Exposed

Welcome to the Pack

Slowly, people started to gather in the field behind the house. The children ran around playing while the parents basked in the sunlight. The laughter and chatter could have been heard from miles away. Ki watched everyone from inside the house, feeling nervous about being put on display. Her eyes settled on a group of mated wolves. The couples were cuddling and fawning over each other. She watched them tease and care for each other with a smile on her face. It must be nice to know that theres someone out there who only wants you, she thought. 

"You ready?" Jae asked stepping up behind her.

"That's a lot of werewolves... Aren't wolf packs usually, like, 9 wolves maximum?"

"We're not wolves, Ki," Jae chuckled, "We're werewolves. It's different. Plus, we took in another pack a while back."

"Is that normal? To adopt a whole pack? How do you take care of everyone?" Ki asked bewildered. 

"No, it's not normal, but my father and the alpha of their former pack made a deal in case anything happened to their lineage. It ended up like this. I'm barely managing to take care of everyone, especially with these threats," Jae explained.

Turning to face him, Ki asked, "Is that why you're so focused on not having a mate?"

"Yeah, if I had a luna then watching over everyone, things would be a lot easier. Plus, I'm sure everyone in the pack would also feel a lot safer, knowing they could go to someone else to help them."

Looking back out the window, Ki placed her hands on Jae's shoulders and with a determined sigh she said, "Let's do this."

Grabbing Ki's hand he led her to the back door. As he swung the door open, a few heads turned to greet him. The smiles faded and their eyes wandered down to their clasped hands. Ki wrapped her free arm around her torso, feeling uncomfortable with all these eyes on her. More and more people turned to look at them. She could feel their eyes moving over her. She couldn't let them think she was vulnerable. She was the odd one out. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and suddenly a pink smoke surrounded her. It faded quickly, leaving a glow surrounding her. The intensity of their gazes changed from judgmental to admiration. Soon, the whole pack, including the children, were staring at them walking through the group. When Jae finally stopped in front of the group, he let go of Ki's hand. 

"Good morning, everyone. I hope everyone's been holding up well," Jae began, smiling as if his pack wasn't being threatened and some new fox creature hadn't invaded his life. A few in the group greeted him good morning, but all the eyes were still focused on Ki.

"I don't know if all of you have heard, but the other day we went out in search of an intruder. Turns out, it wasn't just an intruder," Jae explained, starting to pace, "The intruder happened to be a kitsune, a fox spirit. Our pack has had a long established relationship with kitsune. It seems they come to us in our times of need."

Walking over to Ki, Jae placed his hand on her back and pushed her forward a bit.

"Ki, is the kitsune who has been sent to help protect us."

A hand raised from one of the wolves. Jae nodded to her, allowing her to speak.

"How exactly is she supposed to protect us?"

Ki gulped, not knowing herself how she was supposed to help them.

Jae began, "Ki and her kind have been protecting us for at least 900 years, according to a journal the alphas have kept as a record. You can have faith in the fact that she has the ability to help us."

"Jae, that's not what she meant." Another voice spoke out from the crowd.

The same voice that asked the initial question spoke out again, "Is she going to be our new luna?"

Everyone's eyes moved down to Jae's hand resting on Ki's lower back. There were whispers of worry and disapproval. The atmosphere changed completely when the question was asked. Everyone was obviously upset at the idea.

"Why are you all so disturbed by the idea she might be the new luna? And that's not a rhetorical question. Someone explain it to me," Jae demanded.

"We want you to find your mate Jae, and we would love to finally have a luna... but you've just brought in this random girl. Said she's a protector. She's apparently a fox? She's not even a wolf. Non werewolves can't be in a werewolf pack! Especially not as an alpha," the same girl explained cautiously. 

Taking Ki's hand in his, Jae stated, "Ki is not going to be our new luna. We are not mated... I don't think."

Whispers erupted from the crowd at his statement. He doesn't think they're mated? What does that mean? Does that mean they could possibly be mated? Is that even possible? Those thoughts swam around everyone's head. Ki released her grip on Jae's hand and pulled herself away. Jae still held her hand firmly, keeping her from getting too far away from him.

"Ki and I are very close. I'll repeat, we are not mated. I know this is a new idea for everyone, including me, but she will officially be joining our pack. I know this is untraditional, but you are to think of her as my equal."

Another wave of confused and upset whispers flowed through Ki and Jae's ears. No one in a pack is to be equal to the alpha. The alpha is the lone leader. He reigns over everyone in the pack. No one defies him. Suddenly, they're supposed to defy their nature and take orders from two 'alphas'.

"He doesn't mean I'll be ordering you all around," Ki spoke up nervously, "He means, technically, as I'm not a wolf. I don't have an alpha. To me, a kitsune, Jae is just another being. Even being in his pack, I feel no need to follow him. I'm here of my own will...Uh, so if you see me challenge him, it is not a go ahead for you to challenge him. He is still your alpha. Well, that's what I think he means, anyways."

With an amused smile, Jae said, "Just think of her as a female version of me. Okay? You're all dismissed."

Jae, still holding onto Ki's hand, led her through the crowd once more and back into the house. As she stepped through the doorway, goosebumps rose on her flesh. The house was drastically colder than the warm, inviting temperature outside. Blood was pounding in Ki's ears. 

"Hey, you okay?" Jae asked, noticing the rate of her heart.

"Yeah, I'm just not a public speaker, especially not when everyone hates me."

"Everyone doesn't hate you," Jae reassured, rubbing her arms.

"I'm just not used to being in the spotlight. I prefer to work behind the scenes, you know?"

"I know, you're a fox after all."

"You said we were very close, I wasn't aware that we were."

Opening the door to his office, Jae said, "I feel different with you. Like I don't have to defend my alpha...ness to you. I can argue and discuss things with you, and you won't back down if we disagree. Maybe that's how you help. You're someone to challenge me without being a threat. Making the results of my choices benefit the pack."

"Well if that's all I have to do, that'll be easy," Ki laughed, "I love to argue."