Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Romantic Distractions
Kelara POV
Morning light came through the windows of Sinsworth House, and Kelara Blackthorn stirred in her husband's and mate's embrace. Sunlight painted his rumpled black hair, making it shine brighter, with a glossy shine. He lay with his arms around her, as if he couldn't bear to let her go, even in sleep. Maybe that was the way of things when you were married for four months, together for six, and had a child on the way. Although judging from the other Sinsworth and Cresta couples, that need to be close to each other was, happily, present in other long-term committed relationships and marriages.
Kelara rested quietly, not wanting to stir. Apart from poor Jude Faolan feeling ill and taking a tumble into the lake last night, their welcome-home party in Talon's pack of origin had been all that Kelara could have wanted. Especially for her mate and son. Talon had flown high last night, and his lovemaking after the party reflected his contentment and even euphoria.
The pup in her belly moved around with increased energy and enthusiasm. The discomfort and heaviness faded away.
Talon seemed to feel or sense the pup's movements, and one hand drifted to her belly, resting there, where his pup continued to be active. He loved feeling the little one moving. Kelara couldn't stop a huge grin spreading across her face. She was having a child–her first child. She hoped Jude got over their ordeal in the nightmare realm and on Abandonnado Island now that Ravyn was expecting a child.
Her psychic senses and ears picked up on some disturbance in the corridor. Pregnancy only ramped up her senses, so that every mouse running around sounded like a whole nest of mice sometimes. She slipped out of bed, and opened the door.
Aldwin Brocius, fit-looking with bushy brown hair, faced Alpha Caden Wolfbane in the hallway. Kelara could practically smell and sense the mating urge that made Alpha Caden move toward the ex-bandit-turned-bodyguard Aldwin. Maybe she needed to intervene?
Talon gripped her waist from behind, "Come back to bed," he whispered seductively.
"Shhhh."
She could practically see him rolling his eyes. "Let them sort it out," he growled in her ear. "Aldwin doesn't need a mother or a nanny. If things get too heated, Jiro and Garnet will come down hard. I wouldn't like to be Alpha Caden if that happens. Come back to bed and forget about them unless Caden tries to steal Aldwin."
Ignoring his command, Kelara clung to the doorframe, watching out for Aldwin. Even as an ex-bandit, he might not be prepared for an Aloha hell-bent on claiming him. "Aldwin doesn't know what I know about possessive Alphas."
Amused, Talon growled, "Don't try to distract me, sweetheart. And as I recall, you liked me being possessive–you still do."
"That may be, but–"
In the hallway, Aldwin stood tall and proud, looking Caden in the eye rather than lowering his head.
Talon inhaled sharply. "Bad move, Aldwin, if you want to avoid his attention. He's a tough son-of-a-biscuit who'd want a fierce mate."
"I thought it wasn't any of our business?"
"That's because I thought Caden would leave well enough alone! It's his fault."
Goddess, she loved that stubborn, self-righteous tone in his voice sometimes.
Caden purred, "You're not an easy one, are you? I like that. It'll make victory all the sweeter."
Talon growled in Kelara's ear. "Oh, of course he'd enjoy the challenge. I may have to get involved."
In the corridor, Aldwin huffed, standing his ground. "Go flirt with another shifter. I'm enjoying my visit here. And I just heard a noise, other than your bluster."
He marched down the corridor, in search of the supposed noise.
Talon gave a low whistle. "Nice diversion."
Caden drawled, "Where is this noise, human? It's probably just one of the pups up and about and getting into things."
Aldwin rotated around and glared at Caden, whose rough-hewn, ruggedly handsome look matched the ex-bandit's. "I can't take that chance, and you wouldn't either, if you were in your territory."
Caden smirked, enjoying the exchange. "This place is crawling with enforcers and Crestas. Besides, someone would have to be an idiot to try anything in Alpha Jiro's domain, just like they would mine. The harsh winters and freezing conditions make us the hardiest wolves in the Shifter Federation."
Talon scoffed, "Bragging now. I'm sure his pack has it rough, but everyone has challenges."
Aldwin faced him down. "You wouldn't accept that kind of arrogance from one of your enforcers."
Stepping back, Caden rubbed his square jaw. "No, I wouldn't, but you're a cute little omega."
"Not now. Now, I'm Lord Talon's bodyguard."
