บท 146: Chapter 146: Reviving An Old Tradition

Aldwin POV

Aldwin Brocius straightened his spine, standing with the enforcers. Lord Talon and Lady Kelara were inside the Council Chamber meeting with the Silverpaw Pack Council before the ball. William, Aldwin's student/future master, was attending the council meeting--as a future Alpha, he needed to know about the job. As for Aldwin, no one would disturb the Blackthorns or their distant family the Faolans.

Silver mists wreathed the city, turning everything the color of its name. A magnificent sight, especially for a battle-scarred old ex-bandit. He thought serving Lord Talon marked a huge turning point in his life. Right up there with the day Lord Talon looked at him outside Aldwin's cave on the outskirts of Aquitaine and offered him a job and a chance to contribute to society--and escape the alternative.

Little William and his sweet little bunny were delightful. Every day was something new. William's innocence and courage made Aldwin want to run through a brick wall for the child. And now, he got to spend time with shifters. He couldn't keep the family straight--they had more branches than a thousand-year-old oak. But he'd learn.

And now, he was going to attend a Lycan ball with the family.

Alpha Caden, silverback and ruggedly handsome, approached the council building, and Aldwin raised his broadsword, edged with silver, just in case. "The meeting's in progress."

Caden's intense red wolf eyes roved over him, making him feel like the hunted when he used to be the hunter. "I came to see you. To ... apologize for my behavior towards you."

Aldwin blinked. Caden smelled like the soil after a spring rain. Alive and earthy and woody. "I appreciate that."

Caden's broad shoulders relaxed, and he thrust a bronze-hilted dagger into Aldwin's hand. "I understand that this is how bandit clans propose alliances ..."

"I ain't a bandit anymore."

With a bark of laughter, Caden said, "No, but you are a warrior. I respect that. And I want you to accompany me to the Bonding Ball."

It wasn't the first time Aldwin faced an overture from a man--especially a warrior. But Caden had been particularly relentless. Someone had bent his ear, and persuaded him to change his approach.

"Me? Go with you? You do know I'm human, right?"

Sniffing, inhaling Aldwin's scent, Caden growled, "And intoxicating. I always thought humans stunk like old leather ... but you smell incredible."

Aldwin's heart sped up. Lycans ran by scent. "Noses don't lie, I guess."

"No. Neither does the mate pull, usually." Caden's red eyes looked like a sunset blaze. "You're my mate."

Aldwin huffed, but something primal churned inside him. Talon talked about the mate pull all the time. It sounded nice and simple. No guessing games. "I don't know about that. You barely know me."

Caden seemed to take this as encouragement. "Tonight is the perfect time to fix that. I'll be your escort, if you'll do me the honor of accepting."

Aldwin gave a bark of laughter. "Did you practice that in front of a mirror?"

Raking his hand through his hair and creating wild tufts, Caden snarled, "I may not be as silver-tongued as Alpha Jiro or Alpha Jude, but I can act properly when I have to. I just don't like to waste time or words. The elves say--"

"'When the flower is ripe, don't over-water it,'" Aldwin quoted.

Caden gave him a smug smile, exposing sharp teeth. "There, we have something in common. We'll be able to converse tonight. What do you say?"

Aldwin found himself gripping the hilt of the dagger. He raised it until it almost touched Caden's noble-looking nose. "Understand, if something dangerous happens tonight, my focus is on protecting Lord Talon and his family."

Knowing he'd won, Caden howled loud enough to make several passing Silverpaws and visiting wood elves and Orcs perk up and take notice. Imposing dark-haired Orc Prince Makhel of Nauru and his beautiful elf-orc fiancee Kulenza, the Nauru Royal Mage, happened to stroll by, and Makhel was heard to say to Kulenza, "I love the shifter spirit. They're so fierce ... Tonight's ball will be extraordinary."

Kulenza muttered, "Our wedding ball will be better."

Makhel stroked her back. "It will, as soon as we get Mother sorted."

They walked off together, and Caden whistled. "Imagine having to wait indefinitely to claim your mate. I hope they get it sorted."

Aldwin felt a flicker of respect for Caden. Rough and hard-charging, but not without finer feelings. "I hope so too. Are we clear about where my duties lie?"

"Yes, yes." Caden rolled his eyes, but his gaze was admiring. "I'll see you tonight, my cute little omega."

He strode off, and Aldwin resumed his post, hoping he hadn't made a colossal error.

* * * * *

Jude POV

After the council meeting broke up, Jude felt relieved. It seemed unnecessarily long and boring for a day of celebration. But the council just wanted to officially welcome their guests, especially the Blackthorns, and give Jude and Ravyn their blessing for the bonding ceremony. Eirika approached them in the council chamber decorated everywhere with the silver paw print. The council used a rod topped with a paw print painted silver to keep order, and any of the council members would bang it on the council table when the debate became too unruly.

Talon smiled at Jude. "I've never been to a Bonding Ball. Obviously."

"Neither has anyone else since before my grown children were born," Jude responded dryly.

Kelara's blonde brows arched curiously. "Why did the Lycans stop the practice? It seems like such a lovely tradition."

Jude grunted. "Because maybe we wanted to be more like elves. And orcs. And HUMANS."

The last word came out dark and hostile.

Talon took it in stride. "I can certainly say that following tradition might have helped me ... but then, I wouldn't have William." He ruffled his son's hair.

Jude softened his attitude, and he and Ravyn knelt so they were eye to eye with the boy, a miniature of his father. "I hope you weren't too bored by the meeting," Jude said.

William shook his head, stroking his rabbit's fur. "These are my people too, and I'm going to be an Alpha one day. I have to learn more about shifters. Although you talk as much as any adults do."

Jude threw back his head and laughed. "And what did you expect us to do? Growl and howl the entire meeting?"

One of the council members shouted good-naturedly, "You mean we don't? Our meetings get loud and wild!"

Ravyn squeezed William's hand. "I admire you for sitting patiently and listening to adults talking for two hours. Your bunny seems to have taken a nice nap."

William ruffled Flufftail's fur. "She did. But she sleeps a lot. Is your bonding going to be like the one Cousin Jiro performed on Momma and Daddy?"

Ravyn smiled. "Yes, but with a lot more ceremony. So you need to look your best."

William puffed out his chest. "I'll look like a little lord. And can I hold Lucina and Flufftail? I want to take them both to the ball."

Jude chuckled. "I'll tell you what. You can be in charge of all the pups."

Talon whistled, impressed. "That's a big job, William. Think you can handle it?"

"Of course I can. We'll have fun together," William declared.

Jude felt such a surge of warmth and peace. Nothing could spoil his bonding and ball. Nothing in the world!

* * * * *

Ravyn POV

It was time.

She wore a fancier purple gown, lace-trimmed, with a bejeweled sash that sparkled as she walked up to the dais in the ballroom where Eirika Argad stood along with Roslynn and Tulaska for backup.

The crowd in the ballroom watched her, with all the Crestas dressed in their finery and beaming with pride. Daxius, Lilia, Dane, Bram, Mali, and Eamon stood as witnesses to the bonding. Jude wore a fancier crown, with tiny silver-white pearls topping the points. He held a similar crown. Ravyn's heart lifted. Jude wore a dove-gray outfit shot through with white threads that made it look like moonlight had touched it.

As she approached him, Jude held out his hand and clasped it. He murmured, low, "These belonged to my grandparents. For formal occasions. It's hight time they were worn instead of gathering dust in a vault somewhere."

He placed the other crown on her head, and she felt the cool metal and the weight of it.

Ravyn took a deep breath.

It was time to become Jude's Luna in front of the pack.