Dianthe Rising (24 page)

Oh God, he cried, great heaving sobs that nearly broke my heart. The boys let him go and he scooped me up and held me while he cried, asking me why.

After a while I told him what I told mum.
That I loved them and we were happy. He didn't like it but he’s accepted it. Strangely enough, he is coming around more often now. I think it is just to check up on me. He is starting to thaw toward the guys, but it’s a slow process. He threatens them every chance he gets and warns them that one of them had better fucking marry me before I fall pregnant. Gotta love big brothers.

Annie took it like a trooper. She was angry I hadn’t told her about it before she heard it through the family grapevine. Other than that, she was all over the idea. Her mum and aunt are devastated and John, Daniel’s dad, has cut him off completely. His mum, Mary, and Aunt Rose still speak to us but it is more clandestine. I hope one day this will be all behind us but all I can do is hope.

I need to go and take a shower before the guys all come home and ask me again about Callanish. I’m going to have to agree to it. There is no way to get out of it. I’ve just have a bad feeling, and
I’ve learned to listen to those feelings.

*****

I had just finished my shower when the boys started to come back. Daniel came in first. He had been out doing his thing and looking for work. I walked up to him and quickly kissed him on the lips.

“Hey, how’d it go, Goliath?”

“Hey yourself, hot lips. Is that anyway to greet a poor man after a hard day’s work?”

“Nope, but who said anything about you doing a hard day’s work?” I grinned saucily and turned to dash across the room before he could grab me.

Damn fairies are quiet though and I found myself wrapped in Robin’s arms before I had completely turned around.

“Tut-tut, Dianthe. Did no one ever teach you to show more respect for your mates? Do you need to be taught a lesson?”

I couldn't help myself. I blushed furiously at the reminder of several such lessons. There had been a few occasions over the past weeks where the guys would “discipline” me. They would spank me until I begged forgiveness over some perceived wrong. Then they’d rub and kiss it away before loving me unconscious.

“No,” I gasped. “I mean no, I was only joking.” I didn’t want to pull them into an all-night sex session before we had a chance to talk. I had made my decision and as the solstice was less than a week away, we had a lot of planning to do.

Before I had a chance to say anything more, the door opened and Kale walked in. I shook my head and wondered absently,
when had they all had keys made?
We were going to have a conversation about boundaries.

Unfortunately, for me, in their eyes we were married already so where I stayed ergo did they.

I stopped for a moment and took the time to really look at Kale. He looked haggard and I was really starting to worry for him.

“Hey you," I slipped out of Robin’s arms and went to him. “What’s wrong? You look shattered.”

Kale massaged the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “It’s nothing for you to worry about, baby, just pack stuff.” His eyes shifted away from me and I knew something was up.

“Hey, I’m your mate, right?” I ducked under his arm trying to make eye contact. “Shouldn’t you share pack stuff with me?”

A flash of anger crossed his face before he quickly hid it, but I had already seen the emotion. “Tell me, Kale, what’s wrong? I can’t help if you don’t tell me what I need to do.”

He snarled and turned away from me, fury radiating off him. “You want to know what you can do. You can be my fucking mate and come home with me. The pack is threatening to rebel because I cannot control one little female. They are on the verge of challenge because I don't even stay with them. I killed my own father to protect the pack and in essence, I’ve thrown it all away for a piece of ass.”

Aghast, I drew back, the harshness of his words overwhelmed me. I so hadn’t seen this coming. I thought we were doing great. Robin and Daniel had both pushed in front of me when Kale had let loose, protecting me from his anger. I knew he wouldn't hurt me but that’s testosterone for you.

Kale looked at me haggardly and sat heavily on the sofa. “I’m sorry, baby, it’s just not been going well the past couple weeks.”

I had to push past the two overprotective morons so I could sit on the edge of the couch with Kale. “I’m sorry that I’ve put you in this position. I don’t understand how a pack works. The lines of communication need to be open or we are never going to work things out. Will moving to Bean to fix this mess?”

