Page 49 of Luna Rising

“It’s too big a risk,” Colleen replied, her tone stern and motherly. “Even if the council can’t kill you, they must have a plan to incapacitate all of you. You are much too valuable to lose, Zara.”

My mounting ire swung to Ewan. His jaw clenched, a warning clear in his ruby eyes. “I’m meeting with the Taurus fae when we’re done here. Once I speak with their elders, I’ll coordinate with the Capricorns and, hopefully, the Ophiuchus.”

He pulled his cell from his back pocket to see if Drake had called or messaged. Ewan put it away without saying more, suggesting she hadn’t.

“Essie will want to send some of the Geminis,” Colleen said. “She’ll likely reach out tonight once she’s done in Arcane Landing.”

Ewan nodded. “Of course. The more magic users, the better.” His phone buzzed, and he frowned as he looked at the screen. “Elder Galrose. Head of the Taurus fae.” Scrubbing a hand down his face, he shifted his focus to Winter. “Mind opening a portal for me? That’s quicker than walking, even with vampire speed.”

“We should get back, anyway.” Colleen stood and nudged Walter. “Come on. Frann will be looking for you.”

Winter waved her hands and opened a passage. Ewan turned and brushed a kiss across my cheek, giving my waist a squeeze.

“I’ll be quick,” he promised.

I remained silent. We were both aware I was feeling miffed, though I suspected he didn’t understand the reason. It wasn’t just about his passive approach to the surrender. My issue was all the times he said “I” instead of “we”.

Maybe it shouldn’t have bothered me. He was the alpha, after all. In most packs, my position as his mate would’ve only afforded me status and not an opinion. So why did I have the urge to throw the fire poker at his back when he disappeared into the portal?

He’d called it “our” pack before. Foolishly, I’d believed him.

“It’s all new for him, too. Don’t forget that.” Mrs. Wynn’s voice broke into my thoughts. She started for the front door, calling over her shoulder, “I left something for you upstairs, Zara. Come along, Birch. Escort an old woman home.”

Birch followed her like a loyal lapdog, leaving me alone with Charlie, who made no move to vacate my house. Instead, he went to the kitchen and began clearing the mess of dishes and food containers.

“You don’t need to do that,” I said.

He waved me off. “I don’t mind. I’m the oldest of eight. Pretty used to cleaning up after a crowd.”

I blinked, stuttering when I repeated the number. “Did you say ‘eight’? Like, one more than seven?”

Shifters were fertile and all, but I’d never heard of a family with more than four children. Doubling that seemed excessive.

He snorted. “Don’t look so horrified. It’s really not that bad. I’m never lonely.”

A casserole dish caught his eye, and he paused to shovel macaroni into his mouth with a large serving spoon. Watching him devour the cheesy pasta like he hadn’t eaten in a week made my stomach turn.

“Being alone has its advantages,” I said, trying to keep my disgust to a minimum.

He laughed. “If that’s a nice way of telling me to get my ass out of your house, don’t waste your breath. Alpha’s orders. Until he returns, you get me.”

I had guessed as much. Ewan was reticent to leave me without protection, like I couldn’t take care of myself, which was ridiculous. Prior to turning, I wasn’t exactly helpless, a fact he knew very well since we had both participated in Lix’s fight club. While vampirism had seemingly rendered me incapable of decision making, I didn’t need a bodyguard or a babysitter.

“You aren’t nervous?” I flashed my fangs. “Kilbi was almost a snack.”

Charlie finished the pasta and resumed cleaning. “Yeah, but she sort of deserved it.” He shrugged sheepishly. “She’ll come around. After the funeral.”

I stopped mid-stride on my way to the fridge for a much needed bottle of blood. Ewan had mentioned holding a service for Angelica, and I hated the idea then just as much as I did now. There was a part of me that understood. Angelica was pack. The funeral was only right. Of course, in my head, I heard those reasonable thoughts in Ewan’s voice.

“Oh, fuck.” Charlie’s face reddened to match his hair. “You didn’t know. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He’s going to kill me. Literally. Like rip my throat out kill me. Or maybe he’ll let you do it.” He ran his hands through his and pulled the strands.

“Calm down. Nobody is murdering you. Ewan told me that he intended to give her funeral. I just haven’t thought about it since.”

The beta sagged against a marble countertop. “Gaia, you scared me.”

Maybe I should have felt bad, but I didn’t. A few seconds of fear were nothing compared with my centuries of hatred for the woman he knew only as Angelica.

I shrugged. “Well, you annoyed me, so guess we’re even.”

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