Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 9

Over the last five years I had tried everything I could think of to find my mate. None of us could find her. I even went as far to involve Grandpa and my parents. Akeehla was even looking for me, not that she was ‘allowed’ to but I was thankful she was anyways. Nothing lead me to Epperly though.

At first we got footage of her getting on and off a bus, but then we lost it. Everytime we got a lead, it ended up being a dead end. My mate was running from something.

After the first two years of looking we concluded that she must be something supernatural. There is no other explaination as to why we couldn’t find her. Someone was helping her.

Every day I prayed that she was alright. That she is safe and healthy. The pain of not being with my mate was almost too much for me after a while.

There was a point that I was not myself. I went from being super angry and destroying everything in my path, to being depressed and never leaving my bed.

Eventually some sense got knocked into me and I was trying to get back to normal. But it is hard.

Eventually I found myself again. Thanks to my family I wasn’t completely lost. I went back to my work which is training the BOC members. But I never stopped looking for Epperly.

And I never stop hurting.

Where could she be? And who is she hiding from?

“Hey Brose?” Kee called from the other side of my bedroom door.

I walked over and opened it up for my little sister.

“Yes?” I asked her.

Kee shrugged innocently.

“Just checking on you.” She said. “Uncle Nick and Uncle Liam are here.” She told me.

I nodded to her. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

Kee gave me a nod and I shut the door. She was the best thing for me honestly. Kee helped me more than anyone.

My little sister is always my biggest supporter and my biggest a*s kicker. I went into my bathroom and brushed my teeth. It’s 11 a.m. but it’s my day off so I slept in.

Sleep was hard to come by since losing my mate so when I finally managed to get some, I took advantage. Although, I am feeling much lighter today for some reason.

After that I dressed in a pair of jeans, with a dark green V-neck shirt, and a pair of black boots. I pulled my hair into a bun at the back of my head.

Oh yeah, I grew my hair out.

Turns out that I really liked Max’s hair so I had grown mine out as well, just to try it. Its down to my shoulders now, and thick and wavy.

I walked down the stairs and to the dinning room. Our family has grown too big to sit at the smaller table in the kitchen. Now that Tia and Max have four kids, two sets of twins, and my parents and the twin girls are back, not to mention Azai with his family. Relly now has five kids and says that she is finally done.

I don’t believe her at all.

Walking into the dinning room everyone was loud and chatting. My unles were standing to the side and as soon as I entered the room they smiled at me. I walked to the corner they were at and gave them both hugs.

After a little bit of chatting we all got plates and sat down with the rest of the family. Mom served lunch early today for my uncles and their kids. They are all taking a vacation and wanted to come here for some reason. Who knows why they would want all of this chaos, but it is fun.

“So, Ambrose, how’s the job going? Do you like training the BOC members?” Uncle Liam asked.

“It’s going good. I like it a lot.” I told him with a smile.

“Doesn’t it ever suck? I bet all those rookies try your patience.” Uncle Nick asked.

I nodded and chuckled.

“Only the ones that are friends with my siblings.” I said as I looked at Kee.

All three of her friends are the worst that I have ever had to train. They were amazing fighters and powerful supernaturals. But they are all brats who want to do what they want instead of listen.

“Dad I forgot my toothbrush.” One of my cousins said to Uncle Nick.

“And I forgot my phone charger.” Another one said.

“Oh and I-” Yet another one started.

“Just make me a list and I’ll go into town after we eat.” Uncle Nick said interrupting them.

I chuckled at my uncle.

“Still happy you out did my parents?” I asked him.

My uncles have now adopted 14 kids. They said they could handle it and I believed them. But these kids are spoiled, that much is for certain.

“They’re expensive and never say please.” Uncle Nick replied to me while glaring at his kids.

“Thank you daddy!” Three of them same at once.

Uncle Liam and I chuckled when Uncle Nick’s face softened.

“Looks like I’m going to town after lunch. Anyone wanna come?” Uncle Nick asked.

When no one responded I took pity on my poor uncle.

“I will. I could get off the territory for a bit.” I told him.

*********************************************

About an hour later Uncle Nick was sitting in the passenger seat of my car, going on and on about how teenagers are frustrating.

“I mean it. Just wait until you have your own. They are demons, all of them.” He told me.

I laughed at him.

“Well you have like seven at one time that are all teenagers.” I said.

“Yeah yeah. Just let me complain will ya.” Uncle Nick grumbled.

I laughed and he continued on about how teenage girls were the worst. Then Uncle Nick had me take him to the local store to get everything he needed. Once he was done we were heading back for the school when he told me to stop at the only party store in town.

