THREE
Nicolas Olcan couldn’t focus on the paperwork in front of him. The letters were starting to blend together, a mishmash of strange hieroglyphics that weren’t making sense. They should be easy enough to interpret. He’d been in charge of the books for the pack for the better part of five years now, but the longer he sat there, the worse it got. His mind wouldn’t stay focused on anything. How could it be when Johanna Adalwolf and her new app were all over the news?
He'd followed her. Of course, he’d kept up with her accomplishments. He’d been an idiot ten years ago, almost immediately regretting his words when she’d turned and walked away. He’d chalked it up to being an immature pup. Now, he knew the great mistake he’d made, knew how he’d made her feel, and he’d chosen to give her space to achieve her dreams, just as she always wanted, rather than immediately beg for her forgiveness.
And now she was doing it.
Jo was out there kicking ass and he was proud, though he had no right to be. He’d stayed away, kept on the sidelines, cheering silently for his mate. Though she’d rejected the bond because of his foolishness, it wasn’t a formal rejection. For all intents and purposes, they were still fated mates. Even if the rejection had been formal, the bond didn’t just go away. It was only muted. In the end, it had taken her words born of hurt to get through to him, but he hadn’t chased after her.
She wouldn’t have wanted that.
Johanna Adalwolf was a strong wolf, a beautiful one. She had dreams and aspirations. And despite all that, she’d been ready to settle down with him as long as he didn’t get in the way of those dreams. He’d seen it in her eyes that night, and that was where the hurt had come from.
He’d been so focused on not being tied down, on wanting to enjoy himself like an idiot, he didn’t realize the best thing that ever happened to him was standing right in front of him. He’d been kicking himself ever since, but he never once approached her. She wouldn’t respond well to such things. She wanted to achieve her dreams, and now that she was. . .
It was time to make his intentions known.
It had been ten long years. Ten long years of regretting his words, of wanting to chase after Jo, of wishing he’d been smarter as a pup. Now, he’d have a lot to make up for, too much to prove, but he was willing to try. Jo was worth it.
But a wolf, especially an informally rejected one, couldn’t just walk up to the female who’d done the rejecting. There were rules in place, protections, and he’d have to get approval from the elders before he was allowed to seek her out. It was a way to protect the rejector in case there were more dangerous reasons. It would be up to the elders if he would be allowed to approach Jo or not. If they said no. . .
Nic shook his head. There would be no reason for the elders to refuse his attempts. He hadn’t been abusive. He wasn’t being forceful. He simply wanted to fix his mistakes and prove to Jo that he could be the wolf she needed.
They weren’t ready ten years ago. Nic had been young and dumb, unworthy of Jo, but now he knew he was better. If she still wasn’t happy with him, he’d keep growing until she was satisfied. Whatever it took.
Fated Mates were a blessing. He’d mucked it up once. Doing so again would be difficult, right?
She’d rejected Nic so long ago, but things could always be reignited. The bond was on their side, but it would take great moves on his part to get through to Jo. He knew that, knew how difficult it would be to gain her trust, but he was willing to do whatever it took.
Even if Jo made him grovel on his knees, he’d do it.
* * *
The territory elderswere a group of old wolves who had proven wise beyond anyone else. Usually retired leaders or warriors, they were always an equal mix between females and males. There were rules in place, making sure there was as much equal representation among them as possible. It made for good decisions for the local packs.
Every pack had their own elders, but once a month, all the elders from the local packs met to propose deals, make action plans, and address whatever else was needed. Because Jo belonged to a different pack than his, Nic needed to attend the monthly meeting and go before them to propose his intentions. It was simple really, and yet Nic stood outside of the large meeting hall sweating. Despite knowing his chances were good, there was still a chance they could say no, and then where would he be?
Would he respect the decision? He’d like to think he was an honorable wolf, but if they told him he wasn’t allowed to pursue Jo again, he’d have to find some other way to get her attention.
Perhaps a billboard?
Silly plans were flitting through his mind before the meeting attendant poked her head from around the door and glanced around at the various wolves standing around, waiting for their own turns. Some of them were likely there to ask for help with businesses or homes. Pack funds were equally distributed among families, but sometimes, money was used to help upkeep things falling into disrepair. There were resources to help with sudden emergencies or failing businesses. Some packs were richer than others, but one thing always stood.
Wolves stuck together and helped their own.
