Thoreau - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

I rode my dirt bike into the clearing where the pack gathered for the midnight runs. Firth, Ocean, and Spring followed me, and I heard Spring complaining in the link as Firth and Ocean messed with him. With a grin, I looked over to see him lunge at them before they took off at top speed with him chasing them around the clearing.
Giggling, I drove right up to the luna and alphas, shut down the bike, hopped off, and ran to the luna as I ripped off my helmet.
"Luna! I'm going to be Lark's chauffeur!"
"Oh, boy!" She grabbed my hands and jumped around with me. "What's a chauffeur?"
"I don't know!" I chirped.
"Me, either!"
"A chauffeur is someone who drives someone around," Alpha Cole explained with a big grin. "Reau, show luna what's on your bike."
With a nod, I held onto one of luna's hand to lead her over to the bike. Between the handlebars and the seat was a small, padded box with a little harness attached to it.
"See? Lark will sit here and I will buckle her in. And look!" I reached into my shorts pocket with my free hand and pulled out the bright orange goggles Papa gave me. "Special glasses to protect her eyes from rocks and wind!"
"Those are ski goggles, Reau." Alpha Cole rolled his eyes.
I knew they were, but I couldn't find my dirt bike goggles before it was time to leave the house.
"Papa said they will work, alpha," I told him.
Before he could say anything, Alpha Jay came over and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Reau, you'll be a good boy and take care of the luna, right? No wheelies or jumps or anything even a little dangerous, okay?"
"Of course, alpha." I nodded really fast. "I will always take care of luna."
"I know you will." Alpha Jay patted my head, and I hummed with a smile.
I loved good boy pats!
As more pack members arrived, Spring, Firth and Ocean trotted over to us with Chime Karma floating above them. I dropped luna's hand to pet my wolves and wave at Chime Karma, who rumbled just loud enough for me to hear him over all the shifters and wolves in the clearing.
Then a voice rang through the night and suddenly everyone went silent.
"And what would you sacrifice to make that wish come true, luna of Five Fangs?" said a woman who shone like a moonbeam. "What price would you pay for their happiness?"
Everything faded around us. I couldn't hear or see or link anyone but Spring and luna as we stood before the shiny lady.
When I realized she was the Moon Goddess, I bowed my head in respect, trembling a little. I didn't know what was going on. Was she here to punish someone for swearing by the moon and not keeping their promise?
With wide eyes, I went through my memories to make sure it wasn't me. I didn't want to be punished by the Moon Goddess!
But she smiled sweetly as Spring greeted her and bowed his head, too, and I relaxed a little. I still wanted to stick my thumb in my mouth, but Spring didn't seem worried or afraid, and that helped me be brave.
Checking on luna, I saw her eyes were far away, and I wondered if she was seeing and hearing something different than Spring and I were.
"I have an offer for you two," the Moon Goddess said, bringing my attention back to her. "Thoreau, would you like Spring to live inside you like Tanner did?"
"Take Tanner's place?" I frowned.
"No one can replace Tanner for you," she corrected, "just like no one can replace Everett Breckenridge for Spring. But you can both have a new life with each other."
My eyes lit up as I looked at Spring. He nodded, so I knew he wanted this, too.
"Yes, please!" I chirped. "I would love that so much! Please, please, please!"
Yes, my lady, Spring echoed. Nothing would make me happier.
She started talking about mate bonds, and Spring and I agreed with her solution, then she waved her hand and I forgot every word we said.
A little scared, I glanced down at Spring.
Don't worry, little one. You'll remember when the time is right. Until then, I'll carry the knowledge for both of us.
Since I trusted Spring with all my heart, I nodded and looked back at the Moon Goddess.
"That leaves just one more issue to clear up. Spring, this adjustment will be harder for you than Thoreau. With your beta blood, you are much stronger and more powerful than he can control. You will be tasked with controlling yourself."
