One Night One Secret

by Hollie Hutchins

  “You are,” he replied.

  “Noth, I may be stepping out of line, but I want to know,” she said, tentative, and if he knew his sister he knew what was coming. “What’s between you and Susie? Do you care for her?”

  “More than I ever thought possible for any being shifter or human,” he replied. Lying to his sister was not in his nature. It was good to say his feelings out loud. These last few days with Susie had set a fire in him that he wasn’t sure he ever wanted extinguished. Her light, laughter, her pleasure, these were all things he knew he could not live without. He hadn’t spoken of this to her yet, he was afraid it was too soon. He didn’t want to scare her off, but his wolf knew, he knew. They were at peace when Susie was near.

  “Are you planning to ask permission to mate with her, a human?” Alaina asked.

  “Woah, wait a minute, is that even possible?” Matthew asked. Aelnoth took note of the look of shock on his face, also the way he snuck a quick look at Alaina. He would have to remember to ask the human later about his relationship with his sister.

  “I am,” Aelnoth said. Another revelation, and speaking it out loud was like a weight being lifted off his soul.

  Chapter 17

  Susie had suggested moving back into the guest room from Aelnoth’s suite until the guests left. She was unsure how shifter etiquette worked in relation to slave treatment, but she thought it best to avoid any appearance of special favor, and he had agreed. She looked around the room, and while beautiful, she couldn’t help but think it was lonely. She had begun getting accustomed to how Aelnoth’s large frame filled any room he was in. It made her feel safe.

  Susie checked herself in the washroom mirror, taking one last stab at smoothing her short dark bob. She didn’t have any way to style her hair, but since she was blessed with pin-straight locks, she could easily make due.

  She was impressed with Matthew’s dress selection. It was a mid-length, black, form-fitting dress, that complemented her 5’4” frame well. The neckline was slightly modest, high enough to avoid excess cleavage, but low enough to give a hint at the curves underneath. There were red roses embroidered down either side, and a slight slit revealing just a hint of thigh. Matthew was also able to smuggle her in a little bit of makeup. Susie was never one to wear a lot of makeup, being a single mother to a rambunctious six-year-old didn’t normally leave her a lot of time to doll up, but she appreciated the red lipstick and tiny bit of concealing powder he had found.

  Since seeing the red band on Aelnoth’s tattoo, Susie recognized hints in red in almost all of the Ashlu’s belongings. A family crest of sorts. She briefly wondered who this dress had belonged to before tonight. Applying one more sheen of the lipstick, and smacking her lips at her reflection, she was as ready as she was going to be. Any armor she could put on against Lady Alard would be helpful. If only there were an armor to help calm her nerves.

  ***

  Susie was the first one in the dining room. Unsure if there was a protocol she was supposed to follow, she cursed herself for worrying about such silliness. This wasn’t a Jane Austen novel, although she had to admit the dining room was decorated as if it were.

  The dining room had the highest walls and domed ceiling Susie had yet to see in the den. She had been taking her meals in Aelnoth’s office or in the kitchens, so she hadn’t yet seen the formal dining room. Her breath was taken away by its beauty. She wondered if during the time of Guyutasa the den was so well decorated, and when the shifters decided to come into a more formal existence.

  She walked around the room, running her hand along the deep red walls that were accented with tall golden frames holding painted scenes of the landscape that surrounded the den. Very unlike the family portraits that decorated the other walls in the den. There were ten tall, gilded chairs with red cushions surrounding a deep mahogany dining table. A formal china place setting sat in front of each chair, and the wildflowers Susie had picked sat in high vases in the center of the long table. The presence of the flowers gave her a moment of strength. These people were not her enemies. Her enemy was Lady Alard, and the Undervale establishment that considered humans less than.

  “Well, don’t you clean up nicely. I can certainly see what my boy sees in you now.” The purr from behind her, causing Susie to turn in slight alarm. She was standing face to face with the beautiful older blond from the auction block, Lady Alard. She looked more relaxed than the last time Susie saw her. Her blond hair loose at her shoulders. She wore a pink gown with green accents, fitting for her age. Susie remembered Noth’s warning, she will be able to smell fear.

