Autumn Feast - Charlie Richards Page 0,67
of the Autumn Feast as he drove along the path approaching the drop-off point. He could feel the veil’s presence and prepared to park. He pulled the truck between the trees, which would act as a curtain, hiding the vehicle within its shadows.
Once it was safely hidden away, Trey pushed the driver’s door open and hopped down and waited until Kindling followed suit. He almost reached out to help the smaller man before he thought better of it.
Kindling smiled at him, knowingly. “Yeah, we weren’t all blessed with the strength and height of the alphas, but I make up for it in my sexual prowess.” He winked.
Trey snorted, and Kindling laughed.
“So, the Autumn Feast is a celebration of the earth’s rest, a turning-over before sleep arrives in the form of winter. It’s the oranges and reds, the flames of the land.”
“Will there be sex?” Kindling asked as he tugged a duffel bag from the back and a brown leather backpack.
Trey coughed. “Not an orgy, Kindling. It’s a celebration.”
“Sex is a celebration,” Kindling argued. “What?” He shrugged when Trey glared at him. “They’re pagans, right? Goes hand-in-hand with sex.”
“For one thing, that’s not true, and I think you know this.” Trey had learned Kindling liked to push buttons. He was a minx, all slim and graceful with a wiry musculature beneath. He sported a head of loose curls that caught the light as they traveled. He was a pretty man, one Trey was certain had his pick of dates, male or female. He had yet to figure out which Kindling preferred, if there was a preference at all.
“Yeah, just testing you. It’s what I do. Haven’t seen you in forever. Now we’re visiting your cult in the mountains that’s a group of ancient people guarded by goblins. Makes me a little weirded out, but okay. Sorry.” He dragged on the backpack and picked up the duffel, then signaled he was ready. “So reds, yellows, and the earth takes a dirt nap. What else?”
“It’s an Asian harvest festival,” Trey explained as they walked toward the veil. “A time for family and friends to come together when the moon is at its brightest and roundest.”
“So, the party is at night and includes the moon. Sounds perfect for us four-legged beasts, too.”
Trey smiled. “It is. Everyone in the sanctuary celebrates—the people, the elders, goblins, and the wolves, or in my case, wolf.”
“Well, now it can be wolves.”
That was true, until Kindling took off. This wasn’t a permanent stay. Kindling was there to visit for a month or two, time enough for him to get his head together and then return to the city. That was it.
Trey said nothing.
“Okay, not awkward at all. So, celebration. Is it like Thanksgiving, then? Will there be a turkey?”
“No, but there will be mooncakes.”
Kindling nodded. “Cakes.”
“Yes, and praying for babies, for marriages, beauty, longevity, and good futures. For hope in the coming winter.”
“Huh. Marriage, you say?”
Trey huffed. They were nearing the veil. He could feel the brush of energy over his skin grow stronger as the sanctuary recognized him.
“Look, Trey. I know something is happening in your head involving your commitment phobia, but if the man makes you as happy as you look when you talk about him, why not just go ahead and take the plunge?”
Trey’s face grew warm, and his smile bloomed before he could stop it. He had to remind himself it was fine to be happy, that there was nothing to be guilty about. He had someone who loved him. Instead of hiding it, he should shout it to the heavens, but sometimes he remembered his mother as she cried alone at night, her sobs behind her bedroom door and he worried.
For him, Calyx was the sun. Trey’s light had found him, and all he wanted to do was drink it in.
Each day was a step closer for them. His wolf recognized Calyx’s goblin, enticed him in the wood when they gave chase.
He was happy. Gods, he was, and he never wanted to let it go.
“See. That right there, that glowy thing you’re doing with your face. That’s why.”
Trey laughed, feeling ten times lighter with the thought of seeing his mate soon.
“Come on, you. Let’s go.”
Balancing the rest of their items, Trey stepped forward. Taking a deep breath, he waited until the trees slowly bent their thick limbs toward him, the foliage offering a welcoming caress.
Chapter Three: I’ll Show You Mine
“Here is the sanctuary.” It had been an extraordinary moment the first time Trey entered