Epilogue

Two days had passed before Taren returned to the Compound, his sons had disposed of the Fey that Aldrid had somehow gathered to him and life seemed to be going on as usual. They’d held off on the celebration waiting for Taren, Kasey didn’t feel right celebrating without him, but as soon as word of his return got out preparations were being made.

Kasey sat on the top step of the back porch stunned to see her father standing before her. She was about to go to him but he moved forward and as he sat on the step beside her he pulled her into his arms.

“It is so very good to be able to hold you in my arms Kasarina. I have longed for a time when I would have my family around me and there would be peace between us all.”

Kasey kissed him on the cheek then gave him a serious look, “Aldrid, is he alright… you didn’t umm…”

“No Kasarina he still lives, he is within my home in the Fey realm. He no longer holds any Fey gifts, you took from him. He is but a shadow of himself right now. In time I hope he may become the man I had hope him to be, if not he will live in the manner he wished, without the power he wanted, but still…”

“You’re a good man father, I didn’t want to do that to him but I saw no other way.”

“Kasarina how did you know to do this, as I said the other day what you did was something only High Fey are capable of.”

Kasey thought for a minute wanting to get her thoughts in order and find the right words, “I think it was my coming of age that did it. I mean there was this huge hunk of… of I don’t know, umm energy, power or something. It’s hard to explain, but it was there deep inside of me, I tried for days to figure out what it was, but I think it was just sitting there waiting to be needed… not sorted… you know?”

Taren nodded, “Sometimes little one it is best to go with the flow as you say.”

Kasey smiled again, “Yeah it is. The thing is though, when I was standing there trying to sort out how to stop him without bloodshed, I looked inside myself. It took a bit but the answer was there, father it felt like all the answers were there and I’ll be able to pull on them when I need too.”

“Father! My little Kasarina called me father!” he smiled to himself, he still felt the loss of Callendra, but Kasarina was helping to ease it somewhat.

Braedon came out then a knowing smile on his face, before he could say anything Talea came running out crying “Help, help, he’s gonna catch me!”

Taren stood and grabbed the child to him. He would protect her from whatever evil was after her! Talea squealed, Kasey laughed, Braedon shook his head trying his best not to laugh and the next minute Jacob arrived an indignant look on his face. “I must ask you to unarm my little mate!”

Taren felt the wind rush from his lungs, this was not something he was used too. He looked to Braedon, then back to Jacob and knew what he said to be true. He turned to Talea, “Do you want him to catch you little one?”

Talea giggled then whispered into Taren’s ear, “I always let him catch me, but it’s more fun if he doesn’t catch me too quickly.”

“Oh,” he replied, “would you like me to run interference so you can keep the chase going a little longer?”

Talea looked at him in surprise, “You’d do that for me?”

“Yes indeed, my little friend.”

She nodded and Taren placed her on the ground saying, “Run little Talea!” and as she did he held Jacob in place for the count of ten before letting go.

“You don’t play fair Taren, but Tally will love you for helping her,” then he took off pretending to go as fast as he could in search of his little mate.

The celebration took place that afternoon and into the night, it seemed everyone was quietly preparing for it and it took very little time to set things up. Everyone had a good time, the food and drink was plentiful and soon some of the men gathered in the middle of the Compound to show off their fighting skills. Children gathered at a safe distance to watch as did everyone else. It wasn’t often the Enforcers were seen in such a positive light and Kasey loved that they all looked so confident in what they did.

Kasey concentrated on the audience as Eli and Marcus showed off their wicked fighting skills. She didn’t know Marcus well but figured that would change in time. There were others too that she needed to get to know and she knew now that there would be plenty of time to do so. 

She sensed awe, a little fear and a hint of longing, then caught a hint of pain and emptiness. She pushed her senses out to find who this was coming from. It only took a minute or so to find him and her heart all but broke when her mind touched on the man it came from.

Her heart all but broke and she struggled to contain what she sensed so as not to alert Braedon that something was wrong. She was too late though; he touched her arm bringing her to him and held her close. She turned in his arms, looked up at him and saw understanding in his eyes. Braedon too sensed the pain his brother held deep within him.

“How can I help him Brae? He hurts so much,” tears escaped her eyes and her mate wiped them away.

“Kitten, Nicolas is a strong man, a proud man; he has put all consideration of happiness aside believing his position in the Pack was of more importance. He doesn’t believe he will ever find a mate kitten. He has accepted this and for the most part he is fine, but there are times when even a strong man needs someone to lean on.”

