24. Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Bri

I 'm not exactly sure what I was expecting when I told him to Awaken me, but a living room floor covered in couch cushions and pillows wasn't it.

"Is all this really necessary?" I ask, watching him move the cushions and pillows just so, before flipping them.

"I don't know how long you will be out, and I want you to be comfortable until you wake up," he says, not looking at me but continuing to mumble a list off under his breath.

It had taken another hour of discussing everything before he finally agreed I was ready. We'd talked about my career, or at least the idea of it, kids, pack life, and his role and obligations should we stay in Vegas.

I'd asked every question I hadn't gotten to or had thought of since my chat with Dante, and he answered every one with care.

I'm ready.

And now he was fluffing pillows on the floor and pacing around shifting things.

"I think this will be just fine. You said you will be behind me to catch me when I pass out. You can lay me down carefully and go about your day," I say, pushing more confidence into my voice than I felt.

"I will absolutely not be going about my day! I will sit right here until you wake up so I can get you to shift as soon as possible. We will do this exactly how it is supposed to be done, only I'm not the Alpha of the pack, and you aren't ten," he finished, his complexion waning as worry lines his features.

Stepping close to him, I place my hand on his chest just over his heart, pulling his eyes to me.

"I'm going to be fine, Candy Cain. You said it yourself: your friend Jake's Awakening happened at eighteen, well after puberty, and he had no issues. You're going to say the words, bite me with your magic ‘make a wolf' venom, and I'm going to take a nap for a few hours. Easy peasy. When I wake up, we can both meet my wolf," I say, smiling at the idea.

This definitely wasn't on my Bingo card for this year.

Silver flashes in his eyes, and I know at least one of them is excited by the prospect. I giggle at him as I see him fighting for control.

"Do you think my eyes will glow silver, too?" I ask, stepping back and pulling off his shirt so I'm standing in front of him completely bare.

"Not a chance, Firefly. I'd bet orange or copper based on their color," he says, his voice full of gravel as he takes his time enjoying the view.

"That how you looked at Jake too?" I quip, raising an eyebrow at him, causing a growl to roll out.

"Usually, initiates wear a robe," he says, wrapping his arms around me and kissing his way down my throat. "But I'm definitely seeing the potential of taking that particular piece away for today," he finishes, dragging his teeth across my collarbone.

God, this man is intoxicating.

My body melts into him, allowing him to linger another moment before physically stepping back. Reaching around him, I grab the oversized robe from the back of the couch and pull it on.

"No distracting me with sex," I say, mocking frustration because damn if I don't want him again.

Plenty of time for that after I alter every cell in my body.

The thought is sobering, and I take a minute to let myself remember how I feel in this body. I stretch my fingers in and out, roll my head to loosen my neck, and even jump in place.

This is me.

What will it feel like?

"I'm going to write down the words so I don't mess them up," Cain says, leaving the living area and heading back into the room quickly before returning with a pen and paper. "I've seen hundreds of Awakenings, but I've always been the witness, Dante or his dad… Shit! We need a witness," he says, returning his attention to me.

"Well, unless a ground squirrel is going to count, I don't think anyone else is out here, and we can't exactly pull someone off the street in town. Could we just pretend we have one?" I ask, nerves bundling low in my stomach at the thought of having to wait even longer.

I'd made my decision.

I'm ready.

"No. I will not cut corners with this. I will not do anything that could be seen as outside the tradition because it could be used against us later." Determination is set in his jaw, and my heart drops.

Not today. It's not going to be today.

"How long would it take to get someone here to be a witness," I ask, curling myself into the large recliner. He stops writing and looks up at me instead.

"We can't let anyone know where we are, Firefly. If anyone knows, the LLC will come to take you before we can even complete the transition." His shoulders fall, and he sets down the pen he is holding.

"I forgot about that," I say, my voice low and sad. Maybe Ghost knows someone in the area he can trust?" I say, sparking another idea. "Wait… Ghost! Can he be the witness? He already knows where we are!" I say excitedly as the plan forms in my mind. He can meet us here. Cain can perform the Awakening, and everything will work out."

I wonder how far away he is or if he is on another secret ‘I'm not going to tell anyone' mission.

Standing, I walk over to the phone plugged into the outlet by the table and text him.

