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“They do…”
It was a lie, most of them tolerated me.
“Good, then there shouldn’t be any issues. We are here tonight to officially welcome you as a member of authority with our pack.”
“That’s now how this works.”
There were Alphas, then Betas. Since the Bennett pack’s leadership was made up of three Alphas, Zion and Xander served as Betas.
“It is, if I say that’s how it works. Technically you’re just as much a Luna to this pack as I am.”
“No, I’m not. I don’t want any parts of that.”
I had no idea what Jo was smoking but she had truly lost her mind. “You’re not me…”
“You got that right. You’re all wolf warrior and bad ass. I’m happy with my role as healer and…”
“You’re not just a healer anymore, Toy. Everything’s different now and we’ll be relying on you to cover and protect our pack just as much as they rely on me, but with magic instead of strength and power.”
I cringed. “You might want to let me figure out how to use this magic before you go trusting me to cover or protect anyone.”
The sum total of my magic thus far had been herbs, roots, clay, blended with ash to facilitate the natural powers of healing from the earth. There was nothing powerful about my abilities.
Jo grinned. “You’ll figure it out but for now, we gon’ let these hoes know that you’re just as badass and if they don’t respect you, you’ll shrink their heads or curse them to a lifetime of no orgasms.”
I choked on a laugh. “That would be insanely cruel…”
“But you like the idea.”
“I do.”
“Good, now let’s go.”
As soon as we met the crowd, Sharma greeted me with a cautious smile. “What are you drinking?”
“What do you have?” I glanced around at everyone’s hands, noticing similar concoctions all green or blue with fruit, swirled in the glass. “Alana is mixing something she calls the midnight surprise. We have no idea what’s in it but I’ll get you one.”
“Thank you.”
I glanced at Jo who shrugged. Sharma being nice was an odd surprise. I wasn’t sure if Jo had said anything or if the run in with Xander had changed her attitude. We had gone toe to toe more times than I could count so I’d take this version of her over one I’d had to check about not minding my personal bounds.
The rest of the women began congratulating me one by one, chatting away about how amazing it was that Xander was home and we were finally together and not avoiding the inevitable—our bond. These same women who had been snickering about me and gossiping behind my back now all seemed to want to be my best friend. I didn’t question any of what was going on nor did I have interest in their false friendships. I simply settled in and decided to make the best of the evening.
We ate, talked, some of the women got a little too drunk and danced but the night was pleasant. For the first time since I existed as a part of the pack, I felt like I belonged. Even if these women only now accepted me because they felt they had to. For the first time in years, I remembered what it was like to have a family.
“You look happy.” Mara filled the spot next to me and placed her hand on my knee, giving it a gentle squeeze to get my attention.
“I’ve been happy.”
“Mmm…” she hummed, offering a contemplative smile. “You’ve been existing. Making the best of a complicated situation, but now things are different. You’retrulyhappy.”
I wasn’t able to hide my smile so I only nodded and agreed. “I am.”
“We’re all happy. The two of you, cautiously moving around each other like a ball of confusion was a lot of misplaced energy. Things are finally settling now. You’re a family.”
“Wow, was it that obvious?”
Her smile expanded. “It was. I’ve been with the boys since they were pups. Xander was ten, maybe eleven, when their mother invited me to join their pack. I watched them grow into the men they are today. I watched them bond together and become closer when they lost their parents and I watched them take over, filling the void after they were gone.”