Kelara's ears perked up. Had he really just said that? Did he even know what an omega was?
Smirking, Caden said, "'Not now.' Well, that's promising."
A slight flush crept over Aldwin's features, and he spun around and marched off without another word. A low howl of triumph and lust followed him.
Abandoning all his caution, Talon stepped into the corridor and addressed Caden. "Alpha, I couldn't help overhearing, and I doubt Alpha Jiro, my cousin, wants his guests harassed. If Aldwin isn't interested in being your omega, maybe you should look elsewhere."
Caden's smile didn't falter, even when Kelara joined Talon, presenting a united front. "And he's HUMAN. He doesn't understand."
"Then, as his Alpha, it's up to you to explain about the ways of shifters," Caden retorted, sticking out his powerful chest. "Maybe living among humans, you've forgotten."
"I don't need you to tell me–"
"ENOUGH."
Jiro, moving elegantly and at a fast clip from his suite at the end of the hall, confronted them both. "Every Alpha has to lead in his own way, with his Luna telling him where he's gone off course. And as Alpha here, I won't let anyone suffer unwanted advances."
"Aldwin is my fated mate," Caden growled.
Kelara's eyes widened, and Talon made a low howl.
Pointing at Kelara, Caden asserted, "Ask HER. And ask your Wise Woman. Luna Kelara is said to be gifted and have true sight."
Jiro folded his arms. "She's also not a trained beast who performs on your command."
Kelara closed her eyes, focusing on Caden and Aldwin.
Talon whistled. "Oh, you threw down a challenge she can't resist."
Images flooded Kelara's mind. Shadows, snippets, fragments. She delved deeper, cutting through the muddle of pictures in her mind.
And a clear picture emerged. Two hearts beating. A silken cord connecting them, pulsing with golden energy. She trembled at the image–she'd seen it when she realized the truth about her and Talon.
Her eyes flew open. "Aldwin is probably Caden's fated mate."
* * * * *
Ravyn POV
Voices in the hall interrupted her sleep, but the feeling of foreboding kept her awake. Tiptoeing to the door, Ravyn opened it a crack and listened.
Something about Aldwin, William's human tutor and the Blackthorn family's personal bodyguard. Ravyn picked up on the hint of a mate bond with Alpha Caden.
"Aldwin … and Caden?"
Jude huffed behind her. "Caden is a wolf's wolf, but he's also one of the most temperamental people I've ever dealt with, when he's not as icy as the land his pack inhabits. Couldn't the goddess have picked an easier shifter for that human?"
Ravyn was thoughtful. "An ex-bandit doesn't have the easiest life. Always trying to make up for his past. Kelara was telling me Aldwin's history. How he and his men held a village hostage out of desperation. How he finally realized that his life could be different because, instead of killing him or having him arrested, Talon offered him and his men jobs as stablehands. Now, they're bodyguards … and he's young William's tutor."
"That may be, but you're missing the point," Jude grumbled.
"Weren't you the one who didn't want me to become a wolf because you wanted to make a point about shifters mating with witches, elves, and even humans?" Ravyn challenged. "Openly living in a mixed marriage?"
Jude blushed adorably. "Yes … but that didn't last long."
"Well, Aldwin and Caden can make that point for you," Ravyn said with a smile. "An Alpha and a human omega …"
"He'd have to become a wolf first," Jude pointed out. "Male wolf omegas can get pregnant."
"And Aldwin would still start out as human, just as I did as a witch," Ravyn answered, loving the debate. "You don't even know if Aldwin even wants to become Caden's mate, so this talk about transformation and pregnancy is getting ahead of ourselves."
Jude led her back to bed. "Maybe so. But Aldwin seemed to be thawing toward the end."
"Maybe it was all that pressure."
"Or maybe I should never have questioned the Moon Goddess in the first place, because she's even managed to matchmake for two equally stubborn and pigheaded men … after giving me the mate of my dreams."
With that husky note in his voice and the way he stroked her body, Ravyn became incapable of thinking. She melted into his arms.
"Jiro said we shouldn't rush to get up," he said in a velvety voice.
She gave him a molten smile. "But I'm not tired anymore. I'm wide awake. What are we going to do about that?"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
AmandaMadden
AmandaMadden Aldwin's and Caden's story isn't just another amusing side romance subplot...take note of Jude's reaction here, because it's going to be important later.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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