Chapter Twenty-Two

I patted the nearest shifter on the back as I stepped over the bench. I had decided to have lunch with those that had trained. They had done well in their sparring and they were making improvements. Nothing drastic but with enough practice they would improve greatly. I waved at Benji as I headed towards the dinning hall door. Michael and Kiel followed me closely. They were agitated and I didn't blame them, they didn't particularly like being in the dinning hall during meals. It made them feel uncomfortable to be stuck in a building with so many others.

I snapped my fingers and pointed to the trees. I didn't even need to let them know my order, the gesture was enough. I wanted them to run a quick patrol to burn off their agitation before they came back to the house. It was easier on them to leave me alone now that there were no threats on the territory, they felt more comfortable leaving my side.

I force my thoughts towards my duties. I had pushed them away to train with my pack but now I needed to complete them. The situation with Alpha Marti needed to be completed. It made my mood sour slightly. He had been brimming with demands, wanting to take what he believed to be his due for our possession of the daughter he despised. He hadn't even tried to hide it from me after I had told him she would be staying with Fortis, after Michael had sent me Shey's order.

Mike, I want to keep her.

There had been an order to her tone and her demeanour. She had made up her mind and it was what she was demanding. I wondered if she had known Michael would have sent the information to me, letting me know of her demand. Even if she didn't, I would have done everything to make sure she got what she wished. I was on her side with Ainsley. I didn't want the small child-like female to leave with her father anymore than Shey had.

I had made it clear to Alpha Alex Marti that his daughter would not be leaving Fortis. He had fought very little against it but seemed more agitated at my unwillingness to comprise with him on his terms. He had wanted our full backing and support in feuds and wars. He wanted us to take over training his pack and wished for a payment for Ainsley's stay.

Yes, the bastard had wanted me to pay him for his daughter. He wanted to sell her to me as if she were an object, an animal that could be bought and paid for. If I hadn't been so appalled I would have simply given him the half a millions dollars to get him to shut his mouth, leave my territory, and never return but I had been so pissed off at his arrogance I had nearly allowed my wolf to take care of him for me. I also knew that if I did that then Ainsley would be given back to the family that allowed the mistreatment or maybe even perpetrated it as well.

For her sake I held myself back. Besides my little cat was trying to trust the bond and I refused to throw that out and let myself get beheaded for removing his and punting it for a field goal. Despite the evidence of the abuse, Alpha Marti leaned more towards the Old Ways and they followed a different set of traditions. I sneered at the thought. Old Ways needed to be eradicated.

I pushed open the door to the house and slipped inside. I could faintly smell Shey and Ainsley in the hallway towards the kitchen but I ignored it as I moved towards foyer. I needed to get everything ready to induct Ainsley into the pack. It would be a short ceremony that was normally done in front of the pack. One would be brought in by the Alpha and then the pack would welcome them as they helped the shifter through the painful transition of changing packs. Mental pack bonds snapping one by one to be replaced with searing new ones.

I didn't want to put her through it but I knew how it was how it needed to be. It was the main condition for her stay. Her father wanted no connection to the female who shared his features, blood, and his dead mate's hair. I would supply some backing to his pack, ally myself with Fors but I had the right to bow out of skirmishes and feuds and in return I gained custody of his youngest daughter. That was all I was willing to give him and even then it had grated on me to have anything to do with him.

I took the stairs two at a time and tried to remember where things had been placed. I let out a huff of irritation when I realized that the last silver dirk I had, had been lost after Michael had decided to play a game of 'you can't catch me' with its case in his mouth. It was more than likely buried in the forest. I quickly thought of where I could procure another one before I sent Michael to go fetch the one he lost. Knowing him he would more than likely spend a few minutes looking for it before giving up with an apathetic huff and an unconvincing apologetic whine in my direction. Michael was more than predictable.

Benji, could you find me a silver dagger or dirk? Michael lost the other one and I can't do the ceremony without it. If anyone could find what I needed before the quick ceremony it would be Benji.

I could sense his amusement through the mind link. I can do that. Although you should send Michael to find it. He seemed amused and to be honest, if I hadn't been so irritated at the lack of the object I would have found it amusing as well but i simply rolled my eyes.

