I'm very grateful to those of you who have followed this from the start, and for those who have given your input. The next few chapters have been reworked from what I had originally written, and I hope it doesn't show. Your feedback is taken to heart at Jst4fun2nyt@gmail.com.

The sex isn't a major part of it, nor is it graphic. If you're looking for masturbation fodder, look elsewhere. There will be many slow times in this story, just like there are in life. Other times, things will fly at you too fast. There will be boring days, and exciting days. It's just how it's flowing.

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Chapter 58

I looked from Derrick to Frederick, totally confused, then Derrick said "I have magic, Dad!"

I looked to Frederick, and when he nodded, I said "My office, now." and started towards the hall.

"I think we should go outside, Sir. You need to see this, as well as hear about it." Frederick said, catching my arm.

I shrugged and said "Ok, lead on."

Frederick and Derrick led me to hunting rock and I sat as Frederick explained. "You remember you asked me to work with born vampires to explore teaching them magic?" I nodded and he continued "And you wondered about humans and magic at the same time. Derrick came to me last week and asked about Morgan's visions and told me about his own intuitive feelings he discussed with you."

"I remember our talk, yes. Do you have visions as well, Derrick?" I asked, looking at him.

"Oh no, Dad, after meeting Allie, and talking to the New York Alphas, Frederick is convinced that visions and empathy are abilities that are unique to special minds. Humans with autism, or other mental challenges."

He stopped so I waited... and waited... finally Frederick realized that Derrick was so excited he had lost his train of thought so he spoke "Derrick has natural abilities, similar to yours Greg. He's learned everything as quickly as you have, and at times, he's able to simply think his magic into being." He turned to Derrick and said "How about a campfire?"

Derrick looked around, then suddenly several dry branches were stacking themselves into a pile. As soon as they were settled, there was a flash, and we were looking at a rather quickly improvised campfire. He looked at me for approval, and when he saw the shock on my face, he laughed "I'll put it out Dad, no worries." And just like that, water seemed to come from nowhere and doused the blaze.

I was stunned. I looked at Frederick and asked "And he's only been working a week? Have you tried the more powerful stuff I used in New York?"

"We have not tried it, Greg. I've told him about the things you did, but I'm afraid to push things too fast. I don't know what kind of physical or mental drain magic causes on a human. With all due respect, Greg, I understand your concerns for Derrick, and what this means for him, but there is a much larger issue this opens up."

I nodded as I realized what he was saying. "I think we need to keep this quiet for now, Derrick. Have you told anyone?"

"Steph and Jamie know I was trying to learn it, Dad. I never told them how it was going. I think they were afraid to ask because they thought I was wasting my time and didn't want to discourage me."

"Do you still want changed tomorrow night? Or do you want to explore this more?" I asked Derrick.

"I don't know Dad, what if changing me makes it go away? Or weakens it?"

I turned to Frederick "Do you think that will happen if he changes?"

"I don't know enough to even offer an opinion, Greg. Since I've met you, everything I thought I knew about magic has been turned upside down. Do you want to risk it?"

I looked to Derrick as I said "It's not my call. Derrick? You don't have to answer yet. You can think about it, and we can still do it tomorrow night, or put it off to give you more time to think."

Derrick bit his lower lip as he thought, then he said "May I talk about it with Steph and Jamie, Dad? I trust them with my life, I know they won't tell anyone."

I smiled and said "Of course you can discuss it with your mates. For now, just them, Frederick, and me. I'll let Pop, Papa, and Mom know what's going on. Let's get back and join everyone for dinner, ok?"

I put my arm around his shoulder and he leaned in to me as he wrapped his arm around my waist. We went straight to the dining room and found our family waiting for us. Trent was standing with Eric and Jennifer, looking uncomfortable. I reassured him that he was welcome at our table, and he relaxed. Billy told me that Marcus and Gail were having dinner with the New York Alphas, in Butler. Malcolm and Rodney had left Cody to visit with Chipper and Kailani. I was happy to see Allison standing by Morgan, with Jamie and Stephanie waiting for Derrick to join them. Brandon and Jarrod were there as well, holding hands.

I joined my mates at the head of the table and we enjoyed a wonderful meal. Derrick asked if it was OK for Eric to show him the listing for the house in Maine, and I said it was fine. He and Jamie were excited and I knew that Eric would be buying motorcycles and ATVs for their house as well. Jesse and Jeremy's eyes lit up at the mention of motorcycles, and Derrick promised to take them and teach them after dinner.

