The Rejected Luna’s Prince By Aurora Archer
Chapter 72 – Family Shifts
(Willa)
Lola texted me that her parents were packing up and would be here tomorrow. Caspien promised them a great apartment in the packhouse and Lola one of her own after she finished her Masters she was working on.
Holden and Griffen said that no one really came forward with any questions after that public display; not really sure what else we could call it.
Neither of them seemed to mind. Griffen seemed confident that people might show up in the future. I think Holden just didn’t want to do that work or at least pretended that he didn’t.
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Either way, Cali and I spent the afternoon with Nora and our kids, talking housing arrangements and strategy. I didn’t realize how many apartments Caspien had for his pack members. There would be more than enough room to house twice of Blue Ridge just with the vacant cottages, packhouse apartments, and places around the city.
Nora held Olivia; she was the picture of bliss. Her cheeks were rosy and warm, and her soft smile never left her.
Griffen and she balanced each other so well. She softened his hard edge and grounded him when he became over-paranoid. She had the patience that I could only hope of finding as a mother and she was the perfect Beta for Cali and me.
She helped bring down Cali’s impulses in a way that made sense to her, and she didn’t fight about them while offering insight into me being in a ranked role for a few years now.
“Are you still going forward with the renovations?” Nora asked, stroking Olivia’s cheek.
“I think so,” The renovations to Caspien’s place were put on hold indefinitely after we were f*orc*ed to move in full-time after the attack and Cali’s place.
I hadn’t been back to my old place since, but Caspien had it packed up, our stuff still in boxes at our new home to be unpacked after renovations.
I didn’t want to change much, just add a few homey touches to make the ma*s*sive space seem a bit cozier.
A few plants, adding a bit of lighter wood, one of the designers suggested installing wooden beams to cut through the harshness of the modern lines. A touch of color and some small changes and I think it would be perfect for our family.
It already was the perfect home because I had Emmett and Caspien there.
Luna, do you have some free time this afternoon? – Caspien asked
We are pretty much done here. Actually, we’re ready if anyone comes
Good, meet me downstairs in fifteen. Your parents are coming to grab Emmett
“I’m going to spend some time with Caspien, I told them standing. Emmett grandma and grandpa are coming to pick you up, is that okay?”
He pouted, “I wanted to stay with Lorelai and the baby.”
“I’m sure Loreli can come over if you ask her first and then grandma and grandpa really nicely.”
“Okay!” Emmett asked Loreli if she wanted to come to play, and of course, she said yes.
“Anything else you need, link me,” I told them.
“We’re good here, Nora is going to continue my werewolf training,” Cali said.
Nora has been diligent about teaching her werewolf history and laws. We all have been helping her out and she has taken a real interest not just in the pack aspect but in the business side of The Dracos group.
I met Caspien downstairs. He was waiting for me by the elevator doors.
“Willa,” He gave me a brilliant smile and held his arm out to me.
“Cas,” I took it and let him lead me out to where a car was waiting for us.
“Where are we going?”
“I promised you a run once things calmed down, didn’t I?” He turned to me, and Iris howled in my mind, pacing around frantically.
“How can I deny Iris that?” I said, but in all honesty, I was yearning to get her out again.
Living in the forest I shifted almost daily, going on long runs.
I could feel it deep in my bones, the ache, the emptiness that came from not shifting, and I knew it was even harder on Iris.
“We won’t go so long again,” Caspien k*issed the back of our intertwined hands, “Things are safe, secure, and we can go spend more time at the original packhouse deep in the woods.”
“I like the sound of that.” I laid my head on his shoulder.
Eventually, his parents would return to the old packhouse in the woods, my parents had a cottage being renovated there, as well.
It wasn’t a far drive, and I knew we would probably see at least one set of them almost daily. It has been nice having them at the packhouse though, especially to help with Emmett when a new burst of chaos was unleashing itself.
“I’ll show you the rest of your lands later on,” He smiled against my hair, “But I want time for Atlas and Iris to get to know each other.”
I settled into his side, and soon the buildings gave way to the sprawling expanse on the other side of the city. The driver pulled over on the side of the road, and I looked up at Caspien curious.
“There’s a nice clearing through there with a creek; the trees aren’t as thick here.” He explained. That would make it easier for us to run and really stretch our legs.
“Ready?” He reached out his hand for mine, an infectious smile crossed his face that made him seem years younger.
I nodded, returning his smile.
He led me through the trees in silence, I basked in the last of the warm afternoon sun that trickled through the trees.
The familiar forest sounds seemed to quiet everything else.
