The Rejected Luna’s Prince By Aurora Archer
Chapter 29 – Iris
(Willa)
My mouth gaped open; I had no words. She was human, that rarely happened, in my lifetime it didn’t happen at Blue Ridge.
“Mate?” Cali scowled at Holden, “Don’t like that term,”
“She’s, but she is-” Caspien started, seeming just at a loss of words as I was.
“You both are looking like fish with your mouths opening and closing like that,” Holden crossed his arms leaning back on the wall.
“Oh look who is c*oc*ky now that they found their mate,” Caspien raised an eyebrow.
Holden just smiled widely and looked at Cali with such affection.
“Why does everyone keep using that word? It sounds so possessive,” Cali tried to brush her hair back but it was no use.
“Do you both want to come in? We can explain in there.” Caspien shook his head, “Mating with her without explaining, what were you thinking?” Caspien lowered his voice directed at Holden.
“He was thinking with his little head,” I explained finally finding my voice and Caspien barked a laugh.
“Go in Holden,” Caspien commanded and Holden peeled himself off the wall and walked into the apartment.
“Mate, mating, now it’s a verb?”
“I’ll explain,” I sighed.
“Let Holden explain, that will be far more interesting,” Caspien shot Holden’s back glare but I could tell he was amused now.
“How long is this explanation going to take, I have to get back to the Loreli,” I glanced back at Cali.
“Where is she?”
“I just got off work,” Cali motioned to her black dress, “Stayed a few hours after to cover Al, he’s sick again,” She gave me a knowing look, “Or his grandmother died for the third time this year, one of those,”
“How admirable of you,” I noted.
“It wasn’t, they offered cash to cover.” She snorted, at least she was honest.
“If you’re comfortable with it, I can have my parents come and watch them both in an apartment downstairs,” Caspien whispered to me.
I chewed my lip, that would be a lot to put on his parents, but this was a conversation that had to happen, and happen now.
“Ask your parents first, but I think Emmett would love that,” I nodded.
“Okay, give me a minute,”
Cali and I followed Caspien into his apartment.
“Hi, Cali,” Emmett’s eyes lit up when she walked in and Cali came to sit next to him on the couch pulling him into a quick tight hug, “Wheres your baby?”
“Baby?” Holden asked no one in particular.
Cali stood up brushing her dress off, “Nice digs,” She circled around studying the room completely ignoring Holden.
“What baby?” Holden repeated to us.
Caspien shrugged giving him his amused smile.
“You’re right, this will be fun,” I leaned closer to Caspien.
“I have an almost-four-year-old,” Cali explained, “A baby to Emmett.”
Holden’s eyes shone, “I have a child?”
Cali crossed her arms and gave him a stare I have seen men cower from, “What is wrong with you?”
“Uh, I mean, lots of things honestly,” He shrugged and gave her a meek smile, looking at Caspien and me for help but neither of us said anything.
Cali looked at me seeming mad at the entire situation, I knew I had to step in.
“My parents said yes, and they are already on their way,” Caspien said.
“Let’s go into the kitchen for a cup of tea,” I suggested.
“Got anything stronger?” Cali asked.
“Of course,” Caspien gave her a smile and lead us in, Holden followed reluctantly.
“Loreli can come here and have a sleepover with Emmett in another apartment, Caspiens parents can watch them if you’re okay with that.” I whispered to her.
“I don’t understand what’s going on,” She said to me, “Do you trust them? His parents?”
“Yes,”
She tugged a curl and chewed her lip for a second before slowly nodding, “Okay,”
“They won’t be far, Caspien can send a car and have-”
“No, I’m going back to get her, I need to pack a bag and shower and-.”
“Run away?”
“Possibly that,” She smirked.
Cali left to Holden’s complete dismay.
He literally clutched his heart when she left the room.
I got Emmett settled into a guest apartment a short two floors below. I helped him get ready for bed but his parents insisted they could handle reading his books.
“She’s not getting those boots I hope she knows that.”
“She tried,” I tilted my head up at him as we headed back to his place.
He huffed, “Do you think she will come back?”
“I don’t know,” I really didn’t.
“She has one hour.”
“Fine,”
Holden was pacing back and forth with holding amber liquor in a glass.
“How did you get in?”
“I never left,” Holden looked up at us for a second.
