Bound to the Tribe (Bound to the Pack, #2) (9 page)

And suddenly, looking into his eyes, I knew.

“Just because a human rejected you is no reason to take it out on us all.” The shock in his eyes was proof that, however I was doing it, what I could see in his eyes was the truth. I dug deeper, took another step forward, and continued. “You didn’t even have permission to mate with him, but you didn’t care, you were in love.”

Aaron took a step back, licking his lips and looking around as fear rose within him while the others watched me uneasily. “How...” He licked his lips again as I took another step. “How do you know? You, you’re just making this up.” He forced a laugh, nobody believed I was making this up, not even him. He was grasping at straws.

Taking a final step, standing face to face, I hit him with the final pain I saw hidden in his eyes. “It’s unfortunate that the man you loved didn’t love you back.” Aaron’s face flushed in embarrassment and anger at the memory, yet his eyes never left mine. “But it’s no reason to justify hating us all.”

Slowly he nodded, before looking away.

Turning, I went back to Liam’s side in the dead silence that followed my words. Aaron was staring wide eyed at me and breathing heavily. All of the others, Kris and Liam included, stared at me with a mixture of awe and unease.

After a moment, the head guard cleared his throat and addressed Aaron. “You are relieved of this duty, go find Connor and tell him to report here immediately.”

Aaron nodded weakly, turned, and jogged off.

“That was unexpected.” Turning to face me, the head guard held out his hand. “Duncan.”

“Hi Duncan.” I smiled up at him as I shook his hand. “I’m Jen.”

“I’d say it’s nice to meet you, Jen,” he said, looking off at Aaron’s now running form, “But I’m not quite sure if that’s the truth just yet.”

I nodded, whatever I had just done would set rumors flying. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, and we wouldn’t know until it was too late.

“Let’s get you all settled inside.” Duncan turned to Ian. “Where are you staying? We’ll send someone to fetch you before the trial.”

“I’m staying out here, to watch over them.” Ian nodded towards us.

“I don’t think that’s permitted, Ian.” Duncan was shaking his head but Ian just shrugged.

“Then find someone who can stop me, because I want to be around to see what else Liam’s mate does first hand. Not hear some lame second or third retelling.”

Duncan sighed at Ian’s words, then snorted a laugh, but he looked me over again warily. “Very well. If you’ll follow me inside?”

Following him through the door, I was shocked to find a completely modern interior totally at odds with the rustic exterior. It looked like some trendy magazine had exploded furniture and art everywhere.

“One of our human guest houses,” Duncan supplied, “Not that we often have human guests. But when we do they usually require some level of your modern comforts.”

Wondering what kind of humans would visit a shifter tribe, I walked around and took it all in. They clearly had electricity somehow, a large TV sat in the living room with shelves full of DVDs on either side.

The kitchen was an area I’d kill for in my own apartment; huge and with all the modern touches and expensive high end appliances. A massive island, complete with breakfast bar, sat in the middle but left plenty of space around to get by.

Upstairs held two well decorated bedrooms, each with their own private full baths. And the views were positively breathtaking, showing off the natural beauty of the area.

It was paradise.

As we finished the tour and went back to the living room, Duncan gave us some last words of caution. “Make yourselves at home while you are here, but I must advise you that, in light of the charges against you, the council has forbidden you from sharing a bed.”

I blushed slightly as he looked between Liam and I. Kristen snorted, but Liam nodded. He had expected as much, apparently.

“Now,” Duncan continued, “As I am a more reasonable man, I say it is fine if you share a bed, so long as that is
all
you do. With no idea what will come of tomorrow, it seems cruel to forbid you spending time together.” He nodded one last time before leaving through the front door.

Thinking I’d go take a shower, I turned and found myself face to face with Liam and Kris.

“Ok, what the
hell
was that out there?” Kris asked, standing with hands on hips, looking at me like I had just ruined her day.

“What was what?” I obviously knew exactly what she meant, but I was hoping to avoid talking about it. I didn’t really understand it yet, anyway.

“Don’t be stupid.” Kris was angry and it was coming through in her words, loud and clear. “What was that shit you pulled on... Aaron, wasn’t it?”

