They met at the front of the room as people started filing out. “Hey. I didn't know your parents were back.”
Rachel shrugged and looked at the couple sitting on the front row. Her father and mother lived in Roanoke to be close to their businesses and allowed her to live in their house in the village alone. Given the recent events, she wasn't so sure that they would allow it for much longer. “They came back this morning after Jeff called all the pack in about Leo.” She stuffed her hands into her back pocket.
“Rach...” Carson sighed heavily. “Look, I'm sorry. I've been so caught up in everything that's been going on- it's no excuse but I'm really sorry. I haven't meant to ignore you.”
The petite redhead chewed her bottom lip a moment. “Hmm... do I forgive you for being a thoughtless, love sick woman or let you stew a little longer.” She pulled a hand out and tapped her lips. “Decisions... decisions.” Finally she dropped her hand. “Well, okay. I'll let it slide this time, Chica, but only because you're getting yourself hitched this weekend. Consider it an early mating gift.” She grinned and hugged her best friend.
“Whew, I was afraid there for a minute you'd be so pissed that you wouldn't be there Saturday.”
Rachel laughed. “Are you kidding? You haven't seen me in my dress yet. There's no way that I'm not going to miss it and the opportunity to show off.”
Carson visually relaxed. “Really, though, I'm sorry about everything. I didn't even realize how long it had been since we just hung out until last night when I was going over stuff. What you say that we take a girl's night tonight and eat things we aren't supposed to, do mani-pedis and watch sappy movies until our mascara runs.”
“It's a date!” Rachel hugged her best friend again. “Besides, you have been so out of the loop in panting love land, you haven't heard the latest news.”
Carson sighed all dramatically. “What's his name again? Jack something?”
The smile on Rachel's face was dazzling, making her entire face brighten. “Bishop, his last name is Bishop. He's from Chatham Pack and we've been dating for a month now. That's the longest I've dated one person in... well ever. He's such a doll and I just love him to pieces.”
Carson groaned. “Poor Jack.”
“Hey now!” Rachel punched her friend in the ribs. “He happens to like my 'spirit', thank you kindly. You'll get to meet him this weekend. He's coming up for the mating ceremony.”
“Well come on, let's hit the pack store before all the chocolate fudge ripple is gone.” Carson pulled Rachel towards the door. “And it's my turn to pick the movie. I think its a Steel Magnolia kind of night tonight.”
“I'll meet you there, let me let the folks know. They are so worried these days.” Rachel drifted off towards where her parents stood talking to Miriah and Jeff.
Carson watched her go. “Aren't we all?” she murmured then made her way out the door toward the store.
CHAPTER 12
That Friday evening had turned cooler; a much welcomed relief from the stifling late summer heat and a sure indicator that autumn had finally arrived. Beyond the compound, the trees had fully donned their most beautiful cloaks of brilliant leaves which continued to fall in graceful spirals from the occasional gusts of wind. The soft songs of the crickets and frogs gathered at the pond lent a sense of peace and calm over the compound. It was a false peace when in truth everyone was on edge, and it showed in the clouded faces of the Sapphire Lake wolves. Normally, the young pups would be scampering about, lost in their childish games, but even they were subdued, mirror images of their parents. It was as if the entire village was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
There was a soft knock at Zandria's door. She heard it for her hearing was much more acute than most humans, but she remained seated in the overstuffed chair. She knew it was the alpha's son, Cayson, for he came by every day about this time to talk to her. She had tried for days to dissuade him gently but he was stubborn and refused to give up. At first, she thought that perhaps he was song struck; that her singing had somehow ensnared him, but now, she could tell it was clearly evident that was not the problem. She wished things could be different; that she could give in and just relax and be his friend just as he kept asking her to be. How she wished she could have a real friend, but it would never work out for her. No, it was much better for her to stay in her tiny little bubble and push everyone else out.
