An Evening with Family
Heaven
The music is loud as Grandpa Alejandro fires up the barbecue, and I’m dragged onto the dance floor by Jackie, Grandpa Marcel’s daughter. She’s five years old.
Holding Out for A Hero begins playing, and I love a good classic, even if it’s a remix.
I take her hands as we move to the music. I feel a lot happier knowing Allie has agreed to help me.
We spin around before I let go of her hands as Leona and Kaden join us. We dance together, and I clap along as the kids go crazy.
“Magic, Heaven!” Jackie shouts as the song reaches its climax, giggling as I spin around and throw my hand into the air, letting off several fireworks.
“Heaven?” Mama calls, making me glance over at her. I tilt my head as she frowns slightly.
“Did you just use a spell right now?” she asks.
I look up at the fading fireworks. “Sorry, the girls wanted to see it.”
“No, it’s fine. I just didn’t hear you cast the spell.”
“Oh. It’s loud,” I reply with a small smile.
She smiles back and nods. “Probably. Well, don’t let me stop you guys from enjoying.” She walks over to Winona. “You should have at least brought the kids,” her voice is lower now.
Winona looks down, her face falling as Royce walks over to her and puts his arm around her.
Winona is his elder sister, one he didn’t even know he had.
Her wolf isn’t strong, and because of it, her father had wanted to kill her, but their Beta hadn’t been able to.
So, he left her at an orphanage with a fake name.
“Cheer up. We all know Azura can be a little stubborn, just like Alejandro,” Royce says.
“It’s your bloody god’s fault,” Grandpa Alejandro grumbles as Grandpa Marcel pats his back.
All three brothers, including my Grandpapa, look similar, but I think my Grandpapa was the most handsome, and he had the most beautiful soul.
Sometimes, when I used to see them talk, I would imagine my Grandpapa standing with them.
Over time, I subconsciously created illusions of him standing there, smiling or laughing at what’s being said.
It was an illusion that only I could see.
Eventually, I began doing it on purpose… like right now.
He stands there, looking at the grill, his head tilted as Grandpa Alejandro grumbles before glancing at him and laughing. There’s never any sound, because that’s not something I can mirror.
He looks younger than his brothers. I don’t know how to age him.
“Heaven?” I blink, and the illusion shatters as reality rushes back.
“Yes?” I ask Ahren.
He smiles at me as he wraps his arms around me, kissing the top of my head. “I missed you. How have you been?”
“Oh yes, I haven’t seen you in a while. I’m alright, thank you. Why wouldn’t I be?” I say haughtily, giving him my best smile.
“As always. Glad to hear it.”
“Were you busy with alpha duties?” I ask. Although Uncle Rayhan is back, he didn’t want to become Alpha again and wanted Ahren to continue.
“Yes, there are constantly things to handle, and with the neutral pack up north growing, we’re concerned.”
Concerned, meaning worried. “So, we can assume they may not be allies?” I ask.
He shakes his head, his messy hair falling over his forehead. “We will find out.”
“This is not the place to talk about work. Enjoy the evening,” Uncle Rayhan says, stepping out of the house with Aunty Delsanra.
She looks incredible. She’s glowing and radiant in a way she wasn’t when he wasn’t around.
This glow is the result of having him by her side.
At times, though, the shadow of Sienna’s absence weighs heavily on them, but they lean on one another to get through it.
They’re a lovely couple. And since Uncle recently got his hair cut short, he looks even sharper. Now, if only Ahren would cut his hair…
“Not happening,” Ahren says, noticing where my attention has turned.
“Oh, come on. Your dad cut his,” I try.
“Because he’s probably balding,” Ahren whispers cheekily.
“You might need to get your eyes checked, Ahren,” Uncle replies cockily with a smirk.
“Daddy, look at me!” Kaden shouts as Skyla and Aunty Kiara come out with platters of salad and buns.
Grandpa Alejandro slaps the chicken fillets onto the grill while Jaddati sets the drinks at the table.
Allie comes out, the only one not dressed like the rest of us, who are in dresses. She wears black trousers, a black top, and black boots.
“Hey there, Alessandra. How are you doing?” Royce asks.
“Surviving this crap music and faeces-filled lawn,” she replies.
“Girl, what faeces?” Skyla asks as Malevolent jumps onto her shoulder.
“Your cat, for starters. Where is she doing her business? Because I can’t see her non-existent litter box.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. She buries her shit.” Skyla smirks. “Just be careful you don’t step on it.”
“I hate you,” Allie replies flatly as she walks over to me. “I don’t like outdoor parties.”
“They can be nice. Plus, I don’t think Mal pooed anywhere here; she usually goes in the bushes,” I reassure her.
“Ok, first round up!” Grandpa Alejandro calls.
“I’m hungry! Me first!” Leona says, running over.
“Careful there, angel. Let me get your plate,” Grandpa Marcel says.
“Come on, children. Sit down, then you’ll get your food,” Aunty Kiara calls.
Once they’ve got theirs, it’s me and Allie, the next youngest, and I’m not going to wait. I take a plate and walk over to the table.
“Want me to bring it to the table?” Grandpa Alejandro asks. I look up at him. He looks grim, but that’s his usual face. Not to boast, but he treats me very nicely.
“Yes, please. I’ll have one kebab, two lamb chops, and one chicken burger, thank you.” I turn and walk over to the table as Grandpa Alejandro carries my plate over.
