Karis
Chapter 29
I wasn’t sure what had come over me. I couldn’t get enough of Damon, and each time became even more difficult not to seal our bond.
We made love on the floor of the plane three times before turbulence set in and the pilot asked us to take our seats and buckle up for the remainder of the flight. Even then I struggled to keep my hands off him.
It certainly made for a more pleasant flight. When we got the signal that it was okay to move about the cabin again, Damon fixed us lunch. We sat on the floor picnic style and ate, keeping our hands to ourselves and talking for the duration of the trip. I was already a little sore from the frenzy we’d been in for the first half of the flight, not that I’d ever complain about that.
“Are you nervous?” I asked him. I loved that we could talk about absolutely anything.
“Yeah, I am. I mean, meeting your family is a huge enough step, but meeting them knowing the expectations at stake is a little intimidating,” he said honestly.
“They’re going to love you,” I told him.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I love you. Because you make me happy and that’s all they’ve ever really wanted for me.”
The pilot called us back to our seats, so we cleaned up and prepared for landing. The flight didn’t feel nearly as long as it was. I guess that happens when you have something so yummy to distract you.
The landing was a little scary. I held on to Damon’s hand for dear life. He tried to calm me by cracking jokes and offering to distract me again, but fear had already set in and I didn’t relax again until we were safely on the ground.
“I do not like landings,” I announced.
Damon laughed at me. “I always thought takeoffs were the worst part.”
As we thanked our pilots and exited the plane, Oma and Upa were there to greet us. Oma waved, looking emotional. Damon didn’t release my hand until we reached them and I threw my arms around Oma.
“I missed you,” I said, meaning every word.
Upa and Damon nodded at each other. When my greeting with Oma ended, I stepped back and proudly smiled up at my mate. “Oma, Upa, this is Damon Rossi, my mate.”
If I didn’t know better I would have sworn Damon blushed. Not that he’d ever admit it if he had. Upa shook hands with him and Oma hugged him, welcoming him to our territory. Our bags were loaded into the truck and we were off.
It was only a short drive to the house from the airstrip. Everything we saw along the way excited me like a little girl set loose in a candy store. I missed the trees and the light dusting of snow on the ground. I knew the northern lights would magically dance across the sky when the sun fell. I loved everything about my home, and being away had only made me appreciate it even more.
“It’s beautiful,” Damon said as we drove along. “I’ve never seen a place like this. It’s so different from the dusty landscape of Texas, or even at the ARC.”
I rested my head on his shoulder, wishing I could see it through his eyes.
“I made stew for lunch,” Oma said as we arrived at the house. “I hope that is okay, Damon. It is one of Karis’s favorite recipes.”
He smiled. “Can’t wait to try it, Mrs. Begay.”
“Please, call me Amka, or Oma.”
I knew that was a good sign. Oma always had a sixth sense about people, and she wouldn’t have extended him such an honor if she hadn’t felt the goodness within him.
Upa took our bags out of the truck. Damon immediately moved to assist. Upa tried to wave him off, but Damon insisted. I followed them into the house and down the hall towards my room. We hadn’t discussed sleeping arrangements. I assumed they would put him up in the guestroom, but Upa didn’t hesitate as he dropped all the bags off in my room.
I quirked an eyebrow as he passed on his way out.
“Are you sure you’re okay with him staying in my room?” I asked.
“He is your mate, is he not?”
“He definitely is,” I assured him.
Upa smiled at me. “I was young and mating once too, Karis. How long have you been together now?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, going on two months I guess.”
“And do you not feel the bonding call? It should be getting harder to resist with each day. It is in our nature to seek our mate, child. Why have you put off sealing your bond if you are so certain?”
Damon walked up behind me and rubbed his hands down my arms.
“Out of respect to you and the Pack we thought it was best to wait,” he said.
Upa looked carefully at my mate and nodded. “Karis tells me you’ve been struggling with your wolf since your Alpha powers surfaced, but I do not feel your struggle.”
“I’ve been working on it. Kyle Westin tested me, and he suggested some exercises to better connect with my wolf. They seem to be working.”
We walked into the kitchen and took a seat as Oma served steaming bowls of stew. I scooped a spoonful and blew to cool it, then closed my eyes, savoring the flavors of home. When I opened my eyes, Damon was grinning at me. There was also a twinkle of entertainment in Upa’s eyes.
“I’m glad to hear Kyle has been mentoring you. It can only help. Karis mentioned it, so I have spoken with Kyle about you, Damon. He was greatly impressed with the control you showed over your wolf. How is that possible? Karis made it sound like you were struggling with that.”
Damon nodded. “It’s true. I was struggling to control my wolf. I know the triggers though and we’re doing better.”
“Interesting. What do you think your triggers are?” Upa asked Damon.
“Your granddaughter,” he said honestly. “My wolf does not tolerate her scent on other males. I can’t even imagine how he’d react if she were threatened in any way.”
I could feel Damon’s wolf getting aggressive just from the thought. I reached over and placed my hand on his arm and he immediately calmed. Upa eyed my actions with open curiosity.
“She brings peace to your wolf,” he observed.
Damon nodded and reached for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “She does.”
“I am sure this will not come as positive news for you, but I am glad you have not sealed your bond.”
“Upa?” I asked, trying not to get upset.
“Child, hear me out first. Damon, when you seal the bond with my granddaughter you become a target. You will officially become my heir and the future Alpha. As long as you are just mating, no one can challenge you. Your powers are new. It is wise to wait as you develop them. It will only benefit you in the long run. Make no mistakes, Damon. You will be challenged. This is a coveted role that must have a Begay wolf in leadership. It is the utmost importance.”
“That’s something I don’t understand. I’m not a Begay wolf,” Damon reminded him.
“No, but I am and together we will lead our people,” I explained.
“And your pups will someday carry on the Begay lineage,” Oma added, making me blush. I did not think my sex life or ability to carry Damon’s pups was appropriate lunch conversation.
After lunch I offered to help with dishes, but Oma shooed me out of the kitchen. I wasn’t going to complain. I wanted to go for a walk and show Damon around.
We left the house and I hooked my arm through his as we walked arm-in-arm. I first headed for North Street, the main road through town. Several people stopped and said hello. I introduced them all to Damon. It was clear they were expecting him. I wouldn’t have put it past Upa to have held a Pack meeting just to discuss my mating.
“Everyone seems really nice here,” Damon observed. “Is that normal?”
I laughed. “Mostly. They’re on their best behavior. We don’t get a lot of new people around here, so they are all curious about you.”
“Tulok didn’t make an announcement?”
“I doubt it. He likely won’t before we seal our bond. However, I’m certain he would have told the elders, so rumors have probably already started. You’re kind of a big deal around here, even to those who don’t know exactly why yet.”
He hugged me and dropped his head to give me a quick kiss. “I’m not the big deal, amore. You are.”
I laughed. “Trust me, it’s you, not me.”