Chapter 25
Bayu and Rhoan had met up a few days ago to talk about being Nuhuala, and Carleigh informed Cailín and Harlow that their mates would be at her house if they wanted to drop by for a visit.
Harlow declined stating she had too much work to do before taking off for Carlton, but Cailín had shown up.
Thran all but ignored her, and Carleigh tried to tell her that fae didn’t have fated mates, so he had no idea what he meant to Cailín.
She left with her heart shredded, and that was when she decided she was due a long vacation.
Carleigh and Bayu continued getting closer.
They made love most nights, taking advantage of having help with Juni.
On the nights they merely held one another, Bayu shared what each of his markings meant.
He said he doubted Baekyo would mind considering she could see them.
When he asked Carleigh who she thought he should choose as keeper of the ancient documents, Carleigh thought long and hard about it.
There were so many Clanmates who would happily agree to the task.
They discussed each person at length, but in the end, they chose Nekoma.
The fae had been instrumental in keeping Bayu safe.
He would live as long or longer than Bayu, and he could hide the scrolls on Evyndral if he so chose.
When they asked if he would be the keeper, Nekoma placed a fist over his heart, bowed his head, and said he would be honored.
The members of the Council of Shen were still a mystery.
As it turned out, the Hideki Sato who was on the Council was not Bayu’s grandfather.
Julian had found Hideki and Kaori Sato in a village over five hundred miles south of where Hariz’s scroll had been left in the shack.
Bayu contacted his grandparents and told them of their daughter’s passing.
They wanted to travel to Anjailang to pay their respects, but Bayu had been honest of how Wahida was slain and told them it was too dangerous.
He promised that once the Black Lotus was out of the picture, he would let them know.
Instead of flying in the new family jet, Carleigh and her little family drove to Carlton.
Her parents did take the jet to New York to spend the fourth with some of the older Gargoyles.
Juniper was also going, but she rode up with Jon.
Jon still didn’t know why Sebastian wanted him to hand off the gym for the next month or so, but when the King called, the Clan answered.
Cailín, who was also taking a leave of absence from work, rode with Harlow.
Carleigh had no doubt the two were commiserating about having mates who lived in a different realm.
With there being no sign of the Black Lotus, they released Silas from his guard duties but told him he could come visit Juni any time he wanted. Instead of going with them to West Virginia, Silas took advantage of a few days off and flew with Steven and Carleigh’s parents to New York.
During the drive to Carlton, Carleigh explained who all would be at the lodge, and she even brought out a chart, which made Bayu laugh.
He had told her after the impromptu celebration he needed one.
Most everyone wasn’t arriving until the fourth, but Carleigh wanted time to explore the town.
She and Bayu had spoken more than once about moving, and they needed to see what property was available.
She wanted plenty of land where they could build a house large enough for them, Juni, Gemi, and any future kids they might have.
Since Sebastian had been buying up smaller houses for family to use when they visited, and it was possible Gemi might want a place of her own down the road. If so, she could choose one of those.
When Carleigh parked at Holt Lodge, Sebastian and Dakota were waiting for them. Kody bounded down the steps, not waiting for them to get out. She peered in the back window, grinning. She opened the door, and leaned in. “Hello, Juni.”
“Juni, say hi to Dakota,” Carleigh prompted.
“Hi, Keen Koda.”
Kody laughed, clapping her hands. “Oh, my.” She stood and turned to her mate. “I want one, Bas.”
Sebastian arched a brow. “I told you whenever you’re ready, I’ll give you as many as you want.”
Carleigh pushed open her door, and as soon as she was on her feet, Dakota engulfed her in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. Now, introduce me to your family.”
“Let them get out of the car, Cucciolina.” Sebastian pulled Dakota back against his chest.
Bayu came around the hood and bowed. “I am Bayu Tan, and it is an honor to meet you.”
With one arm around Dakota, Sebastian held out a hand for Bayu to shake. “The honor is ours, Bayu. Welcome to the Clan.”
Carleigh lifted Juni from his car seat, and Gemi got out on the other side. Carleigh introduced Gemi, but Juni decided to introduce himself. He grinned up at Sebastian. “Hi, King Bas.”
Sebastian was no more immune to the cub than anyone else as his face broke out in a huge grin. “Hello, little cub.”
Juni held out his arms to Dakota. “Up, pease.” She picked him up, and Juni shoved his face in her neck. Dakota rubbed her cheek against the top of his head, marking him as pack.
