"Momma, tell Champ and Hunter that I can hunt too. Just because they have wolves don't make them better." Zara complained to her mother once more.
Gao sighed. Zara drove her brothers insane. She wanted to do everything they did and if they refused, she told.
The three children looked at their mother. The boys looked ready to be chastised while Zara looked victorious.
"You know what, Zara. You can hunt just a good as the boys. But today, give your brothers a break. Come on, I'm sure we can find someone else to play with." Gao suggested leading her daughter away.
"But Momma they always go into the forest without me." She complained.
Gao nodded and soon they saw Dreya and Haven. Zara had someone hew to play with.
"Madam Gao, do you need anything?" Suni asked surprised to see her with the kids.
Gao laughed, "No, my daughter is driving her brothers insane and I was hoping to find someone to distract her." She smiled.
The two women looked out as the three little girls played. "Suni, can she visit for a while at least? When you tire of her, I can come collect her." Gao asked. One thing that made MacGregor different, was the fact that the Alphas tried not to issue demands, they often asked permission.
"No problem, Madam Gao." Suni answered, and Gao thanked her and promised to keep the kids for a play date.
*****
Gao smiled and left. She checked her pack. Things were returning to normal. She checked in on Sam and his daughter. The family was adjusting, and she believed with time, he'd meet someone new. Lonnie on the other hand was cause for concern. He seemed to shut down.
Gao and Andrew made sure a beta was near him at all times. They hated the thought of him going rogue, but were prepared to do what was necessary to protect the public. One day Lonnie left. He just started running. Andrew was concerned, and Conor sent two dragons to watch him. He ran for miles, ending up in a secluded cove. The were-cat collapsed. His wept, his cries shaking the ground around him.
Unable to bear anymore, the fates intervened. Lonnie saw a vision. He was content. With him was a beautiful sandy-haired cat. She smiled at him, and his heart raced. Lonnie froze. Ingrid was even more beautiful than he remembered. She sent, Lonnie, we are safe now. It just wasn't our time. Please love, my love. Go on with your life and leave this heartache behind. We love you, and we want you to find happiness with someone new. I will always be here. Never think that you are alone. Then Ingrid faded.
Lonnie stopped crying. She was beautiful and she loved him. He had to go on. She would want him too. Rising to his feet, the bereaved were-cat headed back to his home. He knew it would be hard, but he had to live his life without the love of his life at his side.
Andrew was waiting when the were-cat returned. The two talked. Andrew gained a new level of respect for the young were. If anyone deserved a second chance at happiness it was Lonnie and Sam.
As he marveled at his pack member, he was interrupted. Rayan reported in. All was well with the pack. Since the attack, several new matings had occurred. And some of the females were now expecting. Andrew sighed. This was good news. He wondered about Shawn and Mera. If Shawn decided not to join the pack, would Mera still be under his leadership? Conor was also confused, not sure if he was ready to play alpha to a lone female wolf. Brecken and Rayan found his dilemma laughable. Father was their alpha most of their lives until the joined Bertrand. He and Mother were more than capable.
Andrew actually agreed with his betas. Caitlyn and Gao were not as concerned. The two women felt that wherever the two ended up, they'd be home.
Weeks went by and Shawn always found a way to be by Mera's side. Mera went about her duties. She was responsible for teaching the young pups and kittens survival strategies. Shawn watched from afar. He was not alone long. Emilie joined him. Emilie was curious. She liked Shawn and was curious as to why he connected with the Were instead of her. She was not attracted to him, even though she would admit that he was handsome.
Shawn knew his friend had questions. "She gets me, and you see me as a pesky older brother." Shawn stated, stunning Emilie.
"Well, if she had known you when we were kids, she might not be so impressed." She teased.
Shawn laughed, "She is the most perfect being. She's loving, giving, and so sweet. I want to spend an eternity making her happy." Shawn whispered.
Emilie smiled. She was truly happy for her friend. Soon some other dragons joined them and everyone talked. They wondered about Kade and how he was faring with his wife. A few of the females wondered about the Weres that returned home as did the males. They wanted to fly to the Americas and London to see their friends, but knew Laird Maclean had to approve such ventures.
The friends began to frolic and play. It wasn't so long ago that they were children, free to just enjoy life. Now they were young adults. They had fought in a battle to protect their friends. They witnessed their clansman almost lose himself to insanity, yet the witness him fall in live. They weren't completely clueless; Shawn was gone over Mera the first time she showed up in the Highlands.
She was so shy, so quiet. They would watch her. Often she would isolate herself from the pack.
Today, though he was no longer pretending to just be her friend. She was watching the little ones, but it was obvious that she was happy Shawn was there. Emilie sighed; she missed the freedom of just being a kid. Today, they could pretend to be kids again. Their joy was multiplied as children from the pack and caste MacLean joined them. The pups and kittens played with the dragon whelps as if they were all the same. Emilie laughed. Soon troubles melted away and nothing but joy and serenity remained. Soon, the kids shifted, and took off. The dragons laughed as several dragon babies, or whelps, joined their furry friends.
The kids played, as Mera warned them about being so rough. Soon Shawn approached Mera and joined her silently, as she smiled at hm. She could not leave her post, so he just sat with her. Emilie and the other dragons pretended not to notice the tender touches between the two. Zara, being ever outspoken flew up to Emilie. "Emie, tell Ronny that I can marry him if I want. He can't say no just because he's not a dragon."
Emilie laughed, "Little One, it doesn't work like that. The fates choose who we marry."
Zara frowned. "No fair. I want to marry Ronny."
Joining them, Kevin, a male dragon chimed in. "But Zara, what if Ronny wants to marry someone else? What if he meets a she wolf that he likes?"
Zara frowned, "Ok, I'll pick a new guy to marry." She looked around and saw her next victim, a whelp that was often getting into trouble. Emilie and Kevin looked on as the young alpha dragon went after her new prey.
Looking at Shawn and Mera, Emilie whispered, "I wish it was that simple.
Kevin stood beside her laughed, "It is. Sometimes you have to look at the guy standing beside you."
Emilie gasped and looked, then she laughed. "Good one, you almost got me."
He laughed. "We will find our soul mates one day. If the time is not right, at this moment, then in the future it will be." Emilie nodded and the group continued watching the children.
The hour grew late. And they returned home. The castle was filled with excitement as the young ones learned that Kade was returning. Shawn returned home, but he missed Mera. Conor put him to work hoping to distract him.
