Simply Mates

TWENTY SIX

"Andy..." Callum says, his hand touching mine so softly that if the sparks weren't there, I would never know. 

I pull away from him again and frantically wipe away my tears. Even if he is my mate, I don't want him to see me like this. 

I don't want him to see me weak. 

"Andy, it's okay. I-"

"No." I say firmly.

"What?"

"No, this is not okay." I tell him, turning to look at him. I clear my throat, removing any signs of emotion before projecting my voice louder for my pack to hear. "This is not okay, but we will be okay. 

"We have lost a great many courageous warriors today. And we have lost an amazing Alpha. But, more importantly, we lost loved ones. I cannot express my sympathies in words to all of the mates and family members of the fallen. We will mourn them all tonight and feast in their memory." I nod my head to David and he heads off to begin preparations. "Those who died today will not be forgotten."

"Niemals vergessen." My pack repeats. (never forgotten)

"We will move past this and Moon Fire will continue to be strong and fierce!" I bellow.

Cheers echo around me and many members of my pack and Callum's nod their head.

"And with our new allies from Redwood on our side, we will never show weakness again!" I say, grabbing Callum's hand with my own.

The cheers are deafening...and surprising. I never expected the packs to be so accepting of one another. Proof that all these years, my father's own hatred fuelled the fire between our packs.

My eyes dance around the wolves standing around us. Members of my pack are mixed in with Callum's. I can see the start of new mates and the smiles of familiar friends around me. Men shake hands and women give each other hugs. Callum's father helps my mother as they wrap the ceremonial blanket around my father - the blanket he was draped in when he was first named Alpha of Moon Fire and the blanket he will be burned in as we lay him to rest tonight.

Unable to watch them any longer, I turn my head. My eyes land on David as he walks towards me, a black blanket with red detailing in his hands and a smile on his face. My heart stops as he steps in front of me.

"It is my honour to officially name you Alpha of Moon Fire, Andromeda." He says - his voice thick with emotion. "I am proud of you and I know your father and brother would be proud too."

My eyes fill with tears again, and a goofy smile forms on my face as he drapes the blanket over my shoulders. I take a moment to study the fine embroidery that decorates the blanket. It will forever hold my story of how I become Moon Fire's first Alpha Female.

*****

Once our bellies are full and the fires of the fallen have dwindled to mere embers, members of my pack begin to turn in for the night - each one taking a moment to show their respect and support of me before heading to their beds. Alpha Jonathan and his pack left before the fires started, but Callum stayed by my side.

I knew in my heart that he couldn't spend another moment without me, and I couldn't either. This is it. We are together now - for better or worse, til death do us part...or whatever it is the humans always say.

As the final couple wolves disappear into the night, I feel Callum wrap his strong arms around my waist and lean his head on mine. I allow myself to sink into him and I close my eyes, relishing in his touch.

"Despite everything that has happened today," He whispers. "I couldn't be happier in this moment. I finally have you. I can finally hold you and see you and be with you as much as I want to. I will never let you go again, Andromeda Stidolph."

I chuckle and turn in his arms to face him. "I have to agree, Callum Denvers." I say with a smile. "I love you."

"And I love you." He says before leaning down to me.

But, before he can plant his lips on mine, I pull away. "But, we have some things to discuss!" I say, walking off towards my new office.

I can hear him laugh behind me before the sound of his footsteps echo my own. "I suppose we do."

I lead him off to my office - my thoughts racing a mile a minute as I try to think about how am I going to say what needs to be said next.

"Andy, I can feel your struggle." Calum says softly from behind me. He places his hand on my arm and gently stops me from walking any further.

"I think it's best we talk in my office." I mutter.

"That's fine, but you need to relax love."

I shake my head and begin walking again - this time faster. In a moment's time, we reach the office door and I let myself in. Callum closes the door softly behind him and we both flop down on one of the brown couches in the room.

"This room is going to need some serious redecorating." I mumble under my breath.

"Agreed." Callum states. "I am not sure what's worse. The dartboard with my father's face on it or the hideous, green bookshelves. Or maybe it's that bar from the 70s."

I laugh. "Yeah, sorry about that. My father had...electic tastes."

Silence falls over us and my body begins to settle as today's battle finally starts to catch up with me. Pain still radiates from my side, but it's dull. I can already feel my ribs healing. Thank the Goddess for that.

"Callum." I whisper. "What are we going to do now?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, love." He says, his brow furrowed as he looks down at me.

I scoot closer to him, my side touching his, and I lean my head on his chest as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. "I mean about our packs. I am Alpha Female of Moon Fire now. I can't abandon them. And you are Alpha of Redwood-"

"Andy..."

"You can't abandon your people-"

"Andy..."

"Oh my Goddess, we are going to be separated again!"

"Andy..."

"I cant handle that again! I will die-"

"Andy!" Callum growls. "I am never leaving you again!"

I whimper. "But, your pack..."

"We will combine packs. We will become one. My father is already preparing the pack. We will have to move the packhouse into the centre of the two, and build houses around us. It will take time and hard work, but we will never be apart again."

"You?"

"Yes, I already talked with my father about it earlier. I will officially be Alpha of Redwood by noon tomorrow and then we will begin building and everything shortly after." He says. "Everything will work out. We will all be one pack and we will be strong and fierce just like you promised your people."

"Okay." I say slowly. "But..."

"But what?" He asks, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

"But, what will we call it...the one pack, I mean."

He smiles. "We will be..."

~~~~~

Author's Note:

Hey guys! I am sorry that this took so long to finish! I had terrible writer's block and I wasn't sure how I was going to finish and I also wasn't sure if I wanted this to be the end either. However, I woke up this morning and this is what came to me. 

I love this story. I don't know why, but it really resonates with me and I really am proud of it. 

Finally, I want to thank you again for reading! And if you would like to name the new pack, please let me know in the comments! I would love to read your suggestions! 

I hope you are all having a wonderful day and BUH BYE!