18. Cannon

“I guessshe’s right to be annoyed with us.” I looked at Kris with expectation. “After all, it does seem like a crazy idea when you say it out loud.”

“You saying you learned nothing from it?”

“I’m saying that it wasn’t worth the price.” Looking over my shoulder to my bedroom door, I turned back to Kris with a raised eyebrow. “I really wanted to sleep in bed with my mate tonight.”

Kris grinned as he walked away towards the bedroom where his own mate slept. “You’re mated to my sister. Trust me, this won’t be the first night that you spend locked out of your bedroom.”

The door closed behind him as he walked into his bedroom, leaving me in the hallway, alone. Glancing at my bedroom door, I thought about knocking, but in the end, I opted to go downstairs. If I was honest with myself, I understood where Kezia’s temper had come from. The idea to get her to open up and talk about the last few weeks with Landon had been Kris’s idea, and I knew she had held back from telling me it all, but the way we had gotten her to open up…yeah, I’d be pissed too.

In the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of juice and drank it while looking at the ceiling, hoping my mate saw it in her heart to forgive me for being…me. When Kris suggested that he talk to his sister, I was offended. The idea that my mate wouldn’t open up to me was abhorrent. Kezia and I had been through a lot together, we’d just completed the mate bond, and there were supposed to be no secrets between us.

But then Kris reminded me of who my mate was.

Kezia was stubborn and loyal. Although Landon had duped her, she would still protect him because she was a good person. Kris argued that she would only open to someone who knew the twins as well as she did. Enter the ridiculous idea of having an open phone line so I could hear everything that she said firsthand.

And it worked—I never knew about her reservations regarding her friend or the liberties he took with touching her. She wouldn’t have approved of that. Kezia may have resisted our bond, but she was my mate, and that meant something to her.

I meant something to her.

Realizing what a fool I had been to listen to her brother, I contemplated creeping into the room and asking for forgiveness. But I knew my mate well. She would be more likely to punch first and listen later.

Resigned to a sleepless night, I headed to the study. If I was going to be up all night, I could be productive.

In the study, I pulled old books from the shelves that chronicled our ancestors and pack laws. I needed to know every detail about our Pack Council and find evidence to demonstrate that Bale had them in his pocket.

With every turn of the page, my determination grew stronger as I delved deeper into the rich history of pack law. A weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, because exposing Bale’s manipulation wasn’t just about justice for Kezia—it was about preserving the integrity of pack governance. With each crisp page I poured over, I unearthed clues and insights into the intricate workings of our Pack Council. As I read each word, my determination to confront Bale and the Pack Council grew stronger, driven by the desire to reclaim the autonomy that rightfully belonged to us.

Sitting back in the chair, I felt doubt begin to gnaw at the edges of my resolve. With each new discovery, the burden of responsibility seemed to weigh even heavier, leaving me uncertain about my capability to challenge Bale’s actions. The Pack Council was law, and to challenge that and their integrity left me feeling torn between my duty to my pack and the fear of the consequences of my actions. Despite my determination to do the right thing, self-doubt lingered like a shadow, threatening to undermine my resolve at every turn. I knew that by not acting, I was letting my pack down, my mate down and myself. Turning back was not an option. I had to see this through, no matter the personal cost, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t fear the consequences.

“You look lost.”

Looking up, I saw Kezia in the doorway, watching me. She was in simple cotton sleep shorts and a black tank that sculpted her body, highlighting how frail and thin she looked. Her white-blonde hair was harsh against her pale skin, making her appear frailer than she was.

“You should be sleeping,” I countered, watching her as she closed the door behind her, the spell enclosing us in privacy.

“The bed is too big without you.”

“You were the one who said I couldn’t sleep there,” I reminded her.

“You were the one who fucked up,” she reminded me simply, walking across the floor. She took the seat nearest me. “What’s with all the reading?”

“Pack law.” I flicked through a book beside me, opened it to the page I had marked, and handed it to her. “I remembered most of it, but there were some intricacies that even I forgot.”

Kezia took the book from me, her frown deepening as she read.

I spoke to her as she read. “I’ve been digging into pack history, trying to find evidence to expose Bale’s control over the Council. But the more I uncover, the more I realize how deep his influence runs. Confronting the Pack Council might lead to…repercussions.”

“Repercussions? What kind of repercussions?”

“Well, for one, they could deny it all, I could prove nothing, and they could exile us.”

Kezia looked up at me as I spoke. “They can try to do that, but even if they do, our voice will have been heard, and other packs will listen and ask questions.”

“You think it’s that simple?”

