Chapter 22
Wolf Friends
I ’m kind of excited. Bradan is taking me to the pack grounds for the first time. He decided to make the trip the human way. We’re riding to upstate New York on the back of his bike—although he did send our things ahead for us to stay the weekend.
I’m still getting used to magic being such a big part of my life. Being able to go for a ride makes me feel normal again. I really don’t mind the long trip. I’m enjoying being on the back of his bike with my arms wrapped around him and the wind blowing in my face. He has kept a hand on my thigh the entire time.
“We’ll be there soon. Are you okay back there?”
I smile as I hear his voice in my head. He’s been checking on me periodically to see if he might need to teleport us there if the ride becomes too much. However, I’m in no mood to rush this.
We’ve grown into a routine that has brought so much joy into my life. I spend my days training and my evening studying, at clinics, or in class. With each day, the connection between us has grown deeper.
Let’s not forget the scorching-hot nights. Bradan has opened up a whole new world to me and I’m not complaining in the least. I look forward to our nights together.
I sigh and snuggle closer to him. It’s like having a huge, warm teddy bear of my own. I’m completely engulfed in his scent, which brings me so much comfort and another level of peace.
“I’m fine. You don’t have to rush.”
“They have planned a feast for us. We don’t want to be late.”
“They didn’t have to go through any trouble for me. I’m excited to get to meet everyone and get some time with the girls in their home.”
“That reminds me. When you see Nik, try not to react.”
“What do you mean?”
“You will see,” he says as we pull off the main road and onto a winding one that leads us deep into a wooded area.
When we come out onto a gravel road, up ahead there’s a gate manned by a few guys I believe are wolves. They have the build and stature I recognize from the wolves I’ve met at the clubhouse.
Bradan pulls up to them and stops. He and one of the guys exchange a few words and laugh. Two others closer to the gate open it and we go through.
I’m in awe of the community we begin to ride through. The road winds through some gorgeous homes in cute little neighborhoods. The farther we go, the nicer the homes become.
We ride into what looks like the town square after a few minutes. There are cute shops lining the area. I smile at the cute signs that have moons and wolves on them. When we come to a little turnabout, I notice the signs note the names of the pack the turns break off into.
“Would you like to stop and go to some of the shops?” Bradan pushes into my head to ask as he takes a second turn around the turnabout.
“Yes, please. I would love to.”
“The alphas are attending to a little pack business. We have a minute to browse for a bit.”
“I can use human money, right?”
He chuckles in my thoughts. “Yes, but even if you couldn’t, it’s my treat. I’ll get you anything you want.”
My cheeks heat, but I don’t reply. He always wants to take care of me. I don’t mind, but sometimes I wonder if it’s just because of the bond between us or if he’s falling for me as much as I’m falling for him.
He pulls into an alley between a couple of shops. It spills out into a parking lot behind the shops. I’m surprised to see a row of bikes lined up in the lot. Bradan parks and cuts the engine.
We climb off the bike, and he leads me into the back door of one of the shops with his palm on the small of my back. I look up at him, smiling like a little kid entering a candy shop.
My smile grows as I note we’re entering a little gift shop. My sisters immediately come to mind. I would love to get some things to take back for them.
“Taylor,” Nika sings as she appears.
She rushes over to pull me into a hug. I love that her hugs are so warm. Nika and the other ladies have really gone a long way in helping me come out of my shell.
I haven’t been as shy around them, and I consider them my friends. Nika has become like a mother figure. She worries and fusses over me the most.
I’ve sort of been soaking that attention up. I’ve never had a mom to care about me. I can’t remember one home I stayed in where the foster mom showed me genuine love.
Mrs. Perkins, my social worker, was the closest person I’ve ever had who felt like they loved me. Too bad she disappeared when I turned eighteen. So, yeah, I’m soaking up this hug and the love I feel coming through it.
“Come, you have to meet my sister. Violet owns this place, isn’t it great?”
“Yes, it’s amazing,” I say.
“Bree, my other sister, tells fortunes and paints custom tarot cards in the attached shop. She’s up at the pack house helping with the celebration.
