CALIFF
Sebastien hid his smile, but it was palpable in his eyes. “Boundaries, daughter.”
“You didn’t just say that.” Shadow laughed softly. “I take it, it went well.”
“Shut your grin off, darling.”
I slightly nodded. “Your Majesty.”
“We passed that formality, Califf.” He shook my hand and turned to my brother. “I heard you completed the transformation, and your wolf is healed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Sebastien turned to Everlee. “Beta Everlee, I’m glad you both made it.”
“I’m honored to be here, sir.”
“Well, join me and have a seat.” He went to Zarah and put a hand on her back. “Can you stay for a while?”
“Only for a couple of minutes, but I have to get back soon,” Zarah said.
“So, my dear, when-”
“Father, give my daughter a break. She’ll pop out babies if she’s ready,” Sebastien cut in.
“Well, the pressure is on you, brother.” Calder leaned in.
“You have no idea. Since day one, with no luck.”
Calder chuckled. “Don’t pressure yourself. Just enjoy the ride.”
“So what’s your plan after this? Once you go back with Everlee.”
“I will still teach. You know, it pays the bill, and learn how to shift easily, and then I will ask her to move in with me.”
I couldn’t help but smile even if I felt the clench in my chest. Stone had money, but he never asked. It became clearer that his only intention was to find his family. “Did you forget we have enhanced hearing?”
“I wasn’t listening.” Everlee was smiling. “Okay, I pretend I did not hear it.”
“Well, all you have to do is make it official,” I told my brother and gripped his shoulder. “And I’m so happy for both of you.”
A few minutes later, we settled on the long table.
“It reminds me of a formal dinner at the royal palace,” Calder commented.
“You’ve been to the royal palace?” Sebastien asked.
“Just on the pictures and videos, sir.” He smiled.
“Well, now you just crossed one of your bucket lists, brother.”
“Definitely. Shake hands with an Alpha King. Meet a Lycan Princess, mated- double-checked. Meet a witch, checked. Stepped into the portal, hell yeah.”
“Shifted to a wolf?”
“It was unbelievable. It hurt a lot like I was hit by a car awfully slowly, and I felt everything, every deformation of my bones, while I was burning inside, but it was all worth it. And it felt awesome like I’m finally free for the first time.”
“So, you didn’t talk to your wolf before you mated with Everlee. Sorry for the intrusion, but you managed to mark her.”
“It’s all right,” Calder said to Shadow. “Yeah, it was like an instinct, like my heart told me to. And I think I felt my fangs. I wasn’t just sure, but I felt everything, and-”
“And it happened so fast,” Everlee backed it up, her cheeks flushing.
“So, how’s your emotional connection with her?”
“Stronger. I can feel her when she’s happy or something in her mind.”
“I do, too,” Everlee agreed.
“I’m glad. How was your run this morning?”
“Freaking awesome,” he said proudly.
“Are you all done with your chitchat?” Zarah was already sitting next to Shadow.
Sebastien and Alexander joined us. The lunch was served, and we began with a light conversation about his teaching experience, Everlee as the Beta, and we mostly talked about my pack.
“When are you going to visit me again, my dear?”
“Soon, Grandpa.”
“They’re still dealing with an important matter right now, father,” Sebastien informed Alexander.
“Uh, the hunters.” He unknowingly tapped his finger on the table. “You need a bait to catch them.”
“That’s a good idea, sir. A bait where they haven’t been to that place but known to have a prey.”
“Zarah, I read in one of your books about Pathfinders,” Shadow opened up. “I think he is.”
“Have you seen his eyes glow yellow?”
Shadow shrugged. “Just a second when he shifted yesterday.”
“He should learn how to master his gift if he is. It’s a beautiful gift. A rare one, considering he’s half-human,” confirmed Zarah.
I felt pride in my chest. Despite him having a half-blood, the Moon Goddess chose him to have that amazing gift.
“How do I do that?” Calder asked.
“Someone with great knowledge, like Elders. They can train you, and you will be a good asset to the pack, but you don’t have a pack yet. I suggest you not wander around. If anyone finds out about your gift, they will take you by force, son,” Sebastien said, which alarmed me.
“You should take him to your pack, Everlee, and do the ceremony. And then you can come back to Night Stalker once he’s a member,” I suggested.
“And you will be officially a Beta Male,” Shadow said.
“Um, maybe Zarah can teach me,” he suggested hesitantly.
“I can’t, Calder. I have an apprentice, Aira, and I’m also teaching Shadow, who has already missed her lessons. And I’ve never taught a Pathfinder before. In fact, I never met one. It only happens once if the other Pathfinder is dead, and it’s given to the next worthy of that gift. So, if you are, then the Pathfinder before you is gone.”
“Could it be one of those who hunters killed?”
“I don’t think so. Usually, if someone has a gift as unique as a pathfinder, the pack keeps that information to themselves, and mostly, it’s the Alpha and the Beta only aware of it to protect the identity.” Sebastien looked at my brother. “That’s how valuable he is. Even Lycans, right now, we don’t have a pathfinder.”
“I think I’m not the one. I’m not worthy of it. I even rejected who I was for all my life.” All of a sudden, Calder began to doubt himself.
I knew he had a good heart, and what happened days ago was not his fault, and I hadn’t told him about it. It would break him, given how little he looked at himself.
“You didn’t reject who you are. There’s just no one there to guide you. You live all your life and blend in with humans, like my daughter after losing her family,” said Sebastien. “I understand your hesitation, but you begin to embrace what you are, and it’s never been too late for you to adopt your new life.”
“I agreed with His Majesty,” I said as I tried to convince him. If he was the chosen Pathfinder, then we should protect him. “You found our father, and you found me. Do you think it was a coincidence? I don’t think so. It was your gift, guiding you, finding your way back home into us.”
“He’s right,” Shadow agreed with me. “We need to protect you, and don’t ever doubt yourself. Deep in your heart, you know there’s something inside you waiting to be awakened and strengthened.”
“Look, Calder. We will find someone who can teach you. I promise. Don’t give up so easily.”
“I will do it.”
We all turned to Alexander in shock.
“Are you sure, Grandpa?”
“I met a Pathfinder once, a long, long time ago. A Lycan. And It would be my honor to teach him.”
“What if I’m not-”
“Stop doubting yourself, son. Listen to your heart, and let me prove you are the Pathfinder.”