Where are you, Casper?

As I wait for his response, I try to settle my heart rate, which is now racing as I anticipate his response. Hoping he is close and can make it today or tomorrow at the latest. We need to finish this so that we can get the Vegas pack out of the trouble we've put them in.

The phone vibrates in my hand, his message popping up.

In trouble again already, City?

Listen ‘next to be' Nearly-Headless Nick, just answer the question!

Well, since you asked so nicely…

Pretty, please?

I'm tanning on a beach in the Maldives

Ghost…. I'm serious. I need you here. Where are you?

Last time I checked, I didn't work for you, and I just did you a favor less than 24 hours ago. Your IOU list is getting a little long.

I need a witness.

Getting married already? I guess your ‘kind of sort of maybe boyfriend' finally got his shit together. Mazeltov. Find someone else.

I'm not getting married! Do you take anything seriously?

Not if I can help it

I need a witness to my Awakening. You're the only one who knows where we are.

And finally, she finds the words.

Can you help me or not?

When?

Today.

Wish I could, but like I said, I'm on the beach

I nearly throw the phone at the wall in my frustration.

Wouldn't me being Awakened make me staying alive easier on you?

Not sure if easier is the right word.

Before I can clap back, the phone rings in my hand.

"You must have a pretty good reception on that beach to make calls!" I say as an answer, anger causing my cheeks to heat.

"Modern technology is funny that way. Put me on speaker," he says, his whiskey voice more serious. I do as he asks, turning to see Cain still sitting on the couch with the list in front of him.

"Okay, you are on," I say, irritation leaking into my tone.

"Cain, this phone has an encryption block on it. You'll need to remove it and download Signal. Once it's verified, video call me. You have an hour before I have somewhere I need to be. We can do the first half, and I will call back once I'm clear to complete it. Sound good?" he says in a polite and professional voice.

Sure, be nice to him but be an asshole to me.

"Block have a passcode?" Cain asks.

"Yep, 063019," he says before disconnecting.

Cain is frozen in his spot, eyes locked on the phone in my hand.

"Do you know how to do that?" I ask him, walking over to the couch, my hand outstretched.

Please let this work.

He shakes his head, eyes coming back into focus before he takes the offering.

"Yeah, I can do it. Normally, Pres handles most of this stuff, but I had to learn while she was away. Mason, the guy who used to have her job, has a family, so we couldn't call him up at all hours of the night," he explains, screens changing under his fingertips.

"How long will it take?" I ask, picking at my nails to keep myself from pacing around the room.

"A few minutes. It will need to complete an update and a hard restart, but we should be good soon," he says, his focus never leaving the device. "Do me a favor and grab two water bottles from the fridge. We might need them."

Nodding, I walk into the kitchen, happy to have something to do to fill the time.

It's going to happen.

I'm ready for this.

God, I hope I'm ready for this.

When I return, the screen has a loading ring with 87% showing. I hand the water bottles to him, and he opens one before returning it to me.

"Drink. Shifting the first few times will take all of your strength," he says, concern evident in his tone.

We are doing this.

I'm becoming a wolf shifter.

I'm ready for this.

What the actual fuck! I am not ready for this. Who could ever be ready for this?!?!

The room sways, causing my knees to buckle, and I nearly sink to the floor, but before I do, Cain's strong arms loop my waist, supporting me.

"Breathe, Firefly," he whispers into my hair, and I focus on his voice.

Fucking panic attacks are for the birds.

I focus on his even breathing and calm mine to match. I focus on the warmth of his embrace, allowing it to take away the chill of fear coursing through me.

"Will Awakening me get rid of these?" I ask, finding my voice.

"No, Firefly. It won't change who you are like that. This is a part of you," his words don't comfort me.

"I want to be strong enough to not have them. I wanted this to fix me," I whisper, fully back in control.

"You aren't broken, Firefly. You feel emotions deeply because of everything you've had to overcome. It's not a weakness to be able to feel. It's a strength, one most people will never be able to understand. Your heart is the most beautiful thing about you."

His words hang in the air, and I find myself speechless.

He sees me.

"I'm ready," I say, vocalizing the words I'd spent the last hour trying to convince myself were true.

I'm ready.