22. Chapter Twenty-Two

I slept through most of the day, wallowing in my grief and guilt. My dreams were of my past, as Zara, and centered on my father. He had been the comforting parent, the one I ran to when I scraped my leg or fell out of a tree and broke my arm. Dad was open with his love, which wasn’t exactly common among alphas. He didn’t keep me in a glass cage until my marriage, giving me leeway to make my own mistakes and learn some very hard lessons.

In hindsight, I wished someone had caught me with Liam early on in our dalliance. Meeting him had set off a chain reaction that no one could control. Of course, without Liam, I wouldn’t have Ewan. Well, I mean, we probably would have met eventually since he was friends with Winter. Still, it wouldn’t have been the same as crossing paths in a coffee shop.

Every time I woke, he was there to comfort me. There were probably a dozen things that needed his immediate attention. A lot had happened, and the ramifications needed to be discussed so we could move forward. Yet he stayed in bed and held me while I cried and slept and slept and cried.

He was all mine.

I would have stayed in bed for days, weeks even, but we were officially at war with the Zodiac Councils, and it was partly my fault. Besides, my mother’s voice, even now that I outranked her in the hierarchy of life, had a way of dragging me out from beneath the covers. It grated on my nerves and sent a ripple of irritation down my spine, and I loved hearing in my martial bedroom. Seriously. I had missed her nagging.

“Zara Ann Snyder, pull it together.”

Ewan still had his arms around me, neither of us wearing much clothing, and his entire body was tense. I almost laughed at his wide-eyed expression, like we were teenagers caught canoodling rather than a bonded pair of eternals. I peered at my mother over his shoulder and gave a snort of laughter. Someone had provided her with Arcane University sweats to wear, which looked all sorts of wrong on my stern mother.

“I’m grieving,” I told her, sounding very snotty.

“I lost my true mate. Now that you have met yours, I’m sure you can appreciate a small part of what I’m feeling. But your father didn’t die so you could act like a bratty cub. We knew both of us weren’t walking away from that meeting. Not after I told him that I knew what you were from the day you first shifted. I knew about my bloodline. So when your white wolf emerged, I knew you would become Zosia.”

I sat up, unsure if I was mad. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth? Why didn’t you back me up when I said I saw a vampire shift?” Okay, yes. I was definitely mad.

“I meant to protect you. I was terrified of what would happen when your father learned of your white wolf. But the Geminis broke with a lot of the old ways decades ago. He didn’t know the curse of the white wolf. He didn’t know the prophecy. So I said nothing and encouraged his disregard for the myth of the eternals. All so he would never know that the daughter we both love was marked for death.”

It was way too much information so soon after waking. I rubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands, surprised to find them wet. “Did you come up here for an actual reason or just to tell me a nightmare-inducing bedtime story?” Yes, I was being a brat because that was the part of my personality that chose to shine around my mother.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. “I came up here to remind you of your responsibilities to your pack.”

Her words instantly transported me back to my teenage years, when she and my father had shoved duty down my throat. I scoffed. “I know, Mom.”

“Obviously not. You will get out of that bed right this second, pull on your big girl panties and a black dress and come downstairs. Then, you will go comfort the grieving Geminis. They are scared and in mourning, and it would go along way to smooth pack relations if you visited with them. Which you will do. Do you understand me?”

To see my mother like this, so feisty and commanding, I realized we weren’t all that different. I didn’t get my quick temper and sarcastic nature from my father. No, that was all Mom.

“Yes, mother,” I said obediently, though I was still confused about one part of this equation. “Um, where exactly am I going for this visit?”

Ewan cleared his throat. “The lodge in town. Gemini pack lands aren’t as defensible as the Taurus Mountains. And given recent events, including our bonding, an alliance is natural.”

Great. So I had to console the same council members who had sold me to the Leo Fae. Only recently had I appreciated how messed up it was to raise a daughter only to give her away to the highest bidder.

Mom started to leave and because I couldn’t help myself, I called after her. “Wait. Aren’t you going to chastise Ewan? I mean, he’s been shirking his responsibilities all day, too.”

