Chapter 15
"Where's your jacket?" Callum questioned as we exited the car and into the cool atmosphere of the night.
I lifted my eyebrow mockingly, "Werewolf, remember. Where's yours?"
"Walking match stick, remember?" He smirked.
Rolling my eyes at him but letting a small smile slip onto my face, I lead us through the forest.
"Feels like you're luring me to my death," Callum said from behind me.
"I might as well be..." I trailed off ominously.
"Ev," Callum caught my hand and turned me towards him, "promise me you'll let me fight my own battles."
"That's not happening." I scoffed.
"Everette, I mean it. That's the only way they'll trust me."
"You're skilled in fighting humans and using guns, but they won't want to fight you in human form and you certainly aren't getting a gun," I explained.
His eyes stayed focus on me as he said, "Just promise you'll let me fight for you as you would for me."
"You'll fight for me?" I asked with a high pitched voice.
"I told you how I feel princess, I didn't lie to you." He stated with certainty.
"Sure it wasn't a concussion from the rogues hitting you on the head?" I quirked.
The corner of his lips twitched into a smirk for a brief second, "As I said before, the only one who hit my head was you."
"Right." Was the only word my brain could conjure at the moment.
RiGht? Right?! Where art thou grammar?
He gave me a knowing smirk before I turned back as lead the way to the gathering.
Callum didn't release my hand though. It seemed to have become our thing.
And it was definitely the best feeling I've ever felt. The simplicity of hand-holding wasn't appreciated enough.
The lights from the clearing shined through the leaves of the shrubbery before us as I took a deep breath, held my head high and exited the trees with Callum by my side.
Right where he belonged.
Hundreds of eyes were on us as we approached.
Some were furious, others were curious, the little ones seemed confused and teens seemed apprehensive.
I spotted a makeshift stage built on one side of the clearing with my family standing beside it together with Penelope, June, Charlotte and Max.
My mother's eyes held pride and my father seemed on edge.
To everyone that glared, I held their stares until they yielded because of my dominance. Which is exactly the boundary I was here to set.
While they may have accepted me before and never turnt their back on their alpha, Callum's ancestry made me seem as the enemy or as if my female mind couldn't handle multitasking a mate and a pack.
But I was here to prove them wrong. Which they were.
As we stopped before my parents, I released Callum's hand as he gave me a confused expression.
"What are you doing?" He asked as his eyes shifted from person to person.
"I need to address them before I introduce you," I explained as I took a step towards the stage but he grabbed my hand.
"Let me go up there with you."
I smirked knowingly from his underlying protectiveness, "Don't worry, it's just a speech."
"Ev,-" He started.
"She'll be fine boy, let her go." My father grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him beside him.
Callum glared at both my father and I. But I had to do this on my own before he uttered a word to the pack.
With confident strides, I made my way up the stage and approached the front. A mic wasn't needed as we're all werewolves and could hear a pin drop in this crowd.
The atmosphere was tense and everyone's eyes shifted from me to Callum and back again and it didn't make it any easier. But I had learned to become the center of attention a long time ago.
"Blood Moon Pack," I called their attention as their piercing glares focused on me.
"Alpha." They all responded immediately.
Well, at least there's some semblance of order.
"On the night of the blood moon, I found my mate. I knew no knowledge of him or even who he was related to. When I brought him to Alpha Thane and Luna Emery, they discovered that he was, in fact, the son of Jake Cain and one our very own, Abigail." I stated as I a chorus of murmurs started up.
I lifted my palm in the air for silence and the chatter died down, "If you think we're going to assume what he's like or his current intentions because of his blood relation, then you're absolutely wrong. His father died before he was born and his mother died giving birth. He had no influence of either source of the pack's misery."
"Doesn't matter!"
"He's a Cain!"
"The son of our enemy!"
"How dare you let him into our pack!" These were just a few of the things I caught from the angry mob.
"I understand your frustration. I admit that I had not trusted him at first and I still don't, but if I didn't give chances to anyone or if I judged anyone based on what their family did, then a lot of you wouldn't be in the pack today." I cut them off as I paced the stage and pointed out that a good few of them were the children of rogues that we took in and gave second chances to. "It's certainly not our fault that we were paired as mates. If you want to question the Moon Goddess's decision, then that's on you."
