Once Upon A Time (11 page)

Throwing up my
hands to indicate surrender, I whistle to call them all over to
me.

"Okay." I
explained quietly. "I will make this quick, because of our human
guest, but that was very well done. Remember, use the Pack mind
link to communicate tactics. It is an ability that most shifters do
not have, not unless it is initiated by their Alpha. We have it
available all the time."

There were
murmurs and, as importantly, grins from the group, as they nodded
understanding of the purpose of the fight, at least in their age
group.

"Okay. Enough
for today. I have heard a rumour of pastries in the Hall. Those of
you over sixteen may have one glass of mulled wine, after you have
some food in your bellies. Is that clear?"

The group
murmured, "Yes, Alpha." quietly, again, so that our human guest
would not hear them address me as such.

With wide
grins, we trooped back into the Hall. Embracing Aaleahya, I laughed
at her insistence that I go change out of my damp clothes if I
wanted to come near her. A good snowball fight and my Mate making
jokes. A good day in all, which left the Pack better equipped for
whatever Monday might throw at us.

I was feeling
rather tired myself when they all went out for the snowball fight
so I decided that I would take the twins to our room instead of the
nursery. Laying down with one in each arm I watched as their little
eyes finally close their bowed mouths moving as if suckling. Soon
my own eyelids slowly close as a peaceful sleep comes to me.

The following
morning, with the snowball fight out of the way, my thoughts turned
to this evening, and our Pack tradition. Today was the Winter
Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and as children of the
Goddess, the Pack kept to the old ways. Tonight was a celebration
of the return of the light to a world darkened by Winter. The Green
King was reborn, and with his birth, the promise of Spring and
Summer.

On a less
serious note, it had become a tradition for me to give a small gift
to each member of the Pack, and tonight would be no different.

However,
before that, I needed to have a word with our Healer. As a result
of having Owain's guest, the human Merida, staying at the Hall, I
needed to ensure that she did not see anything that would be
difficult to explain to a human. We kept our world hidden from
humans for a good reason, lessons learned from the war, from those
who would seek to use us as weapons for their own gain. Never again
would we allow ourselves to be used in that way.

So, as a
precaution, I would ask our Healer to ensure that our human visitor
slept very well tonight. There would be no need to explain what she
had not seen in the first place.

Waking the
morning after the snowball fight, I had a smile on my face at the
recollection of my annual battle with the kindergarten contingent.
As usual, several very tired pups were delivered back to their
parents, their tummies replete with pastries and fortified with hot
chocolate and marshmallows. Only one close encounter with a tree,
which was not bad going.

My smile
became more thoughtful, as I thought of the little human, Merida,
who had now spent her second night at Negrescu Hall, sleeping in a
room alone, whilst I had returned to my suite, also to sleep alone.
Part of me had wanted to stay with her: the part plagued by this
need to protect her, both from tangible threats and from intangible
threats such as this dream which seemed to bring her such sleepless
nights. I found myself wishing that I could do something more for
her, but perhaps by involving her in our Pack life to some extent,
it would go some way to laying her demons to rest

With that in
mind, I rolled out of bed, determined to go in search of Merida.
Perhaps she might like to take a walk with me through the grounds
of Negrescu Hall. I remembered her saying that solitary walks were
something she enjoyed.

Humming a tune
to myself, I dressed, tracked down one of the teens to find a pair
of hiking boots and suitable clothing, and went down to the dining
area in search of Merida.

Another night
spent in the house, I must admit I am starting to like it better
here than where I live. Maybe the feeling I get around here or the
fact that is a bit bigger, with a larger space around. My night was
calm, I hadn’t awakened abruptly by a nightmare, which seemed
strange, because I simply didn't sleep too much. But even though I
didn't I was well rested. I spent my whole night turning and
tossing, thinking about him. What is happening to me?

As I slid off
the bed, and dressed for another day, I doubted that it would be as
eventful as the day before. Even if it wasn’t, I was sure that I
would enjoy the day, particularly if I had Owain with me. Just the
thought of spending time with him was making me feel excited. I
would have time to take pictures of the place. A smile formed on my
face as I walked down to the dining area. There are some of them
gathered, having breakfast. I exchanged greetings to them and
proceed to make myself a cup of coffee, and put together my usual
plate of fruit. I didn’t know how but somehow I felt the need to
turn, and when I did, I saw him there. Walking in, my eyes couldn’t
leave him, and I stood there staring at him like a fool. My heart
skipped a beat and I smiled. When he moved closer I just smiled
more. "Good morning Owain. How did you sleep?" I asked and moved to
fetch him a cup of a hot drink for him.

I found myself
unable to resist my hand rising, to smooth Merida's hair from her
face. Goddess, what was happening to me? I have seen this happen to
others, but to me? I am Owain Cadwalader, the one who flitted from
female to female. The one who, according to Gavril, has made
studying human habits into an art form for the benefit of the Pack,
so that we wouldn't be trapped in another untenable situation like
during the war.

"I slept well,
Merida, but I missed you." The admission felt torn from me, and yet
it was the truth. Seeing her move to the hot drinks, I followed
her, picking up a plate from the stack, and starting to fill it
with a selection from the buffet.

"Coffee would
be great." I answered her unspoken question.

I made him a
cup of coffee. When he said he had missed me I blushed. Something
inside of me made me want to just hug him. "I missed you too. If I
may be honest ... I spent all night unable to sleep … thinking
about you ... so far yet so close, right." I smiled and handed him
the cup and walk with him to the table, sitting beside the chair he
had used twice. It was interesting how someone would always sit in
the same table over and over again. It was almost as if it had his
name on it.

