South Mountain Pack Ch. 14

There was silence as the men deciphered its meaning and Dante told them the Italian prophecy, "A son to a strong Alpha shall be born and by the will of Luna he will mate with a daughter of an equally strong family. His mating will bring forth an early Ascension giving rise to his true power as one of the most powerful to walk the Earth. He will become the true leader of his kind and the blood of the two joined together will usher forth a new age and peace will finally rule over the land." He stopped as a thoughtful expression covered his face before he said, "They are similar but the French prophecy has Celestial references and we need to understand what they mean; 'Under Luna's gaze', 'Under the watchful eyes of Luna', 'Align', 'Ecliptical'. We need Paulo and his laptop." Carlo nodded and nobody talked as Dante rubbed his temples before he looked at Carlo and asked, "What is the date and time of Anthony's birth and day of conception?"

"He was born April 9, 1986 at 1:23 AM," Carlo said as he stared at Dante. "As far as conception, I'm not sure of the date, but it was the first day of Gina's heat because I noticed a change in her scent the following morning. I'll ask her." Dante nodded and moments later Carlo said, "Gina said it was November 12, 1985." Dante wrote the information down and handed it to Paulo and his fingers flew over the keyboard as he searched for the information.

Dante took a deep breath and appeared lost in thought before he turned to Frank, "When is Sophia's birthday?"

"August 9, 1988," Frank replied as he narrowed his eyes.

"So, she will turn eighteen on August 9, 2006," Dante said quietly as he wrote that down and handed it to Paulo. Moments later, Paulo stopped typing and pointed to the laptop screen. After looking at the screen, Dante turned to Carlo and said quietly, "Son of a bitch, it is all coming true."

"What the fuck are you talking about Dante?" Carlo said angrily as he moved to look at the screen.

"Your son was conceived and born on the days of Solar Eclipses, when Luna is the most visible object in the sky. Sophia's eighteenth birthday, when they will be allowed to mate is on a full moon," Dante said in a reverent tone. "We normally receive The Ascension on our twenty-fifth birthday when we are deemed mature enough to handle the powers given, but I think Anthony will receive his on his twenty-third birthday, the same day as the Full Moon... April 9, 2009."

The men were quiet as they thought of the meaning behind everything Dante said. "No one can know of this. Paulo, we need to discuss this further before we tell the Pack," Carlo said in a firm voice as Paulo nodded, he was used to keeping secrets from the others since he was in charge of their Electronic security. "If anyone finds out, he will be in grave danger from those wanting to gain control of his power or not wanting him to fulfill the prophecies and Soph..."

Before Carlo could finish what he was saying, Frank broke in and said in a worried tone, "Sophia will be in danger too. In order for the prophecies to come true, he has to mate with her and she must bear his young." Both men looked at Sophia laughing with her friends in bleachers. Sensing their gaze on her, she turned to them and waved, a big smile on her face when they waved back.

"Do you need me for anything else Alpha Carlo? If not, I'll go back so you can finish your discussion," asked Paulo and when Carlo nodded, he closed out the programs on his computer and handed the papers to Dante. Carlo watched as he sat on the bleachers and when his family turned to him he shook his head.

Tristan nodded and said, "We won't tell anyone Carlo. I'll give an Alpha Command to my men and they will do everything in their power to protect them." He turned to his assembled Betas and gave the Command, and his men bowed their heads and submitted their necks in acknowledgment.

"It goes without saying my men will protect them and will not tell anyone," Dante said and Carlo nodded. Dante ran his hands through his hair before he turned to the two Alphas and said, "We have an Italian and a French prophecy, but I wonder if there are more out there and if there are, what clues do they contain?"

Fifteen minutes passed, the men silent as they watched the game without seeing what was happening; they were too busy thinking about everything that had happened so far that day. Rain broke the silence when he let out a sigh and said, "One thing we missed when we discussed our fable..." The men turned towards him as he took a deep breath, "What does 'the transfer of his Ancestors collective powers will begin' mean? Is it the strengths that make them an Alpha, like physical strength, toughness, leadership and intelligence? Or is it their individual strengths like compassion, sensitivity and determination?"

Everyone turned towards Dante who threw his hands up and said, "Do not look at me like I have all the answers in the Universe. I know I am the smartest man here, but that is not saying much considering the intellect in this group."