“No, dear. He’s been tending to his number one responsibility.” Her stern gaze settled on him. “I do hope we can have a proper introduction over tea or a meal in the near future.”

“Yes, of course, Mrs. Snyder,” Ewan said in a very formal, very young sounding voice.

Her attention flicked back to me. “I’m very proud of you, Zara.”

“Because I finally gave you an alliance?”

She gave me a tight smile. “No. Because you are everything I hoped for you when they first placed you in my arms.”

I watched her walk down the stairs and tried not to get too emotional. My mother had never told me that she was proud of me before, and I definitely never expected her to say it after finding me in bed with a guy.

“She’s just like you,” Ewan said with a sleepy smile.

I scowled, though secretly a little pleased. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s a compliment.”

I climbed over him. “That’s because you don’t know her.”

I did as my mother instructed and pulled on a pair of cute black panties with a small pink bow on the butt and matching bra. The lingerie gave me confidence, especially when I caught Ewan watching me as I debated between three black dresses.

Fuck, she’s hot. Why did she have to choose those panties? Oh, fuck her for bending over like that. She’s trying to overdose me on lust. Gaia, I want to let her.

While I felt his feelings through the bond, his thoughts never filled my head the way mine did his. I looked at him curiously, wondering if he was aware that I could hear his dirty thoughts. I had settled on a dress, but I pretended that I hadn’t so he had to stare at me in my underwear a little longer.

I crooked my finger. “Come here. I can’t decide. Pick one.”

If I touch her, it’s over. Don’t touch her. Do. Not. Touch. Her.

Ewan kept his arms crossed over his chest, still only wearing pajama pants, which definitely didn’t hide how turned on he was. He stood behind me, so I bumped my bow-covered butt against his crotch.

Fuck. Why does everything she does feel so good? Oh, Gaia, I can smell her. No. She’s upset. Not the time. Don’t touch her.

Poor Ewan wanted to be respectful of my feelings, and I wanted to feel something besides devastation. Was I considering using sex as a procrastination tool? Yes, yes, I was. Once we left our bedroom, the real world was waiting to bite me in the ass. If I could prolong the inevitable for even a few minutes longer, I would.

I ground my ass against his raging erection and sucked my bottom lip between my teeth.

“What are you doing, Zara?” he whispered in my ear sending icy hot flames down my spine.

“I can’t touch my mate?” I batted my eyelashes at him, all innocent and doe-like.

Her skin is smooth, so soft. Fuck. Gaia, I want to drown in her scent.

“You’re upset and grieving and—”

“Wet,” I interrupted, trailing my fingertips absently between my breasts and down my stomach. His unspoken thoughts had my nipples aching for his touch.

He gripped my hips and groaned in my ear. I covered his hands with mine and guided one between my legs. “Zara,” he said my name through clenched teeth, half warning, half prayer.

I knew him well enough to know that no matter his horny thoughts he wouldn’t take this further without sufficient prompting on my part, and normally I would have appreciated that he was trying to be a gentleman. But I didn’t want a gentleman.

“I won’t break, Ewan.” I moved his other hand to my breast. “You promised to give me whatever I want. This is what I want. So close the closet door and fuck me like you mean it.”

He nipped at my bare shoulder. “I love you more all the time.”

Making my mother wait probably wasn’t the wisest decision, but I only actually felt bad about the delay when I realized Zach and Brooke were with her. The initial vibe was weird. High-ranking members of wolf packs usually met in formal settings, where they all spoke to each other in polite and oftentimes barbed comments. By design, shifters were loyal to their own and distrusting of those outside their pack.

Ewan and I joined Mom on the sofa. Brooke sat in a chair while Zach perched on the arm. She had clearly been crying, and I really wanted to hug her but refrained.

“Zach and I have spoken.” Ewan gestured to my brother. “With the state of things, we agreed signing the alliance accords immediately was important. So, we have.” He hesitated, his reluctance to continue heavy in our bond. “I’ve offered sanctuary to Zach, Brooke, and their pack. Until we can come up with a better solution, the Geminis are staying at the lodge.”