Joshua turned to me and said "Dad, I know you don't like discussing business at the table, but you are fine discussing family. Since you consider pack to be family, does that mean pack issues can be discussed?"

I thought for a moment, then replied "I think we can talk about broad issues, but I don't want to discuss policies, and I certainly think that individual issues should be talked about in a more private setting. Use your own judgement. What's on your mind?"

"Well, all this talk about motorcycles and Eric's house has me thinking. Lots of pups grow up in the city, with no chance to enjoy nature. Between here, Eric's place, and the land for the new school, we could have summer camps, let the pups take a few weeks and have fun."

Eric's eyes lit up and he said "That's a great idea, Josh! Er, sorry, Prince."

Joshua laughed "You're my brother, dude, only use that stuff when things are formal, ok?"

Eric smiled and went on "So yeah, that's a great idea. Our place has miles of trails already. We could build a bunk house for 30 or 40 pups and have them come enjoy riding and fishing. Maybe get some horses... wait, will horses tolerate vampires?" He looked around as he asked this last.

Grand-pére Sebastian laughed as he said "I should hope they do. How do you think we got around before cars? Once you and Jennifer get settled, I'll come up and we can see what we can do. We'll need to figure out how many the land will support and sort out housing for them. Then I can start getting the horses for you."

Chipper's ears had perked up when he heard horses and he said "Can we get some for here too Dad? That would be cool!"

Before I could say anything, Johnny said "I'll start drawings for a barn here, Greg. Sebastian can tell me how large to make it. Do you want to put it on the farm? Or closer to the house?"

I just shook my head and laughed "I haven't even said we'll get them and you're designing a barn? But do both, if the land will support them. We'll get a few to keep close by for us to ride, and several for pack members to borrow when they visit. We can offer riding lessons to the pups, through the school maybe."

"That's a great idea Greg. I'm going to Windber Sunday, if Sebastian and Johnny want to go with me, we can see how many we can have at the school, and find a place for a barn." Matt said.

Everyone was done eating, so I stood and said "Derrick, take Jesse and Jeremy and find them safety gear that fits. If you can't find full gear, the riding has to wait until we get some for them, you know the rules. Pop, Papa, Mom and I will be on the back deck with Grandma and the girls, if you need us. Eric, if you'd like to ride, you're welcome to use my bike, it's back from the shop, but the same rules apply. No gear, no riding. That's not up for discussion."

Eric said "I won't ride without gear, Dad. I heard what happened to you."

I nodded and picked up Millie. Scott picked up Val and we headed to the deck. Bea sat wrapped in Billy's arms as Scott and I fed the girls. Mom sat quietly looking out over the lake. After about five minutes she turned to me and asked "What do you want to know?"

I always seemed to underestimate Donna's wisdom. I smiled at her insight and said "Is he still where I sent him?"

She shook her head and said "He won't answer that Greg. He'll think I've been taken and I'm being forced to communicate."

"Ask him how he likes China, and if Prince Yuan is a good host. And ask him if my spell is still holding. If that doesn't convince him, I'll have to make a phone call. I'd prefer not to though." I said, trying to think of something else that would convince Dad that this was safe.

I knew it had worked when I saw Mom's smile. She said "He said China is beautiful, and Prince Chao is a very gracious host. They're traveling, but the Prince asked him not to say where, even to you."

I sat and talked to Dad, through Mom, for an hour. I explained everything that had happened with the pack and the Council. I told him of the changes I was making in both, and then I told him my plan. He didn't like it, but Prince Chao convinced him that it was how things needed to happen. When I was done talking to him, I told Mom to spend some time with him, and took my girls and my mates to our room.

We laid the girls in their cradles and all climbed into bed. We spent the next hour sharing our love in gentle caresses and kisses. I felt a peace I hadn't felt since Paris as I lay with my mates. Our lovemaking was quiet and easy. We didn't rush to orgasm, rather spent time touching each other in, what most would consider, non-sexual ways. Caressing an arm or leg, kissing a cheek, or simply laying beside one another. Bea couldn't have intercourse yet, but she guided me into Scott, then took Billy into her mouth. We finished and were just drifting off to sleep when Val woke up and her cries woke her sister. Bea muttered something about a few years before any more pups as she got up to feed them. Billy helped her as Scott snuggled in tight to me and I fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.