Blood Moon Rising

Chapter 4

A gentle nudging woke Kassidy from her slumber. Her eyes opened sleepily to find that she had been propped up against Kade's shoulder.

'We're almost there' he whispered.

Kassidy sat up straight and gazed out of the wide windscreen. The moon covered the trees and road in a crimson glow. A long driveway guarded by tall iron gates came into view. A pair of emerald eyes studied Kassidy from the rear view mirror and softened with a smile at her reaction. Her jaw swung open in wonderment.

'Wow, this place is huge. Wait, is that a castle?' Kassidy's voice was still a little croaky from just waking up.

'It sure is' A deep voice from the drivers seat rumbled. 'Welcome home my children'

Kade and Kassidy glanced at each other, their faces reflecting the excitement and nerves they were both feeling.

We have eachother, we'll be fine.

Kassidy heard a familiar voice in her head.

We can do that when we're human?

She was very surprised.

Yes, now we have both shifted and awakened our wolves, we can mind link whenever we want to

This comforted Kassidy somewhat.

Konrad approached the gates with his window rolled down, they were even taller up close than they had originally looked. A voice echoed through the speaker

'Evening Alpha, welcome home.'

'Thanks Roy'

With a loud buzz, the gates started to creek open to reveal a winding driveway lined with rose bushes either side. Kassidy eyed the castle in amazement. Grey cobblestone turrets dominated the skyline, smaller cobblestone buildings surrounded the sizeable structure.

Alpha Konrad veered the SUV off to the right of the arched entranceway and slid it effortlessly into a dark narrow tunnel that lead into an underground car park. He pulled into a space marked VIP, there were now 8 identical SUV's parked neatly in a row. His eyes misted over as he sat still for a minute.

'Your mother' he hesitated 'Karla, Will meet us at the entrance, she is overjoyed to have you home'

How does she know we're here Kassidy wondered.

He mind linked her just now, mates can mind link like we can. Kade answered.

Butterflies danced about Kassidy's stomach as she walked hand in hand with Kade behind Alpha Konrad through a side door and into the grandest hallway she had ever laid eyes on. A vast shimmering chandelier hung from the centre of the 20ft high cieling, the staircase ran around the outside of the room and met in the middle, like something from Titanic. A petite middle aged woman with twinkling eyes and blonde hair pulled back into a neat bun floated down the centre of the staircase. Her bare feet padding gently against the marble. A beaming smile spread across her face as she greeted them with open arms.

'Look at you both, you're all grown up and so much like you father' she laughed, the lines gathered around her kind blue eyes. Studying her face now, Kassidy new it to be true, although she saw a similar smile to her own reflected back at her. Kassidy looked back at Kade and smiled.

'Although we both have your dimples' she joked.

Karla sighed a blissful sigh of relief, her children were home.

'I bet you're shattered, come, follow me. I'll show you to your rooms'

Alpha Konrad instructed a young man to collect the bags from the car.

'I'll be in my office, I'll catch you guys in a bit' he smiled. 'We're so happy to finally have you home'

Kade and Kassidy followed Karla up the stairs and to the left, along a dimly lit corridor and into an elevator.

'This place is huge' Kade gushed.

'We have quite a large pack here at Silver Lake, the Beta's, Delta's and Elders reside within the castle' she smiled, modestly.

The elevator stopped on the 4th floor and the doors opened to reveal an enormous luxury open plan suite of creams and golds. The lights came on as they entered. It was so light and airy. Karla flicked a switch and panel of blinds drifted slowly across a wall made entirely out of glass.

'Woah, this is like the size of my whole house' Kade remarked.

Karla smiled warmly.

'This is the Penthouse, the Alpha suite. Your rooms are just around this corner. Kade yours is the one on the left and Kassidy, yours is this one'

She opened doors that were opposite to each other. Both bedrooms were enormous, with king size beds and long built in wardrobes. Kassidy couldn't believe her eyes. A silk pale pink colour coated the walls and a large white, beautifully carved dressing table sat in the corner, with spotlights trailing the edge of the mirror.

Karla entered behind Kassidy and rested a hand on her shoulder

'You can redecorate if you'd like to, this is your room.'

Kassidly looked down at the grey high pile cashmere carpet.

'It's perfect' she gasped, in awe of it all.

Kade came bounding in.

'Oh my god sis, I have a flat screen TV as big as a truck'

He threw his arms around Karla and picked her up in a tight embrace. Kade was not shy in the slightest.

'This is so amazing, thank you thank you!' he gushed.

Karla laughed warm heartedly as Kade lowered her back onto the floor.

'You're welcome son, as I've just said to Kassidy, it is your room so you can redecorate it if you want to'

They heard the elevator doors open and returned to the open living space to discover the young man from before, worn out and dishevelled with a mixture of Kade and Kassidy's bags at his feet.

'Good evening Luna' he panted, bowing respectfully.

'Thank you Jason, that is all. Please go and enjoy the rest of your evening'

Karla spoke with a smile that reached all the way to her eyes. It was obvious that she was a well loved and kind Luna. 'And give my regards to Lola, she must be about ready to burst by now'

Jason nodded.

'Yes Luna, our pup is due any day now'

'Wait right here' she blurted, suddenly remembering something, holding her finger in the air as she disappeared around the corner. She re-apoeared a few moments later clutching a small glass container.

'Run her a bath with a few drops of this in, it will make the labour much easier and quicker' she winked.

She handed it to a very appreciative Jason.

