Enlightening Bloom (5 page)

Chapter 10 – Pike

I smell the wolves long before we reach the top of the mountain. There’s seven of them; two females, five males, and two of them are in their wolf forms. The idea of bringing Bloom into this unknown situation has my wolf on edge. He doesn’t like the idea of bringing our mate around these unfamiliar wolves who could possibly try to harm her, but we have no choice. Though we’re both beginning to think we traveled all this way and won’t find the person we’re looking for. We should be scenting a human among the wolves, but we’re not, and I’m hoping it’s because they’ve found a way to disguise her scent. If Naven and Nick Shaw sent us on a wild goose chase I’ll personally rip their throats out.

I watch my mate as she climbs the slope in front of me. She’s trying to put up a strong front but I can hear her breathing, it’s not as strained as the night of our wedding, but it’s not back to normal either. I offered to carry her, but she refused my help like she’s been refusing my touch. When she willingly climbed into my lap at the Shaw packs house my wolf howled in relief, but it was short lived. Because since the migraines have taken hold I haven’t been able to get pass the pain rolling through my mate to reach our connection, and it’s keeping myself and my wolf on edge. Not being able to have that bond is causing the tiny bit of distance she’s putting between us to be like a knife to my heart, and each time she shies away from my touch the knife digs itself in a little deeper.

Bloom struggles to climb over a fallen tree and I move to help her, but Bonnie beats me there. She’s taking care of my mate the way I should be able to, and as much as I want to hate her for taking my place I can’t because at least I know someone is there. Once she’s over the tree and continuing her way up the hill Bonnie looks back at me, a sympathetic look on her face. She mouths “sorry” before continuing to follow Bloom.

I pick up a large branch that’s lying near my feet and throw it at the closest tree. It breaks into little pieces from the force and I smile, satisfied to watch something other than my heart break.

An hour later we’re coming to the top of the mountain. I take the lead from Tucker as we enter the clearing, where we’re greeted by five of the seven wolves. They’re perched on the steps leading up to a rustic house. The oldest man steps a little closer as he looks us over (he’s clearly the Alpha here). His second follows at his side in wolf form. The two younger men, who I’d guess to be around my age, hold their ground right in front of the entry to the house with their arms crossed on their chests.

I hold my hands up in a show of surrender as I speak. “We’re not here to cause any trouble. We’re looking for someone and we think she may be with you.”

The older man opens his mouth to respond but before a sound can cross his lips there’s a shuffle behind the two younger men at the door. I watch as they move out of the way, an older woman walks out with a mug in her hand, and a she wolf on her heels. She looks over our small group and her eyes settle on Bloom. I could swear that they warm a little at the sight of her, but I can’t be sure. She makes her way to us and I expect the older man to step in front of her to protect her, but to my surprise all he does is give her a little wink as she passes. Her cheeks flame bright red, but she continues walking toward us. When we realize she’s going for Bloom; Bonnie, Tucker, and myself move in front of my mate to protect her. 

The woman stops directly in front of us and clucks her tongue as she chastises us. “Move out of the way, children. You didn’t come all this way to find me only to deny me access to my great-niece.”

I take a deep breath, drawling in her scent. As I let it out I narrow my eyes and I ask. “How? You’re a wolf.”

“It’s a long story wolf, and I promise to tell you, but right now you need to move so I can help your mate.”

I let out a sigh before taking a step to the side so she can reach Bloom.

Bonnie glares at me, and then turns her glare on the old lady. “You take her word that easily? She could be a wolf-witch, and that could be her evil brew she’s planning on pouring down your mate’s throat!”

“Bonnie Anne Harris, I give you my word that no harm will come to your Alpha. If I break that promise you can take my life yourself.” The old lady holds Bonnie’s eyes as she speaks to her.

Bonnie watches her for a several seconds before she moves out of the way and swears. “One hair out of place and you’re going down. I don’t care if you’re older than Betty White. I have no qualms about taking out an old lady.”

The old lady looks down at the she wolf at her side and chuckles. “She’s fiery. I like her!”

The wolf snorts and shakes her head. If she could, she’d probably be rolling her eyes at the woman.

Turning her attention back to Bloom the lady places the mug into my mates shaking hand. “Drink all of this, child. It’ll help ease the pain.”

