Ever Cynical

Chapter 16- Planning for the Envoy

Kieran POV

It had hurt to tell her about our birth rates, but she needed honesty about expanding our family. If we ended up with a football team's worth of kids, it would make me nothing but happy, other than the fact that finding a mate would likely be impossible with so many siblings and hardly any other Immortals having pups. Though I supposed they wouldn't all be at the same time, so it wasn't like there would suddenly be ten of my own pups looking for mates all at once.

Well, if my current knowledge was anything to go by, anyway.

I'd redressed in my clothes, a deep green waffle knit long-sleeved top and some dark wash jeans with black boots and belt. I tossed my hair up in its standard man bun, given that there was a lot to do. I didn't grab an over shirt just because it wasn't likely that I'd be going outside much after dinner. When I entered Anais' room after using the bathroom, my eyes ran over my sexy-as-sin mate. I'd missed the naked view, but she looked great anyway.

Anais' silky black hair was in a loose French braid that brushed her ass as she walked. My fingers itched to undo it and run my hands through her hair, yet again. Her bunny slippers looked out of place, but when I suggested she wear her shoes, all I got was a glare. Deciding I was not picking a fight over footwear, I let her lead the way to dinner after a deep, soul-searing kiss that left us both blushing and breathless. We were still a bit shy, after all.

As I walked with Anais to the dining room, we were met by my mother. She looked between our slightly flushed faces, observed our entwined arms, and nodded, clearly pleased.

"I'm glad it was a good feeling this time, welcome to the family, Anais." She leaned forward and kissed her cheeks happily.

"You don't have a problem with me being human?" Anais asked curiously. We were keeping her wolf under wraps until her first shift. My mother actually giggled like a schoolgirl.

"Don't be silly. Human or wolf, you're his true mate right?" Anais nodded. "Then that's really all that matters. Kieran will do his best for you, even if your lifespans may be a bit different. All of us will be here to help you no matter what." Cressida grinned before walking ahead of us.

"The jury is still out on your mother, Kieran. I can't decide what category I want to put her in." I laughed and put my arm over her shoulders, pulling her even closer. I knew it was necessary for us to be separated on occasion, but I couldn't help feeling that if I could, I'd keep her tight to my side 24/7. Hopefully, once we mated, I could tolerate the space a bit better. I felt way too clingy, given that I was a f*****g alpha.

"No worries, she's my mother and I feel the same." I said, grinning. "Let's see what Helga's got waiting for us."

As we entered the dining room, my team immediately looked at Anais' feet.

And giggled.

I had tried to tell her she didn't need the bunny slippers, but she had insisted. She placed her hands on her hips, slightly c****d to the side and raised a brow at them. She sniffed slightly, like she was going to cry, and they immediately turned back to their plates, silent. It was my turn to giggle. She pointed at me.

"Don't you start too, mon coeur, you were there as well." I grabbed the hand that was pointing and dragged her to her seat next to me. The rest of the pack watched us with affection, clearly pleased with their Luna. My mother had been busy spreading the word, I guess. They didn't care that she might be human, and I knew they'd be even more thrilled when her true identity was revealed. As much as we kept to ourselves, it wasn't because we didn't like other people or shifters. It was simply a risk.

Helga had outdone herself, making a melt-in-your-mouth delicious pot roast. It had baby carrots, baby red potatoes, pearl onions, and whole cloves of garlic in a thick, rich gravy. She'd made a soft on the inside, crusty on the outside, farm-style bread to go along with it. There was a rich red Spanish wine on the table as well. There was not much talking in the room as everyone set to eating. Towards the end of the meal, I noticed Anais kept looking my way and blushing. Bemused, I stopped eating to look at her. Sure enough, the next time she peeked I caught her eye. She nearly choked and started coughing. I patted her on the back.

"You okay there?" She nodded. I tilted my head inquisitively. "Seems like, mayyyyybe you have something on your mind?" She nodded again, clearly reluctant to speak. "Come on Luna, out with it." She turned as red as a tomato, and leaned in close to my ear. My team all oooooooohhhhh'd at her action, as it looked incredibly intimate from their viewpoint.

"I was wondering if you could stay with me." She whispered, her breath on my neck making me shiver. I wanted her so bad it was ridiculous.

Not ridiculous, Ri'dubh huffed. She is our mate, our everything, of course we want her. In every way possible, he chuckled darkly.

Such a horny wolf, I could not help by reply.

