Chapter 5 Trish #2
My heart caught in my throat when I locked eyes with Jaxon. I imagined him smiling my way. That he was happy to be here again.
Absentmindedly, I rubbed my chest.
He couldn’t see me. Not from this distance. The sun was in his eyes. The reflection in the glass would hide my outline. It was impossible. Like everything else seemed to be.
With one final look, I tore my gaze away from the window. “They’re here.”
*
Everyone arrived so fast that we didn’t have time for small talk before we were seated around the conference table. Alpha Kera only allowed Aunt Coral and us wolf-witches inside the room, leaving my sisters out.
It was strange to be sitting among my peers all grown up.
Gentry, from Fenrir, had a full beard. Calla was beautiful as ever.
And the twins had definitely filled into their shifter genetics.
I tried to avoid any of their curious stares, grateful I didn’t have to do more than greet everyone with a quick, “Hello.”
It was a blessing because I didn’t realize how awkward it’d be to see Jaxon—or Alpha Jaxon—again.
We’d talked briefly a few months ago when he came to work out a trade, and I’d traveled with Alpha Kera to Jaxon’s inauguration as Alpha to Cadejo pack a year ago, but I didn’t really know who he was now.
I don’t like this.
Same.
He seemed larger. In his shoulders, his stance.
His presence and power filled the room along with his scent.
He still smelled of pine and earth and deep, rich soil, but he was colder somehow.
Sharper. More deadly. Not that he needed to get any more powerful.
I already knew what he was capable of and it was… a lot.
No wonder I couldn’t stop staring.
It didn’t help that his scent had my wolf panting, or that he kept stealing glances at me, no doubt wondering why my beast was so worked up.
Can you tone it down? This is a serious meeting.
Does he look like he’s been eating and sleeping well? We should ask.
We should be paying attention.
Maybe scoot closer to him.
Shut up!
I almost didn’t hear what everyone was saying, but Alpha Kera’s frown caught my attention.
“It’s too far. The festival is in Ossory territory, which is a day or two journey on paw from here. I can’t set up a command center there,” Kera said.
Wait. Command center? What did I miss?
Shh… Jaxon is talking.
“The festival has been held in Ossory for all of recorded history. It’s the central point connecting the regions in this country.
The location isn’t going to change. But if, and I mean if, I go…
” Jaxon’s dark eyes glanced at me briefly before he looked back at Kera and his deep voice filled the conference room, “I would handle reconnaissance.”
Reconnaissance? The color drained from my face. This was supposed to be a joyous occasion, right? The arrival of Halley’s Comet signaled a time of renewal for our magic… Or at least that’s what Gram had said.
I knew that summons was bad news, despite Mom—and now Alec—urging me to go. If Alpha Kera thought it was dangerous enough to want to set up military operations, then maybe none of us should be going. Especially not Jaxon.
I coughed to clear my throat, getting ready to say as much out loud, when Alpha Kera spoke.
“That settles it then,” she said. “We do wish to forge relations with the other packs outside of our region, and I’d like whatever information we can get about this Vincent Matthis fellow, but I’ll leave that in your capable hands, Alpha. I appreciate you all coming to clear that up today.”
Kera nodded at Jaxon, showing her respect, and a stone sank in the pit of my stomach as the realization set in.
This meeting had never been about convincing me to go to the festival. Alpha Kera was just trying to save face with the other packs, and my attendance was required… for what?
“Trish regrets not being able to go on this journey,” Alpha Kera said, stopping to give me a nod. “Do the rest of you plan to attend? There is safety, and strength, in numbers.”
“What?” I whispered.
Aunt Coral lifted her gaze from taking notes and offered me a sympathetic smile, one that said she knew I wasn’t going to take this well.
My cheeks were burning and my heart was thudding in my ears as Calla, and then Gentry, affirmed their plans to go to the festival along with Jaxon if he decided to attend. Ahmad and Amir were going either way.
Jaxon wasn’t looking at them.
He was staring at me.
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. I didn’t even belong at this table. Alpha Kera never should’ve told me to come, especially if she was just going to dismiss me this way.
“Tisiphone?” Jaxon’s deep voice rumbled my name. He was the only one other than my mother who called me by my true name, even when I hated it.
I looked up, filled with a sudden urge to make this helpless feeling go away. “I want to attend the festival.”
No you don’t.
Alpha Kera froze, and then slowly turned my direction. “What?”
“I said, I want to go.” I sat up straighter, refusing to cringe under my Alpha’s stare as I rudely cut her off.
She was still my aunt. I knew she cared and would never do anything to intentionally hurt me.
“If you’re asking someone to gather recon and intelligence for you, then it should be a member of Cerberus pack.
You don’t need to send Jaxon in my place. ”
“That’s not what I meant.” Alpha Kera’s brow creased.
“I will definitely be going if Tisiphone is going.” Jaxon smirked as he leaned back in his chair. “This should be fun.”
I like the idea of fun.
It won’t be fun.
I ignored the sounds of the twins snickering, and the slight little smile on Calla’s face. I’d already been embarrassed enough for one day. No need to make things worse.
“Like I said, you don’t have to go.” I kept my chin held high despite everything. “I’ll take care of what my Alpha needs.”
“Trish…” Alpha Kera warned, but I was in too deep to back out now.
“No, I insist, Trish.” Jaxon sat there smugly.
I wanted to wipe the stupid grin off his face. He knew not to do this. I’d released him from my Gram’s dying wishes that he would protect me, like I was to protect my sisters, and yet he still tried to weasel his way into that role every chance he got.
“I don’t need your protection,” I growled.
Jaxon shrugged. “I didn’t say you did, but Alpha Kera is right, there is strength in numbers.”
“You’ll all be going?” Kera twisted her hands behind her back, but I pretended I didn’t see her nervous twitch.
“I can’t wait.” I echoed Jaxon’s nonchalant shrug. “Plus, maybe someone there can help me figure out my magic.”
Did I believe that? No.
But Aunt Kera’s and Coral’s faces seemed to relax upon hearing those words.
“If you’re sure,” Alpha Kera said hesitantly.
I nodded once more.
“Awesome.” Jaxon glanced around the table, daring anyone else to make a snide remark like I knew they were all itching to do. “It’ll be just like old times.”