CHAPTER 32 MAURO #3
Jared’s big eyes lock onto mine, filled with intense anticipation.
He speaks almost solemnly, "I’ve always dreamed of having a big family.
And not only kids, but to be surrounded by…
a larger family, a village, if you know what I mean.
That’s also one of the reasons I’d like us to stay here at Renato’s house, with Emilio, Gianni, and Tony…
I’ve been alone my whole life. I want to be with people who care for me, people who will be family to me and my children. "
I blink in surprise. I was hoping Jared would be open to staying here, but what he just said sounds absolutely perfect!
I feel as though happiness is about to burst through my chest, and I answer him through telepathy.
"Dreaming about having a family of my own while I was in the mafia was hard.
For years, I tried not to think about it too much.
I didn't let myself get my hopes up, even though the thought was always somewhere in the back of my mind.
And with my speech problems, I wasn't sure I'd even be able to be the kind of father I wanted to be.
But then I found you… Our Bond has helped me heal, and now, for the first time, I actually think maybe that dream could come true for us. "
We keep our eyes locked the entire time, our bodies still connected by the knot.
Jared sends me, "I believe it will. And this… guardian part. Will our son follow Renato’s and your… path?"
It’s the first time I look away, if only for a second.
"Does it… overwhelm you?"
Jared huffs, "When we were in the forest… you know, when we made love, I felt it for the first time. That connection to the forest. I realized that my nature is tied to it forever, and it’s part of my heritage too.
So no, it doesn’t overwhelm me. Honestly, it makes me…
happy! Besides, it’s not like my son is going to be pushed into a brutal political career!
You saw how cool Renato looks as a guardian!
" Jared sends me a wink. "And his role is a good one. He protects the forests. It’s… an honor and a privilege."
I stroke his cheek softly. "I’m glad you see it that way. Fate was smart to choose us as True Mates. Because of our lineage, we can understand each other and complement each other." I smile.
Then after hesitation, I add, "I was born in the city and raised there. My own bond with the forest is only beginning to strengthen; I have a lot to learn, but I promise you, whatever I learn, I’ll teach him the best I can, so he could one day protect the forest like our ancestors did."
He smiles. I lean down and place a kiss on his soft lips, and Jared whispers, "Like you, I’m a city kid. My hidden side only awakened recently. I hope I can discover even more about who I am here and go through this journey with you."
I smile at him and wink. "We’re both new to this, but we can explore it together and learn. And… Tommy will have it even easier. We can pass what we learn on to him, too."
Jared’s eyes flick toward the door.
"Tommy… I had no idea he was like me. But maybe I should have suspected it. He’s always loved flowers and plants. He can play with them for hours."
"We’ll be a very special family, Jared, and I can’t wait to explore… us."
There’s a moment of silence, and I feel the knot slowly subside. Jared moves his hips a little, and smirks subtly as I slide off him, but I don’t stand up right away. I touch his face and stare for a little while longer.
I want to make sure of one thing, so I ask him inside his mind, "So you want to stay here at Renato’s estate, live here, and raise our children here?"
He nods firmly. "Yes. This is where we belong, Mauro. I felt it from the moment I set my foot in Rainbow Springs. The home, it has the right vibe for me."
Jared raises a hand and touches his ears, which, as I’ve noticed, are no longer hidden beneath his hair.
"The forest kinship flows through us all!" And he grins.
I gently kiss him on the lips, then whisper into his mind, "I really can’t wait for another day… with you and Tommy."
Then we lie there for even a minute longer, just looking into each other’s eyes and… grinning, exchanging soft pecks, and it’s just perfect.
Six years of hell are over.
The seventh, magical year is beginning, and in it, I have found the other half of my soul.
Soon, we stand up and get dressed, unable to wipe the smirks off our faces.
Holding hands, we go downstairs, and Jared stops at the entrance to the kitchen.
Emilio and Tony are putting the little animal figurines they just made from bread dough with Tommy into the oven.
Uncle Renato is back too, and he’s holding Tommy on his lap, showing him little deer, wolves, rabbits, and moose running across the tables, glowing with golden light.
They aren’t made of wood this time, but of Renato’s magic, and Tommy giggles and claps his hands in pure delight at the show. From time to time, he tries to catch some of them, but his fingers pass right through them.
