Outsider Series: Outsider Part 24

I treated this box with even greater care than I had my other packages. The red paper fluttered to the ground and I was left holding a small white box. Caeden smiled encouragingly. I smiled back and lifted the lid off and gasped. I lifted the beautiful leather bracelet out of the box. The brown the leather was soft and metal beads with a Celtic design added to it.

"It's beautiful," I breathed.

Caeden blushed, and smiled, his dimple showing. "It's a Celtic love knot." He pointed to the beads, "It represents infinity and never-ending love. I... uh... I actually made it." He blushed even redder. "I thought it would make it more special."

"You're amazing," I said and kissed him. "Put it on me," I said holding out my wrist and the bracelet. In one smooth movement he had the bracelet dangling from my arm. It looked like it belonged there. I fingered it. I was never taking it off. I leaned back against him and inhaled his special scent of pine and cinnamon. "I love you," I said.

"I love you too," he said and buried his face in the side of my neck. I felt his lips press a gentle kiss against my sensitive skin.

Amy started picking up the wrapping paper and stuffing it in trash bags. "It always amazes me," she said, "how every year you put so much time into this and in a matter of minutes it's over."

"Or in Bryce's case, a matter of seconds," I said.

"Hey!" said Bryce in mock disgust. "I'll get you for that," he said and then held up his camera and snapped a picture of me in Caeden's arms. He appraised the picture. "Too bad this isn't good enough for blackmail. You just look like lovesick puppy dogs. Or I guess wolves."

Caeden grabbed a pillow off the couch we were leaned up against and in a blinding fast motion launched it at his brother. It hit him squarely in the head. Bryce glared at his brother.

"You're going to pay for that," said Bryce and suddenly Caeden's arms were no longer wrapped around me. The two of them rolling around on the floor throwing random punches. All while they laughed.

I stood up and began gathering the trash together. "Thanks Sophie," said Amy.

"You're welcome," I said. "Thank you for this," I said. "It really means a lot to me. I want you to know that. Not just this," I said looking at the Christmas decorations still left up, "but for looking for me too."

She stopped gathering up the wrapping paper and looked at me. "You're a part of this family now and we protect our family. We weren't going to leave you with them. We would've kept looking, forever, if we had too."

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "I didn't want to be found if it meant they'd hurt him. They want to kill him. I'd die before I'd let them have him," I said.

Amy looked at her son and then back at me. "I know he feels the same. But you have to remember that your death wouldn't stop them from killing Caeden. It would only lead Caeden to it. He'd want revenge. I'm afraid that we haven't seen the last of Peter and Travis. They left with their tails tucked between their legs. Their pride will get the best of them and they'll be back."

"I know," I said. "They won't rest until they accomplish whatever it is they need to accomplish. They're determined," I said. "I'll give them that."

"No," she said, "they're not determined. They're c.o.c.ky and I can only hope that will be their down fall. I already lost my husband and I'm not about to lose my son too," she said. A light glittered in her blue eyes that I had never seen before. It was the look of a mother bear protecting her cub. Or I guess I this case, mother wolf.

She smiled at me and I knew it was the end of the discussion. It was time to move on to lighter more happy topics. That was fine with me.

We finished packing up the trash and I followed her out to the garage. She showed me where to toss the trash and then she turned to look at me. She put her hands on her hip, her curly hair floating around her face. "You know," she said, "I'm so happy that if the mates are coming back that Caeden is getting to experience this. I'm not just saying that because he's my son, I mean that's part of it, but not entirely." She sighed, "He's had to become a man quicker than I would've liked because of circ.u.mstances out of his control. He's only been shifting for the past two years and to be thrust into the position of Alpha he's handled it gracefully. He's taken everything in stride, even while he was grieving, he was strong. He's never asked for anything in return even though he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. And then you came along and he smiles more than he ever did. He's happier than I've ever seen him. Caeden was always my more serious child. With you he's discovering a side of himself that I don't think he even knew existed. You compliment him and he does you. Anyone can see that you're a perfect match. It's amazing to watch, breathtaking even. I hope the others might find that but if they don't I'm happy that at least Caeden has." She paused and looked at me. "And I want you to know that I look at you like a daughter. I know you probably don't see me as your mom, and I wouldn't want to replace her anyway. But I want you to know that I'm here for you if you ever want to talk. I know it has to be hard on you living away from your mom and dad and then having all of this thrust upon you. Just know that I'm here. I'm a good listener," she said.