"I brought my
camera. I am so ready to take some pictures around and of you of
course, to take back home." I winked then let out a slight laugh.
Starting to eat I can hear the others chat, some of them looking at
us which makes me self-conscious of the way I might be eating and
projecting myself.

[ML on open
Pack link] Okay, people, I am displaying mating behaviour, I admit
it. So, try not to make her feel too uncomfortable. And definitely
don't make me uncomfortable. Remember who teaches the karate
classes for the Pack. [end ML]

There was the
mental equivalent of laughter down the Pack link, as those who had
been staring at the phenomenon of the 'other' Beta displaying
Mating symptoms swiftly found something else to look at, rather
than Merida. I shrugged mentally. I don't know why the Goddess had
decided that my Mate would be a human, or even if she was my Mate,
but I had to admit that I did miss having her close, and I felt an
almost irrational urge to protect her, and to take away those tiny,
almost imperceptible lines of tension on her face.

"There are
some lovely parts of both the gardens, the formal side, and the
wilder sides. The wilder parts are where I like to run myself, and
if we are lucky, you might catch sight of some other wildlife, like
deer."

"I have
managed to find you some hiking boots, and some warmer clothing, so
if you are finished with your breakfast, perhaps we can see if it
fits." Again, I had that urge to touch my little human, but forced
myself to settle for kissing her hand.

Finishing our
food, I took Merida's hand and led her out to the side room where
the boots and coats are stored. Seating her on the bench, I found
some socks for her, and it seemed that dressing her felt strangely
comforting. Asking her boot size, I checked the available options
and found her a sturdy pair of Meindl lady's boots, the leather
sufficiently softened that it won't be uncomfortable for her to
wear. A coat next, and gloves. A hat and scarf. She smiled, a bit
nervous at my preparations, as I found my own coat and gloves. I
didn't need to wear them, but the fiction was still necessary.

"I am sorry. I
didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." I apologised, stroking
her face again. "I just want you to feel, well, not alone."

Picking up her
camera bag, I had taken Merida's hand. "Shall we start with the
formal gardens? We pass them on the way out towards the wilder
parts of the estate. Gavril put a fence in there only to make it
clear if anyone strays onto the estate that it is private property.
We may live as a group, but we also like our privacy." I
explained.

I was going to
enjoy this walk. I didn't know where it would lead but I was going
to enjoy it anyway.

I sipped my
coffee and watched Owain with Merida, surprised at the gentle way
he dressed her. He was right, he is showing mate tendencies which
is both sweet and frightening at the same time. A human female.
That conjures up all kinds of obstacles not the least of which is
her presence here. So far we have managed to sidestep comments or
actions that would frighten and confuse her but for how long?

I noticed her
watching my intent stare and I shook my head with a smile. “Sorry,
I don’t mean to stare. I get like that when my brain starts working
on something. It’s like the world around me goes away. Have fun and
enjoy the walk.” I gave them a small wave and turned back to the
dining room to see Gavril dip his head at me. I acknowledge his
request for a talk and follow him.

Walking to my
study, I held the door open for Angharad to enter, closing it
behind her, and indicating that she should take a seat. I did not
waste time in coming to the point.

"We have a
potential problem, Healer." I wanted to make it clear in which
capacity I needed her assistance. "Owain's little human, whether or
not she turns out to be his Mate, is still human. We have the
Solstice Ritual tonight, and, whilst she remains non-Pack, she
cannot be permitted to watch us. Both Aaleahya and I will invoke
our connections to the Goddess, to open the ritual, and you know
what happens during the blessing."

I steepled my
fingers on my desk, thoughtful. "What would you suggest we do, to
ensure that she remains unaware?"

I was not
surprised by his concerns as I have had them too. Just conversation
alone has to be monitored lest something slipped. “I’ve blended a
tea for her to take home since it’s clear she has trouble sleeping.
I can add a few more things to a tea this evening for her. It
should put her to sleep and more importantly, keep her asleep
through the night.”

I considered
on the herbs and medicines I had and planned the mixture. “My only
concern will be her size and metabolism. I don’t know her well
enough so I will be modest in the dosage. I certainly don’t want to
harm her in any way.” A brief thought crossed my mind to use my
ability to induce sleep but I nixed that idea. “I know I could use
my ability to put her under but for that length of time and being
human? It may cause more harm than good. At the very least a
headache and I don’t wish to face that possibility. So tea it is.”
I remained seated and waited for his dismissal.

I nodded at
Angharad's suggestion. "I will leave the best method up to you
Healer, since it is your area of expertise." I shrugged. "I have
one other favour to ask of you, Angharad."

"This will be
the first time that the twins participate in the Solstice Ritual.
Clearly Aaleahya and I cannot bless our own children. Would you and
Owain be willing to do the honours? I would have asked Bran and
Alix, as they are a Mated pair, but I don't want to risk Alix's
young by her invoking the Goddess."

"I would be
honoured my Alpha." I dipped my head, pleased at his request. "I'm
not sure of the risk to Alix but agree that it's best we don't find
out." I almost stood up but caught myself and remain seated. This
was a formal meeting with my Alpha and it is up to him to dismiss
me. Sometimes my personality makes it hard to adhere to this
protocol and the amount of time I spend alone doesn't help at all.
No doubt he knows everything about me so I smiled softly as I met
his eye.

I had to smile
at Angharad's hesitation. Yes, if I was as protocol-bound as the
Gosselin Alpha, I might have taken her to task, but in the decades
that I have been Alpha, I have not felt it necessary to take
heavy-handed tactics with any member of my Pack.

"My thanks,
Angharad. It was something that Aaleahya and I wanted to have
covered, particularly as the twins were so unexpected for us."

Changing the
subject, I asked her what she thought about Owain's atypical
behaviour.