by Cree Storm
Pascal smiled and nodded. “I’m really glad you’re alright.”
Jett snickered, “Well Wyn does live deep in―”
Ollie stepped up to Jett, pointing his finger in the man’s face saying, “Make one comment about Winny, and I will shift and then shift again, with enough force to blow your balls off and your own dick up your ass. Do I make myself clear?”
Jett’s eyes widened, as he swallowed hard, asking, “Can you really do that?” Turning to Zev, Jett asked, “Do you really think he can do that?”
Zev laughed and pulled his mate close to his chest. “I don’t know, baby, and I don’t want to find out. I suggest you let the pet name go this time.”
Jett pushed out his bottom lip, pouting. “Fine, but I really want to know if he can do that.”
“Well, we need to get back up top to see who is all here. I want to have that gathering and then go and enjoy the festivities,” Illan stated.
Ollie started to follow everyone with his mate by his side. Damn, his mate. This shit was crazy. Who would have thought that he would actually have a mate, and not any mate, but Wyndingo, one of the biggest and baddest dragons of all time? Someone that cared for him, and when Wyn had promised he would never leave him, Ollie felt the honesty of the man’s words all the way to his toes. That was one of the things he really lov―“Holy crap!”
“What? What’s wrong, pretty baby?” Wyn asked anxiously looking around ready to kill any threat coming near Ollie.
Ollie swallowed a lump in his throat, as he looked at Wyndingo. Wyn’s concern absolutely amazed Ollie. “You really would die for me, wouldn’t you?”
Wyndingo drew back even more confused than before. “Of course, I would. I would think taking on a group of snipers with armor bullets would have proved that to you. Now, what the hell is going on? I don’t sense a threat anywhere.”
Ollie thought about that moment. He thought about how he felt when Wyndingo couldn’t be seen and he had no idea if his mate was alive or dead. Ollie had never been so afraid in all his life. “I was wrong,” Ollie whispered.
Fear entered his mate’s eyes and Ollie quickly realized how his words sounded. “No! Not about our mating. About what I said earlier on not being ready to declare our love for each other yet. I am ready. I love you, Winny. I love how you are so patient with your new recruits. I love how you are willing to help anyone in need. I love your strength and willingness to give me the space and time I need, no matter the cost to yourself.”
Wyndingo grabbed Ollie by the shoulders and kissed him like they were facing death at this very moment. Ollie melted into the man, wanting nothing more than to take this conversation somewhere else, because he had a whole lot more he wanted to say. Just not in words.
Wyn pulled back, whispering, “I love you too, pretty baby. I know it seems too soon, but I feel how I feel.”
“Maybe we can take this somewhere else?” Ollie asked, voicing his thoughts from moments ago.
The sound of a throat clearing had Ollie and Wyn looking up and to their side. Pascal stood next to the two, nervously moving from one foot to the other.
“Pascal, do you need something?” Ollie asked.
Pascal started wringing his hands, softly saying, “Ollie, I really hate disturbing you when you and Wyndingo just mated and all, but I really need to talk to you.”
Wyn smiled. “It’s okay, Pascal. I should get up top anyway. Illan will be looking for me. You two talk and then join us when you’re through.”
Pascal blinked, nodded, then hugged Wyndingo, saying, “Thank you, Wyndingo, and welcome to our family.”
Wyndingo kissed Ollie and left to join the others. Ollie turned back to talk with Pascal and saw that Toby had joined them. “Hi, Toby, what are you doing here?”
Pascal sighed. “Let’s go into my office. It will be more comfortable and private.”
Ollie followed his brothers into the room just ahead and sat on the couch. “What’s going on, Pascal? You’re acting really strange, even for you.”
Pascal sat in the chair facing him, saying, “Ollie, when we were in our future and you and Wyn left the room, I got worried when you didn’t come back. I followed your scent and heard you talking to Wyndingo.”
Ollie got really still, softly asking, “What did you hear?”
Toby sat next to Ollie. “Pascal said you thought we blamed you for what happened to Nelson. We wanted to let you know, we never blamed you.”
Ollie snorted and turned away from both Pascal and Toby. “You will never get me to believe that.”
“Are you calling us liars?” Pascal asked, sounding pissed.
Ollie looked back at his brother in shock. “Of course not. I just―”
“Ollie, have I ever held anything back from you? Even when I knew it would upset you?” Pascal snapped.
“No. It’s just―”
“No, Ollie! You listen to me. Whether it was the night he left to go get you a hot dog, or the next day when he went to work, Fallon was going to get Nelson. We are Santorini Foxes. We are always hunted and used. It’s why we have to have a ajutor. Nelson knew, just like I knew that we were risking everything when we got those jobs. We did what we had to do, and Nelson got taken. It sucks. I have no idea if I could have lived through what he had to endure, but that was because of Fallon, not you,” Toby stated firmly.