"But don't question my decision on keeping my mate around. Everyone who has ever met their mate knows exactly how it feels to be with their other half. I didn't just wake up one day and decided he was the one like a puppy in a pet store. He is only one human against our entire pack. If we aren't able to protect ourselves from him, then you can question my leadership, but since he's been here, nothing fell apart. No one died." I emphasized.
"Heard he tried to shoot you though," Bert called up.
Fucking Bert.
"Trust me, if you were surrounded by a bunch of hunters with silver bullets, you'd shift and fight." I pointed out. "I'm not asking any one of you to just suck it up and accept him, because I don't expect that. But what I do expect is that the pack gives him a chance to show who he truly is and give him the chance to be our Máni. After all, he's part wolf too."
"And while I'm up here, I expect everyone to remember my position in this pack. As the Alpha, I would not have anyone ridicule me based on my sex or assume that a mate is going to get in the way of my duties. I've always put the pack first and I've proven myself beyond any other Alpha, which proves that I deserve to be here as much as any man. Make a note that equality is what our pack has always thrived on with an Alpha and Luna standing beside each other and ruling equally. Male or female, we can't run our pack to be as successful as it has without each other. If we discriminate based on gender, then we might as well be a bunch of savage rogues."
"So look at my actions and how well I perform my duty as your Alpha and not based on my tits which is no one's concern. I'm your Alpha and together with my Beta and Gamma, we can assure you all that what's between our legs, doesn't put us at a disadvantage. The things that's up here," I pointed to my head, "is what runs a pack together with leadership and the fact that we can kick ass any day. So I promise, that we'll always ensure the pack's safety above all else. You can be assured of that." I clarified.
I felt a huge relief lift off my shoulders since I've been wanting to say that for forever. And boy did it feel good to put them in their place.
The entire clearing went absolutely silent. A few seconds, which felt like an eternity, ticked by. Until one girl clapped.
The little girl from the ice-cream shop today.
And like a domino effect, everyone digested what I'd say and applaud my feminist speech.
On the inside, I was happy that went well but on the outside, I kept a stoic expression.
But my minute of happiness faded as I noticed Bert approaching the stage with anger written across his face.
"I don't care if you're male, female or part bird, I will not sit back and watch that hunter destroy our pack as his father did." He growled before the crowd around his back up and he shifted.
Oh, so it's gonna be like that huh.
I really liked this pair of jeans too.
And I really didn't want to kick the old man's butt.
But he asked for it.
Bert bared his canines at me with a vicious growl that called for a fight, and I obliged.
I kicked off my sneakers and backed up on the stage. From my peripheral vision, I saw Callum running towards the stage but he couldn't win a fight with a wolf without a gun.
One, there were no guns around and two, I wasn't going to let him shoot a pack member, no matter how hard-headed, said pack member was.
Dashing to the front of the stage as Callum yelled at me to stop, I sprinted and shifted mid-air before landing in front of Bert's wolf.
The old man wasted no time before pouncing into the fight.
As he stepped forward, I spun my body around and used my hind legs to push his body away from trying to grab me.
My unexpected move, wiped him off his feet as he collapsed on his side with a ferocious growl.
It was easy to take him out on my own right now. But if he wanted a fight, then I wasn't going to deprive the man.
As I waited for Bert's next move, I heard Callum furiously yelling, "Why is no one helping her?! Let me go Blackwood."
"That's Mr. Blackwood to you kid." My father growled at him harshly before lowering his voice to a whisper, "As for Everette, she could take out this whole pack on her own if she wanted to. But Bert waged a fight against her and as Alpha, we must respect her authority and leave her to it."
Before I could hear Cal's response, Bert finally decided to get off his old ass.
'If you think I'm letting this man in our pack while my daughters are here, then you're going to have to kill me. I wouldn't allow, him, his filthy bloodline or you destroy what the pack has built.' He growled at me through our mind link.
'So what? Do you rather die than stay alive and protect your family? Don't be a coward Bert.'Â I can't believe the audacity of this man, judges me for having my mate here yet prefers to die than stick around and keep his daughters safe from my mate.