I understood what she was saying. Tanner had been as close to an omega as you could get without being one, and I didn't have enough moon power to make a ranked wolf listen to me, especially not a beta. We would all have to trust Spring to behave himself.
Control is something I've never lacked, my lady, Spring told her with a small smile.
"I am aware." The Moon Goddess smiled back at him before adding, "However, you must understand how your position will differ in this new role. You would switch from partner to protector, from colleague to caretaker. Thoreau is Thoreau, and he always will be."
What was she talking about? Of course I was me and would always be me! Who else would I be?!
As the two of them stared at each other, my little eye spied a wolf peeking his head around the Moon Goddess, and my breath caught in my throat.
I knew those pale blue eyes!
"Tanner," I breathed.
Wagging his tail so hard, his whole body wiggled as he walked, Tanner pranced over to me and rubbed the top of his head in my belly, inviting me to pet him, so I did.
"I missed you so much!" I knelt down and hugged his neck and hid my face in his throat as I wept. It was so odd to be able to hug my own wolf, but I was just grateful that I was getting the chance to see him again.
I missed you, too, my boy. I am glad you are safe and well with your family and your new pack.
"Yes, I am. Are you happy?" Raising my head, I swallowed hard and ignored the tears streaming down my checks. "Binda wanted me to find our happiness, but it was too late for you. Have you found it with the Goddess?"
More than my heart can hold. He licked the tears dribbling off my chin. All day, I run in the fields and forests and swim in the lakes and rivers of the Moon Realm with my friends. At night, we curl up together under the stars and sleep in warmth and peace.
"That sounds amazing!" Smiling through my tears, I stroked the thick fur around my wolf's face. "Will I see you again?"
Only in dreams, my boy. The Moon Goddess has allowed me only a few moments with you, and I want you to know something before I have to go.
"What's that, Tanner?"
I was worried about you, but now I am relieved that you have Spring to protect you. He will keep you safer than I ever could.
"You were the best wolf a boy could have, Tanner. I love you." After wiping my nose on my sleeve, I kissed his cheek, then his forehead, then his other cheek. "I'm sorry Mommy Daddy killed you."
Oh, my precious boy, I love you, too. I would have died a thousand times to keep you safe. I only regret that I had to leave you alone and defenseless, but now you have many protectors to keep you safe and happy. A wonderful life awaits you, my boy, and I hope you live every moment of it.
"Of course I will live it, Tanner." I shook my head at my silly wolf. "That's what life is. Living!"
With a raspy chuckle, he stepped back and faded into nothing, and I smiled despite the ache in my heart. I would always love and miss him, but I knew I was blessed to have the chance to see him one last time.
Very well, my little ear heard Spring say, and I looked over to see him bow his head. Then his next words surprised me. What is the cost, my lady?
Uh-oh! I wasn't 'specting to have to pay for her help!
"I can ask Mama for money," I told them. "He always gives me some when I ask. If he doesn't have enough in his wallet right now, Papa probably does. Bubble says he is bank and—"
"No, sweet boy," she laughed lightly, "you can't buy something like this with money. Regardless, the point is moot. The price was paid when your other halves were stolen from you."
What role must the luna play in this? Spring wanted to know.
"I will supply the knowledge. She will supply the power."
"Wait." I held up my hand. "Will she have to pay a price, too?"
"Yes. A steep one, as this is no small magic."
Spring and I looked at each other, then shook our heads at the same time. As much as we both wanted this, our happiness was not worth a single tear in our precious luna's eyes.
Thank you, my lady, for your generous offer, Spring told her. However, with the greatest respect, we must decline.
"That's right. We don't want luna to be sad or in pain because of us."
"She won't be sad," the Moon Goddess said with a little smile. "It will hurt her, but she knows that and is more than willing to pay the price."
What is it? Spring demanded. What is her sacrifice?
"The evidence of hate."
My face screwed up in confusion. What did that mean? Luna couldn't hate anyone!
Her scars, Reau, Spring murmured. She means the luna will sacrifice her scars.
