13. Confessions and Investigations

MARIGOLD

S late knocks on our door the next morning. Jasper invites him in. “What’s up? Do we have a change of plans for the day?”

Shaking his head, Slate turns toward me. “Actually, I was hoping Marigold would visit the Raven Pack with Elm today. Scope things out and get a feel for what’s going on up there.”

Jasper’s words about the Raven Pack and Ironcrest echo in my thoughts. “Sure, sounds like a plan.”

Slate leaves me with a nod. When I return to the table, Jasper tugs me into his lap and kisses me soundly.

“I need to go,” I say.

“No,” Jasper argues between kisses peppered down my throat.

Sighing, I sink into him. “A long run will give me time to think about us.” He hums in response, his hold loosening so I can pull back. I give him one more lingering kiss and force myself to walk away.

My dad is waiting for me, sitting on a bench in the big steel training building. “Hey, Dad.” He gives me a hug.

“Ready to see Heron and Breeze?” he asks, referring to my maternal grandparents.

“Let’s go,” I say, opening the door to my dad’s faded green pickup truck. Once we’re on the road, I ask, “So, what are we looking for exactly?”

“Mainly a temperature check. Is Nyx still the reclusive Alpha we all love, or is she possibly leading raids? Is there any sign of Granite Ridge or Ironcrest pushing in?” he says grimly.

“Alright, that sounds manageable.”

“So what’s new with you, kiddo?” he asks with a smile. Our last family dinner was dominated by Cobalt’s stories of his recent adventures, and Indigo sharing about the new healing techniques he’s learned during his apprenticeship with our grandmother, Sable.

“Had a fun game night with everyone last night. Oh and I went into town with Jasper and checked out the coffee shop there. It was cool.”

“Just you and Jasper?” he says.

“Yeah,” I say, trying to sound casual. My dad nods. Would he approve of me and Jasper? Silence stretches between us and I finally give in to the impulse to ask. “So, after working with him a while, what do you think of him?”

“Jasper?” His lips thin while he considers. “He’s talented, that’s for sure. Seems loyal, but it’s only been a few months. Considering his parents, I don’t think I’ll trust him until it’s been a few years.”

That’s not ideal.

“He’s gotten really close with all my friends. I don’t think he had friends or supportive leaders in Granite Ridge. He seems happy, so I don’t think we need to worry about his loyalty,” I argue.

“That makes sense.” His tone ends the discussion.

Pulling down the Raven Pack’s access road, I keep waiting for a guard to stop us, but no one greets us until we’ve reached their compound. While our buildings form a loose circle, the Raven Pack’s buildings are huddled together in a tight block.

We approach the larger pack house and a pair of female Thetas stop us.

“I’m here to see my grandparents, Heron and Breeze,” I say. “I’m Marigold, Ivy’s daughter. And this is my father, Elm, her mate.”

“We remember you,” the taller woman says. Her black hair reaches to her waist in a glossy curtain. She’s familiar, but not anyone I clearly recall from our last visit a few months ago. She nods to her partner, who disappears inside.

A few minutes later, the younger woman reappears and motions for us to follow her inside. The side entrance leads into a hallway, and our guide brings us past various meeting rooms and recreation rooms until we reach the foyer.

Breeze ambles from another hallway, a smile creasing her face. She holds her arms open, and I gladly hug her. It’s been too long. “My sweet Marigold, you look so much like your mother,” she coos. When she sees my father, her face chills. “Elm.”

“Hello, Breeze. You look lovely,” my dad says. She brushes him away and takes my hand to lead us down the hallway until we reach a door left open.

The studio apartment opens into a small sitting room with a bed tucked around a corner. Heron hugs me as well and then shakes my dad’s hand. We sit in armchairs and sip bottled water.

“It’s always good to see you. But this is unexpected,” Breeze says. Her curly blonde hair is streaked with silver. Heron reaches over and takes her hand. They’ve been mates for fifty years.

“I wish this was simply a visit to see you. But there have been some recent events we need to discuss with you” my father says. “A few days ago, there was an Alpha Counsel. Your Alpha was the only one who refused to attend. But Ironcrest made some accusations against your pack.”

Their faces become solemn. Asking them to speak about pack business without their Alpha is uncouth. But they know as well as we do that Nyx wouldn’t speak with us.

I fiddle with my hands. “Zephyr claims that you are crossing his borders and testing their defenses. We know that’s not possible, but we need to know what is happening. How have things been with Ironcrest and Granite Ridge in the last few months?”

“Oh, I see,” Breeze says, looking to her mate. He rubs his thumb across her hand comfortingly.

Heron clears his throat. “What they’re saying, the opposite is true. Ironcrest has been raiding our borders, testing our patrols, even taking supplies from our storage houses.”

“Why haven’t you guys brought this to the other packs?” I ask.

“You know how Nyx is. She feels we can handle it.” Breeze says, giving me a pointed look. “So there’s nothing you can do.”

“We think Ironcrest means to fully invade, perhaps with Granite Ridge’s assistance,” my dad says, getting to the point.

“I can’t see that happening. They’re badgering us, not starting a war,” Heron says mildly.

