Aaron Ch. 26-29

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Kate, Luna and Gem were spending some time catching up. Now that Kate's heat was under much better control, she was able to go a few hours without wanting to pounce her mate. Thorn had also reduced the security in the safe house, so now the cell was left open and only the safe-house door was kept secured. "I still can't believe you're both going to be mothers. Five months is going to pass so quickly."

"I know there is so much to do. Luc and I have been running every chance we get. Now that our wolves have 'discovered' each other there seems to be a very small window before we won't be able to run together. Then there is the nursery."

"I wanted your baby in with mine." Luna huffed.

"No way. I don't think you realise how in demand the children of our alphas will be. I certainly don't want my peanut growing up expecting that level of attention. He or she will need to be able to handle being left to themselves now and then."

"I can guarantee these two will know all about entertaining themselves and have alone time too."

"Yeah, not sure how you plan to convince the omegas of that."

"I am sure I will find a way. I'm Mother Luna remember."

"Well maybe you can tell me what my mate is up to all the time? He's avoiding me every chance he gets and is being very secretive."

"What has he told you he is doing?" Gem laughed at Kate's little growl. "Don't try and trick us Kate. He told you he was working with Glen and Luc. He also told you he was working on some stuff to be ready for leaving in a few days."

"Exactly he's leaving in a few days so he should be spending all the time he can with me." Kate pouted.

"Put that bottom lip away. Looking like a spoiled brat isn't going to convince me to interfere. Your mate is doing everything he should and balancing your many demands with his pack responsibilities, all while planning his own future. Give him a break." Luna glared at her friend.

"Fine. Well if he isn't coming back, the least you could do is get Emily to bring us all some of that delicious cheesecake she's been making."

"Now that is a plan I can totally back." Gem licked her lips. "I am eating for two you know?"

"Your little 'Peanut' is soooo not responsible for your weakness for dessert."

"True, I think Peanut likes a good steak. You should have seen what I had for breakfast, Fred Flintstone would have been impressed."

"I can relate. I woke up in wolf form with the blood of a midnight snack all over my face and paws. It was disgusting and when I changed back and threw up Thorn couldn't decide whether to laugh or try and help me."

"That is revolting Luna. Don't give Peanut any ideas."

"The cheesecake is heading this way, show Kate the pictures."

"Pictures of what?"

"Gem is decorating the old storage room next to her and Luc, and converting it into a nursery."

"Well Luc and the omega army are. Apparently I can't be trusted to do more than shop."

"Well you can focus on the finer details." After a long silence Kate continued, "He still hasn't seen how talented you are? He does know about Gem's Goodies now doesn't he?"

"Um, he may not be aware I dabble with art and craft when he isn't around." Gem blushed.

"Are you fucking kidding me? He just thinks you're his willing sex toy 24/7 and you've done nothing to encourage him to think any different?"

"He knows I do other things. I exercise, hang out with you girls, work in the café... well used to work in the café."

"What does he think you will be doing now he has decided you are both moving back here fulltime?" Kate was getting angry and Gem bristled ready to get defensive.

"Being a mother and Luc's mate will be a fulltime job I'm sure. As to Gem's craftwork when she chooses to share that with Lucas is up to her. Although I'm sure he will be supportive." Luna tried to ease the tension between Kate and Gem. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect.

"My mate, and my child, are not a fucking job." Gem growled.

"Gem needs to be more than just a mate or mother, she is her own person. He needs to start seeing that." Kate stood now. "Lucas Donald needs to pull his head out of his bum and see how amazing Gem is. See that she could do anything she set her heart or mind on."

"Oh, oh." Gem whispered as the door flew open.

"You have something to say to me Katie-girl?" Luc stomped into the living area.

"Oh Katie, it seems you left your walls unguarded when you lost your temper. Luckily it appears you only communicated with the object of your anger." Luna winced as Kate and Luc stood facing off against each other.

"Me? I have nothing to say to you. Your mate however needs to start sharing herself with you, and letting you know who she is, and what she needs. You need to start fucking seeing more than your 'Pet' Lucas."

"Gem is going to be my WIFE. I see her." He stepped closer, his wolf rising slightly.

"Get your wolf under control Lucas." Luna warned. "I don't want Thorn and Aaron both rushing in here."

