Chapter 6: Lists and Plans

Garnet POV

She couldn’t stop smiling in that moment, hearing Jiro accept the crown before his family and friends, especially his Alpha, and not only that, embrace the crown fully. The flood of relief was so great that she nearly fainted. She gripped the goblet of wine that one of the family pressed into her hand. The gold cup and holding onto Jiro kept her upright.

Dane Cresta’s warm arms encircled them both, and even though his smile was somewhat forced, he was still a complete Alpha and didn’t show any doubts or objections he might have about Jiro leaving. Dane was reasonable and thoughtful for all his masculine power.

Beta Barrett paused, and she thought he might be near tears. Besides her, among the leaders of the pack, Barrett had suffered the most trying to shoulder the nightmare burden Cyran plunged them into. Now, he could go back to doing what she knew he did best: helping to lead the pack, tending his garden, and enjoying his family.

“There’ll be much to do and many more lists for you when we return home, Alpha Jiro,” he said gruffly. “And Luna Garnet.”

Kyon moved in, pushing Dane aside, and his huge arms closed around Garnet and Jiro. “Not before we all get to welcome Garnet into the family!”

For a moment, he was Cyran pinning her in one of his fevered moments, demanding her loyalty. Her chest ached and she felt light-headed. She saw every supporter of Cyran’s that her dear brother had offered her to, whether he meant it or not.

“Kyon,” Jiro said gently. “Ease up.”

Kyon flinched, letting go immediately. “I guess I don’t know my own strength as usual.”

Azandra let out a hiss, her eyes flashing. “I don’t think that’s the problem.”

“I hope not,” Kyon said gently.

The guilt and worry in Kyon’s eyes immediately made the specter of Cyran and his cronies vanish. Kyon was as far from them as a noble tiger was from a rabid monster.

“It’s alright, Kyon.” She reached a trembling hand up to his face and was fascinated because its angles resembled Jiro’s. The gentleness in his eyes echoed his brother’s. She touched the smooth skin.

Over his shoulder, she made eye contact with Azandra, whose eyes still simmered with outrage. Somehow, Azandra had seen right into her heart.

Garnet turned back to Kyon, who now handled her like delicate china. “It’s alright,” she repeated.

His arm tightened around her, and he gave her a look of gratitude. “You don’t have to be scared anymore.”

“I couldn’t be frightened around you, with your soft touch,” she said and realized she meant it.

The entire family visibly relaxed, and Anneliese said boldly, “She’s got the measure of you, Kyon. I like her. I’m so happy she’s joined the family.”

“Me, too,” Azandra said.

He grunted. “I want my enemies to think I’m soft at first. But not my brothers!”

Jiro smiled affectionately. “Trust me, we could never be that stupid.”

Dane clapped his hands. “As joyful as it is to welcome Garnet here into the family, and I think she fits right in, we have mountains to move to prepare for your departure. Jiro, I’d love to say I can’t believe you have a list for this occasion, but I know better.”

Jiro’s hand trembled on her back and she felt the vibration. “I developed it after … after what happened to our parents and to Beta Calum.”

His grief felt like rain drenching her, and it increased the ache inside her. She pulled him closer out of their shared sorrow. She’d known about the loss of his parents, and she could see the hint of grief whenever he sprinkled mentions of his mother or his father into his letters. But it was one thing to read a passing mention and another to feel the turmoil deep within him. She pressed against him, feeling the twin holes in her own heart from her parents, Landon and Flavia.

Dane noticed her actions immediately and his eyes showed his appreciation. “Thank the Moon Goddess you had that foresight, because although we joked about one of us being married off and moving to another pack, it seemed like it was on the far distant horizon.”

The solidly built family member who supplied the wine raised his goblet. “Well, we’re all proud of Alpha Jiro, aren’t we, Titania, my love?”

Titania, an elegant woman, raised her own goblet and smiled. “Quite proud, Ransome dear. Luna Garnet, do try some of the wine. You look a bit pale.”

Azandra rolled her eyes and gave Garnet a sympathetic look. “I’ll agree she’s earned it, Mother. And she’s earned a lot more than the wine.” This was accompanied by a pointed look at Jiro.

He shrugged, his face lightening. “She’s mated to me, so yes.”

Instantly the family and their friends took that as their cue and peppered her with suggestions for enduring, as they put it, Jiro’s constant lists, all of his warnings and I-told-you-sos, his tendency to vanish like a ghost for hours when he was reading or studying or contemplating, and the way he always scrubbed the dishes as if he wanted to conquer dirt itself.

It didn’t sound like a wretched fate in the least.

“And he writes letters that, well … they defy description.” She blushed.

Kyon dared to tease him. “I guess after some of us got the musical and artistic talent, the Moon Goddess looked in her storeroom and said, ‘Let’s make him a master letter writer.’”

Beneath their lighthearted and loving banter, Garnet sensed the mixed emotions, even though the family tried to embrace what was happening. Was it the strong case she made? Was it the recent war? Was it what seemed to be acceptance from Tulaska? Was it the famed Cresta devotion to duty? She didn’t know. Perhaps she should just receive the gift with gratitude, but having lost her parents and Cyran, she wouldn’t have been ready to give up another sibling if she had one.

