The Ancients Series

by Christine M. Butler

  My phone was ringing as I stepped out of the shower, and I ran to pick it up before it stopped. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Jess, umm…” It was Mikael and he sounded odd.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “I don’t know. Did anyone see you? I mean, when we got back, did anyone see you?”

  “Were you glowing?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I didn’t notice it when we shifted at your house, because of all the lights, but when I got down the road…”

  “I know. I saw. My mom, she saw too. No one else knows about it though, it’s already faded for the most part.”

  “Are you still coming?”

  “As long as you want me to.” I was suddenly nervous thinking that turning Mikael into a flashlight had changed his mind about me.

  “Of course I want you here! I’m just wondering how much longer you’re going to take.” He hesitated a minute. “I should have just thrown you on the back of the bike and brought you here anyway.”

  I smiled. I couldn’t help it. “I’m getting dressed and leaving now.” As I hung up, I looked across my room at the bed, and it struck me that something was off. There was a piece of paper there with something lying across it. I walked over and looked down to see a white rose along with a letter.

  Jess,

  I’m sorry. I don’t blame you for the decision you made. My brother was right, he was the better choice for you. I could never move past what my family did to me before. It clouded everything. And still, that is no excuse for what I did to you. I hope you can one day forgive me, and until that time, I am removing myself from the area so as not to be in the way.

  I wish all the happiness in the world for you.

  Always your servant,

  Evan

  I had not been expecting that. I tucked the letter into my bag, along with a change of clothes, and a few other essentials, finished dressing, and was on my way to Mikael’s house.

  ~*~

  Mikael was waiting for me out on the front porch when I pulled up. The minute I threw the Jeep in park he was taking long strides over to me, and I realized then, seeing him march across the lawn to greet me, that I felt a similar pull too. I left my bag right where it was, got out of the Jeep, and went to plant myself firmly in his arms. “Is it strange to say I missed you in that little bit of time?” He asked me as he kissed the top of my head.

  “No, not at all.” We stood there a few minutes more, just holding one another. I felt as though my insides were swelling and ready to burst with the simple act of holding him in my arms. I wasn’t sure if this was typical of the bond, but I was whole when I was near him, as if a piece of me was missing when we were apart. It was the strangest thing, being tied to another person in such a way.

  “I have something to show you,” I told him as I pulled away and went to retrieve my bag. I handed him the letter as we ascended the porch steps. He read it before we ever hit the door.

  “He owes you far more of an apology than this.”

  “Knowing your brother, it will come, in time.”

  Mikael neatly folded the letter and handed it back to me. “I have no doubt.” His words were somewhat sullen as he spoke them.

  “I certainly have no doubts.” He stopped walking and looked at me then. “I am certain of the decisions I’ve made. Even the ones that came with frightening effects.” I looked away momentarily. “My mom’s new nickname for me is Light Bright.” I pouted.

  Mikael laughed, loudly. “I’m glad no one was here to see when I first came in. It’s been steadily fading, but I looked almost like an angel or something, all inner glow flowing outward and whatnot.” He shuttered, faking revulsion.

  “Because that would be so terrible.”

  “Hey, I have a reputation to uphold. If people knew I was a shiny, puppy loving, sap they’d try to walk all over me.”

  “And then get their asses handed to them for underestimating you. Come on,” I shut the front door behind us, and walked toward the kitchen. “My shiny, puppy loving sap needs to feed me, because I’m starving, and I didn’t stick around for dinner at home. My dad had a guest lurking about outside, and we didn’t want anyone seeing me throwing off 45 watts worth of light.”

  “Good call. So, who was lurking about?”

  “I’m not sure. My mom said something about the pack getting a call about a visitor. I never saw who it was though. I guess I’ll be filled in tomorrow some time when I go back to the house.”

  “Hmm,” Mikael was thoughtful for a moment. “I’ll be going back with you. I can head to the rescue after. Your mom knows, right?”

  “Yes, she guessed, and with me looking like a light bulb I thought it was best to tell someone what happened.”

  “What did she think about it?”

  “Aside from being happy for us? She thinks I should ask the white wolves next time I see them, because the light thing isn’t something she’s ever heard of happening before.”

  “I agree.” He said as he pulled me close again. “I wish I could be there with you when you find out though.”

  “Me too.” I pulled a glass out of his cabinet. “I wish I had a way to call to them. They just usually show up.”

  “You’ll get it all figured out, in time.” Mikael was looking in his refrigerator, and then shut it quickly. “Just how hungry are you? I don’t have a whole lot here right now. I think I have some noodles for pasta, maybe some sauce, and beer.”

  I laughed at him. “That sounds perfect.”

  “Oh, good! There really wasn’t a choice beyond that, since we’re both still semi-glowing, and can’t be seen in public.” I hadn’t realized that we were, but when I looked over at him, really looked, I saw the faint halo of light still surrounding him. His eyes were lit from the inside too, just as mine had been when I saw them in the mirror at the house.