“What you say might be true, but if I hadn’t been such a brat, maybe…I mean, I could have just eaten the stupid mac and cheese, but instead I―”
Pascal stood and went to Ollie, then dropped down, kneeling in front of him. “Ollie, we love you and I can honestly say, I am proud to call you my brother. We were put through a hell no one should be forced to go through, and we survived. Nelson was put through something beyond that, but he also came through it and is working with Orion to heal. It isn’t us that need to forgive you. It’s you that needs you to forgive yourself. What Toby and I wanted you to know is that we never once blamed you for what happened, and we love you very much.”
“What about Nelson? I don’t see him here,” Ollie muttered.
“Nelson will have to speak for himself, but I can’t see him blaming you either. Maybe we can all go visit him at Orion’s place soon and you can talk to him about it?” Toby replied.
Ollie nodded and stood up. “We really should get to that meeting.”
Pascal and Toby grabbed Ollie, Pascal yelling, “Group hug!”
Ollie hugged his brothers, saying, “I really do love you guys.”
Toby drew back in shock and Ollie laughed. “I know. I don’t get emotional and I don’t talk feelings. Maybe it’s the mating or maybe it’s from what I saw recently in that future world. All I know is that I have this need to say my feelings out loud.”
“We love you too, brother,” Toby whispered.
Ollie hugged his brothers once more, then they started making their way to the top level. Ollie turned around saying, “Just don’t get used to it.”
Toby and Pascal laughed along with Ollie, but stopped when they saw the room filled and Illan standing.
The three men found their mates, as Illan began to speak.
“I want to thank everyone for coming here on such short notice. I know that times are not always easy, and the council is working really hard to fix things that have been long broken. As you all know, Fallon is no longer a threat to us.”
Cheers filled the room and Illan waited until things calmed down to continue speaking. “I agree that is wonderful, but you need to know how it happened. Nelson Everly used his abilities to destroy the leader of the fairies along with hundreds of paranormals and magics when they attacked this very building. In so doing, he almost died. Just as the human, and newest council member, Wade Wells, and his team did when they defended King Suneth and his people against Fallon when he attacked the chimera for an item he wanted to use to destroy the entire world. Each and every member of this council’s men have fought side by side against more evil than we knew could exist. They do
this knowing that each fight could be their last. However, not all has been bad times. Through these trying times, we have been given the glorious gift of mates once more.”
The people erupted in cheers and whistles again. Illan held his hand up, quieting the room. “As wonderful as mates may be, we must remember our laws. No mating can be forced. When we are given that glorious gift, we have to remember that, that does not take away the other man or woman’s right to choose. They can refuse a mating or ask for more time. It might be painful, but it is their right to do so and you will be left to deal with the situation. Because of recent events, the council realizes that this may be something you may need help dealing with, so we have spoken to some men and have arranged for anyone that finds themselves in this situation of the rejected or if you are the one that needs time to decide, Ethan and Demitri Taylor are creating a counseling group that can help members of your prides, packs, covens, and so on.”
Ollie watched as someone raised their hand.
“Yes, Clement?” Illan asked.
“How do we get a hold of Ethan or this Demitri fellow if we need them?” Clement asked.
Ethan stood up as did another man Ollie had seen from time to time in Maddox. He was about a half foot taller than Ollie, with a sleek body build. His coiffed-style dirty blond hair and slight scruff he always seemed to have, made him look sexy as well as approachable.
“Hello everyone, I’m Ethan, mate to Day Sutherlan and Rhys Shadowfox. I’m here with my good friend, and co-founder of the Taylor Suicide Call Center. We are almost finished designing a website that will have twenty-four-hour counseling assistance. We also would like to talk with any psychologists or psychiatrists you may have and combine our efforts for more one on one help.”
Illan stepped back to the podium. “Look, a mate is a gift and is worth waiting for. It isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible either. We want to help. Finally, I want to say that the council has decided to have regular meetings with all the leaders of your groups. We also are making ourselves an open council. If anyone has a complaint, they will have access to this council to express their grievances and they will be handled on a case to case basis. All members will have access to the paranormal website for such grievances and my personal assistant will be in charge of monitoring and scheduling those meetings.”
Timmy gasped, whispering, “I will?”
Illan smiled at Timmy. “Of course, you will. You are a fantastic assistant and I know you will look at each of these cases on priority and if at any time you need help, we will bring in others you trust to assist you.”
Timmy sat up straight as York looked at his mate with deep love and pride.
“Now I know everyone wants to get on with the festivities, so go and enjoy yourselves. We will be contacting each leader to schedule our next meeting,” Illan stated then stepped back.
Everyone started leaving when Ollie saw Rory run up to Illan. Pulling on Wyn, Ollie said, “Something’s wrong.”
