Chapter Nine

2093 Words
Jaycie’s POV: My parents, Danny, and I pulled up to the packhouse. They had requested for us to come to them because Gabby did not feel up to the trip, and her parents didn’t want to go very far from her right now. We are only a few hours away, but I can totally see their view on that. Beta Thomas was waiting at the top of the steps. Some warriors came out to take my things to my and Cooper’s room. Cooper had decided we should live in the packhouse for now so I can get better acquainted with the pack, and when he takes the position of Alpha he wants me close to his office. It will also be a place that is just theirs. When he takes his dad’s office, he said that I will get the one he has now because the Luna should have a place of her own to plan banquets, plan entertaining dignitaries, and everything else that she has to do. I called out to his beta, because they are usually in charge of housing, “I clearly marked each box where each one can go. No one needs to unpack it, I can do it myself”. Thomas looked at me and said in a serious tone, “No need Luna. We have omegas and servants for that”. I nodded and replied, “I know, but I detest pushing off work I can do myself, and it will feel good to decorate my and Cooper’s room with him. You can learn a lot about a person by seeing how they decorate their living space”. Thomas shook his head, chuckled, bowed a little, and said, “Whatever Luna wants. Although, I would just like to say that you guys are perfect together”. She smiled and while giggling said, “Thanks, Beta Thomas. Where’s Cooper?”. I heard a deep chuckle behind me and felt two strong arms wrap around me and lift me a little off the ground. I heard a very familiar voice that made my heart skip a beat and my tummy flutter with butterflies, “Right here, my love”. I turned around in his arms and whispered, “There will be plenty of time for that”, and gave him a pointed look. He loosened his grip and she walked towards her parents and turned, “May I present my parents Alpha Maxwell Ravenwood and Luna Darla Ravenwood of the Blood Fang Pack”. I then pulled my brother closer as he was trying to slink out of sight, and said a little cautiously, “And this is my big brother and Future Alpha of the Blood Fang Pack, Daniel Ravenwood”. I turned to my family and said, “Mom, Dad, and Danny, this my mate, Future Alpha Cooper Stone of the Dark Moon Pack, and this is Beta Thomas”. After handshakes and acknowledgments and greetings, we started our way inside. It was beautiful. It had a big beautiful chandelier hanging in the middle of the foyer, and as we walked into the lobby or formal living room; I’m not sure which, we saw some big overstuffed sectionals surrounding their own coffee tables. I saw some expensive-looking vases on pedestals around the sides, and I noticed the foliage that was placed strategically around the room was real and well taken care of. The furniture was arranged to not only leave a path to the stairs but kind of showcase it a little. There are two comfy chairs on each side at the bottom of the stairs around a little coffee table. The stairs themselves go up as one set and then they split into two going in different directions. At the main landing, there is a table holding a beautiful arrangement of fresh tulips. I heard a voice say to me, “Those flowers came from the backyard, in my garden, but you can plant anything you want if anything”. Surprised, I turned and saw a regal-looking woman dressed impeccably in a very feminine pantsuit that was obviously tailored to fit and compliment her shape. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a sophisticated chignon. Is she the act I am supposed to follow, so to speak? Cooper cleared his throat, and said, “Everyone, may I present to you my mother Luna Marie Stone”. Then his father came from wherever is behind the stairs. What is visible looks like offices, and maybe a medical center. “And this is my father, Alpha Matthew Stone of the Dark Moon Pack”, he added when he saw him. Alpha Matthew swept his arm invitingly, and said, “Come, let’s sit and get to know each other before our meal”. We sat down and there was an uncomfortable silence. I am really looking forward to us being around the dining room table’, I thought sarcastically. Cooper had pulled me over to sit with him, and he tried to put me on his lap, but I didn’t feel that was appropriate at the moment. I slid over, so Cooper just pulled me into his side possessively. Cooper looked straight at Danny, and said, “I do have a twin. She will be joining us at the dinner table”. Danny’s head ducked a little. Luna Marie glanced at Danny, and said to my parents, “Well, I don’t believe in not talking about the elephant in the room. We have been told of the rejection-”. My brother and father both growled, but she gave them a glare and continued “-and we do not want that to cast a shadow on Cooper and Jaycie’s special day. I think we can discuss it like adults, but we can wait until after our lovely meal as we celebrate the beginning of their lives together. Right Alpha?”