“Celebration?”
“Oh, um … sorry,” she mutters, looking cautiously at Bradan.
He rumbles with laughter and shakes his head. I look between the two of them, trying to figure out what’s going on. Bradan leans in to peck my lips, then heads for the front of the shop without another word.
Nika drags me along to follow her. When we come to the front of the store, Bradan is hugging a tall, curvy woman with long, silky-looking hair. She has such a pretty deep-brown complexion like Nika, although I can tell she’s closer to my age, maybe younger.
“Violet, I want you to meet my mate. Taylor, this is Violet,” Bradan says.
“Hi, Violet. It’s so nice to meet you,” I say.
“I’ve heard so much about you. If I weren’t busy trying to hire new staff to run this place, I would have made the trip to the clubhouse to meet you myself. Got my coin to enter and everything,” she says with a bright smile.
“Coin?” I say in confusion.
“Yeah, since all the kings are now mated, all supers need a coin to enter clubhouse territory. No coin, no entry. Thank goodness I know this big guy,” she says and tosses a thumb over her shoulder at Bradan.
“It is to protect you and your sisters,” Bradan says.
“Oh.”
“I was just about to lock up and head up to the main pack house,” Violet says.
“Do you mind waiting for Taylor to do a little shopping?” Bradan asks.
“Of course not. After all, she’s as good as a luna around here. Her wish is my command.”
“Thank you. I won’t hold you for long. I just want to find something for each of my sisters.”
“Take your time. I’ve already let my alpha know I’ll be there once you’re done perusing. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
I chew on my lips. I don’t know my sisters well. Choosing something for each of them will be harder than I thought.
“Well, one is pregnant. Do you have anything I could give her as a baby gift?”
“Oh, yes. We have some gorgeous mobiles for hanging over the crib.”
“Perfect.”
“I’m needed at the pack house. Take my card. Nothing is too much,” Bradan suddenly says abruptly.
“We have her. We will make sure she makes it up to the pack house.”
“Thank you,” Bradan says before he vanishes right before my eyes.
I stand with my brows knitted, wondering what’s going on. I’m frozen until Violet places a hand on my arm to grab my attention. I look up at her and blink a few times.
“All is well. Come, let’s find your gifts,” she says.
“Okay, thank you.”
Nika and Violet keep me distracted with finding my gifts for my sisters. I send them back home to our room with plans to wrap and hand them out when I return.
By the time we go to lock up the shop and head to the pack house, my mind is all over the place. I’m nervous and concerned. It finally dawns on me that I’m here to meet three packs of werewolves.
What have I gotten myself into?
Bradan
When I arrive at the main pack house, I head inside and go straight to the main hall where meetings and balls had been held in the past. This used to be the pack house for the Sapphire Moon pack when it was run under Alpha Dyson. This was once my home away from home.
I spent a ton of time on these grounds. The alpha being more like a brother to me than a friend. When you have been around as long as I have, you find many ways to pass the time.
I have to stifle a laugh as Ace, Dom, and Nik come into view, looking like they want to claw their hair out. Ace and Dom are blowing up balloons while Nik is trying to attach them to the arch.
If supers did the godfather thing, that’s who I would be to these three. I remember when they were newborn pups. Even then, it wasn’t hard to tell they would all become alphas.
When I look to see former Alpha Dyson straightening flower arrangements, I do release a laugh. He looks up from his task and frowns at me. His wrinkled and weathered face reminds me that wolves live long lives, but my friend is coming closer to the end of his. I’ve known Dyson for a very long time.
“There you are,” he says.
He grabs his walking stick and starts toward me. He has always been a fine warrior. If not for a dirty trick and poisoning, he never would have been bested to sustain the injury that forced him to eventually need to use that walking aid.
A lesser wolf would have died or succumbed to the injury much sooner. Dyson, the older, stubborn bastard, had pushed through for years before the poison and injury took hold of him, causing him to pass the pack down to his sons. That’s when Sapphire Moon became Crescent Moon, Full Moon, and New Moon.
“Old friend,” Dyson croons as he pulls me into a hug.
