Chapter 15 - Senna

There was so much commotion and celebration after Kaiden came back with the stag, I was actually a bit shocked by how much the entire clan came together to boost up the potential beta's energy. He was carried around on shoulders, playfully ribbed. Kenzie, apparently his sister, had joked the most, commenting on his poker skills—or lack thereof.

She had been so wonderful to talk to. Of course, it started with me just thanking her for the clothes, but she proved to be a very aggressive friend maker. Which was actually perfect, considering how gun-shy I felt.

"Hello! Ugh, you look great. So much better than those rags you came in," she"d said, her voice was gentle and relaxed.

"Oh, well, thank you, MacKenzie, for lending them to me. I'm sure Jet will let me get my own soon, but I appreciate these for now."

She nudged me, rolling her eyes. "One, it's just Kenzie. And two, yeah, I'm pretty sure the old grump would let you do anything. He appears to be thoroughly wrapped around your finger."

My cheeks heated, and I ducked my eyes down to the floor. "Oh, well, he's just…you know, being nice."

"Dude, I'm not blind. I know he's yours. After last night? Yeah, and don't worry. I'm not going to spread it around. That's your guys' news."

My shoulders sagged. "Oh, thank you. I…I appreciate that. This is all very new to me."

"Yeah, Terrance seems like a dick. I still can't believe he just offered you up to be bred and killed. Douche."

I couldn't help but laugh at that one. "Ha! Yeah, that's accurate. He was more of a rules-by-fear-and-violence type of alpha."

"That does not surprise me." Kenzie smiled softly, putting a hand on my upper arm. "Well, I'm here for you, too. And I'd like to—well, shit, there's no polite way to say it. I'd like to check you out medically after being in such a crap situation for so long. That heat right after an excommunication? Yeah, we need to make sure you're okay."

That warmth in my cheeks flared. "Umm, I've never…I've never had an examination, so I don't know what—well, what's going on in there, I guess."

"I promise you, you'll be in good hands."

The loud creak of the door across from Jet's bed knocked me out of my thoughts, and I looked up to see him coming into the room with that charming grin of his.

"Hey there." His voice was low and rough.

He hurried across the room, damn near tackling me to the bed. I giggled as I fell back with an oomph, and Jet immediately plastered kisses to my lips and neck, nipping gently.

"Well, hi. You're in a good mood," I struggled to speak around the blooming arousal that heated my blood.

"I am, and Gods, I'm ravenous for you, sweetness." Jet's hands roamed over my body, his fingers finding my nipples and pinching as he towered over me.

"Ugh." I arched up into his grip, hissing at the slight pain that bled into pleasure. "Jet, I'm not saying no, but, oh Gods, do you think we should actually eat, too?"

He smiles down at me, releasing his hold and then lowering his lips to mine.

"Yes. That's actually what I came up to tell you. I've arranged a dinner downstairs in my private study. Just you and me."

Sitting up, I eyed him, my lips still burning from where he'd kissed me so feverishly.

"Won't the pack be upset about the alpha not joining them for dinner?"

Jet shook his head. "Not this time. They understand that I want to take some time to get to know you."

My heart swelled, that growing connection of our mate bond blossoming further. "I'd love that, Jet. Thank you."

I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by the kindness and adoration I was being shown. It was so damn different, but I'd also be a liar if I said I wasn't thoroughly enjoying it.

"Well, then. Let's go."

Pulling me up from the bed, Jet pressed me against his chest first, wrapping his arms around me and breathing in my scent. I did the same, burying my nose in his flannel shirt and nearly salivating over the incredible pine and leather smell. It had always been a bit of an aphrodisiac, but now that we were mated, it was like crack or something.

I was so hopelessly addicted to this incredible alpha.

As we separated, Jet took my hand and led me down the stairs to his study. Inside, a fire was crackling in a large hearth and the walls were lined with shelves and shelves of books. I could sense that leather-binding smell in the air beyond the scent of freshly cooked venison, and it coated me like a warm blanket.

A smaller table had been set up just in front of Jet's desk, and it was covered with plates piled high with food. Venison from the stag Kaiden caught, vegetables smelling of cozy herbs, bread, and a bottle of wine with two glasses created a tempting sight and aroma.

"Oh my Gods, this looks incredible."

Hurrying over to my chair, Jet tucked me in, and I smiled graciously at him as he took a seat across from me. He reached for the wine first, pouring it into the two glasses and giving me one.

"Cheers, sweetness." His grin gleamed in the low light.

"To what?" I smirked.

"To getting this back. To claiming our mate bond. To…this."

My eyes burned, and I struggled through a swallow to keep myself from outright crying. This was a kindness I'd never known.

"Okay." I raised my glass, clinking it against Jet's. "I…I"m not sure if I'm going to wake up from this. If it's all just a dream."

Jet laughed, reaching across the table to take my hand. "I get that. But I'm here. It's as real as it gets."

I sighed, my heart swelling to damn near bursting. "All right, all right. Let's eat before I look like an idiot for crying all over the place."

Rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand, Jet just smiled, shaking his head. "You could never look like an idiot to me."

"Damn it, Jet!" I sniffled. "I'm trying really hard to look cool here, and you're being way too sweet. Go on, say something to distract me."

His deep, sexy chuckle sang through the air, and then Jet's eyes darkened as he raked his stare across me.

"Does mentioning that I'm going to fuck you until you pass out when we're done here?"

I nearly choked on my wine, my thighs clenching as I recovered.

"Yes. Yes, it does."

Giggling at him, I shook my head and then started in on the food, but then I stilled. "Or am I supposed to wait for you?"

"Dig in, sweetness. I'll never make you wait for something you want."

The comment was dripping with innuendo, and it further helped to get me feeling less emotional. I was, of course, quite horny now, but that seemed to be a permanent state with Jet around.

Shaking my head again, I cut a piece of the meat for myself and then looked up at Jet before taking a bite.

"So, why don't you tell me more about what I can expect while I stuff my face?"

He chuckled again and offered me a nod. "Sure, okay. Well, you've likely already guessed that all the wolves here are fully pack-claimed. My ancestors, great greats way back, started the clan, and nearly all of the original families who joined with them are still a part of the pack."

I hummed thoughtfully, which turned into a moan of enjoyment as I tasted the delicious venison and vegetables.

"Terrance took over the pack from the previous alpha. I was a child back then, so I don't really remember what it was like before him."

Jet scoffed. "The fact that he managed such a feat should be impressive, but I'm sure he fought dirty. I'd challenge him myself, take over the Collins pack to join it with the Edwards, if it wouldn't cost so many lives to do so. Wolves are already running so thin."

A reverberating sorrow threaded through both of us, meeting in the middle of our bond.

"I'd hoped it wasn't so widespread. But it sounds like the Edwards are dealing with it too, then?"

Sobering, Jet took a quick sip of his wine. "Not just the Edwards. I've had scouts communicate with other packs. I have friends among the other alphas in surrounding territories. It's rampant everywhere. Honestly, it's probably the only reason Terrance thought you'd pass as a suitable trade. If you couldn't be bred, we were supposed to just kill you, but if you could, it would be a decent boon to the pack."

Looking down at the table, I shrugged lightly. "Just didn't tell you about the no wolf part."

"No." Jet laughed sarcastically. "He didn't know we'd met. Or that you were my mate, his dirty trick softened by the reality of our connection."

More of what Jet had said clicked, and I realized that I'd never heard Terrance speak fondly of any other packs.

"You have other alphas who you're friends with? That's a surprise."

Jet cocked his head. "Really? Well, I guess that makes sense, considering it's Terrance. But yes. I've known several of them for years. We meet up somewhat regularly to update the others, keep the flow of information circulating, and, you know, drink. We do that a lot."

I laughed, nodding at him as Jet looked down at his food. He seemed deep in the well of his memory, but the ones he found there appeared to be quite happy, and a tiny burst of envy hit me.

He looked up at me, sensing the emotion. "I'll introduce you to them. I'm sure they'll be happy to meet the mate that's finally getting me to settle down."

I smiled and ate more of the wonderful dinner the pack had prepared for us, and my mind circled back to that vision. I hadn't told Jet about it, and I still didn't know if it was actually anything to be worried about. It could still very much just be my fear.

"Still, you're hardly the first person to be born without a wolf. It's not as taboo in civilized packs."

My fork clattered to the plate as I gaped up at Jet.

"What?"

Pounding. My heart was furiously pounding as what Jet said sank in. He could sense it through the bond, and at once, he was at my side, kneeling on the floor.

"Senna," he took my hands, "please, sweetness, what's wrong?"

"There were other shifters born without wolves? It's known about?" My gut tightened, and my eyes burned.

"Yes. It's been recorded throughout the pack's history. Other packs as well, I'm sure. Terrance never told you this?"

I shook my head as it spun faster and faster. "No, he…he said I was an abomination."

Suddenly, Jet's arms surrounded me, holding me close to his chest as he knelt between my legs.

"You are not an abomination." He leaned back to stare into my eyes. "Rare, yes. But not something foul or broken. It usually…Gods, I don't want to overwhelm you."

A sarcastic laugh bit through me. "It's a little late for that. By all means, pile on."

"It's usually accompanied by a different ability. You may not be able to shift into a wolf and have that spirit residing in you, but you're still touched by magic. In some ways, V?lva are more powerful than wolves. No gift is the same."

"V?lva?" I cocked a brow at Jet, the word feeling too good on my tongue. Like I somehow knew it…inside me.

"Magic users. I'm not well-versed in all the legends. I'm sorry. But," Jet stood up, still holding my hands, "the documents are in my library. Here."

He gestured to the shelves, looking around at the ancient tomes.

"And in the larger one in the basement."

Silence slipped over us as we sat there across from each other again, and I just stared at my food. Everything I'd been taught, the lies from Terrance…I wasn't broken. I wasn't some mistake of genetics. I was something else.

A V?lva.