ChangingPaths (22 page)

Olivia, do not get too close. She is almost feral.

If we don’t talk her down, Gareth’s going to bleed out.
Let me try, Micah.
At his slow nod, the female moved closer. Harmony
growled again and the female stopped.

“Sister, listen to me. Something wonderful has happened. You’ve
protected your mate. You have protected your child and best of all, Sister, you’ve
proven that you are not Denied. You’re one of us. Let us help you now.” Harmony
heard the woman’s voice. It was low and soothing. Her hands stayed at her sides,
so Harmony didn’t feel threatened. She twitched one ear toward the female
speaking. Olivia. She was Olivia. Harmony pulled the name from her human self.
Olivia motioned for the other, older female to join her.

This voice was soft too, and achingly familiar. “Niece, let
us help your loved one. We can help him. None of us will hurt you. No one here
will hurt your mate. Let us help.”

Another twitch of the same ear as Harmony trembled. Whining,
she looked from one female to the other as she stood over her fallen mate.
Their scents soothed her. Their voices were soft. She didn’t want them touching
him, didn’t want them near him, but part of what they were saying made sense. A
part of her knew they could help. Her whole body shook. Looking at her mate,
she whined until her pup stepped forward.

“Mom, look at you. You’re so beautiful. You’re a shifter,
you’re Moon-Called, like me. Please let them help Gareth. I want us all to run
together. C’mon, Mom.” The shaking voice of a scared child turned the tide.

Those words reached a part of her that yearned for that very
thing. To run with her mate. She backed up slowly then lay down. She rolled
onto her side, exhausted. Her lips curled but she let the females come close
enough to surround her. Their hands soothed her as she panted. The Alpha moved
forward slowly, keeping his eyes on her and his own mate. He knelt beside the
unconscious Gareth. Harmony growled when the bigger man lowered his hands just
over her mate’s body. She allowed it only because the other females didn’t seem
to be afraid. She heard him begin to chant softly under his breath. Her growl
stuttered to a stop when the man’s hands began to glow.

Harmony’s growl gave way to a scared whine. Comforting arms
came around her. Her daughter, her aunt, Olivia, all females she loved,
respected, cared about assured her things were going to be okay, that the Alpha
was helping, not hurting. But it was hard for her. Her wolf jerked forward but
her daughter’s voice and the other females’ arms held her back.

“No, Mom. Let him help G.”

She watched as her mate twitched. His wolf flowed into view
then back to man then back to wolf once more. She watched as the blood stopped.
The last time Micah forced the Change on him he got slowly to all four feet. He
looked around immediately until his gaze stalled on her. His ears flicked back
and forth. The wary look in his eyes was slowly replaced by the dawning
knowledge of who this new wolf was.

Harmony? Harmony, are you okay? I’m so sorry, babe, I’m
so sorry.

Shaking off the females, she ran to her mate. She rubbed her
entire body against him. With her nose, she nudged him. He leaned into her,
snuffling her neck. They checked each other from nose to tail. Then he shifted
back to his human form.

“Babe, come here.” He pulled her close, cuddling her into
his lap. “Turn back for me, honey. Shift for me. I want to look at you, make
sure you’re okay.”

He kept talking softly to her as the other women ushered
everyone else out of the cabin, giving them some privacy. Harmony knew the
Alpha stood in the doorway, waiting to see if she would need his help. She’d
heard rumors of his special power but she hadn’t believed it until she’d seen
if for herself. Taking a deep breath of her mate’s scent, she relaxed for the
first time in hours.

As she relaxed she felt her body changing, heard his
encouragement then opened her eyes to see the man she loved. Gareth looked back
at her with a huge smile on his face. “Moon-Denied my ass. You’re the most
beautiful she-wolf I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Despite the insanity of the day and the fact that she’d
killed her ex, she laughed. Then she sobered. “Micah? What’s going to happen to
me now? Will I go to jail?”