Please, he can barely find his own tail sometimes. I deliberately sent it to my guardians as well. Michael gave a low affronted growl and Ezekiel's amusement was immense. I could sense him nipping at Michael's tail in mocking. I smiled at them before pushing the link away to focus.

I pushed open the door and was assaulted by the scent of sweetness and citrus. "Hello, Luka." At the lilting voice caressing my name I found myself at complete attention. My little cat had found out my name and it was better coming from her mouth than I had expected.

"Say it again." I couldn't help the growled order that threaded the words. I wanted her to say it again, I needed her to say it again. There was an almost husky chuckle as I looked at her. She was sitting cross legged on the desk, still in her tank top and pyjama bottoms but her black hair was thrown into a messy bun held up by pencils.

"Luka." Her plump lips formed the name almost carelessly and a shiver rolled down my spine. I stalked towards her, unable to help myself. She didn't react to my sudden move and a rather Cheshire like grin spread across her face.

"Again." The word rumbled in my throat and she looked up at me as I loomed over her. I placed my hands on the desk beside her, caging her in. I brought my face close to hers and her green eyes twinkled with mischief. She knew exactly what she was doing to me, the little minx.

"Luka." She lowered her voice, making it so her tone nearly caressed my name in such a way that I wanted to grab her waist and pull her flush against me. I spread my fingers out on the wood of the desk, focusing on keeping them still even though I wanted to grab her and ravish her for teasing me.

"Again." I lowered my voice, the word a husky rumble and I could see her shiver under it. She leaned towards me unconscious of her actions and I brought my face closer to hers, letting her scent and presence swirl around me.

"Luka." The warmth of her breath brushed against against my mouth and I swallowed thickly against the urge to bring my face the remaining distance and capture her lips with mine. I wanted to but unless she gave me permission I needed I would remain in control.

"Again." it was barely recognized as a word with the growl that twisted it. She was a tease. Every time she said it, it twisted me more and more until I wanted nothing more than to drag my hands across her skin and lavish her with the attention she deserved.

"Say I won and I will." Her voice was slightly breathless and I looked at her slightly flushed cheeks. I could smell the added sweetness to her scent and I pushed it away as I brought my mouth to her ear.

"Let's call this a tie, Shey Abigail." I could feel the shudder that ran down her as her name left my mouth and she gasped before slapping my shoulder, shoving me away.

"What? That's totally not fair! Who told you?" She looked upset and I chuckled as I leaned away from her, the spell broken. Not entirely, I still wanted to have her lay down on the desk and ravish her within an inch of her life but it was broken enough that I was able to pull away from her.

"Your grandfather." I couldn't help the look of distaste that crossed my face at the memory of him. The male was a bloody coward. It had been nearly a week since he had called and there was no stirrings from anyone. Jovan had made it clear he would inform me if the male made any moves towards Fortis and there had been no signs of movement.

"That motherfucker! He ruins everything. It's like fun dies when it comes into contact with him." She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck her bottom lip out in a slight pout.

I laughed at her rather simplistic description of Sulo Lazera. "I won't argue with that. Who told you?" I moved around the desk and opened the drawer with my spare clothes. I grabbed a t-shirt and pulled it on as she shifted on the desk, turning to face me.

"I met your mother." Her tone was soft and I winced. I wasn't entire sure how she would react to that, to seeing my mother in her current state. "She's a sweet female. I hate to see her so sick." She said it carefully and when I looked up her eyes were filled with understanding. "I hope you don't mind but I would like to spend some time with her."

"She won't know who you are." It was no use in Shey trying to build a relationship with her. My mother would not know who she is or why she was there. It would just add more confusion. I sat in my chair and Shey shifted once more so she was facing me.

"You didn't see how happy she looked when she connected me to you. She guessed we were mates." She gave me a small smile and I blinked in shock. I hadn't realized that would be something my mother would have been able to do with the advancement of her illness.

"Really?" I was surprised. It was something new for her. Perhaps Shey visiting her wouldn't been a bad thing. Perhaps a new perspective would help.

