บท 97: Chapter 97: Don't Howl, Kiss Instead

Anneliese POV

The combined power of Alphas, Lunas, wizards, and witches never failed to knock Anneliese's socks off. Odo looked mostly convinced.

Kelara and Talon Blackthorn, whom Anneliese had fallen in love with on the spot, added their voices to the chorus. "Listen to them," Kelara urged him. "They know their people."

Talon agreed, his wolf eyes shining like golden suns. "Humans will attack anything that looks a little out of place, or odd, or more powerful. They're capable of incredible kindness. I grew up in this world and I LIKE humans. My first wife, the mother of my son, is human–we divorced, obviously. Not because she was human, but because ours was a political marriage that was doomed from the start. But up until recently, they were attacking orcs, and the elves wanted nothing to do with them. And I know about the shifter world. They distrust EVERYONE who isn't one of them–it's how the packs survive. It's only recently that Alphas openly started mating with witches. I mated with and then married a mage. But not everyone in the shifter lands trusts outsiders."

Anneliese raised her pink eyebrows. Talon Blackthorn spoke from the heart, with Kelara's presence at his side more eloquent than words.

Ravyn smiled in a maternal way. "My youngest son just mated with and married a wood elf. That's never happened before, because of both sides being so protective of and attached to their homelands. But the shifter lands are opening up. It'll just take time."

Odo held his daughters' hands. "And I want to give my children that kind of world. A world in which your kind doesn't have to hide anymore. A world in which decent people don't get paranoid and doubt the truth. When the world can recognize you openly and give you the respect you deserve."

Giselberthe gave him a loving smile. "A noble goal–I hope we achieve it in our lifetimes. Something to work towards. Lord and Lady Blackthorn will help us."

Odo's eyes flared with joy, obviously excited about the possibilities. "In the meantime, you're all welcome at my court–and it's not as if these stately halls haven't seen secrets."

Dane, Jiro, and Jude all stood tall and proud, looking bigger, or as big as they could. "You must come visit us when the time is right," Dane proclaimed. "You two, and these little princesses." He waved at Solene and Graneila, who waved back. "And all the mages–especially Head Mage Pascalline. And the soldiers."

"Silverpaw first," Jude declared, and Ravyn backed him up.

Patch groaned. "Here we go."

Marieke looked confused. "What is it?"

"It's not going to be pretty," Patch said with a wry smile.

Dane cleared his throat. "I think because Evenhide is the most powerful pack, you'll naturally want to visit first. Lord and Lady Blackthorn are."

Talon Blackthorn rolled his eyes. "ALPHAS."

Jiro stood straighter. "I think my brother would agree that without Luna Garnet and I pleading our case at court, we'd never have this opportunity. So, we'll expect you in Crimsontail territory first."

Smirking, Jude said, "I offered first. Any merchant will tell you that the first offer is usually the best one."

Dane flashed them his sharp fangs. "But I was the one who started all this by claiming Lilia as my mate. I opened the door. And my mother-in-law and Jude led the quest–"

Lilia, Ravyn, and Garnet all chorused, "ENOUGH."

Anneliese thought she might fall down laughing when the three Alphas instantly shut up and said, "Sorry."

Odo spread his hands. "I'll visit the Crimsontail Shadows Pack first, because its king and queen befriended me first."

Jiro's smile was dazzling.

Odo pointed at Dane. "But Evenhide will get the credit, since Jiro is your brother."

Shrugging his toned, slender shoulders, Jiro said, "Good enough."

"And Silverpaw will have a reception. What are your customs?" Odo asked Jude.

"We have feasts and the entire pack is invited, as well as our allies." Jude spread his hands. "Picture it. The meadow outside Greywolf City. Rolling hills, a large tent, musicians. In bad weather, we open up the ballrooms in Faolan Castle. The Evenhiders do throw good parties, and the Crimsontails are loud and lively, but a Silverpaw reception is second to none."

Talon smirked. "Now, these are Alphas I can do business with."

Odo happily agreed. "You're strong."

Jude assured him, "We'll spare you the headaches that the less reasonable Alphas inspire."

* * * * *

Jude POV

A business deal under the table. He could get behind that.

Especially when he was holding Ravyn's hand discreetly in one of the king's conference rooms, where Odo and Giselberthe presented a document–a pledge of friendship between the royal house of Magnus and the Shifter Federation.

"Do you have to have your people approve this?" he asked Jude.

With a shrug, Jude said, "Our packs are the Big Three in the Shifter Federation. Besides, the parliament would spend months debating whether or not to sign this pledge."

"Better to ask forgiveness than permission," Ravyn contributed, with an excited gleam in her eyes. "I think they'll all breathe a sigh of relief, knowing we have a secret ally."

Queen Giselberthe signed in a loopy but very refined cursive, while King Odo's signature was flowing and elegant. Out of the shifters, Jiro signed first, his turquoise eyes calm and serene, even though his smell was as excited as the air during a thunderstorm. Garnet signed next, her writing masterful. Dane's was a bold scrawl and Lilia's looked straight and clean.

Jude signed, his handwriting also straight and clean. Ravyn's was more flowery. Anneliese signed as a witness for the Wildefell Witch Circle and Lord and Lady Blackthorn signed as witnesses for the royal court.

Jude lived for this sort of thing. Some Alphas spent their time growling and trying to jockey for position–Dane was one of them, but he did it with style and strategy. Jiro charged ahead, innovating. Jude was a dealmaker.

And when he looked at Ravyn, the businesswoman, he saw that same passion for putting deals together. She loved this.

Odo declared loudly, "Long live the friendship between the shifter kingdoms and Lugdunum–and let's all cheer for the day when we can be friends openly."

Howls echoed in the room, with Jude and Jiro howling the loudest. The ancient stone walls were at least a foot thick, and no doubt a lot of loud conversations had taken place in them.

Nevertheless, a timid knock on the door made everyone quiet down. Giselberthe called out, "Yes, what is it?"

An anxious servant pushed open the door and peeked in. "Your Majesties … I heard shouting in here."

Giselberthe waved away the servant's worries. "Oh, no. We're just signing a trade agreement with the Duchy of New Moon. We're celebrating many events today. Thank you!"

The servant blinked. "I must be imagining things. Very good, Your Majesties."

When they were alone, Jude exchanged sheepish looks with all his fellow shifters, including Garnet. "We should keep it down."

Odo snorted. "It's not the first time something outrageous has happened within these walls, and it won't be the last."

Ravyn leaned in and whispered to Jude, "No more howling while we're in the palace. The next time you feel the urge to howl, kiss me."

He got a devilish look on his face. "Kiss you, you say? I think I can manage that. In fact, I'm getting an urge right now."

And in front of everyone, he kissed her hungrily again.

His mind fogged, and Ravyn's sweet-smelling perfume made him dizzy.

Garnet whistled. "You two certainly are in the mood."

"Shifters, if you have the urge to howl while we're surrounded by humans, kiss your mate," Jude advised.

He desperately wanted to be alone with Ravyn, because he definitely had an uncontrollable desire to howl over the successful end to their mission. Unfortunately, with everyone enthusiastically making plans to depart, Jude didn't know when he'd get a chance to be alone with Ravyn. They'd have a huge reception back home.

He pulled her out of the room as soon as he could politely do so, and took her to an empty room down the hall. Gathering her into his arms, he murmured, "I really have the urge to howl. Want to help me with that?"