Chapter 1
Hanging the phone back on its cradle, a long night was in front of Keegan. He had forgotten that his sister and future brother-in-law were doing a complete traditional wedding with all the things with it, including the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Grimly thinking tonight was going to be hell, he donned the appropriate apparel for tonight’s festivities. He loved his sister dearly and even slightly enjoyed the company of her mate. He was just not much for meeting people for reasons other than food or business. His family always thought it weird that even though he didn’t care to be around many others his most lucrative business was the bar he started. People outside of his family just didn’t fit well around him for some reason. He always seemed too serious for others and didn’t understand a lot of what they were saying. But he would go for his sister’s sake. He looked at the address on the invitation. Dreading it all he headed out the door to a place called, Midnight Vixens.
After arriving the owner of the establishment led Keegan to a couple small tables pushed together in the back. The place was crowded for a Tuesday night. He had hoped since it was a mid-week work night for humans that they wouldn’t be so surrounded. He looked at Hanson, Roderick, and his sister’s mate, Chris, sitting back in their chairs trying to not feel too crowded in small area reserved for them. Laughing inside because they were all big, tall men.
“Where did my sister find this place Chris? I couldn’t believe my eyes when I pulled up outside. I thought for sure she’d at least pick one of the bigger name places for your... What did she call this again? A stag’s night?” Raising his eyebrow with a smirk Keegan took the last chair available.
“She’s been listening to your male customers whisper about it for weeks. She said that the looks on their faces were so dreamy while thinking of this place that she hoped even you would enjoy it.” Chris was full of humor tonight.
“Isn’t she worried you’d enjoy it too much, Chris?” Roderick chimed in.
“We’re mates Roderick. We may be wanting to experience the new human traditions for some fun, but Terry knows that nothing and no one can ever make me as complete as her. She’s not like some of those she wolves out there to be jealous for no reason.” Chris leaned back with a happy and contented face.
Keegan was happy that his sister had found this wolf. What Chris said was true his sister did trust in the mate bond. He was surprised at first that his younger sister found her mate before him. But she claimed it was just because I never leave my office. Dealing with pack concerns and handling all the bar’s business took up a lot of his time. Teresa understood but didn’t like that my job was just never complete and the little time I did take I’d much rather spend alone and quiet. Just then a cute little waitress sauntered up to their tables. She was smiling, but you can tell that for one so young that she had been there and done that.
“How y’all doing tonight, gentleman? Can I get anyone anything to drink before our next beauty hits the stage?”
Hanson leaned forward putting on the charm. “Thank you beautiful. We’re here tonight to celebrate this man.” Slinging his arm around Chris. “Can you start us off with four bottles of domestic, whatever you recommend is fine. Plus, four double shots of your top shelf whiskey to toast with, please.”
“Sure thing. Be one sec as I hand your order to Helen behind the bar. My name is Chesley if you need anything else through the night.” Leaving us with a wink she turned and headed towards the older lady behind the bar.
Keegan watched as Helen filled the order with a quickness while maintaining her flow and conversations of those around her bar. She held herself with respect and laughed with those around her. When she laughed you could see she was a real beauty. From the outside Keegan hadn’t expected much from the inside, but so far was impressed with the people employed here. The music was loud and a little much for him, but after running a bar too for so long his sensitive hearing was pretty used to it.
Chesley returned with our drinks. “I started a tab for your table with Helen. It’s under the name Bachelor Boys.” Just then lights turned down more and the music changed to something instrumental that had Keegan turning his head towards the stage. Chesley leaned down, “Y’all came on the right night. Ember doesn’t work on set nights, but when she comes in, she always puts on an amazing show.” Chesley turned then to check on her other tables then.
Keegan watched as everyone became transfixed on the stage. The music’s beat was starting to pick up its beat. There were no vocals, but it didn’t need them. It was strangely beautiful on its own and seemed to be creating more anticipation as it went on. He looked around the whole place thinking that the hush of voices was a little weird.
Hanson turned to me and pointed out the owner, Robert. He was now positioned near the stage, but not to noticeable. The strange part was he had a baseball bat in his hands leaned back against his shoulder. “This, Ember, must be why Terry kept hearing everyone talk about this place.”
