Enlightening Bloom (3 page)

Chapter 5 – Pike

Emily and I are swaying around the dance floor to Carrie Underwood’s song “Whenever You Remember”. It’s still hard to believe where the two of us are today compared to where we were just a month ago. We both still miss our parents, but we’re healing. We have our mates to thank for that.

I scan the reception until I find Bloom. She’s sitting at a table with Billy, and while I’m watching she throws her head back laughing at something he says. I treasure the moment because I’ve learned that her laugh is one the most precious gifts she has, giving it only to the people she loves. A gift that this past year very few people received. I love knowing I’ve helped bring her laugh back.

“She’s perfect for you.” Emily squeezes my shoulder to pull my attention back to her.

“She is.” I smile at my little sister. She’s dressed in a knee length blue dress that almost matches both of our eye’s perfectly. At Bloom’s request she’s wearing cowboy boots instead of heels. Knowing my sister she hated that idea, but since she loves my mate she gave in. Emily is beautiful tonight, but in my eyes she always has been. She received most of my mother’s traits and at times she’s such a spitting image that it causes memories to come back that make my heart swell. As her big brother I thought it would be hard to see her grow out of the little girl I used to tease and protect, but it isn’t, because I’m proud of the woman she’s become and I’m happy she’s found her mate. I know just like Bloom is my perfect half, Kit is Emily’s.

“How are the plans coming for your ceremony?” Her mating ceremony is in a few days. We wanted to seal their bond before the search for Bloom’s aunt took us away so I could be here to help celebrate.

“They’re finished. Only thing left to handle are the day of details.” She smiles warmly at me. “Thank you for staying for it. I know how important the trip you’re going on is.”

"It is. But being here for my only sister’s mating ceremony is just as important to me.” Her eyes fill with what I hope are happy tears and she pulls me closer for a hug. We continue to sway like that, hugging each other close, through the rest of the song. When it ends I hand Emily off to Kit who was waiting close by for his mate. Then I make my way to mine.

I push the curls hanging down her back over one shoulder and use my fingertip to trace a pattern over the other. Right where I plan on putting my mark. She shivers under my touch, but continues her conversation with Billy. I’m so focused on that little spot that I have no clue what the two of them are discussing. After I don’t know how long I feel her hand cover mine and she turns her head to look at me.

“Time to leave.”
It’s not a question, but a command. One I’m more than happy to follow. I nod in response. Honestly, it’s all I can do. This is a huge moment for the two of us. A moment we’ll both remember until our last days. And I can’t find the right words to say.

She lets me take her hand and guide her away from the party. We both throw out goodbye here and there to guests we pass, but I refuse to let us stop and get caught up in any conversations.

Once we’re locked away in our suite I turn her so she’s facing forward, with her back pressed firmly to my front. My arms are wrapped around her middle, her’s are laying over top of mine. I’m guiding her towards our room. All the while taking the time to whisper in her ear how much I love her. Not that those words will ever do justice to what she means to me, I still need to say them. Just inside our door I stop us so she can take in the full scene. Our normal bedding has been switched out for a comforter and sheets that are as white as freshly fallen snow. Every surface is covered in lit pillar candles of various sizes. And there’s an instrumental melody filling the air that’s both sensual and somehow sweet. Just like my Bloom.

She turns in my arms so she’s now facing me. She wraps her arms around my waist, and looks into my eyes. “It’s perfect.” Instead of responding I shift my fingers through her hair to pull her lips to mine for a deep kiss. Bloom pulls back, and with passion burning in her hazel eyes whispers. “Mark me, Tennessee.”

I move us further into the room, press my lips to my favorite freckle right in the crook of her neck, and whisper against her skin. “As you wish, Darlin’.” I let my teeth sharpen into that of my wolf. I place one hand at the small of her back, holding her closer to me. The other is sifted into her hair at the other side of her neck. Her breathing is heavy against my own skin, from both fear and want. Or maybe more from need. A need so thick it’s pulsating around the room. We need each other. We’ve always needed each other, even when we didn’t know who the other was. And we always will need each other. It’s how we’re made. I give into that need I feel to the very core of me, and through the bond I feel to the core of my mate, and I sink my teeth into her soft flesh.

