9 years later...

"Are you ready?" I asked my son and from the look he gave me, I guess that was the wrong thing to say.

At thirteen, Cale is small and looks a bit feminine for his age. Ciaran and I are not worried since he hasn't hit puberty or his growth spurt yet. But it bothers him that most of the other male wolf his age have already acquired hairs in places that apparently on his still remained hairless. He's not bothered with his small size or girlish looks and since both Ciaran and I made sure he could properly defend himself none of the taller and bigger wolves had the guts to bully him for his appearance.

Cale has been recognized as the heir to throne of wolves and everyone has been watching his progress since we introduced him at court. I'm glad that his position doesn't seem to put much pressure on him but there are times, like the one we're having now, when I wish I could provide him a normal experience instead of a royal one.

"I still don't understand why I have to undergo my first shift under the scrutiny of the high council. The other wolves at Moonscape just had Dad and beta Lorcan during their first shift. Why do I have so many people on mine?"

"Your first shift is treated as a part of your coming of age and as my heir the high council has to be present for it." I explained for the nth time.

We've had this discussion for over a dozen times over the past months. I know it bothers him that in some respect he's treated differently from the others but we've been trying hard to keep his experiences close to that of a regular child than that of someone who's expected to rule in the future.

Cale had always been smart and it didn't take long for him to understand that his position comes with a lot of responsibilities. Sometimes he whines but despite his grumbling he still do and act as he's supposed to. I keep reminding him that he doesn't have to always bend. He could say no if he wants and if there's anything that makes him uncomfortable he should speak to me or his Dad about it.

"What is it you're really afraid of Cale?" I asked. He's usually sure of himself, over-confident even due to Ciaran's influence. That's why I don't understand why he's being skeptical right now. "You know every member of the high council and you often ask me to sit in on meetings so I know you're comfortable being around them. Tell me what it is that's really bothering you."

He shifted from one foot to another before running a hand through is curls.

"Dad told me Nyree's shift was the fastest first shift he saw in years. He said she made it look effortless and her wolf was beautiful too." He said in a low tone.

Nyree is the great granddaughter of elder Tysane, the woman who taught me how to read and write the old language of wolves. Their pack didn't have an alpha since it consisted of Tysane, who acts as the elder, her daughter Maurel, Nyree's mother, and two other youngsters, Kaya and Liya.

When I invited them to live in the palace so the court historians could meet elder Tysane, she requested that they move to Moonscape instead. She heard of the pack and thinks that they'd be more comfortable there than living in court with the royals.

Ciaran had no issue absorbing another pack into Moonscape and since Nyree and Cale were the same age they formed a deep bond and friendship. Ciaran and I believe they could be true mates because of how they're both act when they're far from one another and how they interact when they're together. But we won't know for sure until they reach sixteen when most wolves start to scent their true mates.

I know for a fact that Ciaran told the story of Nyree's first shift to Cale not to intimidate him but to ease his worries. Cale wasn't able to travel with Ciaran to Moonscape during the shift and he have been very upset about not being there for Nyree. He had to stay in court with me to welcome an envoy from the French court.

"You do know your Dad only told you about Nyree's first shift because you were worried about her," I stated just in case he has any doubts about Ciaran's intentions.

"I know," Cale groaned. "But what if I had problems shifting or I don't shift at all... I'm going to embarrass you and Dad in front of the high council."

So that's what he's worried about.

I grabbed his shoulder and gently squeezed it when he refused to meet my eyes.

"Did I ever tell you that I didn't shift when I supposed to," I said.

Cale eyed me closely and whispered, "No way."

"Yes, way. I didn't shift until after I found out I was mated to your dad." I don't need to tell him the particulars because that would just upset him but knowing that failing to shift the first time is not grounds for embarrassment. "We're very proud of you Cale. Ciaran and I, we can't ask for a better son. And we love you. You can never do anything to embarrass us."

"But let's just say I fail this time," he insisted. "Do I get a second chance?"

"You won't fail Cale," I said and I'm not telling him this as lip service, I'm saying it because I believe it's true. I have a feeling Cale would shock all of us during his first shift. "And if by any chance you fail, yes, you get a second chance and a third and fourth and fifth..."

"Ugh Dad!" Cale whined when I mussed his hair.

Sometimes I forget he's not so small anymore. In three years time he'd be able to scent his mate and soon after that he'd want to go off on his own.

I wonder if I did enough to prepare him for whatever he would encounter in the future or did I coddle him too much. Were Ciaran and I good parents, did we even come close to how it would be if his real parents had lived?

"Don't get mushy on me now old man," Cale said flicking my nose. "It's written all over your face, you're thinking about something sad again. I wonder how Dad could put up with your terrible mood swings. I think I'd hang myself in a week."

"I do not have mood swings," I scoffed.