He looked at me with hope. “It’d be a huge step in the right direction.”

“And would the pack accept Robin and Daniel?” I questioned.

“Yeah, it’s already been discussed. As long as I get an heir for the pack eventually, they don’t care. It’s unusual for wolves to take multiple partners once mated but in the paranormal community it’s not uncommon.”

I took a deep breath before making a snap decision. “As long as Robin and Daniel are okay with the move, I’ll come to Bean.” I looked to the other two who nodded silently and turned my attention back to my wolf. “It was only because I wanted to keep some
me
space that I stayed here.” Smiling wistfully, I looked at the three of them. “I should have guessed that would never happen anyway, right?”

"No," was the three very verbal responses to that one.

“You’ll just pack up and come back to the house with me?” Kale questioned.

“Yeah, I will. It’s not a hard choice.”

“Why?” He still looked sceptical.

“You idiot, it’s because I love you. I love all three of you and will do whatever needs to be done to support our family.”

Wow, I hadn’t expected what happened next.
Three very large males jumped me and pulled me to the floor. I found myself passed from one to the next for X-rated kisses and caresses. When I was finally given enough air to do more than breathe, I pulled back.

“Not that I’m complaining but what was that for?”

Robin lifted my chin for one last kiss. “You told us you loved us.”

“Yeah, but that’s kind of obvious. You people have been telling me for weeks. Surely you knew?”

Kale pulled me down shaking his head, before kissing me lazily. “You’ve never said the words, sweetheart. Sometime we need the reassurance, we were getting worried.”

Aww man, I sucked
. “I’m so sorry guys. I just never thought. I do love you. I love each of you so much sometimes that my heart hurts.” I decided to go back to the subject we were on before I started to bawl like a baby. “Is that what you want, for us to move to pack lands?”

“Yes, more than anything at the moment. I have wanted you in my home and bed since the first night I saw you. My pack will rest easier knowing you are there and my mother will get off my back, not to mention my second. He has been worse than any nagging bitch in the pack. No offence, Dia.”

Laughing, I pushed him playfully, “All you had to do was ask, oh mighty Alpha. I am but your humble obedient mate.”

Choking snorts met my announcement and Daniel muttered an, “I wish.”

“No, seriously, I’ve even decided to go to Scotland and meet dear old dad. I can compromise.” In the issuing silence, I rushed in. “We need to make arrangements. Places to stay, transportation,
etc.
The BBC is doing some weird live stream for the nation on the stones. So, Robin, you can use your magic powers to make us invisible right? I mean we’ve only got a week and I should have been on board ages ago.” I trailed off as I looked to my guys as they quietly passed looks between them. “Okay, what am I missing again?”

“Dianthe dearest,” Robin smiled fondly at me. “Sometimes I forget how young you really are. We were always going to Callanish for the Solstice. Everything is in order. We were just waiting for you to come to your senses.”

“Oh,” I said dumbly. I started to get angry that they had ignored my feelings and gone ahead and made plans without me. I opened my mouth to let fly when Robin stopped me. He held up his hand to halt my tirade.

“My love, how has your control been recently?”

Crap
, I thought. Not good, I had blown up half the electrical devices in the flat alone. I couldn’t even go out in public without Robin anymore because I could not trust myself. I’d managed to turn milk into Diet coke at the supermarket and I almost floated away at the mall. One day, Daniel took me to the museum and while I was admiring a painting, it started to come to life. We had to rush out before the glamour could take over and turn the whole room into a fishing village.

Yeah, I should have given in ages ago. No one ever accused me of not being stubborn. At least I had finally seen the light. I just nodded my head and said, “You’re right. There’s no use in arguing about it. I can’t control it and if meeting the old man will help, then it has to be done.”

I wanted to be done with this conversation so I tried to bring it back to moving to Bean. Then a thought hit me. “Kale, did you say you killed your father?”

I really thought I had misheard him but he soon abased me of that notion.

