And Riley’s aggression must be close to bubbling over, though I don’t know why. He stands in front of me, hostility rolling off his body as he takes in the space, fists clenched.
“You’re here because?” Dani inquires, though I would bet money she already knows.
Riley is still assessing the place, so I fill in the blank. “Because two recent matings by Arcana Falls pack council alphas may have been interfered with by your coven. One of those happens to be my own mating. Are you familiar with the uniqueness of our pack?”
“We are. Our ancestors helped form your pack.”
Riley prowls the perimeter of the space, looking like he’s about to come out of his skin. He’s looking like he’s tracking, all but putting his nose to the floor, but coming up with something that won’t add up.
His eyes flash with irritation, prompting me to jerk my chin in question. His response is a shake of his head, which is looking about ready to implode.
“Rye?” Grey tries. “Do we need to go? Reschedule?”
“Abso-fuckinglutely not,” he snarls. “You know why I’m reactin’ this way, don’t you?” He’s aiming that question at the two witches.
“We’ll get to him,” Dani Young says calmly. “Let’s deal with you.” She looks at me.
“Don’t you?” he repeats in a dangerous tone.
“One moment, please,” she says and then her eyes move to me, and I notice her aunt is looking at her niece with a shrewd expression.
I hesitate, waiting for Riley. He jerks his chin up at me.
“I just mated,” I say. “And another pack member -”
“Sisters,” she says.
“Yes. You know what’s been happening then?”
“What do you want to know?”
My eyes dart to Riley again. He’s growling, low.
“Brother? What do you need?” Grey tries.
“We’ll get to him in a minute,” Dani interrupts. “He can talk about why he’s … upset.”
“Upset?” Riley clips. “Upset?” he repeats. “Where. Is. She?”
“Danica?” Mimi inquires. “What’s going on? Is this who I think it is?”
“Who?” I ask. “Who are you asking for, Rye?”
“Rikki,” he snaps, eyes still on the witch.
“Rikki?” Greyson asks.
“Rikki,” Riley repeats. “Or is her name actually Jess?”
Dani sighs.
Mimi pushes the wool square on her needles down and then drops the knitting on the desk.
“Rye what?” Mimi asks, getting to her feet.
“Auntie, leave it,” Dani tries.
The woman shoots her a glare and repeats, “Rye what? What is your surname?”
“Riley Savage,” Grey replies.
The older woman lifts the top book from the stack of leather books and then opens the second book. “Come here, child,” she says, and her niece moves over.
“Help me find it.”
They both flip through the books and after a moment of flipping, Mimi’s eyebrows jut up and she shoots another glare at her niece, who looks agitated. Dani folds her arms across her chest.
“Riley Savage of Arcana Falls, seventh generation council alpha, third in birth order?”
“Yes,” Greyson says when Riley says nothing, still glaring at Dani.
“First, I smelled that you’re blood to her. Sister? Aunt?” Riley jerks his chin to Mimi.
“Yes,” Dani says without inflection. “I’m her sister. This is our great aunt.”
“And who’s Jess?”
“Another sister.”
“And I’ve never scented any of her relatives before now, not since … “ He pauses and fills his lungs before continuing, voice trembling with emotion, “Since she disappeared. And then stepping in here, first, I smell her relatives, then I smell her.”
Silence hangs heavy in the air.
“How the fuck can that be?” Riley demands, his voice dangerous.
“What do you smell, young man?” Mimi demands.
“I smell her,” he grits out. “My…” he lets that hang.
Mate. His mate.
He’s angrier than I’ve ever seen. There’s never been a time when I didn’t know Riley Savage and I have never seen him more angry, more dangerous, closer to coming unglued. Grey and I exchange glances.
None of us have seen her or even knew her name. We felt extreme agony from him before he disappeared for almost six months, sending a message to the post office that he needed time away and would be back soon. When he came back, it was in time for us to take the reins from the previous council of alphas. Riley flatly told us he met his fated mate and lost her that same day. He never told us her name or anything else about her or about that day, swore he didn’t want to speak of it.
But we’ve all known it’s haunted him since then. He threw himself into the council. He threw himself into serving his pack. We all gave him whatever leadership roles he wanted because it seemed to be what he needed. But all along, we’ve known he hasn’t been whole since then.
What the fuck is going on here? I’m angry on his behalf. What sorts of games is this coven playing?
Fucking with my head? Fucking Riley over? What the fuck?
The old witch opens another large leather book and flips through the pages. She then notches her left brow and levels the young witch with a look.