'I'll fight till death for them.'
'And I'll fight till death for my pack.' I retorted.
Bert took his chance as he reached for my neck with his canines but I lowered my head and brought it back up until I knocked him in the jaw.
He stumbled back but was far from finished as he tried again but this time, he jumped over my body until he was behind me. I almost yawned as he tried snapping at my tail and hind legs, but I simply used my feet to knock him on his chest.
'Come on Bert, you can fight better than that.' I goaded on.
He snarled at me as he started to circle my wolf.
Did this guy not know that I've been lacking sleep and have better things to do with my time.
Bert took one step forward and I bit him on the leg enough to draw blood. Again, but this time I scratched his side with the nails on my paws.
And like a volcano, finally erupting. He attacked.
Putting his back into it, he came at me with his full speed as his wolf knocked me on my side. I waited for him to lower his wolf over my own before I grabbed one of his front legs with my canines and yanked his down. His wolf was heavy but since my own was much larger, I found no issue in pushing his body off mine.
As he laid whimpering over his small wound, I asserted my dominance over his wolf.
I placed my wolf head before his own as I glared him in the eye and growled.
Bert put up a fight as he attempted to hold my gaze and get up.
But he knew he was no match for me.
'I yield, Alpha.' He chocked out.
He lowered his gaze immediately, as well as his head as he didn't dare defy or challenge me again.
I could feel his wolf submit as I stood at my full height over his barely beaten body.
If this was how my pack fought compared to rogues, then we have an issue. Then again, Bert hadn't gotten in a proper fight in ages.
As I shifted my head in a challenging stare across the field of people looking at me, I dared anyone to attempt what Bert just tried.
But they knew better as I saw the respect shine through their aura before they all bowed their heads to me.
I felt pride bubbling within me before I turned my head towards the moon and howled, to which Bert joined in on.
And one other wolf.
I lowered my head and saw Finn at the edge of the forest in his wolf form as he bowed too.
Without words, I knew that was his starting point for apologizing.
'Blood Moon Pack, rise and let us look at a brighet and more equal future.' I announced.
As they rose with a much more relaxed expression, I knew that I accomplished what I set out to do today.
The pack started communicating with each other as I approached my parents and Callum.
Before I could speak with them though, I had to shift, so Charlotte passed me a dress.
'I'm not wearing this.' I stated as I tried passing it back to her.
'Well unless you want lover boy over here to see you naked, then fine by me. But it's the only spare outfit I have for you.' She grinned.
'If you knew I needed a change of clothes then why did you bring a dress?' I questioned.
'Just go change.' She waved me towards the trees.
I gave her a wolfish glare before strutting towards the trees and shifting back into my human form. It's not that I hated dresses, but this body con piece of cloth she wanted to stuff me in was not me.
Didn't she forget our forest trees had clothes hidden everywhere, especially near the training ground?
Better luck next time Char.
I found a pair of jeans in my size but unfortunately, the only t-shirt I could find was oversized on me.
But that's honestly the best one. Way more comfortable.
After pulling on my outfit, I was almost out of the trees when Callum walked through the shrubbery with my converse in hand.
"Always seem to be missing your shoe princess."
"What can I say? I live for a good Cinderella moment." I shrugged.
He chuckled as he surprised me by kneeling to slip my shoe on.
"Cal, you don't-"
"I want to." He cut me off as he brushed some dirt off my feet before helping me slide the sneakers on and tying my laces.
"You're making me feel like a kid on her first day to school." I smiled as he finished his handy work and rose to his full height.
"After that speech you gave, you're nothing but an incredible, hard-working, independent woman." He noted, "A bit stubborn and hard-headed though."
I scowled, "Hey, this stubborn girl kept the pack from having you for dinner."
"This stubborn girl also didn't let me fight for her." I was going to retort but he kept talking, "But it wasn't my fight since she was fighting for me. And the only person who's ever fought for me was my grandpa."
"I know you think you could fight a werewolf but it's more difficult than you think. I had to assert to not just him, but everyone else, that I'm capable of protecting and leading them."
"Trust me, you proved to everyone that you're far more capable than they assumed. You were amazing."
"Thank you." I smiled in appreciation. "Maybe we can get you on the field training now so you can learn some techniques."
