Chapter 30

ANNA

The silence was awkward.

Anna watched the group that had gathered on the other side of the clearing. There were around four shifters, all lounging on the grass and enjoying the late afternoon sun.

Only one was in wolf form, a large, grey wolf, his tail flicking lazily in the air. They weren’t really doing anything interesting.

Anna couldn’t even hear what they were saying; they were so far away. Watching them, however, meant she didn’t have to look at Caius.

She was sitting cross-legged in the grass, while he sat next to her, looking a tad uncomfortable with her choice of meeting place.

He didn’t seem the sort to sit on the ground, but Anna had wanted to meet somewhere neutral without a whole lot of prying eyes watching their every move.

Maybe it would be a good idea to put some picnic tables or something out there. She would have to run it past Zach.

Anna had decided to seek out the immortals after her brief conversation with Zach.

She had found Caius almost immediately because he had been waiting in the shadows of the trees not far from the den as if he had known that she would come looking for him.

He’d casually informed her that Dominic wasn’t available because he was running errands, although she was sure it wasn’t anything as trivial as buying milk.

Knowing that she was going to be alone with Caius had made her hesitate, almost wishing she could postpone this meeting until someone else could join them and act as a buffer.

She knew she needed to talk to him, but she had no idea how to start the conversation.

“You okay, babe?” Zach’s voice was a welcome distraction; the tension that had unknowingly built up in her shoulders immediately began to leach out.

“I’m fine,” she reassured him, hesitating before asking, “Is your meeting finished?”

“Not yet, another thirty minutes. An hour tops. I’ll come find you straight away, okay? You’ve got this.” He was enthusiastic, but Anna couldn’t stop the guilt she felt for distracting him.

She should be able to have a conversation with her biological father on her own.

“I am glad that you found your alpha, that you have bonded him.” Caius’ voice was quiet but Anna still jumped, not expecting his words.

She continued to fight the urge to look at him, waiting for him to say something else.

“I sense he is a good male. I can see that his pack is very fond of him,” he said.

“He changed my life and for the better,” Anna replied simply.

“Dominic told me a little of your life. Enough to paint a vivid picture, anyway.” His voice was cold, distant.

Anna shivered, looking down, because it was this voice that made her start to wonder what exactly he was capable of. “If I had known what your mother’s pack would do to you, I would have never left you there.

“I thought you safe with shifters and away from immortals, and so, I believed it was better for you that I stayed dead. I did not want to risk bringing danger to your door.”

Hearing the regret in his voice, the torment, Anna finally turned her head to look at him. He was looking straight ahead, the skin around his eyes drawn, his lips pressed together tightly.

“How could you have known?” she asked quietly. “It was not your fault, and I don’t blame you.”

“It does not matter. You were—are—my daughter, my blood. You had no mother, no one else to protect you. It fell to me, and I failed you. I failed Katherine.

“There is no excuse for that.” He glanced at her then, his eyes dark as they met hers.

“If anyone from Grey Wing ever crosses my path, believe me, they will wish they had not.” There was no anger in his voice or any other emotion. It was just a cold, deadly promise. Anna shivered.

This was something that he and Dominic had in common: an aura of absolute menace. There was no doubt that they were both cold-blooded killers.

Anna wondered if it was just them or an immortal thing. It could be handy if she ever developed something like that one day.

“Please don’t go killing people on my behalf,” she finally commented wryly.

“I will not make any promises, but I will not kill anyone who does not deserve it.” He was so utterly serious that Anna could only wonder about how he would decide whether someone deserved it or not.

Their heads turned as the group across the clearing stood, moving back toward the den, except for one wolf who loped off into the trees instead.

There was a long, silent pause between Anna and Caius before Anna finally asked.

“I guess I should be asking what it means to be an immortal.

“I feel like I’m walking blind a little bit.” She turned so that she was fully facing Caius, wanting to see every nuance of his expressions.

“I haven’t felt any surges of energy since the fight, but I’m worried it’ll come out again when I least expect it.” She paused, inhaling deeply before admitting, “I’m scared I’ll hurt someone.”

Caius scratched the back of his head as he considered his answer. The movement drew Anna’s attention because, usually, he was completely still. He never made unnecessary movements, never fidgeted.

