The Alpha Twins and their Runaway Witch

71

As foretold, the unlikely convoy did arrive at Golden Green that evening. The hour was late, and the sun was already down, but the extra handful of hours travelling had been worth it to Alex, August and Binh. Who all wanted to have Ariel in a safe location. Binh had not managed to find or arrange a second warded, demon protected space for them to rest a second night. Golden Green was the safest nearest location for them all to be.

Ariel was lax against Alex's back. Feeling the tingle of magic wash over her as they crossed the invisible boarder. Three Hours Past Midnight letting her know it was a ward to protect the pack. Made by two of her mate's fathers. It was there to keep all, including her safe. Ariel continued to stay relaxed. Her body was tired, it was a little more taxing to travel on a motorcycle instead of a car. She didn't mind. She was looking forward to a nice, well earned sleep tonight. Binh would be nearby, and ensure that her sleep was uninterrupted by nightmares.

She did not think she would ever be able to convey to Binh how much she appreciated his ability to ensure that she was able to get a goodnight's sleep each night. So much of her life had been spent trying to outrun the nightmares that plagued her both night and day. Knowing her nights would be safe, was such a gift that Ariel felt like she would always be in debt to Binh.

It was a short trip from where the ward of the pack began until Alex, August, and Binh had all pulled into parking spaces in front of a large, red cedar-wood clad house. Nestled in deep, old growth forest. The dark cast of mountains looming in the distance in almost all directions.

Ariel had never seen landscapes like this before. Soft rolling hills and low mountains of forest. A place that was wide open and walled in at the same time. There had been an entire community between the ward and the final stop in front of the large house. There was so much space, and wide open spaces here. Trees larger than she had ever seen. Ariel was almost scared to ask for clarification on just how large the lands for Golden Green were. Trying to imagine how the winter forest would look when it was green again.

The wind blew past as Alex brought his bike to a gentle stop and Ariel removed her helmet. Ariel had the same strange eerie feeling she had experienced when the giant Elk had to come her during her escape. Asking for help and bringing her help in the form of the hatchet in return. She still had the rusted blade at the bottom of her bag. She couldn't bear to let anything from the cabin go, feeling as though she had been responsible for it coming to a fiery end even though Gisella had lit the flames. 

Nothing could last forever, she was still going to try and keep the hatchet, and bag and everything she had taken from the cabin with her as long as she could. Remember Maude Hunt and clean, practical, cabin that had everything Ariel had needed that night. 

Ariel looked around at the perfect hidden homestead. There was a large barn with enormous doors thrown wide half seemed to be a wood working shop, the other a mechanics dream. The concrete floor was immaculately clean even though it was an obviously active space. An older, blonder man had been working logs on a planner, cutting the natural wood into long planks. Finishing one last pass of the wood through the man placed his wood on a waiting rack, turned off the machine, and made his way towards the parking area.

Ariel knew, without being told that he had to be one of August's and Alex's fathers. Wearing relaxed flannel and perfectly worn in jeans and tan work boots that looked like they had walked around the beautiful shop a few times. She could see little parts of both Alex and August in his features. He smiled as he saw Alex and August, and the smile only got bigger when his eyes moved to see Ariel sat behind Alex.

"Dad!" August cheered! Having already hung his own helmet from the handle of his ride and walking a quick step towards their father, each man hugging each other vigorously. The sight of August with a loving father made Ariel's heart do a strange skipping feeling that she didn't understand. Alex dismounted from his bike, making sure the stand was in place and offering his hand to Ariel to help her step down as well.

Alex only had eyes for Ariel. Who happily took his hand and let him be chivalrous. Binh had also parked his car and was working on pulling out the few bags that he and Ariel had brought with them.

Motorcycles were never subtle modes of transportation, Alex held Ariel's hand as they walked towards his father. "Papa Max? This is Ariel. Ariel this is our father, Max the Beta of the pack." Alex said as August stopped hugging his dad. Only for Alex to be wrapped up in Max's arms in his own loving hug. Leaving Ariel standing a little awkwardly, but she didn't mind.

After a long hug, and kissing his son on the cheek; Ariel heard the two men tell each other they had missed each other and loved each other then the hug ended. Max approached Ariel. Arms open. "I would love to welcome my son's mate with a hug but I definitely understand if it's too much too soon." Max offered with such an ease that Ariel found herself nodding, as Max swept her up in a brief, but tight hug, whispering, "Welcome to the family Ariel, we are all so glad to welcome you." Ariel was facing away from the house, and missed that all August and Alex's fathers and their mother had emerged from the house.

"Alex! August!" Called a bright voice, as Max released Ariel from his perfect feeling welcome hug. Ariel turned around and instantly knew that Alex and August had gotten the beautiful red tint in their hair from their mother. Who was clearly also the reason that Lumi and Cassi looked like models.

Both twins turned towards the call of their mother. Both wrapping her up in their arms between them. Ariel watched their mom positively glow as her boys hugged her together. Another strange hitch in Ariel's heart beat. Binh came to Ariel's side. Whispering in her ear. "Their mother, Hannah, human raised but by all accounts an absolute force." Ariel nodded. Glad to have the intel and support Binh offered her. Easing her into being social. Helping her mask herself into being normal.

Binh continued to whisper details into Ariel's ear, "Max was in the wood shop, Beta on this pack, Holland has the darkest hair and is the other wolf father." Ariel looked between the two wolf fathers her mates had. Then towards the tall blonde man who did not look very human at all. Human's weren't so symmetrical. "The tall blonde is Caspian, he is a prince of the dragon court." Last there was a shorter man with auburn hair that closed matched Alex and August's hair. 

"Last is Aspen, a Forest Elf, he is bonded to Hannah and these forests. I should warn you that Trees are much bigger gossips than you could ever imagine." Binh told Ariel, while she felt Three Hours Past Midnight listening through her, and agreeing with everything Binh said.

Then Ariel was surrounded as every parent other than Max descended upon her. Introducing themselves, and welcoming her to their home with such sincere warmth and kindness that Ariel was honestly left with no idea how to react. She had never been welcomed into any home with such soft sincerity. 

There was another strong breeze as Aspen offered his welcome. Ariel felt a magical shift in the air as Aspen the quietest, and smallest of August and Alex's parents offered her his gentle welcome to the pack lands. Ariel was off balance with the new experience. She did not catch all of his words. She thought he said something about the tree's being glad to welcome her.

 Ariel's magic was humming under her skin, in a way that made her feel like a welcome from Aspen and his magic was far more than she understood in the actual moment. Wishing she had been able to pay attention to the words he had used. That Binh's warning that trees knew more than she imagined was actually true. Though trees were apparently unlikely to easily share what they knew.