Microsoft Word - Book 12 FINAL Read online

  "I’m sorry Alpha. I should never have taken that tone with you.” She said as she looked beyond Cami to speak to the man still seated at the table. Quin bowed his head in acceptance, and then she heard a laugh from the other side of the room. When she turned, she saw Skye, the woman she met the other night putting a hand over her mouth and then the woman said.

  "Sorry, that was just funny. I have learned in my short time being here in Milliken, that it’s like a big family around here and Quin is like the dad. We give him the respect he deserves, but we also are free to express ourselves freely. Heck the other day I called him an asshole for throwing a ball of yarn at Argus as a joke. We’re one big happy family. I know your parents mean a lot to you, just think of us as your crazy third cousins who you had never met before. You can talk about us at the BBQ, and we won't care. Bubba over there loves it when you talk mean to him; I think its defect or something."

  Shea looked toward Quin when she called him 'Bubba' and almost laughed out loud when he winked at Skye. These people obviously have come to care about each other and had, in fact, become a family themselves. She felt the longing of having someone to confide in or hang out with. Over the last few years, she had not been able to do that really. Her agent had made sure that she was left alone when she was working, and she had security when she was out and about.

  It was a lonely life she thought and looked at the men who stood next to her. Would they be able to handle all the baggage that came along with her? She was very well-known and though sometimes she wanted to quit it all and bury her head in the sand and sleep for weeks, most of the time she loved her job. And she wouldn’t want to give it up because of some kinda of weird destiny thing. Shea could give up the loneliness but not the career.

  "I don't really know what to do with all of this.” She whispered. Holding her head up, she looked at each of them in the eyes and then said. "Dalton, you are a Sidhe which tend to be social creatures. The Fae are not; we keep to ourselves and in small groups if any groups at all. I don't know how to respond to all of this."

  Griff pulled her to his side; Lev wrapped his arm around both of them from behind, and they both cuddled her gently. "Hey my fair winged mate,” Griff said in his Irish brogue accent. "We don't want to change you. We want to love you and help you any way we can. How about we take this one step at a time first we find your parents, and then we’ll go from there."

  Lev kissed the top of her head and said. "They want to come with you because they all want to make sure you have support of friends in case something happens, and you need them. Not that anything bad will happen, but they want you to feel supported."

  Shea looked around the room and saw the people agreeing with what Lev had said, and she relaxed a little.

  Cami laughed and said, "plus I’ve always wanted to go into a pub and ask for a Pint!'"

  Shea giggled and said, "You will certainly be popular over there."

  Cami turned and grinned at her mates who were rolling their eyes and Jo, who was clapping and cheering at the sound of being able to go to a pub.

  "Not fair," Jordan grumbled and then shrieked when one of her mates pinched her arm.

  "You can wait." He said sternly. "After the other night, I would have thought you would be off drinking for a while."

  Jordan snorted and said, "Not girl’s night drinking."

  The men groaned and put their hands in their heads while the women all sat back and laughed. This was going to be so much fun she thought; these people would certainly make life interesting if she truly was one of the Chosen.

  Dalton stepped up again and said, "People we are going to have to coordinate, I know the last time I tried to do this it took the whole room with me. Though under completely different circumstances since I was stressed, however, I think the best way is for everyone not going to leave and only the people who are traveling will be in the same room."

  Many of the groups of people stood and began to talk briefly before one by one they came by her and wished her luck. Lev and Griff stood by her side and held on to her hands. When the last of the Council left the room, all that remained was the twelve that were going.

  Cami put her hand to her curly hair and said. "I wish I would have been able to get a cut before we went traveling."

  Jo chuckled and said, "At least the permanent marker came off."

  Cami growled at her best friend and then they both laughed. Yesterday when Cami had burst into her house, Jo had hidden for an hour moving from house to house hiding from Cami's nose. When she finally caught, her Cami was so tired they had taken a nap together with Ruby, who had still been in bed. Their mates had all watched an action movie in Levi and Reggie’s man cave room and then grilled steaks.

  Quin stepped in between the two women and looked at Dalton. "How are we going to do this?"

