#14

Aurora pov

When I set eyes on my brother in wolf form. Words couldn’t find me. His coat shimmered almost iridescent in the fading light. His dark eyes, eyes I reconized, beyond the shape and canine form. He studied me at first curious, suddenly filled with acknowlegement. Tail wagging,l with a happy yip he circled me. Then nuzzled my hand as I stroked his silky coat. I couldn’t recall much of our walk deeper into the wolf's territory. Too many new realities to adapt to. A world where my brother existed. He was safe and well living his life here with these unique people. I struggled with feelings but found myself numb just attempting to think about it. All I knew was that I was with the two most important people in my life. They were guiding me now. The tether was no longer leading me. This was where I belonged. My heart brimmed with emotion.

I noticed small cabins tucked into the landscape here and there. As I came out of my stunned daze. Small greenhouses and a winter hen house, among other sustainable living options. When Evander spoke to my brother, I wondered who he was checking on? Who was so important that his sister he abandoned 6 years ago could wait. Evander squeezed my hand. "You will understand soon enough." He supplied, as he led me to one of the larger cabins tucked under 3 large trees. I found myself questioning how he so instinctively could read my moods.

"Home sweet home." He opened the front door and ushered me in. The smell of cedar and pine hit me like an old friend. I took in a heady inhale, finding myself engulfed in the scent of Evander. It was dark. So I pulled some energy, putting a small flame above my palm. Handmade furniture, with impeccable craftsmanship, delicate carvings adorning chairs, tables, and benches that sat along the walls of the sitting room. This must be some sort of meeting place. There was a wall separating the sitting area and a kitchen with a wood-burning stove opened up to a room with a very large dining table. With similar benches on either side and two chairs on either end. "When the pack gets together, often we do so here." He explained when I gave him a questioning look.

"Let’s find something clean to wear. For now, you'll have to settle for mine." “Tomorrow I'll find you something better.” He led me to the stairs, and I followed him up tentatively. With the dimming light coming from the bedroom window, I appraised the contents of the room, my flame flickering over my upturned palm. There was a loft room with a gigantic bed and intricately carved handmade dresser and side tables. The bed head and footboard held images of wolves running in the wilds. There was a small washroom off to the side with an eco-toilet and washbasin. After he pulled on a worn pair of sweats, discarding the towel. He began rummaging through his drawers, pulling out a flannel shirt and some thermal underwear. "They will be big but, I think you'll look good in my stuff. Tomorrow I'll find you something that will fit better."

Evander POV

She nodded. "I’ll get some water warmed up so we can freshen up." She was wandering around the room. Just observing casually as she ran her fingers over the carvings on the footboard. Slipping out of the room, I heard the thud of her backpack hitting the floor at the foot of the bed, as I headed to get some water to warm on the stove. I was looking around for a match in the dark when the flames erupted to life within the stove’s firebox. I hadn’t heard her come down the stairs. “Sorry,” she uttered. “You make me a little uneasy, so it messes with my control a bit.” I walked up to her, leaning down, my mouth brushing her ear. “Do I frighten you?” I whispered in her ear, my voice coming out in a husky drawl as I came up behind her. “No,” she whispered. "Then why are you so nervous, love?" She sighed, relenting, as she glanced over her shoulder at me, those fascinating eyes of hers appraising me. "Not knowing my life before, I wouldn’t expect you to understand. It’s new and unforeseen. I don’t know what to think, let alone what to expect. Things just seem too easy." She confessed.

"What’s too easy?" She shivered as her intoxicating scent had me kissing down her throat. She let out a shaky breath, stretching her neck more, baring to my advances. My arms instinctively folded around her, my nose nestled in the crook of her neck, my beard no doubt tickling her honey flesh. Her body of its own accord leaned instinctively back into mine, her arms folding over mine where they wrapped completely around her front, pulling her hips back flush with my body.

The front door opened Diablo’s dark glowering stare, catching our embrace. His eyes darkened impossibly more, as he put the pieces together quickly. A low warning rumbled and bubbled up from his chest. Which was met with a fierce rumble of my own. I understood that he wasn’t happy about this development. But I wouldn’t allow him to come between us, ever. She turned quickly, a flush of her cheeks holding the only evidence of her embarrassment. My body screamed at her loss. Having her here in my home and the discord my beta was voicing was pushing the limits of the control I had over my nature.

She ran a soothing hand over one of mine clutched at her hip, giving it a squeeze, a silent plea to release her and to behave. The man in me came forward, shaking off the beast for her.

“Blake,” she whispered, the emotion thick in her voice. “Aurora! you’ve grown so much,” he said hesitantly. It was clear he was unsure how his sister would receive him. I had honestly never pressed too hard about his life before coming here. He would often change the subject when the topic came up. “I’ve missed you,” he said with grief evident. She pulled away, rushing to her brother, and enveloping him in a hug. I could feel the thickness in her throat, the brimming tears as I watched the scene unfold before me. She looked like a koala clinging to her tree. The sob finally escaped. I looked at Diablo’s face. This encounter had me forced to be observant but on the edge of intervening. The emotions crossing his features were alien to me. Tears were falling from his dark lashes, the muscles in his arm hesitant, but then tightened solidly around her like she could take off at any moment. This was a side of him I’d never seen. He was fierce, and he was playful. Two things my no-nonsense sister needed. He was above all loyal but I could see now he had been missing something in his life and it was standing in front of him now in the form of my newly found mate.

"I never thought I'd ever see you again." She choked out. “I know Sis, I know,” he whispered. I pondered. Why? If they were so close. Why had he not brought her here? He had to know we would have accepted her. It was clear the separation had quite possibly torn them both in two. He had silently suffered under my watch. As an Alpha who prided himself on being in tune with his pack mates. Guilt crept into my heart.

I looked up at her, realizing the gravity of her suffering. He seemed hesitant to leave the embrace as if she would disappear. She looked up at him. “Blake, I’m not going anywhere.” The Mother brought me here." He glanced at me. “Your her…?” his voice catching though I understood the question he aimed to ask I nodded in reply. He eyed me wearily. He stepped back, hands still on her shoulders. “You've grown so much, lil sis. I missed… everything, this must be your Knowing.” He stated, sounding pained. She put her hand on his arm. “We have our lifetime to make new memories. Besides, I think I’m tied to here, for the moment” She said, looking my way. “I'm still a little confused about all that, but I think it needs to wait till you tell us what you needed help with. You came to me as a wolf. I didn't know it was you by sight, only by voice. You asked for Help?"

He sighed, “all business as always, I see.” It was obvious that it was a joke between them. But she'd mentioned business first before. "So, I guess it’s a character trait?" I asked Diablo. “You will have a fine Luna if you pass her gauntlet. My sister is no easy prey Alpha,” he smirked smugly. “And just know I expect you to treat her with absolute respect and dignity.” He said with ice in his tone. I nodded. “Absolutely,” I agreed.

She eyed us both, her brother’s arm draped securely over her shoulder. Questions building in her mind. I moved the tub of water to the stovetop. "Let’s have a seat and you can tell me what I've missed while I was preoccupied,” I said with a smirk, looking at Aurora.