#61

Evander

As my lips met my new wife’s we crashed within ourselves, the roots of our souls knotting together in an endless fusion. There was no beginning or end to us. Our lives and souls were bound even more tightly now. A well within me spilled over and the light of our merging souls shone in all its beauty. I felt righted and strengthened. The power I bore for her snaked through my veins now. I could sense her faint use of it and how it rested currently just at the surface of her being. The soul's light became blinding before it imploded. Leaving each of us a piece of the other.

We came back to ourselves lips still locked, tongues still caressing in the passionate kiss. Blake coughed, and we came to our senses. We pulled away aglow with silly love drunk smiles. The pack clapped and cheered. I could hear the sound of Emmit’s guitar being strummed as he started to sing a ballad about a fair maiden and how she caught the eye of a man and he won her love through deeds of valor. I wasn’t paying much attention to the song as I was staring at my enchanting mate who stood before me, letting her full beauty shine out to all of those gathered. Blake reached down, loosening the bindings on our hands and when we retracted them he pulled the lengths tight creating an intricate knot.

He held up the knotted cords. “beannaich a' mhàthair an t-aonadh so” (may The Mother bless this union) he said. I took Aurora’s hand and raised hers with mine into the air. “Friends, we have much to celebrate, so let's get started!” I cheered. Shouts of agreement sounded and we all cleared the clearing, men taking benches back to the kitchen area where food and drinks had been prepared ahead of time. Shelly and some of her helpers gathered extra hands of those available to lay out the trays of meat and sides. Cider began to be poured as laughter and smiles filled the area. Blake draped the cords on the table. And he and Whinnie took their seats next to Aurora while Milly sat beside me and the other elders next to her. Everyone had settled into their food Aurora and Blake had bowls of rice, beans, and a variety of vegetables, while the rest of us devoured pulled pork, ribs, and burgers.

Elijah stood, drink in hand. “A toast!” he announced, raising his glass high. “To our Alpha’s happiness, and though I must say I am bummed, you don’t have a sister as I have been reminded once again how mateless I am.” I rolled my eyes but chuckled along with everyone else. Elijah was the pack's joker and faux ladies' man. “To our future badass Luna! I can’t wait for you to join the hunt!” Whoops, and shouts of agreement came from most members. My eyes found Silas who seemed to be weighing the crowd's reaction to the declaration. Aurora was stunned. Her emotions were now clearer to read.

Her hand fumbled for mine and I squeezed it for reassurance and she stood still gripping it as if it offered her strength. “Thank you all for witnessing a ritual I grew up never thinking I’d be able to have. It was beautiful and perfect,” she said squeezing Blake’s shoulder with her other hand. “My heart aches to be your Luna, but that decision is yours. Evander and I are bound deeper than mates or marriage. Our priority is what is best for all of you. My abilities complicate things when it comes to politics. Just know I aim to protect you and your way of life. Even if that.” She glanced at me. “If it is required,” I said standing up. “I will take my mate away to allow you to remain as you are. Hidden and free if the situation arises.” Murmurs filled the space.

Evan stood, which was out of character for him. “My future Luna. She is proud, yet true. She is both humble and dignified. I have no doubts about her ability to maintain our way of life. When she becomes one of us, she becomes our kin and, as wolves, we stand together. Against witches or werewolves, we do not bow to them, do not forget who we choose to follow,” he said meeting the eyes of his peers. “Who your Alpha is, change will come as the tellings say and we should embrace that, which is why we all came here.” he said before appraising his peers and sitting.

They were nodding. Amy ran to Aurora clutching her. “Please, Luna, don’t leave me she choked out.” My mate's eyes fluttered closed and her heart dropped in failure, which echoed in my own. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. She crouched down before the child. “Ames, she said holding her back with one hand so there was enough space between the two so she could look her in the eyes. The other stroked her hair. “I don’t want to go anywhere,” she whispered choking up. “I will stand here until our last breath.
If that is what is best for you all.” Our eyes briefly met as she pulled Amy close. Her fingers still ran through the locks of the girl's hair as she closed her eyes and I could feel her center herself.

