by Joe Fowler
“Yes. It would be my honor.” Seth had tears in his eyes when he released us. He looked like there was so much more he wanted to say, but Anna came running up and pushed him out of the way so she could hug Alicia. Those two went off to meet with the other females in the pack. Sarah and Crystal went tailing behind them laughing. It shocked me to see Mom walking off with the girls. It made me smile wider.
I went around accepting congratulations from everyone and generally had a great time. It was later when Keith, Seth, and I went off on our own to talk privately. Seth was clearly wanting to ask about the second demon attack, but knew it was best to keep this news from the pack if he could.
“You know this place would be perfect for the wedding and the reception. You wouldn’t have to pay for the church and all that other stuff.” Seth said as we walked away from the crowd.
“I would like that. It’s Alicia and Anna we’ll have to convince.” We all laughed a little after I said it.
“You are the two strongest alphas on earth but you have to convince your women of something before it can happen. It’s a shame.” Keith was saying.
“Weddings are the women’s domain. You have to pick your battles. I learned that one years ago.” Seth was smiling. “Speaking of battles, tell me about this demon attack. How bad was it?”
“He had us, Seth. He had a gun to Alicia’s head. He had other guns on the girls. There were humans helping him. There was no way for me to save them. For all of this speed and power, I was helpless.” All the earlier humor was gone. I continued. “Mom’s ghost appeared. Luckily she was behind the demon so he couldn’t see her. I was talking to the demon hoping to figure out some way to stop him. I gave Mom a message through what I was saying to the demon. I told her to get Keith and happily she understood. Keith was just in time. He put the humans to sleep and I put my fist through the demon’s chest, ripping his heart out. Two more minutes and we might have died.”
“I hate to say this. In a situation like that, you have to sacrifice Alicia. The girls too. You have power that can give a demon the chance to destroy thousands, potentially millions of lives. Keeping that power from them has to be your top priority.” Seth looked me in the eye as he spoke. “Even if it means losing Alicia.”
“I don’t know if I can make that sacrifice.” I was being honest.
“Seth is right. You know he is, Josh. I won’t be around and Seth will be far away. You will be solely responsible for the safety of you and your pack.” Keith sighed. “What I am about to tell you is very important. I will help and Seth might not mind being there as well, when you tell Alicia, Sarah, and Crystal. They have to know that if today’s situation happens again, you will try to save them, but you have to keep a demon from ever obtaining your power. They need to know ahead of time that as much as you love them, you would have to let them die. This is that important.”
“I will be there for you too. Between the three of us, we can make them understand.” Seth sounded sad, but he meant it.
“How can an alpha sacrifice his pack for himself?” I knew what they said was right. That doesn’t mean I had to like it.
“Don’t argue, we happen to be the only two left on earth that can kick your butt. Don’t think we won’t.” Keith teased trying to ease the tension.
“The only two? You had said there were a handful that could beat me.” I was confused. It had only been a couple of days.
“You are still strengthening quickly. The sheer amount of power you will have has to come in stages so that your system is not overwhelmed. You could potentially develop new powers.” Keith informed me.
“Speaking of powers, when did you start seeing ghosts?” Seth asked.
“Monday when I was at school. There is a teenage pervert ghost boy watching the girls play volleyball and changing in the girls’ locker room. Then Tuesday, I saw my mom’s ghost at her funeral.”
“Sorry to say this Josh, but I thought damned souls couldn’t come back as ghost. How is your mom here?” Seth wondered.
“She had promises made to her that my father had already put in place. She went to hell, but she is not having to suffer. It is a lot like the rewards he offered to me.” I explained as best as I could.
“There are loopholes the demons like to exploit. This was one of them.” Keith informed us. He didn’t seem too concerned.
“At least I might be able to fight the next demon on my own. I am still sorry you had to risk yourself and your pack. If I am getting stronger, then maybe I will be able to handle it myself next time.” This was a little bit of a relief. I looked at Keith and said. “I might expect help if Lucifer comes after me, though.” I said it for a laugh.
“That one would definitely be for you not me.” Seth was laughing.
“If Lucifer ever tries, then you would get to meet Michael.” Keith was smiling. “He isn’t the ball of sunshine that I am though. He might kick your butt too, just for making him come down here.”
The three of us talked and laughed for a while before returning to the party. It was a great meeting between friends. We stayed at Seth’s for as long as we dared, knowing school and work awaited us the next morning. The drive back was full of excited chatter between Alicia and the girls. We dropped Keith at his house on the way home.
Chapter 21
We woke up smiling. We got dressed, ate breakfast, and drove to school with those smiles still shining. The school day flew by with the most interesting thing being a vision of a female teacher stripping at a club. Alicia and I were meeting after school/work to get the blood test and marriage license done. Keith was helping to expedite things. After that stuff, we separated with Alicia and the girls going to look for dresses, and Keith and I going to get me a tux.
I got Jimmy’s and Thomas’s phone numbers from Seth so I could ask them to be groomsmen. Keith was going to be my best man. Seth was giving Alicia away. Anna was the maid of honor, while Sarah and Crystal would be bridesmaids. Keith knew a preacher who would be good for us. Everything was falling into place.
