Origins (14 page)

“Then this meeting is adjourned.”

Zareb sat back and watched the couples filter out of the room. He wanted a moment alone with the alpha.

“You coming?” Joy looked down at him.

Lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t seen her move. He grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“No, my siel. I would like to talk to Russ for a moment. You should go talk to Max, get to know your brother a little better.”

Joy leant down and kissed his head. “I’ll do that. Come find me when you’re done?”

“Always. I want to speak to Dji as well, there is much we need to discuss. I would like to invite Dji and Ive to our home this evening.”

“You’re lucky I love you.” She tightened her hold before releasing his hand and leaving the room.

Joy would warm to Ive—there was more to Dji’s mate than met the eye. There would have to be. She needed to be strong to help Dji get through the coming transition.

“Was there something else you needed, Zareb?”

Vivian lingered next to the alpha. Russ nodded towards her and she left the room. It was just the two of them now.

“I would like to reaffirm that you are my alpha in every way. I am a tool for you to use when needed.”

“I hope you know that I think of you as more than that—you’re family.”

“I am happy to hear that. This is home for me and I do not want you to feel threatened. My strengths do not lie in being in charge, they never have. I am good at fighting and protecting and I will protect you and yours with my very being. I would like permission to train David and Max in the old ways of the guardian. If it is permissible with you I would include Djimon. Before he was possessed he was the strongest of us. He would bring great insight to our group.” Zareb waited to see what Russ would say. He hoped he hadn’t offended the alpha because he wasn’t trying to take charge.

“I think that’s a splendid idea.” Russ moved from behind his desk. “I do want to send Max and David to
Africa
. I think I’ll wait until they’ve gone through some sessions with you. I will talk to them and you can start next week.”

Zareb bowed his head in agreement.

“Thank you.”

“See you at dinner.” Russ dismissed him.

Now he had to hunt down Dji. They should talk.

“Zareb, are you finished?”

He turned to see Kir leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

“Yes, the meeting is over. Are you finding things all right? Have you settled into your room?”

“That is what I need to talk to you about. I want to go home.”

“Kir, I thought you wanted this as your home now. There is nothing for you to go back to.”

“This does not feel right.”

“Come with me.” Zareb led Kir through the house and out of the back door.

The lush woods beckoned him and he answered the call.

“Where are you taking me?”

Zareb didn’t answer. He continued on until he reached a secluded area with a pond. It was beautiful here in a different way from
Africa
, but gorgeous just the same.

“Sit there.” Zareb pointed to a log.

Once Kir settled in he began talking.

“Kir, everything will not come easy here. Things are different, but once you come to terms with being here, you will find the wonder of this country. Look at these trees and enjoy the peace. When I feel closed in, this is where I come. Can you feel the Ancients here? I know I can. I call to them and some of the time they answer.”

He didn’t say more. Zareb patted Kir on the back.

“I will be here when you need me—my home is always open. I will leave you here for now. Give the pack here a chance, we are not like the group back in
Africa
. Trust me.”

Kir nodded and stared off into the distance. Zareb took his leave, finally free to search out Dji. It was time for them to talk, really talk. He wanted his brother back. For the first time he was comfortable in his own skin and the feeling of belonging washed over him.

Zareb hadn’t thought he would ever feel right with the world, not after everything had come crashing down around him. Everything was on hold in his search to make things right. His relief made him stumble, his hand hovered over his chest, the ache almost unbearable, but freeing.

It took a while for him to hunt down Dji. He was in an unexpected place, on the front veranda on the porch swing by himself.

“Where is Ive?” It wasn’t the first question he wanted to ask, but it would do to start the conversation.

“I needed some space.” Dji didn’t even bother to look up.

“If that is your hint to leave you alone, it will not work. You should know me better than that, my old friend.”

“I should be dead,” Dji whispered. Zareb had to strain to hear him.

This was not the man Zareb remembered, but he shouldn’t be surprised. A lot of years had passed and Dji’s true self had been submerged in his own body. Zareb couldn’t even begin to image what that must have been like
—to
watch yourself go through life doing things you would never do and not being able to stop it.

The carnage in their tribe alone was enough to turn anyone’s stomach. Zareb’s only wish was that Dji hadn’t been present for the massacre, but somehow Zareb thought he was. He had to convince Dji that things would be okay now.

“There will be no talk like that. It was not you in charge of those happenings,” Zareb reassured him, but didn’t think it was penetrating the depression Dji was in.

“I was there, I could sense what was happening. If you’d been possessed, you would have fought harder and won. I think that is why Dmitri picked me. I’m weak.”