"Yes Luna." Luc struggled briefly and they watched him subdue his wolf before continuing. "Gem what did Kate mean? What have you hidden from me?"

Gem however just moved backwards and looked at the ground, which had Luc ready to push for a response, but Luna held up her hand, and silently ordered him to wait.

"Do you have your phone on you?" Lucas removed it from his pocket and extended it towards her. "Go to your search engine," Luna paused and then asked Gem, "Gem? Please?"

"Gem's Goodies." Gem barely spoke loud enough to be heard but Lucas typed it in as soon as she did.

"The correct website should come up but make sure you click on the one that's not pornographic." Luna warned with a small smile. "Caught me out once."

"Porn? My Gem wouldn't have a porn..."

"Believe me that Gem is not our Gem, and there is nothing good about her goodies."

"Stop talking and hurry up, Gem is still freaking out." Kate growled quietly.

Luc suddenly realised his mate had moved to a chair and was looking pale. "You don't want me to look?"

"I, um, I..."

"She's worried you won't think what she does is good, well good enough, but it's awesome and her business is growing every month. She should be proud of what she can do, not constantly doubting her abilities." Kate went over to Gem. "I'm sorry for losing my temper I just want him to know how talented you are, and then he can convince you when the rest of us have failed."

"Liar. That isn't why you want me to know." Lucas was scrolling through the website. "And I know you let me see on purpose so stop playing games."

"Okay then smarty pants why did I want you to know?"

"Because Katie-girl you are happy. You and Aaron have put everything on the table and you are deliriously happy with no secrets and all loved up with my brother. So in your genius way you knew I would want to know about this. Thank you."

"You're welcome Luc." Kate laughed, but when Luc came towards Gem looking like he may confront his mate, she quickly stood between them. "Don't be cross with her."

"Move." Luc demanded from in front of her.

"Move Kate, you're going to make it worse." Gem spoke from behind her.

Kate stepped aside and frowned. "Luna is this going to go badly?"

"For a genius, with a gift for reading people, you sure seem to be missing the obvious these days."

"I've been off since I mated, and the heat has just made that ten times worse... answer the damn question."

"She won't be getting any cheesecake."

"Luna!"

"Kate?" Luna laughed as Kate stomped her foot. "Oh dear that bottom lip is slipping back out. You're so cute when you pout Katie."

"Whatever."

"You make all the stuff on this website Gem? All those beautiful things? The sewing, the wooden pieces, the glass too?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry I should have checked with you before I started selling them, I can take the site down."

"You think I'm angry about the website?"

"Of course you're... well probably not angry, disappointed I guess, embarrassed?"

"Explain." Lucas was now leaning over his mate who he noticed was trying very hard to avoid eye contact. "Look at me and explain."

"I should be using my time to do other things, maybe training to do something more important. I shouldn't be wasting my time with my hobbies."

"Who told you that before?"

"My father. Before he..."

"Gave you to that creep. Your hobbies are no longer hobbies Gem. Do you hear me?"

"Yes Lucas. I'll stop..."

"LIKE FUCK! They are not hobbies, they are your job. Your talents and skills are varied and clearly marketable. You have set up a wonderful business Gem and I would like to learn more about it, help you to build that business, if you would let me."

"You're not making me stop?"

"I am not making you stop. I am not disappointed or embarrassed. I am however furious. You shared this with your friends but not with me? You judged me because of your horrible father. Thought I would belittle your work? Be angry with you? Yet thinking I would agree with him, you went ahead anyway, but hid your craftwork and your business like a guilty secret?"

"Oh Shit." Kate panicking moved forward. "Lucas, Gem never told us. She gave Rose a gift and when we asked where she bought it..."

"Shut. Up." Lucas stood and this time he picked Gem up as he did. "My naughty girl Gem. My very talented, very beautiful, very naughty, girl."

"I'm sorry Luc." As she met his eyes the sparkle in hers, tears, now gave way to hope and happiness, as she recognised the look in his. "I'm very sorry Sir."

"Pet, you will have time to prove that." Luc walked towards the door. "Kate, Luna, enjoy the cheesecake, sadly my pet won't be able to join you."

"She really wanted some." Luna smiled as she added silently, "Don't forget to ask her all about her work and then ask her to make a quilt for the baby."