She ignored Gareth’s outraged “No!”

“No, sister wolf. There will be no jail time. You acted in
defense of your mate, of your child and of yourself. Not one of us would have
acted differently. I am proud of you.”

Harmony shivered in Gareth’s embrace. “But I-I-I nearly lost
myself. I was so angry, so scared. I was only my wolf then. Did I do something
wrong?”

Micah smiled soberly at her. “We do need to have a talk
about how to control your wolf. You were fearsome in your rage and it is not
unheard of for one to bury the human self so deeply in a time of panic. You
should have been able to hear us all speaking to you but you only seemed to
hear the females. That may be because you didn’t have the training the others
did and were not expecting the mind-to-mind communication. We will need to
remedy your lack of Pack education. I believe your mate will be happy to do
that.”

She released the breath she hadn’t even been aware of
holding. She relaxed into her mate’s embrace only to stiffen again at the Alpha’s
next words. “I will, however, expect you to present yourself at the next
Gathering as a full Moon-Called member of my Pack. I knew you did not smell
like one Denied.”

He gave one of his rare smiles then stepped back. He put his
arm around his mate, who had moved in to join him. Harmony forgot them as Rain
burst back into the cabin.

“Mom!”

Harmony scrambled to her feet to catch her child. She hugged
her daughter tightly. “Baby, are you okay? You did so well! I’m so proud of
you.”

“Forget that! Mom, you’re a wolf!”

Harmony heard Gareth chuckle, so she glanced at him. “Yeah,
babe, focus on the most important part of this day. You’re a wolf!”

He laughed then. All the other shifters crowded in at the
sound. Harmony joined them in the laughter. She knew it was more relief than
anything but gave in to the mirth. Holding her daughter tightly, Harmony gazed
at her mate. She wondered if he could see all the love she felt for him shining
in her face.

Gareth glanced at the clock in the kitchen then moved into
the living room to call down the hall. “If you two don’t hurry up we’re going
to be late.”

He paced nervously in front of the fireplace, glancing at
the clock again. Just as he opened his mouth to yell, he stopped. Rion and Kaj
came into view. One from the bedroom he shared with Harmony, the other from the
bathroom. They looked so different that he just stood staring for a minute
before grinning at them. “Hey, you guys clean up pretty good.”

Kaj tugged at the bow tie around his neck as Rion adjusted
his jacket. The formal attire was as foreign to them as it was to him. It made
him feel a bit better that they were uncomfortable too.

“You’re not too bad yourself, Brother.” Rion stopped
fidgeting to grin at him. He joined Gareth in the middle of the room. Kaj just
walked to the front door, opened it then walked out onto the porch.

The brothers followed, shutting the door as they headed for
the car. He started for the driver’s side only to be body-blocked by Kaj. “No
way, brother wolf. Either Rion or I will drive. I don’t trust you not to wrap
the car around a tree in your hurry to get to your mate.”

They all laughed but he handed the keys over. Despite Kaj’s
words he wasn’t nervous. He’d been looking forward to this for the last month.
Since then, he, Rain and Harmony had definitely formed a cohesive family unit.
His girls had had some residual nightmares but the Pack had helped them with
everything. Knowing they’d never have to worry about Tom again had also helped.

Micah had informed Tom’s remaining family about his death
only to find out that none of them wanted anything to do with him, dead or
alive. Micah had arranged for Tom to be cremated then buried in the local potter’s
field. There was no headstone because no one cared. Gareth gave a prayer of
thanks again for his mate and pup’s safety.

Rain had bounced back faster than Harmony but he had no
doubt that his mate would be okay. She had him and the rest of the Pack to
watch over her. Not to mention one hormonal, typically angsty teen to distract
her mother.

Kaj pulled the car to a stop in front of the lodge. Gareth
grinned at the sight of Olivia fussing with some flower garlands that were
strung across the porch railings. She smiled as they all got out of the car.