  Dalton looked around and grinned. "We hold hands,” he said and all of them joined hands, stood in a circle, and looked at him for guidance. Dalton then said, "Then we will say together as we click our heels three times, ‘There's no place like home’.”

  Jaden frowned and looked at the others who stared at Dalton seriously. Then Jaden said, "You dumbass, I should have killed you when I first saw you again."

  The rest of the group groaned and let go of each other's hands and laughed as Dalton ran from Jaden, who was ready to beat the shit out of him.

  "Children!" Quin barked, and the two men stopped.

  "Sorry, a little tension reliever..." Dalton said sheepishly and then went and stood back with the rest of the group. "Really, we do have to hold hands, but that is so when we pop into Ireland no one will fall on their asses."

  Quin nodded and then looked around at the group who were eyeing Dalton warily. He held out his hand again, and his mates grabbed it. Dalton closed his eyes and then opened one eye and looked at Shea. "Shit, I forgot to ask where we’re going and who we are looking for."

  Jaden growled again and took a step forward, but his mates held him back Shea looked at him wide-eyed as if she could not believe he was actually a Sidhe, and she cleared her throat before saying. "The town closest to my village called is called, Kilkee, it’s on the South Eastern shore of the island. My parent's names are Maggie and Tommy Bryne.

  They live in a small village that only the clan resides in called Moher."

  Dalton closed his eyes again and then whispered the names of the places he wanted to go; Shea felt the magic flow around them, and something pulled at her. She closed her eyes, so she would not get sick. Some people she knew had traveled with a Sidhe before and claimed it reminded them of a roller coaster.

  She had no more than closed her eyes and concentrated on not throwing up when she felt the ground shift beneath her, and then she felt the cool breeze coming off the ocean.

  She took a deep breath and sighed; she was home. The smell of the salt air and the Irish soil was unmistakable. Happily, she opened her eyes and saw them all still standing in a group holding hands with their eyes closed. She wished she had kept them open now, seeing the countryside in Ireland for the first time in five years made her long for her mother's cooking and the smell of ale on her father's breath.

  "That was so cool." Cami said wondrously and turned around to see their surroundings.

  "Oh my Gods I’m in Ireland, and I didn’t have to get a passport. Dalton you are amazing; I totally am going to make you help me plan the next group vacation we need to take, but this time all of us need to come."

  Quin coughed and looked at Shea, "Sorry, my mate tends to get a little over the top.

  Which way do we go?"

  "This way, my parent's cottage is just over the hill," she said and smiled.

  As the group all marched up the side of the hill and reached the top Shea gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Where used to sit her parents and clan's small village was now a stack of charred remains of buildings and cars.

  "What the hell?" Quin muttered and began to walk toward the mess.

  Shea tried
to hold in her sobs, but they escaped in a burst of noise that made Cami, Jo, and Casey come to her side and try to comfort her. Lev and Griff were right there trying to pull her in their arms, but Cami whispered, "Go find out what happened."

  Lev nodded and then kissed Shea on top of her head, and Griff did the same before turning her over to the girls and following the men as they walked through the rubble.

  Cami and the girls stood on the hillside with Shea sobbing in their arms while the men looked to see if there were people still in the houses. The smoke was drifting up in the air making it look like the village was in the fog instead of smoke.

  ***

  Bama and her mates were standing the foyer of the Bed and Breakfast, and Bama was biting her lip with worry and stopped her men.

  "Do you think we should wait; I mean, it seems kinda weird for us to be having a nice dinner and all that while some of the Council is out there," she said and looked at Trace.

  Shane looked around the Bed and Breakfast and sighed, he knew she was right, and he also knew Trace would agree, and they would have to put their plans to the side again.

  He wanted to yell in frustration, but it would do no good, so he stood and waited for the axe to fall and then he would go to the bathroom and take a cold shower again.

  Before Trace could say anything, the door in back of them opened and Blaine and Kira walked in and smiled at them.

  Kira came up to them and said, "Just the people we wanted to talk to."

