Psyche Honor (Psyche Moon) (25 page)

“Me too. I heard what Kato said earlier. He really put
Richard in his place. And Nathan's quite the hoot.” She glanced over her
shoulder searching for a glimpse of the Pup.

“He's hunting.”

“Oh, yeah.” Her face reddened.

“You're blushing like a little girl. You're interested in
him,” I teased her with a smirk.

“There's something about him,” she said vaguely, her mind
far away thinking about the man she hadn't really met yet. Collecting herself,
she tackled me in a hug, remembering my lack of Wolf strength this time.
“Anyway! Thank you. Thank you for everything you did for us. Thank you for
being the most awesome Mage in the world. Thank you for being you. No matter
what happens next, I'm with you and Billie.”

Her words touched my heart. “You're welcome. It means a lot
that you believed in me.”

“I had my doubts. When I smelled Nathan with you, I thought
the worst. I hate to admit it, but for a while I thought maybe you did collar
them,” she apologized meekly.

I bumped shoulders with her, smiling brightly. “You knew.
You proved it when you got here and nearly crippled me with excitement. That's
something I love about you, Amy. You don't complicate things. You see people
for who they are.”

She sensed something and looked over her shoulder again. Her
eyes lit up. “They're back,” she declared and turned on one heel. I'd never
seen her giddy over a man, and I enjoyed watching it. We had a small armful of
wood apiece, enough to last through dinner at least.

Nathan met us halfway, holding two large game birds and
grinning from ear to ear. “Perfect! One for each of my hard-headed, overly
dominant patients. Oh don't worry, I'll make sure Sadie gets a choice piece,” she
amended when she saw his eyes dart towards me worriedly.

“Are you as skilled at cooking birds as you are at cooking
elk steak?” I asked him.

“Oh, yep. I can cook any meat ya hand me. Not seafood,” he
amended.

“I'm sure Amy would appreciate some help with dinner,” I
suggested with a wink. Nathan eagerly agreed, and I handed my bundle of
firewood to her.

Budding love is a pleasure to witness.
Kato's
thoughts mirrored my own from the other side of the valley.

It is. They're mates, aren't they?
I asked.
The
way they're drawn to each other is a lot like how I felt when I met Billie.

It is likely they will discover their matebond soon.

Have you ever had a mate?
I asked him curiously.

Twice in my life I have had that pleasure.

What were they like?

They were lovely souls, and both were Human. The first I
knew as a very young man in Africa. When I was taken from my home I never saw
her again. I was given nearly fifteen years with my second mate.

What happened to her?

She was sold to another and died before I could reach
her.

Oh my God.
I did the math, hoping my memory of
history didn't embarrass me.
You haven't had a mate in over 350 years?

I have loved, and I have not been alone.

Billie's lifespan is much longer than mine, isn't it?

A Mage ages the same as a Human.

I will grow old and die. She won't in my lifetime.

Happiness is not measured in years, nor is it measured by
the apparent age between two people.

True.

Unaware of the conversation, Kathryn approached, hands
extended in friendship. “I'm pleased to find you safe and whole.”

“It's so good to see you, Kathryn.” I took her hands in mine
and then wrapped her in a hug. “I'm glad you're here.”

“How is Jason?”

“Recovering. They could use your help keeping him in bed.
But Billie and Jason are talking now, so we're giving them space.”

“I wish to discuss something privately with you. Would you
mind using your talents so we can speak without being heard?” In seconds we
could talk freely. She cast a discreet calculated glance towards the cave. “How
are they faring after their battle?”

“I don't know. I'm staying far away,” I replied.

“A wise choice,” she agreed. “Is Billie badly injured?”

“It’s bad, but she’s tough.” I let her see my concern too.

“She is also stubborn and likely to carry guilt for injuring
Jason so severely,” Kathryn replied.

“She’s doing plenty of that,” I agreed. “She didn’t even eat
until I made her.”

“I will help as I can,” she promised.

“Have you and Richard had a chance to talk since the
faceoff?” I asked.

