Veiled Spirits

“You mentioned volunteering with music and children. The pack provides after-school programs for children whose parents work late. I thought you might enjoy playing music with the pups.” We reached the secluded alley that should work for portaling, so I turn to face my mate as I talk.

Her delicate face lights up with pure joy at the mention of working with children. “I take back my first judgment. That totally sounds like fun.”

“I’m glad you think so. The music room has guitars and pianos. Do you need anything else?” My hands itch to settle on my mate’s waist, so I shove them into my pockets. I’m not sure what she’s comfortable with touch wise. After how she reacted when sparring with Luca, I want to be extra careful when touching her.

“Nope. The only instruments I can play are guitar and piano. I prefer guitar, though.”

“Perfect. If I show you a picture of the music room, can you portal us there?” I drag my phone out of my pocket as I wait for her answer. Mages can portal anywhere they’ve seen before. If a mage hasn’t been to a location, then a picture of the place will often work instead.

“I can do that, quiet boy.”

I show her a picture of the music room at our pack house. It has warm, dark wood floors, matching paneling, and a thick oriental carpet at the center of the room. The sizable room is dominated by four pianos and racks of guitars. Maria Nightshade, Luca and Archer’s mother, loved music, so we have her to thank for this room.

After taking in the picture, Isabel mutters something, likely in Latin, under her breath. I feel her magic burst out into the air. The electric currents of her magic ghost over my skin, causing my hair to stand straight up. While the sensation is eerie, it’s not entirely unpleasant.

A portal snaps to life on the brick wall in front of us. I don’t see any of the pups yet, but I’m sure they’ll be excited to see a portal for the first time. Offering Isabel my hand, I wait for her to take it before stepping through the portal.

“Cain!” a chorus of young voices cheer when I walk through the portal. I release my mate’s hand as Noah crashes into me. I lift up the small boy and am rewarded with peals of laughter. As soon as I set the blond pup down, I have four more clinging to my legs and arms. I pretend to struggle to lift my arms or walk. The pups giggle at my antics, and a rare smile crosses my lips.

When I look over to my mate, I see her lips stretched in a wide grin as she watches me with the children.

“What’s a mage doing here?” Addison, one of the teenagers in the program, sneers. Her navy eyes are glaring at my mate. It’s understandable that Addie is wary of strangers, after what happened to one of her dads, but I still don’t like her talking to my mate like that.

“She’s my mate, Addie. Treat her respectfully, please.” At my proclamation, the entire room freezes. Almost as one, all the pups turn to look at Isabel with wide eyes. She stares back at them with similarly wide eyes, unsure what to do as the center of attention to twenty pups.

“Does that mean—” Addie begins to ask. I give her a nod, telling her that Isabel is also Luca and Archer’s mate. She squeals so loud, I have the urge to slap my hands over my ears. “Oh my God! Finally!” The other teen girls join Addie in squealing and jumping around.

Isabel’s confused gaze meets mine. I suppose, with having to pretend to be magicless, my mate isn’t used to anyone being excited to see her. An ache forms behind my sternum at that thought.

“I didn’t bring Isabel just to introduce you to my mate. She also plays guitar and piano, and she’s here to teach you to play some songs.”

“Can you play Taylor Swift?” Mia, a brunette pre-teen pup, asks. Addie and her other friends nod frantically next to Mia, excited at the prospect of learning some of their favorite songs.

“Yeah, I can play quite a few of her songs. What song do you wanna learn first?” Isabel gives her full attention to the girls as she talks. I can tell that the pups are already smitten with our pack’s future luna. As the mate to the pack’s alpha, Isabel is automatically considered as highly ranking as Luca, even though she’s not a wolf.

Addie and her friends look at each other before all shouting at the same time, “‘You Belong with Me’!”

Isabel’s lips kick up in a smile before she nods. “Yep. I can totally play that. Come on, let’s all get guitars. I’ll play it through for you once before I teach it to you.” The girls stare up at my mate with stars in their eyes as they all trail her.

My mate goes to the racks of guitars and starts passing them out. She makes sure every pup who wants one gets it before taking a guitar for herself. I’m surprised that some of the boys grabbed an instrument as well.

Isabel sits on the ground with her legs tucked under her. She rests the guitar on her lap as she waits for the pups to get settled. The kids fan out around her as Isabel plays a few notes to get a feel for the instrument. Once she’s sure everyone is ready, Isabel starts playing the song. She has a lovely alto voice. Her delicate fingers expertly play the guitar. It’s clear she’s very experienced with the instrument.

As Isabel sings the song, Prue walks up beside me. “This her?”

“Yes.” I glance at my sister, who’s the spitting image of one of our fathers. With her auburn curls and hazel eyes, she looks just like him. I look like our mother, with the same black hair and green eyes. Any time I look in the mirror, she’s all I see. As such, I try to avoid my reflection.

“She’s really pretty. Your mate also has a way with the kiddos. She’s much better than the vipers you like to fuck.” Prue smiles sweetly at me as I gape at her. Leave it to her to bring that up.

“Prudence! You’re lucky she’s not a wolf and can’t hear you.” My little sister just grins at me chastising her. Prue’s mischievous and loves causing chaos. I don’t have the heart to rein her in most of the time.

“Relax, Si. She seems chill. I doubt she’d claw my eyes out just for mentioning you’ve screwed women before.” Isabel might seem calm now, but I’ve seen the rage burning in her eyes at times. With what Bishop said about her power, she could easily take Prue. My mate doesn’t seem prone to fighting for small slights, thankfully.

I just shake my head at her. Much like the pups, Prue and I are both transfixed with my mate singing. Even the pups who didn’t grab a guitar have gravitated closer to her.

Once she’s done with her play through, Isabel patiently teaches the whole group how to play the song. Never once does she get frustrated with the constant questions. Instead, she lights up each time she’s asked something.

I’ve never seen my mate like this. She’s so relaxed and open. Instead of her usual thorniness, she wears like armor, Isabel is sweet and gentle with the pups. Her laughter frequently rings out across the room, and Isabel has a perpetual smile on her graceful face.