  Trace raised his eyebrows in surprise and then looked at Blaine, who was walking slower looking around at the people who were congregated in the desk. "Maybe we could step into the old meeting room for a minute?" Blaine commented and then held out his arm to the room that was sitting empty after all the Councils stuff had been taken out.

  Trace and his mates went in first and then turned in the empty room as Blaine closed the door, and waited.

  "Sorry to interrupt you but we wanted to talk about a few things," Kira said and looked at Blaine for support.

  The big man nodded and said, "Uh, I really don't know how to say this without being completely dramatic, and quite honestly weird."

  Kira rolled her eyes and said, "We know what you planned tonight, and you have to go ahead with your plans. Trace you are the Chosen but your seat remains unclaimed until you have mated fully. You know that. Well, we had a vision about the future of the Council; we shared it with Quin, and the Alpha's, they agree."

  Bama frowned and said, "What does this mean? Trace has been accepted into the Council already."

  Blaine nodded and then said, "Of course he is, that is not the issue." He looked at his mate nervously and then looked at the three of them and cleared his throat. "Shit, I’m just gonna say it. The prophesy says the Chosen have to be mated, claim their seat and be pregnant for our destiny to be realized. You kinda need to at least mate to claim your seat and then, um, yeah."

  Kira laughed and slapped her mate's arm teasingly and looked at Bama. "We know we are all having the ceremony, that is a given. We just know that you have to mate to claim Trace's seat before something happens. Our vision was a little unclear on what is going on. Roarke is still out there, and we are a little worried he is planning something.

  Anyway, not to give any pressure or anything, we just wanted you to know."

  Bama looked at the two Seers of the Council and felt uncomfortable. Had they seen them making love? She wondered and then looked at her mates with a panicked expression.

  Blaine caught the look, turned red, and said quickly. "No! Nothing like that, we only see things like the way things should be, or the way things need to happen. We don't see that stuff."

  Kira held her hand to her stomach and said. "Nah, when I have a naughty dream it’s never about any of you.” She teased.

  Bama felt a rush of relief and then said, "I really like you all so much and feel much better after I have spent time with you, but some things are still new to me, and I was afraid about that."

  Trace laughed and hugged her to his side and said, "No one is seeing you naked but us, sweetie."

  Blaine blushed again and looked helplessly at his mate. Kira patted him on his arm and then said to the trio. "I knew after the meeting that you would maybe feel like you have to wait. We decided to come and talk to you because, seriously Trace you have got to claim your seat. You know how we had to wait to do our claiming it was really hard. But you are in the opposite position. We are seeing that something will happen soon if you haven’t taken your seat on the Council."

  "Wow, awkward talk,” Shane said and shifted on his feet.

  "Hey, you should try having these things in your head and then having to explain to Quin what we saw drives me batty sometimes. I wish that we could just have like a projector attached to our heads and let them play when we have one," Blaine said dryly.

  Trace laughed, "So I guess our plans will go along as scheduled tonight."

  Bama laughed and hugged her men and then said to Blaine and Kira, “If you will excuse us."

  "Hey, don't let us stop you, go, and have some fun.” Kira teased and the three walked back out of the room.

  "Wow, that kinda felt like talking about sex with my mom.” Shane said and shivered.

  Bama and Trace laughed, and then Bama said, "Yes, but they were right, we really should have thought about that before, and I’m sorry. I’m the one who has been the hold out for all of this, holding on to silly girlhood dreams."

  Trace pulled her to a stop with his hand and frowned at her. "No, it was a choice we all made. Don't you dare feel bad about wanting to have a traditional mating? I loved every minute of the last few weeks getting to know you and Shane better. I think it will make us stronger. Besides, the anticipation has been awesome."

  Shane smiled and said, "Of course, if there is something you would like to do to make it up to us; I would not be opposed to it."

  Bama laughed and walked to the stairs, "Dinner first, I’m starving."

  The guys laughed and grabbed her hand and ran up the stairs to their suite. Trace held his hand over her eyes when he opened the door. The caretaker of the Bed and Breakfast had done exactly as he asked and had the meal brought up when they entered the building. He could smell the food from the doorway. It had just been brought.

