Midnight Moons

Fae Folk

POV: Dana

I glanced around my immaculate kitchen and sigh deeply. Ever since the events this morning, I've been as nervous as a cat in room full of rocking chairs.

I chuckle to myself as I think about all the homespun homilies I inherited from my grandmother. Growing up in the south wasn't easy but it certainly was very colorful.

I wish my MeeMaw was here with me right now. I need her solid presence to face what's coming.

"You can handle this Dana!" said my wolf Nadine. "I'm here with you."

"Even without your beast, you are exceptionally equipped to handle this Dana. Are you forgetting what your Gaelic name means? My faery Maeve whispers soothingly in my ear. "Dana means bold in Gaelic."

I thank them both for their contributions to my DNA. I'm a hybrid. My Scottish mother is a fairy and my African American father is a werewolf. If that isn't enough, I also control certain elements.

Sighing, I make myself another cup of coffee and wait for my husband to return. I need his calming presence. Sniffing my mate usually soothes me enough to think clearly. Dealing with my daughter's impending birthday requires me to be on point.

Almost eighteen years ago, Connor and I made decisions regarding Hope that I prayed she would understand. I hope her love for us is enough to forgive us. I asked the Moon Goddess to grant us favor one more time.

"Dana?"

"I'm in the kitchen Connor" Standing to my feet, I chuckled at my mate's attempt at subtlety. He was a Beta werewolf in one of the largest packs in the kingdom. He knew exactly which room I was in. Calling out to me was his way of giving me a chance to wipe any tears.

"He forgets that I detected his heartbeat when he got close to the house." scoffed Nadine.

"Too much time spent pretending to be human." sneered Maeve.

I shushed both of them as my mate walked into our sunny kitchen. I went to him and placed my head on his chest. We both listened to one another's heartbeat and took deep breaths. Connor rubbed small circles on my back.

"Hmmm, that feels so good, Con. I could stay like this forever."

"I know my love" rumbled Connor. "Let's enjoy this while we can. I sense trioblaid (trouble) ahead. Come sit with me, my love."

I let Connor pull me onto his lap. He continued to rub my back until both our heartbeats slowed. His big hands moved over my back and cupped my backside.

"Don't start something we can't finish Con." I stood up and kissed the top of his head. I heard Nadine humming and purring in my head. After decades with our mate, the passion was the same as it had been the day we discovered we were fated mates.

"I know baby. I wish I had time to take you upstairs and make love to you." He stood and pulled me into an embrace. His hands on my back felt different. The soothing had been replaced by something far more sensual. With a groan, he released me and strode towards the coffee pot.

I took in my husband's perfect physique. His sculpted derriere looked good in jeans but I loved seeing him as he is now- gym shorts slung low on his narrow hips.

"Mate". Nadine cooed in my head.

Sensing me behind him, Connor sighed deeply. "Tim is bringing Hope home now."

"What..?" I struggled to still my racing mind.

"She tried to mate with him at school. And she told him she's been hearing a voice in her head." Connor sat down the coffee he had just poured.

When he turned around, I searched his big blue eyes. They flashed black as his wolf Ewing struggled for control. Nadine felt her mate's turmoil and howled.

"Connor."

"I'm here baby." He picked up his mug and took a big gulp. "That's good coffee babe. Pour me another cup and let's talk this thing through before they get here."

I closed my eyes. I knew my husband was stalling. I poured more coffee in his cup. "Connor just say it. You think I'm wrong for doing what I did? What we did?"

"No..yes..I don't know babe. On the one hand, our girl has had 17 years of normal. One the other hand, she's totally unprepared for life as a wolf...fairy...or Elemental. Hell, we don't even know what all will show up in her! Connor sat his cup down with more force than normal.

"Normal? How is pretending to be human normal?" scoffed Nadine.

"I agree with the beast." Maeve chimed in. "The girl is faery royalty. Her bloodline goes back hundreds of years!

"None of this is helpful right now! I grab the coffee things and start cleaning the counter. "Maeve and Nadine think I'm a monster for wanting to shield my children from a mystical world."

"Dana.." Connor waits until I look up. "Baby, we are mystical creatures. Wolves were here before humans. Werewolves evolved for a reason. The Moon Goddess bestowed the power of transformation on the first wolves for a reason. And the Sith, the "guid" folk as the Scots called them have been here as long as there's been a here!"

"I just wanted to protect her". My mind raced as I picked up my daughter's vibration. "They will be here in about 5 minutes. Connor, help me." I buried my face in his shoulder.

His big arms encircled my waist. He chuckled, "Chan urrainn dhomh dad a dhiùltadh dhut" (I can't deny you anything).

My Gaelic was a bit rusty but knowing my mate, I knew he had my back. I squared my shoulders and walked to the front door.

Hope is home.