Chapter Fifty-Four – Endless, Forever
A gentle night had fallen while they'd been asleep inside the mating cave, recovering after their vigorous lovemaking. Theodore moved first, unwilling to leave just yet, but knowing that he had to return to his pack.
And take his mates with him. It had all happened so fast that he hadn't even had time to properly introduce Vince and Jack to his parents. The overlapping pasts, the remembering, the revival of his pack, it was all coming back to him. Happiness lay before him, as far into the future as his mind could picture.
He touched Jack's hip, making him shift in his sleep and protest in mumbled words about not having school today and not wanting to pursue an education anyway since he didn't want to become a little wheel in the huge greedy machine of capitalism.
Count on Jack to tell a whole story while pretending to still be asleep. Theodore leaned closer and blew hot air over Jack's ear. "I found your lucky sock, Jack," he whispered. "I plan on stealing it and making it all mine. Then I'm going to play the lottery. I will get rich and sail into the sunset on a yacht full of babes." He could barely keep his laughter in as he said those inane words.
Jack turned to face him, his eyes open and alert. "No, you won't," he said.
Theodore laughed and kissed his nose quickly. "Finally. Got your attention, didn't I?"
"Definitely. Did you find my lucky sock, though?"
"I'm afraid not. We'll have to find another. How about replacing it with the real thing?"
"What's the real thing?"
"A rabbit's foot."
Jack's eyes widened. "No way. I am so not killing innocent bunnies over something as trivial as that."
"Luck is trivial?"
"I've had enough of it. I found you and Vee, fought the forces of darkness, and even discovered that the Sun and the Moon had a baby and that baby is me. I've had enough luck in my life, so, thank you, but no rabbit's foot for me."
Theodore pressed Jack down, grinning in his face. "Wolfie," he drawled, "you do realize that, as a member of my pack, you will have to learn to hunt. You know, animals. Some might be cute."
"Then I won't hunt," Jack announced, struggling to free one arm and raise his index finger to reinforce his proclamation. "No, I will stay at home while you're busy with all that bloody business."
"So, you plan on being lazy and do nothing to be of help. I see. My mate is a lazy wolf."
"I'm not lazy," Jack protested. "Only squeamish. And I'll help. Ah, I know. I'll take up needlepoint. Maybe even learn to weave baskets."
"Hmm," Theodore purred, "what else? Will you make more glitter of hope?"
"Not without the right ingredients," Jack retorted. "Don't worry. I will not be your feckless husband."
"Husband, huh?"
Jack still had it in him to blush, which made him insanely endearing. "I know, I know. I'm thinking ahead. But then, since Danny and Ryder had their mating cake, I thought, maybe--"
Theodore shut his mate up with a long kiss. "You'll have your mating cake. It might have meat in it, since we don't have things like sugar anywhere nearby."
"I can live with a meat cake," Jack said gamely. Then his face twisted. "Eww, that sounds awful. Let's call it a pie."
"You two," Vince's sleepy voice warned them from inches away, "are driving me nuts with all this talking."
"You're a powerful guardian," Theodore teased his other mate, taking in Vince's large, muscular body. Resting like this, he looked like a beautiful beast in human shape. Theodore couldn't get enough of him. "How come you still need sleep?"
Vince ran his hand over his eyes. "You did a number on me, alpha."
Alpha. Said so casually truly made him see their situation bright and clear. Jack wasn't off the mark, demanding to have a mating cake like Asherman and his human mate.
"Really? You're so delicate," Theodore teased Vince a little more.
Jack snickered.
"Why aren't you on my side?" Vince reproached Jack. "After all, we both got properly fucked."
"You seem to be forgetting," Theodore reminded his other mate while sneaking close to him, "that you had your cock in my ass. And I didn't complain as much as you."
"And I got double-penetrated," Jack insisted on joining in. "Oops, sorry, Vee. I am on your side. If you still need some rest, I don't mind sleeping on top of each other."
"I'd love to indulge the two of you," Theodore said, "but I'm starting to feel hungry. I doubt our pack waited for us to join them for dinner since we've been here for many hours."
"What if they are waiting for us?" Jack wondered out loud. "Oh, no, everyone is going hungry while we're getting naughty over here in complete disregard of our pack. Quick. Theo, Vee, help me get up."
"What? You can't do it yourself?"
"I would like to be carried if you don't mind very much," Jack said. "Vee is right. All that fucking made me completely boneless and useless."
Theodore believed Jack was exaggerating, but he wasn't beyond indulging him. His next move involved hiking Jack up in his arms and maneuvering both himself and his precious charge so he was on his feet, carrying his mate bridal-style. Jack made a brief sound of satisfaction and hid his face in Theodore's chest, rubbing his cheek against it.
"Are you coming, Vince?"
The guardian, despite his earlier complaints, joined them right away. "I have just one thing to say before we leave."
"Go ahead," Theodore said.
"Maybe, just maybe, we should put some clothes on before we reach our pack. I don't want to scandalize anyone."
