The sense of community the pack harbored in that moment had warmth swelling in my chest. I didn’t look around for my dad again, but I knew he was here somewhere, watching as everything unfolded. I knew he was proud of the pack and me right now.
I poured a thin line of the ash onto the ground outside the trailer with the intention of keeping evil out as I made my way in a circle around it. The ghosts rushed at me, but I ignored them. The more they came at me though, the colder my body became. By the time I made it to the opposite side of the trailer to connect with my start point, my teeth chattered together uncontrollably and my body shook.
“Dude, your lips are blue,” Tate said.
“Are they getting stronger?” Dorian asked. He swatted at Regina’s angry spirit. “It seems like they are.”
“Maybe they’re pissed,” Frank insisted.
Shane’s ghost passed through Tate repeatedly, and I watched his color turn pale and his lips blue.
Something was wrong. They’d figured something out we hadn’t.
“Get inside. We need to get away from them. I think if we stay out here and continue to let them pass through us, something is going to happen, and I don’t think it will be good. Everyone, get inside your trailers and stay there. The wreaths will protect you,” I shouted to the pack members watching through windows and standing on their steps. “The rest of you, follow me.”
I started toward my trailer. My eyes skimmed the wreath tacked to my front door. Sprinkles of the blessed willow ash glittered across its surface. Gran had known what she was doing when she placed it there. Her and Mina both. It would protect us all, I knew it would.
“We should be okay in here,” I said when we all made it inside.
Once I stepped inside, Moonshine rushed to me. She jumped up and down, trying to get my attention. I bent to scoop her up, relishing in the warmth that radiated off her. She was like a little heater. I maneuvered around everyone and headed to the thermostat in the hall. I cranked up the heat, knowing I’d have to work extra hours to pay for the added warmth but not caring.
Those damn ghosts had chilled me to the bone.
“What do we do now?” Max asked.
Tate moved to the kitchen counter and grabbed Mina’s jar of peanut butter. “Eat. Relax. Get warm. And be thankful we aren’t the ones giving birth right now, because it sounded like she was in a hell of a lot of pain.”
I chuckled and rolled my eyes at him, but he was right. All we could do was wait. I set Moonshine down and reached for my phone from in my back pocket. With shaky, numb fingers, I tapped out a text to Mina.
Keep me updated on things. I’ve got everyone inside. We should all be protected by the wreaths. Taryn and Glenn’s trailer should be protected most because of the ash I placed around it.
I waited for her to reply. It took her a while.
Her contractions are closer together, but Gran is concerned because she isn’t dilating fast enough. I wish there was something I could do for her. She’s in so much pain. - Mina
You are doing something for her. You’re there.
She didn’t text back. I hadn’t been expecting her to.
13
At 9:22 the next morning, the baby was born. Mina had called to let me know everything was okay. I was half-asleep when I heard my cell ring. Moonshine had curled up in my lap sometime during the night and the trailer felt like a damn oven. My shirt stuck to me when I moved to reach for my phone.
After I woke the guys, I headed outside to meet Mina. I didn’t want her walking between trailers alone. I had no clue if the spirits were still out there or how pissed off they might be. However, as I walked, I didn’t see a single ghost. Was Ridley feeling good enough to stabilize the other side, or had they given up on getting to the baby?
“Hey,” I said when I spotted Mina. Her face was pale and she looked as though she was about to vomit. I rushed to her side. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I just—I don’t ever want to have kids,” she said. A shutter slipped through her that made me grin. “Like ever.”
“Why is that?”
“If you saw what I saw, you wouldn’t even have to ask. Seriously. You should’ve seen how much pain Taryn was in. All the blood and goop that came out with the baby. It was like watching an alien horror movie.” Her face twisted into a disgusted expression, and her nose wrinkled. While I’d never witnessed a birth before, I could imagine what it would be like to see one firsthand. “I don’t ever want to go through that.”
Maybe she didn’t. Maybe seeing Taryn give birth would scar her for life. Maybe it wouldn’t. Maybe one day she’d feel differently on the subject. It didn’t matter. All I wanted was her. She was enough. She always would be.
“That doesn’t mean we can’t still practice though, right?” I asked, flashing her my most devious smile.
“Practicing is okay. Creating is not. Just so you know. That’s not going to happen.”
I pulled Mina closer and kissed her. “Okay. Got it. So, tell me how Taryn’s doing. How’s the baby?”
“She did great and the baby is healthy. Gran did amazing. Gracie too. I can’t believe how much help she was to Gran. Glenn and I were no help at all.” She chuckled. “None. In fact, Glenn passed out at one point. I had to tend to him for a while, but I was okay with that. It gave me a break from everything else. Plus, Taryn was about to crush my hand. She’s strong when she’s in pain.”
The front door to the tiny trailer swung open behind us and Gracie popped her head out.
“Taryn wants to see you.” She pointed to Mina. Her eyes shifted to me next. “You too.”
“Okay.” Mina started for the stairs. “You were great, by the way. I have no idea how you managed to stay next to Gran and help as much as you did. My stomach was churning.”
Gracie shrugged. “It was beautiful.”