He scoffed, "I have fire princess, I don't need to work out another day in my life."
"Well, you better get your gym clothes prepared because every member of this pack trains and works hard."
"Promise me you'll let me choose my own gym shorts?" He asked wearily.
"I had my eyes on a cute pair for you actually, it has flowers and it's pink. You'll look adorable." I winked as I lead him out of the woods.
He sighed, "Shouldn't have even mentioned it."
When we walked out of the forest, Charlotte gasped.
"What did you do with the dress?"
"It's back there laying on the dirt," I said nonchalantly.
Charlotte pouted, "You're no fun."
"Yeah, well dresses are no fun." I shrugged.
"I'm so proud of you though." She pulled me into a big hug before another pair of arms wrapped around me.
"We all are," Penelope said. "That ought to teach the pack a good lesson."
As the pair pulled away, I saw the grins on their faces. After all, we're the three musketeers that turned this pack on its head when it was announced that we would lead.
"I think they loved us since forever ago, but they needed the extra assurance now that Callum is here." I pointed out.
It was true, the pack was amazing in accepting us excluding for Doris, Bert, and a few others. But that's where the list stopped.
"You're right. But we're extremely proud to call you Alpha." June grinned.
"And we're proud of you as parents and the former leaders." My mother grinned. 'Yay for kicking old Bert's butt.' She mind linked.
I laughed at that before dad looked like he was about to stick a sign on his forehead saying 'I'm the proud father of our Alpha'.
"You're mother and I are very impressed and proud of your speech." He pulled me into his arm. 'By the way, I see you managed to whip that mate of yours into shape in less than forty-eight hours.'
'Dad!' I scolded.
Thank goodness for mind link.
Before they could say anything else, I saw aunt Bailey and her mother Karen approaching us.
Callum automatically stood my side and reached for my hand. I knew he needed the support from being bombarded from long lost family, so I gave his hand a gentle squeeze in comfort.
"Callum, " I pointed to Karen as they stood before us, "this is Karen and her daughter Bailey. They were your mother's adoptive family."
"You look just like her." Karen was on the brink of tears as she looked at her grandson. Without warning, she pulled him into an embrace and his entire posture stiffen from the sudden contact before mildly relaxing.
But he didn't let go of my hand and I found it endearing that this guy who held a gun to my head was now holding onto my hand as a means of support.
He gently patted the older woman on her back with one hand and I couldn't help but smirk at his awkwardness.
Was this the average standard of a hunter? Because that meant that they're a bunch of tough guys with soft interiors.
Or maybe it was just my idiot who was one of a kind.
The princess and her idiot. Must admit, it had a ring to it.
"I can't believe you're Abby's boy." Karen pulled away only to grab his cheeks.
Laughter wanted to bubble out of me but I bit my lip to contain it as I saw the irritation in his eyes.
But as tears swelled in Karen's eyes, Cal's expression softened as he finally released my hand and held it out for Karen.
"It's nice to meet you, ma'am." He said earnestly.
She brushed a tear away from her cheek as she held his outstretched hand in between both of his, "You can call me Karen or maybe grandma when you're ready. But for now, I just want to tell you all about your mom."
"I'd like that." He smiled at her.
"This here is Bailey, your aunt," Karen said as she pulled Bailey to her side.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Callum. Mom over here couldn't shut up about wanting to meet you." Aunt Baily giggled as Karen scolded her. She then turned remorseful, "I wish we knew you existed all these years ago, I can't imagine how it must have been growing up without knowing about half of your family. I wasn't that close to Abigail but I know someone who does."
Callum and I looked curiously as a pack member called Leah approached us with a warm smile.
"Alpha Everette, Máni Callum." She greeted us respectfully before turning to Callum with pride in her eyes, "Abigail would be proud to see you here today."
"This is Leah." Bailey introduced.
"You knew my mother?" Cal asked.
"We were best friends since birth. I know everything about her." Leah said with a sad smile, "Ask me anything about her, and I'll try to provide an answer."
"I'll take you up on that, but I don't know if I want to know anything right now. I don't even know what kind of person she was." Callum admitted as he reached for my hand unconsciously but it hadn't gone unnoticed by Karen who gave me a once over before turning back to her grandson.
