Page 16 of Fated to the Panther

The stakes had never been higher.

For humanity.

And for the Brethren.

The prophecy we’ve lived under for centuries was so close to fruition, even our long-separated parents were now showing signs of thawing whatever had driven them apart shortly after our birth.

Athena had never been the motherly type. In fact, she’d trained us in battle techniques and strategy, but as soon as she’d deemed us ready to handle ourselves against any and all evil, including Dante, she’d disappeared from our lives for long periods of time.

And now that she was bent on correcting her centuries-long neglect, she was making the discovery of Gavin’s mate,her priority. Perhaps that’s why Tiegh had also returned? Yet, as determined as she’d sounded, she was still here. Currently, she was sitting with Kara, both relaxing in the great room of our family castle in Scotland, giving her newest daughter-in-law advice on overcoming morning sickness while cuddling her firstborn grandson and waving a tiny stuffed dragon near his face. Even I knew that newborns had poor eyesight, but at least she was making an attempt.

His mama, Britt, was taking the opportunity to translate another spell from the grimoire, an ancient spell book that had magically appeared to her not long after she and Quinn had mated and returned to Scotland.

Keir’s mate, Rhia was due any day, and one of the reasons everyone had gathered at home base. Both Trace’s and Mac’s mates, Bexley and Sierra, were due in the next few months. Soon the castle would be filled with more play mats, teething toys and stuffed animals depicting each of their father’s shifter forms.

But today marked the beginning of the end of our centuries-long calendar to all be mated. Gavin now had three hundred and sixty-four days to find his. If he didn’t, all hell would break loose. Literally.

“Roane, stop worrying.” Quinn’s voice filled the room as he walked over to me. “Kara will get past this phase. Your brothers’ mates did. Come join us in the meeting room. Tiegh has promised to show up today and provide an update on how, if true, Dante found the second tablet. And we need to discuss our strategy for finding the third.”

Was it possible that since he’d mated and become a father, my eldest brother had gotten even bossier and annoying? Yes, the answer is yes.

“I want to know what he’s done with the first tablet as well. Perhaps it will have something we can use to defeat Dante. Ineed to ensure he won’t find my mate before I can get to her.” Gavin growled the words as he stared at Athena.

She had promised to help him as she had me, but told him she would not give him the information until I’d returned home with Kara.

We’d been back at the castle for two days and still, she refused. The games our parents seemed to thrive on had worn thin. After years of ignoring us, their insistence on being in our lives now had caused more frustration than help, and by the looks of Gavin, he was close to crossing a line with our mother he may not have a chance of recovering from.

We may be immortal and carry powers from both Athena and Tiegh, but they were still more powerful. I wasn’t even sure the six of us together could equal them in a battle. And I hoped to never find out.

“Gavin, you know her. She’ll share when she deems it time. Like our grandfather, she can’t handle being questioned over her commands. Take heart in knowing youwillfind your mate as we have.” My words seemed to satisfy him for the moment. But what about tomorrow?

“We’ll all help, if need be. We’ll take turns so there is always someone here guarding the females and children. Because failure, as those arrogant Americans are so fond of saying, is not an option, brother.” Trace took a seat next to Gavin in the meeting room. The ancient walls, covered in glyphs that were a combination of Egyptian and Celtic, lined the room we used to plan for war and to monitor anyone who dared to venture close to the castle.

I couldn’t remember the last time all six of us had gathered here, probably before Quinn discovered Britt, but it was good to be together again.

Before any of us could say anything else, Tiegh flashed into the room. Notably disheveled, his clothing torn and there were scorch marks covering his chest.

Stunned, I’d never once seen him in such a state. He was big on always projecting strength and power, and there had never been a time when we’d witnessed him drained.

As we looked around the table at each other, wondering who was going to be the first to address him, Quinn took one for the team. “Father, welcome. Are you?—”

Tiegh waved Quinn off, then sat down. He briefly closed his eyes and without any discernable movement, he and his clothes were again set to rights. When he opened his eyes, they glowed green, as all of ours did when in battle or with our mates. “Dante has the second tablet. It was no illusion, Roane.”

Athena appeared behind him. “I could have told you that was true yesterday if only you’d asked.”

Unsurprised at her presence, Tiegh greeted her. “Can’t pass up an opportunity to be around me, can you, goddess. I’ll take your silence as agreement. Now, I suggest that we look for Gavin’s mate first. Dante’s not going anywhere, and I just left Zeus. He’s agreed to work on getting Lucifer to agree to permanently take care of our Dante problem.”

Again, the six of us looked from one to the other. Confusion, frustration and anger appeared on my brother’s faces. Deference be damned, I could not sit there as if we had no say in our destiny.

But Gavin stood first. His hands balled into fists, then with barely contained malice, he said, “We will not be kept in the dark any longer. And since when do we make deals with our grandfather? How do we know we can trust Zeus to keep his word when you’ve never allowed us to seek him out before. And Athena, I’ve waited long enough for the promised information on my mate. Tell me now. Where. Is. She?”

“That’s what I came to tell you. Not that any of you thought to include me in your little meeting?—”

“Mother!” Gavin roared. His body rocked, vibrating and flashes of a creature thought lost to history shimmered over his human form, then disappeared.

We all suspected he could choose whatever animal he could imagine, like Tiegh, but this? Unfathomable.

“Gavin, no need to shout. She’s resting.” Athena appeared hurt, yet we knew her well enough to know she was enjoying the drama.

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