Chapter 12

"Tessa I've got a surprise." I hear Quentin yell from down stairs. The past couple days have consisted of me cooped up in either Quentin and I's house or Emma and Oliver's. The dark angry bruises around my eyes have faded to green and yellow splotches that are unnoticeable with a bit of consealer. Today is Friday and someone from the council is bringing over the documents declaring Silver Dawn a recognized pack, and tonight the whole pack is celebrating with a party at the pack house.

"I'm coming." I finish hiding any stay bruises with the make up because I don't want Carrie or any of the other women to think they've won. Emma promised to stick by my side tonight so there won't be any sequels to training with them. If it weren't for Quentin I probably would have gone insane by now. We've spent the week getting to know each other better and getting into the swing of taking care of the pack together. Between helping Quentin with paperwork and helping Emma with Otis I've almost forgotten why I'm stuck inside. Almost.

Slipping on my sandals I shut the light off in my room and head down the stairs to meet Quentin in the kitchen. I struggle to clasp my charm bracelet as I round the corner into the hallway almost bumping into someone.

"Need help with that?" I almost get whip lash from shooting my head straight up. Fletcher stands in front of me acting casual as if it's a normal day at home. Looking behind him I see Ryder leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Dad!" I scream jumping into Fletcher's awaiting arms. He chuckles into my hair squeezing me tight. My heart clenches as his familiar smell surrounds me making me feel at home. A second pair of arms encircle us almost making me tear up. I've missed my dads so much over this past week spent without them, but I don't think the full weight of my home sickness hit me until just now.

"I missed you so much." I whisper worried if I talk any louder my voice will crack. One of them kisses my crown as they pull back. Fletcher is able to keep his composure, but I see the tears swimming in Ryder's eyes.

"We missed you too angel." Ryder breaths taking ahold of Fletcher's hand. I take a second to process all the jumbled words bouncing around in my head so I can string together a conherant sentence.

"Is everything okay?" I know they were planning on coming down soon, but I'm a little worried that they showed up with no notice. I hope nothing is wrong back at home.

"Of course. Did you really think we were going to miss you getting inducted as Luna?" Fletcher asks with a teasing tone, and just like that my nerves are back front and center. I keep trying to act like tonight isn't that big of a deal but it is. From tonight on I will be formally recognized as Luna of Silver Dawn, and then there is no turning back. Not that I want to. It's just a lot of responsibilities that I haven't fully processed yet.

"You had something to do with this didn't you?" I lean to look around my dads at a sly Quentin acting innocent while drinking a glass of water. With all the time we've spent together this week I wouldn't have thought he would have had the time to plan all this.

"He calls us everyday." Ryder blurts out which Fletcher elbows him in the side for. My eyebrows shoot up in shock as blush creeps up  Quentin's neck. "What?" Ryder snaps at Fletcher while rubbing his side. "It's sweet and she should know." He points out picking up his coffee cup off the counter.

"Is that true?" I take slow steps till I'm standing right in front of an embarrassed Quentin. He scratches the back of his neck trying to look anywhere but me. I press my palm against his cheek forcing him to look down at me.

"Thank you." I pull him down into a hug wrapping my arms tightly around his shoulders. His considerate behavior over the past week has warmed my heart, and I need to figure out a way to make it up to him. A throat clearing from behind us snaps us out of our own little bubble. Now it's my turn to blush as Fletcher sends me a pointed look and Ryder smirks from behind him.

"We should go meet with the council member. Oliver just mind linked me that he's waiting at the pack house." Quentin's saves me from further embarrassing myself in front of my dads. I lead the way out the front door needing to get some air. My dads walk next to me on my left and Quentin walks on my right. It's a beautiful day to hold the ceremony and party. The sun his shining through a handful of scattered clouds reminding us all spring is right around the corner, but the slight cool breeze puts us right back into reality of the lingering effects of winter.

"Who is it from the council?" I don't know many people from the council other than the main few who run the operation. Running through their names in my head bring back old memories of studying with Asher. It feels so long ago even though I know it was less than six months ago.

"David." Quentin answers and Ryder snorts. I look over to my dad rolling his eyes to my left. It's not new information that Ryder doesn't like most of the council, but after meeting them my curiousity is peak by his reaction. "I knew Ivan was too chicken shit to come himself." Ryder states snuggly as if proving a point. Even I could have told you Ivan wouldn't have came knowing all his history with my family. Quentin doesn't pipe in keeping his thoughts to himself but I can see the ideas swimming around in his eyes.

