Chapter 16 ~ Taking No Chances

Kieran’s POV ~

I was in Calista’s truck, with her and the boys.. Cole behind us. Axel stayed home, because I don’t trust the pack on their own anymore! They have seemed to simply disregard the rules of the pack, and just do their own thing. They are definitely not going to be happy with the changes that are coming! And I wasn’t joking when I told them they can leave. This dissension will end!

I asked Calista “The book actually spoke to you?” Nodding her head, she tells me “It whispered in my brain! Clear as day! It glowed first! That’s what led me to it.. but Cole said he didn’t see any glow, at all! I swear it did.. a faint blue light!”

I chuckled “I believe you, love! You and Cole were gone less than an hour.. What are the odds you’d find it that quickly.. unless it called to you? It actually makes sense, in a mystical kind of way!”

She smiles and laces her fingers with mine. Such a simple gesture that immediately soothes me! This mate bond amazes me every day. And every day, I kick myself for not believing in it!

Derek asked “Are we there yet.” While Darius tells him “If we there, we not still be riding in our seat!” Logical! I glance back at them and their little hands are laced together like mine and Calista’s. My heart just melts.

Peter and Alec meet us at the door when we arrived. Well.. not us, as much as, the twins. Calista laughs and says “Yeah.. you get used to it! The boys are automatically their priority! I have felt like chopped liver more often than I care to think about, since I came home!”

It was getting close to dinner time, so Alec suggested we wait until after that to discuss the book. I told him about my pack house being bugged.. and how we are still sifting through what information was leaked already. He looked at Nick and said “Do another sweep. We haven’t checked in awhile!”

We were all sitting around the dining table, and I was watching Derek and Darius running between Alec and Peter.. whispering something in their ears.. then Peter would tell what Darius said.. “Darius likes peanut butter in his underwear..” causing both boys to break down in huge giggles. Then Alec said “Derek keeps shutters under the chair” Causing even more uproarious giggling.

I asked Calista what the hell? She said “It’s a game they made up together. They each whisper the same thing to different people.. and see what they heard. Boys, what did you actually say?”

They both say, at the same time “I clean gutters for bus fare” and we all laughed. Peter said “That wasn’t what I heard at all” making Calista laugh harder.

I noticed that boy, Toby, walk up to Derek and asked could he play.. and my sons.. each one, took a hand and led him over to the toys in the corner. Calista leans over and whispers “They are healers.. they forgive without hesitation.” Didn’t stop me from keeping an eye on that boy, though!

Calista stood to help clear the table.. and help in the kitchen.. she smirks at me “Your turn to bathe our monkeys.. Oh! And good luck with that!” She walked away laughing. I mean, how hard can it be?!

After twenty minutes, I finally had them hemmed up in the bathroom, running the tub of water. Darius asked for bubbles.. and Derek said “Mommy always lets us have bubbles.” So I ransacked the cabinets and found a box of something called Mr. Bubbles. I poured it in the tub.. and turned to put it away, just as they both yelled “Cannonball” and a deluge of water soaked my jeans and shoes.

I got the water dried up, while the boys played… When it was time to get out, I pulled the plug and lifted them both out. I wrapped them in their little hooded towels.. leading them to their room to get into pajamas.

I had barely gotten underwear on Darius, when Derek took off out the door, yelling he was Superman.. using his towel as his cape.. Naked as the day he was born. I took off after him, just as I snatched him up, Darius ran past me screaming “Cowabunga” and I tore off after him. Calista had just stopped at the top of the stairs… not even bothering to hide her laughter.

I sigh, exasperated, I told her “I am exhausted. They run around like chickens with their heads cut off, and catching them is impossible!” She laughed again.. shaking her head. She said “Boys! Get in your room and into your pajamas now! Stop tormenting your dad!”

They quietly walked into the bedroom and within five minutes, they were dressed.. teeth brushed.. and lying in bed. How does she do that!? They both looked at me and asked “Daddy? Will you read us a story tonight?” Like I will ever turn that down!

Calista handed me a book and told me to meet her in Alec’s office once I was done. I sat down and started to read. They were both sound asleep by the fourth page. I kissed both their little heads and walked to the office.

Peter looks up as I walk in, and pours me a glass of whiskey. He says “Sit! Let me tell you about our Heart. When Vanessa found out we were pregnant with a little girl, there wasn’t a happier she-wolf on the planet. Eight weeks before she was due.. the Doc discovered she wasn’t growing properly.. he diagnosed a congenital heart condition.. telling us our baby wouldn’t survive birth. Vanessa was beside herself.. she refused to give up! She tried everything.. witches.. fairy medicine.. and she prayed. Every night. She prayed.”

Alec said “She was like that, though. So determined. In every aspect of our lives.” Peter nodded.. with a sad smile on his face.

He continued “The night before Calista was born.. the Goddess appeared before us. She told us she had heard every plea.. every prayer. For all intents and purposes, Calista’s little heart had all but stopped beating. Selene leaned over Vanessa’s belly and whispered “You are a special little one. And for that, I bless you with a piece of my heart.” Then she kissed Vanessa’s baby bump.. it began to shine! Like.. a beam of light.. lit from the inside.. and we could see the baby clearly.. her heart was glowing in her chest.. beating so fast.. so strong!” The Moon Goddess looked at us and said “Protect her! She’s important to my wolves! She bears the Heart of the Moon!”

Alec grinned and said “And the rest is history!” I asked “Who knows about this? Or who might have known? This Rogue King is looking for the heart.. and our intelligence on him is sketchy, at best!”

Alec replies “We have never discussed Calista’s gifts outside of our inner circle. Simon’s dad knows.. because he was Dad’s Beta.. Nick has no surviving family, except us. So, as far as Dark Woods is concerned.. only six of us know.. that’s including Calista, herself. Callie, did you ever discuss it, while at Uncle Seamus’ pack?”

She looked up from the book, and shook her head.. “I never even shifted where anyone could see me! I spoke very little while there.. There was a guy named Cecil.. who made me extremely uncomfortable.. always saying inappropriate things.. touching me. Uncle Seamus banished him for treason, at one point.. After that, smooth sailing! I simply trained and took classes on gifts of the Moon.. but, even those were private. Just me.. and my tutor.”

I asked “What was the tutor’s name, Love?” She responded with Ian McLachlan.. I looked at Cole and he linked ‘On it’… Knowing I wanted background on this tutor. I was rapidly becoming suspicious of everyone she’s ever been in contact with!

I linked Cole to run down this Cecil character. I don’t know if he was just trying to flirt.. or if he had some ulterior motives for accosting Calista. I know one thing for certain! I’m taking no chances with her safety!