I headed around the edge of the fields, keeping to the tree line and staying silent. I stopped closer to the play area, watching her interact with the children. It was a heartwarming sight and I could understand how she was so distracted she missed the mind link.
Currently she was sitting in the grass of the fence with four children crawling all over her and she was randomly pulling them into her lap to tickle them before they would escape and run behind her to climb on her again while she grabbed the next one. It was so simple and so pure it made my heart melt.
It also made me wonder about pups of our own. Did she want pups? Did she want them sooner or later if she did? Did I want pups? Yes, yes I did. Watching her with the daycare pups made me more sure than I had ever been that I did. I wanted pups with her.
O
I watched as Alyce’s eyes glazed over as she got a mind link. Rian and I waited patiently until she was done, though he took the opportunity to get right up close to her face, inspecting her eyes. I was quite certain he had never seen eyes as pale and translucent as hers. He was an old soul in a pup’s body. As she started to come out of it, he plopped back down in her lap and laid his head on her shoulder. I rested my chin on her shoulder lightly, “Mat?” “Yes, they’re about an hour away.” “We should go and get ready then.” I sent a quick mind link out to Kami and Brandon to let them know to meet us in about 45 minutes at the front. “Yeah.” She nodded and looked at Rian. “Alright little man, I’m gonna need you to let me up. It’s time for me to go.”
~Alyce/Faelyn~ Tristan shut the door behind us and I took Rian to our bathroom, thankful that there was a tub in our bathroom, many alpha suites didn’t have them. Ours had a large garden tub with jets, perfect for soaking in, though not what it was going to be used for this time. I turned the water on, adjusted the temperature and plugged the drain so it would fill with water. I turned to Rian, who was standing by the sink watching me. “Alright Rian, we’re going to get you cleaned up and into some fresh clothes. Do you want me or Tristan to give you your bath?” I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but I also wanted to give him the option. He seemed to think about it for a moment before pointing at me, “You, Awy. Please.” “Of course. Let’s get
“Alright, if you all will come with me.” Alyce shot me one last glare before scooping Rian up into her arms and leading the group around to the back of the pack house. We paused there for a moment and Tristan pulled out two blindfolds. “This first surprise is for Jake and Faith, and Alyce has insisted you two wear these before we go any further.” “Really Aly?” Dad gave her a look that said he was not thrilled, but would do it for her if she insisted. “Yes, really. Put them on. Brandon and Kami will guide you so you don’t run into anything.” Dad sighed, but gave in, putting his on while Mom giggled at him and put her own on. Brandon and Kami took their hands, guiding them down the path towards the house we had prepared for them. Alyce and Tristan had taken the lead, C
~Alyce~ By the time we reached our room Rian’s demeanor had changed some, he was quiet, and sullen, leaning into Tristan’s chest like he was in deep thought. “Rian? Are you ok?” I reached over, scooping him into my arms before settling into one of the chairs in the seating area, cuddling him in my lap. He shifted, sitting up in my lap to stare at my face, “Why don’t I have a famiwy?” The depth of the question hit me like a smack in the face and I blinked, glancing briefly at Tristan, who was as shocked as I was, before looking back to Rian, “You have Miss Maggie. She’s your family.” “No, she just wooks after me.” “That’s part of what a family is, Rian. We look out for one another, whether that is
We all headed over to the food line, Rian walking between Tristan and I. Several pack members cast curious glances our way at the sight of Rian with us. Miss Maggie was working the buffet this evening and Rian waved to her, and she waved back. Miss Maggie was an older lady, looking to be in her mid fifties by Human standards, so perhaps in her late 100s for a werewolf. Her long brown hair had wisps of gray throughout it and was pinned back in a bun while she worked. She was taller, perhaps 5’9” or so, with a slightly curvy frame and well worn wrinkles on her hands, and laugh lines on her face. We made our way through the line, Rian telling us what he wanted on his plate, as he was still a bit short to reach the buffet counters. When everyone had their food we headed to a table. Rian’s eyes were constantly darting around, taking in his surroundings as he kept
~Tristan~ I had slipped away from the table once I had finished eating. The dinner session was just about over and I wanted to talk to Maggie before she helped clean up. I found her in the back kitchen. “Miss Maggie? Can I have a few moments of your time?” She turned and looked at me, smiling. “Of course Alpha, let me just dry my hands.” She grabbed a paper towel, drying her hands before tossing it and joining me. “What can I do for you?” I led her over to a table on the far wall and we sat. “As you know, we’ve had Rian with us for the day and he has taken quite a shine to Luna Alyce. Mother said something about his Fae blood recognizing hers. Anyway, let me start with asking if Alyce can pick him up for the day from the daycare center again tomorrow after she finishes some things she needs to take care of?”
