Loving My Pack

by Lane Whitt

  Finn and Kellan share a look before Kellan speaks up. “If that’s the case, then we wouldn’t actually need every pack there. We’d just need a majority, or those with the most influence and territory.”

  I’m shaking my head before he’s even done speaking. “Wouldn’t that mean there would then be an option to get left behind? The United Nations settles disputes and is basically a worldwide government. We don’t really have a need to form one of those. My original purpose for the meeting was to form friendships so education could be shared and universal knowledge gained, potential mates can meet each other, and resources can be shared in case someone is struggling. Leaving anyone out of that seems almost cruel, does it not?”

  “I get that, I really do, but you can’t force friendship, Kitten. Some packs clearly don’t want to interact with us or others,” Remy tells me.

  “I understand that,” I agree, meeting his liquid silver eyes so he knows how serious I am. “But shouldn’t they want to learn what we’re offering, at least, before turning it down?”

  He nods slowly. “They should, yes.”

  “Then it’s our responsibility to get them there. If, after hearing what’s being discussed, the plan doesn’t suit them, then they can leave and do what they want. They should all be there to have their voices heard and have input. I don’t see what benefit it will have on the rest of us if there’s still information missing, potential mates lost, and people suffering when they don’t have to,” I tell him.

  “Then we need an incentive for them to attend. Something that affects all of them, that they can’t refuse,” Jace tosses out.

  I frown in confusion. “Isn’t a once in a lifetime meeting to solve problems on a world scale enough incentive?”

  He smirks at me. “One would think, but not to some.”

  “We could just kidnap all the Alphas and make them listen,” Ash suggests with a shrug. The way he says it, like it’s the simplest way to get things done, and he can make it happen by Thursday, makes me realize why other people are so scared of him. I just blink in his direction, having no words for his suggestion.

  “We could throw the biggest, most badass party those little shits have ever seen. Only losers wouldn’t want to attend,” Logan suggests.

  “We already have an incentive,” Finn says quietly, almost to himself.

  The rest of us pause, looking to him, waiting for him to gather his thoughts.

  “I’m not sure of the execution, but we have a starting point on the cure for infertile females. Possibly a way to ensure more females are born, meaning more mates. That’s an incentive not one wolf would pass up to hear about. Let alone an Alpha. We’ve also experienced a miracle with the first ever known wolf litter being born,” Finn tells us, unsure.

  “I’m not so sure we should advertise Kitten’s high fertility,” Ash rumbles.

  “Agreed.” Tristan scowls.

  “Is it Kitten, though? Or is it whatever Mikel was able to do to her? There’s no threat to her if we can make it happen for other females,” Finn questions.

  “Can we, though?” Logan asks him.

  Finn shrugs. “As of right now? No. It’s a possibility, and that’s enough to get others to listen. It’s hope. Something most wolves haven’t had in a long time, if ever. Incredible things are done in the name of hope.”

  “So, there’s our plan. Set the place and date, inform them all of the key points we want to cover, including our intentions to research the cure. If we wanted, that in itself is an excuse to draw together every pack’s best and brightest. Common ground and all that,” Jace states lazily.

  Remy stares at the golden boy with a pleased expression. “Why did you give up marketing and advertising again?”

  Jace smirks, his eyes dancing with humor. “Too easy.”

  Remy laughs. “Right, I remember.” My head tilts, eyes bouncing between the two, but it must be some kind of inside joke I wasn’t around for.

  “Having help would make the research easier, especially if Kellan and I hit a wall,” Finn adds.

  “I’ll draw up some invitations.” Jace looks to Logan, who nods, presumably agreeing to help with that effort.

  With the how to get people to show up thing behind us, I turn to Grandfather and Albert. “I have a question.”

  Grandfather smiles at me softly. “You’ll have to ask it before we know if I have an answer.”

