Chapter 17
We all walked outside to test Bryce’s theory. “Let’s start with Chase since he was the first to develop more than one gift. But if he does have all five, then we will know we are all bonded to her,” Bryce suggested.
“Okay, let’s see what happens.” Chase stepped forward and a little bit away from everyone. “Well, I know I have Fire, and she kissed Mason next, so let’s try Water.” Bryce was smart enough to bring out a bucket of water before we started, so that’s what Chase was concentrating on. As Chase stared at the water, his eyes glowed their usual blue and the water slowly started to move. He lifted it up into the air and lowered it back down. “She bonded with Mason.” Mason’s face lit up with excitement. “Let’s try Earth next.” Bryce had also brought out the plant I was tested on and handed it to Chase. He concentrated on the plant and it started to grow. “Bryce, you are officially a bonded man.” Chase said while patting him on the back. Bryce looked at me and showed me his dimples again. Would he be upset if I went over there and licked them? Mmmm, I will be trying that at some point.
“Carter, can you call some of your friends up here?” Chase asked. Carter nodded and walked toward the edge of the woods. He looked really nervous, so I walked over to him.
“Carter, are you okay?” I quietly asked so no one else would hear.
“I’m just nervous. I grew up being told that I was a second-class citizen, that Animal Elementals were not real Elementals. I’m just afraid that this will prove them right if no one else is able to connect with them,” Carter said shakily and looked down.
I lifted his head lightly with my hand, “Carter, you are my bonded, no matter what happens. I can feel it deep inside that we are all meant to be together. If they are not men enough to handle all five bonds, then they are missing out. Being an Animal Elemental is by far the best, and if they don’t take to it, then it will be something you and I will share, just the two of us.”
Carter looked at me and smiled a little, “I love you, Bre. You know that, don’t you? No one has ever made me feel so important and special. I would do anything to make you happy and safe. Thank you for, well, for being you.” He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. Heat filled my body, but not in a sexual way. My whole body was filled with love. I was so happy right now that a huge smile spread across my face. I started to speak, but Carter stopped me, “Don’t say anything. I want you to be absolutely positive when you say it back. I don’t want it to be in this highly emotional state. It should be when we are just hanging out and it pops out of your mouth like you have been saying it for years.”
“Okay.”
“Now, let’s see who is around.” “Chip, Rocco, Sebastian, Brutus, anyone nearby? I need your help with something.”
“Hey, Carter! Hey, Bre! What’s up?” Chip replied.
“Hi, Chip! I’ve missed you. I hope you are doing well!” I said.
“I was hoping you could help us out. Do you mind coming up toward the house for a moment?” Carter asks.
“Sure, do you have my favorite treats?” Chip asked.
“Of course. Follow me,” Carter instructed.
The three of us walked toward the house. When we reached the other guys, Carter said, “Guys, this is Chip.” “Chip, these guys are my family. That’s Bryce, Harrison, and Mason. And this is Chase. He is going to try and speak to you like I do, okay?”
“Sure thing, Carter!” Chip said excitedly.
“Okay, Chase, try to connect with Chip. Relax and think the words you want to say to him.
“I feel like an idiot talking to a tiny chipmunk. You couldn’t have gotten the wolf to come?” Chase asked. Carter and I glared at him and he refocused on Chip.
“Fine.” “Hi there, little guy. Eat any nuts today?” Chase said to Chip.
“Hi there, big guy. Are you a nut? What kind of question is that? Carter, this one is defective. I think we need to send it back,” Chip said of Chase.
Carter and I burst out laughing. I was laughing so hard that I had to sit down before I fell down. Tears were running down my face. I looked up at Chase and he looked pissed. “Awe, Chase, did the wittle chipmunk upset you?”
“I can hear you! Bre, we can speak telepathically? This is wonderful!” Chase was so excited that he picked Chip up, spun him around, and then placed him back on the ground.
“Seriously, Carter, this one isn’t all there. I think he is missing a few marbles,” Chip said, causing us to start up again. At that rate, we would never stop laughing.
“I never realized you could talk to each other in your minds,” Chase said to Carter.
“Only when we are in Elemental mode, and you can tell by the glowing eyes. So don’t worry, we haven’t been having private conversations around you guys,” Carter replied.
“Well, that makes all five. Bre is officially bonded to all of us,” Chase said.
I looked to Carter and smiled. “I told you.” He smiled and looked extremely proud.
“We should all test each gift to make sure and then guess what?” Bryce asked.
Groans filled the space and the other four all said in unison, “We need to train!”
I laughed at how well they know each other. As the others try out their new gifts, I stepped back to watch. I felt so blessed to have each of them in my life. All of the craziness in my life up to now had been worth it. I loved each of my guys and would do anything to keep loving them and protecting them. We were a family; maybe not a traditional one, but we were a family and we would fight to keep it together.
Chase walked up to me and lightly shoulder-bumps me. “You look happy.”
“I am. There is nowhere in the world I would rather be and no one I would rather be with. You guys are my family and we will stick together. I’m glad you aren’t bonded to that awful woman.”
“I knew you were the one for me when you drove my car like I do. Oh, and I like the fact that I was your first kiss. What else can I be first in?” Chase wiggled his eyebrows at me.
“Hmm, let me think. There are so many things that I have never done before. Well, actually, I have never done anything with a man before, so the possibilities are endless. What would you like to try first?” Right when he was about to reply, I jumped in, “But then again, you got to be my first kiss. Maybe I should let the others have some firsts, too. I bet Harrison could show me a few things I have never done before and Bryce, I bet he is a little kinky, don’t you think?”
Chase picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. He started walking toward the house and I couldn’t help but laugh at his rare silliness.
“Chase, where are you taking our girl?” Bryce asked.
“Nowhere, just away from you guys!” Chase replied.
“He wants all of my firsts now since he got the first kiss!” I yelled to them.
All four of them ran toward us yelling at Chase.
“No, you don’t!”
“Put her down!”
“Chase!”
“I want a first!”
“You guys are crazy! I’m outta here. Carter, you owe me some treats!” Chip said as he walked back to the woods.
The guys caught up to us in the family room and tackled us on the couch. Everyone was laughing so hard, we could barely breathe. “Well, that killed the mood!” Chase said.
“What, the caveman ‘you woman, me man’ mood?” I asked.
We all started laughing all over again.