Free Psyche Shield by Chrissie Buhr

hackles up and teeth bared. “Do you really think you can convince
him?”
    “I doubt he will take our word for it. If given a chance to
speak with him face-to-face, I believe he will see the truth. We were packmates
for a very long time. My mate was our Alpha and his my best friend’s daughter.
Jason, Sierra, and I should meet him alone and where he feels strong.”
    “No. Not happening,” Billie declared. I will not let the
three of you go alone to face an Alpha whose first impulse is to kill you. I’m
going with you.”
    Kathryn reasoned with her. “It is our best chance, Beta. As
the Mage’s mate, your presence will complicate the meeting. Your talents in a
conflict are less likely to be needed if you remain behind. You must not come.
Richard, too, must stay behind. He does not trust Sadie.”
    Billie knew Kathryn’s mate well, though their friendship had
thinned in recent weeks. He would not like Kathryn’s idea either. “How do you
plan on convincing Richard to stay behind?”
    “I hope he will listen to reason. If not, he will follow his
Alpha’s orders. I believe Jason will agree with me.”
    “If you fail to convince them, they will try to kill you,”
Billie argued, a growl nearly surfacing. Staying behind while her packmates
walked into danger went against every natural impulse in her.
    The doggie door flapped with Kato’s return, and Billie
turned her head in surprise. No one expected the Eldest to come back so soon.
The leggy old Wolf carried a large grouse in his mouth. He stopped in the
dining room, dropping the dead animal to the floor before crossing into the
carpeted area. He locked eyes with Sierra and shifted into his human form.
“Fresh meat for your recovery. I thank you for seeing my Muzi with clear eyes
and promise to aid in explaining her presence to your Alpha.”
    “Thank you.” Sierra looked at the game on the floor, stunned
at the unexpected gift. Kathryn shared her astonishment, finding Kato’s
behavior out of character. Nathan jumped to his feet, delighted to have
something carnivorous to cook. He plucked the bird off the floor and carried it
into the kitchen.
    I didn’t think you’d be back so quickly. I admitted,
grateful for his return.
    He smiled softly at me and sat with his back against the
couch. A cat padded into the room and climbed into his lap, purring loudly.
Billie’s cats didn’t show their faces to strangers often, but Niall found the
courage for Kato. The Eldest pet the cat fondly. I did not have time to hunt
for Sierra before coming to you earlier. Your packmates were well able to care
for you in my absence, allowing me to acquire a proper gift for our guest.
    Sierra isn’t just a guest, is she? What am I missing? I pried for an explanation of his odd behavior.
    Our visitor is dear to my heart, though she does not know
it yet, Kato replied. I would not risk conflict with her pack if she
were otherwise. I found myself making an unexpected decision when bringing her
here.
    I couldn’t imagine leaving her to face the mountains alone
and injured no matter what conflict she brought with her. Is this likely to
go badly?
    Her presence will draw conflict to us. That sounded
like the same thing to me. I wish to speak privately with you, Kathryn, and
Billie. Will you make this possible?
    Switching to audio, I answered Kato’s request. “Of course,
Muso. Kathryn and Billie, would you join me and Kato in the kitchen? He would
like a private conversation.”
    “I’d be delighted,” Kathryn replied as we quickly made our
way to the kitchen. After a full day of bizarre behavior, we eagerly awaited
what the Eldest had to say.
    Behind me, Sierra asked how we expected privacy so close to
Wolf ears. Amy answered on my behalf. “Illusion. It’s a Mage thing, but not one
that mettles in our minds.”
    Billie kicked Nathan out of the kitchen temporarily, and I
raised an illusion to dull the sound. At most the Wolves in the other room
would hear indistinct buzzing.