Sky

It had been a rough night as I anticipated the journey ahead. I woke up alone in the bed hearing my mates talking downstairs. After my attempted breeding fiasco we decided to take a small break from oral right now. Otherwise I may trigger one of their ruts. Chase nearly cracked yesterday. I sat up and curled my legs into my chest. Looking around my bedroom. It felt sentimental to be leaving. I knew the day would come but I guess in my mind I didn’t think it would be to a place so far. I also always envisioned my father, or pack father I suppose to have sent me off. I had been trying to avoid thinking about him. It…..wasn’t easy knowing he died. His room still closed across the hall.

I crawled out of the bed and walked across the cold floor. Something I’d be doing for the last time. At least for a long time that is. The house was mine now. When he died I assumed ownership of the property. One day…..maybe I could gift it to my own child and his pack. I opened his door, his room still looked the same. While it had clearly been cleaned it was obviously taken care of by someone who knew him while I slept in the hospital.

I stared at the space, his large bed. The pictures of him and his pack with my Beta dad. I was never told the story of what happened to his single pack brother. He seemed emotional at the subject the few times I ever brought it up.

I picked up the photo seeing Cole, Thomas, and the unnamed man. They looked freshly 18, a young pack like my own now. Wide smiles on their faces. Their hands not very well hidden grabbing Thomas’s ass. I sat on the bed and studied the photo for a bit.

“Miss you.” I sighed softly.

I heard footsteps walking up the stairs and sudden confusion turned to panic immediately, I heard my name shouted. I sighed softly just…..wanting my moment.

“Yeah?” I called out.

The door opened a messy head of blonde poked in sighing immediately. “Oh there you are.” He said relived.

I smiled softly. “What’s up?”

“Did you find him!?” I heard Marky yell. My other mates still panicked slightly.

“Yeah he’s up here! Hey we’re gonna be heading out soon. If there’s anything you want to take now’s the time to pack it.” He said softly.

I nodded and looked down at the picture. He pouted and walked in. “We can feel your sad. Do you wanna talk about it?”

I stared down at the picture. “I just…..always imagined in my mind he’d be here to send me off. Just hard to think about today. It was always coming but….i don’t know. Lots of things i wished I’d said, lots of things i wished I’d done differently. Don’t think I’ve really let myself greave properly yet.” I said wiping the tears in my eyes.

He sat next to me and nuzzled my cheek. I laughed annoyed at myself. “Sorry I’m fucking crying again.”

He whined softly and kissed my cheek. Wrapping his arms around me desperately trying to comfort me. It truly did help. It just didn’t make it easier.

I heard more footsteps walking up the stairs. “Hey we feel he’s sad is everything okay?” Dylan asked.

Soon all four were around me. “Oh great hah now everyone can watch the emotional wreck continue from yesterday.” I said even more annoyed at myself.

They whined loudly and menovered around to hold me together. Nuzzling me softly.

“Don’t ever be sorry for crying. You’re our mate, cry as much as you need lovey. I will say **** is natural and it’s not the end either.” He said quietly.

I nodded, that did help a lot actually. “He used to have a saying. One that at the time I shrugged off whenever the topic of **** and dying came up. Said “your **** doesn’t happen to you. It happens to your family and friends.” I thought that was silly you know? It’s your **** what do you mean it doesn’t happen to you? I get it now though, knowing there’s an after life. He’s probably in those domains you guys talk about perfectly happy and content. Meanwhile I feel sad thinking about him down here.” I chuckled wiping my eyes.

I sat for several moments as the tried to comfort me. I knew I’d be okay. I wished I had just given him a proper burial at least. Not have left his body buried in the mountains up in the snow. The idea sending waves of guilt and sorrow inside me.

“Oh fuck…..can you guys just give me a moment? I’ll pack up and finish up here.” I asked.

They whined loudly but listened. Kissing my cheeks and walked out. I could sense their sadness now mingling in my chest with mine. I took a deep breath and stood. Taking the photo with me. I looked back at his old room.

“Love you dad. I’ll make sure I tell Thomas you did a fantastic job too when the time comes.” I sobbed silently.