“Willa, will you get Cali?” He looked at me and Holden froze in his tracks, “She’s outside.”
“Of course,”
I rushed towards the elevator and put in my fingerprint, the red button scanned behind it and the doors opened.
Cali was waiting at the entrance that pack members used, holding Loreli in her arms.
“She’s already asleep.”
“I’m surprised you’re back.”
“Me too honestly, but I guess I trust you. You seem logical,” She squinted her eyes as if seeing me for the first time, “But I’ve been wrong before, I hate to admit it but I have.”
I took a deep breath really not sure how to explain this and had even less of an idea how this would go over.
“You can trust me,” I motioned her towards the elevator, “What happened in here?” I raised an eyebrow noting the handprints, and smudges on the glass.
“I think you know,” She whispered winking.
“But how?”
“He came out, stopped, and looked at me as if he had never seen anyone as breathtaking as me. He looked at me as if I was something he was looking for for ages, as if he was already addicted to me,” Her voice was low and she shut her eyes shaking her head.
“I know it’s stupid,” She said, chewing a lip, “It doesn’t make any sense.”
“It does,”
“Well, then I said ‘aren’t you pretty’,” I laughed and she smiled, “And then,” She gestured with one hand to the walls.
“Fair enough,” I shrugged.
“I doubt Caspien even cleans these himself,”
I snorted, “That’s exactly what I said earlier.”
She smiled at me, without apprehension, the first genuine smile I had seen all night.
“So where are we dropping her?” She sounded worried.
“Emmett is already in bed, a ma*s*sive bed with the softest pillows, might I add,” I looked at her, “Caspien’s parents read him stories and I’m sure he’s asleep. We can put Loreli there; she will be well looked after.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“You have a lot to fill me in, and not just about whatever is happening here. You never mentioned you met the parents.”
“It was brief,” She eyed me.
“Fine, I’ll fill you in.”
We settled Loreli next to Emmett in the bed and Cali thanked Caspiens parents.
“Anytime,” His dad said to us.
“What is going on?” His mom pulled me aside, an eyebrow raised, “Caspien didn’t say much, but of course, we’re here for him, and you, whenever needed.”
“Holden’s mate,” I whispered and she grabbed my arms her eyes wide, “She is a beauty, stunning, but she’s?”
“Human, yes.”
I turned from her slightly, Cali said something that made Caspien’s dad laugh a deep booming laugh.
“I’ll fill you in,” I said a bit exasperated, Grace patted my cheek.
“Thank you, for trusting us with Emmett, I know it’s no small thing.” Her eyes shone with something I couldn’t make out.
“Of course, thank you for watching him.”
I was able to get Cali out to the dismay of Caspien’s dad, I didn’t even want to know what s**t she was telling him. I dragged her back up the elevator and she crossed her arms staring at me.
“What do you know?” She asked.
“Don’t make it seem like I’m keeping things from you.”
“But you are.”
I sighed, “I am, I was, but you’ll see why.”
“Did you join some super intense pyramid scheme?”
I laughed once, “More interesting, far more interesting.”
“Now I’m intrigued,” Her eyes glimmered.
She followed me into Caspiens apartment, Holdens eyes lit up when he saw her and he rushed to her stopping a few steps away and remembering herself.
“Hi, I’m Cali,” She stretched out a hand and raised an eyebrow at him, “You might remember me from the elevator?”
Holden looked down at her hand.
“s*x a few hours ago? You had my b.reasts pressed up against the cool glass, no? Doesn’t ring a bell?” Holden swallowed; I had never seen him at a loss for words.
“Drink anyone?” Caspien seemed to be trying not to laugh.
“Please,” Cali and I said at the same time.
She brushed past Holden who was gaping at the spot she was previously standing.
“So,” Cali started leaving it open to us after she had a generous glass of whiskey in her hands.
We were at the dining room table; I was sitting next to her with our mates across from us.
“So, you’re a human,” Holden started and it was a question, I looked down into my glass of wine trying not to laugh or cringe, “And I’m not, we’re not.”
Cali looked at me as if he was insane. I shrugged.
“I don’t want to lie to you or keep things from you, and I don’t know how to do this so I’m sorry, I’m just gonna get it out here.” Holden took a deep breath, “Werewolves, can change into wolves not just on full moons and we have control of ourselves, so we don’t go crazy and kill people.” I nodded good to add.
