To Have And To Hold

I Am The Storm...

Chapter Fifty-Three: I Am The Storm...

NICHOLAS

Madeline had kicked her shoes off, bringing her feet up to rest to the side as she cuddled with me on the wooden swing Jace built for our deck at the treehouse. My arm leisurely coming to rest on the curvature of her waist, I complimented her again, “Well, at least I managed a little mingling between gazing at the beauty of my stunning Alpha this evening.”

“You did, but selfishly, I enjoyed all the attention,” Madeline thoughtfully breathed out, “It was an amazing party with so much to celebrate and so many people to be happy for. Dorado and Giada are elated for Sterling and have already fallen in love with Elara, almost as much as their son has. I love how Sterling calls her his Little Gem.”

“I loved that too,” I softly agreed, “Sometimes fate amazes me—had we not gone through what we did with Amelia and The Blood Horizons, I don’t know how our paths would have crossed with Dorado, Giada, and Sterling, which led him to Elara. Much like Gavin searching on his own for the Rogue Eight, led us to all you girls. Had my brother not gone against my wishes, how long would it have been before we crossed paths—or was that the only opportunity fate was planning to provide?”

Madeline’s words continued to be thoughtful, but her tone suddenly held sadness, “And why did those paths have to cross amidst such strife and tragedy? More importantly, why has fate chosen to force Auntie to continuously have to face all these devastating challenges for almost her entire life? Look at all she has done—all the love Auntie carries in her heart—despite everything she has endured.”

“I don’t have the answers to that, Madeline,” I despairingly sighed out, “I guess that’s why fate is known as a tricky beast.”

Her tone instantly turning sharp, Madeline steadfastly defended, “Yes, well—enough is enough! Fate needs to back off and leave our Auntie be!”

Bringing my hand up from her waist to gently press against her head, I kissed the side of Madeline’s head, comfortingly murmuring against it, “I couldn’t agree more with that statement, my Alpha. But even Auntie will tell you—there’s always a reason for everything.”

Sounding almost child-like in her reply, Madeline brought her fingers up, clutching her Tree of Life pendant Auntie gave her, rambling out in a broken whisper, “I want them happy, Nicholas. I still remember them coming here and telling us that they were in love. That they were one another’s chosen. It didn’t matter to Auntie or Horacio that they weren’t mates at the time because they already knew they were destined to be together. I want them to have that destiny—I want that more than anything.”

“We all want that, my Alpha,” I soothed, running my hand down her long, silky brown hair, “And we will exhaust every effort to find a way to bring Horacio back so they can have their happily ever after.”

Tilting her head up, Madeline’s beautiful brown eyes pleadingly peered into mine, as she devotedly murmured, “Thank you for letting me vent, Nicholas, and for being the amazing and very patient man you are. I love you, my Alpha, so very much.”

My hand slowing coming up to cup her soft ivory cheek, I ardently rasped out, “I love you too, Madeline and I’m so very grateful that fate and the Moon Goddess opened up the path that brought you back into my life—my incredible Mystic Fire who relentlessly faces every storm head-on and is my chosen.”

Pushing herself up, Madeline quickly closed the space between us, her lips connecting with mine in a tender kiss. Her long, thin, strong arms crossed over one another around my neck as she pressed her body further into mine. Our mouths outwardly expressed the boundless love we held for one another in our hearts as my Alpha slowly ran her tongue along mine, my wolf growing more and more excited with every move she made. Her scent of vanilla and jasmine growing more potent as the heat rapidly rose between us.

Slowly separating our lips, Madeline rasped out, “Let’s go inside—for a long-winded declaration of love, my Alpha.”

Chuckling, I scooped my Alpha up into my arms, reconnecting our lips as I carried Madeline into the treehouse where I declared my love for her through several long-winded displays—worshipping every inch of her gorgeous, shapely body—relishing every touch and every feel of her smooth skin against my body, including afterwards, when we slipped into our exhausted slumber—our bodies perfectly molded together—as one...

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

URSULA

Replaying Kingston’s kiss for what had to be the hundredth time, sleep continued to evade me, but I didn’t care. The smile he invoked whenever I thought of him expanded across my face, I decided to go into the kitchen for some water, my eyes instinctively darting over to my coffee table where Kingston’s beautiful gift had been placed.

Walking over with my glass in hand, I reached down and picked up one of the red dahlias. Taking a sip of water, I placed the glass down on the table, bringing the flower up close to my face, my smile unwavering as I dreamily stared at the delicate wooden flower, carefully clasping my fingers around it as I slowly closed my eyes and saw Kingston’s handsome full bearded face. The enamored blue gaze he had given me earlier by Tati’s bench appearing so real in my mind and his words were still so clear...