I packed by backpack full of clothes that my dad had given me. The picture of Thomas, the pack photo from my dad’s room, a picture of me and him, my picture with my mates. The book just in case, my sketchbooks and pencils. I strapped my father’s sword to my hip and slung the bow on my back. Dressed in a black tee shirt, black jeans, and black boots. Everything else didn’t matter anymore.

I walked downstairs greeted by a few whistles. “Damn aren’t you sexy!” Kolby growled excitedly. Walking up and squeezing my ass through the jeans.

“He looks just like Atlas.” Dylan chuckled.

“I’m sure he’d be happy to hear that.” I smiled.

“Nahh you don’t look like Atlas. You look so fucking hot!” Kolby growled again.

“Huh so all black does it for you?” I asked him kissing his upper abs.

He grinned. “I guess so!”

“I gotta admit Kolby’s right. There’s something about your features in black that is getting my cock going.” Marky stated.

“I mean duh dumbasses. He’s the son of the god of night. Black and blues are his colors.” Chase stated.

“Anyway…..we should head out. Although I am worried about this house now that I’m leaving.” I stated.

“Oh don’t be, Dylan went to the military office this morning and announced we’re leaving with you. Some friends of your dad agreed to watch over the house and property. We also alerted them that you wished that he was buried properly. So those same friends are heading to the mountain to find his grave and bring him back for proper burial next to his pack.” Kolby said softly.

I looked at them stunned. My eyes already burning again. “R-really?”

They smiled warmly. “Yes really. We sent him back after you told us. It’s all been taken care of.” Marky came over and stated hugging me.

I sobbed into my arm throwing myself into his abdomen. “Thank you!” I cried softly.

“Anything for you.” He said holding me.

We spent the next several minutes going over the plan or rather they did. My instructions were simply hang on tight and don’t let go. Our thought a broken by knocks on the front door.

My mates growled lowly. Kolby walked forward and opened it seeing nothing but a black box. He sniffed the air. “Well Dean seems your daddy came by and vanished.” He stated.

He picked up the box and walked in. Setting it on the table.

“Why would he leave without saying anything?” Dylan asked.

“My best guess…probably scared to face Dean as his dad.” Chase sighed.

I was confused. Why would he be scared of me? The idea making me annoyed.

“Love….he’s expecting you to hate him. He’s told us before and he’s terrified if you do. I think he probably just…..didn’t wanna face it yet. How you feel about him is your business but we know that’s the single thing in this world he’s afraid of right now. That and your safety in general.” Kolby said softly.

That made me pause, while I had questions for him……I don’t hate him. That could change depending on his answers but right now, I don’t. My mates opened the box seeing harnesses and rings. Dylan pulled out a note and read it aloud.

“For my sons mates, these harnesses will not only strap him to your back but also allow you four freedom to fly properly. These rings are my gift to you men. You’ve proven yourselves time and time again as being worthy of him. I’m so proud of the men you have become. These rings give you access to weapons of my own creation. Swords, spears, bows, and axes. Bring my son home safely. That is your mission personally from me to you four.

Dean Somber, there’s so much I have to tell you. Above all I just wish you to know how much I love you and cherish you. I’m sorry that I can’t face you yet. I truly fear if I do I’ll see the look of disgust and disappointment in your eyes towards me. I know that’s what I feel towards myself since sending you to live with Cole. I have watched you closely always from afar and I cherish the memory of that day I spent with you buying supplies for your art. I think about that often. I know they told you that was me. I love you, I cherish you, I think about you every moment. - Your father Atlas Somber” he finished.

I didn’t know how to feel. My mates were quiet for a few moments digesting what he said. “Damn only blue can make Atlas so emotional. He’s usually so stone cold and emotionless.” Chase said softly.

“He’s definitely a good dad. Especially compared to ours.” Kolby sighed.

“He’s the Alpha father to a Beta child, if blue here was an Alpha I wonder how he’d be?” Marky asked in thought.

“He’s still be loving. Maybe not as attached but he said before if he was an Alpha he’d still cherish him.” Dylan stated factually.

“Let’s just look at these harnesses.” Chase sighed.

They pulled out black leather straps. I watched as they put them on. It was a simple harness pretty much. It wrapped over their shoulders and had a strap that moved under their pecks. On the back the strap continued in a circle where in the center of their spine it moved up and attached to another circle that wrapped around their neck. A large handle bar attached to both rings. I let out a whistle.

