Page 40 of Knot Quite Ready

At the mention of sex, Aneria looks at me with heat in her gaze. “Works for me. More time to be with my Fido.”

“I know what you mean,” Storm nods sagely, “there is something about that Kentucky Derby dick, for me too. I mean,” she pauses to fan herself dramatically while she slaps hands with Aniera, ignoring while Calian scowls, his face matching mine. She called me fucking Fido.

While the girls laugh, I bump Calian’s shoulder and murmur, “Have you ever had to tolerate this much disrespect before?”

He crosses his arms and sighs, a dark look on his face belying the slight smirk gracing his lips as he stares at Storm, “Seeing as how I never tolerate a hint of disrespect, ever -I would have shifted and crushed the skull of anyone who thought it- At this point, the clan is so in love with her fierceness and quirkiness that the word vomit tendencies don’t bother them. Even my grandmother is absolutely taken with her. Although, between you and me, I think they are just secretly laughing behind my back, thoroughly enjoying seeing me whipped. You should have been there when I introduced myself to her. If I hadn’t mentioned Aneira giving her blessing, I would have been horse meat,” he shakes his head with a laugh.

“I’m going to need that story,” I laugh and clap his shoulder.

“You’ll need a long night and toilet paper for that shit show. Just wait till you meet her serial killer guard dog….” Ralph starts, and Calian glares at him.

I look at them with my eyebrows raised.Serial killer?

Calian sighs, “Suffice to say, it’s a damn good story. Let’s get over this hurdle first,” he replies with an eye roll.

I nod with a chuckle and tune back into the girls.

“I have to introduce myself more to the pack and get to know them all. Want to come with?” Aneira asks.

Storm smiles, “We are a big furry family now. Horse and Wolves, Wolves and Horses. Horves! Wolses! If you need me there, I’ll be there.”

Calian’s face tightens, but he doesn’t say anything. Storm, ideally, should stay near him while the council was here as a formality to his position within the Council. Storm isn’t just the Swiftwater Alpha-mare; she is the mate of a Councilman. It is pretty significant. But even more so, he would want Storm right by his side to show her as his equal. Little power plays go a long way, and it would show the start of his plan to initiate change.

“First, let’s meet this fucking council of fuck wits, and then we can escape,” she adds, reaching to hold Calian’s hand, whose face splits into a grin.

“What? Do you think I would leave you unprotected? I wore a dress with a split on the thigh. This is prime, ass-kicking gear,” she teases.

I look at my watch and expel a deep breath; the council is due at the property line in a few minutes.

“Ready?” I look at Aneira and hold out my hand.

She smiles brightly, all trace of nerves gone, “Let’s change the fucking world, Mate.”

“One purple nurple at a time,” Storm adds as she strides forward purposefully.

We hasten behind her, and all I can think is,fuck, please don’t twist the Council’s nipples.

Oh, how my life has changed.

ChapterTwenty-One

Casimir

Aneira moves closer, tightening her hold on my hand as a faint blue glow in the trees appears and gets painfully bright until suddenly, there are several men and women standing before us. The witches had brought down the shield beforehand, and they will set up another perimeter after the council steps over the boundary line. Although, it won't be as strong since the Council is a protective force of its own. Or at least they like to think so. I prefer extra precautions.

I fight the urge to widen my eyes as they stand in a loose semi-circle around us, wearing robes that look like they came straight from the movies: they are made of a deep navy blue velvet, with intricate silver embroidery forming runes on their chest and back. The cuffs are lined with white fur, and golden rings hang from the waistbands. The robes have a slight luminescence to them and billow slightly in the breeze. A bit overkill.

Despite having been a part of a formal pack, I've never formally met the Shifter Council. Meetings were reserved for actual Alphas or major events, neither of which I was allowed to attend.

Calian bows his head, and we follow his lead.

"Well met; may blessings be bountiful," Calian murmurs, his fist to his chest. They all incline their heads in greeting, raising their fists to their chests as well before pulling down their hoods.

I recognize Pierce, Calder, and Rory immediately. Except while Calder has the council robes, Rory is standing in a pair of torn jeans with a t-shirt that says, 'Phoenixes Do It With Fire' next to a woman who looks strikingly like her, who, judging by the disapproving look on her face, must be her aunt she had mentioned. She sticks out her tongue, and her aunt's disapproving look deepens. Not that Rory cares. Pierce is standing next to what, in several years, would be his carbon copy, and I deduce that it's probably his father. I admit, it feels good to see familiar faces.

"Calian. So good to see you again. How's the herd?" A woman purrs at him from one side of the circle. Her dark hair flows down to her waist, and even from here, the purple of her eyes is electrifying. But something about her is...off. Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes, her posture is too stiff as if she's constantly on guard, and the way her eyes roam... It's as if she's searching for something or someone to sink her nails into.

“Kathleen. Great to see you,” Calian grits his teeth, his tone completely at odds with his pleasant words. “The herd is great. May I introduce you all to my Fated Mate, Storm?" His tone softens, and a smile lights his face as he pulls Storm closer, placing a kiss on her head.

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