"She has done some awful things that didn't end well for anyone, but trust me, she was a good person before she was blinded by her need for acceptance," Leah revealed.
Callum's eyebrows knitted in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"When you're ready, I'll tell you. I could see it on your face that you aren't."
Callum nodded before Leah left.
"Now, how about I introduce you to the rest of the family? I'm sure you've already your cousin Penelope and her mate June, but you have a few more to meet." Karen said happily. "Come on, let me take you to meet our family, I'm sure the Alpha has things to do." She announced, pulling him away.
He turned to me with a horrified expression but I knew he'd be just fine. I waved my fingers at him with a grin.
"Don't worry, I'll keep him safe from grandma," Penelope mumbled as she walked by and followed her grandma.
I kept my eye on Callum as I greeted a few pack members who complimented me on my fight and speech.
Even old Doris said I kicked more ass than my father ever did. Huh, guess she was warming up to me.
Then Bert and his two daughters, who were in their twenties approached me.
Their faces were riddled with guilt and I knew what they were thinking.
"Alpha Everette," The older daughter addressed me, "my sister and I would like to ask for my father's forgiveness. He was only trying to do something he thought was right and protect us. Please," she begged, "please don't make him rogue for what he did."
"I-"
But before I could get a word out, Bert dropped to his knees before me and started crying.
Like some full-on waterworks and sobs.
There was always something so symbolic about men crying.
Quite a sight to see when they broke their toxic masculinity facade.
"I'm sorry Alpha Everette. I- I didn't do it to offend you. It's just that knowing who he was brought back the memory of my wife. The entire pack was shocked by the fact that something we could get revenge on was finally before our eyes. But I should've given him a chance like everyone else. I shouldn't have disrespected you..."
I understood his point and why he did what he did, but actions had consequences.
"On your feet Bert," I instructed.
He immediately rose to his feet but kept his eyes lowered.
"Look at me."
His guilty tear-filled eyes landed on me, "I'm sorry Alpha."
"You're forgiven," I stated simply.
"I'm what?" He asked shocked as his daughters gasped.
I sighed, "Look, I'm not going to say you were right. But I should have expected this reaction from the pack when I learned who Callum was. Considering you did it because of what happened to your wife and your daughters needing you, I'm not going to kick you out of the pack."
His eyes lit up in disbelief.
"But that doesn't mean your actions don't have consequences." I gave him a stern look.
Bert nodded immediately, "Whatever you say, I'll do."
"You will or else I'll reconsider my decision. What you did warrants you being a rogue but I think the pack can learn from this that you must not and will not disrespect me as your Alpha. I'm not asking you to like me, but I do expect respect especially since you couldn't hold your own."
"You're right, and I shouldn't have engaged in a fight with you."
"That right, but now that I know how terrible you are at fighting, I know what your punishment will be. Every day on the field, I want you training along with everyone else. I want you to gather up everyone in their fifties and train with them. The rogue activity has been on a fast increase lately and I expect nothing but the best warrior if anything were to happen." I stated.
"Yes, Alpha." He nodded affirmingly as he dried his cheeks. "Again I apologize for my behavior and am thankful for your decision."
"Your dismissed Bert. See you on the field." I said and he walked away with a thankful expression.
"Thank you." His daughters expressed to me before following their father to take care of his minor wounds and scold him I'm sure.
I breathed a sigh of relief now that that situation was dealt with.
Being serious was not my style but tonight it was who I had to be so that I was taken seriously.
My eyes glance over to see Callum sporting a smile as he witnessed what just happened.
'Good job.' He inaudibly said to me before turning back to Sam, his cousin. Sam who ironically was the one to knock his own cousin out on the night of the ritual.
Just wait till Callum found out that.
"Hey." Someone whispered in my ear.
I turned around to see Finn standing there looking as guilty as Bert just did.
"Guess I need to take a page out of Bert's book and apologize as well." He said nervously.
I folded my arms and looked at him expectantly, "Waiting..."
"I'm sorry Ev."
"For?"
"Getting angry."
"And?"
"Trying to kill Callum."
"And?"
