Chapter 20 - Stephen

When Alpha André offered Amelia the role of Gamma, I won’t lie, it scared me. Her accepting it meant I had to move and leave everything behind. I didn’t want to move, to uproot my life.

It’s utterly selfish of me, of course. And I realized it when I looked at Amelia. When I saw how excited she was to represent her family and pack. 

She’d done exactly what I was afraid of. She left her only family behind to be with me in a foreign country. She uprooted her life and came all the way to Oregon for me. 

If she could do that for me, I sure the hell can do that for her. If anyone deserves a rank in a pack, it’s my mate. She was born to be a Luna and lost that chance.

I would be a total asshole and a failure as a mate if I tried to take away this opportunity for my own insecurities. I won’t be alone. I’ll have Amelia. 

I know Darren, not like a friend, but I know him. And he’s who I’d be working with, so it won’t be so bad. I’m sure my current credits can transfer, and I can continue my civil engineering degree in Madonie. 

I will make this work.  I need to support Amelia like a mate is supposed to. And this will also mean I’m going to be a Gamma. Not sure what that will mean for my duties, but I’ll support Amelia and the pack the best I can.

My family was certainly on board with it. And I’m glad they are.

Amelia needs to know she’s supported and not just by me. Not that I doubted my family would be supportive, it’s how we do things in the Walterson family. 

We packed up my stuff, shipping most of it in advance to Amelia’s family home in the Madonie capital. And given that Darren said the pack induction ceremony would be right after we arrived, we weren’t the only ones on the private flight.

The whole Delaney Family was on the flight with us. Colby and Azriel are so different in their personalities compared to Darren. But I was still nervous as hell to meet them. 

These are the Beta’s bodyguards! They were entrusted with the safety of our pack’s Beta and the first human to be fated to a wolf in Bloodmoon history. Amelia did a double-take when Colby walked onto the plane since he’s Darren’s identical twin.

The long flight to Madonie was at least entertaining. Colby and Azriel kept pranking each other. And worse, they got Suzie to help them.

We were nearly there when I noticed Suzie wasn’t in her seat. Carefully moving Amelia’s head from my shoulder, I found my sister.

I found her stifling a giggle behind her hand as she helped Colby spray shaving cream into Azriel’s hand while he drew a… oh Goddess, he’s drawing a very detailed penis and testicles on Azriel’s face near his mouth.

And to make it worse, Azriel’s mate Sadria, Collin’s sister, was just snickering next to her mate, not trying to stop them. ‘Suzie, get back to your seat.’ I scolded through our family link.

She stuck her tongue out at me and sprayed the shaving cream on my face. I growled and yanked her off the ground.

'That’s enough. If Colby wants to prank his brother, that’s fine. But you don’t need to be involved.’ I sighed as I carried her back to her seat and not so gently set her down next to mom.

“What on earth?” Mom blinked as she looked at the shaving cream I was wiping off my face and shirt. 

“Talk to your daughter.” I grumbled.

“Suzanne Bernice Walterson, what trouble are you starting?” Mom narrowed her eyes at Suzie, using her full name.

“It was just a joke, mom. Colby asked me to help him prank Azriel. Stephen’s the one with his underwear in a knot over it.” Suzie snorted.

“Goddess, give me strength.” Mom sighed, eyes looking to the ceiling.

“Suzie, if the Delaney boys want to prank each other, that’s their business. We are guests on this planet and are only here to see your brother and Amelia take their oaths as Gammas. That’s a great honor. We shouldn’t show any disrespect to Alpha André and Aleph Darren. So you better be on your best behavior.” Mom scolded, taking the shaving cream canister away.

I sighed and went back to my seat. Amelia was still asleep, at least. I settled back in and rested my head on her, falling asleep.

We both woke up to shouting. “WHAT THE FUCK! COLBY, YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Azriel shouted, sputtering as he stood up, spitting out shaving cream.

“Azriel James Delaney, you will watch your language! There are children on this flight, and how dare you disrespect me.” Mrs. Delaney scolded.

“I don’t care if that word is used to describe female canines. You use it about me again, and it won’t be shaving cream you’re coughing on but a bar of soap.” Mrs. Delaney reprimanded, yanking her son by his ear down to her level.

“I’m sorry, mom. I didn’t mean it like that.” Azriel whimpered his apology.

Mrs. Delaney sighed and grabbed Colby’s ear with her other hand. “You two listen here. You will not embarrass me. We are here for your brother’s Aleph ceremony.” she warned them.

