“Miss Rao, thank you for your interest in the Morningstar pack. I have heard wonderful things about you.” Mitchell leaned down and lightly kissed both cheeks. “This is my wife Joyce and my Beta Lincoln. Come we have reserved the back room for this meeting. I figured light hors d'oeuvres would help.”

  “Thank you Mr. Morningstar.” Nova shook each of their hands in turn.

  “Alpha.” Lincoln pulled her in with measured control, his stern, lightly scarred face looking down at her.

  “Alpha Morningstar.” Nova side-eyed Amari.

  “Apologies for my Beta, he knows I am a stickler for the formalities. These are official proceedings after all despite the informal setting and unorthodox as you are not a Spesy.” Mitchell spoke quickly, adding a light forced chuckle to the end.

  “We understand, Alpha Morningstar.” Amari smiled, pulling Nova protectively into her side. “I am pleased to say we got the paperwork today for her to do as the rest of us did, there are a few more hoops as it is considered an adult adoption, but worth it.”

  Nova smiled back up at Amari.

  “Wonderful news!” Joyce clapped her hands. Stepping forward she clasped both their arms with surprising strength. “Family is everything.”

  “I am hopeful this one sticks.” Nova tried to infuse her voice with lightness but it came out with bitter aftertaste.

  “We aren’t going anywhere, kid.” Orion stepped to her other side and squeezed her shoulder.

  “Thanks, Alpha Spesy.” Nova’s brows danced through confusion as the foreign formality passed over her tongue.

  Mitchell smiled tightly. Offering his arm to Joyce, he turned, leading the way through the packed tables.

  Amari squeezed Nova’s hand leaning over. “This will feel weird.”

  “What?” Nova shuddered as she passed through the threshold. “Was that?”

  “There is a Nymph enchantment, other customers even if they pass by will not hear what we are actually saying, keeps us from fearing outing ourselves to the humans by mistake. Just follow my lead, I didn’t know we would be so formal.”

  “What?” Nova’s whisper stuck in her throat.

  The back room held a large table with eight chairs. Smooth white linen draped across the surface. Crystal water glasses sparkled more with the condensation and ice catching the light at each place setting. Low but ornate flower arrangements separated the colorful woven baskets filled with slices of Hopper bread and little rose rolls.

  Amari chuckled at the faux silver place settings already waiting for each of them. Guiding Nova to the far corner, Amari lined her up behind her chair taking the one to her right. Her cheeks bunched as Joyce followed quickly to her side.

  Orion stood behind the one head of the table to Nova’s left, Rema close behind. With a wink and quick swap with Lincoln, Benjamin lined up across from Amari.

  Clearing his throat from the other head of the table, Mitchell nodded curtly to Orion. As the both took their seats, the rest followed suit.

  “Now that we are all settled, I have agreed to even entertain this joint custody agreement because my son is fond of you.” Mitchell’s eyes flickered to Amari.

  Amari glanced down at the obvious intent Mitchell’s eyes said. Quickly looking back as something else in his eyes struck her, but his eyes turned to Nova. Brushing aside the thought, she grasped Nova’s hand on the table. Benjamin tapped her foot under the table, nodding with a little smirk when she looked at him.

  “As I previously stated, this is a highly unorthodox use of the Shared Bonded Pack bylaw.” Mitchell continued, explaining with an air of superiority.

  “I would do nearly anything for family.” Orion lightly leaned back arms casually on the rests.

  “As would I.” MItchell focused his eyes on Orion.

  Lincoln smoothly shifted his chair. Rema pushed back ever so slightly.

  “I think we have very different lines.” Orion hid a grimace with a smile and a tilt of his head.

  “But!” Amari begged Orion with her eyes. The past should stay where it was and not define the future. “We are here to see if we can tie a knot.”

  “Here, Here.” Joyce cheered, patting Amari on the leg.

  Benjamin chuckled. Amari and Nova exchanged bemused looks.

  Mitchell minutely shook his head. “As I was saying, the bylaw is traditionally meant for a pair that decides to mate-bond and treat pack bonds like dual citizenship with each pack requiring something from the pair. Peace talks are used to come to an arrangement to facilitate the smooth, clear cut lanes for the pair to follow. If the pack has an agreement then there is little issue with cross talk.”

  “Thank you Alpha Morningstar, Alpha Spesy. Obviously, I am new to all of this and have no idea what I am asking of you both. But I do understand custody agreements. To make this work, I will follow whatever you both lay out for me.” Nova’s nervous chatter eased some of the tension hanging in the air.

  “Ah, the hor d'oeuvres, I am starving.” Joyce waved her hand excitedly. “I ordered a variety of our family’s favorites. My husband specifically mentioned the Pressure-Fried Sour Salad I got enough for everyone.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “We do not eat Pressure-Fried Sour Salad. It was the reason we did not join your pack.” Orion locked eyes with Mitchell. “But thank you for ordering Mrs. Morningstar. I am sure we can find something to enjoy.”

  “You may like this Poached Olive Boar or the Sautéed Raven Beets or the Lemon Rabbit bites.” Amari passed the dish down the line. “Nova you should try this Fire-Grilled Honey venision, it is amazing.”

  “It won’t be like last time?” Nova sniffed at it.

  “No. You are a full wolf now, none of this should affect you like when you were just a mutare, but if you want, I see some of Benjamin’s favorites down at the other end.”

  “You should try everything, we serve these at our festivals. Never heard of a wolf without a good iron lined stomach.”