I smiled, liking the fact that he had included Brooke. With the chaos and general shitshow earlier, I hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to her or my brother. I was afraid to look at either of them with my crimson eyes. Maybe I could ask Winter to glamour them permanently. Was that a thing? Just the thought of their judgmental stares was too much to bear.

My mother had taken the vampire thing better than I expected, but apparently she’d known who I was before I did, so she was probably expecting me to come home with fangs at some point.

All the attention in the room was focused on me, and I didn’t understand their concerned stares until I really processed Ewan’s words. The entire pack was coming to live in the Taurus Mountains, which was unusual.

“Why do the Geminis need sanctuary?” I asked, directing the question at Ewan so I didn’t have to look at my brother and Brooke.

It was Zach who answered. “Tensions with the Virgos have been high for years, you know that, and they’ve been worse in recent months.”

I felt Brooke’s gaze and couldn’t bear to look over and see blame on her face. The issues with the Virgos were totally my fault, along with the Leo Fae holding her as retribution for my broken engagement.

“After the meeting, when the Virgos returned to their territory, the attacks started. They have killed six of our wolves. A lot more are injured. Your fae friend Winter, she made a passage between Arcane Falls and here. We started evacuating a few hours ago.”

“As retaliation for me killing Jonah.” It was a statement not a question.

“The feud between our packs started long before you were born, Zara. Don’t blame yourself. They exploited a weak moment and used it to their advantage. You avenged your father. Do not feel badly about that.” My mother’s tone was fierce, fire blazing in her eyes. “Jonah Ames was a bitter, nasty man.”

“Yeah, and you killed an alpha.” Brooke’s voice was full of wonder. “How many female wolves can say that? Just you, I think.”

I dared a glance in her direction and found my best friend smiling at me. She didn’t even flinch when she saw my red irises. Ewan rubbed my thigh encouragingly. We hadn’t talked about my fear of facing my family, which included Brooke now, but he knew. He’d been there when I saw Zach after losing my wolf and understood the shame I felt because of it. Plus, not all the Taurus wolves felt great about having a vampire as their alpha, so he got it.

“Well, there’s at least one other,” he said. “And she’ll be here tomorrow.

“Dia-Drake is coming?” I asked, not entirely surprised but a little. Her hold on the Ophiuchus pack was tenuous at best. A lady alpha wasn’t usual, and she’d admitted to dealing with defectors. Still, I was relieved she’d decided to join us.

“The Ophiuchus and Capricorn alphas have agreed to sign the alliance accords, thanks entirely to you and my mother,” Ewan said.

Mom patted my arm. “I’m very impressed, Zara. Colleen said you and Ewan traveled to the Snake Mountains to meet with the Ophiuchus personally. They have a reputation for being ruthless, skilled combatants. They will make great allies.”

I gave her a tight smile. “Thank you, but it’s not as impressive as it sounds. Drake is… a friend. Both she and her mate are eternal.”

I hesitated to say the last part, but Mom would know as soon as she saw Drake shift. I turned to Ewan and frowned. “Wait. What did they ask for in return?”

Normally, when packs formed alliances there was some sort of exchange, often a bride but not always. Technically, that was part of the accords between the Taurus and the Geminis. Ewan got me. Sure, we’d done it backwards, but still. Plus, he’d allowed my brother to bring the pack into his territory, which was unheard of.

“We’ll find out tomorrow,” Ewan said. “Essie is bringing a contingent to the signing as well. Their price is Winter’s protection. Also… Tish called. She and Lucca want to meet. I don’t think we can expect the entire Guerra crime family to fight for us, but I do believe they will, to keep their daughter safe.”

No one asked for clarification, and Mom nodded along as he spoke like she already knew all of it, so I figured Ewan had filled them in on the situation with Tish.

Awkward silence filled the room, and I chanced another glance at Brooke and Zach. They were lost in each other’s eyes, their love palpable. Jealousy spiked in my chest. Brooke was my best friend. Zach was my brother. The two of them having a relationship that didn’t involve me was weird, and I couldn’t help but feel possessive over both of them.

“We should get back to the lodge. It will make people feel better to see you, Zach, Brooke,” Mom said. Then, she narrowed her focus on me. “You too, Zara.