Maybe their decision was as simple as respecting the Moon Goddess.

“And there is the mate bond,” she said quietly.

Dane grinned. “That decided my brother’s fate, as it did mine.” Lilia smiled in a sweet but sassy way.

Tulaska nodded wisely. “And where the Moon Goddess takes us, not even we wise women know.” She looked at Azandra. “Remember that, apprentice.”

“Yes, mistress.” Azandra squared her shoulders. “I for one will be happier with peace next door. What do we need to do to prepare for this earthquake? Because it will be one that all the packs will feel.”

And even beyond, perhaps, Garnet thought. It might not be as earth-shattering to outsiders, but it would be a change. She felt the weight of that settle on her shoulders and tried it on for size. Uncomfortable, but somehow it fit. The bond also felt strange, but more comfortable.

And in a way, more frightening.

She already trusted Jiro, or she wouldn’t have agreed to any of this. A fated mate would never play her false at a minimum. Maybe her expectations were low, but knowing that she could put her heart in someone’s hands felt like enough.

* * * * *

Dane POV

His little brother. Alpha of his own pack.

Dane’s head spun as Jiro took a long drink of his wine and talked rapidly about everything they needed to do. Patch wanted to announce the news to the festival crowd, and that started a loud and vigorous argument among the family about how to break the news to the pack.

Dane pulled Jiro aside and quietly said, “You and I and Kyon have made these plans for a long time.”

Jiro pried himself away from his mate. Even though the prospect of not having his brother close at hand cast a shadow over this remarkable moment, Dane felt touched at how his brother didn’t want to leave Garnet’s side. Kyon had told him Jiro would be even more attached to his mate than either of them were.

For her part, the lady seemed to blossom with Jiro’s caring gaze and his attention. Lilia had filled Dane’s ears with the need to help Garnet be free of Cyran’s chains. Cyran might be gone, but Dane had felt the way Garnet reacted to Kyon’s too-enthusiastic embrace. It was like a gut punch. He had felt Lilia’s blood boil at that moment. His brother would need all his famous kindness and warm heart to help Garnet lose that fear.

Jiro took Dane’s arm. “I’ll go show you where they are.”

Lilia shrieked, “You two! Stop right now. Anneliese Chalice, you come back here!”

Dane whirled and saw Patch, Dirge, and Anneliese race for the door, probably to announce everything to the festival crowd. He made a move to stop them but Jiro restrained him.

“You can’t keep this quiet, Dane,” his brother said in a voice as soft as milk, but his eyes were pure turquoise steel. “By tomorrow everyone will know something is up.”

“What about Cyran?” Dane asked.

Garnet joined the conversation. “The time for concealment and secrecy is drawing to a close, Dane.”

He rested his hand on her shoulder, marveling that in her way she sounded like his brother. “Moon Goddess, you’re wise. And your people need a very public and very open show of support from us.”

And now Jiro looked panicked. “Public?”

It was beneath him to enjoy his brother’s discomfort, but he’d waited all their lives to thrust Jiro firmly into the spotlight like the rest of them. Fenrir’s guts, he wanted everyone to see what the family saw every day.

He grinned. “You’re a Cresta royal and now an Alpha and you just mated. You weren’t ignorant that this was coming. Bring on the pomp and spectacle. Put THAT at the top of your list.”

Jiro’s voice was unnaturally calm. “Whatever the Alpha says … and as my Luna commands.”

“It’ll be good for the pack,” Dane reminded him, hiding a smile at that last part, and enjoying Garnet’s look of surprise and delight.

His brother’s voice was still so calm that Dane had to feel his slender wrist for a pulse. “Then that’s what we must do. Now, let’s go get that list.”

Lilia put an arm around Garnet. “Let’s get you settled in Jiro’s room, shall we?"

Jiro nodded vigorously. “Thank you, Lilia. Garnet, this is your second home now too. Whatever you need. I put you in Lilia’s hands.”

Dane looked at him in sympathy. The poor devil probably wouldn’t get to enjoy his first night with his mate, although Dane vowed to release him early. The next two days would be breakneck, and the new couple needed all the time they could steal together. They would have a full guard all the way to the border, and protection from elite Crimsontail and Evenhide warriors. That should help them relax and enjoy some alone time before they took on the challenge of leading such a divided pack.

Inside the office, studying Jiro’s list, Dane could appreciate the way his brother’s mind worked.

IF JIRO SHOULD LEAVE THE PACK TO MARRY A LUNA

Appoint Patch Intelligence Chief and introduce him to the spy network.

Divide Patch’s duties between Dirge and Aunt Ilya or Cousin Reinald or one of the sentries

Consult Tulaska about the future

Consult Lilia and the witches

Instruct Patch and Dirge to do more of their share of the cooking and dishes

Keep the bedroom at Cresta House

Mind link with Dane and brothers and Azandra regularly

Ask Dane the important things about mating and being an Alpha

Dane swallowed the lump in his throat. They had two days. There wasn’t time to tell Jiro everything he wanted and needed to share, but he would do his best.