An Abomination"s Love - 3. A New Beginning

I raced away from the mess and flew down the stairs heading toward the front door. The sun had yet to crack the horizon and the full moon was evident in the sky. I could see a car approaching through the autumn trees as it seemed to almost fly across down the roadway as the leaves rose like crashing waves around it.

The long black SUV glided to a stop before the stairs of the pack house. Brandy stepped out and opened the rear door. Out stepped Cassandra and two figures in robes. Cassandra stood and seemed uncertain what to do.

I hurried down the stairs.

“Welcome to Dark Wood. I’m Daniel Long, a Warrior-to-be. Unfortunately Beta Sarah Kelly is helping to prepare your welcoming party. Alpha Edward asked me to greet you. He is waiting for you upstairs in his office. If you would please follow me?”

I turned to go when I realized I could only smell Brandy and Cassandra. Her two escorts were scent masked. I shot a look at Brandy who nodded that they were safe.

I led the party up to the office and knocked on the door. Elder Dennis opened the door and watched as Cassandra and her escorts entered. I bowed and turned to leave only to have Dennis grab my arm.

“Come in, Daniel. This is all because of the choices you made for your mate. You should be here for this.” Dennis guided me into the room and to a seat in front of the desk.

“What is going on?” Cassandra asked taking in the pale looks on my parents and Patrick.

“I’m sorry about this, Cassandra. A lot of things have been brought to my attention and most are by my own mistakes. Things that would have been cleared up if anyone had asked instead of going off half cocked,” Alpha Edward said as he looked between my parents and his son.

“Miss Labella, please sit down. Um, gentlemen we seem to have run short of seats.” Elder Dennis looked around unsure what to suggest.

“Fine. Guys, sit or stand. I don’t care. Just one of you tell me what the hell is going on!” Cassandra dropped into the remaining chair as the two escorts stood behind her. The shorter of the two seemed focused on me while the other seemed focused on Alpha Edward.

Alpha Edward sighed. “This mess began over four years ago. You probably know Susan Tremont, Cassandra. Her and her son joined your pack then. What nearly no one knows is the night before they left, Daniel Long found his mate. It was Susan’s son, Seth.”

I felt uncomfortable as nearly every eye in the room focused on me.

“Seth was naturally too young to be claimed. Daniel didn’t want to create an issue and demand Seth remain while Susan underwent treatment for cancer. Susan didn’t want to lose the only family she had, going alone to Canada. We were in a pickle. We bartered with each other and struck a deal. Daniel would remain here and wait ‘til Seth was of age. Because of the mating bond being discovered Daniel couldn’t leave here, because his wolf would desire to be near his mate if he left his family. I would not allow him to become a rogue. Susan agreed to send Daniel updates, photos, and things with Seth’s scent to help keep Daniel in control.”

Cassandra glanced from Daniel to Alpha Edward to her escorts. “There has to be more,” she whispered.

“There is,” stated Elder Dennis. “I’ll finish this, Ed.”

Alpha Edward nodded and leaned against his desk at my side.

“We started a rumor that Daniel might have rejected his mate. We knew the whole pack would otherwise be hounding him to go from pack to pack trying to find his mate beginning at the next full moon. By letting them think he rejected his mate, he’d stay close to his family and be safe. Unfortunately, the rumor worked too well. His family tossed him out before asking for the truth.”

At that my mother looked from me to my father, let out an anguished cry and began to sob uncontrollably.

“For four years the pack has abused him, but he did his best to keep that from Alpha Edward and myself. He has withstood it all and continued to act as a Warrior and protect them all. However, one pack member decided she knew more than myself or the Alpha. She joined with another spiteful woman and convinced one of Daniel’s fellow Warriors that he should be killed as an abomination. They went and got Patrick’s blessing. The plan was after the change in power, Patrick with his Warriors would denounce Daniel and kill him before he consecrated his mating with you.”

Cassandra shrank in her chair. The color drained from her. “Pat? Pat, is this true? You’d kill someone without knowing the truth?”

Patrick seemed to shrink in his seat.

I watched as my mother pulled away when my father went to hold her.

“I’d informed my son and the pack that I had investigated and could find no wrongdoing. They were told that if anyone had any questions they could come to me or Dennis. No one ever came.” Alpha Edward patted my shoulder.

“What about Seth?” the taller escort asked as his hood slid off revealing a kind face.

“What do you mean?” Elder Dennis asked.

“I mean Seth was taken away from his mate. He never knew any of this. Now he’ll find out his former pack planned to kill his mate, who seems to have done nothing but honor Seth’s age and the predicament he didn’t even know he was in. What do you plan for him?”

