The Midnight Pard

Chapter 4

Bellamy

Bellamy had to be asleep, it had to be a dream. The sun was shining as he raced out of the packhouse in search of Seth. The two boys had been almost inseparable ever since Bellamy arrived with his father. Seth had been self-tasked as the future Alpha of his pack to show the son of the diplomat around the packhouse, and the two had immediately become fast friends.

Bellamy found Seth lounging next to the lake on his Pack's land. "Hey, what're you doing?" Seth had sat up, smiling, "Thinking of the future, dad says I'm going to run this pack one day, and that the moon goddess will choose someone special to help me. Someone that will be my mate, but I don't understand why that's so important, and why I can't choose." Seth's nose furrowed at these thoughts. Bellamy walked over looking out at the lake, "Maybe its one of those things that adults understand that we don't, like there's a reason only adults get to find the people the different goddessess choose for them right? We're only 8." Bellamy turned smiling at his friend. Seth tilted his head, "But if I got to choose I'd know for a fact that the person I chose was a good person." He frowned as Bellamy giggled, "Oh really? Well, who would you even pick?" Seth smiled immediately, "Isn't it obvious? I'd pick you."

"I'm a panther though! Wouldn't your pack want you to have a wolf as your Kekal, or uhh wait you said it was, your Luna?" Bellamy was staring at Seth, his eyes wide. The other boy burst into laughter, "Father says sometimes the goddesses work together and make unions across species, but it's rare." Bellamy watched Seth's face fall, taking the other boy's hand, he spun around, yanking him to the trees. "Well I guess you're stuck with me as a best friend then."

The dream changed and Bellamy blinked. Looking around, he was about 10, walking down the pack house halls, he could hear yelling coming from his father's study. He had been on his way to inform his dad that he was packed and ready to go home to the Pard, despite Seth attempting to try to convince him to stay. He sat outside, it was something about an extension.

After the yelling stopped, he went inside, "Dad, everything okay?" Harvey turned to look at his son, managing a small smile, "Yeah, yeah, sorry about the noise kiddo, are you alright? Did something happen?" Bellamy shook his head, "Nope, I got everything together. Seth wanted to know if I might be allowed to stay until closer to the end of summer break, or to come back and visit. I told him I'd ask you." He spoke the last bit quietly, not wanting to potentially upset his dad more then he seemed to be. Harvey sighed softly, "You like it here, right? The wolves have been really nice, your making friends?" Bellamy nodded slowly. "Yeah, the Alpha and Luna are always really kind, and Seth is my best friend. I haven't even heard from Anton or Devin or even Jonah in almost a whole month. Seth talks to me every day!" He smiled at his father brightly, causing Harvey to chuckle, "Well kiddo, it turns out we may be here for awhile longer. Is that alright with you?" Bellamy nodded eagerly, his whole face lighting up, "Can I go tell Seth that I get to stay?" Harvey smiled and nodded, "At least until next summer."

Anton

The response had come faster than Anton had expected, only taking 2 days, he took the letter immediately to his office, calling his father, Devin, Jonah, and Harvey. Once they were all gathered in the office, he opened the letter.

Seth Volkov

Northern Pack Alpha

Dear, Mr. Mosi

I was surprised to receive your invitation. It was not believed that such formalities would be necessary given known history. However, I am more than happy to make the trip out and reforge our alliance, and I will immediately begin preparations to visit your Pard, I will have with me five other wolves. Is that acceptable?

Anton read it and reread it, "Does this seem a bit more personal then we previously believed?" He looked up to the others sitting around his desk. Harvey bit his lip, "Alpha Seth is a long-time friend of Bellamy's, from when they were about 8 years old, they maintained contact via letters during Bellamy's highschool years to my knowledge." Lev growled in Anton's mind, "Ours." Anton stared at the letter, the reply certainly felt like there was something there. "He is our mate, and he has agreed to give us a chance. This wolf is nothing more than a part of his past." He thought back, "Alright how do we handle this." Harvey spoke up first, "You were prepared for up to 10 wolves, a quick reply may put him off his game. I can draft one up, letting it be known that he and his entourage will be welcome." Richard looked over the letter again, giving Anton a look, "I suggest you handle this carefully." Anton nodded, the meeting ended shortly after.

