Running with the Pack - 50. Chapter 50

Ethan and Aiden swam hand in hand, enjoying the tropical lagoon’s crystal clear water. Under the watchful eye of their snorkeling and scuba instructor, the pair marveled at the vast variety of life. Ethan felt perfectly at home; much more so than Aiden. Brightly colored fish would come out to investigate the couple only to vanish back into the coral as the two approached. When Ethan dove below the surface by himself, a single clown fish emerged from the safety of a sea anemone and swam to him. It waved its way through his fingers and briefly stopped in front of Ethan’s mask as if to say “Hello.” After another breath of air, he dove once more. Aquatic creatures in brilliant yellows and vibrant blues came out to join the single clown fish swimming with Ethan. As he reached his hand out near the coral, even more of the water’s inhabitants joined the young Elemental. Three seahorses approached and wrapped their tails around his fingers, only letting go when he had to return topside. Aiden and the instructor watched with fascination as they floated on the surface, awed by how nature responded to Ethan’s presence.

******

The flight had been very long and after eighteen hours in the air and one layover in Los Angeles, Aiden, Ethan, and their entourage stepped off the plane into a tropical paradise. The views ensured everyone it was worth it. A forty minutes boat ride to their final destination, and they could finally relax. The Australian/New Zealand Solaris and Lunaris Councils had graciously offered the use of a private island resort they jointly owned. It was off the western coast of Fiji’s main landmass. The trip made for a nice additional wedding present, so the young couple could have a truly relaxing and private honeymoon. The ten-acre atoll had five guest bungalows spread out across the best section of its white-sand beaches. The full-time staff took care of all the cooking and cleaning. A snorkeling or scuba instructor was on hand for the more adventurous who wanted to explore the delicate reefs surrounding them. Aiden and Ethan had the place for two weeks before they would travel to New Zealand and Australia, acting as ambassadors to build ties between the American Lycan Council and their South Pacific counterparts.

******

Stepping onto the deck of their bungalow overlooking the lagoon, Ethan and Aiden laid on a lounge chair after their relaxing swim in the warm water. Trevor, Casey, Darius, and Cody were still out in the water, snorkeling with the other instructor. The four were near one of the reefs. Cuddling against his mate, Ethan looked to the western horizon. Aiden smiled at his pup, seeing the happy and content look on his face, as he watched their friends splashing around.

Ethan rested his head on Aiden’s chest, casually running his fingers through the dense fur. “Could it possibly get any better than this?”

“If it can, I really don’t see how. A tropical beach, a gentle breeze, and the man I love with all my heart.”

“I never thought it would be this much fun to swim in a lagoon or dive with the fish.” Ethan pressed himself even closer to his mate. “I didn’t think I’d ever see something like this in person.”

“It’s amazing how everything responded to you. That clown fish really liked you, and those seahorses took to you very quickly.”

“I could feel all the life around me and how it interacts with the water, but mostly I could feel you.”

“With all the fish swimming around you, I could feel something more than I normally do. I’m not sure what it was, but there was something there. I definitely felt your happiness.”

Ethan followed their friends’ activities while never lifting his head off Aiden’s chest. “I’m glad we brought them with us. It’s fun watching the guys out there. I know it’s our honeymoon, but it wouldn’t have felt right leaving them home.”

“I know I could protect you from most anything and with your gifts you can easily defend yourself, but I don’t think we would have gotten far without them. They take their duties of protection very seriously, even if they try to make it look like they don’t. You’re right through. It wouldn’t have felt right leaving them at home. They’re a part of our family and a part of us. We just have to get them well trained for when the time comes that they become babysitters for our kids.”

“I like the idea of having kids with you. I know your Dad and Marsha want to eventually become grandparents.”

“We’ve got several options when we decide it’s time. We can adopt or use a surrogate. We have one offer, and I’m sure there would be others willing to help.”

“If we asked one of the lunis she-wolves, would that increase the chances the pup would be a lunis? I kind of want at least one of each.

“As far as I know, the odds are the same regardless what type the parent is. I think it would be cute having little lunis and lupus Elemental pups running around.”

“I guess until we decide to use alternate methods of having kids, we’ll just have to keep trying the old fashioned way.”

Aiden laughed at Ethan’s comment and enthusiasm.

“Who would have ever thought that getting kicked out of the house would end up making all my dreams come true? Not only do I have you, but I have your world now.”

“Seems like it was destined to always be your world from the start.” Aiden kissed the top of his pup’s head. “That horizon out there is our future. We may not know what is just beyond it, but it is going to be a wonderful journey getting there at each other’s side.”

Ethan straddled his mate’s waist. “You’ve been my future since the day a black wolf found me.” He leaned in to passionately kiss the man he loved. “Thanks to you I found who I am, and I can hold my head high as we run with our pack.”