Moments went by and she could feel him on the other side of the door, stubbornly waiting for her to answer it. She could hear his heart beating faster, almost taste the anticipation and hope that clung to him. Pressing one hand to her chest she sighed sorrowfully. There was no other choice, she would have to dissonant him. She closed her eyes and began to hum softly searching for his song, that melody that she alone heard when he was nearby. When she found it, her tune changed and she sang into the air, pushing against the presence beyond the door. The tune changed slightly, slowly, building in energy and discord until she let it go towards the door. She felt the change immediately and knew he had taken a couple of steps back away from the door. She pushed again and he left the porch but still stood nearby. The timbre of his heartbeat changed as the song in him trying desperately to match her melody but she again changed it until the utter wrongness was thick and pulsed between them. Just when she thought she wouldn't be able to hold on, she felt him turn and leave. She let the song go and took a ragged breath. Pulling her knees up, she stared at the door until finally sleep and the accompanying nightmares finally claimed her.
.-~*~-.
Miriah checked the hem in the mirror again of the dress she would be wearing to the bonding ceremony tomorrow evening. Pressing her hands on the pale orange that flared from her hips she frowned. “Maybe I should wear the lavender one,” she muttered to herself.
“No matter which one you wear, you'll be beautiful.” Jeff's arms circled around her waist and his nose dropped to the place where the pale white scars from their own bonding ceremony still sat upon her skin. Her eyes closed and she tilted her neck slightly away from him, baring it for his nuzzling. He pressed his nose into the crook and blew his scent into her skin.
“Marking me again, Beloved?” She whispered.
“Always,” he breathed against her skin. His grip tightened around her waist and he let out a soft contented growl. “My wolf still finds you irresistible.”
Looking into the mirror, she shivered to see two pairs of glowing gold eyes staring back. Taking a deep breath she gently cajoled the beast to calm. “I thought the dinner went well tonight,” she intoned. “Considering...”
“Don't let Councilor Abernathy get under your skin. He has been trying to get to me for years.”
She sighed. “I wish you two could bury the hatchet.”
“Between his eyes?” He quipped. “I know a lot of alphas that would pay good money to see that.”
She growled at him. “Be serious Jeff. He is the Elder councilor and though he's difficult, we have to obey him and the rest of the council.”
He nodded. “I know. Gretchen keeps him in line most of the time.”
She smiled. “I love her to pieces. She and Maggie want to have a tea tomorrow afternoon with the ladies to give Carson a chance to relax a bit. Too bad Manna couldn't be here for their bonding though. Carson tried to hide it but she was disappointed.”
“Mmhm,” Jeff closed his eyes a moment and nuzzled his mate's neck again.
Her wolf paced inside, whimpering to be freed. “I wish we could go for a run. You never know how much you miss something until you can't.”
He chuckled softly, “I have a cure for that pent-up energy.” He pulled her gently into his arms and led her to the bed.
“Jeff! There's too much to do. There are a million things to get finished before tomorrow night.” She pushed him away halfheartedly.
He swept her up into his arms and growled softly. “The world can wait. I need my mate now.”
.-~*~-.
It was dark, the full darkness that came as
the moon relinquished her turn in the navy blue canopy of the sky. It would be another hour before the sun rose and bathed the world in light for the new day. In the forest, two shadows converged, both watching as the quiet slumber of the compound rumbled towards awakening. One of the shadows pulled from the inky blackness of the woodlands and stretched, elongated and reformed. Sinews realigned, thick fur pulled back into pores, claws retreated into fingertips and razor sharp canines slid back into gums. Standing, he stretched, the pop of joints sounding harsh in the quiet of the sleeping woods. “Councilor,” he murmured and dipped his head just slightly out of respect.
Another shadow disentangled itself from the mass pooling in the undergrowth. There were pops and cracks then the human form stepped back into the shadows. “Future alpha,” the soft tone slipped through the air and the barest of nods returned the gesture. “Is everything ready?”
He nodded. “It is. Just be sure you keep up your end of the deal. When this is all over, I get the girl. I get her and the pack leadership.”