Cassandra stared at Patrick for a moment before turning to the hooded escort. “Yes. What do you plan for Seth?”

“Once this is over, I’m leaving for your pack on Monday. I want to present myself to my mate. I don’t want him to feel obligated to me. I’ll simply appear to him and ask him to be mine. Here or there is up to him. Unless he rejects me, I will do all I can to make him happy,” I stated as I stood up.

The cloaked escort stepped forward. “Daniel Long,” he began as he pushed back his hood, “I accept you as my mate.”

Before me stood the man who was my other half. Seth Blaine Tremont had agreed to be my mate!

*-*-*

The mating between Cassandra and Patrick was put off. Cassandra hadn’t rejected Patrick, but she hadn’t accepted him either.

“I’ll only become his mate if Diana Luna forgives him and restores his wolf.” Cassandra announced that to the whole pack. She was given my old cabin once it had been totally fixed up by the pack. It was one of two major projects that the pack began that day, but only took a week to complete for her.

“I will be Alpha. I’ll make it up to my father, Daniel, and the pack. You’ll see Cassie. I’ll give you a reason to love me and be proud of me again.” Patrick repeated his vow often and began learning about all the members of our pack.

Patrick was finally becoming the alpha we would need. He no longer let others make up his mind for him. He was learning about the pack the hard way. I hoped he turned into half the man his father was.

Marissa Port began working as a cook and maid for Carissa. She stayed far from anyone wanting to spread a rumor. She had always been soft spoken but now she spoke up for anyone she felt was being picked on.

It seemed the pack was changing daily.

*-*-*

For me, it was a mix of heaven and hell.

“Danny, up!” Lyta stood with her arms outstretched.

I walked over and picked her up into a hug. “How is my little sister?” I kissed her cheek as she giggled.

“Good. Momma and Pop are sad. You coming home?” Lyta looked at me with her big brown eyes and pouted her lip.

“Aww, Lyta. You know I’ll stop by, but I’m finishing a house for me and Seth.”

“Unc Seth here?” She looked around, her eyes darting everywhere.

“No. He’ll be back tomorrow. He went to see his mom and get his stuff.”

“Ohhhh. He come home to us!” She smiled and hugged me.

“Yes. My mate is coming home.”

I set her down and she raced off to my father who had arrived with a bunch of people to help finish off the home I had designed with Seth. Both of my parents realized their failings. They were both working to rebuild some sort of relationship with me. The only person in my family who was just happy to see me with no problems was Lyta.

*-*-*

After Seth outed himself we spent a week getting to know each other. I showed him the letters, photos, and scent items his mother had been sending me.

“No fair. You know all about me. Hell, you have my missing Chess piece. I thought I’d lost it. I’ve been using an empty thread spool as my missing pawn.” Seth pouted as he held the white pawn. Then he spotted the clothing his mother had sent me and looked away. “Oh my god, she sent you my underwear?”

I laughed as Seth turned a bright cranberry red.

“It’s not funny, Dan!” He swatted my arm. “I’m so going to have a talk with her when I go to pack up.”

“Pack up?” I asked in a whisper.

“You don’t expect me to ask my mate to give up his position and move to Canada, do ya?” Seth shook his head. “I’ll just go see Mom and pack up. Besides she knew you were my mate so it makes sense I’d move in with you. I love you, Dan.”

“I love you too, Seth.” I leaned in and kissed him.

He had been gone for three weeks and was finally due home. Daily skype messages kept us going, but I couldn’t wait to hold him in my arms again. I just wanted the house done before he came back. I wanted a home for my mate that we can enjoy together. My Alpha had gifted me a piece of property at the edge of the pack lands. Once the pack discovered the truth, they all stepped forward to help get the house built and ready. In less than two weeks the house had been built and was now being finished in colors Seth loved.

“Dan, where do you want the dining room furniture set up?” Brandy asked as she entered the kitchen.

“The table goes in the middle, the cabinet set up on the far wall, and the small serving table goes under the mirror. Thanks, Brandy.” I nodded as she went back to finish making sure the others got things done.

Brandy had been the first to come and apologize. Before this had all happened she had been the warrior I was closest to and was my age. Brandy had found her mate the same night that I had. She and Desean had been inseparable ever since. It made her realize what I had to go through and it shook her faith in the pack. Brandy had stepped up and was now nearly as protective as Dennis and Edward.

“So, your new place will be ready when Seth gets back. When do you want the mate ceremony?” Dennis asked as he leaned against the counter.

“Any time before Susan goes back,” I stated as I put the new dishes into the kitchen cabinets.

“I’ll arrange it. How are you doing?” Dennis handed me the coffee mugs as I put them away.

