by Casey Morgan
“I will, Father, and as soon as possible. I hope you and Mom will be there.”
He nodded.
“So be it.”
Mason opened the front door with his hip and held up a piece of dirty wood. It was faded; mud, cobwebs and oil clung to the surface, but the crescent moon shape at the end was undeniable.
Dad gasped and put a hand to his mouth.
It was the sign for the bakery.
“Look what we found!” Mason exclaimed happily, grinning from ear to ear. “It was in one of the storage rooms at The Grinder. I would like to clean it and put it back up as soon as possible.”
I put a hand on Dad’s shoulder, and he put his hand on top of mine. His whole body was shaking with joy.
“Nothing would make me happier, my son,” he told Mason.
When I looked down at my dad, he had tears of joy in his eyes, which matched the ones that were in my own.
Epilogue
Mason
It took less than a week for things to change within the pack. Terrell, and his ways, were gone. I didn’t feel the need to promote violence. It was not the pack way.
We hunted together and stood by each other—we would fight to protect ourselves, but terrorizing a community and extracting money were not what we were about. We were pack; we created community. We didn’t tear it down.
It turned out that Terrell had stashed away quite a bit of money. Now that my wolves were no longer spending their time creating havoc, they were free to explore the other aspects of life.
I bought the storefronts that lined the same street as the Crescent Moon Bakery, and we sat around the big wooden table in The Grinder deciding what to do with them.
One of the females, Sandy, wanted to open a dress shop and Celeste’s eyes went wide. She said she had the perfect spot and that she could think of nothing better.
One of the men wanted to open a butcher shop, and Augie wanted to open a hardware store. It was quite the revitalization of the area, or rather, I hoped it would be.
As for The Grinder, Leon wanted to keep running it as a bar. At first, I thought Leon would leave with Terrell, but he was at my side the next day. I knew he wanted to be my second in command; maybe someday that could happen, but it would take time for me to fully trust him.
Mr. Blenko insisted that Celeste live at home until we got married or joined, which was what the werewolves called it. We both accepted his order. I may have been an alpha, but I still wanted the blessing of my father-in-law.
He and Mrs. Blenko may have been reluctant to accept Celeste and me as the wolves we were, but they were trying. And for that I was thankful.
Celeste’s absence gave me time to fix up the apartment over The Grinder. The pleather wall coverings were gone; the real walls were oak panels that shined up just fine. I took down the black curtains and replaced them with white ones. I got new sheets—light blue to match my mate’s eyes.
I was anxious to show them to Celeste, but we decided to abstain. It would make our wedding night special. Plus, it was only a few days to wait.
The Crescent Moon Bakery prospered. The advertising around Valentine’s Day really helped and the baskets were a hit. Patrons flocked to the store—sometimes standing in line to get in—and bought pastries and muffins.
There was enough work for them to consider hiring two more employees and Celeste started taking applications. Mr. Blenko healed, but he still had a limp and had to walk with a cane.
So much had happened in just a few days and I reflected on it as I stood nervously in the middle of the street waiting for my bride. Celeste and I decided to do our joining ceremony on the street in the middle of all the new shops. That way the ceremony would be a joining of the community as well.
The snow was mostly melted one week after Valentine’s Day. Spring was coming to Gray Acres and I could feel it in the air.
The wolf in me wanted to run and play; his desires on that day make me fidget more than usual. Mr. Blenko, who stood by my side, noticed my foot tapping.
“Nervous about marrying my daughter?” he asked.
His green eyes looked as though they were trying to read my face.
I turned and took in the sight of his frown.
“Not at all, Sir.”
I gave him a big grin.
“I’m anxious to be married. Nothing in the world will bring me joy like this day.”
He nodded and shared a slight smile with me.
“Celeste is my life, Sir,” I continued. “She is the most important thing in the world to me and that will never change. The bond between wolves is for life, always.”
The thin man nodded again. Talk of werewolves still made him nervous. I didn’t push and speak of it further.
He looked down at the notecard in his hands. Celeste and I had asked him to perform the ceremony instead of walking her down the aisle. As a religious man, he agreed.
Movement at the end of the street caught my eye. I looked up and saw a bunch of color moving towards me. The pack had arrived to witness.
They were dressed in their most colorful clothes, acting as decoration to the still gray colored street. No doubt this was Celeste’s idea. One that I approved of.
My pack members waved at me and gave me nods of approval. I smiled at them all; pushing my alpha influence towards them to give them feelings of belonging. Just a few weeks before, I had thought I would die a lone wolf. Now I had twenty plus members in my pack.
It was a blessing in a time when big packs were rare. We would thrive together and maybe even draw others. These few blocks in Gray Acres were now a werewolf haven. It was a blessing and a responsibility that I was proud to take on.
Halfway down the street, Leon opened a case by his side and pulled out a violin. He set it to his shoulder, flourished his bow and began to play beautifully. It was a talent I didn’t know he possessed.
This must have been another idea of Celeste’s. She had made the effort to get to know each and every wolf of the pack, just as a good queen should.