I am forever in Tati’s debt too, Ursula. By saving you—Tati has given me the most unexpected and cherished gift.

I would never forget the heartfelt way Kingston said those words. I felt the love he infused in every syllable. My heart falling completely open, wanting nothing more than to allow Kingston full claim of the space inside...

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way, Ursula.

Like I told him afterwards, it had been a long time for me too—but I was feeling it—I was falling in love with him...

Rest well and have the most beautiful dreams you’ve ever had—I know I will....

While sleep was currently impossible, I was having the most beautiful dream—and I never wanted it to end. I wanted to feel this way forever with Kingston. In fact, I was wish I had met Kingston long ago, but also knew there was a reason we hadn’t met until now, just as there was a reason for the many storms I’ve weathered in my life...

My eyes opening to gaze upon the intricate dahlia that had been made with so much time and love put into it, I wished for my greatest desire—after all these years, I wanted to love and be loved by a man who gave my life true meaning—to share my life with...

Kingston

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

MAXIM

Honeysuckle—I smelled it heavily this time, my senses heightened towards it—Kishi’s scent—and my wolf was drawn to it like a bee. Jumping off my bed, I opened the door before she could even knock, letting out a quiet chuckle under my breath as Kishi shot me a hard glare, accusing in a harsh whisper, “Again—you and Ayla are bad influences! Hurry up! Let me in before I get caught out here!”

“What’s the password?” I playfully whispered back.

Shaking her head, Kishi jumped up, wrapping her arms around my neck as she sarcastically replied, “Now is not the time to suddenly be cute and funny, Maxim.”

Immediately afterwards, she crashed her lips onto mine, leading me to throw my arms around her slender, muscular body while backing up enough to close my door, losing myself in her unexpected kiss completely. She tasted so sweet, neither my wolf nor I wanted the passionate connection to end. Turning around, I took us towards my bed—grateful I had no shirt on as Kishi’s hands glided down my shoulder blades while struggling not to remove her pale yellow t-shirt—stopping my progression as Kishi broke our kiss, panting out, “Wait—I know you may hate me, but we need to slow down.”

“O—Okay,” I reluctantly rasped in return, “Don’t hate you—just let me hold you like this for a second.”

Her fingers slowly continuing to trail along my broad shoulders, Kishi grinned, “See what happens when I get a taste of bad influence? I got the password right, huh?”

Letting out a harsh laugh, I retorted, “Definitely—and I think you may be the bad influence, Twinkles.”

“Twinkles?” Kishi mockingly scoffed, “One, where did that come from? And two, that’s twice with the cute and funny—I think I need to thank Auntie again for that lantern spell.”

Continuing in my hastened breath good humor, I let out in a hoarse chuckle, “One, between your light-footed twinkle-toe leaps and gorgeous brown eyes, Twinkles seems fitting. And two, I think I’m going to have to thank Auntie again myself. I much prefer happy to brooding.”

Giggling, Kishi replied, “Never thought I would think Twinkles sounded endearing—though I would appreciate it being a private nickname.” Her expression turning more serious, she hesitantly continued, “But—I would like to take things—slow—if that’s alright.”

“It’s more than alright, Kishi,” I earnestly returned, kissing her softly on the lips, “This is just the beginning of our forever, right?”

Smiling brightly, Kishi softly replied, “Yes, it is—the beginning of our beautiful forever, Maxim!”

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

JACE

Peering out my window at the waning crescent moon, I was holding a tearful Goddess tight in my arms, comfortingly gliding my hand up and down her slender arm after telling her about Horacio...

“I know it’s because of Mother’s magic, but it must mean something that Horacio is still alive, Jace,” Goddess exhaled out in a hopeful tone, “If fate had truly decided on his demise, nothing would have stopped it from occurring.”

“I would like to think that too, Goddess, especially after everything Mother has been through,” I dishearteningly returned, “It truly baffles me why fate continues to challenge Mother so harshly.”

“The same can be said about them both—in fact, their struggles mirror greatly,” Constance sorrowfully thought out loud, “After closing himself off for many years, Horacio finally finds happiness in his personal life and overcomes a hard-fought battle where he almost loses Mother, only to be struck down and fighting for his own life and stuck in the flux of fate.”

Looking out at the clear sky, I slowly exhaled out, “Yet another storm—and one that I hope passes soon without leaving devastation in its wake—with my greatest hope being that we find Igor to stop the devastating storms altogether—at least for a little while.”

