To Have And To Hold

Spreading Your Wings...

Chapter Twenty-Two: Spreading Your Wings...

SPIROS

Today started like every other day—the same early start, the same busy schedule balancing my work and my family, the same path patrolling our Crescent Moon borders—and then my whole world changed and was continuing to change in ways I had stopped dreaming were possible....

The moment I saw Anabelle, my world finally felt complete. And because of Anabelle, I was suddenly reaching for dreams I had convinced myself long ago I didn’t want anymore—unreachable because my family came first...

My parents and their boundless love for one another had always been the biggest inspiration and driving force behind my dreams. And while I acted like I hated the term when my brothers taunted me with it, I was indeed a mama’s boy and proud of it as my mom was the most incredible and beautiful woman, inside and out, I had ever known. Her love for all of us was pure and unending, but the closeness she and I shared was different, as my brothers idolized our father so fervently...

In truth, I idolized Dad as well. Well known and well respected as a great warrior in Aldric’s inner circle, Dad’s instincts in the field and strength in battle were par none, becoming one of Nicholas’ father’s most trusted and dependable brothers in arms—and when I was little, I wanted to be just like him.

Dad had raised all of us to take responsibility seriously, so when he would tell me before his missions that I needed to take care of our home and our family, I was determined never to let him down. It was a promise I would always keep out of love and respect for both my family and my father and what he stood for in his lifelong devotion not only to us, but everyone in our beloved pack.

Following Aldric’s untimely and devastating death, Dad stayed on in our army for several years longer than he had planned at the beginning of Nicholas’ reign as Alpha, providing much-needed knowledge to our young new Alpha and his own chosen inner circle in their early days of leading our pack. His dedication, as always, was unfaltering, putting the needs of all ahead of his own needs and desires. Yet another reason I admired him so...

I was lucky—Dad also bestowed much of the same knowledge upon me after I surprised everyone with my decision to join the Crescent Moon army. Knowledge that would never leave me and like Nicholas and all those who were able to learn from Father’s vast experience and expertise, I was grateful for Dad’s lessons every single day, even if I never had the need to use much of it as a border patrol warrior.

That’s where I was unlike Nicholas. When opportunities came for advancement, I was reluctant, because I still felt the responsibility to keep my promise to Dad, making sure my family was cared for and remained whole and happy, especially my parents as they were growing of older age quicker than I needed or wanted to them to and my brothers had their hands full with both work and family—each of them having three children of their own.

Today, however, I felt a shift inside, finding myself wanting more. I couldn’t help but feel like fate and my parents were telling me it was time for a change. The Moon Goddess had finally brought Anabelle into my life—the last thing I expected when I returned from my patrol—filling a void I had begun to think would never be filled. But it was—in the most beautiful of ways...

Anabelle’s sweet scent of bergamot filled my wolf’s senses the minute I jumped out of the forest, instantly stopping me in my tracks and making my head turn. My heart felt like it was going to explode from the adoration and love that instantly consumed me when I first saw her, her long brown hair, big brown eyes, and sweet smile capturing my heart, especially when she mouthed out the word I had dreamed of hearing for so long as it loudly rang out in my head, “MATE!”

I know I sounded like a complete i***t to Gavin, who had to endure my rambling links after I saw him standing among the small crowd around Anabelle. My dream finally realized, I needed to know everything about her, though some of what I learned completely shattered my heart. Anabelle was a rogue, which was of no matter to me, because in my heart, that was no longer the case. She was now and forever will be a Crescent Moon.

But then I learned that my mate had been brutally abused by Igor in his tunnels, rescued by Jade’s brother who planned and executed their escape. I was grateful to Maxim and would be for the rest of my life. But the knowledge about Igor’s vicious actions against Anabelle left me incensed—a feeling I rarely felt about anything or anyone. However, at that moment, in my mind, Igor needed to die!

I couldn’t get to Anabelle fast enough and when I did, in my eyes, she was even more beautiful—the most beautiful creature I had ever seen! And when she spoke, her voice—it was the sound of an angel—my angel, sent straight down from the heavens to have and to hold forever.

But the rare anger continued to build by leaps and bounds inside me, especially when I saw every strike Igor laid upon my angel glaring at me by the lake. My little love’s back riddled with the long scarring left from his vicious lashings and further felt when he made his vile attempt to take Anabelle away from me. The life I had built and loved more than anything suddenly feeling like nothing without her beside me. My boundless love for Anabelle already ingrained deeply in my soul...

