Omar’s blond hair draped to his shoulders, just like Tye’s. Yet Tye’s electric blue eyes appeared to be a unique family trait. His father’s were the more typical amber common among weres. Father and son carried enough of a resemblance, except Omar’s face was fuller and Tye’s features sharper. “Shall we commence?” Omar asked.

Aric stepped forward, leading me with him with our fingers linked. “Thank you, Sir President, for agreeing to an audience. I, Aric Connor, Leader to the last remaining purebloods, wish to request an exemption from our laws requiring me to seek another pureblood for a life companion. I have taken Celia Wird as my mate and thereby refuse all others.”

Omar responded stiffly. “Anything else?”

Aric didn’t appear surprised by Omar’s curt demeanor. “No.”

Omar turned the discussion over to his advisor, a tall and striking African American dressed in a cape of deep purple. “And what is the opinion of your Pack Elders?”

Martin walked toward the podium first. His long golden cape flowed behind him. As a non-pureblood, he didn’t possess a crown. But his cape was just as regal and decorated with a mixture of black onyxes and clear diamonds. Martin stopped and waited for Makawee to join him. Preserved eagle feathers made the trim of her elegant brown cape, and silver beading mixed with turquoise and red stones created the image of her wolf on the back. Her crown was a Native American headdress, bejeweled with more silver and turquoise, the most splendid of all in my opinion.

Martin lowered his head. “As Alpha of the Squaw Valley Den Pack, I give my consent to their union.”

Makawee’s chin touched her chest. “As Omega to the Squaw Valley Den Pack, I also give my blessing.”

Martin and Makawee waited, their demeanor more serious than I’d ever seen.

When the council remained silent, Martin took a breath and spoke, his deep baritone echoing over the expanse of the auditorium. “Aric Connor and Celia Wird’s love for each other has overcome tragedies that would have ended the lives of most. While the current laws in place are for the benefit of our kind, it would be erroneous of me to necessitate them of Aric Connor.”

“Do you expect our were race to die out, then?” Omar asked Martin.

“I cannot speak for your decision on all purebloods. I can only speak for Aric. Had it not been for Celia’s determination and Aric’s strength we would have lost the son of Aidan Connor to moon sickness. It’s only because his mate fought to save him that he stands before us now.”

Gasps and urgent whispers swept around the room. Evidently not everyone had heard of Aric’s miraculous recovery. Destiny actually “ooh-ed” with delight.

Despite his intentions, Martin’s argument worked against us. Omar smiled smugly. “To have a were possess the virility to recover from a bloodlust curse and mutilate an Elder leeching the magic from four Packs is a gift, Martin. And such a gift should be passed on to his children—with another pureblood.”

Another of Omar’s advisors leaned toward him. “Think of how formidable we can become. The world will only benefit through Aric’s continued lineage. Mark my words, a new breed of more powerful weres will emerge.” They were ignoring us at this point, talking mostly among themselves. I felt like I was in vampire court all over again.

Aric gritted his teeth. “Those who have found their mates know what they ask of me is impossible. I will have no other but Celia.”

Omar growled. “To deny your obligations as one of the highest-ranking purebloods is disgraceful. You shame your father and his name.”

I clutched Aric’s hand tighter as he fumed, but it was Eliza who responded to the insult. “How dare you pretend to know my Aidan? Aric has never brought anything but pride to his family.”

Omar leaned forward against the podium. “You forget yourself, Eliza Connor.”

“And you forget that if my Aidan was here you wouldn’t be the one on that throne.”

A wave of turmoil erupted around the room. Eliza had just majorly pimp-slapped the President of the North American Were Council. Gemini and Makawee took a firm hold on Eliza’s arms. Aric whipped around and whispered tightly in her ear. “Mom, please, calm down. You gave me your word you’d let me deal with this.”

My hearing took in the most subtle noises around me while my tigress paced anxiously inside me, waiting for the next slur, the next threat. Taran flexed her fingers, Shayna reached in her pocket for her toothpicks. Emme delicately placed her back against mine. In their actions, they promised to protect me and strike against those who endangered my safety. I sensed it, and so did the guards tightening the circle around us. The wolverine locked eyes with Bren. Bren smiled and blew him a kiss, daring him to make a move.

Martin raised his voice. “Celia herself possesses a formidable and fierce beast. Any child conceived through their union might very well surpass their combined powers.”

Aric and I tensed. Martin had phrased his words carefully so the weres couldn’t sense a lie. The President and his council hadn’t been made aware of my pregnancy loss or the irreparable damage to my womb. I stole a glance at Tye. If he knew, he hadn’t told them, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to volunteer any information.

The wolf to Omar’s left nodded. “It’s possible they may bear powerful offspring. But it’s also possible they’ll have only humans.” He looked at me. “As potent as she may be, Celia Wird is not one of us. I oppose Aric Connor’s request for the good of the world’s future.”

Another female wolf spoke to Aric. Out of all the weres in the council, she was the only one to demonstrate a spark of compassion. “Would you consider making her one of us? It will make the likelihood of producing weres greater.”

Aric worked to beat back his fury. “No. I will not risk Celia’s life.”

Another were waved away his remark. “If she’s as strong as you all claim, then she should survive the turning and withstand the pain that accompanies the metamorphosis.”

Aric’s growls rumbled in his chest. “I will not harm my mate just because you expect me to breed!”

Omar righted himself. “Then what should we expect of you?”

“The same loyalty and commitment to keep our world safe from evil—just as my family has done since the dawn of time.”

Omar angled his heavy brows. “That’s not good enough. You cheat your race by not continuing it.”