Following Harvey back down to Bellamy's room gave Anton time to calm Lev. He walked in to a flurry of nurses. It seemed they had caught a change on one of his monitors. Unfortunately, he seemed to have gone back to his previous state. Harvey moved to sit on Bellamy's left side, silently typing their response on his laptop. Anton walked to the right side of Bellamy's bed and gently took his hand, he sighed softly looking at the far to still figure and picked up one of the books he had taken to reading out loud for Bellamy.

Bellamy

The dream changed again. This time to him as a 13-year-old, hugging Seth tightly as his father waited in his car up near the gate for him, Seth had hugged him just as tightly, "Hey, if we don't both find our mate's, I'd still want to choose you." Seth's words had been whisper quiet, and Bellamy had looked up in surprise, and then smiled softly. "I hope your goddess chooses well for you." In a much quieter tone he replied, "and I love you too." Seth had looked around and after making sure they were alone had leaned in, giving Bellamy every oppurtunity to move away and when Bellamy stayed where he was, Seth brought their lips together. This was different though. Kissing Seth had felt like a fire was burning through him, as though there were little embers dancing on his lips. As they had pulled away Seth had kept staring at him, a look of awe on his face. The feeling for Bellamy hadn't been there originally, why was the memory different?

The drive home had broken his heart that day, but he had known that Seth would keep talking to him, and he would finally get to go home to his other friends, he missed them all so much and couldn't wait to brag to them about all of the cool things he had learned from the packs. He hadn't heard from them in well over 2 years, but he was sure they had just been really busy.

Anton

The next reply came in the form of a small group of wolves standing on the borders of his Pard, Anton had instructed his guards to bring the wolves directly to the Pard house, immediately calling his father, Harvey, Devin, and Jonah. He quickly briefed them of the wolves arrival and headed downstairs to greet them, the others trailing behind him.

The wolves were all visibly intimidating, strong, each one clearly of Beta or Gamma heritage, even the diplomat seemed like he could function easily as a warrior. "Alpha Seth, it is a pleasure to have you, would you allow me to show you to your accomadations?" Seth immediately looked past Anton to Harvey, confusion and suspicion on his face until he turned back to Anton as he spoke, "Your hospitality is much appreciated Alpha Anton, we would like the oppurtunity to set our bags down, however we do not require the oppurtunity to rest. We would actually prefer to get straight to business if that is acceptable to you." Anton paused a moment, "Of course, if you'll follow me." He led them through the halls to the visitor wing of the Pard, showing the nicest room for Seth, "It is quite impressive that such accomadations could be put together so swiftly." The wolves diplomat smiled politely as they showed him his room. All of the wolves were well mannered, in the way the eye of a storm is calm.

Bellamy

This time when the dream changed Bellamy felt a pit in his stomach, it was shortly after the winter break of his freshman year, he was still 13 in this one. Anton's voice rang out, "Bells, where you going?" Almost immediately his path was blocked by Devin, and Jonah, both grinning from ear to ear. He knew whatever they had in mind would terrify him. "I'm just going to the library." His response had been timid and quiet, causing the other boys to grin more. Devin and Jonah exchanged looks before Jonah spoke, "Awwh guys he's just going to the library." He chuckled softly. Devin took a step forward, "Oh but we had the best idea, you should come train with us." Without warning Jonah and Devin grabbed Bellamy, following Anton they dragged him outside. Anton turned when they got far enough from the Pard-house. "Here's a good enough place for training." He grinned at where Bellamy was held between the other two, silent tears building at the corners of his eyes. "Please don't do this." They had ignored him, Devin and Jonah beating him, mostly places that were easily covered up, his ribs and legs. Panthers healed fast, but that just meant they could be extra cruel in how badly they hurt him. As they were walking away Anton had leaned in towards Devin, "You think the weakling would improve, after we go so out of our way to help train him." Devin and Jonah had just laughed.

