go into heat with the rising of the full moon. Each territory held a monthly Gathering for unmated shifters where the males would vie for the females—and the females chose those who interested her. With the Daonain population so low, the Gatherings mingled the genes and increased the birthrate. Multiple males increased the odds for twins or triplets, with each baby from a different sire. “I’d forgotten it’s full moon.”
“That’s right.” Heather tilted her head in a wolf-like movement. “A couple of my friends were raised by humans and found Gatherings uncomfortable at first. Since you spent the last decade with humans, how do you feel about full moons?”
“Uncomfortable is a good word.” Margery drew her legs up and rested her chin on her knees.
The month after getting out of Seattle, she’d experienced her first full moon heat, and her body simply took over. “It was amazing to actually feel desire. The sex was fun.” A little overwhelming, too. “It’s just…the Gathering house gets so crowded, and the males are rather aggressive.”
Too many of them reminded her of the brutal Scythe, although the shifters eventually backed off if they couldn’t capture her interest. Some were rude about it—especially the pack betas, Brett and Caleb, who acted as if her lack of desire for them was an insult.
There was always a lot of shoving, yelling, and brawling too. “I don’t want to sound pathetic, but in the Scythe compound, if a male raised his voice, it meant a female would get caned.” Or beaten right into the ground.
“Oh, scat, I get it. The Gatherings here in Rainier Territory have turned rougher than they used to be. Too violent for someone with your history.” Heather tapped a finger on her chin, thinking.
As the silence lengthened, Margery sipped her coffee and watched a pixie in a nearby tree. It’d found a patch of spring sun to enjoy while nibbling on a leaf bud.
“Okay.” Heather pulled her feet off the railing. “First of all, not all Gatherings are as bad as here in Ailill Ridge. I don’t like fighting, either, and since the Gatherings in the North Cascades are calmer, I time my visits to my mother in that Elder Village and mo leanbh in Cold Creek for the full moon.”
Her baby? “I didn’t know you had cubs.”
“Sorcha isn’t the baby of my blood; I was given the honor of serving as her caomhnor, her guardian-protector.” Heather’s smile showed the baby was very loved.
“Darcy, one of our Dogwood villagers, is in Cold Creek.” Or she had been last fall.
Despite not being allowed to talk in the Scythe compound, the Dogwood captives had still grown close—and Margery missed them.
Having her brother nearby might have helped, but around the New Year, all the shifter-soldiers were sent to winter in the remote Elder Villages to amend their violent reactions and relearn shifter traditions and rules. She’d returned from her two weeks in the Elder Village a few days before Oliver was sent there. They’d barely had time to talk, share experiences, and show off their animal forms to each other.
It was spring now. Would Oliver ever come back to her?
Pushing the pitiful thought away, Margery asked, “Do you know how Darcy is doing?”
“Incredibly well, actually. She got lifemated to two wonderful males and has started a repair business.”
Lifemated? Darcy? Margery blinked, remembering the two males who’d hovered over her friend when she was shot. Had that been them? “Good for her. There’s no one who deserves happiness more.”
“Want to go see her?”
“What?”
Heather grinned. “Let me rephrase. Would you like to attend the Gathering in Cold Creek tonight and stay there a couple of days?”
The air grew thin all of a sudden. “Really?”
“Why not? This evening, I’m driving to Cold Creek for their Gathering. After seeing Sorcha, I’ll visit Mom’s Elder Village for a couple of days. Meantime, you could stay in Cold Creek, see Darcy, and decide if you like the town.” Heather lifted her eyebrows. “Yes?”
Margery hugged herself as excitement tingled in her blood. She could leave this place. And never come back.
Yes. Whether she liked Cold Creek or not, she wouldn’t return to Ailill Ridge. In fact, she’d leave a note for Pete with the grocer, so he’d know she was gone for good.
“Yes,” she told Heather. “Absolutely yes.”
Chapter Three
Cold Creek, North Cascades Territory - full moon
The North Cascades Territory Gathering was very different from Rainier’s. So much better, Margery decided. Quieter. Friendlier.
Despite her limp and scarred face, she’d been fairly popular with the males.
“Let