I close my eyes, letting the pure pleasure of the moment wash over me. She’s now unmistakably mine. I don’t want the moment to end but I know there are still good moments ahead of us, so I retract my teeth and lick the spot to clean it. She’s still in my arms, but now that my mind is clearing I feel how tense she is. I pull back, still holding onto her, and take in her face. It’s scrunched in to one of pain.

“Bloom?” I ask, confused as to what’s happening. She pulls out of my arms and crumples to the floor, letting out a blood curdling scream. Her pain hits me so hard it knocks me to my knees, so I’m right in front of her on the bedroom floor. I hate doing it. I never want to block my mate, but if I’m going to help her that’s what I have to do. Blocking her causes the pain to dull to a bearable level. I pull her into my lap and run my hands through her hair, trying to soothe her.

Through the pack bond I call for help. Tucker finds us there huddled in the middle of our bedroom floor. Bloom is crying and in so much pain she’s unresponsive to anything around her, including myself. I, the big bad Alpha, have my own tears streaming down my face. I’m rendered useless when my mate needs me the most.

Chapter 6 – Tucker

The whole pack hears the scream. Even if we hadn’t, we still would’ve felt the pain coming through the pack bond from both our Alphas. I’m already taking the stairs three steps at a time when Pike calls for me. I skipped the elevator because I don’t have the patience to wait, plus I can get there faster running up the stairs like I am now.

I make it to the top floor in record time. The pain still filtering to me through the bond tells me no-one will answer their door if I knock, so I kick it open and swiftly move to find them. I hesitate just inside their bedroom to take in the scene. Pike, a person I’ve seen deal with not only one of his parents deaths, but both, a man I’ve only ever seen as strong, is sitting in the middle of his bedroom floor, looking broken, while he rocks my sister in his arms. She’s curled in on herself and though she’s stopped screaming I can still hear her whimpering in pain. Tears are pouring out of both of their eyes.

Swallowing back my hesitation I move into action. I send a call through the bond for our pack doctor. Then I crouch down in front of my Alphas. It’s on my lips to ask what happened, but before I can get the words out Pike sends me the image of him marking Bloom and the aftermath that happened. I’m at a loss. I haven’t marked Bonnie, yet, but I know this isn’t a normal reaction. I take a deep breath and release it, and then I try to help the only way I know how.

“Alpha, maybe we should move your mate to the bed so she can be more comfortable. I’ve called for Doc and he’ll be here any moment to help.” I tell Pike, making sure to show respect and submission. His wolf is so close to the surface that anything could set him off.

Pike doesn’t answer, but he does stand up with Bloom still in his arms and moves her to their bed. He lays her out on top of the pure white comforter, and then sits on the edge of the bed beside her. She rolls away from him, curling in on herself. I catch the hurt that crosses his face, but he pushes it away quickly to keep his focus on her.

I go out to the living room to wait on Doc. When he comes running into the suite I stop him and give him the low down of what happened. I can tell by his face that he’s just as confused by this as I am. A mark should not cause the mated pain. Without saying anything he goes into the bedroom and I’m left alone pacing the living room floor.

Bonnie comes running into the suite. I catch her around her middle to stop her from storming into Pike and Bloom’s room. Doc needs to focus. And I don’t want Pike ripping my mates head off, and in his current state and how Bonnie’s mouth doesn’t know how to stop running, it would surely happen. She punches my chest as she tries to push out of my arms.

“Let me go!” She cries. “She needs me.”

I twist both of her arms so they’re behind her back, trapped in one of my hands. Then using the other hand under her chin I lift her face to mine. “It’s not safe for you in there.”

“I can take care of myself.” She spits out and tries to squirm out of my grip. Her squirming gets her no-where, so she gives up and resigns herself to glaring at me. If this was a different situation I’d find her trying to fight me and that glare damn cute, but it’s not.

