Pursuit of the Whole

XVI. Pass the Peas

Julia's POV:

He licks his lips slightly to hold back the desperate grin, "You know?"

"Do I look stupid?"

Marcelo leaned against the wall beside me, "Since when?"

"Since you rescued me from Kai." Kai put down the item and explored the next one. "What about you? Since when do you know I'm your mate?"

"Since the moment you faked sleep." As I expected.

"My scent?"

"Perfume won't block it." He leans forward, and his glasses slip, "It's cute."

"What is?"

"How you desperately try to hide."

I exhale sharply, "Then, my intentions aren't unclear." I'm talking about how I don't want to be his mate.

"And me being here suggests my intentions aren't unclear either." He's indirectly saying how he won't back down.

"Can you do something? To help the child?" I know the limitations of my powers.

"You know the child belongs to Blood Moon."

"You're an alpha."

"And as an alpha, I would be foolish to put an unknown child before my pack." There are rules and regulations even in the werewolves community. Such as not taking another werewolf without approval.

Back then, it was a normal thing to do among packs. To take whoever they want and deal with the consequences later. They can't do that much nowadays.

Marcelo declaring that Kai is under his protection means going against the Blood Moon. Back then, it meant a declaration of war. Now, it's a lawsuit.

And that's much scarier.

The werewolves and humans committee can (will) come together and strip away Shadow Pack power. Or at least sentence Marcelo into prison for kidnapping.

Werewolves are trial as adults when they're sixteen. Humans are trial as adults when they are eighteen. They reasoned that werewolves shift age is generally around that time.

But, what about hunters?

Hunters are trial at the same age as a human.

After all, you got to protect your own kind, right?

"So, you're telling me your hands are tied."

"Sorry."

I scoff, "Great."

"Don't make that face," he says. "You're making me feel sad and useless."

I glance at him, "If you can't do anything. I would like for you to leave us both alone." I bounced off the wall and made my way towards Kai.

"Direct support," he says. "Is something I cannot do. But, if you require indirect support. That, I can do."

I turn around, "Meaning?"

"I can help you establish a case with my connection."

"What are you saying?"

He paces towards me, "I'm saying we take this to court. Do things the legal way." When I didn't respond, he walked even closer. "Wow. An alpha who could use his brain. How unexpected."

I chuckle, "You must think I'm pretty ignorant to say that."

"It's the general thinking." He crosses his arms, "But, it seems like my mate isn't like everyone else."