by C. W. Gray
Myrtle’s eye twitched. “She zapped you went you got mouthy?”
Katrin narrowed her eyes. “Where. Is. She?”
Myrtle glared at the chair. “I handled her.”
Katrin stomped her foot. “That’s not fair.”
Myrtle gave her a sly look. “Keep your panties on fuzzbutt. I’ll let you at her. She could use a beating.” She snapped her fingers, and Cynthia transformed, tipping over the chair she had been hiding under.
Her eyes were wild as they darted around the room, and her legs still bled from Flufflepuff’s attack. “You attacked me! The Witches Council will hear of this.”
Katrin growled and pushed Sonny’s mom, pinning her against the wall and baring her suddenly very sharp teeth. “You don’t harm what’s mine, witch.”
Leo’s family, along with Myrtle and Gemma, gathered behind Katrin, expressions dark with anger.
Cynthia swallowed. “Somerset is my son, and I didn’t harm him. It was just a little zap.”
Katrin held up her hand, or well, paw. She was far too close to shifting. “This will just be a little tap.”
Cynthia squeaked and closed her eyes.
Sonny sighed. “Katrin, don’t hurt her. I don’t want you to go to jail. Just toss her outside.”
Katrin growled.
“Please?” Sonny almost laughed when she gave him a frustrated look. “I’m done with her, and I just want her out of here.”
Coleen pushed Katrin aside and grabbed Cynthia by the throat. “Out you go. I suggest you think twice before coming near our Sonny again. Got it?”
Sonny leaned his head against Leo’s chest. “Katrin and Coleen are badass.”
“They’re the bosses. We just do as we’re told.” Leo stroked a hand up and down Sonny’s back. “I’m sorry I called your mother. She wouldn’t have bothered you if I hadn’t.”
“No, she heard I mated a shifter.” Sonny sniffed deeply, Leo’s scent soothing him. “I wanted her and my dad at the handfasting. I don’t know why, but I’ve always pictured them there. I guess I held out hope they would want me again.”
“Sunshine.” Leo’s voice was full of anguish. “I don’t think they’ll come, especially not now.”
Sonny chuckled when he saw his mother running away from the shop. “I don’t care anymore.” He was amazed at the surety he felt. “It’s time to let them go along with all the pain they bring. I have a family right here.”
He would always carry a hole in his heart of his parents’ making, but it was steadily filling up with another family. A much better family.
“Damn right you do.” Aaron smoothed his hand over Sonny’s head. “You’re loved.”
“Is Ravenpaw alright?” Sonny sniffled and looked for his kitten.
“His butt is uninjured. His fur was singed, and he’s scared.” Aaron handed him the kitten, and Sonny snuggled Ravenpaw.
Leo leaned back and eyed him. “Wait. How do you know about the handfasting plans?”
“So,” Gemma said slowly, interrupting them. “Now that the nasty person is gone, I have a little problem.”
Aaron’s head whipped around. “Gem?”
She winced. “My water just broke.”
Chapter 22
Twelve exhausting hours later, Gemma and Aaron had a baby rabbit shifter named Wendy, and Sonny had serious baby jealousy.
“I think I should just keep her.” Sonny rocked the bundled baby slowly. “Look at that sweet face.”
“She’s all wrinkly and red.” Aaron grinned down at his newborn daughter. “Look what I made, Sonny.”
“You?” Gemma scowled from the hospital bed.
Aaron waved her comment away. “We get to watch her grow up and live life. What do you think she’ll be like?”
Sonny bumped his friend’s shoulder with his own. “I think she’ll have all kinds of adventures. She has her own personal witch. Imagine what her and I can get up to.”
Gemma groaned. “Don’t corrupt her.”
Sonny gasped and gave Gemma a hurt look. All he could picture was his mother’s look of disgust at his outfit the day before.
Gemma’s brow wrinkled. “Why are you….” Realization came. “Oh, Sonny. I didn’t mean you’d have any kind of influence over her gender. That’s all on her. We love Wendy and will celebrate with her as she discovers who she is, no matter what she decides. Just like we love you.”