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

IGOR

Oralia was asleep in my arms as my mind was working on tweaking her ingenious idea for Alpha Nicholas and Alpha Madeline’s wedding, forming a concrete plan in my mind. One that would indeed cause a thunderous uproar not only for The Council’s inner circle and packs, but would send out annihilating winds of devastation, chaos, and change for all the packs loyal to their biased and self-serving rule...

Was my plan devious, vicious, and violent? Yes, which pleased me a great deal as my message would be delivered loud and clear.

Were my methods the very reason Jules stripped me of my Delta rank and banished me from Moon Stone all those years ago? Yes, and the comeuppance for my former Alpha’s self-righteousness and refusal to see that my way enabled us to be the superior pack among the governing body. By invoking fear and proving our strength and dominance, no one would dare deny us or go against us—just as the many men and women I interrogated for various reasons—and even my own men—over the years feared me, knowing the consequences of lying or betraying me thanks to my hard-earned reputation. Deadly consequences Mahan, Maxim, Ursula, and Anabelle deserved most above all the unfortunate souls who would soon find themselves in my path of destruction.

Would I finally prove what I’ve known since my youth? Absolutely—I was born to be an Alpha. And if this plan worked, I would have the opportunity to step forward to be much, much more—the man who turned chaos into salvation as I came out of the tunnels to propose a new leadership regime following the demise of their rulers of old...

A storm was coming—my storm—finally giving me the dominating victory I always wanted...and rightfully deserved...

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

HORACIO

Fate whispers to the warrior, you cannot withstand the storm. The warrior whispers back—I am the storm.

“Damn straight I’m the storm—but who the hell is that?” I irritatingly murmured...

I had heard plenty of voices while being stuck in this damn white lighted empty space. The desperate pleas and words of love from my family echoing out all around me, pushing me to live and driving me like nothing I’ve ever known. The voice of my My Fairy Queen driving me the most with her incantations, banter, conversation, and love—but her heartbreaking breakdown and the continued undertone of despair in Tati’s words were devastating, tearing away at my soul. I knew she was sleeping in the warmth of my arms because she told me goodnight, but I couldn’t feel my Fairy Queen in my arms. That was the worst thing about this—not being able to feel my tiny pixie’s touch or body pressed against me...

But this deep voice, while sounding vaguely familiar, was not one that I knew—or did I?

“Alpha S—Soloman?” I fearfully rasped out, the sound reverberating all around me before it sparked my bright white prison, causing a blinding flash that reactively forced my eyes to close.

When I reopened them, I found myself standing at Lorenzo’s private pond at Spirit Walker, further distressing me as I realized I was right...

His smile just as warm as the picture Tati had painted of him, Alpha Soloman kindly greeted, “Hello, Horacio. It’s good to see you.”

“I died,” I thickly choked out, my devastation only lasting a moment however, replaced by an argumentative fury as I furiously fisted my hands in front of my chest, expletively ranting, “I wasn’t supposed to die, dammit! I’ve been fighting like hell in that white room! I even pleaded—and was sincere! Me! The ass known as the King of Fury! Admittedly, after losing patience, I started screaming at the top of my lungs that this is bullshit, but still!”

“Horacio—” Soloman calmly began, but I wasn’t done—I would never stop fighting for my life—fighting for her, continuing to vent deeply seeded rage...

“Life and passion together—me and Tati—that’s the only outcome I will accept, and I won’t give up until I get back to her. Not now, not ever! You said it yourself—I am the storm! I have always been the storm! And I will be damned if this is how it ends for us! To leave her—to be part of fate’s continued persecution of Tati—part of the endless devastation in her life! I love her too much for that, not to mention I’ve dreamt of the day I would marry her! We’ve suffered through enough years of being forced apart! I will not have time stolen completely from us now, so I don’t care how, but send me back! NOW!”

Chuckling wasn’t the reaction I expected—or wanted—as Soloman humorously replied, “You are indeed the passion to my darling Winged Angel’s life, aren’t you? And I must say—quite the roaring storm. Between my Tati’s determination and magic and your King of Fury side, it’s no wonder you two have fate reconsidering its original plans.”

His reply had my head feeling like I got viciously smacked again as I incredulously asked, “Reconsidering? So—I’m not dead? There’s still hope?”

One answer I wanted, the other I didn’t as Soloman hesitantly replied, “No, you are not dead, Horacio—and yes, there is hope, at least for now. I’m afraid decisions are still being made. But at least I was able to negotiate a reprieve from your isolation while your final fate is being decided.”

