Page 48 of Finding Embers and Stars (Twin Flames Duet #1)
Chapter forty-eight
I tried to hide it, but I was very nervous about coming to meet my mate’s family. From everything they have told us, this weird mix of people has become as much, if not more important to them, than their blood kin.
It would have been really awkward if their family had either hated me or wanted to jump on my dick. As strange as that sounds, those are the only two reactions that I get from people. The only exception to that has been my brothers and mates.
Until today.
Our mates' extended family have all treated me exactly the same as my brothers. It’s been amazing.
Even the grilling we got from the men in the family felt like a welcome interaction over what I usually endure. Though my favorite moment by far was when I was sitting with Shad, Archer, Sam, and Zeke. They had come over offering my brothers and me beers before they started in with their twenty questions about what we all did for a living.
Sam and Liam talked about money and the online stock market stuff they do that I don’t understand in the slightest. We told Zeke how much we loved his work and hoped to have a tattoo from him someday.
Then it got awkward.
Ridge walked right into the center of our group and hovered in front of Archer with his hand out. Like he expected something to be handed to him.
Archer didn’t even blink, just continued his conversation with Walker about his private island that is the only remnant of freaking Atlantis. All while ignoring Ridge and his increasingly agitated give me gestures.
Letting out a sigh, Archer finally turns to face Ridge. “You know Zander gave it to me for safekeeping. This is a family gathering. There is absolutely no reason you need it right now, Ridge.”
I exchange puzzled looks with my brothers. What the hell does Ridge want that Archer is refusing to give him?
Zeke snickers. “Just give it to him, Archer. It’s fun to watch whatever mayhem he instigates play out.”
Archer throws his hands in the air. “That is exactly why your twin stopped giving it to you in the first place!”
Clearly fed up with the exchange, Ridge stomps his foot. Like an actual little kid tantrum foot stomp. I have to bite my lip to hold in my laughter.
Ridge thrusts his hand out again, nearly taking off Archer’s nose. “People opener!” There is a moment's pause before he tacks on a hasty, “Please!”
Wyatt and Maverick both spit out their beer. They cough and hack while I sit here laughing my ass off. “Oh my Goddess, I’m going to call all the shiny stabby things that from now on!”
Ridge turns in surprise. Looking me over from head to foot, he gives a sharp nod. “Okay, I like you. I won’t use my opener on you.” His eyes widen comically wide as if he just had a lightbulb moment. “Ohhhhh, we should be best friends!”
I grin at him, patting the empty chair next to mine. “Grab a seat, bestie. Do you want a beer?”
When I glance up, my brothers are looking at me as if I’ve lost my mind. Ridge is an odd one, that's for sure, but I know if he was a danger to me or my mates, this family wouldn’t have allowed him here.
Sometimes the sanest people are the scariest ones, and the crazy people are the ones that would save a complete stranger.
When Ridge takes a seat, a strange smile lights up his whole face. “Do you wanna hear about the time I flayed the skin from my beloved’s stalker with my favorite people opener?”
Nodding at him, I listen to the story. My heart goes out to Ridge’s mate, Jessie. I met her briefly when the rounds of introductions were made. Ridge looks at her as if he would take his people opener to his own flesh if she asked.
That right there told me all I needed to know about the slightly unhinged angel.
The guys look a little shocked when they hear the story, but I know any one of us would have done the same to the piece of shit that raped Sage if Piper hadn’t beaten us to ending him.
Wyatt’s voice whispers through our bond. “Zeke just told me that once Ridge sets his mind on getting his knife, only Jessie or Zander can distract him. In all the years they’ve known him, no one else has, except you. He won’t even listen to Rhoda when he’s like this and he’s always been a worshiper of the Moon Goddess.”
I give a mental shrug. “I guess we really are meant to be besties.”
Laughter draws our attention to where our mates are unpacking the boxes of t-shirts they brought with them. Ashley is proudly holding up one that says, ‘I give all the flying fucks.’
Archer lets out a wistful sigh. “That was such a fun day at the beach. We really need to do that again.”
Sam lets out a snort. “Sure, when you aren’t raising a gaggle of kids. Helping run Heaven and Hell. Working at the DV shelter, baking, making jewelry, or dreaming up houses.”
“Minor details.” Archer waves his hand dismissively and we all crack up again.