“Do you have defenses prepared if they do?”

“It doesn’t matter. They’re just causing trouble.” Breeze turns her face away from us.

Grimacing, I lean forward, inserting myself into their argument. “But why would they make those accusations in the Alpha Counsel then?”

“To shift the blame, I suppose.” Heron answers.

“Our leaders are concerned about a possible attack,” my dad says.

“You don’t need to worry. Your help will not be accepted anyway. ”

“Heron, you have to talk to Nyx,” I beg, “Our help could mean the difference of victory or being wiped out.”

“They wouldn’t dare,” Breeze sniffs.

“But what if they do?” I press.

Breeze stands, puttering into the kitchenette. “I don’t want to talk about this any longer.”

My dad focuses on Heron. “Would you let us inspect your borders?”

“Absolutely not,” he snaps, “You won’t find anything other than the disturbances I’ve mentioned.”

“Can I speak with Nyx?” I ask.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I don’t understand why you guys would reject someone wanting to help you,” I say, frustration getting the better of me.

“We don’t need anyone’s help,” Heron says, crossing his arms.

As sweetly as I can muster, I ask, “Can you at least tell us everything in more detail? In case Ironcrest starts to harass us as well? So we know what to watch for.”

With some coaxing, my grandparents go over every detail they can think of, which, unfortunately, is not a lot. We leave disappointed and nervous.

JASPER

It’s hard to focus on Hazel’s report about patrols when my mind only wants to replay Marigold’s words, I’m always thinking about you. I don’t want to be apart.

It feels foolish to hope she’ll decide she wants something permanent. Unfortunately, I’m so far gone, I don’t think I could ever move on. This is my fault. I’m the one who decided to kiss her again.

“The strangest part is the lack of new markings along Granite Ridge,” Hazel continues. “Ironcrest has maintained their borders, but it’s not like Ferris to neglect his.”

Heath leans back in his seat. “I think we can all agree they’re acting strangely.”

“Perhaps because they are also potentially preparing to invade the Raven Pack, they are focusing their forces along that border,” Hazel says.

“It makes sense, if Ironcrest is accusing Nyx of aggression to justify their moves, Granite Ridge might choose a different tactic. In this case, keeping a low profile,” Hawthorne suggests.

Heath nods, but my stomach is in knots. I can’t tell if that edgy feeling is general anxiety about my parents’ pack, or if there’s something I’m missing.

A whiff of Marigold’s scent drifts in, and I twist to see her approaching the meeting room, Elm behind her.

“How was it?” Hazel asks, standing to pull out chairs for them. Marigold sits next to her and squeezes her friend’s hand.

Elm frowns. “Nyx refused to see us, but we were able to confirm that Ironcrest has been raiding the Raven Pack for the last six months. ”

“That’s a long time,” Slate says, brows drawing together in alarm.

“This isn’t a reactionary plan. It’s a long term strategy,” Heath agrees.

“This proves Jasper’s theory,” Marigold declares. My heart jumps. “They’re definitely manufacturing an excuse to take the Raven Pack over.”

Hawthorne locks eyes with Elm and asks, “Are you totally sure about what they said?”

“Yes. Heron and Breeze might be prickly, but they are honest.”

Hazel sighs. “So what do we do about it?” Slate grasps her hand, threading their fingers together, and she gives him a tired smile.

“They don’t want our help,” Elm says.

“So we do nothing?” Hazel protests.

Slate lifts her hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. “It definitely limits how much we can help.”

“We may be jumping ahead,” Heath says. “I should go up to see Nyx myself. She’s not unreasonable.”

“Thank you,” Elm says quietly, looking down at the table.

“We can go tomorrow. Hawthorne, please leave messages so they have a chance of expecting us. I’d like to bring this whole team. Lazuli and Cassia can manage for a morning.”

My heart rate picks up. It’s unheard of to travel without leaving a Beta behind. Heath is more concerned about this threat than I realized .

“Alpha, may I come?” Marigold asks, her voice timid. Heath nods.

Protectiveness surges in me. If she’s coming, I need her by my side. But only Slate and Hazel know about us, and Hazel isn’t exactly supportive. As if feeling my tension, Marigold glances up and meets my gaze.

Once Heath dismisses us, I follow her out of the room. I’m done pretending to be indifferent to her when we are around the rest of our pack. Taking her arm, I lean in. “I missed you this morning. You looked stunning walking into that meeting and saying my name.” At least I keep my voice low.

She runs her tongue over her lips but stays quiet.

Once inside our cabin, she halts, posture rigid. Her breath is shallow and her hands clench and unclench. I wrap my arms around her, waiting until she’s ready to tell me.

Slowly she relaxes. “I didn’t realize how serious this was. This could turn into a battle and people are going to get hurt. And I don’t think Nyx will do what it takes to stop it.” She spirals. “And I’m over here pretending you’re some hookup. Like it means nothing to me. That’s the furthest thing from the truth.”

My muscles go taut, like I’m afraid to move and spook her.

She draws a slow breath. “Unless you’re going to decide you’re done with me, I don’t see this ending. Because I don’t want to live without you.”

