Pack, page 5
part #3 of Five Fangs Series
"Ty?"
I blinked and looked at Alpha Cole.
"Want to go see your new Beemer now?" he asked again.
"Sure, but, um, first, I can't thank you all enough." I knew that damned blush was spreading over my cheeks and probably down my throat, but couldn't do anything about it. "You didn't have to do any of this, and you certainly didn't have to get me a car."
"No, we didn't have to," Alpha Jayden grinned, "but we wanted to. You deserve it, Tyler. We're all very happy to be here with you to celebrate both your birthday and finding your mate."
Alpha Wyatt handed me a second key fob.
"I had the pleasure of driving it down from the dealership yesterday," he said. "Purrs like a kitten and you'll think you're floating, it drives so smooth."
"As smooth as the Jag?" I asked with a grin.
"Not quite," he laughed. "I just parked it in the driveway. Come see."
He led the way and, when I rounded the corner of the house, I came to a shocked standstill. It was a beautiful dark blue Alpina XB7, worth well over a hundred thousand dollars.
I raised my trembling hands to cover my face, blinking against the sting in my eyes. I felt Peri's arms wrap around my waist, and I dropped my arms to her shoulders, squeezing her tight as I buried my burning face in her hair.
"While we're overwhelming you, we might as well tell you about your new living arrangements," Alpha Mason said.
"As you know, part of the beta compensation package is your choice of available properties in pack territory once you find a mate." Alpha Ash's dark eyes glittered, and he looked like he was holding back a grin. "However, we can't let you pick one, Ty."
"Oh, no worries." I was already flustered from the car. I couldn't even entertain the idea of being given a house. "I was thinking maybe an apartment—"
My sunshine giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. I really needed to break her of that habit.
"You misunderstand," Alpha Cole said. "We can't let you pick because Peri already has."
"She's dreamed of living in this certain house for years," Alpha Wyatt chimed in, "so you can't disappoint her and pick somewhere else."
When they got me to understand which house Peri wanted, my mouth fell open.
"But, alphas, that place is worth hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars!" I protested.
"Sorry, dude." Alpha Ash shrugged. "You'll have to suck it up and accept it. It's what your mate wants."
And mate gets what mate wants! River decreed, and I held up both hands in surrender.
"I don't know what to say." My voice came out husky with emotion. "I wasn't expecting any of this, so I'm not prepared with a thank you speech. I'm grateful beyond words for the car and the house, but what really means the world to me is each of you. You're the family I never had and always wanted."
My throat clogged up so I couldn't say anything else, and I quickly swiped my eyes with the heels of my hands before the tears could fall.
Tiny arms snaked around my waist and the gentle aura of my luna calmed me right down.
"And you mean the world to us, Tyler," she said as she hugged me. "We are your family now and forever."
I smiled down at the top of her head, then glanced over at my mate, whose eyes were filled with nothing but love.
Best. Day. Ever! River howled in my head.
Absolutely, Riv. Best day ever.
5: Pool Party
Posy
After Tyler had a chance to admire his new car, we all returned to the pool area, and I asked Wyatt to start some music so people could dance if they didn't want to swim.
"We have live entertainment first," he said with a grin, and pointed over my shoulder.
Whirling, I saw Jayden carrying his guitar and a stool over to the microphone, and excitement filled me. Grabbing Wyatt's arm, I tugged it so he would look down at me.
"Is he really going to sing and play for us?" I squeaked with sparkling blue eyes.
"Yeah, and I'm sure he has a special song planned just for you, cutie."
I clasped my hands under my chin and started jumping up and down. He laughed at my excitement, but I didn't care.
"So I have a few songs I want to sing for you today," Jayden said into the microphone as he sat on the stool and messed with the top of his guitar. "First one, of course, is for our girl. Ty, you don't mind if I serenade your big sister first, do you?"
"Of course not, alpha!" Tyler called back, his grin huge and his arm around Peri's waist.
"You might as well start calling us brothers-in-law," Jayden smirked as he looked up from his guitar, and everyone laughed. Then his eyes found mine. "Posy, every word of this song is yours."
He strummed the guitar in a soft, sweet melody, then his amazing voice sang words of love, calling me darling and his everything and his lifetime. In every note, he poured out his heart and soul. Tears overflowed my eyes, and I had to cover my mouth with my hand to muffle the sob that slipped out. It was a good thing Wyatt was holding me in his arms. Otherwise, I would have gone to my knees.