My sincerity returned as I pleadingly asked, “Can you at least tell me why? Why was I teased with the life I always wanted, only to find myself here? Why is Tati continuing to be tortured like this? She needs me, Soloman, and I need my beautiful mate—to be by Tatiana’s side and make up for all those years I should have been loving and protecting her.”

“I wish I could tell you the answers to those questions, Horacio, but unfortunately, I can’t,” Soloman sadly replied, “And because I already know what you are going to ask me next, I’m afraid the answer is no—there will be no visits allowed in Tati’s dreams and she will still not see you in her visions. Nor will Raven.”

There was no stopping the despair that filled my expression, but just as Lorenzo had described, Soloman’s compassion continued to be self-evident as he softly consoled, “You will continue to hear them, Horacio. Allow our family’s love—especially Tati’s—to help you withstand your current storm, so that you can continue to be the storm. I will remain with here with you—and there are two more people that I brought with me for you to spend some time with.”

Nodding his head forward, Soloman’s gaze moved, a warm grin on his face as he peered over my shoulder. Turning around, I was stunned to see why—my mother and father standing by the large oak tree, smiling brightly at me. They looked healthy and youthful again, unlike the last time I saw them before they died from their illnesses, pale and gaunt as their lungs failed them.

I couldn’t move—frozen in wonderment—realizing that I looked more like my father, Fergus, than I ever imagined—the same colossal build, rugged face and cheekbones, as well as his salt and pepper hair. My eyes drifting over to my beautiful dark-haired mother, Scarlett, whose blue-grey eyes and full lips had been bestowed upon me, I was overwhelmed—her heart-shaped face with smooth, porcelain skin just as flawless and radiant as I remembered, reflecting the tenderness and love that always flowed out from Mother’s enormous heart.

Like Tati, Mother was petite in comparison to my father—though not anywhere near as tiny as my pint-sized pixie—but still, it brought forth a chuckle as I wished desperately that Tatiana was here with me to see my parents and for them to see her, even if it was only in her dreams. Just so I could experience sharing time together with the three people I have loved the most in my lifetime...

“Since when is my overzealous boy so quiet?” Mother laughingly chided, her voice softening as she lovingly stated, “I’ve missed you so desperately, but have been watching you from afar. As always, you’ve made us so proud, Horacio, and deserve the happiness that you have finally found with Tatiana, my love, which is why I’ve been pleading for your return to her as well.”

“We both have and proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel,” Father boastfully chimed in, “You’ve worked hard and earned every accolade, though devastating losses hardened your heart. But your mother and I always told you if you remained determined and driven, nothing could stop you from achieving any goal you set for yourself or fulfill your heart’s greatest desires. I’m glad you took our words to heart, Horacio, as you exceeded everyone’s expectations to become Beta and fought for the love you have with one of the two greatest sorceresses ever known to man—your Fairy Queen.”

As always, Mother was animatedly jovial as she gushed, “You even fought for that love before it was revealed you were mates, which brought me great joy as the beautiful heart I knew returned, my handsome little man. I find it hard to believe that enough years have passed to make it possible, but I must say—you look quite distinguished with the salting of your pepper beard. And before you go telling me that you’re not little, I will remind you as always that you will always be my baby boy.”

“Honestly, Scarlett,” Father boisterously laughed—something he did often utilizing those exact words to invoke a back-and-forth humored wordplay between them, “The boy wasn’t even little when he was born! Horacio was built like his old man—twenty-two pounds of pure muscle! He was magnificent even then. That’s why I wanted to name him Augustus.”

“Liar!” Mother playfully bantered back, making me laugh, “Your mother wanted to name him Augustus—which was the name of her father’s prized bull!”

“Oh, the stories about that bull!” Father sighed out in awe, “According to Mother, he was as big as their house and had a way with the ladies. Increased their herd by ten-fold all by himself!”

Rolling her eyes, Mother returned her humored gaze to me, “You’re welcome for saving you from that name—and from having to explain its origins, though I do still feel the need to apologize to you for inheriting your father’s twisted sense of humor.”

“I beg your pardon, my love,” Father mockingly retorted, “The twisted sense of humor of which you speak of is shared—Horacio got it from both of us.”

Soloman chortled behind me, “Ahhhh, some things never change—I always enjoyed spending time with your parents—and so much makes sense now.”

Turning back towards him, I smiled, steadfastly returning, “Thank you for this, Alpha Soloman. Being able to see and spend time with my parents means everything to me, especially since they are the reason that I achieved so much success in life. But know that I’m not planning on staying for long. Life and passion are better together as one. And my Mother and Father instilled in me from a very young age—I am the storm!”