Book 2 Chapter 19

Daphne's Point of View

Hannah could barely contain her excitement that the other packs were beginning to arrive. “Hannah

why are you so excited? I think you have met most of these pack members before.” I was naturally

curious.

“I met Alpha Cole once when I was younger, but I do not remember much about him. I have never

had the chance to meet Alpha Axle and rumor has it that he is gorgeous.” Hannah flashes me a

mischievous smile.

“Hannah you should not be worried about boys. When you are eighteen you will be able to find

your mate. You should wait for him.” I remind her gently.

“I know and I intend to. I just want to check out my possibilities. It is like being on a diet, but still

looking at the dessert menu. I know that I am not going to order the yummy chocolate cake, but I

can certainly look at it and appreciate all of its gloriousness.” She tells me with a laugh. I cannot

stop from chuckling over her little quip.

“Try to stay out of trouble please.” I remind her gently. Just then Caleb mind links me to ask me to

come to the front. Our guests are beginning to arrive, and it is custom that we greet them

“Caleb just said that the first ones are going to be here soon. Are you coming up front with us?”

“Yes I am. I am not going to miss seeing the hotties that may be rolling up.” She checks out her

reflection in the toaster on our way out.

"You look amazing par usual, and what if these guys are not good looking?” I cannot help but tease

her a little.

PFFT, she huffs out. “That would be like an abomination against nature. An ugly Alpha, I have never

heard of that.” Despite her words I can see that I have shadowed her mind a little and now she is

wondering if she has ever heard of an ugly Alpha. I chuckle because I was just teasing her.

Hannah and I walk out the front door together. Caleb, Theo, and Scarlett are already at the front.

Hannah instinctively moves closer to Scarlett, as Scarlett tucks a stray hair behind her ear. My heart

warms at the scene. Scarlett has accepted Hannah as a sort of adoptive child. I knew that Theo has

always acted as if she was his, and it is wonderful to know that Scarlett accepts this as well. I am

interrupted from my thoughts as a sleek black car with tinted windows pulls into the circular

driveway.

“I did not expect him to be the first to get here.” Theo said softly.

"Who is it?" I cannot help but ask.

“It is Alpha Cole.” This time it was Caleb that answered me. I try to remember all the information

given to me about Alpha Cole. He is one of our allies that lives farther away so it is odd that he was

the first to make it here. Caleb reaches over and squeezes my hand; I think he could feel that I was

nervous.

I take a deep breath to help calm my nerves as the car comes to a stop in front. The driver's door

opens, and I was slightly taken back at the vast differences between the car and the man that

stepped out. Alpha Cole was easily six foot three inches, with honey colored skin, and thick midnight

black hair. He was wearing a ripped sleeve tee shirt, that showed off his heavily tribal tattooed arms.

He shut the door to the car, and hastily strode up the steps taking them two at a time. He greeted

Caleb with a giant bear hug, and I was instantly put at ease by his genuinely kind smile and eyes. I

watched as he and Caleb reunited, and it was nice to know that they got along so well.

“Alpha Cole I would like to introduce you to my mate, and the Luna of the Blue Mountain pack,

Daphne.” Caleb gently puts his arm around the small of my back.

Alpha Cole looks slightly shocked but quickly congratulates Caleb before turning to introduce

himself to me. His dazzling emerald eyes met mine, and I got big brother vibes coming from him.

He graciously bows like a classical movie gentleman. “Luna Daphne can I just say that it is a huge

pleasure to meet the woman that can put up with this big guy.” Cole is not condescending, and it is

easy for everyone to hear the joking nature in his voice.

Him and Theo greet each other and then Theo also introduces him to Scarlett. “Wow so both of my

friends have found beautiful angels to share their lives with I am so happy for you both.” Cole lets

out a boisterous laugh and I find that I have fully relaxed. For being an Alpha, he seems laid back,

and genuinely nice. “Look at you Hannah all grown up too. I hardly recognized you.”

“Yep, no longer a little pup. I turn eighteen next year.” Theo emits a soft growl of annoyance and

Scarlett softly pats his arm. Hannah blushes slightly but does not break eye contact with Alpha Cole.

"Well, I hope you find your mate after your birthday. He will be one lucky man, and he better treat

you right or I will be next in line to show him some manners after Theo and Caleb are done with

him.” I was proud of Cole for quickly and effectively diffusing the situation. In a few short words he

put Theo at ease and effectively let Hannah know that he was not interested without damaging her

self-esteem.

Scarlett offered to show Cole to his room, and Theo said that he would accompany them. Just then

Brandon came around the corner of the pack house and offered to move Alpha Cole's car into the

garage. Before Caleb and I could go back into the house we received another mind I**k that there

was another car approaching.

