Chapter Eight

(James)

I could feel Anthony tapping at the mental link between us, but I knew if I let down my wall then everyone would have something to say, so I continued to ignore him. I was enjoying how Tracy was handling her own with my parents, with my aunt, with everyone. She simply radiated sunshine through her words and her actions. It was a sight to behold. She was a sight to behold.

My mate.

A human.

We moved inside to where the tables had been set up for dinner. What I failed to mention to Tracy was this was a weekly dinner. Our pack was spread out across about a square mile. We were still close, but most were mated and wanted their privacy. Only the single wolves remained at the pack house. Once a week we all gathered and ate together as a way to remain united and strong.

I escorted Tracy in and took the seat beside her. Of course Brianna and Stacy stayed close as well. Since I arrived tonight they have barely let me out of their sights. I would have thought having a date with me would have given them the hint I was taken, but apparently it would not deter them.

I can only imagine how much more crazy this is going to get once the rest of the girls my mother so wonderfully invited show up. I was going to have to stay gone or keep Tracy close. I knew they all recognized her as human, maybe that's why they didn't see her as a threat. My dad on the other hand, knew something, he'd even caught it when I almost introduced him as Alpha, and quickly compensated.

Brianna sat down right beside me, ignoring the jacket Anthony had laid there marking his spot. She started to say something, but I just turned my attention to Tracy. "They rolls are hella good. What did you do differently?"

She smiled and it make warmth blossom inside me. She leaned toward me. "It's a secret. I can't tell you."

I leaned even further toward her. My lips almost touching her cheek. "I'll tell you my secret, if you tell me yours."

"Now that I will have to think about." Her voice was flirty and when she turned and gave me a quick peck on the lips I forgot everything else I was going to say.

'Get a room.'

Hell. I forgot to keep the wall up and Anthony charged right through. 'Shut it.'

'Oh, now you open the link. You know bimbo number one took my seat so now I'm going to have to sit next to Tracy. Such a hardship.'

He was egging me on. I knew it, but when his hand brushed her shoulder as he moved in beside her I couldn't stop the growl that emanated from my wolf. He did not like another touching what was his.

Tracy's eyes widened, so did both of my parents. "Glad there's all this food, my stomach is growling something fierce." I knew no one bought that, but what the hell was I going to say? My wolf is jealous. No, not happening.

'Touchy, touchy,' he taunted through the link.

I looked at him. He was teasing me. What he didn't know was that he was walking a dangerous line. Friend or not he'd better head my warning. 'Hands off.'

He leaned in close as if going to whisper something to her and I lost all sense. Standing up so fast my chair tipped over I pushed him away from her.

"James!" shouted Tracy as my father and mother simultaneously shouted, "Son!"

'What the hell?' shouted Anthony. The sound so loud inside my head it was almost painful.

'Mate.' I growled back.

His eyes widened. 'Oh hell. Sorry brother. You should've told me.' He held his hands up in surrender as he stepped back.

I turned to look at Tracy. She was watching, her eyes wide and her fingers wrapped around her pendant, rubbing the image on it. Did she know?

"James, Anthony, my office now!"

I mouthed 'sorry' to Tracy and followed my father to his office. I could only imagine what was going on in her mind right about now. She probably thought I was crazy or hot-headed or who knows what else. If she was any normal person she would be long gone before I ever get out of this office. She'd run and not bother looking back. I just prayed that wasn't what she would do.

I sat next to Anthony, across the desk from my father. He didn't speak for what felt like an eternity. He gave us that Alpha stare that made people want to confess everything without being asked. Luckily I had his blood in my veins and it didn't work as well on me. I stared back in a silent standoff.

"Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" When I didn't respond he turned that glare onto Anthony. "How about you? Do you have anything to say?"

I knew Anthony would speak. It was impossible for him not to with the demand ringing through my father's words.

Anthony looked over to me and then back to my father. "I overstepped. It won't happen again."

"Care to explain this overstepping?"

"Um…"

I knew Anthony could not lie to my father and I couldn't let him take the heat for me. I was going to have to step up. "Maybe you should get mom in here too. I'd hate to have to repeat this more than once."

I watched his eyes glaze for a moment. He was calling mom in here. I knew I had to tell them. I just worried over the repercussions.

Mom entered. She closed the door silently behind her and went to stand beside my dad. "What's this all about?" she asked him.

"I don't know, but I can't wait to find out." He looked at me expectantly. "What is it you would like to tell us?"

"She's my mate."

"Who, son?"

Seriously? "Tracy."

My father's face hardened. "Listen, we know you don't want to choose a wife. But this… this isn't going to get you out of it. It's time for you to grow up and take your place in this family."

I chose to ignore his words. They would've been right yesterday. He knew me too well. "Has there ever been a human Luna?"

My parents both said, "No," just as Anthony said, "Yes." We all turned to look at him.

"What do you mean, yes?" My mother asked him.

"It is my family's legacy as Betas to know all of the pack's history. There was one. It was a very long time ago. Some called her a witch because she got visions, but she was one hundred percent human."

Visions? Tracy had explained her dreams to me. Of how she knew about the cave, of my wolf. Had those been visions? Would she be okay with me if she knew the truth…that her dreams were true.

"When did you learn this?" she asked.

His eyes met mine. "I had a hunch yesterday. I spent all night researching. Tonight I confirmed it," he replied matter-of-factly.

He knew. I should have known I couldn't keep a secret from him. We were closer than brothers.

"Confirmed what, Anthony?" my father asked.

"Tracy is his mate. That's what happened at dinner. I touched her, got a little too close to her, but I needed to know for sure. I expected his reaction." He turned back to me. "Sorry, man. I knew you wouldn't tell me if I asked."

And he would have been correct. I nodded in admittance.

My parents were being entirely too quiet. I knew they were having a silent conversation. I used to hate when they'd do that. Seems I still did hate it.

"Son, does she know what you are? What we are? What even a mate bond is?"

I knew my mother meant well, but I also knew she didn't quite believe me. "She doesn't, but she does."

"What does that even mean?"

"She dreamt about me, about my wolf. She asked if I was a wolf. I changed the subject. I didn't know if it was possible for her to be my mate. Definitely don't have a clue on how to explain all of this to her."

"There is one thing you should know," interrupted Anthony. "The last one…her story did not end well. Once rumors got around that she was a witch with visions other alphas wanted her for their own. No one was prepared for that and she was taken. No one knows what came of her after that."

His words hit deep inside my chest. Taken? No one would ever take my Tracy.