The Courage to Love: The BraveHeart Series Book 2

Chapter 19 - Quincy

“Damn… Talk about a change of events!” Jabari whispered in my head as Thema’s essence lingered through my nose.

I didn’t know what to say or how to feel once Thema left out my front door. I sat in the same spot on the couch for almost an hour before it dawned on me that I don’t own a damn thing yellow. I decided to take a trip to the Den to shop for a new outfit and stop by the tribe barber on the way back for a trim and a shape-up.

“Why are you still sitting on your ass??!! We gotta go, man!!” Jabari blared loudly and made me jump up. I ran upstairs to change then rushed out the door because I was in a hurry. I didn’t want to have my mate waiting on me because of my dawdling.

I almost got bombarded by some of the children of the hunters, all of them begging to prove their worth to gain a spot within my newly formed Junior Sentinels that I will be exhibiting during the Spring Festival. I promised them that they will be able to show me, the Alpha and Beta Ajani what they got at the Spring festival, and their adolescent excitement persuaded them to desert me and begin working on their moves. I was proud to be a role model to the children of the tribe, but now was not the time for me to worry about anything else other than marking Thema.

The trip to the Den was short and sweet because I didn’t have to deal with any traffic. I wasn’t in the clothing store long before I selected a long-sleeved honey yellow button-down linen suit and some all-black loafers that went perfectly with my new suit. Just as I was about to leave, I was hit with the great idea of buying Thema a present to show her how much she meant to me. I visited the jewelry store and was immediately pulled towards a fourteen-karat gold necklace with a heart pendant consisting of thirty diamonds, a matching solitaire ring that adorned a dazzling four-karat diamond, and matching heart-shaped diamond earrings. I was even persuaded by the salesperson to buy the matching tennis bracelet and watch, both bands in the shape of the infinity symbol, to complete the set. I didn’t plan on asking Thema to marry me until she was ready for that next step, but having her by my side wearing my mark, and hopefully soon carrying my seed, means nothing is too good for her.

After leaving the jewelry store, I stopped by the flower shop and ordered every red and yellow rose that they had. Then I stopped by Bath and Body Works to get a case of the sexiest candles they had in stock. Don’t sleep on Bath and Body Works, they got some bomb-ass candles. Their soaps and lotions aren’t too bad either. My grand total after leaving the Wolves’ Den was close to seventeen grand, but I didn’t care. I’ve seen my father spend more than that on my mother, all while Mama is fussing that he’s spending too much money. I learned early on that you shower the woman you love with gifts of love, even when she fusses about it.

As the sun began revealing its beautiful array of colors to signal that it’s almost time for the Goddess to take over the night, I finalized my sales and gave everyone directions to deliver my things to my home. I phoned the security desk and gave one of the Sents instructions to help with my deliveries and told him that if there was a fuck-up on his end, instead of enjoying the festival, he’ll be in Colorado searching the Rockies for rogues and Vamps. Colorado’s infamous Rocky Mountains may be a beautiful tourist spot, but it is also a muddled territory full of rogue werewolves and feral vampires. It’s not the best place to get lost in. He assured me that everything will be taken care of smoothly. My final stop was to get lined up, and that didn’t take long because the barber didn’t have any customers ahead of me, and since I had a little time, I was able to get the royal treatment. I got a facial and got my fingers and toes trimmed and cleaned. I paid the barber and tipped him handsomely, then I rushed home to set the vibe for me and Thema, and literally spent the last hour getting myself cleaned up.

“Looking good, my brotha!!” Jabari was showing out, and he had reason to. The grown ass man that looked back at me in the mirror was beyond sharp, and I was glad that I went with the suit. It clung to my body perfectly, and my father’s golden wolf cufflinks went perfectly with my attire. I slipped my gold diamond studs in my ears and wrapped my black leather band Cartier watch around my left wrist to compliment my new Gamma pinky ring that the Alpha Couple presented to me for my birthday last year. I felt my parents’ spirits throughout this entire day, and I knew this night was going to go as planned as I slipped into my father’s 1957 custom built all-blue Ford Thunderbird convertible with the icy-white ragtop. My father promised me this car when I got to a certain age, and he died before he was able to properly give it to me. Before tonight, I couldn’t find it in myself to touch it, but now I was waiting on the top to open up while I listened to the engine purr like a kitten.

“You got this, man. Just relax and be yourself.” I checked myself out in the rearview mirror and took Jabari’s advice as he gave me a pep talk in my head.

