The Little Rose

The Absent Brother Returns

The rest of the night went quickly. Despite sleeping most of the day all of us were still tired and more than willing to put off our trip a few more hours so we would be well rested. It was also decided that Isabella would join our little group; Roisin felt that we should help her reclaim her Lycan and Nullar seemed to be unusually protective of her, so I was outnumbered. I did not know what to think of her, but most of that was due to Odin’s own suspicions. He did not trust her, and certainly did not trust her with our mate, though her being in a separate room made him settle enough for the night to allow me to cuddle with my mate and fall into a blissful sleep. Roisin’s tantalizing scent filling my senses had me drifting off with a smile on my lips.

The next morning when we woke up it did not take long for all of us to get packed and ready for our trip. Golden Crescent was up in the mountains of Tennessee, the trip would take around seven hours by car, which if I were honest, I was not looking forward to. Seven hours in a car with a brooding male Siren, a Lycan who I did not trust, and my mate whose scent had me doing anything but paying attention to my surroundings.

After packing our bags into the trunk of the sedan Gulf Pack’s Alpha had lent us, piling into the car with me in the driver’s seat, Roisin in the front seat beside me and Nullar and Isabella in the backseat. The thought that this was going to be the longest trip of my life was soon proven right, not thirty minutes into our journey we had to pull over for Roisin to lose her breakfast on the side of the road. This continued to happen every hour. By time we reached Golden Crescent’s boarder the trip had taken us almost eleven hours, it was seven o’clock at night, and dusk was beginning to settle.

I had never been to Vespian’s pack, having left before getting a chance to visit, and to say I was impressed was an understatement. I remembered everyone discussing how Vespian’s territory was the largest a single pack owned in the world, and the wealth they had accumulating over the years made them one of the wealthiest as well, add in their alliances with almost every pack in North America and they had been a force to be reckoned with 7 years ago. Now they held an alliance with the only Lycan pack in existence and their Luna blood tied to its queen, if they were not the most powerful pack on the Earth seven years ago, they were now.

Even knowing all I did, seeing the giant brick and gold gates at the front had me feeling a little impressed. There was a guard house there with two guards inside, their faces illuminated by the computer screens in front of them. Another two guards were standing at the gates, no guns in site, but I knew their weapons were their claws and teeth once they shifted.

As I pulled up to the guard house the once closer to the door spoke without looking up from the book he had resting on his lap, licking a fingertip, and turning the page absently. “This is private property, please turn around and have a nice day.”

“Yeah, not going to happen. I’m here to see my sister.”  I answered back, surprised Luna had not informed their guards of my impending arrival.

“And who is your sister sir?”  The guard asked sarcastically as he grabbed his bookmark from the desk in front of him and slid it between the pages of the book he had been so engrossed in, though he attempted to hide the title as he put it up, I inwardly chuckled as I saw ‘New Moon’ pushed onto the desk under a newspaper resting there. What was with the men of this pack and their obsession with Twilight? The Beta, my sister’s mate’s best friend, was obsessed with the Twilight series as well.

“I mean, it’s not a terrible series…”  Odin defended his own appreciation for the series, and I rolled my eyes in answer. We had watched the series with Gracie many times, but I always let Odin come forward for those movie marathons, I was not a fan and he got one-on-one time with Gracie, win-win in my book.

“Luna Slade. Actually I guess she’s Luna Carter now though.”  As I said my sisters name the guard scoffed before raising his gaze to my face and staring at me in shock.

“Oh my Goddess.”  He whispered, pushing out of his chair in a rush and standing at attention, bowing his head in submission. “Forgive me your highness, I- “

“No forgiveness is needed, clearly you were not informed of my arrival, and you were just doing your job. But we have been on the road for eleven hours and my mate here is not feeling so well. So if we could please just be allowed to get to pack house and rest, it would be greatly appreciated.”  The guard looked past me to Roisin, who was curled in her seat, leaned against the door looking as miserable as I was sure she felt. Each time she had felt she could not hold it any longer I had pulled over, each time we had pulled over it at taken almost half an hour before she felt well enough to get back on the road. We had even stopped to buy her motion sickness meds, but they had not helped her at all. I wished I could take this from her, and for the first time since I’d held Gracie’s lifeless body in my arms, I wished I had the healing abilities my sister Luna was blessed with.

