Awakening (2 book series)
Awakening – Following Fate Chapter 140

I link Carmen quickly and tell her to meet her patrol partner outside the front door pronto. If I tell her who it is, she'll run. It's better to let them thrash it out face to face. She will replace out soon enough and I know she won't disobey me, even if she doesn't want to be around him. "You really think that's going to work?" Colton is by my side in a flash, his own fatigue waving my way. Catching my hand and yanking mt to him with that edge of possessiveness because we haven't had physical contact enough lately.

"No, but it's a start. We just have to keep throwing them together, so it breaks down his defenses. Much like what happened to you. Weakened by your love of me when up and in your face." I turn and jab him in the abdomen with my pointer finger, smiling naughtily at his 'oooft' response. Smug with my immature plan.

"Hey, that was completely different. I wasn't against you being my mate, in fact I more than wanted it." He rubs his stomach and bops my nose with his thumb in a cute boy gesture. His dimples come out to play as he smiles softly at me.

"Tomatoe, Tomato..... He needs to keep being affected by the bond, so he stops acting like a schmuck. This is the only way to get them side by side."

"My mates a devious one, isn't she?" Colton slides behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, nuzzling his chin into the crook of my neck and settles himself comfortably around me before eliciting a heavy sigh. The familiar safe haven, and it makes my skin goosebump all over from his touch. Never will I ever not have a full body reaction to my gorgeous other half. He's part of my soul. "I can't believe it's over. It doesn't seem real yet. I feel like we're dreaming and I'm yet to wake up." He sighs again, somewhat bereft. His body deflating slowly, his energy waning and I am more of a pillar to prop against than just a hug. I can feel his very essence fading away and a sign that my warrior needs time to rest and recharge. He carries so much on his plate and a night of crazy battles and self-healing while being weakened by a weapon have taken their toll.

"Except when we wake up, we still have funeral rites to carry out in the droves. A valley to begin to rebuild and a pack split across two homes. It's not really the end, but just the beginning." Mt heart bleeds at that thought. That the worst is over in terms of danger, but the emotional battle is still ahead of us and may be worse than what last night was.

"It's going to take time, and patience. So many of the valley wolves no longer believe or trust in me as Alpha, or us as a pack. The grief, the pain of everything that has happened has left it's mark and we have so much work to do to bring Santo back to what it once was."

"No.... we won't be bringing it back to what it was! We're starting over and building a new pack, with new ideals, and a new structure. A new moral code and transparency. We'll build a real family pack this time with no more secrets or lies or unfair hierarchy. Where hybrids won't have to hide in shame or be outcast for anything." I lay my head back on his chest and close my eyes to shut out the ruin around us and excel in his safe and warm embrace instead. Trying to visualize the valley of old, when my mother still walked these paths, before I knew anything of suffering and heartbreak and the power struggle of adults. A time when I was happier and nature around us seemed fuller, more vibrant, and life had less problems. I want to create that childhood feeling in our pack again, that sense of peace and tranquility.

"You really have grown into the Luna I hoped you would be." Colton lifts his chin and kisses me lightly on my jaw under my ear. Igniting a new wave of tingles and my body starts to react to his and I have to push it away. Squeezing me for a moment before relaxing back to where he was.

"I never thought I would ever think or feel like a Luna, yet here we are. The pack is always at the forefront of my thoughts now. All that's left is to build, repair, heal..... and welcome our children into this world."

"Hmmmm" he answers softly, agreeing and sounding as tired as me with the thought of what's to come next.

"Colton, Alora.... Go back to the manor and rest. We can watch over here and take care of things." Meadow pulls us out of our intimate bubble and we both turn to see her walking in, followed by Radar and Sierra who have linked hands and are looking incredibly cozy together. No doubt desperate for some alone time to mark and finish their own bond.

I squeal as the memory of their imprint hits me with fervor. Throwing Colton's arms off of me as the excitement I had to dampen down on a blood strewn battlefield rises to the surface again and I run at my Rema. Unleashed joy in the form of an over excited Luna. "Eeeeeeeeh, I am so happy, happy." I throw myself at her, wrapping my arms around her neck so she's knocked sideways, and Radar has to grab at us to support us from falling over. Bouncing like a child as she gets caught up in my excitement. "What the..." Sierra gasps in confusion and then laughs as my hanging onto her becomes a proper embrace, sliding her arms around me too. I spin us and then shake her and somehow manage to end up right back to where we started.

