by Lecia Bester
"Is it nine already?" I can see the anxiousness ooze out of her.
"No, we have a few minutes, but let's go downstairs. My father, Marc and Michael Jenner, is waiting for us." She walks over to me and takes my hand. I need to start getting used to her touching me, but every the electricity lights up every time. Walking down the stairs, Emily stops again. Thinking it's just nerves, I plan to reassure her, but her face tells me it's not nerves.
"He's here, just on the other side of the door." Impossible, we would've heard him. Then, as if to confirm Emily's suspicion, there's a knock on the front door. My father goes to open the door while I stand with Emily near the fireplace. I have to remind him that this is her brother and that she's safe.
It's natural for any Alpha wolf to be slightly larger in build, our wolves are stronger, but Tristan's presence on the other side of the door was intimidating, even to me. My wolf gives a low growl, and I internally try and calm him. We can trust him, settle down. He steps in, reaching out a hand towards my father; he takes it firmly, holding eye contact. As alphas, we are able to keep eye contact with one another. It's why Emily can challenge me. She has alpha blood, even if it is playful. Michael Jenner also shakes his hand but bows his head to avoid Tristan's gaze, and Marc does the same. It's a sign of respect to any Alpha.
Making his way towards us, his gaze flickers from me to Emily. Realization of the situation registers on his face. I take his hand. We are about the same size. My ego doesn't take too much of a knock, and my wolf makes himself known. The golden ring in Tristan's eyes tells me his wolf does the same. They seem cold, but then again, they are ice blue and the eyes of a Royal Alpha. I see so much of Emily in him. The genetics in the Royal pack is good, that's for sure. He lets go of my hand and moves to Emily. He doesn't shake her hand but instead pulls her into a hug. I see her spine go rigid, but then she relaxes and hugs him back. Tears glisten on her cheek. He takes a step back, holding onto her hands.
"It's so good to be able to hug you. I've wanted to do that for so long."
My father motions for all of us to take a seat. Considering this is a family reunion and not just a business call, we stayed in the informal lounge. I sit next to Emily; Tristan took the seat across from us, focusing on our hands that are entwined together. Clearing his throat, he starts. Authority seeping out of his voice.
"Thank you for welcoming me to your pack. I apologize for the secrecy surrounding my visit, but Eric is resourceful, and avoiding his guard proved to be a harder task than I thought." Nobody says anything, so Tristan continues.
"I'd also like to thank you for the safety you have extended towards my sister. I see she's even found a mate amongst your pack and a soon-to-be alpha at that. It fills my heart with joy to know she's had a life where she's been loved and will be protected in the future. Michael, that includes the guardianship you and your wife have provided, even though you are distant family, I know Emily has come to love you as her aunt and uncle, especially after the death of her foster family." Michael Jenner dips his chin in acknowledgment.
"Now, let's move on to more pressing matters. As much as I'd like a proper family reunion, we have limited time. My uncle Eric, who took over as Alpha of my pack when my parents died, has been implementing his own agenda. I'm sure you've heard the rumors of an uprising amongst the packs."
"Yes. We've been watching Eric since the assassination of your parents. He's always kept his side clean so far, with no evidence of him meeting with any of the other alphas. Everyone denies the uprising when questioned, but I have a source within his guard who acts as an informant for us. He's been experimenting with black magic. Quite frankly, I'm surprised you've been able to remain hidden for so long."
"He's been on a hunt for me. I was raised within a small pack South from here towards the mountains. They live from the land, with no more than 20 pack members. I was able to remain hidden from Eric. As soon as I was 16, I went searching for Emily. I placed her on the Jenner's porch that night before I made my way to the mountains." He turned his attention back to Michael Jenner.
"I trusted you to take care of her, and you've done precisely that." I feel Emily tightening her grip. It's the first time she hears what happened that night. Everyone speculated, but in truth, Tristan is the only one who would know.