My mouth dropped open in an 'o' as my eyes grew wide.
I'd seen a few of her scars and heard Mama talking to Papa about them. They would never heal because Alpha Briggs had made them with silver and mercury. Every time she saw them, she probably 'membered how she got them and felt sad.
"You will make her scars go away?" I whispered.
"Yes."
"But that would make luna happy. I don't understand how that's a sacrifice."
"You don't need to understand it. You only need to understand that she wants to do this, and it will benefit her in the end," the Moon Goddess said, but not in a mean way. "Now, if we are all agreed and your objections are satisfied, your luna is ready to proceed."
Once more, I looked at Spring only to find him looking back at me. When he nodded, I did, too. I didn't trust myself to make big decisions on my own, so I would follow his lead.
And I knew luna would be excited for us and even more excited to have pretty skin again!
"I agree," I said as I bowed my head to the Moon Goddess.
I agree as well, Spring added, also bowing his head.
"So be it."
The Moon Goddess waved one hand, and it was like luna was released from a spell. She came right over to me and gave me a tight hug.
"Everything's going to be okay, sweetie," she told me with a smile.
"I know it is. You're here," I whispered in her ear before she patted my back and stepped away.
Wrapping an arm around Spring's neck, she whispered in his ear, too, and he nodded.
Then, "We're ready, my lady," she murmured as she stood between us.
Following the Moon Goddess' directions, she put one hand on Spring's head and the other over my heart, and the Moon Goddess began to tell her what to do.
In seconds, loads of moon magic flooded through me, and I giggled because it tickled. It must have been tickling Spring, too, because his tail bushed up and he shivered. Then a burst of moonlight made me close my eyes tight and, just that quick, Spring filled up the room inside of me that had been empty ever since Tanner died.
"Reau?" luna's soft voice called my name.
Too excited to answer, I shed my t-shirt and shoes and handed control over to Spring. As he shifted, I slipped to the back of my mind, so happy that I felt my heart might 'splode!
Once he was in his own fur, Spring tipped his head back and howled, and I howled with him.
Thank you, luna! I linked her as Spring continued to sing to the midnight sky. Thank you, Moon Goddess!
They both smiled at me, then the Goddess turned to luna.
"And now, little luna, the price must be paid."
"Gladly," luna murmured. "I'm ready."
The Moon Goddess flicked her fingers, and luna's mouth dropped open in a silent scream. Before Spring and I could do anything, our little luna fell to the ground, and the Moon Goddess disappeared as suddenly as she'd come.
With a nearly silent whine, Spring covered luna's body with his own, hiding her and keeping her safe while she was vulnerable.
Is she going to be okay? I asked in a panic.
She'll be fine, he assured me. It took a lot of her strength and energy, though. She needs to rest.
Then several voices broke through whatever spell the Moon Goddess had used to silence the pack link.
Reau! Is luna bunny all right? Are you all right, honey?
Cucciolo, what's happening?
Baby boy, are you okay?
Curls? Please answer us!
But I couldn't. All my focus was on my luna. Spring and I had to stand guard over her until the alphas came for her!
Which they did in a heartbeat. The five of them dropped to their knees in a circle around us, and Spring stood and moved aside. The second he did, Alpha Mason picked luna up and hugged her against his chest, and Alpha Jayden patted Spring on the head.
"We've got her, buddy," he said. "Go to your family for now. You can visit with her later."
Spring looked at luna one last time, then nodded and trotted off to where we knew some worried people were waiting for us.
Spring
Reau's papa and bubble hugged me and fussed over us, and Beta Em dropped to his knees and sank his tear-streaked face in my ruff.
Aw! Reau pouted. Don't cry, Mama!
I'm just so happy for you both, he sobbed.
We're happy, too, I told him and gave Gelo a nod as he pulled his mate off me and into his arms. Happier than we can say, right, little one?
Yes! Reau cheered.
Then all our attention went to Alpha Ash as he held luna up with his hands in her armpits so everyone could see her.