“No, none of this is simple. It’s a shitshow. Fighting Bale and his love of silver torture is one thing, but challenging the Pack Council for being corrupt is a whole other level.” She got to her feet and walked over to me. “It’s a level that needs to be confronted though, and I can’t think of anyone better suited to the task.”

I drew her nearer, settling her between my legs, feeling her warmth against my skin. With each upward stroke of my hands along the back of her legs, I paid special attention to the gentle caress of my thumbs against the skin beneath her buttocks, causing her to let out a small gasp.

“And if I am exiled?”

“Then we’ll be exiled together. But it won’t come to that. I believe you will win this fight.”

Looking up at her, I found strength in her unwavering belief in me. I felt undeserving of it, unsure of how I had earned her trust after everything I had done to her, yet seeing it swelled me with pride.

“I don’t think I deserve you.”

“I know.” She smiled down at me, her fingers stroking through my hair. “You could have had such an easier time if you had stuck with someone like Koda.”

With a growl, I picked her off her feet, and laying her down across the couch, I climbed on top of her. “You are the only one I want,” I reminded her. “I don’t want easy, I don’t want complacent, I don’t want a mindless fool who agrees with everything I say.” Peppering her jaw with kisses, I nibbled on her ear. “I want you. Someone who challenges me, who tells me when I’m being a dick?—”

“So, you admit you’re a dick?”

Grinning, I hid my smile against the crook of her neck. “I admit that you make me act like a dick.”

Kezia’s fingers tightened in my hair. Tugging my head upwards, she scowled at me playfully. “I think you’re a dick even without me.”

Kissing her roughly, I groaned into her mouth when my mate took my cock in her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Is this my punishment?” I asked as she began to work me over slowly.

“No. It’s my pleasure,” she whispered against my lips. “You’re just the tool I’m using to get off.”

“Is that right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Kezia wiggled underneath me, and somehow, I was on my back and she was on top, pulling my pants down, freeing my cock. I had no control when she ran her tongue over the length of me. Looking down, I watched as she took the head of my cock into her mouth and sucked. Desire raced through my veins as I watched my mate fuck her mouth with my length. Kezia opened her eyes and met my stare, her hunger evident as she worked her tongue over me.

“Fuck, Kezia, I need inside you.”

Pulling herself off me, she used her hand to maintain a steady rhythm that made me weak. “No. You come like this or not at all.”

The dominance in her tone made my balls quiver. “I’m going to come too soon,” I muttered even as her mouth enveloped my cock once more. A gentle tug on my balls, and I started pumping into her wet and willing mouth. “Fuck, Kezia, I don’t want to know where you learned these skills.” My fingers threaded into her hair, gripping her hair tight as my mate worshipped my cock.

Teeth nipped at the base of me gently and then scraped over the length of me, and it was the last straw. With a twist of her hand and a final hard suck, I erupted into her mouth. Waves of pleasure coursed through me as Kezia swallowed me down.

When my breathing was normal again, I opened my eyes to see her cleaning the head of my cock with her tongue, a smug look in her eyes as she watched me. Tucking me back into my boxers, she got off me and stood over me.

“You taste delicious.” Kezia laughed as she danced away from me when I tried to grab her. “Nuh-uh! I told you, it was for my pleasure, not yours.”

“I just had my pleasure right down your throat,” I reminded her. “Let me return the favor.”

With one arm outstretched to hold me back, Kezia shook her head playfully. “No. You were a dick, and I told you, this was all about me.” Her smile faltered a little when she looked away from me. “Was it…okay?”

“It was better than okay.” Moving forward, I caught her hand, our fingers linking almost automatically. “I was your first time?”

“You are all of my firsts.”

Fuck if that didn’t make my chest puff out like a peacock. Kissing her hard, I worked my hands under her sleep shorts. “Let me fuck you, Kezia,” I whispered between kisses. “I want to hear you scream as I make you come.”

“You’re a narcissist,” Kezia gasped as I slid a finger through her wetness. “You just want to hear me scream your name.”

Stroking her clit, I nipped her bottom lip. “I do. It’s the only thing I want to hear as I fuck you. You begging me for more as you come all over me.”

Kezia’s head tilted backwards as my fingers picked up their pace. “Luna, help me,” she groaned when I slid a finger inside her. “You have such a dirty mouth.”

“You love it.” Kissing along her collarbone, I resisted the urge to rip her clothes off her. “Say yes,” I pleaded, prepared to take her shorts off, but she stepped back.

Panting, Kezia shook her head. “No. I told you, this is your punishment.” Backing away, she watched me lick my fingers clean of her essence.

“You sure it’s me that’s being punished?”

