25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Cain

F ucking focus!

You've seen this done a million times.

I chastise myself, hoping the argument will take away the overwhelming mix of emotions I feel.

I've never done this.

Not fucking once.

And I'm terrified I'm going to fuck it up. Part of me wishes I could reach out to Dante and ask him how I'll know when I've given enough of the venom. Is there a chance it will be too much? Could it kill her?

I wouldn't survive if I lost her.

I couldn't if I was the reason.

Not everyone completed the ceremony, though it was exceptionally rare. Sometimes, the DNA wouldn't take the change from the venom, and instead, it killed off the cells in the body. It hadn't happened in our pack in my lifetime, but I'd heard of packs losing their kids.

I can't even imagine.

Fates, watch over us.

The prayer is one of many I've sent up over the last few weeks. Leaning into my faith in them is the only thing that keeps me from losing it most days.

They brought her to me.

They wouldn't take her away… would they?

They couldn't. It would be too cruel.

Releasing the air trapped in my lungs, I pick up the paper I've just finished and raise my eyes to the girl who has become my entire world.

She's picking at her nails absently while I watch her mentally have a conversation completely in her head. Her expression gives away absolutely everything, and watching her eyebrows dance animatedly, I can tell she's still arguing with Ghost.

Their banter is comical and reminds me of Dante and Pres. It's a similar dynamic. I can't even feel jealous because I see the lack of sexual tension behind their snarky comments. Her eyes light differently when he pisses her off than when she looks at me.

It's probably the only reason I've never tried to kill him.

That and I'm not sure I could.

He's a tough son of a bitch, and we've always been on the same side, so I've never had a reason to challenge his wolf with mine.

Hopefully, we keep it that way.

Reaching for the phone, I see we are all set for the call.

"Firefly," I start. "It's time."

The way she jumps slightly at the sound of my voice tells me she forgot I was sitting over here, and when her eyes hit mine, the tension is back in her shoulders.

Pulling my chest up, I push every ounce of confidence that I can into my eyes.

She needs me to be strong for both of us. So that's exactly what I will be.

We've got this Firefly.

She stands a quick nod of her head before her jaw lifts, and I see her swallow, closing her eyes briefly before exhaling and opening them again with a newfound strength.

Fates, she's beautiful.

Clearing my throat, I type the number for Ghost and wait the two rings it takes for him to answer.

"Mingan," he says, answering the phone in a location that is very clearly not the beach.

"Ghost," I reply before turning the camera to Bri, who gives an irritated wave.

"Hello, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man."

"Ah, City, a white robe, how becoming. Sure we aren't getting married?" he replies, and I turn the camera back toward me with a growl.

He puts both hands up in a sign of surrender, but the grin on his face doesn't budge.

I'm surprised I can see him. He's in a dark, industrial-looking room, and he's in full tactical gear.

"Are you sure you're good to do this now?" I ask, wondering if he's on location for a mission.

"Wasn't really given a save the date for this shindig. I'm forty minutes to shift change, so as long as you don't stretch it out, I should be fine," he says, checking a small laptop connected at his right.

"Shift change? You're at work?" she asks before thinking better of it. "Oh, ‘work'. You must be annoyingly stalking someone who didn't ask for your help."

"Interesting how you get to complain about that solely because I ‘annoyingly stalked someone who didn't ask for it.' he replies, and I try to keep the smile off my face as she clenches her jaw.

He isn't wrong.

"Okay, then I will put you over here," I say, walking the phone to the mantle over the fireplace so he can see and hear the ceremony and I can have my hands free.

Turning my back to the camera, I square my shoulders, locking eyes with her.

Ready?

I silently ask, and I wait for the dip of her chin.

Showtime.

"Kneel," I say, announcing the word and pointing in front of me. She obeys without a word, and my dick hardens at the way she follows my orders without resistance and looks up at me from beneath her lashes.

Fuck me.

"You come before us, one of the chosen. Destined by The Fates to walk this Earth as both woman and beast. Today, you have the choice to embrace that future or deny your birthright. This choice cannot be changed, and once spoken, is final. What is your choice?" I say the words, enunciating each to avoid stumbling over them.

She pauses, remembering the response she needs to say before lifting her chin and speaking.

"I choose to follow the path The Fates have set before me."

My wolf surges with pride at her response, and I have to force him back before continuing.

"As is your birthright, we bear witness to your Awakening. Rise."

I walk behind her as she stands, gently pulling the robe off her left shoulder. One hand slides securely around her waist, and the other pulls her chin to the side, exposing her throat and shoulder more.

Mine.

My wolf growls as I whisper quietly in her ear.

"I love you, Firefly."

Placing my lips to her neck, I feel her tense as I lightly kiss the fluttering heartbeat there before gliding down to her shoulder. Then, without pause, I bite down.

Heat fills my mouth as my teeth shift, and the copper taste of her blood envelops me. Instinct takes over, and I follow its command, my bite deepening as I feel the burn of the venom release. A faint whimper hits my ears, but I'm too far gone to acknowledge it.

Just as quickly as it came, the burn subsides, and I release my bite, gasping for air as I hold Bri's weight against me.

Shit. Is she ok?

Leaning into my wolf hearing, I find the muffled patter of her heartbeat, and relief fills me.

My Firefly.

So far, so good.

Laying her down, I arrange the cushions around her before grabbing the first aid kit I'd pulled from under the kitchen sink. With a light hand, I clean the bite mark, removing the blood and excess venom from her skin, watching the punctures for any sign of healing.

Slow clapping behind me makes me stand ready to fight before I realize Ghost is still on the camera phone on the mantle.

"Looked like you'd done it a hundred times," he says, with no hint of sarcasm in his tone but rather a bit of reverence, which is unlike him.

Ceremony and tradition aren't his things.

"Thank you for witnessing today. I realize we have asked a lot of you in the last few weeks," I say, trying to find the words to convey my respect and gratitude.

"It was my honor. She's a pistol, and I don't envy you having to put up with her stubbornness for the rest of time, but know she is your strength, your sword. Your job now is to be her shield. Protect her light," he says.

The severity of the words hangs in the air, and I look back down at her, lying peacefully, almost as if asleep.

She's always been my light.

"I will," I say, meaning every promise the words carry. "She will be out for a while. Most Awakenings I've seen take at least an hour. Take care of your mission and call back once you're clear, and Ghost, be careful." The words feel right coming out, despite the fact that they are the last ones I said to him before he gave himself up to save Dante.

"Always am," he says, and I speak again before he hangs up.

"Why the block code? On the phone, why'd you use that day?" I ask, needing to know why a day that cost so many their lives would be used on her phone.

It's a moment before he answers.

"I touched him. Dante, I mean. It wasn't intentional, but we were getting our final gear on, and the truck hit a pothole. I reached out to steady him before I even thought about it," he says, shrugging as the pieces fall into place in my mind.

He knew.

Before we ever started. He knew what would happen.

Fuck.

"Thank you," I say, trying to form words. "For saving him. For saving us all."

"Some things are bigger than all of us," he says just as movement at my feet pulls my attention.

No.

It's too soon.