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Carlie Denning’s murder.
    You’re like family now, Skylar. Surely, you know that.”

    The Shark Who Rode a Seahorse
    37
    “I don’t know what to say.” Skylar’s voice trembled with emotion. “Thank you, Elder.”
    “No, Skylar. Thank you, for everything you’ve done.” Wade turned toward Byron. “I assure you, Mr. Cunningham, this will not go unpunished. Rick and those who aided him in this will be severely reprimanded.”
    “What do you intend, Elder?” Byron inquired, keeping his voice level, stern and respectful.
    “Normally, this type of offense would warrant an exile from the pack. However, given the situation, I cannot risk having Rick on the loose while the situation is still so volatile. As you well know, Mr.
    Cunningham, the mating of my two sons and my own has brought me to believe that cooperation can exist between shape-shifters on different levels of the food chain. But finding this delicate balance is an astronomically difficult task. “Many of our people are confused, but they trust me and my sons to do what’s right. However, there are individuals like Rick who throw a wrench in our plans for cooperation. Rick has never been a particularly cooperative member of the pack, so in a way, I can’t say I’m surprised. This discontent has been growing ever since Brody mated Carson. Even so, I’d never have expected him, or any other of my people, to go quite so far.”
    The elder gave Byron a penetrating look. “And if I’m telling you this, Mr. Cunningham, it is because I will also need your full support on this. I gather from my sons that you are a very powerful man, and the werewolves need all the help they can get if we’re going to create a new state of affairs for shape-shifters.”
    “I agree,” Byron said, unsurprised. After all, he’d been invited to this celebration for a reason, and it wasn’t just because of the assistance he’d provided for the werewolves in the past. “Indeed, it will not be easy, but from my part, you can expect full cooperation.
    As long as you keep your pack on a leash, that is.”
    He’d have liked to say more, but Skylar was there, and the seahorse would not appreciate any threats made to their host. Clearing 38
    Scarlet Hyacinth
    his throat, he changed the subject. “We will be leaving in a couple of hours, but keep us posted regarding what was discussed here.”
    “Actually,” Skylar piped up, “I can’t leave. It’s my duty to stay and lead all the guests out. I helped organize the party, remember?”
    There was a hint of irritation in Skylar’s voice, something Byron hadn’t heard before. He realized he might have made a serious mistake in assuming Skylar would simply follow his lead in everything. Skylar had a mind of his own, and Byron had gone all caveman and practically made a decision for him, exactly at this particular moment when Skylar needed to feel in control again. Crap, Byron felt like an idiot.
    “Indeed. I apologize. It slipped my mind.”
    Skylar seemed a bit pacified, and he quieted down in Byron’s embrace. “Now, Elder Wade, since we’re over the unpleasantness, let me congratulate you again on your mating. And where is your lovely mate this morning? I didn’t see her a breakfast.”
    The tension dissipated from the room, and a smile appeared on the elder’s face. “She slept in.”
    Even Byron, who didn’t know Elder Wade all that well, could tell there was something behind that little smile. Brody barked out a laugh, and Liam smirked. Skylar seemed to figure out what was going on faster than Byron.
    “Oh. Then another set of congratulations is in order.”
    The elder now looked a bit uncomfortable. “Thank you, but we’re not sure if she’s expecting or not yet.” He lowered his voice. “And of course, it’s not common knowledge, since up to this point, we actually thought inter-species breeding was impossible.”
    “May I advise you visiting our clinic once you are certain?”
    Skylar suggested gently.