Page 57 of Magical Midlife Conclave

“Oh yeah?” He grunted, a lot freer in his mannerisms than a usual shifter. Most of the rogues were that way, having had to loosen up to fit in with Dicks. Or try. “Well, good thing, amiright? I’ve never seen someone temper egos and calm tempers so fast in my life. Anyway.” Bud started to run his fingers through his hair and stopped himself. He laughed and took his hand away. “Just wanted to let you know—you’re doing good work.”

He put his hands on his hips and took a step back, tempering the flattery. They knew she didn’t take it well. Alphas’ kids often didn’t, a product of training. Flatter an alpha and they wondered what you wanted from them. They passed that sentiment down.

In this unknown new phase of her life, though, she might not show it, but she soaked it up. She was constantly second-guessing herself, used to striving for perfection and now in a situation where perfection was unattainable.

“Thanks,” she said without inflection. “Aljoe seems to be taking his oath to heart. This offshoot rogue thing is nothing like a normal pack. He’s really thinking outside the box.”

“He’s learning from your uncle.” Bud widened his eyes at her. “What, you thought I wouldn’t find out?”

She was a nepotism baby, she knew that. She wouldn’t have this position if she wasn’t, which was why she tried so hard to be worthy of it. To go above and beyond to prove she could do it without her uncle and dad. To prove that she was qualified. Some days felt harder than others, especially when Aljoe seemed like he was making up the rules as he went. There was no driftwood to cling to in this stormy sea.

Bud laughed. “Hey, more power to Alph—Austin…Steele—” He shook his head. “Sorry, I’m not used to going by first names. Seems wrong with an alpha like that. More power to him for letting you off the leash to slum it with the likes of us, huh? A bunch of no-good rogues led by a has-been.”

She huffed. “I can’t imagine anyone will call Aljoe a has-been.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised. A few of them will want to discredit him. Anyway.” He took another step back, shaking his head. “Good work—that’s all I wanted to say. This is a nice place to land after wandering, you know? We’re set for that ol’ conclave. I can’t wait to see the alphas who told me to hit the road. They were too insecure in their power to let me stay. They’ll look at Aljoe and Sue, and especially Austin, and get a right ol’ shock. I guarantee it.”

He winked at her and sauntered away like he was on a Sunday stroll. He never seemed to hurry but always got places on time. His laid-back, easygoing personality was a stark contrast to his burly frame and rough exterior. He looked like he’d demolish a person, but he acted like he wanted to make daisy chains. It was probably why Dicks had constantly gone after him…and learned their lesson the hard way. Sometimes you should judge a book by its cover.

She checked the time and then headed off toward Ivy House. She’d wanted to stop home and change, but being a bit dirty and sweaty would have to do. Tristan had mentioned in passing this morning that Sue had finally asked Jessie about storing his deceased family’s items. She’d of course said yes, and asked if they could do it this evening, after the major duties were taken care of and before the large cookout in honor of the cairns and now, probably, the basajaunak.

The time was now. Tristan knew that Sue had stopped seeing Indigo to help with the pain of his family’s passing. He was in a good place, clawing his way out of his spiritual grave and into life again.

But this…

This would set him back.

Indigo would be on hand; Tristan had made sure of it, but the trick was getting Sue to see her. He could be stubborn and withdrawn when it came to big emotions. Obviously Aurora knew what that was like. Any trained alpha would. She’d told Tristan she’d step in if he tried to handle it on his own.

They were a team now. No one should handle anything on their own, especially something like this.

12

Jessie

Still shaking from the elders’ meeting, I led Sue into Ivy House from the back door.

“I’m not sure inviting them was a good idea,” I said, picturing Cyra flying into a tree. “I mean, it was Cyra’s fault. She firebombed that gnome much too close to one of the elders. Did you see how fast that elder moved?” I shivered. “That kick had a lot of power.”

Austin’s emotions had flooded with fear and aggression, something I’d only felt from him when I was in harm’s way. And maybe it was because of me, but he’d frozen. Aljoe had, too. Sue—everyone. They’d frozen solid, scared to incite the basandere any more than Cyra already had.

Except for Sebastian, of course, who thankfully defused the situation by falling over in terror and playing dead.

Dave really shouldn’t have laughed so hard at that.

Sue didn’t answer, uncharacteristically stiff as he walked beside me.

I kept chattering, nervous I’d start crying on his behalf.

“I didn’t miss Aljoe’s look at Austin. He wasn’t sure he’d want to fight that elder, and that is saying something coming from a guy who fought more than one at a time to stay in the woods, right? I mean…she kicked a phoenix. Yes, Cyra laughed about it, but that’s probably because she recognized a creature that might be able to take her.”

We walked through the house, which was spotless. At the front door, I paused.

“I’ll be right back.” Sue continued into the front yard.

“There is a certain way things should be done in—” Mr. Tom’s words cut off as he entered the hallway.

One of the helping garhettes followed behind him, mouth open to argue, but saying nothing upon seeing me. They both turned down the way and disappeared around the corner.