Ever Cynical

Chapter 38- The Demon King's Mate

Anais POV

I started our tour with the outside of the pack house.

Logical, right?

We walked around the garden and pool area slowly, my arm hooked around Ekezeic's. He kept looking at me and looking away. I'd known him the longest, though I don't think he really fit in with other supernaturals. He'd given me safe haven around 620 years ago. I'd already experienced what humans do to "witches," and the Black Death in England. I'd wandered into the deepest part of the Black Forest in Germany, wanting to just hide for a while. I knew how to hunt as well as build both shelters and fires, so I could be on my own. My father had made sure I'd been trained in herbs as well as languages, mathematics and writing, though unfortunately, being an educated woman was not appreciated. After my first run in with men seeking to oppress wise women, I was intelligent enough to keep what I knew under wraps (ha! Wise right?). I learned early the value of disguise as well.

I sighed, unable to stand the tension any longer.

"What is ittttttt Ekezeic?" I was tired of his weird looks. "You don't actually need a tour, do you? You know where everything is already." I huffed. There was no way this lizard hadn't scouted everything before settling in. He was not the type of man to go anywhere or do anything unprepared.

"Meine sonne, you have grown to be so impatient." He chuckled before becoming all too serious. If he was worried, it could not be anything good. "Listen, we need to connect to our other allies and get support in the elder council. My spies have already intercepted Ludolf's men trying to get special permission if you are found, and trying to get your mate's pack destroyed." I growled in anger. f*****g Ludolf. Why could he not just, you know, mind his own damn business?

"MY PACK. It's MY pack, not just Kieran's. They are MY people." My breathing was labored as my canines and claws extended. Claire was pissed, and rightfully so. Who the f**k did this aging wolf think he was to do such shady s**t? Not on my watch, no f*****g way.

"I know, Ana liebchen. I'm sorry for saying it like that. Donato's got his feelers out too, though I don't get as much of a sinister vibe from his people. We need to get to the council before they do, either way. You know how this works. People almost always believe the person that gets to them first. I am doing all I can without being obvious." He grunted, clearly annoyed. "Those bastards just don't want to give up on anything they think will add to their power, in my opinion. To be honest, that's why I never mentioned that I suspected you were an Immortal, or how to find them." He finished sheepishly, plainly feeling guilty for having knowledge that could have helped me.

His logic made sense, but I still wasn't happy I'd been kept from my people longer than I felt was necessary.

Everything okay, mo chridhe? Kieran linked me. I can feel that you are stressed out and upset.

Yeah, just stupid fugly asshats again is all. He laughed, and while I wasn't as affected as I had been the last two days, I swear I felt tingles to my core just from the sound. It made it difficult to focus on the matter at hand. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I tried to refocus on Ekezeic, who was looking at me with a lifted brow.

Alright, just link me if you need me, mo shíorghrá. Is it crazy that I already miss you? This alpha. I'm sure Ekezeic would think I was nuts if I just, squeeeee'd out loud, right? Because that was what I felt like I needed to do because of how damn cute this man was.

No, mon coeur, I'd rather be with you too. I hoped he knew just how much he made my heart squeeze with his tenderness.

"So what should we do, Ekezeic? I can't just sit here and wait for s**t to happen." My brain was running on hyperdrive. Ever seen Spaceballs? I was about to go freaking plaid.

"The best thing would be for your pack to apply as council members. Frankly, now that he's found his mate, Kieran should take over as alpha king, especially since he will most definitely have heirs." He chortled deeply, shaking his head as he looked again at my still-flat stomach. "Still can't believe he put five pups in you."

"Technically, Kieran is responsible for three and his wolf for two." I quipped. Ekezeic's jaw dropped. Ha! Finally, I had shocked the beast that delighted in shocking everyone else.

"You didn't let his wolf mount you too?! Dirty girl." He giggled. Ekezeic is gender fluid... and had no race preferences either. Anyone that took his fancy was his "right now." We continued walking, talking briefly about the Council and what his spies were watching for. He had eyes on anyone trying to find me and making sure the information got squashed. "So I saw Kieran's report about Pflumer and his actions, along with video details. The technology sure looked like yours, liebchen." He sounded amused, but how could he expect anyone but the best, aka me, would be given the job of protecting my family?

"Yeah, thankfully I got the installation done before that asshat arrived. He almost found me in the huts." I huffed, still annoyed he'd gotten that far.

"Nah, your stealth would have fooled him completely." Ekezeic shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "So, I'm assuming you're calling Kiyoko first, right?" I nodded. That was indeed the plan. "You should look into an alliance with the Werebears too. They mostly keep to themselves, but they really hate those that interfere with other races' survival or mate bonds. I'd bet money that King Jacob already has dealings with Kieran. How many allies have you got on the council besides me?" Despite his rapier-sharp wit, Ekezeic was keeping pretty firmly to serious topics.