Kasey looked at her mate then turned to look at the Pack, her people. Her eyes rested on those closest to her, these people had become family to her. She was drawn back to Nicolas and for a moment Braedon thought she’d left him.

“Kitten, are you alright?”

Kasey reached up and kissed her mate, her husband, her lover and whispered in his ear, “I want Nicolas to come to Sydney with is instead of Jacob?”

Braedon looked at her a little curious at what she’d asked but decided for now he’d keep his curiosity at bay.  He nodded and lifted his little mate in his arms to give her a kiss.

                                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They danced and chatted with and watched Enforcers show some killer moves. Both were happy, content when they sat together watching everyone having fun. Kasey always felt safe in Braedon’s arms, safe and warm but as he held her the heat grew, almost became unbearable and her skin itched. Braedon was suddenly alert and with her tucked to his side casually wandered away from the crowd and to the back porch steps.

He sat her down and looked at her his face serious. She hated when he looked at her like that, like something was wrong… “What’s wrong with me, I’m so hot and my skin itches.”

He smiled and she thumped his arm, “Not funny Brae!”

“No kitten it’s not, but it’s nothing to worry about.” He looked into the sky and her gaze followed. The full moon shone down brightly and she looked at him excitedly. “Your Wolf wants out Kasey; she’s been very patient my love but now she wishes to run free with her mate.”

“Umm, what do I do, I… I…” he could hear the nervousness in her voice.

“Stay put kitten I’ll be right back,” and he was back in less than a minute carrying a blanket. “You need to take your clothes off kitten,” she looked at him as if he’d said something really stupid, then realised she was the one being silly.

She took off her clothes and he wrapped the blanket around her before stripping himself. Kasey held up her arm and he got under the blanket with her. They sat on the step together and Kasey nervously said, “You’ll have to talk me through this okay.”

“Okay kitten, for now just relax and open yourself to your other self. Feel her within you and let her come to the fore. Don’t be afraid of her Kasey, she is part of who you are and in time you will get to know each other well.”

“So just go with it huh? Let her take control?”

“No kitten share yourself with her, hand over the reins but let her know it’s only for a while. Remember you need to make her your friend, your best friend.”

Kasey nodded and tried to relax, she felt her Wolf moving forward in her mind and she tried to speak to her. “I know you’ve been really patient, but this is all still knew to me. I want to let you out so you can go run with Braedon’s Wolf, but you need to follow his lead. You need to come back to me when I ask. I promise I’ll let you run as often as I can and Brae said we’ll soon become great friends… I want that and hope you do too.”

To her great surprise her Wolf answered her, “You have been through much young one and yes I have been patient. I’ve been watching and learning about you… about us. I would run with my mate… our mate, but will follow his lead and come back to you when you wish.”

That all being said Kasey could feel her body move internally, it was a little uncomfortable, but she stayed calm and went with it. Uncomfortable soon turned to hurt then painful and she looked at Braedon wondering if there was something wrong.

“The first few times is a little painful Kasey, breathe through the pain and remain calm.”

“A little painful, bloody hell… owwww!” she tried to be strong and do as he said but she wasn’t sure she could be that brave. A moment later she found she’d fallen onto all fours the blanket lying on the steps.

She turned to her mate and tried to smile, but it came out more of a grimace. Braedon shifted and stood before her waiting, summoning his mates Wolf and a few minutes later she was there.

Braedon looked her over and gave a wolfish grin, she was beautiful her eyes remained the same but her colouring; her fur was blue grey, soft and thick. He nuzzled her with his nose and licked her face. Then they walked slowly to the front of the house and stood in the midst of the people gathered there.

All stood still and watched as both their Alphas stood and looked on their Pack. The She Wolf nodded to her mate, “This is our Pack, our people. It is good to finally be with them.”

Braedon nudged her and they ran across the clearing headed for the bush. He would show his little mate a new kind of world, a world she would see anew and wish to explore often. They spend a good part of the evening running, exploring learning each other’s Wolf.

By the time they got back to the house they were both panting, Braedon sat down and the She Wolf followed suit. He shifted and waited to see if his mate would and was please when Kasey was crouched before him once more. He got the blanket and wrapped it around them both.  Again they sat on the porch steps, Braedon grinning from ear to ear when he saw the look of awestruck happiness on Kasey’s face.

“Wow!” she said, “that was incredible, it’s like… like, well it’s like being out there with you like that, it’s the part of me that was missing… only I hadn’t known it was missing. And now Brae, being here with you and experiencing our Wolves, it’s like for the first time in my entire life I feel whole.”