Psyche Honor (Psyche Moon)

by Buhr, Chrissie

  “I think so too.” He nodded in absolute agreement. “Right back at you.” His eyes sparkled. “Billie’s an impressive woman.”

  “That’s an understatement.” I laughed aloud. “I could smack you for not saying you know her.”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t want to intrude. I better get to my station. If you need anything, just say the word. At work or out there. You’re Pack now.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot. I’d like to have you and Jazz over for dinner one of these nights, too.”

  “Soon,” he agreed.

  The day passed slowly, but I couldn’t complain. Gary’s philosophy of enjoying the mundane had rubbed off on me, and I welcomed the monotony of the job after all of the insanity in my life. Settling into my old routine, I almost felt normal.

  For a few hours, I barely thought about Mages and Wolves. I even forgot about the people who wanted me dead until nearly lunch. A few minutes before the clock released us for a half hour, I sensed a Wolf I didn’t recognize in the vicinity. Intense hostility raised Goosebumps on my skin, and my hands clenched involuntarily. This was not a good place to meet an unfriendly Wolf.

  I followed her progress through the warehouse office and met her gaze evenly the moment she walked through the entryway. I wanted her to know I saw her coming. I needed the upper hand. She didn’t seem to care. Taller than average, she had a wiry and athletic build like all the female Wolves, but curvier than most. Her brown hair hung halfway down her back. If I hadn’t been on the defense, I’d have appreciated her figure. She met my gaze with icy grey eyes and stalked unwaveringly towards me.

  I didn’t bother standing. “Whatever you’re planning, this is not the place for it,” I stated flatly before she’d come close enough for a Human to hear. She continued undaunted, certain the public venue granted her safety. A few of the men noticed her, drawing attention our way.

  “So you’re the little Mage everyone’s talking about.” She looked me up and down with disdain, an obvious attempt to ruffle my feathers. I didn’t take the bait.

  “Can I help you?” I responded placidly.

  “You can get out of town today. You’re not welcome here.” She cocked her head and placed a hand on her hip. The Wolf, accustomed to drawing attention to her advantage, knew people were watching. Gary noticed her too and started our way.

  I kept my voice low and met her challenge squarely. “No. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Leave or we will kill you.” Her eyes flashed.

  “That’s not what Jason says,” I countered dogmatically.

  “Not all of us agree with Jason’s decision,” her voice rumbled.

  Gary joined us in time to hear her pronouncement. He didn’t like what he heard. “Are you challenging the Alpha?” he asked point blank.

  She glared at him. “This is Wolf business, Gary. Stay out of it.”

  He disagreed. “This is Pack business. And you’re drawing a lot of attention right now. Don’t do this here, Adrienne.”

  “I don’t take orders from you.” She dismissed him.

  “You’re drawing attention,” I reiterated firmly. “And they’re going to be in earshot any moment. Gary’s right.”

  She drew herself upright and flipped her hair ridiculously. Alarmed, not trusting what she was about to say or do, I threw an illusion around us.

  I raised it in the nick of time. She punched my chest with an outstretched finger and stood over me threateningly. “Leave town. Leave Billie. Or I will kill you.” I held my ground, angry that she would come to my workplace and risk exposing the entire pack by threatening me here. Gary glanced around to see who overheard her rising voice. He watched, confused, as two men looked at us with only mild curiosity and walked past.

  “Adrienne, is it?” I kept my voice calm but cold, ignoring her finger entirely. “I’m not going anywhere, and I’m certainly not leaving my mate because you don’t like me. This is my home and you will not run me out. If you want to challenge Jason, that’s on your head. You have no right risking exposure to Humans like you’re doing right now. You are reckless and irresponsible, and you will leave this warehouse and never come back. Don’t you dare use me as an excuse to risk everyone’s safety.”

  Gary backed me up, surprised and impressed that I stood up to her. He folded his arms across his chest in a show of solidarity. “You’re out of line, Adrienne.”

  She ignored Gary and addressed me. “If you’re still in the Treasure Valley this time tomorrow, I will kill you myself.”

