4
Denzel
I barged into my room, fighting to catch my breath as I had ran from Marion’s house back to my home.
I kissed him, and I loved it.
Every moment of the passionate lip lock awakened a sense of desire I thought was long dormant. The way he tasted. The way his body moved in sync with the raw emotions we were feeling. I just couldn't stop thinking about how he moved closer toward me, causing me to almost lose my breath when his lips touched mine. I loved every moment, every second of it, and I wanted to go back there and show him what it meant to be loved. Yes, I was a little scared of what happened, but I didn't regret it.
I shouldn't have left. Now he thinks I just abandoned him after promising to be there for him. Was I supposed to feel these things for him? Everything was just happening so fast I didn't even know how we got here. Why the fuck was I making all these stupid decisions? Moon goddess, you must be entertained by the little show you've put on, right? Thank you for taunting me.
Damn it, Denzel! I haven't even told Frey about this. How was I supposed to navigate my love life and be there for my daughter, my grandchildren, and the pack?
“Fuck!” I cussed out in frustration. The only thing I could do right now was soak myself in the warm water of the shower, hoping to find some clarity. I pulled off my jacket and shirt and hurried into the bathroom. I stripped and turned on the shower, standing and letting the water drizzle on my body.
I just wanted to have a moment of peace where everything that had been happening to me wasn't overwhelming. Except that my moment of peace was when I held him. Without him, everything else was just chaos. I needed him as much as he needed me, and I didn't think I could get through the night without knowing he was alright.
I had to at least try to believe he understood why I left.
That was what I told myself as I walked out of the bathroom, dried my body, and fell face flat on the bed, drifting into slumber. When I woke up, the sunlight was pouring directly at me from the window of my room. I rose to my feet at the scent of morning breakfast, knowing that my daughter and the twins had already arrived to spend some time with me.
I rose from the bed, stretching before I walked into the bathroom. After having a quick shower, I changed into new clothes and moved downstairs to meet Frey. I wasn't expecting her until the weekend, but I wasn't complaining that she was here with the twins, either. Her presence would be a breath of fresh air from everything that had been happening in my life. At least I'd have something to keep my mind occupied with. I walked into the kitchen and saw Frey chopping vegetables on the counter. “Good morning, dad.” Frey said.
“Hey, morning, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead. I strolled around the counter and reached for the coffee mug, pouring myself a cupful and chugging it down immediately. Coffee was a good way to start your day. I poured myself another shot and gulped it down, causing Frey to give me the side eye. “Since when did you drink so much?”
“Since someone started giving me a headache. Where is Killian?” I said, only seeing baby Kai in the baby carrier, which was on top of the dining table.
“He’s with Logan. He insisted on staying with him today.” Frey answered.
I moved over to the dining table, smiling at the little bud inside the baby carrier. He cooed and smiled back at me. “Hi, baby Kai. It's me grandpa. Remember me?” I grinned as I reached for the little peanut. “He’s so beautiful.”
“Of course he is,” Frey added with a beam. “Um, about what we discussed yesterday, about the witch,” she was saying as I nodded. “I invited him to the house today. He'll be joining us for breakfast, and I'll help him however way I can.”
“You invited Marion for breakfast?” I blurted, completely surprised by the decision she had taken without me. A lump forced its way down my throat. “Marion? He's got a cool name.” Frey continued with what she was doing.
“Yes,” I stuttered. “We'll figure out what’s causing his episodes and find a solution.”
“So, how did you guys meet?” She squinted her eyes as she asked me.
“I’m sorry?” I pretended not to catch her words as I took Kai out of the carrier and held him in my arms. Thankfully, he wasn't crying today. She repeated herself, and I answered, “Well, at the hospital. He was injured, and I had to tend to him.”
“Oh, ok.” Frey nodded as she continued.
In about an hour, breakfast was ready, and Marion graced the invitation with a bottle of red wine. Frey showed him where to put the wine while I arranged the plates on the dining table along with the assortment of dishes she had prepared. They both joined me at the table and we plated food for ourselves one after the other. “So, when did it start?” Frey asked, halfway through finishing breakfast.
“When I came to terms with my powers. The witches tried to find a plausible cause, but it always led to a dead end.”
“Hmm. Perhaps it's related to bloodline or something. Anyway, I'll see what I can do for you, Marion.” She smiled at him, and I exchanged a look with him before he mustered, “Thank you, Luna.”
“You’re welcome. Besides, no need for the formalities. A friend of my dad's is a friend of mine.”