At a flourish in the music, Mary started walking down the middle of the street. The small woman was in a bright red dress. Red was one of Celeste’s favorite colors. The bridesmaid’s dress was tailored to Mary’s tiny frame and hemmed up a few inches so she wouldn’t drag it in the snow.
The nervous girl glanced at the pack members on either side of the street but moved forward with her head held high. As always, Mary didn’t let her fear keep her feet from moving. In our brief acquaintance, I had come to respect her greatly.
As she approached, I took a minute to soothe my black suit and ensure that my appearance was as perfect as I could make it. A suit, vest, and tie was a very different outfit from the one I entered town in, but I was a different wolf and a different man. All thanks to Celeste.
The music changed and my eyes spied a movement of white cloth. Celeste and her mother entered the street.
Her dress was beautiful—simple white satin with an A-line skirt. It hugged her hips and narrowed at her waist, showing off her curves without overwhelming them. The neck line was modest, fully covering her chest, and her sleeves were long.
The dress was sewn by Sandy, the pack seamstress, but I could tell that Mrs. Blenko had had a hand in the design. It was probably more modest than Celeste would have liked, but to my eyes, she was still startlingly sexy.
Mrs. Blenko wore a modest black dress. She had refused to have anything made for her, saying that this wasn’t her day and her church dress would do fine. She guided her daughter towards me, still frowning at the werewolves that lined the street, but when they nodded to her, she nodded back.
One day the Blenkos would accept us and then they would be honorary members of the pack. As it was, we would keep them safe.
The two women reached our spot and Mrs. Blenko handed me Celeste’s hand. I took it in my own and squeezed it. She smiled up at me, angelic and perfect. My breath caught in my chest.
Her father turned and stood before us. He
gave a glance over the crowd and cleared his voice loudly.
“God is everywhere,” he began.
His accent became more apparent when he raised his voice.
“I have spent my life in the pursuit of Him. I have attended church and tried to stay on his path. But this past week, this terrible and wonderful week, which was full of pain and love, it has taught me something. God’s path is everywhere. And his light…”
He turned to look each person on the street in the face.
“His light is in everyone. We just have to look.”
After a pause, he continued.
“When I first heard of this man, Mason Whitepaw, I thought he was nothing. Now, today, I see him for what he is and to him, I give my daughter, Celeste. This act brings me joy.”
He looked me in the eyes.
“Especially because he keeps her close to home and close to my heart.”
Mr. Blenko turned and took a lock of Celeste’s hair in his fingers. He tucked it behind her ear gently.
“Celeste,” he told her. “You are my daughter. We chose you to be ours and I have never regretted that decision. I give you to this man, but you are not gone from my heart and you never will be. You will always have a home with your mother and I and you will always be our family.”
A single tear made its way down Celeste’s cheek, but she grinned at both her parents. Her father raised his hands and looked at the note cards.
“And now,” he said. “We begin. Celeste, you will make your vows first. Repeat after me.”
He said the words of the werewolf-joining ceremony. Celeste looked deep into my eyes and repeated them to me.
She said:
“Mason, I commit myself to you as your mate. You are my alpha. My pack. My leader and my love. We will run together until the winds are silent and night has fallen on our lives.”
When Mr. Blenko turned to feed me the lines, I shook my head for him to stop and then I started speaking. I didn’t need the reminder.
The words of joining were on my lips the minute I figured out that Celeste was a werewolf. Hell, they might have been on my lips the first day I saw her, when she kindly offered me a cinnamon roll. It had just taken this much time for me to give them breath.
“Celeste, I commit myself to you as your mate. You are my alpha female. My pack. My advisor and my love. We will run together until the winds are silent and night has fallen on our lives.”
My words rung out in the street. They bounced off the buildings and filled the ears of every member of my pack. When I was done, each voice was raised in a cheer.
Celeste and I were joined. We were officially alpha and mate, and our pack was stronger for it.
My love’s lips quivered. Perfect and pink, they trembled for my kiss— the seal that would join us as one. I took her in my arms and kissed her with all my might.
My whole world had changed in just a few weeks and it was all thanks to this woman. We had gone to hell together, but now our lives would be heaven.
With Celeste, my new life was beginning, and I had finally found my place.
Extended Epilogue
Celeste
There was too much going on for a honeymoon, but I found I didn’t mind. When I was a little girl I would sometimes dream of a long trip with my new husband, but as I got older and realized how expensive that would be, I sort of gave up on the idea. But when I told that to Mason, he assured me that we would go on a honeymoon at some point. Right now, it just wasn’t a good idea. We needed to be here to strengthen the bonds of the pack. I understood and agreed.
It was about a month since our wedding and my life was blissful. Mason and I had thoroughly gotten the apartment over The Grinder fixed up and waking up in my husband’s arms was one of the best things about my day. Well, except for the nights when he took me into his arms again. Just the thought of his strong body made me smile.
My mother pinched my waist. The sharp feeling roused me from my daydream and brought me back to reality.
“Ouch, Ma!” I hissed. “What did you do that for?”
In answer, she pointed at the two cinnamon rolls I was picking at. “You’re getting fat! Even your boobs are getting bigger!” she said it like it was a curse.