*****

Kale…

How was I supposed to tell my mate about the hardest thing I had ever done? She was so innocent and pure. I would never have told her at all if I could’ve helped it but the stress of the last few weeks had finally reached their breaking point. While she had accepted me into her bed and home, I still felt as if she hadn’t accepted me, not fully. Not to mention, the pack was growing more than restless. An Alpha could not live away from his pack.

Mother understood but even she was growing worried at our continued absence. If I could get through this conversation without her turning away from me, so many worries would be lifted.

The Faery and I had made our peace weeks ago. I never thought I would submit to another male physically, much less sexually, but those weeks on the Fae side changed my outlook on life. I had learned I could still be Alpha and submit to my mate at times. Robin and Daniel were my mates as much as Dia was.
I pulled myself from my thoughts and looked into my beautiful mate’s golden eyes. She could’ve easily been born a wolf.

Like a coward, I had to gather my courage before I told her the truth plainly and painfully.

“I did kill my father, Dia, in cold blood.”

“But why,” she whimpered.

Gods, I hope I can make her understand.
“Because he was a cruel bastard, baby. He was destroying the pack. There was not much of a pack left when I challenged him. A challenge is to the death. Once the challenge is made and accepted, it cannot be stopped". The weariness in my voice must have brought out their protective needs. Dia pressed against me on the couch. While Robin and Daniel slid onto the ends squeezing us all close together. The wolf in me loved the closeness and comfort, but I needed to finish this before I could accept it.

"I finally stood up to him the night he was going to kill my mother, his mate. He was mad and had been for years. He beat me for as long as I can remember. Mum could not even hug me without it leading to a lashing."

Closing my eyes, I could see it all playing out again in my head, the horrible sights and sounds of his rages. The shudder that passed through me before I forced myself to continue shook my whole body, "She was pregnant when I finally found the courage to challenge him. He accused her of cheating on him and whelping a bastard. He said he would beat the baby out of her. By the time I was there, the baby was gone. I was able to save my mum but not my brother.”

“Oh, Kale, I’m so sorry,” she cried as she threw herself into my arms.

“Shhhh...” I soothed her. “It’s okay, baby, it was a long time ago. I killed him, but I did it coldly. I had long ago stopped wanting a father’s love. I did what I had to do to protect my pack and family.”

I had to ask her the question I knew would break us if she answered negatively. “Knowing that I have the blood of my father on my hands, can you forgive me?”

“Kale,” she exclaimed. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m so proud of you. It must have been so hard to make that decision. You saved your mother’s life and secured your pack's future. I love you and nothing will ever change that.”

I looked down into my mate’s eyes and fell irrevocably in love with her. Yes, as Robin had said she was so very young. Damn, but what a woman she was already, and I couldn’t wait to see how she matured. We were all so lucky to have the years ahead of us to explore and help her grow.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dia…

My plans changed after our decision to move to Bean and the pack house. Seriously, there is a place called Bean. I shook my head and carried on packing.

“Dia, pack what you need and we will get movers to collect the rest,” Robin teased.

“I am,” I grumbled. It was too bad I couldn't make what I wanted appear at a moment’s notice. On the other hand, could I? Hmmmm, I put my hands on my hips and stared at my open wardrobe. Why could Mary Poppins do it and not me?

“What are you doing, dearest?” Robin asked puzzled.

I slumped down on the bed and crossed my arms. “What good is it to have supernatural powers if you can’t make your clothes pack them self?” I grumped.

Robin looked at me blankly for a moment before a slow grin spread across his lips. “You were trying to use your un-awakened gifts to pack your luggage?”

“Yeah, so,” I huffed.

Robin’s smile turned into a chuckle and he doubled over in laughter. I had never seen him, well, guffawing before. He slid down the wall and sat on the ground at my feet. When he got his breath back, he looked up at me. Those liquid silver eyes of his were shining with laughter. I had never seen him so animated.

“Oh, my love, you are a true joy. Did you believe you could pull magic tricks out of a hat?”

“Well why not?” I asked. “You do stuff like that all the time.”