“Of course, please just look into this camera here.”  The guard pointed to a camera attached to the wall of the guard house. Doing as I was told to speed things along, I turned to look direction into the camera hearing a dinging sound half a second later followed by a computer voice coming over the speaker beside the camera. “Orion Slade, welcome to Golden Crescent.”

“That’s pretty cool.”  I muttered, impressed by the security measures Vespian took for his pack. Clearly, he took his packs safety very seriously.

“It is, it was installed two years ago, and thanks to our tech genius’s it has always run without a hitch.”  The guard boasted proudly. “Please enjoy your time with us King Orion, it is an honor to meet you.”  Hitting a button the desk that send a short alarm burst from the speakers over the gate, the giant golden gates swung inward, allowing us passage. As we pulled away the guard was bowing again, and I decided not to waste time correcting him on how to address me, instead wanting to get Roisin to Luna as fast as possible.

“We’ll be there soon my Little Rose.”  I tried to comfort Roisin, putting a hand on her pale one, my heart skipping a beat when she opened those beautiful ocean eyes and smiled weakly at me. Despite being sick the entire trip and feeling like crap, my beautiful rose had stayed sweet and calm. “Luna will be able to help you, she has the gift of healing, you’ll feel better in no time.”  I assured her, turning to focus on the winding road before us. We drove through thick forest on either side of the small road for another ten minutes, the urge to transform and run through the trees was racing through my mind. I missed running in wolf form, it was one of the few things I truly regretted giving up when I fought to keep Odin back.

“We can run again.” Odin exclaimed, ecstatic at the opportunity. I paused for a moment before answering, seven years of caution causing me to over think. But all the reasons I had held tight for the past seven years no longer mattered. There was no fear of Odin becoming the monster he had become after losing Gracie with our mater here to hold him in check. I knew he no longer held the killing rage he did just days ago, all he wanted now was to live our lives with our mate by our side.

“Soon, I promise.” I murmured back, as anxious as he was to be running through the mountain forest on four paws, the wind in our hair and the smell of the sweet grass and pine straw drifting around us. The last time we had gone running purely for the enjoyment of it had been when we had gone with Gracie, right before she had entered her second trimester and the doctor had warned that she should hold off shifting again until the babies were born, just to be safe.

We may have our Gracie back, but we would never be able to run with her again. She was not a wolf any longer, but a Siren. I had not even thought of that until now, and a wave of grief swept through my system at the loss of her being able to enjoy one of the things she had enjoyed so much in her past life.

“She can still go on runs with us; she will just need to hold on tight.”  Odin chuckled, pushing the imagine of our huge silver form with Roisin perched on our back, her arms around our neck, hands clasped in our fur as we ran through the forest, her beautiful hair flying out behind her and her laughter dancing around us. It was a perfect imagine, and I could not wait to make it a reality. Roisin groaning drew my mind back to her, concern coloring my features as I watched her shift in her seat to sit with her back against the seat once more. “Although, if riding in a car gets her this sick, perhaps running would not be the pleasure we would hope…”  Odin observed, as worried for our mate as I was.

“I still find it odd you have such mad motion sickness when you are a Siren and live half of your life in the ocean.”  Interjected Isabella for the third time, watching Roisin warily, as if she were afraid Roisin would be sick on her despite her being in the back seat.

Every time I looked at Isabella, I got the nagging feeling at the back of my mind that she looked familiar, I could not place the why of it though. Maybe she looked like someone from high school and Luna would be able to fill me in? Either way the mystery was frustrating me to no end.