The air was turning smokey it didn’t seem to upset Keegan’s nose like he assumed it would. To him the smoke seemed to be carrying this wonderful scent. It seemed strangely hypnotic that the other customers in the bar were so hushed. Looking at the men with him he could tell they were curious as well and waiting to see what would happen. Keegan turned back to the stage just as lightning seem to strike him and his breath seemed to stop a moment.
Knowing that the house from her dreams was real troubled Ember. Everything always burned in her dream, so if it was real, how could it be still standing? Maybe it’s a different house that just sounded the same? Lots of houses in the South have honeysuckle vines. The internal dialog was going nowhere. The grip returned to her hand. That’s right, Ember thought, someone else was with her. She had agreed to accept help. It was strange, listening to others discuss something that had plagued her for as long as she could remember. Realizing she had spent almost a whole day with the man next to her was also strange. She should feel weird, but having him there felt right. Like, she was moving towards something, instead of just running away. Finding out that Robert wasn’t a regular human was surprising, but Ember was used to rolling with the punches. Maybe she just needed to realiz
“I’m sure y’all have heard the stories about Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and her son Cupid. They could spread love, but, also, lust or obsession.” Robert leaned his elbows on the bar and rubbed his forehead. “The lust and obsession part became a problem because of Aphrodite’s jealousy, spite fullness, whatever you want to call it,” Rolling his eyes skyward and waving a hand, he continued, “and her son’s willingness to please his mother. It created a problem with the other Gods. Then all hell broke loose when Hera found out Zeus was letting them off the hook because Cupid was using lust on humans Zeus found attractive a few times. I mean the stupidity of some people.”
Keegan enjoyed showing Ember around the community after convincing her that Melody would be fine staying behind in her room. Ember seemed to enjoy seeing the training grounds. Keegan knew he shouldn’t have felt jealous, because of the bond, but her not being a wolf left him a little concerned. That was until he learned her fascination was due to her love of dancing. She was impressed with how in sync everyone moved with each other. Several of the men and women training came over to meet the future Luna before Keegan dismissed them with the promise to return at a different time. Seeing the hopeful look on his mate's face, he asked her if she would like to train with him the next morning. They were now sitting in one of the back booths at his restaurant, enjoying a quick appetizer, while waiting for Terry. Ember jumped at the idea.
Seeing his sister’s submission, Keegan tried to calm himself. This was something that should have been brought to his attention though. Even if it was a rumor, it would need to be investigated. Terry knew that they couldn’t take any risks when it came to pack safety.“What did you hear?” Keegan said through clenched teeth.“I’m sorry, Keegan, I really didn’t t
Keegan tried to stop Terry, but realizing it was useless, he chose to just brace Ember and her chair. He should have realized his tender-hearted sister was going to turn into a bawling mess. Hell, he even had trouble listening to Ember talk about her past. At least he was able to focus on his anger at her situation instead of bawling like his sister. Poor Ember looked like a deer caught in headlights. Luckily, instead of igniting Terry into flames, she looked like she was, very awkwardly, patting her back. Then, before he knew it, Terry stood up and began pacing the kitchen. Ranting about the atrocities of some people. Her face was red with tears and anger, proclaiming that they’d have to go through her to ever see Ember again. Keegan couldn’t contain it when the laughter bubbled up out of him. “Keegan! How dare you laugh at a time like this! I’ll show them not to mess with this she-wolf’s sister-in-law!” Terry’s words were becoming rough and sounding mo
Sitting at the small table in Keegan’s kitchen nook. Half-listening to the brother and sister’s chatter about the budgets and stocking needed for one of the bars they own. An older lady, named Ilene, had sat plates of delicious smelling bacon, eggs, and toast in front of everyone when they had first sat down, but after devouring it all, Ember was trying to decide what her next move would be. Strange as it was, she didn’t feel like leaving Keegan behind. Besides those strange electric tingles, she gets every time they touch, it was the intense look in Keegan’s eyes when he said he would help. Ember had never had anyone help her with anything. It was always just her. Alone. From her earliest memories, Ember had been placed in that little room by herself. No one to help her dress, eat or brush her teeth. They gave her instructions that she had to follow. Punishments if she didn’t. Ember had heard screams from other patients but was never allowed to see them. The only information she re