I picked up a piece of cinnamon roll and stuffed in indelicately into my mouth. “At least you won’t have to buy me new bras,” I muttered as I chewed. “That’s my husband’s job now.”
A smile lit up her face. “That’s true. And he seems to like you plump!”
“Ma!”
She moved the cinnamon rolls towards me. “Eat away! It’s no longer my problem.”
I rolled my eyes at her and turned back to the apples I was chopping. I didn’t need to work in the bakery. Mason had enough money to support us both, since he was the landlord to the whole block now, but I loved being a baker and I doubted that I would give it up anytime soon. It was how I was raised. It was just as much part of me as being a werewolf.
Mom and I hummed while we worked, both of us happy. I chopped up another apple and dumped it into a bowl with cinnamon and sugar. Very soon it would become a pie.
“Celeste?” Mary pushed through the double doors and I turned towards her. She looked into my eyes and then looked down, a slight blush on her cheeks. “It’s four. Can you walk me home?”
I glanced at my mom, who shrugged. “Go on you two.” She took the knife from me and started on the next apple.
Mary and I took off our aprons and after saying goodbye to my mother, we headed out the door. The air outside was still cool, but it was a crisp kind that hinted that spring was coming to Gray Acres.
I swung my arms as we walked and waved at the occasional Were along the street. Our block of shops was quite homey again and it certainly was becoming more colorful. As we passed by Augie’s hardware store, he was outside on a ladder putting up a new sign. He smiled at us both and tipped his cap.
Next to me, Mary seemed to tremble. Her face flushed a bit.
“What did you want to talk about?” I asked. She must have had something on her mind, or she would have never asked me to walk her home.
She looked at me; her little lips pulled into a tight line. I just raised an eyebrow and waited for her to speak.
With a sigh, she started: “It’s Augie. He’s… Can I…So tall…and I…” Her words came out all jumbled. She stopped in her tracks and put her hands to her face.
I giggled a bit. “Just relax and tell me,” I told her. “It’s not a big deal!”
She thrust her hands from her face. “Can werewolves have sex with humans?” she spilled out, speaking so fast I could hardly hear her.
I laughed. “You and Augie?” I asked between giggles. She nodded, going pale as a sheet. “You want Augie?” I asked again just to clarify. It’s not that the wolf wasn’t handsome, he was just too ruddy for my tastes. He looked like he was in a perpetual state of sunburn.
“He asked me to dinner, and I want to say yes, but what if he…you know?!” Her eyes were wide now, their blueness taking over her little face.
I stopped laughing and put a hand on my small friend’s shoulder. “Look, if you want to date Augie, go ahead.” She looked up at me and started to smile. “Mason thought I was human when we got together,” I explained to her. “Weres and humans can date and have sex.”
Mary grinned. It lit up her whole face and caused her eyes to turn into little slits. I was glad to see her so happy.
She turned and looked back down the street. “I’m going to tell him yes, right now!” She hurried off back towards the hardware store. I watched her a bit and then turned back. I finished walking the few blocks back to The Grinder by myself.
By the time I got home, the underwire of my bra was cutting into my breasts. My boobs were getting bigger. Maybe mom was right, and I was eating too much. I climbed the stairs to Mason and I’s apartment and found it empty, but I could hear the shower running in the bathroom next door.
Feeling annoyed, I pulled off my whi
te sweater and looked at the red marks from my bra rubbing on my breasts. Yep, it was time for a new one. Ugh, what comes after double D?
I unhooked the painful thing and let my breasts swing free. They were heavy and a little bit tender. My nipples were a little darker too.
I was counting the days since my last period in my head when Mason came in from the shower. My husband was clad in only a towel. His muscular pecs and abs were still damp and glistening with water.
“Odd time to take a shower,” I commented, watching him walk around the room and take a seat on our bed.
“Mmmhmm,” he agreed. “I was working with Vic on that last shop, the one across from Old Man Leo’s?” I nodded to let him know I understood. “There was a whole infestation of bats in a hollowed out part of the wall. We had to dig it out some and put up traps. Going to take a bit for that shop to be ready.”
He dried his legs a bit more and looked over at me. His deep-brown eyes took in the sight of my bare chest.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
I pointed to my boobs. “They’re getting bigger.”
His gaze turned hot as he appraised my breasts. “Indeed. Come here.”
I moved around the bed to him and Mason put his hands on my back. I slid in between his legs, pushing up the towel and pressing into his groin. His large hands cupped and squeezed my breasts gently. It made them ache in a wonderful way.
I leaned into his touch. “Mom thinks I’m getting fat,” I complained.
“Your mother is crazy,” he muttered. Mason pulled my tits to his face and sucked the nipples. They were extra sensitive, and I hissed out a breath. He looked up at me with concern on his face. “Tender?”
I shrugged, trying to not worry him. “A bit.”
He dropped his hands from my breasts and ran them down my stomach. I had gained some weight there—just a little paunch. I was hoping he didn’t mind. Mason held his hands firm to my stomach, as if he could feel inside me. I held my breath, waiting for him to call me fat, just like my mother had.
“Oh my God,” he whispered in a strangled voice.
“What is it?” I begged, fearful that he would find anything wrong with me.