“The feeling isn’t exactly the same.”  Nullar spoke up, gazing out the window intently, like he was watching something of great interest. Perhaps he was not used to being in the middle of such thick forests.

“I still stand by that it’s odd.”  Isabella murmured before looking out her own window.

The two of them had been acting odd since we had gotten on the road, stealing glances at each other before looking away quickly to find something of great interested in the scenery we passed. Something was going on between them, a blind man could see that, and I was anxious to find out what it was.

“Oh my.”  Roisin softly exclaimed as we finally left the shadowy cover of the forest and its towering trees to face an expanse of open, rolling fields, a town in the distance looked small enough to be cozy, while busy enough to offer anything you could need. Roads leading from the town lead to neighborhoods that looked almost suburban but with larger yards. In all, the town looked quaint and welcoming, like something out of a hallmark movie. If watching such films with my mom taught me anything, it was that I needed to keep Roisin close to me and happy because there would be a neighborhood handy man willing to sweep in and do just that.

It was not hard to find our way to the pack house. Just through town and up a small hill sat the largest pack house I had ever seen, and I had thought Blood Moon’s large. Four stories tall and painted white with four large columns holding up a balcony on the third floor, blue shutters and a huge double front door painted a cherry apple red, it reminded me of something I had seen in a movie, not that I could bring the movie to mind at the moment.

The grounds surrounding the massive home were well manicured, the grass a bright and luscious green, with bushes hedging the driveway to the front entrance. Around the large white porch were beautiful flowers in every color of the rainbow, though I honestly could not tell you the names of any of the blooms.

As we pulled up and I put the car in park, I began to feel nervous.

I had run away from my family seven years ago, telling them only to not look for me. I had abandoned them and now, here I was, coming back and begging them for their help. Were they upset with me? Would I get a warm welcome when that door opened? Or had Luna only told me to come so she could yell at me in person?

“Are we going to sit here all day?”  Isabella joked from the back, glancing around the car in question.

“I am waiting for him; this is his family’s home.”  Nullar answered with a shrug and an impassive look resting on his dark face.

“I don’t think I can stand on my own.”  Whispered Roisin, sitting in the seat with her head leaned back and her eyes squeezed tight as she took slow, measured breaths. I had forgotten her comfort again; I was shaping up to be a terrible mate.

Unbuckling my seat belt I threw open my door and slid from the car, rushing around the front of the sedan to open Roisin’s door and help her to slowly step out of the car. “Take your time Little Rose, I have you.”  I whispered to her as I heard Nullar, and Isabella’s doors open and shut.

The click of the door opening behind me had my muscles growing tense, waiting to hear whose voice I would hear, who had come out to great us first. Roisin must have been able to sense my unease because her pale face turned up to mine and her eyes searched mine in question.

“Orion?” Called a sweet, soft voice, which could belong to none other than my little sister Luna. Though little was only in reference to her size. Out of the three of us triplets, Luna was actually the oldest, I had been born second and our sister Celeste third. Turning towards the sound of that sweet voice, with my arms carefully around Roisin, I got my first glimpse of my sister in over seven years.

She looked beautiful. Her chestnut brown hair with honey highlights was pulled back into a high ponytail that was swinging behind her, and though she looked more mature somehow, I was not sure why that was, because she really had not changed at all. Luna did not look like she had aged a day, not even laugh lines around her honey-colored eyes, though at only twenty-five I guess she would not have them yet. Her mate on the other hand, Vespian, who towered over Luna at her side, looked older due to the shortly clipped beard he had and the tattoos trailing up one of his arms. I would also bet that he was wider and buffer then when I had last seen him.

Beside them was Leo, Vespian’s Beta and his mate and Luna’s best friend Libby. Both unchanged except for the tattoos Leo had added to his arms since the last time I had seen them. There also were the two small children they held, one in each of their arms. Seeing the children had my chest squeezing for the briefest moment, the image of a perfect family reminding me of what I had almost had. But I pushed thoughts thought away, for now I needed to focus on Roisin and getting her feeling better.

