Midnight Moons

Elements

POV: Tim

"You heard your Luna. Let's eat!" My dad's booming voice galvanized the crowd. Wolves from everywhere gathered at hundreds of tables laden with mouth watering meats, cheeses, fruit, olives, and more.

Beside me, Hope nearly vibrated with excitement. Her eyes were huge as she tried to take everything in at once. Despite the tantalizing buffet, the one thing I smelled over all others was Hope's scent. Lavender and sugar cookies assaulted my senses every time she moved.

She turned her head and caught me looking. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Everything is perfect." I leaned down and kissed her nose. "I thank the Moon Goddess for creating a perfect little wolf like you just for me." This time, I lightly brush her lips with mine.

Hope's eyes darken as her wolf peered out at me. Instantly I detect her arousal.

" We've got time for that, baby. I promise I won't make you wait much longer "

Hope licked her bottom lip and smiled at me. "Looking forward to it, babe." She wagged her eyebrows suggestively.

Any further attempts at humor were put on hold when my dad walked up. He enveloped Hope in a huge hug. "A Gold wolf." He smiled at her. "There hasn't been a gold wolf in this part of the world in over one thousand years."

My mom and Hope's parents walked up just in time to hear my dad's last statement. They gathered Hope into a big hug.

"Congratulations Hope." My mom gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"Baby, you're a beautiful wolf. I couldn't be prouder." Beta Connor hugged Hope and then held her back at arms length. "A Gold wolf!"

After we all fixed our plates, we moved to a private table. Close enough so we could still see the pack, but far enough to be able to speak privately.

As we dug into our plates, we each were overwhelmed with the events of the evening. Losing Hope for a time, finding her, the shifting ceremony, confirming that we were a fated pair, and discovering that Hope was a Gold wolf.

We ate in silence for awhile. The pack had run for hours and we all needed to replace the calories we burned.

I chuckled at the amount of food Hope had piled onto her plates. The girl had four plates in front of her. One was piled high with two huge steaks, six lamb lollipops, four pieces of grilled chicken and a couple cheeseburgers. Her other plates were equally loaded with baked potatoes, side dishes, fruits, and a colossal salad.

After eating most of her food, Hope looked around the table. She cleared her throat. "Umm..there are a few things we need to discuss. My faery, Gabrielle, showed me a lot of things about who I am."

"Alpha Xavier, Gabrielle is adamant that I can only trust Tim, my parents, and you and Naoko. She said the Moon Goddess put all of you together specifically to help me."

Startled, we looked at Hope as she continued to speak. "Each of you has a specific set of gifts given to you. She fated Mom and Dad to become mates and meet the Harpers. Because Tim and I are a Fated Pair, we have powers that will be activated when we complete our mate bond."

Hope glanced at me and grabbed my hand. "When the six of us are together, there is a certain power that will be activated. I can't explain more than that. As you know, Mom and I are Elementals. What you don't know is that each of you will also receive an Elemental power."

"Dad, the Moon Goddess told you that the "Guid" Folk are lined up to help. Do you remember that?" Hope asked Connor.

Connor's eyes flew to Hope's eyes. "How did you know about that?" He turned to look at my dad.

"Xavier, yesterday morning when I dropped the kids off at school, I asked the Moon Goddess if we were wrong to have the silver and iron on the school."

"She answered and told me that Faeries are susceptible to iron. She said once Hope changes, her wolf will guide her." Connor smiled at Hope.

"The Moon Goddess also told me that the fae have been gathering for weeks. She said once her fae side reveals itself, her faery will protect her. But she also told me that no matter which of the six reveals itself, the guid folk have lined up to help."

Connor looked at all of us. "With everything that's happened, this completely slipped my mind."

Hope smiled at her father. "Gabrielle showed me so much Dad." She looked over at my dad. "Alpha Xavier, I know that you and my dad met in Scotland. Mom, you have Scottish blood as does Naoko. We also all share African, and French blood."

I looked at my mate's new confidence. I had never seen Hope this confident and self assured. "Hope, what is the Scottish connection?" I asked.

"In the simplest terms, ancient Scottish folklore categorized faeries as either good, the Seelie Court or bad, the Unseelie Court. The Ghillie Dhu, elves, pixies, brownies, heather and water sprites are types of Scottish faeries." Hope gulped her soft drink before continuing to speak.

"Scottish faeries could be good to humans or dangerous. Over time, and as humans took more of their habitats, faeries have evolved. However, most of those ancient characteristics exist in modern fairies."

She grabbed my hand. "Tim, I'm equal parts fairy and wolf. But Gabrielle revealed another mystical creature. This one will not reveal itself unless you or I is under intense duress." Hope stared at me intently.

"Tim, this beast is immortal. If we consummate our mate bond, you will become immortal as well."

"What?" Dad stared at Hope. "I didn't realize what the Moon Goddess meant when she confirmed that you are the one from the prophecy."

"Alpha, that part of the prophecy must remain a secret." Hope again looked around the table. "Each of you was given a specific part of the prophecy. This is why it seemed vague or didn't seem to pertain to me."

I tightened my grip on Hope's hand. "You are everything to me. I can't breathe unless you're by my side. If that means I accept immortality, so be it"

My mom stood up. "Hope, you have given us much to think about. I think we all need to mingle a bit with our pack and then turn in for the night. Tim, your old suite has been redecorated to accommodate you and Hope."

"We will all live in the packhouse from now on." My dad stated. "During our run, we've had all of our belongings transferred here. Hope, all your things are in the room you will share with Tim."

I kissed her entwined fingers. "Please say it's okay baby."

Hope blushed and kissed my fingers. "Tim, from now until eternity, I will be by your side."

I picked her up bridal style and kissed her right there in front of the pack. I approached a young Omega server. "Bring a platter of fruit and cheese to my room. Oh, and a couple bottles of wine. Red and white "

"Congratulations young Alpha."

"Look, it's the Gold Wolf."

"Our future Alpha has found his mate."

As I moved across the field with Hope still in my arms, I could hear snippets of conversations. Hope snuggled closer to me, her lips brushing my neck.

"Happy birthday my beloved. Welcome home. " I kiss her again as I carry her across the threshold to our room.