Vindicated by Bella Klaus

Chapter Seven

Clutching my pair of burgers, I headed toward a little nook in the corner, where the phone sat on one of those low tables with an attached bench. Mera hadn’t given me her number, but if I called the Supernatural Council Headquarters, one of the receptionists would put me through to her.

Fenrir and Mr. Owen continued a quiet conversation around the sofas about administration. I tuned them out and focused on what I would tell Mera. She was undoubtedly the most reasonable person in the Council, and one of the nicest people I’d met in the Supernatural World. Speaking with her would be great because she probably had the same frustrations about some of the other monarchs.

As I passed the patio doors, I caught sight of a small figure doing jumping jacks on the chamomile lawn. She dropped to her hands and knees and lowered herself into press-ups. After one or two, she collapsed on the grass.

My steps faltered. “Phina?”

I placed a burger between my teeth, turned the door handle, and stepped out into the paved area. A floral scent filled my nostrils from the surrounding flower beds, and I jogged through a gravel path to find my young friend rising to her feet.

She wore a salmon-pink hoodie and a pair of blush-colored jogging bottoms, with sequined baseball boots.

“Phina,” I said. “What on earth are you doing?”

She whirled around, her eyes wide, her cheeks flushed from exercise. “Lydia! When did you leave the basement?”

“About half an hour ago.” I glanced around the garden. None of the usual workers were around, but all the shrubs were manicured and the flower beds freshly weeded. “Is everything all right?”

Phina gave me an eager nod. “I’m training for the trials.”

My brows drew together, and it took several heartbeats for me to realize she was talking about the competition Fenrir had set up to help Dolph get a mate. I rubbed the back of my head. “That’s still going ahead?”

“His cousin, Ingrid, is drumming up lots of interest on the SuperNet.” Phina jogged on the spot, pulling up her knees to her chest. “Loads and loads of girls from around the world have signed up.”

“What does Dolph think about this?” I asked.

She paused. “I haven’t messaged him.”

“Why not?”

Phina’s shoulders rose around her ears. She dipped her head and peered at me from beneath her lashes. “He’s been really busy taking charge of the Norse pack and running it under Fenrir’s banner.”

“Oh.” My posture sagged. “But you said you would message him.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t want to be the girl who flouted Ingrid’s rules and tried to get a head start on the trials.”

My gaze turned distant, and I shook my head, wondering what on earth Fenrir had been thinking to suggest such a competition. Dolph didn’t strike me as the type who wanted women battling it out to win his hand, but maybe something in him changed when Fenrir branded his soul.

Phina stared back at me with a sunny smile. “I did lots of research on the trials. Did you know they’re based on a ritual used to work out which women got to be valkyries?”

“Really?” I asked.

She dipped into a side bend. “They were the Norse equivalent of the Olympic Games, but with a bit of gladiator action.”

“You’re going to fight other women for a man?” I asked. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

Phina’s lips tightened. She raised her chin and fixed her features into a grimace of determination. “Haven’t you ever taken a chance on anything? If I chickened out without trying, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”

My heart sank. I’d taken a chance, all right. I took a chance one day two years ago and made the first move on Beowulf. It had only made things worse for me because I’d gone from an insignificant outcast beneath his notice to someone he wanted to have killed.

Things would be different with Phina. Firstly because Dolph hadn’t made any bargains with evil demons. Secondly, because he had a good heart. And thirdly, I would watch over my little friend and make sure she didn’t get hurt.

“You’re right.” I placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Sometimes, I look at you and see the little girl in pigtails and dungarees who used to follow me around, but you’re a young woman.”

She nodded. “If I fail, then I can move on to something else.”

We gazed into each other’s eyes for several heartbeats, sharing warm smiles. This time last month, we were both residents of Nivalis Row, dumped there when Alpha Mundo had stolen control of the pack and the leadership of Lunaris. Now, we lived in such beautiful surroundings. It just told me that anything was possible.

“Oh!” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t ask you about your heat. How was it?”

