2. Two

two

M y father and I entered the gala arm-in-arm, as we always did for an official pack function. The clouds had cleared in the short time it took me to get ready, and stars now burned brightly in the night sky, visible through the glass domed ceiling of the temple’s grand ballroom.

The band quieted until the music was nothing more than a soft orchestral hum to herald the arrival of the alpha. Pack members in black-tie attire inclined their heads as we passed. Dad patted the hand I had rested on his arm, nodding and muttering greetings as we made our way up the center aisle toward the dais.

My gaze wandered around the ballroom, taking in the decorations. Under Finneus’ watchful eye, the younger members of the pack had arranged dozens of round white-linen-covered tables, each with ten chairs and a dozen green and white roses in the center. Wall sconces provided flickering torchlight, which was more than enough illumination for shifters.

Finneus had hauled a large oil painting depicting the comets’ last passing from storage and mounted it behind the head table. Gold and green tapestries decorated the walls, all emblazoned with the Ophiuchus pack sigil—a wolf’s head on a serpent’s body. The beta had even brought out the Emerald Throne, an oversized antique chair typically reserved for very special occasions like marriage or the crowning of an heir.

My father and I ascended the ten steps up to the dais. Two young wolves—junior members of the pack from important families—hurried forward to pull out my father’s chair as well as mine on his left. The seat on Dad’s right belonged to Finneus.

The beta, followed by Penn and the Council of Elders, waited until my father and I took our places before making their own entrances and joining us on the dais. The rest of the pack remained standing around their tables until Dad raised his hand in a silent invitation to take their seats. Younger pack members hurried to fill champagne glasses for the alpha’s toast, which he gave to open every special event.

Once Dad was ready, his eyes cut to Finneus. The beta got to his feet, threw his head back, and let loose a howl that echoed off the domed ceiling and throughout the Snake Mountains the Ophiuchus called home. The pack responded as one, a chorus of wolves asking Gaia to bless our gathering.

My father joined in after several beats, his deep tambor reverberated in the ballroom and bound us as a single unit for those precious moments. People stomped their feet and beat their fists on the tables. The howls reached a crescendo and then died off abruptly. Finneus sat as Dad stood, holding his champagne flute in one hand.

“Tonight, we celebrate the passing of the Twin Comets, something that no living Ophiuchus wolf has witnessed.” My father surveyed the hundreds-strong pack of shifters under his command. “We have not only survived these last centuries, separate from our supernatural brethren, but we have also thrived, truly living by our mantra—Ophiuchus above all.”

His voice rose on the last words. I had heard the saying my entire life, yet it never failed to give me chills. The Ophiuchus had been self-sufficient for centuries. Unlike other shifters, we had no loyalty to fae and no alliances with other packs.

The crowd responded in unison. “Ophiuchus above all.”

The stomping and howls revived, with several of the males beating their tuxedo-clad chests. My gaze found Evera sitting beside her mother at a table near the dais as she rolled her eyes.

“Why?” my best friend mouthed with a toss of her dark red hair.

I swallowed the urge to laugh. Evera always snarked about how ridiculous the show of howling was, but I knew she secretly loved it when everyone gave over to their animal natures. We all did.

My father cleared his throat, and the ruckus died down at once. “Tonight’s celestial event may mark a new chapter in our illustrious history, one foretold in prophecy. A promise of peace and prosperity for the Ophiuchus.”

“Ophiuchus above all,” the pack said as one.

Pride made my father’s chest swell as he raised his champagne flute. “Tonight, we honor Gaia beneath The Twins, in the names of the first alpha couple.”

Once more, the audience repeated the phrase. My father brought the champagne to his lips and drained the glass. The rest of us followed suit as the band resumed playing.

Throughout the seven-course meal, a steady stream of pack members visited the head table to pay respect to my father. He took the time to chat with each one, rattling off questions about their children and lives, never once saying a wrong name. When they finished with Dad, most stopped to exchange pleasantries with me.

This forced small talk used to be my least favorite part of formal gatherings. Over the years, I’d come to enjoy speaking with pack members I didn’t typically encounter outside of these events. Aside from my father’s Council of Elders, the older wolves didn’t come into town much. Since completing my education, a lot of my school friends were too busy with jobs and families to hang out much.

Once the meal was finished and the small talk died down, that was when the real party started. Per tradition, my father took to the dance floor first. His gaze scanned the tables as he debated his choice of partner.

He usually selected one of the widowed wolves, and tonight was no different. Still, I was a little surprised with his pick—Evera’s mother, Grace. There had always been an odd tension between the two that dated back to before I was born. I’d heard Grace was close to both my parents growing up, but instead of becoming closer with the shared grief of my mother’s death, it tore her and Dad apart.

