Page 80 of Moonlight and Mischief
“How’s Hazel feeling?” I ask.
He jerks as I shake him from his thoughts. “She’s okay. Physically fine. Eager to take on Granite Ridge.”
“Good.”
“So,” he says, hesitating, “you and Marigold?”
Pine needles crunch under my feet. “Fine.”
“Sounded like you guys made up,” he says lightly.
“We are not having this discussion,” I reply with a dry laugh.
“Did you ask her to be your mate officially?” he asks.
There’s no way I can lie to him. He would see through it instantly.
“You did, didn’t you,” he says, a wide smile spreading across his face. He chuckles, running his fingers through his dark hair to sweep it away from his forehead.
“I don’t think she’s ready to tell anyone,” I say softly.
“So how’d you ask?
Shrugging, I rub at my arm. “Well, it wasn’t so much asking, as it was calling her my mate as I killed a wolf who was about to attack her.”
“Ah.” Slate nods, as if this makes perfect sense.
“Last night she said she’s all in,” I finish my story.
After a few more steps, Slate asks, “Did you claim each other?”
My guilty smile is answer enough. Slate turns, his hand gripping my shoulder. “I’m really happy for you guys.”
Coming from my older brother, it means a lot, and the emotion rising in my chest surprises me.
“Wolves ahead,” I warn, tracking them by sound. Slate sighs. I know he'll hate this part. But it’s necessary, and it was his idea. Even Hazel agrees that it’s our best shot.
We continue to walk forward, unbothered as Granite Ridge wolves surround us. Snarls and barks echo through the trees.
“We’re here to negotiate,” Slate says, raising his hands in surrender. Our captors drive us forward, though Slate refuses to increase his speed despite the jaws snapping at our legs.
The circle of buildings surrounding the meadow looks mostly untouched, with the exception of the blackened diner. A few structural beams stand leaning against one another in the rubble. But at least it’s the only destroyed building. I try to ignore the bodies, still uncovered a day later.
Sienna and Ferris have set up court in the training building. It’s the largest space in our community and it’s full of weapons. Two-legged guards take us from the patrol. Rough hands grip my biceps and tighten zip-ties around my wrists. I don’t recognize many of them, and the ones that are familiar keep their eyes on the ground. Slate lets out a low growl as he’s restrained and we are led forcibly toward the enemy’s command center.
Inside is surprisingly quiet. Chairs have been brought in for the Alphas and benches dragged forward into a loose circle for subordinates to sit at during meetings.
“Isn’t this a nice family reunion?” Sienna says, rising from her seat. She’s in head-to-toe scarlet, standing out from the grays and blues around her. Her waist-length dark hair falls in dramatic waves and her eyeliner is sharp as a dagger.
“Hello, Mother,” I say, the words painful as I force myself to meet her gaze.
She strokes my face. “It’s so good to see you again. And both of you together! I never imagined this day would come.”
Slate leans away from her touch when she tries the same motion with him. Clicking her tongue, she turns back toward Ferris.
“So what brings you back to me?” Her mate stands, resting a hand on her shoulder. Her lip curls at the contact but she covers it with a sly smile.
Clearing his throat, Slate says, “We are here to negotiate a surrender under terms that protect the lives of our packmates.”