Bloom doesn’t hesitate. She places the cup to her lips and drinks the contents down in three large gulps. Handing the cup back to the lady she says in a weak voice. “Thank you.”

“It’ll take a little while before the herbs kick in, but it’ll help lessen your pain. Now come inside, child. We have much to talk about.” She holds her hand out to Bloom, my mate takes her hand, and lets her guide her into the house.

I stop by the older Alpha and introduce myself. “Pike Masterson.”

“Forrest Savage.” He holds out his hand for me to shake.

Taking his hand in a firm grip I ask. “Is the lady your mate?”

He nods. “Her name is Amelia. We better get in there before she comes out after us with one of her frying pans.”

I follow Forrest inside. The house has a huge stone fireplace that takes up the wall between the living room and kitchen. There are two mismatched couches and two rocking chairs placed in front of the fire, and a large hand-carved wood coffee table in the center. Amelia places Bloom on the end of one of the couches, facing away from the door and close to the rocking chairs. She hands her a light quilt to place over her legs, and then she sits in the rocking chair beside her. It’s a hot summer day, but my mate is trembling as if it’s the dead of winter and she has no heat. I move to take the seat beside her, but Bonnie beats me there.  I suppress the growl that’s bubbling up my throat at her taking what should be my place. Instead of causing a scene I move to stand in front of the unlit fireplace. Forrest takes the rocker beside his mate and reaches for her hand. She willingly gives it and rewards his sweet gesture with a smile.

Turning her smile on us she introduces herself. “I’m Amelia. I know you have many questions for me, and I’ll do my best to answer them all. But first will you answer me one?”

Bloom nods her head.

“I see that you carry your mate’s mark, but you’re still experiencing pain. Did you not complete your bonding ceremony?” Amelia looks between Bloom and myself.

“We completed the ceremony. The pain didn’t start until Pike marked me.” Bloom’s voice trembles as she answers making sure to avoid eye contact with me. The knife in my heart digs itself a little deeper.

“Could you explain your ceremony and everything that happened leading up to him marking you?” Amelia asks.

Bloom tells her about our ceremony, the reception, and with crimson stained cheeks shyly explains everything that happened in our suite leading up to me marking her. Amelia listens intently, nodding at the appropriate times. When Bloom finishes a big smile spreads across Amelia’s and Forrest’s faces.

“You know what’s wrong.” I state.

“We do.” they both answer with knowing grins on their faces.

“Please tell us.” Bloom begs.

“You might want us to do that in private.” Amelia warns.

“No! We don’t have time to be coy. We need to know now.” I demand. I’m desperate to take away my mate’s pain.

“Please.” Bloom pleads.

“First, let me explain to you why you’re having this pain.” She looks at her mate for support and gives his hand a gentle squeeze. Turning back to us she begins her explanation. “When Pike marked you he took the last step needed to bring you into his pack. Being what you are opened you up fully to their connection. It’s that connection that’s causing your pain.” She pauses, expecting one of us to respond, but no-one says a word, probably from shock, so she continues. “Imagine the connection as a faucet. You turn the knob a little and you get a small trickle of water, not enough to make a mess, but enough to get what you need. Now, if you turn that knob full blast, water will be flooding your sink, and left uncontrolled it’ll quickly be coating your floors, causing all types of damage. By being marked your connection has been turned to full blast. You’re mentally receiving every pack member’s emotions, thoughts, and memories. It’s overwhelming your body.”

“I’ve never heard of that happening.” I mumble more to myself than to anyone in the room.

“You said being what I am caused this. What am I?” Bloom asks, scooting to the edge of the couch cushion.

Amelia releases her mate’s hand, and leans forward to take both of Blooms into her own. Forrest looks at me, and responds to my statement. “It doesn’t happen, normally. Only a very few, rare couples experience this kind of reaction. Amelia and I were the last pair to go through it.”

“Bloom you’re an Oracle. Just like every other female ever born into our family.” Amelia informs us watching her niece’s face closely.

“I’m a w-w-what?” Bloom stutters.

“You’re a Oracle.”

“Like those virgins in that 300 movie?” Bonnie asks, shock evident in her voice.

“Do I have to stay a virgin?” Bloom’s asks Amelia, but her attention turns to me.

“No child, you can be intimate with your mate. Actually that’s the cure for this pain.”

“What?” Bonnie, Bloom, and I all ask in unison as all attention turns to her.