Finneus appeared beside my chair. “Dance with me?” His tone was brusque, like the offer was a command.

“Of course.” The pack expected it of us, so I took his hand and let him lead me away from the table to join my father and Grace. Finneus had never been great with social graces.

Evera caught my eye and then glowered in Finneus’ direction. Once upon a time, she’d had a crush on the beta. They went on one date, and he never called her again. Evera still held a grudge all these years later. It didn’t have to do with him personally so much as the rejection in general.

Finneus splayed his fingers across the small of my back and wrapped his free hand around one of mine. My skin warmed slightly beneath his touch, and I wondered if maybe I could see a future with him. He was attractive, and as far as my options went, he wasn’t the worst.

He was a technically good dancer. Every step was textbook perfect, yet he lacked grace. It made dancing with him feel almost clinical. At least he didn’t step on my feet.

More couples came to the dance floor as one song gave way to the next. Penn appeared beside us and tapped the beta’s shoulder.

“You’re needed at the southwest boundary post,” he muttered.

Finneus nodded and nudged me toward his brother. “Dance with Penn while I check on the issue.”

Penn glowered, but Finneus hurried off without another word.

“Wow, is dancing with me some kind of punishment?” I asked as Penn rested his hand on my waist.

His fingertips brushed my bare skin, his touch heating me from the inside. I told myself it was the champagne I’d drank during dinner. Penn was not the inspiration behind this sudden rush of desire.

Heat crept up my neck. Two improper thoughts about the same guy in one day was a record for me. Most failed to hold my interest beyond an initial attraction.

“It’s not you. I hate dancing,” Penn said, maneuvering us around much more inebriated couples.

He spun me beneath his arm and then pulled me close again. I rested my hand on his chest, his warmth washing over me as snowflakes landed on the glass dome above. The reverse-snow-globe atmosphere had a romantic feel that made me want to brush my mouth across Penn’s lips—just to see if they were as soft as they appeared.

“What’s going on at the boundary post?” I asked to fill the silence and drown out my increasingly graphic thoughts.

Penn shook his head, and a thick lock of blond hair fell loose from the leather tie at the nape of his neck before brushing at the corner of his dark eyelashes. “It’s nothing. Probably another false alarm. But you know Finn. He insists on investigating every potential breach himself.”

I narrowed my eyes, staring up at Penn. “What do you mean ‘another false alarm?’ Have there been others recently?”

My father and I had dinner together several nights in the past week, but he hadn’t mentioned security concerns once.

“None that turned out to be threats,” Penn said.

His words did not dispel my mounting worry.

The song changed again to something faster, more upbeat. An arm caught me by the waist and pulled me from Penn’s grip.

“Open wide!” Evera thrust a champagne bottle in my face.

I laughed and pushed the bottle back toward her. “Tempting. But if my father sees me guzzling champagne, he won’t be impressed.”

Evera shrugged and offered the bottle to Penn. “If anyone needs to unwind, it’s you,” she teased him. “You’re nearly as uptight as your brother these days.”

“I’m good,” Penn said, voice devoid of emotion.

Evera raised the bottle. “Well then here’s to the death of your personality. Remember when you used to be fun?” Without waiting for an answer, she lifted the bottle to her lips and gulped.

Penn’s expression didn’t change as he turned to me. “Excuse me. I should go see if Finn needs help.”

“You shouldn’t give him such a hard time,” I told Evera as we watched Penn go.

She nudged me toward a group of our friends on the edge of the dance floor. “He shouldn’t be so serious.”

“Is that what you say about me when I’m not around?” I teased.

Evera feigned outrage. “Please, Drake. I thought you knew me better than that. If you get boring, I’ll be the first to let you know.”

Our circle of friends made room for Evera and me.

“You wanna share that bottle, E?” Ander Wade asked, eyeing my best friend’s ample cleavage. He spared me a brief but decidedly less lecherous glance. “How are you doing tonight, D?”

I smiled. “I can’t complain.”

Evera took another swig of champagne before passing the bottle to Ander.

“I love your dress. It’s so pretty,” a small voice said from beside me. The girl had been several years behind us in school and, even in heels, she stood a head shorter.

“Thank you, Belinda. You look beautiful as well.”

The younger woman beamed, pleased I knew her name. That was just part of being the alpha’s daughter. Like my father, I knew every member of our pack, their hobbies, their strengths, and their weaknesses.

“Th-thank you, Drake,” Belinda stammered.

Ander snorted and exchanged an eye roll with the guy standing on his right, Oscar Santiago—another of my classmates from back in our school days. Evera snatched the bottle out of Ander’s grasp.

