Free United (The Ushers) by Vanessa North

grinned.
    With a sigh, she pulled herself off his lap and stood, reaching a hand down to him. He stood and pressed a tender kiss upon her lips, a chaste kiss that spoke of storms of the soul, to be weathered together. Wordlessly, they shifted into wolves, and she howled her joy before leading him back to their home at a full-speed run.

Chapter Nine
    W HEN B IANCA , J ACK , A ND A NGELO walked into Monica’s office in the morning, Starbucks cups in hand, Monica and Fionn were already hard at work, faces pressed close as they pored over the information they had found on their laptops.
    “ Querida ?” Angelo asked. Fionn watched as Angelo’s eyes widened, noting the way his best friend’s hand stroked languidly over the Usher’s forearm.
    “Hi, Angelo. Jack, Bee, c’mon in. Fionn and I mated last night.”
    Fionn smiled behind a hand. His mate was as direct and abrupt as ever. He watched as his pregnant sister-in-law enfolded Monica in a heartfelt embrace—he wouldn’t say the Albina waddled, exactly, but she no longer moved with the liquid grace of a fighter.
    “Oh, Mon, sweetie, I’m so happy for you!” Bee exploded in an effusive crowing that seemed barely this side of human.
    “Congrats, bro.” Jack’s voice was quiet. He shook his brother’s hand, a look of pride and friendship fierce upon his face. “You deserve every happiness life can throw your way.”
    “Thanks, all.” Monica grinned before turning to Angelo, who stood silent, his hands in his pockets. “What of business? Can we spare Fionn and me for a few weeks?”
    “We can.” Angelo smiled warmly to see his friend so happy. “But it’s more than that, isn’t it? This is not a honeymoon?”
    “No, you’re right.” Monica’s face sobered. “Bianca, are you prepared to take over as Alpha of Amazon?”
    “What?” Bianca’s face was startled. Fionn watched his mate reassure her, sending the knowledge that she was ready, she was capable.
    “Well, c’mon, Bee, it’s a simple question,” Monica teased.
    “Yes, I’m ready. Jack will serve as Guardian. Angelo, you’ll stay on as my Third and continue to oversee the business interests of the pack?” Bianca looked from Jack to Angelo, who both nodded.
    “Very well.” Monica swallowed hard. “Bianca Murphy, I sever myself and my wolf from Amazon.”
    Fionn felt Monica’s hand clutching his beneath the desk, and he gave it a reassuring squeeze.
    “Monica, you and your wolf are severed from Amazon. Go in peace.” Bianca touched her former Alpha’s face with a questioning hand. Fionn knew that through her bond with him, Monica could still sense her, like she could all of Fionn’s wolves—their wolves.
    “I’m still here, Bee.” She pushed the thought to her friend with a gentle smile, happy to see relief and joy spread on Bianca’s face. She turned to Angelo. “Can you take a look at what Fionn and I have found?” she asked him.
    He nodded, reaching for the laptop. As Angelo read over what was on the screen, he let out a low whistle.
    “You’re going south again, then?” He looked from Monica to Fionn, who nodded.
    “What’s up, Mon?” Bianca asked quietly.
    “We’ve been played.” Monica grimaced. “Manipulated by a one-legged wolf. Tavis Kirk is not just a lonely old wolf missing a leg. He really is Alpha to a lot of wolves. We couldn’t sense them before because his religious fervor doesn’t leave much room for his wolves in his head.” She shook her head. “He is trying to accomplish something very similar to what we are. Unification. But Kirk’s real goal is to convert all wolves to Christianity. He has a few religious tracts to the effect of reuniting us with our true God, rendering false Goddesses inert.”
    “Ooh boy. This should be fun.” Annie strode into Monica’s office. She looked smugly at Fionn and Monica before taking her seat. Fionn half expected her to start preening.
    “I’m just happy for you, that’s all.” Annie’s voice was a