Chapter 43 Not a Silent Partner
NOT A SILENT PARTNER
NIA
Pure white flakes float to the ground, dancing as they flutter through the air. I glance at Luke, then back out the large glass windows of the formal sitting room. We’re waiting, and I’m getting restless.
“You’re already restless,” Luke sighs.
His bright blue eyes look at me as he snaps his book shut, shifting his weight so he’s leaning on the sofa arm.
His v-neck top is the same hue of blue and it makes his gaze more intense, throwing me off balance a little.
We’ve done everything we can to make ourselves seem intimidating, and while that might help us deal with the assholes we’re expecting, it won’t help if it keeps backfiring.
“They’re late for a reason, Nia,” he says. “Find another way to occupy yourself.”
I arch my body seductively and he shakes his head.
My lips part and I stare back, surprised. “You’re saying no?”
Luke nods. “Temporarily, Nia. We’re not getting caught with our trousers down when The Council arrives.” He leans forward and those pale blue eyes of his hold me in a trance. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Your pussy will be quite sore by tomorrow.”
He opens his book and I don’t know what’s more shocking: that he’s prepared to delay fucking me or that I’ve discovered how much of an avid reader the man is.
Luke doesn’t seem the type but I’ve misjudged him.
Quite significantly if the book collection in his library is any indication of his tastes. And depths. Hidden depths.
I’m surprised the man didn’t show me it earlier and discovering that it isn’t a room in his house but a whole other building has sent me spinning. Luke’s acquired more books than I thought I could read in a lifetime, although he assures me I’ll need them during the winter.
I slump and watch the snow falling, delighted it’s settling.
He’s refused to take me on a trek up the mountains, claiming we might be needed back.
We both know he’s had other reasons for keeping me close to the pack and its protection and the confinement is beginning to grate. On me. On Lyall. On Lawson too.
“Can I go outside?” I ask.
“No.” Luke sighs.
Lyall whimpers, trying pleading before she resorts to threats of violence. My wolf’s learned that Luke’s wrapped around our little finger and she’s getting her way more often than not. The man almost can’t say no and it’s another revelation that has me seeing him in a whole new light.
I tilt my head and let my lip wobble, my eyes widen as I stare up at him. He glances over, shifts, stares at his book like he wants to burn a hole in it, and then sighs far too loudly.
“We’ll step outside. Briefly.”
I damn near shriek and race for the garden, leaving Luke grumbling as he chases after me. He knows I need the fresh air and he knows I’ve been more than excited by the prospect of snow and the thin layer on the ground is perfect for playing in.
“Shall we?” I ask my wolf.
Lyall barks, yapping in excitement.
“Don’t you fucking dare…”
Luke’s too late. I’m already shifting and my mate is trying not to love it.
His chest is filling with pride, delighted that I’m finding it easier with every transformation.
Luke and Lawson are trying to claim credit for my achievement, deciding among themselves that they taught me how to do this.
They did, and I’m too entertained by their puffed-up, ridiculous male egos to point out that it would have happened anyway.
My wolf races into the snow, still new to its cold, wet snap underneath her paws. Lyall leaps, surprised by how damn funny it feels, trying to jump out its way only to land in more. She’s bouncing around like a bucking bronco, yelping and caught in her excitement.
She stops, freezing like the weather around us, suddenly aware that Luke’s watching us.
That means Lawson’s watching too, and he’s seen her playful antics.
She growls quietly to herself, staring at the man who’s standing on the veranda, laughing at us.
Lyall’s experiencing embarrassment for about the first time in her life, unsure if Luke’s truly laughing at us or with us.
“Run, Lyall,” he shakes his head, letting his dark hair flop around. “One of us may as well have some fun.”
I hear Lawson growl through our bond and he’s annoyed he can’t join in. Our wolves want to run and connect, with each other and the wild, but Lawson can’t join in. Luke’s holding him back, refusing to let him slip his leash, aware The Council might arrive.
Lyall runs and I laugh, enjoying her sheer delight in this moment.
She’s ignoring the cold and chasing snowflakes, snapping at them with her teeth as she tries to stop them from falling.
Her tongue lolls out her mouth as she careens around the garden, experiencing the adolescence she almost lost. The one my father tried to deny her and that Luke’s given her back.
She’s happy.
