They held their hands up high, and Myrtle closed her eyes. Sonny’s mind centered on the ring of amber on the altar. Shield of protection and the healer of that which is broken.
“On this day of longest light, we call forth the protection of the Goddess to see us through the waning time of darkness and introspection. Shield us from harm in the body, mind, and soul. Shield us from past cares and worries so that we might better shine for our Goddess.” Myrtle opened her eyes. “Today, under the light of Litha, we call blessings of protection to all around us. We bless each of you by the earth, air, water, and fire that form the goddess.”
As Myrtle’s last word hung in the air, a soft yellow light surrounded her. Tendrils spread to Sonny and Leo, then to the others gathered around them. Sonny heard the gasps and excited chattering, but his focus was on the warmth filling him. Peace settled into him, and he felt tears prick his eyes. Thank you, Goddess.
Leo squeezed his hand and Sonny turned to him.
“Is this normal?” Leo whispered.
“Nope.” Sonny grinned. “I think it’s because Myrtle has Hester and Blackwood lending her strength. Now shut up and enjoy the blessing.”
“Yes, dear.” Leo kissed the back of his hand, then closed his eyes and smiled, soaking in the warmth from the light.
Several moments later, the warmth and the light faded, but the peace stayed inside him.
Myrtle opened her eyes and lowered their joined hands. “The Goddess is kind to gift us such a blessing.” She let out a deep breath. “Okay, let’s see what Sonny and his cat-bear have growing, huh? Then I want a look at Katie here.”
The people around them cheered, and Sonny rolled his eyes. “Toss your runes, old woman.”
Myrtle chuckled and held her rune bag to her lips. “First, the past guides us.”
She closed her eyes and whispered an incantation. After a moment, she tossed the runes from the bag, watching them as they fell within the amber circle.
She considered them for a moment, then looked up. “The past has given you both strength of heart, though in different ways. Leo, your childhood has blessed you with an understanding of individual freedom and responsibility. Your children will benefit from your steadfast and hardworking nature.” She smiled softly at Sonny. “Your childhood blessed you with an understanding of unconditional love. Your children will benefit from your generosity and purity.”
Sonny blinked. “Purity? Me?”
Myrtle narrowed her eyes. “Don’t question the Goddess, boy-o.”
She gathered her runes and gently shook her bag before holding it to her lips again. Sonny fought a smile. He always thought she looked like she was tossing dice in Vegas when she did a scrying with her runes.
“The present molds us.” The runes fell again and Myrtle looked them over. “You two are scared. You’re in a place our ancestors have been for ages. New parents want the best for their child and fear taking the wrong step.” She grinned. “You two aren’t alone. Look around you.”
Sonny squeezed Leo’s hand and did as he was told.
Rosemarie gave him a rueful look. She completely got what Leo and he were filling, that was clear enough. Each of the others gathered around the altar felt the same fear he did.
Sonny let out a small breath and looked around the gathered crowd.
Leo’s parents watched them with tears in their eyes. Aaron grinned and waved one of Wendy’s little rabbit paws at him. Janine and Ronald watched him, eyes full of love. Everyone gathered around them was there to support them.
He met Leo’s gaze, and they grinned at one another. Sonny suspected he may look as stupidly relieved as his mate did. “We can do this,” he said.
Leo’s grin widened. “Yeah. We have reinforcements.”
“We’re going to have a baby,” Sonny whispered, letting it finally sink in. The pregnancy symptoms he had been feeling reminded him daily of his condition, especially at three in the fucking morning, but it was only now settling into him that it would all end with a tiny little being to hold and love.
“We are,” Leo whispered back, eyes full of love. “Damn, I love you, sunshine.”
“Love you too, honey bear.”
“Keep your pants on, you two,” Myrtle said and gathered the runes. “There’s one more toss of the runes to see.” She pressed the bag to her lips. “The future reveals our fate.”
The runes fell into the amber circle, and Myrtle stared at them for several moments, eyes wide. Blackwood frowned and leaned over, eyes on the runes. Hester did the same and began chuckling.
“What?” Janine asked from the edge of the crowd. “What do you see about the baby?”
“You used a lot of fertility magic, didn’t you?” Blackwood asked with a grin.
Sonny narrowed his eyes. “Don’t judge me. I wanted a baby.”
“You’ll have three,” Hester said, chuckling.
Sonny felt the blood drain from his face and leaned into Leo’s side.
“Like, over the next ten years?” Leo asked, brow furrowed in confusion.
“Like, in about eight months,” Hester said dryly. “Triplets, cat-bear.”
“Oh, fuck,” Leo whispered and hugged Sonny. “Oh, fuck.”
“I don’t know what dickwad thought he saw,” Myrtle said quietly, “but I see two bear shifters and a little witch with a bear cub familiar.”
Sonny gasped, the panic unfurling in his gut suddenly lessoning. He could see them clear as day in his heart’s eye. “Rowan, Juniper, and Ash.”
Leo’s laugh was full of joy. “I see them, Sonny. Juniper has your eyes and chin. Rowan looks a lot like Burkhart and me, and Ash looks like Mom.”
Sonny and Leo sat in a daze as Myrtle did the scryings for the others gathered at the altar. He They focused enough to cheer when Myrtle revealed that Rosemarie and Kate would have healthy twin brown bear shifters, but that was about it.
Sonny leaned against his mate and watched their future unfold as the scrying mists lingered in his mind. He could see their little ones running through a meadow with their cousins, Juniper’s bear cub running clumsily beside them.
It was a damn good life, but… “Shit, we’re going to need a nanny.”
Chapter 6
One Year Later
Leo yawned, eyes barely staying open as he sat against one of the large oak trees in what had officially become the Litha clearing at his grandparents’ farm. A large bonfire roared at the center and their family and friends gathered around, eating and laughing.
Thorwald and Burkhardt were leading the dancing, both in their bear forms of course. Jesse and Ronald were at the grill, doing their best to keep the chicken and steak platters full while Katrin, Neils, and Devon refilled bowls of vegetables and fruit dishes. Rosemarie and Kate were cuddled together a few trees over with their little ones, Samantha and Joy.
He looked around, but couldn’t find Coleen. He growled then looked for Philip, but didn’t see his friend either. Lately, he’d grown a bit suspicious of the way the lion shifter was watching Coleen. In high school, Philip had always had a crush on Leo’s big sister, but had never tried anything.