"Erin will be here in 2 weeks. I want to take back my rightful place as Alpha of The Royal Pack, but if Erin gets a hold of my scent, I'm a dead wolf. His guard is enhanced with black magic, just as you stated, Stephan, and even I am no match for them." It's strange hearing him call my father by his name.
"We have a plan. That is why we were looking for you. We host a ceremonial ball when the Royal pack visits. Alphas from the neighboring packs join us. It also allows for unmated wolves to find their destined mates possibly. Should you address Erin in public at this event. There will be enough Alpha's present to declare you the rightful alpha to the Royal pack. The only problem will be to keep your scent hidden. Erin can't suspect anything" Tristan nods his head in agreement.
"I've learned to cover my scent through the years. It's a trick I learned from the pack who raised me. Don't worry. He won't know I'm coming until I'm right in front of him." We discuss a few more details of when and how. Emily remained frozen next to me.
"Well then, it's time for me to take my leave. Emily, I hope we can meet during the next week if your protective mate allows it, of course?" Tristan stood and walked over to give her another hug before leaving with a grin on his face. When the door closes, the whole room seems to relax.
Chapter 29 – Gifts
EMILY
I'm nervous. Very nervous. I'm not sure why. Tristan is my brother, my family, and yet my palms are sweating, and my heart is racing. Friday, he mentioned that he would like to see me in the coming week. He sent a message, as in a written letter in the mailbox, asking to meet Thursday night for dinner. There was no way of returning the letter because we still don't know where he is staying at the moment, so the only choice I had was to agree. Connor didn't seem too excited about letting me have dinner alone with him, but Jess assured him that I'm more than capable of holding my own even if something happens. That and I heal much faster than anyone.
The address he wrote down in the note was for a very fancy restaurant in the city. It was about an hour's drive to get here. Connor and Luke said they would have dinner close by, and I can phone him to come to pick me up when I'm done. Now I'm standing outside the restaurant, palms sweaty, knees weak, arms heavy...Eminem's song has never been more accurate. My wolf tries to calm me, her attempt is futile, but I thank her in my mind for the effort.
Taking a deep breath, I walk up to the restaurant. The hostess greets me with a big bright smile. I didn't even need to give her my name. She immediately showed me to a table where Tristan was waiting for me. He got up the moment he saw me and pulled me into a hug.
"Hey, sis. I'm so happy to see you." If I were a normal human, that hug would've cracked a rib; it was so tight.
"Hi. Thank you for inviting me to dinner. This is a very nice restaurant." The table he chose was in the back, the whole restaurant was dimly lit, and the candle on the table wasn't to provide light as much as it was to create an ambiance. Soft jazz music playing in the background gives it a cozy feel.
"I can't get used to it. You look exactly like our mother." His voice is filled with sadness. It makes me a little grateful that I don't remember them. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle losing two mothers and two fathers. When the waitress comes to take our drink orders, she briefly pauses when she looks at Tristan, her eyes roaming over him shamelessly. Tristan gives a charming smile and orders a bottle of champagne. I'm not 21 yet, but I guess champagne doesn't count. The bottle arrives, and after the waitress pours us both a glass of bubbling golden liquid, Tristan raises his.
"To finally getting my family and my pack back." I lightly connect my glass with his and have a sip. It's the first time I've ever had champagne, it's wonderful. A smile spreads across my f
ace, and Tristan smiles back at me, looking very pleased.
We talk a bit about our family. He mentions that my father was a strong leader and my mother was a caring Luna. I wish I could have remembered them. The way Tristan talks about them, they must have been exceptional people. The waitress was a little shocked at how quickly I made my dinner disappear.
I'm guessing she thinks this is a date, and I was supposed to have ordered a salad or something, not a medium steak with a baked potato. Tristan ignores the girl that's obviously lingering around his side of the table to try and get his attention.
"That fire moonstone around your neck suits you. It matches the gold rim in your blue eyes. The blue eyes are from mother, by the way."
"Thank you. It was a gift from Connor." I grab at it protectively.
"So I guess the prophecy is true then. Our generation got the gifts or talents, although yours is a lot better than mine." What... Does Tristan have a gift?