“It’s good to see you, Alpha.”
“I haven’t been alpha in years and you and I go too far back for the formality.”
“You will always be an alpha, and there will be no time that will go by when I will not show you that respect,” I say.
“In that case, My King. Since you are older than I am, I think I’m the one who needs to show some respect.”
“You two can have this old argument some other time. Bradan, would you please use your magic to finish this?” Ace groans.
Dyson and I snicker at his oldest son. When I told the alphas I would be bringing Taylor here to present her with her court. They all insisted on throwing a huge party.
Because I’m completely in love with Taylor, I not only agreed but I thought it was an amazing idea and something I could surprise her with. This weekend will be all about her.
“You mean to tell me you can’t huff and puff a few balloons into shape? They don’t make alphas like they used to,” I taunt.
“Fuck you,” Nik bites out.
I laugh and shake my head. “I told you to allow the rest of the pack to help you.”
“All hands are on the festivities at the holy land for the night. We wanted to do this. Besides, Violet and Nika were supposed to be here by now to help,” Ace says.
“Bree was helping until she ran off muttering to herself. You know how she gets. Just help us,” Nik grumbles.
“Pick a struggle, Nik. You can’t be grumpy and look the way you do,” I tease good-naturedly.
I think me and his brothers are the only ones he’d ever allow to say such a thing. Nik has always been sensitive about his appearance. It’s no fault of his own. He and his father fell victim to the same poison and attack—Nik only being a small child at the time.
He flips me the bird and kicks the arch over. I give a deep belly laugh, knowing there are no real hard feelings between us. As I laugh, I finish decorating the room for Taylor’s arrival.
“Shit, why didn’t we just let him do that in the first place? Do you have any idea how long it took to rig those roses up there in that net and program it to the trigger? Where’s Taylor anyway?” Dom gripes.
“She’s with Violet and Nika. I appreciate all you have done for my mate. I know she will love it.”
“Will you propose, or have you chickened out?” Ace asks.
“I don’t know yet. I thought I’d let the weekend play out.”
Nik snorts. “He chickened out.”
“As the oldest being in this room, I’m going to warn you to watch your mouth. Reel all that shit in, brother,” I say with no real bite and a smile on my lips that tells him I’m ribbing him.
“My wolf has never been afraid of a little fire, and it’s been a while since I’ve had a good spar.”
“Keep talking and you’ll get your wish.”
“Your old lady has arrived. Nika says they are in the foyer,” Ace says, interrupting our banter.
“Good, I’ve been dying to meet her,” Dyson says.
“I just hope we don’t scare the little thing off. She can be quite shy at times,” Dom says.
“You all have made her feel welcome at the clubhouse. I think she’ll be fine,” I say.
“We will all meet you over on the holy land,” Dyson says.
I nod and turn to head for my little mate. The packs are like my second family. It will please me greatly if she feels welcome here this weekend. However, the moment I start for the foyer, I can feel her nerves.
They are much greater than they had been when we arrived on pack grounds. I wonder what has changed. I move more quickly to get to her.
Once I find her with Violet and Nika, I tug her into my arms. She wraps her arms around me, and her body relaxes. I love that I can soothe her with just my touch.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong, little one?”
“I’m fine. Just a little overwhelmed,” she replies.
“Did you find your gifts?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“We are with family, Taylor. I am here with you. You can relax,” I say.
“Okay. Can I freshen up? Is our room here?”
“Yes, I will take you up. We’ll be staying in the former alpha’s apartments here,” I say.
“We’ll wait down here for you,” Nika says.
“Have you seen Bree?”
“Not yet, Alpha Ace. She said she would meet up with us later,” Violet says.
“Did she say why she took off like that?” he asks.
“Not to me.”
“I think it has something to do with our guest,” Nika says with a little smirk.
“Fine, we are done here. Violet, let’s head over to the holy land to see if there’s anything we can do down there,” he says.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Knowing of Bree’s gift, I can’t help but wonder what’s going on with her. What has she seen about my mate? This weekend is sure to be interesting, that’s for certain.