Page 26 of Virtually Guarded

“No. Thank you.” I bit my lip “I’m staying? You’re letting me stay?”

“Yes, if that’s what you want. We’ll sort out all the details tomorrow after most of the guests leave.” He studied me again. “You could use some new clothes. I’ll talk to Enzo about looking for the bag you lost when you were changed, but meanwhile, let’s work on getting you some new things. That might have to wait until tomorrow too, I’m afraid.”

“That’s okay. This works for now.” My heart rose, and I stood and gave him a faint smile. Things were shit. No question. But I had a life now, and maybe the shit would finally let up. “Thank you, Tobias.”

“You’re welcome, Ren.”

I walked away. Back upstairs, where I was safe. Where I wouldn’t have to see the Connecticut Pack wolves.

I had a home. People who cared about me. This was going to take some getting used to, but I was looking forward to getting used to it.

Chapter Six: Xavier

Once breakfast ended, the Anax summoned everyone back to the basement again. I found Ren in the crowd and walked beside him. “I heard what happened. The Connecticut wolf who showed up when he wasn’t supposed to be here.”

“The Anax kicked him out.” He paused. “So did his Alpha. He probably isn’t going to be part of that pack anymore.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?” I glanced at him. I wanted to take his hand, but with so many people walking near us, some of whom were giving Ren suspicious looks, I thought touching him would be unwise. It sucked that people had prejudices, and I longed for a day when those people were in the minority, but meanwhile, it was important to protect ourselves.

“I’m not sure.” He moved a little closer to me as a trio of guys pushed past us. “You said when someone gets kicked out of a pack, they might not be allowed to have contact with the pack. But they can talk to other werewolves, can’t they?”

“Yeah. If they aren’t set packless.” I wasn’t sure if he knew what that meant. I didn’t remember explaining it to him. “If a werewolf is set packless as punishment, it means no other pack can take them in, and other werewolves aren’t supposed to have contact with them. Which doesn’t always stop them.” I saw where he was going with his question. “If they aren’t set packless, another pack might permit them to join. Which means they might connect with people who share their…opinions, let’s say.”

“And cause more damage.” He made a frustrated sound. “There’s no way to stop them. People who hate? People who…” Pausing, he gestured at himself. “There’s no way to keep them from doing this. At least if they’re with an Alpha who doesn’t accept this kind of thing, someone’s keeping them in check, but if they end up with an Alpha who thinks it’s okay?”

“It’s a lot.” And there was nothing we could do about it. A guard, working for the Anax, and someone whose place was yet to be determined. Two werewolves out of thousands in the United States. We couldn’t fix everything.

Apparently the Anax had been thinking about that. During the meeting, he announced that he was establishing a mentor network for newer arkhons and alphas, and that as part of the online system that would host that network, he and Kyle were also creating an online support system for LGBTQ+ werewolves. Kyle had named it the Virtual Haven Pack, though when he introduced the concept he explained clearly that it wouldn’t be a pack in the traditional sense. People who joined Virtual Haven would have privacy, known only to other members of the group, and they would remain members of the packs to which they belonged.

After answering a couple of questions, the Anax said, “I will be in my office, which is immediately to the left of the front door of the house. I will not be alone. My mate, Kyle Slidell, is likely to be with me. One or more of the arkhons might be. And of course my guards Mandeep and Xavier will be there.” He paused. “If you need to speak to me in full privacy, I’m afraid that won’t be possible, but I will ask all except Mandeep to leave. The office is soundproofed.”

No one spoke. I scanned the back of the room for Ren, who was sitting tensely on the edge of his chair. Agitated by the moon or by the discussion, I wasn’t sure which. I wanted to go to him and make sure he was okay, but my orders were clear. I had to stay with the Anax.

Once everyone else, including Ren, had filed out of the auditorium, the Anax motioned Mandeep and me closer. “I’m going to get something else to eat on the way. You’re both welcome to do the same. And Mandeep, please bring Ren, Jamie Pasquale, Max Endicott, and Russ Kent to the office. I want to talk to them about helping to moderate Virtual Haven.”

“Yes, Anax.” Mandeep hurried up the aisle to the door.

I bit my tongue. The Anax had no business asking Ren to be in charge of anything. Ren had barely wrapped his head around being a werewolf. But expressing opposition to the Anax’s plan had to wait until we were in his office, where no one other than Kyle would overhear. It wouldn’t look good for the Anax if one of his guards argued with him.

Once we were closed in the office, waiting for Mandeep to bring Ren and the others, I spoke up. “Anax, with respect, may I say something?”

“Yes, speak freely.” The Anax leaned against his desk.

I clasped my hands in front of me and contemplated how to phrase my concern. “Ren is very new to being a werewolf. He hasn’t found his footing yet. He shouldn’t have responsibility for others yet. It might be too much for him.”

“Xavier.” The Anax frowned. “With equal respect to you, that’s a choice for Ren to make. If he doesn’t feel that he can fill the role of moderator for this group Kyle’s putting together, I certainly won’t force him. I want to make the opportunity available to him and hear what he thinks about his own ability to handle it.”

It was pretty much what I’d anticipated he would say, but having expected it didn’t make it any less frustrating. He didn’t understand what he was asking of Ren. Of any of us. This Virtual Haven supposedly would be confidential, but that didn’t rule out people learning who was involved and lashing out at us. I didn’t care what people thought or said about me, but if I had any power at all, I wouldn’t let Ren face any more hatred than he already had.

There was nothing else I could say, though. The Anax had made his decision. He was a good man who listened to those under his rule, but even he had his limits. Arguing wouldn’t do any good. “Yes, Anax.”

“Your opinion is valued too.” He sounded sincere. “Is he your mate, Xavier? Or simply someone to whom you feel attracted? Either way, your wish to protect him is understood and supported.”

“I believe he is my mate, Anax.” Admitting it felt odd. I’d said it to Ren, but saying it to the Anax carried a different weight. Nearly a declaration. Hopefully, since I didn’t have Ren’s agreement, it wouldn’t serve as one. I lowered my voice. “Something about him calls to me. Makes me feel like a missing part of myself has come back to me. Is that what the mate bond feels like?”

“For some of us, yes.” He hesitated. “Does he know? Have you talked to him about it?”

I nodded. “He felt it too, so I explained. But that’s as far as it goes for now. Like I said, he is very new to this life. He has a lot to recover from. I want to be his friend. If we develop into more…Well, I hope we will, but if we don’t, I’ll accept that.”