USELESS?

9

My eyes shoot open at his words, and I look up at my mate for reassurance. He pulls me close, kissing me deeply before pulling out of me gently. We climb out of bed together, and head for the bathroom. Anthony calls out to Jeremiah, "Show them to the rose garden in the interior courtyard. We'll be down in 20 minutes."

Jeremiah answers in agreement, and we hear him retreat from the door. We hurry into the shower, washing quickly. We know there's no time for more pleasure with my parents waiting just downstairs. We finish our shower in ten minutes, and return to our room to dress. I choose a loose grey shirt that leaves my mating mark visible, black slacks, and a pair of grey ankle boots with a black wolf's head imprinted on the outside. I turn to look at Anthony, and find him dressed to complement me in a loose black shirt whose cut matches mine, grey slacks, and boots that match mine, but with the colors reversed, grey on black.

I meet his eyes to find him smiling in amusement at our matching attire, and cross the room to his side. He kisses my lips, then takes my hand, and we walk to the doors, opening them and striding through, side by side. We make our way down the stairs, and he tilts his head slightly towards a door opposite the main entrance, so I turn towards it, never letting him go.

We step through the doors to a courtyard surrounded by walls on all four sides, and I realize that the pack house has been built in a hollow square around these gardens. We follow the path towards the center, and as we approach, I see them. A tall man, dark hair going grey at the temples, with his arms wrapped around the shoulders of a petite, white-haired woman who is linked arm-in arm with a young man with silver-blond hair that exactly matches mine. They are facing the fountain that burbles in the middle of the garden, and don't see us approaching. Jeremiah is with them, facing our way, and clears his throat when we stop.

"Your Majesties, Your Highness, may I present to you Alpha Anthony James of the Golden Moon Pack and his mate, Hunter." Jeremiah announces formally, surprising me with the name of Anthony's pack as he introduces us. My parents and brother turn, and I see that my father's eyes are a surprising dark blue, like mine, and my mother and brother share ice blue eyes. That is the only difference I see between Archer and myself, which makes me wonder if he has a birthmark, as well.

Before I can ask them, Angel speaks into my mind. 'Only one Guardian appears in a generation, Hunter, and that is you. There is danger to him, and to you through him, if he finds out that there is a new Guardian. As King and Queen, your parents need to know, but it is safer for Archer if he does not. His wolf recognizes me, that is enough.'

We all stand awkwardly, as I listen to Angel's advice in my mind, simply studying one another. My mother, the Queen, breaks the tension with a whispered word.

"Hunter?"

I nod my head quickly, still clutching Anthony's hand. A beautiful smile appears on my mother's face, and tears of joy form in her eyes. She slips from under her mate's arms and runs to me, wrapping me in a hug so tight, it's nearly painful.

"Oh, my Hunter." She cries, "We've finally found you. After all this time!"

Another pair of arms joins hers around me, and I meet the eyes of my twin. Finally, my father's arms wrap around the three of us. We stand there in a four-way embrace, tears on all of our faces, for what seems like an eternity. I realize, dimly, that as I'm embracing my family, I'm still clutching onto the lifeline that is my mate's hand.

We finally break apart, and I re-introduce them to Anthony. "Mother, Father, this is Alpha Anthony James, the man who rescued me from the rogues. He is my true mate."

My mother wraps him in a hug, as well, crying "thank you, thank you, thank you!"

When she releases Anthony, my father and brother both shake his hand and repeat her thanks. We all sit down and start catching up on our lives, and suddenly, the issue arises.

My mother sighs. "I wish I knew why she stole you. We've missed so much of your life. There had to be a reason"

Anthony and I look at each other, then at Jeremiah. Anthony speaks up. "Jeremiah, would you mind giving Prince Archer a tour of the house and grounds? I believe that we need a private moment with the King and Queen. We'll be in our private suite when you return."

Jeremiah nods quickly. "Yes, Alpha."

As they leave, Anthony turns to my parents. "Your Majesties, if you can come with us to our private quarters, I believe all of your questions can be answered. But it is safer for everyone if we keep this as quiet as possible."

Puzzled, my father stands. "I owe you my son's life. I'm inclined to trust you. Lead the way."

Anthony and I, hand in hand, lead my parents up the stairs, to a door just past the one leading to our bedroom. We enter a sitting room that seems to have a door leading into our room. We offer my parents the couch, and once they are seated, take a seat on a loveseat facing them. Anthony squeezes my hand in encouragement.

'I can do this' I think. I stand up. "Before anything is said, there is something you need to see." I say, and remove my shirt. I take a deep breath, and slowly turn so that my back is visible to them.

"Blessed Goddess," my father exclaims. "A Guardian!'

Anthony begins speaking, "When I found your son, he was in wolf form. I knew immediately that he was a Guardian, and possibly the most powerful one in our history. Love, step in our room and shift, please. Your parents need to see your wolf."

I nod, and go into the bedroom. Closing the door, I strip from my clothes, laying them on a stand by the door. This time, I summon the fire. Its not as painful as the first time, and is over much sooner. I use a paw to scratch at the door, letting Anthony know to open it. As I re-enter the room, my mother's eyes widen, and she collapses into my father's arms.