Sonny’s lip trembled, and Aaron tapped Sonny’s chin, getting his attention. Sonny’s friend wiggled his nose, and Sonny laughed, his hurt fading away. “Okay. Sorry about that. I guess I’m still a little raw.”
Gemma leaned her head back against her pillow, looking far too beautiful for a woman who had just given birth. “I can imagine. You’ve had a hard afternoon. Wait. That was yesterday, right? I can’t believe you stayed with us this whole time after all that drama. I have to admit, it was nice to have your hand to hold when Aaron passed out.”
Aaron rolled his eyes. “I forgot to eat lunch. That’s all.”
Sonny snickered. “Sure, it is.”
Aaron smirked and changed the topic. “It’s Ostara, Sonny.”
Sonny smiled slowly. “You know this is the perfect way for it to begin, right? Wendy is our little spring gift from the goddess to show us the cold and dark of winter is gone. You all will go back home to your nest soon.”
Aaron hugged him, then went to kiss Gemma. “We did good, honey.”
Gemma’s eyes watered. “We really did. Fuck, I really want my nest. Why did we have to come to the hospital again?”
“Drugs.” Aaron kissed her again. “You threatened to rip my dick off if I didn’t get you drugs.”
Sonny sniffled. They’re my favorite couple. Time for a blessing. He thought for a moment, trying to find the right words. He had already put protective spells all over Wendy’s nursery and Gemma’s nest, but those were short term.
He leaned down and kissed Wendy’s soft forehead. “May you discover yourself early in life.” He kissed her again. “May you have a kind heart.” He kissed her one more time. “May you find joy always.”
He felt his intentions settle into her, and her eyes fluttered open. She watched him for a moment, mouth pursed, then closed her eyes again, settling into sleep.
Sonny looked up. Gemma and Aaron were watching him with tears in their eyes.
“You blessed her?” Aaron pulled him into a hug. “Thank you, Sonny.”
“Of course, I blessed her. What kind of godparent would I be if I didn’t?” Sonny huffed. “Now, I need to go hunt up my honey bear. The air is swirling with energy and intention. I want my damn proposal.”
Gemma blew him a kiss. “You’re so romantic. Text us when it happens. We love you.”
Sonny hugged them both and reluctantly handed Wendy over to them.
He left the room and wandered down the hall, stopping in surprise when he saw Leo and Myrtle both half asleep in the waiting room.
Sonny shook his head. “You two stayed behind? It’s been hours.”
“How are you so full of energy?” Leo rubbed sleep from his eyes.
“It’s Ostara.” Myrtle stood up, stretching her back. “It’s urging us to move forward, plant our roots, and plan our futures.” She winked at Sonny. “I think Sonny’s a little more excited about this year’s Ostara than usual.”
Sonny hugged her. “I love you so much, Myrtle. You’re my real mom, okay?”
She squeezed him tightly. “You can bet your boysenberries I am. I already reported Cynthia’s actions to the Witches Council. They were furious, but enough of that. How’s the baby?”
“Sleepy and well-fed.” Sonny bounced on his feet. “Wendy is adorable, and I already blessed her. It’s an Ostara blessing too, so it’s even stronger.”
Myrtle’s eyes brightened. She loved giving blessings. Well, she also loved making digestive potions. They were her two favorite spells. “I’ll need to give a blessing too.”
Better than a digestive potion, Sonny thought.
Sonny rolled his eyes, then turned to Leo. He grinned and wiggled his brows. “I want my proposal, honey bear. Right now.”
Leo chuckled. “I have it all planned out, sunshine. We need incense and candles. Myrtle is going to do an Ostara scrying for us. Then, we’re going on a short trip to Grandpa and Grandma’s farm. I want to show you my favorite spots out in the woods around the farmhouse so we can appreciate and honor the spring. That’s where I’m going to propose. I can be patient. I promise.”
Sonny shook his head. “I can’t. All you shifters have influenced me too much. I want my proposal now. The rest can come after.”