Kezia nodded. “Yes, you will stay here and think about your actions”—I watched as she fumbled for the door handle—“knowing that I’m upstairs, out of reach, getting myself off.”

Growling, I stepped forward, halted by her hand raised to stop me. “Kezia…”

“No. You don’t get to be all growly and possessive. You want me? Well, tonight you can’t have me.” She smiled wickedly. “I realize this may not be the best way to communicate, but you pissed me off earlier, and now it’s your turn to be frustrated.” She slipped her hand under her shorts, and I could smell her arousal as her eyelashes fluttered, her tongue wetting her lip. When I stepped forward, she backed up. “Not tonight,” she warned, teasingly.

With a light laugh, she turned and left the study, closing the door firmly behind her, leaving me lusting after her like a newly whelped pup.

Alone in the study, I had no choice but to respect my mate and go back to the books. I hadn’t lied to her. We really could be exiled and shunned from pack life if things went badly.

Within all packs, the Council held sway, a body of thirteen esteemed members entrusted with the governance of our community. Their authority was absolute, their decisions binding, as they upheld the ancient laws passed down through generations. Our pack’s existence revolved around these time-honored laws, which shaped everything from resource distribution to conflict resolution and the preservation of harmony. To challenge the Council was to challenge the very foundation of our pack’s unity, a risk few dared to take lightly. Yet, beneath the surface of said unity, I’d heard whispers of discontent, fueled by suspicions of corruption and manipulation, and I hadn’t paid them any mind, too intent I had been on wrestling control of this pack from my father.

As I explored the history records, I felt even more determined to uncover the secrets hidden in the Council’s meetings. I knew that revealing these secrets was crucial for securing our pack’s future. Not just my pack, but all packs.

When the first rays of daylight pierced through the night’s darkness, I leaned back in my seat, feeling the exhaustion wash over me. The path in front of us was a long one. Or, I could bypass all traditions and openly challenge them. It was a crude method, but it meant I could get results quicker.

Or banished quicker.

The outcome wasn’t guaranteed.

But then when did a fight ever have a guaranteed outcome?

The door to the study slid open, and I watched quietly as the shaman walked into the room, closing the door behind him.

“You smell of rebellion.”

I didn’t hide my grin. “I should, I’ve been planning one all night.”

The old man nodded as he took a seat. “What have you planned so far?” When I hesitated, I saw his frown. “My loyalty is to the packs,” he reminded me.

“It wasn’t your loyalty I was thinking of,” I answered honestly. “It was whether or not I was ready to share my rather desperate plan.”

“Saying it out loud makes it real,” he said with a knowing smile.

“You know it.”

“Try it anyway,” he encouraged.

“I need to overthrow the Pack Council. I was merely going to highlight their corruption, but it needs to be more than that.” When the shaman nodded, I continued. “To overcome the power of the Pack Council, I need a comprehensive strategy. My first task is to gather evidence of the Council’s corruption and manipulation. This must be irrefutable. Next, I need to build alliances with other packs. Knowing who else thinks like I do is crucial. If I can rally them behind a common vision for change, I think others will be more receptive to my message. A strategic communication plan is necessary to effectively address the Council’s misconduct and call into question its legitimacy, highlighting their wrongdoing.”

Seeing the shaman was still listening, I continued. “I’ll talk to influential pack members who agree with me and get their help to push for change from inside the packs. I’ll also need to have contingency plans ready to tackle any resistance that may arise, which may mean mobilizing support from nearby packs and asking them to fight.” I sighed loudly. “And to navigate this effectively, I need to demonstrate transparent and accountable leadership, which I thought I had until the moment you put a white-haired female in front of me, and then I become irrational.”

“Sounds like a good strategic plan.”

“But?”

“A plan like that takes time.” The shaman may be hindered in sight, but still, his gaze felt piercing.

“Time we don’t have.”

“Agreed.”

Running my hand through my hair, I sighed loudly. “I have an alternative plan.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“We go in, take out Bale’s pack, gather whatever evidence we can find, and when the Council comes asking for answers, we deal with them then.”

“Risky.”

“Yeah.”

“I like it.”

I grinned. “So do I.”

In the early hours of the morning, I joined my mate in bed. Feeling the warmth of her body against mine brought me a peace I never knew I needed. While Kezia slept in my embrace, her muttered words about me cheating couldn’t dampen my contentment as I held her close. She nuzzled against me, seeking comfort, and soon returned to her deep slumber.

This was what I was fighting for. My mate’s freedom. Knowing what Bale had done to her, had been about to do to her, and what he had done to others, it was time to put a stop to it all.

Kezia deserved better, all pack members did. No matter how I waged this war, there was no point denying it anymore, the time to fight was now.