I waited in the car while he went inside. The windows were rolled down and the breeze blew into my car. Kohen started to pace inside my head.

What’s going on with you? I asked him.

I don’t know. I feel restless. Let’s get out and walk around. He told me.

Rolling my eyes I did as he wanted. I wondered through the parking lot until I was walking across the street to the gas station. I had just stepped onto the pavement when the wind blew past me again and that’s when I smelled her. That jasmine and rain scent circled around me and Kohen started to go bizurk in my head. My eyes scanned my surroundings.

And there she was, right in front of me.

She’s a few feet away but that’s her. I’d remember that body anywhere. Even if it has changed slightly. Epperly was halfway in the back seat of her car as her gas was pumping.

Her h**s seem to have filled out more but she looked skinnier than before. She pulled herself all the way out of the car and that’s when I was sure it was her. I took a couple steps forward.

“Epperly?” I asked.

Honestly I am a bit afraid that I’m dreaming. It wouldn’t be the first time that I dreamed something like this. Hell, it was the only thing I ever wanted. To just see her again.

Epperly turned her head to me and our eyes connected. Definitely not a dream. Her purple and gold eyes went wide as she stared at me with her mouth open.

“Ambrose..” She breathed out my name.

I walked the rest of the way to her, maybe a little too close. She backed up into the car and I stopped less than a foot away from her. Her scent engulfed me and I just stared at her before reaching up to touch her face.

Epperly slapped my hand away and I tried not to let it show on my face how much it hurt. Then my eyes noticed the crystal around her neck and I frowned. I reached up and snatched it from her body. Possibly hurting her in the process.

Epperly gripped her neck and then reached out for the crystal.

“Give that back to me!” She gritted out.

“No.” I stated sternly and Epperly pouted at me.

“Ambrose please. You have no idea how important that is.” She told me.

“Oh I know exactly how important this is to you Epperly. This is the reason I haven’t been able to find you for the last five years.” I said angrily.

Epperly’s gentle eyes bore into mine.

“You’ve been looking for me?” She asked me.

“Of course I’ve been looking for you. You ran off without even saying goodbye.” I told her, hurt lacing my voice.

Epperly closed her eyes for a moment before opening them.

“Ambrose, I’m sorry but I had to leave. And you have to give that back to me. Please.” Her voice was quiet as she begged me.

“If I give this to you are you going to leave?” I asked her.

Epperly begged me with her eyes. “I have to leave either way Ambrose.”

f**k, I love the way she says my name.

I took the step closer to her removing all of the space between us, and towered over her.

“You are not going anywhere.” I said dangerously.

I knew my eyes had changed and started to glow. I wasn’t trying to scare her but Kohen was about to lose his s**t. We would not lose our mate again. Not after looking for her for the last five years, and then finding her completely by chance.

“Hey! You get away from my mommy!” A little male voice came from inside the car.

My eyes went wide with shock and Epperly closed hers like she wished I wouldn’t of heard the child.

Bending down slowly, I peered into the car to find the last thing I was ever expecting to see. There sitting in a booster seat was a very angry looking mini version of myself. I inhaled deeply and knew exactly who he belonged to. Standing back up I looked at Epperly incredulously.

“What the f**k Epperly!” I shouted.

Epperly flinched and I immediately felt bad.

She had my son.

My son.

I have a son. I have a f*****g son. What the actual f**k.

“Hey! You be nice to my mommy! And we do NOT cuss!” The kid shouted at me from inside the car.

I just continued to stare at Epperly who did not seem willing to say anything.

“Are you going to explain to me why the f**k you have my son?” I asked her much less angry.

Epperly closed her eyes.

“He isn’t your-” She started but I interrupted her with a scoff.

“Don’t start that bullshit with me. I can smell that he is mine and he looks just like me.” I told her.

Epperly shook her head.

“No, he isn’t- Wait. Did you just say you can smell it on him?” She asked me.

I scoffed at her again.

“You want me to answer your questions but you keep lying to me and refusing to answer mine.” I said shaking my head.

Eppery straightened her spine.

“Ambrose I am not playing around. Did you say you can smell him?” She asked completely serious.

I nodded to her.

“That’s a Werewolf trait.” She whispered. So, she is a part of the supernatural world. “You’re who he gets it from.”

At that I frowned.

“He shifted already?” I asked.

He has to be about five years old with how fast Werewolf pregnancies are.

Epperly nodded.

“Last night.” She said and her voice sounded exhausted.

