Deciding the best place to go is out of the Pack lands and to the nearest coffee shop, Ashton and I sit in silence in my truck as I drive the back roads out of Crescent Phoenix. Since agreeing to a drive, Ashton has silently sat beside me, staring aimlessly out the window. My heart aches for my friend but I know that right now he needs someone who is patient with him. It’s not every day you find out your Soul Mate is considered a criminal in your Pack.
The Pack border comes into view as Like a Prayer by Madona comes on the radio. I nod to the wolves on duty, telling them that we will be back within two hours before driving off down the gravel road that once led us to Crescent Phoenix over three months ago. The gravel crunching under the tire mixes with the music on the radio until I turn onto the highway heading towards the nearest town.
“What did he do?” Ashton’s voice is quiet but I am just relieved that he is finally talking.
“He was a Spy for Valor.” I answer honestly. Ashton stiffens beside me, a look of hurt mixed with anger crossing his face. I then decide to tell him what Devlyn told us, explaining that Valor made a blood pact with Devlyn, ensuring that Devlyn can’t turn traitor until Valor got what he wanted. After my explanation, the truck cabin grows quiet once more.
I continue driving while Ashton mulls over what he just learned. Yes, Devlyn spied on us and gave information to Valor about Asteria being the Alpha and I her Beta, but it sounds like he didn’t have much of a choice. The wind coming through the open window and the music on the radio is the only sound in the truck. I don’t even sing along as I wait for Ashton to talk once more.
“Do you think Asteria will execute him?” I sigh at Ashton’s question, slowly coming to a stop at a red light as we enter the town.
“I am not sure. It depends on two things.” I answer, giving Ashton a small sympathetic smile.
“The first is if what he said is the truth. The second depends on you.” I continue, the car behind us honking. I jump, ready to curse out the driver when I realize the red light is now green. Grimacing, I drive forward and navigate the streets to the first coffee shop I see – a Tim Horton’s.
“Why would it depend on me?” As whispers, his voice filled with confusion while I join the drive-through window.
“You’re his Mate. If you choose to accept the bond, Asteria will put Devlyn on house arrest while we dive deeper into the truth of what he said. Gale is already working on the cell phone that Devlyn had to see if we can use it to spy on Valor as we speak now, but you as Devlyn’s mate could get the truth for us faster as well.” I explain. The line moves forward and it is our turn to order. I let Ashton once again mull over my explanation while I place our order through the speaker, happily moving forward when done. Neither of us speaks, not wanting the humans to hear our conversation while I pay for our drinks – a large triple-triple for Ashton and a large mango-starfruit quencher for me – before driving away.
“So if I give him a chance, I will need to spy on my own Mate?” Ashton growls once we are out of earshot of the humans. I sigh, not knowing how to answer this question without upsetting my friend more.
“No.” I finally decided to answer.
“You would not have to spy on Devlyn. What I would need you to do is be there when Rune and I talk to him and just link me if he answers our questions with a lie.” I add, taking a sip of my drink afterward.
“I could do that.” Ashton sighs out with relief. I catch him smiling from the corner of my eye and smile as well. It seems my friend is accepting this shitty reality of ours.
“If we tell Asteria that I want to accept the Mate bond with Devlyn, what do you think she will do?” This time I mull over Ashton’s question, letting silence settle. After coming to another red light, I decide to answer.
“I am not one hundred percent sure this is what will happen, but if I was Alpha I would have Devlyn confined to the Pack House as an Omega for a while.” I begin, watching the light turn green and pressing on the gas.
“He would have to wear a silver collar lined with leather to keep him from shifting and linking anyone for the time being and won’t be initiated into the Pack for a while until he proves to be trustworthy. After that, I would ask your opinion and depending on what you say will help us decide if Devlyn has repented for spying on us and hold an initiation ceremony for him.” I decided against driving back to the Pack and instead headed towards a small lake just east of the small town, a popular tourist destination for humans.
Ashton is once again quiet, his hands fiddling with his coffee cup and he takes small sips from time to time. After arriving at the lake, I find a quiet spot to park and turn the car off, the sounds of the waves surrounding us.
[Hey, I was told you left the Pack.] Rune’s voice pops into my head and I smile. He sounds concerned but also trusting of me. I feel the bond hum happily and think about how so much has changed between him and me. I know that if he earned a second chance after everything he and I have been through, then Devlyn deserves a chance as well.
[Yeah. I figured Ashton needed some time away from the Pack after learning Devlyn is his mate.] I answer, turning my head to find Ashton silently watching the water.
[Okay. Be safe and let me know when you are on your way home.] Rune replies back, ending the link soon after. Had this been the Rune a few months back, he would have demanded I return back immediately. He would have acted like his father, a narcissist who controls his Mate. Now, he treats me as his equal and I couldn’t be happier.
“I am not ready to face Devlyn today, but do you think you and Rune can take me to him tomorrow?” Ashton finally speaks up, turning to face me with a stoic expression. For a moment I wonder if he has decided to reject his Mate, but the strong resolve burning in his eyes tells me otherwise. Ashton is willing to give Devlyn a chance and for that, I couldn’t be happier.
“Yeah, we can go see Devlyn tomorrow morning after breakfast if you’d like.” I agree, Ashton relaxing with relief.
“Yeah, that works for me.” With a smile, Ashton and I agree to just enjoy the quietness of sitting by the lake before returning to the Pack, the two of us taking a moment to pause and breathe without duties and the threat of war looming above us.