Meeting the Pack

As I continued to follow my father and Greyson, my mind was reeling. I wasn't just an omega?  What did that mean? Exactly what kind of power did I have that had shocked both my father and Greyson? The two had gone quiet after whatever discovery they had made.

Do you know anything about this, Eluna?

No. I'm as confused as you...was there something about the tree? The energy? It doesn't make sense to me.

I see...well, hopefully it's a good thing.

I hope so too...

After that, things were quiet...both inside and outside my head. As we reached a clearing, I saw several lanterns glowing in the distance and realized we must be close. Greyson and my father closed in around me as we made it the rest of the way. I frowned, wondering why they suddenly chose to move in like this. Did it have to do with their discovery? Or did they just want to make me more comfortable. Either way, I did feel better with them nearby. I gazed forward, seeing a group of people waiting on the outskirts of a large camping area. I looked around as we made it to the camp's entryway and I hoped my face wasn't showing just how in awe I was at the area.

Several large tents had been constructed in the clearing, followed by smaller ones placed between the large structures. Along with the tents, there were several fireplaces strategically placed in the area. Lining the main pathway through the encampment were wooden beams that hung large lanterns, their flames bouncing over the path. I gazed in amazement, having never seen such a beautiful place. It felt...like home, I realized.

"I can see you like it," my father said, his eyes beaming with pride.

"It's amazing!" I said, continuing forward and gasped as I nearly slammed into a newcomer. "O-oh! I'm sorry!"

All at once, a sudden heat spread through my body as I looked up to see who I'd nearly bumped into. The man towered over me, nearly seven-feet tall, his dark hair was long and unkempt and his icy blue eyes watched me, his face looking nervous and unsure. He let out a soft whimper, stepping back and bowing his head.

"This better be important, Jaxon," my father's voice was cold, almost cruel.

I turned to look at my father, amazed at the change he'd made at Jaxon's appearance. I frowned, wondering why my father's attitude had changed. Was Jaxon also an omega like me? I twisted to look at Jaxon again and I flushed, realizing he was still staring at me. His eyes were so blue. I could get lost in the icy blue depths and part of me wanted to.

Mine...

I blinked, realizing both Eluna and my own thoughts had spoken at the same time. Jaxon tilted his head at me and I wondered if he could hear my thoughts. Before I knew what I was doing, I'd stepped forward, moving closer to Jaxon. He didn't make a move, watching me with both a mixture of curiosity and fear. I wondered who could've made this large, strong man so nervous, so filled with fear. Part of me wanted to protect Jaxon, wanted to make that fearful look in his eyes disappear. The other part of me knew I was playing a dangerous game. I needed to step back, needed to get control of my emotions. My father and Greyson were still standing with me, still waiting to introduce me to the pack. But I needed to touch Jaxon, to feel his body against mine.

"M-miss...?" Jaxon finally spoke, looking confused.

Before I could place my hands on his chest, Greyson's strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back, pulled me against his chest. I shivered as I heard a low growl, a warning growl issuing towards Jaxon. Jaxon stepped back, letting out a soft whimper and moving his eyes to the ground.

"S-sorry...I was coming to say I finished digging the new firepit and building the tent for your daughter, sir," Jaxon said, bowing.

"Good, now get out of my sight, you're lucky you are still welcome in this tent at all," my father said, his voice filled with malice.

I watched as Jaxon nodded quickly and paused to look at me one last time before turning and leaving. Greyson's arm tightened on my waist once more and he moved his mouth to my ear, growling slightly as he did.

"You think to tease me like this? You disrespect your mate?" he sneered.

"We might be fated...but doesn't mean I like you," I said, fighting my own growl as I pulled out of his grasp.

Eluna let out a soft whimper in my head and I knew that she didn't like this, but too bad! I was not going to just sit back and let him treat me like I was his property. Not after the awful treatment I'd received from him when we'd first met. I didn't care if part of me had felt pleasure from that...it was too much! Greyson narrowed his eyes at me before turning to face my father.

"Sir, after the awakening ritual, I would like to put in a formal request to be Danika's mate," Greyson said, bowing his head.

My eyes widened and I looked over in shock at Greyson's words. I opened my mouth to tell him that my father didn't decide for me but my father's hand on my shoulder made me pause. I could practically feel my father's excitement at Greyson's claim and I felt cold, realizing that there was no way I was getting out of this. I inwardly growled at Eluna's excitement as it swept through me.

