Into The Shadows (The Shadows Trilogy Book 1) Page 10
"Welcome to the family son." With dad's final approval I breathe easier, guess I was worried he wouldn't be happy for me not because of Kyran specifically but I'm his baby girl and getting married means I'm not anymore, that I'm all grown up.
"So wedding plans?" Mom asks clapping her hands, smiling now that I’ve been woken up by the excitement and after finishing my coffee.
"I need Una and his family here, this should be done together. We’re going to be family." Everyone stares in awe at Kyran and me, tears shimmering in their eyes confused I ask, "What?” Kyran walks over hugging me.
"You named my family, yours, and it might seem silly to you, but it means a lot to me.”
“And the fact you don't want to plan a single thing without them shows that", Mom adds, "you grew up. I wouldn't have thought to call them, at least not yet, but you did. It was very thoughtful, I'm proud, and we all are Ava." I nod, silently still confused by everything.
An hour later and everyone is sitting around the dining table with notebooks and wedding magazines. Avery, and Mollie picked up a few days ago mentioning they knew the proposal was coming, and Una had hugged me so fiercely with shiny eyes.
"I'm so happy for you Ave and this mate bond is something else uh, must be so weird," Una tells me and shaking my head I answer, "No, actually it feels natural like the void I had talked to you about before well, it’s filled now, it was him all along."
We cry happy tears and fangirl over the ring, and I explain to Una and my family where the ring came from who it had belonged to; Maggie Lewis the former healer, Kyran's grandmother. Shock and awe go around and a hyper Axel chasing his tail.
So the group sits down at the table together, me, Kyran, Mom, Dad, Aaliyah, Addison, August, Una, Mollie, Gabriel, Avery, Riley and of course my familiar Axel to discuss wedding plans. Before everyone can give me their opinions on the day, I say, "Kyran and I talked about this last night, and we want a beautiful small intimate wedding with close friends and family either in or outdoors nothing too flamboyant." I add sternly eyeing the girls, who pout but agree and the men laugh.
"Any date on your mind?" Mollie wonders, and I turn to my mate asking through our mind speak if he does, and everyone ping pong watching us and the bond in action with pride, “honestly babe I'd marry you now so whenever you want.” He tells me. I turn to mom and ask her when a wedding can be planned. She thinks it through then hovers with his mom, and the girls begin whispering idea dates in the corner. Finally, they come back with two weeks being the absolute earliest and looking at Kyran, he nods. So I respond “let's get married”.
"December 1st" The women in the family squeal.
Aaliyah asks "Ok, color theme?" I check with him again, and we both nod saying
"Red" together, we love the color I tell everyone surprised at how easy that was for me having heard countless women complain how hard planning a wedding is.
"Tomorrow, we have dress, cake, and flower shopping," Mollie informs me, but I explain I have work, then Una adds into the conversation, "We'll tell John we need the day off and after explaining why, I'm sure he and Paul could manage with Ben there too, he sometimes helps out in the pub."
“I'll call him now” I say, going to stand, she puts out a hand “I'll do it for you, you relax you're the bride.”
"I already know the flowers I want, and I want a red rose bouquet with red roses on the cake, not real ones but food decorated on a simple tiered white cake with either one or multiple flavors preferably it could include velvet for one tier, vanilla, lemon and chocolate for the next tiers," I reply aloud kind of dreamy. I stop when I realize the full attention of the room is on me and being a little embarrassed I defend, “What? Every girl thinks about their wedding so I had a fair idea of what I want", all the girls nod in understanding, but the guys are adorably puzzled.
"So, red flowers and cake design with flavor ideas, check, next we need location, dress, invitations, best man and so on," Aaliyah tells the room.
"I'll make phone calls for bookings for tomorrow," Mollie replies walking into the living room. I'm still thinking of ideas, and I ask no one in particular.
"Is it possible to use three maids of honors and six bridesmaids? I want Aaliyah, Una, Avery as maid of honors, them three plus Mom, Mollie and Grandma Abby as bridesmaids."
"This is your wedding sweetheart do what you want," Dad responds getting up from his seat.
