8

We decided to postpone the marking for a few days. After speaking with Sylvia my mated and I decided that we needed to lock down a few more details and see what this bracelet business is all about.

Sylvia, the pack seer,  showed up at the Pack Center with the bracelet.

“Luna Alsie, I’d like you to try this one and get a feel for it.” Sylvia said as she handed me the bracelet. “I think it is best if all of you got used to what it will feel like not being able to connect the way you usually do.”

I took the beautiful bracelet from Sylvia, and examined it, turning it repeatedly. It was made of platinum with nine colored stones embedded in it, there were some words engraved on the inside of the bracelet.

-Hoc amuletum eos quos amas tutos servabit-

“This charm will keep those you love safe.” I read the loosly translated latin engraving out loud in English. Sylvia smiled, “I forgot you knew latin.” “Not many know it anymore, it is a lost language. Such a shame so many beautiful languages have gone  extinct. Old Egptian, Eyak, Pentlatch, Tunica, and so many more. It’s sad when a language dies, because a language is much, much more, than just a language. It’s a hertiage, traditions, customs, everything wrapped into words.” I said as I continued to twirl the bracelet in my fingers. 

Sylvia nodded and patted my shoulder, “I know it’s just my opnion, and it’s not worth much, but I’d like to have a few trial runs with you and your mates while you wear this bracelet.” 

I looked at Sylvia, tilted my head to the side a little. “I don’t know why you think so little of your opnion. As of lately your opnion and visions have been the guide, guiding all of us along this path. Please don’t short-change yourself, Sylvia. You are a blessing and an important peice in this pack.” 

“Thank you, Luna. You are too kind.” 

“Please sit, Sylvia. I’ll mind-link the Alphas and we will try this bracelet out.” I said as I patted Sylvia on the shoulder.

 [Alphas, please come to the Pack Center. I have the bracelet.] In a matter of minutes all eight of my mates were making their way into the conference room. 

“You got it?” Osiris asks, nervousness radiating off of him in waves. 

“Yes.” I show Osiris the bracelet.  

Once everyone was seated and comfortable, Sylvia stood up and addressed us all. “This bracelet is going to keep all of you safe while you are infiltrating the Palace and rounding up the Elders. I will warn you now, it’s going to be hard on all of you emtionally. Especially you, Alsie. Once you put this bracelet on NONE of your mates will be able to feel you through your bond, but you will still be able to feel EVERYTHING. I asked Alsie to call all of you here this afternoon so we could take a few trial runs with the bracelet. Alsie is going to put it on and all of you will feel what it feels like to not be connected to her. Please follow my instructions during these trials. If you’re ready, we will begin.” 

I look between Sylvia and all of my mates. I take a deep breath. “Ready, Sylvia.” 

“Ok. Luna, please slide the bracelet on.” I slowly slide the bracelet on and immediately I feel an overwhelming sense of panic. The pressure of the panic hits me from all sides, pushing down on my chest.  

“Take off the bracelet.” Sylvia commands. I do as she says and I am immediately hit with wave after wave of relief. 

“NO! I can’t do that! NO. FUCKING. WAY.” Dante says as he grabs his chest. 

I was ready to end this whole bracelet thing too. Feeling the panic, fear and despair from my mates was not ok.

“I agree, that was hard. But we need to continue this bracelet may save your lives.” 

“I don’t like it, Sweetness. I don’t like not being able to feel you. I know I’m not one of us that’s going to the Palace but still that freaked me out. It felt like huge void in my chest.” 

“I’m sure it did Evander.”

“What did you feel?” Osiris asked, rubbing small circles over his chest. 

“I felt all of your panic. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.” I answered. 

“This is why we need to do this in small doses. All of you have to get used to not being able to feel our Luna, and you have to control your panic and fear. Luna, can still feel everything you feel through the bond.” Sylvia reminds all of us in the room. 

“Let’s try it again, this time I want you to keep the bracelet on for two minutes. Alphas I want you to look at your Luna, make eye contact, breath and calm yourselves. Whenever you’re ready Luna, please slide the bracelet back on.” 

I took a few cleansing breaths and slid the bracelet back onto my wrist. I made sure to keep my eyes up, and stay focused on all of my mates. This time was a little easier, less panic and fear. 

“Ok, two minutes is up, Luna. Please remove the bracelet.”  I did as Sylvia instructed and a collective sigh of relief spread aound the room. The bond going crazy reconnecting all of us. 

We did this throughout the day increasing the time I wore the bracelet. After doing the excerise a few ore times in the Pack Center, Sylvia had us do it outside away from each other and at longer intervals. We continued this until dinner time.  

When we finished the final lesson for the day, all of us met Sylvia pack at the Pack Center. “Thank you, Sylvia. I feel much better about this bracelet idea after today.”  

“You don’t have to thank me, Luna. It wouldn’t have been fair to give it to you and let all of you eperience it’s power blindfolded, so to speak.” 

Declan shook his head, “This whole thing is crazy. I can’t believe the Elders tried to kill me and now I have to put you in an emotional cyclone so Dante and Osiris can take back my kingdom.” 

“This isn’t on you Dec. It’s on them. You can’t blame yourself for their actions. You came here to do what is right for the Royal Kingdom. They just don’t want to lose their power or their position.” Reilly said as he hugged me tight, kissing the top of my head. 

“Can we go home? I want to snuggle our boys, eat and get reaquainted with all of you. Whatever we want to call this today, it has me feeling raw on the inside and the bond is stretched tight in my chest.”  

Benji picked me up and slung me over his shoulder like a sack of potaotes. “Sounds wonderful to me!” Benji started running with me still over his shoulder to our house. 

I lifted me head and watched as six of my mates shifted mid-air and started heading for home. Benji put me down and we shifted, taking off for home.

Of course Kane beat us all. Vampire speed.

We shifted back to our human forms, went inside and grabbed some clothes, came back to the kitchen and feasted on a pot roast dinner with all the trimmings. We took turns in the shower, fed, changed, and played with our sons. Once the boys were asleep, the nine of us agreed on a movie...before the opening scene finsihed I was crawling in Declan lap.