"Oh yes, you do." He smirked.

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do." He laughed. "See you're having it now."

I watched him as he laughed heartily completely forgetting that in about ten minutes he'd be shifting for the first time in a room full of people.

"Hey," Ciaran called from the doorway. "Ready to go? It's almost time."

Cale stopped laughing and straightened his shoulders before giving Ciaran a manly nod. I smiled because between Ciaran and I, Cale wants to impress him more. I don't know why and I know it sometimes worries Ciaran how Cale doesn't seem to act like a kid in front of him anymore. It's like Cale is unconsciously seeking his approval as a man and a grown up.

Cale walked towards the door and Ciaran stopped him before he could go out.

"You'd do well Cale," he said. "I know you'd do great so don't be nervous. After your first shift what do say about going for a run, just you and me?"

"Really?" Cale immediately brightened at the idea. I know that his secret wish is to run with Ciaran and to learn how to hunt. He'd heard a lot of stories about Ciaran from Bran and Prior, sometimes even from Lorcan. And Cale developed some sort of her worship for his Dad.

"Does that mean you want to go or..."

"Yes, I want to go." Cale interrupted Ciaran. "Thanks Dad." Cale said giving my mate manly hug.

My eyes met Ciaran's I know he heard our conversation earlier and he's doing this to ease our son's mind. When they separated we walked side by side with Cale in front of us to the ballroom where he will have his first shift.

"Holy crap!" Cale exclaimed as he stood frozen by the double doors.

"What?" I asked.

"You told me only the high council would be present but everyone is there." Cale said eyeing the people who came to witness his first shift. "Is that Grandpa Jasper standing beside Aunt Jean and Uncle Bran? Oh gad Nyree is here! Why is she here? This is so not fair!"

"Okay so there's more people than you anticipated..." I started.

On the ballroom are the high council members together with Kevan, Lorcan, Jean, Bran, Jean's father Jasper, Prior and his mate, Harkin, Sorell, Ciaran's parents, Nyree and elder Tysane. Even my father, Lavon, made an appearance.

"That's like the whole pack Dad!" Cale whispered yelled grabbing on my arm. "And what is Grandpa Lavon doing here? I thought he hates me?"

"He doesn't hate you Cale, it just took him some time to get used to you that's all." I answered trying for diplomacy.

"Yeah, for like nine years!" He said through gritted teeth and I could feel Ciaran suppressing a laugh beside me.

I'm surprised my father made an appearance today. He's been against my choices and had been very vocal about it for years. But I noticed recently he'd been following Cale's progress closely and have been trying to talk and get to know Ciaran better. Kevan said it had to be his age or something catching up to him but I think it's his way of making amends.

I look up at Ciaran and quickly elbowed his side to get his attention and help me with our now panic stricken son. He immediately sobered and did what any good-natured father would do.

Ciaran slapped Cale on the back making our son trip forward, towards the view of everyone in the ballroom, before smirking and saying, "Suck it up son! It's time to be a man!"

I looked at Ciaran like he's lost mind and the idiot just winked at me. He took my hand when I tried to go to Cale and steered me away from my son.

"What are you doing?" I hissed.

"Your coddling would just make him more nervous." He whispered. "Just relax, he got this. He's our son just watch."

I was still a bit unsure about his tactic but I followed his lead and stood beside Kevan.

"He freaked out didn't he?" My brother asked.

"Yes, what is father doing here by the way?" I asked back. "Did you know he was coming?"

"No, and I think everyone was shocked to see him."

"Was he nervous?" Jean asked grabbing on to my arm.

"A lot, I had to think of ways to calm him down. In the end Ciaran settled for 'Suck it up and be a man' speech complete with a slap on the back."

Lorcan and Bran laughed discreetly behind us along with the others who heard what I said. We all quieted down when Cale finally mustered the courage to move to the middle of the ballroom and Ciaran stepped forward to meet him.

I was supposed to oversee Cale's first shift but I knew I'd be mess worrying about him because the first shift really hurts like the mother. So we agreed to let Ciaran handle it because he'd be calmer about it. And Cale seemed more confident now when he saw that Cairan would be the one talking him through his shift.

"Are you ready?" Ciaran asked.

Cale nodded stiffly, all his focus on Ciaran.

"Now, close your eyes and picture your wolf." Ciaran said in a soothing voice. "Feel him, sense him... don't be afraid he won't hurt you. Connect with him, feel his life flow with yours. Do you feel him? He won't talk to you at first so don't rush..."

"Faust..." Cale said and everyone in the room who'd had their first shift knows that wolves don't talk to their human counterpart during the first shift. They make their presence known but they don't communicate right away. As far as I know I'm the only one who'd been able to communicate with Rothe during our first shift and now Cale is able to talk to his wolf as well.

