For the Love of The Guardian

Reunited Front

The sounds of muffled laughter and music filled the apartment, as Sarah tossed and turned in her bed. Morning would come soon enough, but the restless nights sleep would make the day harder to get through. She huffed and turned over, trying her best to find that perfect position that would let her doze into blissful sleep. The sound of the front door unlatching and her father’s familiar footfalls let her know he was home. The door clicked again and soon she heard her door creek open. A soft light cast shadows on her wall as she could make out the faint outline of her father’s shadow. It was normal for him to peer in on her when she was home, always making sure she was safe.

Sarah’s back was to the door, so Henri missed the soft smile that came across her delicate features. Her breathing was slow and steady, so Henri shut her door and moved to his room. Releasing a sigh he relaxed himself onto his bed. The sound of his shoes thudding to the floor woke him enough to remove his clothes and then lay back down. His thoughts moved to his beloved. Would Jhera approve of Liam? Would she be ok with how she’d turned out?

Henri felt himself drifting to sleep quickly, his thoughts firmly fixed on his dear Jhera. With his eyes closed, he could still see her red hair pulled back from her face. Her steel gray eyes lighting up as she looked to him. It had been nearly 21 years since he last touched her, yet he could still feel the warmth of her body on his skin. He sighed once more as sleep washed over him.

Darkness took hold of him and slid into the deep slumber that his body do desperately needed. When the darkness slid into faint lights, he realized where he was. It came as no surprise, considering his thoughts were so heavily on that of him mate and his desire to be near her. It wasn’t uncommon for his nights to lead him to her, to the one place between death and life that they could meet.

His feet tread across the white stone floor, his bare feet padding on the cool ground. His eyes watched as the light grew brighter and the now familiar stone bench came into view. The white of the area only increased the bright light and allowed his eyes to scan the area. It was the vision of red hair and iridescence that caught his eyes. A wide smile pushing across his features, creating wrinkles in the corners of his eyes. His age was visible, those the vision of beauty before him had never aged.

“Henri,” her arms wrapped about his neck and she embraced him, “why have you come?” She whispered into his ear as he drew her close.

“I missed you,” Henri smiled as he embraced his love.

“Why else?” She smirked, her gray orbs dancing with joy at the site of him.

“It’s Sarah.” Henri sighed, his lips briefly gracing her forehead before he sat back on the bench. His arms pulling her into his lap where he could feel her close against him. “She might have found her mate.”

“And you don’t like him?” Jhera ran her hands through his dark locks, noticing the traces of gray that hid beneath them.

“I don’t know him that well,” Henri confessed, “I don’t trust his father.”

“You of all people should know, that the apple doesn’t always fall near the tree.” Jhera smiled, “Sometimes it can roll down hill and land on whole new ground.”

Henri released a sigh and embraced the silence and peace that the place always brought.

“Have you been visiting her?” Henri spoke quietly, his head resting against her chest.

“Of course, who else is going to show her how to handle the cards she’s been dealt.” Jhera continued to run her fingers through his hair.

“Vera could handle it.” Henri let his hands wrap about her waist and pull her closer.

“Maybe, but she needed to know me for me, not the stories those old men would spin.” Jhera smirked as she pulled back to look at Henri, a smile on his own features. “Are you mad I didn’t tell you?”

“Never.” Henri planted a chaste kiss on her lips, his fingers moving to caress her neck. “I would never be mad about your decisions, and I am sure you had your reasons.”

“Mom?” A female voice echoed through the vast space.

“Is she here?” Henri whispered, moving to rise from his seat, just as Jhera stood from his lap.

“She shouldn’t be.” She looked off in the direction of the voice. Watching the shadow of a woman walking towards them, her dark hair becoming more pronounced as she moved across the white stone floor.

