For The Love of An Alpha

Prepping, Planning and Panic

Jay and Asia had set up a head quarters in Jay's living room. Color swatches and ideas scattered about the open space. They had been at this all day and just when they thought they had it narrowed down, more options would come up. Jay stood from the couch and stretched. Life was easier not worrying about place settings, cakes, catering, decorations and seating arrangements. 

"Honestly, Asia," Jay was just done looking at the display, "put out extra seating and let them sit wherever."

Asia stopped writing on the map she was working on and looked to Jay, "That's brilliant!"

Jay sighed with relief, one thing done.

"How many extra tables are thinking?" Asia adjusted her black head band, pushing her hair further from her eyes.

"I don't know," Jay sighed again, rubbing her forehead, "three?"

Asia did math and nodded, "I think that will work." She jotted down some numbers and looked to Jay, who was pacing absently behind the couch. "Excited?" 

"Restless." Jay squatted down, stretching her back.

"Why don't we take a break and come back to this tomorrow?"

"I got a better idea." Jay wanted to be done. "I'm going to make the big choices and then trust your judgment on the little things." Jay walked around to kneel beside the coffee table, across from Asia. "I really am out of my element and not sure I really have the slightest idea of what is happening."

Asia smiled sweetly to Jay, "I would love to be your planner." Asia's voice almost cracked with excitement. "I just need three things from you."

"Perfect! Shoot." Jay was ready for three things.

"I need two colors."

"Dark blue and evergreen."

Asia wrote down the colors. "Ok, Lights or torches?"

"Oh, ummm..." Jay thought about the differences, then remembered how the teens like to rough house, "Lights."

"Ooo, great! I got the perfect idea for that." Asia excitedly wrote several things down, then turned the page. "Last thing, your favorite food."

Jay sat back on her feet, thinking hard about her favorite food. "Any meat is good, I'm not a picky eater."

Asia made some notes. "Ok, so that you know, the pack goes on a hunt the morning of the Ceremony."

Jay's eyes lit up, and Asia hadn't seen her this excited about any part of the ceremony planning yet. "All of us?"

"It's your first run with the pack, the Ceremony will last all day. We'll come back with the kills and start to grill and cook while you and the Alpha get ready. Then come evening you'll have the Joining and then we eat. After that..." her voice trailed off and she wagged her eyes brows at 

Jay. The girls instantly blushed and began to laugh.

"Ok, so you got this then?" Jay stood from the coffee table.

"Yes, I'll gather this up and I'll take it to my place." Asia was starting to gather the swatches, samples and notes from the space.

Jay knelt down and helped her gather them. "I have an idea." A smirk drawing across her face. She helped her pick up everything and walked her out of the apartment and down the hall. Henri was at the top of the steps, his tank top was nearly black and his jeans were covered in grease. He held a sandwich in one hand and with the other he was signing papers that Eli had in his hands. 

"What are you two up to?" Eli called out to the two woman as the exited the hall.

"Planning." Jay smirked, pausing briefly to kiss Henri on the cheek then scurried passed.Henri looked to Eli and shook his head, watching the two woman walk down the hall into the business wing. 

"I hope they aren't about to make a disaster back there," Eli said under his breath, turning pages and offering the packet to Henri for another signature.

"I think they'll be fine. How are the relations with the Eastern packs?" 

"All is well. The Blue Blood and Evergreen packs will be here Friday afternoon." Eli closed the packet of paper, "The Lunar Blood and Winter's Cross packs both asked if they could arrive Friday morning, which I said was fine."

"That reminds me, have you found that elder for me?" Henri took a large bite from his sandwich.

"Yes, she said she wants to meet with you this afternoon. I figured the conference room would be a good spot for it?"

"Perfect. Let me know when she arrives. I have an order I need to get done and rolled out by Thursday." He put the last of his sandwich in his mouth and headed for the stairs. If all went as planned, he would be able to help Jay find her pack, which would mean that hopefully they could be arrive in time to join the hunt that morning. He didn't have the heart to tell Jay it was tradition for her pack to hunt with them. It's not like they had to and it was completely optional and up to her, but maybe she could get some closure. 

Henri walked from the large pack house and turned right, about a mile down the road was the family garage. It was closer to the main road then the pack house, making it easier for the pick up of the vehicles. Although most of their clients were from other packs, there were plenty of outsiders placing orders. This one in particular was for a custom motorbike, with the arrival of the leaf-spring fork and the final touches on the V-twin engine, they could finally assemble the beast.

Henri let his mind wonder as he worked his way around the shop. It was full of orders and there were plenty of hands that could have done the job for him. However, the client, was an Alpha from a neighboring pack. He wanted to ensure this bike was perfect. He checked over the paint job on the tank and the custom frame they had finished a few days back. Everything measured up right. Hoisting the frame over to his work area, he began his assembly. 

Henri was in the middle of adjusting the wiring for the electrical when Eli and Sebastian walked into the garage. He heard their voices as they greeted everyone on their way to the back. Henri was knelt on the ground, his hands were stained in grease and he had just clipped, stripped and twisted two wires.