“Like right now?” I asked, voice scratchy and too high.

“Yes, Zara. Right now,” she said in her irritated-Mom tone.

“I’ll come.” Ewan sent reassurances through the bond as he glanced at my brother. “Unless you think that might upset your pack members too much?”

Zach shrugged. “It might. But we’re crashing in your territory, so they’re going to have to get over any hangups pretty fast. Besides, you married their alpha’s daughter without asking his permission, which is going to be a bigger issue than the fangs for most. Believe it or not, Zara is very loved among our pack.”

I finally addressed my brother directly. “Seriously? Why is that so hard to believe?”

“Because you’re kind of a brat,” he said.

Ewan squeezed my leg. “I like her that way. Keeps my life interesting.”

“I’m not that bad,” I protested, which probably went to their collective point.

Mom stood and sighed. “Enough, children. Yes, Zara, you can be a brat. Zach, don’t call your sister a brat.”

“Yes, ma’am,” we chorused in unison. Mom had no actual control over us anymore. We were both bonded, and Zach was alpha. Still, neither of us reminded her that we weren’t children and she couldn’t boss us around. My mother had lost her true mate because of me, so if treating me like a disobedient cub made her feel better, I would sit there and take it.

We all followed Mom from the house and out into the snowy evening. The cold air smelled crisp and felt good on my cheeks. Ewan slipped his hand in mine and ran calming circles on my palm with his thumb.

“You’re gonna be fine. If you feel any urges, I will know, and I’ll make an excuse for us to leave.

“I’m not as worried about that as the fact I have urges at all. What if they hate me now? What if they think—”

“You killed a rival alpha in retaliation. Brooke isn’t the only one impressed with what you did. You’re Merrick Snyder’s only daughter. I don’t think you realize how much power there is in that. The Geminis aren’t going to war for your brother. They agreed to fight with us for you, Zara.”

I fought back tears and rolled my eyes, trying to be blase about the situation because I didn’t want to break down. “You’re just being nice.”

He shrugged. “You’ll see.” His phone buzzed in his jeans pocket. Charlie’s name was on the display. “I have to take this. There’s been weird shit happening at the borders.” He waved off my questioning look. “I’ll explain later.”

When Ewan accepted the call, Brooke dropped Zach’s hand and inched closer. Ewan, the traitor, saw her and slowed his pace while he spoke to Charlie, giving Brooke the opening she so clearly wanted.

I didn’t know what to say. Sorry seemed inadequate. Congratulating her on her wedding felt trite. Welcoming her to the Taurus Mountains felt weird when this had only just become my home.

“I’m sorry about your father. He was always kind to me.”

I kept my vampire eyes on my feet. “Thank you. It means a lot. And I’m sorry about, you know, everything.”

She grabbed the billowy sleeve of my black dress and planted her feet, giving me no choice but to stop unless I wanted her claws shredding the fabric. “Gaia, Zara. Will look at me, please? I never meant to hurt you by marrying Zach. I love him.”

“What? No. I’m not upset about that. I watched your bonding ceremony. It was beautiful.” I finally met my best friend’s gaze and was relieved when she didn’t react. “It’s… I’ve been a shitty friend. A shitty person. And now I have fangs and a billion bounties on my head. You don’t need that in your life.”

I needed to tell her who she really was, the reason King Evander had chosen her over my brother when he demanded retribution for my sins. And I would, eventually. She wasn’t my only living descendant, but she was the one I wanted to protect most.

“Don’t be dramatic. You have twenty-three bounties on your head at last count, which is nowhere close to a billion. I want you in my life, whatever that entails. So what, you have fangs. Big deal. For better or worse, you’re still you. And your mate and mine have apparently formed an alliance between our packs, and I live here now. So, you’re stuck me whether you like it or not.”

Tears stung my eyes. “I missed you so much.”

Her gaze was just as watery as mine. “Can I hug you? Zach said you turned recently. I don’t want to provoke any bitey urges or anything.”

I threw my arms around her neck. Brooke never even hesitated to return the embrace. I loved her so much for that.

“I’m really happy for you and Zach,” I whispered.