"Do what you want to do," Kyran adds and I send him an image of a heart and blowing kisses and he sends one back, and we smile at each other holding hands under the table.
"I think you should do it," Una throws in her opinion, the girls agree and Aaliyah makes a note of this.
"You need to choose your best man and the groomsmen too," Aaliyah adds, pointing at Kyran trying to be stern.
"I want Riley as best man and my Dad, Kai, Addison, August and Ava's grandpa Austin as my groomsmen" Kyran answers her and Axel barks.
"Oh and Axel of course" he laughs.
Mollie walks back over "Ok, those are taken care of. I had to be persuasive mentioning we'll be spending a lot which got them suddenly open" She says relieved.
"I don't want this to cost much" I throw into the group.
"Nonsense this is your wedding," Mom replies back firmly.
"Besides the reason why we work so hard is to spend money in good times, yes?" Mom continued, winking.
"I'm also the alpha. I make a substantial amount from the family business which you’re now entitled to some, after you’re married and officially mated you'd have the right to use it as much as you need" Gabriel adds.
I'm overwhelmed, Kyran picks up on this "Ok, enough for today" and starts to walk me out of the room when Mollie calls out.
"You need to meet us tomorrow at 4 pm outside Weddings Your Way for cake tasting," he tells her son, and nodding he'll be there. I remember the blood test and while we’re all still gathered here I decide to find out, Kyran listening to my thoughts goes to my mother telling her I want them.
Mom opens up the envelope reading the results then eyes me with a mixed expression of relief and worry on her face. I'm impatient, and she clears her throat.
"Your dominant gene is a werewolf, with the witch and elemental recessive in your gene pool, you are a wolf, honey this is new of that we understand since you are the only female wolf born with only a male werewolf parent. I think this means you won't become a witch or have elemental powers, but you have three other important ones, this is all rare, but at least now we've acquired answers, we revealed what you are for sure". I'm holding Kyran's hand, I squeeze tightly.
"So what now?" I ask, Dad eyes me and says, “If the government finds out then it will be a battle to keep you safe we don't know anything about them which is how they like things, always keeping us in the dark, forcing us into the shadows, so it’s hard to stop what I don't understand, but we'll bloody well try." I'm a little shaky, so Kyran steadies my hand. Everything is all overwhelming.
"How can I be a werewolf and not able to shift?" I ask my mate. He looks thoughtful so I listen to his inner thoughts.
“Well, I wonder if it is cause she is a half female wolf, and this hasn't happened before, not that's been recorded so we don't know when a half wolf shifts maybe she will change soon or not at all but she's got a wolf I sense her presence rubbing against mine every day and witnessed her growl.” He turns to me then noticing I'm already looking at him and was listening to all his thoughts, and I'm about to tell the family when Gabriel says, "We heard through your blood no need to explain and believe you’re right" I nod forgetting.
"I didn't" Una mutters and Aaliyah whispers in her ear what was said.
"Well son leave your bride to be alone tonight she has a busy day with wedding plans tomorrow eh? And I was thinking how about Woodlands Creek for the location?" Gabriel wonders at us telepathically, and instantly overcome with how appropriate this is, of how we met, so yeah, it should definitely be there, and it’s the wolves’ territory.
"Come on you'll see her at the cake tasting." He calls back, and Kyran walks out the door with his father followed by Mollie.
"Again didn't collect that?" Una mutters somewhat annoyed.
"Where did I meet my wolf?" I ask, and the lightbulb goes off, and she jumps up in excitement.
Meeting Mollie and Avery at Weddings Your Way at 11am with Aaliyah, Mom, Una and Grandma Abby. Una managed to sort us the day off with John who was surprised by my wedding announcement but thrilled for me asking if we both can come in tomorrow instead on what would have been our day of and we agree but being a small bar it isn't always very busy. The consultant Madison Green introduces herself enquiring who's the bride and what ideas I have for my dress to which I answer straight forwardly, no clue on what style I want, but something elegant but sexy I explain.
