Chapter 24
Remember
E veryone has taken a seat around the huge bonfire. Men, women, and children alike. This pack is massive.
However, you can tell the difference between the three packs by the colors they have on. Crescent Moon members are dressed in sapphire blue and gray. Full Moon members are in all sapphire blue. New Moon members are cloaked in sapphire blue and red.
The elders of the pack are dressed in white as they are all from the original Sapphire Moon pack.
“My King, My Queen, will you come forward?” Alpha Dyson says as he stands before the fire.
Bradan stands and helps me to my feet. He then takes my hand and leads me to where Alpha Dyson stands with his luna. They are smiling brightly at us.
“Will you honor us with the dance of one?” Alpha Dyson says.
“Dance of one?” I repeat.
“Yes, my dear. It’s the dance we do at ceremonies to remind us all we are still one pack, one heart, one breath,” Luna Celine says.
“It would be an honor, my friends,” Bradan says and takes my hand to spin me as music fills the air.
I’m shocked that it’s a modern song that greets my ears. “Rain” by The Teskey Brothers plays, setting the mood for this dance. Bradan lifts his palms facing me and locks his eyes on mine.
I lift my hands and press them against his. I get lost in his eyes and he turns us toward the left, then back to the right. I follow his lead. The packs begin to whistle and cheer.
My cheeks heat, but I keep my focus on the being standing before me. Suddenly, he slips an arm around my waist and pulls me into his chest. He lifts me from my feet and spins me with him, not breaking eye contact.
I inhale him as he begins to move us around the perimeter of the fire. I’m lost in a trance. There’s such a strong connection between us right now.
I begin to feel lightheaded. I don’t know if it’s because he’s spinning me around or something else. Then my vision blurs and it’s as if I’ve taken flight from my body.
At first, I’m standing in darkness. I no longer feel Bradan’s arms around me. Then, a fire ignites, surrounding me in the flames.
I know I’m no longer alone as two figures move toward me. I look around wildly for an escape route, but there is none. The fire has me trapped.
“There is no need for you to fear yourself, Taylor.”
I squint my eyes as I recognize Api Kecil’s voice. The two women stop before me. I bounce my gaze between the two. I know Api Kecil, but I don’t know the other woman, although she feels familiar to me.
I think Api Kecil’s words over. There’s no need to fear myself. Is she saying this woman is me as well?
“Yes, my friend. That’s exactly what I’m saying. You were Annaniah before you were Api Kecil. When you remember us, you will know yourself,” Api Kecil says.
“What do you mean?”
“It will become clear soon enough. Everyone has arrived. The alpha god has blessed those who should have been marked from the beginning. The mate bonds are complete. The mission is almost done,” Annaniah says.
“What mission?”
“None of that matters now. We are here to remind you of who you are. You are a warrior. Remember us and you will be ready when the time comes. Remember, Taylor, remember.”
“Taylor, Taylor, baby girl. Open your eyes for me,” Bradan’s panicked voice breaks through, pulling me back to him.
I open my eyes to find Bradan holding me in his arms as he cups my face. The alpha triplets are also surrounding us, looking worried and anxious. I lift my hand to cup Bradan’s face.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. Your body went limp in my arms, and you were not responsive.”
“Oh, I … I had a vision of Api Kecil again. She and another woman, she said her name was Annaniah.”
Bradan knits his brow. “I’m taking you back home,” he says abruptly.
“No, what about the feast and the surprise?”
“None of that is important. I need to get you back home.”
“Bradan is right. We will blow up a thousand more balloons when you return,” Ace says.
“Without complaint,” Dom adds.
“We would rather you be well. If Bradan feels you should return to the clubhouse, you should. No one here would be offended, My Queen,” Nik says.
“But—”
Before I can finish my words, we are back in our bedroom in the clubhouse. I groan and reach to hold my head. My thoughts go back to the vision or whatever that was.
Could Annaniah be the one with the chakrams in the field? What do I need to remember? My head begins to hurt and I know I’m not going to figure it out tonight.
I’m more disappointed than anything. I wanted to spend more time with the packs. I can’t help but wonder what else they had planned for the weekend.
“We will return at another time. For now, rest, my little one,” Bradan rumbles as he wraps himself around me in our bed.
Fine, for now.
Bradan
I have never known fear like when Taylor’s body went limp in my arms as I danced around the fire with her. The thought of losing my mate makes me sick to my stomach. I wouldn’t survive the loss.
I wrap my arms around her tighter. She’s fast asleep, but I’m still not able to let her go. I know that name Annaniah from somewhere. I’ve heard it before.
As she sleeps, I touch her forehead in hopes of seeing her thoughts and what she saw while back on the holy grounds. The moment I touch her forehead, I know my mistake.
“What?” I breathe as I fall into her thoughts and through time.