Beneath the Surface

Drift away

I wasn't sure what to expect when Barry took us out in the boat to where the rest of the pack - my pack now, I supposed - had anchored their house. But I was sure of one thing; their house - my house - was amazing. 

It was like nothing I'd ever seen before, and when we pulled up, I was even more impressed at how good it looked up close. But it did seem inordinately small for your average sized pack. Barry explained as we tied up.

"The rest is underwater," he said, and my eyes nearly fell out of my head. 

"How?" GiGi exclaimed.

"Very sturdy glass," Barry said with a chuckle. "Trust me. The very first house our ancestors built was flooded in two days, and it took us years before we could find a glass that'd be able to withstand the ocean pressure. You'll soon get an idea when we've done the tour."

I shook my head in bafflement. But as we stepped aboard - if that was the right word to use - all thoughts flew out of my head when I saw the young man hurrying to meet us. Everything in me suddenly focused on him, and by the look on his face as he approached, it appeared he too was focused on just one thing. 

I'd always wondered what it would be like for me to meet my mate without the benefits of being able to catch that unique scent in the air that would signify he was close by, and ready to claim me. As it turned out, I needn't have worried too much; Brody had been able to scent me just fine, so that was a bonus.

Of course, we were soon too busy for me to worry about such things.

It took us ... quite a significant amount of time before we could finally pry ourselves apart, and I was breathless in more ways than one as we joined Barry and GiGi in the main room of the house. Neither of them commented on our damp state, thankfully, and now that the first fervor was over, I did admit to feeling ever so slightly embarrassed. But Brody didn't seem to care, so I took comfort from that. 

"I don't suppose I need to worry about things falling apart, then?" Barry commented, as we all got seated. 

Brody grinned at me, and I had to smile back, lacing my fingers through his. "Definitely not," I said, feeling giddy all over again. He was easy on the eyes, that was for certain, but I already knew he was more than that. I'd gotten to know him very well during our meeting, and I could tell he had a caring side, and that all his pack were equally important to him. It made a refreshing change. 

Barry nodded. "Good," he said. "In that case, I suggest we skip the formalities. Benjamin is breathing down Charlie's neck, and he will do all he can, legal or illegal, to get her back."

"Not on my watch," Brody said, rising and pulling me to my feet. GiGi came to stand beside me, while Barry stood next to his son. My heart was pounding like crazy, but I knew I was ready. And even if Brody hadn't been my mate, I knew I'd willingly swear to him. He had that about him.

I pushed that to the side. "I, Charlie, do hereby swear my allegiance to the Saltwater pack," I said. "By the Moon Goddess' power and light, I do pledge to be loyal and faithful, from now until the end of my days."

Brody squeezed my hands. "I, Brody, do hereby accept your pledge," he said. "And by the Moon Goddess' power and light, I pledge to guard and protect you, from now until the end of my days."

"I, Barry, Beta of the Saltwater pack, do pledge that the words spoken by Brody and Charlie are true and unforced," Barry said. "I stand as witness that this swearing was entered into willingly and without coercion."

"I, Giselle, swear by the Moon Goddess' power and light that this is a true and legal union," GiGi said, tears in her eyes as she smiled at me. "I declare that my granddaughter Charlie swore her allegiance to Brody of her own free will, and was not coerced in any way."

I closed my eyes, sighing in relief as I felt the bond spring up. "I reject my ties to the Keystone pack," I said firmly. "I now stand before you as a Saltwater, and I swear to be loyal and faithful until the end of my days. I will not betray or abandon you, and I will stand by my pack's side in all matters great and small." I took a deep breath, and when I felt the unseen moon reach its zenith, I spoke the words of unbinding. "I am a Keystone no longer. I am a Saltwater."

A static shock shot through me once I'd finished, and I winced as I felt the lone, forced tie snap in two. The recoil stung, but though it hurt, I was immensely relieved. Ben now had no call over me, and I finally knew I was free. 

And it was an intoxicating feeling. 

But it was nothing compared to what I felt when Brody decided now was as good a time as any to really seal the deal. Suffice to say, by the time we were done, I'd gotten very acquainted with him, inside and out. 

And that was an even better feeling.