"I would be happy to have you as my son-in-law, Greyson," my father nodded, patting me on the shoulder once more. "And what a lucky girl you'll be, Danika. Greyson is the next-in-line as alpha and very popular."

I fought not to sneer at his words and offered a slow nod. Before I could say anything, my father began to pull me forward, bringing me to the center of the camp where a crowd had formed. They all waited, watching me with curious expressions. My father stepped forward, keeping his arm around me and announced who I was. At my father's announcement and introductions, the crowd exploded into howls of excitement at my "return" to the pack. I looked down, my cheeks growing warm at their excitement, I'd never felt so welcome before. As the celebration began, I felt Greyson's arm close over mine, his lips moving to my ear. I gasped as he gently bit down on the lobe before running his tongue over it.

"You're mine, pup," he whispered. "Best not forget that."

I shivered at both his touch and words and before I had a chance to respond, he'd moved away, joining the others in the festivities. I frowned, hating just how out of control he'd made me again. I clenched my eyes shut, trying to enjoy the welcome party, but so much had happened and all I wanted to do was sleep. To try and forget just how much had changed in so little time. As I made my way through the crowd, going through the standard greeting and introductions several times, I finally made it to a more secluded area near one of the smaller tents and paused, taking a deep breath. I couldn't seem to calm my breathing and as the panic flooded me, I worried that I was about to pass out. I didn't want to faint, that would be so embarassing and I did not want to upset my father...or Greyson (as much as I didn't want to care about him!).

"It's okay," a soft voice said as a large hand began to rub my back.

"J-Jaxon?" I looked up, my cheeks warming as my body began to relax, my breathing growing more controled.

All because of his single touch...

"Y-yeah," he said, looking down nervous, moving his hand back. "Sorry...I shouldn't have done that."

"No...please," I said, reaching out and taking his hand in mine. "That felt nice. Don't stop."

Nodding slowly, he began to rub my back again, moving in slow circles as I worked to catch my breath. I closed my eyes, relaxing against his touch, leaning closer until my back was against his broad chest. He let out a soft puff of breath at my touch and his hand slowly moved to my shoulder, rubbing gently.

"W-we shouldn't do this..." he whispered, even as his hand continued to move.

"Why not?" I said, feeling dare and twisting around, pressing my body to his, looking up to see his face.

"You're Greyson's..." he said, his eyes looking away from mine.

"He thinks so...but what about what I want?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"What? Why wouldn't you want him?" he asked, seeming genuinely confused how anyone could not desire Greyson.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't," I offered with a slight shrug. "Part of me likes him, at least. My wolf seems to like him."

"You're mates, it makes sense..." he said, moving to lift his hand from my shoulder.

"You feel it too, Jaxon," I said, taking his hand in mine. "This connection..."

"W-we shouldn't," he whispered, moving his hand to intertwine our fingers.

"I can see you don't believe that," I said, lifting my chin.

I slipped my hand out of his, reaching up and wrapping my arms around his neck. He let out a soft gasp as I pulled his head down, leaning up and pressing my lips to his. I felt him freeze for a moment under my kiss and I wondered if he didn't want this. I worried that maybe I'd pushed too far. Before I had a chance to worry any further, his arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me in, beginning to return the kiss. I gasped in pleasure as he held me tight. While he was still careful in his embrace, I could feel the passion he held back, as if he was scared to hurt me, to release it all. I wanted it though, wanted this more than anything. I needed to feel.

I gasped as I was suddenly pulled away from Jaxon's grip, being thrown to the ground as Jaxon's body was pinned to the ground nearby. I grunted slightly, watching as Greyson pinned Jaxon to the dirt, snarling in his face.

"W-wait!" I called out, moving to stand up and head towards the two.

"Don't, Danika," my father's voice was hard, cold as his hand moved to my shoulder. "I think tonight's festivities are over. We need to have a talk."

"B-but...you need to stop them, Father!" I cried, calling him "father" for the first time, hoping that might do something.

"I'll stop them, but you will not go near Jaxon again, you hear me?" he snarled.

"Pl-please..." I whimpered, not wanting to agree to not go near Jaxon again, but not wanting Greyson to hurt him. "F-fine... I won't!"

My father nodded and stepped forward, stopping the fight between Greyson. I watched, feeling cold as my father turned to Jaxon and pointed to the smallest tent in the camp. Jaxon offered a small nod, bowing once more, and quickly turning and rushing to his tent. I frowned, seeing both my father and Greyson turn their gazes to me, both of their gazes telling me just how angry they were at me.

I whimpered, desperately wanting to go home, back in my own bed...and forget the entire day.