I scared my brother, Bas, half to death when I dropped the heavy load of potatoes I was loading onto his wagon after Mother’s frantic voice rang out in my head, telling me what was happening to Ursula. Fearing for Anabelle and hating myself for not remaining by her side, I was an overwhelmed, frenzied mess, completely falling apart when my ability to link her faded into complete loss of our connection.

The panic I felt and heard in her tone beforehand sent me and my wolf over the edge afterwards, resulting in my body furiously shaking with all-consuming fury—something I had never felt and my brother had never seen from me before.

The closeness between us was never more evident as Bas and his mate, Genevieve did everything they could to reassure me as I furiously paced back and forth, staying with my family as Auntie requested, anxiously waiting for word that Anabelle had been safely brought back home. My wolf was going insane, begging to be set free to retrieve our mate, even though the effort would have been futile as Anabelle had been taken too far away from us...

All the fury I felt subsided, however, replaced by immense relief the instant Auntie brought me forth and I could once more take in Anabelle’s scent and hold her in my arms. But deep inside, I still felt the burning need to make Igor pay, which is why I asked to meet with Nicholas, who had already anticipated our conversation, deciding then that I needed to make a change—I needed to join the battle to stop Igor from terrorizing my Anabelle again.

I wasn’t sure if I had succeeded in convincing Nicholas of my unexpected new greatest desire. And as I thought more about it, I began to worry about Anabelle’s reaction to my decision, regretting not discussing it with her first. I had made plans do that later this evening, but then Nicholas asked to speak with me, my father and Horacio joining us, leaving me stunned by the discussion—Nicholas and Horacio wanted me to join the search party in Moon Stone territory to help find Igor.

Even in my confused and dazed state, there was a big part of me that wanted this opportunity more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Not only to help and protect Anabelle, but admittedly—for me. I had convinced myself that I was happy in my life—and for the most part, I was—but after hearing their words, especially those of my father, I found the temptation of fulfilling the dreams I had cast aside more difficult to refuse.

Still worried about Anabelle’s reaction, I looked towards my mate, who was sitting with my Mother, Luna Aruna, and Auntie, three women who I admired and wholeheartedly loved. I was about to request a moment to speak with her before I gave my answer when I heard Anabelle’s soft supportive and approving link filter in...

You’ve made all my dreams come true, Spiros. Now it’s your turn. I trust in you and your abilities and will never hold you back from doing something you love. Instead, I will do as your mother has done as the mate of a mighty warrior—have full faith that you will always fight to come home to me and our family.

Those words only made my love for Anabelle grow, while also inspiring and driving me to step out of my comfort zone and strive for what once felt like unreachable dreams. I continued to be amazed by Anabelle and the love she so freely gave—sweetly running upstairs to grab a shawl and blanket for Luna and Auntie, making sure they wouldn’t be cold as nighttime set in, both ladies returning with their own heartfelt adoration and appreciation of her kind act.

As a symbol of my love, respect, and dedication for my pack and my parents, I asked Auntie to not only place our Crescent Moon emblem on my shoulder, but place a second tattoo on the opposite one, the face of my father’s wolf and my mother’s favorite flower together, a forever reminder of the two people who gave me life and inspired me daily, making me the man I am today.

The enamored look in their eyes, particularly Mom’s, as my parents gazed at the new artwork on my arm made me happy. Anabelle was infatuated with both tattoos as well and after I told her I wanted one that represents her as well, she came up with an idea that I fell in love with, making another request of Auntie after she finished all the other tattoos. Soon after, I had words given to me by Anabelle emblazoned on both arms...

Beneath my Crescent Moon tattoo on my right arm now read—

In FAITH, there is strength,

balance, and perspective.

And beneath the wolf and flower tattoo on my left arm read—

In DREAMS AND LOVE,

there are no impossibilities.

“Well done, Anabelle,” Auntie proudly boasted, “I love each of these quotes and they are so fitting to display beneath Spiros’ tattoos.”

“I think so too,” Anabelle breathed out in awe, “I love them, but I can tell from the look in my Spiros’ eyes that he is going to be much like Jace and Horacio, already contemplating more of your magical artwork.”

