Page 94 of The Hunger
I flushed, remembering the way I’d pounced on Fenris, and knew that Raiden wouldn’t consider my complete lack of control a demonstration of power.
“It was a fluke, and you know it.”
Mom’s gaze flicked to me, and from the corner of my eye, I caught Fenris shaking his head. Mom sighed.
“Stubbornness seems to be genetic,” she said. “Suit yourselves. But when Eliana finally realizes her true potential, you’ll—”
“Mom, please stop.” I loved that she was defending me, but no one was going to believe her line about how I was somehow the most powerful of our kind. It only served to make me look more pathetic in everyone’s eyes.
Fenris’s hand turned, threading his fingers through mine. I smiled at him then turned the topic to something more important.
“How is the Council ensuring the safety of the humans while Aubrey is back? Kelsey and Zoe were thinking of attending school again until they heard she was there.”
Raiden gave me a startled look, and I knew he hadn’t even considered the humans when dragging Aubrey back to Uttira.
“She’s been warned,” he said.
“That’s not good enough. If her aggression toward Willow, Laurel, and Jenna is any indication, Aubrey is the same power-hungry person she was when she left. To speak plainly, she’s still dangerous. For the safety of the humans and the other creatures attending the Academy, she shouldn’t be there. It’s a gross misjudgment on the part of the Council that I intend to bring to Megan’s attention.”
Mom coughed into her napkin several times, but I didn’t look at her. I could feel her glee and knew she was silently applauding my backbone. Really, what else could I do but speak up, though? Someone had to stand up for the humans.
“Is it truly a fear for the humans, Eliana, or a ploy to remove the one female who might free Fenris from your thrall?”
Mom’s head whipped toward Raiden, anger overtaking her humor.
“I know it’s hard to believe that any creature might put someone else’s needs before their own or that of their kind, but that’s truly what this is about. Humans keep dying in Uttira, Raiden. While no one else cares, I do. Megan does, too,” I answered with as much control as I could.
“And so do I,” Fenris said. “Aubrey is young, yet she’s already eaten human flesh. It’s not the old ways of mating young that help us keep our humanity; it’s integrating with the humans. Our confinement to these strongholds is only building resentment against the humans.”
Raiden gave Fenris a hard look.
“You’re not pack leader yet, son. When it’s your time, you can fight with the elders to change the rules. Until then, they’re set, and you will abide by them.”
I glanced at Fenris, trying to figure out how the conversation had turned.
“And is that power?” Mom asked. “Forcing your will on those under your care?”
Raiden narrowed his eyes at Mom.
“I came here to make amends for refusing your daughter’s claim on my son, not to be questioned about the ways of the pack.” He turned to Fenris. “I won’t risk you going down the same path as Aubrey. She’s a strong female who can save you both if you mate this Saturday.”
Fenris’s hand twitched in mine, and I continued to steal his anger.
“The wolves are forcing pairings now?” I asked. “I thought it was based on scent and the mating urge.”
“It is. Once Fenris spends more time with Aubrey, it should be enough to snap him out of…well, you know how it goes after a succubus feeds. He’ll scent her and be fine.”
Mom made a scoffing noise and threw down her napkin.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t he claim her before I started feeding on him?” I asked. “They drove to school together, had classes together. There were numerous pack runs too, I suspect. Why do you believe so strongly that Aubrey is Fenris’s destined mate?”
“I don’t. It’s only a hope. Like I said, she’s strong. And mating with Fenris would save them both. But if Fenris claims someone else this Saturday, someone worthy to be a future pack leader’s mate, I’d be fine with that, too.”
“Is it true that your kind believes that the gods created a perfect mate for each of you?” Mom asked, seething beneath her composure.
“We do,” Raiden acknowledged.
“So then, your concept of who is and is not worthy is a moot point. It’s up to the gods to decide who is worthy, and it is up to you to accept it. You seem to be having a problem with that last part. Put those doubts to rest by inviting Eliana to your little pack run.”
