It was time.
The last time I spoke to this many souls was when my mate rejected me. My palms were clammy, sweat dripping from my brow, but the realization that I was not up here to be ridiculed and spat upon calmed me.
I was here doing a job that my leader didn’t want done, and my wolf was pressing for me to continue. To take Locke’s place, to make the judgment call, to tell these souls that we had a second chance. They all seemed to believe that since Journey had fallen into my life.
I began my speech with meeting Journey, the signs that she was my mate, my wolf appearing, and the mysterious old woman that was never found on the video recording. The members in the audience sat in silence, no longer speaking and jeering at one another. They were stunned to silence until I came to the last bit of information.
“Journey prayed to the goddess. She was brought to me by a single prayer. I was to save her, and I did. She’s my mate. My wolf has returned, and our bond has been solidified. Not all humans will pray to the moon. Journey had a rough life growing up and prayed to anyone that would listen.”
My eyes darted to her. She held her hands in her lap, her hair laid over most of her face.
Journey flashed a brilliant white smile towards me, and my confidence grew despite my shaking voice.
“So, I implore you to pray to the goddess to find your second chance.”
“Pray to her? After what we’ve been through already?” a shout came from the corner. “All you’ve done is guess how you’ve been given a mate, Grim. You don’t know if a simple prayer did it or not.”
Others agreed. The murmurs grew louder, and my mate whimpered. She put her hands over her ears.
Sizzle and Locke rushed to her side to check on her, and my claws punctured the podium.
I growled into the congregation, trying to silence their noise, but they only grew louder.
“Journey was lucky. She was dropped in your lap. Be grateful for that, Grim.” Bear shouted in the corner. “I’m happy for you, but this club was founded on cursing the goddess and what we’ve been through because of her. If we find our mates, that’s great and maybe I’ll forgive her. But until then, let us live our lives in peace.” Bear stood, his colossal form stomping down the aisle.
“Yesss, we are happy for you,” Surkash said. The naga stood almost seven feet tall and looked over everyone’s heads. “We just can’t trussst in something that has betrayed us once before.”
I gritted my teeth. “The goddess didn’t betray us. Our mates did!” The crowd was leaving; they hadn’t accepted it.
Journey let out a painful cry, and my wolf immediately called to action. We jumped from the stage, leaping over each pew until I stood in front of her. Sizzle and Locke sat beside her, pulling back her hair.
“Get away!” I yelled, pulling her into my arms.
The metallic scent of copper tickled my nose, and my wolf immediately went into offensive mode.
“Who the hell touched her? Why is she bleeding?” I picked her up, pulled her away from my friends, and took her to the stage.
I sat on the stage floor while others gathered below, watching as I pulled away her hair.
Blood dripped from her ears. It wasn’t actively bleeding, but it was enough to release my claws. “Why the fuck is she bleeding?!”
“Everyone get out!” Locke ordered.
Journey winced and covered her ears again. “Too loud, Grim.”
I paled and pulled her closer to me.
“Where is Bones? Get him!” I whispered harshly.
“I’m coming!” he yelled.
He was fighting the crowd as they left in a hurry.
I continued to pet my mate’s hair, mortified that there was nothing I could do to stop her pain.
“Grim, I’m okay.” Journey touched my arm. She rubbed it several times until the tension in my shoulders wavered, and I touched her forehead with my lips.
“It doesn’t hurt as bad anymore now that the bleeding has stopped. Just tender,” she said.