Bellamy had barely made it through dinner without passing out from his pain, slowly making his way to his room he saw mail under his door and excitedly ripped it open, it was from Seth.

"Dear Bellamy.

I cannot begin to express how much I miss you, the pack is absolutely a bore without you around. However I do have some big news, I got my wolf. His name is Cedar, and I showed him memories of you, he says I have good taste in friends and also can't wait to meet you. Oh that reminds me, will you be returning with your father? I think I was told it would be right before I become Alpha? I really hope you do, even if it's just for a quick visit I would love to see you again."

He clung that letter to him for most of the night, Jax purred softly in his mind, doing his best to soothe his human counterpart. He also didn't understand why this was happening to them, maybe visiting the packs wouldn't be a bad idea. He could talk to his father about it later.

Seth

Everything about the panthers had Cedar on edge, something was wrong. Why was Harvey with the convoy, where was Bellamy, the pard-house didn't even smell like he had been there in awhile, the only thing keeping Seth calm was that he could smell Bellamy on both Anton and Harvey, he and Cedar both disliked that, why was Bellamy's scent on Anton, someone according to his father didn't even want Bellamy around. After setting his things down and making sure his wolves were all well settled he and his wolves followed the group to what was resumably Anton's office. Anton spoke up first, "Bellamy has informed us that an offer was made to join your pack." Seth steeled himself, "Yes, my father informed him before his return here that the pack would always welcome him if he should choose to come back. Bellamy made it clear that would be his intention. He also made it rather clear he did not believe anyone would have an issue with him permanently staying with the pack. Has something changed?" Seth's voice barely remained calm, his eyes boring into Anton's, if the Alpha had done anything to Bellamy he would rip his throat out, Cedar mentally growled softly, clearly in agreement.

Anton took a deep breath, "Things have changed, there is something personal to Bellamy that only he has the right to share, and unfortunately he is not in a position to explain at the moment." He heard the snarl come from Seth, doing his best to ignore it as he continued speaking, "As you know the Pard has cameras set up around our boundries, as added protection, and for peace reasons I will grant you access to those to prove that what I say is true. A few days back the Pard was attacked by two rogue vampires. Bellamy had been out on a run that day, and immediately went to help the warriors, he sustained heavy injury and ended up in our hospital where he is being given 24/7 treatment."

Seth snarled softly, "Why weren't we informed of this prior?" Harvey stepped in, "My apologies Alpha, as acting diplomat while my son recovers I did not have the emotional energy to properly explain the situation, inviting you here where we may all find a peaceful compromise seemed like the best solution. I hate being away from him." Seth's features softened a bit, "may I see him?" Anton glanced to Harvey before replying, "I have been informed of your long standing friendship, his condition is delicate, however you would be allowed in with proper supervision, only you though." Lev growled softly in his mind and he tried to plactate the panther, "Our mate has strong allies, we shouldn't alienate them. We must keep the peace."

Seth entered Bellamy's room with Harvey, and to his annoyance, Anton. He immediately felt his heart clench as he walked towards the bed, seeing how small Bellamy looked, it wasn't what he had expected. He side eyed the machines and paper reports around the room, it did seem like they were trying to help him. He sighed and looked back, "Alright, I'll take a look at those tapes."

