I would prefer to do this peacefully.” She rests her hand on my shoulders and I let a low growl escape.

Griffin bristles, looking between me and Nicolai as he moves to join us. “Whatever my mate desires. I am your weapon to use as you desire.” Nicolai says as he bends to kiss the top of Grace’s head.

“Luna, Alphas…” Jakob looks back and forth between us. “We will help with the blending of the packs. I never thought I would live to see the day that a Lunar Wolf would walk the earth again.” He says with a slight bit of wonder in his voice, in direct contrast to how the meeting originally started.

Grace looks up at Nicolai and he shreds his clothing, letting his wolf rip free of his human prison. He comes to sit beside Grace and me staring at the Elders. “We have enough shit to worry about and Wolverton shouldn’t be a concern.” Her eyes move over to Griffin and she gives him a nod. “Griffin will give you all the details. For now, I wish to rest with my mates before we walk from here to Nicolai’s pack house.” The way Grace dismissed the Elders was intense and, to my surprise, they followed Griffin without issue.

Once the elders leave, Barrett and Conrad enter with trays of food. “I can’t believe it took that long for them to leave.” Barrett says, wiping make believe sweat from his temple.

“It was a necessary evil unfortunately,” Grace says as she picks what she wants off the tray before feeding Nic and I.

“Do you think they will help?” Conrad leans against the desk, watching Grace intently. The stance he’s taking, I know something isn’t sitting right with him.

“What’s bothering you, Conrad?”I use the pack link to question him.

“That was too easy. They have been in power for an extremely long time. Do you honestly believe they will just hand the reins over to Grace?” Conrad mouths sorry to Grace and she nods at him, brushing it off.

“In all seriousness, Con,” Grace pauses and starts petting the top of my head, and I can tell she’s stressed. “I trust them as far as I can throw this house. Something is happening behind the scenes and I have a feeling my existing has thrown a wrench into their plans.” Grace’s eyes blaze to life and I feel the power of her wolf rise within her. I honestly don’t think she realizes how powerful she really is.

Conrad nods and watches Barrett feed Nic. “Trust me, my gut is saying the same thing. The other thing that’s bothering me is that the rogues have gone quiet. Like, scary quiet.” Conrad looks at Nic before he growls.

“Not completely. My beta just told me there was one trying to sneak onto my land. Not sure to what end yet, but he was trying. They killed him but they are still there just going silent.”Nic’s words echo in my mind and in the silence of the office, Grace nods, acknowledging what he said.

“We move with the pack at our backs when we head towards Nic’s territory. Nic, we will need your betas and your warriors to meet us at the border. If everyone moves as one, the joining should go easier.” Grace stares down into my eyes and I watch them flicker gold. “Griffin also suspects something is going to happen. We have to be prepared for anything.” She threads her fingers through my fur and sighs. “So much bullshit. I just want to have my baby and be happy. But nooooo, these assholes want to play.”

The growl that escapes her lips has my hackles standing on end. Easing off the couch, I stand and shift back and pull on the sweats that Barrett offers me. “Let them play love. There’s a reason the elders got concerned when they found out Nic and I are your mates.” A sick, twisted grin plays upon my lips as I look at Grace.

“Good. Any that stands before us will fall at our feet. Between the rogues and whatever else is coming, we show no mercy. I have pups to protect.” She rests her hand on her stomach and looks between us. I know by that look in her eyes she’s not joking in the least bit. The gold of her wolf rises in her eyes and I feel the shift in power in the room.

The all-consuming power of a Luna has both a soothing, and a drive to do as she wishes. Her desire becomes our command if she pushed it. Grace wasn’t power hungry like most of the Luna’s I’ve met over the years. Even the potential Lunas are almost crazed with the idea of the power they will gain with an alphas bite.

I study my mate and the look in her eyes tells me that her humanity is at war with her momma wolf nature. She has a pup of her own and one on the way along with Nic’s that she has taken as her own. Most she-wolves will shun the pup of another female. Not our girl. She accepted and loves Nina like she had given birth to her. This makes our Luna different, her love for us and, by extension, our families.