Leo groaned. “Coleen will murder me if I fuck this up. You have no idea the amount of planning that has gone into this.”
Sonny sat on his bear’s lap and kissed him. “I’ll protect you.”
Leo gave him a soft look and buried his hand in the pocket of his jeans. A few seconds later, he pulled out a silver ring covered in delicately carved peppermint leaves.
Sonny’s eyes watered. Peppermint to summon happiness and positivity. It was absolutely perfect for him.
Leo held the ring up. “I’ve been carrying this around for a month. I know peppermint is your favorite herb, and it brings happiness, just like you.”
Sonny blinked away his tears. “It’s beautiful.”
Leo cupped his chin and tilted his face up. “Sonny, will you spend this year with me, learning what love and mating truly are?”
Sonny smiled widely. This moment and Leo’s words felt right. “Yes.”
Leo swallowed hard. “Then next year, at Beltane, will you honor me with a handfasting and permanently bind your soul to mine?”
Sonny smiled and held his finger up for Leo to slide the ring on. “There’s nothing I’d enjoy more.”
A few hours later, they sat on the sofa in their home. Sonny should have been sleeping away exhaustion, but he had never felt so energized.
Myrtle sat across the coffee table from them. The surface had been cleared away, and the items for the scrying were laid in front of them. Sonny had always thought it fitting that his own scrying skills resembled Myrtle’s rather than his father’s.
Myrtle’s scrying bowl was made of black obsidian and well used. She had placed quartz crystals all around her bowl and the smudge stick to the right.
She picked the smudge stick up. “I made this especially for your Ostara scrying. It’s made of mint for cleansing, lemongrass for passion and fidelity, and mugwort to induce the scrying.” She closed her eyes. “I’ll focus my intention now.”
Sonny felt the pull of her magic moving from her soul into the smudge stick.
A moment later, she lit the end and waved it around her head. She passed it to him, and he waved it around his own head, then Leo’s, before passing it back to her.
A thrumming filled the air as the intentional energy surrounded them.
Myrtle spoke in a low whisper, then snuffed the flame out in a small bowl of sand.
She snapped her fingers, and the white and brown candles lined along the side of the table lit up. After that, time seemed to stand still.
Sonny didn’t know if Leo felt the energy in the air, but for him, it was like a warm blanket on a cold day.
Moments or hours later, Myrtle’s eyes popped open, and they all stared into the scrying bowl. The water showed an image of Leo and Sonny sitting together on a swing. They smiled and laughed together as they spoke, and it took a moment for Sonny to notice Leo’s hand resting on his rounded belly in the image.
Myrtle grinned. “I declare you two thick-headed lovebirds are mates.”
May 1st, Beltane
Sonny smoothed a hand down one of his light green suspenders. He had surprised everyone by insisting on tan trousers and colorful suspenders for his formal engagement ceremony. Leo’s grandpa had gifted him an adorable brown felt trilby hat that went perfectly with his engagement outfit.
He had made sure to have multiple outfits ready because he really never knew for sure how he would want to express himself until the last minute. I look perfect.
He spun around and watched his image in the mirror.
“Sunshine, you’re beautiful.” Leo’s image moved to stand behind him in the mirror. He wore a white dress shirt, a bright green vest, and light brown dress pants.
“Yummy bear.” Sonny licked his lips. “You look delicious.”
Leo’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “We can be late, right?”
“No.” Coleen pushed into the bedroom. “You two don’t have time for a quickie right now. We’re on a schedule.” Leo’s sister looked beautiful in her light blue dress.
Sonny shoved Leo aside and held his arms out. “Hug time, Coleen.”
She laughed and hugged him. “You look lovely, Sonny.”
He thought of everything she had done for him and Leo and hugged her tightly. “Thank you. For everything. I love Leo, and we would have figured things out, but all of this is my dream. It’s always been my dream.”
She kissed the top of his head. “It’s what family is for. You’re my little brother now.”
He swallowed back tears and let her go. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
Coleen smiled at him, then shoved Leo. “Why can’t you be nice like Sonny?”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Fuck off.”