  As calmly as she could muster, Susie sank into a deep curtsy. “My lady, thank you for the compliment,” she said, playing the part.

  “Oh, get up,” the older woman sneered. Susie stood. Lady Alard ran her finger down Susie’s cheek. “I tried to make an offer for you to Lady Ashlu, you know. You are beautiful, and Tylan wants you. I like to give Tylan what he wants. She refused though, deferring to her son, the clan alpha. It was unwise on her part.” She laughed.

  “I’m content here, my lady,” she responded.

  “Ha! What about your family? You weren’t content at the auction block. You know what I think? I think you are hiding something,” she said, leaning close into Susie and inhaling deeply at her neck. Susie remained as still as possible. “I’m not getting fear,” Lady Alard continued, “No it’s something else. Protection. Interesting. My slave, Donna, she told me she came upon you and the Lord in the garden. She said you were arguing, intently. I wonder what about?”

  Susie had no response. There was an overwhelming need to protect Aelnoth and herself from this woman, but any information she let slip would be detrimental to them both.

  “You see, she said you were talking about a child. Donna is not intelligent, can you believe she actually thinks we can turn her into shifter? Like we were vampires? Ridiculous, she doesn’t understand how anything works. For example, my dear, she thought you were pregnant,” she said, walking slowly around Susie until she was behind her.

  Susie stood still, not wanting to move or give anything away. Dammit, Donna.

  Lady Alard grabbed the back of Susie’s neck, digging her nails into the soft flesh at her hairline. “But I know you are not with child, I would smell it on you,” she spat. “No, that’s not it. I think you already have a child.” Susie stiffened, and Alard released her hand. Walking back around to face Susie eye to eye, sniffing the air, “Ahh, yes, there it is. You have a child. Now, why would Lord Ashlu be upset about that? Why would he care if his slave already had a child, unless…”

  “Catori… how early you are to our meal?” An older woman with curly deep brown hair wearing a red dining gown, walked into the room, addressing Lady Alard interrupting her questioning. Susie let out the breath she was holding in a sigh of relief.

  “Ah, Abigail, you look stunning,” Lady Alard said, turning around, smiling brightly, any hints of animosity had left her tone. She’s too close, she thinks she’s won, Susie thought.

  The older woman then turned to Susie extending her hand. “Welcome to our home my dear, I am Lady Abigail Ashlu. I know your circumstances here are not ideal, but I hope you are at least comfortable and being treated well,” she said.

  “Yes, my lady,” Susie replied, giving Lady Ashlu a deep curtsy. She saw kindness in the woman’s eyes, but also something else. She didn’t trust Lady Alard either. Susie wondered how much Lady Ashlu wanted change, like her son.

  Immediately following Lady Ashlu was Aelnoth and Alaina. Smiling as they entered the dining hall, Susie saw genuine affection between the siblings. She was also struck by their beauty. She knew Alaina could give no notice that they had met earlier and that the girl had helped her, but Susie hoped her gratitude came through in her kind looks and nods.

  The food was brought out by a group of clan servants. Susie was grateful not to see Donna, she didn’t think she would be able to hold her composure at the woman’s betrayal. Susie was amazed at the
feast put before them. It was abundant. Susie could scarcely recall when she had seen so many beautiful roasted meats. There was venison and rabbit. Even duck. The women’s hunt was clearly a successful one.

  Seated at the foot of the table, Susie was left alone. Near enough to hear conversation but far enough that she was not asked to participate. She was served smaller portions of food, after everyone else. Not minding, she forced herself to have an appetite. She repeatedly did her best to catch Aelnoth’s eye, and desperately tried to send him a warning.

  She knows, Susie thought. She knows. God, how she wished shifters were telepathic.

  After an hour passed, Susie was able to relax a bit, it seemed the intense questions about her past and personal life were not going to happen, possibly due to the intensity that had been seen between herself and Lady Alard by Lady Ashlu. By the time the dessert course was served, which was a fall pie made of squash and apples. Talk had already turned to the upcoming Harvest Fest at court.

