Jan Delima - Celtic Moon

“Um.” Sophie leaned over to Elen. “What’s going on? Why do they keep saying that word?”

“They’re honoring you,” she explained. “ Dewisedig comes from our old tongue. It is a name I have not heard in a very long time. It means chosen human .”

“Oh.” Sophie chewed on that for a moment. “What if I don’t want to be chosen?”

She gave a delicate shrug, an elegant way of saying, Deal with it. “You have given birth to the first shifter in over three hundred years. It is a blessing to our people that you cannot begin to comprehend.”

BACK AT RHUDDIN HALL, LAUGHTER AND MUSIC HUMMED through the main floor as Sophie snuck upstairs to check on her mother, knocking softly.

“Come in,” Francine said. “Oh, Sophie, finally . . . You’re back. How is Joshua?”

“He’s fine,” Sophie quickly reassured her. “He’s still with his father.”

“So, it happened?”

She nodded silently.

With brown eyes filled with concern, Francine assessed her daughter, opening her arms. “Come here, sweetheart.”

Without hesitation, she fell into her mother’s waiting embrace. This was exactly what she’d needed, a little support from the one person who accepted her without conditions. “It was so hard, Mum, watching him go through that . . . and not being able to help.”

“I can only imagine,” Francine said, tucking back a strand of Sophie’s hair. “Honestly, I’m glad I wasn’t there to see it, but I’m proud of you. And I’m proud of how you’re trying to work things out with Joshua’s father.”

She hiccupped. “Thanks.”

“Shh,” her mother soothed. “Do you know when they’re supposed to return?”

“Elen assures me they’ll be back any time now. And not to worry because everything is fine.”

“Do you believe her?”

“Yes.”

“Then take peace in that.”

“You’re right.” Feeling recharged, Sophie absorbed one last hug before she pulled away. “Thank you . . . for not listening to me when I wanted you to stay behind.”

“I love you, Sophie Marie, with all my heart; I will stand by your side until my very last breath. Don’t ever doubt that. Now go clean your face and march downstairs and celebrate with everyone else. I’ll be down soon.”

Listening to her mother’s sound advice, she changed into dress slacks with a fitted rose-colored jacket. The Serpent made an unattractive bulge underneath, but it was the most formal outfit she’d brought with her and would have to do. She even applied some makeup before returning to the merriment below.

Platters of food had been placed on the dining hall table, roasted meats and breads filled with stew, along with cakes and wine on side tables. Humans and wolves filled the house, more than Sophie had ever seen together at one time.

Enid barked orders to anyone who walked through the kitchen, pushing edible treats toward those who had hands. Those who did not had their own table positioned against the wall, about two feet high. Tucker and two other wolves seemed to be enjoying their own personal buffet.

Porter nodded at her as she passed through the outer hallway. He wore a black button-down shirt, rolled up to the elbows. He stood with his shoulders back, his sharp blue eyes scanning the area. “Will you take a walk with me around the gardens?” When she hesitated, he added, “You’re looking like a dose of fresh air might do you some good.”

She stared at his offered arm, wondering why she had the sudden urge to smile. Maybe the people in Rhuddin Village weren’t the only ones making progress.

“Oh, hell . . . Why not?” She wrapped her arm through his, not surprised by the coiled muscles underneath the thin black material, having felt them once before on a less celebratory occasion.

The night air washed over her like a soothing balm, fresh and uncluttered with voices. Porter led her down a cobblestone path, his posture tense as Tucker’s soft padded steps followed.

“Do you want to pet him?” she teased, amazed that she felt at ease enough to do so.

“Hardly.”

“Where are we going?” They had arrived at a secluded section of the courtyard, with arbors and pergolas built overhead, tangled with rose canes and ivy branches. The night sky was shrouded, as was the interior to anything that might dwell above, such as cameras or satellites in the sky. A tall hedge of evergreens formed a dense wall.

It was a private garden with a distinct purpose, she realized, designed for a race to walk as their other selves and remain undiscovered to an outside world.

“Dylan wanted to see you alone,” Porter said. “Before the crowd descends.”

A massive wolf prowled under the canopy first, his black fur blending with the night. A brown wolf, lighter in color and smaller in size, followed.

“Joshua?” she whispered. “Oh, thank God. Are you all right?”

“He’s fine, Sophie.” Dylan stepped forward from behind a cluster of pine trees, having changed back into his human form. They must have stopped by the oak tree before returning, as he wore the same clothes he had on before shifting, carrying the others’ in his hands. “Our son learns well and adjusts quickly.” He paused while his voice clogged with emotion, with reverence. “This night was a gift I never thought possible.”

“I’m glad for you both,” she said with sincerity. If this ability made Joshua stronger, better able to defend himself around others of his kind, she would learn to be thankful. “But why have you changed back and Joshua hasn’t?”

“I would like our people to witness his transformation, but I wanted your agreement beforehand.”

“You’re asking me?” She frowned. “Why?”

“Because I know how difficult this is for you to accept. But it would mean a great deal to them. And to me.”

“And what if I disagree?”

His shoulders sagged with acceptance. “Then Luc will help Joshua shift right now before we go into the house.”

“I see.” Not caring who watched, Sophie closed the distance between them. She trailed her arms around Dylan’s neck, smiling at his bewildered expression, and pulled him down to meet her mouth. “If our son is okay with a demonstration,” she whispered against her husband’s lips, “you have my blessing to invite them out to watch.”

“You are the most perplexing woman,” he said, then tightened his arms around her waist and claimed her mouth with a possessive kiss. When she began to respond in earnest, he set her back down, shaking his head. His voice lowered to a harsh whisper, letting her know she wasn’t the only one affected. “Will I ever understand you?”

“Respect my opinion, Dylan, keep me informed, and you may find I can be the most cooperative wife.”

A bark of laughter fell from his mouth. “I will remember that, Sophie.”

Porter cleared his throat. “If you two are quite finished now,” he said dryly, “I will go inside and invite the others out.”

Dylan reached down and took Sophie’s hand within his. They stood united as their guests filed down the darkened path with expectant faces, some filled with hope, others with doubt. Wolves bled from the woods, joining the gathering of magic born. Voices murmured in hushed anticipation. All eyes fell to Joshua.

Luc sauntered forward, all black fur and coiled muscle; he was the beast of legend in flesh and fur. Still shrouded by the canopy of gardens, Luc led Joshua by example, shifting to his human form. His transition was smooth, like a dance of two forms blending into one, and then forming into another. The scent of elements filled the air, of spring and earth and promise, more prominent as Joshua bowed his head and began his journey back to human.