. She looked over at my father and he straightened up in his seat next to her and cleared his throat, “Why yes, we are very excited that our son has found his true mate. We can discuss the other matter after we celebrate these two”. My parents nodded, knowing this was coming. My father growled, while looking at Danny’s bowed head, “That will be fine. Everybody needs to talk and clear the air”. I feel some sympathy for Danny, but he brought this on himself. Still, he is my brother, and all the good memories that flood my mind when I look at him warms my heart. Right now, though, I feel my chest constricting at how sad he looks. *********************** Cooper’s POV: I looked through the window and watched their car pull up, and I am trying to keep calm. I can’t wait to get my hands on my mate, so I sneak through a side door. As I come out, I hear my Jaycie ask where I am, so I sneak up behind her and embrace her while sniffing her hair and nuzzling her neck. I answered her question, “Right here, my love”. She jolted a little in surprise, but soon relaxed back into my arms. All of a sudden she tensed a little, and turned around, and told me there would be plenty of time for that kind of thing later. Oh, she has no idea how long we will be catching up tonight. As I started to fantasize about what I hoped will be coming in the coming night hours, I loosened my grip and used that opportunity to go over to her parents. She introduced each member of her family to my Beta and me. She then presented the Beta and me to her family. I shook hands, and I greeted, and I exchanged pleasantries with her parents. Her brother was finding the ground really interesting at the moment, but I still managed to mutter, “Nice to meet you, Future Alpha Daniel”. He kind of grunted a quick, “Nice to meet you”, but we did not shake hands. That civility was all I could bear to do right now. I brought them into the packhouse. My mother has a good eye for detail, and she had a lot of input when they redecorated. Jaycie got caught up looking at those awe-inspiring stairs, so I turned to Thomas and asked him to make sure Gabby’s bodyguard was on alert during our meal. I also asked him to have Gregory or Desmond, my Gamma, and Delta, respectively, keep an eye on Danny while he is on the grounds. My mother came hurrying in and said something to Jaycie. Where has she been? I regarded her closely, and to anyone else other than my father and I, would think she is extremely put together. But I noticed she was not wearing any jewelry, except for her wedding ring. She always wears something else - a necklace, earrings, something. As I was wondering what was going on with my mother, I happened to catch sight of my father while he was coming around a corner and smoothing his hair. He was just about to enter and then he stopped to check the buttons on his shirt. He looked up and saw me, grinned, and shrugged. My mind started to have a mortifying thought. Was he making sure all his buttons were rebuttoned and in the right buttonholes? So my mom took off her jewelry and forgot to put it back on? Realization fully dawned on me, and all I could think was - ewwwwww! I was wondering where they were earlier when they didn’t come out to greet Jaycie’s family. Now I know. Although, I hope Jaycie and I will still be like that when we are their age. My father suggested that we sit and converse. I pulled Jaycie over very gently and put her on my lap. She wiggled her way off to the side, causing a situation to start in my pants. I reached out and pulled her close to my side, and kept my arm around her waist. We were sitting and looking at each other. It was so weird and awkward. A crisply dressed waitress came and offered us some appetizers and asked if we wanted anything to drink. We all sampled the appetizers and ordered some cocktails. I noticed Jaycie only ordered water. I told her she was welcome to have anything. She told me she just doesn’t like alcohol, and she would like to have a lemon/lime soda, but she didn’t want to burp in front of anyone, especially me. I chuckled and told her she could never seem unattractive to me, so she ordered the soda. We finally got settled with our drinks and food. Finally, my mother decided to just take the bull by the horns by saying, “Well, I don’t believe in not talking about the elephant in the room. We have been told of the rejection-”. My father and I both growled, and she threw us a glare and continued “-and we do not want that to cast a shadow on Cooper and Jaycie’s special day. I think we can discuss it like adults, but we can wait until after our lovely meal as we celebrate the beginning of their lives together. Right, Alpha?”. Mom then looked at my father and he tensed. He backed her up and begrudgingly affirmed what she was saying. I think he just wanted to rip his head off, instead of calming down and talking. I was snickering to myself that my mom referred to him as “the elephant in the room”. Her parents agreed to what my mother stated. I think they were relieved that she had broached the subject first. Then her father growled, “That will be fine. Everybody needs to talk and clear the air”. I am trying to gauge what is going on with Danny, but he’s not engaging, so it’s difficult. Maybe he’ll let his guard down during the celebration. We will keep an eye on him. If he says one wrong word to her, we are going to pounce on him. Ugh. I can’t do that. Jaycie would never see or speak to me again. Well, if he makes Gabby upset, I am not the only wolf he will need to worry about.
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