Celestial Wulf Chronicles Book# 5 Sacrifice's

MAMA CARY

Enraptured by what Estrella materialized. I freeze. It was me standing just behind Alejandro. But not just us. Alejandro stood next to Randall, with Robert behind him. L.T. with his arm across the shoulders of a thin chocolate milk complexioned teenager. In front of us, Ben & Thom, Loli & a female beside her. But sitting before each of us upright on their haunches, are our wulves. all our eyes illuminated. All within their gaze radiates pride. Radiating equally powerful aura.

Cary takes my hand. "These, Reuben, these wulves are most sacred to me. For they... they were destined.... MY FAMILY. What Estrella and I give our lives protecting." She kisses my cheek, raises her hand, and all fades to mist. When the fog clears, we are back in the living room.

As Cary goes to turn, I clasp her hand. With hers glowing, our eyes meet. "Wait." Drawing Cary's attention to me,

"Tell them, mima. They deserve to know." Without responding, I reveal to him another truth. "Painfully, Alejandro will learn the truth, Reuben. For Pain, is the instrument that will unleash Alejandro & Sable's true nature. It has been his key. My cubs will leave this island. With painful experiences. Never to return." Pulling me to him, I rest my hand on Reuben's chest, quietly releasing tears. For a moment, it is just us. Then a voice, "Mama Cary?" Robert breaks the silence.

My head lifts off my young Alpha's chest. His eyes turned to meet Robert. "Can I speak with you outside?" He asks. Looking up, Alpha Reuben nods to me. Our eyes were no longer luminescent.

"Go. I will go to the kitchen and handle this. Even though I sense Sable and Cocoa have it under control." I huff a chuckle. "Yes, I do not doubt that. While Cocoa may release Randall. SABLE? No." Kissing my forehead, Robert and I watch Reuben head to the kitchen. Then, together, we step outside. Outside, I chant a cloaking spell on the porch, Sensing Belladonna may have spoken with him. Watching the sphere appear then lower encasing us within.

Preventing eavesdropping from 'inquisitive ears.' Robert waits patiently for the sphere to close before beginning. Once done, he approaches, standing side by side with me.

"Cary. I wanted to... I need to.... Apologize for my accusation earlier. I was wrong." Meeting his turn with my own. We face one another, "Robert, I am one who...."

"Respectfully, Mama Cary. Let me finish, please. My mother told me. You...You saved my life.... At the cost of remembering my parents, you saved me ...Thank you." His muscular arms encase me. "I was wrong, mama Cary. My mother told me the complete details of what happened.... And the sacrifice you fought against... But made."

In my arms, Cary sighs."I did what a mother would do, Robert, what an Alpha had to." For the first time in years, I feel it. It comes within Robert's embrace. Peace. Peace for my act on one so innocent. A feeling, its meaning of which I have long forgotten. He forgave me. My mental weight lessens. "Mama Cary. She also told me....." Whispering, "...Everything."

Releasing mama Cary, my gaze lowers, encapsulating my mother-in-law's own. I see the look of recognition to my words. Suddenly, Mama Cary seemed frail. Her shoulders were sagging as if she were about to break.

"My mother told me what we soon will all face. Of when you summoned the full court. All to protect as an Alpha. ... Yet sacrificing... As a true mother would. All for your children. The cubs you and Estrella raised. She told me the Olofi accepted your offered terms.."

Choking on my words. The ache in my throat throbbing, "It... It is fate that has brought this to be. I accept that, Mama Cary." My eyes reflect my soul. Pleading. Hoping. "But I have a question." My head angles towards her. Meeting Cary's upward gaze. Keeping her in my embrace. "How soon?"

As if suddenly, I am reliving another time, another pain, I respond emotionally, "In two days." Robert's arms pull me tighter, resting his chin atop my head, releasing a morbid deep sigh. "Is there any..."

This time, Estrella interrupts him resonating her authority to Amarok. "You have just awakened Amarok. You must not intervene. My human soul companion and I choose to preserve our cubs and you all, for this is destiny. To maintain them hidden from HER until the time arrives. My oldest cub will need you. My youngest will seek your guidance. For YOU AMAROK. You are Sable's destined Beta as Cocoa is Crimsons. Destiny must not be altered. All past actions must now be.... atoned." With that, Estrella withdraws.

I address Robert directly, "You are complete, my son-in-law. Son of my first Beta. When the time comes, you will know what to do. Everything I have done. Has been for my cubs, Robert. I have lost family and friends protecting them. I have betrayed trust to ensure their safety. I will not lose ANYONE else. Robert, I ask of you only one thing." Changing subject. "Yes, mama Cary."

"Promise me something."

"Anything Mama Cary. Just ask."

"My little Randy. Kiss him every morning. Always tell him to be him. Remind him of these words when he forgets.

"Before you became Beta. You were and will always remain, MY ELDEST SON. The cub I love and raised, not to be a soldier. But to live life."

Will you promise to do that for me, Robert? Help him to be himself? Because I never want him to change. I, Will always be watching. Remind him how I raised him. Remind him how I accepted him AS HE IS." Within my gaze, a stinging sensation builds, staring up into my son-in-law's ashen glowing eyes. "Mostly, Promise me. He will always remember... gay twiddle."

I can't talk. A knot in my throat is strangling me beneath its aching hold. All I can do is nod yes. Misting eyes turn to a cascade of tears. Tears build, embracing mama Cary to me. Such love & devotion to her cubs. She has always been .... A mother.

A barely vocal goose tone grumble comes out when I can. "I... I promise Mama Cary." Hugging her so tight to me. Resting my head on hers, "...I promise mama Cary, I will. He will never forget."

My mother-in-law gently pulls back. We both emulate one another, wiping our tears. Then, an unnatural thunder rumble draws our attention skywards. Lightning flashed within clouds, Alejandro.

A gusting wind erupts. Building stronger. Our gaze remains skywards to clouds growing darker. Beginning to swirl, spiraling. Cary's lowering gaze draws mine. Smirking, she says, "We better go see what is going on inside, Robert. You know how your Luna is."

"Yea, mama Cary. Seems like Luna is still on punishment." We chuckle. Robert leans, unlocks, and holds open the door for me. For a moment, I pause, turn to him, cupping his face, giving him a mother's tender cheek kiss. "I love you too, Robert." His face blushes. "I know, mama Cary." Stepping inside, we hear grumbling articulations of my stubborn Alejandro on the astral plane. "SABLE!! I AM THE LUNA OF THIS GOD DAMN PACK! ENOUGH OF THIS SHIT!" To which Sable's angry wulf spoken tone response. "When you conduct yourself as one. I will release you."

Robert stops me, places my arm in his saying, "Mama Cary. A lady is always escorted." Causing me to chuckle.

Patting Robert's arm, I say, "Speaking of ladies. Did I ever tell you about the time Randall put on a mini drag show in the living room for my birthday?" hearing this, Randall having been released roars, "OH HELLL NOO!! MAMA ALPHAAAAAAA!!! DON'T' YOU DARE!!"