“Easy sister.” Liam came to my side and cupped my chin, tilting my head up to look into my eyes. “It’s all right Jen. Please, tell us.”

Sighing, I leaned in and hugged him, drawing strength from his presence as I collected my thoughts. It was probably for the best that I go over this now with them both, since I’d likely have to do this tomorrow while on trial. “I can read shifters,” I started weakly, stepping back from him and addressing them both. “I don’t know how really, so I’ll just assume it’s under the catch all of a human-shifter bonding.”

They both nodded. “But how?” Kris asked. “This sure as hell isn’t normal for shifter bonds. I’ve never even heard legends or myths of anything like this.”

“It would help explain why it is forbidden, however.” Liam’s soft rumble was thoughtful.

“I just...” Trying to explain this was difficult. “I can look into a shifter’s eyes and get a read on things. It isn’t mind reading, nothing like that, more like the ability to see intent, sometimes reasons.”

“I’m not sure I’m ok with you reading my mind,” Kris grinned weakly. “It’s kind of disconcerting.”

“Deal with it,” I chuckled. “You shifters can smell my every mood and know what’s going on with me. This is just making it even.”

“Fair point,” Kris said.

“Anyway, I have to be looking into your face and really applying myself to get anything complicated.” I shrugged. Overall, it was a lot of hard work and not something I’d do unless I had to. Though, it was a fantastic tool to have available.

“This will likely be invaluable for you tomorrow,” Liam said thoughtfully. “You should be able to keep yourself safe.”

“You mean keep
us
safe.” I was thinking of the possibilities, maybe there would be a loophole we could use. Something, anything, that could help.

“Of course,” he replied. “To keep us all safe.” Something about his tone pulled me from my thoughts and I looked up to see him sharing a sad look with Kristen.

I looked between Kris and Liam who both were looking sheepish. “What’s going on? What do you guys know that you aren’t telling me?”

“Nothing Jen,” Kris said, “It’s fine.”

I might have believed her if they hadn’t both been avoiding my gaze.

“Are you going to make me see if I can get a read just from your body language, then?” I was getting irritated and concerned.

“Listen, Jen,” Liam began, still not looking directly at me. “I may be unable to return home with you.”

“They might lock you up? Would I be able to...” Suddenly I knew. “You’re not expecting to live through this,” I finished softly. Maybe I could read body language after all. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Sadness battled anger for dominance within me.

“I couldn’t.” Liam pulled me into his arms and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. It was as if the ground had fallen out from beneath me.

“Is it for sure?” I asked weakly against his chest. “Definitely?”

“Yes,” Kristen’s voice was as quiet as my own.

Liam held me tighter at her words. “You’ll be able to choose a proper mate when I’m gone, not just one you happened into accidentally.”

“Don’t you dare say that!” I found myself punching him weakly as the tears began to flow. “I don’t want to love anyone else!” I realized as I said it that it was the simple truth, I was in love with him.

“Jen.” He held me closer. “I love you.” His voice broke as he hugged me tightly enough to hurt. I wanted him to hold me there forever, crushing me to him, but he reluctantly released me and stepped back to look into my eyes. “I only regret not finding you sooner.”

“No regrets.” I sighed, wiping the tears from my face. Reaching up, I put a hand to either side of his face and pulled him to me, kissing him softly. The moment passed quickly, too quickly, and far before I wanted it to end I felt him withdrawing.

Looking up into his face, I found a new resolve painted across his features. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and exhaled slowly before looking between Kristen and I. “I know not how tomorrow’s events will play out,” he began, words gaining strength as he spoke. “But I will not go meekly to my fate, I will fight with all that I am.” He looked down at me and smiled. “Because I now have something to fight for.”

“Damn straight,” I smiled back at him.

“What can you possibly do, though?” Kristen asked, drawing our attention to her. “This is one of our most sacred laws. You aren’t even an alpha, nothing you could say would have any weight behind it.”