“He is avoiding me again.” I could feel her pain so
intimately, it was almost physical. “I thought perhaps Kato's words would help
heal the rift. I fear I have lost my mate.”

“There's still hope,” I told her.

“What do you sense from him?” She wanted a reason to share
my hope, and I gave it to her.

“He’s projecting a lot of shame and anxiety. I haven't felt
his anger on me since the faceoff. I don't believe the conflict between us is
over, but I'm not his priority anymore.”

“That is good news.” Her words came out choked. “Are you
angry at him?”

“I am. His betrayal reminds me of the way my parents turned
on me when they caught me kissing a girl.” I voiced the connection for the
first time.

“Your reaction is understandable. Why did you help us after
we betrayed you?”

“Part of me wanted to prove to myself and to all of you that
I'm not like other Mages. Part of me was atoning for what my race has done to
yours. But mostly I've come to think of the pack as my family, and I couldn't
let them hurt you.” I hadn’t even told Billie the details of what I’d seen.
“Kato shared his vision with me, and it was horrifying. Billie, Jason and
Matthew were dead. You, Jazz, Gary, and John and nearly everyone else were
collared. Amy escaped somehow and Kato helped her get away. They were the only
two survivors. In Kato's vision, Amy was crumpled on the forest floor, wailing.
She told him everyone she loved was dead or worse. She was completely broken.
There was no other choice to make.”

“Where were you in the vision?” Kathryn asked curiously.

“I wasn't in it,” I explained. “Kato says he can't see the
fate of Mages. We don't appear in his visions.”

“Curious. His brother saw Mages in visions. We are in your
debt, Sadie. You've shown yourself to be a person of highest integrity. I thank
you for my life and for the lives of all those I love.”

“I'm glad I was able to stop them.”

“How you were able to do that is a mystery, and one I will
ask about another day.” Her eyes twinkled, revealing that she knew more than
she let on. “You are Kato's Muzi.”

I nodded. “It takes my breath away.”

“As it should. There is no higher compliment for a Sage to
give. It is a deeper relationship than mates. Congratulations, dearling, and
welcome to my family.” She tipped a finger under my chin as she explained. “You
are my niece now.”

My eyes widened and I couldn't help but giggle. “Can I call
your mate Uncle Richard?”

“I do not believe he is ready for that title.” She enjoyed
the joke and let it lighten her spirit.

* * *

Billie and Jason stayed secluded for a long time. Only Amy
entered and exited the cave to tend to her patient. Word spread that Jason had
woken, and everyone strained to hear their conversation. Amy refused to say a
word and threatened anyone who came within listening distance. Still they came,
undaunted by her threats, so she recruited Kathryn's help.

Several people asked me, and I gave each Wolf the same
response. “I don't know. I'm staying out of it. They will tell me when they're
ready.” My answer brought an odd look every time, but they accepted it as the
truth.

Eventually Billie stepped out of the cave, clearly exhausted
but enduring it well. Her bruises had blossomed in the time spent with Jason.
Wolves bruised and healed just like anyone else, but at a more rapid pace.
Without clothes to hide them, we saw her injuries in full. Purple and blue
marks traced one entire side of her face, and lighter bruises emerged across
her ribcage and breasts. Her right leg had swollen from knee to ankle, adorned
with a single foot-sized purple spot where Jason had kicked her. Most
shockingly, on each flank she sported a large collection of deep black bruises
from multiple strikes to each kidney.

The sight of her shocked me despite knowing the extent of
her injuries. Everyone stopped at their current task when they heard her
emerge, and several gasps erupted from the Wolves. No one could claim she’d won
the fight easily. They stared and waited for her to speak. “Our Alpha is awake
and on his way to a full recovery. We will stay here tonight, and maybe
tomorrow night too. Run, hunt, and sing. Bring some of your prey back for those
who are unable to hunt for themselves.”

