Dianthe Rising

by J. B. Miller

  Kale took a wise step back and shook his head at Matt. “This is a good lesson to you, Beta. Tell her the rest of it.”

  Unfortunately, by this time, the front courtyard had started to fill with members of the pack. Matt tried to shuffle back a few feet but my quiet voice caught him.

  “Matthew, explain to me what you meant, please.”

  Cringing, he met my eyes before lowering them to stare in the region of my neck. “Several of the packs unmated females have been making sexual advances toward the Alpha,” he spoke quickly and without the sureness of before. “They thought he would be better mated to a wolf, and that you wouldn’t be a big enough problem to stand in their way.”

  “Really,” I seethed. “Go on, tell me more.”

  “Umm…every time he came home without you they grew bolder and started to make more aggressive advances.”

  “Explain.”

  The energy rolling off me became stronger and I felt Robin fold in beside Kale. He took one look at the situation and stood back to watch patiently.

  “Well, a couple of the bitches,” he flinched at his own wording. “They thought it would be a good idea to strip down in his office. They laid in wait for him before basically molesting him.”

  I raised my eyebrow, “And how do you know all this, Matt?”

  “Yeah, umm…I have security cameras everywhere on the property except in the private wings. Even then, they are stationed outside. Shit, why can’t I shut up?” he swore.

  “Because I don’t want you to, that’s why. Now, Matthew, tell me—did your Alpha reciprocate with those bitch’s advances?”

  His eyes widened to almost popping as he looked desperately around him for help. “Look at me, Matt, and answer the question please.”

  “No, My Lady, he told them in a lot nicer way than I would have to fuck off,” he physically put his hands over his mouth to stop himself from speaking further.

  “Who are the females in question, Matt?”

  I had never felt such overwhelming jealousy in my life. The fury I felt encompassed all other feelings at that moment, yet my rage was cold. Matt unwillingly pointed at two blonde bimbos toward the front of the crowd. I do not know if they were too stupid to live or that arrogant. They stuck out their chests and postured, looking proud of the fact they had betrayed their Alpha female.

  “You two,” I pointed at them. “Come here please.” I assumed they mistook my manners as a sign of weakness. Too bad they didn’t know me well enough that I hid behind courtesy when I was killing mad. The two women strutted forward, conceit seeping from their pores.

  “What are your names, if you will?”

  The more dominate of the two cocked a hand on her hip. “Ohh, aren’t you all high and mighty. Little girly is trying to be all grown up. Are you old enough to be here, sweetie?” she said condescendingly.

  “Name please, I won’t ask you again.”

  Throwing her hair over her shoulder to spiral down her back, she nodded to her friend. “That’s Melisa and I’m Sylvia. Why, you going to go cry and write it in your diary?”

  “No,” I said simply and raised my hand.

  Power swirled around me and terror crossed their faces as they realized their mistake too late. Every wolf in the courtyard knelt and bared their neck. My anger wouldn't be quenched though. With a flick of my fingers, the females rose from their place on the ground and flew through the air. They landed with a thud at my feet. My will held them immobile on the ground.

  “If you even glance at my mates again, any of them, it will be the last thing you ever do. Do you understand me?” Whimpers were all that answered me and it was not good enough. “Answer me, damn it!”

  They lifted into the air, hands curled trying to pull invisible appendages away from their choking throats. With a thought, I shook them like mangy curs and asked again. “Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Alpha,” they choked out.

  Mewling whimpers filled the air as I gave them enough room to breathe. They begged me for their lives and forgiveness. The anger left me as quickly as it came, but I had no idea how to release them from where they hung suspended in the air.

  Robin quickly stepped up beside me followed by Kale. “Dianthe dearest, take my hand and let me guide you.”

  I took his hand and let him take over. He released my power and the females fell to the ground.

  Kale took my other hand and raised it to his lips before turning me toward the crowd. “Do you all recognize and accept your Alpha female? Do you trust that she is strong enough to lead beside me and to keep our pack strong?”

  A symphony of voices rose from the thirty or more wolves before us. “Yes!” Then a haunting howl followed suit, welcoming me to the pack.

  *****

  “What just happened?” I asked Robin once we were in Kale’s bedroom.

  I sat heavily on the bed and shuddered at the thought I had nearly killed two people.

  Kale came over and sat beside me rubbing my shoulders while Robin spoke, “It’s your gifts, Dianthe. You multiply what is already there. Your mate was threatened and the Alpha instincts took over. It was amazing to watch.”

  “Sexy as hell,” Kale breathed against my neck.

  “Sexy? How was me bullying Matt and nearly killing Barbie one and two, sexy?”

  Kale snorted with laughter, “Barbie one and two? Oh, I have to tell the Betas that one. Do not worry, sweetheart, there was no chance you would have killed them. We would have stepped in before that. You needed to assert your dominance sooner rather than later and you did it amazingly. I was so impressed with you, Dia. Even mum was proud of how well you held your temper. She said that you showed the signs of a true Alpha Female and it would benefit us to no end to have someone with manners in the house.” Laughing, he added, “However, if you start talking politely to anyone they may run away pissing themselves.”