  “As pretty as it is, I hope the light thing fades by morning, or we’re going to be shit-out-of-luck trying to keep the bonding secret. Not to mention all the explaining we’ll have to do to everyone who wants to know why we look like we just crawled out of a nuclear reactor or a glow stick factory.” Mikael was laughing at me again then. “What?” I asked him.

  “I get all these mental images when you describe things, it’s very entertaining.”

  “So glad I can keep you amused. Now, about dinner?”

  “Okay, okay, I’m working on it.” It was my turn to laugh at him now. “Wait, isn’t it supposed to be the woman in the kitchen, making me some food? I think the saying is, barefoot and…” I smacked Mikael hard.

  “Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”

  “Well, let’s get you fed so you have plenty of energy, and we’ll practice for the last part of that. Your heat cycle’s done for the year, so we have a lot of practicing ahead of us.” I couldn’t argue with that one bit. One of the perks of being a werewolf was that, aside from not knowing when the first one would be triggered exactly, you never had to worry about things like birth control or having unprotected sex. We knew exactly when we were fertile. It happened annually, and usually coincided with a female going through her third transition. Mine had been triggered by close proximity to Mikael for some reason, but it had come and gone, and I would be safely infertile for a full year now. A year I planned to enjoy very much, if my first time with him was anything to go by. “Oh my God, I wonder if we’re going to light up like light bulbs every time…” Mikael’s eyes grew wide as I said it.

  “I really hope not.” The smirk on his face grew into one of his mischievous grins. “I think we should test it out to be sure.” His grabby hands were suddenly all over me, as he leaned in to kiss me deeply. There was no way I was about to deny that kind of attention, until my empty stomach spoke up for me, growling loud enough to embarrass me. “Right. Feed you first, then scientific exploration.”

  We were in the middle of eating when Mikael seemed to have a problem with staring at me. “What?” I questioned for the third time. “You’ve been staring, and
while I’m not normally one of ‘those girls’ who have issues eating in front of people, you’re making me rethink my table manners or something.” He was making me so nervous that I was a rambling, blithering idiot, who couldn’t put the last bite of her noodles in her mouth.

  “Sorry. I’m just, well, the last time you were here, it was almost reluctantly.”

  “It was not reluctantly,” I argued.

  “Okay, well, you know what I mean. And now… well, a lot has changed in a short time. I guess I just keep waiting for someone to pull the rug out.” I looked up at him then, really looked at him, and underneath everything else I saw the concern sitting there.

  “Are you having second thoughts? I can go stay with my parents again, if you…”

  “No!” Mikael reached across the table and wrapped his hand around mine. “It’s not that, Jess. I’m fine. I’m worried about you. Throughout all of this, you have said you wanted to take things slow, to make sure it was right, and the first time I get you alone…” His voice trailed off.

  “Well, it felt right in the moment, and it still does. Besides, I think I learned everything I needed to know when I started my heat cycle, and you removed yourself from the situation before things happened, when I had no control over myself. What more could I ask for than someone who cares enough to respect those wishes, even when it was hard on you to do so? Especially, when I was calling you, and begging for you to come to me.”

  “Yeah, well, if you had done it one more time, I was going to be done with saying no to you. Just so you know!”

  I laughed then. “Mikael, I’m not sorry we didn’t wait longer. It felt right, deep down inside. If someone’s going to come and pull the cloth out from under us, then we’ll be together when it happens, but it’s not going to be me doing it, if that’s what has you worried. I’m happy with my decisions. I’m happy with you.”

  He was around the table in the blink of an eye and scooping me up out of the chair. “In that case, I’m taking you to bed.” He smiled down at me as my cheeks reddened slightly. “Well, maybe there will be time for that after your food settles, but I meant to just relax together. Just you,” he kissed the tip of my nose, “me,” he kissed my lips lightly, “and no interruptions.”

  “Sounds perfect.” He carried me up the stairs, and took me to the bedroom. I hadn’t really gotten any further in the house than the living room the last time I was here. I was surprised, once again, the bedroom was full of sturdy, wooden furniture, including a four-poster King size bed. I think I had to scoop my jaw up off the floor because I was not expecting it. Everything in the bedroom was done in earth tones just like it was downstairs in the living room. The cloth draping from the tops of the bed were all a light, beach sand color, while the bedding was dark brown with lighter accents. “Wow, you just keep surprising me. Every time I think I know what to expect…”

  Mikael was smiling still, “good then I know I can keep you on your toes, at least for a little while.” He kissed me again as he let me slide down his body to stand on my own two feet. “The bathroom is through there. If there’s anything you don’t like, just let me know. We can change it.”

  “Are you kidding? I love it.” I was running my hands down one of the bed posts, marveling at the craftsmanship, because the detailing in the designs that were carved there were impeccable. “This is amazing.” I was still tracing the design as I said it. Mikael had stayed near the door, giving me space to look around on my own.

  “Thank you,” his voice floated over to me.

  “Well, you have great taste too, but whoever did this is an artist.”

  “Too bad my father doesn’t think so. He thought it was a waste of my time. I had it shipped over when I came so I could add the last details to it. Finishing the engravings on the post is how I occupied my time last week while you were indisposed.”

