Page 88 of Magic & Secrets
“You are well aware I’m incapable of deserting you.”
“Can’t you obey me? I recall you saying you’d submit if we were mates.”
Calla shrugged. “I don’t recall ever saying such a thing.”
“It was at the ruined outpost. Since I claimed we weren’t mates, you refused to obey me. You claimed you would obeyifwe were mates.”
Calla rubbed her chin and murmured, “Hm, strangely, none of that sounds familiar.”
Grinning at her lies, I accepted the Sagesse had gifted me a stubborn mate. I kissed the top of her head and listened as Bane Shifters approached.
My packmates lingered in the woodlands, hesitant to welcome me once they caught sight of Calla. They chose to wait for Tempe’s arrival.
The alarm droned on. Tempe could be anywhere on the massive mountain. He might take hours to find his way here.
While we waited, I wrapped Calla in my arms and swayed. She stroked my jaw and lifted her lips. I tugged her up into an embrace and kissed her without concern for the eyes on us. My packmates would know the truth soon enough.
My pack leader eventually appeared from the tree line and shifted into human form. I leaned into the office and turned off the alarm. Tempe’s black hair clung to his sweaty face as he prowled closer. His golden gaze locked onto Calla until he was several feet from us.
“Where are Koda and Delta? And who is that?” Tempe snarled at me.
“The world has changed while we were on our mountain. I need you to prepare yourself for what I must share.”
“First, you will answer my questions.”
“I don’t know where Delta and Koda are. An ancient one’s magic was used to separate us during battle.”
Tempe scowled at my explanation before jutting his bearded chin toward Calla.
“This is my mate, Calla.”
On our trip here, I had imagined many possible reactions from Tempe: anger, disbelief, mocking laughter. I never suspected he would show no reaction at all.
“What other changes have come to the world?” Tempe asked while October, Recon, and Charlie left the forest and shifted while joining us.
Heartened by how Tempe hadn’t reacted poorly, I explained, “New enemies are on the rise. Some of them plan to come for us.”
Tempe glanced around Haven Junction. Even with the bodies removed, I could still smell the blood and death.
“We will send a platoon to find Delta and Koda.”
“You need to listen to me,” I said, stepping closer. “I was forced to flee Elatalora. The Elves tried to kill Calla and me. An ancient god’s cult wants to harvest the Bane Shifters for sacrifices. There’s no telling the dangers coming.”
“Why would the Elves turn against you?” Tempe asked me as his gaze fell upon Calla.
“The Elves were led astray by a traitor within their ranks.”
“Were they angry with you or her?”
“Both because we’re mates.”
“What is she?”
“Before I answer, did you know the Murade used the magic of the ancient one called Vyanlpoth to make us?”
“Yes,” Tempe said, startling me along with October, Charlie, and Recon. “When we had the Murade destroy their research on our creation, we also insisted they kill the Sorcerer involved.”
“Why not say anything?”
