Osiris

Osiris’ pov

‘Are you happy?’ Santos asked as I watched all the kids play together.

‘You can literally feel what I feel and hear my thoughts….’ I countered, annoyed with the old wolf.

‘If you consider that you got me when you were eighteen, I’m actually younger than you.’ Santos replied, waging his tale in my mind playfully.

In my mind, he was still the same as always, but in reality, like me, he needed assistance. He couldn't walk properly without the help of prostethics. 

If I could have gone back in time and changed things, I wouldn’t have changed this. I would have made sure Riker was still alive, but then his mate Mia wouldn’t have found her second mate.

Maybe I would have saved Kyra or any of the other wolves who have passed over the years, but who knows the ripple effect of that change?

‘You’ve watched The Butterfly Effect too many times.’ Santos said, making me laugh. I've only watched that movie once, but I knew that if I went back in time to change things, life wouldn't be like it is now.

I’ve come to accept the new me. The new me, who doesn’t fight. Who uses his words more than his actions, because his actions are somewhat more limited.

I looked over at my mate, Lily, who was sitting next to me. Even now, with all her gray hair, happy wrinkles around her eyes, and a few worry wrinkles between her eyebrows, she is still the most gorgeous woman I have ever met.

Maybe that’s what I would change if I could go back. I’d make sure my Love was fine and in one piece.

“You worry too much,” Lily whispered, staring at the kids. “Your thoughts are loud and written on your face.”

“That’s just my face, my love.”

Lily giggled, “no, Os. Your face is very handsome and can look very stern, but you look worried right now.”

I sighed. In front of me were all the great-grandkids, and there were a lot of them. There were so many that it sometimes took me a while to get the name right. Lily had it even worse, combining names or saying a whole list of names before landing on the right one.

Kasey, the oldest of Brax and Airk, was playing with Elora’s oldest and middle child, Tristan, and Elodie. They were joined by Aeryn’s oldest, Nivia. She was bossing everyone around as the future Alpha. Then there was Rios, the youngest of the older kids. He likes to observe, like his daddy Isaac.

The younger kids were playing together; Roark, Mace, and Inara were playing with Kyra and Alice.

And Airk was holding their latest addition, a baby girl named Emilia, and Brax was holding her twin sister, Estelle. This time around, they used Airk’s seed and Mila’s egg. Argo had teased them mercilessly because having twins was really hard. He knew from first-hand experience. But I was sure Airk's twins would be a lot calmer than the rouwdy set of Argo and Mila.

I could see it was hard, though, because both men had bags under their eyes and were yawning every five minutes.

“I’m not worried.” I told Lily.

“But?”

That woman knows me too well.

“I’m sad I won’t be around forever.”

Lily grabbed my hand and squeezed, “why did that suddenly come up?”

I chuckled at my mate, “I know I might still look only sixty, but I am a lot older than you.”

Lily shrugged, “not that much older. Besides, Cyrus is older than you.”

Chuckling again, I kissed my love. It was always nice to make fun of my best friend. “He is.”

“And what if we’re not around anymore? We’ll still be able to look up at them from the moon and see them grow and have families of their own.”

“But we won’t be there to protect them.” I explained.

“They have people to protect them. They have our kids, our grandkids, and every extended family member that has joined. Remember when we met? It was just you and the family you had created.”

I did remember. Riker and Yara had allowed me to be part of their family after losing my parents. But I had closed myself up, becoming cold, until I met Lily. My coldness had almost ruined us before we even started, but thankfully, I am a stubborn bastard who doesn’t give up easily.

“I remember. You gave me a family. A family that I will forever be grateful for. You made this pack a home. And I love that even decades later, everyone can still gather at the Iron River Pack and feel like they belong.”

Our family wasn’t just based in one location anymore. We were spread around the country, but distance didn’t make us any less connected. We stayed in touch through phone calls, group chats, and letters. Lily and I would write to the young kids who were learning to read letters and get letters in return. It was a great way to practice writing.

Every time I got a letter from one of my great-grandkids, I was reminded of Lily and my love letters. It was amazing to see that even now, those kids loved putting words on paper and sending them across the world.

“Seeing them from above and actually being there are two different things.” I sighed. “I don’t want to miss anything or anyone.”

“O, Os.” Lily said, putting her hands around my neck. “My sweet sentimental old grumpy man.”

“That’s a lot of adjectives; maybe get rid of a few of them.” I joked.

