Page 9 of Finding Embers and Stars (Twin Flames Duet #1)
Chapter nine
A s I shift back, I'm yelling at my wolf. “What do you mean you've suppressed me from knowing what was said? How is it possible you can even do that? I have so many damn questions. You better be able to hear me and answer them!” I can’t begin to express how mad I am at my wolf right now.
A creepy as hell chuckle rolls through my mind. “Yes, I can hear you and respond. Let them fill you in on everything you need to know. Then I will answer your questions.”
“Can someone please tell me what the fuck is going on? According to my wolf, you guys are supposed to fill me in.” Climbing up off the floor, I throw myself into the chair beside Sage.
She leans over and starts rubbing my back. It helps slightly, but I feel like some serious mind fuckery happened while I was locked out of my own damn head.
I look at the group of people sitting in front of me. Shasta and a man who is a way hotter version of the Witcher are holding Rhoda up while Jack brings over a glass of water for her and Roux holds her hand. “Ummm, who are you and what happened to Rhoda?”
Mr. Hot Witcher guy looks at me with a shy smile. “My name is Felix. I’m the one that made those necklaces you ladies are wearing. Now I know why I felt the need to make them right away.” I raise an eyebrow at him because hello, still confused about what the hell happened.
Rhoda sits up and grabs my hand. “Part of my power is visions. I touched you in hopes of getting a glimpse of your future. Instead, I was granted a look into your past as well.”
She pauses, as if gearing herself up to share bad news. “Piper, we’ve been speaking to your wolf. His name is Atlas and he’s the wolf that was destined for your twin brother. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your father tried to kill you while still in the womb. Someone from the Fae realm knew how powerful you would be. How entwined your future is with that realm, so your father was offered power… in exchange for your death.”
The room is eerily quiet as Rhoda tells the horror story of my life. “Mother Universe intervened but couldn’t stop the dark magic. By the time the spell was disrupted, it had already taken your wolf. The shift in magic caused it to take your brother instead of you. His wolf, Atlas, was saved and Mother gave him to you. Atlas is to be your guide on the journey ahead of you. Your brother was destined to be Sage’s mate, which is why the two of you have such a special bond.”
Rhoda hesitates for a moment before continuing. “There is one more thing you need to know. Your mother was a witch, not a wolf shifter. She used a spell to turn into a wolf when she needed to. She’s the one you inherited your magic from.”
I open and close my mouth several times, at a complete loss for words. I look over at Sage. “My wolf is your mate? You’re a Chosen of the Universe and my wolf is really my twin brother’s wolf named Atlas? Did I accidentally ingest LSD or acid while I was shifted?”
Everyone laughs at me and Rhoda squeezes my hand. “I promise no fun drugs were ingested while you were shifted. There's more we need to go over, but first I would like to call the others in here if that's okay with you?”
I shrug, still trying to get my thoughts in line. “Atlas, you’re in the doghouse. You have so much explaining to do.”
I hear a huge, resigned sigh. “Yeah, I know. Get through all of this and then we can talk.”
More people start piling into the room, taking seats around the large table. Nox comes over to sit next to me. He leans over and whispers in my ear. “Are you doing okay? You look a little pale.”
I chuckle at that. “Oh, I'm just peachy. Apparently, my wolf belongs to my dead twin brother, who also happens to be mated to my best friend who was chosen by the Mother of the fucking Universe. Why wouldn't I be okay?”
Nox looks shocked and unsure of what to say. My outburst causes an awkward silence to take over the room.
A pretty brunette walks over to Felix and sits in his lap, grabbing his hands and pulling his arms across her stomach. Looking over at me, she offers a kind smile. “Well, that sounds like a shit load of mind fuckery if I've ever heard it. I’m Ashley. Felix is one of my mates.”
I grin at her and giggle a bit at how close her words are to my inner thoughts. “It's nice to meet you. May I ask why you have a tail wrapped around your throat?”
Ashley laughs and holds her hand up to her shoulder. A dragon steps out from under her hair and onto her palm and then onto the table once she lowers her arm. The overhead light glints off his black scales causing rainbows to shimmer along his body every time he moves. Walking closer to us he spreads his wings, showing off a constantly moving pattern of blue and green northern lights. His claws and spiral horns are black, like polished obsidian.
Sage gasps while I stare with my mouth hanging wide open. “Hello ladies. My name is Rory and I’m one of Ashley’s mates. I am a butterfly dragon along with Nox, Roux and Cobalt. We figured it would be less overwhelming for you if we weren’t all shifted into our human forms.”
Sage finds her voice first. “Ummm, wow. I have so many questions, but really the most important one is do you have any brothers that are single?” The entire room breaks out in laughter at Sage’s bluntness. Except for Atlas who I hear growling in my head.
Once the laughter dies down, Rhoda looks at us. “All of the butterfly dragons in this generation are spoken for. However, I don't think either of you will be lonely. When you were shifted after the ceremony, Atlas and Sage bonded. Which bonded you and Sage together as well, Piper. This means your future mates will also be Sage’s mates.”
I close my eyes for a minute and then they snap open, certain I misheard her. “Mates as in plural?”
Rhoda chuckles. “Yes, my dear, you and Sage will share five mates. You won’t meet them for a few years yet. So, there is plenty of time to wrap your head around dealing with five of them. Luckily, you won't have to do it alone.”
I look at Sage, who has a death grip on my hand. “Pip, I’m just as stunned as you by today's events, but no matter what life throws at us, we will get through it together.” I squeeze her hand. As long as we stick together, we will make it through whatever life throws at us.
“Okay, tell us everything we need to know, please. My head is going to need a break soon.”
Rhoda smiles at me and a pretty blue dragon lands in front of me. “Hi Piper, I’m Cobalt. If your head is hurting, I can heal you.”
I smile at his kind offer. “Thank you, I meant more a mental break than a headache break, but I really appreciate the offer. Would it be possible to get introduced to everyone, so we know who we’re talking to?”
Nox stands up. “I'm so sorry I didn't introduce everyone. There’s a lot of us, so please don’t feel bad if you forget a name! It’s probably easier to introduce you by the groups we’re in. Next to me is my mate, Maggie and her other mates, Shad and Finn. You already know Shasta and Jack, with them are Cobalt and Zeke. Next, we have Becca, her mates are Roux, Sam, and Ivar. Next to them is Ashley, her mates are Rory, Felix and Archer. The gentlemen sitting with Rhoda are Teague and Silas.”
I just take it all in, unable to fight the laughter that bubbles up. This day really couldn't get any crazier.
“I’m so sorry. Stressful situations make me laugh or cry and I hate to cry.”
Rhoda nods. “That’s completely understandable. We can go over all of this at another time. However, let me tell you what the most important things are. We’re going to make sure you're taken care of. We will give you whatever you need to start your new life. The only thing you need to know about your mates is that your purple and blue-eyed mate will find his answers in the Fae realm. His powers come from an extraordinary love that was never supposed to happen. Trust in him, even if he doesn't trust in himself.”