War of Hearts (True Immortality 1)

She relaxed into him and Conall felt much of his own tension drain away. “Okay,” she whispered.* * *The wait in the empty dining hall for the Canids seemed to stretch forever but it was probably only a few minutes before Peter, Sienna, and Richard strode into the room.

Conall and Thea stood from the table where they were seated as Peter led his children. Before he even reached them, Peter’s stoic expression faltered.

He drew to a halt, his son and daughter following suit with twin expressions of confusion.

Peter sniffed the air and his shoulders slumped ever so slightly. “Well, this is unexpected.”

“What?” Richard scowled. “What’s going on?”

Conall, realizing Peter knew, stepped forward. “We have much to discuss.”

“Not really.” Peter gave him a disappointed smile. “When you meet your true mate, you meet your true mate, Conall. Nothing anyone can do about that.”

He flicked a look at Sienna, but her expression never wavered.

Richard, however, blew. “What the fuck? What the fuck are you talking about?”

Peter held up a hand to quiet his son. “Conall has found his true mate. Rare,” Peter said to Conall, his eyes flickering to Thea, “but ours is a large pack. My beta and his mate are true mates and I recognize the mingle of scents.” He took a step forward, his countenance hardening. “I must ask, however, if you knew about this before our agreement.”

Conall reached for Thea’s hand and she took it, drawing into his side, her eyes on Sienna Canid. He couldn’t read his mate’s expression. “This is Thea Quinn.”

Sienna frowned. “The woman you were hired to find for that businessman?”

“Aye.”

“She’s not even a werewolf.” Richard stared at Thea in disgust and Conall had to tamp down the urge to punch him. “How can she possibly be your mate?”

Ignoring him, Conall spoke to Sienna. “I am sorry to break the betrothal, but I hope you understand.”

She shrugged, as if she didn’t care. “I think it’s better you meet your mate now than it happen after we were married, don’t you?”

He felt Thea tense and gave her a reassuring squeeze. Nodding at Sienna, pleased by her pragmatism, Conall turned to her father. “I still think our packs could form a worthy alliance.”

Peter nodded slowly. “Let’s discuss.”

“First, Thea and I have to speak with the pack. My sister and my beta are in trouble. I could come to Colorado, after everything is well here, to meet with you so we can discuss?”

The alpha studied Conall and Thea, then surprised Conall by replying, “If this is to be a worthy alliance, then it should be from the beginning. If your sister is in trouble, Conall, let us offer our services to you.”

In that moment Conall knew it would not be a mistake to form an alliance with this wolf. “That’s decent of you, Peter. Thank you. I’ve called my pack. They’ll be here in a few hours and then I’ll explain all. You’re welcome to attend that meeting.”

“This is bullshit,” Richard snarled. “We’ve been waiting here for fucking days and now he’s throwing my sister over for a fucking non-wolf.” He bared his teeth at Thea. “But she’s something. I can feel it.”

The growl burrowed up from Conall’s chest, but it was Thea who stepped forward, energy crackling from every part of her as her eyes bled gold. The air became almost suffocating with the pressure of the power emitting from his mate. “You’ll show respect to Alpha MacLennan while you’re in his territory or I’ll make you show respect.”

Conall sighed. They really needed to work on her temper when it came to him. She was worse than he was.

Despite the wary fear now scenting from the Canids, Conall couldn’t help the smug affection he felt watching Thea’s display of power.

Just like that the pressure in the room disappeared and Thea’s eyes returned to cognac.

Richard was pale.

Sienna’s eyes were wide, the first show of emotion she’d ever displayed.

And Peter was glowering at him.

Fuck.

Conall cleared his throat. “Like I said, we’ve got a lot to explain.”* * *Pack MacLennan gathered in the dining room of the Coach House, while Conall stood before them with Thea.

Sitting nearest to him on his right was Grace, Angus, and his delta Mhairi Ferguson and her husband Brodie, who had taken over as lead warrior when Callie got sick. At the back of the room stood the Canids.

He’d just finished telling them as much of his and Thea’s story as he could without getting too personal. He also didn’t mention that Thea was fae. Instead he explained she was different, of unknown origin, and powerful. He loved his pack but the fewer people who knew what Thea was, the better. Conall watched the way his clan studied Thea, wary, almost hostile, despite the true mating bond between her and him.

The way she stared coldly back at them wasn’t helping matters.