“I did warn you both that they were addicting,” Horacio sang out in a highly humored tone, “And I believe you may be setting another trend, Anabelle. I’m finding myself quite inspired by those quotes, much like I have quickly become inspired by the two of you. Either of you mind if I steal the idea?”

Winking at Anabelle, I laughingly retorted, “I don’t mind if Belles doesn’t.”

Anabelle beamed, telling Horacio that she didn’t mind at all, a wide grin on his face as Horacio leaned forward to quietly murmur, “Don’t tell Tink, but you may end up giving her a run for her money in the favorite department, though I’m afraid second is all you can achieve—Constance holds a special place in my heart.”

“So, victory is mine! Shall you tell my sister, or shall I?” Constance softly giggled out. I turned my head to find she and Jace had come up behind us.

“Would you consider keeping it private knowledge, Goddess?” Horacio chortled, “I cannot lie to you. I really do love the battles for my affection.”

“Well, I do love you, Horacio. Very dearly, in fact,” Constance playfully returned, “And I can’t lie—I love our game too. So, private knowledge it is.”

Turning her attention to me, she sweetly sang out, “Now, about these tattoos of yours, Spiros. I love them, especially the beautiful way you expressed your love for your parents—and the quotes Anabelle came up with.”

Jace chimed in, his tone eager and excited, “Indeed! Like Horacio, I’m hoping Anabelle doesn’t mind if I also duplicate her idea and add them to my arms. It would mean a lot to me to have the same tattoos as Horacio and Spiros.”

Moving his attention over to Auntie, who rolled her eyes at his eager gaze, Horacio adoringly relayed, “I do like the idea of Jace, Spiros, and I having the same tattoos. What do you say, beautiful?”

“While I can appreciate the thought, this addiction you and Jace share is getting a bit out of hand,” Auntie exasperatingly sighed out, making both Anabelle and I laugh, “At some point, I am going to have to refuse you both.”

“But not today, right, love?” Horacio wickedly grinned, leaning forward to softly kiss her lips.

Her gaze falling upon Anabelle afterwards, Auntie warmly smiled, “Are you quite sure you want me duplicating these, Anabelle?”

“Truthfully, I find it rather flattering,” Anabelle earnestly replied in a bashful tone.

“Then you won’t mind if your Alpha also requests for your words to be placed on his arms?” Nicholas quietly inquired, he and Madeline coming up beside her, “I happen to be inspired by them myself.”

Her eyes widened as Anabelle thickly replied, “Not at all. In fact, nothing would make me prouder.”

Her tone full of the same immense pride that was coursing through my veins for my mate, Auntie affectionately told her, “You are indeed an inspiration, Anabelle—another sign that you very much have the heart of a Crescent Moon.”

************

Anabelle was still on a high after the dinner party ended, asking if we could take a walk down to Auntie’s bench. As The Council was staying in Luna Aruna’s wing, I reluctantly decided to sleep at home tonight, leading me to quickly agree to prolong our evening together. Taking hold of Anabelle’s little hand, I made sure the pace of our stroll was slow as we walked down the path towards the water.

“How are you feeling?” I lovingly asked, intertwining our fingers, “Are you in any pain?”

“I feel no pain at all. All I feel right now—is happy,” Anabelle dreamily murmured, “So many things have happened today, Spiros, but I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed an evening more. It made all the bad go away for a little while. It was nice to have it disappear completely from my mind for a bit.”

“I enjoyed it too, for a multitude of reasons,” I enthused, “Mom and Dad have been to several dinners held at the main house, but tonight was my first time experiencing it. Now I can see why they always look forward to them. It gave me a new appreciation of our leadership and The Council. The way they interact with one another and seeing them relaxed and having fun.”

Anabelle paused for a long moment before hesitantly admitting, “The only thing that would have made it perfect is if my parents were here. I can’t help but feel they would have loved Crescent Moon as much as I do. Maybe that’s why they pushed me so hard not to give up in the tunnels. They saw where my destiny was taking me.”

As she had done many times, Anabelle made my heart swell with adoration, “I wish they were here too. But in a way, I think they are. The way you look at life and your heart. I have no doubt that comes from them, which means you carry them with you always.”

Anabelle’s tone continued to be charmingly thoughtful in her tone, “I love you, Spiros. Thank you for that.” I could feel her anxiousness before she hesitantly asked, “I know you feel like it’s the proper thing to do, but—will you stay with me tonight instead of going home like you planned?”

