Taro and Hiro transported Ralsay and themselves inside the entrance of the cave. They released Ralsay as they raced ahead of him, laughing, both trying to get inside first. Ralsay let out a laugh, and it echoed around the entrance as he watched the brothers. Still smiling, he came to a stop behind the brothers, and they all stared at the large werewolf waiting for them inside the den.

The brothers stepped aside, and Ralsay entered the room, approaching the large wolf. When the wolf saw Ralsay, he changed his shape to that of a large man, taller and bigger than Ralsay, covered from head to toe in long, coarse hair. The twins made a muted cry, and Ralsay turned to see them both cuddled together farther back in the entrance. The sight made Ralsay angry, and turning to the werewolf, he growled, “Why are you here?”

The large wolf growled back, and Ralsay flinched slightly. “That is not how you speak to your father.”

The older wolf growled again, and Ralsay looked up at him, defying his position in the pack. Both men continued to stare at each other, Ralsay showing his stubborn streak; then the older wolf shook his head, and only then did Ralsay break eye contact first.

“You would have made a great leader,” his father murmured.

“Must you continue to remind me of the things I can never have?” Ralsay growled, moving over to the stove. He took the kettle, filled it with water from the barrel, and replaced it on the stove. He worked the fire, and then turned back, casting a quick look towards the entrance to see the twins still standing there together.

Ralsay turned to his father. “What do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Father?”

His father huffed and pulled out a chair, sitting down to face the entrance and the twins. Although he did not look directly at them, Ralsay knew his father had them in his peripheral vision. “I was informed during the week you have guests living with you.”

“So? What has that got to do with anyone?” Ralsay took a seat closer to the entrance, should there be a need to protect the twins.

“We have strict laws about mixing with the other species,” his father said, and Ralsay could feel the fear emanating from the brothers. He’d promised he would protect them, and not his father, nor the pack which had abandoned him, would stop him from doing that.

“Really? That doesn’t stop the werewolves from associating with elves or vampires.”

“There are laws which all species follow. You must understand what you are doing here will anger some.”

Ralsay took his time to answer; time he needed to control his temper. The last thing he wanted was to frighten the fae any further. If they were to flee now, Ralsay would be terrified for them.

“Don’t come here and tell me what I can and can’t do. You and my pack made it perfectly clear where I stand. If anyone has the right to be angry it is I. If I wanted, I could change everything and you know it. So don’t come here and tell me how to live my life when you’re the one who’s responsible for it.”

Ralsay was harsh. He knew he shouldn’t blame his father for his accident. But for so long he’d been made to feel he didn’t belong, and all because he looked different.

The tension in the air was stifling, and Ralsay looked over towards the twins to see two pairs of wide eyes fixed at him. He could see they wanted to stand beside him, to protect him, but they could not overcome their fear of his father. The sigh he heard from his father brought his attention back to him, and for the first time his father looked directly at the fae.

“You should introduce them. I have been called to attend a council meeting this evening regarding information you and the fae are dwelling together. This information has come from the fae and was at first dismissed. However, they were insistent we investigate, and this is why I have come.”

Ralsay once again quelled his temper and stood and walked over to the brothers. In a quiet, reassuring voice, he told them, “I promised I would protect you. I meant it. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Both brothers nodded and followed Ralsay to the table. Ralsay removed the boiling kettle, and the brothers tentatively gathered four mugs and the tea, and returned to the table with Ralsay. They sat opposite the Beta as he stared down at them.

Ralsay could see the brothers were trying their utmost to be brave, and filling the kettle with tea leaves, he turned the pot and let it rest. All four sat quietly as they waited for the tea to settle before Ralsay poured all four cups. When he was done, he turned to his father and said, pointing to the first brother next to him, “This is Taro, and beside him is his twin brother, Hiro.”

“Twins.” The Beta looked from the brothers to Ralsay, and then went on, “I see.”

He turned back to the twins and said to them, “My name is Amran. I am the Beta of our pack and father to Ralsay, my firstborn. It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

Both twins stared at Amran with wide eyes and said nothing.

Amran turned to his son. “They don’t say much.”

Ralsay rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”

His father gave a small chuckle. “If they are anything like the few who came to see us, then I can imagine.”

“Why?” Taro managed to voice, although he appeared to regret speaking immediately after.

“Why did the other fae visit us and tell us about you being here?”

Both brothers nodded.

“We know how troublesome the fae can be and don’t take too kindly to their annoying ways. As Beta it is also my role to learn and understand all species and their politics. Knowing you are twins already tells me you are outcasts. Therefore, your lives are always in danger. Although we don’t care for the other species and their ways, we do not tolerate vilification. It is clear to me the fae who came to us did so to cause unnecessary trouble.”

“So you won’t force them to leave here?”

Amran looked at his son and gave a small smile. “This is the first time I have seen you happy. I heard your laughter as you arrived, something I thought I would never hear in my lifetime. When the council hears this, they will not interfere.”

Ralsay let out a deep sigh and quietly replied, “Thank you, Father.”

Amran reached out and took Ralsay’s hand. “You are right to blame me for what happened to you. But I was young and inexperienced, not having enough knowledge to deal with the vampires. It is no excuse. But because of this I have been able to grow our species and stamp our place in this world as peacekeepers and ambassadors for tolerance. It is a terrible price to pay, and it saddens me you are the one to pay it. So if these fae bring you happiness, then it brings our pack happiness.” Amran picked up his tea and turned to the brothers, smiling at them. “Welcome to our pack. My family is your family, and we will protect you while you remain with us.” He raised his cup in a toast and drank his tea is one gulp. Then he placed the empty cup back on the table and stood. Ralsay stood with him.