Her eyes come to mine and she explains. “You missed a step wolf. Most pairs mark each other while they’re also consummating their bond. And for them it would be fine if they did those steps in the wrong order. Bloom being what she is, though, things needed to be done a certain way or there would be complications, like she’s experiencing now.”

Bonnie begins laughing so hard she’s doubled over. Glaring at her I ask. “What’s wrong with you?”

“The.” Laugh. “Cure.” Laugh. “Is.” Laugh. “Your.” Laugh. “Co…” Tucker covers his mate’s mouth with his hand to stop her from finishing her sentence. Her laughing stops immediately as she narrows her eyes at him.

              “The cure is what?” I ask still lost.

              “I think she’s saying you need to make love to your mate.” Tucker offers the answer. My eyes lock on Bloom’s, whose have gone to the size of saucers.

              “Oh.” I reply, trying to keep the grin off my face.

Chapter 11 – Bloom

“Um…uh…I…” I try to form an appropriate sentence but find myself unable to, so I snap my mouth shut. Really what can you say when you’re long lost Great-Aunt just informs you that you’ll need to knock boots with your mate to get rid of the pain you’re experiencing? Where’s a free room? That doesn’t seem appropriate. Especially when you’re in a cabin filled with shifters who have super hearing. I know we were surrounded by them in Tennessee too, but at least there those shifters weren’t a room away. It gave us a semblance of privacy. 

Amelia gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, bringing my eyes back to hers. She smiles a warm smile. “How about Forrest and I talk to you and Pike in private about this?”

“I…I…” I mumble incoherently. This is all too much. I look at Pike for help out of this awkward mess, but I find him grinning like a fool. He’s liking this solution apparently. Men! Geesh!

“This really is something we should finish discussing in private, Bloom.” Forrest joins the conversation, causing my eyes to move from my grinning mate to him. He’s an older man, and though I don’t know his age I can say he’s aged really well. Like freakishly well. It’s got to be a shifter trait because every older shifter I’ve met thus far has still had this youthful beauty to them. Not in the sense that time has stopped for them, more like they’ve aged slower. Or had extensive plastic surgery without it causing them to look like their faces are frozen. I allow myself to admire his beauty. The rich brown hair with flecks of grey. His tanned skin. The little creases that line his warm brown eyes. Thin lips that as I’m watching stretch into a smile to reveal straight white teeth.

“Bloom?” I watch his mouth form my name.

“Hmm?” I ask, distractedly, because I’m too busy wondering if Pike will age this well.

“Can we move this conversation to somewhere private?”

I snap out of my shifter-aging brain fog and look around the room. All eyes are on me. I swallow the nervous lump that forms in my throat. Then I nod my head. I want to scream no and run away from all of this. I don’t like going through this pain, but I’d put up with it the rest of my life if it means I can avoid this talk I’m about to have. I’m imagining it like
the talk
my dad tried to give me when I got my first period. Completely and utterly uncomfortable. Not to mention I’ll be going through the talk with Pike! It’s bad enough when it’s just you and the person administering
the talk
, but now it’s like we’ve been caught in the act and have to be lectured on being safe.

Amelia helps me up, as Forrest stands and directs the she wolf. “Tillie, you and the guys take our guests to visit the hot springs.”

Tucker stands to follow the she wolf and her pack mates. Bonnie hesitates. Her eyes look over the situation nervously. I release Amelia’s hands and move towards my friend. It takes the little strength I have in me, but I manage to crouch down in front of her without falling to my butt. Gripping her knees to keep my balance I tell her. “I’ll be okay.”

She eyes the strangers around us. “I don’t like this.”

“They’re family.”

Her eyes come back to me. “They may carry a sliver of your blood, but that doesn’t mean they’re family. If they were they would’ve been there for you.”

“Bonnie.”

“Your mom left. They didn’t come then. And they knew what she was!” Bonnie’s eyes move to my Great-Aunt and Uncle, accusingly.

“Bon…” I try to calm her.

“Your Gran and Pap both died. They didn’t show for either funeral.” She points at Amelia. “And your Gran was her sister!”

“Bon…” I try again to no avail.

