“Don’t worry, mo buaireann, I am very aware that you are not mine,” he muttered, stepping a safe distance away from me.
His words froze my heart, and when he took my elbow, I flinched from him. He gave me an annoyed look that had my eyes widening.
“It is time,” he told me, nodding his head in the direction of the door.
“Oh,” I squeaked, feeling my face flush with embarrassment and my hands begin to tremble as I took my first step.
My foot was tickled by soft grass that bowed beneath my weight. Another step and I was completely outside and in full view of everyone. The feel of so many eyes on me made me cower into Quillan’s side to hide in his shadow, something he didn’t really seem to mind.
Roarke stood tall and proud at the front of the gathered wolves. I could tell he was studying the lack of space between Quillan and me. The two dominant wolves shared a look, and when Quillan looked away first, he created space between us also. There was something unspoken between these powerful men, something that put me in the middle.
There wasn’t enough time to ponder. When Roarke’s eyes met mine, the bond flared to life, pulling us together with such force that I stumbled. Quillan left my side to stand with his pack as I reached his Alpha, who took my hand and kissed the back of it, the act leaving red-stained cheeks for everyone to see.
“Today, Cathwulf, daughter of Alpha Everett and Alpha Female Kerra, joins my pack not only as another member of the community, but as my mate and the pack’s Alpha Female,” Roarke boomed, his voice carrying through the crowd.
I turned my body slightly, Oria catching my eye and giving me two thumbs up with a massive grin. Biting my lip to hold back the laugh that wanted to escape, I focused back on Roarke, his eyebrow twitching at the sight of my barely concealed laughter. There was only a slight glimmer of disapproval, and I immediately fought harder to school my features.
“Cathwulf, in front of the members of this pack and the Alphas that bear witness, do you promise to uphold the laws and values of our pack, do you swear to pass on our traditions and history and pledge to protect this pack? Do you promise to guide this pack as its Alpha Female and to stand behind your mate?” he asked, his eyes glowing with his power as Alpha, and I was entranced in their light.
Inhaling sharply, lost in my mate for just a second, I lifted my head high, my voice strong and confident as my wolf pushed forth, ready to accept.
“I promise to uphold the laws and values of this pack, I swear to pass on the traditions and history that will become my own, and I pledge to protect the pack with my life. I promise to guide the pack as Alpha Female and to stand beside my mate,” I replied, a glimpse of fang showing at the last sentence.
In traditions created far back, before even the Romans came to this land, Alpha Females had stood behind their mates; they were seen as second but never equal. Although females would always bow to their Alpha mates, it was in their nature to challenge an Alpha’s decision, and from this, a new tradition for females to change the words had sprung up. It gave my wolf great pride that she was the only one that had the right to challenge her mate.
The corner of Roarke’s mouth quirked up. “With your next words, you tie yourself to this land, to the pack that resides here, and to the Alpha.” He looked up, energy crackling as the bonds my wolf held to my childhood pack were replaced with the link to Roarke’s pack.
Only Alphas could feel the bond to a pack as strong as this. For regular wolves, the bond to a pack was a small buzz of energy only felt when thought about. This energy shared amongst members kept us sane, safe from the chance of the feral side taking over while also allowing us to identify which wolves were pack.
My heart hammered in my chest, waiting for his last words that would seal my steps on the path I was taking.
His eyes bored into mine, his voice a low growl with the sound of his wolf. “Are you pack, my female?”
I nodded once, pale green eyes meeting the glowing amber of mine, my own voice a growl, the wolf accepting her new position.
“I am pack.”
Chapter Thirteen
In Our Midst
Quillan stayed true to his word. He hovered next to me, becoming my shadow, mirroring every one of my movements with one of his own. To an outside observer, Quillan may have seemed bored, perhaps even angry, but Roarke assured me he was vigilant. I trusted him, though I hardly knew him. His eyes flicked to anybody who moved near me, whether they posed a threat or not.