"Yah. It took her a few seconds but she was able to place your scent on me. I think she drew the connection from there." She nodded quickly, it was strange seeing her not being combative with me but I figured she stopped her snarkyness when discussing family. She would use her sarcasm and harsh bluntness against me but she wouldn't against my mother. The thought relaxed me.

"If you want to spend time with her, go ahead. She could use the company. Just be careful of what you say around her." I had to give her the warning because the last time someone had said something wrong my mother had been unresponsive for hours afterwards. It was easier to keep her happy with lies even if it felt wrong to do so.

"Okay." She nodded and then rocked back and forth slightly.

I gestured to her as I moved the chair closer to the desk. "You are sitting on my desk." I raised an eyebrow. When I had wanted her on my desk I hadn't envisioned it quite like how she was but I figured the next time I would have to be more specific.

"No, I'm not. You're seeing things. You should really see someone about these delusions." The sarcasm was burning as she rolled her eyes at me. I deserved that for stating the obvious in front of her. I had learned she was one to take any opportunity for sarcasm when it arose.

"Why?" I fought back a smile as I looked at her. She had never sat at my desk or on it to do anything so I was a little curious.

"I filled out the paperwork for Ainsley to come into the pack. Just need you to go over it and sign it. Oh and a few other papers that needed to be done." She reached beside her and held out a stack of papers towards me. I nodded at her as I took them, I wanted to laugh at her definition of a 'few others' but I wouldn't because she was doing them for me.

I picked up my glasses from their spot and put them on as I looked over the papers. "And where is the little mouse?" I scanned the forms and reached for a pen. I glanced up at her as right as she shrugged.

"Gamgam has her." She waved her hand flippantly and I smiled slightly.

"And what is she making her do?" I turned my attention back to the papers and signed where Shey had so nicely marked for me. I set the top few pages to the side. I wasn't sure why Shey always reminded me to look the paperwork over, she always did it flawlessly.

"Nothing. Gamgam has kind of, sort of, unofficially adopted her as her charge." She clicked her tongue against her teeth and I jolted slightly at the news. I knew Gamgam wouldn't have liked to see Ainsley in such a state but I hadn't thought she would take her under her wing.

"Oh." I flipped through the papers and realized they were mainly the bi-annual Hunter forms. Some were to check on territory size and others to check up on pack size. I winced at that before flipping through the rest. There were a few statements from the mines and a few forms to release funds to the logging company to replace some equipment.

"Yah. It's kind of funny." She sounded pleased and I moved the Hunter forms off to one side.

"How so?" I read the statements for the mines. Their yield was up by twelve percent but their profits were down by two percent. It wasn't anything to be worried about, the increased yield would offset the lost profits but I knew the lost profits would need to be corrected because the yield would decrease if the new vein they hit dried up.

"Because Gamgam keeps going on tirades about skinning Alpha Shithead with a potato peeler and Ainsley looks horrified. She's getting creative too!" The amount of glee Shey had about the entire situation was a bit worrisome but then again she had attempted to beat up Ian because he 'wouldn't shut up' so the fact she was delighted at Gamgam's creativity shouldn't have surprised me.

"Do I even want to know?" I glanced at her and she nodded emphatically. Her excitement clear. She was a strange creature but I loved every single one of her quirks, even those that were a bit unconventional.

"The last one I heard was she was going to cut off his testicles, deep fry them, make him eat them before she shoved his head into the boiling oil until he stopped struggling." At that I stopped and looked at her. That was a new level for Gamgam.

"I think Carrie needs counselling or some type of mental health professional to look over her." I blinked a few times before looking back at the papers. The older shifter was getting way too creative with her threats and it was starting to concern me but that could have been the fact she still refused to talk to me and I was a little wary about that.

"Gamgam wouldn't be Gamgam if you did that." Shey waved the suggestion off and I gave a grudging nod. Gamgam definitely would not be Gamgam without her threats but still.

"I understand but she worries me at times." If she continued on with her creativity people might start questioning her sanity. No sane person could come up with such gruesome ways of killing a person they didn't like. Not that I disagreed with her assessment of Alpha Marti. The male deserved to lose his balls and boiling oil but making him eat his own testicle did not sit right with me. I shifted slightly in my seat. No male really deserved that.