Warmth rushed to my cheeks. Even though I’d said she was a young woman, I wasn’t about to share juicy details with a sixteen-year-old. “I survived.”

Her brows rose. “Did you know they only happen when there’s a powerful soul bond? Otherwise shifters go through normal cycles. Are you pregnant?”

I spluttered. “How do you know so much about heats?”

“Research, of course. As soon as your mum told me what was happening, I cracked open the books and read everything I could find on heats.”

“Oh.” I bit down on my bottom lip. It looked like Mum had neglected to tell Phina about the elixir she’d tricked me into taking. The smaller girl stared up at me, her features a mask of expectation. “Well, now isn’t the right time for pups, so we decided to take something from Madam Matrikas.”

She offered me a grim nod. “If I win Dolph’s trial, I’d like a long engagement, so I can go to the University of Logris.”

My heart lightened at the change of subject. “If anyone deserves a place there, it’s you. What subjects are you thinking of choosing?”

“Norse magic,” she said with a grin. “One day I’d like to be a pack shaman.”

“What if you get your wolf?” I asked. “Then your magic will be channeled into shifting.”

She raised her shoulder. “Then I’ll switch to healing.”

“It looks like you’ve really thought out your options.” I bit into my second slider, which was just as meaty and as delicious as the first.

“Oh, Lydia. Sometimes, I can’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking about Dolph. Just seeing him in Supernatural Media makes something inside me stir.”

My mind drifted to what I first felt when Beowulf challenged Alpha Mundo. Wolfette had been deep in the background and hadn’t fully risen to the surface, but the sight of Beowulf always caused her to get excited.

“Are you talking about awakening your wolf?” I asked.

She shook her head. “My heart flutters.”

“Right.”

I rubbed my chin. Dolph had said something similar about seeing me, and my wolf had always reacted that way whenever I saw Beowulf. My teeth worried at my bottom lip.

The only reason Wolfette had even noticed that loser was because of the bargain he and Mum had made with Marchosias. What if Dolph had reacted to me because his wolf recognized the wolf I might have had if Mum hadn’t lost me and agreed to have me brought back with a piece of Marchosias’ power? It would explain a lot.

I shook off that thought. None of it mattered, now that I was mated to Fenrir, and it looked like Dolph was getting on just fine.

“You’re going to tell me I’m being ridiculous,” Phina said.

My brows drew together, and I stepped back. “What are you talking about?”

Phina wrung her hands. “I’m not tall and sexy and tough like other girls, and I know that half the contestants will already have their wolves. Some of them who commented on the post about the trial are even daughters of alphas.”

“Actually, I wasn’t going to say that.”

Her shoulders sagged. “Oh.”

“If this is what you really want to do, then I’ll support you all the way.” I met her eyes. Eyes that had always stared up at me with admiration, even when I’d been the target of bullies. Eyes that always looked at me with the deepest of friendship.

“Thanks, Lydia.” She threw her arms around my neck.

I gave her a tight hug. “Whatever happens, it will be a good challenge for you,” I murmured. “You’re cleverer than anyone I’ve ever met, kinder, and cuter.”

Phina giggled. “What do they say? You’ve got to be in it to win it.”

“Right,” I said with a laugh.

She stepped back and beamed. “Thanks for agreeing to help.”

“There are a few things I need to get done around the pack, but we’ll get together and train soon.”

“All right.” She gave me a jaunty salute and jogged backward, nearly tripping over something on the lawn. “See you later.”

Phina turned, sprinted along the building, and disappeared around the corner. I shook my head and smiled. There was absolutely no telling how things would work out for her in the trials, but she was right about needing to participate.

I took another bite of my slider and returned to the receiving room, where Fenrir was signing something with the guidance of Mr. Owen. Not wanting to disturb them, I continued to the corner, where the phone sat on its special table, and lowered myself into the seat. I tapped the screen and scrolled through the options, looking for a way to reach Mera.