"Fuck you and fuck your attitude," Carlo said with a frown before he began to laugh. "Considering the fact the ONLY reason you got into Oxford was because of your family connections and the generous endowment they gave."

Dante stood up straight, his back rigid as he said in a voice filled with contempt, "How I got there is not important, the important thing is the Rossi Building will stand for centuries in my honor."

Ric started to laugh and said, "If your honor is the foundation, they better get some engineers there, because the damn thing is going to collapse."

"Bah, you are jealous because the only building named in honor of a Carlucci would be an outhouse," Dante retorted. They started to argue in rapid-fire Italian complete with wild hand gestures as the Italians gathered around them cheering.

"Do they always argue like that?" Tristan asked with a look of concern.

"Unfortunately, yes. They've been like this since we were little ones," Carlo replied shrugging his shoulders. "Right now, they're arguing over something that happened when they were eight. Apparently, Dante ate the chocolate cannoli Ric wanted." Seeing the look on Tristan's face, Carlo smiled, "You don't come between a man and his cannoli, especially if it's chocolate."

The sound of the whistle signaling the end of the game stopped the argument and the men glanced at the scoreboard which showed SMP won 72-28 and SMP stood in the bleachers cheering. As the boys ran off the field Carlo said, "While we wait for them to shower and change, we'll finalize our plans. I'll call Savannah on Monday and fill her in on everything." Since Marco stayed to guard those in the safe room, Frank and Joe wrote everything down in notebooks Aldo provided.

Thirty minutes later, everyone was in the vehicles while Carlo, Dante, Frank and Joe said goodbye to Tristan and Rain. "Thank you Tristan. Knowing you will be at our side will be a tremendous help," Carlo said as the two shook hands.

Tristan nodded, "Let me know what Savannah has to say about our offer to help train her Pack. Like we discussed, I can send some of my Beta's there or she can send some of her Pack here. And let me know what day of the week we're going to have our weekly updates, I'll change my schedule so I'm free."

Carlo nodded, "I'll call Monday after I talk with her." With one last handshake the men went to their vehicles and their escorts led the way from Hillside House. The ride back to their territory was quiet; the youngsters talking quietly about the game while the men told their mates what had been discussed.

The Millers, Carlucci's, Moretti's and Rossi's pulled in front of the Millers house. Everyone got out of the vehicles and the Miller girls were ushered into the house by Holly, Nana Ellen and Papa Mike. Under Frank's watchful eye, Ant scented Sophia and told her he would be at her house at 6:45 before leaving in his Dad's SUV. Alberto whispered to Maria he would see her at Carmelo's and glanced up to see Joe's steely gaze on them, swallowing loudly he scented her quickly before he got in his families SUV and left.

Vin asked, "Dad, you need us for anything? We figured we'd stay here and go in the woods and start to mark which trees we're going to pull down tomorrow."

Frank shrugged and Todd said, "Fine with me. It'll give me a chance to get to know my son-in-laws better." Vin and Dom glanced at each other remembering their talk from last night. Todd smiled, "Relax, I'm not going to kill you...yet."

Frank said in a firm voice, "Behave yourselves and don't be a nuisance." Vin and Dom nodded and ran in the house. He quietly said to Todd, "Keep an eye on them; I saw the lipstick on their shirts last night. Make sure they're occupied; have them do yard work or help get the property ready for winter."

"Dad and I noticed the wood shed roof was leaking the other day when it rained," Todd said as he glanced around the yard. "I'll go to the store and buy what we need and have them work on that this evening to get it ready for firewood."

Frank said, "Give me about thirty minutes and I'll bring roofing supplies over; we have shingles, tar paper and roofing nails in the barn, no sense in buying it. And don't worry about the boys, they know what to do, they've been working for Triple C since they were sixteen." He turned to his family, "Load up."

As soon as they were inside the house, Sophia, Maria, Rose and Annie ran upstairs. Knowing they wouldn't have much time, their dresses were hanging on the closet door, their shoes and pocketbooks underneath and their accessories on the dresser. Annie said, "Maria, let me wrap your arm so you can shower and let me know when you need me to wash your hair then I'll help you dress and do your hair."

