Chapter 25

-“Come on, princess. The meeting is starting and we are late.”

Blaze wasn’t really annoyed, he loved seeing his two mates sleepily tidy themselves up.

“I’m still really tired,” Garrek yawned and stopped beside him resting his head on his older mates shoulder.

“Me too. Can we have an early night after the meeting… Party thing?” Amy asked stopping at his over side with Yun – now wide awake – in her arms.

“Yes, we will. You need extra sleep now, with our pup on the way. But…” He looked to his brother unsure. “Why are you tired? You haven’t done anything?”

“I don’t know…” the younger male shrugged dismissively.

Blaze smiled and nodded, placing a kiss on the pair’s foreheads. “That is just like you… See strong, yet so soft. I love you so much Gar and you, Amy. I am so lucky to have you both.

“We love you too, Blaze,” They both said at the same time and snuggled further into his side.

And that is how they stayed the whole walk downstairs – the house was bigger in awhole than a human house because shifters were generally larger – and into the back room, the kitchen.

The kitchen was almost empty, minus Nanna Lucy and Kay arranging the last of the food.

By this point, the younger pair was fully awake, especially when the smell of food hit them.

There was no sign of anyone else inside, but they could perfectly hear the assembly of the pack members outside. “Ruud,” Yun whined gaining the women’s attention.

“Hello my darlings,” The elderly woman smiled and walked over, giving each a kiss in turn.

“Hello,” Kay said rather shyly.

“How’s things going with Leon?” Amy asked with a cheeky grin.

“He is a kind, sweet man.”

“Come on… We’re waiting on you lot,” An impatient Ed appeared in the doorway.

“I want to eat, but no one can until Alpha James has finished the induction ceremony.”

Garrek growled and Nanna shh-ed him. “We will be there in one moment.”

The boy paused and stared for a moment at Garrek, sent him a scared look before rushing out the kitchen.

“You shouldn’t growl at the boy… Your cousin,” The elderly woman, corrected herself. “You know it’s better him than your uncle or grandpa.”

“But they adore Amy, so they wouldn’t do anything,” Her youngest grandson replied confidently.

“That is true, but doesn’t mean you two won’t get out of punishment if you push them too far.”

“Speak of the devil…” Blaze winced.

“Bear’s growling is splitting my head open,” Garrek looked a little unsteady on his feet. Amy moved from Blaze’s side and to his instead. “Are you alright, Gar?” Blaze asked worried.

“Yes…” His voice was shaky.

“Are you sure?” Amy asked with the same concerned look as the others in the kitchen.

Before he had a chance to answer an irritated looking Grandpa – with Bear flickering close behind his eyes – entered the house.

“What’s keeping you all?!”

“We were just coming out,” Garrek said in an almost tired tone, but the older man didn’t seem to notice. “Good, because James is ready to begin,” He said, took a look at his mate, sent her a lustful look and left the kitchen without another word.

But Nanna seemed almost unaffected by the look, she was too worried about her youngest grandson.

“I’m fine. Bear’s voice is just a bit much just after waking up.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to get Tanya?” His brother asked concerned.

“I.AM.FINE!” He snapped and proceeded to walk away. But rather than scolding him like he should Blaze stayed silent and caught up with him and Amy did the same.

Both were instantly glued to his sides. “I’m sorry,” He sighed. “I’m really fine. Just a little tired. Amy on the other hand…” A grin took over his face and then Blaze’s and in one quick movement she was move between them again, but she still clung to her younger brother, worried.

“Ah, finally!” James whispered as he saw the trio closely followed by the two women.

Almost without being seen both their mates joined them at their sides.

“Good Evening everyone,” James announced loudly gaining everyone’s attention.

He was now stood on a stage at the front of the large garden. The garden and the surrounding area was filled with people. The people numbered into the hundreds. They all remained silent as their alpha spoke.

‘It’s a good job the pack land is so large,’ Amy thought openly through her mating link.

‘This isn’t all of the pack,’ Blaze said back. His sister’s eyes widened.

‘Many warriors are covering the perimeters to make sure no one slips through during the meeting.

Also, several women are in the pack Domus looking after the infants.’

She already had been told about the Domus, which was the packs community house where the childcare centre was and where a lot of the pack members socialize.

It was located on the pack land next to the packs school.

“Thank you for your patience. I know its Christmas Eve and you all want to go home, but tonight is a special night,” James continued. “Many of the older members of our pack know my sister, Paula – Garrek and Blaze’s mother – and how so met her mate in the Black Horde pack. Well, I am pleased to announce she, along with her mate and my niece have returned…” A cheer followed surprising Amy slightly. She had never lived pack life. Well, at least not knowingly. But she was almost certain this wouldn’t have been the reaction in Liam’s pack. They were nice there, but a lot more closed off emotionally.

