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Chapter 23

She walked towards the only person that she knew that could help her. Her heart hung as her feet carried her. She didn’t want to touch on the feeling that he wore on his shoulder. Kagen was sitting with his back to the woods, his face towards the sun. Every time she seen him, her heart ache. For almost two years, he would come over to her house. Visit with his boyfriend and treated her with respect. No mother could ever ask for more when it came to their child’s significant other.

Pausing, her eyes closed. The day Tatom broke up with him was still fresh in her mind. She watched it from a distance. Not that she was spying on her son and his boyfriend. Their paths just crossed that day. Tatom didn’t lie to him when he had said that one day he would be leaving to find that Empathy wolf. He even told him that he had a possible wolf mate. Kagen tried to keep his distance, even Tatom did. But love had another path for them. Soon they were in love and in a full bloom relationship.

Kagen had it rough here in the witch’s community. He was of magical bloodline yet he held no magic within him. Years of trying to case a spell cost him heartache and disappointment. The Witch’s counsel deem him unworthy of holding his family seat. His family lost the chair on the council that very day. The remaining of his family turned their backs on him and case him out of the family. They wouldn’t allow him to leave the community or the coven. He had to go to every meeting like he was a witch. He had to pay his due’s and keep the crest above his house. A house that the council deem abandoned. Abandoned only because of a non-magical witch lives there.

Daily he would walk this land to hear insults thrown his way with very breath he took. Strength brewed in his blood. He took everything that this community threw at him and turned it around. He’s family split at him when they are close, he’ll pop off a comment about how unclean they were or rude. Inside though, she could see the heartache. Having a family treat you the way they did, then a whole community. She couldn’t dream of going through what Kagen does.

“I know you’re there.”

Kagen threw something across the grass.

“Sorry, I didn’t know if you wanted to be bothered. I was deciding on whether to come or leave.”

            “Are you hear to tell me how screwed up I am?”

            “No, you should know better than that.”

            “I should, yet you do not live in my shoes.”

            ‘I wonder what happened,’ she thought as she approached.

            Taking a seat beside him, she glanced over. Oh how beautiful he is. His eyes held a block soul that would take a very strong person to get inside. Even Tatom said he couldn’t break down all the walls. His strong features, spoke I am a man hear me roar. The muscles weren’t from working out in a gym, they were from life. He wasn’t huge, but well defined. Tight body. She always thought that Tatom did right by him.

            “Tibitha what do you want?” He breathed out.

            “I need your wisdom.”

            “Then go away. I am no mood for riddles or small talk.”

            “What happened?” Tibitha leaned forward. She seem the black and blue colored eye. “What the hell happened!”

            “Same old. This time, I might be placed in prison for hitting a man of the house.”   Kagen looked over, his lip was busted opened.

            “Your Uncle?”

            “No. I fought with a council member.”

Tibitha’s laughter roared out into the air. She knew this day would come. Kagen was a fighter not a submissive little man who people could step on.

“I do hope his face looks worse.”

“It does, that’s the issue. He’s trying to say I jumped him when it was the other way around.”

“Just fight him again in front of everyone and then people will see you are the better fighter.”

“Okay Tibitha, you have sucked up enough.” Kagen rolled his eyes with a sigh. “If it’s about him, the answer is no.”

“No,” Tibitha held the chain around her neck. Tatom. Her precious little one. Her life, her son. “It’s about this book I found. I was wondering if you knew how to read it.”

Pulling out a old musky smelling leather bound book from a knitted shoulder bag. The book was falling apart. She had it tied together with a piece of blue ribbon. Gently she opened it up. Kagen scrunched his nose. The book must be really old for it smells of earth and age.

“I was reading or more like looking through this book that Liz had found.”

“Great, what is Liz getting everyone into now?” Kagen took the book from her. He thumbed the page for a moment. “Liz had this?”

“Yes, she said she found it years ago.”

“So she says. Liz seems to have sticky fingers when it comes to certain things.”

Tibitha laughed and smacked his shoulder. “Be nice. She is gone.” He chuckled.

