Chapter 66

Nathan POV

Four Seasons Hotel

"Can you call over to Moonglow Pack to let Alpha Campbell know I'm going to be visiting with Rachel and an Alpha Inspector from the Council? We're leaving for their territory in two days."

I called my dad as soon as the inspector disconnected the call with me. I knew I had to get things moving if he wanted to leave in two days.

Alpha Inspectors weren't known for their patience. I hadn't met many of them in my life, but I knew enough about their methods to know it was better to acquiesce to their requests. Lucky for both of us, he'd asked me to do what I wanted to do anyway: go with Rachel to protect her.

I would have packed for a trip to the moon if Rachel asked me to take her there. My bag was half-filled already and not even a quarter hour had passed since speaking with Windsor.

"I can. Are you sure it's a good idea to take her yourself? If she's going with an Alpha Inspector already, you surely won't need to worry about her safety."

My father was trying to be understanding. I knew he wanted the best for me. I was his only son. His only living child, come to that.

"Yes, Dad, I'm sure I need to take her. She asked for me. I won't turn her away. I think she wants me with her for the comfort of my company more than my ability to protect her."

I knew my father would be comforted himself if he thought there was little risk of danger to me. We had never been called upon to fight for our title; our pack was not one prone to random acts of violence. I had trained to fight purely out of custom as the heir to the Alpha House of my pack.

"You're right, of course. Have you told your mother? She'll be anxious. Do you know how long you'll be gone?"

I had no idea how long we would be gone and I didn't care one way or another. Rachel wanted my company and I wanted Rachel more than I wanted my next breath of air. I would stay by her side in whatever capacity she offered to me until she ordered me away---and then I knew I would probably only give her the illusion of space as I continued to observe her from a safe distance.

We had been apart for three years during which she'd been lonely while I had been miserable.

I would not leave her again. Ever.

"I think it would be best if you broke the news to Mom. She won't want me to go even with the Council sending a representative along. We both know how she gets."

I avoided discussing the length of my visit to Moonglow Pack. If I was lucky, my father would accept I wasn't interested in talking about it or assume I didn't know how long I'd be gone. Both options were true. I tried to be honest with my father as much as possible. He was a good man who deserved a loyal son.

Passing up all my formalwear, I chose to pack jeans and cotton t-shirts. Athletic pants went into the suitcase alongside briefs and socks aplenty. I slept in my underwear so I would have to make a trip to the store to find something suitable to wear at night.

I would push to share the same cabin with Rachel. I could use safety as my reasoning.

I had two pair of trainers -one for my daily runs and one for regular wear- and I debated a moment before tossing in a pair of hiking sandals just to cover my bases. I had never been much for custom clothes or accessories even though my family could afford them.

All my toiletries went into a bathroom bag along with my electric razor. I liked to keep myself very clean-shaven for Rachel. She had sensitive skin and my facial hair grew quickly enough to make shaving twice a day necessary if I wanted to be able to press my cheek to hers without leaving marks behind.

"I'll bail you out with your mother this time," my father joked, as if he wouldn't handle her for me any time I asked, "You will owe me a family dinner night when you return. Deal?"

"Deal."

It wasn't much of an ask to spend an evening at home with my parents. They loved me and I loved them. We were able to comfort one another when we were alone in ways we couldn't admit we needed when others were underfoot.

"We both miss you when you're gone. You know that, don't you, Nathan?"

My father worried often I didn't feel loved enough. He hated for us to argue; I hadn't been able to agree with them about much of anything for the last three years because I was trapped in a downward spiral of grief over the loss of my mate.

"I know, Dad. I love you. Tell Mom I love her, too. I'll call as soon as I get to Moonglow territory. I won't disappear on you."

Neither of us would say 'again' though the word lingered between us as heavy as morning fog.

I hadn't been a good son to them during the years I'd stayed away due to Rachel's mating. They hadn't seen me at all for a year after graduation. I'd just kept moving until I finally found myself driven to pursue a degree to make myself useful to my pack if I couldn't be of value to a mate.

My parents had celebrated every holiday at my university once I settled in.

None of us ever brought up the idea of me coming home because home was where Rachel was and yet wasn't at the same time and I couldn't handle being near her without being with her.

My parents loved me enough to understand me even in the grips of madness.

"Make sure you don't, Son. You're our boy and we love you. Always."

"Thanks, Dad. I'll call. I need to finish packing now."

My father made a token protest before hanging up. I knew he wanted a longer conversation -there was always more my parents wanted to say to me yet I never gave them the opportunity- but I did want to get everything squared away fast.

I would not be left behind by that Alpha Inspector for any reason. I could tell he didn't want to take me. I didn't know why he was bothered by my company, but I could tell from his tone he was only taking me because Rachel had insisted.

My heart beat faster in my chest. My blood raced hot through my veins. I could feel my fangs growing as I imagined Rachel demanding I be allowed to stay with her, travel with her, protect her.

My wolf, Lyon, wanted Rachel as much as I did even if she wasn't our fated mate. He hungered for the moment his fangs would sink into her throat, marking her as his, as mine, as ours for our lifetime.

Tyler Wright had severed his bond with Rachel. I was nowhere near such a fool move. If I got Rachel marked as mine, she'd stay mine. Forever. Or at least until the breath left my body for the last time.

Every time I thought about Wright marking Rachel, I wanted to tear into him. My blood nearly boiled when I smelled his stink on her skin. His Alpha musk tainted her natural scent in a way I couldn't help hating. I wasn't sure how anyone even tolerated working with him given how strong his scent was every time I met him.

Rachel was only a few blocks from my hotel -I was staying in The Four Seasons- so I finished packing my suitcase then prepared to walk over to her apartment. I would only take one bag. If I needed more clothes, courtesy would dictate the Moonglow Pack had to help me. I knew from past experience their females would be expected to do all the laundry, cleaning, and cooking.

Worry creased my brow as I realized Rachel wasn't going to like the way they treated their women. She was going to hate having to be escorted around their territory, but it was their custom and I didn't trust them with her at all. I'd walk her everywhere. I'd literally dog her footsteps whether she liked it or not.

I knew Alpha Campbell was protesting Rachel being born of his lineage, but I remembered he had a dark look to him which reminded me of Rachel. I knew there had been no public photos of his mate in their packhouse. I had wondered what his female had looked like since he seemed disinterested in every female around him no matter how beautiful or seductive.

Visiting Moonglow had taught me to watch women closely because the less power they seemed to have, the more power they actually claimed.

I wasn't sure what Rachel would uncover in their territory, but it didn't matter to me either way.

I was going to get to be with her every day until she wanted to return home or we were told to leave---and I wouldn't let them send us away without information or a fight. As far as I was concerned, time at Rachel's side was worth shedding some blood.