Thoreau - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

~September, two and a half years ago~
Spring
Chasing Reau as he rode his dirt bike, I wondered yet again how I'd ended up paired with Ocean and Firth for the midnight run.
Hurry, boys! Firth yipped. We have fuckery to spread!
How many times have I told you to watch your language, pup? I growled at him.
Spring, and now it was moron number two's turn to torment me, don't you ever stop and think, 'Well, here's another fine evening ruined by responsibility'?
No, Osh. I don't.
I rolled my eyes as I linked Reau and asked him why, of all the shifters in Five Fangs, he had to be besties with Archer Barlow and Wayne Black. My boy only giggled and told me to have fun.
Delusional little cinnamon roll.
Hey! Firth suddenly shouted at me. Pay attention, oldie! I'm talking to you!
Sorry, I muttered. I'm not good at pretending like I care.
Suck it, Spring!
He can't suck you, Firth, Ocean giggled. Small objects are a choking hazard.
Seven thousand languages in the world, and you always gotta talk shit. Firth lunged at him, but Ocean dodged with a gleeful smile.
It was a joke, Firth, not a dick! Don't take it so hard!
Is done an emotion? I interjected before their pointless conversation could devolve any further. Because I feel it all the way down to my soul.
You know, Spring, being a dick won't make yours any bigger, Ocean smirked.
I can't understand how no one has hit you with a shovel yet. Or a truck. I rolled my eyes at him.
Yeah, Osh. Don't be an asshole, Firth rammed his shoulder into mine. That's Spring's role in this trio. We're the hemorrhoids and he's the asshole we irritate.
Finally annoyed enough, I lunged at them both, and they took off at top speed. I ended up chasing them around the clearing a few times as Reau drove his dirt bike over to the luna and alphas and showed them the special box he and Kon had built for luna's wolf, Lark, so she could participate in the run.
As more pack members arrived, I herded Firth and Ocean over to join them as Chime Karma floated over our heads. Reau dropped luna's hand to pet all three of us and wave at the dragon, who rumbled just loud enough to be heard over the hundreds of shifters and wolves gathered in the clearing.
I was opening the link with Chime Karma to ask him if he wanted to race once the run began when a voice silenced everyone, and a woman who shone like a moonbeam appeared in our midst.
"And what would you sacrifice to make that wish come true, luna of Five Fangs?" she asked. "What price would you pay for their happiness?"
Everything faded around us. I couldn't hear or see or link anyone except for Reau and luna as we stood before the Moon Goddess.
I bowed my head in respect, thankful that Reau had thought to bow his head, too, and I made sure my little one saw that I was calm and unafraid so he would be the same.
As for luna, her eyes were far away, and I knew she was seeing and hearing something different than Reau and I were.
"I have an offer for you two," the Goddess said, bringing my attention back to her. "Thoreau, would you like Spring to live inside you like Tanner did?"
"Take Tanner's place?"
"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 heart jumped in my chest, and I knew Reau felt the same when he met my eyes and nodded.
"Yes, please!" Reau chirped. "I would love that so much! Please, please, please!"
Yes, my lady, I echoed. Nothing would make me happier.
"There is one problem we must address before we negotiate further, and it is a serious one," the Goddess said. "We must decide what to do with your mate bonds."
Reau and I glanced at each other, then back to her.
"What is the problem with them?" he asked before I could.
"You still have half of them. Even in pieces, two separate mate bonds cannot exist in the same body. I have three options for you to consider. First, I can dissolve what's left of both bonds and leave you free to take a chosen mate."
What would that do to our true mates? I asked. Are they even still alive?
"They are, and the remnants of theirs would also dissolve. As for option two, I can dissolve one of your mate bonds and leave the other."
I could see Reau didn't quite understand what that would mean.
If she erases my mate bond and leaves yours, I explained, I would have to accept your human's wolf as my chosen mate. If she erases your bond and leaves mine, you would have to accept my wolf's human half as your chosen mate.
"But what would happen to the other mate?" Reau asked after he thought about it for a moment. "The one whose bond you erased? Would he be mateless?"
"Unfortunately, yes, although nothing prevents him or her from taking a chosen one."
I like that option better than the first one, although neither are really appealing, I told Reau. However, at least this way, one of us would get to experience the mate bond and scent and sparks.
"I don't have a good feeling about option two," Reau said at last. "I don't want a chosen mate; I want the one you've prepared for me."
At his words, I knew what I had to do. Swallowing hard, I met the Goddess' silvery eyes.
A human can't accept only a wolf, but a wolf can accept only a human. I'll sacrifice my bond if it can buy Reau's happiness. Every day, I see how satisfied and content Cove is with the platonic love between him and Gelo. By anyone's reckoning, I'm only alive because of a fluke, so even that much would be a blessing I am hardly entitled to.