"Don't be worried. I doubt anyone would be able to hurt her." Shey scoffed and I looked up at her after I signed the last paper.

"That's what worries me. If she goes off the deep end I don't want to find out which of her threats were simply threats or were her being serious." At that Shey laughed, a throaty sound that drifted across my skin and made my clench my hand around the pen tightly. Did she understand how everything she did affected me? Her scent, her voice, her laughter, and the sound of her mouth caressing my name. She was desire and attraction personified for me.

"I always assume she's serious just to be sure." She shook her head as she rested her elbows on her knees and then cradled her chin in her hands. "Paperwork look okay?" She glanced at the stacks of them and I nodded.

"Perfect, as always." I couldn't help but smile at her. She was a godsend when it came to paperwork.

"I didn't know what to do with the bi-annual Hunter forms so I left them blank. I figured you would know what to fill out. I didn't even know where to start." She looked almost a little perturbed at the thought as she stared at the forms her eyebrows furrowing a bit.

"I can deal with them." I grabbed the forms that she had filled out for Ainsley. "You know, you have been here for over a month and if you wanted you could fill out another set of these." I wanted her in the pack but it was her decision. I didn't want to pressure her into it but it bristled me and my wolf that she while she wasn't claimed by us she wasn't even a part of our pack. She was free to leave and that was something that drove my wolf nearly mad with the need to make sure she would stay with us.

A claiming of the bond would negate the ceremony. Her position as my mate would automatically bring her into the pack if and when we claimed the bond. Her position as a rogue would make the process easier, she wouldn't have to break old pack bonds, just make new ones, a process that would leave her unsettled and with a migraine but not incapacitated.

"I'll think about it but this one will be for Ainsley." Shey looked at me as if I were an interesting bug she had found as she waited for my reaction. I simply nodded and she looked almost disappointed at my lack of reaction. That caused my mouth to twitch as I fought off a smile.

"We can do whatever you want." I watched as her mouth tugged up into a wide grin.

She gave an excited clap and grinned, "I want to go swimming."

"I thought you would have had enough of that." I kept my tone serious despite the fact I wanted nothing more than to smile at her because of the little reminder of her glacier river swims.

"Oh you have jokes? Very funny." Her tone was flat as she made a face at me.

"I try." I lifted my shoulder and let it drop carelessly. She shifted on the desk and there was a knock on the door before Benji popped his head in.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything." He had a wide grin and Shey looked over her shoulder.

"You did, Benji. We were having wild, uncontrollable sex on the desk and we hate the intrusion." The sarcasm was sharp as she rolled her eyes. She looked back at me and her eyes narrowed at the grin I had plastered on my face.

"I wish you would have told me that. I would have taken my clothes off." I grabbed the hem of my shirt and she reached out and smacked my arm with a sound of irritation.

"Don't be such a male." She gave me a look of disgust and I couldn't help the chuckles that rumbled out of me at it. Her reactions were just too good not to irritate her. Her green eyes flashed with fire and her cheeks usually took on a slight flush, she always looked appealing when she was irritated.

"Any particular reason you are here?" I looked around my little cat to look at Benji and he held up a long thin box that I instantly recognized. He had found me a new silver dagger.

"I've got the silver knife you wanted. Had to dig it out of the stuff in the attic." He sounded disgruntled at the mention of the attic and I got the image of him waving away cobwebs as he searched through various boxes. It was almost amusing, especially considering I could see the dust on his clothes.

"And you are a life saver." I smiled at him as he came over and set it on the desk. The wood of the box was intricately carved and I felt a pang in my chest when I realized it was the one my father had used for matings.

Shey picked it up and I watched as her long fingers traced a few of the designs. "You do realize there was one in the back of the filing cabinet, right? I put it in your desk." Shey raised an eyebrow as she looked at me and I frowned before pulling open the main drawer of the desk. I let out a heavy sigh when I saw the teeth mark covered wooden box. "Someone chewed on it though." She shrugged before holding out the other case for me to take and I did so without a word.

"Are you kidding me? I had to traipse through the attic to find you that one and you had one in the desk?" Benji levelled me with a look and I glowered at the box in my hands before looking up at Shey.

