Chapter 62

Two weeks had passedsince The Lady had spoken with Sage. She had finished packing Talia's proofs, working long hours to complete the task.

Sig was in my office going over the response that had arrived earlier from the Lycan Council regarding the Redds' application to collect a debt from the Burke Pack. "I am surprised they did not send a photograph of an extended middle finger."

"We knew there would be no support." I hoped this would put the issue to rest. Anton had harped on it every day since my return.

"The response will enrage him."

My half-brother never overlooked an opportunity to unleash his temper. "The Council refuses to entertain any calls for collection involving the Burke Pack. Furthermore, any party that was in collusion or offered sanctuary to any member of the Burkes' involved with the assault on the Seer, Theodora Morrisey, will neither receive assistance from the Council nor be heard on the matter." I reread the verbiage. "Anton can go on and on for as long as he wants, but the Council will not help."

"And the Redds' are looking like idiots for asking." Sig frowned.

"Someone always is. This time it was us." My ego was not offended. "We need to take the slap on the wrist and say nothing for a few years."

There was a heavy knock on my office door.

Sig rose and answered.

"For the Second," a male's voice sounded.

Sig slammed the door in the messenger's face.

"Anton?" That would explain Sig's response.

"Who else would make a stress-filled day worse?" He dropped an envelope on my desk.

I sliced open the envelope and pulled free the heavy sheet of parchment. "We have been summoned to a dinner in two nights' time."

"Who is we?"

"Sage, you, and me." I handed him the invitation.

"Why was Talia overlooked?" He returned the invitation to my desk. "Not that she will complain. She detests being in Anton's presence."

"My first guess would be that he does not want Sage to have any allies there."

"Then why include me?"

"It would never occur to Anton that you would approve of Sage. You know he views all females as idiots. He assumes you do as well."

Sig managed to look unsettled. "I am uncomfortable that I might be grouped with Anton."

"This proves he underestimates you because he has never gotten to know you." I was still sometimes surprised at Anton's folly.

"I think the saying ‘dodged a bullet' is appropriate, is it not?"

"Sage's influence," I grumbled. She had us using more modern slang.

He wore a self-satisfied grin. "I find her sayings entertaining."

I was pleased that my closest friend and mate were compatible. Sig respected her nimble brain. We both marveled at how she instinctively handled Talia's volatile moods.

"Do you think you can get a look at the guest list?"

"A cook or two might be willing to share what they know."

"Only two? You are losing your touch, my friend," I teased.

"Ha." He left my office.

Sig and I had spent centuries together. During all that time, we both had given up on having a mate. If we needed a female to escort or to act as our hostess, we depended on Talia.

There had always been an undercurrent of tension between Sig and Talia. She became upset when Sig issued orders and was vocal in her displeasure. However, in the last fifty years, I'd noticed that they tended to gravitate toward one another.

I decided to find Sage and tell her about the invitation.

"What am I supposed to wear?" Sage asked in a shrill voice.

"I am sure you have something that will be fine." She always looked good to me.

"I need to find Talia."

"She's on a run." I had passed her on my return to our rooms.

"Maybe she'll have something I can borrow." Sage glanced toward the windows as if she could conjure her friend. "F.Y.I. for the next time something like this comes up. A woman needs time to shop for the right clothes to wear. I don't have a closet full of cocktail dresses." She placed her hands on her hips and frowned.

"It will be fine." I would admit that I did not understand why she was upset. "Pants are unacceptable, but I believe that is the only rule," I added helpfully.

She closed her eyes and looked toward the ceiling. "No pants, got it."

"I'm sorry, Sage. If you tell me what I can do to help…I will try." I didn't like seeing her frustrated.

"Talia will know what to do to help." She nodded. "Do you think we could…go out for a while?" She must have anticipated my response because she hurried to add. "I mean, a walk. I won't change."

I had decided that she should not show her wolf form until our mating had been approved. I did not wish to give Anton a reason to feel that we were flaunting the rules.

Poor Sage. She had been staying inside for days, working.

I needed to make time to see that she was outside in nature.

"Go." Talia waved her hand toward the door. "I know of several things that will work. Give me an hour or two to get organized." She frowned at Sage. "I've got this. Trust me. I can dress you in my sleep."

I pulled my mate toward the door. "If Talia says she has it under control, then she does."

Sage walked with me down the hallway. "If you haven't noticed, she is four inches taller than me, and I am bigger than her."

I opened the door to our rooms and waited for her to pass before closing it behind her. "Bigger?"

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Breed," her tone communicated that she was annoyed. "My boobs are bigger than hers, as are my thighs and my ass."

I closed the space between us. "Are you certain?" I cupped her breasts. My thumbs strummed over her nipples.

Her sigh might have carried a touch of annoyance, but she leaned closer to me.

"I like your breasts."

"Yeah, I noticed." She let out a low growl.

I released her left breast and pulled her closer to my body. "I like many things about your body." I pressed my hard cock against her.

She slid her hand between us and gripped my cock. "Perhaps I should help you with this?"

"We can take our walk later." I walked us toward our bedroom.

"Much later."