Chapter 7: Full Alpha Mode

Azandra POV

What a trio of powerful women. Tulaska, Ravyn, and Anneliese surrounded the patients inside Tulaska’s home, with Azandra supervising. Lilia had gone off somewhere, probably to update Dane, like a true Luna. She hadn’t hesitated to jump right in and start healing people, but before it went any further, she was going to keep her Alpha informed. No nasty surprises that way.

Azandra felt the healing waves of energy around her like never before. It wasn’t just from the crystals, of course. Ravyn explained that even with their power, they were merely pretty rocks without someone working with them.

The energy came from her, from Tulaska, from Anneliese, and from Ravyn. And also from the patients.

“Explain to me how this works again,” she said to Ravyn, who presently had her hands on one of the patients, staying away from the wound.

Ravyn concentrated, her expression so much like Lilia’s when she was working hard, her eyes bright and her brow furrowed. It somewhat reminded Azandra of Titania, which she hated to admit. “We’re working with their natural energy and their natural healing, not against it. Some healers don’t know the difference.”

“What happens if it’s a magical wound?” Azandra wanted to know.

Ravyn paused. “It’s more challenging, as you see. Magic cannot cure everything … even your natural healing ability has limits, yes?”

Azandra shivered. “Yes. For example, if someone loses a limb … it’s happened before.”

It had happened on her watch once when she just started.

Shoving the memory out of her mind, she continued, “Lilia and I were able to cure Kyon’s wound, although I’m not sure how …”

Anneliese gritted her teeth, and she smelled frustrated, which to Azandra smelled almost spicy. “Well, this wound is different! It’s mocking me.”

It took a lot to rattle Lilia’s cheerful best friend, but Anneliese looked shaken indeed.

Lilia rejoined them, a bit out of breath and looking like something major had happened, sparking Azandra’s curiosity. “What did I miss?”

“The ongoing magical mystery,” Azandra responded. “Even with all the power in this room, in this home, with all of us combining our forces … Well, see for yourself. We haven’t made much progress.”

Lilia and Tulaska examined Aardwolf, the sentry. His wound persisted, glowing and looking angrier, with the colors turning sickly and ugly. Aardwolf howled and gnashed his teeth as the wound spread, transforming his skin. He sweated and twitched. It looked far worse than wolfsbane or silver poisoning.

“We have to locate this thing, whatever it is,” Lilia declared. “I think we should call on Kyon’s talents as an artist and have him sketch what he saw.”

Azandra smacked her forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

She’d been too distracted by Kyon’s kiss and getting him to be her “fake” fated mate, naturally.

Tulaska snorted. “Your parents, that’s why. And if they dare invade here, I’ll send THEM to go gather swampweed. A lot of it. That stinks worse than anything.”

Lilia grinned. “I think they might prefer that to Dane in full alpha mode and Kyon in full mate mode.”

Azandra didn’t feel sorry for her parents … not much, anyway. She felt touched. It was one of the nicest things anyone had done for her … other than that incredible kiss …

Best not to think about that right now, not with Lilia watching her with a knowing look on her face. Best not to picture Kyon going toe to toe with her parents. She knew who would win. She also knew her parents wouldn’t soon forget or forgive. Moon Goddess grant them the sense to respect the Alpha.

* * * * * *

Kyon POV

The Great Hall of Cresta House could be intimidating. At least, Kyon hoped it was.

Azandra’s parents acted as if they’d just come for tea. Titania examined the elf tapestry with disdain, while Ransome babbled on about how good the place looked and the fond memories he and his family had of events at Cresta House.

Dane silenced them with a growl. “We didn’t invite you here for a social visit. We have serious business.”

“I’m glad we agree,” Titania said, her nose in the air. “What do you intend to do about this farce your brother has involved my daughter in?”

Kyon answered before Dane could reach out and strangle the woman. “Azandra was the one who mentioned us as fated mates if you’ll recall. I wasn’t in any shape for a farce, as you put it.”

“But you behaved very rudely to us,” Titania said, finger pointed at him.

Dane marched over to her and stood glowering at her. “He was in pain!”

Kyon faced Ransome Hemming. “Your daughter is the pack healer, something you may not respect, but my family does,” he began.

“Well, of COURSE, he respects the pack healer. This isn’t about that,” Titania said, flicking her hand dismissively. She had her claws out.

Kyon summoned up all his patience, and Dane’s eyes narrowed. Dane said, “Kyon was talking to your husband. Let him answer for himself.”

Ransome sputtered. “Everyone respects the pack healer. We need a pack healer.”

Dane nodded, with that look that said Ransome had just walked into his trap. “Just not when it’s your daughter?”

Ransome quickly grasped the wound he’d inflicted on himself. “The agreement was that she could do this healing thing until she mated with an Alpha.”

Kyon frowned. He hadn’t heard about this agreement. But it didn’t make sense.

Healing wasn’t a hobby for Azandra. She’d given his brothers and her toys and dolls remedies when she was a pup. Even if the “remedy” was a piece of fruit or some other tasty treat. She loved being a healer, the way Lilia loved practicing crystal magic. Why would Azandra give her destiny up for Dane?