She lays her hands over mine at her knees, holding them tight, and leans closer to my face. “You lost your dad.” I suck in a harsh breath. I’m healing from that loss, but there will always be an undercurrent of pain from losing him. She takes in my reaction and softens her words when she continues. “Bloom, you thought you had no family left. And still they didn’t show. So how can I trust them to keep you safe?”

“Bonnie, I appreciate you having my back, but it’s not your place to keep me safe.” I tell her equally as soft, because I’m worried my best friend is going over the deep end. We’ve always had each other’s backs, but this feels as if someone slipped my friend overprotective steroids.

Her hands dig deeper into mine. To the point it’s borderline painful. “It is my place! I have to keep you safe!”

Tucker and Pike come to us. Pike helps me up, pulls me back a few feet, and wraps his arms around me. Tucker pulls Bonnie out of her seat and to his chest. I don’t know what to say or how to respond. I stare at my friend as she shakes in Tucker’s arms, apparently overwhelmed with her need to keep me safe.

“What the hell is happening to us?” Pike growls in frustration. His arms are still wrapped around me, so I wiggle free and take a few steps away. His eyes snap to me and I see the pain of my rejection in them. That look makes me feel as if someone’s ripped open my chest to repeatedly punch me in the heart. He’s my mate, but being so close to him intensifies this pain. I need to tell him that’s why I’m keeping my distance. But I’m sure me telling him his presence is causing me excruciating pain will hurt him more than keeping this distance. And I just can’t do that to him. 

Amelia breaks into our mess by addressing the she wolf. “Tillie, I believe you have some things to explain to Bonnie and her mate, as well.”

Tillie nods her wolf head. Then heads towards a hall off the living room. Pike, Tucker, Bonnie, and I watch her go. None of us say a word until she’s walking back toward us in her human form. The female wolf is breathtakingly beautiful. Long straight black hair that falls to her waist with subtle grey streaks. The streaks somehow manage to enhance her beauty. Sharp grey eyes that I notice are observing Bonnie. And her body is stunning. Slender, yet muscular with arms to kill for. I’m pretty sure I want to be her when I grow up. I might have to dye my hair black and start spending every waking minute in the gym, but it would so be worth it.

She walks right up to Bonnie and Tucker. Removes Bonnie from Tuckers arms, maneuvering her into her own. Then proceeds to guide Bonnie out of the house. Tucker stands there in shock for a few seconds before he finally comes to his senses and follows. The rest of Tillie’s pack right on his heels.

My gaze swings back to Amelia. “What just happened?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.” Pike grumbles.

“Let’s go to the kitchen. I’ll pour us some sweet tea, and then we’ll explain some things.”

Pike and I follow her to the other side of the massive fire place where the kitchen is laid out. I watch her move around gathering glasses and filling them with ice. She pulls a beautiful blue glass pitcher filled with tea out of the fridge, and fills the glasses. Then after putting the blue pitcher back in the fridge she carries the glasses of sweet tea to us. She takes a seat at the table directly across from me, beside her mate, and takes a sip from hers. I wait until she sets her drink back on the table before beginning my questions.

“Why does Tillie need to talk to Bonnie?”

“Because they’re the same.”

I shake my head at her non-explanation.

“One is a wolf and one is a human. So what do you mean?” Pike asks, taking over the questioning.

“To answer that I need to explain everything that’s happening to you.”

“That’s what we’ve been waiting on.” Pike growls.

“Calm yourself, wolf.” Forrest warns Pike.

Pike takes in a deep breath and releases it. Then in a much calmer voice says. “Please, explain all of this to us.”

“Better.” Forrest remarks, and then he gives Amelia a slight nod. Which I’m assuming is his sign to get to it because she does just that.

“There are only two lines of families that I know of who give life to the Oracles. Our own and a family in Europe. I have never met the other so I cannot tell you how many Oracles they have in their line at this time. I just know that they are out there.” She focuses on me. “You and I, are the only ones alive from our line because the Oracle trait is only passed through the female children of these lines.”

“Was my gran an Oracle too?”

Amelia shakes her head. “She wasn’t, but only because she decided to take herself away from that destiny.”

“How did she do that?”

“To fully tap into your Oracle side you have to find your true mate.” She motions her hands to me and smiles. “Like you and Pike. But Anna, your gran, met your pap, Joshua, first and decided to be with him. She turned her back on finding her true mate and becoming the Oracle she was born to be.”

“Did her mate ever come into her life?” Pike asks.