She ignored him. “Alright. Myrtle is already waiting, and the family is gathered. I know this is typically just for the immediate family, but the Rocchi clan doesn’t fully understand that concept.”
Sonny giggled. “Everyone’s here, aren’t they?”
“Yep.” She shrugged. “They’ll be here again next year.”
She grabbed both of their hands and tugged them from the room.
“Is the picnic ready?” Sonny asked, shooting a wink at Leo. I can’t wait to get my honey bear alone.
“Yes,” Coleen said, waving toward the picnic tables near the park. “Tilisha and some of the others have everything ready.”
Sonny smiled when he saw that the May Day festivities were already in full swing. Young men and women were already dancing around a large decorated maypole, and Sonny could hear music and laughter from where they stood.
“This way, Sonny.” Coleen tugged on him again.
They walked deeper into the park until they came across a small clearing. It was full of bear shifters. Most were dressed as nicely as Coleen, but a few were in their bear forms.
Miles sat atop a brown bear’s back and had Ravenpaw and Flufflepuff perched in front of him. He waved and grinned. “Looking good, Sonny!”
Leo sniffed. “I see how I rank.”
Aaron whistled. “Leo is so hot.”
Sonny snickered. “There, do you feel better?”
Leo gave him a prim look. “Yes.”
Myrtle waved at them. “Come along, you two.”
Coleen escorted them to the front of the crowd and then left them to stand in front of Myrtle.
Myrtle wore her best dress and her long hair was decorated with pink and blue flowers. She gave Sonny a fond look, then winked at Leo.
Sonny grabbed Leo’s hand and squeezed it. His mate was shaking.
“My Sonny and his catbear.” Myrtle held up three loose ribbons. “A green ribbon, so that you may share of yourself freely, so that your happiness knows no bounds, and so that your union may be nourishing to you both. A light blue ribbon, so that you may always learn from one another, so that you may depend on one another, and so that you may be open about your desires. A white ribbon to symbolize your new beginnings and a hope that your union may be full of spirit.”
Sonny almost gasped at the thrum of power he felt radiating from Myrtle. He had been to several engagement bindings in the past but had never felt this before.
She held the ribbons up. “I braid into these rib
bons my hopes and wishes that you will help one another grow in spirit and wisdom, that you will support one another through daily actions and encouraging words, and that you will forge an unbreakable mating built of love and respect.”
Myrtle’s energy and love flowed through him and his eyes watered.
She placed the braided ribbons around their joined hands, tying them in a loose knot. “Today I bind you together, heart and mind, for a year and a day.”
Chapter 23
May 1st, Beltane - One Year Late
Leo warmed his hands near the bonfire Thorwald and Aaron had built in the largest clearing of the park. The past year had been the best of his life. He had thought he’d resent having to wait to make things completely official with Sonny, but the time they had taken had allowed the love he felt to deepen.
He knew Sonny in a way no one else did. He knew his strong, pure spirit and utterly beautiful heart. He knew the way his body felt and tasted and what made Sonny wail in pleasure. He knew what Sonny wanted in life, what he valued, and what he believed in. He knew his mate.
Now it’s time to honor him. Leo rubbed his bare belly. He had gotten a little plumper over the last year. Sonny’s cooking was too good to not indulge; however, he didn’t feel even a little self-conscious standing there with only a pair of loose brown pants on and his chest, gut, and feet bare. Loving Sonny had helped him love himself too.
Also, almost everyone was equally bare. It’s a good thing that shifters are familiar with nudity or my family would be teasing the hell out of me right now.
Leo’s whole family - cousins, aunts, and uncles included – mingled around the fire with Leo and Sonny’s friends. A small platform sat near the trees, and a band played lively music.
Several couples were dancing, including his parents and Rosemarie and Kate. They twirled around the fire, laughing and singing along.
A few of the humans and vampires in the crowd looked a little uncomfortable, but they were making an effort not to stare at the bare chests and naked breasts surrounding them.