Chapter Five #3
Cheers went up, and I knew what was expected of me.
I took a step forward. “Pack, I know traditionally this ceremony takes place in front of the whole pack along with my mating, and we will have a celebration at the next moon.” I heard the murmurs of approval that I’d kept some traditions.
“But the current situation is so urgent we cannot wait any longer, and I hereby ask the following shifters to be my betas.”
I took a breath. “Simeon O’Mara, you have served my father faithfully for over thirty years. I would be honored for you to remain as an advisor—” I paused, knowing what he expected me to say. “For an indefinite period.”
I saw the beta blink in shock. The maximum period was usually a year and then often in name only.
The new alpha usually wanted to sweep away the old regime.
I wanted some of that, but not all. I’d butted heads with Simeon for the past few years, but it kept me on my toes.
Now, when the packs were facing their greatest challenge, wasn’t the time to make petty decisions just because I could.
I turned and smiled at my dad. “We have discussed this, but now more than ever is when I’ll need your council and your wisdom, and I would be honored if you would be my beta. ”
I saw the nods of approval and smiled to myself. The older wolves didn’t know I was merely softening them up for what they would consider a grave injustice.
Tough.
“Nicholas Davis and Matthew Rasine.”
The two wolves both nodded, also expecting to be asked.
“And finally, I’m to name my beta commander.” I looked toward the back of the barn where some of the she-wolves sat. “Isla Olsen, would you please join me?”
Bayer’s sister rose and walked calmly towards where my father and I stood.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Micah Olsen stood immediately.
I ignored him, and the murmurs rose again.
I waited until Isla stood in front of me.
It was a shame, really. A shame I didn’t feel more than friendship and admiration for the strong young woman who stood in front of me.
I would battle the inter-species mating racism in a heartbeat for her.
She was a warrior worthy of the title of alpha, and her father and all the other shifters who despised the idea of a she-wolf or a she-bear being an alpha would do more damage to our existence than maybe even the silver-skins would.
“Isla Olsen, daughter of Micah and sister of Alpha Heir Bayer, it is my will to pronounce you my beta commander.” The shouts of outrage rose from the bears, but I ignored them. “Do you agree?”
Micah was already on his feet, as was all the row of bear shifters he had with him. Bayer’s eyes gleamed with approval and admiration as he was the only bear shifter still sitting down.
Isla knelt. It was a show of loyalty and obedience one shifter species never made to another, and every voice in the barn fell silent. A heartbeat passed.
“I am honored and pledge my life to yours,” Isla murmured, and I took her hand and urged her to stand.
“Isla,” Micah thundered. “Agree to this abomination and you are dead to me.”
Isla glanced at her father with a barely-there interested look. “I’ve been dead to you since I reached twenty-five and never had my first heat.” She looked at Bayer sympathetically, and I knew she was apologizing for leaving him to cope with the aftermath.
Micah growled long and low, and there were a few shifters who backed away from him.
He barely gave his son and betas a glance.
“We’re leaving.” Then he did look at Bayer.
“And I hereby ban any bear shifters from setting foot onto Silver Lakes pack lands.” It wasn’t unexpected, but I had hoped.
Isla glanced back at me as if checking I wasn’t about to change my mind, but I shook my head imperceptibly.
We had greater things to worry about, and there were other places I could meet Bayer. The gesture was an empty one.
Surrounded by my betas, we accepted the pack’s congratulations, and I called my first council meeting for tomorrow. The wolves dispersed, and I looked over at Dad, ready to go home, just as Esther stood in front of me.
“Phoenix.” She clapped her hands in delight. “I’m so happy for you.”
I huffed. “It was hardly a surprise.”
She tilted her head to one side and studied my face. “You know I don’t mean your succession.”
I flushed. Good God, please don’t say we were actually going to have a conversation about me sleeping with a human. I knew Esther approved of me not mating a she-wolf just for the sake of it, but surely she didn’t think I would be careless.
“I mean,” Esther stressed. “How completely thrilled you must be to find a mate.” She shook her head when I frowned. “Your scents are compatible. I knew that immediately, and that can only come from a mating blessed by the goddess.”
I really didn’t want to disabuse her, but then she leaned in closer, and her eyes widened. “You haven’t mated.”
“Esther—” I started trying to extract myself from what would be an embarrassing conversation.
“Phoenix?” Esther interrupted. “Where is she?”
I sighed, lowering my voice, but Kaylan was talking to my father. “He’s at his home. He’s a human.” As if that explained everything.
Esther paled. “You must go get him. He’s not safe.”
My father must have heard because they both came over. “Son?”
I squirmed.
Esther grabbed my arm. “Listen to me very carefully. I don’t know who he is, but if he isn’t somewhere the pack can keep him safe, you’re risking his life.”
“What?” And suddenly Esther had all of my attention.
“If I’m correct, he’s your blood mate. His scent makes it obvious to any shifter—or any immortal—exactly who he is, which puts a huge target on him.”
I shook my head and felt the color rising up my neck. “Esther, I said him.”
She tightened her fingers. “My hearing is fine. It’s yours that’s the problem. Phoenix, the easiest way to decimate this pack is to kill you. The easiest way to destroy you is to kill him.”
Esther’s warning finally got through to me. Target. Kill. Kill him. I was running for Kaylan’s truck before I’d taken another breath.