Trixy walked over and took the book from Trishanna's hands, turning it over. It didn't look familiar, but considering that she barely made a dent in reading or even knowing all the books in here, it is possible that it was here all along. After all, she was too busy learning how to survive in this world and teach herself and her brother about their powers to even think about books about babies. She gave it back to her, and Trishanna wriggled to make herself more comfortable as she slowly began to read the chapter that held the drawing, her mates sitting on either side. She turned and saw Sam walking around, a look of concentration on his face as he perused the tall shelves. Her brother and Sammy had their heads over what she knew to be some of Bruno's favourite books on fighting techniques and strength training, their eyes sparkling as they bonded the way only men who enjoyed fighting could.
She walked over to Sam, "What are you looking for?" she asked. He looked down at her, "I'm wondering if there were any books that would give me the words to say how amazing you are. How lucky I am to have met you," he leaned down and kissed her lightly. "To say how glad I am that you're on my side." They laughed and she hugged him, a feeling of acceptance washing over her that she didn't even realise she was missing all along.
They stay wrapped in each other's embrace, gently swaying, their breaths slow and deep. It was like their bond grew deeper, and as if in response to her thoughts, her tattoo began to glow along with Sam's mate marks around his wrist. He got startled, but she held him tighter. "It's okay, it's safe." She wasn't too sure what was happening, but she believed that her powers, which sometimes felt like they had their own personality within her, wanted to bond with her mate. A soft light surrounded them, yet it seemed like they were the only ones to see it, until Bruno stepped over, his tattoo glowing a bit. As twins, the powers they share, although different, often felt like they were two sides of the same coin.
The light wrapped them in a cocoon, and she felt like she was floating. They stared at each other, her eyes beginning to glow with her powers, and to her amazement, a similar purple ring appeared in Sam's eyes. She felt her heart grow warm, and before she could say anything, Sam began to speak words that she didn't understand, but her heart did. Her powers, merging with him, gave him the ability to speak the bonding vows of her realm. Tears shone in her eyes as she repeated the words, her heart knowing what her mind didn't.
"I swear before all witnesses to honour, respect, love and cherish you with all my heart, mind, body and soul. I choose to choose you every day, and will protect you with all I have. You are mine and I am yours." She smiled, her heart so full she thought it might spill out of her chest. They said those words, vowing with all their hearts. Sam raised one hand to gently cup her cheek, his thumb moving back and forth as he looked at her like she was the most precious thing in this world, and he could hardly believe that she was his. Bruno stepped up, placing his hands on each of their shoulder, his eyes glowing as well. He grunted in approval, "I witness this bonding and have no objections. May you be blessed." As he stepped back, Trixy felt her mate mark tingle, and she noticed on Sam's wrist, the one close to her face, his mate marking began wriggling around. The tattoos shifted to become letters she recognised from ancient text. She held his hand, marvelling as their vows were now written around his wrist. He looked down, stunned that even though he could clearly see that the writing was nothing he had ever seen before, he could easily decipher them as if they were written in English.
He looked up at his mate and at her brother. Bruno smiled and shrugged. Sam wasn't sure what was happening, but he was over the moon. He hugged Trixy, feeling her happy tears wet the front of his shirt. He turned his head, rubbing his cheek against her hair, simply soaking in the happiness he felt. Who knew this simple and seemingly unnoticed ceremony would make him so happy, so filled with contentment? He opened his eyes, awed that no one else saw that light or felt the warmth. His eyes rested on Bruno, and he wondered if he was really happy for them, as his brows were furrowed and he kept rubbing his chest. When Bruno's eyes lifted and met with Sam's, an unspoken question passed between them, one of concern. His brother-in-law just shook his head. It seems like Sam will have to get Dr. Lorenzo to check him out. Trixy raised her head, looking at him with the same awe he felt. He leant down and gently kissed her. "Come on", he whispered, let's get back to the group.
Trishanna slowly looked through the pages. Her mind focused, as both her mates read over her shoulder. The book, whose title was so old it was barely decipherable, only had a few lines about this apparent prophecy. According to the text, whenever there was growing chaos in all the realms, a child, chosen by the gods, the creator and guardian of all realms, would be born, their presence alone beginning the process of peace and stability. There were no actual accounts, just stories and a lot of verbiage that could not be traced. Bradley stood with the book and headed over to his aunt. He gave her the open page, and the elder woman skimmed through with her keen gaze.
Trishanna watched as the two began to talk in a hushed tone. Her back was beginning to ache from sitting in one spot for too long. James, as if reading her mind, began to rub her back, making her arch like a cat waking from a nap. He chuckled at her look of appreciation. "Anything", he whispered, his breath hot against her nape. Even though the room temperature was comfortable, she shivered, her skin prickling at the heated promise. Damn, her preganacy hormones were getting higher each day, and she did miss him greatly. She shook her head; this was not the place, and now was not the time. She cleared her throat, pushing away her growing desire. "So, were you able to finish your work at home?"
Her use of the word home, made his heart skip a beat. She no longer saw his pack as a place to run from, but maybe she was starting to see it as somewhere she could belong. This thought touched him, and he decided that he would not give up without a fight. If his pack had reservations about Trishanna having two mates, then they could leave, and if anyone challenged him, he would fight and he would win. His mind renewed, he smiled at her. "Yes, love. Everything is done, at least for now. I need to go back in a few days to check on things." He kissed the back of her hand. "I've made some changes. I see how Bradley runs his pack, and I have decided to reshuffle a lot of people. I have arranged for some competitions to be held in a few weeks so I can choose the Beta and Delta that is right for the job, not just someone who tells me what I want to hear." He kissed her hand again. I hope you will be there as the Luna to give your support.