“Hi Luna.”  I answered back, grinning at the matching wide-eyed looks of shock the four adults on the porch shared. I knew I had changed a lot since last we had seen each other, but I had not realized it was such a drastic change.

“Orion.”  Luna whispered again, her lips breaking into a wide smile as she rushed off the porch and ran towards me, only to pull to a stop when Nullar stepped up beside me. Looking between the two of us, I could see the question in her eyes.

“He’s a friend, it’s a complicated situation and I’d love to explain everything to you all, but Roisin isn’t feeling the best and I would really appreciate if she could use one of your rooms to rest and relax. Maybe a little healing touch?” I aimed the last question to Luna alone, imploring her with my eyes to please help my mate.

“Of course, Orion, anything you need. Follow me.”  Luna turned on her heel and hurried inside, her long ponytail swinging behind her. Vespian and Leo stood on the porch watching Nullar quizzically, obviously trying to figure out who and what he was.

“He’s a Siren, he’s with me, you can trust him for now.”  I told the two as I helped Roisin walk up the porch steps and towards the massive red front door. Vespian and Leo both glanced at Roisin before exchanging a glance with one another.

“I didn’t know Siren’s could be guys.” Leo whispered to Libby, receiving a smack to the arm from his mate as she rolled her eyes and told him to behave.

“Welcome to our home, Roisin, if you have need of anything you can let any one of us know.”  Vespian greeted my mate with a warm smile as we passed. Roisin was able to smile at him and nod her head in appreciation but did not reply verbally. “And that goes for you as well.”  I heard Vespian say behind us. “Oh, and you, sorry I didn’t see you.”  Isabella must have finally gotten out of the car, I mused. “I’m Vespian, Alpha here, and this is Leo my Beta and his wife Libby, if you need anything at all just tell one of us.”

“Have we met before?”  Libby asked as the lot of them walked into the foyer behind us.

“No, I don’t think so.”  Isabella answered back, keeping her words short, just as she seemed to do with the rest of us. She was hiding something, and though I was not sure what it was, I was determined to keep an eye on her and figure it out.

“Are you sure? I swear you look so familiar.”  Libby mused. “Luna, doesn’t this woman look familiar?”

Luna paused on the stairs she was leading me up and turned to look at Isabella. I watched in curiosity as her eyes got big for a moment, Luna saw the same thing I did; Isabella looked to familiar for it to be a coincidence.

“Wow, you are the spitting image of Celeste.”  Luna exclaimed in surprise, shaking her head side to side as she stared down at an uncomfortable looking Isabella. Every eye in the room was on her, ever head absently nodding as we all saw what Luna had instantly. Isabella did look just like Celeste, same white, blonde hair, same facial structure, and both were tall and in excellent shape. They even both had blue eyes, though Isabella’s were a darker blue.

“Ah ha! That’s it! You look like Celeste. I knew there was a familiarity there.” Libby said with a look of triumphant.

“Do you think she could be related?” Vespian asked, making his way up the wide stairs to stand beside Luna, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Possibly, maybe a distant cousin?”  Luna mused. “Do you know who your family is? Maybe dad can tell us if you are related to us.”

“Dad? Is Lucien around?” I interrupted Luna’s questioning of Isabella, drawing her attention back to me for the moment.

“No, but he’ll be here later today or tomorrow. Him and mom are coming to spend a few weeks with us before taking the twins back home.”

“Twins?” I had more siblings? Luna blinked down at me and laughed nervously.

“Yeah, mom and dad had Atlas and Atria six years ago. They are amazing Orion, you’ll love them. They have been anxious to meet you and love hearing stories of you from high school.”  Luna’s eyes were shinning with so much love for these little people I had yet to meet, but I had to agree with her, I already knew I would love them.