  I narrowed my eyes and held her eyes evenly, copying Billie’s display of dominance. “You don’t have what it takes to kill me, Adrienne. You can’t sneak up on me, and I can react before you get within ten feet. I don’t need to lift a finger to fight back. I promised Jason I wouldn’t harm anyone, but I will defend myself if I have to.”

  She blanched at my threat then collected herself. Turning on one heel, she stalked off without another word. Once the irascible Wolf left, I leaned forward and took several deep breaths to stop myself from hyperventilating. Gary put a hand on my shoulder in concern.

  “This is getting out of hand,” I said.

  He glanced around us to see who saw the show. “Let’s go somewhere else. We got really lucky that no one was paying attention, but I’m not willing to press our luck any further.”

  “Illusion,” I said simply.

  He drew back his hand and looked at me in alarm. “Oh.”

  “It’s not coercion. I promise,” I replied.

  He patted my shoulder apologetically. “I’m sorry I reacted like that.”

  “Thank you for backing me up with Adrienne,” I said sincerely.

  He shook his head. “Even if she was right about you, she was out of line. She risked the pack coming here. I’ll call Jason.”

  I nodded in agreement. “Someone is going to get hurt. We can’t keep going like this. I’ll let Billie know what happened. She’s not going to be happy.”

  “No, and for good reason. Sadie, what will happen if she comes here tomorrow and tries to kill you?” Apprehension hovered around the question.

  I put my head in my hands, not wanting to admit the truth out loud. “I can stop her without killing her or collaring her. I know that now. I didn’t before. But I’ll lose Jason’s protection and all hell will break loose.”

  “I’ll do what I can,” he promised. “What was the illusion? What did they see and hear?”

  “They saw the three of us talking normally and didn’t hear what we were saying.”

  “Convenient,” he admitted a little reluctantly, still uneasy about my abilities. “It’s lunchtime. Let’s go eat and get some air.” I agreed.

  Careful to conceal my distress, I called to Billie. Are you alone?

  No. What’s going on?

  I’m fine. I’m safe. But something happened, and you’re not going to like it.

  She responded instantly. Give me a minute to get to my office. Gary and I grabbed our lunches and headed outside. I waited anxiously for Billie’s reply. Okay. I’m alone. What happened? I replayed the incident to her, leaving nothing out.

  That fucking bitch! I’m going to tear her apart! Gary noticed my reaction. “Billie’s pissed,” I explained.

  His mouth widened. “You’re talking to her now?”

  “Yes.” Easy love. Don’t do anything rash.

  She threatened to kill you! I won’t let that go.

  I don’t expect you to let it go, but calm down before you do anything. Don’t make it worse.

  I shared a concerned look with Gary. He’d known Billie longer and anticipated her reaction. Deliberately Billie began to calm herself, easing my anxiety too. I shared an encouraging nod with Gary who breathed a little easier. We reached a private area, and he pulled his phone out immediately.

  I’m still going to tear her apart, Billie informed me after she settled down a bit.

  Better you than me. I’ll have the entire Pack out for my head if I’m forced to defend my
self.

  Love, Sadie. If a Wolf attacks you, can you really defend yourself?

  Yes.

  You’re sure?

  Absolutely sure.

  How? I need to know the stakes.

  I can do it without killing or collaring, but it will require coercion. No lasting effects, I promise.

  Okay. She breathed slightly easier. What will that do to you?

  I considered her question carefully before answering. It won’t be as bad as when I killed those boys.

  I’ll head this off if I can. I won’t let things spin out of control. I won’t let the pack fall apart.

  Perhaps the bigger issue is that she pulled this stunt in public. If I hadn’t spun an illusion, a whole group of people would have overheard us. She wasn’t even softening her speech for Human ears.

  That’s a good point. How are you holding up?

  I’m holding up. Don’t worry about me. Gary’s here with me. Actually he’s talking to Jason about what happened.

  Excellent. Tell Jason I’m leaving work to hunt down Adrienne and I promise not to kill her.

