Chapter Thirteen #2
“So long as you didn’t intend to change him, you face no consequence from me.
” I was reasonably sure Enzo had already dealt with Arian, though I had to wonder what Enzo’s intention was in bringing the werewolf who had changed Ren to this gathering.
Then again, given the timing, Enzo must have chosen Arian as one of his guests before Ren’s change.
“You were present when Ren awakened from his first shift.”
Arian nodded. “When he was awake, I told him I was sorry. He was still wolf, so I’m not sure if he understood. It’s hard to know what people understand when they’re in wolf form, but the Alpha made most of us leave before Ren shifted back. I was hoping to apologize again.”
“I don’t think Ren is in any shape to talk to you right now, but I’ll extend your apology.
” I felt a little bad for this guy. It wasn’t unusual for a werewolf to attack a human when startled.
That was how a fairly large number of werewolves came to be.
Some of those who caused those changes didn’t give a shit, but it was clear Arian was remorseful. “Do me a favor, Arian.”
“Of course, Anax,” he said quickly.
“Go to your Alpha and tell him I will find him before the meeting.” That wouldn’t give us a whole lot of time, but I needed to follow up with Enzo about Gregory, and it also might be good for Ren to hear directly from the Alpha.
“We’ve got about another half hour, forty-five minutes before we have to head to the auditorium. ”
“I’ll tell him, Anax.”
Arian didn’t move until I nodded, then he quickly walked away. I went back to the table and sat down. Ren’s elbows were on the table, his hands over his face. “What happened?” he asked, his voice muffled.
“The guy you pointed out was one of the trackers who showed up here the other day,” I said, keeping my voice low to try to calm him.
“He shouldn’t have been anywhere near the place.
I ordered him to stay away. I’m not sure why the Alpha brought him to the gathering, and I sent him to tell the Alpha that he was one of the ones who basically invaded my territory. The other one…Did you recognize him?”
“I…” He folded his hands on the table and bit his lip. “Something was familiar.”
“This might not be easy to hear.” Maybe I shouldn’t be telling him, but he had the right to know.
“He was the one who changed you. He said you startled him and he went on the attack instinctively. He tried to stop when he realized what he was doing, but it was too late. For what it’s worth, he wants you to know he regrets it. He never meant to harm you.”
“Intention doesn’t override impact.” He sighed.
“Okay, well, I guess it’s good that he didn’t do it on purpose.
I mean, he did harm me, though. He turned me into this.
” He gestured at himself. “The only good thing about being a werewolf is at least when I’m a wolf, the body matches the brain. And Xavier, I guess.”
“There are definite downsides,” I said.
He nodded. “Okay. I don’t want to talk to him. The one who changed me. I don’t want anything to do with anyone from that pack.”
“Does that include the Alpha?” I held up a hand as his expression clouded. “I’m only asking for clarification, Ren. The Alpha hates what was done to you and wants to make amends. If you don’t want to meet with him, you don’t have to.”
“I’d rather not. Maybe someday, but it’s too fresh right now.” He rubbed his forehead. “All of this is too much too fast, and I can’t even catch up with it. The only time my mind isn’t going a zillion miles a second is when I’m asleep.”
“All right.” There was more to unpack there, but we were running out of time. “I need to talk to a couple of people before the meeting starts. Do you need anything else?”
“No. Thank you.” He hesitated. “I’m staying? You’re letting me stay? Sorry. I know you said it, but…”
I understood his need for reassurance. “Yes, if that’s what you want.
We’ll sort out the details tomorrow after most of the guests leave.
” I would barely have time for it between the departures and checking in to make sure everything was ready for Sunday’s wedding, but I would fit Ren into the schedule somehow.
“You could use some new clothes. I’ll talk to Enzo about looking for the bag you lost when you were changed, but meanwhile, let’s work on getting you some new things.
That might have to wait until tomorrow too, I’m afraid. ”
“That’s okay. This works for now.” He stood and gave me a faint smile. “Thank you. Tobias.”
“You’re welcome, Ren.”
He walked away. I finished my coffee. Leaving my cup and plate where they were because that was how it worked at gatherings, I headed off to find Enzo Pereira.
He needed to deal with his trackers—and explain to me why he’d brought one of them here even though I’d given him the names of those who had come after Ren.