Poor luna, Reau said with a pout. I feel bad that she is suffering because of us.
Me, too, but at least we know the alphas will take good care of her, I told him, and he nodded.
Then Alpha Mason stepped forward.
"Wolves of Five Fangs!" he boomed while linking the whole pack. "Your luna performed a miracle tonight! By her sacrifice was the shifter Thoreau Ezra Jones merged with our late beta Everett Breckenridge's wolf Spring. Let us celebrate by dedicating tonight's run to our mate, to your luna, to Posy Anne Everleigh!"
He forgot I'm a del Vecchio now, Reau pouted, which made me shake my head with a smile. Of course my little one would focus on that!
Wolf howls and human cheers rose up in a roar around us, and Firth and Ocean rubbed all over me as Beta Em blew his nose and Gelo patted his back.
While the pack celebrated, I thought back to the conversation the Goddess and I had had without Reau's little ears listening.
You won't be able to change him, Spring. He is who he is. You cannot make him into someone else.
At first, I'd thought she was talking about Ev. Did she think I wanted to make Reau into a carbon copy of him? Why would I do that when Ev and I had developed a deep conflict? We were starting to work it out when he died, but still, I didn't need to go through that again.
Besides, I knew Reau wasn't Ev. My little one was his own unique little self—
Ah. So that was it.
I don't want to fix him! I'd dared to frown at the Goddess. I will help him in any way I can, but there is nothing broken about him to fix, no matter what his cruel parents said! He is precious and adorable, and I would no sooner 'fix' that than I'd crush a rare flower.
And that is why I am allowing this unprecedented merger. The Goddess had graced me with a smile. You are the only wolf alive today to whom I would entrust this pup.
And my chest had swelled with pride and renewed purpose.
"Join us in welcoming our special guests, King Julian and Queen Lilah." Alpha Mason's booming voice drew me out of the memory. "Your majesties, we would be delighted and honored if Onyx and Kestrel consented to lead our run tonight."
"That would be our very great pleasure," the king's deep voice rang out.
The pack thundered its approval once more as King Julian took the queen's hand and led her behind a giant oak. Moments later, a massive black wolf and a large buff and white one emerged to stand proud and sure under the light of the full moon.
The alphas waited to shift until the luna was surrounded by her beta wolves, including me at her request, and I bounced around with my best friend, Arroyo, Beta Matthew's wolf. Then Firth and Ocean tried to sneak into the group of betas, but Jet, Nathan Barlow's wolf, and Alabaster, Royal Price's wolf, bit down on their ears and started to drag them out of the inner circle.
Naughty pups, I chuckled before luna's wolf got involved.
Leave them, Lark ordered like a queen, and Jet and Al bowed their heads in respect and stepped back.
Hahaha! Ocean blew a raspberry at Jet and Al as he and Firth danced around Arroyo and me. Luna wolf likes us!
Once luna handed Lark the reins, she shifted quickly, wiggled out of her clothes, and shook herself from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. Tipping her head back, she let out an adorable a-roo! that the whole pack immediately echoed.
Then the alphas' enormous wolves surrounded Lark, rubbing their faces all over her and licking her, and Firth and Ocean did the same with me as Thoreau giggled and linked with Archer and Wayne.
We running together again, Spring! Arroyo linked me. Happy, happy!
So happy, Roy!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gelo make a beeline for Lark, who he picked up and carried over to Reau's dirt bike.
Good. I nodded to myself. We can't leave our luna behind.
Gelo fixed Reau's goggles over her eyes and buckled her in, then burst into deep belly laughs at something she said - or maybe it was because she looked so darn cute, an excited runt wolf strapped to a dirt bike wearing orange ski goggles!
With little chuckles still bubbling out of him, Gelo hopped on the bike, kicked it to life, and revved the engine.
"Ready when you are, wolf king," he called over the noise.
With piercing howls, the king and queen took off, and I followed, happier than I ever dreamed I could be again.