Caleb glanced at me and noticed that I was nervous again. “Are you ok my love?” He asked

concerned.

"Yes, I just do not want to say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing.” I quickly tell him.

“You are doing amazing, and Cole already likes you.”

I let out a light chuckle. “He seems very easy going, and I appreciate his kindness. I was expecting

more of a businessman when he pulled up, then he got out and looked almost like a biker, but he

has such a goofball personality that I think puts me at ease.”

"Yes, he can be a prankster that is for sure. Once he talked Theo into playing a prank on me. They

had a pie delivered to my office that by appearance I thought was key lime pie. The topping

however was actually shaving cream.” Caleb lets out a soft chuckle. “I did not appreciate the minty

shaving cream instead of the sweet, whipped topping that I am used to having.” Caleb smiles at the

memory. “Make no mistake though Cole has been through some very hard times in his life.”

“I heard about his Luna sylvia. I could not imagine what that was like for him.” I tell Caleb honestly.

“It tore him up for a long time, but I do have to say that Cole has done an amazing job with his

pack. Now the Waning Moon pack is stronger, and healthier because of his leadership. I pray that

the Moon Goddess blesses him with a second chance mate.” Caleb tells me.

I chuckle a little remembering Hannah's reaction to him. “I have a hard time believing that he does

not have women falling left and right for him.”

“That may be true, but having a destined mate is important to every wolf. I can understand why he

does not dabble with wolves that are not his mate.” Caleb says solemnly and I can tell that I have

mistakenly hit a nerve.

“I simply meant that I hope he gets to choose a good mate.” I let him know that I meant no

disrespect.

“Do not fret about it love. I am sure that the Goddess is going to mate him with someone eventually

who will be right for both him and his pack.” Caleb gives me a soft kiss on the head. Theo and

Scarlett return just as two SUVs pull into our driveway. My heart rate quickens because they look

like they are from my previous pack. My fears are put to rest as Alpha Jerome exits the first vehicle,

coming over to the passenger side quickly to open the door for Luna Alma.

Luna Alma makes a joke about her old bones as she stretches from the car ride. From the second

vehicle two males exit, and one female. I was not expecting such a crowd even though I was told

that some travel with their families.

"Alpha Jerome, Luna Alma it is great to see you and welcome to the Blue Mountain pack. We have

your rooms made up for you already.” Caleb has a big smile as he greets the older Alpha and his

Luna.

“Alpha Caleb it is a pleasure. May I introduce my son and future heir of the Mission pack Elliot.”

Alpha Jerome gestures towards the two boys, and the taller one nods his head in acknowledgement.

“The beauty standing beside him is his mate Winona, and I believe you have already met my other

son Hawk.”

“Luna Daphne I am so happy to see you finally smiling my dear.” Luna Alma wraps me in a warm

hug. “I pray that you have found the happiness that you have always deserved.” Her heartfelt words

caress my heart.

"Yes, Luna I am very happy, and thank you for coming. I never had the opportunity to tell you before

but thank you for the paint set that you had gifted me all those years ago. It meant everything to

me.” I inform her sincerely.

Our of my peripheral vision I can see a few of our warriors come around the house and assist the

two younger guys and girl with the luggage.

“I will show you guys to your rooms.” This time it was Hannah that offered to take everyone inside. I

was silently thanking the Goddess that we had prepared extra rooms for other guests. Just as

everyone made it inside, we received word that, yet another car was approaching.

"Wow I did not expect everyone to be arriving at once. The way you explained it I kind of assumed

that they would be a little more staggered.” I glance up at Caleb teasing him slightly.

“Usually, I only have one or two other packs here at a time. This is the first time besides our mating

ceremony that I have had multiple packs here. I thought that it was important though because we

are expecting a rather harsh winter this year. I also was informed that it is our duty this year to host

the Mabon Ball.” I see Caleb flinch a little at my shocked expression. He had not informed me that

we were hosting the ball this year.

“Daphne do not be made.” He says giving me puppy dog eyes. “We have not been talking much

lately, and it slipped my mind. Besides this is the first year that I have had to host it. Since I was

unmated before I did not have to host the Mabon Ball.” He is now pleading with me.

“Caleb it is fine, I am sure that Scarlett and Hannah will help me get everything together. Besides

after this I am sure we have this.” The last two packs arriving have bolstered my confidence. So far

everything has gone smoothly. Caleb quickly pulls me to his side and kisses the top of my head. I

love when he does that.

Too soon a blue Jeep is cruising into the driveway. Two young men quickly hop out and the

passenger jobs up the steps. “Alpha Caleb it is really good to see you man.” I was deeply confused.

