Page 91 of Between Imminent Fates

Nero’s smile was tragic. “That’s why you felt the pull toward each other. You and Key are fated to be mates.”

***

It was dark before Aidan arrived. Jax had reached out to him a few hours after Jaeda’s confirmation, asking for his advice. He was still sitting in the room beside Key’s still form when the alpha of all wolves walked in.

“Jax. How are you handling it?”

“About as well as I can,” he replied. “I think the fact that she knew at the end is the worst part for me. I feel like I failed her somehow. I should have been there.”

Aidan nodded solemnly as he looked at Key. “She was a warrior. Still is. Her, my sister, and Isaiah: all of them committed the ultimate sacrifice to save us. That takes courage that few people have.”

The other werewolf sighed, then continued, “I know it doesn’t help, but there was nothing you could’ve done that night. She assembled some of the most powerful people in the world, and all of us just watched. My sister—”

Aidan’s voice broke.

Jax clasped Aidan’s shoulder, supporting the other man as he worked through the hurt. Touch was important for werewolves, and he knew the alpha needed it now.

“My sister and Isaiah did something no one knew was possible, but it only happened because of Key,” Aidan finally said. “Your mate is a phenomenal woman, Jax. And when she wakes up—because I still have hope they all will—you’ll get to live with her in a world without theCitizensthreatening our future.”

“I very much look forward to it.”

The alpha gave him an approving look. “Oh, the wolves from your facility—some of them have asked about you. There’s a teenager, Dillon, who’d like to speak with you whenever we can get you over to Seth’s pack lands.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s doing very well,” Aidan replied. “Dillon might be the youngest werewolf ever turned, and I’m keeping an eye on his development. He mentioned that you kept him going when he would’ve gone mad. He wanted to thank you.”

“For the venison?”

Chuckling, Aidan clapped him on the back. “I got the feeling it was mostly for talking to him like a human being and showing him mercy. He was a runaway when Rayn grabbed him and hadn’t seen kindness in a long time.”

Jax felt his wolf stir within him. “And Seth’s taking good care of him?”

“The entire pack has adopted him. Brilliant kid, and they’re happy to have him.” Aidan became pensive. “All of the dens across the States have taken in new wolves, though Riaz’ pack has taken in the most. Lots of loners across the Rocky Mountains.”

Over the last several weeks, Aidan had shared his new reforms for the werewolf nation. Over the previous few weeks, the alpha had brought the lone wolves back under the mantle of his responsibility. It was an effort to put an end to the losses their species had incurred because of lack of oversight.

The lone wolves had each been brought under the umbrella of a nearby den or invited to Paracel where Aidan lived. They still had the freedom to roam, if they chose to, but there would be checks and balances in place and a support system to address any issues or lack of contact for a predetermined period of time.

“I’d love to meet your alphas at some point,” Jax said. “I feel like there’s so much to werewolf society and I don’t know the half of it.”

“You’re not alone. Every recently turned wolf feels that way. It doesn’t help that you’ve just had such major shifts in your life. Moving to Oahu, leaving the Army, and finding out you’re mated to a Raeth foreseer—it’s quite the change. Give yourself time.”

Jax eyed him. “I’m still wondering how Remmus managed to get me honorably discharged with no warning whatsoever.”

“The technopath has his secrets,” Aidan grunted. “Either way, I’m glad he was able to. Staying in might’ve been difficult now that you’ve wolf.”

“At the time, all I wanted to do was help the cause and Key. I didn’t realize what a massive decision it was.”

Aidan nodded knowingly. “We all are fools in love.”

Chapter Nine

Derikles

A week after theyreceived Isaiah’s last wishes, they interrogated Rayn.

Derikles sought permission to enter Nero’s territory, joining Remmus, a Judge who could discern truth from deceit, and Zia, Nero’s second and someone who could validate Rayn’s memories.

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