Mistress of Blood and Fur

Chapter 31 - Telltale Heart

Grace

The morning comes in its full glory, but I feel cold. I can still feel the horrors of last night. Even during my first waking breaths, I remember the mess we are still in. The shapeshifter’s essence is still trapped somewhere in the cabin the guys share, and we all have to go to Alpha Kele to tell him what we have been up to. What we have done. He deserves to know.

After freshening up for the day, I saunter out without eating any breakfast. Carlotta is dressed, but she’s still half-awake, nursing a cup of coffee. She doesn’t look like she’s ready to talk to anybody so I leave her be. It’s becoming easier to live with her. I’m surprised that she has turned out to be the least of my worries so far.

The moon is almost full. So, usually, my cravings lean more toward raw meat. The hunt is calling me even more after Greta emerged into my consciousness. The forest is a place to do just that, but with thoughts of Tobias and threats from Dennington, I’m not sure a solo hunt is a good idea.

Onyx is already waiting along the path, leaning on a tree trunk. He may seem still, but I can feel his nervous energy. It’s time to face the music. Our mistakes may have worse repercussions that we may understand at the moment. So, we need to let everyone in the pack know that we are harboring a shapeshifter in Opium Hills.

“Hey,” Onyx says, and I run to him. I let him wrap me in his warm embrace. My ears are pressed on his hard chest. His heart is pounding wildly, although his face remains impassive. “We’ll be fine. My dad will more likely forgive you all.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

We walk toward the mansion quietly. Onyx’s place should be there, but he chose to live with other wolves. He’d rather not take his place as future chief and Alpha of Opium Hills, but recent events seem to suggest that he’s more willing now. He’s willing to fight for the pack’s survival and more.

Alpha Kele’s office is two doors away from the main hall. As soon as we turn that way, the others join us. I’m glad to see Dash, Fox, and Sarah, although their faces reveal the same anxiety I’ve been feeling all morning. In fact, it’s a miracle that I was able to sleep last night at all. It must have been the physical exhaustion and use of magic.

The door is closed, but not locked. Onyx opens it without hesitation. I can almost hear him saying, “Let’s get this over with.” Alpha Kele looks up and gives us a smile, probably wondering why we’re visiting him.

“Good morning. To what do I owe this visit?” he asks, resting his elbows on his table. Sometimes, it’s jarring to see him with his long hair and often traditional breechcloth tied around a simple ivory-colored tunic sitting in front of his laptop and phone. However, I’ve grown to appreciate how he combines traditional and modern. No matter how much Onyx turns to his modern side, he can’t give up his long hair. I’ve read that its as symbol of power, virility, and rebellion against their oppressors. Onyx still looks like a mix of his father and mother. He’s also a wolf, descended from the original Opium Hills pack.

“We have something to tell you,” Onyx admits gravely. Alpha Kele’s expression quickly change to concern. His hands join together, pressing on his chin, half-covering his mouth. He’s trying to control himself, already sensing the trouble we are all in. Maybe he can hear our hearts thundering, see how Sarah is paler than usual.

Onyx tells his father what happened. Dash and Fox sometimes add a little more detail in between, but Alpha Kele merely listens. I can feel the room growing colder by the minute, though, and see Onyx rubbing his arms.

Can he feel it, too? His skin is the warmest I’ve ever touched. So, I wonder what he is feeling right now.

“It’s the sense of feeling,” Greta growls. “It’s either you have it or Onyx has it. If not, then it’s just Alpha Kele’s effect on everyone.”

“You do know that shapeshifters can’t be easily killed,” Alpha Kele begins, and we all nod vigorously like little children trying to please. “You’re endangering everyone by harboring it inside a box.”

“She was here even before Sarah claimed me,” Onyx reminds him. “It was only a matter of time before she attacked anyone, and she did. Tobias’s corpse is buried in the woods, with his scent disguised.”

“We need to get rid of the corpse, Onyx,” his father says. “Dennington and his men don’t have our sense of smell, but they may have witches working for them.”

“Did you know that Sarah was Dennington’s daughter?” Fox asks.

“No. I didn’t know it before today, but it confirms one thing. Dennington had relations with a wolf-witch hybrid. I can only guess that he didn’t know the wolf part.”