I took a deep breath to calm my rattling nerves, then I drove up the hill to the mansion for a night that will be unforgettable. I pulled up to the entrance of the immaculate manor and was met by Trent and Duke, both dressed in some fly-ass bright yellow Senator suits with their respective rank pins attached to their coats. They both started acting a fool over me driving my Pop’s car because he didn’t pull it out unless it was a special occasion. When I parked the car and got out, Trent walked up and dusted off the front of my shirt while Duke took care of my shoulders.

“Boy, you sharp as a tack!! Then you kill the game by pulling up in the blue ‘Bird??!! Aw man, I’m jealous!!!” Duke touched me and jumped back like I had burnt him, then marched around in a circle while pumping my head up. I exchanged hugs with the men that I considered to be my brothers and was no longer afraid to step to them man to man about Thema.

“You look good, my brother!! I have a feeling that this night will go as planned. Are you nervous?” Trent’s remarks stunned me because I knew how he and Duke once felt about Thema. Hell, when I informed Trent about Thema being my mate, he all but bit my head off. He was calm and had a look in his eye that told me he didn’t agree at all. He may be the Alpha and our fathers might have grown up together, but I will gladly give up the position I busted my ass all my life to get for Thema because she was worth it.

“I’m not as nervous as I was when I first realized who my mate was. Although, the day I decided to stop running from the truth and tell you and Luna Nafisa, I was shitting bricks, but I’ve decided to be the man my father knew I could be. I love both of you dearly, and I will gladly lay down my life for BraveHeart, but Thema IS my mate, and my first obligation as a werewolf is to protect her. By any means necessary.” I talked to both my Alpha and my Beta with pure seriousness possessing my voice. I was tired of running from what was made for me. Shock passed between the two brothers momentarily, then Trent walked up on me with his arms behind his back and a smirk on his face.

“I can respect that, Q, and I’m proud of you for finally stepping up and being your own man, but I have a question. What if I say no?”

“Then I will renounce my positions as Gamma and Commander of the BraveHeart tribe.” I answered Trent without blinking an eye, and hoped he saw how serious I was.

“You’re willing to give up the namesake your father built for you and a salary increase of a hundred grand for the woman that killed our fathers?” Duke asked while he walked up to stand by his brother. They both looked like the great Alpha, who was also my godfather, but that didn’t intimidate me to change my decision.

“Absolutely. You both know what it’s like to not have your mate, and I may not be as high up in rank as you but being without her hurts like hell. I’ve forgiven her because it’s much easier that way. I have to move on and so do the both of you. Thema is your family, and she needs you. Just as much as you need her.” Once again, shock passed between the two brothers as my persistence continued to make its introduction. Trent stared at me long and hard before he started chuckling to himself.

“I’ve watched you grow from a promising young pup to a determined young man, and I know for a fact that your father would be proud of the man you have become. I want you to know that I love you and I plan on following your advice. You deserve happiness just like anyone else, so you have my blessing.” I exhaled deeply as relief passed through me. Trent gave me a brotherly hug and whispered in my ear how proud of me he was then he walked away. Duke came towards me with his hands in his pockets and a proud look on his face.

“Maan, you got some big balls, little brother!! I want you to be the first to know that I approved the minute I heard the news. I agree with moving on, and I look forward to seeing how you and my little cousin shape each other out.” Duke gave me another brotherly hug, then walked off around the side of the house in the direction of the garden. I recollected my thoughts and fixed my appearance once more before I made my grand entrance.

Everything and everyone seemed to disappear once I laid my eyes on my gorgeous mate. Her beautiful body was wrapped in a silk honey yellow bohemian-style bodysuit that revealed her beautiful shoulders and luscious calves while her cute yellow toenails peeked out of some strappy black heels. Her braids had been removed and her glossy black hair was in a shoulder-length bob that moved when she did. Her skin shined like the brightest diamond while her starry-eyes and radiant smile set my soul at ease. She was beyond beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to get her back to my place.

“Tonight, her little ass is mine, and this time, she won’t be getting away from me.” Jabari was ready to claim this woman, and he wasn’t going to allow anything to stand in his way.

“Her beauty is striking, isn’t it?” I was brought out of my daydream by Luna Nafisa’s soft voice. She was dressed in a sleeveless bright yellow Ankara jumpsuit with a cape at her shoulders that looked tailored to her small body. Her tribal ruins looked freshly seared as her platinum jewelry and purple nails glistened in the setting sun, along with the dainty platinum tiara that rested upon her head. I bowed to my Luna because her beauty was striking, as well.