My mate and new Alpha whisked me around the crowd, introducing me to members of his pack that hugged me close and imprinted my scent to their memory, as I did theirs. I enjoyed getting to meet them. Most of them were warm and welcoming and accepted me easily.
It was meeting the Alphas of the other packs that had me really nervous, and the fact that a killer and their co-conspirators may be here also added to my nerves. How could we be sure the killer wasn’t going to try anything tonight, even with so many Wulvers prowling the gardens? I tried to remember all of the names thrown at me and felt smug as eyes lingered disbelievingly on the silver necklace that lay at my throat. Roarke was right, many high ranked made no small acts of challenge once they smelt the bitterness of silver on my skin.
Roarke’s hand lingered at the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd to a group of older wolves who smiled warmly in greeting.
“These are the elders of our pack. They keep our history and culture alive,” Roarke explained, as if I would have no knowledge of such things.
The concept of pack elders was not a new one, but one that few packs still had, as most kept their history alive in books. Though the elders had no sway or say in the running of the pack, they were still greatly respected, their opinions always taken into consideration. This was proven by the fact that Roarke decided I would be his mate after a discussion with his elders.
I bowed my head slightly, reacting to their station but not belittling my own. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
An older female with wisps of greying black hair bowed low to me. “It is an honour to meet you, Alpha Female. We are at your service. You need only ask.”
I thanked her. The weight of the responsibility I was suddenly forced to have had me hunching in on myself momentarily, but I forced a tight smile in her direction.
The rest watched me with such concentration, I felt as if they could see my wolf cowering to their power. They talked to Roarke a little, but I was otherwise ignored, outwardly at least, for their eyes hardly left me, studying the way I held myself, which only made me stand taller to prove myself worthy. I was more intimidated by these old wolves than the many powerful ones who could easily take me down in a fight. Something about the way they stuck together was like they had a pack of their own; the female who had greeted me as their leader was an interesting thing in itself. An inner pack with a female at its head who made me feel slightly inadequate.
Roarke was leading me away to greet others before I could spend too much time worrying over my new position. I was introduced properly to Weylin, the father of Ruiraidh and Brenna.
I stumbled awkwardly over my greeting, my cheeks hot. I had fought this wolf’s pup only days before and didn’t expect a warm greeting. Weylin and Ruiraidh stood side by side, and what an intimidating sight it was to behold. Both males were wrapped in muscle, tall and strong, true warriors, the epitome of what it was to be wolf.
“Cathwulf, this is Weylin, my head warrior. He trains our pack in defence. He will be your trainer too.” Roarke nodded his head to Weylin.
“I look forward to training with you, Cathwulf. My daughter is one of the best warriors I have taught and you brought her down. I can’t wait to unlock that potential.” Weylin smiled, nothing but kindness in his eyes.
His son, however, regarded me with a more closed-off expression. “I am sorry for my sister’s actions. I hope you do not hold her disobedience against my family.”
I looked at him wide eyed and quickly shook my head. “Her actions belong to he
r alone, and the consequences fall on her alone. I know from having seen you with the pack that you and your father are both good males. I will try to be a good student during our training.”
Ruiraidh’s guarded look changed to a grin at my words, and suddenly he looked so much like his father, who chuckled. “You’ll do fine, I’m sure.”
They made their excuses to leave, and I was finally left alone with my mate, who gave me a proud smile.
“You’re doing well, my female,” he complimented, stroking his thumb over my cheek. “You are meant to be by my side.”
I simply nodded my response, stomach coiling with nerves that wouldn’t leave until I was away from such a big crowd. Just as I thought I had a moment to breathe, an older couple approached us, both with auras of strong wolves. More Alphas.
The male’s body was lined with muscle, his hair streaked with grey and white that added to the regal way he carried himself. He bowed his head in respect to Roarke then looked at me expectantly. My head bobbed, annoyance creeping in. He thought he was above us.
