Cernunnos - 37. Chapter 37

As expected, the couple were locked for just over half of an hour. Shea never took his arms off Cyn. The new sense of ownership flooded his instincts. It’s almost like my transition to being a delta. I wanted to protect him then, and I sure want to now!

He slipped out from Cyn’s body and pecked the deer’s neck, “Let’s get dressed, pup. We got an hour before the meeting starts.”

As Shea rose, Cyn craned his head, “Are we going to shower?”

“Nope, that’ll wash my scent off you. I need everyone to know about us.”

The deer seemed happy with that response and daintily got out of bed. Keeping his thoughts to himself, Shea opened a dresser drawer. He might be having problems walking. The lycan watched as Cyn clothed himself. Seeing the man completely naked sparked interest for a second round. No, we don’t have time for another knot. Maybe when we get back.

Fully dressed, Shea led his mate to the car, opening the door for him and stealing a kiss before Cyn sat. Crossing to the driver side, Shea grew curious about his obsession. Man, I’ll need to ask Jaime how this shit works! He drove towards Arric’s manor, but passed the driveway. When Cyn asked about it, Shea explained, “Not everyone in the pack can fit in Alpha’s driveway, so he bought the plot next to his house and leveled it. It’s hidden from the road’s view, so no one hardly knows it’s there.”

Arric, Walter, and Kieran had been waiting at the door. The alpha smirked and feverishly approached, “There you are. I wondered when my enforcer would—” He halted and flared his nostrils. Crossing his arms, Arric smirked, “Well, isn’t this a surprise! I thought you two would wait a little longer.”

Shea held Cyn at his side and beamed with pride, “We both wanted each other. In all honesty, I don’t know how much longer I could’ve held out,” He nuzzled the bushy head of brown hair, “He’s perfect for me.

“Need us to help with set-up?”

Walter shook his head, “That’s not necessary. Melinda and the other cooks took over the kitchen, and the grounds staff already set up the stage. From the sounds of it, they’re bringing out the chairs.”

“We should head inside and go over the meeting’s agenda,” Arric looked between Shea, Kieran, and Cyn. “Key, you want to take Cyn and help with the chairs while we talk?”

“Sure thing, Alpha. Shea, you okay with that?”

Shea’s nose twitched momentarily before letting go of Cyn. The couple exchanged smiles before parting ways. Mere seconds passed and the wolf wanted his mate back. What the hell is this? Can I not be away from him? “Alpha… What the hell is going on?”

Before Arric could open his mouth, Walter chuckled, “New mates are always the hardest to separate. You and Cyn will have a difficult time being apart for the next few weeks. I remember mating with my Vivianne. Oh, old Alpha Maire got royally pissed when I skipped the following meeting in favor of some alone time.”

They all shared a laugh, but Shea was the first to go quiet. A forceful hand clapped his shoulder, “If this were normal circumstances, I’d say go home and enjoy your mating…” Arric came into view with an unfamiliar smile. “But you’re needed at this particular meeting. With the public announcement of Eike and Hauser going rogue, your presence will calm any disorder.”

“Calm?” Thinking back to previous meetings, he understood. “I get it. I’m the scary guy now, aren’t I?”

“Not necessarily. An enforcer can be kind and gentle. You've seen Eike and Felgrom before him. They were… formidable. Everyone respected them because they instilled fear into their position. You are different. Like I said before, you bring a different balance to our council. Remember that, Farren.”

Arric walked away and opened the door to the house with Walter following. Taking his alpha’s advice to heart, Shea smiled and joined his fellow leaders.

***

“Alright, little dude! All the chairs are set up and everything’s ready for the meeting.”

Cyn looked over the backyard. The chairs were neatly aligned in rows, just as Kieran instructed. There’s so many! “Kieran? How many wolves are in Arric’s pack?”

The dopey lycan plopped in an empty chair, prompting Cyn to take one as well, “One hundred and forty-seven wolves, twenty-nine bears, thirteen coyotes, ten foxes, six rabbits, and two bobcats.”

“I didn’t know there were bobcat shapeshifters!” Hearing of the species interested him. He recalled his first journey to Illinois where the herd cautiously monitored a wild feline. Its size alarmed Cyn, as he had never seen one before. His head buck dismissed the unlikely predator, but mentioned to keep the fawn close by.

“Oh yeah! There’s all sorts of shifters out there. When the Prey Protection Law was signed, lots of species really came out from the shadows. For the most part, they already lived in the area and were accustomed to humanity, but they chose to be rural citizens, living in cabins and remote locations.”

“So not like me?”

Kieran shook his head, “You’re a special case, dude. I’ve never heard of a shifter species living like the cernunnos. Maybe one day, we’ll get the word spread to your brethren about the law.”

The thought pleased Cyn. Cernunnos, previously fearful of lurking dangers, could live among their former predators. Admittedly, humanity’s luxuries still baffled him, but he would rather learn than live his life in fear again. Remembering the faces that stuck out in his travels, Cyn could only smile. I think some of them would like living here. Aislin is in Tennessee with the bears, so she probably thinks the same.