She found herself staring at him, doubting that he even breathed.

“Very little is known about hybrids.

“Immortals were of two groups: they believed it was not possible for hybrids to exist, or they believed that they were an abomination that needed to be destroyed.

“I believe that there are other hybrids, possibly unaware of their heritage—like you—or in hiding.

“Dominic and I will try to find these others, as well as more information on hybrids, so that we can help train you as you grow into your abilities.” He paused, looking at Anna, who nodded that she understood.

“As for being an immortal, we are an elemental species.”

“Fire, water, earth, air? Dominic mentioned something like that.”

“It is believed they are the basis of our powers, though we have access to many more abilities, each immortal unique to the next.”

“I was able to control wind during the battle, but I don’t have access to anything else, no other elements. And I can’t speak to anyone telepathically unless it’s through the pack links.

“I can’t move things with my mind. I can shift into my wolf, but nothing else.”

Caius placed a heavy hand on Anna’s shoulder, giving it an awkward squeeze, trying to comfort her, she guessed.

“Immortals are not so different from shifters and rely on psychic energies to grow their powers.” Anna blinked owlishly at him.

Caius gave the smallest of smiles and explained, “When something is not used, it does not strengthen or develop as it should. Like a mental muscle, without regular use, it weakens and deteriorates.”

Anna considered his words, worry still plaguing her. She looked up at the reddening sky, the sun now dipping below the trees. “Do you think I’ll ever get full use of my immortal side?”

Caius gave a heavy sigh. “That, I cannot answer. I am sorry; I know you would like for me to say something different, but there is no way of knowing except by waiting and seeing.”

Anna nodded. It was the answer she had expected, but hope had still been a creeping tendril in her chest.

“None of that matters anyway,” Caius stated firmly.

“It does not change or lessen you in any way. I believe you are stronger than most, having overcome obstacles most immortals have never had to face.”

Anna glanced at him, seeing the sincerity in his expression.

She chewed on her lower lip, debating her next words before blurting, “I would like to get to know you, Caius.”

He watched her, not saying anything, so she continued, “I admit I wasn’t sure, before. So much has happened, and family—blood family—doesn’t really mean much to me. But I would like to know you and Dominic. If that’s okay.”

“Anna.” His eyes creased, his lips curling into the smallest of smiles. It changed his whole face, making him almost approachable. “I would like nothing more than to get to know you.

“I know that Dominic feels the same. I hope to change your mind on blood family, but I understand that it will take time.”

Anna was about to reply when a loud yell drew her attention toward the den.

A small, furious female was striding across the clearing, her fists clenched tightly at her sides and her cheeks flushed red.

Anna recognized the blonde female with a pixie cut as Clara, the shifter who had spoken to Zach about a new computer system. The one Zach had sent Alex—

As if her brain had conjured him, the male in question appeared out of the den entrance. He froze, his head swinging around, searching, before landing on Clara.

He quickly took off after, not looking at all pleased.

“Clara!” His voice was a loud shout. “Get back here!”

“Get lost!” was the reply Clara threw over her shoulder, not even deigning to look back. Alex’s growl was loud enough that it rumbled through the clearing.

Anna stood up, wondering if she should intercept him because Clara definitely didn’t want to speak with him, and Alex could be bloody intimidating even when he wasn’t angry.

Before she could even take a step forward, a tingle ran down her spine, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end as the breeze brought the scent of pine and citrus.

Tanned arms wrapped around her middle, pulling her back against a broad chest, and a chin rested on her shoulder.

“Don’t,” Zach murmured. “This has been a long time coming. They need to work it out themselves.”

Anna relaxed against him, her eyes on Alex’s back as he disappeared into the trees where Clara had disappeared.

“Who knew you were such a meddling alpha?” Anna said. “Almost as bad as Theresa.”

Zach gave a dramatic gasp, forcing her around to face him, his arms still wrapped tightly around her. “How dare you. I’m much worse than Theresa.”

Anna laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck before glancing down at Caius.

She saw his lips twitch and could swear he was holding in his own laugh, but when he met her gaze, his expression was completely impassive.

