34. Shay

THIRTY-FOUR

Shay

J ada's private quarters were surprisingly luxurious. Though that probably shouldn't have been completely unexpected. Not everyone lived close to the land, like Inuksuk and his people, and many shifters were very wealthy. Compound interest did wonders when you lived for centuries on end. Plus, Reed wasn't even that old, and he was already rich as fuck.

The receiving room was full of ornate furniture with scrollwork details on the back, plush rugs underfoot, and heavy gold sconces on the walls. It reeked of Old World wealth, sitting right on the verge of overpowering the natural beauty of the rock the room seemed to be carved from.

But as I settled into an extremely comfortable settee, I found myself grateful for it. I did at least resist the urge to pull up my feet and curl into a protective ball, but only just barely.

I felt like one giant, exposed nerve, walking around frayed and vulnerable. The last thing I wanted to do was be polite and social when I really needed quiet and solitude after getting manhandled.

So many memories were fighting to drown me, tugging at my clothes and pulling me under the surface until my wolf came out and saved me.

Because that was what she did. She guarded me as closely as my friends and wasn't afraid to take control if I froze up.

She'd done it before.

A server pressed a cup of steaming coffee into my hand, and I accepted it. The first sip had me closing my eyes, willing the world to fade back just a little bit so I could grit my way through this. It's funny how something as small as a cup of coffee can ground you with its familiarity in times of stress. But after a few sips, I felt marginally better.

Jada settled on the couch across from us that was oversized and large enough to hold her entire sleuth comfortably, though only one of them sat.

To my chagrin, I realized Dirge was hovering a few feet away as well. I was a woman divided; part of me wanted to drag him close, bury my face in his neck, and let him shield me from everything. The other part—the scared little girl who'd been hurt by bad men—she wanted to be alone. Safe. Untouched.

I didn't know which part was bigger, even though I was certain Dirge would never harm me. At least not on purpose. When the server had finished his rounds and bowed to Jada, he backed out of the room and one of her mates shut the door behind him.

Once we were alone, she didn't waste any time.

"So, is your fae wolf the one who's brought you here, High Alpha? I may have misunderstood, but when Inuksuk contacted me I thought he said it was your own mate who had power troubles." She let her gaze linger on Brielle, then flicked it back over to me in question.

There was curiosity there, but all I felt was confusion. She'd said that before, when I shook her hand, and I had no fucking clue what she was talking about.

"I'm not fae," I blurted. I immediately regretted it, as every eye turned in my direction. I was getting really friggin' sick of feeling like a bug under a microscope today.

Belatedly, I realized it might be construed as rude to argue with this leader we'd come to beg a favor from. But… she had to be mistaken. I was a garden-variety wolf shifter, with nothing but a terrible childhood and excellent friends to distinguish me from any other.

She arched one eyebrow, as imperious as any queen while she sipped her coffee and stared at me. Stared into me, more like.

"You are fae, in part. Greater fae, not a lesser. But it is curious that you don't know it. The relation would have to be close, for you to be as strong as you are. A parent, grandparent at the absolute least."

I was stunned into silence. She thought I had a fae parent?

It wasn't really possible for me to argue the point since I didn't know my parents, but if I wasn't a wolf shifter— fully a wolf shifter, I corrected as my brain tried to process what she was saying—wouldn't someone have noticed before now?

Unease filled me at the idea of not being who or what I thought I was. Wouldn't I have known?

"How is that possible?" Bri asked from her position seated next to Kane.

Jada shrugged, while one of her men chuckled. "The usual way, I suppose. Fae wander into this world eager to mingle with all the different species. They are a sexually curious race. Wolves are often highly physical. It's not the worst match I've ever heard of."

I really didn't want to think about my existence being started by a randy fae and a lonely wolf's one-night stand. If that was true, why didn't I know at least my wolf parent?

No, there had to be more to the story, surely. I stayed silent, not eager to hash out my childhood trauma for this stranger's perusal. Besides, we were here for Brielle, not me. Although …

"If I were part fae, would that explain why everyone thought I died and then I came back? Or why a wolfsbane bullet wound would heal too quickly?" I forced the words out through gritted teeth.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dirge tense, focus fastened onto me, instead of Jada. I couldn't return his gaze, though. Not yet.