“Of course.” The words barely lifted above the gentle breeze that caused the limbs to sway. “All you have to do is imprint her as was your right and both of them are yours. She'll forget the healer, forget her so called love and you will be her entire world. Then once the imprinting is done, the beta and the alpha both die and you, her mate, will take over leadership of this pack.”
His wolf growled in pleasure. Soon they would have their mate; not a life mate, but a mate for life and that made them happy. He almost pranced like a puppy though it had been many years since he was a pup. So lost in his vision of a perfect life, he never realized he was again alone until he heard the patter of paws again hurrying away. Turning back to stare at the house harboring his future mate, the soon to be dead alpha and the rest of his family, he hesitated a moment. “Come on,” he whispered to himself. “Let's go hunt.” He shifted quickly and turned towards the woods and sorted through the various smells. Grinning to himself he found the perfect one and took off at a run.
CHAPTER 13
“Rachel! Help!” Carson called out in a frantic panic.
“What up, Chica?” Her best friend stuck her head in the doorway.
“I can't find the little broach – the one that Emma gave me last night. Have you seen it?” She was pulling clothes out of her drawers, the fabrics raining down around them to settle on the floor. “It was their mother's. Crap! What if I've lost it already? It has to be here somewhere.”
Rachel blew a strand of dark red hair out of her eyes and shook her head. “Honestly Car, you would lose your head if it wasn't locked on your shoulders. Now think, where did you last see it?”
“Yesterday, maybe?” Carson flopped on the bed and dejectedly dropped her head into her hands and thought back to the day before.
Chase's father, Terrence ('Call me Terry', he had insisted with a kiss pressed to her cheek) and his sister, Emma had arrived shortly after lunch. Chase had been almost nervous as the introductions had flown around but she had immediately felt comfortable with them both. Terry's easy laughter was echoed in the tiny lines that gently etched his face. Blessed with a werewolf's ageless beauty he looked more like their older brother than their father and Carson had taken an immediate liking to him.
Emma looked like a female version of her brother, tall with long auburn hair and laughing chocolate eyes that threatened to consume you whole. She had hugged her tightly. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Chase has done little but gush about you for the past three months.”
Chase wrapped his arm around his mate and growled at his sister. “I don't gush,” then grinned at them. Pressing a kiss to her head, his thumb stroked her elbow tenderly as he took the goodhearted teasing from Emma.
His sister rolled her eyes and pulled Carson from his grasp. “You'll get forever with her; she's mine for now.” Laughter filled her eyes as she continued to ignore the frown on her brother's face. “We have so much to discuss. Like for instance, did you know he used to have nightmares about sunflowers? Oh and if you haven't figured it out yet, boiled eggs are an absolute never.” Tucking her arm in her future sister in law's she grinned at the discomfort on his face. “Yep we have a LOT to discuss.”
Chase slapped a hand over his face and groaned as they walked off. Terry chuckled. “Ok son, let’s go find a cup of coffee. It's better to let them get this over now rather than wait until after the bonding and have her blurt it out to a packed room. You know how Em can be.”
It was later, after the meal shared by the whole pack, that Terry had handed a small box to Emma and nodded to her. Turning to Carson, she opened the box and pulled out a delicate little broach in the shape of a hummingbird hovering above a lily. The entire thing was worked in white gold and contained several shimmering semi precious gemstones. Carson gasped when she saw it. It was exquisite.
“This was our mom's.” Emma spoke softly, her fingers running over the gemstones. “She would want you to wear it on your bonding day.”
“I can't... You should keep it for your bonding day.” Carson was choked up with emotion and gently closed Emma's fingers over the dainty piece. Their mother, Margaret, had passed away when Emma was just sixteen and Chase a tender twelve.
Emma smiled through the tears that swam in the basins of her eyes. “Momma would want you to have it. She always told Chase that one day he would find the one that made his heart beat as fast as a hummingbird. I know she would have been so proud to see what a wonderful mate was waiting for him.” She pinned the gem on the lapel of her shirt and kissed her cheek.
