Chapter Twenty
Phoenix
I hadn’t meant to listen, but I didn’t regret it.
I could easily tune things out. I had to or I would go crazy, but Emery was mine, and the expression on his face as I came into the café had my wolf sitting up and taking notice.
I saw an odd family dynamic. My wolf saw and smelled a threat to our mate.
I got Nicholas to drop us at home, and then he took the truck to finish loading the gear we needed for the job tomorrow. I still didn’t know what to say to Emery. It was like we were in a holding pattern. Wolves were simple. They recognized their mates. Humans not so much.
Emery went in the direction of the bedrooms, and I went to grab a couple of bottles of water from the kitchen. Dad came out of his office.
“Son.” He smiled. “Just stopping in for some clothes and a couple of books.”
I sighed guiltily. “I don’t like chasing you out of your home.”
“I’m good. You two need to be alone for a while, but I wanted to tell you I’d heard from the Curtis River pack. They’re on their way to trade and pay their respects to you. Should be here shortly.”
I nodded, but I really didn’t need them today. Dad squeezed my shoulder and left. I got the water and went to see where Emery was.
He was standing in the nursery space. Just silently gazing at the room. “This is so big because other pack children came here, didn’t they?”
“Yes,” I said, wondering where Emery was going with this. “When I was little, there were generally around twenty of us, but my grandad told me they used to have double that in his time. Our pack is so much smaller.”
“How close is your nearest pack?”
“Wolves?”
Emery shrugged. “I suppose.”
“Four hundred miles, give or take.”
Emery’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a big area. Do you speak to them?”
I walked into the room, needing to be closer.
Emery took my hand and led me through the open doors into the playroom that overlooked the gardens and the forest. He stood gazing out of the window, and I stepped up behind him and linked my arms around his waist. I inhaled his scent and noticed it seemed sweeter.
“Actually, they’re on their way here. They’re very closed off, spend a lot of time in their wolf form, and are pretty much self-sufficient, as in they eschew the company of regular humans.
They have a small trading post, but little else.
But they’re very traditional, so they’ll be coming here to pay their respects to me as alpha, as well. ”
“I know you want a decision,” he said very quietly.
“And I understand you’re overwhelmed.” And I did.
He turned in my arms but didn’t step away. “I’m struggling to separate you from a complete change of life.”
“Would it be, though?” I asked, seriously considering what he was asking. “I wouldn’t expect you to give up doing something you love or stop seeing your friends.”
“I get that,” Emery mumbled into my chest, then raised his head. “But my new job is even further away from here than Minton.”
My heart rate picked up, and Emery frowned, putting a hand over my chest. “I almost heard that. I can feel it.”
“We know there’s a chance you may have some omega blood in you, and apparently, blood mates are on a different level.”
“Why is your heart beating like crazy?”
“The thought of you being out of my sight,” I admitted. “Unprotected. That’s why I came back to the café early. I just couldn’t do it.”
Emery was silent for a while. “This is to do with being blood mates?”
“Not just. Any mated couple finds it hard to be apart, certainly so soon after mating.”
“And what will happen if we are?” Emery turned his green eyes on me, almost challengingly. If he’d been anyone else, my wolf would’ve taken it as just that, and it wouldn’t have ended well.
We both looked up as a horn echoed outside, and I groaned. Emery pressed in close. “Something tells me that’s the doorbell.”
“It’s the Curtis River scouts. Like I said, they’re very traditional.”
“Then, should I stay here?”
I hesitated. “If they know of you, and they might, they might take it as an insult.” I winced. “Sorry.”
Emery shook his head, but he had a small smile on his face. I didn’t know how. “You sure you didn’t arrange this to avoid my questions?”
I shook my head. “We also need to talk about your dad.”
He searched my eyes. “Have you got seven million dollars you haven’t told me about?”
I kissed him apologetically, then we went outside.
Some of the pack had already assembled, and I recognized two of the wolves that ran into the clearing as their advance scouts.
What shocked me was their immediate shift and that they pulled skins out to cover their bottom half.
I sent Dad and Simeon an incredulous look.
That never happened. The scouts would always remain in their wolf form, and they certainly never wore clothes, even skins.
“I think that’s for Emery’s benefit. They obviously heard you’re mated.” I turned as Esther and Isla joined us, and Esther grinned unapologetically at her comment.
Emery met my gaze, but he didn’t look at all worried.
Although he dealt with a million kids and their parents, so I supposed a half-dozen strange shifters might not even faze him.
The two scouts stood to one side as three more wolves left the trees, all padding very slowly.
The reason for their speed was obvious as another two came into sight flanked by six more, all circled protectively around the one limping.
“That’s Graystone,” Esther said in awe.
I stared at the very old wolf, completely stunned.
I’d heard of the seer they had, but I didn’t even know if he was alive, and he certainly hadn’t been seen by any of our pack, even Esther, in years.
The wolf changed slowly, almost painfully, and before I could stop him, Emery gathered up one of the blankets from the porch and rushed down the steps. “Matthew, get a chair,” he ordered.
I raced after him, all four of my betas doing the same, hackles raised, ready to shift as each of their wolves stopped abruptly as Emery jogged forward.
“Emery,” I nearly barked out, but the old man who’d shifted simply raised a hand to stop his own wolves and watched Emery in fascination as he approached him, uncaring or oblivious to the potential threat.
Emery smiled and very gently arranged the blanket around the old man’s shoulders.
By this time, I was at his side, and the old wolf chuckled slightly, then wobbled.
Emery took his arm, but the wolf that had shifted next to him simply lifted the old man and walked across the circle and to the steps, putting him down carefully in the chair Emery directed him to.
