8. Chapter Eight

By the time Ewan and I met the others downstairs, Charlie and Birch had joined them. As the Taurus pack beta, it made sense for Charlie to be there, but the latter surprised me.

“He’s third-in-command, our head of security,” Ewan whispered in my ear as we entered the living room.

“Stop reading my thoughts,” I hissed. “It’s weird. And don’t you mean fourth? Surely, I outrank them both.”

Ewan’s smile was almost tender. “You outrank everyone except me.”

That wasn’t exactly the answer I’d been hoping for.

Asserting any degree of authority while wearing Ewan’s oversized college sweats didn’t make the impression I wanted. It is what is, I thought.

Essie and Colleen sat together on the sofa with Mrs. Wynn, sipping tea. Winter was in a chair with Walter standing behind her and leaning on the backrest. Charlie and Birch both stood. Ewan gestured to the only open seat, and I eased down onto the cushion. He stood beside me.

“There’s a lot we need to catch you up on,” he told me, nodding for Essie to explain.

She pursed her wrinkled lips. “Both the Fae and Wolf Zodiac Councils intend to hunt eternals.” Her gaze shifted to Winter. “They’ll kill those who haven’t risen. I just got word from a friend on the inside.”

Honestly, the hunting wasn’t concerning to me. Eternals were impossible to kill by design. That had been integrated into the spell the fae used to make us. It was the second part of Essie’s comment that left me with a sense of dread. Winter was a target. If they were smart, she’d be top of the list.

“So, what do we do?” I asked.

Essie ignored my question. “There’s more, dear. Each faction, both fae and wolves, will receive a missive tomorrow, demanding they hand over suspected eternals or protectors within twenty-four hours.” Her eyes cut to Ewan this time. “Anyone who refuses officially becomes an enemy of the High Zodiac Council. They’ll lose all privileges and protections that come with it.”

“Yeah,” Walter interjected. “It also means war. They will come for you in full force.”

“Normally, this would go to a vote,” Essie continued, as if Walter hadn’t spoken. Her jaw hardened. “I intend to make an executive decision, which may divide the Gemini fae.”

“The Taurus fae won’t comply, either,” Ewan said. “They’re happy to have a bonded pair of original wolves protecting their kingdom.” There was a trace of bitterness in his voice, like he didn’t appreciate his fae counterparts.

Colleen cleared her throat. “We’ve located most of the eternal protectors.” She gestured to us. “You two, of course. Then, we believe there’s one in the Pisces pack; they’re likely to turn her in if they know what she is. We suspect one of the Capricorn alpha’s sons as well. There is also a girl who was raised a lone wolf from what we can tell—we feel confident she’s an eternal. Finally, another pair is in the Ophiuchus pack up in the Snake Mountains.” Her gaze landed on Walter.

He turned to me. “They won’t oppose us, but I can’t say they’ll fight with us, either. It’ll take some coaxing. Their alpha might listen to you.”

“Me?” I pointed to myself, raising an eyebrow in doubt.

“Who’s their leader?” Ewan growled.

Walter ignored him. “In fact, she told me to tell you hello from her.”

“Their alpha’s a woman?” Charlie asked, looking extremely impressed.

All the original female wolves were brave, fierce, and every other trait the games sought. But only one woman I knew had the quiet strength to lead a pack on her own.

I smiled. “So you’ve met Diana.”

“She goes by Drake in this life.” Walter grew serious. “We’re going to need all the friends we can get, and the Ophiuchus could be the ace up our sleeve, if you know what I mean. The Zodiac order kicked them out years ago. They have little contact with the world outside the Snake Mountains. It would be a powerful alliance.”

“As would the Gemini wolves.” Colleen’s expression reminded me of when my mother scolded me as a child. Her next words didn’t help that feeling. “It’s time you made amends with your family.”

I thought back on the scene I watched between Zach and Brooke in the mirror. My father refused to believe the eternals were rising, but he wouldn’t have a choice once the Zodiac council’s communication reached him.

“Baby steps,” I told Colleen. “The tonic and tea are preventing the bloodlust, but I can’t control my temper. Seeing my family too soon might end as badly as my meet-and-greet with Kilbi.”

“I’ll go to Merrick for now,” Essie offered.

Colleen opened her mouth to protest, but Walter spoke over her. “If anyone can make Zara’s father listen to reason, it’s you, Essie.” He turned to me. “I will send word to the Ophiuchus to set up a meeting.”

“I’m going with her.” Ewan placed a hand on my shoulder. “Non-negotiable.”

Walter shrugged. “I’ll see what I can work out.” He swung his gaze to Colleen. “I’ve got eyes inside the Pisces pack. I’ll get her out before the council’s message reaches their alpha.”

Winter’s mother hesitated. “I don’t know for certain who she is.”

“That’s easy,” I interjected. “Look for the white wolf.”