“You will not embarrass him in front of his mate and new pack. He is to be their leader and needs to earn their respect. Now go clean up. You better be presentable by the time we land.” Mrs. Delaney snorted, letting them both go.

‘Is she where Darren got his take-charge attitude?’ Amelia questioned.

I shrugged, though it made sense as Mr. Delaney was snickering behind his hand. ‘That would be my guess.’ I agreed.

Azriel and Colby were both clean and presentable by the time we landed. I’d also changed because I didn’t want to smell shaving cream. 

As we exited the plane, I saw we were being welcomed by Darren and André and Beta Alexander, and a couple I didn’t recognize. But one other person was standing to the side, casting a large shadow… Ivan.

I could tell how eager Amelia was to run to her brother, but we had to greet André and Darren first. It’s only proper. So we stopped in front of them, bowing our heads respectfully. 

“Thank you for coming to meet us, Alpha André and Aleph Darren.” I greeted. “And thank you for allowing my family to come for the ceremony.” I added as I felt my parents and sister right behind me.

“Welcome to Madonie.” Darren nodded politely. André, however, had an opposite reaction. He hugged Amelia with a grin. 

“Welcome back. Now go hug your brother. It’s the only reason I brought him.” André laughed, freeing her with a slight shove in her brother’s direction. 

Blushing a little at the interaction, Amelia instantly hurried to her brother, engulfed in his massive arms. “Thank you, Alpha.” I bowed my head, stepping aside.

I introduced. “May I introduce my parents, Edith and Maxton. And my little sister Suzie. Everyone meet, Alpha André, Aleph Darren, Beta Alexander, and I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with the others.” 

“You raised a charming boy. Do you provide insulin shots necessary to be around him?” André chuckled while greeting my family. “Oh yes, meet our Deltas, Gildo and Alissa.” he grinned, gesturing to the couple.

I groaned, not sure what to even say to that. “My brother isn’t sweet. He’s a dweeb.” Suzie scoffed as my father quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

“Pardon her. She tends to speak without thinking, Alpha André.” Dad apologized while André simply laughed, giving Suzie a wink.

I bowed my head to them in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you both. I look forward to working with you. Please excuse us. We should greet my mate’s brother.” 

As I guided my family to meet Ivan, I heard a squeal and turned my head, worried something had happened. No, it was just Alpha André hugging Sadira and Alison, squealing about finally meeting them.

“And to think their mother was worried about offending the Alpha.” Mom sighed. 

Ivan had finally let Amelia go and looked at me with narrowed eyes before offering his hand. Cautiously I took his hand.

“Good to see you, Ivan. These are my parents, Edith and Maxton. And my little sister, Suzie.” I introduced them. “This is Amelia’s brother, Ivan.”

Suzie tilted her head back to look up at Ivan. “HOLY SH… I mean poop! You’re a mountain!” Suzie exclaimed, stopping herself from cruising as mom glared at her.

There was a tense moment before Ivan’s lips twitched into a smile. He reached down with one massive hand and plucked my ten-year-old sister off the ground like she weighed nothing and put her on his shoulder. 

“Oh wow!” Suzie giggled in delight at her sudden change of elevation. 

“Stephen! Amelia! Come on! Load up into the car. The driver will take you to the Furlan house first, then meet us at the packhouse to go over details for tonight’s ceremony.” Darren called, waving us to the row of black SUVs.

We were split into two SUVs since Ivan was with us, and no way would six of us fit in one car along with a driver. My family rode in one while Amelia and I rode with Ivan. 

‘Sit in the back with your brother. I’ll take shotgun so you two can catch up.’ I encouraged Amelia, opening the rear passenger door for her. 

‘Thank you.’ Amelia grinned and kissed me quickly before getting into the back with her brother. 

“I’ll show your family around the house. Amelia should get to her meeting with the Alpha.” Ivan offered as we arrived at their family home. 

I remember what it looked like when we came to get her things. But it was different. Someone had it cleaned up, windows were replaced, and everything looked perfect and in order.

‘Oh my… did… did Alpha André and Aleph Darren do this? Have the house cleaned up?’ Amelia questioned as she looked around.

‘I guess so. We’ll have to thank them.’ I nodded, taking her hand. 

“We’ll see you later, probably at the ceremony. Ivan knows the property, so stick with him, and you’ll be fine.” I smiled as I said goodbye to my family, getting into the car with Amelia for our first official meeting as ranked pack members.