Rose said, "Sophia, take your shower in my room to save time." At 6:30, both girls were dressed. Sophia was wearing a pink with white polka-dots sundress with a sweetheart neckline, a white leather belt, platinum hoop earrings, multi-colored pink Swarovski bracelets, and pink low-heeled pumps. Maria had on a light blue strapless sundress with swirls of black, the skirt flaring out before it ended above her knees, multi-colored blue Swarovski bracelets, matching earrings and black low-heeled pumps. Noting the time she said, "You both look beautiful. Come on; let's go downstairs so you can wait for Anthony."

When the girls walked into the kitchen, Frank and Joe looked them over from head to toe and Frank said, "Put a sweater on, the top is showing too much." Joe and the boys nodded, Rose and Annie frowned and Sophia sighed before running upstairs to get matching sweaters for the two of them. After they put on their cardigans, Frank and Joe nodded in approval and Frank said, "Now you look beautiful. Let's go over the rules one last time. Anthony's in charge, if anything happens you listen to him, your brothers and cousins. I don't care what you're doing, if they say leave, you leave. Am I clear?" Both girls nodded.

"We've had a talk with them," Joe said turning to the Carlucci boys. "They're not to interfere in your date unless they sense trouble." The boys nodded and when Frank and Joe turned back to the girls, evil grins crossed their faces. Sensing what they were doing Joe turned back quickly and frowned at the expressions on their faces, "Boys, I'm serious. Don't ruin this for them." The boys nodded but the twinkle in their eyes made Sophia and Maria question their sincerity. "Anthony's here." Moments later, Joe was ushering him down the hall and Anthony stopped when he saw Sophia and swallowed loudly.

"Damn," he whispered as he began to walk towards her. "I ugh...you look beautiful. Here." He quickly thrust a vase of daisies at her and she squealed as the water splashed the front of her dress, she took a step back and unused to wearing heels her foot slipped on the tiled floor. He grabbed her arm to steady her, upsetting the precarious balance of the vase and it tilted, completely soaking the front of her dress and the water pooled on the floor. Hearing her gasp he let go, thinking he had grabbed her too hard and without his support she slipped and fell on her bottom landing in the puddle. There was silence in the kitchen as the Carlucci's looked at Sophia before their gaze swung to Anthony, who was standing their wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open. "Oh, shit," he muttered as he quickly moved to help her. "It's not that bad, it'll uhmm dry in no time."

Rose quickly stepped forward and said, "Sophia, let's get you cleaned up." The four women went upstairs to help Sophia change and the Carlucci men continued to stare at Anthony who sat at the table with his head in his hands.

"What the hell is the matter with me? That's three dresses I've ruined so far," he moaned. Hearing movement behind him, he saw Sal cleaning up the mess and put his head back in his hands. "When I see her, I lose my ability to think and I act like a bumbling incoherent idiot."

Frank patted him on the back, "Don't feel bad, it happens to all of us. When Rose and I started dating, Carlo, Joe and I were sent to Alpha Council for training. When we got back, I went to her house barged in and tackled her landing on the table, right on top of the food. Now that was embarrassing, Pops wasn't happy with me, and made me put a new roof on the barn later that week."

"I dumped a tray of sandwiches on my mate," added Rocco.

"I dumped a tray of drinks on my mate when she smiled at me," added Ric.

"I dropped a hot fudge sundae on Annie," said Joe with a smile. "Of course, I also licked it off of her, but that's another story."

"Seriously Dad? I'm going to have nightmares for months with that visual," Damian said as he shuddered and covered his face with his hands.

Frank looked at his brother like he was crazy before turning to Anthony and saying in a firm tone, "If anything like that ever happens, I don't want to hear about it. Ever. And it better not happen before she's fifty and I'm too slow to catch you and beat you to death." Anthony nodded with a horrified look on his face as the boys grinned. "Sophia's almost ready, take a deep breath, calm yourself down and relax."

Damian looked at Anthony with a big smile, "Look on the bright side, the rest of the date can only get better. You've already ruined her special date outfit, dumped her flowers on the floor and got her new shoes wet. The only thing left would be to kick her puppy and luckily for you she doesn't have one."

"Fuck off Damian," was heard from almost every one in the kitchen as he threw his hands up in the air.

Sophia walked into the kitchen wearing a white printed sundress with small light purple hydrangeas. She had on multi-colored purple bracelets, earrings, and matching braided belt, low heeled pumps and cardigan. "I'm ready," she said as she looked at Anthony who stood up and stared at her with his mouth open.

