Page 53 of Guardians

“Knowing someone can shapeshift and watching it happen are two different things.” She shook her head. “All of this is going to take some getting used to. Raphael refused to speak with Zion. What’s the story there?”

“Very old, very bitter disagreement,” Kane said. “I don’t think that wound will ever heal. It’s better just to keep them apart.”

“Well, Raphael wants to know about the alliance, so someone needs to speak with him.”

“I’ll hike up there tomorrow,” Diego decided.

“Why you?” she asked lightly. “I thought diplomacy was Kane’s area of expertise.”

Diego tensed, then sighed. “The raptor brothers were held in the same lab as I was.”

“I see.” She knew better than to delve any deeper.

“Do anything you can to bring them along,” Kane advised. “The raptors would be valuable allies, especially if it comes to war.”

Ifit came to war? After what the wolves did, weren’t they already at war? Lexie kept the questions to herself. The atmosphere was peaceful and relaxed, and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the evening. There were situations that required discussion and others that weren’t worth the argument. She’d learned that lesson quite well the night before.

The next two weeks passed quickly as Lexie and her mates found a comfortable routine that accommodated the needs of all four participants. At least one of her mates had breakfast with her every morning and all three did their best to be there for the evening meal. After dinner, they’d snuggle together on the sofa and read, play immersive games, or watch entertainment vids on the holo-projector. And then it was off to bed. Some nights she slept alone with one of her mates. Other nights they all piled into Malik’s bed. She secretly liked it best when they were all together, but the relationship was new, so spending time alone with each was also important.

Lexie spent her days with Tara and the other human females. At the end of the first week everyone still seemed too damaged for ultimatums, so Lexie decided not to tell them about the deadline. The second week was better. As the horror of the wolf attack gradually began to fade, Lexie tried to explain the social dynamics of the village and what would be expected of them as mates. It didn’t take her long to realize that their arguments didn’t stem from a lack of understanding, just a refusal to accept what they’d been told.

They were warm, protected, and well fed. Why should any of them seriously consider becoming a mate? She hated to admitit, but the council was right. Without a serious motivation these females would never volunteer.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please,” Lexie called out. Her voice echoed through the dormitory. A few people close to her quieted down, but most just ignored her. They had become much too comfortable in this situation.

Tara whistled, the shrill sound demanding attention. “Shut the hell up! Lexie has an important announcement.”

Finally, the noise level in the dormitory dropped to a manageable drone. “You’re all familiar with the terms of the alliance. Well, those terms have not changed. Zion allowed you to rest here and recover from the physical and emotional trauma of the wolf attack.”

“Why do I sense a ‘but’?” Kelly, one of Lexie’s former tent mates, asked.

“Buthis generosity has limits,” Lexie warned. “You will be allowed another two weeks in the designated cabin clusters. After that you must enter an official courtship with one of the coalitions or leave the village.”

“He’s throwing us out?” Kelly stared at Lexie with wide disbelieving eyes.

“He is reinstating the alliance,” Lexie stressed. “For those who choose to leave, a temporary shelter has been erected beyond the village walls. It’s within sight of the guard towers so they’ll respond to any danger. But the shelter is simply that. It has no running water or electricity. They’ll provide packaged food and firewood, but that is all.”

Tara took up where Lexie left off. “You were given a reprieve, a break because of the massacre. Their needs haven’t changed and neither have ours. If we want to belong to this village, to enjoy the comfort and security available here, we must play by their rules.”

“But the alliance will turn us all into whores,” a sour-faced brunette across the room objected.

Lexie didn’t know her name, but her attitude was insulting. “They want mates, not whores. I’m in a committed relationship with three hybrid males. No one else touches me. No one would dare. I volunteered because Bianca desperately needed medicine, but I do not regret my choice. In fact, I’m happier now than I’ve been in… maybe ever.”

“She’s brainwashed,” the brunette called out. “Who could be happy in a group marriage?”

“If the alternative is being cold, hungry, and shitting in the forest, I’ll screw as many as they want me to,” someone else joined in. “I’m not going back to that misery.”

The entire room broke out in overlapping conversations. The din grew louder and louder as everyone’s emotions built.

“You don’t need to decide right now,” Lexie reminded, momentarily quieting the room. “You each have two weeks to think it over. Decide what makes the most sense to you.”

“How can we enter a ‘courtship’ if the men aren’t allowed to come near us?” Kelly used finger quotes around the old-fashioned word. “Even the guards have been ordered not to talk to us.”

“That’s a valid point. Let me see if I can organize some sort of social event, maybe a series of them. How many of you would attend if I can make it happen?” About half of the women raised their hands. The other half shook their heads or grumbled various refusals. She hoped that the yeses would increase after they had a few days to think about what they’d be giving up, but this was a damn good start.

Lexie was gathering her things and preparing to depart when Emma, Sophie, and Peyton walked up to her. They were the three who had worked their way through college as escorts. Lexie had almost forgotten about their offer. “Hey,” she greeted.

“Did you mention our idea to the village leaders?” Emma’s tone had an accusatory edge to it.

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