  “When she is older she can decide for herself, but Pressure-Fried Sour Salad isn’t good for her age. That is a line you will not cross when she is with you.”

  “Your first condition?” Mitchell interlaced his fingers gently resting his elbows on the table.

  “Yes.” Orion slightly shifted his face, eyes locked on the older man.

  “Very well. Accepted.” Mitchell scooped a bit of Lemon Rabbit bites onto his plate as they passed by. Unperturbed, he continued. “I would like her to accept an internship in a career to be decided after she takes an aptitude test. We would like to see her gifts nurtured appropriately.”

  “And if she doesn’t decide to be a part of your pack?” Orion a little more forcefully than necessary tore a bite off his rose roll.

  “If she proves up to the tasks given her, then I see no issue in her continuing.” Mitchell took a bite, chewing thoughtfully.

  “I created a network of partnerships with other packs to employ their people safely until they learn full control and can branch out.” Joyce flapped her hand, tucking it into her chest. Pride filled her features.

  “That is exciting.” Amari elbowed Nova, who covered her mouth as she coughed a bit.

  “So long as you discuss the details with Amari before final placement.” Orion cut and speared a beet with his fork. “I see no problem with that condition.”

  “Acceptable.” Mitchell nodded forcefully. “For fairness, I would like Benjamin and Amari to escort her to your festivities and ours for the foreseeable future?”

  Orion and Rema whipped around to Amari the same question in their eyes.

  Amari shrugged.

  Benjamin coughed and chewed quickly, struggling to clear his mouth. “My father means to say, it would strengthen our trust and the health of this agreement if we both acted as an escort, unless the agreement becomes no longer necessary.”

  “If that would change we would need to have a secondary meeting between you and I, do you understand?” Orion pointed his knife between him and Benjamin with punctuated movements.

  “Yes, Alpha Spesy. I would expect nothing less.” Benjamin breathed out slowly. Looking up through his brows at Amari as he took another bite of the sour salad.

  “Then that is acceptable, I believe a duration of a month is a good test of this arrangement.” Orion slowed his movements slightly.

  “Ah, but only one moon and we cannot share it. Two moons. Six weeks.” Mitchell mirrored the slow movements.

  “Fine.” Orion smoothed his features. “You can have the first moon.”

  “Gracious of you.” Joyce leaned around Amari. “We are going to have so much fun, I will plan the best gathering for you. Do you have any favorites?"

  “She’s only changed the once.” Amari leaned back, jumping in to respond when Nova’s panicked face registered. “We can come by and talk about the details later.”

  “I am so excited.” Joyce flexed her hand at Nova, completely unbothered the tension slowly building.

  “Apparently we accept that term.” Mitchell smiled tightly at his wife.

  “Then it is settled. Unless you have something else to add?” Orion stood shoulders straight.

  “It is settled.” Mitchell agreed as he stood.

  Simultaneously they both moved behind Benjamin. Eyes shifting to the dull, deep purple of an Alpha. They shook clawed hands squeezing tightly as the promise cemented into place, neither could renege without painful consequences.

  “Amari, can I talk with you?” Orion dismissed Rema and Nova with a tip of his head.

  “Sure.” Amari stopped and sat on the railing of the front porch. Each day staying here at Diana’s was making it feel more and more like home. “Thanks for today, Nova is really excited.”

  “Like I said, I would do nearly anything for my family.” Orion leaned on the railing next to her crossing his arms.

  “What is it? Something is really chewing at you. It's oozing out of you.” Lifting her head, Amari sniffed the air. Balanced on the railing, post pressed into her back, she surveyed him. The tightness of his eyes. The way his ears were pulled back. “Tell me.”

  “I don’t trust them.” Orion’s gruff voice nearly lost in the wind.

  “But you made a deal, an official one. They cannot act in bad faith.” Amari laid her hand on his shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.

  “In relation to the deal. Nothing is to stop them from worming into her heart, corrupting her mind, making a bloody follower out of her.” Orion looked her in the eye, fear burned over the hurt there.

  “What do you know?” Amari never pressed before, but the depth of the scent wafting off him gave her pause.

  “What my gut tells me.” Orion measured his words.

  “Can you promise me, your gut isn’t carrying around some sour salad between you two?” Amari playfully tapped a finger along his shoulder.

  “That was the tip they showed, there was more, I just could never prove it. But there were signs.” Orion locked his gaze, trying to convey more.

  “What exactly are you asking me to do?” Amari sat straighter.

  “Just be careful, keep you eyes, ears, and….senses….open.” Orion slowed over her special gift. Not many knew of the abilities her and Diana had naturally developed then honed.

  “Always.” Amari rubbed his shoulder.

  “Nope. Do not take this lightly.” The wood cracked under Orion’s grip. “We have two moons. You will be inside, behind the curtain, so will Nova. I cannot protect you there.”

  “Orion, I have a daughter. I cannot say it is exactly like having a pack to care for, but I would not put her in danger. I am not going into this blindly but I am also not going in jaded.” Amari pulled closer to him, wanting to infuse the air with assurance.

  “Not jaded, guarded. I will take any punishments from breaking this promise as long as you are safe. If you need to pull the plug, do it without hesitation. If you hear, see, or otherwise get even a hint of anything hinky. Get out, get Nova out, and I will bear the consequences.” Orion whispered his promise, unequivocally and without a moment’s pause.

  “Okay. I promise.” Amari hugged Orion tightly from the side, laying her head on the back of his shoulder.

  Orion gripped her arm in his hands holding her there. “Good.”