Ever Cynical

Chapter 67- Reinforcements

Anais POV

With our place in the council secured, you would think that things would settle down for a little while we made plans. You would, unfortunately, be wrong, just like me. The people our friends and family were sending had begun to arrive, and there were some conflicts. The kitsune and bears just weren't very social to begin with, even less so with unknown shifters of unknown origin. The fae were equally... standoffish, I guess? The bigger issue was the two dragon clans. While they were not at odds, per se, it was clear that the older Chinese clan felt the younger European clan was not nearly qualified enough as protection, not to mention, as they continued to announce, they were not family.

It was exhausting.

The only ones anyone would listen to were me or my mates. We were constantly defusing small disagreements, usually before it became physical, thenk the goddess.

The Immortals were bemused and little confused by all of it. They had lived in a mode of tolerance, given the circumstances around their people. As warm and welcoming as they tried to be, it was clear that it was going to take time to get everyone working together. Maybe an act of god... or goddess. She'd been pretty damn quiet since I'd gotten my other two mates. Not a peep on my babies either. I was beginning to think Nexus was onto something.

It had me rather frustrated after feeling that she cared very much about my existence.

Either she was trying to be neutral and let things play out, or some other god/goddess was forcing her hand. From her cryptic words previously, I was actually leaning towards pressure or blocking from another being. Something I'd long understood is that there is no right religion. Every religion, like it's people, had good and bad. And they all managed to exist as long as someone had faith in them. It's why you always want to be careful saying names of things out loud. Did I have my own preferences in the faith department? Absolutely. The moon goddess has many names, of course, but I'd always preferred the Shinto belief system, ascribing kami and energy to everything, even your umbrella.

This is not to say that I felt other religious beliefs do not have value or legitimacy, they absolutely do. Shinto just fits best with my philosophy, and what I've seen throughout the years. That did not preclude me, obviously, from being affected by the actions of deities outside of my particular belief system. If I were actually Japanese perhaps I'd reach out and pray to Tsukiyomi, the moon god of the Shinto faith, but I felt that would be pretty rude of me.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll try it and see if I get a response or silence.

I sighed as I brought my mind back to the current conundrum facing my pack. I hadn't thought it would be this tricky to get people together and united. At this point, despite their leaders' best intentions, they were more of a detriment than a help.

There was one in particular I was having issues with, and trying desperately to hide it from my mates.

Maya Preston, one of Erik's unit. I sighed. The woman was pissed that I'd been mated to Erik, whom she'd apparently had a crush on for years, knowing full well he was not her mate. She felt I was unworthy. Her words, not mine. She made sure to corner me every chance she got and remind me how she felt. Not strong enough for an alpha bear like Erik. I wanted to laugh in her face and tell her, quite graphically, how well I took Erik's Kodiak, but I didn't want to alienate someone he clearly valued. This was also a big part of the reason I hadn't really put her in her place physically, despite the fact that I knew I could.

Unfortunately, he had no idea about her feelings. She knew better than to interfere with mate bonds, of course, but it was clear since she'd not found her mate yet, she was hoping he might take her as his chosen. I snorted. Even if he had the balls to reject me, he'd never reject Kieran. Not that he wanted to reject me, I just knew those two had a special bond, much like me and Jothan. It was along the lines of both being alpha, and both of us being luna.

Frankly, with how affectionate Jothan was allowing him to be, I doubt anyone could pry him away from us, no matter how great they thought they were.

Maya's twin brother, a very nice guy named Miles, tried his best to keep her under control, but the snippy side comments were going to boil over into loud and proud insults, at some point. I knew I was probably going to have to fight her, and show her just how strong and worthy I was. That was fine with me, but I knew my mates would absolutely freak the f**k out.

I had to play things carefully.

The rest of the afternoon I did my best to try and figure out how to fix this unity issue amongst our reinforcements.

What a f*****g headache.

