by Niki Trento
“Or…” Celeste leaps off my lap and shifts.
Run with me. Her tail is up in the air, her head low to the ground.
How could I resist? I strip my clothes off and shift. We run off the porch and toward the lake. We bump into each other, nip at each other, and tumble in the grass. When we get to the lake, we mate again as wolves. Oh, what a glorious start to the day!
We head back home for breakfast. Stopping at the porch to get dressed, then go inside where Kathleen and Donovan are already cooking. They are quietly laughing and talking as the steaks sizzled on the stove. When they notice us, Kathleen looks at Donovan and holds out her hand. “You owe me twenty bucks,” Kathleen says with a smirk on her face.
Donovan sighs and slaps money into her palm.
“Do I even want to know?” Obviously a bet was made on us, but what exactly I wasn’t sure.
“Oh, no big thing.” Kathleen is working hard at not smiling.
“Donovan?” His resolve breaks and he smiles so big I can see his wisdom teeth.
“Seriously?” I shake my head. The sickos bet on whether or not I got some last night. “You two need to get a life.” I chuckle. I can’t be mad at them, this is the kind of thing we do. Keeps life interesting.
“You did, right?” Kathleen looks at Celeste, then nods.
Poor Celeste’s cheeks give us away.
“All right! New topic of discussion. What are you making with those steaks? I’m dyin’ here!” I do my best to mimic Axel which sends Celeste into a fit of giggles.
“That s’posed to be me?” Axel comes in from the living room with a small bag of garbage. This only makes Celeste laugh harder. She sinks to her knees as tears run down her cheeks.
Did I mention this was a glorious morning?
More shifters emerge from the woodwork to the aroma of bacon, sausage, and steak. Some are headed off to work, some headed off to bed.
Apparently, there was a marathon game-fest last night. Celeste and I sip our coffee while we wait for breakfast to be done.
“So, Kane is going to stay with your dad’s pack. How do you think that will go?” Axel asks Celeste.
“Well, my dad won’t take any of his bullshit, but he will be fair to him. I told him a little about what Kane had been through before coming here. There is a shifter in his pack that will work with Kane. She is like a therapist, her gift is similar to yours, Axel, but I think more advanced.”
“What do you mean, what he went through?”
I briefly filled them in on the terrible way that Kane was raised and treated wherever he went. It made everything that happened with him here more understandable and more forgivable.
“That will be good for him then. Good call, Celeste.” Kathleen never cared for Kane, but I can see the harsh feelings subside now that she knows what made him that way.
Once the meal is eaten and the pack goes to work or bed or whatever it was they have planned for the day, I decide I need a shower. I badly want Celeste to join me, but I don’t want her to think that I had a one-track mind. Even if at the moment I did. Last night and this morning were—well, it was glorious. I walk Celeste to her room so she can shower then go into mine.
Have you decided, Barin? I am just about to turn on the hot water when the elven voice echoes in my head.
My answer is the same. I am not leaving my pack.
We do not have much time, but we will be back for a more pleasurable answer.
Fuck you!
The voice had already left. I could tell the moment it was gone. They aren’t going to give up until I give in. I would have to hunt down Heru one way or another.
So much for a glorious day.
I shower quickly, throw on some jeans and a t-shirt and go downstairs. Kathleen, Donovan, and Axel are still in the kitchen.
“We have to find Heru, and fast.”
“What happened?” Donovan asks through clenched teeth. He must know the elves have done something.
I tell them of the threat.
“If I put you under, maybe we can reconnect you with him from your memory. I’ve read about it and it is theoretically possible.”
“Let’s do it.”
“Give me a few minutes to prepare, meaning I need to eat some more. This might take more out of me than usual.”
“Will it hurt you?” I ask. Axel has never done anything like this for me before.
“I don’t think so. It will probably knock me out for a while though. No big deal, boss. I need to sleep anyway.”
“Then sleep first. This can—“
“No. This is good. Let’s go to your room and get cozy.” Axel winks at me.
“Get your journal and recorder, doll. Get Celeste and Rock, too,” Axel nudges Kathleen’s shoulder.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Kathleen
We all gather in Barin's room. The small couch is brought to the side of his bed where Axel instructs Celeste and Rock to sit. He wants Celeste holding Barin's hand the whole time to keep him grounded.
Rock is there to watch both of their emotions to be sure they don’t spike too high. Donovan is given a word, that when spoken, will wake Barin up, just in case Axel falls asleep. I have my recorder set up and journal open. Axel sits on the bed with Barin and then he starts hypnosis.
“And five, four, three, two, one. Barin, can you hear me?”
I have to look at Axel when he speaks. Never have I heard him so...calm. So quiet.
“Yes.” Barin’s voice sounds like he is dreaming. Talking in his sleep.
“Where are you?”
“I am by the lake. Very foggy.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes, but not for long. Someone is walking towards me.”
“Is it Heru?”
“I’m not sure yet, the fog is too thick.”
“How about now?”