Hey, it's natural, he complained. I'm just being what the goddess intended me to be. I could almost see him shrug at his assertion. Cheeky.

"Stay where?" I whispered back, enjoying her discomfort just a little.

"Um, my room, Alpha, tonight." She smiled shyly, looking up at me from under her lashes.

"Absolutely, mo chridhe. Just try kicking me out." I gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

Soooo somebody seems to be getting along well. Geoff popped into my head. I looked his way and saw my entire team grinning at me. Keep our Luna happy, Alpha. It looks good on you both. We'll meet you in your office. They got up and walked off. Anais and I quickly followed.

Geoff sat in one of the chairs while Lugh and Sean sat on the love seat. I pulled Anais into my lap, though at first she gave me a sharp look. I just shook my head and shoved my face into her neck, inhaling her scent. She was aware how much wolves needed their mates, and while I was patient, I still needed contact with her until I could mate and mark her.

"What's this about, Geoff?" Lugh asked. Sean nodded. Geoff heaved a sigh.

"I got a call regarding the Elder Council from Ludolf's court." The Gamma and Delta leap to their feet, looking at Anais. "Settle down. They don't seem to know about our Luna yet." They sat, looking troubled. "The purpose of the visit is to try and persuade Kieran to join the council... Again."

"It hasn't worked the last fifty times they've tried." Sean snorted. He wasn't wrong, neither myself nor my father had ever shown interest in joining the council, and yet, Ludolf seemed to push for it at least once a year. I still had not figured out his reasoning, given that he and his envoy seemed to loathe our pack.

"Right. But I checked Ludolf and Donato's websites. You know how most supernatural groups have a wanted criminal and bounty section right?" Sean nodded and Lugh's eyes got huge.

"You didn't find that they are still looking for our Luna!?" Lugh burst out, getting up and beginning to pace. "She could be exposed too soon if we aren't careful."

"Exactly." Geoff said, pointing at Lugh. "But there is more. She is not listed as a criminal. They are wanting her for the benefit of the race." Sean and Lugh swung their gazes to Anais. I tightened my grip on her slightly. "I think we all understand the implication of these words was that they want to mate or breed with her. The images are illustrations, since photographs had not been invented when they met her, and the names are different, but here's the real kicker. The bounties say this woman or her offspring." This phrase had Sean on his feet too. It would have been comical watching their mirrored pacing if I wasn't just as concerned. "The bigger question is why. Neither of them knew about her wolf from her interactions with them, unless they knew something they didn't tell her."

"When will the envoy be here?" Sean asked, his mind already turning over how to better secure the pack. He was in charge of training and warriors, so the majority of the legwork was going to be his responsibility.

"Today is Thursday... he'll be here on Tuesday. Hence the urgency. We don't have much time. Normally it would be no big deal, but Anais' safety is first priority." Geoff said.

"No no no. My safety comes second to the pack and our people." Anais protested. I smiled at her insistence, and I loved that she was already considering us to be hers.

""While we appreciate your sentiments, Luna, we have no pack without our alpha and Luna together. Now that you are here, we can't be without you. Understand?" Lugh said, chiding Anais gently. "Furthermore, as our esteemed elder they have no business trying to capture you."

"Well, it's just a week into September. Our mating huts are well away from any area the envoy would be near, and they're only in use from April through June at this point. Should we just hide her there?" Sean suggested.

"Mating huts?" Anais questioned. I blushed.

"It's where our pack members go while she-wolves are in heat. So they can have privacy. Most of the time they lose themselves in the moment." I said, trying to be diplomatic. Anais giggled.

"I get it, I really do. Thank you Alpha, for explaining." She patted my shoulder and kissed my cheek, then turned serious. "If the envoy won't be going there it's probably the best place that's still on the pack lands right?" They all nodded. "Geoff is right that we need to find out the reason behind these bounties, but I think we should focus on getting through this visit without revealing my presence first, get through my first shift and all that it entails." She blushed, shyly looking at my face. "Then we can figure out the rest."

"Alright Luna. You want me to take your stuff over there on Sunday?" Sean asked. "We'll need to bring the vehicle back here so it's not obvious that you are hiding out."

"You can take me there and I will carry my stuff." She quirked a brow. "Is my scent that strong that you have to move me early?" They shifted uncomfortably. "So it is. I will see how much of your security system I can finish in the next three days then." I turned to her in surprise.

"I thought you said it would take a month?"

"I might have exaggerated." She grinned.