“Damn that’s kinda kinky looking.” I chuckled.

They grinned liking my comment. I watched as they unfurled their wings, Kolby’s were bright orange and yellow with a slight flame coming off the ends. Dylan’s were white with sparks that occasionally popped somewhere in the feathers, Marky’s were bulky and brown, and Chases were green and almost looked like leaves in the right lighting.

“Okay so they pop out and Dean hold on the strap by the spine while laying on our back. That’s actually much better since we were gonna hold you in our arms.” Kolby stated.

They reached in the box and pulled out rings. Each putting them on their ring fingers. I waited to see what they did. They simply carried on. “Are you guys gonna test the rings?” I asked curiously.

They looked at me and the each other. “Nah we’ve tried summoning jewelry before. We know exactly what weapons he’s talking about. They’re from his personal armory. He’s just made us our own versions. Here let me show you.” Marky said.

I watched as a large black metal sword appeared in his hand from thin air. It had a bright blue gem at the end of the hilt. A beautiful sheen of blue, white, green, and purple glittering off the black edges in a sheen of light.

“Wait……this is the comet stone he was toying with….not moon stone?” Dylan asked curiously.

All my mates summoned theirs finding them all exactly the same. Marky let out a soft chuckle. “Our Beta is the price of the Aurora and Comet.”

“How can you tell the difference?” I asked curiously.

Dylan held it up closer to me. “The black material is a comet that your father bent into shape. We know because he showed us it once. It was a hard lump that resembled coal at the time. That was roughly a year ago now. This enchantment on them is something I’ve never seen before though.” He said awed staring down the blade.

“Test it on a tree?” I offered.

We stepped outside towards the tree line. Marky walked towards the tree and with a simple slash he cut the tree in half. Sending it toppling down on its side with a crash.

“How much power did you put behind the swing?” Chase asked.

“None.” He stated.

My mates stared down at the swords awed. “He spared no expense!” Kolby said laughing.

“We are his sons mates, and the fathers of his future grandkids.” Chase chuckled.

I spent the next several minutes watching them hack and slash different things around the property, trees, grass, old boxes. Even the ground. They were like kids with a new toy. They summoned the spears, the axes, the bows. All had the same black hue with the sheen of color. It was nice hearing them laugh and play for a bit. Soon they remembered it was time to go.

“Okay, we got everything ready?” Kolby asked.

“Yup aye blue you got what you wanted to take right?” Dylan asked.

I nodded gripping the straps to my backpack. The water bottle slushed loudly in the side. “Yeah everything I can carry at least.”

Alright, seeing as now there’s a harness on all of us you can pick you wanna ride!” Kolby said winking and smirking wildly. The double meaning very obvious on his words.

I laughed. “Oh no that’s a trap if I choose someone will feel I’m choosing a favorite. I’ve already explained to Chase how that works so he can fill you all in while you four choose.” I stated sitting down on the porch.

They all looked at Chase raising an eyebrow, he simply laughed. “He sees us a flavor. He goes with whatever flavor he’s in the mood for.”

They nodded while Kolby looked confused for a second. “Like ice cream?” He asked in thought.

They all sighed at him. He perked up and looked at me. “Hey can I be butter pecan? That’s my favorite flavor!” He stated.

I laughed at his comment till my sides hurt. “Did Aelius drop you on your fucking head as a kid?” Dylan growled.

“Hey!………Yeah dad I was a jumper as a toddler…..” he mumbled in thought. Making me laugh again.

“You guys know he does it too cause it makes little dove laugh right?” Chase asked the other two.

Kolby smirked at them while Dylan and Marky sighed. “Yeah we know, we know he’s also stupid too.” Marky grumbled. I felt their annoyance was mingled softly with insecurity and jealousy. It was interesting the small things that could set them off.

“Hey you guys say stupid but the one person who opinion matters here is laughing at what I’m saying so I think that makes me a genius.” He said winking at me making my heart flutter slightly. I sensed the other three feeling more jealousy exploding on their chest.

“So how we doing this? Do we even need to pick I thought we agreed that I’d be carrying him while you guys guarded.” Marky stated glaring.

The three looked at him and smirked. “We agreed to that cause you can carry the most. While he’s as light as a feather it played into our anxiety that you should. However if he’s on our back with a harness now we should deliberate.” Dylan stated.

