Juven
“She loves it here,” Shaman said with a huge grin on his face. “Did you see how happy she looked?”
Amber was upstairs, in our guest room, getting dressed for the summer solstice party our community had every year.
She had taken to our community like she had been here for decades.
She spoke to everyone so kindly and with such sincerity that everyone was putty in her hands.
Especially Shaman and me. I knew one thing, if she decided she didn’t want to live up here, we, would move.
I didn’t want to live one more day without her.
I packed up all our offerings for the shared supper.
Strawberry lemonade bars. Homemade honey cake with a clementine drizzle.
A caprese salad with tomatoes from my garden.
Everyone would bring something if they could and, if they didn’t for one reason or another, we would all share.
Because that was what life was for. Sharing with the people you cared about.
Personally, I looked forward to Tucker’s lamb kabobs and Gillian’s elderflower lemonade. Some dishes stayed the same and some were surprises. Our celebrations were the best times of the year. Summer solstice was my second favorite. Fall equinox would always be at the top of my list.
“Is this okay?” Amber appeared at the top of the stairs, a pair of shoes in each hand while she bit her bottom lip.
I couldn’t wait to touch those lips with my own.
She had on an apricot-colored halter jumpsuit that had embroidered marigolds on it.
It flattered her curvy figure, accentuating her waist as it cinched in.
Her black and silver hair was piled up on the top of her head and she wore the cutest earrings that looked like dried pieces of citrus.
The embodiment of summer solstice.
“You look fantastic,” I said and bounded up the stairs. I bent slightly to kiss her rosy cheek.
“Thank you, Juven. What about shoes? I couldn’t decide.”
Shaman waited at the bottom, though I was sure he would rather be up here as well. He was giving me some time with her, even a small moment. “No shoes, sweetheart. Not tonight. Tonight, we ground and get reconnected with the earth.”
“Oh. I have a lot to learn.” She sprinted back to her room and came back with no shoes.
“I can carry you to the truck if you like. We wouldn’t want you to step on anything.”
She touched my chest. “Such a flirt. I hope there’s dancing tonight. I’d very much like to dance with the both of you.”
“As if we’re letting you dance with anyone else. Come on. If we hurry, we can get a good spot under the oak tree.”
Amber didn’t let us carry her. Instead, she held some of the food and helped everyone set up the table with the offerings.
We set up a large picnic blanket and, though we wanted privacy with our mate, that would have to wait. Everyone in the community wanted to spend time with Amber as well. She asked questions and listened with bright, wide eyes as everyone explained different facets of our home.
While talking to people, she leaned on Shaman or me or held our hands. Either she liked to touch us, or she knew that we shifters needed the connection of our mates, almost as much as our next breath.
Once the bonfires were lit and the toasts were made, some people gathered and began to play songs. Everyone in our community had their talents and we happened to have the best band in town, or the mountain.
“May I have the first dance?” Shaman asked, standing to help her up.
“I was wondering how long it would take you. Of course. I’d love to.”
I watched as they got up and turned an upbeat song into a slow dance. While they had their time together, I cleaned up some of our dinner mess and helped the others picking up. Some of the little ones had sparklers and were writing their names in the darkness.
This was life. Not working. Not worrying. Not fretting over nonsense. This was living. Spending time with the people you loved. No one in need. Sharing yourself and your blessings. Peace. Music. Celebration.
I couldn’t imagine giving this up, but I would if it meant a lifetime with my mate.
While I helped Gillian slice the pies, I felt Amber’s touch on my arm and turned to see her. She had a slight sheen along her forehead.
“You’ve been busy. Want to dance with me, Juven?” Damn, I did love it when she said my name.
“Absolutely.”
Hand in hand, we walked to near the bonfire where couples were swaying to the music. I pulled her in close, and we began to move as though we’d practiced for years.
“Are you having a good time?” I asked, stroking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“I am. This place is fantastic. What you all have built. It’s incredible. Like a utopia.”
“I’m so glad you like it, Amber. It’s important to us that you love it here. Makes it even better when you’re here.”
She nodded. “It’s so different from the city. And honestly, from being a human. It’s peaceful and there are no rigid rules. No expectations. Just freedom to be who you are.”
“That’s why we moved here. That and to keep ourselves hidden.”
We danced a few rounds in sweet silence until she wrapped her arms around my torso and squeezed, getting my attention. “So, how long is it going to take before you kiss me?”
“You read my mind.”
With my finger curled under her chin, I lifted it slightly and pressed my lips against hers—gently at first and then with more pressure.
Moaning quietly, she licked at my bottom lip.
I lifted her up and deepened the kiss, not caring if we had an audience.
When I let her down, she started to retreat, but I kept my hands firm on her back.
“Not yet, baby. We don’t want to make a scene. ”
Her eyes got wide. “Oh. Oh. Glad to know I have that effect on you.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m a hot-blooded shifter, and you’re my mate. Beautiful. Kind. Loving. I can’t help myself.
“I hope you know that I really care about you and Shaman too.”
“We can feel it,” I answered, pressing her hand to my chest. “Our animals can too.”
I noticed everyone around us was packing up and gathering their young. The bonfire was only embers and the moon was at the peak of the sky. “It looks like everyone is going home.”
“It’s getting late. Let’s follow their lead.”
We brought Amber home and at the top of the stairs, we all paused. I didn’t want to sleep alone, especially when our mate was under our roof, but she wasn’t ready. We were taking all of this at her pace. She would let us know when she wanted to mate, just like she found me when she wanted to dance.
“Good night, mate,” Shaman whispered and was the first to walk away.
“Good night, Shaman. Juven.”
Still, she hesitated, but I moved first to go to my room. Hardest thing I’d ever done.