We headed into the dining hall just as Rian was coming in the back door with Kami and Brandon right behind him. “Rian, inside feet!” Kami said sternly, Rian instantly slowed from a run to a walk, until he laid eyes on Alyce and then he was tearing across the hall again. “Thank- Rian!” Brandon stifled a laugh as Kami threw her hands in the air in defeat. Alyce crouched to catch the whirlwind child, scooping him up into her arms to hug him before she narrowed her eyes at him, “What did Miss Kami just say?” “Inside feets.” Rian lowered his gaze a little, knowing he should have listened. “Exactly. And why do we use inside feet?” “So we don’t trip and fall, or run into someone on assident.”
Tristan leaned back into the couch, letting Mat and I work it out, “Guess it’s a good thing Rian didn’t stay. He would no doubt be trying to beat Mat up right about now.”“Why’s that?” Kami asked. Brandon and Cedric dropped onto the couch with her and Tristan, forcing her to squish herself between the arm of the couch and Brandon.“He is fiercely protective of her. Did I not mention he glared at me the first time I saw him, simply because I sat by her and he was in her lap.”“I would say it’s the bond, but it’s more likely a combination of the bond and Aly’s natural aura. Everyone feels the need to protect her.” Cedric said, thinking a moment before adding, “And anyone who doesn’t, would be instantly suspicious in my book
It seemed like time flew by in the coming days. Ivy and I had spent much of it in the Luna’s Library, scouring records and documents for any bit of information we could find. That was a task in and of itself and produced little concrete information.We had found a few mentions of confirmed traits and skills in the previous Crimson Wolves as well as mentions of potential Fae traits as well. We used the information we found and the bits and pieces that Ivy recalled from her time spent with my mother and the Fae that would come into the region to create a list of potential skills I, and even possibly Rian, could end up with.I explained to Ivy about the change in my eyes the previous week and we had tried to keep a vigilant eye out for information on that particular oddity, but no luck. We sat down at one of the tables where we had been taking notes and organizing them.“So we have a decent list after our days of hard work.” Ivy smiled at me as I rested my chin in my hand, worn out from
It was roughly half an hour before I had the burritos all made up, including some for the boys when they returned, keeping them warmed in the oven, not that we would necessarily tell them right away. It was another half an hour before we heard the boys coming down the hall, “Rian! Walking feet please!” Tristan scolded him in a manner that was firm, but gentle as it carried down the hall. “Sowwy Daddy.” Rian called back. He sounded closer and I assumed he had run ahead of the others in his excitement. I heard the door knob wiggle and Kami got up to unlock it and let Rian in. She reached out and scooped him up, shutting and locking the door again just as Brandon got to it, essentially slamming it in his face. “Oh come on girls! Let us in!” Mat sniffed the air. “I smell breakfast… Aly! Did you make what I think you made!?” he hollered at the door. Kami and I were giggling on the other side of it. She carried Rian to the table and set him up with his own smaller burrito, “There’s a
It was a good 30 minutes before Brandon and Kami made it to the dining hall. Both of them were soaking wet. He had actually dumped her in the lake! And joined her for that matter. Whether or not it was voluntary on his part or she drug him in with her was yet to be known. My eyes widened as the two of them came walking in the back doors of the dining hall. Tristan’s brows furrowed at my expression. Mat and Cedric were sitting across from us and thus could not see Brandon and Kami walk in, both looking perplexed at me and Tristan as well. It was only a moment or two before whispers and some scattered snickering filled the hall at the sight of the soaking wet pair. “He actually did it…” I pointed towards the two, drawing the boys’ attention to them. Mat and Cedric turned, not even trying to hide their amusement at the sight. Kami was trying to maintain a scowl as Brandon was laughing and teasing her. Cedric got up and headed out of the dining room, towards the downstairs shower room.