“Here,” Caspien stopped by a tree outside a clearing, “Just a short run to the East and the trees thin, it’s gorgeous this time of day, I haven’t been here in ages.” He removed his jacket and tugged his shirt over his head.
I focused on his rippling golden abs, heat pooling to my c.ore. His eyes flashed black when he caught my scent.
I took a deep breath shutting my eyes, and slipped the cotton dress I changed into over my shoulders.
Caspien came behind me and unhooked my b.ra. His warm fingers trailed down the side of my arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
My breath hitched as he knelt behind me and tugged down the thin fabric.
“That’s better.” He placed a k*iss on my backside and stood up, his warmth leaving me.
I looked over my shoulder as he discarded his pants and boxers.
My body swirled with anticipation.
My turn my turn Iris chanted, and I suppressed my groan.
Fine
I nodded to Cas and got down on all fours. The transformation was slower than I was used to, but in no time, Iris stood where I was moments earlier. Her light gray fur shone in the filtered light in the clearing.
Capien circled us, and Iris walked up nuzzling his hand. She purred when Caspien ran his fingers into our soft fur.
“Lovely.” He murmured.
I let Iris and him have this time before Caspien knelt down and changed into a large black wolf, almost double our size in a few seconds.
Iris growled in approval, and they nuzzled each other before Atlas broke off into a run. Iris kept up with him well.
The late afternoon sun rushed through our fur, the scent of warm overturned dirt hit our nostrils, the only sound was the wind and the soft crunch of underbrush under our footsteps.
The trees grew sparse, and we came upon a shallow creek where we stopped to drink. Atlas growled, making Iris’ head snap towards his before dipping shyly.
I let her take complete control, slipping to the back of her mind so that they could have some semblance of privacy.
Flint and Iris had some alone time, playing and toying with each other until they completed the final act of our mate bond.
I felt our bond reach out to each other, tethering together in a way that was concrete, solid, unyielding.
I knew at that moment that nothing could break this.
Not rejection.
Not death.
We were one; we were us.
We lay there in wolf form for long moments, which felt like hours, but the sun was still bright above us.
Let’s get back to the road. I have something else I want us to do – Caspien linked.
I slowly got to my now wobbly feet, a rush of pure bliss coursed through me.
Atlas’ eyes showed me he felt the same.
We curiously followed him the way we came; it was slower this time but no less exhilarating.
He shifted back and threw on his pants.
“Don’t worry about your underwear.” He said.
My brows tugged, but I trusted him and that I would find out soon enough.
My parents were standing by the side of the road in another car, Emmett between them.
“I don’t understand.”
“I thought we could see if Emmett was ready to shift; he told me that he wanted to.” Caspien said, “You want to try that?” He knelt at Emmett’s height.
“Yes,” He nodded enthusiastically but shifted from foot to foot.
“You don’t have to be scared; if it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work.” Caspien said placing his large hand on Emmett’s small shoulder, “We have all the time in the world to practice, and if your wolf is only there sometimes, or not there anymore, then he will be back.”
Emmett looked at Caspien timidly with wide eyes.
“And if you don’t want to try, then we can just go for a walk; how does that sound?” Caspien asked.
“Good,” Emmett smiled.
“Thanks for bringing him,” Caspien told my parents, “You’re going to be late, though.”
“To what?” My mom looked at my dad, who shrugged.
“Your date,” Caspien said.
“I’m not dressed for-” My mom looked down at her jeans.
“I own the restaurant, plus,” Caspien shrugged slightly, “You’re the only ones there.” He fixed them with a smile.
My mom’s eyes were wide.
“Thank you,” She said.
“We appreciate it,” My dad said, shaking his head.
“I appreciate you, both of you,” Caspien said, clasping his shoulder.
“Have fun,” I said to them, I knew Caspien-style dates, and my mom was about to have the shock of her life. They both were.
I reached my hand to Emmett, and he took it, looking up at me.
“Let’s have some fun,” I said to him, “This is a beautiful place. I’m sure we can find some treasures.”
Emmett smiled widely, bouncing up and down, taking Caspien’s hand in his other one.
“We brought that back, right?”
“Yes, of course, love,” I smiled at him, “We just need to unpack it, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find new treasures to add to it when we do.”
Emmett tugged us forward. We spent a while looking for new things, Emmett explaining to Caspien what he already had and what he was looking for.
Once we found a triple acorn hat, a leaf that had prematurely started to slip to autumn before it fell, and a speckled rock that was almost the exact version of one, he found with my dad but half its size, Emmett was calm and distracted.
“Do you want to give it a try?” Caspien said, his voice soft.
