Leader of the Pack (72 page)

Cullen smiled mischievously. “Probably a week. Maybe two. It depends. I originally planned a month alone. But,” he looked at Aislinn with a goofy grin that had Celia and the others curious what the secret was, “I don’t think that will be a reasonable possibility now.”

Celia couldn’t help a little jealousy and was momentarily glad her bond with Mack was broken. She had never seen Lord Arnauk look at any woman the way he looked at Aislinn. “I really am happy for you,” she said. “I can’t help but wonder what the grin is all about.”

Cullen didn’t answer. He just grinned some more and Aislinn shook her head. There would be no keeping it secret, if he kept looking like that.
Oh well, it’s not like I can hide it much longer anyway. You can tell them after I tell Grandma,
she thought at him, then looked at Celia again. “Why were you curious when we’ll be back?” Aislinn tried to change the subject.

“Mack and I want to wait to be mated until you both return. So I have to admit that I’m happy it will be sooner,” she said and stroked the bulge on her stomach. “I’m going to look ridiculous enough as it is. And it’s only going to keep getting worse.”

Aislinn grinned. “But you’re going to have babies,” she said excitedly. “That doesn’t look ridiculous. Just consider it extra incentive.”

Mack was sitting on the couch listening. He chuckled when Celia groaned.

Keith chimed in at that point. There was no way he could pass up an opportunity like this. “Well, Cel, I guess you shouldn’t have been so enthusiastic in your play, if you didn’t want to chase little ones around. Speaking of little ones,” Keith grinned pointedly at Cullen. He knew how much time the two of them had spent together when Aislinn went into heat. “When are you two going to join the club? I can’t have mine growing up without a couple of yours to pick on. All that grinning you’re doing and emphatic glances from Aislinn couldn’t mean something could it? That was what? About a month ago, I think.”

Aislinn blushed deeper crimson with each comment. The people watching her reaction started smiling. Cullen tried to give Keith a hard look to make him stop, but his happiness about the situation precluded seriousness. With a grin bleeding through his hard expression Cullen pushed Aislinn toward the kitchen. “We’re going to get something to eat. I want to talk to you later about your mouth,” he said to Keith.

The minute Aislinn and Cullen walked away, the excited whispering started. Aislinn sighed,
Okay, so I’m glad he’s so happy for you, but is he going to get us into trouble if everyone finds out what we were up to last month?

Cullen laughed.
There’s no way for them to not know what we were up to. Ais, my love, you’re going to have the litter way too early for it to have happened after this. Everyone knows that we mated a while ago. It’s the worst kept secret in the pack. It doesn’t matter. They’ve all come to accept you at this point. I put on the show for them. It’ll be okay. I’ll be surprised if anything is ever said about it.

Cullen and Aislinn headed into the kitchen, intent on finding something to eat. There were tons of great leftovers from last night’s banquet. Cullen kept touching her. She couldn’t keep his hands off of her, especially her stomach. “Well even if you don’t announce it, people are going to figure it out, if you keep this up,” she hissed and playfully batted his hands away.

“Then go out there and tell Brinah,” he said softly. “Quickly,” he added, with a real serious tone.

She knew that he would never be happy with her going into the stone circle where he couldn’t get to her. There was something about it that unsettled him.

“When you get back, I’ll tell everyone. We’re leaving tomorrow morning. I want to deal with saying our good-byes tonight so that we don’t have to stop before taking off.” He kissed her neck and cuddled her some more.

“Hey now,” an older omega said in a grandmotherly tone. “The kitchen is for eating. If you both intend to play some more, then take it into the other room. Pups,” she growled in exasperation.

Cullen stayed in the great room to talk to everyone, and Aislinn snuck out the front door. She walked down the path toward the stones. When she got there she was surprised to find Nora. Aislinn was introduced to the ancient druid the night before, but it was brief and hectic.

The older woman watched Aislinn approach. “It’s good to see you survived the mating. You certainly are a remarkable young woman. Truly that is to be expected of Brinah’s offspring.”

Aislinn stared at Nora uncertainly. “I’ve come to see her.”

Nora nodded. “I was told you are capable. Do you realize what a rare gift that is?”

Aislinn shook her head. “I don’t know much about that side of myself. Now that the world isn’t coming to an end I’m going to spend time with my grandmother here and try and figure it out.”

“I’m glad you’ve decided to embrace that part of yourself. I’m sure it would be easier to continue to ignore it and make your life with the lycans.”

“I’ve never been good at ignoring anything,” Aislinn said.

“Still, we make you uncomfortable,” Nora said.

Aislinn didn’t answer. Of course they made her uncomfortable. She had trouble trusting people. Cullen made her nervous at first.

Nora smiled gently, as if she understood. “Brinah is only capable of so much. You will find that as the length of time since she died increases it will become more difficult to speak to her. When you decide that you are ready and wish to learn more, we’ll still be here. I believe I will take my leave of you now.” Nora looked around. “This is a beautiful place. I’m glad that one of ours will be watching over it. Too many of our places have been lost to time and what humans call civilization.” Nora didn’t say good-bye. She just wandered down the path away from the stone circle.

Aislinn took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she thought of her grandmother. Calm and a sense of change flowed into her with the power from the ley lines. She knew that when she opened her eyes she would be in the still place with her grandmother. There was a strange sense of accomplishment that ran through her, as she realized that she was starting to be able to tell the difference.