Wyndingo followed Ollie to Illan, just as Rory hissed, “I don’t know what it is, Illan. I just know that the fucking thing is pulsing.”
“York, go gather our men. We need to get downstairs fast,” Illan ordered.
“What? Is our future returning?” Ollie asked in concern.
Shaking his head, Illan replied, “It’s not the black portal, it’s the bright light one.”
“Shit!” Ollie hissed.
Everyone ran down the stairs. Ollie shouting, “It wasn’t this bright down here twenty minutes ago.”
Illan and Justice headed the group as they quickly raced to the cell in question. Seconds later, Kali walked out of the portal. “I need the council and all that visited their future to come with me now. You must help me.”
Ollie pursed his lips saying, “Why should we?”
“Ollie! You can’t speak to fate that way,” Pascal hissed.
“I can when she left us to die and saved her butterfly dragons instead,” Ollie hissed.
Kali looked at Ollie with concern and confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I did nothing of the sort, Oliver.”
“Briar and Helio told us that you took them to a safe place and yet, you left us here and Pascal died. So, if we are so expendable, why would you want us to help you?”
Kali stood in front of Ollie, her eyes filled with love. “Oliver, I would never do something like that. I took the butterfly dragons nowhere. I couldn’t if I wanted to. Remember, I am not permitted to interfere. Any actions or decisions you all make have consequences.” Looking at Wyndingo and then back to Ollie, Kali replied, “Sometimes the consequences are good, and some are bad. However, it is what happens as a direct reaction of the choices you make. The only reason I am here now is because the Gods gave me permission due to what is about to happen if you and your family and friends do not handle the situation perfectly.”
Illan quickly said, “Take us where you need us to be.”
Everyone followed Kali into the brightly lit portal. It swirled, and flashes blurred places and people flew by so fast, Ollie thought he might be sick. The second Ollie stepped out he could see Maddox. Hundreds of people walked the streets as food vendors grilled and cooked food. A Ferris wheel and other rides were filled with children, teenagers, women, and men.
“This is our Founders Day Celebration. Why are we here?” Illan asked.
“In a week, Destrain is scheduled to speak. There is an attack coming. The likes of which you and your men have never known. You must be prepared. I can’t help you fight this battle, but I can tell you, you and your men have been given everything you will need to come out the victor. Use what you have learned in recent days,” Kali stated.
“Wait, why can’t you just tell us what we need to know?” Ollie asked.
Kali sighed. “I have only been given permission to warn you. I’m sorry, Oliver. I can however, tell you that you have someone in Maddox that can be of great assistance. He is seen but unseen. He is a very powerful force. You just need to find him, and convince him to help.”
“Help against what?” Day asked.
“Understand, we are here, but not here. This is a glimpse as to what will happen if you do not succeed in this battle,” Kali stated just as the sound of thunder ripped through the sky. Ollie watched as the wind picked up, and lightning hit the electric pole and everyone on the north field was electrocuted and dropped to the ground, dead. The sight of hundreds of men with wings, bows, and quivers fluttered as they reached back and pulled lightning bolts from their quivers. They shot bolt after bolt of lightning towards the crowd. People ran, but it was of no use. Each bolt hit the target, the person aimed for.
“By the Gods,” Ollie rasped.
Kali looked at Ollie, whispering, “Exactly.”
“I don’t understand,” Illan said in awe and disgust.
Kali stepped forward, as the sounds of screams grew louder. Turning to them she said, “Fallon was the only son of Lotan. When you killed Fallon, Lotan vowed revenge. He already tried once, when he put everything in motion for Wyndingo to lose control. He then had the survivors turn on each other and sat back and watched you destroy yourselves. When your future selves figured out a way to return your world to normal, he decided to take matters into his own hands. This is the result.”
“So what you’re saying is, we have one week to put together a force that can destroy a demigod?” Illan said in shock.
“Yes, and the clock is ticking.” Kali replied.
THE END
PLEASE NOTE:
It is recommended that our stories be read in order, to avoid any confusion....
Burning Desire, Eternal Flames 1
Rising from the Ashes, Eternal Flames 2
Courting the Phoenix, Eternal Flames 3
How to Claim Your Dragon, Eternal Flames 4
A Higher Calling, Eternal Flames 5
Fear of Discovery, Eternal Flames 6
Adding Fuel to the Flames, Eternal Flames Maddox 1
&
nbsp; A Bite to Remember, Eternal Flames Maddox 2
Phoenix Rising, Eternal Flames 7
Bound To The Enemy, Eternal Flames Maddox 3
Power Of Love, Eternal Flames 8
Tiny Treasure, Eternal Flames Maddox 4
Partners In Crime, Eternal Flames 9
Sowing The Seeds Of Love, Eternal Flames Maddox 5
Under Siege, Eternal Flames 10
Edge Of Tomorrow, Eternal Flames Maddox 6
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