DINNER AT MA' S HOUSE

My mother, the former Luna of the pack, was one scary human being. Even now, in her twilight years, no one dared cross her. Her summoning me for dinner had me on edge, though I'd never admit it. The Jeep's tires screeched against the icy road as we climbed higher into the mountains toward the Kayne residence and Qadira's barely suppressed laughter filled the small space. 

"You're really this nervous, huh?" she teased, her voice a mixture of amusement and disbelief. 

I snickered, keeping my eyes on the road. "She is our Ma after all, do I need to explain myself?" 

She grinned, leaning back in her seat. "Fair. But let's not pretend that hiding out on Hanka Island would ever solve anything. Pa is gone. We're all grieving. It hit you hardest, and we all know it." 

Her words hung in the air, heavy and sharp. I gripped the wheel tighter, nodding without glancing her way. "I know." 

Her gasp was dramatic, her hand flying to her chest. "You agreed with me? Saints preserve us—the world must be ending!" 

I turned to her briefly, smirking. That was all the encouragement she needed. Qadira threw her head back in wild laughter, clapping her hands like a child. 

"You've changed," she crowed as if the revelation was the most amusing thing she'd ever heard. 

I ignored her, letting her laughter fill the silence. She wasn't wrong, though. Something deep inside me had shifted since meeting that wolf on Hanka Island. There was something about him, something ancient, something raw. His blood called to mine, awakening a part of me I hadn't realized was buried so deep. The Jeep's engine cut off as we reached the house, nestled in its fortress of snow and towering pines. Before I could even unbuckle, Qadira had already bolted from the car, her boots crunching on the frost. 

"Ma!" she yelled as she burst into the house like she owned the place. I shook my head, stepping out into the biting cold. The wind carried the scent of woodsmoke and blood, warm, rich, and unmistakable. She knew we were coming. Of course, she did. Ma always knew everything. I entered the foyer, the heavy oak door creaking shut behind me. The heat of the house hit me like a wall, and with it came the undeniable sense that I was being watched. 

"Freyr," Ma's voice called from somewhere deeper inside. Low, commanding, and utterly sure of itself. Qadira's giggles echoed from the kitchen, but I could already feel Ma's eyes boring into me from wherever she stood. 

"Ma," I called out, stepping into the warmth of the house. My boots thudded against the wooden floor, and the scent of blood and spices enveloped me. 

There she was, seated on a stool by the open kitchen counter, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto mine. Those eyes, piercing and all-knowing, had unnerved stronger men than me. I walked over, leaning down to press a kiss on her cheek. Her lips curved into a small smile, and she reached up to pat my face. "Welcome home, Freyr, I wonder if you would have come on your own without me summoning you" she said, her voice low but carrying its usual authority. 

Before I could respond, Qadira bustled over, handing me a glass of warm blood. "Here," she said with a cheeky grin, clearly still riding the high of her earlier teasing. 

I took the glass and slid onto the stool beside Ma. She turned to face me fully, her expression softening for just a moment before she asked, "Ma, I was planning to come and see you soon. How have you been?" 

Qadira interrupted with a dramatic voice "Something's happened," she declared, smirking. "Freyr agreed with me today. Can you imagine? Agreed! Out of the norm."

Ma's brows rose in surprise, her gaze darting between us. "Oh?" she murmured, leaning forward slightly. "What happened?" 

I shook my head, exhaling through my nose. "Qadira is just being excitable, as usual," I replied, brushing off her antics. 

But Ma wasn't one to be deflected. She studied me for a moment longer before cutting straight to the chase. "What the hell does Lord Marcel want with you?" 

Her tone was sharp now, the faint warmth from earlier replaced with the steel of the former Luna. I chuckled, tilting my head to the side. "And how," I asked with mock curiosity, "do you know about that meeting?" 

Ma rolled her eyes, the same way she had when I was a pup caught in some mischief. "The coven members are still loyal to me," she said simply. "Even if the Kayne family has chosen to stay out of their council affairs." 

Of course, they were. Ma had a way of commanding loyalty that outlasted any title or formal obligation. 

I nodded, deciding there was no point in dancing around the topic. "Lord Marcel wants me to infiltrate the Bay shifter pack. He's convinced they've recently discovered powerful magic, and it's caused a panic within the coven council. We all know that the man is threatened by anything that could be more powerful than the coven"

Ma snickered, leaning back slightly. "And what did you tell him?" 

I met her gaze with a small smile and chose to dive into the deep water as I responded, "I agreed." 

The silence was immediate and heavy. Both Ma and Qadira gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief. 

"You agreed?" Qadira blurted, staring at me as if I'd grown a second head. 

Ma didn't speak right away, but her jaw tightened, her gaze sharpening even further. 

"Lord Marcel promised to sign off Hank Island to me "I responded with humor laced in my voice.

Ma banged the counter and yelled "Bullshit. That fucking bastard knows well that Hank Island does not belong to anyone. He is only using this to get you to do his bidding"

"Oh Ma, when have I ever let someone use me?" I smirked at both Ma and Qadira with one raised eyebrow.