  “I think we’ll all be pleasantly surprised by what his highness has in store this year,” Lady Alard said.

  “And whatever gives you that impression?” Aelnoth asked, looking relaxed as he leaned back and sipped what Susie thought was some kind of whisky. She could tell it was for show. The line of his jaw was tight, and his fingers gripped the glass so tightly Susie was surprised it didn’t shatter. There was no love lost between him and Lady Alard, and he could read between the lines of her pleasantries.

  “Just a feeling my lord,” she said, nodding at smiling at Susie, sending a shiver up her spine. She had to get to Aelnoth tonight somehow and let him know that Alard was going to move against him, and she was going to use her to do it.

  “Maybe so,” he replied, exaggeratedly stretching his arms. “I thank you, ladies, for a lovely meal, and congrats on a successful hunt, but I think it’s time we retire. There’s still a lot of harvest work to finish before the festival and it’s late.”

  “I agree,” Alaina said, slipping Susie a sly look. “However, brother, I didn’t get a chance to speak with our breeder, and I have so many questions. Would any of you object if I lead her back to her rooms?”

  “Will we not interview her here?” Lady Alard asked.

  “Well, I came in later than you, Lady Alard, to dinner. It looked as though you had already had a go at her. I was hoping to have a chance, as I have been away for so long, helping Tylan and your pack,” Alaina countered sweetly. She was good, Susie thought, using the villainous woman’s own pack loyalty. She was beginning to see the value in Alaina being out in the world gathering information for the Ashlus.

  “Yes, Alaina, please take our breeder back to her rooms. I think that is a lovely idea,” Lady Ashlu said, nodding to Susie and before any objection could be made it was decided.

  ***

  “Thank you for getting me out of that dining room,” Susie said to Alaina and they hurried down the hallway toward the guestroom. “Lady Alard is onto me, she figured out I had a child.”

  Alaina stopped, turning to face Susie in the darkened hallway, she flashed a weak smile. Susie could see her brother in the way her lips turned up slightly more on the left corner than the right. The family resemblance was strong, but the smile did nothing to erase the worry on her face.

  “That’s not good. Do you think she knows Jason is Aelnoth’s?”

  Relief washed over Susie, “You know?

  “He told me. I’m leaving in the morning to go to your grandmother’s and bring him here—to you,” she replied.

  Tears sprung in Susie’s eyes, she couldn’t help herself. She grabbed the girl in a tight embrace. She was going to see her boy. Aelnoth was going to get him the help he needed. Alaina hugged her back.

  Susie remembered herself and quickly pulled away as reality settled in, “She knows, I think you should get him now, tonight. Is there any way I can reach my grandmother? If I tell her you are coming it will go easier for you and for Jason.”

  “Aelnoth’s computer can be connected to your internet, if we go to the office we can make the call,” Alaina said.

  All this time, and all she had to do was ask and she could have talked to her son? For a brief moment, her anger rose to a fevered pitch, but she pushed it down. She didn’t think to ask, and it was her choices that brought her here. She wouldn’t blame Aelnoth, when so much of her coming here threatened his very way of life. She could call now, that was all that mattered. She was going to be able to see her boy.

  “Lead the way,” she said.

  Chapter 18

  Aelnoth watched helplessly as Susie paced the office up and down. It was nearing dawn and there was no word yet from Alaina. Neither of them had slept.

  He only wished he could do more for her. Crossing the room in one stride, he pulled her into his arms. She held onto him tightly. He couldn’t possibly know what she was feeling, the worry for the child struck him, but filled her completely.

  “It’ll be ok, there is no one I’d trust more than my sister for this,” he reassured. “It’s still early, she won’t risk bringing Jason here until after the Alard party leaves. You should try and get some sleep.”

  “How can I sleep? We don’t know what is going to happen. Even if Alaina gets him back safe and sound, it’s not over, is it? Then we have to get the king to approve him? And if he doesn’t what then? Or what if the king lets him stay, installs him as your heir? Then what about me, am I supposed to leave my son and go home?” Her voice was filled with so much pain, he didn’t know how to make it go away from her.