Jack giggled, his breath rustling the hairs on Theodore's chest. Vince was, as always, the voice of reason. It wouldn't serve to scandalize everyone by prancing around naked. That was one luxury to enjoy together with his mates, when no one else was looking.
***
Jack took everything in, wide-eyed and eager to understand and learn everything. Whiteflame had to be one of the awesomest packs on the face of the earth, because they moved like they were all parts of the same complicated mechanism. Some people arranged the tables, slabs of wood on sturdy legs, others brought food and wooden bowls, while a few young men and women were practicing their instruments, things of marvel and nothing like the objects Jack knew from the other world, the one on the other side of the veil.
"Jack," someone called for him, and he quickly turned his eyes away from the joyous congregation.
Theo's mom. Jack had to admit – inwardly, of course – that he was a teensy bit intimidated by the presence of this majestic woman whom, once everyone ate from their mating meat pie, he might also be allowed to call Mom.
Ysolde came to sit by his side on the long wooden log he had claimed for himself while Theodore and Vince went to give the returning hunters a helping hand. In due time, he might overcome his moral quandaries regarding the killing of innocent animals and turning them into delicious food, but that day wasn't today.
So, all in all, Theo, while simply teasing him, had spoken the truth. At least to anyone watching, Jack was pretty much useless.
"You are not keen on hunting," Ysolde said.
"Is that a make-or-break requirement?" Jack asked. "I mean, you must have a book of laws somewhere, I guess. I promise I'll try to get into… this hunting thing. I mean, I need to say that, when I'm hungry, I'm not as high and mighty about poor weak creatures becoming my next meal. Theo and Vee can vouch for that."
Ysolde laughed. "Jack, you've done enough for this pack to not have to hunt a day in your life. Your very long life."
Now that reminded him of something. "Just how old is Theo? I am afraid the age gap between us might scare me. Not that it would definitely scare me," he added quickly. "But I need to have an approximate age to relate to."
"You are just like he told me," Ysolde said and hugged him. Her hair smelled of spring flowers and burned wood. "So quick to draw a laugh out of everyone. We were trapped here for centuries, but Theodore, saved and pushed to the other side of the veil so he could survive, hasn't lived as long. He is the age you expect him to be."
"Phew, that's good to know," Jack said. "I mean, I like a silver fox just as much as the next guy, but I'm much more comfortable with a guy who's, you know, in his forties."
"Theodore is in his thirties," Ysolde replied, playing along. "We knew he'd come back one day. We wished he wouldn't have to go through many trials to return to his pack, but such things were out of our hands."
"How did Theodore get saved, anyway?"
"The Moon protected him. She had been shackled during that fateful night when we fell." Ysolde's winter-like eyes became unfocused for a moment. "But she didn't allow us to perish. She kept that glimmer of hope alive for us."
"The Moon is my mom. Somehow."
"We know," Ysolde said, smiling gently. "Say Jack, you're a seer."
"Yep. Though I think my job as a clairvoyant is pretty much done, right?"
"I don't think so. There are about thirty girls and women from our pack who want to know what the cards hold for them. And about five young men."
"Really? Are you guys into fortunetelling around here? Not to toot my own horn, but I did want to start a business in the field." Jack didn't want to give up on an opportunity, since it was being shoved under his nose like this. "Not that I'd charge or anything," he added.
"Oh, but you should charge," Ysolde said. "We live as a pack, and we live in harmony, but that doesn't mean that we don't value our work."
"Wow, you guys are really something. If you're telling me that you have your own version of social media--"
"What is social media?" Ysolde asked.
"Never mind. It's something stupid that sends you into a weird competition loop with everyone else. Major plot twist: everyone else is lying. So you can't win. Now, what do you believe I should charge for a fortunetelling session?"
"Anything you'd like."
"Mismatched socks? I use them for good luck."
"I suppose we could find some. Ask for beautiful things. I have this vision for you and your fortunetelling shack."
"My fortunetelling shack. I like the idea. Please tell me more."
It looked like Ysolde was big time into interior decorating, so Jack was happy to chat away with her on the topic.
***
Vince sipped from the tangy wine and lifted his cup to Tharion, once he caught the alpha's eyes searching for him. He and his wife were seated across from them. Throughout the dinner, they had asked him and Jack so many questions about the world existing beyond the veil. For a couple of wolfshifters who hadn't known much save for their own world, they were quick to catch on. Explaining means of communications, such as phones, had been a challenge, but Tharion had declared that it was good that wolves could use their howls to let the others know of danger or prey nearby. Otherwise, phones would be an excellent alternative.
"Theodore tells me that you'd like to know more about other guardians," Tharion said in his deep, pleasant voice.
To Vince's right, Theodore was deep in conversation with Jack, while, from across the table, his mom intervened from time to time.
"That is true. I know so little about what being a guardian means. Until now, I've played it by ear."
"You emerged victorious. Your playing it by ear, as you say, served you well. And us," Tharion reminded him.
"I am aware of that," Vince agreed. "We are enjoying a wonderful dinner tonight. But our mission is not and will never be over. Am I wrong?"
