31. Danny

Chapter 31

Danny

I held my breath as I entered the clan house for the first time in over a century and a half. I clutched Riley tighter to me, trying to not let memories overwhelm me. Learning to shift in the garden outside. Playing hide and seek with Finlay in the dark rooms. Being introduced to Sarah for the first time in the front drawing room.

Presenting my daughter to the council, the day after her birth.

During my last visit, I hadn't stepped past the gates, waiting there until the council came to me. There'd been nothing stopping me going inside, nothing aside from my own memories.

Technically I also went onto clan lands every September when I visited my old home, but that was too far away for me to count it, barely within the boundaries of our lands. Even knowing I was close to it, I wouldn't visit until the anniversary. I couldn't.

This time though, I was in the heart of clan territory, my mate at my side. I'd tried not to think too hard about bringing Riley here. If I'd allowed myself to do that, to recognise the danger I was willingly putting him in, there was no way I would've returned.

That wasn't an option though. It would give the council the excuse they'd been waiting for to declare a bounty on my head.

Now, I couldn't ignore it any longer. Riley and I would be living among shifters who'd conspired to try and oust me all those years ago. The ones who'd caused the deaths of my wife and child, even if I couldn't prove it. Those who'd encouraged others to kidnap Matty all those years ago, hoping to take my power for themselves.

I wouldn't stay my hand if Riley was hurt. I'd end them all without feeling a shred of remorse.

It was funny how little had changed in the decades since I'd last set foot in here. The furniture, the decor, it was all the same. If it hadn't been for the technological advances such as the TV I could hear, the electric lighting, and various security cameras, I'd have thought I'd stepped back in time.

Finlay stopped outside a door, wincing at me sheepishly. "I tried to put this off."

I gave him a tight smile. "It's okay, let's get it over with."

He winked at Riley. "Don't give them an inch."

I smirked at Finn, glad he hadn't changed either. He was still wore the easygoing, charming fa?ade to hide the fact that his mind was as sharp as a knife. It made people underestimate him, opening themselves up without realising what they were handing over. He'd spent all of two minutes with my mate and correctly assumed that Riley wouldn't take any bullshit.

Wanting my arms free, I reluctantly released Riley's shoulders, taking his hand in mine instead. He squeezed it gently. I'm here.

I squeezed it back . I know.

Steeling my spine, I marched into the room after Finlay. Fourteen shifters sat behind a long table—all of them faces I knew. Ones I liked. Ones I'd missed. Some I trusted. Some I didn't.

And then were the ones living on borrowed time. The ones I believed to have been involved in Sarah's and Maria's deaths, even if I'd been unable to prove it.

They sat together, right in the centre, just as they always had. Ian, Alisdair, and Iris studied mine and Riley's entrance with interest.

I didn't buckle under their stares, and nor did Riley. We held our chins high, waiting for them to make the first move.

It was Iris who broke the silence. "You took a human as your mate."

I stiffened at the derision in her words. How dare she insult my mate?

Before I could get a word out, Riley spoke. "Well, given how low you've shown that shifters can sink, are you really surprised?"

A rumble of shock went through the room. From the corner of my eye, I saw Finlay exchange a smirk with his brother, Calan. I was pleased to see him there. Like Finn, he'd stood by me through everything. He was one of the few I'd missed in my years away. As the lead pack enforcer, he was a powerful ally to have.

Fuck, I was glad he still appeared to be on my side.

"You dare address us, boy?" Alisdair's nasal voice hadn't improved over the years. "Just who do ye think ye are?"

"He's the mate of the clan alpha." My natural Scottish burr returned after decades buried. Riley's head snapped around in shock. "Riley outranks each and every one of you, human or not. Ye'll do well to remember that."

Condescension dripped from Iris's smile. "Oh, you're still the clan alpha? Could've fooled us considering how long it's been."

My wolf prowled under my skin, just waiting for his moment. The only thing keeping him at bay was Riley. Consciously or not, he was soothing me through the bond, lending me his cool because he knew how close I was to losing mine. "Believe me, Iris, give me permission and I'll gladly walk away for good. I'm here now to honour the promise I made."

"And we're glad you are." Finn pushed away from his position against the wall to come and stand at my side. "We've been waiting for you to come back for a long time."