“This is about the old wolf ways. When the wolves followed the full moon curse. It stays that they were fight their beast to shift. The discomfort and pain of the shifting. There are pages missing. I can not read it fully. I do know this, this says that the bloodline of the ancients shall return on great war.” He flipped the page. “There must be many pages missing, for this states that the child of the bride shall bare fangs and claws for her husband is a wolf.”

“Is it speaking of the betrayal?”

“The betrayal is simple to understand if you have read the books I do. The wolf took his child due to another murdered his bride. He was protect his blood. Once his mate came along, she took in the child as her own. For she knew of what happened to his bride.”

“Really?” Tibitha laughed, “You knew the betrayal all this time and never said a word.”

“Why? People won’t believe it. Because they can’t read the werewolf language. I can. The wolf was protecting his child like any father here would do. The reason why it is considered a betrayal is he took the child from the witch’s community and refused him or her to return. The book does not say if it was a boy or a girl. It just states ‘my child’.”

“Wow, all this time I wondered.” Tibitha shook her head. He told Tatom a different story. Wondering why, she left it there though. “Here I was thinking it was something juicy.”

“You and everyone else.” Kagen handed the book back to her. “There are fifty more like that, all states different things. Find the missing pages and you might have a story to hear. If you can find them, it will be the first book like that to hold all the pages.”

“You don’t find that odd. Out of all the books, pages are missing.”

“If I was hiding the truth, I would take the pages as well.”

This was true. Hid the truth by ripping pages from the very book that holds the story.

“I better go, I’m finishing up for the meeting.”

“Unfortunately I shall see you there.” Kagen laid back and closed his eyes.

That ended her time with him. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk or talk at all. Tibitha could sense that she was pushing him. And pushing Kagen wasn’t the smartest thing to do.

Later that night, Tibitha was reading a book when she received a phone call from another member of the witch’s counsel. They were asking questions about Tatom’s whereabouts. She had been honest with them when she said, he went to the wolf pack. They had kept him away from the Empathy wolf way too long. He was givin’ a job to do for a reason. However, she would not tell them what wolf pack it was or where they were. If they wanted that information, they had to figure it out on their own. She was not going to give up her son for no one. The counsel tried to use everything they could. Telling her that no punishment would come to her or him. They just wanted to bring him home. Tibitha wouldn’t budge. Like hell were they going to get her son through her. She would kill herself before that every happened.

Thinking about Tatom, she hoped that he was doing well. He was surrounded by wolves. Also he was heart broken. If that mate of his didn’t come before too long, she didn’t know what would happen. The only reason why Tatom had stopped crying was because of this mate. A mate to take all the pain away. He loved Kagen with his soul.

Three days later Jace didn’t bother to knock on the door. He barged right into Tatom’s room and over to the bed. Pulled down the blanket. Brought up a bucket of water and poured it all over Tatom before he could do anything about it.

“What the hell!”

“You get your butt up!”

“I really don’t like this side of you.” Tatom wiped his hair out of his face.

“Jalin!”

Jalin came in wearing a pair of shorts. Yanked Tatom out of bed and processed to the bathroom. Where Jace was running the water in the shower. How did he get in there so quickly? Jalin stepped into the shower and placed him down. Drowning him and his clothes.

“Damnit, what the hell!”

“I don’t know why you are hiding but enough is enough.” Jace ripped his clothing off, leaving Tatom in his boxers.

“I can undress myself!”

“Then do it!” Jace growled. “I’ll ask Jalin.”

Shocked, he glanced back at Jalin then towards the wolf in front of him. “Not with you standing here.”

Rolling his eyes, Jace turned his back.

“Could you leave?” He snapped at back.

“No.” Jace snapped back.

“Could Jalin at least leave the shower!”

Jalin nodded. He actually didn’t want to stand there anymore than Tatom wanted him to. Shutting the shower door, he tossed out the boxers. The warm water actually left good. Like tiny fingers massaging his stiff body.

After a few minutes Jace spoke, “Sorry Tatom. You are one of my favorite people. I don’t like seeing you like this.”

He knew Jace meant it. His dream wolf had a large heart. Letting out a deep sigh, he decided to tell him.

