Athena's Human Mate

Chapter 30

"Alpha, all the food is ready, help yourselves to whatever you want.  If there's something else I can make instead, let me know."  Makenzie handed Athena and Roman heavy duty paper plates.

"I'm sure we'll be happy with what's here.  You did an amazing job Kenzie.  Thank you for all your hard work today.  You and all the girls."  Makenzie bowed in respect then headed off to check on the grills.

Folding tables were set up and loaded with unimaginable amounts of food.  Grilled chicken, pork chops, steak and fish were being cooked on several big cookstoves.  There were hotdogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, other vegetables plus potato, macaroni and garden salads.  One table was set up just for condiments.

Roman and Athena loaded up their plates and sat the table designated just for them.  When they were almost done, several older male wolves approached them.

"Sorry to interrupt Alpha," he bowed to her then bowed to Roman, "Luna, welcome to Starlight pack.  I'm Don Anderson, this is Anthony Harris and Mark Morris."  He pointed out the others and they all shook hands.  "We need to speak to Alpha about some issues that have come up concerning the permits and payments.  It shouldn't take too long, if we do it now then we can keep working in the morning."

Athena looked to Roman to see if he would object, "go ahead, I've kept you from them long enough."  She smiled and kissed him, a chorus of oohs and awws were heard around, causing a blush to form on her cheeks.

"Mingle and I'll be back soon."  She glanced back at him, her heart swelling with emotion.

"Luna, how old are you?"  A young girl came up to him.

"I'm not Luna, you can call me Roman and I'm twenty-seven."  He would've said more but she was shaking her head.

"Alpha wants us to treat you like the Luna, even if you really aren't.  Wow, you had to wait a long time to find your mate.  I'm glad Alpha has you now."

"Thanks, who are you?"  He chuckled.

"I'm Rebecca, I'm thirteen and my sister, Tessa, is sixteen."  Her expression turned sad, "someone hurt her, but since we joined Starlight with my parents she's been happier."

Roman guessed her sister was one of the rape victims.  "I'm sorry she went through that.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people but we can't let it define who we are."  He wasn't sure at first if that was a good thing to say but then her face lit up.

"Thank you Luna!"  She surprised him by hugging him.

"Rebecca, let Luna go."  A man pulled her off him, "go find your sister and help with cleanup."  She reluctantly stepped away, but she waved before leaving his sight.  The man sighed, "I apologize for my daughter."

"No need, she was fine.  I was telling her to call me by my name Roman instead of Luna."  The man had a similar reaction to Rebecca.

"It's a sign of respect, Luna.  I'm sorry, my name is Frank, my mate, Alice, is around somewhere."  He held out his hand and Roman shook it.

"Nice to meet you."

"We are all glad to see Alpha find her mate, she needs someone to help her.  I've got to check on the kids, thank you Luna."

The next hour was the same, someone would introduce themselves, ask a question or two then leave him.  No one asked the same question twice and it confused him until he saw the glassy eyes of a member and realized they must be sharing what they discovered about him.  He thought it was cool, it gave everyone a chance to ask something and they all knew in seconds.

A bonfire was started and the kids ran off to find sticks to roast marshmallows while someone turned on music and a girl close to Athena's age approached him.