Second Chance Mates

-50- 🌹 Emergency

"I wanna be your emergency contact, you can put me down, 'cause you know I know you best. It doesn't matter where I go, without you, I'll never be home. I wanna share your address."
~Ben Platt, 'Share Your Address'

~~~

*Ryland's POV*

The full moon shines above us as our entire pack gathers in front of the pack house. Alpha Thomas and Luna Charlotte stand on the elevated porch, where everyone can see them. Elder Joan stands off to the side with a motherly smile.

Evelyn is next to her mother, eyes narrowed at my mate. Landon told me that she didn't seem to keen on him when they first met, and it looks like that won't change for a while. The future Alpha catches me staring at her, and she drops the glare to smile innocently.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kai bouncing up and down excitedly. Ronnie keeps pressing her hands to his shoulders in an attempt to make him calm down, but my brother sticks his tongue out at her and continues hopping in place.

Yup, that's it. No more late-night coffee for him.

"Wolves of the Crescent Sun Pack," Thomas begins in a booming voice. "We are gathered tonight in the presence of our Moon Goddess to welcome Landon Grey, mate of Ryland Ambrose, into our pack. As the two wolves are one in spirit, so shall they be of one pack."

I smile proudly, watching as Thomas gestures for Landon to join him on the porch. He glances at me, and I give him an encouraging thumbs-up.

"Landon Grey," Thomas starts again. "Do you promise to stay loyal to the Crescent Sun Pack, by never bringing intended harm to its members?"

"Yes," Landon says confidently.

"Do you promise to do what you can to support our pack, and help it flourish?"

"Yes."

"Do you promise to view this pack as your family, and protect its members as such?"

"Yes."

Thomas nods, then gestures for Joan to step forward. They each take one of Landon's hands, holding on tightly as their eyes begin to glow.

"With the blessing of our Goddess, we formally accept you into the Crescent Sun Pack. Welcome home, son."

Landon's eyes glow a bright cobalt blue as Leo feels his newfound connection to our pack. The mark on my shoulder pulses with joy when Landon flashes me a breathtaking smile.

Landon's not a rogue anymore.

Happy tears are already stinging in my eyes when the crowd of wolves break out into cheers. As soon as Thomas and Joan let go of my mate's hands, I'm running to the porch and jumping into his arms. Landon catches me in a tight hug, spinning me around as I lay kiss after kiss on his cheeks.

Kai cheers the loudest, practically screaming as he jumps around. Although Ronnie remains silent, the approving smile on her face is more than enough.

Joan steps forward and raises her arms, effectively silencing the crowd as we look to our Elder.

"Let us begin the celebration of our Goddess's child becoming our family," Joan announces, the warm timbre of her voice soothing me per usual.