by Niki Trento
“Don't apologize, we were just chatting, nothing serious.” He smiles and I notice he has a dimple on the side of his mouth, making my stomach tighten. This huge dominant male having such an adorable dimple turns my insides to mush.
I smile and head back to Barin's office. “Dad?”
“Still here. Just checking my schedule and making arrangements.”
“You were going to come regardless, weren't you?” I smile and shake my head.
My father, a true Alpha, needs no one's permission to do anything. Well, almost no one's. My mother is the exception to the rule. “I'll be there the day after tomorrow, Cece.”
“Is Mom coming with you?”
“Do you think I could leave her home?” His voice holds amusement. I can't help but chuckle. “She is already packing.”
“Sounds right.” We share a chuckle.
We talk for a bit longer about what it could mean if I decide to accept Barin's mate claim. If I am being honest, I can't deny him. However, my dad is right; I need to be sure.
Joining Barin's pack means giving up my rights to my father's pack; I'll never lead them. Sure, the packs will be allies. Both would be under my protection and would be there for me if I ever need it.
My mother has always been the romantic. My father, on the other hand, ruled with his mind first. He loves my mother, and their story is sweet. However, when it comes to me and the pack, it has always been what is the best thing, not what his heart wants. It’s what makes him a great Alpha. But when it comes to my mother, he is all heart.
I have always wanted my mating to be like theirs. I am an independent person, but having someone who loves me like my father loves my mother has always been part of the fantasy.
Will Barin be like that? Will he still bring me flowers after twenty years together? After sixty? Will he rule with me at his side or expect me to stay in the background?
I have been groomed to be a leader. I can’t just sit back and let my mate handle everything on his own. It may sound selfish, but I want it all. I want to be treated equally but I also want to be loved unconditionally. Not all girls dream of the happily ever after, all their dreams coming true, but I do.
“Daddy, after you meet Barin, I want you to tell me what you really think of him. I know that no shifter will be good enough for me in your eyes, but I want to know if you and mom think he will be as good to me as you are to mom.”
“Of course no one will be good enough for you, but I will cut him a little slack. No one will love you as much as I do.”
“Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”
On that note, we hang up. I go join the others. Until I hear the opinions of my parents, I won’t act on my feelings for Barin. I don’t want all of this talk of elves to spoil the special dinner with Barin’s parents tonight.
I am going to push positive. If I do decide to become his mate, I really would like to get to know his parents. After all, I’ve always felt I can tell a lot about a person by how he treats his parents. Barin has shown nothing but respect for them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Barin
“Donovan! You haven’t forgotten my favorite meal! These tacos and enchiladas look and smell amazing!” My father is a freak about his food. Being a chef in his pack means he knows a good meal when he has one. Growing up he would always tell me; ‘The Alpha may control the pack, but it’s the cook that controls the belly.’
My uncle’s pack is huge. My father is a chef and has a small crew that helps him feed the masses. Here, we take turns.
Donovan takes control of the kitchen more often than most. He loves it. He was part of my father's kitchen crew since he was tall enough to see over the stove. I can't cook to save my life. Luckily for me, my pack agrees I should never cook anything. Ever. Donovan jokes that I could burn water. Jokes on him, because I probably could.
“You’ll love these. I have been marinating the meat all day.” Donovan hands plates to my mother and father.
While Kathleen hands plates out around the table, my father tastes his food. Donovan is smiling, happy to see the look on his face when the flavor hits his tongue. My father isn’t the kind to lie, especially when it comes to food. If he says nothing right away, then chances are the food is done well. Dad keeps eating silently.
Donovan beams.
As I will always seek guidance from my father, Donovan will always seek his approval.
Suddenly, a sense of comfort slips over me. I turn to see Celeste standing in the doorway of the kitchen just watching everyone. She leans to the side with her arms crossed over her chest and a content smile on her face.
Everything, everyone in this room...this was right. This is what I have been wanting my whole life. A happy pack, a mate who loved them, and my own territory. So far, two out of three ain’t bad.
I don’t want to push Celeste into making a decision. After what happened to her in Europe, that piece of shit Alpha trying to force her to be his mate, I didn’t want to scare her off. I would take Kathleen’s advice and woo her, but I would do it in small doses. For now, I just want her to get to know us.
“Celeste, are you hungry?” I get up to make a plate for her.
“Starving. I can’t wait to try Donovan’s Mexican food, it sure has your dad quiet.” Celeste smiles and everyone chuckles, including my father.
“You’ll be quiet, too, my dear. This food will leave you speechless. Donovan has done very well.” My father smiles warmly at Celeste.
I can tell he already likes her. This makes my wolf practically spin like a tornado in glee. The smile on my face can’t be hidden, even if I had tried. My father’s approval means everything to me, whether I need it or not.
“Perhaps.” After a couple of bites, Celeste looks right at my dad and says, “I could eat a ton of these! They are phenomenal!”
“A ton? That’s all?” My father is teasing her, but I know those are fighting words.
“Is that a challenge?” Celeste cocks her head to the side, quirks her lips up and arches her brow.
