Maximilian looked around at the faces still gathered. “Well, my lords, shall we proceed with the plans for the restoration of our race?”
***
When they made it back to Conall’s place, Vivienne was perspiring badly despite the cold, and could feel the burn in her thighs and calves that attested to the good workout. Zahira padded over to her clothing as Vivienne headed to the kitchen. For one, she had no intention of watching a naked Zahira, and two, she was thirsty.
After pouring a glass of water for herself and her running mate, Vivienne waited in the kitchen for a few more seconds before grabbing both glasses and moving to the living room. Zahira was heading to the kitchen when she emerged. The woman took the glass with a grateful nod. She moved over to a chair and sat down. Vivienne did the same.
“You’re very fast,” Zahira finally said with a curious tilt of her head. Her previously bound hair haloed her face, and she looked even younger. “I didn’t know druids were almost as fast as weres.”
When she continued to stare at her as if expecting an answer, Vivienne shrugged her shoulders. “Although I am a druid, I really don’t know that much about them.”
“Of course,” Zahira quickly said with a little shake of her head, as if that were something she should have known. “So, Vivienne, how are you adjusting?”
“A-a-djusting?” she sputtered.
“Yes, to our way of life. You’ve been here for over a week. How are you adjusting?”
“I mean, it’s a different way of life, but I’m slowly getting it.” Vivienne didn’t know where this question was leading, but something about the way Zahira asked it told her it was important.
“I can’t imagine how hard it is for you to go from living a normal, human life to…this.” She paused, and when Vivienne simply stared at her, said, “It is quite unusual for a were to find a mate of a different species, but it does happen. Despite your differences, our nature, the nature of the pack, demands that a mating ceremony be completed, especially as Conall is alpha. It’s the only way the pack will treat you with the respect due his mate.”
Vivienne shook her head slowly. “I’ve been here for a week, and barring one incident, it’s been okay. I’ve seen the mating ceremony, and I’m—I’m not about to get naked in front of the entire pack and…and do that.”
Zahira lifted a brow, and smiled. The smile widened until she suddenly chuckled. Vivienne scowled, obviously not sharing the Elder’s humor.
“Oh, I’m not laughing at you, Vivienne. I’d forgotten how modest humans can be,” she explained, taking another drink from her glass before setting it down. “Conall is your mate, and a mate is something you feel here, especially.” She touched a hand to her heart. “The feelings that go along with being a mate are most times irrational, and unavoidable. The longer you wait to complete the ceremony, the more berserk both you and Conall will become.” She paused and leaned back in the chair, picking up her glass of water once more. Another sip later, and she continued, “The entire pack is abuzz with what you did to Samia. Some are skeptical of it; others respect it. They say she goaded you by bringing up your mate, and you reacted. The longer you wait to claim Conall as yours, the more Samia will attack you, until one of you is either seriously injured or dead.” At Vivienne’s gasp, a little smile touched Zahira’s lips. “We may look human, Vivienne, but never forget that the side that rules us most of the times is that of an animal. We kill or we are killed.”
Zahira reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out a Blackberry. Vivienne’s brows drew together. An ancient werewolf who’d just talked about “killing or being killed” wielding a Blackberry? She’d expected a sword or something.
“We’re very technology-savvy. In fact, many of our kind have achieved insurmountable riches through this field,” Zahira offered by way of explanation. She pushed a few buttons and turned to Vivienne. “The next full moon is two weeks from now—the second Sunday in November. I think it would be perfect for a mating ceremony, and I would be honored to be Elder who performs it.”
Vivienne was shaking her head, already thinking of the excuse, when Zahira held up a hand. “Don’t just think about yourself, Vivienne. Think about your mate. Conall is the alpha of our pack. If he is seen as unstable, which he will be for as long as you don’t perform the mating ceremony, he will be challenged for the right to rule. While it’s unlikely someone could defeat him, do you wish to take that chance?”