"I didn't know I did. Why didn't you tell me, my pisică?" I gave her a pointed look and she turned around on the desk before she scooted towards the edge of it.

"I'm not getting involved in your little spat. Benji, a hand?" She held out her hand and Benji took it with a look of surprise before she hopped off the desk. "Going to go see Gamgam." With that she was gone and I stared after her until Benji coughed, catching my attention. I looked at him and he looked between the door and me.

"So, things are better?" He gave me a look and I couldn't stop the grin that crossed me face even if I had tried. Things with Shey were better. I could sense her struggling with accepting the bond but she was trying and we were actually able to communicate some what.

"Better. Baby steps are still steps." I ran my hand through my hair before taking my glasses off and setting them on the desk.

"I'm just glad that she's becoming more open. It's good for the pack to have an Alpha Female again." Benji sounded pleased and I rubbed at my eyes. Training had drained my energy but I had to be quick about cutting Ainsley's ties with her father's pack. The less of a hold he had over her the better.

"I know but can we not discuss that at this moment? I have to figure out when to do Ainsley's induction into the pack." I honestly had no clue. Lunch was just finishing up and I had no clue even where to begin. I never had to bring in a person that didn't have a mate. It was so much easier when they had a mate to go through the process with them.

"Do it now." Benji crossed his arms over his chest and I stared at him. I was no where near ready to do it now.

"Now." I drew the word out and he nodded.

"Yes. Pretty much all of the pack is in the dining hall and we can set it up in the backyard. Better now than waiting to gather everyone again. Gives Miss Marti less of a chance to stew over it and become more nervous than she already is." He had a point. Ainsley would only get more and more nervous the longer we drew it out. I let out a sigh. I had the silver blade and I knew the words but I knew I needed helpers.

"Okay. I'm going to need several females willing to help her through it." There had to be at least four females or helpers. The rest of the pack would help but it would be on the helpers to make sure her transition was a success. I would be the one to hold her while her connection to Fors broke but the helpers would be the first to force their connections with her and hold her steady as the rest of the pack's connections were created. It wasn't a pleasant process.

"Another easy one. Norah, my mate. There is Carrie and I'm sure we can find a few others willing to help Miss Marti through it. The pack will be there to shoulder some of the burden as well." He let his arms drop and I nodded slowly. It didn't matter if I was ready or not. It needed to be done and drawing it out would only bring more issues.

"You gather up the four females to help her and I will let everyone know to gather behind the pack house before I get Ainsley and my mate." I could only imagine what sorts of troubles Shey was causing in the kitchen. Gamgam had a soft spot for her and despite setting her to work Shey wasn't reprimanded for her behaviour. In fact I was rather positive Gamgam encouraged it.

I shook my head as Benji tilted his head at me. He as doing that action often and I was positive it was his way of bowing at me without me knowing. "Alright, Alpha."

At that I let out an exasperated sigh. "It's Luka, Benji." I levelled him with a stern look. I didn't want people fawning over me. Simpering over a title that I didn't even earn.

"Sorry but this old dog is set in his ways." He winked at me and I couldn't help but chuckle at his deliberate prodding.

"You're going to get your ass kicked." I pointed at him as I stood up.

A rather shit eating grin crossed his face as he looked me up and down. "Eh, you can try." At that I did laugh. His behaviour reminded me of when he was with my father. Their easy camaraderie was one that I had been envious of until I had met Ezekiel and Michael but the fact he was falling into the same behaviours he used to but with me left a warmth in my chest. It almost made me feel close to the male I had never truly been close to.

"Go do your shit." I pointed at the door and he gave an elaborate, sweeping bow before he sauntered from the room. I rolled my eyes slightly as I stretched my arms over my head. My muscles were a little stiff but it wasn't enough to cause me any grief.

I require every available pack member to gather behind the pack house to induct a new pack member. I sent it along all the pack wide mindlink. I grabbed the decorative case that housed my father's dagger and headed towards the door. I looked down at my clothes, I was still wearing the training sweat pants and the t-shirt I had put on. I let out a sigh before I moved back to the desk and pulled open my clothing drawer. I pulled out a pair of jeans and a button up shirt. I set the dagger down on the desk before I pulled off my t-shirt and kicked off the sweatpants. I stepped into the jeans and pulled them over my hips. The necklace Mari had given me dangled from my neck as I bent to grab the shirt.