Aislinn opened her eyes and saw Brinah standing there. She smiled sadly. She wished she could hug her grandma. But she figured that at least she could see and talk with her. Aislinn didn’t like that Nora had said this would get more difficult in the future.

Brinah smiled proudly, walking toward Aislinn. She wished she could have played a role of some kind in her granddaughter’s mating the night before. “I’m so happy for you, child.”

Aislinn blushed a little. “Did you see what happened last night, Grandma?”

“You didn’t think I’d miss it, did you?”

Aislinn’s embarrassment increased. “I guess I didn’t think about it. You’re okay with it?”

“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy for you. He certainly seems to make you happy. He appears to be a good man.” Brinah’s eyes were full of love. Aislinn almost cried. “Is there anything else,” Brinah asked in a knowing tone.

Aislinn giggled. Why she thought her grandmother wouldn’t know was beyond her. “I’m pregnant Grandma,” she said excitedly, and she realized that she really was excited.

Brinah’s smile widened. “You’ll have to bring them to see me,” she said.

“Of course. But I’ll have to learn how. I’m still not sure of what to do to bring people here except that Jenna’s ring helped with Brennus.” Aislinn’s smile faded when she thought about that.

“Jenna was holding the ring. That aided you in bringing her along. If you were touching her, however, that would have worked as well.”

Aislinn nodded. She could feel Cullen getting nervous already.

“He certainly is protective of you,” Brinah said, as if she knew what Aislinn or Cullen was thinking.

“When I brought Jenna here I was hurt. He worries because our connection seems to weaken when I’m here, and he can’t get to me.”

“Brennus used you,” Brinah said with concern. “You have a great deal to learn if you’re going to use your abilities Aislinn. You try too much too quickly. It’s impressive that you were able, but Brennus took advantage of it. Now he’s with Jenna. You are very lucky you survived what he did.”

Aislinn felt a terrible feeling run through her. “I don’t understand what you mean when you say that he’s with Jenna.”

Brinah sighed. “Come back to me when you have more time. It’s not important now, and your mate paces awaiting your return. Have your time with him. Come back to me when you are able to stay at length.” Brinah vanished suddenly, and the trees around the circle came to life.

Aislinn looked around in frustration. She didn’t like leaving it at that, but Brinah was right. Cullen was standing against that tree he seemed to like so well. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was watching for her. Aislinn went to him, concern in marring her features.

“Grandma said something about Brennus being with Jenna. Then she kicked me out because you’re being impatient,” Aislinn growled.

Cullen’s eyebrows raised. “Maybe I like Brinah better than I thought,” he said and kissed Aislinn’s forehead. “I wouldn’t worry about Jenna. Brennus is dead, and Cadifor had a lead. She’s his problem now. Besides, Cadifor has the help of the Circle at this point. If Brennus becomes an issue, they can deal with it.”

Aislinn sighed. “You never listen to me,” she said.

“Ditto,” he replied with a smile.

She stuck her tongue out at him. He grabbed her and quickly leaned in to suck on it.

“Hey,” she squealed, pushing at him playfully.

“That’s what you get for sticking it out,” he grinned. Then his tone got more serious. “Alright. I’m listening. I leave it to you. I will call Cadifor and tell him what you just said. You decide whether I offer to hand you over, newly mated and pregnant to help him track down and capture a dire lycan who may now have a ghost or something with her, or I warn him and suggest he get help from the Circle, leaving you and I to go away together.”

Aislinn growled. “Have it your way, but when we get wherever you’re taking me, I get a turn on top,” she chided.

Cullen pulled her into his arms and swung her around. “Anything you want.”

He made the call as soon as they got back to the cabin. With everything taken care of they went upstairs and got their bags packed. Cullen told her that they would be riding an ATV most of the way, and then doing some hiking, so she only got to take one backpack. “Besides, I intend to keep you naked for most of the time anyway.” They decided to tell everyone that she was pregnant when they got back. For now, it was their little piece of happiness and they wanted to keep it like that. The rest of the pack returned to the Madadh-Allaidh Saobhaidh, praying that they would be able to manage for a couple weeks without Lord General Cullen Arnauk, the leader of the pack.

The End

Gaelic Translations

Caoch = Shit

D'anam don diabhal! = May the devil take your soul

Druis = Whore

Eistigi liom = Listen to me

Faigh muin = Get fucked

Galla = Bitch

Madadh-Allaidh Saobhaidh = Wolf den (casino)

Mo gra

= My love

Mo mhúirnín bán= My fair darling

Mo piseagan= My kitten

Móran làithean dhuit is sìth, Le d'mhaitheas is le d'nì bhi fàs. = May you be blessed with long life and peace. May you grow old with goodness and riches.

Rach-air-muin = Go fuck yourself

Tá brón orm = I am sorry

Tá grá agam duit = I love you

Tá tú
iontach álainn = You are very beautiful

Taigh-O

sda = An inn/pub/hotel (name of the restaurant)

Vae victis
=
Woe to the defeated

Vaughn = Small one

ABOUT
LEIGHANN PHOENIX

It’s always the quiet girl. She sits in the back of the class or stands at the bar, while her friends all mingle. She’s the one mom always said was a “good girl,” and all her friends believe is a prude. Leighann Phoenix has been writing since she was a child. The passion and pain reflected in her writing are little glimpses of what’s lurking just beneath the surface. Her publications to date will be left in the dark where they belong. The new incarnation of her writing burns with a fire of it’s own.

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LEADER OF THE PACK
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