Barrett raises his hand tentatively as he winces, looking at Grace. “Um. We have another problem. My mom is coming to visit tonight.” Barrett trembles at the very mention of his mother. The same woman that kicked her son out of their pack because he was Bi and mated to us.

“Why is that a problem?” Grace tilts her head and Nic shifts back and joins her, looking at Barrett.

“Mom kicked me out because I’m mated to the guys.” His eyes drop and I watch a tear roll down his cheek.

“She did what!” Grace bellowed as she tried to wiggle herself off the chaise, and with Nic’s help, she rises to her feet. Once standing, she rushes over to Barrett and wraps him up in her arms.

“She kicked me out because I didn’t take a female as a mate.” He lowers his head and rests it on Grace’s shoulder. She rubs his back, trying to soothe him.

“We almost went to war over it shortly after we bit him.” Gritting my teeth, the old rage simmers under the surface again. “James Gratus ended up taking Barrett’s mother as a second chance, mate. It’s rare that it happens, but it does sometimes. He has slaughtered those that don’t fall in his puritanical ideals.” Even mentioning it made my blood ignite in as rage courses through me.

Both of Grace’s eyebrows raise as she stares at me and then looks down at Barrett. It’s then that her eyes narrow as she stares deep into my eyes. “What size is the Gratus pack?” She raises her head and jutting her chin out and I can sense where she’s going with this line of questioning.

“Around two hundred wolves, give or take fifty.” Conrad mentions as he glances over to Nic as he confirms the numbers.

“What are our combined numbers?” Her eyes lock with mine again and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“Almost eight hundred combined.” I say confidently.

Grace nods slowly as she nuzzles Barrett’s head and a slow smile creeps over her lips as her eyes bleed golden. “Invite them over before the blending of the packs. I wish to meet my third mother-in-law…” Claws break free from the tips of her fingers and her wolves canines are visible in her smile.

Grace turns and takes Barrett from the room with her. Hearing the crimes committed against her most gentle mate ignited a rage in her. She’s going to seek vengeance, and I know it. As she leaves the room, we look between each other and Nic motions for us to step outside. We head out the front door and into the circle driveway.

“I believe Grace is going to take control of the Gratus pack, thus removing any power from Barrett’s mother.” Nic paces back and forth, and I have to believe he’s correct.

“The look in her eyes absolutely. She will want to hurt the woman that hurt her mate. What’s the best way to hurt someone in power? Think about it?” I arch a single brow, looking between my brothers, then back over at Nic.

“She’s going to strip the rank of Alpha from James.” Conrad states matter-of-factly.

“That is the most gentle possibility. Or she’s going to command either Nic or I to kill him. Since Barrett’s mother is a second chance mate, she won’t die with him.” I ponder my statement fully and it rings with truth. It’s my honest belief that she will either end his life or strip his power. When she strips his power, he will more than likely attack her. Then we are allowed to kill him by pack law. Supreme pack law also states that a Lunar Wolf cannot be questioned or attacked. Both end in a death sentence.

“So, what do you suggest we do?” Griffin questioning me, threw me off as he joins us.

Narrowing my eyes again, I watch a pacing Nic, then over to Conrad, then back to Griffin. “Wait and see what happens. Grace has the power to drive him to his knees. She also, according to the book, has the power to kill his wolf and leave him a human.” Conrad gasps and my head whips in his direction. “What? I read fucker…”

“You always hated reading.” Conrad tilts his head, looking at me and I can’t help but shake my head at him.

“Still do. I have dyslexia. I feel like the words move when I try to read. It’s not something I’m proud to admit to. That’s why I left the alpha duties to Griffin. It was easier to be the enforcer than looking like a moron. I’m not fucking stupid. The dyslexia fucks with everything, then makes me angrier.” Admitting to why I didn’t fight Griffin for the title of head alpha was like exposing my soft underbelly.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. As much as I try to learn other languages, I can’t speak anything other than English.” Nic shrugs his shoulders. Most people can learn bits and pieces of languages. It’s a learning disability, not as severe are mine but annoying just the same I assume.

Glancing over at the clock, I see we are running out of time before Barrett’s mother and stepfather will be arriving. The question still stands. Will the meeting end in death or a shell of an alpha? Either is a death sentence of its own. Both will change the course of the day dramatically.