Trishanna smiled at him, "Of course I will. I may have had some tough times there, but it is still the place I grew up." James wanted to kiss her, but he held back. He hung his head, leaning in, "I'm sorry, love. I'm really sorry that me and my pack put you through so much. I was wrong, and that is my one failure as an Alpha I could never forgive myself for; abusing one of my people who was weak and needed me the most." He raised her eyes, tears making his vision blurry. He knew he planned on apologising, but he didn't think it would be here. "Trishanna, my love, my mate, please forgive this stubborn little boy and this foolish man who failed to protect you. Please." Tears streamed down his cheeks, and for the first time in his life, James was not afraid of what others would say. He knew he had no right to ask, that Trishanna accepting him was more than he could or should ask for, but when he was at Bloodmoon, he went into the little room that was hers, and he felt sick to his stomach. Sure, his father had sent her there, retaliation or punishment, but when he became Alpha, he should have made things right.
Trishanna turned to fully face him. Cupping his cheeks, she wiped away the tears of self-loathing streaming down his face. "James", she whispered softly. "I had forgiven you a long time ago. Now, it's time for you to forgive yourself". James leaned his head in her hands, his guilt consuming him, unaware or maybe just uncaring that Bradley and the others watched him. "How could you?" he wondered, his voice muffled in her hands. "I did so wrong by you." Trishanna shrugged her shoulders. Bringing his face up to hers, she spoke, "I began to see how you changed, and I decided to let things go. I may not be happy with the way I got pregnant, but I would not wish my baby away". She pulled his face towards hers until their foreheads touched. "Or wish that you weren't the father". She smiled wryly, "Ok, maybe when I first met Bradley, I thought that, but now, I wouldn't change a thing." She kissed him on his brow. "Forgive yourself, so we can move forward, together." It was like her kiss freed him from the mental prison he held himself in for so long, longer than he even realised. He leaned in, tears falling, as he cried in her arms. She shushed him like a child, stroking his back and making cooing sounds until he was calm.
When Bradley saw that it was clear, he made his way back to them with Cynthia. Thanks to Trixy's magic still coating them, an armchair materialised, allowing the other woman to sit. Bradley reclaimed his seat on Trishanna's other side, and James cleared his throat, ready to get back to business. Cynthaia smiled at him, showing no hard feelings, yet her lips soon turned down. She held up the book. "To be honest, my dear, I recall reading something similar in one of our books in the Elder's library. We have books on many topics relating to running the packs and keeping the peace, of course, nothing like this." She made a sweeping gesture to include Trixy's library. "However, there are a few of the older books that do talk about tales and legends. Most we dismissed as fanciful, but now I am not so sure."
Trishanna leaned forward, grabbing her hand. "Is there any way for us to read what those books say?" Cynthia nodded, "I will reach out to the others and put in my request, but I will have to go back to headquarters to search for the right books." Bradley placed his hands on theirs, "I'll make travelling arrangements as soon as we leave." They all nodded, and Trishanna read the chapter again.
Sam and Trixy, feeling closer than ever, wandered around. "Trix, you are amazing. I am honoured that you and your powers chose me." Trixy smiled, "So am I". He watched as she looked at the shelves, concentration furrowing her brow. "Looking for a book to explain why, or how?" he asked, but she shook her head. So many thoughts were swirling through her mind that she couldn't focus. She was happy, horny, awed, anxious, worried, and even a bit of fear danced around the edges. She was always mindful when she came here, knowing exactly what she wanted to know, even if she didn't know how to describe it, however, her mind and heart were a jumbled mess. Sam tugged on her arms, turning her to face him. "What's wrong?" She shook her head, "I just wonder if..." her voice trailed off, sure that he would think her foolish for her worries. He leaned in, "Babe, just breathe and centre your thoughts". She closed her eyes, shutting out all other distractions and instead focused on his breathing, his scent, all of which made her mind focus on the information she wanted to find. Within a few minutes, a book covered with a shimmery blue cover floated off one of the shelves and came directly towards them. Sam gently shook her, and Trixy opened her eyes. Lifting her hands, the book fell, the pages flipping through. She scanned the text, her eyes widening. Right there on the pages was the hope she sought. On a night of a full moon, one year after bonding, two people from different races can conceive and have many children. The pages flipped, and another chapter showed that there was proof of her kind marrying a shifter and having offspring. It also expressed that after bonding, they are able to share their powers and even sense when the other might be in danger.
Excited, she turned the book to Sam, a huge smile on her face. She can have his children, that news bringing her great relief. They walked back to the chairs, reading together. It felt like another hour passed before everyone became restless. Bradley stood, "Okay, folks, I know this was quite amazing, but we should get back before the pack thinks there was a breach of safety or something". They all stood, stretching, some watching longingly as the books they were reading flew back to their respective shelves. Trixy looked around and when she was sure that everyone was ready, she recited her spell, opening the portal back to the morning room.
When the last person exited, the portal closed while Bradley looked at his watch. He had a business meeting and wondered if he had missed it, as he felt like they had spent three hours or more in that space. His mouth hung open when he realised it was less than five minutes since they left. He turned to Trixy, "Just what the heck was that? How come less than five minutes passed? We were in there for hours." Trixy smiled sheepishly. She had gotten so used to how time moves in that space, she forgot to let the others know. "Yeah, Alpha Time seems to slow down when I'm in there. I'm not sure how." Bruno chimed in, "Yeah, whenever I need some serious rest, but don't have much time, Trix usually lets me in. It's almost like a minute in there is an hour out here".
Elder Cynthia tilted her head, "That could explain why those books are in such good condition, despite their age." Her eyes sparkled, "Marvellous, just marvellous". Everyone nodded, and with Bradley dismissing them, they all made their way to their rooms to think and discuss what they had learnt.