His mind stayed along the path, but drifted to the rougher edges. I don’t know if Colman would approve. He always thought of survival, and only stayed near cities to avoid predators.

In a flash, Cyn revisited the memory of being held on Arric’s staircase. Colman’s death still lingered, but Cyn didn’t blame himself anymore. I survived. He didn’t. None of them did. He snorted, gaining Kieran’s lackadaisical stare. I… was the stronger one.

“Hey! Cyn, Kieran!”

The two turned and saw a group of familiar faces approaching. Cyn gleamed as he saw Kara and Jaime. Looking behind them, he saw the other council members. He couldn’t remember the bear’s name or the hunting wolf-lady, but seeing Greta widened his smile.

As they closed the distance, Kara and Shelly stopped suddenly, “Girl, do you smell that?”

“Oh, holy shit! They did not!” Kara’s hands landed on her hips as a devilish grin stretched across her face, “Cyn, did you and Shea do something earlier?”

Pride burned in his heart, but he maintained his composure, “We mated.”

While Kara clapped slowly, Kieran spotted Shelly’s disbelief, “Hey, Shell? Do you need a hand with that dropped jaw of yours?”

“Kieran, shut your face! You aren’t the least bit amazed about this?”

Shaking his head, he looped an arm around Cyn’s shoulders, “Nah, those two were in love the moment I saw them. I haven’t seen more obvious emotions since Karr and Jaime back in high school.”

Greta ambled towards Cyn and gracefully lifted his hands, “Like our beloved knucklehead, I saw this coming. Sheamus has a good eye on this one, and for solid reason. I think Cyn is a perfect match for our new enforcer, wouldn’t you say, Pierce?”

The hulking man barely offered a smirk, “I suppose so.”

Cyn glanced at everyone, almost overwhelmed by the attention. “This is… different.”

The smooth and cool skin holding his hand redirected his gaze back to Greta, “How so?”

“Deer mating isn’t as celebrated.”

She chuckled and playfully clapped the back of his hand, “Oh, you have much to learn about us lycan. We celebrate everything! A long run, a finished task, and especially a mating. When we find one, we hold tight and rarely waiver. I know our animals have a painted picture among your species, but a wolf’s love is undying.”

He stared at Greta’s hand and then her peaceful blue irises. Undying love? I’m really going to be with Sheamus forever.

The Turbins came to his side as the minor council members went inside. The three sat in the back row as pack members started to arrive. Kara pointed out several distinct people, describing what they do for Arric and other teams.

A couple caught his eye and he rose. His friends joined him and started to shield his body, “No, it’s okay. I know those two.”

“You do?”

Before Jaime could get an answer, Cyn walked towards them. A few steps toward his goal, the woman patted her man on the shoulder and pointed at the cernunnos, “Jim, look!”

The man’s head darted and instantly smiled, “Well, I’ll be damned! What in the world are you doing here?”

Kara stepped in and stood at Cyn’s side, “Jim, Beverly. You’ve met Cyn?”

“Just briefly. I’m sorry, what was your name again, son?”

The deer smiled at the man’s joyful tone, “Cyn. C-Y-N,” he turned to Kara, “I met them at a restaurant with Sheamus. They were really nice.”

Beverly and Jim rose from their seats. While she held a smile, Beverly glanced at the three before her, “Kara, may I ask why he’s at the pack meeting?”

“He’s Alpha Claude’s esteemed guest for the evening.”

The couple gasped and exchanged excited whispers, “The alpha’s guest! What an honor! Well, we’re glad to see you again, and even more to learn your name, Cyn. We’ll find you after the meeting and chat some more, alright?”

Cyn nodded and let his bodyguards escort him to the back row once more. He watched as more shifters entered the compound. Earning the occasional curious stare, he meekly waved, earning one in return. “Everyone seems so nice.”

“Yeah,” Jaime said without taking his eyes off the crowd, “there’s only a handful of asshats in the pack. I think they’ll be starting soon.”

As predicted, the council emerged from the house, with the higher council aiming for the stage. Passing, Shea spotted Cyn and they shared a comforting smile. Taking position on the low-setting stage before the crowd, Arric stood stoically in the center, with Walter on his right and Shea on the left.

Whispers and murmurs littered throughout the crowd, several speaking Shea’s name in confusion.

“Good evening, and thank you all for coming to this impromptu meeting.” The alpha’s voice boomed through the night, but maintained a controlled tone, “Tonight’s gathering is not a pleasant one. We won’t be abiding by the usual agenda, so if there is any public input, I recommend holding off until the next scheduled meeting.

“Some of you might be wondering why this was called. Some are asking why Commander Farren is at my side. And a few are trying to hide their curiosity as to why a cernunnos is here.” The whispers’ volume gained, but were swiftly hushed by Arric’s raised palm.

“The answer… is treasonous!” The snarled word echoed across the crowd, creating gasps and shocked mutters. “A week ago, laws were broken, laws upheld by our species’ government, and further upheld by my title as Alpha of this pack! Treasonous acts were committed, and they were heinous. My council, as well as agents from the SFBI have confirmed that Marric Detloph, Hauser Muell, and Eike Thomas plotted and attacked a herd of deer, targeting two cernunnos within.”