I smiled. "Thanks Amy that means a lot to me. It really does. You may not be my mom but I'd like to think of you as my second mom."

She pulled me into a hug. It was awkward at first but some of that left when I wrapped my arms around her. "I'm so glad you're going to be a part of our lives," she said into my hair.

"Amy?" I asked.

"Yes," she said pulling me away.

"Do you know what the bonding ceremony is? Gram mentioned it but she didn't explain it to me." I asked her.

"Let's go inside. It's far too cold in here for a serious talk," she said.

"That's probably a good idea," I conceded.

I could still hear Caeden and Bryce bickering but it sounded like they had moved it to the kitchen. Amy led me past the staircase and towards the back of the house. She opened a pair of French doors that led into a light and airy office. "This is my office," she said, "the one room in the house that is entirely my own."

The walls were painted an airy periwinkle color. The office looked out at the backyard and for the first time I noticed a swimming pool. Her desk was an off white color and shelves of the same color lined the back wall. Books, pictures, and various odds and ends were placed on the shelves. A very expensive computer sat on top of the desk. Airy, white, curtains framed the window and French doors which we had entered through. Two wing backed chairs done in a similar color of the walls framed the doors. She took one and motioned for me to take the other. Somewhere along the way she'd picked up her cup of coffee.

She sipped at it and said, "So you want to know about the bonding ceremony?"

"Yes," I breathed.

"I don't know where to begin," she said. "Every shifter has heard of the bonding ceremony but like so much else we stopped believing in it. It's just for you and your mate. It's like a wedding but just for the two of you-," she said before I interrupted her.

"That's what Gram said."

She smiled and continued. "But much, much, more powerful than any normal human wedding. You each speak the words of the ancient text in front of nature, meaning in the woods," she clarified. "Once you speak the words, once you bond yourselves, you're forever bound to one another. There's no turning back. Your souls become like one. It's said that once you bond with a mate you develop powers but I don't know if there's any merit to that. I tend to think not."

"You make it sound like we have some kind of choice in loving each other?" I asked.

"You do," she said. "You still have the will to choose but why wouldn't you choose him and why wouldn't he choose you? You're destined for each other. You're like the ying and the yang. You fit perfectly together. But the bond literally bonds your souls together. You're forever tied to one another. There is no going back."

"What if I said I'm ready," I whispered. "What if I said I'm ready to bind myself to him forever."

Amy beamed. "I'd say that I know Caeden feels the same way. He's talked to me about it. He's wanted to speak to you about it but I told him not to push you, not to pressure you. It's a very romantic, very tying, thing to do. I told him to let you decided when you're ready. After all it's our kind's equivalent of marriage even if we haven't done it in hundreds of years."

I paused at her words thinking about what I was going to say. I played with my hands to avert my eyes from hers. Finally I looked up into those patient blue eyes that were so much like Caeden's but darker. "But we'd still have an actual wedding right?" I asked.

She laughed. "Of course," she said and smiled.

"Oh okay," I said taking a deep breath.

She patted my knee. "Maybe you should think about this some more before you say something to Caeden."

"No," I shook my head. "I'm ready. Now that I know more about it I'm more sure of it. But I'm scared too. I'm scared about a lot of things right now like my first shift," I said. "I understand what a commitment the bond is and I'm ready but if Caeden's not or he wants to wait, even if he doesn't want to do it at all, I'm fine with that too. I don't want to push him."

She smiled. "Oh trust me you won't have to push him. But you will have to wait until you transform. That's part of the ceremony. You both have to have transformed."

"Does it hurt terribly?" I asked.