As the last word echoed around us, I ran to my dragon-eyed mate. He took his guitar off and held it to the side as I slammed into him and threw my arms around his neck. Laughing softly, he curled one arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head.
"I love you, Jayden," I wept into his throat and ignored how the applause around us turned into a chorus of awws.
"I love you, too, precious girl." He ducked his head down to kiss my wet cheek.
"You will play the guitar and sing for me again," I demanded as I pulled back to meet his eyes. "And often."
"Your word is our law," he whispered. After pecking my lips, he asked, "Want to hear the rest of my little concert?"
"Yes, please. And thank you, Jayden. You are an amazing musician and singer."
"Thank you, sweetness." Dull pink skimmed over his cheekbones.
"All right, princess." Ash came up behind me and cupped my shoulders with his huge hands. "Can I have a turn hugging you while Jay does his pop star impersonation?"
Tilting my head back far enough to bump his chest, I met his upside-down chocolate eyes and gave him a big, toothy grin. Taking that as a yes, he gathered me up in his arms and sat me on his hip. It seemed to be his favorite way to hold me because he did it almost every time he carried me.
"All right, Tyler," Jayden said into the microphone. "I picked this song because I think it captures today perfectly. I hope you like it."
His guitar exploded into a fast-paced song that took me by surprise, and I had to listen hard to make out the words because he sang them so fast.
"By the moon, he's good," Ash laughed as he bounced me around to the rhythm. "I always get my tongue tangled when I sing those lyrics."
I grinned and petted his curls, then the song slowed down and I could understand the chorus.
"What is this song called?” I asked Ash.
"Good to be Alive by Andy Grammer.”
"And the one he sang for me?”
"Lifetime by Justin Bieber.”
I nodded and stored the information away for later, then re-focused on my amazing mate. Everyone around us was dancing and singing along with the song, and I was glad Matthew had set up quality speakers. Jayden's voice was too good to be lost in the noisy crowd.
When he finished, he stood and took a bow and everyone applauded or screamed appreciation.
"I'm slowing it down now for our newest couple," he said as he perched on his stool again. "When this song was released, Peri fell in love with it and begged me to sing it for her and her mate if she ever found him. Well, Per, today is that day."
This song was a lot slower, but not as much as mine had been. It was about falling in love over and over again, and it suited Jayden's voice perfectly.
I wonder which professional artist made this song famous. I bet my boy could give him a run for his money!
"Fall into Me by Forest Blakk,” Ash told me as if he read my mind.
Jayden slowed things down even more with the next song, which he dedicated to all the newly mated couples. It repeated the line, "I was made to love you." It was the perfect sentiment for any shifter since we truly were built to be with our Goddess-given mates.
"I didn’t know this one,” Ash admitted, "so I had to ask him. It’s called Made to Love You by Drew Angus.”
"It’s beautiful,” I said and he agreed.
The last song, Jayden said, was to celebrate "all the oldies."
"Looking at you Mom and Dad and Mama and Papa," he said, getting a laugh from most of us and raised eyebrows from Dad and Papa. "Everyone, grab a partner and get ready to dance!"
"You’re going to like this one. It’s by Walk the Moon.” Making sure my legs were secure around his waist, Ash took one of my hands in his, held it against his heart, then supported my bum with his other arm. "Shut up and dance with me.”
"Okaaaay,” I said hesitantly. "I thought I was. You didn’t need to tell me to shut up, though.”
"No, baby,” he laughed. "That’s the title of the song. I’d never tell you to shut up!”
Giggling at my mistake, I locked my free hand around his neck just in time for him to start dancing to the music. He spun me around with a giant grin, his eyes alight with energy and excitement, and I loved seeing him this way.
As he whirled me around the backyard, I looked at my family with a happy heart. Wyatt was dancing with William in his arms much like Ash held me, and Cole had Winnie up on his shoulders, making the little guy giggle as he moved his arms up and down.
The betas, their mates, Luke, and Gisela were jumping up and down with their arms in the air, having fun and not caring what they looked like. Each time Jayden sang, "Shut up and dance with me," they all joined in, which made me giggle.
Mama and Papa moved in an old-fashioned dance with lots of swirls and dips, Mom and Dad were welded together and swaying from side to side, and the king and queen slow-danced while staring into each other's eyes.
Leo stood off to the side alone, a drink in his hand as he watched everyone with a blank face. I understood what he was thinking; he didn't feel he had any right to enjoy himself, even with something so simple as dancing and singing at a birthday party. That made me frown, but then Mason, who was never going to dance in front of anyone, walked over and began talking to him. Whatever my mate said made Leo bark out a laugh, and I supposed that was good enough.