"Don't really think I did anything else." He shrugged as a smile played on my lips.
"You ran away."
"Yeah, well after my best friend Alpha commanded me, I had to escape."
"Where'd you go?"
"For a run."
"Took an awfully long time," I said suspiciously.
"It was a long walk." He countered.
"Outside of the pack?" I asked with raised brows.
"Just happened to wander off." He shrugged as if it was no big deal. "So am I forgiven?"
I shrugged, "Think I met my quota for forgiveness today."
"Ev...," He groaned, "I'm sorry. I was angry because I didn't know how else to feel. No one knew who this guy was and I didn't know if having him stick around was the best thing to do."
"And what about now?" I asked curiously.
"I just had a chat with my mom."
I smirked, "Did she scold you?"
He playfully glared at me, "You know she likes you more than me, of course, she did. She also knocked some sense into me, literally. Said that what happened in the past was those the fault of those who made the decisions. Callum wasn't apart of the equation or the decision-making process. Just a casualty of two messed up people."
"Aunt Marie is wise." I concurred. "So does this mean you don't want to fight him anymore?"
He scoffed, "Oh no, I still want to fight him and kick his ass. But killing him isn't on my agenda right now."
"Went for a long walk and you suddenly have an agenda huh?" I joked as he rolled his eyes at me.
"Forgive me?"
"You already were nerd." I laughed as he pulled me into a hug.
"Great, now how about taking that Alpha command off so I can challenge your human to a fight?" He snickered.
I slapped him on the arm as I pulled away, "Just because you said that, I'm not doing it."
He pouted, "That's unfair."
"Comes with the territory." I shrugged.
"As your best friend, I refute that statement."
"Doesn't matter, I'm still Alpha," I smirked before I noticed Callum heading our way with his glare set on Finn.
He walked beside me and immediately made it clear from his posture that he was ready to fight Finn if need be.
"Callum." Finn greeted him with only slight annoyance, which was impressive after his previous reaction.
"Bast-" But before he could say the word 'bastard' I elbowed him in the rib as I gave Finn a sheepish smile.
Callum groaned a bit before correcting himself, well kind of, "Finneas."
"Finnick." Finn corrected with an unimpressed look.
"Right," Callum waved dismissively, "Have you apologized to your best friend yet or do I have to remind you who's your Alpha?"
"Calm down Cain, you've only been here for a minute. What happens between Ev and I is between us."
"As her mate, I'd beg to differ," Callum said as he took a step forward.
I immediately stepped in between the two, "Okay..." I chuckled nervously, "How about we not kill each other and call this a successful night, huh boys?"
"Fine."
"Fine."
They both agreed childishly.
"If you ever hurt her-"
"I wouldn't," Callum assured him.
"Then we wouldn't have a problem." Finn nodded. "Now, if you'll excuse me. Everette, Máni."
"Finn." I nodded.
"Máni," He laughed before he walked away, "such a cute name. It suits you." He reached out to pinch Callum's cheek but he slapped his hand away.
"Not cool Finneas," He grumbled and Finn just chuckled before shooting me a wink and walking away.
Well someone was definitely in a better mood.
"He's right, Máni does suit you." I laughed at Cal's annoyed expression.
"Why? Because I'm cute?"
"Maybe." I teased.
"I think your best friend just emasculated me." He groaned.
I laughed at his expression, "I think he's warming up to you."
"Think he likes me?" Cal asked.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
A/N
Chapter Update: Friday/Saturday/Sunday (who knows at this point) ððð
Did you know half of Everette's name is made up of E's! It's crazy that I took so long to figure that out.ðð¤¦ââï¸
Also, a 3k word chapter ended up being 5k lol didn't mean to do that. But what did you guys think of Ev's speech and her badassery? ð
(âï¾ã®ï¾)â give yourself a clap for getting Ev and Cal at 50k though! You guys are amazing!!!!! â¤â¤â¤â¤â¤ðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðªðª
And Finn seems to be warming up to Cal, we stan that ðð (¬â¿Â¬)
Chapter dedicated to all the girls reading ð
Song: Billie Eilish - you should see me in a crown
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I hoped you enjoyed the chapter!
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Read on wolfies, ðº
-Shania. ð¾