It took a few seconds for me to be connected to the Supernatural Council Headquarters and another few to reach the office of the Fire Queen. A woman named Coral appeared on the screen. With her red hair and voluptuous figure, she reminded me a little of King Hades’ secretary, except she wore a low-cut top that showed off her cleavage.

“Who should I tell Her Majesty is calling?” she asked.

“It’s Lydia Gerrison from Lunaris,” I replied. “I’m the alpha’s mate.”

“Right.” She elongated the syllable. “But what do you want to speak to Her Majesty about?”

I stared down at the screen. “It’s Supernatural Council business.”

She tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips. “Could you elaborate?”

Something about her made my hackles rise. If she was part of the Supernatural Council, I would have seen her at my coronation, the courtroom, or Fenrir’s crowning. Why was she acting like the gatekeeper?

“How about you tell Queen Mera I’m on the phone,” I said through clenched teeth. “If she wants to speak to me or have you ask a bunch of questions, let her decide.”

Cora pursed her lips, and the screen went blank.

I reared back, my mouth falling open. Did she just hang up on me?

Moments later, Mera appeared on the screen. She wore a white shirt with a chunky necklace of stones that glowed like coals on a fire. Her mouth dropped open. “Lydia, I’ve been trying to reach you for days!”

“Sorry,” I said with a sheepish smile. “But I’ve been busy.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s what everyone I called said. I tried the administrators, the alpha’s lodge, and even your mother, but they all told me you were busy and wouldn’t elaborate.”

My gaze darted to the other side of the room, where Fenrir was still deep in conversation with Mr. Owen. I leaned toward the screen and said in a low voice, “I had my first heat.”

Mera’s mouth dropped open. “But you’ve been missing for days.”

I nodded. “That’s how long it lasted.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Is it as intense as they say?”

I pressed my lips together to stifle a smile. “Whatever they say is an understatement. Six days together with my mate was the best experience of my life.”

She clasped her hands together. “It sounds like a honeymoon.”

“All the good parts.”

Mera snickered. “I had something like that with Valentine, but we were in an enemy stronghold, and I couldn’t fully enjoy the experience.”

Now it was my time to gape. “Were you prisoners?”

She ran a hand through her hair. “I was. It’s a huge, complicated story. I’d love to share it with you some time. Would you and Fenrir like to join us for dinner one evening this week?”

My heart filled with warmth. This was the first invitation I’d received from another woman. Phina’s demands for imaginary tea parties didn’t count, but I’d appreciated them just the same. “Thanks,” I murmured. “But let me check with my mate.”

“By the way, one of the reasons I’ve been trying to get in touch was the next Council Meeting. We didn’t want it to take place without the shifters.”

“Oh. When is it?”

“There’s one scheduled for four o’clock this afternoon,” she said. “If that’s too short notice, we can push it back to tomorrow.”

I turned to the other side of the room, where Fenrir had paused his work to gaze in my direction. He gave me a nod and a thumbs up, and continued his conversation with Mr. Owen.

“That works for us,” I said.

“Great.” She gave me a sharp nod. “Will you join us for dinner at Kensington Palace afterward?”

Excitement fluttered in my belly. I slid my gaze to Fenrir, who didn’t raise his head. Perhaps he wasn’t interested.

“Maybe another time,” I said. “We have a lot of things to work out around the pack—”

“Say no more.” Mera raised a palm. “It will be great to have you at the Council meeting.”

Later, we met with Randel, the twins, and a few prominent people from around Lunaris. Mum was also there in her capacity as the pack shaman, even though she didn’t speak a word. Each person updated us on the status of the village, who had gotten into trouble for what, as well as the search for Grog and his runestones.

The twins reported finding another gigantic bat within the wards, and they had sent it to the Supernatural Headquarters for analysis and were awaiting answers. Randel reported having found a few intruders getting too close to the wards, who were repelled by the angels’ new upgrades.

Fenrir and I went upstairs to our room to get changed for the Council meeting. Mum had returned all my leather clothes to the dressing room and banished the flimsy dresses to a smaller closet. I selected a pair of burgundy pants with a fitted black jacket and a white tank top. Fenrir wore a leather jacket with a white t-shirt and jeans.

