Page 48 of Fire Touched

Verron clears his throat. ‘Thank you all for coming tonight. We avoided a battle with Water. I want to make it clear. Our guests are welcome here, but I have not committed to an alliance with any of them. I would like for us to be friends, for that possibility to remain. But… we’re not there yet.’

The alpha turns to us. ‘You have been welcomed here, but the time has come for you to move on. I have to put the safety of my people first. You’ve brought us the wrath of Water Pack. I do not blame you for their actions, but I must be practical. I will give you three days to make your arrangements. We will part amicably, and hope for a chance at an alliance in the future.’

A weight settles in my stomach. I should have seen this coming. We’ve brought them nothing but trouble. Verron’s gaze slides over us. Tired. Apologetic, but firm.

Each of us nods our understanding.

‘Tonight, we feast, and take a step forward. We honour the past, and our loved ones left behind.’ Verron turns and raises his glass. ‘We hope the next generation do it better.’

Chapter Twenty-Five

Killian

My mind spins, thoughts of Prescott’s words running through my mind. Eighteen years ago, Terran attempted to forge a peace. We were betrayed. My gaze scans the room, looking to fill the gaps in the story I suspect I’ve only heard the tip of.

Most people avoid looking at us—the strangers—and when they do catch our gazes, they offer a tight smile, then dart their gaze away. All except one man. Like most others here, his hues are brown and green, but the heat in his eyes arrests me. The intensity with which he stares at me, as though recognising me, makes me pause.

The man gets to his feet, looking furious, eyes wide. ‘You! The son of the fire wolf—’ He rounds on Verron, who rises swifts.

‘Timmen, enough. I know your pain, but he is a guest—’

The man opens his mouth, but soon quietens. I follow his gaze, surprised that it’s Ivy’s cool glaze that has the man sinking back into his seat, though still fuming.

I try to catch Verron’s or Prescott’s attention, to ask them what the hell that was about, but Verron waves me down and motions for everyone to continue eating.

The rest of the feast passes in restless silence. Save for the sounds of chewing and clanking cutlery, no one speaks. I have long since lost my appetite, but won’t let the work put into this food be in vain—nor do I want to look ungrateful—so I keep eating, chewing mechanically. Casting furtive glances about the hall, I cringe inwardly. It is us, the strangers, outsiders, who make these people uncomfortable in their home, but now I know it’s more than that.

Across the table, I meet Elga’s gaze, her silver eyes raging like a storm. In memory? Eighteen years ago, when I was just a baby, these people were betrayed. I glance around, trying to find the empty spaces in families left behind. I don’t dare look at the man who shouted at me earlier.

No wonder the alpha didn’t want us here to begin with. Maybe at all.

The next generation, he’d said during his speech. That’s me. Us. I wish I could talk to my father. To ask him what happened eighteen years ago. We’ve never been allied with Earth. Is this why? A sinking realisation slowly turns the pie in my stomach. Did he—my pack—have something to do with the betrayal Prescott mentioned?

I have to set my fork down. I cannot eat. I close my eyes for a moment, letting the idea float into my mind, then shoving it toward the back. My dad wouldn’t do that.

I open my eyes again. Inhale. Exhale. There has been a lot of damage to our packs. It’s hard to imagine them all working as one. The combined elements of nature as they were intended.

But no one will cooperate.

Starting with Water, and the Tide Witches.

As the feast comes to an end, I’m out of my seat the moment Verron rises, ready to retire to his chambers. ‘Can we talk?’

Verron sighs, clearly tired. He glances at Ivy, hovering behind him like a monotone shadow. ‘No. I’ve had enough old wounds opened tonight.’ He makes to pass me, but I step in front of him, hands raised placatingly.

‘I don’t want to talk about old wounds.’ My gaze finds my mate. ‘I want to talk about new ones.’ I take a step closer. ‘The Water Pack have tried to kill us… and I believe the Tide Witches tried to kill Katherine.’

Verron’s bushy brows draw together in unmistakable sympathy. The big brute cares about us, even if he won’t admit it. He rubs his beard. ‘Why would they go ‘n do that? She’s one of them.’

Several people turn to stare at us. Prescott gets to his feet. ‘Why don’t we take this somewhere else, and let these people enjoy the rest of their evening?’

I watch as the meal comes to an end, and people start to get to their feet. From somewhere at the back of the hall, a harp plays, emitting fine, dulcet notes which waft through the crowd. Some stand and start chatting amongst themselves. Others, to my surprise, pair off… and start to dance.

A sharp finger lodges between my ribs as Ivy pokes me wickedly. She jerks her head to Katherine.

I half-turn to Verron. ‘Do you—would it be okay if I dance with my mate first? I—I have some amends to make and—’ I glance at his daughter. ‘A wise young woman once told me that women like to dance.’

Without even looking at Ivy, Verron’s mouth twitches in a smirk. ‘Go ahead. I’ll meet you in my office. I’ve had enough of this place for one night.’

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