She grimaced. "It's bad. Just as bad as child birth, this in a way makes sense. You're giving birth to your inner wolf, to your shape. I don't think yours will be nearly as bad though. You'll have Caeden with you. But look at this way. I'm fine, your Gram is fine. You'll be-."

"Fine," I inserted for her.

She smiled and took my hand. "You really will. I think it might even be special for you. After all you'll have your mate by your side. I think Caeden being there will make a significant difference."

"You do?" I asked, hope in my eyes.

"I really do," she said and shrugged her shoulders, "but I may be wrong so don't go getting your hopes up. If you want to talk about this some more feel free to come find me. Okay?"

"Thanks Amy," I said standing. She followed suit and pulled me in for another hug. There was no awkwardness in this one.

"You're a good girl Sophie," she said. I heard a crash come from the area of the kitchen and Amy groaned. She looked at the ceiling like she was speaking to the heavens themselves, "Why couldn't I have had girls? Why?"

We headed towards the kitchen and the commotion. A large wolf growled in the kitchen. The wolf's fur was a light brown with some gold thrown in and looked back at me with Bryce's blue eyes. Pieces of clothing fluttered to the ground.

"Oh my, Bryce Elliot Williams! Change back right this instance! You're going to ruin the floors!" She turned to glare at the laughing figure of Caeden. "What is the meaning of this? Why is your brother in his wolf form?"

Caeden stifled his laugh. "Because I was proving a point."

"And what point was that?" demanded Amy.

"That he's a hot head," said Caeden calmly. He pointed to the wolf. "I think I proved my point."

"Caeden," said Amy in that eerily quiet way that only parents can. "Why do you insist on provoking him? You're the Alpha you should know better."

Caeden's smile disappeared. "That's why I did it," he said. "I'm the Alpha now. I can't have my little brother disobeying me simply because we're brothers. And I certainly can't have him not knowing how to control his transformations."

Amy sighed. "Caeden, he's new to this. He's only been sixteen a couple of months."

Caeden hung his head. "You're right. I'm sorry," he directed to the wolf that was his brother. He turned back to his mom. "But he needs to lean to control himself."

The wolf stalked out of the room and a minute later Bryce returned, human, with only a pair of jeans on. I was surprised at his toned chest and arms but I guessed I shouldn't have been too shocked. He was a shifter after all. "I can control myself," said Bryce pointing an accusing finger at his brother. His face was red and his chest heaved angrily with each breath.

"I beg to differ," said Caeden crossing his arms.

"Maybe if you didn't provoke me every five seconds this anger inside me wouldn't keep building until I explode out of my clothes! And you didn't have to stab me with a knife either!"

"Caeden!" Amy and I scolded. "What is this really about?" asked Amy suddenly suspicious and I didn't know why.

Caeden looked sheepish and then he sighed. "Dad's not here to teach him like he did me. I'm just trying to fill that role."

"Oh," said Amy, at a loss for any other words.

"Dad was there for me and since he can't be here for Bryce I have to fill that role. It's my duty as his brother and as his leader."

Bryce leaned against the counter. "That's not really necessary, Caeden. I'm fine on my own. I know you're just trying to help but I don't need it," said Bryce and I could see the anger drain out of him.

Caeden was quiet for a moment and said, "If dad was here you'd want his help but you don't want mine." He shook his head and disappeared.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with the two of you," Amy said throwing her hands in the air.

"I'll go talk to Caeden," I said putting a rea.s.suring hand on her arm. She nodded and I went off to find him. I had heard him stomp up the stairs so I headed towards his room. That seemed the logical place to look for him.

I found him sitting on his bed with his head in hands. I sat down next to him and put my arm around him. I didn't say anything. Instead waiting for him to open up to me.

He turned to me and said, "I just want to help him. Dad was there for me and he can't be here for Bryce. I feel like Bryce was robbed of something and I have to make it up to him. I don't want him to think he's alone in this. Am I wrong?"