"I take it your business is done- Holy shit you are changing!" Shey's voice turned almost shrill and I grabbed the shirt and stood up. She was holding out her hands in front of her as if hiding my body from her view. She was lucky she didn't come in a few seconds earlier. "I should've knocked." I saw her glance at me as I slipped the button shirt over my back.

"Are you peeking?" I asked it in an accusatory tone and fought back a smile.

"What? No!" She dropped her hands as she sputtered at me.

I grinned at her as her face went red with indignation. "Ainsley is rubbing off on you." I schooled my face to be neutral and her mouth dropped open in offence.

"Oh fuck you. You know why I don't want to see that." She waved her hand up and down, gesturing to my entire body.

I raised an eyebrow as I grabbed the wooden case and moved towards her. "Because you won't be able to resist throwing yourself at me?" I wiggled my eyebrows at her and she gave me a deadpan look in return. I knew exactly what defence my cat would fall back to and I wanted to hear it because irritating her was my favourite past time.

"Oh yah because I can't help myself around males with abs. I see them and instantly swoon." She rolled her eyes before pressing her hands to her hips. "If you haven't noticed, there are males like that all over the place. It's like an infestation." She waved one hand flippantly in the air before returning it to her hip. She narrowed her eyes at me in an attempt to stare me down but all she reminded me of was a child who was trying to get their way.

"Infestation?" I raised an eyebrow before stopping in front of her. She glared up at me and I resisted the urge to pull her to my chest. My fingers twitched but I held back. My wolf snarled from his cage. He didn't much appreciate me locking him up. I hadn't shifted in a few weeks. Usually I did it every two but with his behaviour I hadn't been allowing him out.

"Yes, because you're all pests." She glowered at me before reaching out and quickly doing the buttons up on my shirt. I watched her hands with interest. It had obviously been a compulsion but I was surprised that she hadn't fought against it. She ignored my gaze as she let her hands drop. "Roll the sleeves up to your elbows." She took the wooden case from my hand and I did as she requested. She gave a nod as soon as I was done. "You look presentable." She stared at me and I grinned at her once more.

"What? No, 'you look sexy, Luka, how about you push me against the'-"

"Don't finish that statement. I am holding a dagger and will cut off your balls." She waved the case as she pointed it at my groin and I narrowed my eyes slightly at the threat.

"You're spending too much time with Carrie." Gamgam was always fond of de-manning a male if he stepped over a line and the fact my kitten of a mate was picking up on it worried me. I didn't need her threatening to remove my package every time she got upset with me. A male needed to protect his assets.

"Gamgam and I hang out the perfect amount." Her bottom lip stuck out a bit in a slight pout as she crossed her arms over her chest, creating some rather alluring cleavage for me to gaze at. "Again with the tits?" She swatted at me with her free hand and I shrugged at her before smirking.

"I figured it was safer to stare at them than your mouth because there's more I want to do to that than them." I flicked my gaze to hers and a small flush crawled up her neck. From the scent that was slowly radiating off of her I was pretty sure she didn't truly oppose to anything that I wanted to do to her.

"Keep your immature, inappropriate comments to yourself and don't even comment on it." Her green eyes were sharp as she pointed at me and I grinned. "Don't!" I held my hands out in front of me.

"I wasn't going to say anything." I tried to keep the smirk off my face but it pulled up the corner of my mouth regardless.

"Sure you weren't." She clenched her teeth together and narrowed her eyes at me. "We have stuff to do so stop leering at me." She huffed before turning and walking out of the office. I smiled at her huffiness. I was pretty sure that I wouldn't have taken as much joy in tormenting her if she didn't react as she did. I followed her out of the office and down the stairs. I was aware of all of the pack members behind the house and I let out a sigh as I ran my hand through my hair.

"She's not freaking out, is she?" I winced at the thought of the timid shifter having a panic attack at having the ceremony sprung on her.

