Forbidden Heart - The Secrets of Avelina Chronicles Book 5

28: Emmett

The next night, everyone was gathered in one place, creating a unique experience that even the Elders Sebastian and Malik had never encountered before. Anca and Sebastian had traveled with Caspar and Evantha to see their grandchild and witness the union ceremonies of their sons to their mates. They accepted Aveira and Lilian into their family happily and with great joy. Damian and Kaitlin arrived with Sarus and Savannah just a few hours later bearing gifts.

Lilian, Eaven and Aveira had gone through the morning preparing themselves to leave the next day to join their new clan under Caspar's rule. They would all start a new life with a new family and both girls were looking forward to a change of pace. Emmett still found his wound painful, but took great relief in Lilian's miracle cure. As soon as Eaven was born all she needed was a little sleep and some food. By the time she woke that morning, she was fully recovered both of her vampire sickness and the pain of her pregnancy. Emmett wasn't so lucky. He was still exhausted and ate more than usual at mealtimes.

Briant and Aveira, Emmett and Lilian were united within a double ceremony late on into the evening. As with Caspar and Evantha's ceremony, they each brought an item that represented their old lives and buried them in the same hole on clan soil. Each ceremony was undertaken at the same time so that neither couple were given special treatment over the others. As the ceremony was spoken, Evantha was able to sit and hold her grandson and delight in how well behaved he was. He didn't cry or howl once during the ceremonies. Neither did he demand attention from her or Caspar as was his right considering they hadn't had a lot of time together.

Once the ceremony was complete, both couples were congratulated by the clan members and family alike, Emmett still hobbling around with his crutch. With the festivities underway, Emmett was able to ask his brother a question he had been curious about ever since he had recovered from consciousness to find himself safely within the clan.

"Brother, I have wondered...how did you ever discover me in the meadow?" Emmett wondered quietly as they all sat around the fire. He didn't know if he had unknowingly called out or if Briant had discovered him by accident. It felt important to find out whether their connection had been hampered by his relationship with Lilian and Eaven or if it had been strengthened by the prospect of family.

"I heard a call brother. I heard agony in your sons heart and could not refuse the call to aid you. I am glad I found you in time to help, though I did not understand the call at the time." Briant admitted, uncomfortably, that he had actually heard Eaven calling for help and acknowledged who it had come from. He hadn't let on to Malik that he knew the call belonged to the unborn child because he was afraid that Malik would affirm all his suspicions that Eaven was evil and shouldn't be obeyed. He was thankful that hadn't happened and Eaven seemed nothing but an ordinary baby. He felt guilty for ever believing that a baby could be evil.

"Thank you, brother. For trusting that call which was unknown to you. You could have ignored it, but you understood its importance and for that we are all grateful." Emmett forgave him and thanked him. Clans didn't always respond to the call of people from opposing clans. Some clans were close knit, some were at odds. Briant had trusted his senses to tell him that responding to the unknown call was important, a real life or death situation.

"I am sorry about your son, Emmett. Not because he is a monster, but because I feared he would be. I was afraid he would be unnatural as it is what we have been taught to fear. It has been difficult for me to realize it is not the truth." Briant wanted Emmett to know he was sorry. He had been hampered from feeling the love of an Uncle for Eaven because of the prejudiced of their lycan histories. But, that was an argument Emmett could understand and appreciate. Being caught up in what he was expected to believe wasn't his fault, but fighting beyond that was something for them both to be proud of. After all, times changed and it was Eaven's turn to change people's perceptions.