"Are you guys going to be inducted in front of the whole pack or in private?" Fletcher turns his head looking between the both of us. I didn't know we had an option on it, turning to Quentin I raise my eyebrow. His focus is on me waiting for me to make the choice.

"Can I think about it for a minute?" I panic suddenly feeling nervous. There are so many factors to consider right now, like if we don't do it in front of the pack will they be pissed. Or vice versa if we do it in front of them will there be repercussions.

"Of course." Quentin soothes squeezing my hand reassuringly. My dads start a conversation about the weather and how spring appears to be coming early this year while I run through all the pros and cons in my head. I can't just think for myself anymore I have a whole pack of people to consider when making any decision now. Would they want to see it or would that bore them? It also doesn't help I don't know how the majority feel about me since I've been cooped up inside all week.

The pack house comes into view up ahead and I watch people filter in and out as we approach. Almost all of them take a second to greet their Alpha either waving, nodding, or saying a quick hello. My stomach drops by the small number that even glance my way let alone the two who actually acknowledge my presence. I swear more people greeted my dads than me. It wouldn't hurt so much but I want my pack to have a positive opinion on their Luna. To run an efficient pack there needs to be trust, and so far that is the last word they would use to describe me.

I keep my head down the rest of the way as we move throughout the pack house and up the stairs where we meet up with Oliver and Emma.

"You look so beautiful!" Emma squeals pulling me into a bone crushing hug. Oliver stands behind her rocking a sleeping Otis. "You must be Tessa's dads. It's a honor to meet you." Emma skips the hand shake going right in for a hug. Fletcher looks a bit startled at first but quickly recovers. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from breaking out in laughter when Oliver goes to shake Ryder's hand only to see his stump. Most times I forget that it shocks new people to see him missing a hand because I grew up with him and it's always been that way.

"Oh sorry." Oliver apologizes blushing profusely. Ryder just shakes his head with a chuckle shaking his hand with his good one. "And who is this?" Ryder and Fletcher's attention is now completely occupied with Otis. It's moments like this that always make me wonder why they never adopted any more kids. They are both amazing parents trust me I can attest to that.

"This is Otis." Emma takes Otis from Oliver's arms as the babies light brown eyes snap open. Otis is the most calm newborn baby I've ever seen, but don't let that fool you he can scream his head off when he's hungry. While my dads fawn over Otis I turn to Quentin.

"Would you be mad if we did our inductions with just our family present?" Quentin shakes his head stepping closer to me with a small smile taking over his face.

"Not at all. I was hoping you would choose to do it in private." He rests a palm against my cheek leaning down and planting a light kiss on my lips before pulling away.  "Plus our pack will be sick of us soon enough. They be begging us to stop bothering them." He exaggerates causing me to giggle resting my forehead against his chest. I still don't understand how he knows just the right words to make me feel better every time.

"I highly doubt that." I pat his cheek turning as a door opens behind me. An old man with long white hair steps out looking around until his eyes land on us. The smile he sends us is kind but I don't like the way the look in his eyes makes me feel. My wolf is on edge by his presence, the look I his eyes has me wanting to get away from him.

"Are you ready Alpha?" He asks motioning for us to enter the room. Quentin nods signaling for me to walk in first. Following the man I'm assuming is David into the room, I make sure everyone else is following me. Once inside Oliver shuts the door behind us and we all stand around the room waiting for David to speaks up. He picks up a sheet of paper off the table to the side.

"Let's begin." His words both relieve and worry me. I can't be more excited to become official Luna alongside of Quentin, but the future is so uncertain it kind of scares me. Either way I know I'll have Quentin by my side the whole way.

* * *

The crowd cheers as we step out onto the back deck hand in hand. The ceremony didn't take as long as I assumed it would, but it was a bit more emotional than I was prepared for. I was fine until I stole a glance at my dads who were both tearing up causing my own tears to form. After we were finished and had signed the final papers the party started. Quentin spoke to the pack telling them how proud he was of them, and how far they all come together. He also announced that we are still on a trail period by the council so be on their best behaviors, but to enjoy the rest of the day of celebrations.

We spent the rest of the day chatting, eating, and dancing with our pack. It was nice to also spend the day with my dads, but now I don't want them to leave again. You can feel the carefree energy in the air as the pack rejoices. On top of all of this my worries are now tampered a bit because many people came up to introduce themselves and congratulate me. Not everyone of course but none the less it gives me hope.

As the music slows down I offer to hold Otis so Oliver and Emma could hit the dance floor. Sitting down in one of the free chairs I rock the sleeping baby in my arms hoping he doesn't wake up any time soon wanting his mother.