"Can you feel Faust Cale? Is he talking to you?" Ciaran asked not breaking rhythm.

"Yes," Cale answered.

"Good, he'd tell you what to do just follow his directions. I'm here if you need me but your wolf could guide you better."

Cale nodded and proceeded to remove his shirt. Most first shifts are better done while on all fours. That's why we were all surprised when Cale suddenly took off on a run and lunge in the air. Phasing in mid air is hard even for werewolves who've been shifting for years. But Cale made it look effortless and easy. When he dropped back on the floor he was already on his wolf form.

Ciaran immediately turned and smiled triumphantly at me, beckoning me come forward and stand beside him to watch our son show his wolf for the first time.

Cale's wolf is another tri-colored wolf. He's dominantly black with a mix of russet and dark brown fur on his muzzle, chest and underbelly. White fur covers his left ear, his forepaws and the tip of his tail. At moment he still looks small but I'm guessing by the time Cale reach his maturity he'd be as big as Cairan on his wolf form.

Cale slowly walked to where Ciaran and stood and rubbed his side affectionately on our legs.

"I'm so proud of you Cale," I said as I crouched down and wrapped my arms around him.

"You can shift back now son," Ciaran smiled and without much effort Cale shifted back to his human form. Sorell immediately draped a blanket over his nude body as everyone gathered around to congratulate him on his first shift.

Ciaran and I stood back to allow the others to hug Cale. We both paused when Cale gave Nyree a kiss on the cheek when she moved forward to congratulate him. From the secretive looks on the their faces we surmised they're talking through a mind link which should not be possible since they don't belong on the same pack and they're not, in any way, related to each other. Unless Cale is like Harkin who has an innate talent for telepathy the only explanation is that they're true mates.

"So who'd be giving the talk," Ciaran whispered wrapping his arms around me. "You or me?"

I looked back at Cale and he hasn't let go of Nyree's hand despite talking to the members of the high council and receiving teasing remarks from Bran and Prior.

"I think you should do it," I said. "Women aren't my forte."

"Seriously? You and Jean used to act like siblings on an forbidden relationship, which makes me hot sometimes and bothered  most times. And Jean let a slip once about the women she introduced to you hoping that their presence would help you forget about me. She said all them left with a dazed look in their faces after spending time with you and you're telling me you don't know about women?"

"It's not like I don't know about women in general it's just that I don't really know how to handle them." I answered. I've got to tell Jean to watch what she says to Ciaran because even after nine years of being together my mate could still get very jealous and very possessive when it comes to me.

"Is there something you need to tell me?" He asked suspiciously.

I laughed, "No, of course not. You know damn well you're my first."

"Yes, but I don't know if you ever slept with women before."

"No, I haven't and I will not. Why would I when I have you?"

"But it's been a while since we last... you know."

I laughed harder and smacked him on the back of the head. Instead of stopping his crusade Ciaran buried his face on my neck and licked his mark.

"I'm having stupid thoughts because we're not having enough skinship." He whispered biting my neck softly and running his hands suggestively down my back. "Come on let's go while they're all busy."

"No, you promised Cale you'd for a run with him after this so you're going." I said.

At thirty and thirty-two, Ciaran and I are on our prime. Our sexual tension hadn't eased for the past nine years and having a teenage son doesn't seem dampen our ardor either. But sometimes our commitments make it hard to steal some 'alone' time and for the past month we barely had time to do the naughty since we're both swamped with work and already tired when we get home.

"How about tonight?" I asked since I want it as much, probably even more than him.

"It's a date then," he whispered giving me a lingering kiss before hollering at our son. "Hey, lover boy. Do you still want to go for that run?"

Cale immediately snapped in attention and discreetly let go of the Nyree's hand before nodding. Ciaran just winked at me as I shook my head at him.

I watched my son and mate walk out the door and I couldn't help the smile that bloomed on my face. I'm surrounded by friends and family, my son survived his first shift and he's tri-colored wolf, just like me. The packs are at peace and the crown is managing well on it's own. Everything I've ever dreamed of had already come true. I can't think of anything more that I could want.

Before I turned to join others, Ciaran mind linked me with a simple, "I love you.." and I laughed thinking perhaps I still have tons of surprises coming my way.

*  *  *  *  *

Quick Note:

Nyahaha I decided to include an epilogue after all. :P

I hope you enjoyed Ruari and Ciaran's story.  Again, thanks a lot to everyone who've been in this wonderful journey with me from beginning to end. And I hope you all support my next works as well. I'd be including the title and short blurb of my next story so please be kind and check it out. Sorry to all the kevenxlorcan lovers their full story won't be until next year for now it's just a side story entitled 'MARKED' which will also be the title of their full length story.

You are AWESOME and again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU very much for your support! k",)