Amran embraced his son and said, “If there is any time you need my assistance, you only have to call.”

Ralsay embraced his father tightly and whispered, “I’m sorry for my harsh words.”

Amran gave one finally squeeze. “I would expect nothing less of you.”

Amran stepped back, transformed into a werewolf, and left the cave.

Ralsay stared at the entrance for a long while, unable to believe what had taken place. Then the sound of the brothers behind him caught his attention.

He turned to see both fae looking up at him, tears falling down their faces, and the sight filled his heart. Ralsay moved around the table as they stood and embrace Ralsay, crying into his chest and hugging him tightly.

When their sobbing subsided, Taro looked up and said, “We were so afraid.”

Without looking up, still clinging to him, Hiro finished, “Afraid we would be forced to leave you.”

Ralsay gave both a squeeze and pulled back. He led them to the pile of furs against the wall and encouraged them to lie down either side of him. He tucked his arms around them and embraced them once again.

They lay quietly until the twins’ breathing settled. When there was stillness between them, Ralsay said, “I’m sorry my father frightened you. He doesn’t generally visit.”

Taro, on his right, said, “It was nice for him to visit.”

“I guess,” Ralsay replied.

“It was, Ral,” Hiro said. “We thought our time here would end, but your father didn’t throw us out.”

Ralsay squeezed both fae and told them sternly, “I would never have let that happen.”

“We know, Ral,” Taro replied.

“Ral?” Hiro said.

“Yes?”

“Did your father really mean what he said, that we were family now?” Taro asked.

Ralsay kissed each fae on the top of their head and replied, “Yes, he meant it. He will go to the council now and tell them of his decision. I suspect you will both be brought in front of the council at some point, so the pack can be introduced to you and you to them. But you don’t need to be scared as I will be there with you.”

“Will they let you come too, Ral?” Hiro asked.

“Yes, they cannot stop me.”

The tension the twins felt, knowing they would have to face an entire pack of werewolves, was evident, but Ralsay knew he would be given time to prepare them. He dwelled upon the visit from his father and felt relieved everything had gone the way it had. His father was a great Beta, and although he now realised his fears were unfounded, the thought of the fae being forced to leave frightened him.

“Ral, can we ask you something?” Taro asked.

Ralsay sat up a little and pulled the brothers against him.

“What did you mean when you said if you wanted, you could change everything?” Taro said, looking up.

Ralsay gave a small chuckle. “I’ve had to fight harder than any other to survive. In our pack, I am the biggest, fastest, and strongest. It is widely known, if I chose to, I could challenge the Alpha and would more than likely win. If I wanted too.”

“But you would never do that,” Hiro told rather than asked.

“No, I would never do that. I am different, and although they would reluctantly accept me as Alpha, it is not a role I want. And if I were to become Alpha, it would mean taking a female as a partner and producing pups. I have always been frightened at the thought of lying with a female. That alone has stopped me from considering a challenge.”

“We’re glad you are ours, Ral. We wouldn’t be able to go on if it weren’t for you.” Taro spoke quietly.

“And I’m glad you’re both mine. To have the two of you here, in this short space of time, has shown me how much you mean to me. I’m willing to do anything to protect what we have.”

Both Taro and Hiro looked at each other for a long moment before crushing Ralsay in a tight embrace.

He laughed and hugged them both back. “I’m sorry our return home had to be like this,” he murmured as he rubbed his face against the tops of their heads.

“But we are happy, Ral.”

“Yes, we have a family now, and one who will accept us,” Hiro added.

“And we have you, Ral,” Taro told him, and then looked back towards his brother. Hiro nodded and said, “We want to share with you our real names.”

Ralsay sat up, forcing the brothers to sit beside him. “Are you sure,” Ralsay asked, knowing the implications of this decision. He felt an immense love for the brothers at that moment. At the same time the thought they would bind themselves to him for life frightened him.

Both brothers nodded, and Taro said, “We would like to do this, for you, because you are very important to us.”

“We love you, and we want to bind ourselves to you so we will always be together,” Hiro finished.

“I’m honoured you would want to do this, and I don’t have a problem with it, but are you both absolutely sure?”

Both men nodded, and Ralsay knew there was no way he would talk them out of it. “Then I accept, and my promise to you is to not only protect you but to love you both until the end of our time together.”

The smiles that greeted Ralsay’s declaration told him he’d said the right thing. The brothers looked at each other again, and then Taro leaned forwards and whispered his true name into Ralsay’s ear. When he pulled back, Hiro did the same. Once Ralsay heard both names, he closed his eyes and burned them into his memory. When he opened his eyes, he looked at the pair, and with a half-smile, he murmured, “This would be a perfect time to celebrate.”

Taro’s face lit up. “I’ll seal the entrance.”

Hiro added, “I’ll get the cream.”

As both fae hurried off, Ralsay lay back and made himself comfortable until the fae rushed back to join him. As they hovered above Ralsay, he smiled up at them and said, “You will work for your keep, you know.”

Both fae gave a delightful squeal as they worked their hands over the werewolf.

***

The gods looked down over Iseth-em and pondered the reasons behind the segregation of the creatures. They were sure now, with the guardian angel doing what he was chosen to do, the world would one day find its way to unification.

As it was meant to be.