“Good morning, Alyce darling.” Faith hugged me tightly.Jake wrapped me into a hug and lifted me off my feet, causing me to squeal in surprise and laugh. He set me back on my feet, kissing the top of my head. “You look like you’re adjusting well.”“I am, thank you.” I smiled up at him and he mirrored it, “How are you two enjoying your new space? Is everything working out ok?” I really wanted them to feel comfortable in their new home and pack.“It’s wonderful Alyce, really. Stop fretting.” Faith smiled reassuringly.“Good. Be sure to let me know if you need anything. Promise me. You two have taken care of me for years. Now I get to take care of you, even if only in some small way by comparison.”“Nonsense. You’re the daughter we always wanted. We’re family.” Jake’s tone implied that was the end of that. I just smiled.Tristan pulled me into his side and kissed my temple. “And I couldn’t be more grateful for the wonderful family you have.”“We have.” Faith corrected him. This just made
~Alyce/Faelyn~ The alarm went off at 5am, stirring me into a semi-conscious state and eliciting a groan of protest from me. I was currently laying on Tristan’s chest, his arms wrapped around me like he was afraid I might escape in the night. His fingers were playing up and down my spine, his eyes still closed as I snuck a peek up at him from beneath my lashes. “Good morning, gorgeous.” He murmured softly, still not bothering to open his eyes or make a move to get out of bed. “How did you know I’m actually awake? I could have just been shifting in my sleep?” I slid up his body enough that I could press my lips against his softly. “Good morning.” “I could feel your eyes on me. I can always feel your eyes on me when you’re looking at me.” A coy smile formed on his lips as he opened his eyes to look at me. “Not my fault I can’t keep my eyes off you.” I laughed and rolled off his chest, sitting on the bed next to him. I knew without looking that his smile had grown wider at my laugh. S
~Alyce/Faelyn~ Kami and I had checked the rec room, to find it pretty well deserted. No sign of the boys. So we passed through and continued on our way to the dining room, Rian between us, holding both our hands. We would occasionally swing him up off his feet as we walked, eliciting a giggle from him. We paused in the doorway to the dining room, both of us looking around, expecting to see the boys. There was no sign of them. There also seemed to be less people than normal in the room. “Odd, they’re not here either… So where are they?” Kami asked. “And everyone else for that matter.” I scooped Rian up into my arms and crossed the hall with Kami. “Also a good question.” One of the older kitchen staff caught my eye as we walked through and motioned to the doors to the back lawn with an amused grin on his face. I smiled at him and gave a nod in thanks. We headed to the doors, slipping out them to find a small crowd of pack members watching Tristan, Cedric and Mat dog pile on Brando
I pulled her into my arms and wrapped them around her tightly, holding her close. She instantly buried her face against my neck, inhaling my scent. After a few moments her aura receded and she lifted her head, looking up at me. Her eyes had changed, well one had anyway, her left one was now a translucent red instead of her usual translucent pale green. I didn’t try to hide the shock on my face. “What is it? What’s wrong?” She looked at me, searching my face for the answer. “Your eyes Aly… They’re different…” “What do you mean they’re different?” She glanced over at the others as if looking for confirmation. “Holy shit Aly, one is red!” Mat jumped off the couch, walking over to inspect her eyes. “What?” She jumped out of my arms and ran to the bathroom to look at them in the mirror. “How?” *Aramyth, do you know anything about this?* She did notice the mind link did not cause her eyes to haze over at all though and she could track both the internal and external going ons. That wou
Mat, Cedric and I were waiting on the front steps as Alyce and the group pulled up to the pack house. We had gathered a handful of Omegas to help with the unloading as well. I could see Will driving, and once he had come to stop, our group descended down the stairs to meet them. “Daddy!” I could hear Rian’s excited proclamation as I opened the rear door. I chuckled a little and couldn’t help but draw in a breath as I was also greeted with Alyce’s radiant smile as well. “Hello my loves. Did you two have fun?” I helped Alyce out of the truck before reaching in to undo Rian’s buckles and help him out as well. “Yeah! I got two selfs!” Rian took my hand pulling me towards the back of the truck where everything was. “It wasn’t the worst shopping trip I’ve ever had to endure.” Alyce giggled at Rian’s actions as she spoke. “Whoa Rian. Slow down.” I scooped him up into my arms, laughing a bit myself. “I know you’re excited, and I am super excited to see what you picked out, but let’s get
~Tristan~ We listened to the ring on the other end of the line. Titus, Brandon and I collectively held our breath as we waited. I had put the call on speaker phone after instructing both of them to be quiet and merely listen. A gruff voice picked up on the third ring, “Silver Moon, Alpha Lucian speaking. State your business.” I’m not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it. I quickly recovered from my momentary lapse of speech, “Good evening Alpha Lucian. This is Alpha Tristan of Moonlight Pack.” “I see. What can I do for you, Alpha Tristan?” Lucien was cold and sounded as though he was irritated by the phone call. “I have a pack member who is looking to find a chosen mate. His fated mate passed away many years ago. He is originally from Silver Moon and was hoping to perhaps visit his home pack and start his search there. I would, of course, never expect you to invite a virtual stranger, original pack member or not, into your lands without meeting them first. So I was calli