by Niki Trento
Pandora is explaining auras to me and what they look like. “Barin’s aura used to be a mix of scarlet, jade, amber, and navy blue. Since you’ve been here, a pale pink has been woven in.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Well, initially his aura said he is confident, compassionate, courageous, and safe. The pale pink means true love.”
She looks at me, but not really at me. She is looking just beyond my body. Pandora is reading my aura and a small smirk appears on her lips.
“What? What do you see in my aura?”
“You’ve been reading strong-willed, very creative, and compassionate like Barin. Now, you are showing environmental, which is a creamy chocolate brown.”
“The environmental is new? And what is with the smirk?”
“It is, but it isn’t alone. You have it, too.” I look at her like she has three heads.
“Pale pink.” Pandora skips ahead of me, giggling like a kid.
It makes sense that the environmental would be new to my aura now that I can commune with nature. My question is more about the pale pink. Is Barin really my true love? I know that answer already. Why am I fighting it?
Barin makes me happy. I knew he was sincere, deep down at least, I just don’t want to admit it. I jog to catch up with Pandora. There is no question about it anymore, I know I want to be with him. I need to be with him.
Pandora stops and waits for me to catch up. She looks at me knowingly. “You are thinking about him right now, aren’t you?”
“How can you tell?”
“The pink is spreading.” She nods enthusiastically then says, “Good.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Barin
I am still sitting, staring at my drink as Celeste and Pandora came back. They have been giggling as they walk up to the house and come inside arm in arm, still laughing.
Celeste looks at peace for the first time in days. The smile on her face forms the most adorable crinkles at the corners of her eyes. Her movements are more fluid, less stiff, and unsure. Her whole body looks relaxed.
Pandora looks at me, searching around me. I know she is reading my aura. A frown flashes across her face and is replaced with a mischievous smile immediately after. Pandora nudges Celeste in my direction then goes over to the fridge.
“Hi.” I am not sure what to say. A million thoughts come to the forefront of my mind, but none of them stay long enough for me to grab one. I put the glass down, watch Celeste for some sort of clue as to what she is feeling.
“Hi. Mind if I sit with you?”
I motioned to any of the chairs in invitation.
“Celeste, I—”
She puts her hand up to stop me. “Let me go first. After what happened in Europe, I was scared. I was afraid of alphas and their power. I realize that I am an alpha and I have powers of my own, but I just wasn’t prepared for that kind of behavior.”
“I knew there were bad people and bad shifters in the world, but I never expected an alpha to be like that. Naive thinking, beware, it can get you killed.” She smiles sadly. “When you claimed me in front of your beta and gamma, it felt more forced than it was meant. Then, when your wolf reacted to Axel kissing my head — I just reacted badly. I started to feel like your claim was more about control than about sincerity.”
I start to object, and again she puts her delicate hand up to stop me.
“Pandora set me straight. I didn’t know that she could read auras and she told me about yours. About mine. She said that she has never before seen pale pink in your aura and that she saw it only when I came here. Then she told me that I had it, too.”
Celeste looks over to Pandora, knowing she is listening. Pandora looks at us for a moment then smiles; making her hands like something was growing.
I am very confused. I have never asked Pandora about her gift, other than to know what she could do.
“It’s growing again, for both of you,” Pandora said.
“Someone want to fill me in?”
“Pale pink signifies true love.” Celeste’s cheeks burn red. My competitive little minx is blushing!
I look over at Pandora who emphatically nods.
Turning my attention back to Celeste, I stand up and walk over to her.
She places her hands in mine, tears brimming her smiling eyes.
I have to be sure. “Celeste? Are you saying that you do feel the same way for me? That you are accepting my claim?”
“Yes, Barin. I am sorry I didn’t see it sooner. Or more accurately didn’t want to acknowledge it sooner.” Her head dips down slightly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
She thinks I am mad at her! How could I possibly be mad at her? Words escape me.
I pull her closer to me, kiss her and my world explodes! Faintly, as if in the distance, I hear Pandora clap her hands then run from the kitchen. Then there is silence save for the beating of our hearts.
I kiss Celeste with everything I have. Push my love for her into every stroke of my tongue. I feel her pushing her love for me in return. We are lost in our own little world. Neither of us pull away other than to take a breath.
“It’s about. Damn. Time!” Axel’s voice booms.
Celeste laughs into my mouth.
I turned with what has to be the goofiest grin in the history of goofy grins.
Filing into the room was the handful of the pack that hadn’t left and my parents. My father has his arm around my mother’s shoulders, both of them smiling.
Donovan comes over and shakes my hand while Kathleen hugs Celeste. My pack. My family. They accept her as one of our own. I have my arm wrapped around Celeste and when I look down at her, she is glowing with joy and embarrassment. I kiss her forehead.
Shall we make it official, dear heart?
Celeste looks into my eyes and nods.
“She said ‘yes!’”
A celebration erupts in the kitchen. Donovan and my father start pouring drinks. My mother comes and stands in front of us. The room quiets with the respect of their alpha’s mother.