"Finlay's right," Calan said, his quiet voice seeming to reverberate through the room. He stood, strolling casually to stand at Riley's shoulder. "What are you waiting for? Come and greet your alpha."

The challenge he laid down was clear. It was the old guard versus the new. The ones who wanted me in charge versus those who thought it was undeserved.

Half of the council got to their feet hurriedly, sweeping over to embrace me in hugs while giving Riley friendly nods. Like Finn, they knew instinctively not to touch my mate. Not while my wolf was begging to be set free.

I greeted them warmly while noting who remained seated. Iris, Alisdair, Ian, and three others whispered amongst themselves, showing their displeasure by breaking protocol and staying put.

It was ironic that Riley and I wanted to be in charge about as much as they wanted us there, but that wasn't the point. The point was that I'd given my word, and I was going to honour that.

Still, I noted them. Beside me, I knew Riley was doing the same. My mate wasn't one to run from a fight, and neither was I.

T he next month dragged by slowly for both of us. Riley had to adjust to a life without work, far from everyone he knew, while I had to revisit a world I'd thought I'd left behind long ago.

And the worst part was how little time we got to spend together.

Being the clan leader was somehow familiar, yet also foreign. It was as though I'd been transported back in time, but with Riley at my side.

For the most part, it was disturbingly easy to slip back into my role as the leader of the clan. To attend pointless meetings. Settle minor disputes between feuding families.

But there was much I didn't know. For example, which crops should be planted to produce the most yield. Or where the newest boundaries had been drawn between the Audus and Sullivan clans. Nor did I know what advice to give about who held hunting rights north of Loch Lomond.

Thankfully, for everything I didn't know, Finlay had an answer. He never overstepped, always allowing me the chance to answer before swooping in when my lack of knowledge made itself apparent.

"This is ridiculous," I sighed, after one such meeting with a member of the Perkins Clan. "I don't know any of this shit. You should be in charge, not me."

"I'm a beta," Finn said flatly, dropping into the chair opposite mine with a sigh. "It'd never fly with the council."

"You've been doing it for a century and a half. You've more than proven yourself, Finn."

"Not in their eyes," he drawled, pulling his sgian-dubh out and using it to clean under his nails. The sight of the traditional tiny dagger always made me smile. Finlay's weapon of choice was his trusty claymore, but he wasn't allowed it in the clan house, not since we'd had a play fight as pups. A fight that had resulted in him accidentally slashing through an ancient portrait of a long dead alpha with said claymore.

"Still no claymore?"

Finn grunted, not looking up. "Nope. Which goes to show how little stuff actually changes. I may have been leader of the clan, but I couldn't make any significant difference."

Guilt twisted my gut. "You held them together, Finn. That's all that matters."

"Until your return…which has now happened."

I got up, rounding the desk and taking the chair next to him. "I'm sorry, Finn. I'm sorry I left, and I'm even more sorry I had to come back."

"Don't apologise," he said gruffly. "Wasn't your fault that you left, nor that you had to come back. The clan should count themselves fucking lucky you didn't wipe us all from the face of the earth. You would've been within your rights to, given what happened."

" What happened. " Looked like I wasn't the only one who had trouble articulating it.

"As for coming back? That's also not on you. So while I'm…pissed off that I'm not in charge any longer, I don't hold it against you. You never have to worry about me, Danny. I'll always be your second."

I gripped his forearm. "Thank you for your honesty, Finlay. And your loyalty. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve either, but I'm fucking grateful for them."

"It must've been something terrible, to be sure." We shared a laugh at that before his gaze turned serious. "So…Riley."

"Riley." I couldn't stop the dopey smile from lifting my lips even if I tried. "Isn't he perfect?"

"He's definitely perfect for you," Finn mused. "Have ye known him long?"

"Several years…but it took until recently for me to realise there was something more than friendship between us. And even longer before Riley caught on too."

"Sounds like you, to be honest. I don't think you would've realised what a gem your wife was if it wasn't for the fact you were going to marry her."

I glanced up to see Finn staring out of the window, wistful longing on his face. "You okay?"

He shook himself, giving me a tight smile. "Yep. Anyway, why don't you get back to Riley? I know you're dying to."