"Hey, boss." Sebastian spoke out first.

"What's up fellas?" Henri reached up and engaged the trigger, acknowledging the brake lights were responding properly.

"She's here boss." 

Henri stopped what he was doing. "Where is she?"

"She is at the pack house. Mama Jones has her sitting down with some tea in the dining hall." Sebastian informed.

"Alright." Henri stood up and walked across the room, grabbing a damp rag he wiped his hands. "Let's get back. I'll go get clean and then we can meet in the conference room?"

"You got it, boss." Sebastian fake saluted and Eli him in the shoulder. The two laughed and then followed Henri out the door.

As they walked in the house, Henri rushed up stairs to change. Eli and Sebastian entered the dining hall, clearing their throats to interrupt the conversation between Asia and the older woman.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion, Elder."

"It's ok, darlin." She smiled softly. Her gray eyes had flecks of green in them and almost shimmered. Her long silvery hair still showed hints of the red it once was. She stood slowly from her chair. 

Eli rushed to her side, offering her is arm. She positioned herself to come long his left side, her right arm coming to grasp his arm firmly. Her left hand held to her cane tightly. Sebastian nodded politely to Mama Jones, picking up the Elder's cup and following behind her with it.

"Oh, thank you, dear." Her voice was soft, the sound of her age carrying the gentleness of her heart. 

"We're meeting up stairs, is that ok?" Eli turned toward her, his right hand coming to cover the hand on his arm.

"Sure dear, just go slow." She smiled softly and Eli felt his heart melt. This woman was old enough to be his great grandmother, and it made him wish his family had lived this long. Who ever her family was was blessed to have her.

"I hope your family isn't made we stole you away." Eli made small talk with her as they moved one slow step at a time.

"Oh no, hun." She stepped up on more step, "I have no family left." They moved up on more step. "That horrible war took them all."

She all but spit when she mentioned the war. It took them nearly 10 minutes to make it up the long stairway. Sebastian had turned back, the Elder's tea had gone cold and went to get her some fresh tea.

Henri was at the top of the stairs when they took the last three steps. His hair was washed, he had on jeans and a polo shirt, simple shoes on his feet and his hands were scrubbed clean. "Elder," Henri offered his arm in place of Eli's, "thank you so much for coming.""My pleasure, Alpha." She smiled to him warmly, melting his heart.

"This way, please." They walked slowly down the hall to the business quarters.

Arriving at the conference room door, they could hear laughing from inside. Henri's brow furrowed as he opened the door. Inside, Asia and Jay were in hysterics, laughing as they looked at several books on the table. The words "Luna Ceremony Planning" written in large letters on the whiteboard.

"Henri! You have to see this." Jay jumped from her seat.

Henri cleared his throat before she could reach them. "I'm sorry Elder, it looks like we brought you up for a space that was in use."

"Oh non sense." She smiled to him, "I would love to meet your future Luna."

Jay came to the door and looked upon the older woman, her eyes flashed green and Jay's heart stopped. She stumbled back, tears coming to her eyes. 

"No..." the elder gasped, dropping her cane and bringing her left hand to her mouth.

Jay bumped the table with her hands and rear, her fingers trembling as she grabbed the table. She had to be seeing a ghost, it couldn't be real, she was dead.The elder let go of Henri and limped forward, the use of her left leg was limited, but she fought her way over to the woman. She reached up and firmly took her jaw in her hand, "What is your name, girl?"

"J-Jay," her voice quaked and she felt her knees go weak.

"Jay what? What's your full name?"

"J-J-Jhera..." tears were forming and she couldn't help but let out a sob.

The older woman grabbed her pulled her into her arms, "My Star Princess." She whispered softly into her ear, Jay released a lout sob and both women began to cry as they embraced each other. Henri tried to process the events that unfolded just now. Looking from the Elder to his mate and back again. They were almost the same height, and they sobbed and cried as they held each other.

"Did I miss something?" Sebastian whispered, a cup of tea in his hand.

"We all did." Eli said quietly.

Jay pulled away and took the Elder's face in her hands, like she was a young child examining her. She knew this face, it haunted her dreams for years after she left. "Nana?" Tears ran down her cheeks as the word left her lips.

"Oh my Princess," the Elder wiped the tear from her cheek, "we thought you didn't make it." 

Jay let out a half laugh, half sob, "When did I ever give up without a fight?" The two laughed softly at the exchange.

Henri cleared his throat softly.

"I'm sorry," Elder Ezara turned to him, "Alpha I must thank you," she turned to Jay, "you reunited me with my granddaughter."

Everyone's face took on a look of surprise. 

"Come, sit." Jay moved, pulling a chair out and helping her into the chair. She knelt before it and looked up to her grandmother. "I have missed you so."

It wasn't long before everyone was seated around the conference room table. The papers for the ceremony were pushed to one end and everyone was intently listening to the Elder recall the day that Jhera was sent away.