  After having been filled in on what Lady Alard had said before the previous evening’s dinner it had taken all of his strength not to let his wolf out to rip the vile woman’s throat from her body.

  It was Susie that implored him to keep his temper, they would get Jason, prove he was Ashlu and implore their case to the king. They had to stick to the plan, and she was right.

  The truth was everything Susie was worried about, could happen. He could lose. They could lose. Where would that leave him? What if he left Undervale completely, went to the human world with Susie and Jason. Could he survive there? He knew of shifters who had left and tried to blend into the human world. They often came back with horrible stories about how his kind was treated across the border. Medical facilities, experiments, and other atrocities. That was if they made it back at all. He could take care of himself, he had crossed many times, but never for more than a day or two of pleasure. If he lived there could he protect Susie and Jason? Could he protect them now, in Undervale?

  If they were cast out of Ashlu lands they would be a family with no home. He was determined not to lose, but the truth was he had no idea where the king would land. Alard will most likely go right to him with what she learned from Susie. His oldest friend and the king’s beloved son, Symes’ anger towards humans had not ebbed at all. His family was integral to the success of the kingdom, and no one loved the king more than Aelnoth’s father, but the Prince could be a problem. He couldn’t count on any help from him. Aelnoth took a deep breath, trying hard not to show his concern to Susie.

  “Noth, he’s all I’ve got. He’s the only reason I’ve done any of this,” she said, clinging tightly to him. Sadness and worry came off of her in waves. She sobbed into him. Gripping her tighter, he whispered. “You have me, you’ll always have me.” He knew she didn’t hear him, but he meant it just the same.

  ***

  Sunlight peeked through the window along the side of the office. Aelnoth opened his eyes, not sure exactly when he and Susie had fallen asleep on the old couch, but grateful she’d gotten at least a bit of rest.

  Matthew quietly entered the office. Aelnoth slowly removed himself from Susie’s arms trying not to stir her.

  “He’s in your room with Alaina,” Matthew said in a hushed tone.

  “Anyone see them?” he asked.

  “No one,” he replied.

  “Did Lady Alard leave the den?” he asked.

  “About an ho
ur before Alaina arrived.”

  “Were you able to secure the DNA kit? We will have to move fast, Catori will most likely go right to the king. At least she doesn’t travel as her wolf. Her own need to make a grand entrance in Tradonga will buy us some time,” he said.

  “DNA kit is already with Alaina, and I agree we don’t have a lot of time,” Matthew said.

  “Let’s reunite mother and son,” Aelnoth said, moving to wake Susie.

  “And father and son,” Matthew added, smiling.

  “What on earth is going on in this den?” Aelnoth, turned toward the door to his office, staring right into the demanding eyes of his mother. Shit, he thought.

  “Mother,” he said.

  “Don’t you mother me. I want to know why my children and their servants…” she said, adding a sly look in Matthew’s direction. “Have been sneaking around behind my back, causing god knows what kind of disaster.” She finished, folding her arms sternly glaring at her son.

  The thought that his mother wouldn’t have shifted and returned right to the woods after her guests left never occurred to Aelnoth. He was completely unprepared for her intrusion.

  Shit, he thought. Might as well come clean. What other options did he have? She would learn the truth soon enough and she had wanted an heir. He was the lord of the clan, the pack alpha. He knew his mother would side with them, she would never go against her son, or her own grandson.

  Susie began to stir, and wake. He looked from his mother to the woman he loved and back again.

  “Well, I guess I should start at the beginning,” he said. “But for the sake of time, let’s start at the end. Mother, you have a grandson. I have an heir, and Susie’s his mother. His name is Jason, and he’s with Alaina in my rooms. We are going to implore the king for his forgiveness of my past transgressions, and get the boy officially installed as the heir to Ashlu. Catori will most likely act against us, which is why we are getting the DNA test. We’re going to meet him now, would you care to join us?” he asked, holding his breath, waiting for his mother’s response. She revealed nothing with her eyes, and Aelnoth was unable to sense any emotion from her.