Kenzie Hope
The next morning was almost magical. The sun rose, filling the sky with shades of orange and pink. Peach and magenta, amber and rose, radiating joy, a new day. A bird's song welcomed in the new day, sweet melodious chorus of seemingly never repeated notes, cascading through the branches, tumbling into the crisp morning air, flowing into the surrounding countryside like a great river of music.
An arm pulled me closer to its owner's chest and I giggles as a wet morning kiss made its way onto my cheek. I snuggled into the warm chest, relishing in the warmth and scent it provided. It washed away my thoughts like sand on a beach and man was I in paradise.
"Good morning," His husky voice breathed before he opened his eyes. His voice like vanilla pudding, sweet in their ordinary sort of way, it was the richness of his tones – luxurious and warm.
"Good morning," I whispered in contentment.
Our cuddles were like a little touch of heaven, warm, together, cozy. I wished I could extend the mornings, just so I could stay close to him for longer, safe in his embrace. His arms wrapped right around me bring a peace I had never known before, a calming of the storms in my heart. I think it was him that gave me hope for the future. In his embrace, I started to believe that there is nothing out there to fear, that all there is is sunshine, beautiful trees and kind people - friends to be. But then we leave, often before the sun is fully risen in the sky and I must stand the world again. His cuddles were the only medicine I needed, they were the light in the darkness, a lone star in an otherwise empty sky.
It was all too soon that we had to get up. We missed breakfast, Kaden mumbling that this was a once in a life time morning. I didn't complain, if it were up to me, we'd be here all day and maybe even tomorrow.
I dressed myself in a black rib knit halter top with floral print shorts and a pair of sunglasses, paring the outfit with black flat ankle strap sandals. Kaden dressed himself in a white shirt with a pair of lightly distressed jeans and a tan leather jacket, pairing it with his usual black vans. Honestly, we looked like a hot pair of mates.
Tonight was the night that the guys- Jordan, Dylan, Carter, and Harrison- were coming. I could not be more ecstatic. My mate and my best friends were finally going to be together in a happy scenario. They would arrive any minute now and stay for a handful of days. I was hoping during that time Jordan would be able to tell me what to do about the Moon Rise situation.
Kaden and I were relaxing on the couch, watching mindless T.V. as they walked in, escorted my a heavy amount of guards. I jumped off the couch and flew into Jordan's arms, who skillfully caught me. Kaden's jealousy ran through our bond in waves, but I sent love his way, showing him he was it for me and that these guys were just my friends, and my cousin.
I went through the entire group, giving each of them a hug and an enormous smile before moving all of us to talk in the living room. Carter and Harrison sat on the couch while Jordan and Dylan took the love seat, leaving the chair for Kaden and I, not that I minded sitting on his lap. While everyone was getting comfortable, I went to the fridge and grabbed a case of the guys' favorite beer.
They all took one gratefully and it wasn't long before we had gotten back in the swing of us again. Kaden stayed quiet most of the time, only adding when he felt he had something important to say, which was reasonable considering the last time all of us had a conversation.
Eventually, Harrison addressed the elephant in the room. "How's the Alpha treating you?" He said before adding, "I see you've been marked." I turned fire truck red as I sunk into Kaden's chest and all the boys laughed at my embarrassment.
"Good," I squeaked. Dylan's eyes landed on my mark and his mouth fell open. He mouthed a 'oh my goddess' before looking Kaden dead in the eyes.
"You don't ever hurt her, understand," He commanded.
Harrison laughed before saying, "Come on, Dylan, she's still not your pup." Everyone laughed at this as Dylan pouted.
"She might as well be," He defended himself, "I may never have children of my own. Let me have this." It was no secret that Dylan longed for his mate, but being 25, it was not likely that she was out there.
The room got silent before Kaden finally answered Dylan's question, "I would never hurt my mate, my Luna, as it would hurt me more than her." At his answer, Dylan swooned and nodded in acceptance.
"Why can't any of you baboons be a real man like that?" Dylan asked, mainly directed at Harrison. Laughter flooded the room at Dylan's remark and I smiled, hoping to stay in that moment forever, a moment where everyone was happy.
It wasn't long before the conversation took a turn for the worse and the Moon Rise pack was mentioned. Underneath me, Kaden tensed up; across from me, so did Jordan. The topic was unwanted, but necessary, I just wanted it to be a little longer before it came up.
"Do you still want to go?" Jordan asked with an understanding tone in his voice as his eyes flickered to Kaden.