Sebastian helped Bayu with their bags, and they headed inside where several people were waiting.
When Diana, Dakota’s mom, caught sight of Juni in her daughter’s arms, she placed her hand over her mouth.
Carleigh had sent videos and photos of her son, but they were nothing compared to seeing him in person.
Jolee, Dakota’s best friend and pack mate, grinned at Sebastian. “You’re in trouble now.”
“Bring it on. I’m ready.” Bas winked at his mate as he led Bayu upstairs to their room to stow their bags.
Gemi looked around, taking in the lodge. Carleigh got it. The place was stunning. Jolee had done an amazing job with the interior design, meshing comfort with rustic charm that matched the exterior.
Dakota, who normally tended bar and offered her guests a drink, appeared to be in heaven where she was, so Carleigh did the honors. “Gemi, would you like a drink? There’s a fully stocked bar, or I can get you some tea from the kitchen.”
“Sorry. I’m usually a better host, but have you seen this kid?” Dakota didn’t appear too chagrined at her lack of hospitality.
“Tea would be nice.” Gemi took a seat close to Juni and Dakota, not sitting back, but perching on the edge of the chair.
“I’ll get it.” A petite blonde with a round belly had bounded into the lobby but made a U-turn toward the kitchen.
Kennedy was an arctic fox shifter and seven months pregnant.
Her mate, Dooley, was right behind her. They were friends of Lydia and Beck and had moved from Alaska when Beck relocated to be with his mate.
“What’s doing, C?” Dooley was a hacker, and Carleigh often pitched jobs to him.
“Just getting here. We wanted a chance to look at property before the rest of the gang shows up.” Carleigh moved to the bar and poured herself a soda.
She wasn’t ready for beer. “Harlow will be here in the morning, and we’ll need to go over a few things with you.
” Dooley was going to help with their surprise.
With as large as they planned it to be, they needed several hands.
Dakota removed her ever-present cowboy hat and set it beside her on the sofa. “Missy came by last week with a list of properties she wants to show you. I told her to email them to you.”
“She did. There are a few that look promising.”
“Does that mean you’ve decided to move here?” Dakota’s tone was hopeful.
“We’re still talking about it. I want to, but I also don’t want to leave Harlow behind in Atlanta, especially now that she’s all sad panda.”
“I’ll have to work my magic on her then. I’ll pout like Anthony, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll pull the Queen card.”
Kennedy returned with a tray filled with all the accoutrements one needed for a cup of tea.
“I didn’t know what kind you wanted, so I brought an assortment.
” She placed the tray on the coffee table nearest Gemi, then plopped down in an armchair.
“I should have asked, but the bigger my belly gets, the foggier my brain.”
Juni was now staring at Kennedy where she was holding her stomach. Kennedy noticed, and she patted her roundness. “I’m going to have a little one like you, but she’s a lot smaller.”
When Juni frowned up at Carleigh, she explained, “There’s a baby in Kennedy’s belly.”
Juni climbed down from Dakota’s lap and eased his way to where Kennedy was sitting. He blinked up at her and pointed. “Baby in dere?”
“Yes. Do you want to feel her? She’s kicking my insides.” Juni nodded, and Kennedy gently took hold of Juni’s hand, placing it on the side of her stomach. Juni giggled soon after. “Mama, da baby kick me.” He then leaned closer and said, “Hi, baby. I Juni.”
Diana, who was still watching from the other side of the room, burst out crying, then took off down the hallway.
Dakota sighed, shaking her head. “One of our old packmates sent word that my dickhead father showed back up at the pack with a young pregnant she-wolf in tow. Kingston didn’t let Arthur stay, though, not after the way he acted after the fight. Mom’s not taking it well.”
“Damn, Kody. That’s rough.”
“She’ll be okay.” Dakota stood and plopped her hat on her head. “When are y’all going to look at property? Do you want Bas and me to go with you since we know where they are?”
“Of course she wants us to go.” Bas and Bayu returned from upstairs, and Bas stalked over to his mate, grabbing her hand, kissing the back of it. “Dooley and Kennedy can mind the phones for us since they’re waiting on Lydia and Beck to get here.”
“Where’d they go this time?” Carleigh didn’t talk to Lydia as much as she used to since she and Beck were tasked with finding shifters for the council. They traveled wherever Bas asked them to. Dooley and Kennedy used to go with them until Kennedy had a little trouble with the baby.