“Thank you,” I say, and he grins.
“You’re welcome, kiddo,” he returns to the girls. I begin putting salad on my bun, as Winona and Mama feed the little ones and Aunty Kiara brings everyone’s drinks.
Jaddati wipes the table beside me with an antibacterial wipe. That’s something Allie would do herself if no one else has.
And they call me a diva. I suppress a giggle as I wait for her to sit down beside me.
“I think I’m going to die from germs,” she mutters, taking a bite of her burger.
“You won’t,” I reply.
Once everyone has their food and is seated, I look over at Mama. “It’s my boyfriend’s birthday tomorrow night. I want to go to his pack.”
Mama freezes. “You have a boyfriend?” she asks, simultaneously with Ahren and Tatum.
“Yes, I do,” I reply emotionlessly, taking a bite of my burger.
“Who’s the fucker?” Grandpa Alejandro asks, frowning.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Holden Ridge. He’s the Alpha heir to the River Moon Pack.”
Grandpa Alejandro snorts. “Don’t know any River Moon Pack.”
“We do,” Uncle Rayhan says, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
“None of importance,” Grandpa Alejandro grumbles, making Grandpa Marcel chuckle.
“Is he treating you right?” Uncle Rayhan asks, as Skyla whistles.
“Nice, girl, get it.”
I smile slightly before nodding at Uncle, glancing at Mama, who hasn’t said anything else. “I’d love to learn a little more about him, and I think, why not, you should go. Tatum or Ahren can go with you,” she says now.
She’s upset that I didn’t tell her. Maybe I should have, but…
I nod. “Thank you.”
“Go where?” We all turn as Dante saunters through the back door and begins piling food on a plate. “I’m starved.”
“Some dumb River Moon Pack,” Grandpa Alejandro adds unhelpfully, making Tatum snicker.
“I agree. Some dumb pack Alpha heir is dating Heaven.”
“Good luck to him. Must be hard work,” Ahren says slyly, making Skyla cackle.
“You’re hard work. Go find yourself a luna, old man,” Allie says, coming to my defence.
“I think it’s nice you’re dating, and Heaven is a mature, sensible girl. She knows what’s right for her,” Aunty Delsanra says, faltering.
I look down. She thought Sienna was, too, I guess.
“Let’s eat. Now don’t embarrass the girl anymore,” Jaddati says.
“We aren’t. I’m not doing anything tomorrow; I’ll go with you,” Grandpa Alejandro says, making Allie, Skyla, and me stare at him, horrified.
“No, Dad, you won’t,” Skyla says. “That’s… traumatising for life.”
“Yeah, besides, you won’t like him even if you go,” Royce adds. After what happened with Sienna, Grandpa Alejandro said some choice words to Royce, too, and although he remained calm, Skyla got extremely angry and argued with her father.
“Facts,” Allie says. “I mean, you’re a good boy, and Dad even complains about you.”
“Your father complains about everyone,” Aunty Kiara says.
“That’s true, too,” I agree. “The food is very nice.”
“Winona prepped the chicken,” Aunty Kiara says. “It’s really delicious.”
“Thank you,” Winona says, blushing. She’s cute.
“So, Holden… like Hold-on, what kind of name is that?” Tatum remarks.
“Really?” I say, raising an eyebrow. “Stop picking on him when you don’t even know him.”
“Ok, enough, both of you. Heaven can date whoever she wants,” Mama says firmly.
“Thanks.”
She smiles at me, but she’s hurt. I don’t need to be an empath to know that. I’ll talk to her tonight.
After dinner, everyone sits and talks, and the moment I see Mama go inside to take a call, I follow. Once she’s off the phone, I’ll talk to her.
“No, we’re not putting anyone below a level five, that’s my order.”
She’s probably talking to someone from the Coven. I can’t hear the other person.
“Alright, I’ll consider it, but she might die on the front line over her ego.” Mama hangs up and turns to me. “Hey, everything ok?”
“For the most part, yes. But I realised I should have told you about Holden before everyone else,” I say, tossing my hair over my shoulder.
Mama slips her phone into her back pocket.
“You owe me nothing, baby girl,” she says softly. “I know you know what is best for you.” She walks over to me and cups my face, kissing my forehead.
“But in case you are worried, I’m not rushing things, and if I ever decide to go there… I’ll be sure to talk to you first,” I say smoothly.
Mama smiles. “That’s my girl.” She pulls me into her arms. “So, is there a party tomorrow, or are you going to surprise him?”
“Well, I’m not sure. He had wanted me to go, but I said no, then realised I should, so thought I could go for a few hours.”
“I think it’s a good idea. How old is he?”
“He’s turning 17; he’s in my year at the Academy.”
“Excellent, but maybe we should have the talk before you go?” Mama suggests.
“No, Mama! No.”
She laughs at my affronted tone, but I’m already shaking my head, refusing to linger another second. I spin and rush for the door, when suddenly the ground tilts beneath me, as if the world itself has shifted.
“Heaven!” Mama’s voice fractures across the distance, but it’s fading, drowning beneath the thunder that erupts inside my veins. My head whips back, vision blazing white, as raw power surges through me.
It crashes over me in waves, a feeling I have felt only once before.
The night the prophecy of the four rulers came to me.