I found him and Gregory in the parlor. Gregory was sitting on the floor, with Enzo in a stuffed armchair. Both looked startled when I walked in. Enzo started to rise but stopped himself. “Anax.”
“Alpha. Gregory.” I moved closer to the chair, close enough to intimidate them, and folded my arms. “Alpha, did I not give you the names of the three trackers who came here allegedly in pursuit of Ren Torres?”
“You did, Anax.” Enzo glared at Gregory. “This one assured me that he was only acting in accordance with orders from the Beta, and that he had no intentions against Ren.”
“Yet you brought him here, knowing that Ren was still present.” As with Arian, possibly Enzo had chosen Gregory to accompany him before everything happened with Ren.
However, I didn’t recall Gregory’s name on the guest list I’d approved, and I would have shut down his attendance if I’d recognized his name the day he showed up in pursuit of Ren. “Explain yourself, Alpha.”
“I have no excuse, Anax.” Enzo looked down.
“My pack is not large. Having removed those directly responsible for the assault on Ren and the one who led the invasion, as you put it, of your property, I had few options of whom to bring with me. I should have brought only one guest rather than bringing a second whom you had already encountered.”
“That would have been the best choice, yes.” I did a little mental math. “You couldn’t bring your Beta or Peacekeeper in any case, even if you trusted them. Three of your other wolves attacked Ren, including this one. Ren said that Gregory stood guard during the assault.”
“Did he.” Stone-faced, Enzo turned to Gregory, who quickly bowed his head again. “I was unaware. I will address that later.”
I nodded. “I would appreciate it. Two others accompanied Gregory in pursuing Ren here when Ren came to me for help. Seven wolves ruled out as potential guests for you to bring here, and yet you brought one of them.”
“In the remainder of my pack, there are two mated pairs, Anax,” Enzo said. “I ruled them out as well. And two unmated women asked not to come. They were concerned about being among so many unfamiliar wolves given stories they’ve heard.”
Probably wise on his part. “How many total in your pack?”
“Seventeen, Anax.”
“I see.” Meaning that he’d had limited options in who he could bring with him.
Not that I supported his choice to bring Gregory, but I at least saw the logic.
“All right. Alpha, I understand your decision. However, this man was ordered to stay away from my home.” I waved dismissively toward Gregory.
“He must leave now. You may not have known I’d banned him from my property, but he did.
I’ll leave the consequence for that omission to you. ”
“I understand, Anax, and I apologize for the harm and for not being more on top of what occurred with those who came here earlier this week.” Enzo narrowed his eyes.
“It will not happen again. Gregory, let’s go get your things.
You are done here. Whether you’re done in the pack will be determined after I return. ”
“Yes, Alpha,” Gregory mumbled. “Apologies, Anax.”
“I don’t accept. Perhaps your Alpha will.” I gave Enzo a sharp nod and left the room. My temper was on the way up again, but it was due as much to the imminent full moon as to Gregory’s bullshit. I didn’t want to unleash on either of them, and I probably would have if I’d stayed there.
I hurried upstairs. Earlier, Kyle had gone to our room to finish planning out the support groups so I could bring up preliminary information about them during the morning meeting.
I wasn’t sure why he’d taken it entirely on himself, but as he’d pointed out before, he needed something to do.
For the past year, he’d pretty much just been the Anax’s mate.
Maybe putting together these groups would give him a sense of purpose.
He was sitting at the small desk under the bedroom window, his laptop open in front of him. He turned when I closed the door. “Time for the meeting?”
“Almost.” I went over and stood behind him, my arms draped over his shoulders. “How’s it going?”
“A group for alphas who have been in the rank for two years or less.” He looked up at me with a questioning expression.
“I think that’s long enough for ‘new’ to wear off.
One for arkhons of two years or less; that one might not have many members, but right now, we have one arkhon who’s only had the rank since early April, and now the two brand-new ones, so I figured it would be a good idea. ”
“Yes, definitely.” I rested my chin on top of his head.
“I want to put together some kind of mentorship thing, too. Like, when an Alpha takes the rank, he’s paired with one who has been in the rank for at least a decade to help him learn and give him someone to talk to without judgment if he needs help figuring things out. Same for the arkhons.”
“Ooh, great idea.” He looked at his laptop. “That isn’t really for the chat groups, though, right?”
“No, but I’m mentioning it so I can remember to put it in place.”