New Age Werewolf Series Book 2: Hunter's Daughter, Alpha's Mate

Part 42: The Gathering

"Are you ready?" Kyros asked me.

I shrugged. Who is ever ready for something like this?

"Listen, I have your back."

"Do you?"

"No matter what."

"I'm here for you, too."

I looked to see Asa, whom I haven't seen in days. "Asa!" I gave him a hug.

"Can't miss this," he said softly. "I'm third in command, after all."

"His mate Renee arrived two days ago," Kyros teased softly. "A wonder we could get you away from her."

"Oh, I haven't met her, yet!" I was suddenly excited.

"Thank you." Asa said, his eyes shining.

"For what?"

"Being the change that brought us back together," He answered. "Ian and Logan's mother arrived, too. So many happy tears, Luna."

I swallowed hard, realizing my station. Was I ready for this?

Suddenly the door opened. It was Gordon. "They're here."

"Show them in?" Kyros asked.

Men filed in, some talking amongst themselves, others silent and looking at Kyros, Gordon, Asa and me.

"Are you sure I don't need the Ian and Logan?" I put my hands around Kyros's bicep.

"I am sure," Asa and Gordon growled in unison.

"Oh, okay."

Kyros sat, and directed me to sit to his right. Gordon stood to Kyros's right and Asa stood to my left at the head of the table.

"Wow, I made it!" A blonde man smiled.

I felt Kyros become uneasy. Who was he?

"Good morning, all--" Kyros greeted. "I guess I should begin by introducing my cousin Edward, who has surprised us with a visit?"

"Hello, everyone," Edward greeted. "Some of you I think I've heard of or know, but I just thought with so many changes upon the Western Kincaid pack, I'd show up and show my dear cousin some moral support."

"Cousin, this is Aiden from our Virginia-Maryland territory, Wade from Delaware-New Jersey, Darius from Connecticut Rhode Island Massachusetts and Noah from New Hampshire-Maine." Each nodded his head in greeting as he gestured toward them. "My father passed weeks ago, and I have taken duties as alpha. However, I have not made official announcements." He took a breath. "First, the Goddess has blessed me with my mate--" He took my hand and set it on the table, covering it protectively. "This is Leilani Martin."

"Martin?"

"Martin?!"

"Yes," Kyros growled.

"Now, now, let's hear it all." Edward nodded.

"Let's hold questions and comments till the end," Kyros suggested softly, but everyone knew it was an order. Even Edward settled back in his seat, eyes downcast. "Some time ago, I caught Leilani's scent. I believe my father discovered who she was and that she was half breed, so he thought it best to get rid of her for me. Fortunately, that did not happen."

"So do you believe the Goddess destined her for you?" Wade asked.

"I do." Kyros sat in silence, and each looked at and watched each other. Slowly he went through all the new station changes. He introduced Gordon as his beta, Asa as his brother and third in command. There was an awkward silence, but no one seemed to have problems with anything. Asa was going to be in charge of the non-full breed packs, which meant he was going to have to find people to work with those in place in corresponding territories.

"So they will be reporting to us, then?" one of the men asked.

"Aiden, They will be reporting to you and with you," Kyros clarified. "Asa is here, isn't he? There is no reason why the leaders of the part breeds shouldn't be here too."

"Would that be a further division of power?" Wade asked.

"Depends on how well you get along," Kyros answered simply.

"Get along?" Noah repeated. "Things between us in New Hampshire and Maine are not harmonious."

"I don't see a problem," Aiden shrugged. "We have drawn treaties with them to keep the peace. This could be a step in the right direction."

"How many of you have an agreement of some sort in place?" Kyros asked the table. All raised their hands except Noah. "So, our work will be on Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire."

Asa cleared his throat. "I would like to go there personally and try to establish ties--"

"Asa--"

"I think it would serve the pack best, Alpha."

I could see that Kyros did not like this. "Take a team with you." Asa nodded his agreement. "Any other business?"

"Yes."

Standing in the doorway was Charles. This was definitely trouble.

"Who is that?" Leilani whispered.

"Charles," I murmured. "My father's beta."