“I
am
alpha, sister.” He stood straighter as he spoke. “It matters not that I haven’t been labeled so by the council. Whether or not they see me so is irrelevant, it is how I see myself and so it is how it
is.
”

“I don’t think it works that way,” Kris said, looking him over. “But if it means you won’t walk quietly to your death I’m all for it.” She smiled and shook her head. “Hell, I’m even willing to accept you as my alpha now.”

“I thought you swore that that would never happen.” Liam laughed at her as she grinned and shrugged.

“Eh, times change.” She walked over to hug him.

“Very well then,” Liam spoke, grinning himself. “I graciously accept you into my pack.”

“Hey,” I asked suddenly, “Since I’m the alpha’s mate, does that make me the alpha female?”

“Technically, yes.” He said, beaming down at me.

“Cool.” I smiled wickedly at Kris. “That means she has to obey me. I require a huge raise and a foot rub. Now.”

“Good luck with that!” she laughed.

“Ah well, worth a try.” I shrugged and smiled.

Whatever tomorrow would bring...

We would meet it head on.

Liam

I
had never been good at waiting.

We had been standing in the sacred clearing our trial was to be held in for some time now with only Duncan as company. Ian had followed but left just before we arrived in the early morning light.

Jen shifted at my side, smelling irritated and anxious, though she was handling this far better than Kristen was. She was staring off at every noise, senses straining as she fidgeted where she stood.

I felt surprisingly calm. Despite what I faced, I knew now that I would make no excuses for my actions, nor apologies. I would own up proudly, defiantly, and let them be damned for judging me.

“What the...” Kris’s voice trailed off as the sound of people arriving reached my ears.

Turning towards the sounds I found myself surprised as well. This group wasn’t the tribal council, it was the clan alphas. Ian walked with them as they entered the clearing to stand in a semi-circle before us.

Richard, an alpha I had never liked, was the first to speak.

“Liam,” he began, satisfaction at my predicament causing him to smile. “You stand accused of violating one of our laws and mating with a mere human cow, what say you to this?”

Jen held herself back at the insult, something we had discussed as a probability earlier, but I was under no such restrictions. “I say it is none of your concern, Richard, unless you are now eldest and on the council?” I raised my eyebrow and looked around. “Oh, hello Logan. I will assume then that you are still alive and eldest.”

Richard’s face darkened while Ian nodded slightly, the others remaining silent and unmoving. I waited for Richard to open his mouth to speak before I continued, talking right over him as he sputtered to silence. “And if you dare insult my mate again I will rip your throat out.” I smiled wickedly. “That is, of course, if she isn’t restrained and beats me to it.” This time, Jen smiled darkly.

Richard blinked, rumors had clearly gotten around and were working in our favor. I gave an inward sigh of relief, the rumors could have caused serious problems.

“You dare speak to me as an equal?” Richard’s eyes narrowed. “We are not impressed with your pretending to be an alpha.”

“I do not pretend,” I spoke softly, rewarded by getting all the alpha’s attentions, “I find myself uncaring as to whether or not any of you say I’m alpha. I
am
alpha, and that’s the end of it.”

Ian was smiling now and several of the others nodded thoughtfully, even Logan.

“As to the other matter.” I took a step towards Richard. “I do not speak to you as an equal. Looking at you now, I find that you are beneath me.”

He leapt forward at my words, face contorted in rage, but his movement was sluggish to my alert senses. Using my much stronger physique and new-found extra height, I simply snapped my hand out and caught him by the neck mid charge.

The extra height translated into extra reach and he flailed uselessly against my arm as I lifted him from the ground. He felt light in my hand; I tossed him back to the earth at the feet of his peers.

“Enough,” Logan spoke as Richard stood slowly and prepared to attack again. Richard looked to Logan who simply stood without repeating himself, before staring daggers at me and returning to his place with the others.

Stepping forward, Logan addressed me directly. “Liam, do you know why we always refused to acknowledge you as alpha?”

“Because I was waiting for you to tell me I was,” I answered confidently. “I either am an alpha or I am not. It is not something you ask permission for.”

“True, and that was a large part of it, to be sure.” Logan paused, looking around at the other alphas before resting his gaze back on me. “But another part of it was that you were permanently self-absorbed, you could only care about yourself. Allowing you to form a pack would have been a disaster.”