Sorry it's taking me a little longer to get chapters up. I ran into a few I didn't like and started rewriting. The good news is, there's only a few left, so hang in there with me!

Nate's wolf relaxed a little as Aiyana opened the door to her bedroom. He'd known she was safe but all those dominant wolves down in the kitchen were making his wolf nervous. She'd donned a pair of slacks and a blouse that made her look like the young professional she would one day be and with the power she radiated, she was as intimidating as she was beautiful. He offered her the napkin-bound package in his hand. "I brought you a muffin. There wasn't much else left."

Her hand touched his as she took it, and he relished the contact. Had she even noticed? "Thank you, Nate. This is perfect. Did you find your mom?"

"Yeah, she's waiting for us downstairs."

Aiyana nodded. "I have to go with Alpha Miguel to fetch the prisoners. I'll see you down there."

His hand shot out to grab her arm. "I'll go with you."

A little wrinkle appeared between her eyebrows as she looked down at his hand. He loosened his grip but didn't let go. "Please. It's dangerous. I'm worried for you."

She shook her head. To his relief, her hazel eyes looked almost amused as she looked back up into his own. "It's not. They're all behind bars and Alpha Miguel will be with me, but you can come."

"Aiyana." He pulled her into his arms. Ever since he'd asked her to marry him things had changed between them. She was more reserved and less responsive to his touch, although that could be due to Cliff's presence. She'd barely left her ex-mate's side since he broke his foot. He'd never wanted to fight someone so bad in his life, but he couldn't exactly challenge an unconscious wolf with a hole in his chest.

She melted against him and some of his apprehension faded. Maybe the hesitation he sensed was all in his imagination. He kissed the top of her head. "I love you Aiyana."

She turned her head and kissed his jaw but didn't say she loved him back. She did, however, return his kiss when he pressed his lips against hers and looked just as affected as he was when he pulled away. He wanted to kiss her more, but everyone was waiting and the faster they could get this done the faster he could have her all to himself again. Maybe if he could take her someplace away from everyone for the day, he could convince her to say yes.

Alpha Miguel and several of the pack guards were already waiting at the front door when they came down the stairs. The power flowing from the packed great room made his hackles rise. His dad was one of the most powerful alphas in the United States, so he'd been around strong wolves all his life, but never around so many with his unclaimed mate. His wolf surged forward, fighting to emerge.

"Nate, are you okay?"

Aiyana's voice was a balm to both he and his wolf. He opened his eyes to find hers on him, full of concern. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just need some air."

Alpha Miguel raised a knowing eyebrow, but didn't say anything as he led them out of the house. Nate's wolf calmed a little once they were out in the fresh air, but refused to leave Aiyana's side. She took his hand without looking at him, but her touch and her concern calmed him even more. He'd always had a very even temper - a weak wolf according to his dad and older brother - but since meeting Aiyana that had changed. Even though most bonded wolves didn't bother with a traditional marriage since the mate bond was more binding, it felt like he'd made an official claim when he'd offered her the ring. Now his instincts were yelling at him to challenge every male that came close while they waited for her acceptance. If she said yes...no, when she said yes, he was going to insist they merge immediately for the sake of his sanity.

The composure he'd gained while walking across the driveway disappeared when they entered the underground prison. Even though they weren't alphas, the stench of ire the pacing, imprisoned wolves was releasing made his own wolf want to attack.

"It's okay Nate."

He blinked and found Aiyana in front of him with her palms on his chest. Oh, shoot, had he growled out loud?

"Maybe you should go outside," Alpha Miguel said.

"No, I'm good. The air just caught me off guard."

Alpha Miguel nodded. "Yeah, it is a bit strong in here. They haven't calmed down at all?" the alpha asked the prison guards.

"No. They were like this all night. They even growled in their sleep."

All but one of the six cells were occupied with two people each. The only two not pacing in either wolf or human form was Colum, who had stood and moved to the front bars when they walked in, and his father, who was sleeping on a cot in the same cell. "Don't get too close," one of the men guarding the cages warned. "Louisa was nearly strangled when one of them got a hold on her."

"What's wrong with them," Nate asked. "It's like they've gone feral."

"Don't know," the guard said. "They've been like this since we woke them yesterday to eat."

