Page 85 of His Temporary Alpha Mate
It was there, a tiny, almost imperceptible widening of Ulrian’s eyes. “Is that so? I was unaware of such an attack.”
“The Northarbor aviary has worked for almost the last two years to undermine our growth, to harm our members, and even to hobble us financially. If it weren’t for my talented people and my connections in the area, we would have collapsed, leading to chaos, as most of our people would be unwelcome in Northarbor thanks to their bigoted views.”
The mayor listened to this calmly, though his fingers did twitch around his cup and saucer. “I see. Well, this paints quite a different picture than the one which I had been presented with. Could I have a report of these attacks on your pack?”
“We reported them to the police,” Blake stated bluntly. “If those are not on file, well, you can draw your own conclusion.”
“Theresa, please request the relevant files from the police.” His ice blue gaze met Alpha Blake’s. “If those files are indeed missing, would you be so kind as to provide evidence?”
Blake looked at me. I gave a faint smile to my Alpha.
“I have those files already compiled and backed up. Not only is there paperwork, there are recordings.”
Ulrian looked mildly impressed. “I understand inter-species skirmishes, though I have to confess this ongoing issue between Sweetwater and Northarbor mystifies me. You worship the same goddess, do you not?”
Sebastian’s father broke his silence. “They have perverted the way of The Luna. They spout blasphemy!”
Jasper’s presence became clear when our goddess spoke through him.
“Do not speak of which you do not understand. Your clan has lost its way from the path. The Sweetwater pack is under my protection. Their betas know fertility. Alpha females are returning to the world.”
“Fascinating. Your goddess speaks to you?” Ulrian’s eyes gleamed.
“Ah, Ulrian Darkglade, I hope you are ready to pay the price for your past folly. You have an opportunity to be a beacon. I see much potential in you.”
Jasper’s brow beaded with sweat as his hold on the goddess wavered. “Be safe, my Sweetwater shifters,” she said as her goodbye.
The room remained in silence for a long moment as we digested her words. What was she warning Ulrian about?
“Well,” Ulrian stood. “This has been an unusual meeting. You have given me much to consider today. I would like to remind you of one new ordinance, which came into being last week.”
“Which is?” Blake asked.
Ulrian looked at my swollen stomach. My hand paused the rubbing motion. The babies were getting hungry and the cakes weren’t cutting it. We wanted loaded fries with raspberry jelly and lots of cream cheese.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Larken wince at the stray thought I sent down the bond. My cravings were too odd for him.
“All new births must be registered in person by both parents, with the baby, or babies, within two weeks of the birth or the parents will incur a substantial fine, or spend a month in jail. Something to remember withthe baby boom in Sweetwater.” With that, he stalked from the room, his assistant following.
Sebastian’s father lingered.
“Go, Father. We don’t want you here.”
“But, Sebastian…”
“No. You didn’t want me when I was a beta, you can’t have me now I’m an alpha.”
“It’s true? You changed designation?”
I hated that we were all witnessing this moment. Sebastian was ready to crumble. I knew he missed his family. He blamed his father for hurting Jake. The punishment they enacted on Jake was so old fashioned and cruel. They had locked him in his raven form for the crime of loving Sebastian, a peregrine falcon shifter.
“We both did. Me and Jake. He had our baby, a little alpha peregrine shifter, Matthew, last month.”
“Your mother—“
“Made her choice. You better go.” His voice broke. “I doubt the mayor is waiting patiently for you.”
Larken and Melody got close enough to push the aviary representative from the library. He’d more than outstayed his welcome.
