Born in Fire

Chapter Nine

*Kalama*

           It had been two weeks since Elliot Haynes’ visit. I hadn’t seen much of Caspian, as he was busy not only preparing everyone for the trip to Crescent Wolf, but also with his own company, Grant Enterprise, a construction company that held major deals all over the world. Instead, I had been spinning most of my time with Miley, Grace, and Luke, who I found was Neal’s son. Neal’s true mate, Alice had died giving birth to Luke three years ago. It had been the worse time, not only for the Pack, but for Neal. It was extremely rare for a mate to survive the death of the other. A wolf’s soul was intertwined with his mates. Should one die, so would the other. I’d found out that was how Caspian’s father had died. He’d lost both of his parents, after another pack had attacked. Green Grove had ultimately drove the intruders away, but it was soon found that Caspian’s mother, Luna Anala, had died in the battle. Caspian had felt his mother’s passing, as he sat hidden in the bunker with the other pups and Omegas, heard his father, Ethan’s wolf, howl in grief. Ethan died a few days later, unable to go on. At just thirteen years old, Caspian took over as Alpha of the Green Grove pack.

 Neal however, had somehow survived against the odds and continued for their pup. Luke handed me the firetruck he had been driving up my arm. “Are you excited for your trip?” he asked. I smiled at him.

           “I am.” He frowned, he’s grey eyes looking more like that of an adult than a three-year-old.

           “Pardon me Luna, but you don’t seem excited.” I let out a sigh, still smiling. I leaned closer to him.

           “Can I tell you a secret? Luna to future Gamma?” His face went sober, making him look wiser beyond his years, as he nodded. I looked over my shoulder, acting as though I was making sure no one else could hear, before leaning closer to him, whispering, “I’m a little scared.” His eyes widened, his mouth hanging open a little.

           “Lunas get scared?” he said, in awe. I smiled at him.

           “Of course, everyone gets scared. It’s how you deal with those feelings that make you great.”

           “Don’t forget about your people.” We both spun around. Caspian stood in the doorway. I smiled at him. “Having great people around you, make you greater as well.” He came over, taking a knee in front of Luke. “That is what makes a great Alpha, Beta, or a Gamma.” Luke grinned.

           “Thank you, Alpha.” Caspian smiled, clapping him on the shoulder.

           “Now, I believe Nani has put out a late afternoon snack, something with chocolate and ice cream.” Luke’s grin widened, as he took off out the room. Caspian smiled, taking my hand to hoist me to my feet. He wrapped his arms around me. His fresh, rainfall scent filled my senses, making me sigh. Caspian chuckled, a knowing smile on his lips. “I love watching you with them, you know.” I smiled, brushing my lips against his. He grinned. “Makes me think.” I pushed away from him, bending to pick up the toys we had taken out.

           “Oh, what about?” I felt his arms wrap around my waist. He buried his face in the crook of my neck, taking a deep breath.

           “Little girls with dark red hair and boys with flaming eyes, just like their mother’s.” I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at my lips as I turned to face him. Every pup, dreams of the day they meet their true mate and start bringing other little pups into the world. It was a dream that I could never quite envision growing up. That dream completely disappeared with Evan, but now I had Caspian. I finally had the chance to have what everyone else wanted. An image of Caspian on the ground rolling around with red- and dark-haired pups brought a smile to my lips.

           “Only on one condition.” He arched an eyebrow, making my smile deepen. “Those little girls have their daddy’s blue eyes and the boys his black hair.” He smiled, his lips meeting mine in what turned into an intense kiss that left us both breathless and nearly running for the stairs. We were stopped just outside our bedroom door, by John.

           “Alpha. Luna. I was just looking for…” John’s eyes suddenly widened with understanding.

           “What is it John?” Caspian asked, annoyance underlying his voice. John cleared his throat.

           “Julie just told me that everything is set. We can leave tonight.”

           “Very good, John. See to it that no one disturbs us for the rest of the afternoon.” Caspian said, taking my hand and pulling me into the bedroom.

           I heard John mutter, “Yes, Alpha. Of course, Alpha.”, as the door closed behind us. It didn’t open again until late into the evening.

