The Unmarked Mate

Chapter 7

Dahlia

Around ten in the morning, the whole council joined. We were too many to fit into Alpha Matthew's office, so we sat in the dining hall, empty after breakfast. Around the table sat Alpha Matthew and Luna Orithya, Beta Oliver and Olivia, their parents, Gamma Damian, Delta Otto and his mate Sarah, Andrew as chief of the warriors and his mate Lucia, Matthew's parents former Alpha Henry and Luna Isabelle, and Georges and Elizabeth Jenkins as former Betas and I, as council member. I knew there had been a meeting like that before I had joined the pack, to see what to do after my saving Orithya. It was decided that I would have an intronization ceremony, so that I could be officially and physically linked to this pack. The physical link allowed a new pack member to mindlink every member of the pack, I did not need that to mindlink them but besides Orithya who had her doubts no one suspected. The commitment ceremony would allow Olivia the same thing, who for now could only mindlink her mate who had marked her.

We discussed the organization of events, where to house the parties from different packs coming to pay their respect. The packhouse had accommodations but only for Alphas and their mates, and maybe the Betas. But we needed space for the rest of the guests. We had other housing commodities but it was also decided that members of the council that did not reside in the packhouse would accommodate for the remaining members if need be.

Then the big question was security. The influx in newcomers could attract unwanted guests, such as rogues looking for a looting party. We needed to guarantee the safety of each guest and obviously had to appear strong to any packs, especially the ones we did not know that well. As we went over the guest list, I saw Arthur at the door gesturing me to come to him. I excused myself and went to see him:

"Do you want me to go fetch the Jenkins?" I asked pointing at them still discussing matters at the table.

"No I already talked to George. I just wanted to let you know I must leave. I need to escort scouts from the Southern Territory who have found something they wish to show King Malcolm."

"Gamma duty calls. I get it. But before you go, as a council member I would like to present you to the rest of the council, it would be an honour for us to give a more official and less alcoholic welcome by the pack." I wasn't finished and Arthur was already frowning. He clearly was not a very social person. "George should have but I guess he knew you'd make that face!"

"Well okay, it's the civil thing to do. Lead the way."

I walked back in the dining hall with him. Orithya saw me and the huge Lycan behind me, her eyes opened wide. I knew Matthew had met a few Lycans but she had not. And with the scar, he was surely impressive. She gently grabbed her mate's hand who looked up and gestured me to come in.

"Dear council, I would like to formally introduce you Arthur Longclaw, Gamma to King Malcolm. He arrived last night to make a stop before going back to escort a delegation from the Southern Territory to see King Malcolm. It was quite late when he arrived and did not want to disturb all of you, so he went to see George and Elizabeth Jenkins, who he knows very well and who have been the most gracious hosts." I was lying, but it could not appear that George was hosting Lycan royalty without informing the Alpha. George looked at me questioningly and I winked at him with a smile. He got it and thanked me with his eyes.

"Gamma Arthur, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our pack. I understand you must get back on the road, but we are here to help if you need anything. Please give my regards to King Malcolm and know that any Lycans will always be well received at Yew Tree." Matthew was very formal, and rightfully so. It reminded me how very familiar I had been with Arthur. I linked Arthur to apologize for my familiarity. He looked surprised for an instant.

"I see you are more Lycan than you will admit. Very few of us can mindlink a stranger out of wolf form. Formalities are his duties little one. But I much prefer your familiarity." He mindlinked back giving me a kind smile.

"Thank you, Alpha Matthew. I will pass on your regards and share with our King the warm welcome I received here by your council members." He bowed his head in respect to the Jenkins and to me, publicly expressing respect to us.

"But now, I must take my leave. Alpha" he bowed his head to the Alpha who returned the favour and he left.

"I'm sure we'll meet again Miss Dahlia. Take care of George and Elizabeth for me, and please keep them safe." He added in mindlink to me before turning back and leaving toward the Jenkins' house where his car was parked.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, Dahlia thank you for welcoming Gamma Arthur. Now let's get back to the patrol schedule for the next weeks." Alpha Matthew got us back to work out the security details. It was decided that there would be more patrols but in human forms so that if any delegations were to show up early, we could communicate with them. When the meeting ended, I said goodbye to Olivia and Orithya and was heading back home when I heard two persons trying to catch up with me. I turned around, thinking it would be the Jenkins wanting to walk home with me but to my surprise it was Andrew and Lucia. I wanted to run. My body must have had betrayed my thought because Lucia spoke:

"Dahlia, please don't go. I know we never really speak you and I; you make a pretty good job of avoiding me I'd even say. I know you must think I hate you for sleeping with my mate and I know you wanted to give us some space when we mated. And I thank you for it. But please, we belong to the same pack, we could be friends, or at least speak to each other. I don't believe you ever told me one word. You stopped talking to Andrew and I know it hurts him. But you still defend him, you gave him your vote to be chief warrior, you took care of his patrol shifts when I was giving birth to our first pup and during the days following it. I know you care for him, and it's okay. I had a life before meeting Andrew, who am I to judge what happened when I have known other men before him?" A small growl escaped Andrew's lips when she said men, plural. She gave him threatening big eyes, and turned back to see me smiling, almost laughing.

"At least, we got you to smile. Listen I can't change what some may say about you, Otto's a dick sometimes we all know it, he is loyal, a good Delta to this pack, but he can be a dick." I couldn't agree more on that part.

"But it doesn't mean we all think like this. I don't pretend to know your story but if you won't think of me as a friend, think of me as an ally. Well, it could be good if you could say something, even a fuck you, because I feel like an idiot and Andrew's not helping." She finally said, a bit embarrassed.

Looking at her, this small curvy woman, with her pale complexion and ginger hair, she made me think of Maisie, my best friend's sister, and it softened me. She was not afraid to speak her mind and I appreciated that.

"Well, I don't know what to say. Andrew's defence of me to Otto surprised me, but damn this is a hell of shock. Andrew, I don't know what you did to deserve such a mate but if you don't treat her right, I'll kick your ass." I told with a smile. "Lucia, thank you! I was told you were a decent person, but I can see now we are all lucky to have you here."

"Ain't that the truth!" Andrew said with a dumb smile on his lips. He was so proud and stupidly in love with her.

"Lucia, I'd be proud to call you my ally, and perhaps even, one day, my friend. And for the sake of poor Andrew here try not mentioning too often the life you had before him..." I added jokingly. Lucia burst out laughing. They went back to the packhouse and I headed home. I heard Andrew ask her why she didn't hug me, she simply told him "Man, we're not there yet!" I laughed.