  I giggle. “Right. Well, it’s about the territories. Some are so large and impossible to defend in their entirety. How attached to them do you think the other packs are? Do you think if I brought up only claiming what each pack could defend, and leaving the rest as open territory for other packs to roam at will, it would go over well?”

  He takes his time finding his answer, brow furrowed and lips pinched. “As all wolves, we like having a large territory. Born wolves are no different. However, with the rapid decline in our populations, it’s possible some Alphas would see the move as a godsend. I feel it would also help with your quest to let people mingle.”

  “So, you think it’s worth bringing up at the meeting?” I ask, knowing he has more insight into the matter than any of the rest of us.

  “I can’t promise all Alphas would welcome the idea, but some might. It’s worth the discussion, if that’s what you’re asking. If you want them to take you seriously, you’ll have to give up territory first. If not, they might refuse any changes you propose, feeling as though you’re trying to limit them for your own personal gain,” he instructs.

  “We don’t need the whole United States,” Remy says drolly. “I have no interest in defending the whole damn country and punishing those who simply wish to visit and vacation.”

  Grandfather waves a hand at Remington. “My point. Most Alphas see the issue for what it is. One should only take what one can hold. Just keep in mind that all other Alphas live much shorter lives than you do. They’ll have different expectations and perspectives than changed wolves. They very much feel their mortality.”

  I tilt my head at him. “You make it sound like you don’t intend to join us at the meeting.”

  “I don’t. Unless you feel the absolute need for my presence, I was planning on remaining here with the princes and princess. I have faith that you and your mates will do well on your own. Albert can offer insight into the mind of born wolves, should you need it,” he replies.

  I frown fully at him now. “I value your opinion, Grandfather. You make it seem as if I don’t have need for you. If you feel that way, please know that was never my intention,” I apologize.

  He chuckles, standing from his chair so he can kiss the top of head. “You have nothing to apologize for, child. You’ve made me more welcome than I’ve earned. I just have no plans on influencing you. You crave change, will seek it out at all costs. I’m a product of a different generation, and my opinions will only hold you back. My guidance and knowledge are always yours when you have need of them, but this is your time. It’s up to you and those of your generation to better the world for the next generation.” He meets my eyes, his own shining with what I could only describe as pride and encouragement. It’s a different feeling from him, humbling and making me feel special, than it is from the guys, where a look that like makes me feel empowered and indestructible.

  “Thank you,” I choke out past a closing throat. I swallow hard, feeling for the first time the weight of parental expectations. I’m pretty sure only an elder in your immediate family can make you feel like you can do anything you can dream of as easily as blinking.

  Grandfather takes his leave, leaving the rest of us to finish up discussing how the calls went and what we hope to gain out of the meeting. It doesn’t take long, all of us more than ready to get back to the babies.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The first real day of Spring has excitement and restlessness settling over the pack. Remy decides to do a morning pack run following a big morning feast. Everyone I speak with is in good spirits, super friendly, and completely enamored
with the five little fuzzballs running amuck. We discovered last week, by accident, that I could control when they shift. It happened when I was once again getting peed on by one of the boys. I swear, they aim for people whenever they can. Changing their diapers has left me feeling like I’m on a timer to diffuse a bomb. So, as I sensed the ornery little one was about to let loose, I accidently forced him to shift to wolf, turning all five at once. If I’m able to shift them individually, I haven’t figured that out yet. When I’m in a separate form from them I feel a pull to shift as well, but today is fine, knowing I’ll be shifting later.

  Currently the pups are soaking up all the attention they’re garnering, sniffing out any food that has gotten dropped. All except for Cyan, who’s content to stay curled in my arms, muzzle pressed to my neck as he sleeps through the whole affair.

  “You’re going to spoil him,” Reed tells me through a smile, patting our pup’s head. Naturally, that gets his attention, now sensing someone new to get cuddles from. Big brown and blue-green eyes blink open at Reed. A cute yawn escapes him before he starts wiggling and yips for his dad to take him.

