Two Rejects

Chapter 21 - Contingencies

"Let me call River and Sage back." Matthew says once he's gotten enough kisses in. The smile unable to wash off his face.

I'm about to move out of his arms, but he tightens them quickly, keeping me in place on his lap. I let him hold me, putting my arms around his neck and placing kisses on his cheek while he mind links River and Sage. Matthew sighs contently, eyes fluttering shut as he enjoys my attention.

I stop as soon as there's a knock on the door. Sage walking in first, her eyes landing on us, quickly followed by a thankful breath. She looks like she just dodged a bullet by the way her body calms down. "Thank Goddess," She smiles brightly.

I raise my eyebrow at her, "Happy I'm staying?"

"So happy," Sage doesn't even bother sugarcoating it. "I would hate to go down to the Full Moon and have your name removed from the scoreboard."

I let out a small laugh, "You'd love it actually. You'd be the record holder."

"By default," She crosses her arms. "Not merit."

River suddenly appears behind his sister. He takes one look at the way Matthew is holding me, how he's relaxed, and his aura isn't remotely negative. River gives me a kind smile, "I guess we'll have to officially throw Mia an initiation."

I perk up at this, "Really?"

We'll have a pack? My wolf jumps with glee.

"Yes, gorgeous." Matthew smiles, his fingers trailing on the inside of my wrist where I'll have the brand of his pack. "We'll have our fall initiation soon. You'll be a part of it."

River walks over to the chair across from Matthew's desk. He places his hands on the back of the chair, leaning in slightly. "We need to discuss a few things with you, Mia."

The tone of River's voice changes ever so slightly but I notice. Matthew snaps his eyes to River, narrowing them at his friend. River initially flinches, but quickly relaxes his shoulders. "She needs to know, Alpha."

Sage is quick to support her brother, nodding along with him. She pulls up a chair, setting it backwards so that she's straddling the back while taking a seat. Her arms cross over the back, eyes locked on me.

"I'm happy you want to stay Mia, really." She starts off, "But Alpha Bren's letter makes things more complicated for us."

I frown, "Why?"

"He's formally requesting Alpha's across the country to report you if they see you." River explains slowly, "A formal request from an Alpha is usually signed off by the King, which means—"

"Dickwad's letter has royal approval." Matthew interrupts, annoyance lacing his voice. "By not reporting you to Sparta, I'm going against the decree of the King to show loyalty, transparency and humility towards other packs."

"That's...that's absurd." I can't help a small tinge of panic hit me. Would I be putting the Valley in danger by me being here? Why would the King even sign this off? I doubt that Bren was so kind to provide any details.

"We were drafting plans on how to circumvent this situation." River cups his chin in thought, his eyes staying put on me. "Who all knows you're from Sparta?"

I shrug, "Just you three and Tyler."

"Tyler?" Sage frowns, "Why'd you tell him?"

"I didn't have to tell him. We practice together in physical training, and he figured it out. He hasn't told anyone though." I glance between Sage and River, "So what do you both recommend we do? I can't go back to Sparta."

"You don't have the brand," Sage analyzes. "Which means there's no clear indication that you're from there. Step one is that we initiate you as one of our own. That way no one can really question what pack you're from. At least, no outsiders."