Kieran POV
Mae is snoring quietly in my arms. I feel slightly guilty for not marking her last night when she begged me to, but I don't want to rush her into the position of Luna. It just didn't feel like the right time. I could feel her disappointment through the mate bond as she fell asleep. I don't know how I can make her realize that she is not a familiar.
I run my fingers through her hair as I watch her sleep. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. The Moon Goddess couldn't have picked a more perfect mate for me.
'Kieran,' Raven's voice booms through the mind link. 'Come downstairs. We need to talk.'
'I am busy,' I protest.
'Now,' Raven's voice commands, and I have no choice but to obey.
Quietly, I slide out of bed, making sure not to disturb Mae. She whimpers at the loss of my touch, but she doesn't wake up.
I pull on a pair of sweats and an old T-shirt. I refuse to get ready for the day. It is five o'clock in the morning. I shouldn't be up for several more hours. Once this meeting is done with Raven, I plan on crawling back into bed with my mate.
Slipping from the room, I close the door gently so I don't make any noise.
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I see Raven waiting on me with a cross look on her face. She is already dressed for the day. Her black hair has been perfectly styled, and she has on a very frilly sundress.
"Good morning," I say sarcastically.
"It took you long enough," she grumbles at me.
Raven turns and heads toward the dining room of the pack house. I follow her into the room and see my fathers, mother, and Raven's mates all waiting for me. No one looks pleased to be up at this early hour.
"What is all this about?" I ask as I take my see beside Dad.
Raven takes her seat at the head of the table and rests her hands on top. "We need to talk about the familiar."
"What about her?" I shrug. "She is gone."
"But you said that she has been taken into rogue territory," Raven continues. "How do we know that she isn't working with the rogues?"
"I may not know much about Tish," I announce to the room. "But I do know that she wouldn't do anything that would harm Mae. They have a special bond."
"She has been on North Pack territory," Raven sighs. "There is no telling what information she picked up while she was here."
"What are you suggesting?" I ask.
"We have to go get her," Leo fills in the blanks.
"Are you really considering a rescue mission for a familiar?" Father chimes in. He has made it clear from the moment Tish stepped into the pack house that he doesn't like her.
"We didn't come to this decision lightly," Raven says calmly. "But it has to be done. The familiar has to be watched carefully until we know what side she is on, and if that means it has to be done here at the North Pack, then so be it."
"You are putting the whole pack in danger," Father says as he jumps to his feet. "I won't allow it."
Raven remains unmoved by our father's anger. She calmly gets to her feet and braces her hands on the table in front of her.
"She will have a guard on her at all times," Raven assures Father. "Besides. It isn't your decision any longer. Kieran is the Alpha of the pack."
Father's eyes dart to mine, and he looks irritated. He wants me to side with him, but he and I have never seen eye to eye. Dad and I have more in common.
Mom lays her hand on Father's hand. "Ace," she tries to calm him. "Raven is right. This is no longer our pack. Kieran has to make this decision on his own."
Father rips his hand away from Mom and glares at her. "He has been galivanting across the country for the past year, and we are just supposed to let him take over because he finally decided to come home?"
"Wow," I groan. "Never mind the fact that I was out hunting for recusants to keep the Queen safe."
"And just how many recusants did you find and bring to justice in that time?" Father hisses at me.
"You just can't let it go!" I shout back at him. "I was trying to do what I thought was best for Raven. I was trying to redeem myself."
"Now the truth comes out," Father chuckles. "You weren't doing anything for the pack or for Raven. You were just trying to make yourself look good since you fucked up."
"I fucked up!" I scream. "How many times do I have to admit that I was wrong? How many more times do I need to apologize?"
"It will never be enough," Father growls in my direction. "You turned your back on your family and your pack."
"It's good to know I will always be a disappointment," I huff in frustration.
"We are getting off-topic," Raven interrupts us.
I turn to look at my sister and there are tears filling her eyes. She hates it when Father and I fight. Raven has forgiven me, but it is clear that not everyone is willing to put the past behind us.
Father grumbles obscenities under his breath before sitting back in his seat. I take my seat as well and keep my attention on Raven.
Raven sighs. "We don't have much time to make a decision."
"I don't care what you do," I growl. "I am obviously not fit to be Alpha of this pack."
Someone clears their voice in the doorway of the dining room. Everyone turns their attention to see Mae standing quietly. I don't know how much of our conversation she heard but judging by the look on her face, she heard enough.
"Mae," I say as I get to my feet. "You are supposed to be sleeping."
"I woke up, and you were gone," she whispers.
Raven rises from her seat and takes Mae by the hand. She guides Mae over to the seat where she was sitting.
"I think Mae should have a say in what happens to her friend," Raven says kindly.
Mae shrinks in her seat as everyone's eyes gaze at her. "I don't know what the right answer is," she admits.
"What do you want us to do?" Raven asks Mae.
"I want to know my friend is safe," Mae responds. "But I am not sure that the North Pack is the right place for her."
"That settles it," Raven says. "We will prepare a rescue mission for the familiar."