Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

" I f you ever hurt her again, it'll be the last thing you ever do." Fell's actions remind me of the boy I'd

once loved.

"Oh, little Fell has found his balls again since his weirdo girlfriend returned?" Bo's voice is mocking.

Cadoc stands between them as they throw insults at each other.

"That weirdo is about to be your mate. You might want to learn how to hold your tongue,

Jensen." Kirk escorts me into the clearing where two of my future mates are ready to rip each other's throats out.

"And I bet you love that, don't you?" Bo leers. "You got a fit enough body. I can learn to ignore the rest of your unpleasant traits."

I'm not sure how to process the backhanded compliment. With one sentence, I'm ready to strangle him.

"Sounds like you plan to spend the rest of our lives with your hand for company." Curling

my fingers under my thumb, I stroke the air.

"You can't be serious." Bo crosses his arms. "I'm the catch here."

"Not from where I stand. For mature women, looks aren't everything when it comes to the wolf

you're spending the rest of your life with. Remember, I'm fortunate enough to have three other

men to choose from. You seem to forget that we're all in this together. That makes us equals.

Unlike the other she-wolves around here, I won't get on my knees to suck your prick because

you flash me a smile or whisper sweet words in my ear."

"As if I would allow it with that attitude." He sneers.

"Ditto," I match his abrasive energy with my own.

"You're already giving me a fucking headache. I'm too old for this shit," Cadoc rubs at his temple.

"And I'm too young to want to throw myself off a cliff instead of living my life, yet here we are,

old man," I snap.

Cadoc smirks. "Nice to see that fire."

"I needed a minute."

"We present as a united front. Whatever you felt about each other needs to be left here." Cadoc's

tone leaves no room for argument.

The aroma seeping from his pores makes my she-wolf purr. Strong Alpha. Down you horny bitch.

Disregarding my biological response and concentrate on the four men who will become my husbands. What in the polyamorous dating game happened tonight?

"Why would he give me so many mates?" It used to be the way our people once mated, but the tradition died off as we entered the modern age. The Alpha is trying to make us the poster pairing for the old ways.

"If I had to guess, I'd say for protection," Cadoc's rumbling voice does funny things to my stomach.

"From what?" Fell asks.

"That's the question we need to answer." Kirk squeezes my arm.

Bo raises his hands. "None of this makes sense. This is an action meant for the most revered and obedient."

"The only way to find out is to return and face the music," Kirk suggests.

Bo rubs his brow. "I gotta tell you, that zen shit you have going on is annoying."

Fell studies him. "Seems like you need a little chill in your life."

"No one asked you, hermit." Bo scowls.

"Enough." Cadoc puts power behind his words. Fell and Bo slam their mouths shut.

"You are my clan. Respect, trust, and support will bind us or tear us apart. Let's go find out what

we're being tasked with and plan from there," Cadoc says.

We all mumble our agreement and trail behind him with our tails between our legs as his power hovers over us. There's no question Cadoc is the head of this dramatic family is.

As pissed as I am about the Alpha's heavy-handed tactics, I'm grateful to have Cadoc's leadership in my corner.

I lusted over the well-formed specimen with piercing blue eyes and black hair like every other girl my age, but having him was always unfathomable. And now he's ours.

The possessive tone in the she-wolf's tone is amusing. I don't think anyone can own a wild creature like Cadoc.

All eyes are on us as we enter the meeting space.

"I see the pack hierarchy has been established." Alpha sounds pleased. I'm torn between

preening under his approval and the desire to claw his eyes out.

Gritting my teeth, I keep my eyes trained on the ground to avoid outwardly showing disrespect.

"Come and join me," Alpha waves us toward him.

Staring at the large Viking descendant I understand what it is to truly hate. Erik Thostenson, the last of his line has made me his enemy and reluctant follower. I won't forgive or forget what he's done in the name of the greater good.

"The new pack will need your support as they bond. I want everyone to remember serving them

is obeying me." I hear the warning loud and clear.

Anger sparks inside me. He has no problem telling everyone to back off when it serves him, yet all these years he let me suffer under the weight of condemnation and torment.

Kirk presses his shoulder into mine on the left. Fell does the same on the right, sandwiching me and calming me without a word.

We pause in front of Alpha. Our holy man steps forward with a silver bowl etched in runes for prosperity, health, and protection. A matching goblet is held by Alphonse.