“And I’m really happy for you and Ewan. He seems like a good guy.” Her voice was a little too strained, and I realized my vampirism was showing and I needed to let up before I crushed her.

I pulled back from the hug. “He is. You’ll like him I think.”

Brooke linked her arm through mine as if it was the most natural thing. My mom and Zach were pretty far ahead of us, and Ewan had joined them, but we didn’t try to catch up. We strolled at a leisurely pace as if we had nowhere to be.

“Can I ask how it works? Do the pack members volunteer as blood donors or do you, like, order humans on the internet?”

If anyone else had dared to ask me that question, I would have shown them exactly how a vampire gets blood—by taking it. But there was no malice in Brooke’s inquiry, simply curiosity.

“Mostly I drink Ewan’s blood. He sort of prefers it that way. But also, what corners of the internet do you hang out in?”

She laughed. “Nowhere weird. Blood donor services are advertised all over supernatural social media.”

Why did that feel like something with Walter Stolly’s name all over it?

“Have you decided to be a supernatural influencer? You could give a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to be an alpha’s mate,” I teased, and it felt good. Normal. Like before everything had changed.

“Very funny. Zach would die if I put our life online. You know how private he is. No, I just like to read the gossip. Did you know that fae guy—Walter, right?—is like the head of a crime syndicate?” Brooke looked scandalized.

“Yes, sadly, I’m aware,” I said with a wry chuckle. “He’s also Winter’s father, which is why he’s here. The Zodiac Councils might pretend that fae and shifters outside the system don’t matter, but Walter’s a major player. Especially when it comes to protecting his daughter. I’m not sure he would even recognize the line between good and evil, let alone notice when he’s crossed it.”She snorted. “Did you know he cut off someone’s fingers and fed them to the guy? Who does that?”

I squirmed, wondering if Walter learned that from me or the other way around. “He’s a special brand of fae. But he isn’t the worst.”

“I should be nice. Winter channeled him to create the passage. Zach offered, but Walter insisted and your mom thought it was best.”

Winter shouldn’t have needed extra magic unless hers was low because she was giving it to Archer. That worried me. Even mortal, she was the strongest of the eternals. Soon, turning Archer wouldn’t be a discussion but rather a necessity.

Ewan, Zach, and my mother stopped walking when they reached town and waited for Brooke and me so we could all enter the lodge together.

Winter had created the temporary passage from Arcane Falls to the center of town, and Gemini wolves were marching out of the portal carrying backpacks and duffle bags full of their belongings. Because no one knew if they would ever be able to go home again. I understood that uncertainty and knew their pain.

Members of my former pack congregated in the lodge lobby, all talking and crying and comforting one another, while the council tried to assign them rooms and keep some semblance of order.

At first, I had a hard time tamping down my irritation. He was my father, my blood. I lost more than an alpha. My dad was dead, and I never got to say I was sorry.

“They loved him. That should make you feel good. He touched all their lives. I hope to achieve even half the adoration he did.” Ewan rested his hand on the small of my back.

“I know. You’re right. I think I just want to be mad, you know?”

“I do. And later, when we’re alone, you can be mad and bratty and sexy. Right now, be a good little Luna and make the Gemini wolves feel welcome.” His hand slid lower, so it rested on the curve of my ass and he stretched his fingers to feel the bow on my panties through my dress as he leaned closer to speak directly in my ear. “And when we get home, you’re going to take all that aggression and you’re going to fuck me like you mean it.”

My cheeks heated. Incentives were good, especially in this situation. They helped me well the urge to lash out at someone. I didn’t want to feel so much anger, and the tiny slice of my brain that dealt with rational thoughts knew that the Gemini wolves had loved my father and should share in our family’s grief. But I was angry. So, very angry, mostly with myself, but it was easier to project it onto them.

“You understand me so well.” I kissed his cheek. “I love you.”

“And I love you. Stop stalling. If you need me, I’m here. Go.” He nudged me to send me on my way.

I had worked the situation up in my head, worried that the Gemini wolves wouldn’t be as forgiving as Brooke when it came to my fuck ups. Except, they were. They cried and told me how much my father meant to them. Older wolves wanted to tell me stories about Dad’s misadventures prior to settling down with my mother and having Zach and me. A young couple thanked me for the house Dad helped build when he found out they were expecting a new edition to their family.