“Barin, I have waited patiently your whole life for this moment. To see your love reflected back on you by your true mate.” She holds Celeste’s and my clasped hands in her own, looking back and forth between the two of us. “You are a great son, a great alpha, a great friend, and I know you will continue that by being a great husband and mate.” She hugs me and kisses my cheek. Then turns squarely to Celeste.
“You have brought so much joy to my boy’s life. To the life of this pack in just a few days. I can not possibly thank you enough for that. I am proud and look forward to calling you ‘daughter.’” She kisses Celeste’s cheek.
Taking a ring off her right hand, my mother looks back to me. “This ring belonged to your great-great-grandmother. It was given to her by her elven mate. It was the first mating that used a ring and it has been passed down to me. I believe you know what to do with it.”
I take the ancient heirloom from my mother. Although it is more of a human tradition, I bend down on one knee. Taking both of Celeste’s hands in mine, I look up at her beautiful face. “Celeste, would you wear this ring for the rest of your life? Stand by me always?”
“Yes!” Celeste is shaking. Once the ring is on her finger I stand to swoop her into another kiss. This will never get old. This feeling of absolute elation.
The way her lips feel against mine. Even her hands that are digging deep into my hair. Celeste’s mouth is the sweetest ambrosia. Almost as if I can taste her happiness with every swipe of my tongue against hers.
Everyone is applauding. I hear phones beeping as the other members of the pack are being called or texted. There would be no rest tonight, only celebration.
“We have so much planning to do! The next full moon is in three weeks, we don’t have much time! We have to choose your colors and set a menu. We have to call your parents—“
“My parents! Oh, my goddess! My father!” Celeste slaps her hand to her forehead. Her eyes clench
ed closed, looking almost pained.
“Dear heart, what is it? Should I have asked him first?” Anxiety rushes through me that I have unintentionally insulted her father by not talking to him first.
“No... no... that’s not it. He will be here the day after tomorrow. I didn’t get a chance to tell you! I told him I would wait until he met you before committing to you. He is going to—“
“Be thrilled for you, CeCe.”
As a collective, we turn at the sound of a new voice. All these shifters and none of us noticed intruders?
“Oh. By the way.. Celeste, your parents are here!” Axel knows. Of course he knows.
“Daddy! Mom!” Celeste rushes over to hug her parents. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon!”
“Celeste, I knew you wouldn’t be able to hold out until I got here. So, your mother and I left after you and I talked.”
“Well, in that case; Mom, Dad, meet the pack!”
“You must be Barin.” Celeste’s father walks over to me and extends his hand.
“Sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Robert, please. And this is my darling mate, Glenda.”
“Robert, Glenda, welcome.”
A lot of introductions are made. Glenda and my mom sit at the kitchen table drinking coffee and talking about the mating ceremony. Celeste and Kathleen join them, both having their own thoughts and opinions. My father is talking to Robert and Zeke.
I admit it feels awkward having another alpha male in my home. My wolf is clawing at me. It just doesn’t understand that although this is my territory, Robert is just visiting and the father of our mate. He also hasn’t thrown his dominance around, either, which earned my respect.
Slowly the pack disperses. Most of them going to the bungalows for the night. Will and Spencer go to their office, or as Axel calls it; the Geek’s Lair. I hear them discussing the cave footage. Part of me wants to follow them, but I know they would come to me if they find anything.
Instead, Celeste and I lead our parents to their rooms. After a few quick hugs, we find ourselves standing in the hallway between our rooms. I want to pull her into my room and worship her entire body. To caress her skin with both my hands and my tongue, enjoy every single inch of her.
She isn’t giving off the same vibe. Chewing on her bottom lip, I can tell she is nervous.
“Are you okay, love?” I take her hands in mine. Caress her knuckles with my thumbs.
She looks up at me, lip still between her teeth.
My body tenses.
“I know it is expected for me to share your bed now, but—” I gently shake my head before resting my forehead to hers.
“Celeste, the only expectation I have is to cherish you for the rest of my life. I am a patient man, I can wait until you are ready to move into my room. I will not force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Ever.” I bend down and kiss her forehead.
I hold my lips there as I feel her body relax. My body aches for hers; my wolf whines for her. It takes everything I have to release her.
Celeste reaches her arms around my neck and kisses me.
Goddess! She is making this difficult. Reluctantly, I pull away from her. Her lush lips are swollen, as is a particular part of my body. Pooling all of my strength, I bow to her and turn to my door. The only way to not force myself on her is to lock myself in my room. “Good night, Celeste.”
“Good night, Barin.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Barin
When morning comes, I am still awake. I kept thinking about Celeste and using my mind’s eye to check on her through the night. I hear her shower start and decide to do the same.
After I finish, I wait in the hallway for her to come out of her room. After a few agonizing minutes, Celeste opens her door. She must have sensed me out here because she isn’t surprised to see me.
“Good morning, Barin.”
I can’t resist, I pull her into a deep kiss. All of the wanting, all the feelings are poured into that kiss. When I pull away, she is as breathless as I am.
“Good morning, my heart. Hungry?” I offer her my arm and we walk to the kitchen.
