by Niki Trento
“That’s good news. I wonder why he is hiding.” One question answered, a thousand more spring up. Story of my life.
“What makes you think he is hiding?” Pandora asks.
“Because the elves came to me to take Heru’s place. Obviously they think he is dead. I don’t think they would bother with me if they could have found him.”
“Good point.” Kathleen chews on the lid of her pen.
“Knock, knock!” We all turn to see Celeste in the doorway. “Hi all, dinner is ready.” Celeste comes over and wraps her arms around my shoulders. Bends to kiss me on the cheek.
We all stand. I wrap my arms around Celeste, letting the others leave first. I pull her close and kiss her deeply. Feeling the heat of her body pressing close to mine.
Her hands tangle into my hair; her nails lightly scratching my scalp. The woman has a fascination with my hair. Her fingers are always slipping into its depths. I bite her bottom lip before stepping away.
“My heart, there is nothing I would rather do right now than to bring you to my room and never leave.”
“I know.” Celeste hangs her head after taking a deep breath. ”Let’s go to dinner then say our goodbyes to our parents.”
My stomach growls in response, which makes her giggle.
I wait a moment to be more presentable. Using the excuse to fill her in on Heru and the conversation we had. I tell her about the research that Kathleen spearheaded and how Axel searched my memories. She agrees that we need to figure out a way to find him.
“I think seeking his guidance would be for the best. He would know how to deal with the elves, but also I would be willing to bet that your safety is a high priority for him, too.” Celeste is my guiding star and incredibly logical.
“Agreed. Now the question is--how do we find him?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Barin
Everyone I treasure most is sitting around the large dining room table. Celeste and I sit at one end with our parents on our respective sides. Donovan and Kathleen sit at the other end flanked by Axel and Rock. The others fill in the rest. There are many conversations going on, jokes being told, and laughter filling the room with joy.
This is the most relaxed I have seen the pack in weeks. The anxiety is still there, but not as strong as it has been. Once the elves are out of our hair, and I am determined to make that happen, we can be like this more often.
Glenda is talking to Celeste about two of her cousins that were looking to spread out on their own. However, being female and after what Celeste had gone through, Robert is a little apprehensive about letting them leave. Celeste turns to me with a questioning look in her eyes. She didn’t have to ask, this was going to be her pack and home, too.
“Daddy, why don’t you bring them with you to the mating ceremony? If they like it here, they would be welcome to stay. We have the room and you know that they would be safe here.”
I love that although she is going to be an alpha of her own pack, she still calls him ‘daddy.’ It is endearing.
“Now that would be a wonderful idea. Thank you both for the hospitality.”
I look around my table to see if anyone needs more food or drink. My sight stops at Donovan. He is watching Kathleen talk to Rock with so much longing that I am surprised Kathleen doesn’t feel it drilling into the side of her head.
I wish he would just tell her already. They have always had a great relationship with each other. They tease, they work, and they live like a couple. Well, except they don’t sleep in the same room.
Maybe once everything calms down. Maybe at the mating ceremony. I remember when we had one in my uncle’s pack, the emotions ran high, as did the rutting urges. Shifters would hook up more often and easily. It was a right of passage of sorts: when one couple mated, everyone of age celebrated the honeymoon.
My gaze moves from Donovan and Kathleen to Pandora who is chatting with Cash. She is back in the mix of things and it makes my heart happy. I missed her like this.
That thought brings me to Kane. He has been in the dungeon for about a week now. He has been fed and taken to the shower we installed down there. He had all the comfort with none of the privileges.
Now that I know what the elves want, it is time to deal with him. Kane isn’t part of this pack anymore. Either he needs to go off on his own, or I can find a pack for him. But that can wait until tomorrow.
Dinner has been eaten, plates are empty. Cash and Pandora are clearing the table. Vivian and Nicolette go into the kitchen and I smell the coffee brewing shortly after. No one has to bark orders about these things, they are just done. Our pack moves so smoothly together.
Despite all the different backgrounds they each have, they come together here as a true pack. Axel once compared us to the Island of Misfit Toys in the Rudolph movie. I chuckle to myself thinking how accurate that really is.
“What are you thinking about over there, mister?” Celeste’s joyful voice breaks my inner musings.
“Just thinking.”
She arches her brow. “About?”
I drape my arm over her shoulders and nuzzle my nose behind her ear. I inhale deeply, memorizing her one-of-a-kind scent. That delicious mix of spice and flowers that tickles every nerve in my body. “Happiness.”
“Hey, Tinkerbell!” Axel bellows, obviously having heard what I said. “You aren’t going to start flying around the room now, are ya?”
The focus has fallen on me and my pack laugh.
“No, but I am sure I can make you fly across the room.” One of my favorite things to do is going tit for tat with Axel. He is a great delta with the best sense of humor.
“Maybe. Maybe not. No slobberin’ your mate at the dinner table, Tink!” His boisterous voice pairs up with a very exaggerated wink and a wide grin.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll remember that when you get a mate!”
Axel laughs but I notice a little sadness in his eyes.
