My Protector

a trip to remember

Alastair

I had always loved her. from the moment I met her as a puppy. Imprinting is different, when you are trapped in wolf form. All I knew then was that Tabitha's mear presents was enough to calm my restless heart. When I finally was released, and I was able to shift... Tabitha's sent was even more than intoxicating.

I watched my bubbly mate make her way through the crowded airport, with greedy eyes.

MINE.

Hugo growled inside my head. My wolf's true name was Clover, however he was so accustomed to being called Hugo, that he barely remembered to tell mehis name. Now that I was marked and mated to Tabitha I could mind link anyone in the pack. Marking me marked the end of mine and Clover's long solitude. She was dressed comfortably in greatly sweat pants and a dark blue waffle print tank top. Tabby's sunglasses perched atop her amber colored hair, that was pulled into a huge messy bun. Her hair bounced as she walked, and I couldn't help but to picture her breasts bouncing, while she moved atop of me. My mind wondered, as I fallowed my mate through customs.

I vaguely longed for more time alone with her. My queen. Entwined in ecstatic bliss.

I also wondered why I wasn't able to shift back into human form before her 21st birthday. I am sure I'd find those answers eventually. It still buzzed about in the back of my mind, amongst naked fantasy.

There were more pressing matters in the given moment, but in the rear of my mind, a symphony naughty thoughts raged on.

I was slightly nervous to be on the plane. it wasn't like I hadn't traveled before. Tabitha loved to travel, and I went everywhere with her. Just... normally I was on four legs, and she was able to sedate me before take off. Our tickets had us placed in the middle lane across the isle from one another. Anxiety shook me from within, as I did not want to be away from her. Even if it was only by a couple feet. Tabitha's brow creased with concern, as she noticed my dilemma. She peered past her seat at the passage by the window.

"Excuse me, Miss?" Tabby tapped the shoulder of a the older looking lady, wh sported a rather unfashionable large purple hat. The purple hat wiggled as the woman peered over a brochure fr a boogfoot festival.

"May I help you?" She snapped back. I didn't like her tone. In the back of my throat I could feel a growl threatening release. Must.

"Yes, I am sorry to bother you, but my fiance is afraid of heights, and would like to be nearer to me, while we take off, an-" Tabitha was cut off by this obvious Karen. Keep.

"I fail to see how that affects me. perhaps you should have taken a boat." Purple hat Karen exclaimed irritably. Calm.

"well you see, I was hoping that perhaps you would be willing to-"

"give up my window seat, for some big dumb bloke, and his fishy hoe?" Karen cackled.

I was about to burst, but my gentle mate never missed a beat.

"Fine but you still have to sit next to me for 10hours, and I promise you, I will drink loudly, cross my feet, and drool all over your perfect little old shoulder. The entire way there. All the while taking pictures of the clouds while reaching over you, and we had a very, verrrry hot morning, mam." my bride sent a chill down my spine with the icicle tone she took. I made a mental note not to piss her off in the future.

Karen's eyes shifted from left to right, contemplating her seat choices.Clearly concerned with the rout of this conversation, purple hat Karen opened her mouth to debate, but closed it quickly a few times. She remembered the fish from the island. Finally deciding we weren't worth the argument, she scooted out of her seat.

"Enjoy." Karen in the purple hat, spat cruelly.

Tabitha waved me through to the window seat, as dramatically as possible.

You could hear the snickering of other passengers as we took our seats.

"Thank you." Tabitha mouthed to no one, as the intercom came on, explaining the rules, and flight safety protocols.

I wish I could say the rest of our flight was as entertaining as our departure from Hawaii, but I would be lying. There was a flight transfer in Nevada. It was dry, boring, andthelarge airport freaked me out. The last two hours of our travels I was asleep. Flying towards an uncertain future.

It is strange sleeping on a plane as a human. All of this is a little strange for me. I slept so soundly, but it didn't feel I was getting any real rest. I guess I am a little strange. As we landed down in North Carolina, I silently thanked the goddess, that the flight was over. As exciting as a trip through the sky is, my paws craved the earth of the blue ridge mountains.

Asheville airport seemed even bigger, and busting about in the cool, afternoon rush hour. Getting through traffic was a nightmare.

By the time we reached the outskirts of The blue ridge pack house, I was already ready to call it a night.

Our pack had different ideas. I could feel a welcoming aura about the entire place. More than the usual welcome home.