“Well, don’t you all look gorgeous? We’ll be ready to start
soon but there’s time for a drink if you want one. Micah’s in the living room
with the preacher.”

They entered the lodge. Smells flowed from all directions.
Flowers, candles, food and family—all combined to create what Gareth knew as
the scent of his Pack. He looked around with a smile, appreciating the work
that had been done to make this such a special day.

He knew Harmony was upstairs. He could feel her up there.
Her excitement reached him. He started toward the stairs only to be stopped by
his Alpha. “Time enough, brother wolf, after the ceremony for what you have in
mind. If you muss your mate before the ceremony she will hold it against you
for months. Trust me. I know.”

He indicated his own mate then threw an arm around Gareth. “Come,
I want you to greet the preacher.”

He went reluctantly into the living room. He stopped in his
tracks then glanced at Micah with surprise. Rion had followed him into the room
then rushed past him with a laugh.

“Mom! Uncle Jan! How did you get here? When did you get
here?” Gareth watched his brother hug their family then looked up at Micah.

“You flew them out here?”

“It was not right that you were marrying without your
family. Your mother is doing better. Her cardiologist gave her permission to
fly. Your uncle asked to accompany her. It is only fitting that your birth Pack
be present here, Gareth.”

“Thank you.” He swallowed hard then hugged his Alpha before
breaking away to greet his mother and uncle. They were mending fences. He’d
taken Olivia and Rain with him to Oregon where he had introduced them to his
family. He and Rion had made sure their mother had gone to the doctor. She’d
been diagnosed with an arrhythmic heart condition. While it was not common, it
was not unheard of in his kind. She was receiving treatment and medication that
had helped. Gareth was really glad they were there. He hadn’t expected them, so
it was definitely a sweet surprise. They talked quietly until the rest of the
Pack had gathered. The preacher motioned for Gareth to come stand beside him in
front of the massive fireplace. Rion and Kaj stood at his side, smiles on their
faces.

He took a deep breath as soft music began to play. Rain
appeared in the doorway wearing a pale-purple dress that stopped at her knees.
She was smiling as wide as he’d ever seen her smile. Her hair was now a normal
dark brown, no dye in it at all. He watched her gaze go from him to Keme, who
sat in the second row, and then back again. He couldn’t help the protective
surge that went through him but he relaxed when he glanced at Keme to see the
young man looking back at him before nodding respectfully. Gareth still needed
to have a talk with the younger wolf about his daughter. His daughter. His
heart thudded at that though.

The music changed then to the familiar wedding march and the
Pack came to their feet. Now he only had eyes for the woman standing in the
doorway. He barely registered Pete standing beside her. Harmony looked more
beautiful than ever. Her hair hung in long, loose curls. The sides were pulled
up with small flowers holding them back. Her ivory dress ended just below her
knees. She held a bouquet of roses, orange blossom and gardenias.

He remembered the discussion about that. She’d chosen each
flower carefully. Roses for her mother. Orange blossoms for her grandmother and
gardenias for her daughter. Smiling, he looked up to see her eyes focused on
him. Gareth felt as if they were standing by themselves. His heart started
beating a fast tempo until she was standing just an arm’s length from him.

He heard the preacher saying something about giving her to
him, heard Pete say something in reply, but none of it registered until her
hand was placed in his. She squeezed his hand. When he looked at her, she
whispered, “Breathe, honey.”

He grinned widely then took a deep breath as they both
turned to face the preacher. The ceremony flew past. Gareth barely remembered
answering the preacher’s questions. He knew he must have done so because the
man was pronouncing them husband and wife. Gareth nearly growled at the man
telling him he could kiss his bride. As if he needed anyone’s permission!

She laughed as he pulled her in tight to his body but
stopped laughing when he covered her mouth with his. He put all the love he
felt for her into that kiss, making her melt against him. Only Rion tugging at
his shoulder kept him from taking her to the floor to make love to her
there—the rest of the world be damned.