As if he really was my freaking dad. Ugh.

"Two dragon kings, the Kitsune Queen, the Fae Queen, and one Vampire Lord. Oh, and four wolf packs, though they aren't on the council."

"So, six members that will for sure find in your favor. Hmm, you need a few more. There are thirteen members, with one vacant spot. If you can win over the Werebears you'll have the majority, but one more would be great. The vacant spot, your pack is in a good position to take, but you need to get there before Ludolf blocks you." He was pacing as he spoke, trying to work out all the logistics in one shot, it seemed. It all seemed like so much trouble!

"But won't that leave a spot open if Kieran is granted the title of king?" I asked, since everyone seemed so sure he was going to completely replace Ludolf.

"Hmm... maybe, but they might let their pack keep a slot unless a second, more powerful pack compared to you guys, shows up to challenge them. Hard to say at this point, though ideally, one pack from the Americas and one from either Europe or Asia would make sense." Have I mentioned I hate politics? Well, now you know. I wanted to help, I really did, but all this power-play bullshit gets my goat. I sighed.

"Fine, I will get Kieran to put in for the current spot. You have any info on the Werebears or Werecats? I'm not even going to try with that hypocrite, Belsant. Neutral my ass," I scoffed. I'd experienced her do nothing and watch attitude on many occasions. I don't think she was wholly a bad person, but used neutrality as an excuse to not get involved, to do nothing.She stood for nothing.

"You might even try Mirgadok." He mused, oddly shy, looking away slightly. Interesting.

"The Demon King? I don't know, he isn't fond of me. I'd class him with Belsant. Fake neutrality." I said, and Ekezeic snorted. "You just like him because of that one time..." This was the only time I'd ever seen the Basilisk King blush. He'd had some grand fling with Mirgadok and they were still friendly, but it was clear they... missed each other? "Ekezeic, do Basilisks or snakes get mates?" His blush got worse. "Oh. Oh my. No way. He is your mate? Why are you apart then?" I could not conceive being apart from Kieran like these two lived. It would kill me emotionally.

"Mein sonne, not all things are so simple. We could not decide between our realms, for one. Unlike your race, we do not experience betrayal pains, so... we have an open mateship, I guess you could say. We never hide anything from each other, though." It was cute to see a man that was probably one of the most dangerous beings ever to exist looking so bashful, and i I was reading him right, lonely, despite his claims that they were okay with being apart and basically f*****g whoever they wanted.

I couldn't do it. I'd straight up murder anyone that laid hands on my mate that wasn't part of our bond.

"You don't get, you know, jealous?" I asked curiously, because that would be a serious problem for me.

"My you sure are inquisitive, now that you have your own mate, liebchen. Well, we keep our link open all the time so, not really." Somehow, I wasn't so certain, despite his words.

"Wait, is that why you told me to reach out to him? He can hear everything?" Ekezeic sheepishly nodded.

"You are like my daughter, Anais. He will help you, I can promise this." He was practically begging, which honestly made me feel slightly uncomfortable. He didn't need to do that, ever. He'd already helped me plenty of times.

"Wait... was he jealous of me? He thought I was special to you and he didn't like you giving me attention, even if was fatherly?" Mind blown. Ekezeic would never completely forsake his mate. "Well. Let's fix that. Hi Mirgadok, know you're listening to me and my FATHER FIGURE talk. Got my mate, never wanted to take Ekezeic away from you, just so ya know. I would never interfere between mates unless there was abuse somewhere. Maybe, you could, you know, reach out to my mate Kieran of the Immortals and strike up an alliance? 'K thanks, great. Nice chatting with ya, other daddy." I said with a wink as Ekezeic doubled over laughing.

A few minutes later I got a link from Kieran.

Mo bhanríon, do you know... the Demon King Mirgadok? He said something about helping his adopted daughter?

Oh. It's a long story, but you can trust him, mon coeur.

Oookayyyy, if you say so. He sounded a little uncertain, but we truly needed all the backers we could get.

"Well, Mirgadok's locked in, thanks daddies!" I gave Ekezeic a thumbs up.

"Oh, he says congrats on the pups. He's sending you some kind of protective team, at some point." Ekezeic said.

"Aww, is he excited to be a granddad? You guys are precious." I pinched the Basilisk King's cheek just as Lugh rounded the corner. His eyes nearly popped out of his head at the sight.

"Umm, Luna?" He said nervously, eyes darting to Ekezeic.

"Yes, Lugh?" I encouraged.

"There's a Lady Hijikata to see you?" Lugh said. Ekezeic clapped his hands in delight.

"Great! The foxes are here!" He said jovially/