“Nicolas Olcan?” the female asked, her large eyes on him. When he nodded his head, she gestured for him to follow her. “Come on inside. They’re ready for you.”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Nic leapt up the small set of stairs and followed her without complaint. He’d worn his best plaid shirt, but he suddenly worried he was underdressed. Until he saw how the elders were dressed, that was. Most were in casual clothing. One on the end, a man, looked like he was still wearing his pajamas. Perhaps, not underdressed at all then.
“Nicolas Olcan,” Gary, one of the elders from Nic’s own Harrow Falls pack, announced. His eyes sparkled at Nic’s appearance and clear nerves. “What brings you in front of the pack elders today?”
Nic bowed his head. “Elder Gary. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”
“Olcan?” another wolf repeated. “The beta for the Hallow Falls Pack?”
“This is his son,” Gary corrected. “Though, Nicolas here has already taken over most of the responsibilities for his father. We expect he’ll be the beta before long once Leroy decides to retire. Nicolas will be a fine beta.” Gary met Nic’s eyes. “Though none of that explains why he’s here.”
“Of course,” Nic said, shifting nervously. “I come before the elders today to ask for permission to pursue my mate and to strike the informal rejection from the records if she allows it.”
Gary’s eyes brightened. “You’ve finally come to your senses?”
Nic’s cheeks heated. “With all due respect, Elder Gary, I came to my senses immediately after I put my foot in my mouth. I’ve just been giving my mate time to heal and pursue her own achievements without a pup at her heels.”
“A responsible decision indeed,” another female murmured. Her name tag said, ‘Elder Jezebel.’ “I’m unfamiliar with this event. Would you be so kind as to repeat the circumstances?”
It wasn’t a request really. Nic knew that. So, taking a deep breath and preparing to be judged, he spoke.
“Johanna Adalwolf and I met ten years ago at a Howl. Unfortunately, I was still immature and intent on sleeping my way through as many females as possible. When I looked up and met her eyes, I’m sad to say I had another female wrapped around me.”
Jezebel sighed. “Tragic, indeed.”
“Jo immediately turned away and tried to leave, but I did the right thing then by chasing her down. I hadn’t realized I had a fated mate, let alone that she would be at that party to witness my idiocy.”
“Of course,” Gary agreed. “You did good to chase after her and apologize.”
Nic winced. “I didn’t. Not really.”
Jezebel’s eyes hardened. “Go on.”
“Because I was an idiot, and she mentioned she had dreams she still wanted to pursue, I assumed that meant she wanted to wait for a formal mating. Stupidly, I proclaimed that we could both go our own ways until we were ready. I’d go on my adventures.” Jezebel sucked in a breath. “And she’d be free to chase her dreams. I realized my mistake the moment I’d seen the hurt in her eyes.”
“That pain was founded,” Gary nodded, looking around the rest of the Elders. Among them, there were twelve. Normally, there were thirteen, but Nic knew one of the other packs was currently searching for a replacement after the last Elder had returned to Luna. “I think we can all agree you were a fool ten years ago.”
Nodding, Nic said, “I don’t refute that assessment.”
“And yet, after proclaiming you were going to continue sleeping with other wolves without your mate’s express permission while you had a fated mate, you come to us for permission to pursue your mate again?” Jezebel asked, her eyes narrowed.
“I understand your hesitation, Elder Jezebel. I do. But while I’d been a fool as a pup, I’ve grown since then. Despite my words, after I’d realized what I’d done, I have not taken any other lovers out of respect for my mate.”
“By choice, or because the thought is revolting to you now that the bond is in place?” another female, Elder Gloria, asked.
Nic hesitated. “Both,” he admitted. “There was one instance where I drank alcohol, and in my loneliness, I considered it before realizing how sick it made me. I figure it best to be honest. But the choice was immediate.” Nic paused and looked down. “I have much to make up for to Johanna, but I can’t do any of that without your permission.”
The elders were quiet for a moment before Gary nodded his head. “We will discuss your request after we’ve heard all requests and make the decisions after. You’ll be called in when we’ve made up our minds.”
“If I might add one thing?” Nic asked. When Gary nodded for him to go ahead, Nic shifted on his feet. “I understand how it looks, but I don’t intend to hurt Jo. All I’ve wanted is for her to achieve everything she’s always wanted. I’ve chosen now to put in my request because I feel like I’m a better wolf now than I was ten years ago. I was an idiot then, but I’m wiser now. Jo deserves the world, and if you approve my request, I intend to give it to her.”
Jezebel studied him, her eyes fierce. But then she nodded gently, the tiniest smile pulling at her lips. “You’re dismissed, Nicolas Olcan.”