"Ok we can do that" she smiles bringing me back to a rack of dresses while the girls sit waiting for me to come out in my first dress. Madison is pretty around fifty with short brown chin length hair and around 5'6 with a thin build almost stick figure which is too small in my book, wearing a navy blue shirt, pencil suit and has a long shaped face with glasses and very polite not the bitchy snobs who wriggle their noses at you thinking you are not rich enough to pay.
Madison tries on me a low scoop neckline, floor length dress with beads. I don't like it but go out to show them, and they tear up especially Mom.
"You are beautiful, but I don't think it’s the one for you." Aaliyah ponders, with the rest agreeing, so I go back to the changing rooms where Madison waits with another option. She spots my disheartened face, and says, "Don't worry you've helped a lot now with a better understanding of what you like I can eliminate a lot of choices bringing us closer to the one with your name on it so relax let me do my job, and we'll find you your dream dress." After hours of searching Madison pulls one out from the rack that immediately is mine, I'm tearing up looking at it, seeing my face she's unsure if this is a good or a bad cry so I nod.
"That's the one," I say with awe, my voice choked and change into it.
It's a wedding dress that a princess would wear, perfect for creating a classic fairytale inspired look. With a traditional full-skirted design made up of soft tulle layers while the bodice features sheer cross-over straps. It has a sweetheart neckline and is finished in lace with glistening sequin detail and a satin waistband that adds a final feminine touch. The back is zip fastened with a hook, it is sleeveless, designed with a high back-line to cover bra straps and detachable satin belt.
I go out to the girls who are waiting with tears streaming down my face and they recognized like I did this dress is the one, and we all cry full of emotion.
"Oh honey, you are beautiful, can't believe my baby girl is getting married." Mom sobs with happiness and I’m hugged by them all as we coo over the dress.
Madison comes out telling us to "Back away, it's the only one left in stock, and we wouldn't be able to guarantee one made in time for your wedding." They back away and Madison measures me.
"Needs taking in a little around the waist, turn around for me" I turn.
"How long till I can pick it up?"
"About a week, we'll call", she concludes. Now let's take it off to keep it clean. Everyone lets out the nervous breath we were all holding at this declaration. Getting dressed back in my clothes and strolling out to the girls, Aaliyah speeds us off to the flowers section with Madison following. The best thing about Weddings Your Way is that everything is in one place, the dresses, flowers, cake and much more, saving us a lot of time.
I see my mate striding towards me, and my wolf goes nuts wanting to be closer to him, sensing this he walks faster hugging me upon impact kissing my lips sweetly.
"I missed you" I murmur.
"Me too baby, now let's eat some cake even though we both acknowledge which flavors we’re choosing, but they don't know that," Kyran chuckles sneakily, causing everyone to join. After tasting some and looking at cake designs Kyran and I decided on the handmade sugar red roses elegant cascade. Each rose consists of individual petals hand-molded from sugar paste which Madison tells us is a hand painstaking process that requires great skill, a steady hand and no small amount of patience.
The flowers are carefully dusted with a natural color to appear even more realistic, and each four tiers are covered in soft white icing and trimmed with a ribbon for a beautiful finish. Each tier has a flavor of velvet, vanilla, lemon, and chocolate. I made sure Kyran was ok with these choices and that everyone likes the choices before finalizing the order. As we’re leaving Weddings Your Way, Kyran tells me he needs to go home to help his dad with alpha business, and I'm working in the morning so decide to stay home. Kissing him goodbye I leave with my mom and sister for home while Mollie and Avery go back with Kyran helping Gabriel.
I jump straight from bed later that night after dreaming of being kidnapped, tortured and held in a cage. I'm in a dark room screaming from the pain, and they had wires taped to my head.
"I'll ask you again Ava James or should I say Lewis tell me what powers you have and I'll stop torturing you."
I'm shaking from fear and sweating with the sick sensation of having seen my future obviously after my wedding, my adrenaline is high. Which is why I wasn't aware my hands were shaping into paws or my body getting smaller till the most agonizing pain I ever felt rips through me before I could even scream I find myself on all fours, all four legs.
"Well, this is new," I think. Axel is barking going nuts not because he’s scared but because he knows I am calling for attention, his emotions ringing clear.