  I turned around then, completely in awe. “Unbelievable. So, animal rescuer, woodworking artist, what else am I going to discover about you now?”

  “I guess we’ll figure it out as we go. I’m glad you like it.”

  I walked over and hugged Mikael close to me, “I love it.” I waited while he kissed my nose again, then I let go to investigate the rest of the place. The bathroom had one of those old, deep, claw-foot tubs in it, and honestly there was a big part of me that wanted to skip everything else and climb in for a hot bubble bath. Then I reminded myself there would be time for that later. “So, all the other furniture in the house, did you make it too?”

  “I did a few pieces here and there. Some of it is store bought, just because I haven’t had the time to really work on things yet. One day, after the rescue is up and running, maybe I’ll have time to put together a workshop.”

  “Or you could use the one we have on the pack lands.”

  “I didn’t realize you had one there.”

  “Jack, Ashley’s brother, works there normally. The pack sells hand-made furniture. It’s one of our business ventures. It actually sells really well, we have a website for orders, and a couple of the guys take pieces to the larger flea markets nearby on the weekends and sell there too. I bet people would go crazy for this level of detail though.” I was back over by the bed, admiring the work he had done. “Where did you learn to do this?”

  “I had an uncle once. He didn’t give a rat’s ass about being royalty. He was the younger brother, and an omega wolf on top of that. So, of course, my father hated him and hid him away from prying eyes for the most part. To keep him quietly in the background, he set him up with a workshop and let him piddle around with what my father called ‘his hobbies.’ My uncle was amazing. The things he could do, and not just with wood. He was a metal smith too. A lot of his creations were combination efforts. I still have a few pieces he did, but they’re being stored right now. I hadn’t planned on making this a permanent move until… well, until you.”

  “Well, I would love to see everything, eventually.” I yawned then, feeling the weight of the day settle into my shoulders.

  “Why don’t you go get comfortable, and I’ll run downstairs for a movie?”

  “Okay. Can you grab some water too?”

  “Absolutely.”

  ~*~

  Waking up in the morning, in a strange bed, was disconcerting at first. I wasn’t even aware I ever fell asleep, but it must have happened when I meant to just lay back on the bed and relax a minute while Mikael went downstairs for a movie and drinks. I hadn’t been sleeping well the past few nights, so the fact that I went out like a light and slept until dawn astounded me. What was even better than that was rolling over to see Mikael there, beside me, looking just as content and restful.

  “Are you staring at me?” He asked as he cracked one eye open and looked at me.

  “I was just marveling at the fact that I slept so well, for once, and then you looked so peaceful. This bed must be magic!”

  “Nah, I think it has more to do with the company.” Mikael reached over and brushed some stray hair out of my face, pushing it gently behind my ear. “I always wondered what you looked like in the morning.”

  I was rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hand, and looked back over at him. “Oh? And is it everything you imagined?”

  “No, not at all,” he whispered coming up on his knees, and moving closer. “I never, ever, in a million years pictured a wild animal would sit atop your head in the mornings.” As I let out a shocked gasp at his mention of my incredibly awful bedhead, he pounced on me, and then his mouth found mine. Before I could say a word about him insulting my hair, he was kissing me, and it was all forgotten. I understood now, the difference in Ashley after she bonded with Asi. The look of pure bliss she got when she was in his presence, because the feeling of being complete and whole was an overwhelming thing this morning as Mikael touched me, kissed me, and smiled down at me.

  A flash of heat flooded through me, changing the playful tone of Mikael’s morning antics into something else altogether when he caught the scent of my arousa
l. Tickles smoothed out and became something more insistent, gripping along my skin, as kisses turned deeper. My shirt was off and tossed to the floor in a flash. Mikael’s mouth left me then to take one of my nipples, hardened by the cool air of the room, into his mouth. The fiery hot sensation spun through me, as his hands continued to roam further south. Mikael was just snatching my pants off of me when my phone began to scream out the all too annoying ringtone I had to signify my father was calling.

  “We are not answering that.” Mikael growled out as he threw my pants across the room, grasped my hips, and pulled me into the position he wanted me in. My father never called me unless it was important, but important was about to wait. Just this once. A warm kiss on my belly was my reward for not attempting to get to my phone, and then another, and down they trailed. The buzzing of the ringtone faded into oblivion as Mikael claimed my body with his mouth.

  My phone started its shrill screeching again. This time it was joined by Mikael’s phone, which was ringing a much more subtle tone. “That’s probably not a coincidence,” I muttered.

  “Damn it.” Mikael was growling when he answered his phone. “WHAT?”

  “Um, Jess needs to pick up her phone. She’s needed back home, immediately.” I could hear that it was Ashley’s voice on the other end, and she didn’t sound quite right. “Tell her Jack is back, and he brought bad news.”

  I was across the room, pulling my pants right side out again, so I could slip them on, and pointing to my phone, which was still ringing.

  “Ok, Ashley, we’re on the way.” Mikael said to her before he hung up and reached to grab my phone. He didn’t even try for polite as he picked it up. “We’re on the way,” he said into the phone and then hung up. “This better not be one of your friend’s twisted jokes, or I will be so pissed off.”