It was simultaneously sweet and heart-wrenching. Every time someone used the past tense when talking about Dad, I fought to keep the waterworks from pouring down my face.

My vampire eyes drew a few uneasy looks, and some weren’t as receptive to me as others. But most of my former pack was happy to see me, and I was happy to see them, even if the circumstances sucked.

We stayed at the lodge until all the wolves had come through the passage. My father’s beta Noto was the last. He’d always been sort of like an uncle or an older brother that I’d never wanted. He paid his respects to my brother and Mom, and then he came straight for me. The reunion with Noto was harder for me than any of the others, save my family. And part of that was because my Aunt Tamlin wasn’t with him. She was the one who’d banished me from Gemini lands and the reason I’d worried so much about everyone’s reaction to my new undead glow up. She was the reason I never spoke to my father again before he died.

“She’s not coming?” I asked Noto.

He shook his head. “Merrick exiled her last night, when he learned about your encounter with her.”

I didn’t know how to feel. One of my father’s last acts as alpha was exiling his own sister because of me. I loved him even more. Still, I didn’t like the thought of her out on her own. The Zodiac Council had already shown an active willingness to kill my relatives. If history was any indication, it wouldn’t be long before the hunters came for anyone who shared my blood. I held a lot of hatred in my heart for her at that moment, but the tiny kernel of love was much stronger.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here,” I said after a super long pause.

His jaw worked back and forth. “What choice did I have? Someone had to come check out the mate you chose without the permission of the Gemini council. And Zach already thinks the sun shines of his ass.”

Zach and Ewan were awfully chummy. I had noticed them speaking a lot throughout the night but sort of figured it was about alpha stuff. It hadn’t occurred to me that they might become friends. I found the prospect horrifying. Why? I didn’t know. I just didn’t like it. Friends shared things, private, personal things. And I didn’t want Zach and Ewan swapping stories about me. I realized that was hypocritical. In my defense, I was friends with Brooke long before my brother got the stick out of his ass and realized he was in love with her.

“Don’t worry, Mom hasn’t quite warmed up to him either. I mean, it’s gone better than I would have anticipated.”

He laughed. “I hope I’m there when she finally gives him an earful. When she found out she’d missed her wedding, her wolf came out in the kitchen.”

I shuddered at the thought. Only once ever had I seen my mother’s wolf make a spontaneous appearance. When mine first emerged.

Noto placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression sobering. “We’ve all missed you, Zara. Your father most of all.”

I shed my first tears since entering the lodge. “I’ve missed you and everyone so much.”

He squeezed my tense shoulder muscle, a glint forming in his dark gaze. “One day, I want to hear about your time since we last saw each other. Because, kid, I’m hearing all sorts of wild rumors.”

“The truth is….”

How did one sum up so many experiences that had both shattered me and made me whole? I’d learned to live as a fae while trying to find one of my bond mates, then visited Mat’s vampire city and met an absolutely terrifying creature named Madeline. I had rejected my wolf’s true mate to reunite with my original soulmate. Through eerie dreams of the past, I’d learned Stavros and Zosia had conceived at least one child—when this happened remained unclear—and that line descended all the way down to Brooke. Then I’d played a part in tearing the fabric between worlds and letting blue bat people through, traveling willingly to a place called the Cursed Realm where I’d been minutes away from becoming a prostitute before a caster called Webber saved me so I could save Winter and we could all go in search of a vampire cure together. But only after I fed another eternal protector my blood, of course.Not to mention the most devastating night of all, when I’d married Ewan and died on my bonding night because his jealous ex—a woman who’d betrayed me centuries earlier—wasn’t happy about the union. Was there a word that encompassed all that?

“… complicated. One day, though, remind me to tell you about the time I crashed a royal celebration to save a fae from a king who wanted to use her like a battery.”

He laughed. “I can’t wait.”

I felt Ewan and his ire stalking toward us before I saw him. Zach was with him, seemingly oblivious to the thunderclouds in Ewan’s irises. Noto was not. He dropped his hand from my shoulder.

