Page 3 of Ravish
“We will take every precaution, even if it means gathering all the females under one roof, if that is what we will have to do to make sure everyone is safe because we cannot stop what nature has intended.” She stiffened when he turned his glance on her, giving her a pointed look.
And she read what he was saying loud and clear: that science had no part in the natural order of things.
Her eyes narrowed, and he dismissed her by continuing, his eyes now back on the people in the chairs. “I will know more later this afternoon and hopefully have more answers for you.”
There was an audible gasp when he said that from all the women and the men. The heat cycle was important, but so was the chase; it was a sacred tradition, and now that might be in jeopardy.
Shea and her friends looked at each other in dismay. All the women under one roof would take away from the excitement of the chase and possibly leave them exposed to being caught taking the serum, especially if Fantasy ended up trapped with them. All of them under one roof and not going into heat would raise some serious questions.
“But that is the last resort; we will try and keep everything going as planned with our mating cycles here at Moonshadow.”
“Any more questions?” She saw Roland searching the crowd. Then nod. “That will be all. If you do have any questions or concerns, please come and see me. We don’t want anyone panicked and afraid if there is no cause to be.”
There was an increase in volume as the townspeople began to discuss what was just said. Shea and her friends got up, and as they were gathering their things, Shea froze suddenly, feeling a presence at her side. The hairs on her arms raised.
“Shea, I think it would be a good idea for you to not stay in your home on the outskirts and stay within our holdings until this matter is solved.” She heard Roland’s deep voice command her instead of asking her. His voice sounded sharp, and she could tell he felt uncomfortable offering safety under his roof.
She knew that this was coming from his father, as the Alpha King’s anger and hurt over his wife’s death had been tempered over time. The king took his role seriously, and hiscreed was to make sure all was well with his people, and it helped that she’d started providing a poultice for the pain he’d had in his shoulder and now was administering to him, as the king had a bad cough from a cold that he’d picked up.
Shea turned in shock, surprised, as Roland barely spoke more than a couple of words to her. She took a step back because he was very close, and she didn’t want him to see her trembling at the sight of him. She hoped he would attribute her fast-beating heart and rising body temperature to him standing near her unexpectedly and not because she was attracted to him.
Roland was tall, muscular, and very handsome with unique silver-blue eyes that she found herself drowning in when she gazed into them. He sported a tan year-round because of how he liked to work outdoors, and his skin loved the sun. His dark hair was cropped short, and he sported a beard that was trimmed low. She always lost her wits when she was around him, and when they were younger, he used to find that amusing, but now he just frowned whenever she did that. Shea learned to stop by naming off all different kinds of herbs in her head.
“Well, I and you—” She cleared her throat because it came out cracked and then turned to Emiyah, Adanya, and Fantasy, giving them a look because this would ruin the plan of her finishing the serum. She couldn’t take the chance of staying close and someone seeing what she was up to, especially under the king’s roof. They just gave her a look back, stunned just like her.
Well, no help there.
“Ahhuummmm, thank you, but I prefer to stay in my home. Besides—” She quickly interrupted as his mouth opened, and then he frowned in displeasure.
“You said we had nothing to worry about until we do,” she continued to rush out.
“I can stay where I am, and then if I need to, I can stay with the twins or Fantasy.” She turned and glared at the others again.
“Yes, she can stay with us.” The twins piped up.
“She can stay with me, if it comes down to it.” Fantasy offered, sounding reluctant to Shea. Fantasy loved her privacy and preferred her own company; the only time you saw her was during the meetings or events.
His gaze now took the rest of the group in, and his frown deepened at their smiling faces. “What are—”
“Roland, it is time to go. The other clans are waiting.” Mack came and stood next to the soon-to-be ruler. He was as tall as Roland but bulkier in build.
Roland turned now, his focus off Shea and now onto Mack. His dark head dipped in acknowledgement, but he suddenly returned his focus with a stern look on his face. “We will talk about this later.”
“Sure, we will,” Shea responded tartly, and he turned to give her a look, his eyebrows raised.
“So, Mack, how are you doing today?” Emiyah moved against Shea’s side, trying to get closer to Mack, who was blocked by Shea and Roland. Shea stiffened, waiting to see if he was going to respond to Emiyah and not embarrass her in front of them. He ignored her, his eyes only on his boss.
“Fine. Mack, let’s go.” He looked at the quartet suspiciously again, Shea and her friends giving him serene and innocent looks, and then, not waiting to see if Mack was following, turned and left them.
Mack followed, and Emiyah muttered loudly. “One of these days, I am going to give up on you. You, rude ass nea—”She broke off when Mack suddenly stopped in his tracks, frozen, his muscles bunching, and they all turned and shushed her. They watched as Roland clapped his right hand on Mack’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear before both continued down the hall and out to another door further down.
Lycan's hearing was very acute, and Emiyah groaned.
“I didn’t mean that. He’s just so frustrating sometimes.” As if that was all, Shea glanced at Adanya, who rolled her eyes, and they hurried as they finished gathering their stuff and rushed out before anything else could happen.
Chapter 2
Roland