“Yes, Your Grace, but so is yours.” She helped me stand upright and gave me a soothing hug that left me feeling more tranquil than I was allowing myself to be.

“That may be so, but this evening is not about me. This night is about healing, family, forgiveness, and the ability to let go.” Luna Nafisa spoke to me as she looped her arm in mine and led me in the direction of a stone bench the sat at the entrance of the flower maze.

“Luna Nafisa, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done to help me during this process. I know you have other things to worry about that require your utmost attention, and I appreciate your time.” Luna Nafisa smiled earnestly while a single tear fell from her eye.

“Quincy, when I first met Trent, I didn’t know what was going on or what I was feeling, but as time went on and I began to learn who I really was, my love for him became overwhelming. I am willing to do any and everything for him because I know he feels the exact same way about me. The day I accepted Trent’s mark, I decided to become his Luna and help him build this tribe towards a prosperous future. It is my responsibility to make sure everyone in my tribe is happy, and if you ever need my help again, all you have to do is ask.” She wiped the tears that fell from my eyes and gave me a kiss on the cheek before she got up and started heading towards the party, but she turned back to reveal another secret to her majesty.

“This maze was developed to stimulate love and hope after all our tribe has been through. It’s a magical place where almost anything you desire can happen. I suggest you and Thema take a stroll through there after dinner. You won’t be disappointed.” Luna Nafisa winked at me then patted my shoulder as she walked away. After begging with my wolf to let me do the talking, he decided to let me enjoy dinner if he could take over tonight. I reluctantly agreed because I didn’t want to waste time standing there arguing with his stubborn ass.

The rest of dinner was a blur because all I really cared about was my alone time with Thema. She hardly said anything during the evening, but every time I looked her way, her dazzling green eyes were boring into me. I somehow managed to answer the flood of questions that were being thrown my way by Thema’s mother, and it warmed my heart to see Thema genuinely smile and have a good time. I could tell that it’s been a while since she’s had a reason to truly smile. I was thankful that no drama had ensued, so far, and I silently prayed to the Goddess that it stayed that way. I was no stranger to Chef Tamika’s amazing dishes that she prepares for the tribe, so I wasn’t the least bit surprised when she came to the table and expressed that everything on the table was something new and specially made for the evening. Although everything smelled delicious, I didn’t pile my plate because I needed to conserve my energy for claiming my mate. Once everyone had eaten all they could handle and the laughter died down, both Alpha Amir and Luna Nafisa stood from the table holding hands to deliver their final remarks before leaving the table.

“Before my lovely wife and I retire for the evening, I just want to say that this was a successful night with no bloodshed, and I would love to keep it that way.” Laughter erupted from around the table to quickly cover the harsh truth attached to his statement.

“I’m just kidding, but all jokes aside, I hope we can continue getting together as a family to mend what was almost broken. Thema, I’ve had help realizing that it’s more important to move on than it is to hold on to the past. I know that forgiving you is beneficial to the both of us, and I look forward to seeing how you plan on helping our family heal and succeed. On behalf of my wife and brother, I would like to extend to you the position of Delta.” Everyone at the table gasped at Alpha Amir’s generous offer. Thema’s hands flew up to her mouth and tears began flooding her eyes. I could sense that she was beyond excited about this proposition because she couldn’t manage to do anything but stand from her seat and run to hug the Alpha as tight as she could. Alpha Amir was rigid as a plank for a few seconds, then his entire demeanor changed and the look on his face was much softer than before. He wrapped his arms around Thema, and I felt their familial bond being restored as Thema began to sob harder.

“Before I accept, could you, me, and Duke have a little chat? I have to get some things off of my chest and it can’t wait.” Thema broke the hug and looked between Luna Nafisa, Alpha Amir and Beta Ajani with hope gleaming in her eyes, and as the three cousins walked off towards the maze, I felt in my soul that they would be able to repair their relationship.

“While we wait, I want to touch base on what my husband previously said. I feel in my soul that after tonight, order within our family will be restored. We’ve been through so much, and I want to express how proud I am of everyone sitting at this table tonight. With the festival and the big anniversary party taking place next month, I want everyone to be relaxed and fully capable of enjoying everything that will be in store for us, individually and as a unit.” Just as Luna Nafisa was finishing up, the three cousins walked back to the table, and Duke had his arm draped around Thema’s shoulders in a protective manner. They all had smiles on their faces, and they all possessed an identical twinkle in their eyes.