“My shirt,” Carson jumped up and hunted through the piles of clothes, finally finding the camel colored top slung over the back of her chair. With fumbling fingers she found the front and gave out a sigh of relief. Unpinning the gemstone she clasped it in her hand and sat back on the bed, the shirt forgotten in a puddle on the floor.
“Crisis adverted?” Rachel smirked at her.
Carson glared at her best friend, then thrust the gemstone at her. “Pin it on me... please. My hands won't stop shaking.”
Rachel let out a huff. “What would you do without me?” She pinned the broach on Carson's dress just above the swell of her right breast. “No, don't answer that.” She took a step back and grinned at her. “Yep, its official, you are gorgeous and I’ve gone from mildly envious to full blown jealous.”
Carson turned and looked in the mirror. “I clean up pretty good” She grinned at her friend. “Even if I do say so myself. Mrs. Patterson was right. This dress is absolutely perfect.”
Carson's eyes found Rachel's in the mirror. “Do I still get to meet Jack later? I'm a bit excited to finally meet... the.... oh no! What happened?” Rachel's face had fallen and pain flashed briefly in her eyes before she looked away. Carson turned towards her.
She shrugged. “He found his mate. His brother called me to tell me because Jack completely forgot I existed. They went to a ballgame at the local high school and boom, there she was at the concession stand selling pickles and french fries.” She painted a smile on her face. “No biggie. I mean we all know it can happen at any time. Not the first time I've lost a boyfriend to a mate and I'm sure it won't be the last.”
Carson hugged her. “Yeah but I know it's hard on you anyway. I could tell you really liked him. You know that's why most people don't try to date at all.”
Rachel slapped at the air. “Pshaw, I'm fine. You know me, just another notch in my gun. It's not going to stop me from dating, just maybe I'll go after humans now.” She grinned at Carson. “Now, let's get you all mated up. It's just about time.”
Right on cue, there was a gentle knock on the door followed by a gruff “Ready?”
Rachel grinned and hugged her friend again. “Showtime,” she murmured. Smoothing her own dress quickly, she crossed the room and went to open the door.
Carson turned back and disappeared into the tiny bathroom one last time to check her appearance in the full length mirror on the back of the door. Ey
es flickered over the soft cream colored dress with spaghetti straps purchased at the little shop last month, looking for wrinkles or creases. She smoothed the soft knee length fabric over her thighs and walked out the bathroom door. “I'm rea...” She stopped a gasp escaping her lips.
Rachel lay crumpled on the floor, a drizzle of deep red seeping into Carson's pale tan carpet. She flew to Rachel's side, dropping to the floor and touched her friend's wrist. Holding her breath then letting it out slowly, she could detect the weak thump of her pulse moved under her fingers. She opened her mouth to scream for help but it was cut off when a rough burlap bag jerked down over her head and a sharp pain jabbed in her thigh. There was a burn on her leg then the world started to spin and darken. “I’m not going to make it to my bonding,” was the last thought that crossed her mind before inky black nothing claimed her and she surrendered to it.
.-~*~-.
The hushed whispers had grown in volume over the last ten minutes as heads would turn and glance up the hill from the clearing to where Carson was soon to make her appearance. On the small dais, Chase stood looking around nervously. He had dressed in tight black jeans, a cream colored shirt unbuttoned to the third button and a pair of pale tan loafers. His hair was pulled back and fastened with a leather thong at the base of his head. Glancing at the sky, he could see the sun was saying her goodbye to the daylight, gifting the world with a magnificent display of golds, reds and oranges that accented the ring of autumn trees surrounding them. He smiled. It was as if nature herself was blessing their union. In front of him, Jeff waited, talking quietly with his beta. As alpha of their pack, he would have the honor of performing the ritual that would bind them together forever.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of Cayson running down the hill full speed, alone, and fear gripped his heart in an iron fist. Leaping off the platform, he ran through the crowd of guests murmuring his apologies and met his future brother in law at the bottom of the little hill. Grabbing the younger man's arm, he swallowed several times before he found his voice again. “Where is she?”
Shattered Dreams (Luna's Children) Page 12