Hello everyone!I am so happy to submit this chapter. Things are progressing and I thank all of you for reading and giving your feedback.
If you ever wonder about when the next chapters are coming out please read my BIO, I update it after every submission. It takes at least five days from when a story is submitted so that can give you an estimate on when it will be posted.
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All parties landed without issue and soon were on their way to the Clarion Ranch. Megan had secured a seat by the window of the limo and plastered her face to glass. Jackson couldnât help but laugh and pointed out landmarks to her as they passed them.
âNow that would be the largest mall we have here in Bismarck; so I am sure I will be taking you there very soonâ
âThat would be great but what else can we do? I donât want to be cooped up; I want to see everything.â
Jackson looked at his parents and suppressed a grin. Megan would have to be cooped up until she could learn to shift at will and not on instinct.
That may take months. His work was cut out for him and he would have to find a few things to keep her busy. He smiled as his mind conjured up a few things they could do.
âOh! Oh! Oh!â Jackson moaned. He grabbed his head and leaned back against his seat roughly.
âThank you everyone, Iâm very glad to be home. Please give me a chance to get back to the Ranch.â
Jackson had just felt his bond with his pack reconnect and it was a wave of the greatest pleasure he had ever felt. So many congratulations all at once had overwhelmed him, but his packâs joy at his return was humbling. He was happy that they were glad he was back and he smiled.
Looking to his side he noticed Megan looking at him with concern and he reached out and grabbed her hand.
âIâm alright my love. My bond with my pack just realigned itself, and their joy was a bit too much for me to handle. Iâve been away for quite a while and it seems that they missed me.â He gave her a smile and kissed the hand in his grasp.
âWill I feel a bond with the pack also Jackson? It seems frightening that you can hear otherâs thoughts in your head.â
âYes, after we mate you will be able to read their thoughts, and you may have other talents but they remain to be discovered. I will teach you how to shield yourself from everyone, accept for me.â
Jackson grinned as his words sunk in and they both began to laugh. They were going to have fun together and Megan couldnât wait for their life to begin.
****
Charles Dupac appreciated nice things and the suite he and his family occupied was of the highest quality. The Americans were out to show their guest that they could accommodate them luxuriously. The three bedroom suite was located on the fifth floor and the view from their balcony was breath taking.
Aphasia was reclining on the chaise by the French doors and looked at him with her cool sage green eyes. Her skin was the color of warm mahogany, and when she smiled her white teeth contrasted sharply against her skin. Her love for her mate knew no bounds and she could feel his unease through their bond.
âWhat bothers you my love? Is it about leaving our pack behind? Joel will take good care of our people Charles; he is your best man after all.â
âIâm not sure whatâs bothering me Aphasia. My body feels so tense and my mind keeps thinking about the past. Maybe itâs because I was never able to fulfill my obligation to satisfy the Blood Moon.â
It wasnât like him to be preoccupied with the past, but visions of Louisa blurred his thoughts and he fought to keep his mind shielded from his mate.
âWould you like to take your mind off of things for a while my love? I can think of a few things that will keep you from thinking of Louisa Metairie.â
She smiled and stretched her long legs seductively on the chaise beneath her. She knew what
The Past
meant. It didnât bother her because she knew his love for her was true.
Charles took a step closer to her and bent down on his knees beside his mate. He pulled her to the edge of the chaise and laid his head on her lap.
âYou are wonderful my mate. Even while I try to protect you from my thoughts you still seem to see right through me.â
âI wish that we could have closure with Louisa my love. I am afraid that she haunts all of us through your sorrow. It would be a great gift to our family if we could see her and end your grief.â
Charles lifted his head and kissed his mate. Gathering her close to his chest he stood and walked with her in his arms to their bed. He stood looking at the beautiful woman in his arms and gently lowered her to the bed.
Aphasiaâs eyes glazed over in lust as her mate removed his shirt and began to unbutton his pants. The evidence of his arousal pressed against his zipper and she began to untie her robe.
âMom! Persia wonât leave me alone. She has her own room why canât she just stay in there!â
Alisha burst into her parentâs bedroom, and stopped when she saw her father standing before her mother on the bed.