  I threw a pillow at him.

  There was a knock at the door before it opened and Daniel peered around the corner. “So," he grinned, "what did I miss?”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  We stayed in Bean for two more days. Kale and Helen would have preferred longer but we just didn't have the time. It was the nineteenth and we only had two days left until the solstice. Robin was able to fold us all to Stornoway so we didn’t have to waste any time with travel. He even had us arriving at the harbor after the ferry sailed in that afternoon. A local car rental company met us soon after. Kale had booked everything in his name and a friendly local called Mick regaled us about the local history as he took us back to their branch.

  Kale had introduced us as his wife and brothers. It was not that far-fetched, I guess. Mick was asking us questions a mile a minute and his brogue was so thick it was hard to keep up with at times.

  “So what brings you bairns this far north? It’s a long way from London.”

  I looked at Kale helplessly on what to say. I could not tell the man the truth.

  Robin smoothly slipped into the conversation. “Dianthe’s family originated here and we thought we’d take a family holiday to see where she was from.”

  “Is that so?” He scratched his balding head.

  “What parts do ye hail from, lassie?”

  “Oh, Callanish originally I think. My mother’s family was from there.”

  "And what would their family name be then?” he asked.

  “Macleod,” I said hesitantly.

  “Ach now… there’s a few of them about. Maybe you’ll find some long lost relatives you dinny ken.”

  He shrugged nonchalantly. “Here we are, folks. I will park the car and you go on in. Ask for Jamie, he’ll set you up with your car and have you on your way in no time.”

  Relieved to be away from our curious driver we made our way inside to find Jamie. It was another half hour before we were shown to our car.

  “Here you are, Mr. Jameson. It’s a pretty straight run to Callanish from here, less than half an hour. All you need to do is head north from
here until you get to the first roundabout. Take the first exit onto Perceval Road. Then just follow the signs for the A858. That will take you all the way to Callanish. Do you need anything else before you head out? You have a full tank of petrol so it will get you there and back a good ways. There’s no many stations between here and there so make sure to fill up before you get low, mind.”

  “Thank you, Jamie,” Kale said. “You’ve been a great help.”

  “It’s no bother. Have a great time and enjoy your holiday.”

  “We will, Jamie, thank you again for your help,” I added.

  We finished our goodbyes and headed on our way. The roads were a world away from down south. Once we left the town and started out into the country, civilization fell away. I could only gaze around me in wonder and a bit of trepidation.

  “Where is everything?” I asked. The A858 was just a two-lane road with nothing on either side, bar marshy fields. The most we saw were phone lines and a few sheep. Every now and again a farmhouse or ruined croft would appear. If the trip had been longer than half an hour, I would have started to get worried. We knew we were close to the village when a few houses appeared together. There was a sign in Gaelic that said Calanais stones.

  “Is that it?” I bounced in my seat.

  Shaking his head, Daniel told me no, that there were three sets of stones. Callanish one, two, and three. It was the first set we were going to.

  “It’s only just ahead though,” Robin added.

  “Really, where,” I began to survey the area.

  “There should be tourist signs pointing us in the right direction.”

  Kale slowed down so we could cross a cattle grate and a moment later I saw a brown sign pointing to the left.

  “There it is! Callanish visitor center.” I pointed.

  Laughing, Kale looked across at me. “I thought you didn’t want to make the trip?”

  “Well," I flushed, "now that I’m here, I am excited. A girl is allowed to change her mind.”

  We turned into the tiny one lane road and headed up the hill. Locals were out and about everywhere. The entire population must have been out by the amount of people I observed.

  “Why are there so many people in the street?” Dogs wandered about and villagers stood chatting amicable watching us as we passed.

  “It’s a small place, Dianthe,” Robin chuckled. “There isn’t much to do. On a sunny day the inhabitants spend as much time outside as they can I would imagine.”

  “Oh, and how do you know that?” I smirked.

  “Because, dearling, I have been around a long time and in little rural places like this things have changed little over the past few centuries.”

  “Ohhh,” I trailed off. I guess he was right. It did appear as if we had stepped back in time.

  “If you turn right here,” interrupted Daniel, “it will take us to the house we’re renting.”

  “Can’t we go to the stones first?” I pleaded.

  Shaking his head, Daniel said no to my begging. “Not right now, sexy girl. We have to meet the owners and get the keys.”

  “All right, but we are going to the stones today, right?”

  “Yes,” Kale laughed. “You are worse than a pup when you get excited. Just let us get settled in, then we will go.”

  Yippee, I thought. I do not know why but the closer I got to the stones the more excited I became. My fear and trepidation had fallen away on the way here and I could barely keep myself from jumping out of the car.

  “Look,” said Robin. He nodded toward the left and as I followed his gaze, the air froze in my lungs. You could see the stones standing on a gentle rise across the fields. The sun was above it and cast long shadows from the stones.

  “Home,” I whispered. "I’m home."

