Hello everyone!I am so happy to submit this chapter. Things are progressing and I thank all of you for reading and giving your feedback.
If you ever wonder about when the next chapters are coming out please read my BIO, I update it after every submission. It takes at least five days from when a story is submitted so that can give you an estimate on when it will be posted.
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All parties landed without issue and soon were on their way to the Clarion Ranch. Megan had secured a seat by the window of the limo and plastered her face to glass. Jackson couldn’t help but laugh and pointed out landmarks to her as they passed them.
“Now that would be the largest mall we have here in Bismarck; so I am sure I will be taking you there very soon”
“That would be great but what else can we do? I don’t want to be cooped up; I want to see everything.”
Jackson looked at his parents and suppressed a grin. Megan would have to be cooped up until she could learn to shift at will and not on instinct.
That may take months. His work was cut out for him and he would have to find a few things to keep her busy. He smiled as his mind conjured up a few things they could do.
“Oh! Oh! Oh!” Jackson moaned. He grabbed his head and leaned back against his seat roughly.
“Thank you everyone, I’m very glad to be home. Please give me a chance to get back to the Ranch.”
Jackson had just felt his bond with his pack reconnect and it was a wave of the greatest pleasure he had ever felt. So many congratulations all at once had overwhelmed him, but his pack’s joy at his return was humbling. He was happy that they were glad he was back and he smiled.
Looking to his side he noticed Megan looking at him with concern and he reached out and grabbed her hand.
“I’m alright my love. My bond with my pack just realigned itself, and their joy was a bit too much for me to handle. I’ve been away for quite a while and it seems that they missed me.” He gave her a smile and kissed the hand in his grasp.
“Will I feel a bond with the pack also Jackson? It seems frightening that you can hear other’s thoughts in your head.”
“Yes, after we mate you will be able to read their thoughts, and you may have other talents but they remain to be discovered. I will teach you how to shield yourself from everyone, accept for me.”
Jackson grinned as his words sunk in and they both began to laugh. They were going to have fun together and Megan couldn’t wait for their life to begin.
****
Charles Dupac appreciated nice things and the suite he and his family occupied was of the highest quality. The Americans were out to show their guest that they could accommodate them luxuriously. The three bedroom suite was located on the fifth floor and the view from their balcony was breath taking.
Aphasia was reclining on the chaise by the French doors and looked at him with her cool sage green eyes. Her skin was the color of warm mahogany, and when she smiled her white teeth contrasted sharply against her skin. Her love for her mate knew no bounds and she could feel his unease through their bond.
“What bothers you my love? Is it about leaving our pack behind? Joel will take good care of our people Charles; he is your best man after all.”
“I’m not sure what’s bothering me Aphasia. My body feels so tense and my mind keeps thinking about the past. Maybe it’s because I was never able to fulfill my obligation to satisfy the Blood Moon.”
It wasn’t like him to be preoccupied with the past, but visions of Louisa blurred his thoughts and he fought to keep his mind shielded from his mate.
“Would you like to take your mind off of things for a while my love? I can think of a few things that will keep you from thinking of Louisa Metairie.”
She smiled and stretched her long legs seductively on the chaise beneath her. She knew what
The Past
meant. It didn’t bother her because she knew his love for her was true.
Charles took a step closer to her and bent down on his knees beside his mate. He pulled her to the edge of the chaise and laid his head on her lap.
“You are wonderful my mate. Even while I try to protect you from my thoughts you still seem to see right through me.”
“I wish that we could have closure with Louisa my love. I am afraid that she haunts all of us through your sorrow. It would be a great gift to our family if we could see her and end your grief.”
Charles lifted his head and kissed his mate. Gathering her close to his chest he stood and walked with her in his arms to their bed. He stood looking at the beautiful woman in his arms and gently lowered her to the bed.
Aphasia’s eyes glazed over in lust as her mate removed his shirt and began to unbutton his pants. The evidence of his arousal pressed against his zipper and she began to untie her robe.
“Mom! Persia won’t leave me alone. She has her own room why can’t she just stay in there!”
Alisha burst into her parent’s bedroom, and stopped when she saw her father standing before her mother on the bed.
Charles sighed heavily and turned to glare at the interrupting child. Aphasia quickly retied her robe and closed her legs.
“Knocking is a requirement my daughter. That way you can avoid seeing something you really don’t want to see.”
Charles smiled at Alisha’s blush and laughed out loud when she stormed out of the room.
“She will knock next time my love. Now where were we?” He turned around to see his mate had started getting dressed.
“I have to nip this in the bud Charles. Those two have to learn how to get along. Who knows when they will need each other?”
Charles knew there was no arguing with her and took a deep breath.
“I’ll go to the main house Aphasia. The Alpha and his party should be arriving soon. I’d like to see Anderson before the rest of the guests get here.”
Charles walked to the main building that was next door to the guest quarters. It was a modern structure and wasn’t what he was used to.
The wonderful ancient architecture of France sang to his soul. His passion for things from his past surrounded him there, and he loved the Chateau he shared with his pack family.
Darien Foley greeted him as he reached the front entry. The tall man was a good second for Jackson and he had great respect for him. Charles knew it wasn’t easy to stand in for your Alpha but he was glad his man Joel could be trusted just as well.
Two long black stretch limousines pulled into the large circular drive as he stood beside Darien. The omegas stationed at the sidewalk opened the doors of the arriving cars and they waited for their occupants to remove themselves.
It seemed as if the entire pack had arrived to greet them as well. It was moving to see the love these Were had for their Alpha.