  Reed chuckles, happily securing the cuddle-pup in the crook of his arm. “And here I thought you were a mama’s boy,” he teases with a scratch behind the ear.

  “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being affectionate. Some people need it more than others. Cyan just likes being close to others,” I defend my little man.

  Reed leans in for a kiss. “I didn’t say anything was wrong with it. He’s a happy little dude. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Barking gets our attention, and we turn to see Ash’s huge wolf standing off against our three black pups and our redhead. Asher, Ava, Killian, and Raider form a line in front of Ash, barking and nipping at his paws as they jump around, tails wagging. I don’t know what it is they’re defending until Ash fakes left before snapping right and grabbing a tiny rope toy in his giant mouth. It’s a big toy to the pups, but it looks comically small in the huge black wolf’s mouth. The pups give chase, Ash purposely moving slowly enough for them to catch him

  I glance at Cyan, still in Reed’s hold. “Do you want to go play, too?” I ask him. His bored look is enough of a response. Reed laughs, putting him down anyway.

  Cyan walks closer to his brothers and sister, but doesn’t join in. He just watches. It’s all fun and games until Ash lets them have the rope back and Asher is quick to claim it for himself. Ava, not realizing he’s done playing and wants to chew it up, makes to grab it from him and gets her ear bitten for it.

  Ash sighs, getting up to reprimand the little Alpha for biting his sister yet again. Before he gets there an angry ball of blonde fluff is on the attack, tackling his brother to the ground and threatening to chomp his throat once he gets him pinned down. The two boys growl warnings, but Asher is unable to get out from under Cyan and eventually gives in. With a glare over his shoulder Cyan picks up the toy, trotting it over to Ava and laying it at her feet. As she lies down for a good chew, Cyan uses her distraction to cuddle up to her side, keeping one eye on a sulking Asher.

  Ash looks to me, probably wondering if he should still do something. I shrug at him. It seems pretty handled now. I don’t know who to reprimand at this point anyway. Asher finds his way to Remington, who sits at a table playing cards with several others. I know if I shifted the pups right now, he’d be crying to Remington for losing a fight. My mate must have witnessed the whole thing, because he only has to raise a brow at the pup and his ears fold back in shame. Remy picks up the little guy, nuzzling his head. Reassuring him that he’s okay, he takes time to explain that bullying his siblings isn’t nice.

  I look for the other two, seeing them fixated on a new toy already, a plastic red cup that they pounce on and jump away from when it makes a crinkling noise. Before I even have to ask, Logan is already exchanging the plastic that they will most certainly end up trying to eat with a small soccer ball that lights up when you drop it, or is pounced on. The new toy seems to excite Killian and Raider even more. Thankfully, they don’t whine at their lost cup.

  “They’re a handful, aren’t they?” One of the few other females asks me with a knowing grin on her face. Vivian is her name, if memory serves me, which it always does.

  I laugh. “They sure are. How have you been?” I ask her. She’s a quieter woman, mostly keeping to the second floor with the rest of the women and children. I’ve heard from a few others that she likes to knit various items for fun, and spends most of her free time doing so.

  “Oh, you know, the usual. We’re all pretty excited for this run. The kids are disappointed your pups won’t be with us this time.” She laughs.

  I laugh, too. “Yeah, they’re still too little for that yet. Soon enough, though.”

  Vivian smiles. “I know. Keep them babies for as long as you can, Luna. They grow like weeds,” she jokes.

  We sit in comfortable silence, jus watching the children spread out here and there as they play, always being the first ones to finish eating. A larger group has formed to start a game of wolfball, the pack’s invented version of football. Quinn joins them as well, his smaller, slightly different wolf standing in stark contrast to the children’s. Forming two lines the wolf in the back barks once, the one in front of him tossing a hollow disk at him with a quick turn of the head. He jumps over the opposition’s line before launching the disk to his teammate, who runs beside him before doing a roll and running for the marked line at the end of their makeshift field. Onlookers groan and clap as the young wolf is tackled before he can reach the line. The disk is placed down where he landed, and they line up again.

