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Another one, a brunette, hugged Sara. “Welcome! If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask. We girls have to stick together.” She winked.
“Yeah, there aren’t too many of us. As Xavier probably already said. That’s why he reached out to the agency,” another said. She looked younger than the rest but just as confident.
Sara smiled, trying to remember the faces and keep up with the warm welcomes she received. She was surprised at how nice they all were.
“Thank you. I don’t mean to be rude, but can you tell me your names so I can attempt to remember them?” she asked with a nervous giggle.
“Oh, of course, honey,” the blonde answered. “I’m Calliope. This is Alison,” she pointed to the brunette. “And this is Teresa.” She ended with the younger one.
“It’s so nice to meet all of you.” Sara smiled as genuinely as she could. The butterflies swirling in her stomach began to settle. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as she initially feared.
Alison grabbed Sara’s hand. “Tell us about you. We want to hear about what will happen when the baby is here and just who you are.”
“Absolutely,” Calliope joined in. “We would love to help in any way that we can. That’s what we are here for.”
Teresa even smiled. “We really are. There are more of us, and you’ll see just how involved we all are with each other’s lives, especially our alpha’s. But since it was just a small gathering made for a pack gossip meeting, or at least that’s what I call them, some are out making the rounds or running errands.”
Sara was blown away by the sudden support and friendliness. They all seemed interested and hung on every word she had to say, even about herself. She spent the next hour answering questions and filling in the blanks that they had about her and her role.
They made Sara feel as if she could truly be a good mother here, no matter the doubts she may have had. It was a great feeling to have, given her past tribulations of inner sabotage. With the weight of self-doubt lifted, she embraced the newfound confidence like a beacon guiding her toward brighter horizons.
Xavier eventually made his way over to the group of women.
“Hello, ladies. I just wanted to inform you that our little gathering will extend into a pack cookout. Calliope, can you contact the rest of the pack and let them know they will be having dinner here and meeting Sara as well?”
Calliope’s brown eyes lit up. “I’ll get right on that.”
“We’ll start getting everything ready.” Alison jumped up from her lawn chair. She grabbed Teresa’s hand and headed into the kitchen.
Sara turned to follow, but Xavier pulled her back.
“You don’t have to follow them.”
“But I want to. I don’t mind helping, really.”
He smirked at her and shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. Youwon’tbe helping them.”
Sara was confused. She didn’t want the women to suddenly not like her because she wasn’t going to help. What if they thought she thought she was better than them? She couldn’t have that.
“Really, it’s okay.”
“I get that. But you are going to play the alpha female role in this pack. You are now tied to me, and you don’t need to help. It isn’t expected or required.”
“It’s only fair, though. I’m brand new here. I don’t want to give the wrong impression.”
Xavier’s head went back as he laughed. “Seriously? You aren’t going to give any wrong impression. It would be weird if you did help, not for you to sit it out. I respect your reasoning, but today you need to relax and have fun. Use this time to mingle with me among the males so they get to know you better too. The more they know you, the more committed they are to protecting you personally. Not just because I say so.”
He wasn’t standing down on this, so she accepted. Besides, who was she to go against the leader of the pack?
As the night progressed, more of the pack showed up. Xavier was her guide and never left her side as they met each and every member.
Later in the evening, Sara pulled Xavier aside.
“Is everything all right?” His furrowed brow and eyes filled with worry told of his concern, a silent testament to the genuine care he held for her.
“Yes. Honestly, I am really enjoying this. Everyone has been so great.”
As the tension in his shoulders eased and his eyes softened, a visible sigh revealed the soothing embrace of relief.
