In The Beginning, Chapter 143
Charlie POV
After a very early morning wake up call, I was showered, dressed and eating breakfast by the time Theia appeared, her vivid eyes appraising me as she took a seat opposite me. Daniel had been in his office since early, his only break had been to join me in the shower, but even that was cut short by a call from Robert. He had thrown his clothes on and rushed to his office before I had finished wrapping my hair and body in towels. I had taken him a plate when I made myself some French toast, but I hadn’t seen him since.
“What are you eating?” Theia asked with interest, it had become a common enough occurrence that I didn’t feel the need to respond. I had made too much anyway, having gotten used to cooking for more when it was my turn to cook, so I grabbed her a plate and utensils, and handed her the syrup, placing a slice on the plate for her.
“It’s called French toast.” Was the only explanation I offered. She poured a small amount of syrup on her slice and cut a bite.
“It is very sweet, but tasty.” She replied with a smile. Watching Theia eat had become a little bit of an obsession for us all during her extended periods in the house. She never took big bites, or spilled anything, in fact she permanently looked elegant and regal, and yet, the food on her plate would disappear in seconds. While I finished my second slice, Theia had made her way through four, I was about to link Daniel, to warn him he had better come quickly if he wanted more when his office door opened.
“Appletree will be open Wednesday, the warriors that came with their Alphas will be retuning also. The single men will stay at the packs they were assigned until the day before the Spring Equinox, and- Theia?” He interrupted himself when he saw her, making me smile.
“Good morning, Alpha,” She replied, helping herself to another serving.
“You should grab some more food before Theia eats it all.” I linked him, I had placed six slices on the plate I made him, and a bowl of fruit, side of bacon, a coffee and a glass of juice. But I had seen him, and the other wolves eat twice that.
“I’m good.” He replied as he leaned down to kiss me. “I suppose you’ll want a coffee to go with that?” He asked Theia.
“A latte would be lovely, thank you.” Theia replied, they had both been making a bit more effort with one another in the aftermath of Apollo, and I couldn’t help but smile at it.
“Latte?” He asked me, running his nose along mine.
“Please.” I replied, our lips touched again before he straightened and made a beeline for the machine.
“Does he know what we have been working on the last few days?” Theia’s voice asked inside my head. It wasn’t like the link I had with the wolves, which felt like a tangible connection created by the bond, but something deeper, like it was an ability woven into my DNA, or the very fabric of my being. There was no chain or rope connecting us, like I pictured with Daniel and the pack, but an inexplicable knowledge that we were a part of a vast web of energy.
“No, I'm still... not confident I can make it work... I don’t want to get his hopes up.” I replied in the same way.
“You have been close a few times, I think you are thinking about it too much. I have some ideas for us to try today.” She said with an encouraging smile.
“Is it wise to be focusing on something so trivial with Apollo looming over us?” I asked, giving voice to the guilt I felt, putting my relationship before learning to defeat the vampires.
“The more you experiment, the more you will learn. The more you learn, and understand your power, what drives it, how to control it and bend it to your will, the better you will be. Everything you have learned; has it all been fighting? Or has it been about control, balance, and understanding yourself?” Theia asked, leaving me to reconsider everything she said, while she went back to her meal.
The following evening, the pack had returned, and we spent the entire day helping everyone return to normal, mostly it was the businesses that needed extra hands. The omegas also had a busy day returning to their duties, several areas had been neglected in the short time they were away. The house staff had been much more animated than usual, Kathy had almost kicked us out as she ranted about things falling apart without her. Daniel had charmed her by confessing it was all true and ordered her not to leave again, she was almost purple by the time he was done she was blushing so much. I had spent the day with Theia adding protections to the day-care, school and meeting hall, although the plan was to have everyone go to the prison, I wanted to ensure there was a safe space if they had to shelter in place. By the time we came home, tired and hungry, the house was full of the aroma of Kathy’s cooking.
