Return to Seven Fountain

Firetruck

As Keenan and Simoné trotted up to the packhouse in their wolf forms, the soft glow of the outdoor lights caught on their fur. The familiar faces of pack members, family, and friends filled the clearing outside the packhouse, and a warm chatter floated through the cool night air.

Simoné mind links Keenan: "Alpha, I don't want everyone to know yet. Not until we know each other a bit better." Keenan had a frown on his face, his feelings spilling through the mind link. "Simoné I am not happy about this. I want everyone to know you are mine. I don't want to share you with anyone!" She sighed, as if the world was hanging heavy on her shoulders. "Please Keenan, understand. I asked you this when we were at the lake, and you agreed." Keenan had a discussion with his wolf Kent. "You said you will agree, she can be in danger now if we announce it. We need a plan first on how to protect her." Reluctantly he nodded his head, giving her the assurance she needed.

Simoné spotted Chrisanne, her closest friend, holding out a robe, clearly waiting for her shift. With a reassuring look from Keenan, she turned her back to him, closed her eyes and shifted back to her human form, the comforting feel of the robe wrapping around her shoulders. Keenan shifted beside her, accepting the shorts Duncan handed him. Simoné's gaze caught on him, her attention lingering on his chiseled, eight-pack abs. Shaney's voice rumbled appreciatively in her mind, a little drool-worthy sigh escaping the wolf's thoughts.

But Simoné quickly refocused as Rupert approached, his strong frame standing directly in front of her, his voice formal yet affectionate. "Thank you, Luna, for bringing home my mate" he said, bowing his head slightly. Though her brow arched in surprise at the use of the word 'Luna', Simoné simply nodded, sensing his deep respect behind the words.

Before she could respond, Bianca threw her arms around Simoné. "Thank you, Simoné, we will for always be indebted to you." she murmured gratefully. Simoné returned the hug, feeling the warmth of Bianca's gratitude.

Suddenly, a shrill voice pierced the night. Simoné turned just in time to see a flash of red as a fiery redhead darted forward, her energy unmissable. The girl, clutching onto Keenan with an alarming intensity, let out a high-pitched declaration. "Oh, Alpha, I missed you so much! Welcome back." Her voice echoed with a pitch that could likely break glass, and Shaney instantly growled, her eyes flashing silver with a possessive glint.

Keenan quickly removed the redhead from his arms and offered a polite, if uncomfortable, introduction. "Simoné, this is Annette. Annette is ... a friend," he clarified, though Annette shot Simoné a look of thinly veiled irritation, her green eyes narrowing.

Simoné's heart tightened, a tiny pang of annoyance blooming as she registered the self-proclaimed firetruck's indignant glare. As if reading her thoughts, Keenan slipped a supportive arm around Simoné's shoulders, his voice rich with pride as he addressed the crowd.

"Everyone," he announced, his gaze on Simoné with a fierce light in his eyes, "for you that do not remember her from 5 years ago, this is Simoné, my ... friend from high school and the Ex-Beta's daugther." Keenan had an uncertain smile he directed to Simoné. Simoné nodded giving him a reassured smile back, however inside she was burning with uncertainty about this firetruck.

A chorus of excited murmurs erupted around them, and Duncan stepped forward with a wide grin, his eyes dancing with barely contained glee. "I owe you one, for how you threw me over that field!" he crowed, his voice laced with promise. Thamus and Martha stepped forward, beaming with parental pride as they congratulated Simoné on the way she handled Clint.

Alpha Chris and Luna Kerry-Anne stepped up to hug her, their warmth enveloping Simoné. "Welcome home, Simoné," Kerry-Anne whispered with a fond smile.

And then, breaking through the solemnity, Chrisanne's voice rang from the doorway with theatrical flair. "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?" she exclaimed, a mischievous grin on her face as she dramatically gestured with her hand. "It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!"

Keenan, Duncan, and his two brothers, Andrew and Samuel, all groaned in unison, rolling their eyes. Kerry-Anne slapped her forehead with the incoming theatrics. They'd grown up with Chrisanne's penchant for Shakespeare, her favorite method of marking big moments. Despite their shared annoyance, Simoné's eyes sparkled with a glimmer of appreciation for her friend's antics. Feeling the spirit of the moment, Simoné raised her arms and called out in her best Shakespearean voice.

"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" she cried with playful passion, lifting her chin with a dramatic air. Annette's mouth gaping in shock. "Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet."

Chrisanne ran toward her, collapsing into Simoné's arms as she whispered, "That was your best performance yet." The two shared a mischievous grin as they linked arms and headed into the packhouse, leaving everyone else behind, wide-eyed and stunned.

Duncan let out a low whistle. "Well, I didn't see that coming," he muttered.

Keenan was still staring after Simoné, a look of pride mingling with surprise on his face. Annette's frown deepened as she glared daggers at Simoné's back, but Keenan barely noticed, his focus fully on his mate and her light-hearted joy.

The parents, still chuckling at the theatrical display, made their way inside as well, shaking their heads. "At least they keep things lively," Martha remarked with a smile.

Kerry-Anne and Martha both linking arms as well, the Luna shouted over her shoulder: "Who wants pancakes" and Martha replies: "Last one in the kitchen is on wash duty." The two women giggling because they knew who will be last, the ex-Alpha and ex-beta.

As they all headed into the kitchen, Keenan's gaze stayed on Simoné, his respect and affection for her growing by the second. She was his mate, a perfect blend of strength and spirit, yet he could not tell anyone, he could not shout it from the top of the hills. And as the warmth of family and friends surrounded them, he couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning of something truly remarkable.

________________________________________________________________________________

Picture up top just a joke, the mental image Simoné got when she heard the shrill voice. Please like and comment if you are enjoying the story. Would love to get your positive feedback.