Aislinn was wide eyed. “You don’t mean that was normal?”
Cullen growled. “Only if you don’t let it run its course. Technically I should only get like that when you’re in heat.”
Aislinn shook her head. “Maybe I should sit in on that elementary class that Sarah was talking about before.”
Cullen smiled, then chuckled and kissed her forehead. “If you like. But Keith is a big boy. He could have handled a pummeling. And he probably did something recently that deserved it anyway.”
Keith grumbled at that. “Thanks,” he said angrily. “You do realize Aislinn, he can turn on you when he gets like that and unless you like it really rough then that little move you pulled, as grateful as I am, could get you hurt.”
Cullen took a deep breath and Aislinn could tell that he agreed with Keith.
She smiled at Cullen. “No. He wouldn’t hurt me,” she said with an air of confidence that made both of them stare at her. “Anyway. I’m going to get a shower now, if there’s enough time before we need to leave?”
“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll get some clothes brought up for you,” he leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “Make sure you clean up that bite so it doesn’t get infected.”
Aislinn kissed him on the cheek and then disappeared into the bathroom. Cullen watched her go and his eyes flashed. “I’ve got a problem,” he said after the door closed.
“That appears to be an understatement. I wouldn’t have expected you to attack me. Are you sure you can hold out? I mean maybe you two need to disappear for a while.”
Cullen shook his head and walked into his bedroom with Keith on his heels. “That’d be too obvious. Besides,” he said contemplatively, “Aislinn seems to be in control of herself pretty well and apparently she can bring me back to earth as well. I’ll just make sure to get to bed early and sleep late. I’ve cause enough upheaval for the time being. If I were to announce that I took Aislinn as a mate without going through the steps then I’d be risking loyalty issues.
The people who’ve been moaning about her being like Rafe or non-lycan would be all about her having screwed with my head. They’d make everyone else start doubting if I’m acting normal. Especially with that charge to her rescue I pulled. I realize he was threatening our territory and I would have dealt with him even if Aislinn hadn’t been involved. But it would have gone differently. All my decisions are starting to get questioned. Not to mention that they’d be all over Aislinn and she’s having a hard enough time fitting in and dealing with all the changes she’s gone through as it is.” Cullen pulled his shirt over his head.
“I need everyone to keep following my lead without question. Same as they always have. I have to admit that I’m a little pissed that there’s so much random doubt about me right now. Decades of consistent leadership and one lousy detour from the road I paved for them and they’re all acting as if I’m a different lycan. And on top of that with Jenna still questionable and the feds on us the last thing I need is being questioned and doubted.
Hell, they’ve all fallen out of shape. Do you realize that it took all muin day to mobilize. Thirty years ago it would have been an hour, tops. This may sound ignorant but I’m starting to think that all these years of peace and quiet have been too much. Without a threat outside the pack we apparently aren’t strong enough to hold together.” Cullen’s voice got increasingly more agitated as he spoke.
Keith nodded. “I know what you’re saying. That’s why nations love war so much. United in a common cause. Blah blah blah. Everyone says that they want peace. Then they get bored. So they turn on each other. So what do you suggest?” Keith leaned against the door frame and waited.
“As far as the unplanned mating goes. We keep it quiet. Not even innuendo about it in public,” he said with a hard look at Keith, who put his hands up as if he was giving in. “We’ll start with arranging as much time, uninterrupted, alone with Aislinn as I can manage. And you’ll actually wait to be let in after you knock.
Beyond that we’re going to have to play it by ear. We need to set up some drills for the troops and lay into them about the lousy show they made yesterday. Not to mention the fact that I wasn’t taken seriously.
That pisses me off more than anything else. I say there are people we need to watch for in our own pack and no one really believed it. What? Was I just talking out my ass? They ignore my warnings and question my ability to lead?” Cullen finished by violently tying his shoes and stood up. His hair was still wet and he shook his head like a dog, splattering Keith.
“Funny,” Keith groused. “At least it was just water and not getting slammed into the wall. I’m thinking that I need to get out of here before she’s out of the shower.”
“Oh come on. I wouldn’t have killed you.” The two men headed for the hall, knowing that Keith was right about how Cullen may react to Aislinn being wet and naked with Keith in the room. Cullen called an omega over to send for clothes for Aislinn then turned back to Keith. “Anyway, the satphone call.”