Cerdwyn started to protest, but Jacob shot her a hard look and she gave in. “That’s why Rafe needed the ley lines. The process of instilling a being with that much power is contrary to laws of balance that nature works on. It either requires time and patience, which you have told us to ignore or more power. Rafe drew on the power that occurs at the site on the Arnauk reservation to compensate for the natural inclination of fates to force the receiver of the power to endure an equally powerful back lash.”
Jenna smiled content with that answer. “Maon, make sure the druid gets something to eat and some sleep.” He nodded. “Actually let them all have a short break for not giving me a hard time with getting an answer.” She had expected at least some argument. So she was feeling generous.
Jenna walked out of the room and Maon followed her. “Any other orders,” he asked.
She stood a moment looking off into nothing. Maon could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. “Yes, gather a group of volunteers. Make sure they know what they are in for. But introduce them to Devon and explain the benefits. Anyone who wished to undergo the change is to be provided the ability to do so.” Jenna refocused on him. “Then report to my room. I believe I promised you a reward for your efforts tonight.” She smiled at him and then headed down the hall toward her room, making sure to swing her hips enticingly for Maon as she went.
***
Sarah was trying to talk Keith into sticking around for the conversation with Aislinn. Cullen had left it to Sarah to explain to Aislinn what was going to happen at the mating ceremony, tell her why he was going to be longer getting back then he had originally thought, and explain to her why the mating ceremony was about to turn into a trap and likely a blood bath.
Keith was flat out refusing to take part. “Sorry Sarah, but if I’m supposed to find out what’s going on at Tairneach manor and get back to Cullen then I’d better get on it. Besides it sounds like a woman thing anyway.”
Sarah glared at him. “Fine. Could you have someone send her in here then.”
Keith threw her one of his patented smiles and then headed out of her office. He was about to send an omega to locate Aislinn but found her watching TV in the great room with Rissa and some of the others. Keith stood in the doorway and watched for a minute. He never would have guessed when he had first met Aislinn that things would have turned out like this. He thought back to the gutsy bartender that woke him up in the middle of the night to come pick up Cullen at that shithole bar and smiled.
“Aislinn,” Keith called into the room.
She looked up from the show. She had a hand full of popcorn and glanced back at the screen once before giving him her full attention. “Uh huh?”
“Sarah needs to talk to you.”
Aislinn gave the television a disappointed last look. “I don’t think I’ve managed to catch the end of a single show since I got here,” she complained as she jumped the back of the couch and headed for the door. One of the guys sitting on the floor took her seat and started making a pass at Rissa as Aislinn left.
She walked down the hall to Sarah’s office and tapped on the open door as she walked in. “Keith said you wanted me?”
“Yeah, close the door.”
Aislinn raised her eyebrows. “Problem?”
“No. Not exactly. Except that Cullen’s an ass and gives me too much of his dirty work sometimes,” she groused.
“And you wondered why I don’t want your job,” Aislinn chuckled.
Sarah glared at her. “Keep that thought. First, he had trouble at his meeting and he won’t be back today. In fact he’s not sure how long exactly he’s going to be. He said to tell you that he’d call when he’s able.”
Aislinn’s face instantly fell. “What happened? Am I allowed to know?”
“Jenna. Apparently the message about the dire wolf dust means exactly what you were afraid it means.” Sarah sighed and looked at her sympathetically. “This is the part where you’re going to be very happy your mating happened the way it did. The short version is that due to the threat that Jenna poses we need reinforcements, unfortunately interpack law says that we don’t have grounds. Unless Jenna does something more blatant we’re screwed. But Cullen and Cadifor have come up with a plan to invite extra lycans to your mating ceremony so that we have an excuse to have more people on hand for the possibility of the attack. Keith has been sent to see if it can be determined when the attack will come so we know when to plan the ceremony to happen.” Sarah watched Aislinn’s face fall.
“I can’t believe he’d do that and then have you tell me. Why wouldn’t he explain this himself?” Aislinn was pissed.
“I’m sorry Aislinn. I know that it seems insensitive. But unfortunately this is one of those things that being associated with the alpha results in. He’s trying to protect the pack. He’ll do whatever he has to in order to make us safe. In this case it means sacrificing the intimacy of his mating ceremony. I know we keep saying that everything the alpha does affects the pack and is watched by the pack. The best you can do is appreciate the time you get alone with him. But things like the mating ceremony are always going to end up being turned into political something.”
Aislinn shook her head. “Okay. Logically I can see what you’re saying. And if I’m told that it really is a choice between this mating ceremony and the safety of the pack then of course I’ll do what I have to do. But Sarah,” she couldn’t even finish the sentence. She felt like she was going to throw up. “How many more people are we talking about? I mean I’m going to have to do what in front of them?”
Sarah tried to think of the best way to explain it all. She gave Aislinn a lot of credit. Technically speaking it hadn’t been all that long since Aislinn had been brought into their world. There weren’t many people who could make the kind of adjustments that she had made. “Well, you’ve already done most of it. I guess what you really need to know is that what makes it a ceremony and not just the two of you having sex is the fact that everyone will be watching, some people may participate, and at the end the whole of the pack is to be given access to the two of you.”
“See,” Aislinn said angrily. “I hate the way you all know exactly how to not say the most important part. You’re going to have to tell me what you mean by that.”