"Don't look so surprised. I grew up in a wolf pack. The prophecy is like a bedtime story. Father and mother knew about my gift, but you were too small to know if you were blessed with one by the Moon Goddess."
"What's your gift?" I'm not the only one...
"Well... I can sort of draw on another wolf's energy. Like it's a power source for me, and for a while, I'm a bit stronger or faster. Whatever talent that wolf had will be added to mine. It comes in handy when I'm in a fight." He shrugs like it's no big deal, but for me, it's comforting knowing that I'm not the only odd one out.
"Is that how you could survive and stay in hiding all this time?"
"Yes. Don't tell anyone, but I can even absorb a wolf's scent for a few hours. That's how I keep the guard off my trail. They can't follow my scent." That makes a lot of sense because the Elemental Packs trackers are the best, and even they couldn't follow Tristan's scent.
"Your gift, on the other hand, can affect many wolves. If you choose, you can gift a pack the ability to heal faster than the average wolf. Only you can save a wolf from a mortal injury, though, but accelerated healing also means a longer life span to the pack or the wolf you choose to share your gift with. I'm guessing Uncle Erin sees us as threats, and that's why he's hunting us. Me, because I can take the Royal pack from him, and you, because you have the ability to enhance any wolf or pack."
It makes sense. From what I understood, my uncle wanted the weaker packs gone. If I choose to gift a weeker pack a healing ability, Erin won't be able to take them out as easily.
"Yea, I guess so. I'm so new to all of this, and I hardly think I'm a threat." Tristan reaches for my hand across the table and I let him take it.
"We are the strongest of the strongest. Royal Alpha blood pumps through your veins and the Moon Goddess has blessed both of us. Regardless of what happened. Both of us are sitting here, alive and stronger than ever. Believe in yourself, Amelia...I mean Emily because I do."
His touch is warm and comforting, the same as when I used to give my brother Jamie a hug. Jamie was such a dorky kid, but I loved him so much. I still think about the great things he could've done and thought he should've been the one to survive that car accident, not me. Now I get a second chance at family...I have to take it.
Chapter 30 – Shopping
EMILY
My brother asked me to keep his gift a secret. I understood why. It's his only advantage at this point and he's being hunted as it is. If his gift or the fact that he's alive becomes common knowledge, the target on his back would just become bigger. So I promised him I would. Saturday morning, Jess was knocking on my door.
"Let's get going!" She's insufferable, but I should thank her. I don't look like the girl that walked into school more than a month and a half ago. Not that there was physically anything wrong with that girl, but she didn't live life. She just existed and faded into the background. I swing open the door, almost hitting Jess in the face. She ducks dramatically.
"What's it with you and trying to ruin my nose! Goodness, woman, it's just shopping. You don't have to assault me." I give a little chuckle, remembering how we met.
"That's what you get for spying on me at the beginning of the year." She fakes a sad face.
"I thought we have moved past that already. Your not an elephant. Let it go already." Fair enough.
"Okay. Okay. Let's go find me a dress that will make Connor's heart stop." Jess's face lights up at my enthusiasm. Before she could answer, I hear Connor's voice boom from downstairs.
My heart stops every time I see your face, babe."Yuck. I don't need your cheesy, lovey-dovey vibes on my shopping day. Tone it down, lover boy." She smacks Connor on the shoulders as we walk past him. He grabs me and crashes his lips onto mine. My bones seem to disappear from m body every time he doe that. Leaving me feeling like jelly.
"Enjoy shopping with Jess, babe. Remember we have dinner tonight." Another quick kiss and I make a run for it before I decided to skip shopping and just kiss Connor the whole day. We make it into the city before brunch. Walking around the mall, I give Jess a little Q&A about Luke.
"I'm guessing Luke is taking you to the ball?" She's sorting through a rack of dresses, but I hear her heart rate increase a little.
"Yea, but just because it makes sense. Don't read into anything, and I'm sure he asked me because I'd be less of a distraction or something. We need to be focussed that night."