“And we have mates chosen for us by our Moon Goddess. They’re our perfect compliments, destined to be ours from the beginning. We know instantly when we find them, and well,” He shrugged, “You’re my mate.”
“I’m not a werewolf,” Cali had a smile on her face; I knew she didn’t believe him and was just toying with him.
“No, it’s rare that we would be mated to another specie, especially a human,” Holden started to trip over his words, Caspien put a hand out in front of him.
“But it’s not unheard of,” Caspein cut in, “I know this must be hard to process, learning that the world of fairytales is true, or part of it,” His serious gaze didn’t leave Cali’s, “But we’re here to answer any questions and help you work through it, even if you don’t choose this life.”
Holden’s gaze shot to Caspien; he looked hurt and shocked.
Cali sat back and crossed her arms, smiling.
“And how do you play into this?” She asked me; I swirled my wine, looking into it as if it would tell me the answers.
“I’m one too,” My voice was quiet.
“For how long?” She asked, laughing once.
“Birth. We weren’t cursed or bitten or anything. I was born a wolf like you were born a human.”
“Prove it,” She glared at me.
“Okay,” I took a long sip and stood up.
“Holden, if you wouldn’t mind,” I motioned for him to turn away.
I took off my clothes, including my bra, nothing Cali or Caspien hadn’t seen before.
Cali looked me over with an eyebrow raised; she seemed to try to scoot away. I think she started to think I was crazy, when she didn’t see anything but my regular naked mody.
Okay Iris your time to shine
f*****g finally you never let me out
I’m sorry we will go for a run this week
Promise?
Promise, but now just please, lets do this
Cali had a look of shock on her face; she must have been watching my eyes cloud as I spoke to my wolf.
I knelt on the floor and let Iris take over. Elongating our bones and repositioning them before fur sprouted from my skin.
It used to hurt, Goddess did it hurt, but I’ve been doing it so often especially living in the cabin it was more than second nature now.
“Holy f**k,” Cali scrambled back standing up and knocking over the chair, “Holy f**k,” She screamed, I had never heard that pitch come from her mouth.
She looked at Caspien and Holden with wide eyes. Holden shrugged, Caspien never took his eyes off me.
“You’re beautiful,” He whispered only to me.
Iris had light gray fur that was almost white and our same green eyes. Iris purred at his compliment and sat down, bowing her head to Cali. Showing her, we meant no harm.
“Holy f**k,” She grabbed her glass and took a long sip, “This can’t be, I mean.” She shook her head violently, wine red curls fell over her shoulder.
“You can pet her,” Holden said, and Cali snapped her gaze toward him.
“It’s Willa’s wolf; they are both parts of the same body. It Willa in there. She won’t hurt you,” Holden promised.
Iris whimpered.
“Okay, how old will your son be in August?” She crossed her arms, taking one step forward holding her gaze on us even though I could scent her fear.
“She can’t talk,” Holden said.
Iris tapped her paw on the floor five times.
“Oh,” Cali said, and we gave her a look, “It is you,”
We nodded.
She took a few more steps forward, reaching out her hand; we stood very slowly and let her come to us.
Once her hand was on our head, we leaned into her touch. She seemed to relax, and Iris nuzzled her side.
“Okay, this is weird, but,” She shook her head, “You’re so soft,” Iris barked a laugh.
“Can you change back? I have questions,”
Iris nuzzled her once more, taking a step back, and we shifted. I grabbed my clothes, besides my underwear that was now ripped to shreds and re-dressed.
“So, do you all do that?” Cali asked. They nodded.
“Why?”
“Why do you do anything? Nature?” Holden responded, not sounding so sure.
“You’re a f*****g werewolf,” Cali turned to me, shaking her head once, she started laughing, “Or I’m going crazy,”
“You’re not,” I put my arm around her and pulled her to my side.
Holden stood up Cali’s chair but backed away before she sat down, he was treating her like she might snap at any second, and she very well might.
“Now that the cats out of the bag,” Holden said, “Or dog, I guess,” He smiled at her, “Ask away.”
