107 | THE TIES THAT BIND

There’s a small break in our conversation as the smells of food coax us from our huddle near the main house. As a group, most of the Reinier Pack’s upper echelon of Wolven, lead me through the masses of roaming Wolven to find lunch. Paris seems to have given the Reunion a lot of thought, because feeding more than one hundred Wolven each meal is sure to be suspicious. And though I don’t think Shola’s people will try to kill us if they find out there’re a bunch of extra Wolven in the area, I’m relieved to see fresh fish roasting over a large bonfire.

There’s a long line already leading away from the area where Wolven are milling around in clusters, waiting anxiously for their turn. The people manning the bonfire are Reiniers, of course, but younger Wolven - ones I don’t recognize. I’m studying the ten kids when someone bumps into me. I blink and turn to see Paris grinning at me with Mom in toe, and two men to Mom’s left. Relief floods through me and I all but start bouncing on my toes.

“I guess the Queen granted you leave?” I joke with Ryker, my grin widening as my cousin’s face turns beet-red.

“Don’t be stupid,” Ry growls at me, but there’s a certain sulk in his posture that lets me know he’s not entirely happy to be here…so far from the Vampire Court and the Queen. “I didn’t need her permission to leave.”

“Uh-huh.” I chuckle and smirk at Paris. Her smile’s as wide and taunting as mine. Craven clears his throat, eyes flickering towards the line and effectively drawing the attention of the group off of Ry. The line’s moved, and we quickly close the slight gap, ensuring no one cuts while we’re preoccupied.

“Anyway,” Ryker narrows his eyes on Paris and I as we turn back to look at him expectantly. “Who’s going to be on my team for the triathlon tomorrow?” His change in subject is horrible, but I look to Paris and we shrug at each other, just like old times. With a much wider grin, we start up the human rock-paper-scissors to decide while Ryker grumbles under his breath and rolls his eyes.

“The triathlon’s a little different from human races,” Paris reminds me as I lose the draw with paper. I scowl at her and Ryker, waiting for them to explain. “It’s a three-part race, but it starts with human-form running, then swimming through the bay, and finally ending on a run back - but in wolf-form.” She explains. “We leave the shifting part for the end because of the need for stamina to make the shift. But you have to cross the finish line in human form or you get disqualified.” Her grin is equal parts wicked and excited, a light making her irises burn a little brighter.

“That’s…” I blink, surprised such a rigorous course has been made and frown at her as the light in her eyes dims. “Why?” I ask her, the wheels in my head turning slowly.

“It’s more than just a race,” Ryker admits after he and Paris share a look. “Paris has a Beta, but - as you know - she’s not mated and there’s really no one else who wants to step up as a second Beta right now, so…”

“I told a few of the allies that I’d be willing to form an alliance through a more permanent agreement: a mate.” Paris mutters, a slightly guttural grumble entering her voice. I stare at her in confusion and surprise. I thought the Hunter was her mate- or at least her true-mate - soul mate. “It was what I told them to agree to come three months ago.” She explains, rolling her eyes and letting out a deep sigh. “I didn’t make any promises, but said that would be the only way I’d consider any proposals.”

“You make it sound like there have been multiple proposals already,” I tell her slowly, realizing my cousin hasn’t told me everything like I thought she had all these months. Paris sighs, running a hand through her straight, red hair and ruffling the curtain.

“Thirteen.” Paris grumbles, lowering her voice as the others tense in the group. She won’t look me in the eye as I stare at her with a mix of fear and worry for her safety blooming in my chest.

“That’s all the Reinier allies.” I whisper-hiss at her, tipping my head to try and catch her eye.

“It is what it is,” Paris snaps back at me, then lets out a breath and closes her eyes. The brief panic I’d seen in her own gaze dying out and gone by the time she reopens them and loos at me. “Grandmother had promised-”

“She’s not Alpha anymore-” I remind her on a growl, my hackles rising, but Paris holds a hand, her blank face remaining stoic.

“I can’t go back on her promise. I’m allowing ten of them to compete in the events for the Reunion, and tell them if I agree to a mate-match by the end of it.” The brightness in her eyes is completely gone now, making the blue-green hue dull and empty. “I don’t have to agree to anything,” She adds softly, but we both know that’s bullshit. No one will leave without her agreeing to something like a courtship at the very least. Bile rises in the back of my throat as I think over the possible ten allies who’re here to compete for the spot as Paris’ mate. I knew of at least five families from before Mom and I left the Pack, but ten? “It’ll be fine, Wisty.” Paris tells me softly.

Suddenly, we’re at the front of the line, and I can’t focus on the issue of Paris taking an evil-ally Wolven as her mate. The heavenly aroma of spiced seafood fills my nose, making my mouth water and stomach growl.

“And who do we have here?” Mom asks, more to the kids manning the make-shift food stand than Paris, but Paris is the one who answers.

“These are the pups of the Pack,” Ryker tells Mom, nodding to a few of the kids who beam back at him. “They’re our volunteers for today. They’re showing off the skills they’ve been learning the last few months.” He holds out a hand to one of the older boys. The blonde kid rushes to get a fish from the stands by the fire and passes the cooked thing to Ryker for inspection.

All of the young Wolven wait and watch Ryker with excitement and hope in their eyes, as if looking up to a hero rather than their older cousin. Ryker hums softly as he sniffs the fish and nods to himself, then looks at the fish and takes a tentative bite. A few of the kids literally stop breathing, waiting for Ry’s final verdict.

“Good work, little warriors.” Ryker finally tells them and three let out whoops and the rest sighs of relief. “Now, no slacking. When I get back to the Court I expect you to continue learning these valuable skills to help the Pack while I’m assisting the Queen.” He tells them, meeting each of the nodding kid’s eyes before offering them a smile.

“They were being trained by Ry to become Enforcers before Ry accepted the liaison position.” Paris mutters to me with a knowing smirk in Ry’s direction. I knows she, like me, doesn’t think Ryker will be returning to finish their training anytime soon. “This is Peyton, Mila, Felix, Myles,” Paris points to each of the kids until she gets to the two in front of us. “Bastien and Daphne.” The twins look at each other, as if sharing a telepathic conversation, before tilting their heads at me in a weird kind of bow.

“The twins don’t speak,” Paris mutters to me softly. “But they communicate telepathically with the Pack from time to time.” She adds when I look at her worriedly. “They say ‘welcome’.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I nod to them, then look to the other kids. “All of you.” I give them what I hope is a warm smile, though I really know nothing about them. A few nod to me, and the rest just look at me suspiciously.

“Don’t mind the pups,” Paris wraps an arm around me as we start to walk away from them, a skewer of fish in our other hands. “I think they’re just a little wary because you’re a hybrid.” She mutters under her breath, blowing on the still-steaming fish before ripping a chunk off it. “They’ll come ‘round.” She says around the fish.

“Uh-huh.” I laugh and examine my own lunch, my mouth watering. I begin tearing into my own meal and have to mentally praise the kids. For all their mistrust, they make excellent fish.

“So, strategy,” Paris looks to Ryker as the rest of the group goes to get their lunch. “What kind of plan do you have for tomorrow?”