“This is Alpha Robert. He is Alpha of the pack near Wick, the birth pack of my mother,” Roarke introduced, no sign of aggression or suspicion in his voice even though I could feel distrust coming off him in waves.
I did not trust this Alpha either.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Cathwulf. I have great respect for your father and his pack. This is my mate, Fianna,” Alpha Robert said. My wolf wanted to growl.
He didn’t need to finish that sentence for me to understand that he meant he did not respect Roarke nor this pack.
“It is nice to meet you both,” I replied, bowing my head slightly again just because I didn’t know what else to do.
Alpha Robert’s eyes raked over my form, and when his eyes met mine again, I took note of the smirk that I knew meant he was already underestimating me because of my stature alone. One day, I would teach him exactly the lesson I taught Brenna, that I was not to be underestimated.
The silver necklace didn’t work its magic in making Alphas take proper measure of me this time. He barely even glanced at it, as if it were insignificant in his study of me.
“Your pack seems to be coping well under your rule,” he finally drawled, looking around. “I was surprised to hear you had so few challenges to your position.”
My eyes widened at the insult the Alpha didn’t even bother trying to veil behind fake compliments like others had.
My mate deserved house points for the way he simply smiled calmly, ignoring the other Alpha’s barely concealed disrespect. I leaned closer into Roarke’s side, feeling safer and more confident with his body pressed against mine.
“Now I am mated, my position here is secure,” Roarke stated, puffing up so he towered even more over the older Alpha Robert.
My mate’s words, however, had me bristling. Alpha Robert had already hinted that I was nothing special, and Roarke’s words had made out like I was nothing but the means to make sure the future of his position held certainty.
Ten points from Gryffindor.
Now I must have seemed like nothing more than the keys to a door for Roarke to this Alpha. I kept my head held high, trying not to show outwardly how much it bothered me, but inside my wolf was clawing to be let out, to show how worthy she was of being Alpha Female to every wolf here. I didn’t let her, though; I kept her reined in, knowing that when Roarke and I went to bed that night, I would give him hell for it. Disrespecting him out here would only lead to another humiliating show that I would be the star of. Being put in my place twice in so few days would not be good.
Looking Alpha Robert’s mate in the eyes, I gave her a gentle smile. The female looked uneasy, her eyes darting around, her head tilting towards even the smallest of noises. I had seen skittish Alpha females before. They mated then found that they couldn’t hold their own against an Alpha male so ended up crumbling beneath them.
I pitied her.
“Would you like to join me in getting a drink, Alpha Female Fianna?” I asked, motioning towards the table of drinks, turning so my back was to my mate, making it as clear as I could without words how mad I was at him.
The older wolf smiled and nodded, but not before she looked to her mate for permission, whose head nodded in the barest of movements.
Interesting.
Roarke grabbed my elbow, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “Stay where I can see you, Female.”
I snorted, looking up at him with rage burning in my eyes as I hissed back, “I will go where I please. Quillan is with me as you ordered. Can’t have your trophy wandering off, can you?”
He looked speechless for a split second before he released me. I headed straight to the table, and as if she sensed it, Oria was there making heavy vodka drinks. Fianna gravitated towards my mother rather than joining me, but I didn’t mind. She would probably have more to talk to about with my mother than me.
I took the glass of vodka gratefully from my friend, sipping at the bitter drink that burned my throat on its way down.
“I can’t believe you’re really not my pack mate anymore.” Oria sighed, staring at the bottom of her already empty glass.
“Neither can I,” I muttered, glaring daggers over at my mate, who spoke to a circle of wolves.
Quillan stepped closer to me, his presence the only thing I was able to focus on now. Oria nearly crumbled under the dominance he had coming off him in tidal waves.
“Does being my shadow mean you must be so close?” I snapped, my neck straining as I stared up at the rugged male whose face was more relaxed than his earlier scowl.