“Don’t be assholes,” she snapped.

I turned my attention back to Belinda, whose cheeks flamed with humiliation. “Where’s Donnelle tonight? I don’t believe I’ve seen him.”

Belinda tucked her brown hair behind her ears. “Oh, um, my brother is on duty. Beta Williams has all the enforcers working tonight.”

My smile froze in place. Multiple security breaches in the past week. Extra wolves patrolling our borders. None of it boded well for my nerves.

“Who wants to place bets on whether the comets are actually going to trigger this prophecy everyone is so excited about?” Ander asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Oscar had his arm around his mate, Stacey, who was one of the more docile members of our pack. “What’s the wager?” he asked.

Ander considered the question. “Let’s say, a round of drinks at Full Moon.”

Evera caught my eye but spoke to the guys. “Don’t you think betting on the prosperity of our pack is… I don’t know, tacky?”

Stacey stepped away from Oscar, a small frown on her delicate features. “I agree with Evera.” She looked at him pointedly. “Tonight is a celebration in honor of Gaia.”

Her gentle yet firm tone had the desired effect on her mate. Oscar hung his head and muttered, “You’re right, babe. You always are.”

Ander rolled his eyes and imitated cracking a whip.

Oscar tipped his chin up and pulled Stacey to his side, wrapping an arm around her waist and placing a palm on the slight curve of her belly. “I’m not ashamed of it either.”

I grinned at the happy couple. “Congratulations, you guys.”

Oscar held a finger to his lips. “Shhh. We haven’t told your father yet.”

It was customary in our pack to first gain the alpha’s blessing before announcing a pregnancy, even to family. Oscar and Stacey had bonded nearly a year ago, and I knew she’d been worried they might not conceive.

“My lips are sealed,” I promised.

Evera’s eyes lit up as realization dawned. “This is so exciting!” she squealed. “When are you due? Drake and I will plan your shower.”

Stacey covered Oscar’s hand with her own. “We have a meeting with the alpha tomorrow. Once we secure his blessing, you can start planning the party.”

Ander clapped his friend on the back, his chiseled expression devoid of snark. “Congratulations, man. I really am happy for you guys.” He raised his glass. “To the next generation of Ophiuchus wolves.”

The music changed tempo again. Ander led Belinda to the dance floor as Stacey and Oscar lost themselves in their bubble of bonded bliss.

“Did I miss something? Are Ander and Belinda dating?” I asked.

It was a little odd to find her with my friends, since she didn’t typically hang out with us.

Evera shook her head. “Nothing serious. I think they’re just messing around.”

I studied my best friend. “Are you and Ander still messing around?”

She watched him twirl Belinda beneath his arm. “No. You were right. He’s not mate material.” Evera blew out a sigh. “Let’s go get more champagne.”

We started toward the bar but only made it halfway there before we encountered Finneus. He gave Evera a cordial nod and placed a hand on my elbow.

“Drake, Basil wants you to take your seat. The comets will be visible soon.” He steered me toward the dais.

I glanced over my shoulder at Evera and called, “I’ll find you afterwards.”

The elders had already reclaimed their seats at the head table, but my father and Penn were absent. I spotted my father on the dance floor, still with Grace. They were deep in conversation, both wearing tense expressions. When the song ended, he joined us on the dais, and she returned to her table.

“It was nice of you to entertain Mrs. Mathews tonight,” I said when Dad eased down between Finneus and me.

He smiled sadly. “She was your mother’s best friend. Don’t forget that, Drake.”

“I know,” I replied, surprised he’d mention my mother twice in one evening.

Finneus leaned over and gestured to the glass ceiling. I heard the collective intake of breath, followed by the soft gasps as two streaks of light appeared among the stars.

“They’re beautiful,” I breathed.

They truly were a sight to behold. Mesmerizing, even. The celestial magic called to my wolf like nothing ever had. My two halves found a perfect balance. For a moment, I was both at once. Tears stung my eyes, though I didn’t understand why.

Dad squeezed my hand. I looked up at him. Gold blazed around his hazel irises.

“I love you, Drake,” he whispered.

My father, Finneus, and I stood. This time, Dad started the howl. I counted to five in my head, and then turned to catch the beta’s eyes so we could join in together at the right moment. But Finneus was looking at my father instead of me. He leaned over to speak directly in Dad’s ear. My wolf hearing still detected his words.

“One warrior must fall so the true warrior can rise,” he hissed.

The metal blade reflected the light from the twin flames hurdling overhead for a split second before Finneus plunged the dagger into my father’s chest.