Mina’s eyes widened. “You thought it was beautiful? Seriously? Did we watch the same thing?”
I started up the steps behind them. Once I was inside, I closed the door behind me and followed the two of them down the tiny hall toward the bedroom. Gran stood in the kitchen, washing her hands. The scent of blood and new life lingered in the air. My wolf paced. He understood a new member of the pack had been born and became full of nervous energy.
A pile of towels on the floor near the trash can caught my eye. They were speckled in blood and slime. I understood what Mina had meant. My stomach soured as I crept down the hall.
“Hey,” Taryn said as the three of us entered the tiny bedroom. Glenn was on the bed beside her. He seemed fine now. Happy. There was an energy vibrating between Taryn and Glenn. It was something my wolf picked up on and pride rang through him. His nervousness melted away.
He was pleased his pack was growing. Our pack. It was a beautiful thing.
“We want the two of you to meet someone,” Glenn said. He shifted to better face us. “Harlow Mina Markle.”
My lips worked their way into a wide smile at the sound of their daughter’s name. They’d given her Mina’s name as her middle. I remembered Mina telling me Taryn had mentioned once they planned on it, but hearing it now was cool.
I glanced at Mina. Tears pooled in her eyes as she stared at the little girl. I placed a hand on the small of her back. She melted into my touch on contact.
“Thank you,” Mina managed to choke out. “She has a beautiful name. I’m honored.”
“Thank you,” Glenn insisted. “You never gave up on finding me. You didn’t back down when you knew something was wrong. You were so brave, Mina. One day, we’ll tell our daughter stories of you and that bravery. She’ll know how special her name is.”
Tears flowed from Mina’s eyes faster. Her smile widened, but she didn’t speak. She only nodded. I thought it was because she couldn’t find her voice. It had disappeared somewhere in her emotions.
“That’s a beautiful gesture,” I said. My gaze drifted from Glenn to Taryn. “Truly.”
“As alpha, will you accept her into the p
ack?” Taryn asked.
The question threw me off guard. I licked my lips and nodded.
“Of course,” I said. “Absolutely. She is welcome within the pack.”
I stepped forward, knowing it was what I was supposed to do. I’d seen my father do the same a time or two when new babies were born into the pack. Reaching out, I carefully scooped Harlow up from Glenn’s arms and cradled her in my own. I stared at her smooth skin and tiny features. She was perfect.
“As alpha, I accept you, Harlow Mina Markle, into the pack. May you always be considered one of us and may your wolf find you when the time is right.”
After saying the words, I kissed her on the forehead before passing her back to Glenn. My wolf howled with delight. Everyone with free hands clapped, and whistles of happiness echoed through the tiny room.
“That was beautiful,” Gran said. “Your father would be proud.”
I locked eyes with her. “I know.”
In my mind, I imagined him smiling at me with warmth in his eyes like he’d done last night.
“Now that we’ve made it through Christmas and added a new member to the pack,” Gran said. “I think it’s time we focus on a certain wedding taking place soon, don’t you?”
I pulled Mina into my side again and nodded. “Yeah.”
Spirits be damned, our wedding was happening even if the other side wasn’t fully stable.
14
By two o’clock that afternoon every friend of ours knew about the wedding happening in three days. This included Alec, Mina’s ex. An image of the two of them kissing in the driveway of Gran’s place filled my head. Even though it seemed so long ago, the emotions were still fresh. Not only for me, but for my wolf. Alec wouldn’t remember the kiss though. Hell, he wouldn’t even remember having dated Mina. Julian’s youngest sister, Ivette, had compelled him to forget everything he knew about the supernatural world a while back.
This included Mina and the relationship they’d shared.
Even though I’d never admit it, a small level of satisfaction slithered through me at the thought of having won the girl.
Mina was mine. Not Alec’s. Mine.
I took comfort in knowing that when she’d spoken with him on the phone about coming to the wedding and the girl he’d be bringing as his date.
The wedding.
It was insane it was finally happening.
Over the next few days, I didn’t have to do much of anything for it. Between Gran, Angela, and my mom, everything was taken care of. Even for Mina. The only thing she had to do was say yes or no to each thing they suggested. I couldn’t be positive, but I thought she enjoyed being off the hook with the task of getting everything together.
I knew I did.
“Ouch!” I flinched at the sting of a pin piercing my skin. “You just stabbed me.”
“And I’ll do it again if you don’t be still,” Mom insisted. She maneuvered the pin she’d stabbed me with through the fabric of my slacks, securing them the way she wanted. I pulled at the collar of my shirt. “You’ve always been such a wiggle worm. Be still so I can get this done. I didn’t think I’d have to take the pants in even more the night before the wedding.”
Stress hung heavily in her words.
“I could always use a belt,” I suggested. It seemed logical. An easy fix.
“You can’t use a belt. It’ll look tacky. I’ll just take them in a little more.”
I pulled at one of the sleeves of my blazer.
“Be still, Eli!” she scolded me.
“I’m sorry. I’m trying. This suit is just so damn uncomfortable.”
“Well, it looks good on you. Once I fix the trousers again. I still can’t believe you’ve lost so much weight.”