This man looks like a teenager. He has zero facial hair, is wearing ripped jeans, and a ripped-up

shirt. He has a baseball cap on backwards, and the energy of a monkey that has been fed a bag of

sugar.

"Alpha Axle I had received word that your father had stepped down. It is good to see you.” Caleb

gives him a fist bump. My mate never ceases to amaze me with how easily he can greet the younger

and older generations.

"Ahh and who is this beautiful bae with you?” He asks Caleb.

I look to Caleb in confusion, I have no idea what a bae is. “This is my mate and Luna Daphne.” Caleb

introduces me but I am still confused.

“That is so cool nice to meet you, Luna. This boy here is my Beta Corey.” Axle half turns and gestures

to the other young man that has now exited the car. Sometime during his introduction Hannah

must have come back out, because when Alpha Axle turned around, he stunned everyone.

"MINE" Axle shouted and moved to push past Caleb, knocking me off balance in the process. It

seemed like everything happened in slow motion. Axle lunged towards Hannah who looked scared

to death and backed up until she his the now closed door. Corey ran up the steps to restrain his

Alpha. Caleb had Axle by the throat holding him back, Theo went into hyper protection mode and

shifted into his wolf, and Scarlett stood between Hannah and Axle snarling and growling with her

claws already extended. The commotion was just too much.

"ENOUGH" I holler the words, my voice booming and echoing throughout our land. I have never

commanded anyone the way that I just did. Inmediately everyone stops and stares at me as if I

have grown another head. Not losing the element of command I have I begin to bark orders. “Alpha

Axle you need to retreat to your Jeep until you are in better control of yourself. Beta Corey you will

assist your Alpha, or his life will end here. Hannah get inside now until this man is calm. Go directly

to Luna Alma and tell her that I sent you. Theo change back into your human form. Scarlett retract

your claws please.” Once Hannah was in the house, I finish addressing everyone. “Caleb release the

hold you have on the young man so that he may follow my orders.”

Caleb drops him and the man does back down the steps. Once he takes a few deep breaths and

seems to be more in control of himself I cannot help but asking him what he was doing. “Now that

you are calmer, please explain yourself.”

“I smelled her and then she looked at me and I knew that she was mine.” He states in an

exasperated tone. I was still slightly confused.

“You smelled who?" I ask dumbfounded.

“That girl, the one you called Hannah and made her go inside the house. I knew when she looked at

me, that is my destined mate. I apologize for my forceful nature for a moment my wolf seized

control of me.” Gone was the goofy teenager that drove in here. Here was a man that looked ready

to cry any moment. “Why does she not recognize me as her mate?” He was asking his Beta, but it

was Scarlett that answered

“She is not of age you moron. Even if she was did you think that you were going to lunge and mark

her without her consent.” I could recognize that she was in full mommy protect mode and I decided

to let her have him.

“No, I would never mark her without her consent. I swear to you I would never hurt your daughter.”

Alpha Axle is now on his knees apologizing to Scarlett, who does not correct him.

“You are dang right you will never do anything without her consent, because if you ever try, I will

have your head mounted and stuffed on my wall. If you ever harm her, or even think of harming her

I will hunt you down like there is no tomorrow, do I make myself clear.” Scarlett is scary protective. I

glance at Theo who is nodding along with his mate's words as if he said them himself.

“I promise I meant no harm. I do apologize. Alpha Caleb, I am truly sorry for my actions.” Alpha Axle

is still on his knees apologizing.

"How do you know I am your mate?” We all turn to stare at Hannah who has disobeyed me and is

hesitantly half peeking out of the door.

“I can smell you, and my wolf screamed mate in my mind.” He told her point blank. There was

something bothering me about the whole situation, but it was not until Hannah asked that question

that it clicked. Axle should not be able to discover that Hannah was his mate because she was not of

age.

I quickly mind I**k Caleb. Love this should not be happening. She is not of age.

I know Daphne I am trying to wrap my mind around it also. I am worried this may have something

to do with our special wolves.

That thought occurred to me as well.

“I am really sorry that I frightened you. Wil you forgive me angel?” Axle is speaking to Hannah.

“I do not want you to jump at me. I do not want you touching me until I am ok with it. If you try

anything that I am not ok with than I will never accept you as my mate. Do I make myself clear?” I

am proud of Hannah standing tall and with conviction.

“You and your Beta can stay in the warrior quarters.” My head snapped up to see Brandon glowering

at Alpha Axle. Axle looked as if he wanted to pick a fight with him as well but after glancing at Theo

and Scarlett, he thought better of it. Finally, he shook his head in acceptance.

The whole ordeal has given me a headache. So much for the great start to the day.