My gaze swept down his muscular body. “You look very modern.”

He stared down at the jeans. “I wanted to make a change from animal skins. Do you like it?”

I wrapped my arms around his middle and pressed a kiss on his cheek. “You look terrific in anything.”

His lips grazed mine. “Funny you should say that because I was thinking the same about you.”

I slipped my hands down his back, over the waistband of his jeans, and over his hard glutes. “Sometimes, it’s hard to believe I’ve captured the heart of a Norse god.”

“Not just the heart.” He pressed his erection into my belly.

Warmth gathered between my thighs, and I squeezed them together. “It looks like I’m completely over my heat.”

“A pity,” he growled.

I gave one of his asscheeks a hard grope. “Not really. After the meeting, I fully intend for us to spend the evening in bed.”

Fenrir brushed my hair off my face. “Did you want to visit the Fire Queen’s palace?”

I shook my head. “We can visit Mera anytime.”

“You wish to have her as a friend.”

“She’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and we have a few things in common.”

Fenrir raised his brows. “Such as?”

“We’re in our twenties and both married or mated to much older men.” I gave him a peck on the lips. “We’re both involved with the Supernatural Council and both are in charge of a village.”

Fenrir’s features turned grave. “If you want to go tonight—”

“It’s so soon after the heat, and I’m not used to being in the same room as you for longer than an hour without climbing over your body.”

Grinning, he lowered his head and brought his lips to mine for a lingering kiss. “I will tend to your needs, morning and night.”

A giddy warmth filled my heart, making me chuckle. “I can’t wait.”

Someone knocked on the door. “Alpha?” asked Mr. Owen. “I’ve set the mirror for the Supernatural Council meeting room.”

Fenrir drew back from the kiss with a heated gaze that promised he would continue where we left off. I released his asscheeks, intertwined my fingers through his, and we walked to the door.

Mr. Owen walked alongside us in the hallway. The shadows were longer at this time of the day, causing diagonal stripes to appear beneath the stuffed animals. For once, they didn’t look creepy, judgmental, or pitying, but I made a note to see if we could have them removed from our home.

“Is there anything we need to know before the meeting?” I asked.

“Not really, Alpha,” he replied, seeming to remember Fenrir’s announcement to the rest of the pack that I would rule at his side. “Our biggest concern while you were away was who would pay the wardmasters. The Angel King’s office took that matter from our hands.”

“Good,” Fenrir said. “And have you heard from Sybil about the runestones?”

“There was one in Frida’s old room, Alpha,” he said. “And another in the room you shared prior to moving into the master suite.”

Fenrir grunted.

I shook my head. Grog had set things up so that he could appear in places of strategic importance around the house. “Ask Mum to check our suite again.”

“Of course, Alpha.” Mr. Owen opened the door that led to the mirror room, a chamber of pine panels that held mirrors of every size, including those small enough for rodents.

He swept his hand toward a twelve-foot-wide mirror, which was also framed in pinewood. “This way, alphas.”

Fenrir and I stepped through to the other side and into the circular room where I’d had my coronation. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows that took up half the space, making me squint to get a look at the gardens outside.

The Council members were already seated at the circular table. I glanced at the far-left and met the gaze of the Angel King, who wore a pale blue shirt several shades lighter than his eyes. The afternoon sun shone on his blond hair like spun gold, but he looked uptight compared to Fenrir’s wild beauty.

Sitting directly opposite him was Hades, clad in a black suit and a crimson shirt. He leaned toward the Fae King, who sat at his left, and whispered something to him that made him laugh.

I turned my gaze away from the two monarchs and locked eyes with Mera.

“Hi Lydia.” She beamed from her middle seat and nudged King Valentine, who sat at her right. Since they’d left a pair of empty seats to their left, Fenrir and I walked in their direction.

“I for one enjoy being kept waiting,” the Demon King said, his voice acidic. “How does the rest of the Council feel about this flagrant lack of respect?”

