USELESS?

11

Jeremiah sits in a large chair, the only available furniture in our private sitting room. Archer sits comfortably in his mate's lap, with Jeremiah's arms wrapped firmly around him. Our parents are surprised, but after the discussion we just had about my own rushed mating, I didn't really expect them to be angry with Archer's.

Only one issue to consider. Best address it now..."Dad, if both of us are here, what happens when you're ready to retire? Anthony and Jeremiah are Alpha and Beta, and their pack needs them."

"Not to worry, Hunter. We hadn't mentioned it yet, but you do have another brother. He's 18, just met his mate, and didn't want to leave her." Dad answers. "We didn't want you to be upset that he chose not to come. Archer insisted, as your twin, that you needed him. Fischer decided his mate needed him more."

"I understand. We're all three in that position, it seems. Newly mated." I laugh, relieved. "So Fischer and his mate can come visit later."

"It may be a while before that happens, love," Anthony tells me. "You're both going to be very busy learning new duties."

"Well said, son," My father compliments my mate. "Lotta training to prepare Fischer for the throne and Hunter for..." he stops himself before letting my secret slip.

Unfortunately, Archer catches it, anyway. "Prepare Hunter for what?"

I think for a moment, and decide to tell him the truth. After all, I can't ask Jeremiah to keep a secret from his mate. "We'll tell you, Archer, but you have to swear it never leaves this room."

That makes him instantly alert, and he quickly answers "I swear on my life," which makes Jeremiah growl.

"Archer, what do you know about the legends of the Guardian?" I ask my twin

"The Guardian? Those old stories?" He scoffs. "Don't tell me you think YOU'RE the Guardian..."

Instead of answering, I stand up, turn my back to him, and pull my shirt up over my shoulders, revealing my birthmark. I then let my shirt fall back into place.

"Holy shit," he whispers, "You are a Guardian. I thought those were just stories."

"Don't feel bad." I tell him, "Until Anthony and Jeremiah told me, I didn't even know what a Guardian was, let alone that I was one."

My brother laughs at that, and we all join in. It breaks the tension in the air that revealing my secret created. As we sit and discuss my training, time passes slowly. As dinner draws near, I decide it's time to give my parents and twin their presents. I go into my room and collect the packages Anthony and I wrapped earlier

"Mom, Dad, Archer. I just wanted to give you something to show you how happy I am to have found you, and to have you back in my life." I say, as I hand each of them their gift.

They all open their presents with tears in their eyes, especially my mother and father, as they know that the image represents my own wolf. We all stand and hug, then Archer and I pull our mates to their feet, and the six of us leave our private sitting room for the large Pack dining room on the first floor. Anthony had called a pack dinner to announce finding his mate. With the arrival of my parents, and Jeremiah finding his mate in my twin, there was even more to celebrate.

We made our way into the pack hall, which actually had several levels of tables arranged on balconies, as well as the main floor, to fit as many pack members as possible. The head table; where the Alpha, Beta, and usually one or two invited guests would sit; has been extended to fit eight. Anthony and Jeremiah sit side by side. I sit to Anthony's left, Archer to Jeremiah's right, and our parents across from us. The two remaining chairs are claimed by an elderly woman and her young caretaker.

A pair clip-on microphones rest beside Anthony's and Jeremiah's plates, and they take a moment to clip them onto their shirts. Anthony presses a button on his, and it crackles to life. The room quiets as he stands and begins speaking.

"Good evening, Golden Moon Pack. I'm sure you're all wondering why this pack dinner has been called, as the summons you received provided no details. As some of you may be aware, one of our elders," he gestures to the woman at our table, "was blessed with a vision from the Goddess of a werewolf being held captive by a nearby group of rogues masquerading as a pack."

Some gasps and murmurs went up around the room at this information, and people began chattering excitedly. Anthony lifted a hand, and the room fell silent.

"Now, our elder could not tell us the identity of the werewolf, only that he would be important, to us, and to me, in particular. So, we staged an attack on the rogues at the last full moon, 3 days ago. We killed as many of the rogues as possible, and rescued their captive." He took my hand, and pulled me to my feet. "Allow me to introduce Prince Hunter Steele of the Silver Dawn Pack. He had been held captive for nearly 21 years by the rogue 'pack'. He is my Goddess-blessed mate."

Excited chattering erupted around the room, followed by enthusiastic applause. I blushed, lifted a hand, and re-took my seat. Anthony continued speaking.

"Upon learning his identity, we reached out to Prince Hunter's birth pack, and his parents, King Orion and Queen Grace rushed to be reunited with their son, bringing Hunter's twin brother with them." As Anthony said this, Jeremiah stood, and turned on his microphone.

"It is my honor to announce that I have found my Goddess-blessed mate as well," he begins, taking Archer's hand as Anthony did mine, and pulling him to his feet. "Allow me to introduce Prince Archer Steele of the Silver Dawn Pack. My mate, and Prince Hunter's twin brother."

The chattering and applause are repeated for Archer, and he and Jeremiah took their seats. As they sat, the meal was served, starting with our table, and working through the rooms and balconies. Thankfully, there is a staffed kitchen on each floor, so every bit of food is hot as it reaches the pack members. After the meal, the pack celebrates late into the night.

Eventually, Jeremiah and Archer excuse themselves to the Beta's suite, and my parents say good night, so I ask an Omega to show them to the prepared guest suite. As I begin to nod off, Anthony picks me up, bridal-style, much to the amusement of the pack, and carries me from the hall to our room. I fall asleep quickly, wrapped in his arms.