“Honestly?” I looked him in the eye. “I’m nervous. Everyone wants to come apologize. I can’t move without some one jumping in to try to help. I realize they feel bad, but….” I trailed off not sure how to continue.

“But if they had acted as a true pack member, none of them would be doing this anyway?” Dennis smiled and patted my arm. “Give them time. They are all working through their guilt and know they have done wrong.”

Cassandra bounced into the kitchen, grabbed my hands, and pulled me toward the master bedroom. “I just finished putting the final touches in. I hope you and Seth enjoy it!”

Cassandra and Seth had become best friends while they were living up in Canada. She’d chosen him to come with her, knowing this was originally his pack. After finding out how her soon to be mate had wronged Seth and I, she had forced Pat to work nearly round the clock. He worked in the pack’s nursery caring for the parentless cubs, working on our house, and he was presently going house to house and personally learning about each member of the pack. If Cassandra felt he had worked hard enough, he was allowed to have dinner with her and his father.

Everything blanked from my mind as I found myself staring at a picture of Seth and I hugging that was hung over our bed.

“I hope you don’t mind,” said Cassandra as she pointed at the photo. “I wanted something that would remind you two of each other and allow you to remember what you had already survived.”

“When was that taken?” I stood in awe of the picture.

“I took it,” came a voice behind me.

I turned to find Pat standing in the doorway with his hands shoved in his pockets.

“It was after dad made the announcement about what had happened to the whole pack. I watched as you took care of Seth. You were so careful and loving, I needed to capture it. I, ugh, hope you don’t mind.” Pat looked at me and then stared at the floor.

I walked over and took Pat’s hand in my own. “Thank you. Seth will love it.”

Pat stared at me, in shock I think. Then he smiled, blushed, and walked over to Cassandra and hugged her.

“He might just make it yet,” I heard Alpha Edward say as he leaned against the bedroom door frame.

“Well, Pat is trying hard.” I followed Ed down the hallway.

“How are your parents doing?” Ed paused seeing the various pack members setting things up, cleaning, or organizing my home. He led me outside and took one of the seats on my porch.

“Dad is trying. He worked here every day and brings Lyta over. Mom sees me and breaks down in tears. She hasn’t been able to say much to me.”

“Hopefully, they both learned something. I always expected more from your mother. She’d always proven herself to be an intelligent woman. How she could blatantly ignore everything she knew in favor of a rumor about her own cub I’ll never understand?” Ed growled.

“I’m happy to have Lyta and Seth in my life. If Mom and Dad come around, great. If not?” I shrugged.

“Come stay at the pack house tonight. Then once I officially make Seth part of our pack you can take him home. Brandy will make sure everything is done and you can be sure Cassandra will be double checking everything.”

“Okay. I’ll pack a bag and come up.” I headed inside and packed.

*-*-*

The snow had begun to fall as I watched out the front window at the pack house. It was five days ‘til Christmas and I wanted nothing more than Seth to get here and to hold him in arms. I jumped at every sound.

“Breakie, Mr. Danny,” said a small voice behind me.

I turned to find Nicky, one of the pack orphans, standing with his teddy bear. It was rare that people died, but accidents were a part of life. The pack would always take care of their own, especially children.

I stood and swung Nicky into a hug as he giggled. “Breakfast, huh?” I kissed his cheek. “Okay. Let’s go eat.”

I walked into the kitchen to find all the kids and a few adults sitting at the table. Alpha Edward sat drinking his coffee as a few pack members were busy passing out breakfast. I sat down and kept Nicky in my lap.

“Going to need breakfast for two, please. One for me and one for Nicky.”

Nicky smiled and nestled into my side. It was important that all the children were familiar and comfortable with us warriors, so we could protect them and they wouldn’t be afraid to follow our directions. It had been hard while everyone was afraid of me, but children didn’t have the same prejudices and soon were getting used to being around me.

“See you have a fan,” commented Ed as he smiled over his coffee.

“Yup. Going to see how Seth feels about kids.” I had a feeling we might soon be taking one of the orphaned cubs into our lives.

Ed nodded.

We ate pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon, biscuits, and waffles. As the table was being cleaned I sensed a car and rushed toward the front door. Spotting the car driving toward the pack house I stepped out into the storm.

The car pulled up and had barely stopped before Seth and Susan climbed out into the falling snow.

Seth took one look and laughed before launching himself into my arms. His gloved hand gently pushed the snow off my hair and he smiled. “There’s my abominable snowman.” He kissed my cheek before taking my bare hand in his gloved one.

Susan laughed and headed into the house, followed by Brandy who’d been their driver.

I laughed before kissing my mate again and leading him inside to finally begin our life together.