With a final bow of his head, Nic turned and walked back outside. He found a spot at the base of a tree and took a seat, prepared to wait however long he had to.
For hours, Nic watched each of the other wolves walk in, plead their case, and walk back out to wait with him. No one talked to each other, not because they weren’t friendly, but because each were nervous about their own decisions. They were in the same boat, though for different reasons. None of them would know the others’ decisions. They would be called in one by one at the end to be told what had been decided.
After each wolf went in and came out, there was another hour where the elders talked amongst themselves about the requests, no doubt going down the list and making the decisions, and then they began calling in each wolf.
There were fifteen wolves, and for whatever reason, all the other ones were called before Nic. He waited patiently, knowing he couldn’t rush such a big decision, but he couldn’t help but be worried they’d say no. Some of them had seemed angered by his younger self and he couldn’t blame them. But pups make mistakes, and most wolves don’t find their mates so young. They’d been lucky and he’d ruined it. Now, ten years had been wasted where he could have spent that time loving his mate. Now, he hoped he’d get the chance to.
“Nicolas Olcan. You’re up.”
Sighing, Nic unfolded himself from the ground and walked through the door for a second time. His previously nice shirt was now wrinkled from sitting for so long, but he didn’t care.
“Welcome back, Nicolas,” Gary said, glancing down at his paper. “I’ll make this quick. I’m afraid we were all split on your decision. Some of us think you deserve a chance to redeem yourself in your mate’s eyes. Some of us thought you blew it ten years ago and should leave the poor wolf in peace.”
Nic tensed, prepared for the answer he hoped he wouldn’t get.
“However,” Gary continued. “Wolves always deserve a second chance, and Johanna Adalwolf is making her own waves. She’s strong and making a decision for her would be foolish on our part. If you’re able to get through to her, if she accepts you, then that’ll be a great accomplishment indeed.”
Nic’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you, Elder Gary. You won’t regret it.”
“There is, however, another matter,” Jezebel added, and Nic glanced to her.
“Another matter?”
“You see, Johanna Adalwolf has been making the news as of late, and it’s easy to see why. Your mate is quite the clever wolf.”
“She is,” Nic agreed.
“But with the current economic climate, she’s run into an obstacle.”
Eyes shifting, Nic glanced among the elders. “Is she in trouble?”
“Not yet,” Gary answered. “But, it seems, Jo has decided the prize for the Race Games is enticing enough to put in a request to enter.”
Nic’s heart froze in his chest as his eyes widened. “She’s entering the Race Games?”
“The prize is a prime chunk of land and a sizable amount of money,” Gloria said. “Jo has offered to use the land she doesn’t need for her own business ventures for wolf needs, if we allow her to race and she wins.”
Jo was going to enter the games. His mate was going to enter a race where most entrants die. Nic couldn’t fathom a world without Johanna in it, couldn’t think about it, couldn’t stomach it. If she died. . .
“Who is her teammate?” Nic asked. “If she’s entering, she needs the strongest teammate.” Whoever it was, perhaps, they could keep her safe. Jo was smart. She knew her strengths. She wouldn’t enter the games unless she thought she could win.
“That’s what we would like to talk to you about,” Jezebel replied. “Johanna has put in a request, but she’s left the teammate up to whoever we think would be the strongest.” She paused and looked him in the eye. “There’s no stronger pairing than a mated bond.”
“Yes,” Nic replied immediately.
“But we haven’t even—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Nic interrupted. “I don’t care what’s at stake. I’ll race on her team if she’ll allow me to.”
Gary smiled, but it was Jezebel who nodded and sat back in her seat. “It appears we’ve made the correct decision after all.” Her eyes sparkled. “Nicolas Olcan, your request to pursue Johanna Adalwolf, your mate, has been approved.”
Nic nearly pumped his fist in the air like a child. Instead, he just barely kept his composure. “Thank you. You won’t regret your decision.”
“Make sure we don’t, Nicolas,” Folly, an elder male wolf down the row said. It was the first time he’d spoken, but once he did, Nic’s attention went directly to him. “You won’t be given another chance if you fail this time.”
“I understand.” Nic frowned. “Should I find her to tell her the news?”
“No need,” Gary answered. “Stay in town. We’ll hold a meeting tomorrow with the two of you. It’s best she hears it from us personally.”
He winked, and Nic realized he’d never been more thankful for meddling elders before.
While they’d approved it, in the end, they were playing matchmaker. Now, Jo would have to talk to him, even if it was just to curse his name.