"Ain't that the truth." That had been the worst part about all of this. What should've been the supe version of a honeymoon had turned into not seeing each other for long stretches of the day. I'd dragged Riley along with me a few times, but he'd been as bored out of his mind as I was. "See you later."

I didn't hesitate to hustle out of the main building, following the trees back to our cabin. It wasn't the one where I'd lived before. Even before my marriage, I'd wanted to live further out from everyone. It was yet more proof that I should never have been born an alpha. I'd never really fit in with the clan as a whole, and I hadn't particularly wanted to either.

Now though, the house I'd selected was within easy reach of the main clan house. We could've lived there, of course, but that wasn't something that appealed to either of us. I wasn't about to repeat history with Riley though. I didn't trust many in the clan, but those I did would be able to get to him in seconds if I couldn't. Not only that, but if they made the same mistake of bringing other clans in to do their dirty work again, they'd have to get through the heart of our lands first.

Walking through the woods, I smiled as the sound of laughter greeted me. One of the few that I trusted was guarding Riley now. Their instant and easy friendship hadn't surprised me at all. On the surface, Logan was a carbon copy of Matty. With breezy sunshine smiles, he spent most of his spare time painting and baking. There wasn't a person who wasn't lured into his net, basking in his warmth.

It was what lay beneath that marked the difference between the two men. How his sunshine became fire when those he loved were threatened. How his easygoing nature slid into insanity when called for.

It was why he was guarding Riley while I sat through interminable meetings. My mate might not have realised how unhinged his new bestie was, but I knew.

Just like I knew Logan would strip the flesh off anyone who tried to get to Riley.

As I stepped into the kitchen, the smell of freshly baked cookies hit me. Logan was lifting another baking tray from the oven, singing off-key with a smear of flour over his cheekbone.

I up-nodded him in greeting, seeking out my mate. "Where's Riley?"

"You're home!" He bounced out of the living room before I even finished the question. I caught him as he threw himself into my arms, burying my nose in his neck. "Missed you."

"Missed you too." I breathed him in, the scent of him settling the unease that had dogged me since I'd left a few hours ago. "You had fun?"

He kissed me once before pulling back to beam at Logan. "We did! We baked cookies and brownies."

A cookie slid from the tray as Logan put it on the side awkwardly. "Oops!"

Riley shot over, snatching up a tea towel and carefully taking the tray from Logan with a tut. "What did we say about you taking them out, Logan? You're too clumsy."

Logan brushed a floury hand through his hair sheepishly. "They just have a mind of their own."

"Silly sausage," Riley said indulgently, brushing the flour out of Logan's hair. "Good thing I'm around to look after you."

Logan just grinned up at him. It was only when Riley's back was turned that I shot Logan a ‘what the fuck was that' look.

He just shrugged, popping a cookie into his mouth and smirking back at me with chocolate covered teeth. I rolled my eyes and snagged one of the cookies for myself.

The little fucker was far from clumsy, but apparently he'd cottoned on to Riley's need to look after people. Really, I was grateful. If it made Riley happy to think Logan needed to be protected when in reality it was the other way around, then I was happy too.

"How was it today?" Riley asked, filling the kettle and clicking it on. "Any better?"

"No." I slumped down onto a stool. "Worse if anything. Every day that passes is just a nail in the coffin of my leadership. Everyone knows Finn should still be in charge, not me."

"You're a good leader," Logan said, popping up onto the counter and swinging his legs. "You were fantastic before you left and I doubt you've changed that much."

Riley appeared at my side, a cuppa in his hand. I waited until he'd put it down before tugging him onto my lap. He grinned at me before settling his head against my shoulder with a sigh. I wasn't the only one who hated being apart.

"I haven't," I said to Logan, who was watching us with an open curiosity. "That part of me still exists, but it's no longer my priority. Being away so long…it's shown me that there's more to life than the clan. More to the world than politics, negotiations, and infighting."

I rubbed Riley's mating mark absently as I continued. "The clan needs someone who can put them first. That person isn't me. Not when Riley already holds that position, and I have no intention of changing that."

Riley turned his face to hide his blush. "I'm nothing special."

"You're everything special." I touched his chin until he looked at me. "Even before we were mated, you came first. Nothing's ever going to change that."

"Is it really that easy?" Logan's question made us both startle, the moment between us so intimate that we'd forgotten he was there for a second. "Finding your mate, I mean."