A loud ‘What the Fuck?’ from across the yard has all of us spinning in place. When we see the shirt Jack is staring at in horror, I think Zeke is going to fall on his ass he’s laughing so hard.
The shirt has a simply drawn outline of a bunny butt with a large fluffy tail. The words written in an arch over the bunny read, ‘Magnificent Fluffy Butt’.
Apparently, there is a story here.
I relax and look around, everywhere I see smiles and happiness. I’m so thankful my mates found this place and this group of people.
Ridge leans over, lowering his voice to the softest whisper. “When you all go to the Fae realm my mates and I are coming too.”
I jerk in surprise. “How do you know about that? We haven’t discussed it with anyone.”
The grin he gives me is positively feral. “The Goddesses aren’t the only ones who can see the future. Because we are besties for the resties now, I’ll tell you a secret. When Rhoda appointed us as the official Shadows clean-up crew, she gave us a gift. Zander and Jessie can just touch someone and tell if they are loyal to the light or the dark. For me it comes in visions.”
Wyatt leans in closer. I didn’t even realize he was listening to us. “The only time I’ve heard of an angel having visions was due to extensive brain trauma. When their natural healing kicked in, it didn’t put everything back quite the right way.”
Ridge shrugs his broad shoulders, a slightly haunted look crossing his face. “Not all scars are on the outside.”
It’s been close to a week since we came to Wyoming. Things have settled into somewhat of a routine, but I can’t move past this incessant urge I have to rescue my parents.
The first time I brought it up at dinner with the whole family, Uncle Ben was in agreement with me that we should make plans to head there soon. Neither one of us wants to leave my parents in captivity any longer than we have to.
Olive jumped into the conversation. The normally cheerful young woman can be downright terrifying when she needs to be. “No.” Her command shook the table and brought the various conversations around the room to a halt. “The supreme alpha must be dealt with first. Then and only then will there be a chance to stop the war in the Fae realm.”
So, we wait.
I’ve stayed in contact with my father, and now that Uncle Ben is here and we can work on my training together, my control over my abilities is growing by leaps and bounds.
Just this morning, I was able to use my powers to pull Ben into the conversation I was having with my father. Normally he can’t speak directly to my father, but with me acting as a conduit, we made it work.
Now that my father is taking his turn in the public eye, he’s getting more and better food. He finally had the strength to do the same with my mother.
Hearing her voice nearly broke me in the best possible way. Father wasn’t able to maintain the connection long, but she had time to say that she has faith in the Goddess and that we will rescue them when the time is right. Just as her voice faded away, I heard her say, ‘I love you, Milo.’
It’s bittersweet hearing her voice her love then having the connection severed. I love that I’ve finally been able to speak to my parents. I know they didn’t willfully abandon me, but I hate waiting.
Tomorrow is Sage’s birthday and the whole family has things planned for her. Today, however, my beautiful mates are doing something they’ve never done before in all the years they’ve been writing.
They are giving an interview.
Now that the showdown with the Alpha Supreme is on the horizon and he’s proven that he knows where they are, they've lost their reason to hide.
And they want to use their sway as popular authors to draw attention to the DV shelter and the new orphanage we have been helping them set up.
My brothers and I watch with pride as Piper and Sage sit down to do an in-depth interview about their books. Questions like why they started writing, and how they were able to survive as two broke eighteen-year-olds get answered with raw honesty.
At the end of the interview, Rhoda, Ashley, and Archer speak about the New Leaf Sanctuary and the new center for children that will be opening soon.
Rhoda worked some of her Goddess voodoo on the interview. She said humans will hear the message, ‘Each child is placed in a shelter that meets their individual environmental needs.’ Rhoda goes on to explain that some kids are used to cooler climates, while others love the sun and beach.
Any supernatural that watches the interview will hear, ‘We will have shelters in several locations and are equipped to help with any type of supernatural in need.’
I’m not sure why it shocked me that she was able to alter a broadcast that was going out live on the internet. The power that woman has is mind-boggling.
My father’s voice breaks my focus. “Son, there are rumblings in my world. The Dark Fae have been asked to help the Supreme Alpha. He’s been trying to find his daughter.”
“Thanks, dad. I’ll let everyone know, but we kind of just threw down the gauntlet for him. Sage and Piper gave a live interview about their books and spoke about the shelter that assisted them. As soon as he sees that, he will know where we are.”
“Just be careful, Milo.”
“I will Dad. We will keep our mates safe.”