“Not only did my beautiful little cousin accept my offer to be Delta of the BraveHeart tribe, but she will also be the new Senior Vice President of International Affairs for BraveHeart Industries.” A round of boisterous applause erupted from the table and Thema made me want her more by blushing earnestly.

“She has also decided to dedicate her life to the throne by claiming her title as Duchess of Ogboju.” Duke spoke proudly while this piece of news caused Thema to cry harder. I was glad that everything was happening for her the way she wanted. No one can tell me that the Goddess isn’t real.

“If there is nothing else that needs to be shared with the table, my wife and I are off to our nightcap. I hope everyone has a great night because I know I am.” Alpha Amir pulled Luna Nafisa close into him and she giggled flirtatiously as she urged him to remain cordial in front of company. Once the Alpha couple disappeared, the table cleared fast except for me and Thema. Shelah placed a motherly kiss on both me and Thema’s cheeks before she walked off in the direction of the mansion, and I was glad we were finally alone. A few minutes passed before both of us decided to speak, and the nervous energy mingled with the sexual energy as I felt her wolf calling for me.

“I’m still in disbelief that all of this is happening to me. My father spent so many years destroying my self-confidence while adding to my anger, and the only way I would feel free would be to lash out on innocent people. I must say, I enjoy this serenity.” Watching her sweet lips move caused my dick to start jumping underneath the thin fabric of my suit. Before she could further entice me, I stood and walked around the table to where she was sitting and extended my hand to her.

“I was told that the flower maze is beautiful at this time of night. Care to join me for a little stroll?” She slid her soft hand in mine without objection and the sexual energy exploded like a shaken-up soda bottle. Our wolves jumped to the forefront and were prepared to take over.

As we strolled through the maze, my nerves were amplified to the highest degree. I was enjoying her talking about all the amazing things she couldn’t wait to do now that she had a real job that meant something. She also made me blush by sliding in that since she’s the Duchess, that makes me a royal now, too. I figured that now was as good a time as any, so I told Thema to take a seat, and on cue, every gift that I bought for her was professionally wrapped and perfectly perched on a grassy, flower-covered knoll that appeared beside the stone bench that we were seated on. My mind went back to my conversation that I had with Luna Nafisa, and I silently thanked the Ancestors for her existence. I cleared my throat and pushed my nerves to the side as I spoke to my mate.

“I know that life hasn’t been so sweet to you, but if you allow me to make you mine, the only tears you will cry from this point on, will be from immense pleasure.” I whispered to her softly, and the instant color-change of her eyes showed her arousal.

“For eighteen years, I watched my parents exude true love, and I now know that I’m meant to experience that pleasure with you and you alone. The first gift I have to give represents my heart.” I presented her with the heart necklace, and she swooned over its brilliance. I placed the delicate jewelry around her neck and caressed her cheek as I continued my gift giving.

“The next gift is a guarantee ring.”

“A what??” Thema twisted her face up at me in confusion and the sight was too cute to ignore. I chuckled as I explained myself.

“A guarantee ring, not to be confused with a promise ring. I’m not going to promise you anything, I guarantee it. I guarantee that you will never have to worry about feeling love or feeling safe. I will protect you with my life and my love for you will forever exist as long as you remain by my side.” I opened the ring box and her eyes sparkled like the diamond on the ring as I slid it on her finger.

“Oh, Quincy, this is gorgeous, but don’t you think this a bit much?”

“Nothing is too much for you, baby. My next couple of gifts represents how deep our love will grow and how bright it will shine.” I handed Thema the earrings, watch and bracelet boxes, which she ugly cried over as she opened them. She jumped in my lap and began placing kisses all over my face while verbally expressing how much she loved me. Her luscious scent activated my wolf, and the sleeping giant began to wake up the longer she sat in my lap. Forgetting that she is also a witch and can read minds, she glared at me with lustful, dusky eyes and smiled at me to reveal her canines peeking out from under her perfect lips.

“Let the games begin…” growled Jabari as he took over without warning. My hands began caressing Thema’s hips and thighs, and the feel of the fabric she was wrapped in magnified my yearning for her. She softly cooed in my ear as I placed my face in her neck and breathed in her delicious scent. I licked her supple flesh, and my dick sprang to life instantly. I inched my face to hers, and she closed the space by placing her tender lips on mine. I slowly suckled on her lips and didn’t want to let go.

“I can’t wait a minute longer. Please mark me…” Thema’s wolf moaned her request as she stared at me with lust dripping around us. The pain of my canines protruding passed quickly as I sunk them into Thema’s beautiful neck and officially made her mine forever.