*Caspian*

           Kalama and I waited, as John and Julie said goodbye to their girls. Neal high-fived Luke, before wrapping him in a hug. Watching, I couldn’t help but think of the children Kalama and I could produce and a part of me wondered if we hadn’t made one this afternoon. Kalama squeezed my hand. She had read my thoughts. The girls and Luke went back inside and Jackson held the door open for Kalama and I. We all slid into the SUV, Jackson in the driver’s seat and pulled out of the drive. It was just after seven o’clock, which met we would make it to the Crescent Wolf Pack, Julie’s home Pack, around twelve o’clock.

Kalama laid her head on my shoulder, staring out the window. It had taken some convincing to get her parents to meet with us. Elliot Haynes had told them that she had died in the fire that took the life of his brother, Evan. I knew the meeting with Phillip and Litta would be challenging for my Love. Her relationship with them had been stressed, even as a child. Having not seeing them for two years would no doubt only add to the stress. However, we were due to arrive at the Silver Moon Pack directly after the meeting with Alpha Mason and Luna Mary. I mind-linked her,

“How do you feel about tomorrow?”

“Not great.” I let out a breath, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “They never bothered to try to get ahold of me once Evan had me and now, they believed me dead, but didn’t try to verify.” I kissed her head.

“You don’t know. Maybe they did try.” She huffed, not believing a word. “Try to have an open mind. They could know answers. Answers that could help against Haynes.” She huffed again, knowing I was right. I kissed her head again, hugging her close, as we both settled into the seat for the long ride ahead.

*Jackson*

           I looked in the review mirror. We had been on the road for several hours now. It had been a quite ride, as most of the ranked members had fallen asleep almost an hour ago now. The Luna, however, sat awake, her head rested against the Alpha’s shoulder. I remember the smell of her fear when that bastard, Elliot Haynes, had shown up. Just the smell of the fear had been enough for my siblings and I to know that there was bad blood there, making us step up to protect the Luna without hesitation. It didn’t matter to us that Haynes had accused her of murdering his brother, the three of us had decided on the first day we meet her that she was our Luna and that we would protect her with our lives. She stared out the car window, watching the scenery pass by. Her brows were drawn down, in thought.

           “Is everything alright, Luna?” She jumped at the sound of my voice.

           “I’m fine.” she said, a little to harshly. My wolf, Koda, whined, respecting her dominance. She sighed. “I’m sorry, Jackson. It’s just…” Her voice trailed off. I met her gaze in the review mirror.

           “Don’t worry, Luna. I understand.” She gave me a small smile and I could feel Koda wag his tail.

*Kalama*

           I rested my head against Caspian’s shoulder, listening to his soft breathing and watching the darkness slip pass the window. Caspian had tried to calm my fears about seeing my parents, but in reality it hadn’t helped and my stomach ached just thinking about seeing them. “Is everything alright, Luna.” I jumped at the sound of Jackson’s voice, his dark eyes met mine in the review mirror.

           “I’m fine.” I said, my tone harsher than I met for it to be. I sighed. “I’m sorry, Jackson. It’s just…” My voice trailed off. How could I explain my relationship with my old pack to him, when I could barely explain it to myself.

           “Don’t worry, Luna. I understand.” I met his dark gaze in the mirror again and gave him a small smile. Jackson’s instinct, as well as his siblings’, to cover my back with Elliot Haynes, had not gone unnoticed and I was happy that Caspian had chosen him as my bodyguard. Their growls in the dining hall with Delilah had told me where their loyalty laid, and I was appreciative that it was with me. “We’re still a couple hours out, Luna. Perhaps you should try to get some sleep.”

           “What about you? Maybe we should switch.” I said, even as a yawn escaped. Jackson chuckled. It was a deep sound, that rumbled in his chest.

           “Don’t worry about me, Luna. Koda will keep me awake.” It took me a minute to realize that Koda was his wolf, but he didn’t need to know that. I nodded, letting another yawn loose, as I snuggled into Caspian’s frame, resting my head on his shoulder. It didn’t take long, listening to his soft breaths, before I too, slipped into the blackness of sleep.