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Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, but Fiona took a deep breath and entwined her fingers with his. Now was the moment.He led her down the curved staircase, a gradual hush rippling outward through the milling guests as they took note of their Alpha pair's arrival. Fiona kept her head high, refusing to acknowledge the many eyes tracking each step she took beside her radiant mate toward the central dais.
There, Callum raised commanding hands, his voice carrying masterfully to all corners without the need for amplification. "Esteemed friends, treasured Silver Claw packmates, we gather in this season of fertile abundance to formally welcome two new members into our fold. My friends, I stand before you tonight with my true mate at my side," Callum declared, pride and love radiating from his smile at Fiona.
"She now carries within her our future heir and the next generation of the Silver Claws."
An eruption of elated cheers and enthusiastic applause met the announcement, with the majority of the gathered pack members clearly thrilled at the prospect of their Alpha siring offspring at last.
As the noise died down, Callum embraced Fiona closely with one arm. "We thank you all for welcoming our expanded family into the pack with such warmth. My mate and I look forward to …"
He faltered as a handful of elders across the room shook their heads, turning to depart with cutting, muted whispers. Fiona caught the wordhumanspoken with disdain by one gray-haired guest. Callum drew her tighter and raised his glass. "To new life and ever brighter futures ahead!"
As the party resumed after the declaration, Fiona made the rounds among Callum's circle. Many of the females touched her belly reverently, sharing childbearing wisdom or waxing poetic about the vibrant shifter growing within her. The males clapped Callum on the shoulder, ribbing him good-naturedly about his virile prowess.
Their open acceptance bolstered her, even as she noticed others hanging back, uncertainty clouding their gaze whenever she met their eyes. Word of her humanity had likely spread. But she spoke sincerely to anyone willing to listen about her deep studies into pack history and her future plans to be the most involved Luna mother possible.
By the night's end, Fiona felt cautiously optimistic about her chances of eventually winning over even the wary ones. With an Alpha mate devoted to her every need and a circle of new allies rallying behind her, perhaps she could grow into this role that fate had cast her into after all.
TWENTY
CALLUM
“So, how do you feel now that everything’s out there?” Callum asked cautiously as the last of his pack ventured out of his home.
Fiona turned her eyes to him and looked more at peace than earlier.
“Good. Really good, actually. It’s still a lot, but they were more open than I thought.”
He smiled and pulled her into his arms. “I told you.”
She smiled shyly. “Just from what I read, it made it seem like I would be more … unwelcome.”
Callum threw back his head and laughed. “You’re with the Alpha, baby. Whoever is against you is against me. Besides, I agree. It went extremely well.”
He saw her face falter for a moment. “What is it?”
“I noticed some people left right when you made the announcement.”
He nodded, having seen that as well.
“Yes, some did leave because they weren’t happy,” he confirmed.
Her eyes looked to the ground. He hooked his finger under her jaw and forced her eyes up.
“Don’t think about that. It’s not your problem. It’s theirs. I’m confident they’ll fall back in line once they have some time to sit with the news.”
“What if they don’t?”
He shrugged. “If not, then they’ll be dismissed from the pack.”
“Callum, I don’t want to cause problems,” she started.
He pulled her tighter into his embrace. It was partly to reassure her and partly because his wolf howled for his mate’s touch.
"You're not. I want you here, and that's the only opinion that matters. You saw how the majority took to you." He held her at arm’s length. "I think we have a bright future together." He gave her a wink that coaxed a smile from her face.
Callum leaned in, unable to stop himself, and kissed her deeply.
His heart fluttered as he felt her soft body melt into his embrace. The warmth of her skin sent tingles down his spine and awakened the wolf within him.