Seeing the look on his face, Frank sighed, "Okay, here's the seat assignment; Gianni, Marcus, Enzo, Salvatore and Victor with Sophia and Maria; Lorenzo, Damian, Gino and Michael with Erin and Caitlin. After Carmelo's; Gianni, Marcus, and Enzo with Sophia; Victor, Sal and Angelo with Maria; Lorenzo, Damian, Gino and Michael with Erin and Caitlin. Questions?" The boys shook their heads and Frank continued, "Tell the Millers we'll be there in an hour." As they walked the youngsters outside, Frank asked Paulo, "You sure you don't want to go?"

"Nah Uncle Frank," he responded as he shook his head. "I've got a lot of stuff to do for Alpha Carlo. I've got to break that password and check the other programs I have running, with the game and everything today I'm running behind."

Joe put his arm around his shoulder as they watched the youngsters pull out of the driveway, "I know you have a lot to do, but remember you're a teenager. When we go to the Millers, I want you to relax and have some fun." Paulo nodded before heading back into the kitchen, grabbing a drink and sitting in front of his laptop, his fingers once again flying over the keyboard.

At the Millers, Anthony and Lorenzo pulled to the side of the garage, Lorenzo would be leaving his truck there and his group would ride in Pat's SUV. Looking around, Lorenzo said, "I see the two asshats aren't here yet."

Michael frowned, "I thought Pat and Bob were friends of yours."

"That doesn't mean they're not asshats," replied Lorenzo with a frown.

As they walked to the door, Todd motioned them inside, "Boys, there's cake in the kitchen; girls, you're needed upstairs." Vin and Dom were eating large slices of cake and when the boys came in, they got up and got them plates and drinks, as if it was their house. Todd smiled, knowing the boys were feeling comfortable and considered themselves part of the Miller household. While they waited, they talked about the status assessments which would happen Sunday evening.

The sound of quiet chatter was heard before the girls appeared in the kitchen. Vin, Dom and Anthony immediately went to their intendeds, and Anthony after relaxing with the boys was once again more confident and said, "You look beautiful and I'm sorry I ruined your dress and you had to change."

Sophia gave him a side glance, "It's okay, and I like those jeans on you."

"Your brothers and cousins told me, that's why I wore them," he answered and started to smile when he saw her blush.

Maria looked at her two oldest brothers and saw they were trying not to stare at Erin and Caitlin. Lorenzo's eyes were flashing amber before he took a deep breath and stared at his shoes. Damian shoved his hands in his pockets and let out a low whistle before tilting his head back and shutting his eyes. Maria turned to Erin and Caitlin and smiled broadly letting them know their outfits had the desired effect. Erin had on a white sundress printed with small sunflowers with a square cut neckline and she paired it with a medium brown cardigan and matching flats. Caitlin had on a terra-cotta colored dress with beige swirls and a rounded neckline, a beige cardigan and matching flats. Knowing what outfits the girls were going to wear, Sophia had brought over matching bracelets for them.

The doorbell rang and Erin and Caitlin giggled nervously as Todd went to answer. Moments later, Pat and Bob Reeder walked nervously into the kitchen, their gaze going to Vin and Dom who were standing behind Erin and Caitlin with their arms crossed over their chests. The two older boys raked them with their eyes and Vin said, "Respect them and treat them right, if not you'll answer to us." Pat and Bob looked at each other nervously before nodding their heads.

Todd coughed to cover his laughter before saying in a firm tone, "Have them home right after the movie. I already checked what time it ends."

Anthony said, "We've got to go. We'll have just enough time to eat before the movie starts." The Millers, Vin and Dom watched from the porch as the youngsters walked to the vehicles, the younger girls talking excitedly about everything that happened that day with their uncles.

"I'm telling you we're gonna look like a bunch of fucking clowns," Damian muttered as they walked to the Reeder's SUV. "Sixteen people in two vehicles, why couldn't we take more cars?"

"Will you shut the fuck up," whispered Lorenzo as he glared at Bob. "This evening is going to be difficult enough as it is without you ranting and raving."

"I can hear you and this evening isn't about the two of you," said Vin with a frown. "It's about the girls and making sure they have a good time and Erin and Caitlin'll be more comfortable if they're in the same vehicle. You two are along as their protection detail to make sure they stay safe, that's it. Is that clear?"