It was a detail that just popped into my mind, though not from a dream. There was no accompanying memory; I simply knew it to be true. Just like my life with Hayden in London.

“All seven females are white wolves,” I said, barely recognizing my own voice. “Meant to represent purity.”

“That should make it easier,” Colleen agreed. “That leaves the Capricorn boy. Walter and I will handle him.” She grinned at Winter’s father. “He’s very persuasive, too.”

Mrs. Wynn cleared her throat and spoke up for the first time. “If my son can spare me for a few hours, I’ll join you. Their alpha and I knew each other as children. I might be able to help smooth the way.”

“Charlie will escort you,” Ewan said, a finality in his tone that didn’t invite argument.

“You got it, boss.” Charlie gave a two-finger salute.

“What about the lone wolf?” Winter asked. “Shouldn’t someone go to her?”

“She was difficult to track down,” Colleen assured her daughter. “We need to focus on the wolves in packs—they’re the ones in imminent danger.”

I frowned. “What about the fae?”

The room fell silent, and no one would look at me. I turned my glare on Ewan, but Walter spoke first.

“Those we’ve tracked down have gone missing.” A wry smile spread across his face. “Three guesses what happened to them...”

Late that afternoon, long after everyone departed, Ewan and I said goodbye to his mother and left for our new home. He seemed uncharacteristically nervous as we trooped through the snow. I tried to engage him in conversation several times, but he had no interest.

The only pack members we encountered were on four legs. They bowed low when we crossed paths, dipping their heads. Thanks to more of Essie’s tea and another large glass of Ewan’s blood mixed with tonic, my thirst never flared.

With our vampiric speed, the trek didn’t need to take nearly as long as it did. Ewan insisted that the more we acted mortal, the easier it was for the pack to accept us as their alpha couple, so we trudged along at a human pace. An hour after leaving his mother’s, we finally reached a two-story cabin on the opposite side of the canyon.

Ewan paused at the doorway and scooped me up into his arms so quickly that I yelped. “You thought I wouldn’t carry my bride across the threshold?”

He twisted the knob and pushed the door open with his hip. Candlelight cast soft shadows. A fire burned in the hearth. Someone had wound twinkle lights around the narrow spiral staircase to the second level and scattered rose petals throughout the floor.

“What do you think?” Ewan asked, voice thick and husky.

I wiggled out of his arms to stand on my own two feet.

The sunken living room had dark, plush furniture. From where I stood, the coffee table appeared to be a slice of geode. A stone hearth surrounded the flames burning in the fireplace. The wall behind it was glass and provided a stunning view of the town below.

“I know it’s not a palace.” Ewan studied my expression as I took in the cabin. “You can redecorate however you want.”

Turning to face him, I grabbed two handfuls of his flannel and drew him toward me. “I love it.” My mouth found his. “Let’s check out the bedroom. I’ll race you upstairs.”

He could’ve beat me, but Ewan let me win. The bed was enormous and set back in an alcove. When I flopped onto the mattress, it molded around my body.

“This is what I imagine sleeping on a cloud is like,” I said.

Ewan chuckled as he leaned over me and threaded his fingers with mine. “I’ll take you to heaven every night, so I guess it’s appropriate.”

“You talk a big game,” I teased.

He dipped his hips, reminding me just how large his game was. “You’ve never left my bed unsatisfied.”

Memories invaded my mind, a collage of all our times together in the first life and this one. I squeezed my eyes shut. Ewan’s fingers gripped mine tighter. His power washed over me, drowning the fragments of the past and sending the pieces into the abyss.

“They’ll stop when you have your entire memory back.” He ran his nose down my cheek, inhaling my scent.

“How long does that take?” I asked.

He nipped at my jaw with his fangs before dragging the points down my throat. Cold tingles crept up my spine. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him closer. Ewan’s cell buzzed against me. He groaned, but I pressed into him. He let the caller wait several beats before digging the phone from his pocket.

Winter’s name flashed on the screen. Ewan hit accept and put her on speakerphone.

“Is everything okay?” I demanded.

“The lone wolf isn’t safe,” she whispered. “Despite what my mom said, it’s not true. We have to do something.”

“No, you need to stay here. This is the safest place for an unrisen eternal right now. You’re not leaving,” I insisted.

“I know where she is.” Winter paused, lowering her voice even further. “Her name is Tish, and she’s a bartender in a supernatural town in Arizona.”

My head swam. This was a bad idea. I knew it. Ewan knew it. Deep down, Winter probably did too. But she was so insistent, something within me stirred to protect her at all costs.

“I could open a portal straight to her,” Winter continued, when neither of us responded.

Ewan took one look at my face and didn’t bother to argue. “How fast can you be here?”

“Guess I’m leaving our bed unsatisfied after all,” I muttered, so only Ewan heard. To Winter, I called, “Bring me something to wear. Anything except AU sweatpants.”