On second thought, he could understand why. After all, she named him her fated mate just to shut them up, which hadn’t worked either.

Titania smelled of satisfaction. “Your witch, the one you threw my daughter over for, doesn’t run her little crystal shop anymore, does she?”

“My LUNA has opportunities to share her gifts, which I fully support,” Dane said in an icy tone. “She’s helping your daughter heal the victims of these attacks as we speak, which fits the role of a Luna.”

Kyon massaged his claws, which had come out, and glared at Titania. “And listen to you, talking like a HUMAN. A fated mate is absolute. It’s not the same thing as rejecting someone.”

“You didn’t know she was his fated mate,” Ransome said, quick to defend his wife.

Kyon bared his teeth. “I’m trying to understand your point of view, but all I hear is a lot of bluster and bruised egos that you haven’t gotten your alpha prize for your daughter.”

“And you haven’t claimed her,” Titania pointed out logically. “You haven’t marked her. And she thought Dane was her fated mate.”

“We never felt the pull, though,” Dane countered.

Titania just gave him a withering look. “You did before the witch came along, and before Tulaska meddled. And she only proclaimed you fated mates because you marked the witch.”

Kyon winced. Titania was scoring points. He could see that Tulaska definitely had clouded the issue. So had Dane. But that was the only argument in Titania’s favor because the mate bond could not be denied.

“You will call her Luna,” Dane snarled.

Kyon stepped between them, feeling Dane’s hot breath and Titania’s scorching breath. Over Titania’s shoulder, he noticed Ransome trying to look tough and failing.

Kyon wasn’t sure why, but he had the impression that Ransome wasn’t entirely invested in making Azandra a Luna. He blustered a lot, but Titania led the charge. Had it always been this way, even when Azandra went after Dane?

“We wouldn’t have a magical attack that harmed our people and distracted my daughter from becoming a Luna if you hadn’t brought that witch into our pack,” Titania shouted.

Kyon gripped Dane’s shoulders and held him back from attacking, then whispered in his ear. “Easy. Easy.”

“You fools,” Dane snarled at Titania and Ransome. “If it weren’t for the friendship of the witches and the elves, and them helping to keep us hidden from the population at large, we’d be more vulnerable.”

Kyon added, “Magical creatures are drawn to shifter lands. We’re hidden. They can live without fear of being harmed. Besides, magic and shifters go hand in hand. And do NOT insult our Luna again.”

Dane growled in agreement.

Kyon understood Dane’s fury. He wanted to wipe the hate and bitterness off Titania’s face.

Instead, he changed tactics. He aimed his next remarks at Ransome. “Azandra deserves every prize in the world, but the Moon Goddess picked me for her. And I’ll do right by her. If she was meant to be with Dane, she’d be with him. I will give her my mark, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

Big talk, but Ransome and Titania stood with their mouths open. Finally, he shut them up.

Dane’s eyes turned stormy blue and his claws got longer. “You should be so lucky as to have my brother in your family. And Azandra’s healing is needed to help the pack right now. Tulaska says she’s the most gifted healer we’ve had in years. Reason hasn’t worked with the pair of you, and my patience is already thin. You will let Azandra do her work as a healer until this crisis is over. You will not take her away from this pack while we need her. This is a direct order from your Alpha and you will face consequences if you ignore it. Is that understood?”

They stood there, their mouths moving but nothing coming out. Titania huffed. Ransome lowered his head.

“I said, is that understood?” Dane pressed them.

“Yes, Alpha,” Ransome said first.

Kyon smiled slightly. Maybe Azandra’s father wasn’t all bad.

Ransome elbowed Titania and looked at her with glowing golden eyes. Titania said, with a slight grumble in her voice, “Yes, Alpha.”

Dane smiled, putting on a pleasant face. “I knew I could count on you to see what is good for our pack. You should be very proud of Azandra. I am … she is part of our family or will be. I hope that we can have a better relationship going forward. That’ll be all.”

They turned and walked out, smelling full of indignation, with their heads held high. On one level, Kyon admired them for taking a tongue-lashing from him AND Dane and still standing upright. But he was thoroughly happy to see them go.

He arched his eyebrows at his brother. “While this crisis is going on?”

“It would be too much to ask them to never interfere again, and even an Alpha can’t do the impossible,” Dane hissed through his teeth. “You wonder how Azandra even has a sense of humor.”

“I think she needed one to keep from strangling them.”

“You could mark her, you know …”

“When it’s right.”

“There’s another way. I don’t think I have to draw you a map … it would make your claim stronger.”

The temptation hit. “When did you become so shameless?”

Dane put an arm around him. “I’m proud of you.”

“I’m not the one with all the power.”

His brother ruffled his hair, hard. “Fenrir’s breath, will you stop putting yourself down?”

Kyon growled. “Then stop messing up my hair in human form.”

“Make me.”

They both shifted. Kyon felt the absolute thrill and freedom of his wolf body moving as it was designed to do. They sparred with each other, they chased each other, and they forgot the world for a little while. It would intrude soon enough.