Chapter 39
CHAPTER 39
P uff and Mateo were walking back to the pack house a little away from the others.
Mr Cartwright should have died by now. We need to check on the triplets.
“We can do that. Paris will have their phone number, we can contact them later.”
So much death. I know everyone dies but it would be nice if it was spread out and not all at once.
Mateo took his hand. “All we can do is try and protect everyone and keep the protection wards updated.”
Puff nodded. Sorry, I was just having a moment, especially thinking about the triplets. I guess I never gave a thought to the whole mating and binding lives together.
“You’re allowed to have moments and it’s not something I’ve really thought about either.”
You, me, and Atticus should have a picnic or meal – just the three of us, soon, Puff said, grinning at Mateo.
Mateo laughed. “That was a sudden change of topic, but I completely agree we should. I’m sure we could find somewhere nice and private.”
Puff nodded. It would be good for Atticus to take a break as well.
By this time they had reached the pack house and, walking into the kitchen, they saw Peyton seated at the table with the triplets.
Peyton glanced up as they walked in, then stood. “Hey Puff, this is Able, Edmund, and Cyril. They’ve come to live here, apparently they’re under your protection.”
Puff nodded and looked at Mateo.
“King Puff says welcome to the Fortuna pack and he is very sorry for your loss.”
The triplets stood up.
“Thank you for taking us in. I’m Able. Our father died last night and is now resting with our mother.”
Just then Blake, Baylan, Ashton, and Paris arrived in the kitchen.
Puff turned to them. This is Able, Edmund, and Cyril Cartwright. Laural and their father were true mates and he died last night. Mr Cartwright asked if I could look after and protect the triplets and I agreed.
Blake nodded and looked at the boys. “Hello, I’m Blake Hayes, Alpha King and Alpha of this pack. I’m sorry for your loss, but you are most welcome here. Let me contact my mother and she’ll find rooms for you and help you get settled. Lunch will be ready in about an hour, so come on down and join us.”
The triplets nodded just as Martha walked in. “Hey, baby boy.”
“Hey mum, this is Able, Edmund, and Cyril. Can you find them rooms, show them around and then bring them back for lunch? Guys, this is my mother, Martha.”
“Hello, Queen Mother,”Able said.
“Just Martha will do,” she said, before sternly looking at Blake. “No getting any ideas.”
Blake grinned. “I promise nothing.”
“That’s fine, baby boy, just remember I’m training you tomorrow.”
The smile fell off Blake’s face. “That’s just mean.”
Martha grinned. “I know. Come along boys, let me help you get settled.” And gathering the triplets, she ushered them out of the kitchen.
An hour later, Martha led the triplets back to the kitchen. The table was laden down with food and everyone was walking in and sitting down.
“Sit anywhere, boys,” Martha told them.
They took their seats and looked round as the rest of the chairs filled up. Once everyone was seated Blake clicked his glass and stood up.
“Alright everyone, I want to welcome Able, Edmund, and Cyril to our family. Introduce yourselves and make them feel welcome. Also, as well as being my Beta, Ash is now my regent.” Blake titled his head towards the two kings. “Puff, Tudor, after lunch we should go and see the new recruits. And that’s it, enjoy the food,” he finished, sitting back down.
Congratulations were given to Ash, and everyone went out of their way to make the triplets feel welcome.
Lunch was just finishing when Hades turned up, carrying a large box.
Frederick saw him first and stood up to kiss him. Pulling back, he asked, “Have you eaten?”
Hades shook his head. “No, I was busy making the necklaces.”
“Then put the box down and have lunch.” Frederick tugged at his arm.
“I will,” he said, setting the box on the counter and joining everyone at the table. “Sorry, I’m late.” He glanced at Blake.
Blake shook his head. “You’re not. We don’t really have a set time for lunch or dinner. A call just goes out once food is ready.”
“I did hear it, but I wanted to finish the necklaces, which I have. I made about a hundred extra, but can make more if needed. Do you want to see them now?”
“No, eat your lunch and we can see them when you’ve finished,” Blake replied.
Dishes were handed to Hades and he filled his plate. As he ate, he listened to the general chatter going on around the table. It would seem the training centre was going to be built this afternoon, as well as a school and some of the houses.
He saw the excitement on Ares’s face and laughed. “Just how bad is the training course going to be?”
“I’ll create different difficulty levels. I’ve not created something like this for a couple of thousand years. Just think of all the modern technology I can use.” He rubbed his hands together gleefully.
“And suddenly I’m scared,” Nick said.
Ares waved his hand in a dismissive motion. “It’ll be fine. Ajax is on standby and we have a hospital now.”
“Plus Dr Palmer has joined Ajax,” Baylan added.
“That somehow doesn’t fill me with the warm fuzziness,” Nick replied.
“Will I be able to try these training courses?” Henry asked Ares.
“I can make them available for you as well, Henry.”
Henry grinned. “Thanks.”
Able looked at Henry. “Are you special?”
Henry laughed. “Everyone here is special, but, to answer your question, I’m a ghost.”
“For real?” Edmund looked surprised.
“Yep,” Henry said, jumping up and walking through the table.
“Woah, so cool,” Cyril exclaimed. “I didn’t know ghosts were real.”
“I’ve never met another.” Henry sat back down. “But there must be more out there.”
Hades finished eating and passed his now empty plate to Frederick. The box appeared before him. He stood up and opened the box lid.
Silence descended.
Hades picked up a couple of the necklaces. “I’ve made three designs,” he said as he held them up. “I started with just having one black tourmaline, amethyst, and black obsidian stone on the necklace, but decided to make whole necklaces with the gemstones.” He started handing them out to the pack mates.
The triplets took one each and looked at them.
Forrest was sat next to Able. “They’re protection necklaces so dark magic can’t infect any of us.”
“Our mum could have done with one of these,” Able said, swallowing.
Edmund laid his hand on his brother’s arm.
“Nancy’s dad was infected with dark magic as well, hence the need for these necklaces,” Forrest told them.
“Did he recover?”
Forrest shook his head. “No, both her parents died. Just so you know, Brook and Willow and me, our parents are dead, as are Tobin’s, Kieran’s, and Maddie’s. All our parents were murdered.” He looked at the triplets. “So you know you’re not alone.”
The triplets nodded.
“How old are you guys?” Forrest asked them.
“Fourteen,” Able replied. “Why?”
“Because we’re being home-schooled. Oz and Dask are our teachers.”
“School, really?” Edmund moaned.
Forrest nodded. “’Fraid so. We all have to do Maths and English, but then we can choose whatever else we want to learn.”
Dask looked across at the triplets. “I’ll give you today to get settled and we can discuss your schooling tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” Able said, although going by his tone of voice, he didn’t mean it.