Chapter 58
Nyah
We sat in silence for another thirty minutes or so before rejoining the others to continue setting up for the barbeque. Every so often, I looked at the back door, waiting for them to come out. They finally came out a little over thirty minutes later.
Hand in hand, Kenia and Levi followed Lord Odin, Vidar, and Elder Nelah with James, Alpha Lennox, and Joaquin taking up the rear. I don’t know what it was but Levi seemed different. Not in appearance, but...I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
When Kenia and I made eye contact, I raised my eyebrow with questions. She smiled, mouthing, “Everything is fine. We’ll talk after dinner.”
I nodded as my head filled with numerous questions to ask.
Finally, everything was done, and we were all sitting at the tables. Lord Odin sat at the head with Vidar to his left along with Elder Nelah on his right. Daddy sat at the opposite end with momma on his right, Bryant next to her and James next to him. Braxton was seated on his left side, then me with Crown on my lap, Kenia, and Levi, then Alpha Lennox and Joaquin. Ballian and Skia sat not far behind Braxton and I with large vats for raw meats to be filled with.
Lord Odin stood, clanking his fork against his wine glass, getting everyone’s attention. Everyone instantly goes quiet.
“I cannot tell you the last time I had the opportunity to break bread with my followers like this. It is truly an honor,” he says as we clap our hands together. Lord Odin smiles as he continues. “We fought a hard battle today. Loved ones, mates, and friends were lost, but their deaths were not lost in vain. Every fallen member has already been received in my celestial pack.” He looked over to Alpha Lennox. “Lord Artio has welcomely accepted your members.” Alpha Lennox lowered his head, placing his right fist over his heart. Lord Odin did the same before continuing, “Now I want to thank Alpha Noah for inviting me to the barbeque.” We laughed, knowing what he meant. Through his chuckles, Lord Odin waved his hand in front of him, quieting us down.
“Honestly, do you all know how many times I’ve looked down and salivated over Alpha Noah’s succulent meats? As Gods, we can do many things but the one thing that I hate is not being able to come down here when I want to. The only time we can is when the Packs under us are at war. So, best believe I’m going to enjoy every cut of meat Alpha Noah has prepared, and all the sides the ladies of the Pack have made. I’m not knocking the food for the God’s, but sometimes we crave for the simplistic ways of cooking and the taste. By Heavens...the taste.”
A loud crackle came from the clouds as another lightning bolt struck down next to Lord Odin. We stand to our feet, ready to fight again, thinking that it might be leftover followers of Fenrir.
As the glare of the lightning bolt drifts off, the shapely figure of a woman appears. The head of a fur covered Kodiak bear draped over her head barely showing her face and a brown fur sheath adorned her shoulders.
She lifted her head, and I would be lying if I said the woman was ugly because she was far beyond that. She was beautiful. Light brown eyes with flickers of blue scanned us. Her face was flawless, and her skin was tanned. Was she of mixed race or something else?
Looking at the bear head again, it dawned on me who she was... Goddess Artio of the bears.
Men gasped as she lifted her head, fully showing her features. Alpha Lennox and Joaquin damn near bust their heads on the edge of the table as they fell to their knees, bowing. The rest of their Pack members did the same as we remained in our seats.
“Artio, I’m surprised to see you here,” Lord Odin returned.
Goddess Artio surveyed the tables before letting out a roar of laughter. “Odin, I know you didn’t think I was going to let you enjoy this feast without me, especially when one of my Packs fought alongside yours.”
Lord Odin cleared his throat with a smirk. “For those of you who don’t know who this is, this is Goddess Artio, Goddess of the bear packs.
Elder Nelah frowned as she made room at the end of their table when one of the Pack members brought an extra chair for Goddess Artio to sit next to Lord Odin.
“Hello, Nelah,” Goddess Artio greeted as she sat down.
“Artio,” she returned dryly, looking everywhere else as dining ware were sat in front of Goddess Artio as her wine and water glasses were filled at the same time.
Kenia and I side-eyed each other, thinking the same thing, “What was that all about?"
“There are some things that you don’t need to know and shouldn’t ask about,” momma’s voice nicely said in our minds. Kenia and I looked as if we had just got caught with our hands in the cookie jar.
Closing our link, we refocused on the end of the table as Goddess Artio told Lord Odin, “Thank you for acknowledging my people with yours.”
“How could I not?” Lord Odin responded. “The allegiance between our Packs speaks volumes and I hope we can keep it that way for centuries to come.”
“As do I,” Goddess Artio said, smiling while batting her eyelashes.
Elder Nelah huffs under her breath. I jumped when Kenia kicked me in the shin under the table.
“Are you okay, love?” Braxton leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“Yeah, I mean yes,” I stammered, ignoring the throb. “A mosquito bit me on the back,” I lied.
“Hmmm,” Braxton hummed, furrowing his eyebrows. He knew I wasn’t being honest and countered, “We’ll be staying at your grandmother’s tonight that way we will be well enough away from the others as I fuck you hard for lying to me.”
