Roland felt himself flush with shame. Nafarius was right; it was a dangerous time to be distracted. Quickly stripping out of his clothes, Roland shifted before headed into the woods for a run. Hoping to clear his head, he headed east.
He’d been running for maybe half an hour when he picked up their scent. Skidding to a stop, Roland lifted his head to the wind; they hadn’t yet entered the pack’s territory but they were close. Their scent carried traces of their camp, helping Roland to pinpoint their location. Turning back towards home, Roland went to warn Nafarius.
Nafarius was surprised to see Roland entering the clearing at a full gallop. A moment later, Roland, back in human form knelt panting at his feet. Gasping from changing so quickly, he was able to utter one word in between breaths. “Council.”
Turning, Nafarius barked orders that sent men scattering into the woods. Patrols were increased while the women and children were brought back inside the den. The Council, while not usually considered a danger, wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Nafarius didn’t know what to expect so he prepared for everything.
Roland fought the urge to check on Natasha and Payton; instead he focused on keeping the pack safe knowing that by doing so he also protected his mate and child.
Sam stepped out into the clearing, blinking in surprise when Nafarius growled at her. “Get back inside!”
Having caught the panic as pack members came running inside, Sam had gone to find Nafarius. “What is it?”
“Get inside!”
Sam took a step forward and growled; her wolf was close to the surface and restless. She hadn’t been able to shift in almost eight months and the tension in her mate wasn’t helping. She sensed a danger to her pack but didn’t know where it came from; she wasn’t going anywhere until she knew what was going on.
Nafarius took a deep breath. Sam’s eyes had gone bright; unlike other werewolves, her eyes never changed from emerald green, even in animal form. But they went bright, like now, almost glowing when she was prepared to change. Recognizing that she was answering an unknown danger to her pack, he tried to explain. “Roland sensed the Council, they’re here.”
Sam shifted questioning eyes to her mate’s second. “How far?”
Roland, still naked from his earlier run, stood and said, “Not far; they made camp at the edge of our territory but if I sensed them it was only because they wanted me to. They’ll know that we’re waiting for them.”
Sam turned back to Nafarius, “How long until they get here?”
Nafarius considered a moment before answering. “I would expect them within the hour.”
Sam nodded before turning and heading back inside. There wasn’t much time and she wanted to make sure that everyone was settled before the Council arrived.
An hour later Nafarius, Sam and Roland watched as three Council members stepped out of the forest and stopped at the edge of the clearing. Nafarius stepped forward to welcome them when his gaze landed on Dresden. Instantly, Nafarius grabbed Sam and shoved her behind him. Roland, responding to the sense of danger from his leader, stepped forward to protect the man’s mate. “You brought a Hunter!?” Nafarius growled.
Sam, not understanding, allowed Nafarius to push her out of the way but didn’t retreat into their den. From behind her mate, she took in the sight of the odd looking trio. The first to step forward was an elderly gentleman. Amazingly large, age had nevertheless bent his back until he stood hunched over a walking stick. Beside him stood a woman of middle years, her hair so white it was almost silver. Her long neck and limbs made Sam think of a swan; instantly Sam knew that the woman’s animal was a bird.
The last member to step from the forest was a young man; as dark as the woman was light, he moved with grace and agility. Watching as he slipped from the forest, Sam couldn’t help but think cat.
In truth, the group was made up of a Council Elder, a Healer and a Hunter. Each member was equal among the Council but offered up different skills that were considered necessary for the preservation and protection of all lycan.
Nafarius had addressed his accusation at the Elder but never took his eyes off the Hunter. He’d met Dresden several years ago and was familiar with the man’s skills. As a Hunter, he was a full member of the Council but spent most of his time patrolling. It wasn’t unheard of for the Council to send Dresden out into hot spots, areas where there was a conflict between lycans or where lycans threatened humans. Hunters were sent only after all diplomatic attempts at peace had failed; they were also known as assassins.
Lillian, the Healer, stepped forward. “Dresden is here for our protection. Yours isn’t the only pack in the area; not everyone would recognize us as Council members or afford us the protection that position is supposed to ensure.”
At Nafarius’ single nod, Sam deemed the danger passed; stepping around her mate, she gestured the group forward. “Welcome, won’t you join us?”
Nafarius growled low in his throat as Sam stepped around him. He hadn’t wanted her out here in the first place. It was only after she argued that the Council was here for information, not to attack, that he agreed. He’d allowed her to convince him that the Council would not have let their presence be known if they meant any harm but that was before he’d seen Dresden.
Sam stepped forward to meet each Council member. The Elder introduced himself as Jonas. Up close, Sam realized that he was as grizzly as his animal with dark eyes, a wide nose and a five o’clock shadow that she doubted any amount of shaving could cure.
Lillian radiated warmth and light; Sam had a hard time resisting the urge to reach out and touch her. There was something immensely comforting about the woman and she could only hope that there might be time to talk later about the upcoming birth of the twins.
Turning towards Dresden, Sam ignored Nafarius’ growl of warning. His animal was strong and pulled at her. Sam fought the desire to get close to him; unlike the comfort that drew her to Lillian, Dresden called to a different part of her. She sensed the hunter in him, the panther that prowled beneath the surface. Something shifted inside of Sam; her animal, always before a wolf, stretched and purred.