"Not at all. Whiteflame is a pack that guards the realm to prevent all kinds of evil from spilling into the worlds. Such as the one you've told us such marvelous things about."
"Humans have natural curiosity," Vince said. "I want to learn as much as I can about this world that surrounds us. If guardians are a part of it, I'd like to meet some of them."
"Then we will do all we can to find other guardians. I believe you aren't the only one. Theodore and Jack mentioned your friends, Danny and Ryder. You were sent to protect Danny."
"Yes. I am still wrapping my head around – sometimes – how I became my best friend's guardian. My parents did a good job teaching me about it. And, for a kid, I'd say I did a good job keeping my mouth shut about it. I did feel tempted to brag about such an astonishing thing. But I didn't give in to the temptation."
"That is truly commendable," Tharion said. "You want to ask me something, Vince. I can read it in your eyes."
"One thing I can't say that I understood was this: were my parents truly my parents? They believed they were, but seeing how I was sent into the world to become Danny's protector, I've never stopped wondering."
"They are your parents. There is no doubt about that. Of what we know of guardians, they are spirit fragments that can attach to a pure, brave soul. You are yourself, Vince. You received the gift of becoming a guardian. At any point, you could have turned your back on your destiny, decided that protecting someone selflessly wasn't for you."
"It didn't cross my mind once."
"That only goes to prove what kind of person you are. The messenger who visited your parents was right to find and choose you of all people."
"That is quite a lot to take in," Vince admitted. "Will I meet such fragments of spirit or people like me, who received the gift?"
"We can only tell once we start our journey."
Vince bowed his head courteously. "Those are truly words of wisdom. I will be in your care, Tharion."
Jack was explaining something loudly and trying to get Ysolde on his side, begging her, "But Mom, it is as I say!"
"You should start calling me Father," Tharion said with a big smile. "Or Dad. You and Jack are our family now."
"Thank you," Vince said. "It might take a bit to get used to all of this."
"No worries. You will get used to it, without a doubt."
Vince sensed a calmness washing over him. The sky above was peppered with stars. A full Moon was rising, round and white. Her benevolent eyes turned toward Whiteflame like a mother's eyes toward her children.
***
"What a big, fluffy bed," Jack exclaimed as soon as they were inside their home.
The pack had worked hard to make one of the biggest houses livable for them. There was plenty of room for improvement, but Theodore didn't care about making a mental shopping list of everything that was missing.
Right now, inside this room, in which a cheerful fire in the fireplace burned, he had everything he needed. Everyone.
His mates. Jack was already on the bed, face down, groaning in delight. Vince was adding another log to the fire, moving with precision and efficiency.
"How was your first day as members of my pack?" he asked.
He sat on the bed, and Jack immediately rolled over to cuddle with him. Theodore moved to make room for Vince, and the guardian immediately understood. He joined them on the bed and placed his thick arm over both him and Jack.
"It was wonderful," Jack declared. "Well, we mostly fucked and ate a very late dinner, because everyone was so nice to wait for us. I liked the food, too. It was awesome. And I got myself a fortunetelling gig. Your mom, Theo, is awesome. She has an eye for business, I'm telling you. She's the CEO of my startup, no questions asked. Don't be jealous. I know you used to be a CEO, but I need someone with a gentle touch."
"I don't have a gentle touch, then?" Theodore asked, squeezing Jack closer.
"Not when it comes to business. I mean, you had such a bad reputation back in Glasstone. Wow, now I realize. People were calling you The Wolf because of how you ripped into your competition and business partners alike."
"No one called me that. You are making that up," Theodore protested. "What about you, Vince?"
"I feel like I'm home here," Vince said, his voice calm and steady. "I've grown into my guardian potential the time I've spent here. And I look forward to becoming even more."
"Are you happy?" Theodore asked. After all, Vince and Jack both were people coming from another world, and, unlike him, they hadn't lived here before.
"Definitely," Jack said. "Though I might begin to miss our friends."
"That's true. Are we ever going to see Danny and Ryder again?" Vince asked.
"I don't see why not. We'll visit them. Who else do you wish to see?"
"My parents," Vince said.
"I want to see the Luna Sentinels again," Jack added. "Especially Meryl, who was so nice."
Theodore searched his memory. Oh, that young wolf. "Jack," he said in a measured voice, "I will pinch you."
"Why?"
"Don't you know what speaking of other wolves does to your alpha?"
Jack shifted in his place. "Oh, that. Still jealous, huh? Ouch! You really pinched me!"
"I warned you, didn't I? So, who's this Meryl again?"
"Come on, Theo, you know who—ouch! Vee, Theo is a jealous asshole!"
"He might be, but I agree with him. Don't make your alpha jealous," Vee said.
"I can't believe you two! I just thought Meryl was cute—argh, Theo, I'm going to pay you back for this!"
Theodore laughed. While Jack wrestled him on the bed, with Vince laughing at both of them, he knew that he was looking forward to that payback.
Endless and forever.
TBC