Now she thought about it, she was pretty sure that was the Alpha’s fault.

“Along with them we have …” He went on to introduce the young mother and her sons.

“Good friends, Kay and her sons, Tidus and Tim.” Most seemed surprised but hid it well.

They all greeted the group with a welcoming cheer.

“I know many of you are all eager to get home to your young. We have much to say, but I will more along quickly.”

“Step up,” He gave all the new members of the pack a look and they walked up in front of them.

But he stopped on Amy and shook his head. “Not yet, little one.”

She was confused but did as she was told.

She stayed back, stood behind her mates watching as her uncle passed out glasses to the five now in front of him.

“Repeat after me,” He began. “I ‘state your name,'” They all did as told.

“Pledge my loyalty to ‘The Golden Dusk pack,’ and all its members.”

Again they repeated and he indicated for them to drink the contents of the glass.

‘What’s in the glass?’

‘It’s a mixture of the current Alpha couple and previous one’s blood and a few other things,’ Blaze replied. Amy curled up her lip. ‘We aren’t vampires.’

Garrek laughed out loud but quickly pretend to clear his throat when many faces – including his Grandpa’s – turned to him. Blaze, on the other hand, hid his amusement better. ‘It is needed to cement to bond with the pack,’ He explained.

“I hereby welcome you into our pack and family,” James announced and give each of them a warm hug though Tidus and Kay were both nervous of the touch they didn’t flinch away.

“That’s it?” Tidus seemed surprised.

“Yes, that’s it. Not every Alpha requires a ridiculously excessive speech,” James said knowingly. “As long as you accept and pledge your alliance to our pack, which is all I need.” There was more he needed normally, but as his family had pledged for them, he accepted them with ease.

“You may all return to your places.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” They all said, bowed and returned to their previous locations.

“Amy, if you can join me.”

Her mate’s hands lingered on hers for a moment, before letting her go.

Slowly she walked over and stopped in front of her uncle.

“It’s alright, little one. Do not be afraid,” He spoke loud enough for only her to hear and then moved to her side and placed his arm around her shoulder. He felt her physically relax and couldn’t help but smile.

He was huge both in muscle and height to her. But with his grey eyes and dark, salt and pepper hair it was easy to see he was related to Blaze and Garrek.

“As you all know this is my niece. But she is also my nephews mate.”

Gasps and then an eerily silence for a moment as they took in the information.

But surprising Amy again, everyone began cheering.

“But they are not our only new mating…” He went on to tell them of the new matings.

They were surprised by the sisters most, but happy for all.

Matings between true mates were highly celebrated in the shifter community and all – even the more taboo ones – were accepted by most without question. After all, the Moon Goddess herself created and blessed the unions, she could never be wrong. Could she?

“Now, many of you may wonder why I never inducted her with the others. Well, I am pleased to announce Amy and her mates are expecting their first child.”

Thunderous applause filled the area. It was so loud in fact that the sheer volume made her wince.

“Think low,” Bianca whispered from where she was now stood at Amy’s other side.

The younger girl looked confused.

“You are technically still a pup, only days old. You were not trained-“

“Like your parents should here!” James whispered, interrupting her.

She glared at her mate, but then give Amy a small smile. “But you weren’t. We will all train you what you need to know. But all you at the moment your hearing is more than a little sensitive, think you want to turn the volume down and it will and the opposite if you want it louder in the future,” She explained.

The crowds were still cheering but quieten down when James raised a hand.

“It is a rare occurrence that an Alpha is made to induct a new pregnant female into the pack. But when they do, it is a joyous occasion. Sadly the body doesn’t accept the promise drink…” What they call the blood mixture. “It rejects the liquid. But that doesn’t mean the pack link cannot be formed.” He wouldn’t normally explain. But many of the pack had no clue what was happening, neither did Amy. So he was doing it for her comfort and to teach the pack.

Amy’s eyes glazed over as he spoke and explained to the crowd.

Her mind drifted to thoughts of her young and her mates cradling the pup.

This continued until she heard a soft whisper in her ear.

“You weren’t listening were you?” Her aunt whispered with a knowing grin.

“I did… Well, at least to the rejection of the liquid part.”

James was still busy speaking to the crowd, drawing out time while his mate quickly explained the process to their niece.

“In short, James and I are going to have to mark you.”

Amy’s eyes widened. “You mark pregnant women.”

“No, no, no, not at all. Normally, we have a pack member with them or at their hand all the time until they can be inducted. But you are family and your need to be able to communicate with the rest of the pack is important.” She understood that but still didn’t understand the marking.