That evening Alicia, the girls, and I went back to Seth’s house. Keith had things he had to take care of on his own. Seth and I sat and went over the options of where we could move. He had a map of the U.S. laid out on the kitchen table. He pointed out the cities that already had packs living there.
“Overall the northwest is a great place for our kind. Not surprisingly, most of that territory is taken. There are some places in Tennessee, Arkansas, and northern Alabama that are nice if you want to stay in the south. Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin aren’t bad either.” Seth was going over the map as he spoke.
“There will need to be a good sized city for Sarah to have college options. Other than that and a large wooded area, I am not too sure what else to look for.” I was perplexed, confused, and discombobulated.
“Most mid to large cities would do for the colleges. The woods need to be as unbroken as possible. Mobile wasn’t ideal, but we are making do. The more land you can buy the better off you are. I usually shoot for at least five hundred acres when I look for a new home. It can be less for you since your pack is still small. How much money do you have?” Seth asked. “The land will cost a lot more in some areas.”
“I have about four hundred thousand dollars plus what I can get from selling my house. The house should sell for around four hundred thousand or so.” I had done some checking but didn’t have an official estimate yet.
“Then you will be fine. I would concentrate…” Seth continued to help me narrow down my options.
We planned the wedding for the week after graduation. Keith/Gabriel would ask for a few more days of using Keith’s body so he could attend. Everything was working out great.
Chapter 22
Graduation had come and gone. All our boxes were packed and the truck had left carrying our stuff to our new home. We had managed to get a good price for the new home and land. All that was left was the wedding.
Seth’s yard had been transformed. It was trul
y beautiful. I am a man, well a half demon werewolf, so I will not bore you with details of the flower arrangements and all the hanging thingies. With the preacher, the caterers, the photographers, the musicians, and other regular humans around, we all had to be careful of what we said. As if my wedding day wasn’t nerve racking enough.
“That should do it.” Keith said as he looked me over one more time. “You’re still butt ugly but the clothes are helping some.”
“Thanks.” I was smiling.
I had been smiling all day. My cheeks were hurting but I couldn’t wipe away the smile. I was marrying my Alicia. She had become my world in a month. I remember seeing this tiny loud girl who kept making me laugh back on the day of the cookout when we first met. She was a stick of dynamite that looked like a little firecracker. I had been attacked by demons, cultists, vampires, and werewolves but I would go through it all a hundred times over if it meant I could be with her.
It wasn’t a huge wedding. We just had Seth’s pack and a few of our friends from school and work. I made them leave a spot open on the first bench for my mom. Keith and I would be the only ones to see her, but she had earned her place nonetheless. Seth’s pack split mostly evenly between my side and hers, even though I know they would all have been on her side normally.
As I stood there awaiting my bride, I thought back to before all this madness had come into my life. An average guy if there ever was one. The only special thing about me was that Keith was my best friend. Things had been so simple for me. I didn’t have any real responsibility or any real problems.
One month later, I was getting married to the most wonderful woman I had ever met. I had psychic visions to deal with. I had found out that I was half demon. I had been turned into a werewolf. I had become an alpha at a way too early stage. I had to always be on guard for demons who would try to possess me to steal my power and earthbound body.
My mom’s ghost appeared and took the seat I had saved for her. Mom had been one of the cultist who had tried to kill me. She had come through in the end that night, but had died in the process. She had actually saved me and my pack from a second demon attack. She had gotten Keith there just in time. Things had definitely changed in my life.
When Seth led Alicia down the aisle, my heart went into overdrive. I knew by their smiles and looks that every wolf in the crowd had heard the change in my heartrate. Alicia was so beautiful that I didn’t care. I felt like I could face anything with her by my side.
The ceremony was a blur. All I remember about it was staring into her eyes the entire time. The service could have been two minutes or two hours and I wouldn’t have known. My thoughts were only of Alicia. She was my strength now.
The reception had a little more sadness than most. Everyone knew that we were leaving the state tonight. Since I had reached alpha status and couldn’t stay, we were losing all of these friends. As bad as it was for me, I knew it was so much worse for Alicia. She had spent over fifty years with some of them. These people were her family.
“I want you to know that I thought seriously of going with you.” Jimmy was talking. “It was just so hard to leave Seth. He is the greatest man I have ever met.”
“I understand Jimmy. I feel bad enough taking Alicia away from Seth. It would have been great to have you with us, but I wouldn’t be leaving Seth’s pack either if I didn’t have to.” I assured him. It was getting near the first dance time so I excused myself from Jimmy and the rest of the group.
“It’s probably a good thing that being a bad dancer isn’t grounds for divorce. This might have been the shortest marriage ever.” I whispered in Alicia’s ear once we were on the dance floor.
“You aren’t that bad. Well maybe you are but I don’t care.” Alicia smiled up at me. I bent down and kissed her much to everyone’s delight. Then everyone joined in and we were no longer the center of attention, thankfully.