"Today we witness the joining of these five pack members." A pouch of mulled wine is brought forward and poured into the chalice.

The holy man passed it to Alpha who offers it to each of us for a sip. The rest is poured into the bowl and blessed. He holds it above his head.

"We ask for the blessing of the gods for this union." Lighting streaks across the sky. Power thrums up from the ground. Thunder rumbles and the wind picks up.

Ghostly tendrils flow from my belly toward the men. The bonding process has begun.

"Our request has been heard and approved," the holy man whispers.

The mixture is poured into a large horn and we're offered the drink again. Tingles and warmth spread through me as it hits me like a shot of adrenaline.

For a moment I see a silver chord joining us all. It flickers before it disappears.

"Did you see that?" I whisper.

"It's a sign that our match is good," Kirk answers. He frowns. "But it's weak. It'll grow strong or die away with time as we each bond."

It sounds invasive. "Do we want that?"

"It'll increase our powers individually and as a group." Of course, Fell knows the answer. Brown noser.

"On a day full of blessings, we ask you to celebrate with us and toast the happy mates. Send them your well wishes, and pray for their success. Our survival depends on it." Alpha meets my gaze unabashedly.

I didn't need the reminder about what's at stake. There's a family mystery entwined in this and I won't rest until it's been uncovered.

If it was important enough to bring my father back from the veil it's worth investigating. Drinks are passed around amongst the pack and roasted pig is brought into the clearing.

"I want to speak with you alone." Alpha turns, expecting us to follow.

"Lead the way, Alpha." Cadoc steps forward and we leave the crowd behind.

"I know you're wondering why I did this."

You think? "Yes."

"You're going to need each of them in the future." He approaches the small cavern and his men go ahead lighting the torches. Our first shifts are done here under supervision.

"Your family played a much more important role than you knew," the Alpha continues.

My stomach clenches and I hold my breath.

"You're being called into action as protector of Fenrir's amulet," Alpha says.

"Fenrir's what?" Bo asks.

"An ancient medallion that gives a pack great power. It can only be handled by one of Fenrir's bloodline. It was thought to be lost, but the tree has bloomed," Alpha explains.

We walk down the cavern to the tree I'd seen my entire life covered in white blossoms. I've never seen the ash tree look like this.

"What is this?" I ask, confused.

"A sign that Fenrir's descendants are needed. The amulet may be the one thing that gets the pack back on track," awe and reverence laces the Alphas' words.

"But you said we were." I included my future mates in the circular motion.

"I told them that. They're only privy to it because they are now linked to you. You must bond to be strong enough to wield the power coming to you," Alpha says.

"It's not that easy, Alpha." I shake my head. Strong bonds are built from trust, genuine affection, and physical connection. It's a multi-tiered process.

"Enough," Alpha barks. I rear back whimpering as his power makes my breath hitch. "You have a month to form your first bonds."

"You can't do that?—."

"I just did. Do you think your feelings are more important than our continuation?" I shrink into myself.

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for our people. One girl isn't going to ruin that for us. I will hold you down myself while each one of them ruts you if I have to," Alpha says with a snarl.

The power in the Alpha's voice makes me shake.

"That's enough," Cadoc barks. "Alpha." Cadoc lowers his head as I tremble.

"You'd better keep her in line," Alpha demands.

"I will. Today's been a lot for her. Perhaps she needs time to meditate and consider her new position," Cadoc says pacifying him.

"Take her to your new pack home, and have her begin the clarity process."

New home?

"You won't be returning to your house with your aunt and uncle. I'm gifting you a new home for your mates. Make it your own." Alpha smiles, once more the gracious leader he pretends to be.

"Thank you, Alpha." I force the words out of my clogged throat. "This will be the last time you invoke the mating rites, won't it?"

"Are you questioning me?" Alpha frowns.

"It'd be a shame if I fought you every step of the way and it negatively impacted what you're trying to do for our people."

The Alpha's eyes flash amber.

"It would be difficult for me to give up so much while the women in the pack suffered. Ending the mating Rite is my one request." I hold my ground.

This is for the women of this pack. The Alpha pauses for a moment.

"It'll be the last one." A threatening growl rumbles in his chest. Cadoc grows restless beside me. "Andrea will show you to your new home." Please kill me now.

I allow Cadoc to lead me away feeling the Alpha's eyes burning a hole into my back with every step. If I ever become expendable, I'm going to be in trouble.