In truth, there was nothing I wanted more, especially as refusing Anabelle had become near impossible, but in that request, I did feel a bit of reluctance, “Not sure that’s a good idea, Belles. Especially with The Council staying the wing. Like I told you earlier, I don’t want to appear disrespectful.”

“Luna thought you might feel that way,” Anabelle quietly returned, “So, she told me to assure you that it was fine and would also ease her mind to know you are there if I need anything. Though I’m quite sure there is only one thing I will need—and that’s you, Spiros. I’ll always need you.”

I couldn’t stop the humored grin that crossed my face, “And with those sweet words, my mate will get her way. Something that will undoubtedly occur quite often in my love for you.”

We lost track of time sitting by the water, chatting, and laughing about various events from dinner and Anabelle’s excitement that so many were inspired to duplicate the tattoos she inspired, making it quite late when we finally headed back up to Luna Aruna’s wing. That’s why I was surprised to find Alpha Mahan sitting on the couch as we arrived at Anabelle’s room, appearing to be waiting—for me.

His tone as usual was kind when he requested to speak with me for a moment. Telling Anabelle I would join her momentarily, I walked over to sit beside the Moon Stone Alpha, who suddenly appeared abnormally uncomfortable as he began, “Your father is a very dear friend of mine, Spiros. A man I have known and respected for many years. So, when both Faizon and Nicholas assure me that you are ready for the upcoming search mission, I believe them. But I must ask you—why haven’t you made any attempts to do something of this nature before now?”

“For me, family comes first, Alpha Mahan,” I honestly replied, “And being on the border patrol allowed me the dream of being part of our army and take care of them. But after everything that happened today—Anabelle’s arrival in my life and knowing what Igor did to her—something shifted inside me to want to find a new balance in my life. Anabelle inspires me, Alpha Mahan. She supports me and drives me like nothing I’ve ever known.”

A warm smile expanded across his face as Alpha Mahan softly stated, “Yes, I know that feeling very well, Spiros. A good woman will tend to do that, as they are truly the backbone of our lives. And I have to say, I’m very impressed with Anabelle. You are a fortunate man, indeed, and I’m sure feel as I do—that young lady was well worth your wait. And I greatly respect your love of family.”

Pointing to my tattoos, he thoughtfully continued, “I quite like the quotes your mate chose to have placed on your arms. They are good daily reminders. In fact, I wouldn’t mind asking your Anabelle if she would mind me stealing her words myself.”

“I can already tell you she wouldn’t mind, Alpha Mahan,” I courteously assured him, “It makes her very proud that everyone seems to be inspired by my tattoos.”

“Even still, please allow me to ask her myself,” Alpha Mahan politely replied before thoughtfully inquiring, “To ease my mind, tell me the truth, Spiros—do you feel you are ready for this mission? I know you may feel it is a simple search, but I’m afraid when it comes to Igor, nothing is simple, and he tends to bring out a side of me that I don’t like. My own Achilles heel, I suppose. But it is imperative that we find something that will help us find Igor and stop him. He’s devious and dangerous, Spiros, so there can be no distractions—nothing can be overlooked.”

“While I have not had the opportunity to utilize his lessons because of the choices I’ve made in my career, my father has taught me well, Alpha Mahan,” I confidently returned, “And I couldn’t agree with you more—Igor has to be stopped, which means nothing can be overlooked. I have no intention of distracting from that. I promise you, our goals are the same.”

“I can see that, Spiros,” Alpha Mahan remorsefully exhaled out, “Please excuse this silly old man and accept my apologies for my behavior just now. I’m afraid you’ll have to allow me to use the attack on Maxim and Anabelle today bringing forth great fear inside me about my Luminara being taken away from me in a similar way as my excuse. Her life has been put in danger twice as of late, and now, especially with her pregnancy and knowing Igor’s desired vengeance against me—well, I’m afraid this is proof that even at my age, I can still falter from time to time. I fear I need to take my own advice—not allow my emotions and worry over my daughter and grandchildren’s well-being drive my thoughts and decisions.”

“No apologies needed as I completely understand,” I quietly exhaled out, “Family comes first, Alpha Mahan, which is why I am going to do everything I can to help find the answer we all seek tomorrow.”

Nodding appreciatively, Alpha Mahan kindly exhaled out, “I have no doubt that you will spread your wings and fly, my young Spiros, proving Nicholas’ words—that you are very much your father’s son!”