“Yes. It’s Heru.”
“He knows what is going on. Ask him for guidance. Tell me what he says.”
“He said that if I continue to deny the elves, they will start killing my pack to force me.”
“Barin?”
Barin’s mouth is moving, but no sound comes out.
Axel isn’t saying anything either.
Rock’s eyes are flicking back and forth between the two men.
“What is going on? Why isn’t he talking?” Celeste panics.
“It’s okay, Celeste, he is having a conversation with Heru. He has moved from the hypnotic state. Heru is in his mind now like he was the last time. He’s okay, I promise you.” Axel collapses on the bed, snoring.
“I guess we wait a little while.” I put my hand on Celeste’s shoulder.
I go over and cover Axel.
Donovan is pacing the room. The ever-watchful beta doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He can guard Barin’s body all he wants, but he can’t be in the mind of his best friend and alpha. Every time he faces me, I can see his jaw clenching. His broad back is tense.
Rock sits back with her eyes closed. She said she is meditating, it makes it easier for her to track Barin’s emotions in this state. Lucky.
I wish I can get my zen on, all of this not knowing shit is rubbing my fur the wrong way.
Celeste is still holding Barin’s hand but now has it over her heart. It has been about half an hour since Barin’s lips stopped wordlessly moving. He seems to just be sleeping now.
We have talked about waking him but wanted to be sure that he is done with his conversation with Heru before doing that. We agreed to wait forty-five minutes and the wait is killing us. I check my watch for the fiftieth time, just five more minutes.
“How’s he doing, Rock?”
“He’s fine. A little irritated, but he is ok. I think we can wake him now.”
“Donovan. Say it.” Celeste is done waiting.
“Banana Hammock.”
He had to be joking!
“He’s awake,” Celeste says with a relieved sigh.
Barin slowly sits up.
“Really, Axel?” I question the sleeping telepath.
“Did you expect something mundane like houseboat?” Donovan chuckles.
We all stare at Barin, waiting to hear what happened.
“Heru is coming here. Tonight.” Barin looks over at Axel sleeping. “You better not have a wet dream in my bed.”
A laugh snorts out my nose, and I am not the only one.
“Let’s go down to the library and talk. He needs to sleep,” Donovan directs.
CHAPTER FORTY
Barin
“Heru said that the elves would force my hand. If I don’t join them, they would start killing the pack. Then he told me that there was nothing I could do but take the throne. It would be the only way to keep you all safe.”
“Then we will just have to kill the elves first!” Donovan growls.
“No. I don’t think we will need to do that either.”
“Why? What aren’t you telling us?” Celeste is worried.
Her concern for my pack simply melts my heart.
“I think I can convince Heru to take his rightful place as king. If he does, we offer an alliance.”
“How can you be so sure that he would do that?” Kathleen asks while scribbling in her book.
“Because of something he said to me. He said that he would never let harm come to me or this pack, nor to any of his lineage. I think that if he is willing to protect us from the elves, the best way for him to do that is to lead them himself.”
“Is that why he is coming?”
“I told him I wanted him to meet my mate and my pack so he could see who he would be fighting for. Once he is here, I am going to do everything I can to get his ancient ass on that throne.”
**
The plan is that Heru will meet us at the lake at ten. He can’t easily come to the house because of all the iron and he doesn’t want to be anywhere near the cave. Once again, a group text is sent out to the pack telling them of the meeting.
I call my parents to tell them of the developments and my plan to get Heru on the throne.
“Family is everything to Heru, remember that. You need to use that to your advantage,” my mother suggests.
“You should talk to your uncle, too, boy. Discuss the alliance and see if he would be interested.”
“You think he would be, Dad?”
“I think so. I’ll get him, hold on.” While my dad goes next door to get my uncle, I chat with mom and what she remembers of Heru. Within minutes my uncle’s booming voice can be heard.
“Barin! Tell me what your plan is. Your father has been keeping me posted on the elf situation so you can skip all that.”
“My plan is to get Heru on the throne, offer him an alliance. Dad thought you would be interested in going in with me.”
“Heru was a hell of a guy, Barin. If he takes the throne, I will offer my alliance, too. To sweeten the deal, I will talk to some surrounding alphas, too. See if I can get some more support for the alliance. Good luck, Barin.”
After we iron out some more details and plans, I bring Donovan into the office to work on the alliance. I need it in writing for Heru, make it formal. Everything is falling into place, I just need the old goat to agree.
At half-past nine, the pack has gathered and we head to the lake. Shortly after our arrival, the fog rolls in and so does Heru. It must be how he travels.
Heru hugs me then steps back to bow his head. “Barin, thank you for bringing your pack. This,” he walks up to Celeste, “must be your beautiful mate!” He kisses her on both cheeks before bowing his head to her as well.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Heru.” Celeste returns his bow.
Once the introductions are made, we get down to business. I hand him the documents that Donovan and I wrote up.
“Heru, we need you to take the throne.”
