252. Your ancestors

252. Your ancestors

Colby

Life was getting complicated not only for the twins but also for me.

I had been doing my best to make sure that all the supernatural races, from vampire to witch to dragon and wolf, were able to work together. Having an overall council that oversaw everyone was the thing we needed to do because it’s the best way of keeping everyone safe.

The crazy part? It was fucking working.

I leaned against the balcony railing, watching the lights flicker across the council building below. “It’s working,” I said, almost to myself.

Lia turned toward me, brows raised. “What is?”

“The plan,” I said, a little smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Getting the packs and covens and the rogue circles to sit down—talk. Work together. We’re building something. A higher council. Real representation.”

She blinked, and then her smile bloomed so wide it hit me right in the chest.

“I knew you could do it.”

I laughed softly. “You sound surer than I ever was.”

Leave it to Lia to compliment me during this conversation. I wish I could be as confident as she was, but the fact of the matter was I had doubts for so long until I was able to fight them.

It was a struggle. I was still struggling it some days, but was doing better.

“Because I’ve always known what you’re capable of, Colby,” she said, stepping closer. “Even when you pretend like you don’t.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly sheepish. “It’s not just me. Jesse got the shifters to stop growling long enough to form a voting bloc. Rain somehow made peace with the elemental witches using only snacks and sarcasm. And Matt—well, Matt scared the rest into cooperating.”

“And you are the one who brought them all to the table,” Lia said. “Don’t downplay that.”

I looked at her, really looked. Her eyes were bright, but steady. Warm. Certain.

“Sometimes I wonder if you see something in me I don’t.”

“I do,” she said, without hesitation. “And I’ll keep seeing it until you catch up.”

I smiled, pulling her close. “Then I guess I'd better start catching up.”

She laughed, low and genuine, leaning her head against my shoulder. “Good. Because we don’t have time for you to keep pretending you’re not a badass diplomat.”

I snorted. “Diplomat. Is that what we’re calling it now?”

She looked up at me with mock seriousness. “Absolutely. You’re practically a supernatural UN.”

“Oh, great. Do I get a little flag for my desk and everything?”

“If you want,” she said, poking me lightly in the ribs. “But you’ll have to share it with at least three werewolves, two fee, and a vampire lord who still thinks flip phones are high tech.”

I groaned. “Don’t remind me. Lord Marius asked me to fax him the minutes from the last council meeting.”

Lia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. “Please tell me you didn’t.”

“I did. Jesse printed them out and lit the edges on fire so it looked dramatic. Marius called it ‘a charming gesture of respect.’”

“God help us all.”

We fell into a comfortable silence for a few seconds, just listening to the quiet hum of magic that pulsed through the air like a heartbeat. The council building below flickered again—an enchantment flaring and settling.

“I’m scared we’ll lose this,” I said suddenly. “All of it. It’s fragile. Like… glass.”

“It is,” Lia said softly. “But glass can be strong, Colby. Especially when it’s forged under pressure.”

I turned to her, brushing a piece of hair away from her face. “What did I do to deserve you?”

She shrugged, grinning. “I ask myself that every day.”

I laughed, heart lighter than it had felt in weeks. “Alright, diplomat Colby is officially clocking out for the night.”

“Good,” she said, linking her arm through mine. “Because I’m off-duty too, and I think we deserve at least one night of peace before something catches fire again.”

As we walked back inside, the air was warm, the scent of woodsmoke and spell residue still lingering from earlier. I hadn’t realized how quiet everything had got until the front door creaked open behind us.

Jesse stepped in, his arms crossed, expression dark but not stormy—just thoughtful. Which, honestly, was almost worse.

“We’ve got a problem,” he said simply.

Lia and I exchanged a look.

I sighed. “Of course we do. What now?”

“There’s tension brewing with the mountain clans,” he said, walking toward us. “Someone sent a messenger hawk without clearing it through their elders first. They’re calling it a breach of tradition.”

Lia raised an eyebrow. “A hawk? Seriously?”

“It pooped on the chief’s ceremonial coat,” Jesse deadpanned. “So yes, seriously.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Why is it always birds?”

Jesse ignored that. “They want a formal apology. In person. From you.”

“From me?” I blinked. “I didn’t even send the hawk!”

“They don’t care. You’re the face of this council effort, and they want to see if your so-called unity can survive one very awkward dinner party on the side of a mountain.”

I groaned. “Do I at least get snow boots?”

Jesse cracked the barest hint of a smile. “You’ll need a sacrifice and a story about your ancestors. But sure—bring the boots.”

Lia tilted her head. “Want me to come with you?”

I glanced at her, appreciating the offer more than I could say. “Wouldn’t mind backup. And someone to talk me out of saying something offensive.”

“Done,” she said, already walking toward her coat. “I’ll prep some neutral diplomatic phrases and brush up on mountain clan customs.”

“Bring some cookies,” Jesse added. “They like those oat ones.”

I stared at him. “You know a lot about this for someone who pretends not to care.”

He just shrugged. “I pay attention.”

This was what happened when you had to play politics. It forced you to have to go around to make nice with people, but the thing was, I had to do this. It was my plan, and all I could do was keep pushing forward, ensuring that I was able to make a difference.

The twins would be in safe hands here. Matt, Rain, and Jesse were going to take care of them. Was there any doubt that they wouldn’t?

No, of course not. I trusted them, Lia trusted them!

They weren’t members of my pack, nor well as my best friends since childhood, for nothing.

Chuckling to myself, I thought of how far we had come. So many things had changed since we found out Lia was our mate. Was it all for the better? Not all, but we had gotten through those difficult times and managed to come out alive on the other end.