“I don’t either. I’ll never be done with you,” I say, the words tumbling out before my brain catches up .

“What’s wrong with me?” she says with a laugh. “We were supposed to be friends. Now I can’t function without touching you. You’re all I think about.”

Every word is what I’ve been dreaming of.

Her back hits the door as I crowd into her space. I press a hand on either side of her head so she’s trapped. “We could never have just been friends.” Her mouth opens in surprise, but I can’t stop. “I’ve been trying to resist you since I arrived. You’re my sun. You’re what I see when I close my eyes. You’ve worked your way into my soul.”

Her eyes glow a glorious shade of warm blue and her expression is hungry. All the things I’ve been imagining doing to her flood my thoughts at once.

She’s faster than I am. Hands grabbing my shoulders, she jumps on me and wraps her legs around my waist. I’m lost in her kisses. They’re urgent and needy and everything I’ve always wanted. Fire burns across my skin, maybe coming from her touch, or maybe from inside of me. I’m consumed.

Every sense falls away except her skin on mine and the sound of her breathing, the little noises she makes. Her fingers tug at my hair and her thighs tighten as I push her back into the door. I can’t get close enough.

My heart races and I can feel her’s doing the same. Every inch of skin is soft and warm as my hands rove across the swell of her breasts and down her ribs. Finally I grip her ass and pull us away from the door. She clings to me, her mouth moving to the side of my neck, her tongue licking behind my ear and then her teeth nipping my ear lobe.

As I stride toward my bedroom, she whispers, “Just to be completely clear, I’m all in. I want to see where this can go.”

Gently, I lay her down across my comforter and lean over her, my hands resting on either side of her head. “Good to know I’m not alone in this. That you feel the same.”

Her eyes meet mine for a moment. The only movement is our chests rising and falling in a chaotic rhythm. Neither of us are willing to break the spell.

Slowly, her hand comes up and brushes the hair from my eyes. Gentle fingertips skim down my cheek and jaw. I turn to kiss her palm, and her eyes flutter closed. Taking her hand, my mouth closes over her pulse point, and then down the tender, pale skin of her inner arm. Her scent is warm and sweet, like sunshine and wildflowers.

“If you told me a month ago that we would be here, doing this, I would have never believed you,” she murmurs.

“I would have,” I say, grinning as her hands pull my shirt up to expose my torso. She licks her lips as her hands trail over the ridges of my abdomen muscles. I’ve never been so grateful for athletic shifter genetics. “Like what you see?”

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. “You don’t need me to tell you how gorgeous you are.”

“It couldn’t hurt.”

She rolls her eyes. “You smug asshole. ”

“But I’m your smug asshole.” My low laugh rumbles out of me as I lower over her. “For example, you are stunning.”

She is. Her tan skin is flushed, her constellation of freckles standing out. Brightness sparkles in her lit eyes, her lips parted as a slow smile spreads across her heart-shaped face. That wavy reddish-blonde hair spreads around her in a halo. She looks like a goddess. And she’s mine.

The quilt bunches under her hands as she squirms. I could stay here with her forever like this. Well, maybe not exactly like this. I want to touch and taste all of her. Right now.

Her hands ease my shirt up and I tug it over my head, tossing it away. She lets out an appreciative hum. I bury my smile in the smooth skin of her stomach, pressing kisses across her hips to below her belly button. Quiet giggles tighten her muscles under my lips. My hands move to her hips, loving her shiver as I hold her down.

Delicately, my teeth pull her waistband down, exposing more bare skin. Maybe I forget to breathe, because I’m dizzy. Spiraling. Or perhaps it's the sparks of electricity coming off her fingers cutting grooves through my hair. Nails scratching my scalp.

She tugs impatiently, the urgency returning to her motions. Her heels push against my lower back, pushing my hips down against her and my chest against her bust. She’s lush and fits against me perfectly.

Our mouths crash together again. The difference between our first kiss and now is startling. Her tongue delves into my mouth. Bold. Demanding. I’ll give her whatever she wants.

My hand slips under her shirt. Like most shifters, she doesn’t wear a bra. There are no barriers to cup one breast and run my thumb over her nipple. She shutters and I do it again, her teeth closing down on my bottom lip in a quick bite.

“Don’t start biting unless you want me to bite back,” I warn. The words float between us like smoke. They represent everything we haven’t discussed and what could come next. If this works and she wants to make this relationship permanent, I would gladly mark her as my mate. It chains my heart to hers, keeping us together forever. Not all couples take that step. It’s shifters’ version of marriage, without the option of divorce.

She doesn’t respond. If she was nervous or scared, she’d say so. Marigold is never short on words. Her silence is confident, broken only by a moan as I draw her shirt higher and lower my mouth over her other breast.

With an insistent tug, she pulls my face back to hers. Our lips brush, press, drag, over and over until I’ve lost all sense of time. Her hands explore, but we don’t take it any further. There’s a seriousness underlying each touch. We are finally on the same page. This isn’t for fun. It’s devotion, and we both know what comes next isn’t something done on a whim.