Cali had fewer questions than I expected, but I knew she would have more. I’m sure she was in complete shock. I don’t know how I would process something like this, it changed everything that she thought was true, completely skewed her version of reality. I knew it wasn’t something she could just get past in one night.
“What do you guys eat?”
“Human flesh,” Caspien said, his voice dark.
“I, for one love me some good puss-”
“Shut the f**k up, Holden,” I stopped him shaking my head.
Cali just gave him a smirk.
“Human food, normal food.” I explained, “We aren’t that different,”
“Besides, you can turn into a giant wolf,” She gave me a deadpan stare.
“Besides that,” I smiled at her, “We live in packs usually, with others of our kind. Many have normal jobs in the city or intermingle. We’re like humans but have loyalty to our packs; it’s kind of nice.” I shrugged, not sure how to explain it.
“Do you guys have some Alpha wolf-like they do in packs?” She asked, laughing.
“Yes,” I said
“Really?” She snorted, and I motioned to Caspien.
Cali’s eyes went wide, “Makes sense; you have that creepy air around you that makes everyone uncomfortable,” Caspien tensed.
“That’s not his fault,” I whispered.
“I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just, you know,” She waved.
“I do,” Caspien said.
“So, no werewolf was good enough for your Goddess? Had to fish from another pond,” Cali leaned forward towards Holden, eyeing him.
“I guess,” He flashed her a smile leaning forward himself.
“So, now what? The fates themselves destined us,” She squinted her eyes, “I never really believed in destiny,” She raised an eyebrow.
“Well, I’ll have to show you just how perfect I am for you,” He growled.
Cali looked surprised for a split second, “Now that, that I could get used to.” She took a long sip of her drink.
“I want you as my mate if you will have me, but I’m willing to take it at your pace. Show you this world and why I’m perfect for you.”
I swear I saw Cali smile, but it was gone before I could be sure.
“Then what? We get married, and I never sleep with anyone else again?” Her voice was devoid of emotion, and Holden looked hurt for a brief moment.
“Trust me,” He said, leaning into his chair, his confidence back, “You won’t want anyone else ever again.”
“Prove it,” She tilted her head.
“Maybe at your place,” Caspien cut in.
“I also have a child, so,” Cali seemed like she was trying to throw him off, “A daughter, she can be a handful sometimes,” She shrugged innocently before pinning him with an intense stare, “Just like me,”
“I can handle that, and I’ve always wanted kids. What’s her name?”
“Loreli,”
Holden stood up so fast that the chair almost fell behind him. He smiled at us all broadly.
“That’s my mom’s name! This is perfect; wait until she hears her first grandchild has her name,”
Cali looked taken aback for a second.
“Griffen is going to be pissed, he was the first one having a kid, and now we both do,” Holden laughed, looking at Caspien.
“I’m sure he will be happy to have some future babysitters,” Caspien shook his head.
“So that’s it? You would accept me without knowing me and my child and without meeting her?”
“Yes, completely.” Holden said his voice edged with sincerity, “I trust the Moon Goddess,”
I hoped The Moon Goddess was right with this one. From what I knew of Holden and Cali I knew they were both amazing people, but still, she’s made mistakes. I threw up a silent prayer to her that this wasn’t one of them, it was more of me pleading with her than anything else.
“Okay then,” Cali crossed her arms and chewed her lip, thinking, “Let’s try it.”
“Yes!” Holden shouted, “First things first, let me show you why you’ll never be satisfied with another man again,”
Cali let out a sigh and brushed off the sweater she changed into at home.
“We will have words,” She looked back at me with a serious expression.
“Come for breakfast tomorrow; Emmett and I are making waffles,” Caspien walked them out before shutting the door and locking it behind them.
I took a breath, circling my hands around my glass and staring into it.
Caspien came back and took the seat next to me, sighing.
“That was, that was interesting,” I said, taking his hand in both of mine, rubbing the backs of it with my thumbs.
“That was a lot,” He laughed once, “I’m exhausted.”
“I’m sure I can do something to wake you up,” I raised an eyebrow, and he sat up straight.
“That’s my line.”
“That was your line; now it’s mine,” I shrugged.
I stood up and moved to his lap, pulling him down for a long kiss that sent tingles and sparks to my core in anticipation of what was to come.
I didn’t want to think anymore, I just wanted to feel, and I wanted to feel all of him.