  “Excuse me, Gary. Jason, Billie asked me to give you a message.” Gary nodded, and I spoke in the direction of the phone, knowing Jason would hear me. “Billie’s leaving work to hunt down Adrienne. She promises not to kill her.”

  Gary parroted Jason’s reply. “How pissed is she?”

  “Not as pissed as she was two minutes ago. I’ve kept my promise to you, Jason. Please keep her from coming after me. I don’t want to break my promise, but I won’t let her kill me.”

  Gary’s expression darkened even further as he punched a button and Jason’s voice came out of the speakers. “You’re on speaker phone now.”

  Jason repeated himself. “What will you do to her if she tries?” His voice rumbled aggressively.

  “Billie asked me the same thing. Nothing permanent. I swear.” Jason grunted. I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not. “The pack is in chaos over me. I’m doing my best, but I don’t know how to make this right. I love her, Jason. If I didn’t, I’d pack up my car and get out of your way. I don’t want to make her choose between me and her pack. I think we both know what choice she’d make, and Pack means the world to her. I’m growing kind of fond of you guys myself.”

  “Oh really?” He didn’t believe me.

  “Well, not everyone.” I grinned at the phone, and Gary covered his mouth and coughed to stifle his amusement.

  Jason heard it and snorted. “Adrienne disobeyed my orders. I’ll take care of it. Don’t break your promise to me.” He hung up without waiting for me to argue.

  Gary let out a low chuckle. I didn’t join him. Jason got your message. I informed Billie.

  Good. Are you staying at work or going home?

  “I’m staying at work.” I sent the message to Billie and spoke aloud so Gary could hear.

  He patted my leg. “Atta girl.”

  I’ll see you at home then. Tell Gary thank you for me.

  “She says thank you.”

  “Any time. I mean it.” He pulled out his lunch and ate quickly. I checked the time and followed suit.

  * * *

  Following a hunch, Billie drove to Matthew’s home. Adrienne had been trying to reclaim Matthew’s attention since he broke up with her sixty years earlier. She’d become Wolf for him and resented it when she found herself single. Billie didn’t have any sympathy for the woman. Adrienne had stuck her toe across too many lines and pushed too many buttons. Billie quit caring why a few years back. Adrienne knew Matthew’s routine, and Billie knew her patterns.

  Billie pulled up to the simple rural home in her immaculate black Jeep and jumped out. She could smell Adrienne, the fresh trail leading right to Matthew’s front door. Billie followed the scent, and the door opened as she drew near. Matthew stood in the doorway looking impeccable in clean jeans and a button-down shirt. He radiated power much the same way that Billie did.

  He frowned. “She’s inside. She disobeyed Jason’s orders, and I’m not going to defend her. But she’s right about the Mage. She puts us all in danger.”

  “Sadie isn’t just any Mage. She’s my mate and no danger to the pack.” Billie did not like repeating herself, and she’d said those words too many times to sound nice.

  “And if she is? Are you willing to sacrifice us for her?” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned on the doorframe casually.

  Billie seethed. “If you knew her, you would know how ridiculous that sounds. She’s not like other Mages.”

  “I’m not convinced you’re seeing this for what it is.” Billie’s shoulders relaxed. Matthew had sparred with her enough times to know that tell. He didn’t fear her reaction nor did he prepare for a fight. Out of all of her packmates, only Matthew could do that. She held the former Marine in high respect. “I’m not challenging you, Beta. I’m telling you how I see the situation.”

  Billie could respect his honesty, but it stung. “Sadie’s not the problem here.” She left it at that and walked past him into the living room. He followed silently.

  Adrienne stood on the far side of the room, trembling in anger and fear. Billie circled the room, eyeing her, daring her to challenge. Adrienne didn’t speak while Billie stalked her. Matthew took a position out of the way, watching intently.

  Billie’s voice rumbled angrily. “You know Jason gave Sadie permission to be in our territory. Correct?” Adrienne nodded reluctantly. “And you know she’s under his protection. Correct?” She nodded again, cringing into the wall. “You also know she’s my mate, not just my lover. I wore her matebite. You saw it with your own eyes.” If she could have fled she would have, but Billie had her cornered. The trembling Wolf had nowhere to go.