Guilt gnawed at me because I knew it had to be hurting him, this distance. I hadn't meant to flinch when he tried to touch me. I truly hadn't. But sometimes instinct just took over. And if anyone could understand that, surely it was him?

I made myself a promise to tell him that as soon as we had some privacy for a real conversation. It would suck, but… he was my mate. He deserved the truth.

She pursed her lips and squinted at me, then turned to whisper something in one of her mate's ears. He whispered something in return, and anxiety began to crawl up my throat like a spider. I could feel the flush spreading through me under their scrutiny.

She contemplated long enough that I was on the verge of self-combustion by the time she finally spoke again.

"Not much is known about fae-wolf hybrids, frankly. But yes, I think it's possible. But more than that, it's possible you may be immortal, as are the fae. A strong enough sire or dam, the right circumstances… that mortal wound may have triggered your fae side to finally express itself after a lifetime of latency."

My brain was running slower than nineties dial-up. It was all static and off-pitch screeches up there.

Immortal?

Surely not. Wolves were long-lived, yes. But did I want to stay the same while everyone I knew got old and died? We'd just seen Inuksuk in his frail later years, so the image of the future was very fresh. Hell, one of my besties could die in childbirth. It happened more often than anyone would like to think about.

Did I want to stand by and watch that, unable to grow or change myself?

And my mate… was a wolf. A wolf who would also grow old one day. How could I be immortal if I was spirit-bound to a mortal being?

I couldn't even begin to comprehend that possibility. So, I did what every sane, twenty-something woman did in untenable situations. I packed that shit in a mental box, duct-taped it shut, and stuck it on a shelf for another, less insane time.

I was going to live close to a thousand years anyway; I'd deal with year one thousand and one when I got there, if I got there. Besides, there was so much unknown. She could be wrong.

Right?

I finally broke down and let my eyes flick to where Dirge stood, still as a statue, but gazing at me with shock and awe. Shit.

How would he feel about being mated to some sort of fae hybrid? I didn't know who my parents were; that hadn't changed. But when they were both wolf shifters, it wasn't really news. This… Would it change how he felt about me?

The carpet was suddenly very interesting as Kane cleared his throat from his position behind Bri's seat on the couch.

"Thank you for that insight, Jada. We appreciate your wealth of knowledge on so many topics."

Jada inclined her head magnanimously, a small smile teasing her lips. "But that's not why you called me, so let's get down to business."

Kane smiled in response. "My mate has a concerning curse that is affecting her health, but also some… different abilities. Did Inuksuk tell you?—"

Jada lifted one hand, stopping him in his tracks. "Boy, I'm not getting any younger. You think your mate is an omega, and you want me to verify."

Kane looked like he was about to choke on something at her bluntness. "That… would be excellent."

Jada nodded gravely, attention now pinned to Brielle. "I can do that. Do you know why?"

"From what we understand, you've met one in the past."

The idea of her being old enough to have met an omega and still being alive? Wild. Wolves lived on average a thousand years. Some, like Inuksuk, made it over twelve hundred. But the Omega War happened… in the sixteen hundreds, and even before the wars they were incredibly rare. It was possible for a wolf to live their entire life and never meet one.

"That's correct. What you don't know is that she was my brother's mate. She was killed in the purge after the Omega War, taking their entire sleuth with her."

The room fell silent as that sank in.

Holy hell.

The sorrow in her eyes was fresh, though the war was centuries past.

"I want to be very clear with you what you risk if you pursue this path. There is much sorrow and much pain. Strife will dog your every step if it's true and it becomes known."

Brielle let out a shaky breath, but she was steady when she answered, and I'd never been prouder of my friend.

"If it's true, I'd rather be armed with knowledge than caught by surprise." Brielle's back was straight, her jaw tight with determination.

"Very well, then. I will help you. Do you wish to know your gifts as well?"

"I… Is that an option? To find out?"

Jada nodded.

Brielle looked up at Kane, and I could tell they were speaking through the mate bond as the silence stretched a moment.

Brielle took his hand before turning back to Jada. "Yes, if it's possible, we'd like to know."

"Very well. There's a purification ritual, and then you'll be presented before the Moon Goddess for her to reveal your gifts. Anyone who wishes to attend must complete the purification." She leveled us all with a stern look. "It's not for the faint of heart, so consider wisely if your presence is necessary. In the meantime, you'll be shown to your temporary quarters."

With a wave of her hand, we were dismissed.