Completely curious, taking far too many risks, and more than a little self-conscious, still the juvenile learning to control herself. She’s desperate to try everything and aware of few of their dangers, but her exuberance is infectious and the pack adores her.
Her tail wags furiously as she tries to shake snow from it, and her ears pin back as she sprints off, realizing she can’t keep up with the weather. Her leaps and bounds become more frenzied and I ease into the background, laughing and enjoying this moment too.
“So this is her.”
The tall, imposing man who steps into the garden looks more like a woodsman than many I’ve known.
He’s dressed for the cold, harsh, Montana winter and his face is as bleak as the storm circling the mountaintop.
He isn’t wearing anything that marks him as a member of The Council, but it’s abundantly clear he is and the atmosphere changes in a heartbeat.
The snow keeps falling as the temperature drops and Lyall stops playing, crouching and snarling at the intruder.
“She,” Luke says, strolling over. “It’s she, Deacon.”
The man nods, crossing his arms and staring at my wolf.
His eyes are as dark as a storm and Lyall growls her disapproval, irritated at being judged in her own garden.
The man might lead The Council and have the power to make our lives more than a little difficult and decide the fate of our pack, but my wolf’s not giving him one inch.
“My Luna is annoyed you didn’t announce your arrival,” Luke sighs. “We’d prepared tea and cake. We’d assumed…”
The Deacon waves his hand dismissively. “They won’t be necessary, Alpha. I’ve seen quite enough to make my mind up.”
Lyall’s teeth bare and she creeps across the garden, positioning herself between Luke and the man she doesn’t like. The man she considers a threat to a mate. The one she’s decided she’ll attack if he gives her the slightest reason and she’s making it damn clear.
My heart’s racing and the adrenaline pouring through me is bitter and acidic.
This wasn’t how we’d planned this, and a few moments of pleasure have brought us a world of pain.
Lyall’s riled and Lawson’s as unhappy as she is, fuming that someone’s crossed onto his territory and upset his mate.
We’re spinning out of control and heading for a disaster, and the rest of The Council hasn’t even arrived yet.
“It’s okay, Nia,” Luke whispers.
“It’s not okay,” I snap back. “I don’t like the way his beady little eyes are staring at me. They’re judgemental. They’re condescending. And my wolf wants to claw them out and shove them down his throat.”
Lyall growls and the Deacon’s eyes narrow.
“I wouldn’t try that with me, young lady.”
Lyall snarls, her front lowering as she readies herself to launch.
“How about you and I get a few things cleared up right now?” he says, his tone as cold and crisp as the air around us. “First, good manners cost absolutely nothing. You might be a High Lord but the sooner you start acting like one the better.”
Lyall’s snarl deepens and I hear the smirk spreading over Luke’s face.
“Second, I’m well within my rights to wander onto this land. I’m the Deacon of The Council. It’s my prerogative to sneak up on anyone at any time I damn well like. And you’d better not bloody forget that my position affords me considerable reach and comes with enough power to challenge even you.”
Luke steps alongside my wolf and his hand strokes her fur, trying to soothe her. He and Lawson are pushing their calm into us, reassuring us that it’s probably going to be just fine—and if it isn’t then the pair of us are more than capable of handling the condescending asshole in front of us.
“Third, you’ve caused quite enough trouble already and I’m going to be spending the rest of the year cleaning up your mess.
Do you know what happens when you destroy a pack and refuse to take over the survivors or the territory?
Fucking carnage, young lady. That’s what happens, and that’s what you’ve left behind you. ”
Lyall sits and stiffens, ignoring the ice-cold snow on her ass as she tries to look unbothered. She lifts a paw, curling it under her muzzle and licking it gently before putting it back into the snow again.
“Don’t pull that shit with me.” The Deacon shakes his head before directing his gaze at Luke.
“And you know better, Alpha. You should be ashamed of yourself. You’ve left the whole damn country in uproar.
Packs are tearing at each other, vying for power and territory.
It’s like the goddamn war of the roses all over again. ”
Luke forces a cough and crosses his arms.
“And for that matter, what the hell are you thinking? The pair of you were far too easy to catch unaware and I’d take a damn sight better care of your mate if I were you.”
“I don’t need a lecture…”
“You damn well do,” the Deacon hisses back. “You’re letting your Luna bound around like an idiot in the snow. What is she doing anyway? And what were you thinking?”