ShiftinDirty-ElizaGayle by Eliza Gayle

silent through the entire discussion until now. “A mate is a mate. We of all people shouldn’t judge her based on species. So I say we gotta find a way to get this straight for you.”
    Gage turned to the big bear, surprised he’d weighed in with his support. He was always the quiet one in the bunch, speaking only when he felt strongly about something. That he felt strongly about him and his mate nearly choked him up.
    “What happens if and when he bites her though? Is our DNA going to be compatible with a human? Anyone know?” Dean asked.
    They all stared around the room at each other, shaking their heads no.  
    “That’s a pretty big fucking risk in and of itself. Council or no council. How do we know humans can handle that?” This wasn’t the first time that thought had entered Gage’s head. He’d been shell shocked most of the day after meeting Sienna, but by the time they were riding back the rest of the implications of her being his mate had hit him full force.  
    Bhric pulled up a chair and began lining up the shot glasses. With the unanswered question hanging in the air he poured each glass full. The silence dragged on as they each grabbed one and saluted to the air before downing the bitter amber liquid. Gage fought the grimace. Their leader had a fondness for a local distillery whose scotch was as known for its bitterness as it was the fire it caused in your gut.  
    “Over the years there have been rumors. Vague rumblings about experiments with shifter and human DNA.” Bhric kept his voice low to ensure only those at the table heard his words.
    Fuck, he was glad Nikki wasn’t in the room. As the product of a breeding experiment herself, she didn’t need to hear this shit and get upset.  
    “Doesn’t really surprise me.” Dean set down his glass and nodded for a refill. “The dwindling shifter population has not brought out the best in our people.”
    “Ain’t that the truth,” Gage said. “I’ve got a bad feeling these wolves are trying to get to Sienna for a lot more than the fact she saw one shift. While they were outwardly insulting her yesterday at that bar, there was something else going on. I just had a hard time identifying it because I was a little distracted.”
    Bhric looked his way, a strange smirk on his face. “Is that why you brought her here and put everyone in danger? Because you were distracted?”
    Anger simmered inside Gage at the continued insults from his leader. The beast inside was pissed and wanted to be unleashed. “I brought her here because she’s my mate and as such deserves our protection.”
    “Well, all right then. We better get serious about coming up with a solution.” Bhric put down his glass and placed his elbows on the table, leaning forward. “I’ve already made some quiet inquiries. Rafe is willing to bet that if anyone can help you find anything to support human/shifter mating it will be Simon.”  
    “We sure we trust the Comyn pack alpha leader and his mad scientist?” Dean asked.  
    “I’ve been working with him for a long time and so far he’s been trustworthy. I don’t have any indication that’s now untrue. Plus, Simon is the only real medical doctor we’ve got and he’s planning on delivering your baby.”
    “Don’t remind me.”
    “Unless of course you all want to trust someone the council might appoint if they even agree to hear the case.”
    “Does Rafe know we might be up against another wolf pack over this? Maybe we should ask him what’s the deal with the loose cannons.”
     
    “He does. It was his suggestion that it was likely Blackwoods. They’ve been the most vocal about their dissent with the councils. And just because we’re talking about two wolf packs doesn’t automatically mean they see eye to eye. These days a lot of the clans only want to do their own thing. We aren’t the only ones who are tired of the archaic and outdated rule of the councils. And it’s steps like these that might help change