Does he not think he will ever find a mate? That thought worries me. I know he would; I did.
“Dessert is ready!” My mom and dad come out of the kitchen followed by Pandora and Cash. They are all carrying plates of cannolis. My favorite!
“Mom! You are the grandest of the grand!” Her cheeks blush just enough to be noticeable.
“Do you think that I would come to visit and not make your favorite?”
“I hoped you would! But, I gotta tell you, you might not be allowed to ever leave once this gang tastes those cannolis!”
“Oh, Barin, stop!” She winks at me.
My father is a master chef, but when it comes to baking, my mother takes the cake. No pun intended.
Once everyone has their dessert, the dining room is practically silent. The crunching of the shell followed by “mmmms” is music to my mother’s ears. I can see how pleased she is. She stands there with her hands clasped in front of her chest, love in her eyes and a toothy grin on her face.
When everyone is done, the table cleared, dishes in the dishwasher and bellies full, all the parents prepare to leave. I know they will be back in a few short weeks for the mating ceremony, but saying goodbye is always the hardest part. As it was the shifter way, hugs are given by each member of the pack to each of the parents. They are part of the family, the extended pack.
Once the parents are gone, it is time to discuss my thoughts on Kane with the pack. As the alpha, I don’t need to ask for permission to banish him, but I refuse to blindside them with any major changes.
“Seeing as you are all here, there is something that we need to discuss. Now that we know Kane’s role with the elves, I feel it is time to let him out of the dungeon and send him on his way. He isn’t a threat to us, but I don’t feel he is really part of this pack.”
“Do you think he will go back to the elves?” Rock’s lip is trapped between her teeth the moment the words are spoken.
“No, I don’t. I plan on telling him all that has happened. They have no further need for him.”
“I’m wit
h you. It will be for the best,” Pandora says.
Though we all have reasons to want Kane out and far away from us, there is a small part of me that regrets having to make him leave. While it is a far better solution than keeping him locked up, I have never had to force a wolf from my pack before.
“I’m sorry to say this, but I am glad he will be leaving here,” Cash, the quietest member of our pack speaks above the murmurings of the others. “He should never have let greed of power consume him. More so, he should have never tried to hurt our Pandy.” A look of deep affection slips over Cash’s face when he says that last part, looking at the object of his defense.
With the agreement of the others, Celeste and I go down to talk to Kane; a plate of food in hand. “Kane?”
“What?”
“We brought you dinner and were hoping to talk. I’ve been to see the elves.”
Kane takes the plate Celeste offers, grunting in lieu of thanks. He sits on his bed and starts to eat. I tell him all that went down at the cave. He finishes eating before I finish talking and hands the plate back to Celeste. He is a lot calmer than I have seen him in months.
“Okay. Now what?” Kane doesn’t seem to care about anything but what is going to happen to him, so I skip over any pleasantries I may have planned to say.
“You have an option: either find a new pack, or I can find one for you.”
“You aren’t going to kill me?”
“Of course not. You may be a dick, but what you have done the past couple of months was not your fault. You were manipulated by the elves.”
Kane looks disbelievingly at me, then at Celeste.
She nods.
“You know, I had to run away from my father’s pack when I was ten. I was abused, treated like—like I don’t even know what. I was on my own for many of those years. Bouncing from pack to pack trying to find my place. I was threatened with death more than a few times because of my temper and attitude. Yet, I come here, with the same anger, and you never once threatened me. Well, until you met your mate.” He looks at Celeste again. “I’m sorry, by the way, for the things I called you.”
“Thank you, Kane.”
He lowers his gaze to the floor in submission to her alpha status.
“But you, Barin, I went against you. Sided with the elves against you, and you still don’t threaten me with death. You offer me freedom. You are a much better and stronger alpha than I ever gave you credit for. Thank you.”
I can tell even without special gifts that he is being sincere. It doesn’t change anything, it can’t. It pains me now to make him leave. I have to do what is best for the pack. It would take a lot for Kane to earn all of our trust, so maybe I can leave the door open for him instead.
“Kane, I know a pack that you might fit well with,” Celeste takes a step closer to the bars, “but you will have to drop the attitude.”
“I could try. I have had plenty of time to think down here. Especially since the elves got out of my head. I don’t want to be an asshole anymore. At least not to the same degree.” He smiles.
Sometimes, you needed a little attitude to survive.
“Depending on how you do, if it doesn’t work out, you can stay here until we find a better one for you.” There it is, out in the open. I need him to know that I hold no grudge. If he understands that, then I know I won’t have to worry about him retaliating.
“Thank you, Barin. Celeste, where is the pack you were talking about?”
“I am going to talk with my father. They haven’t gone too far yet. If he agrees, he can turn around and come get you.”
Kane nods and reaches out his hand to me.
Celeste pulls out the cell phone that her dad brought for her.
I shake Kane’s hand and open the door. He stands in his cell, still a little unsure of everything by the looks of it. After all, every alpha he has ever had treated him badly. He looks as if he is waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“It’s all right, Kane. I’m not going to go against my word.”
He steps out of his cell and stretches. Even though the cell was plenty big, it is a stretch of a free man.