“Roarke thinks you are mad at him.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing I shouldn’t have expected an answer from him. Well, two could play at that game.
“Quillan, this is my friend Oria. Oria, this is Quillan, Roarke’s third.”
Quillan’s face scrunched as I ignored what he said, his eyes flicking to regard Oria, who stood with practically bulging eyes. She squeaked her hello, her eyes widening further as Quillan bowed his head.
“Omega,” he greeted softly, as soft as Quillan could be, for his voice was still gruff.
Oria seemed to grow under his attention for a moment, her head lifting from its bow, her back straightening. I watched amazed as her eyes started to shine with the light sky blue of her wolf, knowing it meant she felt some attraction for Quillan, and who could blame her? Oria wasn’t used to high ranked even acknowledging her presence with more than a quick nod. Even I had to admit, I didn’t expect such politeness from him, but Quillan barely glanced at her again, his attention back on me, and Oria shrunk into herself once more.
“Roarke wants you to remember that there could be a killer in our midst and that it is not the time or place for you to be testing him or pushing your boundaries,” Quillan quoted, folding muscled arms over his chest.
I watched the fabric of his shirt strain against such power and felt irritated when my wolf couldn’t help but peek. Now that we were in our mate’s pack, our position was secure here as Alpha Female; the affections of a strong male were solely ours, so why did she still feel drawn to this male? I would never admit that, though I could still feel the power of Quillan beat against me, my eyes would always follow my mate. Roarke had managed to weasel his way into my very being more firmly the moment he had stood and claimed me in front everyone here.
“You can tell my mate,” I started, watching Roarke’s head tip my way so I knew he was listening in, “that I have no intentions of pushing my boundaries. I shall be right here, drinking and greeting people like the good little female he wants me to be.”
I heard the huff of breath my mate let out and the mutter that followed but couldn’t make out what it was he said that had a young male near him raising his eyebrow.
Quillan studied me for a few short moments before taking yet another step towards me.
“I wouldn’t do this to you, try to put you in a box like he is. A female like yourself needs to
stand by their mate as their equal, not bow behind,” Quillan insisted, his head lowering so his nose was at my neck, the opposite side to where Roarke’s mark scarred my skin.
My breath caught, my body burning, my wolf lifting her head, intrigued at the promise of equality.
Quillan’s wolf made himself known in the feral power that ripped through the air, wanting to claim a female. I stumbled, suddenly unsure of him, taking a quick step back, only to gasp at the sight of a shuddering Quillan that was fighting to keep his wolf at bay. Eyes were starting to look this way. I touched Quillan’s arm, but that seemed to only add to his struggle.
“Quillan?”
“Step back, Cathwulf,” Roarke ordered, stepping in front of me and hiding me from Quillan, who now stood in his inky black fur.
Everyone was watching now.
Quillan paced back and forth, jaws snapping, growls tumbling from his chest. It was then I truly understood the battle that raged inside him every day as I watched him fight with himself. The huge black wolf took a step towards me, its eyes swirling black and amber focused on mine, nothing but instinct in their depths, no sign of Quillan.
This was a wolf lost.
I could see my mate’s intention, his body posturing for a fight, and I reached out for him. “Roarke, don’t, please.”
He shrugged me off, ignoring me.
Roarke shifted then, his big wolf matching Quillan’s in brawn. The growl that left Roarke had members of his pack and Oria dropping to their knees with their heads bowed.
They seemed to look each other over, Roarke trying to get Quillan to submit. Parents began to usher their pups back home, and the air was static and tense.
Quillan refused to back down as something seemed to snap.
I flinched as they fought, teeth and claws glittering under the lights. It was obvious Roarke would win in skill, but Quillan’s wolf was not bowing no matter what came at him. Beta Zale shifted, his sandy-coloured wolf joining Roarke’s. No major injuries were given to Quillan, which led me to believe they were just trying to tire the wolf out so Quillan could take over again. It made me wonder how regular an occurrence this was.
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