Page 9 of Forbidden Moon
His father nodded and this time Garrett saw approval. “I heard about the nest of vampires you cleared down south, and the feral pack that was slaughtering wolves. Nice job. Those were tough battles, and you emerged stronger. A worthy leader for Saranac.”
Garrett tried to feel pride he had finally earned his father’s respect, but it felt hollow, paling in comparison to his growing bond with Maya. Being with his father, hearing the plans for his future in the Saranac pack made him glad he’d kept quiet. He needed to check out the lay of the land, see if his cousin, Brandon, was as volatile as he had been before Garrett left, determine the state of the pack, before introducing Maya as a potential mate.
His pack had long been a traditional one, with rigid gender roles for male and female wolves. But he could change that with the right mate and the right position in the pack. Maya would be a strong partner in that path, ideally suited to help move Saranac into the next century. If she accepted the bond.
He smiled at his father. “I look forward to the opportunity, father.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Maya made her way to Garrett’s rooms that night, avoiding everyone she could, like usual, troubled by what she’d overheard from her Alpha. The door to the enforcer building opened and Caleb stood framed in the light.
“Hello, Caleb. I’m here to see Garrett.”
His teeth flashed white in the light and he stepped side, bowing slightly. “By all means.”
She stepped inside while he shut the door behind her. “Maya, are you sure you know what you’re doing with Garrett?”
She faced him, deciding to bluff her way out of the conversation. “What do you mean?”
Caleb gave her a gentle look. “I’m not stupid. I can scent you on him and vice versa. The mating bond is in play between you both. But your packs are not aligned in any form. In fact, it’s safe to say they’re enemies. Have you thought about how a mating would work between you?”
She’d shoved all thoughts of the details of the mating between them into the dark recesses of her mind, something very uncharacteristic of her. But she’d wanted to enjoy the moment for once, see what could be before she destroyed it with reality. Unfortunately, reality was intruding far too soon.
“Believe me, I am well aware of the issues. But it’s a mating bond. Are we supposed to walk away?”
Caleb’s expression was sympathetic. “You can. Unless the mark has already formed.”
She didn’t respond, didn’t want to admit that she may have felt the burn of a mark forming. But it was still invisible. She could walk away. “Not yet.”
“He can get out of his Council duties if he finds his mate, but then you would be thrust into the pack situation. Are you ready for that?”
That was exactly what she wasn’t ready for. She needed time to figure out what she wanted. Did she want to mate now, when she was so close to becoming Den Leader? One of them would have to give up their pack. She hated Saranac. Couldn’t imagine living there, but how did he feel?
Damn, they needed to talk, not fuck.
She sighed. “Thanks for complicating my last night here.”
He patted her shoulder awkwardly. “Sorry, but it needed to be said. For the record, I like you both and if there is anything I can do, I’ll be there. No questions asked.”
“Thanks, Caleb.”
She headed up to Garrett’s suite, more troubled than before. When she opened the door, he was pacing in the living space, a pensive look on his face.
He turned and came to her, taking her lips in a deep kiss. Then he growled and buried his nose in her neck, almost pressing her body into the door. “Why do you smell like Caleb?”
A scent hit her nose, one that made her wolf’s hackles rise and put her on edge immediately. She pushed at him, fighting the sense of panic that rose in her. “Why do you smell like Shane Colvin?”
He took a step back. “Because he’s my father. I had a meeting with him tonight.”
The blood drained from her face and she swayed, her fears confirmed. She had spent time with Shane Colvin when her and Isaac had to deal with inter-pack issues and he always creeped her out. “I had forgotten he was your father. I’ve met him when Isaac and I had to meet with Saranac on border issues. It’s been particularly contentious lately.”
He drew her over to the dark blue couch and they sat, knees touching. “I’m sorry. I heard there’s been a border dispute that the Council has to rule on.”
She snorted, knowing that she was walking a fine line with him working for the Council, part of Saranac and her own role in the Dirigo pack. “Yeah, we’ll see if they do. They tend to turn a blind eye to anything they can avoid.” She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “We need to talk. We’re leaving tomorrow. I can’t justify staying beyond that unless we want to declare our mating and I’m just not ready.”
He let out a breath and nodded. “I understand. I haven’t been home in four years and want to see what has changed, if anything, in the pack before I take a mate. I’ll warn you, my father spoke of big plans for me, leadership roles and needing me to find a mate soon.”
Her wolf growled inside at the thought of him taking anyone other than her as a mate, but she gritted her teeth and asked the question. “Who are they thinking of?”