Ancora Imparo

-10- The First Supper

I hesitantly trailed behind Ezra down the stairs to an open living and dining area. The room was full of people and the sound of my frantic heartbeat pounded in my ears. Calm down, these are your people, they won't hurt you, my wolf reminded me. I still was shaking a little bit - a combination of nerves and fear - and Ezra gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"Maelle... Elle, it's lovely to see you again," Ezra's mother, Jessica, greeted from the kitchen archway.

"Hello," I mumbled softly from behind Ezra.

"Uncle E!" The child's voice from earlier squealed. A small girl with braided dark hair bounded up to us and she latched on to Ezra's leg.

"Madeline Ava Darkwood," The woman's voice from earlier belts. The woman steps out from the kitchen with her arms crossed, pouting at the child.

Madeline stays attached to Ezra's leg, but shyly gazes up at me - immediately giggling and hiding her face when we make eye contact. The child releases Ezra and bounds back to hide behind the woman.

"This is my niece, Maddie," Ezra informs me. "And this is my brother's mate, Gwen, Maddie's mom."

I wave shyly, "Hello, I'm Elle."

"Well, well, well look who finally decided to share his mate with the rest of us," I recalled this voice, Julian, spoke up form the couch. "Hey, Elle, how's it hanging?"

I wrinkle my nose at him, "Still working on your class I see."

"Ezra's sharing?" An unfamiliar voice snorted from the couch.

"As if." Sat next to Julian were two people I hadn't met, based on what Ezra had told me about his family I assumed these were his youngest siblings the twins.

"Elle, these are my youngest siblings - Caroline and Jay."

"Elle, we are going to be best friends, if you EVER need to get away from Mr. Alpha over there just come to me and I've got your back," Caroline was beaming at me.

I felt the instinct to take a step away from her enthusiasm, but I stayed on my step slightly cowering behind Ezra.

"Where are dad and Eugene, shouldn't they be back by now?" Jay asked to no one in particular.

"Dad linked me, they are both on their way back from patrolling, should be here shortly," Ezra responded.

"Well come on, everyone grab some pizza and take a seat at the table," Jessica gave the twins and Julian a pointed look to really emphasize they sit at the table.

I rolled my eyes, mainly to myself, is this what it's like to have a big family? It's different. Very different than what I was used to when it was just my parents and me.

"I ordered two cheese, one pepperoni, one half mushroom half meat, and one pineapple - so I don't want to hear anyone complaining," Gwen said while pulling out a chair for Maddie to is in.

But she didn't move to sit, instead, she exclaimed, "I want to sit next to Aunt Elle!"

My eyes widened and I looked to Gwen and then slowly to Ezra. Both of them were looking at me like I was a scared forest animal. Ezra squeezed my hand again and I took a deep breath focusing on the tingles. "That's fine, Maddie, I'll sit between you and Ezra."

After everyone had grabbed their pizza, I was sat in between Ezra and Maddie at the side of the table, across from us were Gwen and Jessica. The twins and Julian were at the end of the table near Ezra, and spot for Ezra's father and brother were left on the other end near Maddie. We had just sat down when loud footsteps echoed down the hall coming closer.

"Daddy!" Maddie squealed getting out of her chair and running down the hall. "Daddy come meet Aunt Elle!"

Maddie returned in the arms of a man slightly shorter than Ezra; behind him was a very large man. I could sense my wolf instantly bowing in respect to this stranger, he must be Ezra's father.

"Eugene, Dad, this is my mate, Elle."

Eugene set Maddie down and she bounded back to her chair next to me. "Nice to meet you," He smiled before going of to grab some pizza.

"Elle..." Ezra's father tested out the name. "Elle what?"

"Elle- well technically it's Maelle... Maelle Mason." I began to wring my hands nervously. I felt like I was being scrutinized by his gaze.

"Dad, you already know her name, stop trying to scare her," Ezra said flatly.

"We've got some talking to do, and Ezra, you of all people should know that."

"Over dinner, Luke, really?" Jessica gave her husband an exasperated look.

In the background I heard Eugene sigh, "I'll take Maddie, come on sweetie."

Ezra's father grunted, "I'll keep it brief, you know I do." He took at seat at the table - it was a bit hard to take him serious with the pineapple pizza on his plate, and the #1 Dad mug he had poured his soda into, but I managed to keep a straight face. "Elle."

"Dad," Ezra started.

"So Elle, in case you're not up to speed, you put my son through hell this past year. I had to come out of retirement and run this pack. And now we have active hunters, are you aware of how dangerous that is?"

I nodded slowly, "I have an idea, but I am-"

"Elle, you need to be fully immersed. Those hunters, your parents, if it came down to it could you end their lives?"

My breathing stopped. I felt Ezra's hand gently touch mine, but I was frozen. Could I? Of course you could! Just think about- I cut off my wolf. "With training, I think so."

"With training, and I'll make sure you know so. Ezra, she will train with me."

I looked over to Ezra slowly. His jaw was clenched and he had also stopped breathing, but then he gave the slightest nod, "I understand."

He clapped his hands together louder and then put on a smile, "Well, then, with that out of the way. It is a pleasure to meet you, Elle. You can call me, Luke."

This was going to be interesting.

The remainder of dinner was considerably less eventful than Luke's intimidating introduction. Maddie and Eugene returned shortly after and I was barged with questions by the small child. Everything ranging from color theory to my thoughts on board games.

I had learned that Maddie had just turned 4 years old. Eugene, who's 2 years younger than Ezra, had met Gwen after his 18th birthday and shortly after they had Maddie. Julian, was a year younger than Eugene, and was the house clown - taking any opportunity to cause mischief and chaos. And finally, Jay (who took every opportunity he could to remind us he was the older twin) and Caroline were 5 years younger than Ezra, just recently turning 19. The twins seemed have there own secret telepathy that the other pack members, despite their mind link, weren't privy to.

"Well, it was lovely getting to meet you Elle," Jessica smiled at me from across the table as everyone was starting to finish eating and clean up.

"Remember, we're having a meeting tomorrow. 6am sharp." Luke reminded me.

"That means don't stay up too late tonight, and keep it quiet," Julian smirked.

I rolled my eyes so he could clearly see, "Ezra, I think he's just jealous he won't get to join us raging at video games-"

"Specifically, Mario Kart all night long," Ezra added with a grin.