“Can’t you see what you created? Can’t you see yourself in each of these kids? Your eyes or your nose. Your hair, okay, not hair in your case. But your smile, or even parts of your character. This family is our legacy. These kids are like my paintings. They will be there, even when I’m gone, and that means I’m never totally gone.”

“Like Harry Potter.” Cyrus suddenly said, moving closer.

“Are you eavesdropping again, old man?” I asked. He was using a cane, his hair was totally white and thinning on top, and he had so many wrinkles, even a turkey neck.

Santos laughed inside my head, ‘you’re mean.’

“Don’t be so fucking loud then. You can mindlink, so if you don’t want anyone to hear you, just say it inside your fucking head like the rest of us. They took your legs, not your brain, stupid.” Cyrus said, lessening my guilt for mentioning his turkey neck.

I growled at Cyrus, but my growl didn’t even impress the old guy anymore.

“But what about Harry Potter reminds you of our conversation?” Lily asked.

“Like Voldemort, he put pieces of his soul into objects so he could live forever. Evil fucking bastard, with his snake head.” Cyrus explained.

“So, you’re actually turning Lily’s beautiful story into a kid’s story about a wizzard villain?” His mate April asked, rolling her eyes at her Cyrus.

We all laughed. Cyrus always had a movie or song lyric to quote to explain a situation.

“It’s not like Harry Potter. You can’t resurrect us using our grandkids.” I said, which made Cyrus’ eyes grow wide.

“You’ve actually seen Harry fucking Potter?!”

“I’ve read it. I have kids and grandkids. I need to know the things they know. Besides, even though the author was a dumbass, it’s a pretty cool story.”

Cyrus nodded, “it is, right?” He winked at me. “But don’t fucking worry. I’ll die first, so I’ll let you know what it’s like.”

“Don’t make jokes about that!” April said, slapping Cyrus’ arm, who pretended to be more hurt than he actually was.

“I’ll hunt your ass and show up in your fucking dreams. I’ll terrorize your life.”

“You have a wolf; you’ll go to the moon like the rest of us.” April said, sounding annoyed with her mate, but I knew she loved that man more than anything.

“Sounds kind of nice. We’ll party it up with the Moon Goddess and have barbeques on the moon every fucking night. So maybe, when I go, you go like a year later or so? Let me get the layout of the fucking land so I know all the right spots. And then we can tear the moon up.”

April shook her head and looked at Lily. “They’re too morbid.”

I winked at Cyrus and laughed. We all had lost people and knew death was a part of life.

“I’m really fucking grateful, though.” Cyrus said, looking at the kids who were starting to wrestle. “I could have never imagined my life turning out like this. It’s fucking amazing.”

“Me too, Cy. Me too.” I said, slapping my hand on his shoulder. He winced once again, like a damn pussy. Yeah, he’s definitely going first. Weak bastard.

I'll miss the idiot when he's gone, but at least we'll all be together on the Moon one day.

- - - - -

                        

Hi!

This is a free chapter because I was thinking about the future of the Iron River Pack and wasn’t sure how to end Alpha Brax. I usually start by skipping to the future to give a glimpse of my new story.

But there are so many kids to choose from.

Which is my own fault, I know.

So I need a bit more time.

Anyway. I was thinking about Osiris, Lily, and the OG crew, and it came to mind that they were starting to get a bit old. I have tried my best to keep them alive as long as possible, and werewolves can get pretty old, but at some point, they will have died of old age.

Because that’s the ending I think they deserve. Together in bed, peacefully in their sleep.

And I am not there yet! But it got me thinking of writing a chapter from Os’ point of view, so you are able to have some peace once it does. To know that he’s okay and looking down.

As someone who lost their father way too soon, I often wonder what he would be thinking. I am not a religious person. I am open to the idea of heaven or a god. I'm just not convinced either way. But it’s very comforting to think he’s still here with me somehow.

Because that’s what I hate the most about losing him. That he’s not able to see me grow up. To see my kids grow up. But that’s part of life. So, I guess this chapter was a bit of closure for myself too.

As I said, I’m not finished with the story and will try to think of the best way to end it. But it will take me a few days, at least.  In the meantime, you’re more than happy to try my new story. Mommy is dating a billionaire, and I am finally planning to start writing again for the Luna Prophecy. I am sure once I force myself to do so, something great, semi-great, or maybe okay will come out.

Lots of love, and thank you as always for your support.

Naomi