Jothan POV

I gathered my mates together in the Luna office. I needed to convince them that the four of us needed special, intense training to fight together. I took a deep breath as I waited, and Nexus purred? I think he was doing his best to soothe my nerves. He would probably have this conversation for me, but I already felt like he was more involved with my mates than I was. He'd never fronted before we came here, and now I spent quite a bit of time in the back of my own mind. I could feel some guilt from him at my thoughts.

I am sorry, Jothan, he said remorsefully. It was not my intention to... take over.

I know that Nexus. I'm not upset with you, actually. I'm not usually such a... pushover? I said to him, completely serious. I was a commander in the Fae army, the equivalent of a four-star general. On my own merit, not Nexus' ability. I knew more offensive magic than any other Fae.

Jothan, you are strong. It's why we are a team. I didn't know for certain who would be my queen's mate, but of all my partners, I am glad it was you. You are by far the strongest Fae I've met, and that's saying a lot. Believe in yourself, he encouraged. I smiled as my mates entered the office. Anais sat at her desk, Kieran sitting in front of mine while Erik sat at hers. They so naturally divided themselves equally. Maybe one day, I'd be that in sync with them. Distorted laughter pealed out in my head.

You'll have to spend more one-on-one time with them, if you know what I mean, if you want that, my friend, Nexus said in a seductive tone. Be bold. They like it.

And you like them, don't you? I asked him, already knwoing the answer, but wanting him to actually say it.

They are mine, he growled primally. Of course I not only like them, I love them. It's time to let yourself feel it and express it, too.

I rolled my eyes at him as he settled back, determined to let me lead this show.

"Thank you for coming to speak with me. I know we've got a lot going on." I started and they just smiled, waiting. I cleared my throat. They had such strong auras, and I was not used to asserting myself with them, yet. "We need to train together, the four of us, as a unit. We need to know how we fight and how to fill our defensive gaps. We should never engage in combat without all of us present, if possible." When Kieran opened his mouth to protest, I lifted a hand. "It's a strong feeling I have that Nexus shares. We must do this Kier. I know you are worried about Anais, but it's better if we are ready if the battle comes to us earlier than we expect."

"I'm actually in agreement with Jothan, Kier." Erik said, stroking his jaw. "Given that we have all shared our gifts to a degree, we need to get familiar with them and how we all move. While we all have units and bodyguards, it's different. We are all so bonded that we often know what we need ahead of time. Feeling each other's emotions and pain helps." He cringed at the mention of pain, but I understood what he meant. We would know before anyone else if any one of our mates was injured or in need of help. It was likely we could get there faster, too. Kieran sighed and looked to Anais, who was grinning.

"No need to ask our Queen her thoughts, she clearly approves. Three to one." He pouted. I leaned over and grabbed his hand across the desk, rubbing my thumb over his knuckles. I knew he wanted nothing more than to handle it all himself and keep us safe like baby chicks, but that was what we were all mated for. To love, care for, and protect each other.

"Don't worry, my Alpha, my king, you're still in charge." I said huskily. His eyes dropped to my lips before he cleared his throat. He looked away, swallowing thickly, clearing composing himself before his brilliant emerald eyes returned to my turquoise ones. I could feel his desire, pride, and conflict through the bond. I squeezed his hand in reassurance. The best place we could possibly be on any battlefield was together. I was sure he knew it just as well as I did, he just couldn't help how he and his wolf clearly felt.

"Yes well, I think for now we're all in agreement, yeah?" He asked, his voice trembling slightly with emotion, and we all nodded. "Good." He said, blushing. So cute was our alpha. The ability to put aside his own pride and protective instincts and listen to reason was so rare in any alpha. Erik had the same ability, but I think his bear had a more dominant character than he did, so giving way wasn't as difficult most of the time.

Although, I did notice he was oddly bothered by any of us, well, showing too much skin, I suppose. Mine and Kier's chests, Anais' legs... More overly jealous than the rest of us. So far, I'd never seen Kier show any jealousy at all. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I was more jealous than Kier.

Kieran really is the best, isn't he? Nexus purred in my mind.

Absolutely, I agreed.