Amelia looks to him and gives her head a tiny nod.

Pike and I both gasp in shock. “I thought you couldn’t resist the allure of your true mate. I thought that’s why Rose was able to leave my dad so easily.”

“Normally, you can’t. But Anna was so head over heels for Joshua and by the time her mate revealed himself she’d already had your dad. She flat out refused to leave the two of them. Her mate wasn’t happy and caused problems for Anna for a while after that.”

“How did she get him to let her go?”

She looks to Forrest and he takes over the conversation. “Your great-grandfather and I stepped in.”

“Did you kill him?” Pike asks.

“Pike!” I say shocked by his blunt question.

“That’s the only thing that can keep a wolf from his mate.”

“And in most cases it would’ve been, but we had connections with his alpha. We explained the situation and his alpha issued the order for him to leave her be.” Forrest explains, though I still don’t understand.

“Why would a simple order keep him away?”

Pike turns to me so I turn to face him in return. “An official order by an alpha cannot be ignored by his pack.”

I contemplate this. Then with what I know has to be the grin of an evil mastermind I ask. “So if I tell Tucker to paint his nails pink and put on a tutu he can’t tell me no?”

Pike and Forrest chuckle. Amelia laughs. Then containing the chuckle, but grinning to match mine (just not the evil mastermind type) Pike answers. “You could.” He leans forward pushing some of my hair behind my right ear. I force myself not to jerk away from his touch. “But this is Tucker we’re talking about. He’s the size of a giant. Do you really want to play that game with him?”

“Umm…totally. He’s way over due for some big sister torment.” I answer right away.

There’s another round of chuckles before Pike says. “How about we let Forrest and Amelia continue to explain everything to us. And you can work on your torment Tucker plan later.”

“Fine. But only because we need these answers so badly. Otherwise I’d be in full on planning mode right now.”

“I know, Darlin’.” Pike shakes his head, all the while smiling. Then we both turn our attention back to our hosts.

“Please continue. I still have so many questions.”

Amelia stretches her arm across the table and pats the top of my hand. “I know. I’m going to try to answer all of them.”

“So how is Bonnie factoring into all of this?”

“Well, when an Oracle is born so is a Guardian. The two of you are made to be a team. You will protect your pack with your visions and your Guardian will protect you. Once she comes fully into her abilities she’ll be just as strong and swift as a wolf. Maybe more so. She’ll have a keen instinct for when there’s danger near and the best ways to avoid it. She’ll have to train to sharpen certain talents. Defensive moves, weapons training, but for the most part it will come as natural to her as shifting does to the wolves. When you came into your gifts she started coming into hers. And just as you won’t fully get yours until you’ve completely bonded with your mate, neither will she.”

My mouth falls open from the shock this news delivers. My once sweet, now somewhat surly, yet still completely girly best friend is my Guardian. “So she’s going to be like Jason Bourne on supernatural steroids?”

Amelia’s brow scrunches and she turns to Forrest. He shrugs his shoulders so she turns back to me and admits. “I don’t know who Jason Bourne is.”

“He’s this super-agent badass.” I explain.

“Then yes.”

“Holy moly!”

I look at Pike and whisper in awe. “Tennessee, Bonnie’s going to be a total badass.”

“I’m pretty sure she already is.” He shoots right back.

“Okay, that’s so true.” My best friend has always been freaking awesome. Now she’ll be super freaking awesome.

“Now that you’ve explained that stuff.  Can you explain the right way for us to do our mating bond?” Pike directs the conversation away from Bonnie and back to us. Or more specifically us doing the deed. Eek!

I want this pain to go away. I want to finish the bond with Pike. But I
do not
want to talk about sex with my Great-Aunt and Uncle. No. No. NO!

“Umm…I’m kind of tired. Maybe we can save this till tomorrow.” Or never!

Pike pulls my seat closer to his so our sides are flush against each other. I shiver from the pain that slices through me at contact. He presses his thumb along my bottom lip. And by the way he’s staring at it on my mouth I know he’s wanting to cover mine with his. But instead he brings his eyes up to mine and says. “We are not putting this off any longer, Bloom. I’ve lost our connection. I’ve lost your thoughts. I’ve lost your touch. And
we
lost our wedding night. We’re rectifying this and we’re doing it today, because I refuse to spend another night without you safe in my arms.”