The Alpha Twins and their Runaway Witch

57

Three Hours Past Midnight had instantly let Ariel know there were others in the home. Funnelling her information on the unexpected additions live as he made his way into the home. The raven appeared at the side door, not even needing to knock before Sebastian was there to open the door and grant the familiar entrance.

Three Hours Past Midnight was pleased that a more than suitable perch had been prepared just for him. An acceptable level of respect paid to him, did much to undo the damage seeing the extra, unexpected guests had done. Ariel had chosen to forgive, they had siblings. Family.

Ariel was so curious about families. Real ones. Brothers and sisters who had the same parents, grew up together. Binh swore she could change her mind at any second, he would turn around and take her back to his home the moment she requested it. Ariel had told him to keep driving, undaunted. Yet at least.

Several awkward minutes later, from inside the home everyone heard the sound of a car approaching on the driveway. Alex and August's heads both shot upwards from the tasks they were trying to keep themselves busy with, both looking towards the door as their mate slowly, made her way towards them. Holding their breath as she seemed to freeze in the driveway.

As they pulled into the driveway, their presence becoming too large to ignore to her senses, her resolution had wavered. Ariel had needed Binh to pause their approach, on the wooden deck. She could feel both of them, and the other guests. There was a lot of sensations to process. "We can turn around and go home." Binh reassured her again, without using her name like he wanted to. She had not yet given her name to the twins and Binh was not going to be the one to let them know her true name. It was far too much fun to know that he was a step ahead of them.

Ariel shook her head. "No, Thank you. I want to see them, and Three Hours Past Midnight said it was their sisters." Ariel was curious, she had never had real siblings. It always seemed almost magical to her that some kids grew up in families with siblings to play and spend time with. Plus more people would make this more like a dinner party, and not an awkward date that Ariel had brought an emotional support demon along on. Would make Binh's presence more normal.

Ariel took a deep breath. "I'm Jenny and I am ready." Steeling herself to be ready for everyone that was going to be on the other side of the door. Grateful that she knew Three Hours Past Midnight was already inside, and appeased. Seemed approving of the extra dinner guests.

Just as Ariel arrived in front of the door, August was there, opening it for her, with a wide smile on his very handsome face. Welcoming her with a voice and look that made her tummy do little flippy flops low in her abdomen.

Then Alex called from the kitchen, "Our sister's don't bite, promise." Making Ariel smile as she looked at the two women and additional man waiting in the great room for her arrival. Feeling extra thankful that Kit had managed to instil a little confidence in Ariel before this moment. August and Alex sisters were the most beautiful women Ariel thought she might have ever seen.

August helped to usher his mate and Binh into the room. "Welcome Jenny and Binh, my sister Cassi roped Lumi into dropping in, Sebastian was kind enough to wait for an invitation." Each person in turn waved a hello towards Ariel and Binh.

Ariel looked at the dragoness, and Lumi and felt horrible. Comparison was the death of joy. She had felt as beautiful as she could remember feeling in so long. Now with her mates nearby, and two of the most beautiful women she had ever seen, let alone been in the same room with, Ariel felt all of her scars, and broken limbs were weighing her down. She was hideous and broken and this had all been a terrible mistake.

She was about to tell Binh as much when Lumi appeared in front of her. "I know it isn't customary, and you do not know me, but-" She paused, looking back at Sebastian. Making it abundantly clear to Ariel which of the sisters was paired with the extra man in the room. "I have a gift for you?" Lumi offered her hand, outstretched towards Ariel. Desperately hoping her brother's mate would accept the gift. Wishing she had a chance to have checked in with Guillermo to learn if his search had reaped fruit. Lumi just wanted a chance to actually use her magic to truly help someone. She thought she could now. She had been working with Sebastian to master their combined magic.

Binh leaned down, "She is someone I would accept any gift from." Winking over Ariel's head towards Sebastian. The moody lord of the Storms was a changed man since Binh had last seen him. Sebastian, thought the same of Binh.