“Pike’s barely holding it together, Bonnie. I won’t let you go into such a volatile situation.” I try to reason with her.

Her face gets red, and I see I’ve said the wrong thing before she even responds. “You won’t let me?” She goes back to trying to squirm out of my grip. “Screw you! My best friend is in that other room in pain and you won’t keep me away from her.”

I shake her, hoping it’ll get her to stop struggling and listen to me. “Doc’s in there, checking her out. There’s nothing you can do for her right now.”

She stops struggling and lets her head fall forward against my chest. She speaks her next words so softly that if I didn’t have my wolf hearing I would’ve never heard them. “I can feel her pain.”

I hate having to move her off my chest, but I do it so I can see her face. “You can feel her pain?”

Her tear filled eyes latch on to mine and she nods.

I release her so I can scrub my hands over my face. Bonnie should not be feeling Bloom’s pain. The only reason she would is if she was officially made part of the pack by Pike and Bloom. Which she hasn’t been. Or if she was brought into the pack by us completing our mating. Which we haven’t. So how the hell is she feeling this?

“What’s happening to me?” Bonnie asks, apparently she’s listening to my thoughts.

“I’m not sure. We’ll ask Doc if he has any idea when he comes out.” I tell her going back to her and putting my arms around her. Normally she’d fight me over this, but at the moment she’s too distracted by worry.

“You’ll ask me what?” Doc asks, walking back out of the bedroom. He’s looking down, fiddling with his supply bag.

“Why would Bonnie be feeling Bloom’s pain?”

Doc stops mid-step and his head snaps up to us. He looks at Bonnie intently without saying anything. Then he looks at me and answers. “She shouldn’t.” He collapses into the seat closest to him and shakes his head. “None of this makes sense.”

I sit down in the seat across from him, pulling Bonnie down with me. “What?”

Doc leans forward, putting his elbows on his knees, and his head on his hands. “I can’t find a reason why Bloom is in pain. Other than Pike marking her.” He stops talking and sits up straighter. “But we all know a marking doesn’t inflict pain.” He nods towards Bonnie. “And now your mate is connected to our Alpha female when she shouldn’t be. None of this is making sense.”

“What do we do now?” I ask.

“Call in the Elders. They may have some insight.” He stands up, grabbing his bag. “My medicine isn’t going to be of help here. I gave her pain medicine. I don’t think it’s going to help, but if it does I left more of it on her night stand.”

I hold out my hand and he takes it, shaking it firmly. “Thanks.”

“I wish I could’ve been more help. Call me if you want me to come back. But I believe this is a situation that calls for the Elders instead of me.” I nod in understanding. He leaves the room and I send out the call for the Elders. I also call for Emily and Kit. Emily is the only blood family Pike has left. With Bloom incapacitated, Emily may be the only one able to calm him.

Chapter 7 – Pike

“Alpha, the Elders are all here.” I lift my eyes to Tuckers voice. He’s standing in the door frame of the bedroom. His eyes are downcast, showing submission. It’s a smart step. My wolf is close to the surface, wanting to get out and help our mate. But he can’t help her no more than I can, and I can’t help at all. She’s curled in on herself in our bed, whimpering. My touch isn’t doing anything to soothe her, and neither is the medicine Doc gave her. I’m praying that the Elders can help somehow, but I’m hesitant to leave my mate’s side. I’m worried she’ll get worse if I do.

“Go, Pike.” Emily says, placing her hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention to her. She arrived shortly before the Elders and took up a silent station by my side. “I’ll keep an eye on her for you and if anything changes I’ll come for you immediately.”

I give in with a nod. Then I stand and lean into the bed, placing a kiss on Blooms forehead. “I’ll be back soon, Darlin’. I’m going to go try to find a way to help you.” She whimpers some more, but other than that doesn’t say anything. I sigh and follow Tucker out of the room. As I’m coming out Bonnie slips in. I expected her to be in there before now, but for some reason she’s been absent. It confuses me as to why she wouldn’t have come immediately to her friend’s side, but I don’t have time to figure that out right now.

