“I know from the outside, it doesn’t make any sense because we all want revenge against someone who did us wrong. But not Kieran…because he’s pure love in a human form. Whenever he sees someone in pain, he does his best to ease it by transferring their pain to his own body. I can’t tell you the number of times he did that for Theo and me, and never once did he ask for anything in return. And even when he had a chance to escape, Kieran didn’t take it because he wouldn’t leave Theo and me behind, so he stayed and endured countless whippings and beatings…all for us. And because Kieran doesn’t want revenge, neither does our mate. So tonight, when you see Theo…know that the reason he is here with us is because of Kieran.” Dropping his hand, Norm murmured, “That’s why I will never kill Arald and neither will Cody, Dylon, Slate…”
“Or me,” Smokey murmured. “I won’t say I like it, but I won’t do anything that would hurt Theo.”
Giving Smokey a brief nod, Norm said, “We need to hurry…Theo is getting worried.”
“Where are we going?”
“To a very special place filled with good spirits and magic.”
“Is it on pack land?” asked Smokey, worried their mate might not be safe.
“Yes…and don’t worry…Remy made sure it’s protected so no one but us can be there tonight…ahh, we’re here.” Stepping to the side of the path, Norm gestured for Smokey to go ahead of him.
Seeing a wall of greenery, Smokey hesitated for a moment until his eyes located the hidden entrance. Moving slowly forward, his vision was momentarily obscured by an abundance of leaves blocking his path, Impatient to see what was on the other side, he pushed through and found himself standing on the edge of a clearing. “Holy mother of the gods!” he whispered, staring at the sight before him.
Chapter 16
“Golden Sun,” Theo murmured, desire filling his eyes as he gazed at his fantasy standing before him.
Taking several steps into the clearing, magic and good spirits enveloped Smokey before seeping into his skin. It felt exactly like his grandfather had described and he briefly wondered why it had taken him so long to accept that part of him. But as fast as that thought came, it flew out of his mind just as quickly when his eyes landed on Shining Star dressed in the traditional mating clothes of buckskin decorated with beads, shells, and feathers. Shaking his head in disbelief, he walked slowly to his mate, stopping a foot away from him. “How can this be?” he whispered, more to himself than Theo. Reaching out, he ran his fingers down the sparkling rows of tiny glass beads in the chest plate. Then, looking up and seeing the love in Theo’s eyes, he smiled.
“Golden Sun,” Theo said, emotion filling his voice, “tonight the three of us will become a new tribe…one that is about love and acceptance no matter who we are, and one that will teach our cub about the Great Spirit and the blessings he has bestowed upon us. Our cub shall also be encouraged to be true to who they are, will be taught to be a guardian of the earth, and will learn that there’s more good than evil in the world.”
Quietly joining Smokey at his side, Norm murmured, “Welcome to the Tomkin Tribe, Smokey.”
“It means…” Theo began.
“Home of Spirits,” Smokey finished, “and it’s perfect.”
“As you are to us,” Norm said.
“Once we were three, but tonight we shall become one…in soul and spirit,” Theo added. “Golden Sun, are you ready for Eagle Feather to claim you?”
“I am,” Smokey said, solemnly.
“And are you ready to claim Eagle Feather?” Theo asked.
“Yes…very much so,” Smokey replied.
Norm then took Theo’s hand and both dropped to one knee. Looking up at Smokey, he asked, “Gabriel Hamilton, will you marry us and do us the honor of becoming our husband?”
“And the father to all our cubs?” asked Theo, looking up at Smokey.
Stunned, Smokey stared at Theo and Norm for a moment until he finally realized they were waiting for an answer. Dropping down opposite them, tears rolling down his cheeks, his voice overcome with emotion, he answered, “Yes…yes, to both questions.” Then, leaning forward, he wrapped his arms around his mates and pulled them to him. Kissing first Theo, then Norm, Smokey murmured, “Together in all ways…forever.”
“Forever!” Theo and Norm said in unison.
That word echoed in Smokey’s mind and he continued to kiss his mates as good spirits enveloped the trio, filling them with love. It was everything Smokey never thought he needed, but now it was something he could never live without. “I love you both so much,” he whispered.
Cupping Smokey’s cheek, Theo murmured, “The love we have for each other will grow stronger until it binds us inseparably together. You were an unexpected surprise, but one Eagle Feather and I are so thankful for.You complete us and are as necessary to us as the air we breathe. It was destiny that, after each of us was ripped from our homes, we would come together to make a new one…one where we will teach our cub to keep the old ways of your people in his heart.”
“Golden Sun,” Norm said softly, “Shining Star and I will help you in your quest to expand the power of good spirits over evil ones so that our cubs might grow up in a better world—one where respect for nature and the bounty it gives forth will increase a hundredfold. This we vow to you, Lord Manetu.”
The last words being said, silence fell in the clearing and Smokey gazed in awe at his mates. The deep loneliness he’d hidden from the world after his parents had died was gone and in its place stood Theo and Norm and their love for him. Placing a hand over each of their hearts, he whispered the words his grandfather had taught him so long ago—words he never expected to utter.
Theo gasped at the heat of Smokey’s hand on his chest, but before he could react a blinding light penetrated his body, making him one with his mates. Glancing over at Norm, he smiled at the blissful look on his face, knowing his own face must be mirroring it. “Wowzers!” he exclaimed.
“Wowzers indeed,” Norm murmured, staring at Smokey. “What did you do?”