"I have a dad in law!" I turn, letting go of her and poke Radar in the ribs so forcefully he flinches and then slaps my hand away moodily. He sighs, rolls his eyes, and then turns sheepishly as he sees Colton approaching us. My mate isn't oozing the same overly hyper good mood as I am now it's sunk in that his mother has a new mate. Radar clears his throat and loses all confidence. I guess mating to your alpha best friend's mother, is a bit weird between brother wolves.

"Please don't call him that." Colton grinds it out, mumbling and then walks to his sub and lands a strong hand on his shoulder. A squeeze with obvious intent as Radar inhales sharply, wincing and ducking down on that side to try and escape the grip. "Alpha." Radar lowers his head, instant submission coming over him and only gains another stab in the ribs from me. Pushing him to snap up and glare at me instead. I am so not going to let him fall back into being just another sub wolf.

"Stop that. You're the Rema's mate. That makes you the Galma. Grandad wolf... So no more formalities." I start laughing stupidly at that, even though it's technically correct and hit the giggling fits at Radar's unamused expression. He no longer should be bowing or lowering his eyes for either Colton or I, as he's now our senior. He holds the same role as Rema in being a wise mentor to his Stepson.

"I mean, she's not wrong... grandad." Sierra joins in, poking fun at her new mate and Colton's face becomes more serious and stoic than before which only makes us both laugh louder and harder. His whole aura cooling to icy tones and his eyes glow a slight hint of amber. I choke on my fast inhalation of amusement and almost bend double trying not to die while having a coughing fit brought on by snort laughing.

"I swear to god...." Colton's snarls at me and Radar's face becomes ashen. It's obvious Colton isn't all too adjusted to this new development and Sierra stifles her laugh by covering her mouth and tries to return to mature mother figure when faced with a tantrummy man child.

"You will still always be my number one boy. Mummy loves you the mostest." Sierra gets the words out only just, before snorting at her own 'coooeee' tone and patting her son on the head in mock affection. She's enjoying this as much as I am.

"Don't even think about making me call you dad." Colton snaps at Radar and turns on his heel in a dramatic, sulky fashion before storming off. Colton behaving like a child because he knows he can't do a damned thing about a situation he actually wanted to happen. Radar hesitates, eyes going back and forth from son to mother before going off after him in an attempt to unruffle his alpha's fetahers.

"Leave them to figure it out between them. They have a strong bond, I'm sure they will replace their new level quickly. Colton just wants everyone he loves to be happy but he will replace it weird replacing his father so soon after we......." Meadow chimes in and yet trails off, moving in between us now that our little dramatic scene is over, and slings an arm around my shoulder in that casual affectionate way of hers. Her words bringing the somber mood back and I feel a little guilty knowing that maybe this is all equally painful and confusing to Colton. Even as an adult. His father left his mark in his heart and now Radar is meant to take his place after a lifetime of being like his brother.

"He's not against it. I think deep down he's pleased, but you know Colton.... Has to seem like a cool and bossy alpha and won't let Radar get any preferential treatment in case he thinks' he's gone soft." Sierra sighs and hooks her arm in Meadow's other one, so all three are connected and we stand for a moment watching them disappear out the far door.

I don't know how my mates feeling, but I know it won't last. He's the type to figure it out fast and put it to bed so it doesn't disrupt his relationship with Radar, or how he oversees the pack.

"Let's go home. There's enough sub wolves and Cesar is overseeing what needs to be done here. My Luna needs fed and put to bed." Meadow squeezes me, sensing my need for time alone to process everything that's happened, and bumps her temple against mine. "I had the twins go fetch a car so I can take you tow back to the stead. We need to update all those we left at home. It's going to be a hectic week." Meadow is tired too. I can hear it in her voice and know last night she would have given her all to battle against those creatures. She may be strong and fearless but even Meadow needs mental space after killing to be able to look at herself in the mirror. Lychans were never borne to be those kinds of beasts. "Yeah.... The work starts now. Let's all go home."