I instantly forgot about the pain in my shin as my core began to throb with anticipation. Shit, if I wasn’t into the whole Pack rules, I would have drug Braxton away, but there were too many Gods, my parents, family, and Pack members around for me to do it without being noticed. So, I calmed my libido by taking soothing breaths.
Still standing, Lord Odin whistled, getting all eyes on him. “Now, if I can have everyone’s attention once again, I would like to finish my speech. As I was saying, thank you to Alpha Noah and everyone who had a hand in the preparations for this meal; whether small or large. Your contributions show how much you are dedicated to this Pack. Let us fellowship and enjoy this victory.”
Lord Odin held up his glass and we did the same.
“Unity!” Lord Odin yelled.
We screamed the simple but powerful word back before we drank the contents in our glasses, then rose to our feet. Some of the members joined us and the rest banged their fists on the tables, howling to the sky above. I thought the children might have been frightened by our display but instead they mimicked our actions by howling and banging on the tables.
Crown leapt from my arms and began to run around in a circle, occasionally stopping to lift his head to let out a cry I never heard from him before. In full momma mode, I was about to get up and go pick up my baby, but Momma stopped me.
“He’s just enjoying himself like the rest of us. Your daddy did the right thing when he made you go back to find him. He wouldn’t have survived on his own if you hadn’t,” momma paused as we watched Crown jump in the air, then kick out his hind legs. “I see the love you have for him and how much you dote on him.” Momma laughed. “And Noah! You and Braxton are going to have one hell of a fight on your hands if you try to take him away. Noah already considers him as his first grandson. Earlier, Noah and I were talking by the grills when Crown trotted over to us. Noah introduced us before he went down on one knee. Noah spoke to him, and Crown squeaked back. I was amazed with their interaction. When they were done, Noah scratched the top of Crown’s head before Crown ran off to join the children. Noah then told me it was because of Crown he had banned the hunting of deer on Pack lands.”
“We don’t know it yet, but there is something special about that little fawn. You all need to keep him safe at all times. Do you understand, Nyah?” Momma stressed, searching my eyes as if she knew something that I didn’t.
“Yes, ma’am.” I replied.
Momma smiled. “Good. He is so sweet and loveable; I can’t even imagine eating another piece of deer meat; and it used to be my favorite. Crown has got me so smitten with him; I wish someone would try and harm my grandson. That idiot Corey better be glad I couldn’t get to his ass when he hurt my grandchild. It wouldn’t have taken the Pack to eat his ass up; just me!”
As if knowing what momma said, Crown jumped up into momma’s welcoming arms. Crown licked momma’s face, she giggled, saying, “I sure would have. Mess with one of my babies and they’re gonna fuck around and find out!”
After the dinner, children were taken home by their parents and the ones who lost theirs were taken to Elder Nelah’s cabin. The rest of us sat around the large bonfire daddy and a few members created.
I closed off my thoughts to everyone, even with Braxton as I found it interesting that Elder Nelah and Goddess Artio sat on opposite sides of Lord Odin, every now and again giving each other hateful looks. Did the three of them have some type of love triangle going on? Maybe he had Goddess Artio in the clouds and Elder Nelah down here. Whatever it was, the only relationship I needed to worry about is mine and Braxton’s.
While everyone was talking Levi stood up, asking for everyone’s attention.
“Thank you,” he said once we settled down. “I want to first of all say I thank Alpha Noah and Queen Alpha Willa for accepting the bond between me and Kenia.” Daddy and momma lower their heads with a smile. “I also want to thank Alpha Bryant for taking my Uncle James and me in. If he had chosen otherwise, I wouldn’t have met my best friend, Braxton, who I consider a brother, nor would I have found my destined mate.” Kenia smiles as Levi reaches out for her hand. Levi squeezes it with a little shake before looking back at us. “With that being said Kenia, Uncle James, and I will be leaving the day after tomorrow, to travel to my parents’ Pack outside Laredo, Texas.”
What? Braxton and I look at each other, then back at Levi and Kenia. Tomorrow? Why so soon? We just defeated our enemy, couldn’t they stay a few more days to help the Pack with rebuilding?
Daddy rose from his seat. His face is stoic. I can’t determine if he’s sad by the news or mad. Momma stands next to him in solidarity. They lock eyes before daddy regards Levi.
Tension fills the air, but daddy breaks it by saying, “I can’t stop you from going. It’s your rite to learn why your parents were taken away from you and the circumstances. The only thing I ask is that you properly claim Kenia under the full moon.”
Levi looks up at the sky with barely any clouds, then back at daddy.
“But sir, we’re still a few days away from the full moon.”
Daddy grins. “True, but we have a God in our presence.”
Lord Odin smirks, pushing his seat back. He snaps his fingers and the sky changes. It’s suddenly clear of clouds with a full moon.
“Let the ceremony begin,” Lord Odin declares.