A part of me did like Ewan’s territorial nature. It turned me on. Usually. But Noto was like one of my uncles. I had known him as my father’s beta since forever. So, no, I didn’t love his jealousy. It felt icky.

Ewan rested one hand on the small of my back while using the other to shake with Noto. Possessive much, I thought loudly because I knew he would hear it. He splayed his hand so he could discreetly touch the top of my underwear through my dress, a sure sign he heard my thoughts. Careful or I’ll take out my aggression on something with batteries.

He dug his fingertips into my back, though his blank-verging-on-cold expression never changed.

The men exchanged cordial greetings and polite, formal conversation. With all the testosterone flying around, I would have choked on it if my lungs still required air. Luckily Mom came over and broke up the tension. Sort of, anyway.

“Zach, sweetheart, now that Noto is here, you need to convene the council so they can officially declare you alpha.”

Listening to her nag my perfect brother was like a ray of sunshine through this shitstorm of a day. Our eyes met, and we shared the same look we always did when our mother started in on one of us—usually me. It was like nothing had changed, like we were still the alpha’s twins. I had talked to Brooke and Mom, but I had yet to speak to my brother alone.

Of the three, his rejection or acceptance would hit the hardest. Yes, he didn’t seem to care that Ewan drank blood and was the reincarnation of an original wolf, but they hadn’t shared a womb.

Mom turned her motherly attentions on me.

“You should visit the healing rooms before you leave, dear. It would mean a lot to the injured wolves.”

It was getting late, and I hadn’t fed in a while, so my mother’s suggestion made me panic. The familiar itching started in the back of my throat. No, tell her no. I can’t. Ewan rubbed his thumb up and down my spine.

“It’s been a long day, and we wouldn’t want to add any unnecessary stress,” he said, flashing his fangs in case my mother missed his point.

“Oh. Oh, my, Gaia. Of course. Maybe in the morning, before all the alphas arrive?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Totally.”

Ewan and I said our goodbyes to my family and Noto, and then found Brooke on the way out. Unsurprisingly, she was tucked in a corner, on the ground, playing with a little boy. He was too young to speak more than gibberish, and he loved the funny faces she made.

Brooke and I hugged, and I promised to see her in the morning before leaving her to play with the baby.

For the umpteenth time, I was reminded that I couldn’t give Ewan an heir. I didn’t know why it mattered so much to me. Children weren’t really my thing and considering the epic shitshow I’d made of my own life, I wasn’t sure I should be responsible for raising the next Taurus alpha. Still, I felt like a failure, inadequate.

I tried not to let myself get too upset because I didn’t want Ewan to feel it. There didn’t need to be a conversation. Nothing could or would change, so I didn’t want him to ask me if things were okay.

Dozens of Gemini wolves still roamed the lodge lobby, including some of my extended family. My Uncle Buck stopped us, standing directly in Ewan’s path. It was a bold, dangerous move.

“Zara is my niece. My late alpha brother’s only daughter. Her choices haven’t always been the best. Providing our pack sanctuary in your territory in our darkest hour says a lot about who you are as an alpha. Keep a smile on my niece’s face, and it will say a lot about who you are as a man and a mate.”

I wanted whatever ceremonial dagger I had to shove into my chest in order to die because the humiliation was too great to withstand. At the same time, I sort of wanted to cry. My uncle had marched up to another pack’s alpha—an undead one, no less—and demanded he treat his mate with respect. Ewan could’ve banished Uncle Buck and no one watching would’ve blamed him. Well, me. But not the Gemini wolves.

Ewan’s hand tightened around mine. “I don’t know who I am as a man, but I am a very lucky one. I am every bit hers as she is mine.”

My uncle nodded approvingly. “Spoken like a man ready to burn the world for his mate.”

Ewan’s eyes cut my direction. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for Zara.”

Uncle Buck meant his words as hyperbole. Ewan did not. And while his words made me want to satiate a different type of hunger, they also concerned me a tad. King Orrin’s story was stuck in my head, and I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe there was some truth to the soulmates’ curse. Would our love bring death and destruction to the supernatural world?

Technically, it already had.