Ever Cynical

Chapter 44- Applying to Join the Council

Kieran POV

Now that I realized Mirgadok and Ekezeic were big softies, especially with their adopted daughter, they were so much fun to tease. Though I had this feeling that if Ekezeic was right that Anais may have additional mates, Ekezeic was going to get me back. And it would be good. I sighed as we trudged back to the pack house. Mirgadok threw an arm around my shoulders, smirking at me, his red eyes glowing with amusement.

He made me just as uncomfortable as Ekezeic, but that wasn't because I didn't like them. I did. It was just the vision of the two of them together that had my mind shooketh. It wasn't just my imagination, either, I'd literally seen them... engaged in demonstrating jsut how much they missed each other, apparently. I don't think they knew that I had seen them, though. It was going to be worse for me if they found out, I was certain. They'd never let me live it down.

"So, my son, it's great to finally talk to you as family, not those stuffy formal occasions we've met at before." He announced. I eyed him, not sure where this conversation was going. I'd met him here and there when my presence was required at the annual alpha convention, since the Elder Council always made an appearance. It was where I'd seen him with his mate, in fact.

"Sure... Dad. Thanks for agreeing to an alliance, truly. Anais has far too many enemies for us to handle on our own." I smiled, trying my best to be polite and welcoming.

He continued to examine me carefully, eyes narrowed, before nodding. "Hubby was right, you will do perfectly." I lifted a brow.

"Was that ever in question?" I quipped.

"Frankly, yes. We still don't really know why all of us were told we could say nothing to Anais about what we knew until now, or why we could not step in and help her more. And while I trust the moon goddess, obviously, she gave me Ekezeic, we had to see for ourselves, you know?" He said carefully. "I admit at one point I was jealous of how close Ekezeic and Anais were, but I always knew he saw her as a daughter. My attitude was really just a tantrum to get my mate's attention. She is... beyond special."

"What about if you and Ekezeic want to have an actual heir? Are you planning to adopt?" I asked, simply dying to know. I was annoying myself with my own curiosity, really, but as much as they called Ana their daughter, it wasn't like she could be their heir, right?

"Ekezeic was right, you sure are inquisitive about us." He laughed, seemingly relaxed despite my likely insensitive question. "Not necessary. Ekezeic, as a Basilisk, can change genders at will." My eyes must have been huge, because he laughed again. "I like both of his forms equally, but if we... finally... decide to have any babies, that's what he will do." There was something in Mirgadok's tone that told me he wasn't really happy with how separate he and his mate currently were. "Now, you've got all the allies on Anais' end here. We need to send your application to the council off today. Ekezeic already told Anais this, but with this silly kitsune's drama it got forgotten." He waved a dismissive hand in Ritsu's direction, making Geoff growl. "Come on Beta, even you know I'm not wrong." Geoff sighed, but nodded. Ritsu buried her face in Geoff's chest, now beyond embarrassed.

I'm glad it was stubbornness that was the problem, even if it had tired my poor mate out beyond belief. She was probably going to pass out the moment her head hit the pillow.

"Is there a reason you guys are pushing so hard for this?" I asked, the question directed to all of them. Riyoko answered.

"Kieran, your enemies don't even know that you're mated, marked, and have heirs on the way, nor that Anais is found and knows her background. And yet, they seek to capture her... and her children, for Goddess' sake... and destroy Celtic Moon, once again. We must move quickly. That is why the moon goddess sent us all here." She said seriously. "However, we should stop this conversation until we are back in the office. While we all trust your pack, there are other ways to listen." Well. I guess that answers why they all appeared without us reaching out. Selene sure has been busy.

Too bad she'd played least in sight with me and my mate, leaving us to figure out a lot of this on our own. You'd think if we were so blessed that she might offer the tiniest bit of reassurance that we were on the right path. Perhaps Mirgadok was on to something.

As we continued to walk, I considered what had been said. I wasn't big on being in the council. It was a lot of talk and no action, most of the time, but they were right that whoever said their piece first was the one that was more likely to be believed. It meant I was going to have to expose Anais' parentage. It was risky, but it was now our children that were at risk as well.

We were caught between a rock and a hard place, and my instincts told me this was just the beginning. Not even three weeks into our mateship, and it felt like the world was coming for us and our family.

Back at the pack house, Anais and I went to the office with Riyoko, Mirgadok, Vidar, Ingrid, and Ekezeic. Geoff and Ritsu went off to finally get to know each other, hopefully. Lugh went to the kitchen with Sean and Helga, where she was getting started on as grand a dinner as she could manage for royalty on such short notice. We hadn't even had a chance to confirm if Helga was also pregnant or if her wolf had returned yet. So much had happened in a matter of hours.

