RAVEN
We drove up to the packhouse and try as I might with every inch we grew closer, my nerves began to rise to the surface.
Ryland took my hand, and kissed the back of it. "If you get to feeling too uncomfortable we can always swing by the old pack and just kick it with your day until the day of the wedding." He assured me.
I smiled at him, "I don't think that'll be necessary, but thank you."
"Well...just don't completely toss the idea out okay?" He asked me with a small smile.
"I'm looking forward to meeting your family."
"I can't wait for you to meet Charlie, she's gonna be obsessed with you." He chuckled. "...She always kinda asked Mom for a sister."
"Well, I hope I'm not a big disappointment for her." I smiled.
The rest of the ride wasn't nearly so nerve-racking.
Since we rode in separate cars, (set up by Vanessa, Ryland's soon to be Sister in Law) I didn't hold back the PDA knowing this might be the last time until we get back home before I can be this close to him without being disrespectful to anyone. More so, we were the first to arrive to the packhouse.
Ryland let out a deep breath, I smiled at him and kissed him one more time, "I'm right here, okay?" I offered sweetly.
He smiled, and kissed my forehead for thanks before he opened the door and got out of the car, he held his hand out for me and I placed my hand into his and joined him. The nerves tried to come forward but my wolf pushed them back, we both knew that we needed to be brave for both our mate and ourself.
There standing before us were a collection of vibrant redheads and one blonde lady.
"Ryland!" a beautiful redhead woman sounded with a brilliant smile that reached her light eyes.
"Mom." He smiled, and I couldn't help but melt a little for his obvious love for his mother.
She stepped forward and hugged him and as I tried to give the two their moment. He held my hand still and hugged his moment. "Mom, I'd like to introduce you to my Mate, Raven Archer...Raven this is my Mother Cassidy Verlander."
Ms Cassidy looked at me and beamed with happiness before she turned her hugs on me. She held tight and I've honestly never been hugged like this...was this what everyone went on about a mother's love? She pulled back and took my face into her hands, "Thank you, for loving and taking care of my son."
I could only smile and blush as I nodded.
She stepped back Ryland moved us to a couple, I knew Immediately that It would be his brother and his Mate...Normally, when one first arrives to a pack house it's customary to greet the Alpha and Luna...but I knew Ryland and his brother had some tensions.
"Jameson." Ryland said almost unsure.
The tall guy with a stern face and heavy brow stepped forward and his face softened as he smiled and pulled Ryland into a brotherly hug. "Ry...I'm so glad you could come."
The other cars arrived as I was trying to dissect the relationship between the brothers. It was odd because My mate had sort of painted his brother in a more superior lighting, a figure he could never live up to...but Jameson reminded me Royce more than anything....caring (maybe a little more than necessary in Royce's case), loving, and friendly.
Ryland hugged the blonde lady who must be Vanessa and Nat hugged Cassidy, while Royce talked to another Red haired man.
"This is My lovely Mat, Raven...Princess, this is my brother Jameson and his ate Vanessa." Ryland sounded with pride.
I smiled and hugged Vanessa, "I'm thrilled to meet you Raven."She said with a gorgeous smile the filled her face, she was tall and shapely and looked like a model.
"And you as well." I said, "Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials."
The softest pink touched her cheeks and Jameson placed his hand on her lower back, "Thank you Raven...and a pleasure to meet the woman who was strong enough to finally tame this wild wolf." He said as he nudged Ryland playfully.
After a moment of more of familial introductions to Jake Barbarossa and his wife, and Ryland's Step-Father Peter, everyone settled down and made their way inside. I was sitting with Vanessa and Jameson when Peter went out back to begin cooking for dinner tonight and Cassidy joined him. Royce, Nat, Charles, and Jake left and Ryland excused himself for a run.
"Excuse me," Vanessa sounded as her phone began to ring and then Jameson and I were all alone.
"I am really glad that You and Ryland could make the trip down...it really means more to me than he will ever know."
I nodded, "Thank you for inviting us, I was excited when we got the invite." I stated honestly, only choosing to keep Ryland's lackluster reaction to myself.
"And my brother not so much huh.." he smirked, "It's alright, I know I've never really been Ryland's favorite person...but his being here means that he does care even a little."
"Ryland loves you, you're his brother...-'
"Love is not a word I'd choose...now don't get me wrong, I love both of my siblings a great deal...I'd do just about anything for them both, but Ryland has always, I don't know...resented me?" He questioned.
"It's not my place to speak on Alpha."
"Jameson...you're practically my sister now." He smiled a sad smile. "You know Ryland was the first person I told when I found Vanessa as my Mate, He was the first one I called when Jake asked me to be Alpha, the one I went to when I was thinking about proposing to Vanessa...but our communication door only seems to open one way apparently...Your father congratulated me on my brother ascension to Beta...I mean he contemplated it while we were working together but he never came to a decision to my knowledge." He vented.
But his words weren't angry...they were sad.
"Mom told me about him finding a mate and opening a business up there...Cousin Jake told me about him becoming Leader of the War dogs through your brother Royce...I feel like for whatever reason he just doesn't want me to know about his life...and I wish he would confide in me, so that I could just tell how proud of him I am...how proud I've always been of him."
"You have?"
I turned to find Ryland walking in as he put his shirt back on.
Jameson shrugged. "OF course I've always been proud of you...you were so smart in school, star athlete, all the girls wanted to date you, you were always hardworking, and kind to everyone, and you take on responsibilities with so much courage and determination....I've always envied that about you kid."
"I-I always thought you were ashamed of the fuck up I was."
I got up to give the two of them a moment alone.
