Chapter 13 Life Bringer
The front door swung open, and Elana stepped out. She looked ready to reprimand them for shouting, likely expecting another disaster-a broken railing, a shattered window, or maybe a small.
"Fennigan, if she blew up the--"
Elana stopped.
The reprimand died in her throat. The Alpha female, who had faced down rogue wolves and armed hunters without flinching, stood frozen in the doorway, her mouth hanging slightly open.
She wasn't looking at Leela. She was staring at the railing.
The empty, weather-beaten planter boxes she had been meaning to replant for three years ago were gone. In their place was an explosion of life.
Thick, verdant green vines were twisting and writhing like snakes, wrapping tightly around the cedar beams of the porch railing. They were spilling over the sides, trailing all the way down the front of the deck like a living curtain, reaching toward the ground.
And they were blooming.
Thousands of tiny, brilliant red flowers were opening in the moonlight, emitting a sweet, heady fragrance that overpowered the smell of the nearby pine trees.
Damon stepped out behind his wife, "What's the commotion? Did we lose the---"
He bumped into Elana's back because she hadn't moved. He looked over her shoulder.
"Well, I'll be damned," Damon whispered.
Elana walked slowly across the porch. Her boots crunched on the glass shards from the broken lights--evidence of Leela's fear--as she approached the evidence of Leela's peace."
She reached out a hesitant hand. She touched one of the soft petals. She tugged gently on a vine. It held fast, strong and healthy, rooted deep in soil that shouldn't have been able to support a weed, let alone a jungle.
She turned to look at Leela, her green eyes wide with a mixture of shock and dawning realization.
"You did this?" Elana asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Just now?"
"I...I think so." Leela stammered, shrinking back into Fennigan's chest. "I didn't mean to. I just...I felt safe. And then the box started moving."
Elana looked at the red flowers, then back at the shattered light fixtures above her head.
"Destruction when she's scared," Elana murmured, tracing the line of a vine. "Creation when she's safe."
"She's not just a spark, Damon. I think she's a terra-conduit. She channels the earth itself."
Damon let out a low whistle. "We haven't seen one of those since your grandmother."
Elana looked back at Leela. The intimidation was gone, replaced by a look of profound respect.
"Well," Elana said, a small smile touching her lips as she plucked a single flower, "I suppose I can forgive the lightbulbs. It seems we found ourselves a gardener"
"You are just a big book of surprises, aren't you?" Damon said, his deep voice filled with warmth.
He stepped up to the railing and reached out, patting Leela's hand where it rested on the wood. His touch was heavy and reassuring, grounding her again. There was no fear in his eyes, no accusation--only the delight of a man who had just found a diamond in his driveway.
"We're going to have to be careful," he chuckled, releasing her hand. "If we make you too happy, the whole house is goingt to be covered in kudzu by Tuesday."
He moved to stand beside Elana, leaning down to study the flowers with the same intensity she had. The two Alphas stood shoulder-to-shoulder, examining the intricate way the vines had woven themselves around the cedar beams without damaging the wood.
Fennigan squeezed Leela's waist, leaning down to whisper in her ear."
"See?" he murmured, his voice thick and low. "No other shoes. They don't hate it Leela. They are amazed by it."
Leela watched Fennigan's parents--the terrifying Alpha female and the mountain of a man, going over her accidental gardening.
"I didn't break it, " she whispered, a smile finally breaking through her fear.
"No," Fennigan kissed her temple. "You made it bloom."
Fennigan smiled down at her--a real, dazzling smile that crinkled the corners of his amber eyes. He knew. He knew she had been terrified of being rejected for her "freakiness" and instead, she had just been promoted to official landscaper.
Elana straightened up, straightened up, brushing a stray petal from her vest. She turned back to them, the moment of wonder replaced by ghe usual efficient demeanor.
"Alright," Elana announced, clapping her hands once. "Show's over. As pretty as this is, it doesn't change the schedule."
She looked at Fennigan, nodding toward the heavy wooden doors.
"Take her inside. Get her settled. She needs sleep."
She eyed Leela, noting the way the girl was practically leaning her entire weight against Fennigan just to stay upright.
"Tomorrow is a big day." Elana stated firmly. "First the shopping, then the training. If she's going to be part of this Pack, she needs to look the part. I don't want her falling asleep in the dressing room or passing out during drills."
"Yes Ma'am," Fennigan said, tightening his arm around Leela. "Come on, Sparky. Let's call it a night."
"Goodnight Leela," Damon called out, turning back to admire the flowers one last time. "Sleep well. This house is safe."
"Goodnight," Leela whispered, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
Fennigan led her back inside, through the quiet foyer and up the stairs. The house felt different now. If didn't feel llike a fortress she had invaded; it felt like a fortrss that was holding her.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Fennigan walked her to the door of her room.
"Go tto sleep," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. "No dreams tonight. Just sleep. I'll be right across the hall."
Leela nodded. She went into the room, kicked off her shoes, and crawled into the massive bed. For the first time in her life, she didn't check the lock on the door. She didn't need to.
She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.