I didn’t reply, because I could believe it. Forgetting to eat was easy to do when members of your pack were being abducted, or bloodthirsty vampires were running through town killing people, or evil spirits you thought you’d never see again came back.
“There. Go take them off so I can head home and fix them.” Mom smoothed her hands over my shoulders. As her gaze skimmed over me, her eyes grew misty. “You look handsome. So much like your father.” She sniffled.
I swallowed hard. “Thanks.”
“Even though he isn’t here in physical form for this, I know he’ll be watching tomorrow. He loves you, Eli, and so do I.”
“I love you too.”
She wiped beneath her eyes, whisking away the tears that had fallen. “Okay. Enough of all that. Go change out of that suit before something happens to it. Mina took a long time picking it out just for you.”
I started down the hall to my room. A smile twisted my lips at the memory of Mina explaining her color choice for my tux. She’d said she didn’t want to do a black one, because it was so typical and formal. She wanted to do something different. So she chose blue. The same shade as the flowers on the dress I had yet to see. She also had thought to acknowledge our wolfs. For me, my wolf was acknowledged by a patch of fur sticking out of my suit jacket’s pocket, a chocolate brown tie and a pair of shoes to match. For Mina, it was supposed to be a fur shawl draped over her shoulders.
The tux was nice, but I was still a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy.
Once I’d changed, I draped it over my arm and walked it back to my mom in the living room. She was on the couch, petting Moonshine.
“Are you nervous?” she asked when I passed the tux to her.
“No. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for this.”
It was the truth. I’d known at an early age Mina was supposed to be with me.
“Good. You shouldn’t be. Mina is smart, beautiful, and funny. You two will go far together in life.” She placed a gentle kiss to my cheek before moving to the door. “Try to get some rest tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I will.”
As soon as the door closed behind her, the trailer became unbearably quiet. Mina wasn’t home. Gran had insisted we did things the traditional way, which meant not seeing each other the night before the wedding. I thought it was bogus considering we lived together and had gone about things in reverse order, but I wasn’t about to argue with the old woman. I grabbed my cell off the kitchen counter and made my way to the couch. Moonshine curled up beside me when I sat, and I scrolled through my phone until I found Mina’s name. I tapped out a text to her.
I miss you already.
It only took seconds for her to respond. This made me smile.
I miss you too. We don’t have to listen to Gran. After all, you’re the alpha. - Mina
I know, but I don’t want to go into this marriage pissing off members of your family. Seems like a bad way to start things.
Fine. I guess we’ll listen to her, then. - Mina
We should, even though this place doesn’t feel the same without you.
It didn’t. It was too quiet. Too empty. I missed the feel of her presence.
Don’t worry, you won’t be lonely for long. Tate, Dorian, and Max are on their way to the front door right now. - Mina
I sat up straight.
What? I thought we agreed no bachelor party.
You and I agreed on it, but I don’t think everyone else did. Felicia and some of the others are taking me out too. - Mina.
The sound of someone coming up the steps made its way to my ears. Moonshine perked up as the doorknob twisted and Tate let himself in.
I tapped out another quick text to Mina as my brother announced himself.
Well, have fun tonight I guess. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
Can’t wait to see you tomorrow either. - Mina
I tossed my cell on the coffee table and shifted to face the guys as they let themselves in.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked. I took in the smug smirk on each of their faces. “I thought I told you there wasn’t going to be a bachelor party. I’m not sad to see my bachelor days go, so there’s no reason for me to party and live it up one final night.”
; “Oh, come on,” Tate insisted. He bounced on the balls of his feet, and his hands crammed into the front pocket of his jeans. “It’s tradition. If you two are listening to Gran about not seeing each other the night before the wedding, then you need to see the entire thing through fully. Which means, a bachelor party is a must.”
I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t dim the smile forming on my face.
“Fine,” I said.
“Get some shoes on. Let’s get out of here. We’ve got places to be,” Tate insisted.
The guys filed out the door as I slipped my boots on. I grabbed my wallet and cell before following after them.
“Where are we going?” I asked as I closed the door behind me and started down the wooden steps.
“You’ll see,” Dorian said.
We piled into Max’s Jeep. He was driving there—wherever there was—and Tate would drive us home later since he wasn’t old enough to drink. After Max cut out of the trailer park and started down a few streets, I knew where we were going—Eddie’s bar.
“Oh, come on. Why would I want to go to work on the night of my bachelor party?” I teased.
“Because it’s the best damn bar in town,” Dorian insisted. “We’re meeting the rest of the gang there for drinks, darts, and maybe a game or two of pool.”
Honestly, going out did sound fun. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone out to drink a few beers and play pool. While I sucked at darts, pool was my thing. I used to love to play.
Hell, at one point I even had my own stick.
“I’m down for that,” I said. I shifted around in the passenger seat to look at Tate in the back. “In fact, I’m probably going to whip your ass in a game or two of pool tonight. Try not to cry, okay?”
“Ha ha. Very funny,” Tate insisted.
I grinned as I shifted back around in the passenger seat to lean my head against the cushion and stare out the windshield.
Moon Vowed (Mirror Lake Wolves Book 8) Page 9