"No, Spring!" Reau protested. "That is not true! You deserve to have your mate, too!"
"I do have a third option that might suit you both better," the Goddess interjected. "It is unconventional, but Father Time took a glimpse ahead and saw only happiness for all involved."
How did you get him to agree to that, my lady? My eyes widened in shock. I've always heard he doesn't like to get involved in mortal affairs. We're too temporary for his concern.
"There's a real Father Time?!" Reau gasped. "Like on Rudolf's Shiny New Year?!"
"Oh, my! Is that old show still playing? Yes, there is a Father Time, but he's nothing like that animated character," she laughed, then answered me. "He owed me a very big favor."
And you used it for us? We are overwhelmed by your generosity, my lady. I lowered my head in a small bow.
"Yeah, thanks a bunch! We are very grateful!" Reau chirped and also dipped his head in a respectful nod.
"Oh, my precious children, I only ever want good for the both of you, which is why I am agreeable to merging your mate bonds."
"But if what's left of my mate bond goes to one boy and Spring's goes to another, that means we'd have two mates, doesn't it?" Reau blurted out, and I knew he'd just realized that.
"It does," the Goddess confirmed, "and those two mates would be bonded to you and each other."
A trio of mates all independently bonded to each other? I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head to the side. I've never heard of such a thing.
"It's the only way I can make it work."
"But what if those two boys don't want to be mated to each other?" Reau asked with a frown.
I knew his question came out of a desire to not hurt or upset anyone because of him, and my chest warmed at my little one's selflessness.
"That will not be an issue," the Goddess assured us, and we had no choice but to accept her word.
We trust you in all things and with our futures, I said gravely, acutely aware of the honor being bestowed upon us. Right, Reau?
"Yes! You are the Moon Goddess, after all." He nodded so fiercely, he had to push the curls out of his eyes as they bounced around. "If you think it's the best way, I believe you! We choose option three!"
"So be it." The Goddess' smile crinkled the corners of her eyes, and Reau started hopping around with excitement.
Can you close his ears for a moment, my lady? I asked quietly while he was distracted.
"I can and I have. Ask the question I see in your eyes."
What happened to our mates' bonds when Ev and Tanner died?
"They snapped, the same as yours. Without my intervention, even if you were to stand right next to them when they turned eighteen, neither you and their wolves nor Reau and their human halves would recognize each other. But that is not what you really want to know, is it?"
It's part of what I want to know, I admitted, then took a deep breath before asking, Who are they? The mates you prepared for us?
Her eyes flared brilliantly with wolf light, and I gulped in fear that I'd insulted her or her wolf or both, and all of this would unravel.
"I will tell you," she murmured, "but Mene has asked me, for the sake of fairness, to seal the knowledge in your mind until all involved are of age. At that point, you may choose to share it or keep it a secret. I would encourage the former, however, as secrets between mates often lead to nothing but tears or tragedy."
I understand and agree, my lady.
"You and Everett were always meant for Wayne and Ocean, and Thoreau and Tanner for Archer and Firth."
Something that felt like destiny brushed over me at her words, causing my ruff to stand up, and I could not have spoken to save my life.
"Yes, it is funny how fate intervenes, is it not?" Her laughter was the delicate chime of glass bells, and I nodded.
Hmm. Three beta wolves together, I whispered to myself when my shock faded. Oh, how I am going to relish 'disciplining' those naughty pups!
I smirked a little at that, then sobered as I realized we weren't even considering how Ocean or Firth would feel about this.
I know Arch and Wayne talked to their wolves before about taking each other as chosen mates. I raised my eyes to the Goddess. Will they accept Reau and me as well?
"Haven't they already?" She raised one eyebrow. "And haven't you formed your own special feelings for each of them?"
Yes, I— I've grown to care very much for them, which shocks me. I huffed and shook my head. Before, I never would have had time for their antics and teasing. Now, I look forward to seeing them each day and feel disappointed if I don't.
"Then, my dear wolf, I would say you have your answer."
As I admitted she was right, the Goddess bought Reau back into our conversation, and he looked at me with a little fear in his beautiful eyes.
Don't worry, little one, I assured him. You'll remember when the time is right. Until then, I'll carry the knowledge for both of us.
He nodded, and his utter trust in me was humbling.
"That leaves just one more issue to clear up," the Goddess said. "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. Reau didn't have enough moon power to make an unranked wolf listen to him, let alone one with beta blood.
Control is something I've never lacked, my lady, I told her with a small smile.
"I am aware. 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."