"Oh, she'll be sick to death of talking about every aspect of her business by the time I'm through with her. I'll also make sure she gets some cheesecake, eventually."

"Maybe Kate shouldn't get any either, she was naughty too. She did leave that wall down on purpose didn't she?"

"That little minx needs a mate far more dominant than Aaron, but for this I'd probably give her extra bloody cheesecake." Luc shrugged. "He can deal with her however he sees fit, but I'm pleased she did what she did."

"You wouldn't have been feeling so generous if it was your secret she revealed, or if things hadn't turned out well. What if Gem had been hurt by her friend betraying her like that?"

"Shit. I know. Gem's fine and she needed to know she could share everything with me, but you're right this may not have gone so well."

"Then I will address the issue with Kate."

"Thanks Luna, you do that. I cannot, and Aaron will not."

Kate watched Lucas and Gem leave and turned to Luna, "I think I got lucky. I shouldn't have meddled when I can't see what will happen at the moment, or read how people are feeling."

"About that, Kate you could have really hurt Gem going behind her back like that. Not only could you have lost her trust and friendship but you could have damaged her relationship with Luc. I can't as your friend, and your alpha, let that go. You're right you got lucky. This time. You will never do that to one of your friends, or to any of the pack. You will also spend the next couple of hours writing a letter of apology to Gem."

"Aaron will be here soon and we..."

"Oh no he won't I've told him not to set foot back here until dinner. Then he can collect you and bring you to the lodge to eat with your family."

"Bring me...?"

"Your heat is over. Ended earlier this morning. I'm meeting Thorn, Emily and a few others in the kitchen for cheesecake. You miss out. If Gem doesn't get cheesecake, neither do you."

Luna walked to the door and opened it to a waiting Jane, "Thanks Jane." Luna brought over a letter writing set and handed it to Kate, "Apology letters are much better the old fashioned way, decorative paper and ink, not a text or an email. I'll see you at dinner."

"I am sorry."

"I know. It isn't me you need to apologise to." Luna gave Kate a hug and then left her to write her letter.

***

Kate had written the letter and asked Jane to deliver it for her. She had paced gnawing her lip as she realised how much her gifts had suffered in the last few weeks. She had asked Mel if she had heard of this happening before and had been relieved to learn mating or pregnancy, had been known to cause short-term glitches however Mel had not heard of anyone who lost their gifts completely. Until Aaron came to collect her for dinner she had chosen to focus on picking up low level readings on some of her closer friends in the pack hoping the exercise would help get her back on track.

When Aaron arrived he was surprised to find Kate asleep. "Baby do you want to go to dinner or stay sleeping?"

"Have to go, Luna's orders, and besides I want to see Gem. Just give me a couple of minutes to wake up. I may have worn myself out a little trying to get my abilities back on track."

"Did you black out?" Aaron was instantly concerned.

"No it wasn't like that. Controlled stuff isn't like when I have a vision. I get tired if I try too hard or for too long, but it isn't that instant shock and exhaustion of a vision."

"Well take a minute or three because I'm a little early anyway, then tell me what happened between you, Luc and Gem?"

"I really stuck my nose in their business. Aaron I feel bad for the way I did it, but part of me knows he needed to know. Gem is so much more than most of you know. I know you all love her and want to protect her, but as well as that wounded sub you all care about, she's this feisty, strong woman, and Aaron she's so talented. I think she can do about twenty different, I guess you would say crafts, she does cross-stitch to quilting, jewellery making to woodwork, stained glass to ceramics. She knew heaps of this stuff from when she was a kid apparently and then did courses and learned more since. She's been making things and selling them via a website she set up."

"Lucas didn't know? How could he not know? He's hardly ever let her out of his sight since he found her. Yeah he backed off when they got together, and probably relaxed even more once they mated, but how did he not see what she was doing?"

"I think even though he kept an eye on where she was, once she was home or with one of us he never really looked at what she was doing. Most of her work she does at home and I know I went to a class or two with her and I'm sure she's done classes with Lexi and Rose too."

"They're good though right? Luc and Gem aren't fighting because you spilled the beans?"

"No. Thankfully. Aaron it could have all gone to hell and a handbasket. I can't see clearly right now, and yet I purposely left my walls down so Luc saw me and Gem discussing it. He then came and confronted us. Gem then, well with Luna's help, showed him the website."