The familiar hourglass shape that matched that of her mother and the confident stride that nearly mimicked Jhera’s moved from the shadows at the edge of the space. Jhera moved from Henri’s side and he noticed the similarities of the two woman quickly. How their hands swayed at their sides with grace and the roll of their shoulders as they relieved themselves of stress. He didn’t realize how much of Jhera was truly hidden away in the poise of Sarah. She had become her mother’s daughter and walked with the confidence of a queen. Henri released a sigh and moved to join his girls.

“Never thought I’d see this day happen.” Henri spoke out as he came up behind Jhera.

“Dad?!” Sarah’s eyes went wide, “Wait, are you…?”

“No!” Henri’s hands went up quickly and he let out a nervous chuckle, “It just appears that we both came to the same spot at the same time.”

Sarah sighed a breath of relief, her hand resting on her rapid beating heart. “Good, because I don’t think I could handle all those Alpha’s by myself.”

“All those Alpha’s?” Jhera looked between the pair quizzically.

“It’s a summit, they want to find a cure to the curse.” Henri spoke calmly.

“Oh,” Jhera smirked to her mate and moved back to the bench, taking a seat with elegance. The bright iridescence of her gown shining in the simple light.

“Mother,” Sarah took a seat beside the red haired beauty, “what do you know?”

Jhera smiled and took her daughter’s hand in her own, “There are forces that are going to come against you.”

Sarah slowly looked from her mother to her father and back again.

“I am going to guess they already have begun.” Jhera sighed, “You are the key to breaking the curse, but now in how many would think. I can’t give you details, because it will change the outcome. I am sorry my star.” Jhera kissed the back of her daughter’s hands. “Know that your Guardian was chosen by the Crescent Goddess herself. He was born the night of the curse, and carries with him the mark of the protector. You will trust him without knowing.”

“Liam?” Sarah exhaled his name and to her father. “Maybe he’s not my mate?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart.” Henri touched his daughter’s shoulder. “We’ll have to do some digging.”

Sarah nodded slowly, her black her swaying and causing several strands to move in front of her face. Jhera’s fingers came up and brushed them behind her ear, letting Sarah’s gray eyes shine brightly.

“Trust your gut and your wolf. There is nothing move important then what you feel deep within yourself.” Jhera smiled to her daughter as she lifted Sarah’s chin with a crooked finger. Her brow tensed with emotions as she continued, “I wish I could spare you from the trials you are about to face.”

“You both raised me well.” Sarah smiled up to her father, “I can handle pack politics and be the best advocate for our people.” Her eyes shifted to her mother, “Yet I am still a warrior and protector, a force to be reckoned with.” She half smirked as her eyes flashed purple and then turned steel gray again.

The sound of her parents laughter warmed her heart more then she could ever express. Her soul longed for days like this, where the three of them were together, united as a family. She knew their time was coming to an end and soon she would have to face the dawn of another day. Even now, she could see the bright light beginning to dim as their time ended.

“So soon?” Henri asked, as he pulled his mate from her seat and into his arms.

“Yes, my love.” Her head rested against him as they held each other tight.

Sarah let a tear fall down her cheek, “Will it ever be possible to bring you back?”

Jhera looked to her daughter, the brilliant mastermind that she was. “I don’t know, my dear. I can only focus on enjoying the moments we do have.” She pulled her daughter into her arms. “I love you with all the power of the sun.”

“And I love you with all the light of the moon.” The pair pulled away, just as the light began to visibly darken.

“Jhera,” Henri pulled her close to him, his lips pressing against hers. “I love you.” His voice a whisper in the dimming light.

“I love you, Henri, with all the strength in my soul.” Her lips pressed against his once more, just as darkness enveloped the space.

Sarah shot up in bed, her heart racing her pulse pounding in her ears. Her breathing was heavy as she felt the clammy sweat about her flesh. Exhaling one deep breath, she fell back against her pillow with a thud. Morning was starting to beam through her window and she knew her alarm would soon fill her ears.

As if on cue, the crazed beeping of her alarm clock captured her attention. She rose from bed and hit the off button. Best just get up now. Sarah spoke to herself and her wolf, letting their communication open as she moved to her bathroom for a shower.

