A Wolf's Honour

Chapter 5. All in this together

We are just around the corner.

Zachari allowed the mind link to come in knowing it was Lachlan giving him a heads up so he could warn everyone else as well. He smiled and then turned, looking around at everyone that was there. They were back in the old family home, a very loved home and a very well-protected place to live. Not that they would all be staying there, but for the afternoon, it was going to be worth it having them all there.

“They are almost here!” Zachari called out to everyone.

With his words, everyone got themselves organised, into positions, so they could see when Lachlan and Winter came through to the living area, but they would not see them right away, even though Lachlan would know they were there. Zachari looked around the large living spaces. Himself, Jake, his mother and sister, Koby and Corrie and Alpha John, Izmal and Izaball were in the kitchen area. Sir Victor, Randel, Timbal and his three sons, Alin, Juan and Malik and their wives and children were in the dinning area. Jaden, Samantha, Kathy and a few other staff and clan members who knew Winter were to the side of the living space. Adam and Tilly were still heading home from their trip, so they were not there yet, but would still pop in after.

Falling into silence, they heard the sound of a car pulling into the garage, all their own cars were moved form the drive already and parked where it was not an obvious site that something was going on. It was not long before they could hear Lachlan leading Winter into the house, the fact that everyone present had good hearing, it was not a surprise they could hear things.

“This was the home I grew up in.” Lachlan was telling her. “I want us to live here, as a family, I want our children to grow up and enjoy this place as much as I did. I hope, you do not mind I made this choice. I hope you love it.”

“I already love how it looks from the outside, I am sure I’ll love what is inside.” Winter replied softly.

“I am sure you will love what is inside.” Lachlan said.

Zachari looked at Jake and they both grinned, they could picture it well. Winter feeling shy and flushed red in the cheeks, a sweet smile on her lips and she looked at Lachlan with stars in her eyes, loving everything he was doing for her. Lachlan looking charming and loving, a sexy grin playing on his lips and a loving look in his eyes, as he spoke and guided Winter carefully through the garage. They likely were holding one baby each, a happy little family.

Everyone listened, waiting, as they heard the foots steps of the two leave the garage and enter the house into the entry hall. They heard a breath intake, likely Winter, feeling surprised by the extent of what she was seeing already and it was only the entrance hall. Zachari wanted to move, to go out there and jump at her into a big bear hug, yet he knew he had to wait. They waited six month, he could wait another five minutes he was sure.

As the seconds passed and they waited the anticipation seemed to be making all of them shift. Zachari had a feeling that maybe Winter would be able to sense them if they moved, even breathed, so he tried to hold his breath, causing Jake to raise a brow at him, so he gave up and let out the breath of air slowly, right at the same time, they heard Lachlan tall Winter he wanted to show her to the large living area. She accepted and they could hear the footsteps approaching, heavier ones before lighter ones, Lachlan was going to enter in first.

They were ready and the moment Lachlan walked into the main living area, glancing at them all and giving a nod, they saw Winter follow behind. As Zachari had suspected, each were holing one of the little babies in their arms. The one Lachlan held had a small pink hat and the one Winter held wore a small blue hat. It made things very obvious as to which was which of the two and Zachari had to wonder who thought of the idea to do that or was it simply a coincident.

Though, that was something they could figure out later. For the moment that Winter entered the living area, with the room originally silent, everyone else stepped forwards and cheerfully greeted her in a welcome.

“Welcome home Winter!” they all cheered.

Zachari could see the red flare up in her cheeks, but a small smile graced her lips. She was shocked, surprised, embarrassed, but she was happy too, happy clearly to see everyone and that they were all there.

“I know a lot has happened in a short time for you, but we wanted to welcome you home as it has been so long for us.” Jake spoke up approaching her.

“We missed your face.” Zachari added stepping up and holding Jakes hand.

“I missed you all too!” Winter said, almost tearful. “Honestly, it was kind of like the Enlightening, I was there in mind, but could not do anything in body.”

“How boring.” Shar-Lee said with a grin.

“Maybe… now I know all your secrets.” Winter said teasingly.

The room fell into a small joyful laugh, before they all started moving even closer and started welcoming her home individually, hugging, shaking hands and as nobody could help it when it came to babies, they all wanted to have a little cuddle with the two new twins of their family.

Questions were asked and answers were given. Sir Victor was very keen in hearing more about Winter’s healing and Timbal was more keen to hear about the protection spell she used on herself, as Koby had tried to explain it but coming directly from her was better for him to understand. How it was a magical shield that encased her physical being in a safe shield, to technically keep it functioning so that the babies could live, even if she was expecting herself to die. Zachari was shocked hearing her speak of that as they gathered around the table and started dishing up food and talked.