“I can not. I gave up that right when I stayed with the shifters.”
“I have been thinking, they wouldn’t want me if there was any other choice. You can lead them and you won’t be going empty-handed.”
“How so?”
“Those papers are our offer of an alliance, if, and only if, you take the throne. My uncle’s pack—your pack, has agreed to join you as well.”
“The elves will not want me to lead them. I abandoned them.”
“True, but you weren’t needed until now anyway. We can go to the cave, talk to them. Heru, you are the only way I can protect my pack. If I leave them, it would be like if you had been on the throne when you left. This,” I motion to my pack, “is my family. Your family.”
The old elf starts to pace. He doesn’t walk like an elf. His gait is long and determined. Almost human. I'm willing to bet that is where he has been hiding.
The longer I watch him, the more I notice the familial resemblance. He runs his hands through his hair like I do. Even his lip curls the same way mine does when I am internally wrestling over a decision.
The shifters start to get nervous; I can feel it in the air. Which means that Heru can, too. He stops, looks at each member of the pack. I can see the moment he resigns himself to his new fate. “Okay. Lead the way.”
I know it isn’t over yet. The elves had to agree to it, but it is a start. As one, we walk to the cave. I’m not sure if the elves will be there, but Heru tells me he can summon them when we get to the waterfall within the cave.
As before, we split up the pack. Axel, Donovan, Celeste, and Kathleen go to the inner cave with me and Heru. The others stay behind.
When we are in the area of the waterfall, Heru calls for the others using his native language. It sounds like beautiful gibberish to me, but soon my nose starts to burn and Kathleen starts sneezing. They are coming.
“You are alive!” The elves bow deeply to Heru. Though, they look a little hesitant to do so.
My nose is sensitive to the strong emotions that waft off of the kneeling elves. They are happy to have their intended king alive and well, but under that, there is anger.
“Yes, I am. I only came to you at the request of my kin. We want to discuss the throne.”
The elves have their little pow-wow. Apparently, these three are the equivalent to Donovan, Kathleen, and Axel. With the current king so close to death, they are the ones calling the shots for the kingdom. “Why would you think we would welcome you back to take the throne when we could have Barin?” The tallest of the three sneers. Not sure if it is directed at me or Heru.
I turn to look at my great-something-grandfather. His posture is relaxed but regal. He is giving off a very chill kind of vibe despite the anger in his eyes.
“Because you know as well as I do that the elves will not easily follow a shifter, regardless of his blood. If I take my throne, my family line is safe. Barin and his mate bring themselves and their pack as an ally. We can work together instead of against each other.”
“And what happens when the vermin decides to not work with us?” the elf on the left asks with venom in his voice.
A rumble tears through the cave, rocks and pebbles rain down around us. The trio of elves cower and cover their heads.
Heru is standing tall, unflinching and I follow his cue. After, of course, I realize the debris is nowhere near my pack, only at the offending elves. Amazing. The books said Heru had control over earth, but I thought that meant plants and things, not rock.
“How dare you speak of my family with such filthy words!? You had all better mind who you are speaking to! I am not your lesser, neither are my kin. They are above you in your precious hierarchy and you will do well to remember that.” The debris ceases its attack as Heru relaxes his shoulders by the slightest degree. “Apologize.”
The three pompous elves look quickly at each other. As one they turn to Heru and bow. “Our apologies Lord Heru.” They begin to straighten when Heru’s voice rises, freezing them in place.
“Each of them. They are the people you insulted, you swine.”
I love the smell of scared elves in the evening. Their f
aces are something out of a movie, shocked, scared, uncertain. Eyes darting back and forth, lips moving.
“I will not repeat myself.”
“O-our apologies, Barin, Alpha of Silver Lake. To y-you and your p-pack, we beg your forgiveness,” says the one who called us vermin.
Before answering, I make a show of checking with each member of my pack inside the cave, letting them sweat a little. “Apology accepted...this time.” I say, keeping my back straight. I refuse to bow to them.
“Do you accept my terms?” Heru brings their attention back to the main focus of this meeting.
Without missing a beat, the tallest elf speaks. “Agreed. You will take the throne from Aran as is your right. The shifters will be safe.”
“You’ll learn to love us!” Axel’s voice echoes in the cave.
**
This is the end of Barin’s story...but have no fear, Donovan is up next in:
Autumn of the Beta: Seasons of the Wolf Book Two
Winter of the Delta: Seasons of the Wolf Book Three
Spring of the Omega: Seasons of the Wolf Book Four
Release dates unknown at this time
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**
If you enjoyed Summer of the Alpha, thank you! Please feed my belly with reviews at:
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About the Author
Niki Trento is a wife to an incredibly goofy and loving man, and mother to two awesomely wacky and loving teenagers. She is a huge fan of paranormal romance, reverse harem and urban fantasy books. Absolutely obsessed with Supernatural and those darn Winchester boys. (Seriously, she named her van Castiel!) Her day isn’t complete unless she starts it off with a great big iced coffee.