Charles sighed heavily and turned to glare at the interrupting child. Aphasia quickly retied her robe and closed her legs.
âKnocking is a requirement my daughter. That way you can avoid seeing something you really donât want to see.â
Charles smiled at Alishaâs blush and laughed out loud when she stormed out of the room.
âShe will knock next time my love. Now where were we?â He turned around to see his mate had started getting dressed.
âI have to nip this in the bud Charles. Those two have to learn how to get along. Who knows when they will need each other?â
Charles knew there was no arguing with her and took a deep breath.
âIâll go to the main house Aphasia. The Alpha and his party should be arriving soon. Iâd like to see Anderson before the rest of the guests get here.â
Charles walked to the main building that was next door to the guest quarters. It was a modern structure and wasnât what he was used to.
The wonderful ancient architecture of France sang to his soul. His passion for things from his past surrounded him there, and he loved the Chateau he shared with his pack family.
Darien Foley greeted him as he reached the front entry. The tall man was a good second for Jackson and he had great respect for him. Charles knew it wasnât easy to stand in for your Alpha but he was glad his man Joel could be trusted just as well.
Two long black stretch limousines pulled into the large circular drive as he stood beside Darien. The omegas stationed at the sidewalk opened the doors of the arriving cars and they waited for their occupants to remove themselves.
It seemed as if the entire pack had arrived to greet them as well. It was moving to see the love these Were had for their Alpha.
Jackson stepped out of the vehicle followed by a beautiful red haired woman. She took his breath away and when she looked at him he froze to the spot. She looked so much like Louisa he couldnât believe his eyes.
Anderson and Ophelia exited the limo and smiled at their friend and Charles offered Ophelia a hand up the steps.
âItâs so good to see you Charles we are so glad you could make it. Where are Aphasia and the girls?â
âThey are in our suite. Aphasia is trying to iron out some sibling squabble the girls are having.â
Ophelia smiled and patted Charlesâ hand. âCount yourself lucky my friend girls are treasures and you have two!â
âI will remember that when Alisha finds her mate.â
She laughed at the Dupac Alpha and turned when she heard Jackson greet him.
âCharles Dupac itâs wonderful to see you my friend. Let me introduce you to my mate Megan OâHara. Megan this is my friend Charles, the Dupac Alpha.â
âFrom France?â Megan asked tightly.
âOui mademoiselle. Est-ce que vous parlez Francais?â Charles asked in his native tongue.
When Megan looked at him in confusion he repeated what he had said in English.
âYes young lady. Do you speak French?â
âNo, I was just curious, I have heard about you from a friend.â
âReally; who has been spreading rumors about me?â He asked quirking his eyebrow in amusement.
âIt was me Charles.â The voice rocked him to his core. He tore his eyes away from Megan and locked his gaze on the woman who had haunted him for many years. How could she be standing here right now?
The Dupac Alpha went to Louisa and pulled her into his arms. He stood there unmoving just taking in her scent and remembering their last embrace. Tears filled his eyes and he slowly relaxed his hold so that he could look into the green eyes he hadnât seen in so long.
âMon amour, I have missed you.â He whispered those words into her hair, as he kissed the top of her head.
Louisa reached up to Charlesâ face and wiped away his tears. âItâs alright Charles, the past is the past and we can face the future together as the friends we were meant to be.â
The rest of the group looked at the two people who only had eyes only for each other and quietly went into the building. Jackson stood at the top of the landing and turned to greet his pack.
âMy beloved pack itâs so good to be back among you. I would like to introduce you to Megan OâHara; my mate and your future Madame Alpha. We look forward to the coming ceremony.â
Megan blushed scarlet at his proclamation and snuggled closer to his side. The crowd below them shouted, whistled and howled with joy at his announcement.
They couldnât have wished for a better greeting, as the packâs approval washed over them. Megan felt privileged to be here and hoped that she could measure up to their expectations.
Charles still held on to Louisaâs hand as they watched the crowd give their blessing to the Alpha and his mate. Louisa looked at the man she hadnât seen in over two hundred years and smiled.