Zach got her attention back when he pressed a short, sweet kiss to her lips. “Speaking of Theresa, I didn’t want to interrupt, but I need your help.”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“She’s hounding me about this party, and I need your help to hide.”

“I don’t know any good hiding places. You’ve lived here your whole life; why would you need help?”

“I believe he just wants your company,” Caius chimed in helpfully.

Zach shrugged, looking unrepentant.

“I definitely want her company.” He leaned down, nuzzling her cheek and pressing small kisses across her skin until he reached her ear and gave a quick, sharp nip to her earlobe.

He soothed the sting with his tongue, and Anna actually felt her core temperature rise by several degrees.

She fisted her fingers in the back of his shirt, ensuring he didn’t go anywhere, even though he wasn’t letting go either.

And then, she remembered Caius sitting right there next to them.

She went taut, letting go of Zach so that she could push against his shoulders and try to get him to let go. “Zach, not here!”

“Okay then,” he immediately agreed. Anna looked up at him suspiciously, even as he continued, “Somewhere else, then. I know a great hiding place.”

He winked before picking her up and throwing her onto his shoulder so that she was hanging down his back.

She shrieked, even as he jauntily said, “See ya later, Caius.”

He started striding off, and Anna lifted her head enough to see Caius give them a small wave, his cheek definitely creased with a smile.

“Zach, put me down! I can walk!” Anna pummeled her fists into his back, but he only laughed.

“I know you can, but that’s less fun.”

A few minutes later, Zach slowly slid her body down his front, causing her eyes to go heavy lidded.

He stopped her when her toes were almost, but not quite, touching the ground and held her there with just one arm around her middle.

He raised his free hand to cup her cheek, leaning down to slant his mouth across hers.

His tongue traced her lips, coaxing her to open before pressing forward, consuming her as if it had been weeks since he’d last kissed her instead of mere hours.

Anna sighed against his lips, scratching her nails gently across the back of his neck, feeling smug satisfaction when he groaned.

Zach pulled back, just slightly, so that when he spoke, his breath puffed against her lips.

“I missed you.”

“It’s only been two hours.” Anna huffed out a laugh, just a little breathless.

“Doesn’t matter.” He stroked a hand over her hair, his eyes completely serious as he looked down at her. “I’m beginning to find that I’m really possessive and jealous of you spending time with anyone but me.”

“I’m sure you’d survive without me pinned to your side,” Anna replied wryly.

“I know I could, but I just don’t want to.”

Anna couldn’t believe that this was her life now, being the true mate of someone like Zach.

Back at Grey Wing, she could never have imagined anything like this, only daring to dream of a day when she would escape.

She did wonder if she would have come into her abilities without arriving at Silver River or meeting Zach.

Dominic had said that he had found her, that he had been watching over her, so he may have eventually gotten her out of Grey Wing. But maybe this was how it was all supposed to work out.

She knew that not all true mates found each other, but maybe she and Zach were always destined to meet.

That was a nice thought, anyway.

Zach finally let her down when she pushed against his shoulder, and she looked around, finally seeing that he had brought them to the lake. He knew that this had become her favorite spot.

“When your wolf came after Mitch here, you knew we were mates, didn’t you?” she asked as she went and sat near the water, watching the ripples the breeze was creating.

He sat next to her, pulling her to his side.

“I knew,” he murmured.

“Why didn’t you tell me then? Why did you wait?”

Zach looked down at her, wrapping a tendril of her hair around his finger. “There were a few reasons.” He gave a soft sigh, regret tightening his features.

“I knew what you’d been through and thought I was doing you a favor. I thought that having a mate would distract me and weaken me as alpha.

“I thought if I stayed away from you, the mating would never start. I thought a lot of things, all of them wrong.”

“I understand, Zach.” Anna pressed her hand to his cheek when his eyes avoided hers.

“It was stupid, and I should have known better. We could have avoided a lot of trouble if I had been a better male. Mitch would have been better off, for sure.”

“I think…” Anna trailed off, unsure if she should finish her thought, but he gave her an encouraging smile. “I think if you’d told me straight off, I would have run.”

He gave a short bark of laughter. “Oh, I know you would have run! You threatened to anyway!”