Jared glances at me and grins widely.
"I can show you the trick later," I send him telepathically, and he nods.
"Perfect!" Then he hesitates and adds more solemnly, "All is perfect, Mauro."
I respond with a smile and send him one more telepathic message.
"And let’s keep it that way!"
JARED
Present day
I leave Mauro, Renato, and the others with Tommy in the kitchen and step out onto the patio.
My emotions are so overwhelming that I decide to take a short walk before I explode.
For a moment, I catch myself thinking that all of this is almost too beautiful to be true, but I cut that thought short.
Why should it be? I definitely need to change the way I think about my life.
I deserve this, I’ve waited long enough.
I’ve been through hell and back to get to this point, and I’m going to let myself fully embrace it.
I take a deep breath and look up at the sky, watching the clouds drift across it. A flock of birds flies overhead, or maybe they aren't birds at all, but… fairies again?
They look so colorful and light, and I can't help but smile to myself. What an interesting place I've chosen to live!
Then my eyes are drawn to a beautiful, majestic tree growing on the lawn not far from the mansion. An extraordinary one, magical. It seems to radiate a different kind of energy, almost pulsing, casting a subtle golden glow around it.
My heart beats a little faster as I slowly approach it. This is the first time I’m standing beside it alone, and the moment takes my breath away a little.
Renato said that the forest folk communicate with Silvio through it, but I’m not sure if that will work for me, since I’m so new to all this. I approach the tree hesitantly. It’s so beautiful, and even in winter, its branches are covered in a thick canopy of leaves that rustle softly in the wind.
Something tightens in my chest. Almost on tiptoe, I move closer to its thick trunk and gently place my hands against the bark.
The next moment, a soft, gentle energy washes over my heart, and I instantly recognize it as the same energy I felt once before, when Silvio tried to send me a little comfort.
"Thank you for saving my life and for accepting me into this family. I’ll do everything I can to fit in here well. And please, forgive me for everything," I whisper softly.
What I hear in response isn’t exactly a voice. It’s more like… a gentle transmission that somehow takes shape in my mind as words, feelings, and understanding. And I give it Silvio’s gentle voice.
"Everything is all right, child. There is nothing to forgive. Everything is as it should be. Fate led you down a difficult, winding path, but you have finally come home. Now it is time to allow yourself to be happy."
I squeeze my eyes shut, and a tear slips down my cheek. There’s something cleansing about this moment.
"Thank you," I whisper inside my mind, then lean my back against the tree’s rough bark and stand there for a while, simply enjoying the silence and peace.
Something inside me expands. Joy, excitement, and… a feeling of freedom.
It all bursts through me, along with a sense of lightness I’ve never felt before.
Then, unexpectedly, I let out a joyful, silly cry.
"Yiiiippeee yay!"
And I burst out laughing.
The wind rushes against me, lifting loose strands of my hair into the air. The sky above me is wide and open, and I raise my arms toward it, standing there for a moment and soaking in the feeling, just simply breathing, simply being alive.
The darkness stays behind me. I’m stepping into the light.
Finally.
As I stand there, a sound reaches me, and I lower my head. From here, I can see part of the driveway. A car is pulling up and comes to a stop.
For a split second, I feel a needle of uncertainty, but the magical energy of the tree behind me shields me from the instinctive, unfounded fear.
I calmly cross the lawn, stepping around the dormant flower beds where blooms will emerge in spring, and make my way onto the driveway.
An alpha gets out of the car.
He’s a slender man, maybe twenty-seven years old.
His face is pale, and it’s obvious he isn’t in the best mental state.
An aura of exhaustion seems to cling to him.
Despite my unusually sensitive sense of smell, I can’t detect even a trace of pheromones coming from him.
He has quite a handsome face, but the cloud of dimmed, weary energy surrounding him takes away from it.
He glances at me uncertainly, as if he can hardly believe what he’s seeing.
I suddenly remember that I haven’t covered my ears, but I don’t do it now. This is who I am. And Rainbow Spring is a place for people like me. The new Jared stands here calmly, maybe even proudly, allowing himself to simply belong to this special place. I am a magical ABO, after all.
The man gives me an awkward bow.
"Hello. I’m Lex Carter. I came here because Dr. Stefano told me I might be able to find some help here."