“So, how was your day?” Daniel chuckled when the last of the staff left and we sat down to eat. Kathy had made a mountain of chicken wings, fries, buttered corn, biscuits, jalapeño poppers, and more. He began serving us both, from the platters as I added the salad to our plates.
“I think we did everything, but I’m sure I will remember something I forgot tomorrow.” I replied with a smile. “How about you?” I asked, sure his day had been more stressful than mine.
“I got maybe three things from my original list done; the rest was stuff that popped up in the moment.” He sighed; I knew it had been a bad one when he poured himself a beer. He hadn’t had a drink since the night Theia made the birds. He said it was because it wasn’t wise with an attack imminent, but tonight he had broken open his stash from another pack, (Lycan beer, so it was much stronger than the human version).
“I’m sorry, is there anything I can do to help?” I asked, concerned by the stress that seemed to emanate off of him.
“I wouldn’t refuse a bath later? It’s been weeks.” He smiled, raising his eyebrow cheekily.
“Oh, okay... I was thinking more along the lines of the chase... but-”
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea.” He cut me off, his eyes unable to meet mine.
“Why not?” I asked, he looked utterly ashamed, and I couldn’t understand why.
“Typically, when the male... catches the female, they mate. I’m worried my wolf will hurt you... when he catches you, and he won’t stop.” He finally admitted.
“Your logic is faulty.” I replied, his head shot up in surprised confusion.
“How?” He asked sarcastically.
“One, you assumed he will catch me, when I have an advantage. And, more importantly, two, he would never hurt me, because you would never hurt me.” I stated, my fingers entwining themselves with his.
“Can we talk about this after we eat? I need some time to think about it.” He eventually replied.
“Of course.” I smiled, trying to hide my dejection. The rest of the meal was quiet, but not uncomfortably so, Daniel was obviously preoccupied, so I let him be. When the leftovers had been put in the refrigerator, and the plates in the dishwasher, and he was still lost in thought, I decided to take matters into my own hands. “I’ve been working on a new ability with Theia... I had some success yesterday, wanna see?” I asked.
“Of course, what is it you’ve been working on?” He asked, grabbing my hand and turning to leave the kitchen.
“Actually, we will have to do it outside... it’s matter reconfiguration, which if it went wrong... it’s better outside...” I stumbled, extremely nervously.
“It’s not dangerous, is it?” He asked concerned.
“No, I don’t think so, but definitely less so outside.” I tried to sound casual as I pulled him towards the doors to the garden. He followed me until we were against the treeline.
“Charlie? I think here is far enough, I don’t want you in the forest at night without a squad.” He insisted, planting his feet. I looked at the trees in dismay, I had really wanted some cover, but I couldn’t think of a good enough reason.
“Okay, but you have to close your eyes.” I countered.
“Why?” He asked, his tone suspicious.
“Because it’s a gift that I can’t wrap, so close them.” I snapped; this was not how I had pictured this moment at all. I almost gave up, but the thought of telling Theia I had chickened out again stopped me.
“Fine.” He growled, also getting frustrated. When he closed his eyes and covered them with his hand, I grasped my power, but instead of letting it build in my hands, I let it build in my chest. Thrumming with my pulse I let it build until it almost hurt, then sent it out to fill my body. The garden lit up with a lavender light as it engulfed my body. “Is everything okay?” He asked when the light dimmed, but I couldn’t answer, I was still a little shocked it had worked. “Right, I’m looking unless you say otherwise, because I’m half convinced, you’re unconscious!” He snapped, pausing for a second before lowering his hand and opening his eyes.
“Ta da!” I teased self-consciously via the link, my eyes lowering in defeat at his wide-eyed expression. “It’s the colour, right? I have no idea why I can’t make it grey, or-” I began, thinking I should just drop the whole thing.
“How...?” He breathed finally, almost like he didn’t mean to.
“Matter reconfiguration, also known as a glamour.” I admitted sheepishly.
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