As for Wesley and Wade, they took advantage of the empty pool to round up all the floats and pool noodles and seemed to be building some kind of fortress.
Wait a minute. Where's Reau? My eyes ran around the backyard again. And I don't see Archer and Wayne, either.
"Ash, where are Archer, Wayne, and Reau?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. Do you want to link them or shall I?"
"I just want to make sure Reau didn't wander off alone."
When Ash didn't respond, I glanced at him and knew from his hazy eyes that he was linking the boys. After a few seconds, he blinked and focused on me.
"Arch and Wayne said the loud music upset Reau. They're with him in the man cave, teaching him to play Minecraft."
"Oh, good." I let out a relieved sigh.
"We had that talk with them, by the way," he told me. "They were shocked that we thought they needed the reminder, but were chill about it."
"I was surprised that Wayne and Archer welcomed Reau so easily. The two of them have been friends almost all of their lives, yet they let this newcomer into their circle almost instantly."
"That's good, right?" He grinned at me, his teeth blazingly white against his brown skin. "Listen, Wayne and Arch get a little wild, but they're good kids. Wayne's funny and easygoing, Arch is smart and mature, and Reau, well, I think Reau is in his own little world most of the time. He's kind of like a leaf floating on the water, letting the ripples take him where they may."
"True. I'm glad Wayne and Archer seem fine with that. He needs a friend his age, especially with school starting in two months." With a content sigh, I rested my head on his shoulder and rubbed my nose against his throat. "I love you, waffle."
"And I love you, my little cupcake. Our sweet Posy."
6: Memories
Posy
The day after Tyler's birthday party, the king decided to cut his vacation short. He wanted to introduce Queen Lilah to his family and the royal pack as well as set the wheels in motion for her coronation. He also wanted to research a couple things, such as my biological father's family and the idea he'd had on how to help Thoreau.
While Wyatt made a copy of my mother's letter in the home office, I hugged Queen Lilah and Gisela goodbye, and we exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch.
"And you'll come to the coronation, too, right?" the queen asked, her eyes glittering with tears. "I'm going to be scared to death, and it would mean so much to know you're there to support me."
"Of course, I'll be there," I assured her and squeezed her in another tight hug. "If my mates can't come, I'll make my betas bring me."
"Your mates will be there. The five alphas have a VIP place at all court functions," King Julian said. "I told you, they're my best friends and closest advisors. They don't have a choice about coming."
He smirked at my boys, and Cole and Jayden chuckled.
"Here you go, your majesty." Wyatt came down the porch steps and handed the king the copy of the letter. "Let us know what you find out."
"I will." King Julian took the paper and looked at me. "I'll get to the bottom of this, Posy."
"Thank you, sire." I dipped my head. "I'd like to meet his relatives, if there are any."
"I'll arrange that in time for the coronation," he promised, then turned to Mason. "Keep me informed about the Gray Shadows situation. I want to render a judgment ASAP based on what you find out."
I had forgotten that Beatrix was going to look at Thoreau's memories today. I wanted to be there for that. I had a gift for him. It wouldn't replace his wolf, Tanner, but might comfort him. Plus, my mates said just my presence as his luna would help him.
The boys all did that bro hug, I squeezed the queen and Gisela one last time, and shook the king's and Luke's hands, and then they were gone.
"Well, that wasn't much of a vacation for him," I said as Ash took one of my hands and Cole took the other.
"The fact that he found his mate more than made up for it," Jayden said with a laugh. "And Onyx got to kill some bad wolves and wrangle with Quartz, so it's all good."
Not an hour later, James and Callie drove up in his truck, followed by Aiden and Keeley in Gretchen, the twins' pink VW Bug.
"You're leaving, too?" I pouted.
"We want to meet our new pack and get settled in our new home as soon as possible," Callie said with a bright smile.
"Spoken like a true luna," Cole told her.
"Another thing to get used to," she replied with a giggle.
"Take care of yourselves and keep in touch." I hugged the twinnies. "Peri still has our group chat going, so use it."
"Of course!" they said together.
"And we'll see you at the Swift reunion in August, right?" Aiden asked as he laid his hand on top of my head.
"Yes, my mates said we can go!" I grinned up at him. "And they know Alpha Liam."
"We have an alliance with Crystal Caverns," Mason explained. "Jay was over there three months ago to help with an issue."
As the guys chatted and the twins asked me about Green River, I kept my eye on Jayden to make sure he was okay and eventually blew out a sigh of relief to see that he appeared to be.