"I don't know, Jordan. It's all so..." I stopped myself, unsure of what to say.
"Did you want to go at one point?" Kaden mumbled, he didn't know about my intentions to leave before I came back to the pack.
"Before I learned the truth and came back to the pack, yeah, but now I have a pack. Do I have a reason to get another?" I told him. Kaden took a deep breath in and held it, it probably hurt him to know I did have past intentions of leaving.
"I mean," Carter started logically, "It is your blood destiny." I sighed knowingly, all of this information not new to the constant internal battle I was having.
"I know, but I can't leave my pack here. I'm the Luna," I argued. Dylan caught my eye and sent me a small smile. I stood up, telling them I was going to grab more beers.
When I got to the kitchen, I put my back on the cold fridge and closed my eyes. I tried to make a decision right then and there, but the options weighed on my ankles, drowning me.
"Hey, Kiddo," Carter said as he walked into the room.
"Hey," I replied with a deep breath. He came up to me and pulled me to sit at the stools with him. At first, I held my head in my hands, fighting the urge to let my tears fall. He let me sit there as I lost control of a few tears and wiped them away.
"This is a hard decision," He started his wise speech, "There are no right or wrong choices. As the song says, it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it - that your intentions and thoughts are infused with love and the determination to get things right - that gets results. Whatever you decide to do, do it fully, to the best of your ability no matter what it takes. Put your whole heart into your decision."
I sighed, "I don't know what decision I want to make, let alone put my whole heart into it." I rubbed my temples, getting a headache from all this chaos in my brain.
"We both know what choice you're going to make, Z, just make it before you hurt yourself any more," He advised me.
"And what choice is that, Carter? I have no idea what I'm going to do?" I pulled my hair out.
"Yes, you do. You're going to do what you always do," He laughed as if it was the easiest choice, "What have you always chosen?"
I didn't understand what he was getting at at first, but when I did it was like a light bulb clicked in my head. I had always believed in fate, that's why I always chose the harder version of everything. It's why I raised Brady on my own, instead of asking for help. It's why I packed my bags and left Kaden. It's why I sat here and fought instead of giving up.
"Understand, now?" He asked with a small smile. I nodded slowly, processing the basis of the decision that I made.
"Can you make all my choices for me?" I asked with a smile. Carter laughed at me and took my hand in a fatherly way.
"One of these days, you're going to have to grow up and make them on your own," He smiled, the sides of his eyes crinkling in early onset wrinkles. I smiled with him and then right at that moment, Dylan, who had obviously been easy dropping, spoke.
"Don't you dare parent my princess like that," He screeched. The entire house could here as Dylan complained that he didn't get the advising moment and Carter, of all people did. As much as I love Dylan and his advising, no one but Carter could have helped me come to a conclusion like he did.
We walked back into the living room, Carter carrying in the long forgotten beers. I took one out of the case and opened it against the coffee table before taking a nice long sip of the cold liquid. The boys did the same, giving me my time before telling them my choice.
"I have to try and save them," I told the group; who's eyes all widened, except Carter's, and Kaden tensed underneath me. Carter nodded, knowing that was choice that I was going to make. Jordan took a second to process before smiling at me and giving me an understanding nod.
Dylan on the other hand screeched, "YOU CONVINCED HER TO SEND HERSELF TO BATTLE. MY GODDESS, CARTER, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU." At that, Harrison slapped Dylan, muttering something about going deaf.
"She won't get hurt, Dylan. We aren't sending her to her death, she's trained. Or kind of," Harrison replied semi-confidentially.
"We'll just have to prepare her," Jordan stated simply, "Alpha, permission to train the Luna how to Alpha?"
"Permission granted," Kaden said under me and I turned to look at him. He was conflicted in his answer, but I knew he trusted me to make my best decisions.
"You're welcome to join us. After all, having a real Alpha wouldn't hurt the cause," Jordan told him with a chuckle. Kaden joined in before agreeing that he would most definitely be there.
"Let's start tomorrow," Dylan said with a sigh, "I can't bear to look at her fight. I'm too disappointed in Carter over here for making her fight." Everyone laughed at Dylan and his mama bear tendencies.
"Or he just didn't get enough sleep last night and he wants to be able to mama bear you all tomorrow," Harrison concluded, the rest of the group agreeing with him.
"Tomorrow then," Jordan said with a nod. With that, I showed them up to their rooms and we all settled down for the night.
That night, Kaden held me extra close; scared that if he let go, I would disappear forever.