“But I didn’t!” Anna protested, grinning up at him.

“No, you didn’t.” His voice was soft, and he pulled her even closer. “You’re stronger than you know, Anna.”

Before she could reply, they heard someone approaching through the trees, and they both looked over their shoulders at the sound.

“Yoo-hoo!” Theresa called out merrily as she stepped into the clearing. Zach groaned so softly that Anna knew only she would hear him.

“So glad I found you both; we need to talk about the ceremony!”

“Zach,” Anna said quite seriously, and he turned to look at her, raising a brow. “Your hiding places suck.”

***

Fairy lights took over the tree line as they were twined around the trees from trunk to tip. There was a mixture of color and white lights, casting a festive glow over the clearing.

Pop music filled the air, coming from the temporary speakers that Theresa had managed to set up in the trees.

An archway had been set up near the tree opposite the den entrance. It was birch with flower vines twisting around it.

Tables had been set up with food, buffet style, so that people could eat when they wanted to, while chairs were scattered throughout the clearing.

Anna could see that a lot of people were opting to just sit on the grass. The mood was light, and there were smiles on every face as people relaxed into the evening, drinks in their hands.

When she had come out, her eyes had been on Zach and everything else had been a blur, but now that she was sitting down, the official part of the ceremony over, Anna could take everything in.

It was unbelievable that Theresa had accomplished all of this in just over 24 hours. It was perfect. Anna sat back on her hands, her fingers twisting the grass beneath her palms.

She was enjoying a moment of quiet, feeling overwhelmed by all the people. It was still taking a while to get used to such a large, friendly pack.

She watched as Zach did the rounds, speaking to almost everyone. Every few minutes, he would glance over his shoulder at her, as if checking whether she was still where he had left her.

Each time their eyes met, he would grin devilishly, clearly thinking of the things he had promised to do to her when he finally got her alone.

Anna didn’t think there was any blood left in the rest of her body, all of it staining her cheeks a tomato red.

They were mated. They had been already, but now, it was official in the eyes of the pack. She was the alpha female of Silver River, a thought that no longer filled her with fear.

All evening, the pack members had been approaching her to offer congratulations, hugging her with big grins as they wished her luck wrangling Zach.

She would probably need it. It felt as if he was getting more mischievous as each day passed.

Anna remembered her bonding ceremony, where he’d seemed so serious, so much older than he truly was.

It seemed self-important to believe that he appeared younger because of her, but it really felt like their mating had reopened a part of him that he had closed off.

Like her, he had been through so much too young, but he was still young, and Anna was going to enjoy reminding him of that.

Life was too short to take it so seriously, and Anna could see that she and Zach would have a lot of fun together.

She caught his eye again, grinning helplessly at the glint in his gaze, even as her cheeks grew hot. Again.

A squeal caught her attention, and Anna looked away to see Denton throwing Jamie up into the air, Eloise standing next to them with Camie in her arms.

It was the toddler shrieking in delight as she watched her father swing her brother in the air.

Watching the family filled Anna with a hopeful longing, imagining what any children she and Zach would look like.

They were true mates, so they would be able to have children, but it wasn’t something they had discussed yet, more focused on themselves and their relationship than adding to it.

Anna didn’t even know if Zach wanted pups, and she had no idea what kind of mother she would be. She didn’t exactly have any shining examples.

“I can’t wait to see you round and glowing with our children,” the voice was a soft murmur in her mind, and she swung her gaze around to find Zach, who was deep in conversation with Clara.

“We can have a whole pack of kids if you want,” he said.

Anna giggled. “A whole pack?! Maybe just a couple. Not for a while though... I’m enjoying having you to myself right now.”

“Well, it’ll be fun practicing in the meantime.”

Anna had no idea how he could carry on a normal conversation while talking like this with her in his mind.

She was grateful for her moment of solitude, not sure if she’d be able to maintain a conversation with how flustered her mate was making her.

As she watched, Zach and Clara turned and began heading toward her. Once they’d reached her, they sat on either side of Anna, Clara smiling brightly in greeting.