Cyn watched the group of shifters turn to each other, gasping and puffing at the news. From his seat, he caught Beverly staring at him. She looked away as a tear fell from her eye.

Arric took a step forward, silencing the crowd, “Out of the three, Marric has been slain by our hands, while the other two have rightfully earned their rogue status. I made myself abundantly clear when the Prey Protection Law was created. All shifters, regardless of color, shape, length, and density of fur, are welcome in Sheboygan.

“But,” Arric’s brows furrowed, eyes scanning menacingly across the congregation, “those who do not share these views are either encouraged to keep them to yourselves… or vacate your membership to this pack. A life is a life, regardless of opinion. Consider this your final warning. I hear any whisper regarding unequal treatment of shapeshifter species, and you will be standing before the council.

“From this moment on, Eike Thomas and Hauser Muell are rogues. They will never belong to another registered pack on this planet. They are to be hunted, and killed if necessary. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Alpha!” The crowd collectively shouted.

Arric growled, barely able to hide his pleasure, “Excellent! In light of this treachery, one has risen from his position to aid our pack when most needed. One has taken on challenges that must be recognized. Sheamus Farren, stand before your pack.”

Obeying his alpha, Shea stood at the stage’s edge, hands behind his back and shoulders widened.

Pacing behind him, Arric spoke, “My beloved brothers and sisters! This wolf has defended our pack’s honor. In the face of villains, he lunged. Against opposed forces, he fought. And to hunt our enemies, he chased. You, along with your team, Jaime and Kara Turbin, protected laws and ideals our land holds dear.

“Sheamus Farren is my Enforcer! He is this pack’s defender! And he will vanquish our foes!”

The pack howled, sharing their support. Cyn stood in awe as he heard the harmonizing noise. It sounds amazing! I’ve never heard so many wolves at once.

When silence resumed, Shea took his previous position as Arric stayed at the front, “It was the Tracking Trio who drove off Eike and his cohorts. If it were not for their bravery, this crime may have gone unnoticed. Because of their actions, there was a survivor.

“We have a guest tonight and I’m very proud to have him here. When we first met, my presence scared him. In the last several days, he’s shown a tremendous amount of growth. So much, in fact, that we’ve run together.” Arric paused and stared at him with a smile, “Cyn, could you step forward?”

All eyes followed their leader’s and landed on him. It made Cyn tense up, but with Kara’s hand on his shoulder, he relaxed. He stepped out from the row of chairs and made his way down the middle aisle. Reaching the edge of the stage, Kara’s grip signaled to stay put.

“My pack, I introduce you to the man who survived such a terrible ordeal. Cyn, and that’s spelled C-Y-N, has become more than just someone who was attacked on our lands. This cernunnos made it his goal to learn from us, just as we have learned from him. He ran and dined with us, but most importantly, he helped us. I trekked to the scene of the crime with him and the Trio… and without his sharp instincts, one of us would have surely perished.”

The crowd gasped again, but fell silent. Cyn wanted to turn around, but thought better of it.

“For such acts towards our pack, along with your accompaniment on other missions, I asked you here for a momentous reason. I wanted to personally invite you into our pack.”

The deer’s breath caught. Invited? Arric wants… me to be in his pack?

A smirk appeared on Arric’s face, “That was until a certain someone beat me to the punch.” He turned back to Shea and flicked his head.

Shea’s face couldn’t have been brighter. He hopped down from the stage as Kara and Jaime took several steps back. The delta interlocked fingers with the deer, and the crowd’s silence burst with whistles and howls.

The alpha’s mumbled chuckle took command of the meeting, “Despite the dark times our pack faces, love always finds a way to weasel into our lives. I’ve had the privilege of watching your relationship grow over the past week, and I see no reason to delay the announcement.

“Enforcer Sheamus Farren has mated with an outsider. By the laws within our pack’s governing constitution, it is my duty as the Alpha to bestow full membership to Cyn. Is there anyone present who wishes to challenge such traditional rights?”

The audience remained silent. Arric’s head scanned, but did a double take as some of the pack murmured. Shea and Cyn turned.

Greta stood.

Arric’s voice was low, “Treasurer Reil, you have the floor for opposition.”

The woman covered a cough with her fist before speaking softly, “This is no opposition, but merely a formality. A dusty policy in our bylaws is about to be forgotten. Alpha Claude, may I approach?”

Nodding his head, Arric met her halfway. Spoken in the softest whispers, Cyn couldn’t tell what the two were saying.

They parted and Arric returned to his post with a grin, “I hate to admit my mistakes, but Treasurer Reil is correct. I forgot a very old rule in our constitution. Sheamus, Cyn! You two have mated, and by the power vested in me as this pack’s Alpha, I hereby give Cyn full membership and rights.

“In addition!” The alpha’s voice boomed and the grin grew wider, “In the event of a mating with one missing a portion of their name, they are to assume the familial name of their partner. My brothers and sisters, please welcome Cyn Farren into our pack!”