"Ainsley? Probably." Shey shrugged and I was once again unsure of whether or not she liked the younger shifter. Her attitude was rather blase and flippant when it involved Ainsley. It was a little disconcerting knowing that, when Ainsley clung to her as tightly as she did. "Gamgam will calm her down so I wouldn't worry too much about it." She reached for the back door and I leapt forward, grabbing it before she could.

"If there is a murderer behind the door I would rather he attack me first." I smiled at her as she rolled her eyes.

"Aren't you a fucking gentleman?" She gave me an unimpressed look before gesturing at me to open the door. I quickly turned the handle and pushed it open. The pack was milling around and Michael and Ezekiel were standing on guard outside of the door. They immediately took my sides and I patted them both on the head. I held my hand out behind my back and crooked my fingers. It took a second before Shey slipped the case into my hand and moved to stand beside me. She looked rather unconcerned about her appearance as everyone looked at us.

I looked around the pack members, I could feel their excitement at a new pack member and they looked at Shey with curiosity. I resisted the urge stand in front of her, blocking their curious gaze from bothering her. I shifted slightly and the pack fell silent as Gamgam came out of the house with Ainsley's clinging to her side. I nodded at the rather grey face shifter, she looked like she wanted to be sick and I didn't blame her.

"It's alright. Come here." I gestured to her and she slowly shuffled forward and I sighed. It would have been better if her father had full on banished her from the pack, smothering out the mindlinks and breaking them less painfully. Well that was if Mari was to be believed and she was so out of it when she was banished from Tacita that I wasn't exactly trusting of her memory on the subject. I took her hand and inhaled deeply, gesturing for her to do the same. She did so but seemed to shuffle closer towards me, glancing warily at the pack members who watched her with interest.

Benji, do you have them? I looked around for my Delta and he pushed his way through the crowd. His mate following him, Tracy and Sanny followed close behind and their expression were soft as they gazed at Ainsley. Sanny's mouth had an edge as she looked over her bruised face. Sean had made me aware that Ainsley had already been introduced to Sanny. They gathered around Gamgam who stared at her like a watchful mother wolf. Good choices. I looked them over and each of them would be softer invasions for Ainsley's mind.

Thank you, Luka. You should probably get started before she passes out. Worry coated his tone and I nodded as I gently grasped Ainsley's wrist.

"Are you ready?" I watched as her blue eyes widened with fear but she gave a small, trembling nod. I went to open the case when Shey took it from me and popped it open for me. The dagger was etched with flowing latin and I could almost feel the harsh burn of the metal on my hand as I reached for it. Many silver daggers were of mixed metals but I knew this particular dagger was nearly pure silver. My wolf whined against the action of picking it up. The leather bound handle prevented my hand from being burned but my palm tingled in awareness of the dangerous metal.

"I give my blood in acknowledge of your sacrifice." I clenched my jaw as I drew the dagger down the inside of my forearm. The scent of blood and burning flesh filled the air and Ainsley wobbled as she stared at the long wound. I reached for her arm and she retreated. I gritted my teeth against the throbbing of my arm as I reached for Ainsley once more.

She needed to accept it or her father would return to the territory and do with her what he wished. She took another step away and then Shey was there. She wrapped the smaller female in her arms, whispering something I couldn't hear into the red curls surrounding Ainsley's face. I could see the small shifter leaning against Shey's chest as she gently grasped Ainsley's wrist and lifted her arm up and out for me. I glanced into the startling beauty of my mate's eyes and she gave me a small smile before she broke the gaze to continue guiding the terrified shifter.

"Separabunt necessitudines. I take you blood to seal it." I reached for Ainsley's wrist, waiting for Shey to move hers out of the way but she simply gave me a nod of permission. I wrapped my hand around Shey's helping her hold Ainsley's hand into place as I carefully cut the inside of her forearm as I did mine. Ainsley whimpered, tears cascading down her cheeks. I ignored the blood dripping down my arm as I gently clasped forearms with her, making the wounds touch. A jolt of magic surged through the connection as I met her gaze and tried to send her as much reassurance as I could. "I release you from your previous bonds of loyalty and connection. I severe them with silver and take you into the fold of my pack. I shall protect you, provide for you, and care for you as if you were of my blood. I accept you into Fortis as if you were born into us. Accepto necessitudines." I watched as Ainsey's knees buckled under the force of losing the connection to Fors. Her face paled further and a high pitched whine of pain escaped her mouth as her eyes fluttered closed.