He fought back a snarl, knowing his brother wasn’t trying to
keep him from his mate. Gareth forced himself to remember not to make a fool of
himself in front of their friends and family. Together he and Harmony turned to
face the Pack. They walked hand in hand out of the room into the large hallway.
Then, before they could move again, they were swarmed.

Three hours later, after most of the food had been eaten,
the wine consumed and the dancing completed, Micah rose to his feet and held up
his hands.

“Tonight we celebrate more than a wedding. Tonight we
celebrate life and love and family. Tonight we will Gather with the blessings
of Mother Earth and Father Sky and we will run together under the full moon. I
invite all, Moon-Called and Moon-Denied, to the circle. Join us to rejoice as
we give thanks for all of our blessings.”

He held out his hand for Olivia, who stepped up beside him.
They led the way through the woods down to the circle, the Pack gathered around
them. Those among them who were Called started stripping out of their wedding
finery. Those who were Denied started gathering clothing to get it out of the
way. The drummers took their places, beginning to chant in time with their
drumming.

Gareth held Harmony’s hand tight in his. He smiled at her as
he raised their joined hands to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. “Ready to run,
babe?”

She nodded, letting go of his hand. He watched her flow into
her wolf form then took his own. Kaj, who was sort of an expert on the Denied,
had given them a somewhat plausible explanation as to why she had never shifted
before.

She’d left the Pack before ever attempting her first shift.
After talking to Harmony, Kaj had found out that she’d been pregnant at the
time. Most females couldn’t shift when pregnant, so Harmony had assumed that
she couldn’t ever shift. Her bastard ex had reinforced that belief since he’d
known he couldn’t.

Gareth’s musings were cut short when a small gray wolf with
black-tipped fur barreled into him, almost knocking him over. He heard the teen’s
laughter in his head as she nipped at her mother’s tail. The lithe younger wolf
took off running hard through the woods. Harmony looked back at him. She tossed
her head back to give a short howl. With a quickness that still surprised him
Harmony nipped his ear then took off after her daughter.
Catch me if you
can, slowpoke!

He shook from head to tail, watching his mate and daughter
dash into the thick edge of pines. A wolf came up on his blind side. Gareth
turned his head to meet his brother’s gaze.
You going to let those females
get away with that?

Not on your life. You go right, I’ll go left.
At his
brother’s nod the two white wolves gave chase, following the two gray wolves
into the woods. Gareth noted another young wolf joining them. He chuffed a
greeting to Keme, who took the center path.

When Gareth yipped out his joy, some of the Pack answered
him. Catching his mate and daughter wasn’t as easy as the males had thought but
they finally did. He wasn’t sure the two women hadn’t just slowed down. Keme
and Rain had play-boxed before begging for and receiving permission to head to
the lake.

Rion and Kaj were still new enough to the Pack, though not
members of the Pack, so the single females flocked to them. The wolves owned
the night under the full moon. Howls tore through the evening like love songs
to some pagan gods. Gareth and Harmony frolicked like pups. Leaping over each
other then tumbling head over tail, they reveled in their furry selves. The
moon made her ascent into the sky as the drums sounded in their heads.

Just as he and Harmony made their escape from the more
populated areas of the wood she flicked his nose with her tail. Then she raced
off once again. He caught up to his mate when she stopped to drink from a
stream. Rushing into her, Gareth bowled her over into a bed of soft moss. As
she laughed in his head she shifted. He followed suit so that they lay
entangled with each other. Minutes passed just smiling into each other’s eyes.
Sending a mental message to Rion to keep everyone away, Gareth lowered his head
to kiss his mate.

With the moon at her zenith he made love to Harmony in the
open air with the energy of the Pack flowing around them. As she cried out her
release he felt moisture on his back. He fell to her side as the first
snowflakes of the season started to fall around them. For the first time in a
very long time, Gareth felt totally content.