  It took everything I had to remain calm when the car rolled to a stop outside a farmhouse. As soon as we stopped, I jumped out and began to pace back and forth looking in the direction of the stones. The boys came out more sedately, even though Robin was sending me worried glances. An older gentleman stood from where he was leaning against a fence chatting to a local farmer and walked our way.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Jameson?” he asked.

  “That’s us,” Kale replied.

  “Glad you made it.” He shook Kale’s hand. “It’s a bonnie day today to explore the area. It’s more busy than normal around here as the solstice is the day after tomorrow. Tourists come from all over to peek at those stones over there. I never understood it, but it puts money in the pocket.”

  “That it does,” agreed Kale. He turned to us and introduced us to the man.

  “This is my wife, Dia, and my brothers, Robin and Daniel.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you Mr.…” I trailed off. I couldn’t even remember if Kale had mentioned his name to me.

  “MacDonald, Neil McDonalds the name. Family has been in Callanish as long as we can remember.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. MacDonald. I hate to be rude but would it be possible to go inside? I need the restroom if that’s all right.”

  “Of course,” Mr. MacDonald turned a ruddy red. “If you want, I’ll just leave you folks to it. There are two bedrooms in the house, as you probably know. It’s a double and two singles. There’s brochures and information on things to do in the local area. The shop is just down the road and we have a local post office.”

  He finished in a rush and handed the keys to Kale.

  “You’re all paid up for the next couple weeks so when you are ready to head out just give me a ring and I’ll come collect the keys.” Nodding his head in my direction, he said a hasty, “Enjoy your holiday.”

  Before he could get into his truck and leave, I called out his name. “Mr. MacDonald?” When he turned back to glance at me I smiled brightly at him. “Thank you again. I was just wondering if there was a quicker way to the stones?”

  “Sure,” he pointed toward the gate across from the drive. “Just go through the fields. The sheep won’t bother you and that’s where most of the locals cross. No one will say anything against you for using the fields to get there.”

  Robin carefully came around to me and led me to the house. We went in, explored our surroundings, and unpacked our bags. The boys were just settling in when I felt an intense pull from the center of my being. I stopped what I was doing and walked to the front door of the house and stood on the steps.

  The sun was just starting to head into the west and I was overcome with the need to be in the stones when the sun kissed them good night. Without realizing what I was doing, I began to run. Faintly I heard a voice calling out behind me but it was if my feet had grown wings. I ran to the bottom of the drive and across the street. Never slowing down to open the gate, I leapt it in a single bound. My feet barely touched the ground as I flew across the fields heading toward the stones. Shouts sounded louder and closer behind me but it only encouraged me to reach my destination faster. Robin folded space to land directly in front of me arms outstretched as if he would catch me and hold me tight. I could see the stones just behind him and whatever was calling me was in that circle. Nothing was going to stop me, not even my Fae love. I threw my hand out and to the side. An expression of shock passed over his face as he flew to the side landing heavily on his backside. I reached the circle and cried out “Mo Athair Tá mé sa bhaile!” Once again the English version repeated in my mind. My father, I have come home!

  Robin, Kale, and Daniel appeared outside the stones but before they could step inside a blinding flash of light exploded outwards. All three men were knocked back several feet from the blast, when they stood again a man was standing inside the stones with me.

  *****

  Robin…

  I watched helplessly as my love cried out for her father inside the stones. This was not supposed to happen. I had not had the time to prepare her. I would have taken so much more care if I thought the stones would call to her in the way they had. The pull was more than I could counteract and she coul
dn’t resist their call. Daniel and Kale stood beside me, both awed by the sight in front of us. While I had been in the presence of gods before, they had not. I reached out and put a hand on both their shoulders to hold them back.

  “What do we do?” growled Kale.

  “We pray, wolf, we pray that he does not take his daughter and leave.”

  The three of us looked on helplessly as the woman we loved turned into the embrace of the shining one.

  *****

  Dia…

  I was where I belonged. The golden man before me swept me up into his arms and held me as if I was a small child.

  “How,” he whispered, “my precious child, how?”

  I just shook my head and buried it in his chest as he pulled me tighter against him. His tears fell heedlessly atop my head and trailed down joining mine.

  “Oh, my beautiful girl, I felt you. It was as if a shining light blazed into existence. I knew it was a part of me but I could not understand how it could be? Your mother told me you had died. Why?” He looked so broken with the thought of her betrayal when he asked that question.

  “She thought she was protecting me,” I whispered. “Eloise is heartbroken over what she did. Athair, will you forgive her?”

  “Is that what you want, daughter? She caused you the most anguish. Eloise took you away from your family and abandoned you to strangers.”

  “No, she didn’t,” I refuted. “If she hadn’t done what she did then I would have never had the family I do. I have wonderful adoptive parents and a brother and sister. Sean in overprotective but I love him.”

  “A male sibling should be willing to lay down his life for a female sibling,” he nodded in approval.

  I turned in his arms and looked behind us at the men held immobile outside the barrier of the stones. “If it wasn’t for Eloise, Athair, I would have never met my mates.”

  “Mates?” my father asked. “Those three are yours?”