“I read a vision wrong. The wolf that I thought was my mate, I guess isn’t. Without a wolf mate I can’t give the pack a legacy. I feel like I’ve let everyone down.” His voice ended in a whisper.

“Oh Tat,” Jace’s voice told on him. He was upset for him. Clearing his throat, “Who cares? By you helping Langdon, helps the pack. You know Zero. He’ll find another way. I’ve been asked to stay. So use me. You know I’m your best ally here. I can help.”

“I can’t ask you to– ” the door popped opened. His eyes met his.

“You didn’t ask. I offered. Say yes and I’ll shut the door.”

Tatom had already placed the wash cloth over him. His embarrassment went up a few notches.

“Yes! Now sh– ” the door closed.

“We’ll be waiting to take you over to the Alpha’s. Fire is already there. Don’t make me dress you.” Giggling out the door, Tatom rolled his eyes.

The Alpha’s house was quiet for once. Which scared him. He didn’t like when a house was too silent. Amber walked down the stairs, she waved sadly. Ever since she had found out that she couldn’t have children. Amber felt off. Lonely. Being the Alpha’s daughter, Amber thought she had let her father down. No one felt that way, just Amber did.

Wolves were moving around, silently. That’s when Tatom felt Langdon. He was the cause of this. Making his way towards the Empathy, he asked Vera if something had happened. She nodded and whispered that Langdon had a dream and it freaked him out. Finishing the journey, he walked past the War wolves without a thought. Langdon’s eyes lit up when he seen Tatom.

Going down to his knee in front of Langdon and Zero. “Slowly allow this feeling to pass.”

“I’ve tried.” Langdon groaned.

“Okay calm down.” Langdon was silently freaking out. “Tell me the dream.”

Langdon shook his head no.

“I can’t help unless I know.” Tatom looked at Zero, he had a death grip on his mate. “A dream can be just a dream. Or a warning,” a spark of fear went through Langdon. “Or it’s a past memory of events. Your mind replaces them with people you know. I need to know to help you.”

“They’re all dead,” Langdon whispered.

“Who?” Tatom laid a comforting hand on Zero and Langdon. “Who died?”

“The pack,” tears silently ran down his face. “No one was left, I was alone.”

Tatom nodded, “You will never be alone. Because they didn’t die. For one they are standing and sitting around you. Two that dream wasn’t about death. It’s about your fear of losing what you have, being alone.

“Langdon, you finally found somewhere you fit in. Just not as a wolf, as a person. The wolves find a friend in you. Someone to talk with. To hang out with. They just don’t see Langdon a powerful Empathy. They see a future Alpha that will do what it takes to protect them. Someone to go to when they have a problem. Someone who makes their Alpha happy. Who grounds him more to the pack.

“On top of that, an Empathy loves too much. With the wolf’s lust and the human love, a love that goes through a werewolf is greater than life itself. One of the flaws in being an Empathy. You only know more love and admiration.

“Then there is that slight fear– Zero. You’re not the only one who has the ‘what if’s’. Each mate ends up asking themselves what-if I’m not good enough or unable to keep him or her happy and satisfied. It’s the nature of love.

“You’re a guy, right? The Alpha bloodline isn’t dead!” Tatom yelled at him, “There are already women in the pack that has lost their mate. Carrying the Alpha’s child would be a blessing. You two sit her down and make sure she knows this isn’t her child. She has no rights. It’s yours. Or both of you find a chic, have fun and make babies. Past on your genes. Who the hell cares? I don’t! Cause I know you and Zero. You’ll figure out something. Talk to the pack doctor.

“Now release these wolves and live in the moment. Make sure you feel how they treasure their two future Alphas.”

Langdon slowly released the wolves. As he apologized Vera being a mom, wrapped her arms around him and squeezed.

“I still hold a fear that Nathanial will walk away.”

Willow spoke up, “Or Gregory will find someone younger.”

“Or Daren will get tired of my odd habits.”

“And they have been with their mates longer than I have. You have to remember, we are wolves. Wolf is the only way to be loved.” Vera planted a kiss on his temple.