'I certainly will Luna, you are very generous' he bowed again before taking his leave. She turned to Kade and Kassidy.

'How about I make us some hot chocolate while you go put your bags in your rooms' she twinkled. 'We have a lot of catching up to do'

* * *

Konrad retrieved his wallet from his back pocket and sat down, relaxing into his office chair. He pulled out one of his most treasured possessions, an old tattered photograph. It had been tucked away, hidden inside his wallet for years, always keeping it close to him. His finger traced around the outline of two tiny beautiful babies. The same two beautiful babies who were now grown up and safely home where they belonged.

His eyes misted over as he mind linked his Beta, Graham.

Graham, are you busy? I need to see you in my office ASAP please fella.

He and Graham had been friends for many years, Graham came from a long line of Beta's so it was only fitting that they were thrust upon each other from an early age to become acquainted and eventually, the best of friends.

I'm just in the rec room kicking Marco's a*s at pool, I'll be right up.

Konrad had just finished pouring 2 whiskey's when Graham entered.

'Where's the fire' he joked.

Konrad handed him a glass and held up his own.

'I wanted to celebrate' he enthused.

Graham's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

'Err, have I missed something? What are we celebrating?'

Konrad's grin widened.

'Here's a toast, the pack is complete, they are finally home'

Graham stopped dead.

'You mean?' he was in so much shock that he struggled to form his words. 'By they, you don't mean... No it can't be, they're not old enough'

Konrad nodded his head

'Yes brother, my children are home'

Graham placed the glass down on the desk, his hands found their way to either side of his head.

'I don't understand, how? They're only 15'

Konrad's laughter boomed out of his chest.

'What can I say, they were early shifters. Clearly they are both incredibly strong'

Graham couldn't believe his ears.

'Shifted, at 15? I've never heard of any wolf shifting that young before!' he gushed in total shock. He reclaimed his glass and clinked it against Konrad's.

'To the twins' they said in unison before knocking back their shots of whisky.

'I need you to round up the pack please Graham, tell them to meet us in the great hall tomorrow at 10am sharp' He thought for a moment. 'And one more thing, don't mention anything about Kassidy and Kade, I want it to be a surprise'

Graham nodded.

'Sure thing, is there anything else you needed?'

Konrad chuckled, knowing full well that Graham was itching to get back to his game of pool with Marco.

'No, that's all thanks bro'

They both left the office and Konrad made his way up to the Alpha suite in search of his family. Smiling to himself at the thought that his family was now once again complete.

The elevator doors opened, he walked into the living space to find Karla and the twins huddled up on the sofas talking and drinking hot chocolate.

Konrad ambled up behind Karla, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and planting a kiss on the top of her head.

'If I could bottle this feeling, I would' he exclaimed.

'So, what have I missed?'

Karla kissed him softly on his bicep.

'Kade was just telling me about how he redecorated the dining room at Brad and Marsha's' they all fell about laughing at the inside joke. It was music to his ears, he had waited so long for the sound of his children's laughter to fill the castle. He took a seat and gazed at Karla, she looked radiant and somehow younger.

'Are either of you hungry? Your dad makes the best blueberry pancakes'

The room fell silent as Kassidy and Kade exchange an awkward glance. Karla looked to Konrad, wondering what she has done wrong.

'It's still strange to us that you're our parents and not the people who raised us' Kassidy explained. 'It will just take a bit of getting used to, that's all'. Kade nodded in agreement.

'Of course' Karla soothed, squeezing Konrad's hand in reassurance.

'Take all the time you need' Konrad backed her up.

'I'll never say no to pancakes though' Kade declared with a smile.

'Pancake stack coming right up' Konrad retorts, sauntering into the kitchen area. Kassidy sat back and sunk into the crushed velvet sofa, grasping her cup of warm cocoa tightly.

You know, I could get used to this

Kade's voice dominated Kassidy's thoughts.

I think you might be right

She projected back

* * *

Kassidy leant back against the dining room chair, her bloated stomach bursting out over the top of her jeans.

Kade, appearing to be suffering a similar issue as he blew out a gust of air through his puffed up cheeks whilst rubbing his swollen belly.

'You were right, those pancakes were next level'

Kassidy could feel her eyelids drooping, the clock on the wall said 10.35pm.

'Yes, thank you, they were delicious.' she muttered sleepily. I'll help you clear up and then I think I'll just go to bed if that's okay'

Karla laughed quietly.

'No need, I've got this. You go get yourselves into bed, you've both had a long day'

Kassidy nodded tiredly as Kade pulled her up from the chair.

'Come on Kassidy, you can't sleep there' he mocked.

She padded sluggishly behind him as he dragged her by the arm towards their bedrooms.

'Goodnight' they both called.

Karla and Konrad embraced each other warmly, both incredibly happy that their babies were home.

'Goodnight kids'.

'Sleep well'.

They chimed one after the other.

Kade rummaged through one of Kassidy's duffle bags and retrieved a pair of pyjamas. Placing them on the bed next to her, he wrapped her tightly in a goodnight hug.

'I'm just across the hall if you need anything, goodnight sis'

Kassidy groaned in response, her body too tired for words. She wrestled with her clothes, but eventually managed to get changed into her pyjamas and slid under the soft duvet. Her body instantly relaxed as she sunk into the memory foam mattress, the plump pillows were like tiny clouds under her head. She drifted soundly off to sleep, with the thoughts of tomorrow bouncing around her exhausted mind.