"You!" the blond woman yelled. She leapt at Aiyana, crashing against the bars of the cage door. The door rattled but held.

"Stop, all of you!" Aiyana yelled. Her power washed over him and suddenly he couldn't move. No, that wasn't true. He could move his eyes, which he did as Aiyana marched past him to the cage where the blond woman stood leering. He just couldn't lift his feet or raise his arms or shout out a warning as Aiyana reached through the bars to touch the woman's cheek.

"Why did you attack me?" Aiyana asked.

Nate couldn't see Aiyana's face but he could see the woman's. If looks could kill Aiyana would have been dead ten times already. She didn't answer Aiyana's question, but after a few moments, Aiyana spoke again.

"Oh, I see. They were coerced a long time ago to fight to the death if the alpha falls." Aiyana was quiet for a few moments, then abruptly looked back over her shoulder. "Sorry. I didn't mean for all of you to stop."

Nate almost fell over when her coercion suddenly vanished. Alpha Miguel gave a disgruntled huff beside him.

"I release you too," Aiyana said to the woman, then quickly backed out of reach. "Do you still want to kill me?"

The woman blinked, then bowed her head in submission. "Nae, mah bhanrigh."

"What does mah bhanrigh mean?"

"My Queen."

"Why are you calling me that?"

"It is what my wolf says ye are."

"If we let you out, will you promise not to attack anyone?"

"Och aye - yes. I am sorry I attacked ye before. I did nae want to. The alpha ..."

Aiyana nodded. "I understand. What is your name?"

"Siobhan."

"It is ... well, I hope, hmm, I would say it is a pleasure to meet you Siobhan but so far...."

The woman dropped down to her knees. "I am sorry ah shot that man, mah bhanrigh. Is he alive?"

"For now."

The worried tone in Aiyana's voice made it sound like Cliff was at death's door. He wasn't, was he? Maybe that's why she'd insisted on staying in his room last night, but it didn't explain the night before when Cliff's only problem was a broken foot. She'd claimed someone needed to be there in case Cliff moved. Maybe, but why did it have to be her?

Aiyana stood and focused on each cage for a few moments. Each time, the expression on the faces of the wolves inside the cage went from vicious to almost scared, then they fell to one knee and bowed. Her last stop was in front of the cage with Alpha Tamhas and his son. Colum immediately dropped to one knee."Mah bhanrigh."

"Colum." She lifted her head and Nate could see the elegant red-furred wolf in her doing the same. The power she was releasing didn't feel like coercion, it was more like what his dad released when he was about to speak at a pack meeting. Did she even realize she was using her alpha power?

"Are ye here tae wake mah da'?"

"Yes."

"He will be mad."

Aiyana nodded, then with a deep breath and a commanding tone said, "Wake Tamhas, father of Colum."

There was a growl from the cot behind Colum. Alpha Tamhas sprang from the cot to the bars in one step and started yelling obscenities in such thick Scottish brogue Nate wasn't sure anyone, even his fellow Scots, could understand him.

"Quiet!" Aiyana commanded.

The veins on Tamhas' neck swelled and his face started to turn purple, but no matter how much he tried, he couldn't get his vigorously flapping mouth to make a sound.

Aiyana's shoulders rose and fell in a sigh before she stepped closer to the cage. "I understand you are upset, Tamhas. Representatives of the European and American Counsils are here. If you will calm down, we will take you before them immediately and settle the matter."

Tamhas slammed his fists into the bars, but then nodded and stepped back. He still looked angry, but for a fleeting moment, Nate could have sworn he saw a smirk. Aiyana glanced back at Alpha Miguel, then at him. She looked paler than usual and he knew immediately that her headache was back. It wouldn't be good to show weakness in front of the Scots, but a little affection wouldn't hurt. He rushed forward and threw his arms around her, then pulled her back, away from the cages so she wouldn't be too close when the guards removed Tamhas and Colum. He positioned himself behind her so she could watch and be ready to issue another command, but otherwise, she was wrapped safely in his arms, where she belonged. His chest swelled a little as she leaned against him. This was the way it should be.

"Ye are her Jo?" Colum asked, watching them as the guards tied his hands.

"I am her mate."

"Ye are a lucky wolf."

Alpha Tamhas only snarled at them, or tried to.

"I think he's got some trick planned," Nate whispered to Aiyana as they followed everyone back to the house.