“Enough, I will not have you speaking of my brother that way. Not when it should have been me. You were always the better person.” Zareb sat down next to Dji. The freeing feeling from his talk with Kir had disappeared, but the rightness of being together filled his soul. By the Ancients, it was great to have his brother back.

“When I was trapped, I tried to escape, but I was weak. There’s no doubt about that. It was only after I was exposed to Ive that things came into focus.”

“It was fated, you should know how the Ancients work.”

“Then if it was fated, you have no call to feel guilt.” Dji stood his ground.

“But I do because it was I who led you to that Vessel and I do not like that you call yourself weak. You are one of the strongest men I know. You have survived and you have a mate now,” Zareb tried to reassure him.

“I won’t be claiming her.” Dji shook his head and looked horrified at the very thought.

That wasn’t good. Zareb was convinced that in order for Dji to feel like himself again he would have to mate with Ive.

“What does Ive have to say about that?” Zareb raised a brow.

“I—” Dji looked up at him, his expression so painful it should be private.

“Do not punish yourself. Do you know what Ive did for you? Did she tell you how she came to be here?”

“I’m not worthy.”

Zareb stood and glared down at the other man.

“You will stop this now. I will not see you belittle who you are. You are Djimon, my brother, the protector, my friend and Ive’s mate.”

“Those are just words. I have been inside looking out, I’m not who I once was.”

“You do not have to be. Find yourself and let Ive help. She put herself on the line for you. If not for her, you would be dead. Go to her, make right by her. Then come find me because I
do
want to get to know you, help you to find yourself again—and Kir is here as well. That is something—for the first time my family is here. In all my years of fighting with Dmitri I could never dream there would be a day some of my tribe would be near me. Do not make me lose that again so soon.” Zareb kissed Dji on the forehead and left him.

His brothers were both in contemplation—now he could go to his mate. If anyone could soothe his guilt it would be her. He was not used to being the person who advised others. Now look at him—in such a short span of time he’d had a talk with
Pete
r, Kir and Dji.

“Your duty to this tribe is to bring it together and you have done it.”

He shouldn’t be surprised the Ancients would talk to him now. He’d done what they had wanted, but a warning would’ve been be nice. Zareb moved off to the side—out of the way of the household traffic until he found the sitting room.

“Thank you, Ancients.”

“Do not let the guilt of the past get in the way of your future. What you tell your brothers is true
—
things do happen for a reason. There are many lessons that must be learned. For some it takes longer than others. Know now that you will have a time of peace, but be on guard. The time for exposure is closing in. The humans will find out about shifters and when the time comes it will be your duty as guardian to be a go-between, bringing the two species together in understanding.”

“You have much faith in me.”

“You have passed the test we have put forth. The Masters tribe is stronger. The more the core group of you bond, the better the future outcome will be. Be at peace, son.”

Goodwill and happiness seeped through him, a shining glow of acceptance, and just as they appeared, they were gone. Zareb didn’t want to move, he wanted to bask in the joy of being alive, having his mate and his family.

“What are you doing, sitting here in the dark?”

Zareb shook off the fog from talking to the Ancients. He had no idea how long he’d sat there, but now Joy was in front of him.

“I am sorry, my siel. I was lost in thought.” He held out a hand and Joy accepted it, her warmth a pleasant end to a nice morning.

“I thought you were going to come find me.”

Was his mate pouting? He couldn’t have that. Zareb tugged on her pants until she fell into his lap. He held her tight, letting his love pour into her, the happy glow surrounding them in pure white light. He had to close his eyes before he was overwhelmed.

He nuzzled into her neck, licking at his mark that was still there. It should have faded some by now, but all could see that Joy belonged to him. She shivered in his arms.

“Dinner is being—oh! Sorry.” Whoever was in the doorway to the room rushed off. Zareb didn’t even look to see who it was.

Zareb caressed Joy’s face, bringing her close to him so he could claim her lips in a gentle kiss. He would cherish his mate until the day he died and for evermore after.

The grumbling of one of their stomachs broke the mood. Joy leant back and laughed.

“Guess we’d better get to the dining room. I think Russ wanted us all there so we can begin to feel like a family.”

“Lead the way, my klein blom.” Zareb helped her off his lap and moved towards the door.

“That’s a new one. What’s it mean?” Joy looked over at him.

“My little flower.” Zareb smiled and waited for Joy’s response. He wasn’t disappointed.

“Oh, hell no! Flower? Come on!” Joy slapped at his arm.

“How about my vegter?” He kissed her cheek and waved her out the door.