  Shane walked around them and then arranged the flowers and lit the candles they had set up in the living and dining areas. Trace waited and then kissed Bama's cheek as he released her eyes.

  "Oh,” she cried and covered her mouth with her hand and looked wide eyed around the room. She had been in here setting up the furniture she purchased, but it hadn’t looked like this, she thought. They went to a lot of trouble for her. There were wild flowers everywhere, her gaze snapped to Shane's, and he grinned. She remembered what he told them about his parent's mating. Tears began to form in her eyes, and she thought they were going to have to plant a garden in the new home with all of these flowers, because she would make sure their children maintained this tradition.

  It was amazing; the lights had been dimmed, and the candles flickered off the walls casting a romantic glow around the room. Bama knew they had made it special for her, and she loved them even more since they had gone to so much trouble.

  "So, what do you think?" Shane said and rocked back on his heels.

  "I think I have the two most wonderful mates in the world,” she said and hugged them both before turning back to the room and taking it all in a second time.

  Trace walked forward and held out the chair for her at the table they had set up with the food. She grinned and sat down, letting him push her in. Shane pulled out a napkin and draped across her lap, before pulling out the bottle of wine they had been chilling and pouring her a glass first.

  Bama took a small sip and then nodded. It was all so wonderful, she thought and watched as her men settled themselves in their chairs and pulled the covers off the plates in front of them. The food looked wonderful, she glanced up and saw that they we waiting
for her to take the first bite.

  She picked up her knife and fork, cut a small piece of steak, and then put it in her mouth. It was perfection, she grinned and said. "Wow, delicious."

  Shane smirked and then said, "We had it specially made for just us."

  They talked about the Council as they ate, and then the ceremony Bama was planning.

  Bama was glad that they had become so comfortable with each other it made it so much easier to think about the night ahead, without worrying about other things. She was glad she had waited, although her mother would never have allowed her to become one of those women who slept around until they found their mates.

  She thought of the lingerie Willow had given her and the garment she decided to wear tonight and blushed. She hoped they liked it. When they were finished with their meal, Trace stood and turned on some soft music. She was touched to hear a ballad from her home country playing in the room.

  "Dessert can wait for later,” Shane said gruffly and then stood and held out his hand.

  Bama willing allowed him to draw her to her feet and Shane took her in his arms and swayed to the music. She closed her eyes, rested her head on his shoulder, and allowed him to lead her around the room.

  She could hear the soft noises that Trace was making removing the dishes and table.

  When the song was finished, she opened her eyes and was surprised yet again. Trace had not only cleaned up, but he had changed into a red robe. He held out his arms; she went into them, and they danced to the next song that was playing. Once again, when they were done Shane had changed also. And she turned red and waited.

  "Sweetheart, it is your turn,” Trace said softly and pushed her gently to the changing room. She nodded, “Wait here for me please, there are some important things I need to tell you about before we go into the bedroom,” and took a deep breath and then walked and closed the door. The bag she put there earlier was still in the same spot, unopened.

  She was so happy they had not peeked.

  Bama quickly changed into the garment and then looked in the mirror that was on the far side of the wall. She had decided not to wear the pale yellow. This was her first time, and so she had worn white a shade which matched her hair. Supple leather boy shorts with zippers on each side so they were easily removable and a leather and lace strapless pushup bra that stopped just under her nipples. There were feathers sewn along the tops of the cups that lightly rubbed against her breasts as she moved, causing her nipples to become erect so, and they would play peek-a-boo as she walked. She reached into the bag and pulled out the other pieces of her ensemble that she had ordered to be made especially for her. She had ordered several colors, but this time, she wanted them to see her in all white. Each cuff was made precisely to her measurements, so they didn’t need buckles instead they had a clever locking closure that sealed the cuff closed tightly without pinching her skin. She first placed the cuffs around her biceps and wrists and then the larger ones just over her knees and finally, her ankles. Each cuff was thick leather lined with the softest fleece, and each had a built in ring. Lastly, she put the collar around her neck, turning the ring to the back. She picked up the sheer flowing cover and hooked it to the collar and the arm cuffs, if she crossed her arms, it would wrap around her like a cloak.