I couldn’t help but be proud.

“Just like the rest of his family.” I commented.

Epperly shook her head.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were a Werewolf?” She asked me as she pushed on my chest.

“I was going to but you were gone the next morning.” I countered.

Epperly rolled her eyes at me.

“Don’t act like you weren’t lying from the get go just to get into my pants.” She accused me.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

“I may have wanted to get in your pants, but I never lied to you about anything Epperly.” I told her.

My mate rolled her eyes again.

“Right, okay. And by the way you should stop using that fake last name before the real Morningstar finds out. I hear they aren’t that nice.” She snapped at me and then turned around to take the nosel out of her car and hang it up.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me I need that crystal back so I can be on my way.” She said with her hand out.

I stared at her like she had grown two heads. Epperly blinked at me while waiting for me to do as she asked. After I realized that she was serious I chuckled at her.

“You, my love, are not going anywhere expect with me back to our home. You are not taking my son away from me again and you are never leaving my side, ever again.” I said the last part dangerously low.

Epperly shook her head.

“You have no idea what you’re getting into Ambrose. I can’t stay here. We have to keep moving.” She begged me.

“Why?” I asked.

My mate huffed at me and tightened her jaw.

“To sum it up, there are people after us.” She said then held her hand out.

“I can protect you.” I told her simply.

Epperly huffed at me again as her frustration grew.

“These people are too powerful Ambrose. You and your pack don’t stand a chance against them.” She said.

I thought about her words and went back to that day that I woke up without her. The pieces started to fall into place. I looked my mate up and down before setting on her eyes.

“It was you they were after..” I whispered.

“What?” She asked.

I shook my head.

“What are you?” I asked her in awe.

Epperly sighed.

“If I tell you will you let me go?” She asked.

“Nope. Told you love, you are never leaving my side again.” I told her.

“Then I’m not telling you.” She said.

“Then you can come home with me and we can talk about it there.” I told her.

Epperly opened her mouth to argue but the voice of our son had interrupted her.

“Momma my gums are tingling again.” He said.

Epperly turned and bent down in the car to look at our son.

I smiled. Our son. I have a son. I knocked my mate up after just one night.

“Take a drink of your water honey it might help.” She told him.

“I already tried that Mom.” The boy whined.

Epperly sighed.

“Water isn’t going to help him Epperly.” I told her and she came back out of the car to look at me.

“Why? Some kind of Werewolf thing?” She asked me.

I chuckled at her and then bent down to look at my son. He glared at me and I couldn’t help but be proud of that. Kid’s just protecting his momma.

“Does your throat feel scratchy and like it’s on fire?” I asked him.

He scrunched his face up at me.

“How did you know that?” He asked me.

“Same thing happens to me when I need to feed.” I told him.

My sons face softened before scrunching up again.

“Feed?” He and his mother asked together.

I straightened back up and looked at my mate.

“Give me your keys.” I ordered.

“What? No.” She argued.

“Epperly, our son is hungry and I am the only one who can help you. Give me your keys.” I said but she still looked reluctant. “Don’t make me force you to in front of our son, espeically on such a happy reunion.”

Epperly frowned and opened her mouth but Uncle Nick chose that time to find me.

“Hey kid, what the f**k? You just left me hanging back there and weren’t answering your phone.” He said to me.

Without looking at him I said, “Sorry been busy”.

Uncle Nick chuckled as he looked between my mate and I.

“I see that…” He trailed off probably sensing the awkward tension. “I’m Nick, nice to meet you.” Uncle Nick held his hand out to Epperly.

My mate looked at it for a moment before taking his wrist and giving it a shake. That was a bit weird. I hope that Uncle Nick doesn’t comment on it. I’m already making this hard enough as it is.

“Epperly. Nice to meet you.” She replied kindly to him.

“Epperly?” Uncle Nick asked as he looked at me. “Like THE Epperly?”

I nodded to him and he looked back at my mate.

“Holy shit..” My uncle whispered. “Girl, do you even know how many people have been scowering the earth for you?”

“More than we know apparently.” I said.

“Wait, what?” Epperly asked as she shook her head. “Why did you have a lot of people looking for me? I thought it was just you.” She said.

“Oh s**t, she doesn’t know?” Uncle Nick asked.

“Hey! Who are you?” My son called from inside the car.

Uncle Nick bent down and when he came out of the car his eyes were wide.

“Holy s**t that’s your kid.” He told me.

“Hey no cussing!” My son shouted.

“Yeah I know.” I said ignoring the boy. “Uncle Nick I need you to take my car back. I will be driving the two of them myself.” I said.