"Caeden," I said, "look at it from Bryce's point of view. He feels like he's a baby compared to you and when you keep treating him like a little kid it just adds to that. He feels in adequate. He feels like he's nothing more than the Alpha's brother. I think being a guy and your brother he feels he needs to prove himself to you."

"I don't want him to prove anything to me," said Caeden.

I laughed, "Caeden you stabbed your brother with a knife to test him. It sounds like you want him to prove something."

"When you put it like that..." he said. He shook his head, "I need to go apologize to him. Wait here?" he asked.

"I'll be here," I said. I looked at the pile of new clothes I had gotten for Christmas that I a.s.sumed Gram had brought up. "I guess I'll go ahead and get dressed."

He smiled. "I'll be back." He disappeared out the door.

I grabbed a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved green shirt and headed into the bathroom. I washed my face and then braided my hair so it would stay out of my way. I slipped into the new clothes and it felt good to have something on body that was actually mine. Not that I hadn't minded wearing Caeden's clothes. I felt like his scent of pine and cinnamon lingered on me even now. That put a smile on my face. It felt so good to have finally told him that I loved him. I felt like I was whole now.

I opened the door to the bathroom to find him lying on his bed, now made, much like he had been last night. He smiled and pulled me into his arms. "Did you talk to him?" I asked "Yes," he said kissing my ear. "He understands where I was coming from and I now know that he doesn't need me like I want him too."

"Sometimes you just have to let them leave the nest and fly away on their own," I said.

Caeden's laugh filled the room, echoing off the walls. "You're right," he said. "Maybe you should be my own personal advisor?"

"Sure Mr. President. Or should I say Alpha?" I giggled.

He rolled over so he was on top of me, resting on his hands, "Mr. President will do fine," he said and dipped his lips down to meet mine.

A fire ignited in my body. My fingers tangled in his hair and my legs wrapped around his body pinning him to me. I felt his laugh against my lips. He started to pull away. "Don't stop," I begged. I was surprised when he listened and pressed his lips against mine once again. He deepened the kiss and I felt my breath hiss out in a gasp. I could spend forever like this. It would be better than any heaven had to offer.

"I love you," he whispered against my lips. His fingers traced the shape of my hip in my jeans. "Imagine if we had never found each other."

"Fate intended for us to meet," I breathed and tried to hold him tighter against me. I never wanted him to leave. I couldn't imagine my desire to be with him becoming any stronger but according to what I had been told about the bond it would.

I sat comfortable in the confines of Caeden's arms as we waited for midnight and the New Year to strike. His mom, Gram, and Bryce had retired to another part of the house to give us privacy. That meant we had the whole family room to ourselves.

The leather couch enveloped us like a coc.o.o.n and then Caeden had us wrapped like mummies in a fluffy blanket. I knew we were both paying more attention to each other than the TV.

Caeden traced my lips while I traced his jaw line. If we weren't touching then we were kissing. I think the others had gotten sick of it and that was the real reason they had left.

I took a deep breath. "Caeden," I said.

"Mhmm?" he said, his nose skimming my hair line.

"When I change..." I started.

"Yeah?" he prompted when I didn't continue.

I sat up and turned so that I could look in his eyes. "I talked to your mom and I think I'm ready. To bond to you, I mean. If you're not then that's fine. I'll wait. But I want you to know that I'm ready to make you mine forever."

He grinned from ear to ear and I suddenly found myself pressed into the leather couch as his lips devoured mine. He pulled away and his grin was still there. "I am more than ready. I can't wait to mark you as my own." Suddenly he pulled away. "Sophie, are you sure you're ready?" He looked at me with concern.

"I've thought about this a lot and the Grimm's taking me put a lot into perspective for me. I'm not ready to walk down the aisle but I feel like the bond will be away to make a commitment to you."

His jaw tightened. "You don't want to marry me but you want to bond with me? Sophie, the bond is more serious than marriage. The bond is an ancient ceremony that hasn't been practiced in hundreds of years. It's old and very, very, powerful magic. You can't reverse it once it's done. With marriage you can get a divorce but you can't undo a bond."