"You have to understand," she went on, "Jhera is the first born female Alpha in a long Alpha line. I could go back 500 years and not find a female born among their. She was the first."

"Just like the prophecy?" Eli chimed in.

"Exactly." The elder sipped her tea, "When she was born, the Crescent Mark told us she was destined for greatness. It wasn't until she was five that we realized she had her wolf already. We thought it was an imaginary friend she was playing with." She smiled to the woman to her right, grasping her hand firmly. "After I left you, I fought hard. We lost the pack to another Alpha."

"That was Branson Rogers, wasn't it?"

"Horrible man." The Elder spat, "Then Jacob Veran challenged him. Do you remember Jacob? You two used to play together." She smiled, "Anyway, he took over as Alpha just a few years back. He's asked often if we ever found you or heard from you. He will be happy to know you are safe."

Henri's hand found Jay's as she began to fidget with her shirt. "Nana, this won't change anything, will it?" She looked to Henri and back to her grandmother. 

"No honey, you will still be here and be his Luna." She smiled to Henri, "If you would grant the honor though, I know the pack would love to join you on your hunt Friday morning."

"I would love that very much!" Jay beamed brightly.

"I do have a question, Elder." Eli spoke up.

"Yes, young sir?"

"Jay's dad was Alpha Erick Brandt, but there is no record of him taking a Luna. Who is her mother?"

Jay looked to Eli and then to the Elder, she hadn't thought about it, but she did want to know who her mom was.

"I met her once, after Jhera was born. She and Erick brought Jhera to my home, wrapped in pink blankets. She said it wasn't safe for her to stay with her daughter. She had skin that glowed like the moon, her hair was silver as sterling. She looked like a goddess." She looked to Jay, "I don't know her name. Your father said it wasn't safe for anyone to know."

"Does that make me the," Jay paused for a moment, "the seed of the Crescent Love?"

The Elder and Eli both looked to the woman, Jay could read their expressions. She felt Henri's hand grip hers firmly, everyone was thinking it, she just said it.

"It's possible, dearest." Elder Ezara spoke softly, "You don't worry your pretty head about that dark prophecy now. As far as we can tell, we have years before that will even start, if it will start. Not all prophecy is true, and not every prophet is right."

Dinner was brought up to the conference room that night, as the small group working together to plan the ceremony for Friday. Jay had more help then she realized. Asia was explaining how the lights were to be hung to Eli and Sebastian, while Elder Ezara and Henri spoke quietly. Word had already been sent to the Lunar Blood pack, their hierarchy would be arriving in the morning. The call they got said they were eager to meet the Alpha's daughter.

Jay sat back and watched everyone bustle around, and all she could think of was how her identity had shifted so far from who she felt she was in a matter of hours. Her soul still cried out for Henri, but her heart longed for the simplicity of the open road. The life she had before ceremonies and pack business, before mates, claiming and domestication. Deep down she didn't want to be house broken, wearing dresses and attending services. She wanted to run the woods, hunt her meals and tear down threats. Her eyes met with Henri's, he was smiling and happy. She wanted a life with him, to be his forever, to raise a family with him. Her hand absently went her abdomen and she quietly stood and walked out of the conference. Her mind deep in thought she walked straight for the apartment. Could she already be carrying his child? Could it happen that easily, that quickly? She felt fear start to creep in.

Henri was hot on her heels and made it through the apartment door right behind her.

"Are you ok?" He quickly wrapped his arms around her shoulders, as his foot kicked the door closed behind him. 

"Ya, just thinking..." she wanted to talk about it, but didn't want to at the same time.

"Jay, some thing's on that beautiful mind. What is it?"

"Could I be pregnant?" Her words blurted out before she could filter how to say it.

Henri's smile was warm and he kissed her lips softly. "Not yet." He watched the look of question form on her brow. "After the mark, when we are joined, there will come a time when you'll be ready to conceive."

"How will I know?" Jay brought her hands up to rest on his shoulders.

"I've heard the ladies say their bodies are on fire. Men tend to call it 'being in heat'. Either way, it's unmistakable."

"It can't happen before then?"

"I guess it could," Henri tried to smooth the wrinkles from her brow with his thumb. "It's rare. When you and you're wolf are ready, your body will respond and we'll have a family." His smile was genuine and he kissed her cheek with a tenderness Jay hadn't felt yet.

"I know I want to have a family," Jay started softly, as his lips pulled back, "I just don't know if or when I'll be ready."

"That's ok," Henri's eyes looked across her face, "don't even worry about it. We have plenty of time." He smiled and brought his lips close to her left ear, "I hear practice makes perfect."

He nibbled on her ear lobe softly, a moan leaving her lips. He had her wrapped around his finger in a matter of seconds and she would let him have his way with her. She teased him back and it took only seconds before the conversation of having children was left in the living room and Henri was carrying his mate down the hall to their room. This is what Jay hoped life would be like, yet a longing still rested in her to run. A nudge she would have to address tomorrow, tonight it was all about Henri.