“Better watch it, Bernard. This little minx already beat Barin at a staring contest. She doesn’t back down easily!” Axel is already digging cash out of his pocket.
“I’ve already had two, I will let you catch up first.” He looks very sure of himself, his arms spread wide.
And with that, the game is on. Money starts to be slapped on the table with predictions of who the victor will be. Kathleen takes notes. The bets are fairly even between Celeste and my father. Question is, who should I root for? Or should I stay neutral?
The kitchen is a flurry of activity. Donovan is setting up plates in a line to be handed to the two competitive shifters. Celeste ate two to catch up so that it would be fair.
Axel is rubbing her shoulders like a boxing coach. Cole stands by Celeste, Vivian stands by my dad. I know this was their innate response in case someone choked. My mother looks as undecided about where to place her bet as I am. She goes to Kathleen and whispers in her ear, then places a twenty on the table.
Once Celeste has her first two tacos eaten, Donovan makes sure both plates have the same amount of food on them. “When you finish your plate, say done and a new plate will be put in front of you. Each plate will have three tacos on them. Once the tacos are gone, if needed, we will move on to the enchiladas. Ready?”
Both Celeste and my father nod.
“GO!”
My father starts quickly eating his tacos.
Celeste eats a little slower. She is about halfway through her third taco when my father first says: “Done!”
She smiles, pops the last of her taco in her mouth. “Done.”
Four plates each of tacos later and my father starts slowing down which now matches Celeste’s speed. The pack is cheering them both on and laughing. I stand in the doorway watching.
Three sets of plates more and my father starts showing signs of getting full. Celeste is chugging along like a champ, barely breaking a sweat. The pressure is mounting.
My mom sits quietly with a Cheshire grin on her face. I don’t know who she put her money on. I suspect on my father.
I should have put money on Celeste. She does not back down from challenges easily, I’ve noticed. The important thing is that everyone is having fun. Especially Celeste. I can see it in her eyes. She is one of the most competitive shifters I have ever met.
It’s no surprise that shifters can eat a lot of food. It doesn’t matter if they are male or female, they can eat a whole deer on their own. Eating over two dozen tacos isn’t a far fetched accomplishment for shifters, but it also isn’t something the typical shifter did on a regular basis.
I don’t know if my dad just can’t eat as much as he used to, or Celeste hadn’t been kidding when she said she was starving. Or maybe, it is all because she is that damned competitive. Either way, I am proud of her.
“Done.” When the next plate is set in front of my father, he looks at it with a little disgust. I don’t think he will be eating tacos again for a long time.
“Done.” Celeste wipes her mouth and smiles at my father. “You doin’ ok over there, Bernard?” She picks up the next taco and takes a bite.
My father looks at her, then to his plate. He shakes his head. “I’m done. I concede.”
Hoots, hollers and disappointed grunts fill the kitchen. Celeste finishes her plate of tacos then takes a long drink of water. She stands, extending her hand to my father. “That was a lot of fun. Thank you, Bernard.”
Kathleen divvies up the money into piles for the winners, the excess she stacks in front of Celeste.
When Kathleen walks over to my mother and hands over her share, my father’s jaw hits the floor. “Don’t feel bad, dear. Look, we still won!”
My father laughs a full belly laugh that shines in his eyes. “Goddess, how I love thee?” He snags her around her waist and kisses her.
I watch the years melt away and see the young couple they were back in the day. The love they share is something I yearn to have someday. Maybe, hopefully, one day in the near future.
“That was some serious eatin’, Celeste!” Axel overdramatically kisses the top of her head. “Thanks for the bucks!”
A deep rumble comes from my chest. My wolf and I do not like Axel touching our mate!
“Sorry. Forgot.” Axel raises his hands in surrender.
Celeste looks a little freaked out, but it passes in a moment.
I mentally kick myself. Damnit! I watch Axel with narrowed eyes until he backs away from Celeste. I can’t help it, the wolf took over for a moment.
Celeste leaves the room with Pandora on her heels.
DAMNIT! What the hell did I just do?! I told myself I wasn’t going to be like this. I wasn’t going to push her away!
I drop myself in her vacant chair. With my elbows on the table and my head in my hands, I silently chastise myself. Somewhere in the background, I hear quiet orders being doled out.
“Axel, take this plate down to Kane. See if he feels like talking. Spencer, Cole, clean up duty. Rock and Zeke, perimeter check. Will, check the cave footage and send two out to the cave. I know you have a schedule for that, right? The rest of you...find something to do.” Donovan has the troops out in minutes. “Barin, let’s go to your office.”
I sweep my arms across the table sending plates and food flying.
Spencer bends down and starts picking up the larger pieces of broken plates. My mother grabs a broom from the linen closet and starts sweeping the debris into a pile.
Donovan and my father watch me. My breathing speeds up, my fists shake.
“Son?”
I glare at my father. He has no idea how badly I just messed up.
“Barin? Talk to us, here or in your office, it doesn’t matter.” My father pleads.
“You don’t understand. I can’t force Celeste. Growling at Axel like that? That pushed her away!” I practically claw at my face, not believing that I can be such an idiot. I drop down in a nearby chair. My hands dive into my hair as my body shakes with anger and disappointment.
