31. Admission
31
ADMISSION
*Kieran*
After a tearful reunion with her mother, Blanca–I mean Raven–is taken outside to meet the rest of the pack. I tag along in awe of everything I’m seeing. Unlike my mate, I’ve known my parents my whole life, and I’ve always felt like they loved me. But after seeing this, I’m beginning to realize I’m not sure I know what parental love looks like. At least, not until now.
Delaney doesn’t stop crying the entire time she is speaking to her people. She calls them all to gather in a central area that is a little larger than the other tunnels, and when a great mass of them has congregated, she tells them all what she has discovered. The girl who climbed down the ladder a bit ago is her daughter–Princess Raven–the girl that disappeared twenty-one years ago.
At first, a hush falls over everyone. They’re obviously surprised, and I have to think they also wonder if Delaney has lost her mind. How does she know this? What if this girl is lying? But then, the woman from earlier, whom I’ve now learned is Raven’s aunt, Nola, steps forward and says, “You look so much like your mother–with your father’s eyes.” Then, the crowd erupts with discussion of just how true that statement is.
Next, everyone wants to come and give her a hug and welcome her to the pack. This takes some time, and while I gain several curious glances, no one really speaks to me. I’m just fine with that. As much as I am proud of Raven and happy for her, I am not really a part of this. If I open my mouth too much, I’m bound to slip up again, so it’s best if I just stay in the background.
Every once in a while, Raven turns to look at me, and we share a smile. This warms my heart in a way I’ve never experienced until now.
“What of King Cole?” someone finally asks. “If we have the princess back, does that mean he is still a prisoner?”
“He is,” the Luna Queen says with a quiver of sadness in her voice. “I believe he was staying there because he wanted to protect Raven.”
“We should storm the castle!” someone in the back shouts. “It’s time those bastards felt the wrath for what they’ve done to us!”
Others in the crowd shout in agreement, but the Luna quickly calms them. “No, no, we can’t do that,” she tells them. “While I know how badly all of you want vengeance for our losses, we are not strong enough to stand up to King Gavin right now. His army is full of fierce warriors. Besides, he always uses underhanded tactics that would never cross our minds to guard against.”
A pinprick of offense springs to life in my gut because it’s natural for me to want to defend my father, but then I remember that she’s absolutely right, and I nod along with the others who realize their Luna knows what she’s talking about.
“How do we free our king?” someone else shouts. “We need him back!”
“Yes, King Blake would know what to do!” another person agrees.
“Now that Raven has escaped the clutches of King Gavin, I have no doubt that our Alpha King will return to us soon,” Luna Delaney says, her voice loud enough to be heard over everyone else. “Let’s give him some time.”
“I’m going back to help him.” The words slip from my lips before I am even prepared to hear them. Everyone is suddenly looking at me, including Raven and her mother. I clear my throat and wonder if I should say more. Since there’s not another sound in the wide open space, I feel compelled to continue. “I’ll make sure he is able to return here.”
Raven gives me a grateful smile while her mother looks surprised. Then, someone shouts a question I don’t think I can answer. “How?” he says. “How can you do that?”
Raven shakes her head slightly, a warning not to tell them the truth. I think for a moment before I say, “King Gavin trusts me. He’s known me… my whole life. I can do what it takes to help your Alpha King escape.”
“He’s known you your whole life?” Nola repeats with a chuckle. “All of twenty-one years then? Little pup.”
“Nola,” Delaney chastises. “Keery has said he will be helping Cole return to us. Let’s support that. We know, as much as anyone, what it’s like to have your mate stolen away from you. In order for Keery to help us, he will have to leave Raven behind. That’s difficult for anyone, especially newly found mates.” Then, she turns to her daughter, a fearful expression in her eyes. “You are staying with us, aren’t you?”
Raven nods, and her mother looks relieved while I feel my heart break in pieces–even though I knew that. Still, the thought of being away from her is physically painful.
“Let us celebrate!” Delaney shouts. “We shall have a traditional pack feast!”
Cheers go up and then everyone heads out to prepare said-feast. I have no idea what this will entail, but I’m starving having only eaten a few fish over the past few days. Nola whisks her niece away, telling Raven she’s going to teach her how to cook a fatted pig in the way traditional to their people. Raven’s dark eyes meet mine, and then she’s gone. I try to follow after her, but before I can take more than a step, my way is blocked.
I look up into Delaney’s dark eyes. “I think we need to have a chat–Keery.”
Swallowing hard, I nod. This woman commands this entire pack. If she wants to speak to me, I have little choice. I just hope I don’t say anything to anger her or give away my true identity.
She makes a sweeping gesture with her arm which implies I should start walking back to her house, so I do. She falls into stride next to me, and soon we are back in her meager dwelling.
I sit in the same chair I occupied before, and she takes the one Raven had been sitting in before. “Now, Keery Lightmanguy, tell me who you really are.”
I stare at her for a moment, wondering what my chances are of pulling one over on her. This is Raven’s mother, and if there’s one thing I do know about my mate, it’s that she’s smart as a whip. The look she’s giving me tells me that I may as well not try to lie.
Yet, I can’t tell her the truth without talking to Raven first, so I find myself stammering. “Wh-what do you mean?”
“I mean… my daughter is a princess. You are her fated mate. There’s no way in hell the Moon Goddess would match her with just anyone. You must be someone important in your kingdom, especially if you have the ear of the king. Who are you–Keery Lightmanguy?”
“I’m… a noble,” I tell her, hoping that’s sufficient. She doesn’t blink. “I’ve lived in the castle my whole life. My parents are very important in the kingdom.”
“Yes,” she replies. “Go on.”
I shrug as if there’s nothing else to say. “That’s it, really.”
“No, it’s not. Who are your parents?”
“Uhm, royals,” I finally say. “They’re of royal blood.”
She nods, and I wonder if maybe I’ve already said too much. There are royals who are not the king and queen–like my aunts and uncles and their families. Remarkably, she doesn’t press me further. “Do you love my daughter?”
“I do.” The words surprise me, but I try not to react in a way that will not let her know that. Even though it’s the first time I’ve admitted it, even to myself, I know it’s true.
Raven is my mate. She’s a beautiful soul, inside and out, and I am the biggest dick alive for not noticing any of this before, but I intend to make it up to her, even if it takes me the rest of my life.
Even if it costs me my life, for that matter.
“Very well then,” Delaney says dismissively. “If that’s the case, then come with me.” She stands and starts walking out the door.
I blink a few times, not sure what’s going on, but what choice do I have? I follow her out the door wondering if I’ll be called on to give up my life more quickly than planned.