“What about you and Sadie? Are you coming home with us?” Phil
asked. I'd previously noticed that he supported Billie and me despite his
silence and unwillingness to challenge those with more authority. He was young,
and young Wolves didn't usually challenge mature Wolves. Since Billie, the
foremost Wolf in my life, didn’t follow this pattern, it took me a while to
notice.

“We are coming home. Jason and I are discussing the details.
Whatever agreement Jason and I come to, the entire Pack will follow.” She
enunciated every word so that everyone heard the mandate. “Anyone who does not
will face consequences. The Pack cannot be divided and strong at the same time.
This is not up for debate. Any opinions will be voiced respectfully and without
inciting division among us.” She let them see her resolve on the matter. “Now,
it's been a long day and an even longer week. I'd like some time alone with my
mate. Have fun without me for a while.”

She came to me and enveloped me in a deep embrace.
Let's
get out of here before I hit someone.

What's going on?
I asked as we walked hand in hand
towards the ridge.

Jason doesn't want to give you Pack Status. We can come
home, I can be Beta again, and no one is allowed to harm you, but no Pack status.
I could hear the growl in her mental voice, and her free hand clenched into a
fist.

Then we're back where we started.
The lack of
progress discouraged me.

We're right where we were when everything went to hell.
He doesn't see it that way.

He still doesn't trust me?
The insult wounded me
after all I'd done for his pack.

He believes you upset the balance of the pack. Your
presence causes trouble no matter what your motives are. He knows we're telling
the truth. If you were like other Mages, he would be dead, I would be Alpha,
and you'd be on your way to having an army of Wolves at your disposal. He
believes you won't hurt us, but he also believes a Mage doesn't belong with
Wolves or in Pack business. He thinks there will be problems if you're called Pack
in any way.

Do you believe there will be problems if I have Pack
Status?
I asked curiously, still learning Pack politics.

Yes, but less than if you don't.

What does he think will happen if I have Pack status?
I
wondered what problems he anticipated.

Billie reiterated some of what I knew before explaining.
Every packmate is given a voice, and the Alpha, Beta, and Elders are expected
to listen. We don't have to follow their opinions, and we don't even have to
follow the majority. But we are expected to hear them out. If you are Pack, you
have a voice. Jason believes it will discredit our leadership if a Mage is
allowed to have a voice. He's particularly concerned about what other Packs
will think about it since I'm Beta and you're my mate. Even if I gave up Beta,
he wouldn't agree. I already tried that.

I cast a look of genuine surprise.
I'm glad he didn't
agree. I don't want you to give up being Beta.

I would if it would help us come to a reasonable
solution.
But it won't
.

He’s worried that another Pack will think I've collared
all of you?

Yes. A Mage with an army of Wolves is a terrifying
thought for any of us. That would be a very valid reason for them to kill every
one of us. And it would be a bloody mess.

I sighed.
Is this happening because you beat him in a
fight?

I'm afraid so. He doesn't feel as powerful as he used to.

I considered the problem.
If I have no Pack Status, then
he has no authority over me.
I looked sideways at her.
Wouldn't it be
easier for him if I have a very visible reason to obey my Alpha?

What do you have in mind?
Billie knew I had something
up my sleeve.

He gives me Pack Status, whatever is appropriate for a
Human in my position. The lowest status that's appropriate for a Human in my
position is fine. That will help the other Wolves see that I belong, they won't
bully me as much, and I won't feel like I'm sitting on the back of the bus. In
exchange, I agree to train the pack to defend itself against Mages like
Cassandra and play sentry in our territory. Jason can take all authority over
me, not you, so other packs can't use our relationship against him. Not as much
anyway. He gets to boss me around, everyone else sees the Alpha powerful enough
to have a Mage working for him, and I get to be an equal part of the pack.

I like where you're going with this. I asked him to let
you train the pack, and he said no. I'll ask again with your spin on it. He
might go for it.

I'll have to quit arguing with him, won't I?
I found
the downside.

No, don't do that. He likes your teeth. Actually, it's
the only thing he likes about you. Even if he doesn't agree, I want to learn
how to protect us from Mage assault.