"Sure. That's why he asked you. So that he's not distracted... I'm sure there are plenty of girls who would have given a limb to go with him. Luke, taking someone he knows won't try to get into his pants, doesn't really sound like him. I’d expect him to take someone he wanted in his pants." I pause because that sounded so much worse out loud than it did in my head, but Jss just laughs. I haven't known him for too long but that's what Luke chose to portray. The handsome blond playboy. She turned around so quickly; I thought her head might come off.
"A girl is trying to get into his pants? Uh... I mean, whatever. Yes, that's exactly why." I'm onto you guys, blondie. After what feels like half a decade and nine blisters from walking around, we both have our dresses. Jess also dragged me into a lingerie shop, insisting I get new underwear. I got a few staple items and a few seamless pieces. I'll need one with the dress Jess insisted I get. I also don't know what came over me, but I got an emerald green lace set. Jess made me try it on, and now I'm feeling ridiculous for buying it like I bought a naughty book and no one is supposed to know I have it.
I have about 20 minutes to get ready for dinner with Connor. We got stuck in traffic on the way back, but at least I only need a few minutes to get ready. My hair and makeup will have to suffice. Placing my new dress safely in my closet and putting away my underwear, I hold onto the box containing the green set. It's definitely not me. I'm not confident enough to pull something like this off, but it's a little bit thrilling knowing I have it.
Deciding I have a few spare minutes, I change into it and look at myself in the mirror. I put on the pair of black stockings the lady suggested I get with it, as the set has a garter. Throwing my head over my shoulders, I fluff out my hair to give it a little volume. When I come back up, I see Connor's face in the mirror. His eyes wide, pupils dilated, and white knuckles from clutching the door handle. Fuck.
We just stand there for a minute, looking at each other. Heat creeps up my neck, and I feel myself go crimson. Connor's lips are slightly parted, and he's breathing heavy. His jaw is clenched. What feels like a lifetime passes, and Connor moves the rest of the way into the room. He silently shuts the door without losing eye contact. The way he looks at me gives me goosebumps over my entire body. Hot or cold...I need my body to decide.
Turning around, I move to the side of the bedroom, wanting to grab the robe that's hanging over my dresser. He slowly walks towards me with restraint and continues until I've backed up against my dresser. He's not even touching me, but my body feels like it's on fire. He starts tracing one finger from my hand, up to my arm, over my shoulder, and around my neck where it settles. His other hand bru
shes away my hair. His gaze starts at the bottom, raking over every inch of me painfully slow.
I hear my own heart hammer in my chest. The hand that brushes away my hair is now tracing the bra strap, following it down along the edge. It's not like we haven't touched each other at all. I'm not a nun, but standing here in nothing but lace, most of which is see-through, just makes me feel vulnerable. Especially with an alpha wolf in front of me, looking at me like I'm a snack. He finally brings his eyes up towards my face softly mentions my name.
"Emily..." I don't reply. I just continue to stand there. Tension radiates from his body and I need to hold onto the dresses for support. He moves the hand behind my neck to my throat. With a nudge, he parts my legs and comes to stand between them. His body now flush with mine, allowing me to feel his arousal. The hand on my neck moves to tilt my chin upwards and Connor places a feather-light kiss there.
Everything is so overwhelming on my senses. I remind myself to breathe. Moving the green strap down my shoulder, he kisses me there soft at first, but then I feel his teeth graze my skin. Cymera lets out a moan. I don't know why but my body and my wolf want Connor to bite me. It's the first thing that popped into my head just now. Wat the fuck...
His other hand moves up my back and down again to grab onto my hip and pull me even closer to him, his hips aligning with mine. Then as if someone pulled him backward, he releases me and steps back. I see his wolf surface in his eyes. Connor is having an internal battle with his wolf. Cymera, on the other hand, is controlled. Don't get me wrong, she would jump the handsome wolf in front of me in a second, but she knows I need to take things slow.
"Walking away right now is the hardest thing I've ever done but that was too close." His jaw remains clenched and his voice comes out strangled.