As the Goddess and I stared at each other, I spotted an adorable gray wolf peeking around the Goddess and knew she was kindly giving Reau a chance to say goodbye to Tanner.
"You won't be able to change him, Spring," she murmured for only me to hear. "He is who he is. You cannot make him into someone else."
I was taken aback. Did she think I wanted to mold Reau into another Ev? But why would I want to do that? My little one was his own unique little self—
Ah. So that was it.
I don't want to fix him! I 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 graced me with a smile. "You are the only wolf alive today to whom I would entrust this pup."
Very well, I told the Goddess and bowed my head. What is the cost, my lady?
"I can ask Mama for money," Reau piped up, and I saw his wolf had faded back to the Moon Realm. "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," the Goddess 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? I wanted to know.
"I will supply the knowledge. She will supply the power."
"Wait." Reau held up his hand. "Will she have to pay a price, too?"
"Yes. A steep one, as this is no small magic."
Reau and I looked at each other, then shook our heads in unison. As much as we both wanted this, we would not harm, or allow harm to come to, the luna for anything in this world or the next.
Thank you, my lady, for your generous offer, I told her with true disappointment. However, with the greatest respect, we must decline.
"That's right," Reau added. "We don't want luna to be sad or in pain because of us."
"She won't be sad. It will hurt her, but she knows that and is more than willing to pay the price."
What is it? I demanded. What is her sacrifice?
"The evidence of hate."
I understood immediately what she meant, but Reau was obviously confused, so I explained that luna would sacrifice the scars her cruel step-father had inflicted on her with silver and mercury.
"You will make her scars go away?" Reau 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 gently. "Now, if we are all agreed and your objections are satisfied, your luna is ready to proceed."
My eyes met Reau's, and once more I was humbled by his absolute trust in me. When I nodded, he followed my lead yet again, and we agreed to the Goddess' terms before she waved one hand to release luna from their private conversation.
"Everything's going to be okay, sweetie," Luna Posy told Reau as she hugged him.
"I know it is. You're here," Reau whispered.
After they released each other, luna wrapped her arm around my neck and leaned closer to whisper in my ear.
"You are the bravest, most selfless wolf I have ever had the privilege to meet, Spring. Everett would be so proud of you."
Choking on the emotions she'd brought to the surface, I could only nod.
"We're ready, my lady," she murmured.
Following the Goddess' directions, she laid one hand on my head and the other over Reau's heart and, seconds later, wave after wave of moon magic flooded through me. It made my tail bush up and my whole body shiver, and I heard Reau giggle, probably because it tickled him, too.
A sudden burst of moonlight made me close my eyes tightly and, when I opened them again, I was right where I belonged, safe and secure with my little one. It was like finally coming home after getting lost for too long in a distant land.
"Reau?" luna's voice called softly.
Too excited to answer, he shed his t-shirt and shoes and handed control over to me. As I shifted, he slipped to the back of his mind, so happy that I knew I wouldn't get an intelligent word out of him for several minutes at least.
As for me, once I was in my own fur, I tipped my head back and howled, and Reau howled with me.
~Present day~
Konstantin Russo
After Spring finished showing us his memory, all of us stayed as still and silent as statues, and I wondered if everyone was as in awe as Chime Karma and I were.
Then the luna came out onto the patio with the alphas trailing after her and Nathan and Evie's heathens running among them and making a beeline to their mom and dad. Luna, however, went straight to my fratellino and his new mates and tried to hug all three of them at once, but her tiny arms could only stretch around Reau's waist and halfway across Wayne's.
"I'm so happy for you!" she hiccuped as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Evie Barlow and Peri James joined in on the sobbing hug fest while the rest of us watched with happy smiles or, in Alpha Cole's case, chased Walker, Winston, and William away from the stack of gifts before they could tear into them.
I went over and congratulated the happy trio as soon as the she-wolves released them from their clutches. More family and friends were arriving, and Reau and his mates would be swamped with well-wishers, so I had to get mine in before Chime Karma's social battery drained out and I needed to leave before he ate someone.
It didn't help that we were feeding off each other's increasing desperation to find our mate. He couldn't shake it off and neither could I, and I was losing both hope and control at an alarming rate.
I hope we find our girl soon, I told my dragon as I picked at my piece of birthday cake. I love Reau, and I'm happy for him, but every time one of them finds their mates, it only reminds me that we remain alone.
Let's go to New York City with Angelo and Nathan tomorrow, Chime Karma suggested. She isn't among the wolves, at least the ones of age, so perhaps she's one of the nephilim.
Nodding, I linked Papa and let him know we were joining him on the hunt for the dark witch and her friends.
Even if we didn't find our mate, maybe killing an enemy or two - or twenty - might take the edge off.
At least, I hoped so.