Riley and I exchanged a look before we both started laughing. My mate was the one who answered Logan. "No, it was not easy. It might've been if we had an ounce of common sense between us…but sadly that wasn't the case."

Logan wrinkled his nose. "I'm not sure if it's for me, the whole mating thing."

"That's what we both thought," I said. "Neither of us wanted a relationship…or so we believed. Now I can't imagine anything else."

"Me either," Riley said softly, his glasses lifting as he smiled. "Sometimes two idiotic fuckbois with commitment issues can make the perfect pair."

Logan snorted. "Oh, that's not my issue. I'm down for the commitment part. That's not what I'm worried about."

I frowned at Logan. I might not have seen him in several decades, but the Logan I remembered didn't bother worrying about anything. He was so laid back he was practically horizontal. "What are you worried about then?"

His heels paused in their thudding against the cupboard. "Let's face it, I'm already a bit intense with those I care about. Now add in a mating bond…what do you think might happen then?"

Ah. Yeah, that I could understand. Logan could rival both Harlow and Sebastian in his levels of unhinged when those he loved were hurt or in danger. If he took a mate only for them to get hurt, there'd be nothing and no one that would be able to hold him back.

Confusion bled through from Riley. "I don't think you're intense."

Logan's legs resumed their movement as he winked at my mate cheekily. "That's because you've not met my fun side yet."

Riley wasn't getting it. "But we've been having lots of fun."

Sighing, I squeezed Riley's waist. "Princess, think about Harlow or River. What might they consider fun ?"

"Oh… oh. " Watching the penny drop was almost comical. "But you're so…"

"Cute? Adorable? Happy? Petite? Charming?" Logan framed his face with his hands, moving them for each word like he was posing for photos. "Oh, I am. I'm just also a bit…hmm. Danny, how would you describe it?"

Unhinged was the word, but even that didn't quite cover it. "Imagine Matty combined with Harlow, Sebastian, and River."

Riley looked at Logan through new eyes. "That impressive?"

"No, more so." I felt the shock ripple through my mate. "Why d'you think he's the one I chose to guard you, princess?"

Disappointment rippled through him even as he fought to keep a smile on his face. "I just thought we'd hit it off as friends."

Logan's face dropped. He jumped off the counter in a smooth leap and hustled around to the stool. Before I could protest, he'd wrapped his small arms around Riley's neck and cuddled him in close. "We are friends, Riley. I wouldn't be spending all my time here otherwise. I would've persuaded Danny to have someone else stand guard instead."

"Really? You're not just saying that?"

"Really." Logan pulled back and gave Riley a beaming smile. "I don't lie. In fact, I'm often in trouble for being too honest. Isn't that right, Danny?"

"It is." I hooked my chin over Riley's shoulder. "He once inadvertently started a feud with the Smythe Clan that lasted over a decade because he insulted the alpha's hygiene standards."

Logan sniffed, wiping a bit of flour from his top. "I didn't insult them. I just pointed out he was at least a week overdue for a bath. If he didn't want to be told that then maybe he should've chosen a seat further away from me. I had to shove garlic up my nose just to get rid of the scent."

"Logan doesn't lie," I reassured Riley. "If he says he wants to be here, that he's your friend, that's what he means."

"I really do." Logan bobbed his head comically fast. "And you're not just my friend, you're my best friend. You know what that means?"

"No…" Riley's lips lifted in amusement.

"It means I'll execute anyone who tries to hurt you. To be specific, I'll peel their flesh from their bones while they're still alive before breaking every bone in their body. Then I'll execute them." His grin was stretched across his whole face. "So don't worry, Riley. As my best friend, you're totally safe."

"How delightful." Riley sounded slightly dazed.

A timer went off.

"Ooh, the brownies are done!" Logan bounced off across the kitchen, singing off-key again as he carefully removed the tray from the oven.

Riley stared after him, speechless. I chuckled. Really you'd have thought he'd know better given how much time he spent around supes. One day he'd learn that looks could be deceiving.

Take mine, for example. I could be the nicest, most charming bloke you'd ever come across.

Or I could be the face of your worst nightmares.

It all depended on which you deserved to see.

"Come on." I patted Riley's knee. "Let's eat some brownies."