“My father will be here in about twenty minutes. Let’s go get your stuff together.” Celeste smiles at Kane.
I go with Kane to the bungalow he has been using to help him pack. All he has fits into a backpack. I guess he is used to traveling light. I think that if anyone is going to get through to Kane and onto a positive track, if it couldn’t be me, it will be Robert and Glenda. This is a good move for him, and hopefully his last. As much of a dick as he has been, I truly hope he will find his place.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Barin
Within the hour, Kane is packed, says his apologies and goodbyes, and is on his way to Robert’s pack. The house settles down for the night. Spencer and some of the boys are playing some computer games in the living room. The girls clean up the kitchen and go to bed. Celeste and I opt to sit under the stars on the back porch; neither of us quite ready to sleep yet.
Celeste lifts her camera to her eye and trains it on me. I give her a raised eyebrow with half a smirk. I hear the click of the shutter and then her beautiful giggle. That is the first picture she has ever taken of me and I know it won’t be her last. I have a feeling I will be seeing a lot of that camera pointed at me over the years and I couldn’t be happier about it.
“How does it look?” I crane my neck to see the back of her camera.
“Well, it is clear and crisp, but the subject leaves much to be desired.” She gently sets the camera down on the table, her laughter contagious.
Shaking my head, I get up and snatch her camera. I don’t know a lot about it, but I figure out how to turn it on. I turn the lens to me and take a self-portrait. And then another. Each one I make a different face; serious, happy, then full-on goofy. Celeste is laughing so hard she has tears streaming down her cheeks. I turn the camera to her and start rapid firing until she covers her face.
With my free hand, I grab one of hers and pull her up against my chest. Nudging her with my nose, I get her to look at the camera and I click the shutter button a few times. I kiss her head and click. She turns to look at me and I click. She plants kisses all over my face and I keep clicking.
It isn’t long until the camera slowly lowers and my heartbeat rises...among other things. I wrap my arms around her; my tongue delves deep into her mouth.
Instantly her fingers knot in my hair. They feel at home there. While kissing her, I pull her with me to put the camera back on the table. She pushes me down into my chair and rests her legs on either side of my thighs. My hands find their way underneath her shirt, feeling the soft skin of her back.
With not-so-steady hands, I pull her shirt up over her head. My lips brush her chin and trail down the front of her neck. I fist her hair and gently pull her head back, granting me more and better access to her body.
Celeste is panting with excitement. Her bra hides her full breasts from me so I undo the clasp and slide the straps from her shoulders. She stretches up just enough to cause the bra to fall. My tongue circles her nipples before I pull one in between my teeth.
A gasp passed over her lips. Her hair spills down her back as her chin tilts up. Her skin breaks out in goosebumps, a slight tremble shivers down her body.
While I worship her breasts, she brings her hands between us and starts to unbutton my jeans, carefully pulling down the zipper. Her small hands find what they're looking for and she wraps her fingers around me.
I let go of her nipple with a gasp. I look into her eyes and see pure hunger. She is in complete control and I love her for it. Her hand slides up and down as I relish the unbelievable sensation.
“Celeste?” I pant.
“Barin?” She purrs back.
“I need you.”
“Then take me.”
I need no further invitation. I help her stand so that I can rid her of her jeans. My hands sliding back up the length of her legs to find the
waistband of the now wet silk panties she wears.
I slide them quickly down her legs, resisting the urge to tear them off. On my way back up, I kiss her calf, her knee, and then lift her leg over my shoulder. I can smell her wanting and I need to taste it.
My tongue easily finds its mark. Circling and sliding.
Her nails scratch at my shoulders then dig in just enough to release the wolf inside me. Her flavor is ambrosia on my tongue. As much as I can take up residence right there, I need to be inside of her. I ache for her. I trail kisses up her belly, between her breasts and back to her mouth.
Celeste gently pushes me back to my chair and climbs on top of me the way she did before. Only this time, she brings me into her with a groan. She uses my shoulders to push herself up to steady herself. It doesn’t take long before I can’t wait any longer. I look into her eyes as she brings herself pleasure. Brings me pleasure.
She commands my cock, moves herself in ways that make me groan and practically purr.
Her eyes roll back as her hips rock harder. As she builds up to release, she loses a little of her rhythm.
I dig my fingers into the flesh of her hips, guiding her and thrusting to meet her. Each pass down for her, I push upwards. Feeling her fingers pulling my long hair brings a growl from my lips.
“Mine!” We climax together. A strong rush that seems to take everything out of me, draining me of energy. Stealing my breath. Euphoric. It is long and it is much overdue. Panting, she collapses against me. Her head on my shoulder. Her body twitching with aftershocks. I kiss her forehead and notice that my body is more relaxed than it has ever been before.
“I love you,” Celeste softly whispers against my chest.
“Forever.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Barin
As the sun kisses the horizon, I realize that I had fallen asleep in the chair on the porch. Celeste is curled up in my lap with not a stitch of clothing on. I gently wake her up. “Good morning, dear heart. You need to get dressed.”