“No the f**k you are not!” Epperly shouted.

My son let out a loud gasp.

“Mommy!” He scolded her making Uncle Nick snort.

“I already told you Ambrose. I can’t stay here. I have to keep moving. You can’t protect me from who is after me.” Epperly argued.

Uncle Nick let out a loud laugh.

“Oh that’s rich. I’d like to see the poor souls that think they can go up against a Morningstar.” He said as he held his stomach. “I can’t wait to go home and tell your dad.” He whispered to me.

Epperly was staring at me wide eyed. Uncle Nick is completely oblivious to her shock. It was just confirmed to her that I am indeed a Morningstar. I stepped up to her and held my hand out.

“Keys.” I ordered.

Epperly, too stunned to argue now, placed her keys into my hand. When she didn’t move, I grabbed her hand and walked her to the passenger seat. Sparks shot up my arm but I ignored them for now. I need to get my mate and son home.

I walked around to the other side of the car and gave my keys to Uncle Nick.

Tia. I called over the mind link.

What’s wrong? She asked.

I found my mate. She is skiddish. I’m bringing her home but we need some space. I told her.

Use the house that Aunt Lenny usually stays in. I’ll make sure to keep everyone away. How did you find her? Tia asked surprised.

I couldn’t blame her, not even Max was able to track my mate down.

Okay. Can you please arrange for things to be brought to the house. I need b***d bags before I make it there. Food. Snacks for a child and some toys for a five year old boy. I told her.

A five year old boy? She asked confused.

Yup. Apparently I have a son. I said and then cut the link before she could ask anything else.

I got in the car and turned around to look at my son. He looked at me warrily. He’s so adorable. Literally a spitting image of me. He barely even got his mothers complexion.

“I can’t believe I have a son.” I mumbled as I started the piece of s**t car. “You’re getting a new car once we get home.” I said.

Epperly didn’t respond. s**t did I break her?

“How have you even been using this thing without being found?” I asked.

“Plates are fake.” She finally reacted.

I looked at her and nodded before getting on the road.

“Our place is only about ten minutes away.” I told them.

“Stop calling it our place. We are not staying.” Epperly gritted out.

I turned my head to her.

“You have to stay.” I meant to sound stern but honestly it came out more like I was begging her.

And I was.

“Why are you being like this? Just because we have a son together does not mean I have to stay with you Ambrose. Trust me I am not worth the trouble that staying is going to cause.” She said softly.

I whipped the car over to the side of the road and put it in park. Then I turned in my seat and looked between my mate and my son. My son was watching us with curosity but Epperly was staring at me with a mix of emotions.

“First of all, you are always worth it. You will always be worth it. Both of you. So don’t say that s**t again.” I told her.

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this.” She said angrily.

I stared at her for a moment.

“You don’t feel it?” I asked her in a whisper.

“Feel what?” She asked.

“Yeah feel what?” Our son echoed as he crossed his arms.

I chuckled.

“What is your name?” I asked him.

My son stuck his nose in the air and turned his head.

“His name is Tate Ambrose Smith.” Epperly told me.

I turned to her and raised an eyebrow.

“Smith? Not Jones this time?” I asked and her eyes went wide.

“Or Morningstar?” I asked.

Though I was ecstatic that she gave him my name as a middle name. Epperly shook her head sadly. I put my hand on her thigh and she looked down at it.

“He has a beautiful name.” I told her softly. “But his last name will be Morningstar from here on out. Same with you.” I told her.

Epperly’s eyes snapped up to meet mine. Her long black hair moving from her face. My Goddess she is f*****g pretty. That one night we shared five years ago has been haunting my dreams every night, and now here she is.

I have her back. She’s mine now. I will never let her go. I don’t give a flying f**k who I have to kill to protect her and our son. I’ll burn down every realm and every God if I have to.

They are mine.

“Why?” She whispered as tears filled her eyes.

I looked deep into her eyes.

“Because my love, you are my mate.” I said and her eyes went wide. “And I am not losing you a second time.”

With that I put the car into drive and headed down the road. Epperly was silently staring at me but I didn’t look at her. Apparently she doesn’t feel the connection the way I do.

Is she a Witch?

No, I would have noticed that immediately. She isn’t a vampire or wolf, or she would have known right away. Same if she was any other supernatural race. At least I thought that, but of course Max didn’t know at first but I don’t think she is a God. She has a lot of power but not that kind of power.

So, what is she?

After a few minutes of silence our son spoke.

“What’s a mate?”