Our parents sit around the kitchen table drinking coffee and chatting. Kathleen is standing at the counter making bacon waffles. The mood in the room is calm, stable, and normal. Happy conversation, the amazing aromas of coffee and bacon. Life doesn’t get much better than this. If only it could always be this way.
I go to the coffee pot. Sitting on the counter are the matching mugs with the crowns on them. I can’t suppress my smile as I pour the nectar of the gods into each. “Morning, Kathleen.”
She looks over her shoulder and grins.
Setting the coffee down in front of Celeste, I kiss the top of her head. She pulls out a chair in between our mothers at the table. “Good morning everyone. I trust you slept well?”
“Good morning, son.” My mother looks up quickly then turns her focus back to Celeste. “As I was saying, if you would like, I have my headdress from when I married Barin’s father.” Celeste hugs my mother.
The kitchen door opens letting Axel, Rock, and Zeke in. They all go to the coffee pot while waving weakly to the rest of us. My pack of shifters are a lot like teenagers, not much for mornings. Donovan comes in from the living room and starts on eggs and bacon.
Now that I have my mate, I can focus more attention on Kane and the elves. I have to talk to Kane soon and try to find out what he knows. Axel was the last to talk to him. I wondered if he had found anything new. Axel, how did it go with Kane? Any luck?
No, boss. There is something blocking me from getting into his head. I’ve never had that happen before.
Okay. I will be going down to him soon. I need to get to the bottom of this.
I know I have to come up with a plan. I am doubtful that Kane would just come out and tell me. He said someone wouldn’t let him leave.
Someone wanted him positioned in my pack, but why? Was it the elves? Is he here to gather intel on me? So many questions and not a thread of an answer. If Kane isn’t working with the elves, then that just opens a whole new can of worms.
Celeste breaks away from our mothers and wraps her arms around me. “Penny for your thoughts?”
“Thinking about Kane and the elves.”
“Oh! That reminds me, Pandora had an idea that might work.” She tells me about the conversation she and Pandora had yesterday. “It’s her theory, but I think it’s a good one.”
“Interesting. It’s worth a shot. Okay. I will get everyone together.”
“Maybe my mother can help out, too.”
“Your mother?”
“Yeah, she has this insane intuition. That’s how they knew to come earlier than planned.”
This could work. Axel’s telepathy, Pandora’s aura reading, and Glenda’s intuition. Who else? Rock’s empathy, that could help. Even if Kane pretends to be angry, she will be able to tell if that is how he is really feeling. If Kane is trying to block Axel, he won’t be able to block everyone. I will address the whole pack, parents included. Maybe someone will have an idea.
“Donovan, call the rest of the pack in. We need to have a meeting as soon as everyone can get here.”
“I’m on it.” Donovan pulls out his cell phone and looks around the room. Once he knows who isn’t here he starts sending a group text.
“Mom, Dad, Robert and Glenda, I would like all of you to attend, also. If you would follow me to my office, I will fill you in on the details.”
Celeste takes my hand and helps me lead the way. I start going over the facts in my head, deciding if there is anything that doesn’t need to be discussed.
I will have to tell my future in-laws about the elven blood I have coursing through my veins and hope that doesn’t create an issue with the mating. If they are going to be my in-laws, they need to know everything. Especially if there will be grand pups in the future.
Once everyone is seated in the office, I start from the beginning when Kan
e first joined the pack. The backstory is important for them to understand what has been going on. I skim over the part when Celeste stumbled onto my territory. I know they all knew that part of the story already, so I don’t need to go into detail. I continue with how Kane ended up drunk and locked in the cage. Once they have all that information, I have to bring in the elves and that we think the two problems are connected.
“My father brought information about me that could play a huge role as far as the elves are concerned. A few generations ago, my ancestor mated with an elf and they had a pup.” I pause to see if Robert or Glenda have any adverse reactions to that information.
Robert nods for me to continue.
Interesting, neither a frown nor an argument. “Long story short, I have elven blood. I believe that the elves want me because I am the first ‘hybrid’ that is also an Alpha.
“We believe that the elves and Kane are connected. I know it seems far fetched, but he told me that ‘they wouldn’t let him leave’ the pack when I asked him why he stuck around if he was so unhappy here. It's only a theory, but that's all we have at the moment.”
I am still unsure if Celeste’s parents are okay with my elven heritage. They haven’t said a word about it, but I can see they are in deep thought.
I look over to my parents and they are looking at each other. I believe they are telepathically communicating. As open as I was, I didn’t expect private discussions going on right in front of me. In all honesty, it is kind of making me nervous.
“I wish that we had a solution for you. However, Glenda and I will do whatever we can to get to the bottom of it. I do have a question for you if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Of course, Robert, I have nothing to hide from you.”
“Do you have elven magic?”
“As far as I know, I don't have any magic beyond shifter magic, other than my shifts are very quick and painless.”
Robert nods seemingly satisfied.
“I want you all to know that if anything of the sort happens, I will tell you,” I assure the elders.
“What is your plan, son? The meeting… you obviously have a plan.” My future father-in-law asks.