  Billie came closer. “Do you challenge Jason’s authority?” She shook her head. “Do you challenge my authority?” She shook her head again so hard she hit the bookshelf beside her. Her temple began to bleed. “Then tell me why you disobeyed orders.”

  She opened her mouth as if to speak but no words came out. On the second try she was able, and her voice squeaked. “She’s a Mage.”

  “You don’t trust Jason and me and the Elders to keep you safe?” Again she opened her mouth silently. Billie waited for a response, but she only screwed up her face in thought. “If you don’t trust us, then you don’t belong in our pack. Your choice. If you don’t trust us, then leave but don’t risk everyone else’s safety. You nearly exposed us to Humans today. If it weren’t for Sadie, you would have. You put the entire pack in danger when you disobeyed orders and went off half-cocked in public. Do anything like this again, I will shove your teeth down your throat.”

  Adrienne nodded in compliance. Tears began to roll down her face, partly in relief as she realized Billie wouldn’t attack her. Then Billie crossed the last few feet, and she shrank to the floor, hiding her face.

  “Look at me,” Billie ordered, and the Wolf raised her head reluctantly. “If you attack Sadie, she will defend herself.” Adrienne blanched. “She’ll leave you alive and uncollared, and then you’ll have to deal with me. Try to hurt my mate, and I will break every bone in your body.” Adrienne nodded and put her head on her knees.

  Billie turned her back on the Wolf and faced Matthew. He watched without expression or comment. She couldn’t always read him, and his stoic demeanor didn’t tell her what he thought of the situation. Matthew was the pack’s right arm. If something needed done, he did it efficiently and expediently. Sometimes that arm carried a sword, and he wielded it with skill. The third best fighter in the pack, she counted on him frequently. He was a bit of an ass, but a loyal one. “Keep an eye on her. If it smells like she’s going to do something like this again, tell me immediately.”

  He glanced at the crying woman on his living room floor and back to the powerful one standing before him. “Yes, Beta.”

  Billie left without another word and drove towards home. There was no sense in going back to the office at this late hour or in her current state.
I don’t think Adrienne will bother you again. She sent a message to her mate.

  Is she still in one piece? Sadie asked with concern.

  I didn’t touch her. I’m headed home.

  I’m nearly done at work, but I promised Jazz I’d stop by the lab and give her a blood sample. It shouldn’t take long. Feel like getting dinner started?

  Yes. That’ll help me unwind. See you soon.

  * * *

  I breathed again, though not easily. Hopefully the conflict with Adrienne would not continue, but I couldn’t convince myself. The rest of the day had ticked by slowly while I waited anxiously for Billie’s update. Gary looked questioningly at me multiple times, wondering the same thing. I only shook my head each time, letting him know I hadn’t heard back yet.

  I waved at him and he came immediately. “What happened?” he asked. A few of the more obnoxious employees had noticed the conversation and lunch spent with Gary. Whenever we spoke, they watched us like hawks, looking for tasty gossip. I set an illusion around us, muffling our topic to any eavesdroppers.

  “Billie contacted me. She said Adrienne won’t bother me again.” I hurriedly explained after his eyes widened. “She didn’t hurt Adrienne. I don’t have the whole story yet, but she sounds confident that it’s over.” I didn’t feel confident, and it showed. “No one can hear us, by the way.”

  “Adrienne is mean-spirited and hotheaded, but she’s neither dominant nor powerful. She probably rolled over when Billie confronted her.”

  “Women like her drive me nuts. What’s her story?”

  He shrugged. “She’s impulsive and self-centered. She throws herself at men and then turns her back on them after she gets what she wants or they don’t cater to her every whim. She’s been known to play one man against another just for attention. She’s an eighty-something year old spoiled brat.”

  “Lovely,” I remarked. “80 huh? She looks good for her age.”

  “Wolves always do.” His eyes brightened. “She’s just a few years older than Jazz. We looked the same age when we met.”