Trying to move forward to reassure him, but stumble and fall like a newborn foal, I knew I had changed into my wolf form but this all happened in a matter of a few minutes, and until attempting to walk, I could ignore the fact I'm a wolf. I want my mate and am thinking this to myself when suddenly I'm blinking and disoriented checking around the room to see Kyran and his family staring at me in shock, and I scrabble around on my shaking paws whining.
Quickly they jump to attack but Kyran stops them putting an arm out, he and his wolf know it's me the bond giving him information on everything that happened to me and his Mom, Dad, Avery, and Riley are reading it all through Kyran. The HES rings, Gabriel answers and my family including Axel's ears are on the screen.
"Where's Ava I want to talk to her," Dad demands, sounding more worried than harsh, Gabriel coughs.
"She's erm… She's not able to talk now" he responds.
My dad roars his fear "Axel went mental barking and howling we rushed to her room, and she's missing, but Ax brought out one of Kyran's shirt to tell us where she went so I'm aware she's there show me my daughter now Gabriel". Gabriel watches me, and I attempt to walk over to the screen but whine miserably.
"What's that?" My mom questions and Ax goes nuts again. I'm trying harder to reassure my family I push myself to move forward and take a few wobbly steps until I'm finally on the screen.
None of them take any notice of me but glance my way probably thinking I'm a friend of theirs, so they go to speak again when Ax barks at me. I try barking back, but it comes out more of a wheeze, Aaliyah is the first to put the puzzle together asking Gabriel.
"When you said she can't talk now, you were literal weren't you?" Sighing he nods. The pieces click into place for my family who view me longer.
"Ave is that you?" Addy wonders and this time, I do bark.
"We're coming over," Dad says turning off the screen before anyone could object.
Laying down resting my head on my paws by Kyran's feet, everyone along with Una and Ax come rushing in. Axel comes over to me sniffing at me licking my face. Mom and Dad bend down to meet my eyes.
"Hi sweetheart," Dad says smiling.
"Oh, honey" Mom murmurs.
"You’re beautiful. You have a gray pelt
with black streaks, gorgeous blue eyes and soft fur," Una wonders in awe, stroking me. Kyran tells them what happened that my fear and adrenaline probably brought the change on or at least hurried the transformation and that when I was scared, and wanted to be with him and “poof she was here out of thin air, just appeared. I felt her dreaming and picked up on her distress I was about to telepath her when she showed up”.
"No way" Dad breathed amazed.
"I can't believe" Mom trails off in shock.
"Care to share?" Kyran asked.
"She teleported didn't she?" August asks to which everyone nods still in stupefied wonder to say much else.
"Remarkable, isn't it?" Gabriel adds.
"We need to discuss her dream, her turning into a wolf and getting a new power is cool, but the dream means something, and we must find out what," Kyran urges. Causing my family, Ax, and Una to stare at Kyran with even more respect than they previously had.
I find energy for training, to fight, not to be helpless that when or if the time came to my nightmare becoming reality I would be somewhat ready with a chance of fighting free. I use all my strength and imagine myself human doing what Kyran is advising me through our bond to learn to change back. Slowly my body begins changing form. My paws turn back into my hands. And my height gets taller, and the next thing I know Kyran is pulling down his t-shirt over my head and body covering my nudity and leaving him deliciously topless, I hear him muffle a chuckle.
Knowing what I want before I utter it, "Ava needs to train. She doesn't want to be defenseless and with a minimum of two weeks at least until it happens we're going down to the gym." Kyran tells everyone who nod seeing the determination in my eyes and head held up straight. I hug them all, reassuring them I’m ok feeling how scared they were for me but wanting to leave, the need to keep training compulsive and understanding this, no one argues.
On the mats in Kyran's t-shirt and him in his sweatpants shirtless I demand him not to hold back to push me that I can heal myself now and this is what convinces him to go hard on me, and we fight. “I'm the attacker, and I'm going to teach you in some random defensive moves then we'll keep training these techniques until you can do it in your sleep.” I'm nodding and smiling when I say,"Challenge me, mate."