Her eyes opened glowing in jade flame. A protective fury blossomed within her like an igniting flame forcing my wolf to the surface. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact source of her stare, but Silas was in the general direction. “Do not doubt that I want to love and be loved by you all as kin. But be wary of those who would jeopardize the safety of your home and your people and those to come.” Her voice rang out like a vow with strength and a promise of retribution. She held Amy to her side soothing her gently, tucking a strand behind her ear. “I’ve lived a life of fearing my peers. That time is over. This pack and those kindred within it are my second priority to my mate only. I would die defending you.” She met my eyes. “We both would. I’ve lived a life in shadows, but I will not hide myself or my shadows any longer. You accept me as I am or you can toss me aside.” She looked down at Amy a longing taking over her emotions. As the girl looked back up at her, she spoke. “Little one, I will never forsake you.” She crouched down again in front of the girl. “If I ever have to leave, know that we will make sure that you and I can be on our own plane if you need me,” she said, her glowing eyes staring straight into Amy’s. “You could do that?” The little girl asked. “Yes,” Aurora said. “If you need me, I can always be there.”

I felt the pack relax. Amy was why half of them joined us. Friends of her parents were willing to protect the gifted pup. She had just won them all over simply being herself, and I was overjoyed. But she shouldn’t have to win them. Everything was happening so fast we hadn’t had the time to ease into anything. It was one thing after another, with more inbound. Looking at the woman before me. She was jumping hoops and bounds for the freedom of being herself. And I would cheer her on as the guardian of the light and darkness in her life.

‘Love?’ Her glowing eyes met mine as she stood, Amy still clinging to her side. ‘What’s the deal with, Silas?’ I queried. Our body language made it evident we were communicating within ourselves. She turned to stare dead into his eyes. Doubt and suspicion pooled in her gut spilling over into mine. ‘When I can put my finger on it, I will let you know.’She said before sitting and squeezing Amy between her and Blake.

Whinnie stood tea cup in hand trying to distract the suddenly serious vibe. “I’d like to welcome my new sister to the family. Though you are a poor shopping partner!” she jabbed in good fun. “You not only make my brother happy, but your arrival here makes me overjoyed to raise our families alongside each other,” as her hand came to the swell of her belly. “And don't worry, I can do enough shopping for both of us.” she teased. Aurora beamed at her and something tugged in her chest, causing me to rub the ache out of my own. I squeezed her hand interlacing our fingers and bringing her hand to my lips I kissed her knuckles, her eyes meeting mine. ‘You ok?’ I asked. She smiled broadly. The vulnerability in her emotions she lay bare before me, stunning and raw. ‘A family?’ her mind whispered to mine. ‘If that's what you want.’ I answered back. Her teary smile beamed as she pulled my face down to hers and kissed me greedily for all to see. I barely noticed the flash of the Polaroid camera or the whoops and hollers of the audience’s encouragement. She pulled away, still holding me there. “Yes,” her mouth whispered out loud.

The Polaroid picture fell on the table In front of us as Steven winked and walked off. On the rare occasion that we had an event, he kept it with him and this was the first time I had ever seen him willing to use the rare film. Aurora lifted the picture and put a forkful of food in her mouth as she waved it around, watching it develop. It was a beautiful memory. Aurora sighed happily leaning into me as we all finished our meals, talking and joking with each other, and those around us.

As the food was taken away and tables were cleared several women rolled up their sleeves and began the task of cleaning the kitchen while the tables and chairs were pushed back. Dun produced a fiddle and Emmit settled with his guitar and as the music started men began pulling their mates from the task of washing and insisting they dance. When I stood pulling Aurora with me, she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “What?” I asked, still ushering her forward. “I...I don’t know how to dance, um, not like this,” she said as I turned to face her. “It's not hard. Just follow my lead. We don’t judge clumsiness here,” I added. She looked unsure but followed my lead. “I thought you danced naked in the woods,” I said when she fumbled a little. She blushed. “That's a different kind of dancing.” She chuckled back. “Hmm, maybe you can show me sometime.” She smacked my shoulder, and I laughed out loud at her blushing face. “Don’t be coy, Love. I know you better than that,” I said pulling her flush with me and turning us tightly through the crowd of dancers. Single men began pulling Shelly, Sara, and Millie out onto the floor, along with the few older teenagers pairing off and Alex danced with Amy. The cider poured, and the music changed but continued.

We traded partners taking breaks to quench our thirst, and the ladies began dancing together of their own accord. It was as I watched Millie and Aurora spinning with bright smiles on their faces that the presence of a certain someone washed over me. My eyes met his as Aurora and Milly came abruptly to a stop. Aurora instinctively pulled Millie behind her eyes illuminated by the power instinctively surfacing within her. I felt and heard the growl rumbling in her chest as the intruder’s eyes landed not on the threat before him but beyond her.