Ever Cynical

Chapter 32- Sharing Special Abilities

Anais POV

I was shocked when Claire answered Kieran. I guess I hadn't really sat down and talked about much to her. I had been surprised when she confirmed stealth was her ability, and told me how to roll back my aura. I keep thinking she just knows what I do, not that she may have some other information. I know I can't ask her about my parents, but yeah, I should have asked about her and her abilities. One thing was apparent, she was not in any way standard.

Once again, I was grateful that my mate was a reasonable and caring man. Had he been ambitious, a wolf with abilities like mine could have been exploited.

So, she began, taking a deep breath. Moon blades are one of our unique abilities. I just had trouble maintaining them before we shifted. I mean, you didn't even know I was there, so it wasn't like I could teach you. Now that I'm fully awakened, you can use them much like your other blades, Anais. We just have to work on summoning them.

"Other blades?" Kieran inquired. I was hoping that he wasn't going to insist that I not train or engage in battle. I was too well-trained, even by human standards, to simply sit on the sidelines and let people fight my battles.

"Yeah, you know, long life, survival, time on your hands... I learned more than a few different combat methods, but I prefer blades to projectiles. I can use a gun or bow if I have to, I'm just better with a blade. I really loved Japan so yeah, the katana is number one." I said matter-of-factly. I was disciplined, and I'd taken every opportunity presented to me by allies like Ekezeic, Riyoko, and Vidar to learn new things and add to my repertoire.

"Right, you mentioned that you train regularly, and I've trained with you over at the training grounds myself. I guess I figured it was more to move fast than to fight." He said pensively. I closed my eyes briefly, hoping he would not get too overprotective. Being an alpha often lent itself to being possessive, protective, and more than a little overbearing. I hadn't seen a lot of that from him as yet, though I'd put my foot down about training. Who knew if Kieran would change my permissions now that we were officially mated.

Back to the moon blades, Claire said. Right. They can only be used how Anais wants them to be used. So they cannot be used on someone she loves, even if another tries to force her. It MUST be her will alone, or the blades disappear. Nobody knows she is fully immune to silver except Helga, your father, and you, Kieran. Well, and certain allies. I did my best to shadow moon blades and mimic cuts when she was captured so they would think otherwise. It's far too dangerous for anyone to know about the moon blades. The reason those men want you isn't because of them, but some other motive. If your father asks, Kieran, he can know because he saw her immunity. He might question how she had damaged herself as well. Most of the pack didn't actually notice because Ekezeic had made his entrance already. I'd bet the old codger planned it that way, she sniffed in disdain.

"Any other secret abilities we need to be aware of?" Kieran smirked. I had to wonder what he was thinking.

Not that I know of, but our power as mates has yet to be explored. Oh, and Kieran? Claire said conspiratorially. Guess what? You've gained some things from me. She giggled. Guess who else is immune to silver? Well, that and wolfsbane. She cooed. He just stared at me for a moment before his eyes began to tear up. What the hell?

"Um, Kieran, you okay mon coeur?" I asked, not sure what had made him cry.

"It's just... this means they can't kill us, mo shíorghrá." His emotions began pouring through the bond, overwhelming relief being the strongest. "They can't use that awful method on either of us. You have no idea how grateful I am in that regard. I've watched people that lost their mates to it die, and it's just the worst thing I've ever seen. They just... waste away. I was terrified it would happen to you if the wrong people caught me." I moved around the counter, knowing he needed my embrace and my scent. He pulled me close, shoving his face into my mark, breathing deeply, hot tears hitting my neck yet again.

He was such a softy, but I admit I loved that about him. In a way, it was a good foil to my... well, let's call it what it was. My lack of emotions. I knew they were in there, somewhere. I was totally terrified to release them. Centuries of pain were waiting behind the curtain. I also knew though, that to really experience joy, you had to experience it all, and at some point I had process everything I had not let myself express emotionally.

And your children, too, Claire chortled, flitting back and forth in my mind. Goddess, it gave me headache when she did that.

"Well, it's going to be while before that happens, given our low birth rates." Kieran said, sounding a little disconsolate. I stroked his shoulder, knowing how much he wanted pups. I did too, and could only hope we managed to be successful during my heat in the summer. I was so thrilled to think about becoming a mother.

