I kept her close to my side through the evening. She met everyone, and I could sense the mixed reactions. Most of the pack was happy for us. They offered their congratulations and talked to Zee like she was one of their own. Enough wolves were cold to her that I was full of tense anger by the time we sat down to eat. Their prejudices robbed her of her good time, and I worried they would give her a bad impression.
“Calm down,” she murmured into my ear, from her place in my lap. There were plenty of chairs, but after dealing with all the tension I needed her close, so my plate sat on the table and hers in her lap while she sat curled up on my lap. I turned and rubbed my nose along hers, making her smile happily.
“I’m calm,” I told her quietly. I was all too aware of the attention we were garnering. My father’s eyes were constantly sizing us up, as well as watching his pack’s reactions. My mother just looked thrilled about everything we did. Aiden and Kailani were keeping some distance but I wasn’t taking any chances that they would try to corner her if I wasn’t around. Layla had taken the seat beside me and had spent much of dinner time trying to capture my attention. Zee threw her withering glares if she touched me.
Now Zee curled her fingers into my hair and tugged my attention back to her. “You’re not, and I know why. Quit worrying so much,” she admonished. “They’re your family, not enemies.” She pressed a light kiss to my lips and then turned back to talk to my mother about flowers of all things.
I tried to relax. She was right. Neither of us was in any danger here. Even the people who didn’t like that she was a made wolf would do nothing. My father may be known as a loving leader, but he was also ruthless when it came to protecting the pack. That only left keeping Zee out of the clutches of those who would teach her how to fight.
******
“I’ve been doing some investigating,” my father started. “I can’t figure out how this Hunter found you. We’ve scouted that place several times and never found anything. The land has been in our family for quite some time, so maybe that somehow tipped him off.”
“He is different somehow,” I told him. “If he wants to leave a scent then it’s everywhere. When we try to track him down it completely disappears. I don’t know how he is managing it, but it worries me. Can he completely obscure his scent without magic? Tegan has been doing a lot of research, but she hasn’t found anything like that. But magic? Why would a witch help a Hunter? They are at just as much risk if they’re found out.” My father ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“I’ve never heard of either thing before,” he finally said. “I’ll have to contact some of the family in Greece. They’re closer to the legends so they might have more answers.”
“Ask them if Hunters take in humans to help them,” I mentioned. My father gave me a questioning look. “It’s a hunch I have. Jarren seems sure of it actually. Zee’s sister is dating presumably a human. He has apparently noticed Jarren on surveillance of the girl, and he has her convinced that we are some kind of evil cult. I don’t trust him, but he smells completely human, so I don’t know what it is that I’m picking up.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if they’re using humans,” he seemed contemplative. “We can usually sense a Hunter. A human could blend in easier. If they could convince them of our existence and that we are a threat, then they could have a virtually invisible partner. I’ll see if there has been any notice of that practice lately.”
“Now on to a different topic,” he looked at me with caution. I knew what he was going to say. I’d known since we walked in his office. Since she’d stood up to Aiden. Since we’d all shifted for a run the night before and the pack had seen her in action as a wolf. “She’s a beautiful girl, and a beautiful wolf.”
I nodded my head, “I know what she looks like Dad. That’s not what you want to talk about.” He narrowed his eyes at me, but I didn’t balk, not when it came to Zee. I fully expected this to be a fight, and if I gave any sign of weakness then I had a better chance of losing. He seemed to understand, too, because one side of his lips tipped up in a smile at my defiance.
“You’re right,” he conceded, still guarding his tone. “That’s not what I want to talk about. I just know how you’ll react. The same way I reacted to your mother always standing by my side for any fight. The same way I reacted when I knew you would be an alpha one day, and that you would leave. It’s never an easy thing to put someone we love in danger.”
“Zee isn’t in danger,” I told him plainly. “She won’t be in danger. I see no reason for this conversation.” I stood to leave, and he growled. I watched him warily and took in the color of his eyes, not yet shifted but I was pushing his patience.
“Sit,” he commanded. I considered defying him, but I would have just looked like an insolent pup and my fight would have been lost. As it was, I could feel how tenuous my argument was. I dropped into the chair. “She’ll do it anyway, Alex. You saw what she did with Aiden. What if that had been an actual