“You’re a fine one to talk,” Fenrir said with a scoff. “Someone in your position shouldn’t be so desperate as to expose himself for attention.”

I lowered myself into the seat next to Mera, trying not to think of how King Hades had gotten some woman to suck him off during the video conference.

Opposite, the Mage Queen huddled beside the Witch Queen. They both offered us bland smiles, which I returned with a nod.

The Demon King hissed. “Did you fall off the edge of the Supernatural World because you spent an entire week plucking up the courage to consummate your union?”

“You’re full of shit,” Fenrir snapped.

“Am I?” He leaned back in his seat and grinned. “When you wrested control of the shifter crown from Miss Gerrison, there was only the barest thread of a soul bond between you. Now, it’s as substantial as my cock.”

Mera twisted around in her seat and snarled. “Do you have to keep referring to your genitals?”

“Ignore him,” King Valentine whispered to Mera.

King Hades’ eyes sparkled with the challenge. “Why, yes, Fire Queen. My shlong is a rather lengthy subject and one that warrants much discussion.”

“Sorry,” Mera whispered to King Valentine. “But he’s just so aggravating.”

Snickering, the Fae King bounced on his seat.

I leaned into Fenrir’s side and whispered, “What on earth is wrong with that guy?”

“Sounds like he’s making up for centuries of sexual frustration,” Fenrir whispered back.

“And you’re a fine one to talk about frustration,” snapped King Hades.

I turned to the other side of the table, where the Demon King glowered at us, his lips twisted with annoyance.

“Do you have anything useful to say?” Fenrir growled. “Or are you going to continue posturing like a puffed-up peacock?”

King Hades’ eyes flashed. “Know your place, Shifter King.”

“It’s right here at this table,” Fenrir said, his voice calm. “You may have intimidated my mortal predecessors, but there’s no difference between you and me in terms of age or rank.”

Silence stretched across the table. I glanced around at its occupants. Fenrir was right. If what they taught us at the academy was true, then gods came before angels and other supernaturals such as faeries, vampires, shifters, mages, and witches.

I placed a hand on Fenrir’s lap, offering him my silent support. King Hades probably thought he could get away with being such a dick because he considered everyone else lesser creatures, but Fenrir was a bloody wolf god who still had thousands of worshippers.

What was King Hades? A former Greek god? None of the supernaturals in Europe cared much for the Greek deities or the Roman counterparts.

King Hades bared his teeth. “I won’t be disparaged by a mongrel who just lost his virginity.”

I gulped. Back at the academy, those would be considered fighting words. My gaze darted to Fenrir, who grinned.

“You’re right,” he said.

“Explain,” King Hades replied, his eyes narrowed.

“When I met Lydia, we had the thinnest of connections, but we’re now mated. I waited over two thousand years for the right she-wolf, and I’ve found her. I couldn’t be more proud.”

The Demon King’s features stilled.

“And there is only one woman I will ever want or have or need.” Fenrir raised my hands to his lips. “That’s Lydia Gerrison, who will be my mate until the end of time.”

My breath turned shallow. Fenrir had always declared his feelings for me in public, but they had only been words. We were mated, now. Even King Hades had seen the connection between our souls, and those words carried an extra weight.

“Awe.” Mera clasped her hands to her chest.

King Valentine wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “He never said such true words. I feel just as fortunate to have found you.”

The Demon King’s eyes blackened, and they darted from Mera and the Vampire King to us, and back to them again. His nostrils flared, and his chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.

I gulped. Whatever Fenrir just said had hit a raw nerve, and King Hades looked ready to erupt. Something was terribly wrong with this creature.

One minute, he was waxing lyrical about his private parts and mocking Fenrir for having been a virgin, the next, he was getting over-the-top upset because Fenrir just agreed.

Next to him, the Fae King rubbed his hands. “This is going to be good!”

I placed one hand on my chest and grasped Fenrir’s hand with the other. Was this fae pretty boy talking shit or had we just walked into a trap?