The Elders are all sitting around the dining room table. I take a seat at the head and Tucker takes the empty seat at my right. I scan all of their faces, hoping I’ll see something encouraging, but I’m met only with worry, concern, and confusion. Damn!

“Has Tucker briefed you all?” I ask. There are yes’ and nods around the table, so I continue. “Have any of you seen or heard of this before?” No’s sound from the people around the table and I hang my head in defeat. If the Elders and Doc can’t help I don’t know where else to turn.

“We can send out request to other packs. Maybe another Elder has seen this.” Elder Isla Drake suggests. She places her hand over mine from her seat at my left. I meet her eyes and see the hope there.

I straighten in my seat. “Elder Andrew, you have several connections to other packs. Can you get started on contacting them?”

“I’ll go start my calls now.” He replies as he moves to stand.

“Wait.” A small voice calls from behind us, pulling all of our attention to its owner. Bloom is standing in the doorway, holding on to Bonnie so she won’t collapse to the floor. Her beautiful skin is ashen and she looks so frail. I rush to her side and lift her into my arms. I plan on carrying her back to bed, but she stops me. “No, Pike.”

“You shouldn’t be out of bed.”

She lifts her hand to my jaw. She hesitates ever so briefly before touching me, but continues on placing her tiny hand against my face. The hesitation strikes a blow to my heart, but I push the hurt down because I can tell it’s taking her a lot of effort to do these simple movements. “This is important, Tennessee. Take me back to the table with you.”

I want to protest, but I can’t. If she has something to contribute I need to let her. I take my seat back at the head of the table with her in my arms. She may be shying away from my touch, but I can’t not have her with me when I know she’s hurting. I try to move as little as possible, because I can tell the littlest of movement is causing her pain. Bonnie takes up a stance to the back right of my chair. I ignore her and focus on my mate. “What do you need to tell us, Darlin’?”

Her eyes are focused on me instead of the people at the table. “We need to find my Great-aunt.”

“We will, but not until we get you better.”

“No, we need to go now. My gut is telling me she’ll be able to help.” I feel the tremor of pain rock her body as she speaks. I wish I can take her pain away, make it my own, anything so she isn’t going through this.

"We’re not sure exactly where to find her.” Tucker chimes in as the voice of reason.

“We know she’s in West Virginia.” Bonnie speaks up.

Tucker looks up at her. “But we don’t know where. And we can’t drag Bloom around the state trying to find the place in her condition.”

Elder Andrew Cade, who hasn’t sit back down joins the conversation again. “It’s a start. I know an Alpha from a pack there. Maybe he’ll know her or be able to point us to someone who does.”

“Thank you, Elder Andrew. Please, go do that now.” He gives a quick nod and then exits the room. I turn my attention back to the people still in the room. “If any of the rest of you have any contacts in that area, please go do the same. We need to find this woman as soon as possible.”

They all nod. Elder Fina and Elder Darius get up and leave the room. I presume to get in touch with contacts they have. The remaining Elders, Isla and Cathal, stay seated.

“I think we should get packed and on the road. Maybe by the time we make it to West Virginia we’ll have an exact location on this Aunt.” Bonnie suggests from her post behind me.

“I don’t think we should be moving Bloom until we know for sure that’s where we need to be.” I answer in response.

Bloom’s hand loosely grasps my shirt, grabbing my attention. “Yes, Darlin’?”

“My guts telling me West Virginia is right.” Her eyes flutter close as she talks. She’s on the verge of passing out from the pain. “We need to leave.”

Elder Cathal Burke speaks up. “Your mate is right. You need to get on the road.”

“But her condition…” Tucker and I both start at the same time.

Cathal holds up his hand to stop us. “I think I have a solution that will make the journey a little more comfortable for our Alpha female. Pack your bags and then come meet me out front.”

I nod, deciding to trust the Elder wolf.