Page 46 of Moonlight and Mischief
Heath breaks the tension. “Ferris, you remember my heirs, my niece Hazel and her mate, Slate.”
“So nice of you to bring them,” Ferris replies cooly.
Sienna gives a cat-like smile. “Unfortunately, our Ember had to stay home, but I would like to introduce you to Hawk.” A slender young man steps forward. His reddish hair is brushed back into a bun and freckles cover his skin. “He joined us from the Alpine Pack, son of the Alpha. He is Ember’s Intended.”
Heath nods curtly. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Hawk says, his voice rough, like he doesn’t speak often. His posture squares off, like he is striking a practiced pose to hide discomfort. I can’t help but study him. I’ve never met anyone from the large pack a day’s drive north of us.
My sister has an Intended, a mate for someone not yet an adult. She won’t turn eighteen for a few more months. Did she pick this wolf, or did our mother arrange it? Does she even like him? Nausea churns my stomach. It’s not the kind of news I expected, and it shouldn’t bother me as much as it does.
Cashel shakes Ferris’s hand and Hawk’s, sharing his own congratulations.
Finally, Ironcrest arrives. Zephyr strides forward, flanked by his Beta, a fierce woman named Beryl, and his Gamma, Dell. A collection of guards follows silently.
His cold gaze sweeping the group, Zephyr says, “No Nyx, I see.”
Heath shakes his head. “No, she couldn’t be persuaded.”
“Typical.” Zephyr shakes hands with each of the other Alphas.
The leaders settle around the table. Between Alphas, Heirs, and Betas, all seats are full. I stand beside Hawthorne, keeping my posture rigid and my eyes on our enemies. Aries and Flint stand opposite us, glowering from the other side of the table. Despite six months apart, their hatred of me burns bright.
“I’d like to thank all of you for making the trip and contributing to the first Alpha Counsel in eight years.” Heath starts, his deep voice commanding attention. “Preceding this counsel, Ironcrest met with us. Zephyr, would you like to share what we’ve discussed?”
I’m not the only one watching Ferris and Sienna for their reaction.
Zephyr threads his fingers behind his short hair and leans back. “Yes, I let the Bracken Creek Pack know that I recently expelled several wolves after discovering they contributed to the abduction of the Bracken Creek heir last fall.”
The air crackles with tension. I suspect everyone is thinking the same thing. Beryl’s eyes are on Ferris, making her thoughts perfectly clear.
“I don’t think we have to address those dramatics again,” Sienna says, her smile thinning.
“It wasn’t discussed originally, so I’m not sure why you are saying ‘again’,” Slate says, his words like ice.
Cashel sits forward. “Considering it was a major conflict between two of the four packs represented here, I think it should be addressed.”
Ferris's arrogance soaks into his every word. “Considering our valid claim on the female was challenged and you schemed to take one of my children from my pack, I think the matter is best left in the past.”
My nails dig into my palms, but I give no other outward sign of my pounding heart or the blood rushing in my ears.
“Our challenge was more than you deserved when you had committed a crime against us,” Hazel says. Zephyr smirks.
“Peace.” Heath holds up a hand. “My pack is willing to move past the incident, as long as Granite Ridge upholds the peace measures we are working to pass here today. But we will not be forgiving again.” Sienna scoffs. From Slate’s tense posture, I can tell he is struggling to accept our Alpha’s words. But Heath has made his decision. “Before we discuss them, does anyone else have any other grievances?”
“I do,” Zephyr says, “Ironcrest has been having some issues with the Raven Pack crossing our borders.”
Malachite leans his forearms on the table, mimicking his father’s pose. “That’s a serious accusation.”
“Unfortunately, it’s true. So far it seems to be just scouts. I believe they’re testing our security for weaknesses. A condition of our participation is support in addressing this problem.”
“Noted. What support are you requesting?” Heath says.
“I simply need to get in touch with Nyx. She’s surprisingly difficult to reach.”
“Not a problem.” Heath turns to the other two Alphas.
“Granite Ridge has no grievances,” Ferris says, his face lacking its typical intensity. It makes the hair on my arms stand up.
