Hybrid (Argon pack Book 1) MATURE

Part 43

James 

 A few days had passed since Jasmines' return and the breaking of the relics.Pack life had started to return to normal, the two wolves who had been injured were recovering and we had moved into the Alpha house.My father instructed me to call a meeting, so Jasmine and I could be formally acknowledged as the new Alphas of the pack.

so far we had managed only a few growls of disapproval, most likely because there was no formal ceremony but rumours spread like wildfire in a pack like this and gossip was even worse.

We stood at the head of the table in the Great Hall, Lou and Betty at our sides. 

"My family, my pack," I say, to the gathered wolves "as many of you will have felt and which some of you already know, there has been a shift of power within the pack. My mate Jasmine and I are now your Alphas. This would normally happen through a ceremony as you all know, but the circumstances leading to this were extraordinary and we ask for your understanding and patience in this time of change."Most of the assembled wolves voice their accent, but some are less than kind with their murmurings which I know Jasmine hears as she tenses and steps forward. 

"Yes, it is true I am a part vampire" there are gasps and even angry growls from the pack but she continues "however I am still a wolf too and I love my mate and this pack and would never allow any harm to befall it."

"not only did I break the vampire relics that were hidden under the wards but I also managed to heal the injured wolves from across the other side of the pack, to further my dedication to your safety and well-being I am working with retired Alpha Lou and the priestess to ensure no other supernatural being can break our limits now or for the next one hundred years of the pack at least. I am aware you all believe in traditions and that the new changes are not in keeping with those but I challenge you to wonder if the moon goddess would have brought me here or put me in this role if she did not believe me fit to be alpha, while I am in pack limits for your comfort I will not take my true vampire form and I ask only that you agree to stand with me for anything we face in the future if I prove to any of you I am unworthy or even a danger I welcome you to voice your concerns but you can not decide that I am unfit within the first week of the new role" Jasmine says standing tall and making my heart flutter at her bravery and honesty.

I see a small figure with white hair stand up, 

"Jasmine is a true and loyal member of this pack! She came back for her mate at great risk to herself when he was dying! Even after she had been treated like a monster, driven to run and was told saving him could kill her, she did not hesitate! She is my Alpha and I will follow her!"I smile as I recognise Claudette's voice and small form and feel a wave of thanks and admiration coming from Jasmine.

"thank you, Claudette, I know we did not see eye to eye when we first met but you are truly a talented wolf and truly amazing omega but do not forget your role in saving my mate and your Alphas life that day you are as much in my gratitude as I am in yours," jasmine says with a bow. the crowd appear shocked at an alpha showing gratitude to a fellow wolf but I smile knowing my mate is grateful for all help from everyone, unlike ex-alphas my pack may know.

I see Claudette blush and sit back down rather hurriedly. 

"Everyone, this is how things are now. Lou and Betty will still be here in an advisory role, but the pack is now under our protection. With that said, and to build on what Jasmine said, we will be taking measures to fortify our protective wards and we ask everyone to stay within pack lands. If there is a desperate need for you to leave them, we ask that you travel in groups of no less than five."

"if you need help pack link me I can make it to your location through shadow in minutes"

"Now I'd like to draw this meeting to a close. If any of you have questions or concerns, please feel free to approach us, but for now, return to your daily chores and lives." I say in an authoritative voice, feeling more confident in my role as Alpha.

wolves filter out of the hall but Claudette, Sophie and a new wolf I did not know the name of stayed behind.

There is a gleam in Claudette's eye and a slight change in her demeanour. I smell the scent of both of the wolves beside her and raise a single eyebrow.

Jasmine clearly picks up the same thing and winks at me.

"Jasmine, James, I'd like you to meet me mates, Sophie and Luca.""Mates" we both exclaim at the same time."I...I want to apologise, the reason I didn't respond yesterday is that we were forming our bond." She says, blushing her eyes cast down.

"You have nothing to apologise for, the mating bond is one of our most sacred traditions and you weren't to know of the danger we were facing," I say, reassuring Claudette and her mates "we are happy for you and wish you nothing but happiness and safety within the pack."

"and if anyone has a problem with it then they can take it up with us," jasmine says with a smile flashing her red eyes to emphasise her point. 

To my surprise Claudette doesn't shrink back at this display as I thought she would, she obviously knew Jasmine meant this as a sign of protection, not aggression as before.

"come on, let's go get some breakfast and you can tell me all about it," Jasmine says linking arms with Sophie and Claudette giving them both chance to move if they did not want to be touched but they both go with her happy and I am left standing with Luca who is grinning ear to ear.

As the girls leave I turn to Luca "So, two mates"He looks half embarrassed, half ecstatic at the statement."Yeah, I have been getting closer and closer over the last few days with Sophie and...well after Jasmine dropped her off yesterday Sophie and I was in a compromising position when she walked in, I think something about her scent mingling with yours and knowing we'd almost lost her to you induced a heat so we had to claim her, no offence intended about your scent, now you are alpha it would be different.."I chuckle 

"No offence taken, that was my fathers' idea. I care for Claudette as a pack member but I'm not in love with her. I'm happy she's found her mates though."

"So uh... guess you are stuck hanging with me then," he says jokingly before pausing and then thinking of something.

"Actually, I was wondering if I could ask a favour? I've not been with the pack long and Alpha Lou never formally accepted me, now I'm mated could you?"

"Oh sure of course. We normally like a ceremony but if you could unbutton your shirt I will have you welcomed in no time.

He quickly unbuttons his shirt, baring his muscular chest and hard abs, A scar runs from his left breast, diagonally across to his right hip.

"May I ask how you got that scar?" I feel compelled to ask.

"I was attacked by a feral vamp a few years ago, he scarred me, I tore off his head." He says, a wicked smile on his face.

"We definitely need more wolves like you, you are a messenger, right? I guess moving between packs won't work as well now you found 2 mates"

"I was a messenger, but I'd like to become a guardian," he says

"I can absolutely help with that let me link tom and he can come to discuss, now let's make you a pack member," I say with a smile.

I scratch a cut into his chest over his heart then do the same to m palm placing it over the one on his chest while reciting the welcome.

"I Alpha James Argon, welcome you Luca to the Argon family pack" when I remove e my hand both scars had disappeared a red smear was all that was left to show, both Luca and I wince as our ears ring with the connection of him to the pack.

Tom arrives a few moments later, I get him up to speed and then leave him to talk to Luca while I go find my mate.