“Sure,” Emmett nodded.
“Not because you think we want you to, but if you do,” Caspien went on.
“There’s no pressure. I didn’t shift until I was a lot older than you, a lot bigger.” I said to him.
“I want to,” Emmett smiled.
“Okay then,” I looked at Caspien.
“I’ll shift first so that we can guide him in both forms,” Caspien said; he almost sounded nervous.
Caspien slipped behind a tree and prowled back out the large black wolf that was Atlas.
“Wow,” Emmett bounded towards him, “You’re huge,” He laughed, wrapping his hands into his fur.
Caspien carefully sat down so as not to knock Emmett. Emmett crawled on top of him and almost fell over the other side.
I laughed, taking a seat on the cool gra*s*s.
“Do you want to try to become your wolf again like Dad?” I asked him, and Emmett nodded without reservation slipping down from Atlas’ back.
“I know it was scary the first time. You felt stuck. Your wolf is part of you, and when you become them, they take over. It’s a strange feeling, but you can trust them, and once you let them have control it’s such an incredible feeling.”
“Yes, Mama.” Emmett smiled.
“Okay then,” I looked at our son.
Extra clothes are in the car for him and us – Atlas linked me, and I nodded at them.
“Get down on your hands and knees like this,” I did the same thing, “Like you’re a wolf.”
“Okay, Mama.” Emmett dug his hands into the gra*s*s.
“Can you try to talk to your wolf? Talk in your mind?” I asked him.
It dawned on me that this might hurt him, and I wanted to stop it right now, but I remembered he had done this before and never mentioned pain.
“Sometimes,” Emmett said, a slight v in between his brows, “I can try.”
“Try,” I said, closing my eyes, “Breath and let them come to you.”
“Okay,”
A long moment passed.
“I hear him!” Emmett shouted.
“Good,” I smiled, my eyes still closed, “Connect with them, let them take over.”
I took deep breaths, and Emmett followed my lead. I was lost in breathing for a while until I dared a peek.
Emmett turned into a little black fur ball, trying to stand.
I almost laughed as joy and love rushed through me at the cute sight.
Atlas walked up to him and licked him. Emmett found his feet and pranced around. I shifted to Iris, and she nuzzled our pup, licking him up and down.
Want to run? I linked him, and his little tongue fell out of his mouth
Follow Atlas
I nodded once at Atlas, and he took off into a walk that turned into a jog.
Emmett kept up well, better than I expected, for him being so small and his first intentional shift.
We spent hours until dusk started to settle deep in the forest.
Emmett chased butterflies, smelled everything, chased trails, and then abandoned them.
Seeing this through his eyes was magic, pure magic. I didn’t think I could be happier than in this moment, both of us experiencing this with him, leading him through it.
I never wanted it to end.
I cataloged the feelings flooding through me, the scents, the sight of Emmett chasing Atlas’ tail.
It was peace, happiness, and love.
We need to go – Caspien linked me, Atlas huffed.
Everything okay?
I think so.
I sighed, and pulled back from the perfect moment again.
We nudged Emmett, and he followed his dad back through the forest. I was surprised how he knew exactly where to go, I was so focused on them, the surroundings, I didn’t catalog the route.
Caspien shifted first and told us to stay here while he got fresh clothes.
I cuddled up next to my pup, thanking the Moon Goddess I had this chance to do this. Such a rare thing to have happen, cuddle up to your pup in wolf form.
Iris and I were reveling in the feeling.
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Emmett walked between us slowly back to the car. I didn’t care for once what was awaiting us, Caspien seemed calm, and I trusted him. I could read him better than he thought I could.
Emmett fell asleep across our laps, and I leaned into Caspien’s arm around me.
The city lights flickered to life around us, and I felt just as peace heading to our penthouse home as I did in the forest.
Willa? – Cali’s voice sounded frantic but elated
I’m here
Thank The Gods, Goddess, Whatever. You need to see this.
We pulled up to the side of the packhouse, and Rendell was there to take a sleeping Emmett from Caspiens arms.
“Well done, son,” He shook his head, smiling.
Caspien frowned a bit and took my hand. Looking at me, I felt he was just as confused as I was.
The doors opened, and chatter swelled around us, almost deafening.
I looked from Caspien to the crowd huddled in the middle of the packhouse, filling the common space up almost completely.
Cali, Holden, and Griffen turned to us from the outskirts.
“Explain,” Caspien said back in Alpha mode, “In detail.”
“Well,” Cali said, twisting a curl a brilliant smile lit up her face, “Most of Blue Ridge is here.”