"So Luna then dealt with you and you've been beating yourself up since?"

"I wouldn't go that far. I hate that I could have really hurt her. Lost her friendship. I could have stuffed up the relationship with her and Lucas. Lucas has been like a big brother to me and he may never have forgiven me. So while feeling guilty and worried was a factor I was also writing Gem an apology. Then I started to work on how messed up I am at the moment. The pack needs my gifts to be working properly if anything happens, but I need them all the time. I didn't even realise how much I rely on the ability to see. To read people the way I do."

"Your wolf even without your enhanced gifts can sense enough to keep you safe Baby."

"I'm not worried about being safe. I don't want to hurt or offend people Aaron. I want to help them."

"You do and I'm sure you will keep doing that. You may have pushed a little too hard this time, but Luc and Gem both know you, and they will understand your heart was in the right place."

"Maybe. Can we swing by the room before dinner so I can change?"

"I wanted to pop by the room too so let's go." He took her hand and they exited the safe house together. "I'm sorry I haven't been around as much. I haven't been slacking off somewhere Katie."

"Of course you haven't. I never thought that. I missed you, and admit I was a little sulky because you're leaving so soon and I was thinking you should have been spending more time with me. But I do know you were busy with Glen and Luc, or getting things ready for leaving, or with Thorn."

"I've also been working on something." Aaron turned Kate towards him as they reached the door to their room. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Close your eyes." Aaron only opened the door after she did as requested. He guided her through and then faced her towards the bed. "Open."

Kate saw the painting and exhaled audibly. "Did Harmony get this done for us before she passed?"

"Harmony didn't paint this one. Do you like it?"

Kate looked at the red haired woman in the green dress sitting in the woods in autumn with the grey wolf leaning against her side, head on her lap. "You did it. Aaron it's beautiful."

"Really?"

"Aaron don't be ridiculous. What is it with you arty types? You and Gem both seem to be the only ones that don't recognise how talented you are. I love your painting. You've painted me far more gorgeous than I am of course. Have you used something on some of my hair to make it shine like that?"

"I was working in Harmony's studio and discovered she had some products I hadn't used before, one made the paint thick enough to give an almost 3D effect but in this painting I used one that gave a gloss effect in small areas. The eyes, some of your hair."

"It is fantastic. Has everyone else seen it?"

"Of course not. Melody saw it when she came to the studio and one of the omega men framed it and helped hang it correctly. Apparently I would have hung it too high."

"So after dinner I guess I'll drag everyone up here to see it."

"You want to bring everyone to our room?"

"I want everyone to see how brilliant you are, your painting should be shown off, and they need to see how beautiful our room looks now it is finished."

"Fine then after dinner we will let them come if they want to."

"Oh Aaron, they will all want to."

***

Thorn stood in Kate and Aaron's room his arm around Luna, "Well it appears we have found the new pack portrait painter. You've been hiding this too long Aaron. We knew you doodled of course but brother this is really good."

"Between Gem and Aaron we may have to open a gallery/store. Maybe we could open it next to the restaurant and get other artistic and crafty pack members involved?" Lucas was already thinking ahead.

"You do remember I'm leaving and going to be too busy to sit around painting regularly?"

"Okay, if you say so, but you will paint the family, right?" Luc pushed.

"Yeah, I can do that when I'm around."

"That's great Aaron. I think you'll find it really rewarding to share your gift and to mark the important moments for your family. Harmony found it a real blessing." Melody gave Aaron a hug. "It's lovely seeing you continuing in her path."

"Thanks Aunty, I'm sure I will." He paused and then said, "Right everyone out, I need time with my mate before I leave or she'll be looking for a replacement."

Everyone laughed and teased both Kate and Aaron as they left apart from Gem who had barely spoken. "Kate can I see you a moment?"

Kate nodding followed Gem down the hall, silently telling Aaron she would be back as soon as possible.

The two women walked in silence until they entered a small study area. "Thank you for your letter. I was hurt and angry, and I'm not sorry for that, but I understand why you wanted the truth out after reading your letter, I just don't agree with your methods. I forgive you because I love you, and know you have a good heart, but Kate if anything like that ever happens again I don't think we will get past it, so please don't ever put us in that position."