Did you enjoy the visit with your mother? Scarlet’s sweet voice filled her heart.

I did, it was nice to see my parents together. Sarah paused as she turned on the shower, Have they been meeting often?

Of course they have. Soul-bound mates will never leave each other.

Soul-bound? Sarah disrobed and stepped into the steaming water, letting it wash over her.

Yes, soul-bound mates are two haves of one soul. It’s not common, but it can happen.

How do you know if you’re soul-bound? Sarah began to scrub the dirt from her skin.

They are drawn to each other, like a hurricane to water, they are made for each other.

Sarah let the thought of a soul-bound mate sink in as she scrubbed her black hair clean. The smell of honeysuckle and coconut filling the shower.

Do we have a soul-bound mate? Sarah couldn’t help but ask, the strange desire ti know filling her.

I can’t answer that, moonbeam. I wish I could, if nothing else then to ease your mind.

Sarah sighed, nodding to herself as she slowly turned off the water and stepped from the shower. The smell of coffee filled her nostrils and she knew her father was up now too. Her attire for the day was a careful choice of colors and fabric. She needed to be able to work and move in what she wore, but it couldn’t be revealing or too form fitting. Normally arriving to work in yoga pants and a tank top was common, as her coveralls would protect her. Today was different, she would have to meet with the Alliance before going to work.

Leaving her room in simple blue jeans, dark gray shirt that fit just loose enough to flow and steel toed black boots, in search of coffee. The small kitchen to their apartment was just big enough for two people to stand in. The small fridge was usually stocked with snacks and drinks, as well as creamer for their coffee. The cupboards held only three sets of everything, ensuring they didn’t have much to do in the way of dishes.

Sarah pulled a mug from a cupboard and poured herself a cup of coffee, watching as her creamer swirled with the dark liquid.

“Sarah?” Henri called out from down the hallway.

“In here!” Sarah replied, as she lifted her cup to her lips.

“Oh, you’re already up.” Henri moved to gather his cup from the counter. “I wanted to talk with you about Zane.”

The loud groan that came from Sarah’s lips expressed every ounce of emotion she had toward the vile male. She sunk back against the counter edge, her mug between her hands as her hips rested on the counter’s edge.

“I know you don’t like, and you don’t have.” Henri leaned against the apposing counter, “I do need you to apologize to him.”

“What?” Her eyes went wide and the hint of purple played about her pupils, “I am not going to apologize to that misogynistic pig!”

“Just try to, his father was supposed to speak with him today.”

“Ya, his dad doesn’t like me so it’s not like he’d say anything worth while.” Sarah sighed and sipped at her mug.

“Sarah…” Her father’s eyes narrowed in on her. “Will you try?”

“I will make an attempt to play nice and apologize,” she lifted her weight from the counter and pointed to her father, “but I don’t promise anything.”

Henri smirked at the feisty young woman, seeing Jhera’s own confidence and stubbornness in their daughter. “I would expect nothing less.”

 The pair smiled and finished their coffee in relative peace. There was some small discussions of the auto shop and what needed to be done that day, which would lead them into the discussion of the summit.

“So you won’t be joining us for the morning meeting?” Henri confirmed, as he washed his mug.

“Correct, I need to get Ruby ready for when Denver comes by. He’s doing some more field tests tomorrow morning.” Sarah handed her mug to her father, “We think we figured out the issue with the new shocks and I may have fixed the electrical routing that was causing the air breaks to disengage.”

“Good, I know Denver has spent years tinkering on that beast.”

“She’s a beauty, the envy of the shop right now.”

The pair laughed and began the walk down to breakfast.

“I move that only the Alpha’s meet this morning, but I want you present in the meeting after lunch.”

“Do you really need me there?”

“I don’t know, Sarah, but I want you to be prepared to handle things around here.”

Sarah looked to her father, taking in his relaxed stance. “Are you not telling me something?”

“No, I just want to start handing you some the responsibilities around here.” He smiled, placing his hand confidently on her shoulder, “I know you’re ready for more.”