“You’re mated,” Sloane watched them both as they stared at him in confusion and then disbelief. “Can’t yousenseit?”
“No,” Cord said simply, his arms folding across his chest.
“I’m not a Lycan, Sloane,” Tegan’s voice was quiet.
“It’s happened very rarely in Akrhyn history, but trust me, you’re displaying all the symptoms.” Sloane shook his head as he kept his arms outstretched, keeping the two apart. “I hope I’m wrong, but at this moment, I need one of you to leave.”
“I’m not going.”
“You’re not going. Seriously? Are you achild?” Tegan snapped at Cord.
“Yes,” Cord laughed at her, “you go. You stink anyway.”
Sloane was thrust out of the way as Tegan launched herself at Cord, punching him. Cord took the hit and then the two of them were in an all-out brawl in the middle of the training room.
“Enough!” Sloane roared, as he fought his way between them. His shout had attracted other Sentinels and the doors were flung open as several ran inside, pulling up short in confusion as they witnessed two Akrhyn tussling on the floor, especially the infamous Cord Ivanov. “Don’t stand there, help me separate these idiots.”
Breathing heavily, both Tegan and Cord were held back by three or four Sentinels. Sloane told one of them to fetch Marcus and Salem, whilst instructing the others not to let go. Salem and Marcus came running into the training room, pulling up in confusion when they saw the two Sentinels being physically restrained. Michael followed mere moments later.
“Sloane, why do you have your family members restrained?” Michael asked warily.
“Funny, my friend,” Sloane looked at Tegan and then Cord. “Can you control it?” he asked. When they both started shouting over each other, he turned to the Principal and Elite Elder. “Can you help me contain them if I clear the room?” Marcus nodded but Salem was slower in agreeing. “Okay, everybody out,” Sloane commanded. When the room was clear of Sentinels, Sloane turned to Salem. “I think they’re mated.”
“Itoldyou, you are mistaken,” Cord snapped, his ire barely contained. “I have had enough of this trickery.”
“Why are you glaring at me? I’m not tricking you,” Tegan’s step towards him was intercepted by her brother.
“But yet here you come, so desperate to be in contact with me?” Cord mocked.
“You are a son of a Drakhyn, Castor,” Tegan bit out. “The only way I want to be near you is to punch you.”
“Did you know?” Salem’s soft question broke the stare-off between the two. He looked at Marcus. “Lycans mate – or can mate – did you know?”
“No,” Marcus regarded both Tegan and Cord. “I haven’t heard of an Akrhyn mating since I was born.”
“We are not mated,” Tegan said through gritted teeth. “Castor, tell them you played another trick.”
“I don’t play tricks, Sentinel,” Cord snarled in reply. “Why don’t you tell them about the tricksyouplay?”
“You’re delusional,” Tegan snapped.
“You’re a liar,” Cord snapped back.
“How dare you?”
“And there you have it,” Sloane’s dry voice interrupted them. Both of them turned to see the others observing them and that yet again, they were within inches of each other. Tegan looked at the other four Akrhyn who were watching them, taking in their looks of horror and fascination.
“I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it,” Michael said to no one in particular.
“It’s fascinating,” Marcus nodded as he watched Tegan and Cord, subconsciously step into each other’s space. “Simply fascinating.”
“It’s appalling.” Everyone turned in surprise to the newcomer in the room. She was tall, willowy with long chestnut hair, which hung loose down her back. A soft green summer dress did little to cover her curves, her soft brown skin or the fact her feet were bare.
“Tove!” Tegan ran across the room and threw her arms around the slightly taller female. Tove lived at the Silver Lake House with Tegan, Martha and Leonid. She was like an older sister and mentor to Tegan. A Lycan, she claimed no pack, preferring the solitude and isolation. Leonid had offered her a place to live many years ago, after a particularly bad attack from Drakhyn left her almost dead. Tove had recovered well but in her time spent at Silver Lake, she had grown to care for the little lost daughter of Salem Holt. After discussing her growing relationship with Tegan, Leonid had granted Tove free roam of his home and his lands, letting her know she would always be welcome. In time, their home had become Tove’s.
Tove was a well-known Sentinel, bound to no House, her reputation as a formidable warrior was well known. She was often requested to attend the Great Council on their travels, offering protection and often participating in the Trials of hopeful Akryhn.
“Hello little one, I leave you for a few months and you go and get mated?”