Food was served as the wolves sat around. June and July playfully fought over a biscuit. Causing laughter from everyone. Bringing the mornings back to normal. Unfortunately a little too normal right now. Silver and Dom showed up with news. Just like the Alpha had thought, Bret’s mother and Aunt ran to Savage. Vera pointed to a chair. The boys knew what that meant. And knew not to go against the female Alpha. A plate was passed over to them. Dom laughed, and drove right in. He was hungry after the traveling they had done.

Staring around the room Dalson’s attention had been varying since he had arrived. The she-wolf beside him tapped his arm. Breaking his focus once again.

“I want more water.”

Dalson growled, “Then get it.”

She had not been like this until they had arrived. The demands were becoming more aggressive than usual. A sweet wonder scent caught his attention again. His wolf was going crazy. Wanting him to find the source. With the hag beside him, her voice was irritating him more. Causing his wolf to fire up. His eyes flamed up for a second. Jalin caught this.

“Bro?” The table went silent upon hearing the growl. “What’s up?” Jalin stood up seeing the smoke come out his mouth when Dalson exhaled. “Calm down.”

“What’s that smell?” Before he realized what he had said, the question was already asked.

“Dalson,” she-wolf whined.

“Silence!” he growled, the flames in his eyes sparked up. Pushing away from the table, he stood up and smelled the air. Exhaling another breath, more smoke.

Jalin moved around the table, ready himself to strike if needed. Right now, Dalson smelt something they did not. His chest filled with the aroma again. A low growl grumbled his chest. Amber hadn’t fully made it back to her seat when Dalson had blocked her path. She stood very still. A War wolf was angered. This meant be a ghost. Closing her eyes, she focused on staying calm. Thanks to Langdon, the vibes filled the room. Dalson turned in her direction. Behind her closed eyelids, she felt him staring at her.

Hearing the breath filling his lungs as he smelled her. Amber tried to think about something other than a War wolf was right in front of her.

“You are holding the scent.”

Amber snapped her eyes open, “But not the scent?” her voice squeaked.

“No.”

She blew out the breath she was holding in relief.

“Hey I’m not a bad guy.” Dalson was a little offended.

“Sure, but you’re scary. I like softer.” She swallowed and waited for the next move.

Dalson laughed, “Fair enough. Us War wolves are a little rough.”

Her eyebrows shot up like she was silently saying, ‘A little?’.

Seeing this, he jerked out her chair. She quickly sat down. Out of the way of a War wolf. Best place to be. Dalson did have enough sense about him not to be a typical War wolf with her. He was trying to be polite. However, he did push her chair up to the table a little too hard. Groaning as the chair bounced back a little from the table. Although, she dared not move.

Moving on, the scent was becoming stronger. More heavenly.

Stopping at a very still witch, Dalson bent down. A growl slipped out. “Look at me.” Tatom’s hand tightened around the fork. Swallowing he slightly turned his head. “Look at me,” Dalson growled louder. Tatom dropped the fork as he flinched. Scaring the beauty, Dalson took a hold of his hand.

The fire raged in his eyes. His beast was going wild at the scent before him. It was the witch. Dalson struggled to each his breathing calm. With every deep exhale came a growl. Licking his lips, smoke exited his mouth. Jalin moved to the side, whispering for him to calm down. He had a fragile human in his grips.

“Look at me Tatom,” Dalson growled.

Shaking, Tatom turned his head. Looking into the depths of the most sexiest man in the world. A warming sensation crept over his body. Tingles filled the hand that laid in the giant hand before him. Dalson’s eyes were hidden by the flames. With each flicker, a deep golden brown would show.

“Mine,” Dalson’s wolf pushed forward for a moment. Jalin backed away, keeping his body between Dalson and the table.

Tatom couldn’t speak, he was so wrapped up in the wolf before him. As Dalson pulled him up from the chair, he went without protest. It didn’t even brother him that he was being carried out bridal style.

“Dalson!” the she-wolf whined. “Get back here.”

Before she moved, Alpha Blackwood ordered her to sit and be silent.

Giggles erupted out of Amber, May, June and Jace.

　

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