Shey held her up, continuing her muttered words and I slowly drew Ainsley closer, hugging her to my chest in comfort, allowing my mind to reach out for her's through the connection of blood we were sharing. Her consciousness latched onto my mind and seared a new connection. A choked gasp escaped her mouth at it and I shushed her gently. Shey stroked her hair and rubbed at her back, gestures of comfort that she seemed almost pained at.

It's okay. We are here. I deliberately set it alone the fragile path, setting it in place permanently. Breathe. It was a sharp command and a showing of the position I had over her and she drew in a sucking gasp. Gamgam moved forward and touched our clasped forearms.

"Accepto necessitudines." Her voice was a soft, almost apologetic whisper and Ainsley stiffened, letting out another pain filled whine that had her clutching at my arm tightly, her nails breaking skin as she tried to breathe through it.

Tracy quickly came over and laid her hand on Ainsley's shoulder, shuffling in between her and Shey. "Accepto necessitudines." She squeezed her shoulder gently and Ainsley's grunted out the pain before Sanny moved over and buried her hand into her red curls.

"Accepto necessitudines." At the words Ainsley gave a small cry, her face twisting with pain and I tried my hardest to shoulder it with her but with only a partial connection to the pack I didn't have the ability to help her.

Remember to breathe. I loosened my grip on her forearm as she took in ragged gasps of air.

Norah moved over and slowly started to slide between me and Ainsley. I stepped, back allowing her to take over my position of comfort. "Accepto necessitudines." At the words I yanked my arm from her grasp and she gave a yelp of surprise mixed with pain as the blood connection ended. Shey quickly grabbed my wrist and started to wrap a section of linen around the wound to stem the bleeding.

It would take a few days to heal. I could feel the pack's stillness and I watched as the four women gently smoothed Ainsley's hair back from her face and sent her reassurance and comfort from their newly created mental connections and they gently coached her verbally as they soothed her pain. Sanny looked at me and nodded right as Shey tied off the bandage.

I turned to the pack and looked them over. Do it all at once. Don't drag it out. Like ripping off a bandaid but by the time it was over Ainsley would be a member of the pack and she would have all the comfort that connection brought. They would help her settle and send her as much comfort as she needed. I wasn't sure how her pack connection worked with Fors but I was pretty sure she would have been just as isolated mentally as she was physically.

"Accepto necessitudines." The collective voice of the pack thundered in the air and Ainsley's scream of agony pierced the air as the entire pack connection hit her at once. I held my head high, there was nothing I could do for her pain, nothing I could help her with. The scream cut off abruptly and I felt relieved that she had passed out. It would be easier for her mind to handle it.

I turned to see Gamgam cradling Ainsley's small form in her lap as she gently wiped at the sweat on her face, she murmured comfort as the other three femles gently ran their hands over her hair or exposed skin. I liked the showing of gentle support for the newest member of my pack. Even through the mindlink I could sense how fragile she was. The soft vulnerability reminded me of Maricella and I sucked air through my teeth.

Shey moved closer to me, leaning towards me as if subconsciously seeking my warmth or protection and I couldn't hold back the compulsion and rest my hand on her lower back, spreading my fingers out. She stiffened for several moments before she relaxed, allowing my hand to remain. I smiled softly at her but her eyes were on Ainsley, she worried her bottom lip before she started to nibble on the edges of her finger. It was a gesture of intense worry and I subtly relaxed when I realized that despite her attitude that Shey truly did like the small shifter that I had just inducted into my pack.

She more than likely wouldn't be open about it but she liked her and would protect her if need be. I brushed my thumb across her back in comfort and she leaned against my hand slightly and I turned back to the group of females helping Ainsley. If there was anything Mari had taught me it was that better was the best word in the world because it indicated progress. Ainsley would get better under the protection of my pack and my relationship with Shey would get better with time. It would be progress and that was something I wished for with all of my being.