Zach wrapped an arm around Anna’s shoulders, pulling her gently—but firmly—to his side. He nuzzled the side of her head, his way of greeting her, and murmured, “Missed you.”

“I haven’t gone anywhere!” Anna protested. “You were the one being the social butterfly.”

“Just doing my alpha-ly duties.” Zach gave a careless shrug, his eyes roving over the clearing and the pack within it. Anna could feel his joy at what he saw and how settled he felt.

Tonight was not a night for worrying about the Circle and their next move. Tonight, they celebrated their pack and the happiness that could be found, even in the darkest of moments.

“You look beautiful tonight, Anna.” Clara’s quiet voice interrupted Anna’s thoughts, and she turned to the other female, beaming at her.

“Thank you! Theresa helped me find it.” Her dress was made of dark green chiffon that swirled gently around her legs as she walked.

It had short, loose sleeves and a deep neckline, while a sash of the same material was cinched around her waist and tied in a bow on the side. Anna had never owned anything quite like it.

She had gone for a simple look, wearing her hair loose around her shoulders and no jewelry, even though Zach had wanted to buy her something. This way, Anna felt more like herself.

Even her feet were bare, enjoying the damp grass underfoot.

“Clara,” Zach interrupted, “did Alex find you? I asked him to come and see the surveillance system in my place.”

Anna looked at him, her brow raised questioningly because he knew full well Alex had found her. Catching the twinkle in his eye, she turned back to Clara and watched as her expression darkened.

Anna had to bite down on her tongue to stop herself from asking questions, her curiosity about what was going on between the petite female and Zach’s second almost overwhelming her.

“He did,” Clara muttered, her eyes darting around as if Alex was about to jump out at them.

Anna leaned forward, placing a hand softly on Clara’s. “Are you alright?” The question was soft and empathetic, and Clara managed a small smile.

“Yes, I’m okay; thank you, Anna. Just sick of dominant males who think they should always get their way…” Clara trailed off, her eyes on Zach as if she’d just remembered he was sitting with them.

He held his hands up, palms out.

“Don’t worry about me! I take no offense because I know I’m nothing like those other males.”

Anna snorted. As two sets of eyes stared at her in bemusement, she covered her mouth, mumbling, “Sorry, carry on.”

Zach rolled his eyes, giving a hard tug on a tendril of her hair. “No respect. Just shameful.”

Suddenly, Clara stiffened, her eyes sweeping the clearing before stopping and narrowing. Anna followed her gaze and saw Alex determinedly walking toward them.

She turned toward Clara, ready to say something encouraging, although she didn’t know what, but the other female was already rising.

“I’m sorry, but I need to… I’ll talk to you later. Have a good night!” She gave them a quick smile before dashing off in the opposite direction of Alex, who froze as his eyes tracked her movements.

“And here I thought he was coming to talk to me,” Zach commented dryly.

Anna chuckled, snuggling into his side. “You’re a busybody. Maybe you should focus on your mate for a change.”

His eyes snapped to hers, and he gave her that devilish grin, his eyes twinkling.

“Oh, should I?” He ducked his head down, pressing his lips to her ear. “Maybe we should find somewhere quieter so I can truly focus all my attention on you.”

Anna took a shuddering breath, her stomach clenching in anticipation. She reached up, cupping his cheek and feeling his stubble tickle her palm.

“Now, that sounds like a great idea.”

He stood, offering a hand to help her up.

“I just hope you have a better hiding place than yesterday.”

Zach gave a booming laugh that made people all over the clearing look at the couple and smile along with them.

“Don’t you worry about that,” he said before he yanked her up and over his shoulder, making her scream. “I’ve got everything sorted.”

“Not again, Zach! Let me down; everyone’s looking at us!”

Completely ignoring her, he strode toward the den, Anna bouncing indignantly on his shoulder.

Everyone cheered as they passed, clapping for the newly mated couple, and not one looked the least bit shocked at Zach’s behavior when he reached up and gave her bottom a pinch through the dress.

That only made everyone yell even louder.

Anna ducked her head to hide her smile, not wanting to give up her pretense at annoyance just yet.

She and Zach would definitely have an interesting life together because no matter what came next, Silver River—and their alpha pair—would face it together.

^End of Book 1^