Page 96 of Magical Midlife Conclave

After a deep breath, he kept going, trying to slow his raging heart. Jess took too many risks. Always had, yes, but…none of this mattered more than she did. If this got too dangerous, any of this, he’d find a cave, take her away, and live his life with her in seclusion and relative safety. If he had to hide her to protect her, he would.

Which was a very lovely fantasy she would never allow.

Kingsley walked forward, putting distance between himself and the others. His expression was hard, but his eyes were wary. He looked a little shaken.

“You good?” Austin asked him.

Kingsley put out his hand to shake, his palm clammy. “I saw that beast fight, same as you. I just keep wondering if Yazanth is going to lose himself and kill my little girl.”

Austin gripped his brother’s hand a little tighter, comfortingly, before letting go. “No. He was battling today. He let himself get deep under. I’ve sat in on a few sessions with him and Aurora. He lets it go longer than you would, but not as long as she wants to. Not to mention, he didn’t get a chance to get his head straight today. Jess…”

A glimmer of laughter sparkled in Kingsley’s eyes. “It’s not funny, because I feel your terror when a loved one is against him, but…it was funny. She jumped on the guy’s back and clearly intended to ride off into the sunset.”

Austin let go a breath. “When that gargoyle takes the wheel, she really runs with it.”

“Clearly.” Kingsley dropped his head forward for a moment, taking a breath. “Okay.”

“He didn’t kill his sisters. We both saw their challenges today. They are exceptional.”

“True. It’s just that logic takes a back seat when it’s my child, you know?”

“I get it. He’s taking good care of her, though. She’s in good hands.”

He paused for a moment longer. “Thanks.”

“Yup.” Austin clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Thanks for earlier today. Against that weasel Armendale.”

Kingsley’s gaze darkened. “He was going to attack you with his crew. I saw it when I walked in.”

“I thought that at first but then second-guessed myself. He’d riled me up.”

“You were riled up because he was about to take you on in an unfair fight in a bar full of patrons. I saw it, Austin. I don’t know what he said beforehand, but I know what I saw when I walked in. He’s gone lawless.”

“I’ve heard stories.”

“We’ve all heard stories, which can mostly be shrugged off, but this is another level. Did he really kill that guy?”

“He didn’t hold the knife, but he knew about it. He’s probably influenced by all the power around him and has never dealt with this level of aggression before. You did because you grew up with me. He’s led a mostly peaceful existence. You’ve said yourself: my territory is wound up. I am wound up, as is my mate—when she gets going, anyway. We’re combat ready, and we’re experienced. Invite in all this extra power, and he’s spiraling. I’m guessing at that, but…”

Kingsley shook his head. “Can’t be allowed to continue. Something has to be done.”

“Yeah, no shit. The thing is, what I want to do to him, and what you think is wise, are probably very different.”

“C’mon.” Kingsley turned toward the others. “Let’s talk about it.”

Drex stood to the side with his original alpha friends, two more than Austin had met in Drex’s territory. A few middling alphas had been invited, and a handful more early generational alphas. They all definitely wouldn’t fit for dinner. Austin hadn’t even ordered enough food.

“Austin Steele, the mate of the hour.” Drex stepped forward with a grin, his hand out to shake. He wasn’t holding back his expressiveness.

Austin shook his hand. “Hey. Sorry I haven’t had time to speak to you personally.”

“You’re busy. You nearly had the war conclaves are known for. Or so I’ve heard.”

He grunted, and then the meaning of Drex’s words dawned. “Ah. Is that why I’m the mate of the hour instead of the man?”

Drex’s smile grew. “Not for that, but I guess that would work, too. I don’t see Yazanth—Aljoe now, right?”

“Aljoe.”