The pack house was not unusually large, but it was far from humble. The perfectly fine five bedroom, old victorian style home sat comfortably atop a large hill. while not overly lavish, the home shadowed over a huge, cottage filled valley. Hidden Valley Pack. Not to be confused with the ranch dressing.

As we drove closer in Tabitha's brand new blue Trail Hawk Jeep, we could make out lights hugging the corners of the wrap around porch.

Right in the entrance was a banner that read "Welcome Home Tabitha, and Alastair".

"Wow." Tabitha exclaimed, as if reading my thoughts. "This is a little Much. Even for him."

The car stopped suddenly, and the door beside me swung open.

"My long lost, Cousin! How could we not have known, you were here under our noses, this whole time!!!" Beccut wrapped his flamboyant arms around me, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Bec, It's still just Hugo." Tabitha chuckled.

"Wait, hold up." I pushed Beccut back to look in his eyes. "Cousin?!"

Tabitha

After the initial shock of fammily secrets exposed, and our flaming gay Alpha's dramatic explanation, Alastair sat staring into the fireplace, in the pack house living room.

"So let me get this straight," Alastair sighed.

"My mother was your father's sister, and Tabitha's mom's best friend. Right?"

Beccut shook his blond head up and down. "uuhh hu."

"And the attack on my parent's pack was orchestrated by outcasts, who were obsessed with the river,"

"The green water lake." Beccut corrected.

"Right the lake. The lake behind this pack house." I reiterate.

"Yes." Beccut confirmed. "They were originally members of the high council tha united the North Carolina packs. Slowly everyone of them fell from power. They became obsessed with the healing powers of the lake. They insisted that your mother was the guardian of Green lake, and not just the Luna. Before she died, she shifted into the lake while holding you in her arms. They never found you, but the body of her wolf was found near the mouth of the lake."

Alastair leaned back into his seat, and let out a gasp of air.

"We can keep going later. if you need time to wrap your head around this. " I reassured my mate, while running my hand through his har. Alastair closed his eyes and tilted his head to stair at the sealing.

"No, my love. My Tabby, I need to hear this." Alaister's obvious discomfort worried me, but I was determined to be a sportive mate.

"Okaaaaay. So the tea is, that you shifted with your mother, by the time you hit the water. The magic of the lake suspended your transformation, and trapped you in wolf form until your mate," Beccut waved his hand in my direction. "came of age. the theory of the elders is that your mother tapped power from the moon goddess directly, to protect you from harm."

"When we found you under the bridge that connects our properties, we had no idea, that you were actually... well, you." Beccut flipped his wrist in Alaister's direction.

"Naturally, my parents assumed you were a lost pup from one of your parents packs. Tabby's dad insisted on keeping you." Beccut's face flushed with emotion, and turned his attention to me. "Tabby was the only person you would go to, and she was only a few days old. Your connection was powerful even then."

"Congratulations, cousin." Alastair slid his hand down his face. "On becomeing Alpha."

Beccut reacted confused.

"Uuuhh, thanks?" Beccut muttered. "That was random. Congratulations to you too. I'm making you my Bata."

you could cut the awkward with a spoon. I don't do well under pressure, and a nervous chuckle escaped my lips.

"Beta? What about Eric?" I exclaimed quizzically.

Eric was Beccut's boy friend for all intensive prepossessing, and he was very keen on being Beccut's beta.

"Eric has.... mated... With a female." the. hurt in Beccut's eyes hit to my soul.

"aww, Bec..." I jumped from my seat and rushed up to pull Beccut into my arms.

"It's okay. I'm alright." Beccut wiggled free from my hug. "I just wanted him to be happy." Beccut's eyes filled with tears.

"Besides, I have my little cousin back, and he's mated to my best friend! I have way more to be happy about, than to be hung up on some 'fling'"

Beccut said fling with venom on his tong. I could tell there was still some twisted emotions stinging.

"I am sure you guys are exhausted." Beccut expressed "exhausted" with a bunch of emphasis. indicating that the subject was over.

"The second story is all yours, Tabs. I decorated it myself, with you in mind. You should head up ang get some sleep. I'm going to bed. I will see you love birds in the morning."

with that Beccut stood, placed a hand on Alaister's shoulder gave him a reassuring look, and started up the grand staircase in the front of the house.

Alastair stood and reached for me. Dry tears still staining his cheeks.

"I am so glad I have you, Tabitha." Alaister breathed into my neck. My heart nearly exploded, as I felt the drops of fresh tears drop onto my shoulders, and into my hair.

I led that grateful, and appreciative man up to our luxurious bedroom, and put him to bed.