“You couldn’t help that. Your wolf didn’t like Axel being affectionate towards her. That will go away once you're mated.” My father is right, but he just isn’t going to get it. When he and my mother met as kids, they knew they were going to be a mated pair. There was never a question about it.
“Dad, when she was in Europe, the alpha there did all but rape her! He tried to force her to stay there and be his mate. Destroyed all her stuff when she refused him. I don’t want to lose her. I can’t lose her.” My hands work themselves into and out of fists, my body feels hot with the anxiety bubbling beneath my skin. The thought of losing Celeste wreaks havoc on every fiber of my being. My wolf is at the surface, whining for me to go to Celeste, to chase after her.
“Then go talk to her. She is a shifter, she knows how the wolf works.”
“Besides, she growled when you were too close to Kathleen, remember?” Donovan points out, and he is absolutely right.
They both are.
But how can I face her? That brief scared emotion on her face broke my heart. I caused that, my wolf caused that.
I look around the kitchen at the mess I’ve made. Never have I lost my cool in front of the pack like that before. I go over to help clean up.
Donovan puts a drink in my hand instead. Feeling completely out of control, I study the drink in my hand. Would my wolf’s possessiveness always cause Celeste to react negatively? When was the last time I ever felt so insecure and out of control? I can’t remember.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Celeste
“Celeste, wait up!”
I slow down, waiting for Pandora to catch up.
“Are you ok? What was that all about?”
“Barin told me he wants to mate claim me.”
Pandora’s face lights up with excitement and she claps her hands. Her response is how I should feel right now. I should be excited about this. Instead, I am confused and apprehensive.
“Then why are you storming off and not celebrating?”
“Because...I don’t even know, really. I mean...” I sit down on a fallen tree, letting out a huff. “I think I know why. After what happened in Europe, I guess I am feeling nervous that Barin’s intentions aren’t legit.”
Pandora stands in front of me and pulls my chin up so I look into her eyes. Her gray eyes sparkle as she smiles at me. In her eyes, I see they are more than gray, almost like there is a hint of blue in there, too. Her shaggy multi-tone hair perfectly frames her face. “Can I tell you a secret? Barin has met girls before. He is polite to them but never took them seriously. That sounds bad...let me rephrase...he never took enough interest in them to make a claim on them. He has never had a girlfriend in all the time I have been here.”
She sits down next to me, holds my hands in hers, forcing me to turn towards her. “Not one?”
“No. When I first came here, I flirted with him but he never returned any interest. For a while I thought he and Donovan were together!” Our laughter echoes through the trees. “Barin started treating me like his sister…or at least a cousin. I wasn’t what he or his wolf wanted, and I was okay with that. Trust me, if he wants to claim you, it is one hundred percent authentic.”
“So you’re telling me I should accept him? I should just shut up and become his luna?”
“I wouldn’t shut up. But, yes. You would do him and this pack a lot of good. Hell, look what you have done for me with all that crap with that asshole, Kane. There is a light in Barin’s eyes that I have never seen before. Even with all this elf stuff going on, you bring him happiness just being here.”
“What is your gift, Pandy?”
“Me? Well, I can see feelings.”
“So you are an empath? Like Axel?”
“Nooo. I don’t feel emotions like Axel does, thank the goddess! I would go nuts! I see them. It’s more than seeing someone’s facial expression. I read auras.”
“Auras. You would know
if Barin was being sincere because you can see his aura.”
“Yes. But what I said is true. Even though we all have our gifts, aura reading is still a little far fetched for people. I think it’s because, technically, I could fake what I am seeing. Because of that, I have learned to read people’s actions as well. Something concrete to back up the mystic, so to speak.”
“If you don’t mind me prying, didn’t Kane’s aura tell you he was being dishonest with you?”
“Kane is a chameleon, I realize that now. He is able to project what he wants people to see, what they want to see. I truly thought I was in love with him because he wanted me to think that. I don’t know if it is his gift or his talent that allows him to do that. When he first came here, I read his aura and although he was angry, he was nice. Then something changed.” Pandora shrugs her shoulders. “I really don’t know. Maybe now that Barin has him contained, maybe we could pull the shifters with the abilities to sense truth and intent together and confront him as one. There is no way he could fool all of us.”
The conversation goes from my life-altering situation to the main problem storming Barin’s household. Kane and the elves. Pandora doesn’t know that Barin and Donovan suspects the elves are behind Kane’s aggression.
I have to bring her idea to Barin. She is really on to something here. Sure, he has Axel digging around, but what if Kane expects that? Would he be able to thwart Axel’s attempt at finding the truth?
“Thanks, Pandy. You are absolutely right about what I should do. I am still going to wait a little longer. My father is coming out and I would really like to see how he feels about Barin before forcing them to become family.”
Pandora beams. Not a smirk, not a smile, she is straight out beaming!
“Don’t say anything though, okay?”
“Lips are sealed!”
“As for Kane, thank you for sharing that with me. I think you are right that the forces should all come down on him at once, but that will be Barin’s call to make; I’ll talk to him about it.” We stand up and start back to the house.