“But isn’t marking just for mates?” The shorter, younger girl asked confused.

“Normally, yes. But this is the only way.”

Amy looked back at her mates worried, Blaze sent her a smile, while Garrek sent her a wink.

‘We love you. All is well, they explained it to us while you were sleeping,’ Blaze told her and she looked to her other mate who nodded his head.

“They have been told.” She returned her eyes to her aunt as the older woman spoke.

“Yes, we will have a deeper connection because of the mark, though being family, we do already. But it will not affect you and your mates. Mates are mates, once you are marked and mated to them nothing can break you apart. Even when one dies their mate normally follows days or hours afterwards.”

A whimper escaped her lips, but most didn’t hear.

‘Are you alright?’ Both her mates asked quickly.

‘I am fine.’

‘Are you sure?’ They slowly edged to her until she stopped and reassured them again she was perfectly well.

“You alright, little one?” James whispered in a worried tone, gaining her attention.

“I’m sorry. I scared her a little,” The Luna admitted. The Alpha frowned.

“She did nothing, Uncle. I just got sad hearing of my mates…” She trailed off.

“It is alright,” He placed a kiss on her forehead that made her skin tingle slightly and her wolf almost giggle inside. “Shifter families are connected in a deeper way than non-shifters.”

“You can rejoin your mates for a moment.”

She wasn’t sure what was happening but was happy to return to her mates, who instantly sandwich her between them.

“One final announcement. All contact with The Black Horde pack is banned,” James voice deadly serious as he addressed the pack. “If I find or hear of anyone in contact with Alpha Liam Paine or any pack member without my knowledge you will be severely punished.”

No one argued or questioned him, instead simply agreeing and saying “Yes, Alpha.”

“Good. Now, there are plenty of food and refreshments available. If you wish to return home or get your young and return to the gathering to greet our new members, you are welcome too.”

Signalling the end of his talking, everyone began to chatter and mingle.

While Amy simply stood confused.

“Marking is seen as a personal matter,” He began to explain to her after walking over. “We five will head inside out of prying eyes.”

“I don’t mind doing it here,” She began to say, but Blaze stopped her. “I do!” He all but growled before he began to drag her and Garrek inside and up the stairs.

She wanted to ask why but in all honesty Blaze’s outburst had scared her a little.

“Stop it!” Garrek growled when they were out of hearing distance of the others are the gathering.

He pulled her gently away from his older brother and against him.

“Don’t push me, Garrek. You are already due punishment for disobeying the rules.”

“What’s going on here?” James asked firmly once he had caught up with the three.

“Nothing,” His younger nephew said obviously lying.

The Alpha looked skeptically at the boys and then to his niece who was huddled at Garrek’s side.

“Are you alright, little one?” She glanced to at Blaze through her lashes, then back before nodding her head. Blaze’s eyes widen as if realizing, then saddened.

Her uncle wasn’t convinced but silently indicated for them to follow him into the attic room.

“Amy?” Blaze tried to speak to his mate as they headed up the stairs to the top of the house.

“I’m sor-” She stopped in front of him, placed a finger on his lips and a kiss on his nose.

“You scared me.” His frown deepened. “But I forgive you.” He grinned.

“But you should really be saying it to someone else.” She turned to Garrek and placed a lingering kiss on his nose.

“You make my inside fluffy.” She giggled and he nuzzled her cheek.

Barely a second later, they felt something brushing up against their legs.

Pulling apart they saw a familiar white wolf with big bright blue puppy eyes looking up at them on the stairs, a small pile of clothing lay in a heap near him.

“Blaze, Why are you in wolf form?” She fought back a grin. But she and Garrek failed when the wolf meowed and rubbed his muzzle against their hands.

He whined, his whines also sounded as if he were saying “Sorry.”

“Ha ha ha. Say that again?” His younger brother almost choked on his laughs as his brother repeated himself.

“Ha, again.”

“No,” Amy gave Garrek a pointed look. “Stop teasing him or do you want your punishment to last two days?”

His smile instantly dropped. “Please, can’t we leave it? I still don’t feel good.”

“Maybe we should get Tanya to check you over then,” Her anger now replaced by worry, but part of her thought he was making it up to get out of his punishment.

‘Yes, I agree,’ Blaze linked and nuzzled his younger brother’s hand.

“I just need sleep.”

“Are you guys coming?” James stepped back out of the room just ahead of them.

His eyes drifted over the trio until reaching the wolf.

“I’m not even asking,” He chuckled and shook his head. “Just get your butts up here.”

“Yes, sir.” Garrek saluted, picked up Amy and ran up the stairs chuckling.

‘If you drop her…’ Blaze galloped up the stairs after them.

James chuckled and returned inside and out of their path.