“You’re right, Alpha Kele,” Sarah says. “My father hates werewolves. He makes sure I remember it. He makes it clear that I need to be grateful to him for his acceptance.”

“That doesn’t f*****g sound like acceptance, Sarah. He’s using you like a slave. He knows you can be a stealthy witch with the ability to blend with the enemy as a wolf. You’re his perfect weapon.” Dash shakes his head in disbelief. He pulls at his lower lip in annoyance.

“Language, Dashiel,” Alpha Kele warns calmly. His eyes are sharper in focus now, though. They’re not the kind, twinkling ones I saw when we first entered the door. He must have thought that we were bringing good news. Everyone of us together could mean a truce.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” Dash says, bowing his head. There’s remorse there. Even though he has been full of rebellion lately, his respect looks genuine.

“I am considering some possible punishments for your group. I have to admit we need to work together. So, I can’t really go hard on you. Not just yet. We may be fighting a war that we don’t know much of. The shapeshifter coming into our territory is significant for one. Why would she come here?”

“I’ve seen her before, dad. When I was younger, she took something from me.”

“I remember and I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. Your mother believed that you had other senses reaching double their maximum potential in you.”

“If that’s the case,” breathes Sarah. “Onyx and Grace are a great match. You are the brew, Onyx, if you can get your other powers back. Grace can manipulate them for you.”

I bite my lip to stop myself from saying anything. I don’t want to alert them to the fact that I’m a brew right now. There’s something mixing and swirling inside of me, and my powers haven’t been stolen. I don’t want to lead Opium Hills. It’s Onyx’s birthright.

“Whatever the case may be,” continues Alpha Kele. “You are all punished. None of you can be bound in the mating ritual for the next two full moons. You will be focused on finding a solution to our shapeshifter problem and will find ways to fight Dennington without shedding blood.”

Gasps follow his announcement. Onyx meets my eyes. I can see that they match my own disappointment. Alpha Kele’s punishment is just, though. Everyone needs to be focused on finding solutions to the problems we have brought upon ourselves.

“What if Elaine or Josie chooses one of the guys?” Sarah asks.

“Do Dash and Fox sit on either young woman’s table?” Alpha Kele asks.

“No, b-but -.”

“Well, it’s impossible then for either young woman to choose anyone among you here in this room.”

“I am certainly changing tables, Alpha Kele. Everyone knows by now that Grace will claim Onyx any chance she gets,” Dash says. “I’m thinking of going to Elaine’s table.”

“You can do that, but she can’t be bound to you in mating ritual until the second full moon is done.”

“No problem,” Dash mutters. “I’m in no hurry to be tied -.”

“I’m claiming Onyx,” I declare, interrupting Dash.

They all look at me as if I’ve grown three heads, but I don’t laugh or flinch. Onyx gives me a small smile. Alpha Kele rises from his chair and I try not to tremble when he approaches me.

“You didn’t say I can’t claim him. You only said that none of us can’t go through the mating ritual. Of course, you also promised my Great-Aunt Domino that I get to choose.”

I make sure my voice doesn’t tremble. If I’m going to assert myself, I should show them that I’m worth the consideration.

“Imagine if you’re the Alpha of Opium Hills, Grace Sloane,” Alpha Kele says in a low, thoughtful voice. I glance at Onyx. His face is hard to read. The only reaction I get is a quick blink.

“I’m not, but I’m still claiming Onyx Warcloud, your son and future Alpha of Opium Hills. It’s like dating in the human world. We don’t have to get married yet.”

Alpha Kele chuckles. He shakes his head and paces back and forth. When he finally turns to me, all traces of his smile is gone.

“You can claim him, but any pup born outside the mating ritual is more helpless to the attacks of shapeshifters and other ghouls.”

I try not to shiver. I hear the truth in his words. They’re still echoing in my head as our group leaves the room. We’re all relieved for now.

“So, I’m now yours,” Onyx says, holding my hand.

“And I am yours, Onyx.”

That night, we meet together in the forest clearing. I promise to myself that we won’t get carried away – that we’ll just celebrate our little win. A wolf howls in the distance, and an owl hoots. None of the creatures of the wild believe my intentions.