He could tell that Lachlan was not very happy with this part of the story of what she had done, that he was sad knowing how close it would have been. Yet, because she was different to normal wolves, normal witches and normal vampires, it seemed even her own magic proved her wrong, surprised her. She was not sure how it all worked herself, but after Timbal and Koby both had a further discussion with Winter about it all, they came to the conclusion, that while the bullet would have killed her, because she used the protection spell, her body was able to heal from the toxins embedded in that bullet over the six months she was laying in that hospital bed.

It was a pretty impressive thing for somebody to do, and they once again got to understand how different and how special the young girl was…. Well, she was not really a girl now… she was nineteen, pretty much an adult in normal worlds and defiantly an adult in their worlds. Normally hitting the age of sixteen was adult enough. Considering Winter was a very mature person, her personality was much older then a normal nineteen year old, she was just small in size wise that made her seem a lot younger then she actually was and why he kept thinking her as a young girl and not a woman. She was going to be his sister in law, she was a mother now. After everything she had been through, this was perfect for her, like a perfect new start.

Throughout their welcome home dinner, everyone was able to catch up and talk and just really enjoy themselves. A few times it was clear that Winter got embarrassed about things and Lachlan was protective of her, but it was all in good fun. Most started to leave after a few hours, Timbal, Jakes father Alin and the other two witch sons stayed behind a little longer to spend more time with Winter. They kept saying she reminded them so much of her mother Alinda, how much they missed her and wished they had been able to find her.

It was interesting, because Zachari finally got to hear a bit of insight to what happened in the past and why nobody had found Alinda and her children. Firstly, after the attack, the first thought was that she was dead. They had looked for her for years, but they could never find her. Not by blood magic, not by earth magic, not even by a bit of dark magic. Nothing worked to find Alinda and the result they expected was she was dead. It was obvious now, with confirmation that Vince had given them while Winter was in hospital, that Hugh Blood had used a lot of magic and tricks to keep her hidden, even when he kidnapped her again from Sir Victor, he had used all means to make sure nobody went looking for her. It was sad, knowing that if they had continued to look they may have had a break through, but nobody could be sure, so all they could do was accept the past and now look forth to the future, with Winter being alive, safe and sound with them, and now the two little baby twins.

As the night got late, Zachari was sitting on the couch in the living space, Jake next to him, and he was holding baby Nathaneal, rocking him slightly in his sleep. Winter was sitting on the couch across from them, Lachlan next to her and he was holding baby Alinda. It was just the four of them plus the two babies, the air was quiet and calm and Zachari felt like nothing could ever take this peace away again.

“So, where are you two staying right now?” Winter asked.

“The pent house….” Jake said with a shiver.

“None of use think it is a good idea.” Lachlan said with a sigh.

“Is there any where else you can stay? If you feel uncomfortable there?” Winter questioned thoughtfully.

“We are looking for a nice apartment.” Jake said with a smile.

“Why not stay here?” Lachlan asked.

“No! We couldn’t impose on you like that.” Zachari said shaking his head.

“Seriously, you two are like, live in best friends, brothers.” Winter stated. “It would be our honour for you to stay with us for now. Honestly, from the looks of things, this place is massive after all.”

“Are you sure though, like you have missed six months and now have two babies to take care of.” Jake said shaking his head.

“And if you two stay we’ll have two live in babysitters to help us.” Lachlan grinned.

They were silent for a moment and then they all shared a laugh, it was true thought. Zachari could see it in the expressions of Winter and Lachlan they both would rather the boys stay with them then stay that the Pent House, a place that was now tainted with danger and death, something neither of them wanted reminders of. Even so, Zachari was also certain that they had already had a discussion because it seemed they were very prepared for the offer then just having a random thought about it. He would not be surprised if they already agreed to let the boys stay and made sense as to why Winter bought up the question.

It was a great idea, in fact he would love to, being back in the family home, staying and hanging around with family meant a great deal to them and he would not be surprised if it was to happen further down the track. It meant he would be able to enjoy quality time with his old brother, with Winter and now with his new niece and nephew. He was excited and he looked to Jake who looked stunned but also happy and he knew what Jake was thinking. He knew the thought that was in both their minds, not that it mattered, but he would voice the thought as a joke.

“Ok, we’ll stay…. As long as we can be the God fathers!” he grinned.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Winter laughed.

“Welcome home brother!” Lachlan grinned.

“Let the fun times begin!” Jake smirked.