While we were dancing I saw Keith take Sarah and Crystal off away from everyone. We had already planned that I would leave the reception and take Keith home on my own at some point. That way we could have time to talk and say our goodbyes. By the way Sarah and Crystal were crying, Keith must be saying his goodbyes to them now. Alicia saw where my attention was and she started to cry as well.
“Hey, we knew this was a part of tonight. Saying goodbye hurts, but we will have a long life of happiness ahead of us.” I tried to reassure her.
“I know. I don’t regret my choice, I just wish we could all stay together.” She laid her head on my chest and I led her away from the dance floor. Seth had seen what was happening and came over to join Alicia and me.
“Is it time for him to leave?” Seth asked me.
“It is getting close. This is going to hurt, but I can’t expect him to stick around forever.” I said sadly.
“How long did you say the two of you had been friends?” Seth was asking.
“Thirteen years. You would have met an entirely different person if he hadn’t straightened my ass out. Even for him, it took years.” I smiled and Seth laughed. Keith and the girls were headed back to where we were.
“I want one dance with the bride before I go.” Keith took Alicia’s hand and they danced. I was pretty sure why he wanted a few minutes with her alone.
The girls walked up trying to dry their eyes without messing up their makeup. I put an arm around each one and hugged them close. I knew that Keith had taken the knowledge of him being more than human away from them while they were saying goodbye. He was most likely doing the same to Alicia right now. All they would remember was that Keith was a great friend who had been important to them.
When his dance was over, Keith brought Alicia back to where we were. With a look he let me and Seth know that it was time to go. Seth, Keith, and I headed for my car.
“Seth, it has been a great pleasure in knowing you. You are one of the shining souls that we depend on to keep order down here.” Keith stopped and looked at Seth when we got to the car. “I hope you can find some peace for a while, after all of this joker’s ruckus.”
“I am worried it might get too quiet now. Josh was keeping me on my toes.” Seth and Keith both laughed. “I have been around for some time now, but I never expected to get to meet an archangel. You are even greater than I would have imagined. Thank you for letting me remember who you really are.”
“Don’t thank me yet, I may be back from time to time needing your assistance.” Keith said it like it might happen.
“You will always be welcome in my home and I will try to help when I am needed.” Seth and Keith shook hands.
“It’s time Josh.” Keith said it simply but it didn’t feel simple. We got into my car and headed out.
“It’s hard to know where to begin, Keith. After so many bad jokes, it turns out that the worst joke of all is not knowing how to tell your best friend goodbye.” I wanted to say so much but didn’t know how.
“I’m glad you didn’t see yourself dancing, now that was a bad joke.” Keith/Gabriel looked over at me. “You have Alicia and those two wonderful girls to keep you straight now. I wish I could stay, but my kind isn’t meant to be here, Josh.”
“I know. It doesn’t mean I’m okay with saying goodbye, but I know it has to be this way. I haven’t asked you yet, what is Heaven like?”
“Glorious. Father’s grace fills you to overflowing. You never want for anything for all of eternity. Love. Happiness. Peace.” Gabriel has a way of explaining things.
“I hope I don’t screw it up then. You know I don’t have a great track record of getting things right.” I tried to smile. We were getting close to his house now.
“You have a tough road ahead. I would love to say it will all be easy and you won’t be tempted to do wrong, but we both know that would be a lie. You have to start trusting in yourself.” Gabriel said this as we pulled up to his house.
“You know I could say ‘thank you’ a hundred times and it wouldn’t be enough. What do you say to an archangel who has been helping you for
thirteen years?” I asked.
“The only thanks I want from you, is to watch you and Alicia live a long happy life together. If you can do that, then my time here was worth it.” Gabriel opened his door. “Now get out and hug me goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Gabriel.” I said as we hugged.
“Goodbye, my friend.”
I drove back to Seth’s slowly. Alicia, Sarah, and Crystal would know that I had said goodbye to a friend named Keith Goodman. Only Seth and I knew that my buddy had been an angel. It was so hard to let him go, but I knew he belonged in heaven.
The reception was still going strong when I got back. The pack had been able to loosen up a bit since the last of the humans had left. The drinking was helping them loosen up as well. When it started getting late and we could tell many of the wolves wanted to go for a run, Alicia and I decided it was time for us to leave.
There were tears and hugs all around. Each member of the pack wished us well and said goodbye separately. We made our way down the line. Then there was only Seth and Anna left. Anna and Alicia hugged so tight I thought me and Seth would need crowbars to separate them.
“Just because we can’t live in the same city doesn’t mean you can’t visit. Remember, I can still whip your ass if you don’t.” Seth was trying to joke through his tears.
“We will when we have the chance, I promise.” Seth and I hugged. I could see the pain in his eyes when he hugged Alicia. It hurt me to watch.
“You teach the big monster right. I don’t want to have to come up there and straighten him out.” Seth told Alicia.
“You got it, Alphy!” Alicia was crying her eyes out.
Alicia and I were in my car. Sarah drove the Audi. Crystal drove Alicia’s Camry. We drove away from Seth’s wondering when we might see him again. There was a lot of driving to be done that night. We only had two more days before the girls would have their first full moon. We had an uncertain future but we did have each other. Alicia and I held hands as the miles started to melt away.