Chapter 12: Chapter 11~ Kenneth has a thought

Renata and Orion went outside so she could show him what she has gotten done for the ceremony. She was getting excited. In two days she would officially be his Luna! They stepped into the garden wonderland she’d been working on. He looked around and said “WOW!”

She asked “Do you like it? I can change anything you want. I had the vining jasmine make the altar. I will dust fairy lights throughout the trees. Say something “ as she turned to look at him…there he was…on bended knee and he spoke “I fell in love with you over two years ago. I have loved you every day since. I want to wake up with you every morning and lie next to you every night. To chase our pups together…. To grow old with each other! Say you’ll marry me. Say you’ll be my wife. Say we’ll spend forever together” And the rain fell through the sunshine as she nodded!

He took her in his arms and danced in the rain…then he shouted “She said Yes!” And their family came into her garden! She said “Well…since I’ve got you here…you can set the chairs” and they all groaned while she giggled.

Everything was coming together. She loved how they seemed to just move as a well oiled machine. It was a wonderful afternoon and they got alot done. She’s very happy and they took a lot off her shoulders!

Matt looked up and said “Elden is at the border…requesting audience “ Orion growled “They are to hold in place. Elden does not set foot on our land!” And he raced for the border..leaving Brian with Renata…and she shrugs and says “Come on! Whiskey time!”

Orion reaches the border ahead of everyone and shifts..grabbing basketball shorts…he pulls them on..and steps into the open… and he says “Speak!” Elden said “Is that any way to greet your father?” Orion spits back “I greet my father every morning. And that ain’t you!”

Elden sputters “I made a mistake! I shouldn’t have done what I did! I was angry you shifted so young “ “Shut Up! It was no mistake. You and your sons nearly beat me to death and I thought it was because of who I am…who the fates decided I am…but that isn’t it…is it Elden? It’s because of the legend..right? Because I am the Legend! And you wanted to prevent that. You know what’s coming for you. Not yet…I will wait until I am whole..my true fated self! Prepare yourself! The next time you see me…you’ll meet death!” Orion was fuming!

Elden spun and shifted and took off. Abraham stepped up beside Orion “You good? Showed great restraint there! Didn’t rip his head off or nothing! Proud of ya!” And Orion laughed “Asshole” and they both shifted to head home..

As they all walk in…they see a very drunk Renata.. Orion links Brian 🐺 What happened? How much has she had? 🐺 half a bottle…and she wanted to go to the border and make Elden chase his own tail. And she can do that…it’s not a virus ….. Orion laughed.

Orion walked over to Renada and said “Baby..you okay?” She looks at him and says “you look better with a crown, my king” and the entire room cracks up. Sat atop his head was a wreath of flowers. And because the other men laughed..now they all have to wear them…because she’s drunk and they aren’t sure if her magic is volatile.

Orion asked her quietly “ Baby..is there a reason you drank so much?” She smiled great big and says “Yes! I wanted to! Because what I wanted to do was go to the border and Brian said I couldn’t zap him with lightning..so I was going to put him in a time loop…chasing his tail. But Brian said no again and so I wanted a drink!” Orion was trying not to laugh…because he knew..in her convoluting brain what she just said made perfect sense!

She jumped up and said Let’s dance. Orion said “there’s no music..so she steps to the door and whistled a happy tune and soon birds were in the trees singing. She beamed at him and said “nature’s music!” And he danced with her.. She hiccuped and her wings sprung out. She says “Fuck!” Brian says “No Way! So cool!” And she hiccuped again and they receded. But for the next 15 minutes..while she hiccuped every 30 seconds everyone looked for a cure for hiccups…because her wings would pop out..then go away…..every 30 seconds. When the hiccups finally stopped, she crawled into Orion’s lap and fell asleep.

Kenneth says “well that was fun!” They all laughed and Orion says “her wings are fine when she brings them out and doesn’t put them away for a few hours…but that constant back and forth exhausted her”

I’m lying her down…then I want to see what Elden has to say about the border joke! Matt says “it’ll be interesting…did she leave us any whiskey?” And they all chuckled!

Abraham meets up with Orion on the way to the office…”Our warriors came across a rogue cell camped almost 10 miles off the western border. They are awaiting orders on how to proceed “ Orion nods..saying “Tell them to hang tight..we should know more in a day or so.”

Walking into the office Aaron tells him to get in here..and watch this..it’s comedic gold! As he sat down, he heard Elden going off…”How does he know about the legend? I’m the only one who knows what’s in the book! Charles! Fucking Charles told him! How long has Orion been in town? Robert…call your little friend…find out what they know of his coming and goings! Alastair.. how many warriors have we accumulated..we need to be ready for an attack at any moment!”

Alastair sneered “You disgust me! And I am done with you! I have lived 20 years with the guilt of what you ordered us to do to our baby brother! He was 6 Elden! A baby! And because you saw the mark on his head..when he shifted…you ordered us to kill him! You’re pathetic! I am done with it all!! I am done with this legend bullshit! You had nearly 500 fighters. When I leave, my 200 warriors will be going home as well! That leaves you with 300.. and I am telling the rest of you boys…when Orion comes knocking..and he will come knocking..not one of you will be left alive, unless you throw yourselves on his mercy! If I were him…I wouldn’t forgive any of us for what we did! And I did it without even knowing why! I have lived with the shame of it since I was 8 years old! I, for one, am planning to beg his forgiveness…maybe I can find some peace before I die! And I am done with all of you!”

Orion sat there a few minutes. He was processing. “Brian..contact Alistair. You have his email?…maybe send it encrypted. Arrange a meeting on neutral territory.. I think we need to hear what he has to say.” Then he turned in his chair and said “Dad? Reckon we know where that book went now!” And they both chuckled.

Kenneth says “Somebody…help me out here..Did the book tell Elden who your mate would be, Orion? How long had he known Reni was your fated? And how did he know where she was? He can’t be working alone on this..and most of his sons are just sheep..without a single individual thought . Brian…will you work with our techie, Tim? We need to know as many of Elden’s movements the last twenty years! See who his old allies were..his current ones. Things are too confusing. He’s acting too desperate to just be panicked his son will become a blessed fated. Something else is going on and we need to figure it out fast.”

Matt says “Damn Kenneth! Sometimes, I forget why we are co-Alphas..then smart stuff spews out of your mouth and I’m like ‘Oh yeah! That’s why!’ And then..you do something stupid and I’m back to ‘what the hell?’ “ And the whole room laughs…