Lucas
Because there so many of us , we made our way to the kitchen. The large booth there, should accommodate all of us. Plus there were a few stools dotted haphazardly around the huge area.
I, of course, sat with my beloved and our precious daughter. My father sat next to me, I could feel the tension roll off him in waves. Like me, he was elated to see my brother, alive and well. But, also like me. He could tell there was something off.
I reached out my free hand and placed my arm reassuringly around his waist. He turned his head slightly, and gave me a peck on the cheek.
No words needed to be spoken. I was also gratified to see that Martha had my fathers hand clasped firmly in hers. I offered her a soft smile of thanks, to which she nodded.
We didn’t have to wait too long before my brother, towing a reluctant mate behind him, entered the kitchen. All chatter ceased. The air was suddenly filled with anticipation, worry and in some cases, myself and Jonas, downright fear for what we were all about to hear.
Lucas POV
I stood outside the kitchen, holding Beatrix’s small warm hand, within my cold one. We could hear the murmuring of the people gathered. Trix, as she had asked me to call her, stopped short of the door. I didn’t know her yet. But I could see she had a shyness about her that instantly brought out my protective nature.
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to be in there with me. Take the baby for a walk, or something. And I will see you later?”
With her mouth pursed and her eyes flashing, I watched as Trix stood a little taller, a little straighter. Confidence suddenly flowed from her. I realised that the flash in her eyes I had seen, was her wolf stepping forward.
I looked deep into the most remarkable eyes I had ever seen. I swear, I could see flecks of scarlet within them. And the colour? Well, it was almost black. The red within broke up the colouration, and they simply took my breath away.
The next voice I heard was that of her wolf, Jewel. Saxon had already spoken to her, I knew.
“Mate, Trix will accompany you to this gathering of the higher pack members. Never doubt that her only concern right now is for you. You have a lot to learn about us. Trix more than me, of course, but that will all come with time. A lot of time.”
Jewel finished cryptically. I hastened to assure Jewel. I would hate to insult this wolf. I didn’t know why, but I fully believed that Jewel was no ordinary wolf.
Trix’s eyes returned to her beautiful green eyes. She gave me a smile that melted my heart, and my nerves. I reached out and held her hand. Raising them so I could dust some soft kisses over her knuckles. I could hear her heartbeat speed up. Mine only matched it.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with, so I can spend some time getting to know you.”
My voice sounded husky to my ears, this little wolf was having a profound effect on me. It was weird. And needed looking in to.
Finally, I pushed open the kitchen door, and walked in, facing all my family and friends. I could see the concern written on every face. I noticed that my fathers hands were being held by my sister and my fathers mate, Martha. He would have been so worried about me.
“Well.” I thought. It’s now or never.
Trix smiled softly at everyone. Her eyes focusing on my niece and my sister. My niece was her charge, after all. Nonetheless, Trix stayed next to me. I gripped on to her hand, like a dying man hanging off the edge of a cliff.
I waited until there was silence before I started to speak.
“Hi guys. I know you all have a million questions. I know I need to explain what has occurred. I will explain everything now. But I must ask that you let me speak. Please do not interrupt me. I honestly don’t know if I would be able to start again, if I stopped.”
I could see the concern and understanding shine from everyone’s face, and I was humbled by it. My father looked like he was in physical pain. So I made the decision to approach him, and only him.
I made a small gesture with my hand, thank the goddess for my sister, who understood and whispered quietly in my fathers ear. I saw his eyes widen, before he bolted from his chair. The next thing I knew, strong arms were pulling me close. My father wrapped his arms around me and just held on for dear life.
I clung on to him too. Neither of us spoke. There was nothing that needed saying that the embrace didn’t convey.
When we pull back from one another, I could see quite a few people wiping tears from the corner of their eyes. I patted my father on the back and gave him a gentle push toward his mate, who was openly crying. As was my sister.
She nodded at me, and I knew that the Grand Luna was prompting me to start. So I did.
I waited for my father to settle back between Martha and Genni, I gave a small cough to clear my throat of unshed tears, then began.
“As you all know, the Grand Luna and Alpha sent me on a covert mission to try and get as much information about the Faye as I could find. As I didn’t really have a clue where to look, I started searching. Going from town to town. Some were supernatural but most were human towns and cities.
I checked in with my father every few days. Sending updates and assurances that I was okay. After three weeks, I found someone who claimed to know where the entrance to the Faye kingdom was located. Although I had a lot of mistrust for the fellow, my eagerness and pride at succeeding for my Alph and Luna, led me to make a grave mistake.
I decided to allow this stranger to lead me where I needed to go. Sure in my own abilities, that I would be able to protect myself and get out of any situation.”
As I said this I could see Greg, Molly and Peter all nod in agreement. It was to that small group I aimed my next comment.
“I was wrong. So totally wrong.”
I once again let my gaze sweep over everyone there. So they would know that I spoke to them once again as a whole.
“I thought we were prepared for the vampires. Safe in the knowledge that our species was created to hunt and kill these abhorrent creatures. But, Once again, I was wrong.”
We are not prepared for what is coming."