"You look stunning." Quentin stands in front of me with his hands stuffed in his pockets. His dress shirt has the top few buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to the elbows showing how laid back and relax his is at the moment. I'd be lying if I said he doesn't look devilishly handsome with his slicked back hair and silver eye gleaming in the moonlight.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I whisper to avoid waking Otis. Quentin smirks taking a chair and dragging it next to mine. "Thank you again." He tilts his head to the side with furrowed eyebrows in confusion making him look adorable. I nod towards my dads whom are currently slow dancing on the dance floor preoccupied in their own little world.

"You don't need to thank me. I'm pretty sure they would have came regardless if I asked them or not." He jokes pushing a stray hair that's fallen into my face behind my ear.

"Still it means more than you know." I lean over kissing his cheek. He's made sure today went smoothly and never left my side the whole time. In fact he's made this whole transition as comfortable for me as he can. From the second we left my pack he's made sure I've gotten whatever I needed.

"It's getting late we should wrap this up." Quentin notes after I fail horribly at hiding my yawn from him. I don't want this night to end, and I don't know if my dads are leaving tonight or in the morning and I want to spend as much time with them as possible.

I stand up as Oliver and Emma approach us hand in hand giggling about something. Emma takes Otis from my arm with the same giant smile that always take over her face when she sees him.

"Thank you." She mouths to me as Quentin takes my hand and starts walking towards the back deck. The crowd of people have diminished throughout the night as people needed to bring their kids home or were simply just too tired to continue. All Quentin has to do to get everyone's attention is to clear his throat and suddenly the music is off and all eyes are on him.

"Thank you all for making today memorable." Quentin starts. "I want to also thank Tessa." He turns smiling at me. I feel my cheeks start to heat up as all eyes are now also on me. "Without you we wouldn't be here celebrating, and I couldn't have asked for a better mate. With you by my side I know that no matter what everything will be okay." A lump starts to form in my throat at his sweet words, and the way he's looking at me with so much adoration makes my heart skip a few times. "You can stay all night if you like but I don't think I can keep my eyes open another minute." He finishes off with a joke. The small crowd claps, and even a few people yell a goodnight to us.

He barely takes a step back before I've pulled him down into a searing kiss. Maybe it's the bond or maybe it's not but Quentin makes me feel things that even when I thought I was in love with Asher I never felt. He's proven over this week how amazing and caring he is and the trust we've built is impeccable at this point.

"You're really amazing you know that." I pull back only slightly so I can look into his eyes which are now significantly darker in a good way. I have no doubt mine are the same, and I have a feeling by tomorrow morning we'll both be marked.

"We're going to head in to get some sleep sweetheart, and don't worry we won't rush out in the morning." I jump back from Quentin as Fletcher's voice sounds form behind me. Turning my dads look too exhausted to even notice the exchange Quentin and I just shared.

"Okay I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." They both pull me into a quick hug before stumbling into the pack house where I assume they're staying for the night.

"Let's get home." Quentin urges with lust filled eyes. The atmosphere between us is electrified as the bond crackles with urgency. No more words are spoken as we speed walk home the tension building with every step.

He pushes the front door open letting me walk in first shutting it behind us, but I don't wait another second smashing our lips together. He groans pushing me against the door as his hand grip my hips holding me in place. I snake my arms around his shoulder letting my fingers grip his silky black hair tugging slightly earning a growl from him.

"Mark me." I gasp out as his lips trail down my neck. He doesn't say anything but I get my answer when his hand slide down from my hips to my thighs lifting me into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist taking a hold of his face guiding his lips back to mine.

As we make our way up the stairs almost tripping a few times there isn't a single hint of apprehension I my mind. Quentin makes me feel important when we discuss pack matters always urging me to speak up and say what's on my mind. He never goes a day without making sure I know how beautiful I look or complimenting me about my eyes, hair, or face in general. We complement each other in the best ways and bring out the best in each other.

I thank the moon goddess profusely for pairing me up with Quentin as he twists the knob to his bedroom door letting us fall through into a tangle of limbs and kisses.

**************

Song: War of Hearts (Acoustic version) by Ruelle.

I wanted to make this chapter be more of a Quentin and Tessa chapter than a drama chapter, but don't worry things will pick back up in the next chapter! I love hearing everyone's theories so keep them coming, or any other comments you have don't feel afraid to speak up. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and if you did don't forget to vote and comment! Until next time.

~Stella Gordon