You sure about that? Claire giggled again. Remember, we are the missing piece, ma moitié. There are many things yet to be revealed.

"What are you, the moon goddess? Could you be any more cryptic?" I grumbled at her enigmatic language. I was already done with f*****g riddles. Could nobody just come out and say things straight? Why all this smoke and mirrors?

Maybe ask Ri'dubh about last night. He knows more than he lets on, she said flippantly. I could hear his growly laughter. Kieran sighed, rubbing his forehead. Guess it wasn't just my wolf that liked to be mysterious, and more than likely, was just as frustrating.

"It will have to wait until he's over me calling him a b***h for nearly submitting to your aura. Pissed him off even if it's true." Kieran griped. I laughed and stroked his cheek, charmed by the sparks that danced along my fingers.

"Well, since you've finished your sandwich, mon bonheur, let's go cuddle and rest, hmm?" A purr rumbled out of his chest. "Oh there he is. Your wolf can't help but get involved, huh?" I kissed his mark, and he shivered with excitement.

"Can you blame him?" He rasped out. I shook my head and slid my hand in his, pulling him to the curtained sleeping area. As we laid down, and he cuddled up behind me, his purring continued until I was lulled into a deep sleep.

How was a primal being like Ri'dubh so sweet, just like Kieran?

Kieran POV

As I stroked her hair, watching her sleep, I assessed myself. I felt my senses more sharply, I could tell I was stronger both physically and as an alpha. I would not be shocked to find that my wolf was bigger when I shifted next. He was laready the largest outside of the Lycans. The immunity to silver and wolfsbane, and presumably any other poison she'd been exposed to. Probably stealthing too.

Of course, Ri'dubh grumbled, annoyed that I seemed behind the times, I guess. We shared everything, Kieran. Two halves coming together to make a whole. We are both stronger and better for it. You will heal her, and she will heal our people.

Oh, so you're talking to me again? I quipped. He sighed wearily.

You know I'm not one to hold onto insults from your lame-ass jokes. There is something we need to talk about though. I did not like his guarded tone. It was the kind of thing that made me worry. s**t.

You are referring to the knotting, aren't you? That was unexpected and a little embarrassing. You couldn't give me a heads up or something? Thank the goddess it's usually only once a year when Anais is in heat and we are in rut. He was silent. Right? At least, that's what they taught us in school... I trailed off. It was really disturbing to have so many things be different about me and my mate. I had nothing to go by, basically. Flying blind. Great.

We are different. We can knot anytime we want to, and she does not need to be in heat to get pregnant, he said proudly. We already put a pup in her. Maybe more than one, he said cheekily. My heart dropped into my stomach. If that was true, I would be over the moon. I bet Helga ends up with a pup too, he said. And gets her wolf back before morning. Your Luna's fertility reflects the pack's fertility. Selene told me a long time ago our Luna would be the one to heal our declining birth rate, I just didn't understand how that could be. I placed my hand over her belly and felt the fluttering of new life. As her mate, I would know right away, but I hadn't been looking for it. Tears fell from my eyes. I'm not a crybaby, I swear.

Maybe I was a little bit emotional. Okay, fine, the tiniest bit of a simp. Sue me. I love my mate beyond reason.

So, this is why the obscenely long knotting, then? I grumbled. I was happy, but a little warning, seriously, would have been nice.

Well, I didn't know until it happened, but yeah. And I think it's only the first time, because there was magic involved. It had to happen that way to fix the pack, he placated. Don't be shocked if she wakes up still in heat. Um, hold on.

Wait, still? What was he talking about? Heat? Now?

Yeah, why do you think she was so desperate? She's already been in heat for two days. Nobody noticed because she hadn't shifted yet. Frankly, she would never have allowed me to mount Claire first otherwise. If I'm right... He cleared his throat. Do you mind if I... He drifted off, but I knew my wolf better than myself.

You mean, if she is in heat in the morning, can you mount her?

Yeah, he sighed heavily. But in wolf form. I laughed, already knowing the answer. I'd seen the appreciative gleam in Anais' eye when she spoke of Ri'dubh.

If she wants you buddy, in any form, you may absolutely go for it.

You know Claire wants you like that too, right?

She uh, wants me to have s*x with her while she is in wolf form and I'm... human?

Yeah, buddy. They like it all. He broke out in a growly laugh. Damn. And with that, I was hard. Ugh.