Ariel was reminded by her familiar that Binh would not lie. She hesitantly reached her hand out towards Lumi's. The moment Ariel's hand touched Lumi's, Ariel felt a flood of magical power wash into and over her body. Felt itching deep under her skin as her broken bones knit themselves back together. The scars on her face and ear feeling hot as Lumi healed and erased the marks from her skin.

Lumi let go of Ariel's hand, the cast on her arm, and leg falling off her body, having been cut into two even pieces by unseen magic. Ariel's now free hand went to her ragged ear, expecting to feel the now familiar scarred edge, instead her fingertips only found a smooth, unblemished curve around the shell of her ear. Binh was there, offering his hand, as Ariel hesitantly tried to test her now cast free leg. "Easy now, one two three." Binh counted for her, helping her to stand and Ariel was standing on her own two legs again. A giant vibrant smile on her lips as she felt her feet and legs painlessly hold her upright again.

Taking hesitant step, Ariel could not stop her grin as her legs held her weight. There was no more pain. She tested her arm, her elbow able to easily bend and flex, her wrist painless, all her fingers could wiggle. "I'm healed?" She questioned. She had no idea such magic was even possible. She had thought Gisella to be a powerful witch, but Gisella had no power like what Lumi had just displayed.

August was standing there with his mouth hanging open. Ariel heard Cassi remind Alex in the kitchen that he had stuff cooking on the propane stove. "Lumi? When did you learn that?" Cassi was feigning like she already knew about this new gift their sister had, but August knew when Cassi was lying to everyone. Cassi was just as blown away as everyone else, if Lumi had hinted at her plan, Cassi did not know it all until now either.

Lumi just shrugged, "Everything is energy when you think about it the right way." Looking towards Ariel, before turning to look towards the kitchen, "She's going to be hungry now, so I hope you haven't burnt anything Alex." As if on cue, Ariel's stomach grumbled loudly, confirming she was indeed starving right now. The grin unable to be moved from her lips as her bones and joints held her, letting her walk on her own once more.

August and Alex watched as their mate turned back to look at the demon who had driven her to their home, who was taking care of her. The demon she trusted more than them. Smiling as she said. "I can run again?" Standing barefoot on hardwood floor. Starving and healed of all injuries from her accident.

Cassi slammed her fist into Alex's diaphragm, knocking all the air from his lungs to prevent him from saying anything inappropriate or growling at Ariel voicing her joy at being able to run. Knowing her brothers better than they knew themselves. August was able to hold his own reaction in. The more emotional of the wolf brothers still amazed from having watched his sister heal their mate. Even her ear, that had been scared before Alex or August had first seen her. Lumi had made their mate whole again.

Ariel took a few, hesitant steps. Not quite trusting that her body would actually do what she wanted it to. Slow, careful movements in her bare feet, because she had not expected to need shoes. Sitting down at the table. Sebastian poured a glass of wine for her, setting it in her place as he and Lumi joined her at the table.

Three Hours Past Midnight left his perch, to come and sit on the back of Ariel's chair. Preening his beak joyfully through her hair. Her body was healed. August sat down across from Lumi, not wanting to sit too close to her in case it overwhelmed her. "Lumi I had no idea you could do that?" August said, his shock and disbelief were genuine. Alex grumbled something from the kitchen, only for Cassi to whip him with a kitchen towel. Making him howl before complaining that she was going to make him ruin dinner. The mouthwatering smells of his efforts towards a perfect meal filling the home. Ariel was starving, it felt like her stomach was ready to eat itself.

Lumi deflected the attention. Calling out to Alex to ask him what he was cooking. Alex of course took the bait and was happy to talk at length about his detailed preparations. She did not normally display her magic so openly, but this was a special occasion. Three Hours Past Midnight briefly alighted from Ariel's chair to pay his own thanks and gratitude to the heart of the storm, friend to all corvids who used the power in a storm to assist with travelling between realms and divides when needed. Lumi scratched around Three Hours Past Midnight's ear anatomy, before he returned to Ariel.