"I know. He agreed too easily to go before the councils."

"What are we going to do about it?"

She squeezed his hand. "I think I know why. Don't worry, I have a plan."

"You do?"

"Yep."

"What is it?"

She slowed so that the guards and the two prisoners pulled farther ahead, then quietly said. "I will remove the coercions Tahmas has in place on the council members."

"What coercions?"

"The ones I'm guessing are there. He's the leader of the European Council. I bet he's got everyone coerced to always agree with him."

"What if there aren't any?"

"Then I'll have to come up with another plan."

She was so brave.

"I'll be right beside you."

"Thanks, Nate."

The stink of power in the house was worse than when they'd left. He really wanted to turn around and leave, but Aiyana was pushing resolutely toward the great room and he couldn't let her go in there alone.

His mother's eyes dropped to Aiyana's naked finger, then zoomed back up to pierce Aiyana with a nasty glare as they entered the great room. Thankfully, Aiyana didn't notice. She was too focused on Alpha Miguel and the two prisoners ahead of them. He was going to have to have a chat with his mother. He didn't want his entire mated life to be marked by a bad relationship between her and Aiyana. When Aiyana stopped, he placed himself so that Aiyana wouldn't be able to see any faces his mother might make.

The guards positioned Alpha Tamhas and Colum in front of the kitchen island that separated the kitchen from the dining area. Every chair around the large dining table was full as was the space behind the seats. He guessed the ones standing were aids or guards for the seated Council members. Most of the people in the room were looking at the prisoners, but a couple of males glanced curiously at Aiyana. He barely kept a growl from escaping. Aiyana again didn't appear to notice. He saw her shoulders rise and fall, then he felt a strange sensation in his mind. It felt like he was falling yet he knew his feet were still firmly beneath him. After several moments, the vertigo faded leaving him feeling... different, cleaner, if it was possible, or maybe it was the world that was cleaner. Sights and sounds and smells were sharper and his mate...his mate...was not Aiyana. The world spun. How could that be? It wasn't just that the link to her was gone, it was that he knew - knew without a doubt that she wasn't his mate.

"Nate, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

He was sitting on the floor. How had that happened? Aiyana was leaning over him worriedly. She was beautiful and kind but she wasn't his mate.

"Nate, talk to me."

He opened his mouth, but how could he tell her he was wrong after everything they'd shared - after all his declarations of love? He did love her, how could he not, but she wasn't his mate.

She closed her eyes and he knew she was seeking the answer for herself. He was a coward, but maybe it was better that way. A memory popped into his head, one he didn't even know was there. He was young - maybe about five. His mother was squatting in front of him, her hands on both shoulders. His young self was paying very close attention as she spoke. "This is very important Nathan. For a thousand years, every second child of every generation has been offered in service to the Queen. If a new queen is born in your generation, you will be her Beta, and if the fates go our way, you will will also be her mate. All you have to do is let me poke your finger, can you do that?" He nodded hesitantly, but it was enough for his mother. She said a bunch of words he couldn't understand, then poked his finger and squeezed it into the mouth of the wolf's head necklace he'd given to Aiyana. His analytical brain immediately began to ponder how many drops of blood had been dripped into that wolf over the centuries.

A sound, like a sob, brought him back to the present. Aiyana was still before him, but she'd fallen back and the look in her tear-filled eyes made him want to cry too.

"I'm sorry Aiyana."

She nodded, then sprang to her feet and ran out of the room.

"What happened?" His mother asked.

"I...she..."

"Are you okay?" she demanded.

He nodded.

"Then go after her!"

He didn't want to argue with her in a room full of curious onlookers, so he nodded and did as she asked, at least as far as the front door. As soon as he was out of the line of sight to the great room, he slowed to a jog. Aiyana had phased - the clothes littered across the driveway were proof enough of that. She wouldn't want him right now - he'd lied, although he hadn't known it at the time.

He'd been angry at his mother before, but this! How could she coerce a child, her own child who she claimed to love, at the age of five so that he'd never find his God-chosen mate? It was something no decent parent would do, and yet every generation of his family had done so. No wonder his uncle Karl had never claimed a mate, nor his great-uncle Halvor before him. He dutifully picked up Aiyana's clothes and shook off the dust. It was the least he could do after breaking her heart again.