“Orion.”  Roisin’s weak voice brought me back to our present problem and I held her a little closer, letting her head rest on my chest. That was it, I was carrying her. Bending slightly I scooped Roisin into my arms, one arm under knees and the other behind her back, holding her to close my heart. She was so weak and tired she did not even offer a protest.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry Orion, of course. Let’s get her to a bed and see what I can do.”  As Luna spoke and turned to walk up the staircase, Vespian frowned after his mate before following her. “What happened to her?” Luna asked over her shoulder as she led us down a long hallway with blue and white floral wallpaper and big eloquently framed family portraits, I assumed were of the past Alpha households in Vespian’s family history.

“Motion sickness we assume, she’s been sick since we left Gulf Pack this morning. We had to stop so often that the seven-hour trip took us eleven hours.”  Luna opened a white door on our right and walked in, heading straight to the bed where she pulled back the perfectly made bedding and began fluffing the pillows.

“I’m sorry about that.”  Roisin began, but I cut her off.

“No, you have nothing to apologize for, it’s not like you could have helped it.”  I whispered as I kissed her forehead.

“It is not like you did it on purpose princess.”  Came Nullar’s voice from the doorway. My senses really were on the fritz because I had not even noticed he had followed us, though I guess I should have guessed as much.

At the title of princess I noticed Vespian and Luna exchange another loaded glance, though neither of them asked the questions I knew they were burning for answers to. They were focusing on Roisin’s health first and I was thankful for that.

“Alright, Orion, lay her down.”  Luna said, stepping out of the way so I could step forward and place her on the bed. Roisin looked so pale, I knew she was tired and possibly dehydrated from being unable to keep anything down all day, but it still worried me. Moving around the bed I crawled up on to it and sat on her other side, taking her hand in my own as I looked at Luna expectantly.

“This will feel warm, but it shouldn’t hurt at all.” Luna told Roisin quietly, giving her a sweet smile to put her at ease as she took her hand in her own. When Luna’s skin touched Roisin’s, her eyes widened and locked with mine in surprise. “Her skin is so cold, colder even than a humans compared to our own.”

“Our natural body temperature is much lower than yours, we are used to the freezing temperatures of the oceans.”  Nullar interjected, walking up to the end of the bed, watching Luna carefully, his arms crossed over his wide chest.

“So she is a…” Luna murmured, looking at Roisin with new eyes.

“A Siren, or mermaid in other terms, yes.”  I said, bringing Luna’s attention back to me and raising an eyebrow before nodding at Roisin. “Please Luna, she needs to eat and drink, she’s been unable to keep anything down all day.”

“Yes, of course, sorry. I’ve always been fascinated by mermaids, excuse my fan girl moment please, Roisin.”  Taking Roisin’s hand in her own, Luna closed her eyes and focused on becoming healing light and entering Roisin to heal her from the inside out. It did not take but seconds before Luna’s eyes snapped open and she looked at me with surprise, that swiftly changed to elation. “You didn’t tell me!”

“Tell you what, Luna?”  I demanded, baffled by her reaction.

“That I was going to be an aunt silly!”  Luna laughed, soberly quickly when she realized no one else found amusement in the situation.

“What?”  Me, Roisin and Nullar demanded simultaneously.

“That Roisin is pregnant!”  Luna exclaimed, a smile breaking across her face as she looked between me and Roisin.

“That’s impossible Luna, we just met a few days ago, and we’ve never... that is to say we have not mated.”  What was going on? Roisin could not be pregnant. Unless…

My eyes cut to Nullar, who was still standing at the end of the bed, staring at Luna as if she had grown a second head. “What did you say?”

“She said my mate is pregnant…”  I mumbled, glaring at Nullar when his wide, white eyes snapped to lock with mine. “With your child.”

“Holy sh*t.” Muttered normally quite demure sister her under breath.

“Well this just got interesting.” Leo, who I had not even realized had entered the room, chuckled from across the room.

“I think it’s time for that explanation.”  Vespian said, placing a hand on his shocked mate’s shoulder.

“I’m going to be sick.”  Roisin muttered as she paled further, leaned over the bed, and chucked up what little she had in her stomach all over Luna’s shoes.