If only she knew Marion was more than a friend to me. That the young witch was my mate, and the beautiful moments I’ve spent with him felt like heaven. I gave them a smile as I sipped from the glass of water.
Frey and I cleared the dishes after breakfast and asked Marion to wait for us in the living room so that we'd join him quickly. Frey had also instructed him on the magic symbols to picture on the floor for the spell she was casting. As I put the plates in the sink, I glanced at Frey, who had been staring at me with an awkward look on her face. “Mind telling me what's going on between you and him.”
“Nothing.” I shrugged my answer.
“Oh, come on, dad. If there's something, tell me. You know I'll always support you. It's been long since mom abandoned you, and you should get to feel these things again.” Frey explained to me. She wouldn't stop with the words until she heard the truth.
“Yes, Frey. I… I care about him, and I think about him a lot. I just don't know. It's confusing. I mean, I still find women attractive, but every time I think about him, I get that butterfly feeling in my stomach.”
“Looks like you're having a bisexual awakening. Everything you are feeling is right. You should know that and don't let this wonderful opportunity escape you, dad. You deserve it.” Frey grinned at me with this exceptional, accepting look on her face. That was all I needed to feel that reassurance that this was the right thing to do; that feeling these things for a man wasn't wrong.
“And you're okay with it? With us being together?”
“You don't need my permission, dad. You deserve to be happy, and it would kill me if you sacrificed your happiness because of what I would think,” she smiled at me. For someone who wasn't supported at being Logan’s mate from the beginning, I was sure she would understand. “Come on, we can't keep him waiting for long.”
“Thank you so much, Frey.” I smiled and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Just know that I'll always have your best interest at heart, and will always support you just like you did when I needed you the most.” She professed with an authentic grin.
We took baby Kai with us to the living room. I held onto the baby as Frey helped Marion prepare the rest of the things required for the spell. When they were both ready, they stood in the middle of the symbol and held their hands together. “I want you to open your mind to me, okay? If it's too much, tell me so I can stop.” Frey mentioned.
“Okay.” Marion sighed and smiled at me. Frey pronounced each word of the spell with skill and ease and the candles surrounding them came to life with golden yellow flames. She continued to push through the spell even as blood dripped from Marion’s nose.
“Frey, he's bleeding.”
“I can take it, Denzel.” Marion clarified as they continued the spell. The candles went off just immediately as Marion voiced those brave words, and Frey reopened her eyes.
“I saw something. Some kind of symbol. I don't know what it is, but I'll find out before the end of the day.”
“Alright. Thank you.” Marion nodded and stepped backward, almost losing his balance.
“I have to get back to the pack house. Could you guys help me take care of this?” Frey pleaded.
“Yes, sure.” Marion bobbed his head. He settled on the couch, still feeling hazy from the effects of the spell.
“I’ll see you later, dad.” She gave me a quick peck and smiled at me as she left with Kai.
“Are you okay?” I asked Marion, and sat next to him.
“Yes. I should clear this and probably be on my way.”
“Don’t worry. I'll do it. You should get some rest.” I moved to the position where they cast the spell and gathered the candles, putting them in the box.
“No, don't worry. I'll do it,” he retorted and hurried to join me. We didn't say a word to each other as we boxed up everything. I put the box behind the couch in the living room and sighed as I gazed at Marion. “Aren’t we going to talk about what happened last night? I didn't mean to scare you.”
“You didn't.” I blurted. We both regained our stance, facing each other.
“But you ran...” He shrugged.
“Yes. I know.” I stated and turned away from him, sighing as I ran my hands through my hair in frustration.
“Look, Denzel. I want you to…” He was saying, but I interrupted again.
“Don't you understand that I've never done this before? Yes, I'm afraid. I feel these things for you, Marion, and each time I try to shut it out. It intensifies. I can't stop thinking about you, and I can't get over the fact that I might hurt you. I don't want that. I just want to love you because the minute the moon goddess ignited that spark between us, all my love belonged to you.” Tears slipped from my eyes as I voiced out each word. I had never been this honest my entire life, and somehow it lifted a weight from my chest.
“I know this is all new to you and you're still discovering this part of yourself, and I want to tell you it's okay for you to feel these things because I feel the same about you. I want you to know how beautiful this part of you is. You don't have to fight it. I want you to accept it because that is who you are, and I'll be here for you whenever you need me.” He said and held my hands.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you.” I mustered as he pulled me into an embrace.
“You didn't.” He murmured and held me closer.
“Could I just hold you, please?”
“Yes. Of course, you can.”