Vidar and Ingrid sat on the love seat, with Riyoko taking a chair while Mirgadok and Ekezeic simply stood off to the side. I pulled Anais into my lap and buried my nose in her neck. It was probably inappropriate, but I just needed it, especially if we were talking about topics like people trying to steal our pups. Or the council. Or Donato. Or Ludolf. Or... Anais tapped my shoulder, using her chin to gesture to our very captive and amused audience. I blushed.

"Sorry, I just needed a moment." I said sheepishly.

"You were right, babe. He is cute when he blushes." Mirgadok commented to Ekezeic, who just grinned, deepening the color on my cheeks.

"Stop it you guys." Anais chastised them. "We need to get this serious s**t out of the way so I can actually enjoy my dinner and sleep without having nightmares."

"An-chan, I'm sure I've got herbs for that if you are having issues." Riyoko kindly offered. Ana shook her head.

"No, thank you, Riyoko. My mate's scent should be plenty. Thank you, though." Anais murmured into my neck, now resting her head on my shoulder with her lips resting on my clavicle, just peeking over the edge of my black henley. The kistune queen nodded her understanding.

"Pull up the council website." Ekezeic said. Anais, catching that I needed a little help, did it for me. "Now click on the apply to the elder council button." He eyed me as Anais filled out the forms and submitted them while she sat on my lap. "How are you so much younger than me but know so little about current technology?" I rolled my eyes.

Ingrid giggled.

"Actually, I do all of this for my hubby too. He just hates technology in general." She supplied, kissing her husband's cheek. Vidar just nodded.

"In my defense, we were off-grid almost completely before Anais came here. Last major upgrade was when we added solar panels, before that electricity and indoor plumbing. So, I'm the first to admit we're more than a bit behind the times. We all have smartphones, but it's not the same as using a PC." I shrugged. I wasn't embarrassed. I squeezed Anais' hip, letting her know I was happy with her taking care of it. "So, we've submitted the report on Pflumer's last visit, and the application for the council. The application included my mate's information and parentage, so we just wait now?"

"Well, as far as the council, the only other piece left is to reach out to your other allies, then the Werebears and Werecats and see if they feel like getting behind you too." Vidar said calmly. "Belsant is unlikely to do anything that puts her outside of her neutrality, as she calls it, and chances are she'll tell those you oppose everything before we can get things ready. I'd go to the Werebears first."

"Mo shíorghrá, can you email Lamorna, Tianlong, and Lord Grey to let them know about our mating and all that please?" I kissed her shoulder when she nodded, her fingers flying across my keyboard. "Let me dig through my address book. I sent Sean about a year ago to help the Werebears. It's where he found Helga." I found my little paper address book as everyone gave me an odd look. "I haven't converted it to electronic yet." I said defensively. I quickly flipped through and found it. Werebear King Jacob Brighton. "Should I put him on speaker, you think?" Everyone nodded. I dialed and placed my phone on the desk. It rang three times before Jacob picked up.

"Jacob Brighton, Artic Sun Pack. How can I help you?" His gruff voice came over the phone.

"Hey Jacob, it's Kieran from Celtic Moon." I replied.

"Oh, hey Kieran, been a while. How's that she-wolf you adopted into your pack doing?" He said jovially.

"Helga? She's great, turns out she's my Delta female." I laughed.

"Oh damn. Good thing Sean came out and found her." He replied, sounding relieved.

"So Jacob, I should tell you I've got you on speakerphone with some people you probably know." I said, my tone more hesitant.

"Oh?" He said, his voice slightly guarded. Damn I hoped he was in a receptive mood.

"Yeah, Dragon King Vidar and his Queen Ingrid, Kitsune Queen Riyoko, Basilisk King Ekezeic, Demon King Mirgadok, and... my mate, Anais."

"Well. That is... quite a list. Oh, hang on a sec, my younger brother is trying to get into my office. I'm on speaker too, sorry, let me deal with him." You could hear the door open and another growly voice come over the speaker, though we could not hear clearly what was said. What I did notice was Anais stiffening up as a shiver went up my back. "Erik, seriously, I don't have time to deal with your desire to go find your mate. For the last week you've been intolerable. I've got royalty on the phone!" He exclaimed as he neared his device. I felt it too, kissing Anais' cheek.

Now, I'd been, you know, straight and cisgender as far as I knew all my life. Maybe a little curious, but hearing the voice on the other end? A mate is a mate, and I can't deny I'm very excited to meet this bear.

"Jacob, bring your brother on the phone, please." I requested.

"Huh?" He said.

"Your brother, I think we can help him." I giggled, and Anais smacked my arm.