Page 2 of Shifted Existence

“Let’s see if Dani presents you with a son. Were it not for me, you would stand as alpha. So having one of your offspring assume the role when we are both grey and long in the tooth seems like a perfectly fine idea to me.”

“I don’t necessarily disagree, but there are many who would far prefer to see a son of your loins mated to a daughter of mine. Besides, Dani is convinced she carries a she-wolf.”

Talon growled low. “I would never be called to a human. Your Dani, notwithstanding, I don’t see the fascination with them. All of the ones I have met either in the other villages, at council meetings or from the New Moon Expanse have little to no spirit. Those the training facility produces are pathetic weaklings with no spine, all too willing to subjugate themselves to a man’s authority, and I’m sure would tuck tail at the first sign of trouble. If I am to mate, it will be with a female who is my equal, who is fierce and strong…”

“And likes to fuck all day… wants to take your knot several times a week,” teased Blitz.

Talon laughed. “That would be a definite bonus. They say human females faint at the site of an alpha knot.”

“More than one she-wolf has done the same.”

“Tell me, as an alpha who stands as beta, do you find the need to knot your mate less?”

“Not at all. Luckily for me, Dani is enamored of the knot and the child that grows within her will be born of one.”

“Damn,” said Talon. “I knew I should have killed you. Then I could have had Dani as my prize.”

“That would never have worked. Dani is my fated mate and would have waited until you fell asleep before slitting your throat.”

Talon grinned, knowing Blitz spoke the truth. Even though Dani was from the Conquered Realm, she was now a fierce she-wolf and had chafed at being forbidden to fight. She was well able to defend herself and her honor, nonetheless. She had survived in the wilderness, on her own, for two years.

“Promise you’ll think on it and announce your decision before we choose which warriors will cross the Void in their search for a mate.”

Talon nodded. “I will consider your counsel.”

They both knew he wouldn’t, but it was obvious Blitz had decided to let the matter drop. “I’ll see you in the morning. Try not to stay out too late and think about what I said.”

“When did you get to be such a worrying old she-wolf?” Talon snorted.

“When I became beta to an alpha who seems to have an aversion to staying safe and taking a mate.”

“Go away,” ordered Talon, watching as his friend held up his hands in surrender and turned to walk away.

Blitz wasn’t wrong, but Talon felt no need to complicate his life more than it already was by taking a mate, especially if she was human and would need to be turned and made to accept the reality of being a she-wolf in this realm.

Besides, if he was mated and she objected to his disciplining the other she-wolves as Blitz’s mate did, did it mean their discipline would fall to the pack’s omega, Artemis? Good God, anarchy would prevail. Artemis was an excellent omega, but a pack disciplinarian he was not.

Talon turned back to pick up the spooked deer’s scent. He followed the animal to the water and knelt down to scoop up a drink for himself.

“She awaits you on the other side,” whispered a voice on the wind.

Talon looked up, checking over his shoulder before scanning the streambank. Shaking his head, he decided as he could see no one, it must be a trick of his imagination.

“I am no trick, Talon of the Eclipse Province. I have seen her and your fated mate waits for you on the other side of the Void.”

Talon rose, placing his hand on the knife he wore strapped to his waist. “Who are you? Show yourself.”

“I do not wish to fight with you, Alpha, merely to help. She is there and she needs you.”

“I do not listen to the counsel of those I cannot see,” said Talon, turning to walk away.

“Then look into the stream. I am here.”

Talon turned back and was shocked as the vague outline of a face appeared—two eye sockets, the tip of a nose, and lips—breaking the surface of the clear water.

“Who, or rather what, are you?”

“Who and what I am are mostly the same. I am the mirror from the tales and fables of most of the worlds along the Void, your own included.”

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