Emery sent Nicholas for some cushions and water. Then he sat on the chair next to him.
Emery looked at me. “Maybe someone could put the kettle on?” It was such an un-wolf-like thing to say that I huffed out a laugh, but I saw my wolves hurry to obey.
“Are you warm enough?” Emery said. “We can go inside.”
“You’re the human omega.”
It was the first thing the seer said. He glanced at me and bowed his head.
I immediately stripped and shifted into my wolf.
I padded forward, and my wolf inclined his head.
I didn’t submit to him, as this was my pack, and he wasn’t an alpha, but it was a sign of respect and acknowledgment of their arrival.
I shifted back almost immediately, and as I quickly got dressed, I could tell my wolf was ready for a run.
The wolf that had carried the seer bowed his head to us both. Niceties completed and while Emery was still fussing, the old man spotted Esther and held out his hand. “Esther, it is good to see you, my child.”
Esther took his hand and kissed it. “Graystone. I see you’re still ordering them all around.”
I met Dad’s gaze, and he nodded. Graystone was legendary. A seer of incredible power, but he’d refused all attempts in the last twenty years or so to communicate except through his alpha. Dad joined me and offered his respect, as well, but he didn’t shift. That was only for the alpha to do.
Graystone turned his attention back to Emery. “I have been waiting for you for over forty years.”
Emery took the hand that was offered. “I’m not sure what you mean, but I’m delighted to meet you.”
He seemed to stare at Emery for such a long time and refused to let go of his hand, but eventually, he glanced at Esther. “Has the goddess spoken to you, child?”
She shook her head. “Not clearly.”
Graystone raised a shaky hand and cupped Emery’s cheek. Strangely, my wolf felt no threat. Any other wolf near him might not have met with the same response. “You are a miracle. The goddess told us to come, and she kept her promise.”
No one responded. No one would disrespect Graystone, but I was sure I wasn’t the only one who wanted to ask questions. I glanced at Esther, but she was staring at Graystone intently, then all of a sudden, she hissed in a breath. I frowned and listened for danger, but still, my wolf wasn’t alarmed.
“Curtis River has no alpha,” Graystone continued as if there was nothing wrong and nodded to the young man at his side.
“This is Kasim. Related by blood, but he cannot hear the pack. There are three others that have tried.” He looked directly at me.
“Alpha, I am here to formally request we join your pack. There are barely thirty of us, and we have lost some as they chose to move elsewhere. We also have some wolves that have decided to live out their lives in seclusion, but I cannot condemn what is left of our young people to that fate and the real risk they may go rogue.”
“Curtis River is welcome to make their home with us,” I replied immediately, knowing it was the right thing to do. “What do you need to make that happen?”
Graystone smiled. “The goddess made it clear to me that our home is with you. The rest of the pack is some thirty miles away. We left the animals with the few who elected to stay, but I have seven strong wolves all willing to work hard, four she-wolves, and I am sorry, but as many elders.”
Which could be viewed as a drain on pack resources by some packs, but I knew better.
“Their experience will be welcome and valuable.” I turned to Isla.
“Take the two big trucks and two of Curtis River to reassure them. I imagine they’ve walked far enough.
” Matthew followed her, and two of the wolves peeled off and followed him.
I glanced at Nicholas. “Can you get some accommodation and food ready?”
“You are a credit to your elders, Alpha,” Graystone said approvingly. “Especially as I know you are facing challenging times yourself.” The rest of the pack broke up at Nicholas’s direction and went to prepare the accommodations we’d need. It just left me, Emery, my dad, Simeon, and Esther.
I met his gaze. “You know of the recent incursion into our territory?”
He waved his hand idly as if the silver-skins were nothing. “That isn’t what I meant. I meant, of course, the two of you.” He beamed at Emery, and Emery smiled back politely. He looked over at Esther, then at me. “I imagine it is a little early even for you to hear, Alpha, but can’t you feel her?”
I glanced at Esther, who was shaking her head, tears in her eyes. “Esther?” I took her arm. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she whispered and smiled.
“Then what’s going on?” I demanded, frowning.
Graystone patted Emery’s hand. “Congratulations.”
“What for?” Emery asked and glanced up at me, the question in his eyes.
“For being a blood mate,” Graystone answered. “And for carrying the first cub to be born in fourteen years.”
“What?” we both said simultaneously. Emery gazed at Graystone, then at me, opened his mouth, then closed it, clearly not wanting to be rude.
“Phoenix,” Graystone chided. “Don’t just listen with your ears. Listen with your heart. Open your mind.”
I met Graystone’s gaze, then looked helplessly at Emery. He was definitely going to leave me after this.
“Alpha,” Graystone urged me. “Close your eyes and listen.”
I did, because even though I was completely confused, he’d been kind and accepting of Emery.
I kept my hearing focused. My brain cataloged all the scents surrounding us, and I put a name to all the wolves here, but then I drew back and concentrated on their breathing.
The too-rapid beat of Graystone’s heart and the struggle sometimes for his lungs to inflate properly.
I counted in my head, and then I sensed another heartbeat, rapid and faint. My wolf whined in my head, and I opened my eyes, disbelieving my ears.
“Son?” Dad said, looking as confused as me.
I shook my head in utter disbelief.
“Phoenix?” Emery whispered. “What’s wrong?” He laughed a little nervously. “Why are you looking at me as if I have two heads?”
I glanced at Graystone for confirmation, and he nodded once.
“But how?” I asked. “How is that even possible?” Because I knew what I could hear and sense.
And every instinct both my wolf and I possessed knew the sound was in addition to Emery’s own heartbeat, which could only mean one thing.
That somehow, and I had absolutely no idea how, Emery was pregnant.