  As I watch, an idea pops into my head and I excuse myself to go find Finn. I find him and Jace enjoying an after-meal cup of tea at one of the tables set up closer to the house. “Hello, Mr. Wolf,” I whisper in his ear as I drape myself around his shoulders in his seated position.

  Jace laughs. “I hope you never let that go, as it entertains me greatly.” He smiles broadly, teasing Finn.

  Finn merely arches an inky brow. “Is that so, Little Jace?”

  Jace scowls playfully. “And now I’m bored,” he says on an eyeroll, standing to come hug me. “Come find me directly after our run, beautiful Luna. We’ll get some exercise of our own in, hmm?” he whispers in my ear before nipping my lobe. My heated eyes meet his as I nod, biting my lip in anticipation. Out of all of my mates, Jace enjoys the more carnal lovemaking of our wolves than the others. They all enjoy it, just as I do, but Jace really enjoys it.

  Finn clears his throat. “Did you need something, Kitten?

  I shake off my lustful thoughts and move around to take a seat in his lap. He smiles softly, his hand brushing over my calves lovingly. “Remember when we talked about the school idea?” I ask him.

  “Of course. What’s in that big, beautiful brain of yours?” he queries.

  I kiss his pouty lips, always rewarding him for complimenting me on my intelligence. Those are my favorite compliments. From the smartest man I know, they mean the world to me. “Are you still working it out? Because I just watched an interesting game that could serve as the school’s sport. Schools always have sports, right?”

  He chuckles. “They do; most of the time anyway. What we talked about was more than just a school but I can always tweak the purpose of it, I suppose. We’re all starting to settle in here, and my plan formed from the need to create a place we’d be happier. We could be happy here, right?”

  “I think so. The renovations on our floor helped to make this place feel more like home, and restructuring our pack and titles helped take the pressure off you guys. The pack members are doing more for themselves now, also growing more comfortable now that they see they have our support in their independence.”

  He nods. “Agreed. It appears to be all working out at the moment. But you’re still interested in my plan for a school? Honestly, I haven’t had much time to put more thought into it, given all that’s been going on.”

  “Th
at’s okay. We have all the time in the world, right?” I smirk.

  He laughs outright. I love his laugh, as he’s far too serious usually. “True.”

  “I still think a school where wolves from all over can attend and form lasting relationships is a good idea. They could be taught acceptance and tolerance of others, as well as arithmetic.”

  “Right, and maybe also wolf history and farming, and all kinds of other classes to help them learn to be useful in pack life,” he tosses out.

  “Oh, I like that idea,” I tell him, excited for the possibilities.

  “You know, this gives me an idea for where to hold this meeting of ours. I have several contacts throughout the academic community; we could hold the meeting in a lecture hall. That would provide us a large enough seating area and a platform for anyone who wishes to speak. It also wouldn’t draw attention, as most colleges often have guest lectures and guests from around the world to attend them.”

  I sigh dramatically. “You are entirely too smart, Mr. Wolf,” I play.

  He laughs again before kissing my lips softly. “I take it you like the idea, then?”

  I nod. “I do. We’ll run it by the others after the run.”

  “Sounds good,” he tells me.

  Running through the trees, sun shining down in rays of glory, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so alive. The New Year’s run was different. That was about establishing order, a tentative taste of unity. This…this is the more we’ve all been craving. There’s happiness and confidence in the way the pack wolves run today. Brushing up against one another, playfully racing and nipping at each other’s heels, it’s obvious that they’re more together now than ever. We all are. While the other wolves give my guys and me a respectable bubble to run freely, they also take pride in staying by our sides and anticipating our directions. I can feel it. It gives me energy like I’ve never known.