He reached for his suit and swung it over my head before striding over to me. He offered me his hand, and I took it, and together, we walked out of the office. I still noticed the eyes of the workers around me, but Aaron didn’t care about any of that, and I knew I shouldn’t.
I asked what would happen to my car, and he handed the keys to the valet outside. Then he assured me my car would be waiting for me when I got home. It was what I needed to hear.
We got into his car as we came out of the building, and once inside, he took out his phone from the locker. He dialled Ivan’s number, and after a few rings, he picked up. Aaron then told him he was on his way home and wanted him there when he came. He ended the call after saying that.
As expected, Ivan was already waiting at the study when we arrived. Aaron fed him information about the books that I had read to him and how we saw things differently. He pointed out how it spoke about his curse, especially when I read it out loud, and I passed the books over to Ivan at his request. He placed his hands on the books to take them, and I felt a spark charge through the book to the rest of my body. I think he felt it, too, because he glanced at me with intent eyes.
“There are magical elements present in this book,” he said, turning to Aaron. “The magic is now wired to her, hence why she sees more than you do.”
“The woman that gave them to me might be a ghost,” I told him, going back to where all this started.
Ivan shook his head, debunking my theory. “No, I think she might be a messenger of the moon goddess.”
“That’s impossible,” Aaron said, uncrossing his arms from his chest.
“Why? Do you doubt the length the moon goddess would go?” He narrowed his eyes at his brother’s lack of faith.
“Why would she care?” His brow rose.
“Because you’re still her son, whether or not you believe it,” he answered and then turned to me. “This was why you wanted to see him in the morning.”
I nodded. “Yes, I thought it was worth sharing.”
“It is. You might as well have saved the life of the alpha from the strongest bloodline,” he said, and there was no trace of humour in his voice or eyes. I had to believe.
Ivan asked me to reread while he got his pens and paper to jot down notes so I could decipher what each word in the book meant.
After another three hours, I finished reading and closed the third book. Then I glanced up at Ivan, who had a keen focus on the pages before him.
“Is there something in there?” Aaron asked Ivan, who stayed silent on the study seat and only stared at the pages before him.
“Yes, the book calls it For the Fallen. According to these books, there are three stages to completing The Ritual of the Fallen: the full moon mating, the lunar eclipse marking, and the crimson moon blood ritual.”
“I can’t do that.” Aaron objected, turning away.
“Why would you say that?” I demanded, not knowing why he wanted to back out now when this was the way out he had always wanted.
“If I mark you and then this ritual doesn’t work out, I will have your soul tied to mine, only to abandon you in the land of the living. You will live a miserable life, longing for your mate and never moving on for the rest of your life. It is the worse fate for a wolf and a cruel one for a human.”
I understood his fear of the worst, but the best outcome was probable. “And if it works, you will live a fulfilled life with your son and me. Isn’t that worth trying? These books are not like other werewolf lore; they are magically wired, and I think the last thing they would do is lead you wrong.”
His eyes grew weak as they stared at me. He reached out and stroked my face. “I would want you to find happiness when I leave. I don’t want your soul tied to mine for any reason, and marking you will do that. You will never be happy if that happens, and I can’t stand the thought of that.”
“Then let me make that decision for myself.” I leaned in and kissed his lips slowly.
He sighed and kissed me back, pulling me closer and pressing our bodies together as if they were one.
He pulled away and pressed his head against mine before nodding. “Fine. What is the first ritual?” he asked Ivan.
“We have the full moon mating as the first, the lunar eclipse marking as the second, and the crimson moon blood ritual as the third. The ritual should follow their orders and timing.”
“The full moon is a week away, but we haven’t had a lunar eclipse in five years.” Aaron, the pessimistic one, spoke.
“If this is the moon goddess’s plan for you, she will perfect it,” Ivan assured.
Doubt still lingered in Aaron’s expression as Ivan exited the room.
“You’re still unsure,” I said as soon as the door shut.
He didn’t deny it because he nodded. “I am. I know this is what we’ve been waiting and hoping for, but I fear it might not be as easy as we make it out to be.”
I nodded, understanding his point and agreeing with it. “When we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”
After a week of scepticism, I gave my answer to Aaron about moving in with him. It was a yes, and that faithful Tuesday, Aaron sent help to aid Zion and me in smooth moving.
Moving in with him was much more complicated than staying outside since he lived on the pack estate. My friends and family would not find it as easy to visit as they used to, at least not at first. This, however, was a decision I knew I wouldn’t regret. I wanted us to be one family, and this would also help Zion.
My old place still had a lease for a few months, so I offered it to Tia. Over the phone, she could not control her joy and gratitude, and she told me she appreciated my affection for her. It was the very least I could do; after all, she was my little sister.
Aaron was up on the balcony of his house waiting for us, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him. He beamed at me and raced down to stand before me a second later.
“Daddy!” Zion called out with his hand already stretched out for his father to carry him up.
Aaron didn’t hesitate before taking him into his arms. “Someone’s excited,” he sang.
We both laughed. “He is happy, that’s for sure.”
“I am happy, too. Are you happy? Moving in with me?” He asked and stared at me.
“I am,” I answered with a nod.
He nodded, leaned in, and tenderly kissed my lips. I kissed back, and a moan left his mouth.
Zion giggled, and we pulled away. My cheeks grew rosy. “Come, and I will show you the bedroom.”