Kolby who looked suddenly very serious crossed his arms over his chest. “We wanna carry him too. The harness does in fact change things.”

“Oooh look at you suddenly. There’s the firecracker we’re used too on the field. Done playing dumb blonde?” Dylan asked with a sneer.

Kolby growled and bared his fangs. “How about this dumb blonde punch you into paste sparky!” He spat.

“Refuckinglax you two!” Chase stated to them.

“STAY OF THIS SNAGLEFANG!” They yelled in unison.

“Oh I was wondering how long it would take you two to return to normal…” Chase growled.

Kolby and Dylan got into each others faces. Baring their fangs at each other. Kolby’s skin began to smoke as red cracks formed on his skin revealing pools of embers that began to spread from them on his skin. Dylan’s body began to spark wildly, large arcs of electricity moved between his arms and legs. They stared down one another as both refused to back down to one another. The dislike of each other was evident on their emotions.

I stared unsure what to do or say. Was it dangerous for me to get in the middle? Would they get hostile themselves? I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’d never seen any of them get this way towards each other yet. What was the usual quips was now a full blown anger. Anger that was rising rapidly.

“ENOUGH! Enough……your beta is watching you two!” Marky stated firmly to them.

Kolby and Dylan looked at me. I felt the anger dissipate as they saw my stunned worried expression. Soon replaced by guilt and shame. They stepped back from one another. Chase and Marky placing themselves between them.

“Sorry.” They said in unison once again. Staring down at the ground now.

“That’s normal….especially for these two.” Chase said with a sigh.

I nodded slowly. “That’s not very good. Try to remember what I said about leaning on each other.” I stated quietly.

They all nodded. “Back to the subject…..I’ll just….take one for the team. I vote Marky to carry Dean. I had him all day yesterday so seems fair right? Kolby or Dylan can take him tomorrow and whoever isn’t on tomorrow can take him the next day. The last day he’ll be mine when we make it to the capital.” Chase stated sighing.

I could feel he wasn’t happy with this but he also just wanted the fighting to stop. Marky nodded appreciatively at him while Kolby and Dylan felt disappointed. I mouthed a silent thank you to him and winked. He perked up with that, smiling wildly. With that we grabbed everything and I locked the door. Setting a spare key under an empty pot on the porch. Kolby and Chase expanded their wings and with a flutter dashed up into the sky, becoming dots in moments.

“Alright Dean, I’ll kneel and you climb up.” Marky said.

He kneeled down. Dylan helped hoist me up and I grabbed the harness handles. I felt something wrap around me slightly. Realizing now for the first time there were extended straps that came out at his sides that clicked into each other. Dylan tied it around my waist securely and felt him kiss my shoulder.

“I’ll be watching from behind you. Sorry again about earlier, I love you.” He said softly.

I smiled and leaned down kissing his lips gently. “I love you too.”

He hugged me for a moment before Marky cleared his throat. Annoyance radiating from him in waves. “We gotta catch up.” He stated.

Dylan nodded and released me with a soft peck on my cheek. With that I grabbed the handle and placed my head on Marky’s shoulder. “I love you too marble man.” I purred.

He smirked. “That’s better than dirt boy.” He chuckled.

I kissed his cheek giving him some much needed attention, reminding myself all four needed to be shown love and affection as much as possible. I kept kissing his cheek, neck, and shoulder. I felt his wings extend and suddenly with a loud whoosh of air. We lifted off the ground. I watched as the world grew smaller in a matter of moments. Soon we were soaring over the wall in mere seconds.

“Whoah!” I said awed.

He chuckled and flapped his wings harder. We shot through the sky. He continued up until we reached the clouds and I felt the water in the air land on my skin.

“This is badass!” I laughed.

He chuckled nuzzling his cheek against mine. I gripped the harness tightly as we flew. Suddenly a grey mass was next to us and Dylan did a circle around us laughing.

I watched the trees and mountains below. Seeing rivers and mountains I’d never seen before. This was the furthest I’d ever gone from Manya that my memory could recall.

I stared ahead feeling Marky’s curls against me flying in the wind. Sun beating down on us like a warm blanket. I knew this was the start of a journey that I almost didn’t want to ever end.