Bellamy

Bellamy had the idea; as the dream changed yet again; that his dreams weren't usually exactly like his memories, that they weren't usually so lucid. He was standing next to the lake on the wolves pack lands, but the river on his pards lands was flowing into it. He tilted his head, this certainly wasn't a memory. He looked around, noticing a panther sitting beside him, as it turned to face him he was surprised to see Jax's bright eyes staring back at him. Immediately he knelt down, "Jax?" the panther leaned it's head over, bumping his shoulder, he stood panicking. He needed Jax, this couldn't be happening. He heard movement behind him, and saw two woman walking towards him, hand in hand. One of them seemed to be made of the night itself, her skin speckled with small bits of pure light. The other woman glowed with a soft white light, and all he could think to compare her to was the moon itself. Jax stood and stretched leisurely, slowly walking up to the woman that appeared to be made of the night. She leaned down running a hand along his fur, "Hello sweet Jax," She then looked up, "and hello Bellamy Greene. It is such a pleasure to finally meet you."

Bellamy immediately knealt, bowing his head low, "Night Goddess, Moon Goddess," it was the only possibility that made sense in his mind, he heard a light tinkling of laughter as the night goddess spoke, "rise Bellamy, we are ancient things and we do not care to watch you grovel yourself, not when we have much more important things to discuss." The next voice was near musical to his ears. "It is wonderful to see what a wonderfully well mannered young man you are becoming young panther." He looked up at them, slowly rising to his feet. "I don't understand, how can I see you." Memories of the fight came back to his mind, "Am I dead?" A different fear came over him, "Lev, is Lev alright?"

The goddessess moved, standing in front of him. The night goddess speaking, "Your mate is just fine, probably a good bit worried about you I'd imagine." He breathed a sigh of relief as the moon goddess spoke up, "You have a choice to make Bellamy, a choice to stay here, in peace, or, you can go back. If you choose to go back there are far more difficult choices that will await you." The night goddess spoke next, "However you will never face those choices alone, Jax will remain with you. He has chosen to follow your choices. You will also always have me with you. I am with all of my panthers."

Bellamy felt rooted in place by the implied weight of them both appearing before him, confusion finally making its way into his brain, he turned to the moon goddess, bowing slightly. "I don't mean to be rude my lady, but why are you also here. I and my mate are panthers." The night goddess smiled, 'it sounds as though you've decided to go on?" As the world around him faded away he heard the moon goddessess voice, "You are special young panther, soon you will understand."

Opening his eyes felt slow, the first person Bellamy saw was his father, he didn't have any time to process much else as a jumble of nurses came into the room, slowly removing a tube that had been in his nose, gross in his opinion. After they were done one of the nurses offered him ice chips. Once he was able to speak he turned to his dad, "What happened? The rogues?" Harvey took a slow breath, "They're gone, don't you worry about that, it's been awhile, there will be a lot to catch up on, just rest okay?"

A few moments later Bellamy caught Anton's scent, Jax purred in his mind, their mate had been checking on them, Bellamy however was mortified, he hadn't told his dad about the mate connection, "Dad?" he hated that his voice still sounded stressed, Harvey turned his attention to him, "Yes? Do you need me to get a nurse?" The concern his dad was showing almost left him in tears, "Dad, I'm sorry." he felt tears on the corners of his eyes, "Everything with Anton happened so fast and," Harvey smiled, "Ahh so its true, don't worry about that now son. He will be back here once he has finished up with some buisness okay?" Bellamy nodded, trying to sit up a bit more when a different scent hit his nose. "Mate!" Jax roared the word in his head, but that made no sense, Anton was their mate, this scent wasn't Anton's, and while someone losing a mate and meeting another fated mate wasn't unheard of, he had never heard of someone meeting two fated mates at the same time. After he calmed Jax down he turned to look at his father, "Was anyone else besides Anton and the medical team in here?" Harvey hesitated before answering his son, "Yes, and I'm sure in a few moments that person will be coming back, with Anton." Bellamy looked down the bed at his toes as he let his mind wander, could this be what the dream was about?

Multi POV

Just as the footage of the battle was finishing up, showing that the events happened exactly as had been described, Jonah came racing into the room. "Alphas, he's awake." They both raced down the halls towards the pard hospital. Stopping just outside Bellamy's room, Harvey opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him and turning to the two Alpha's. "We have a situation, and my son would like to be the one to explain things, if either of you cause a problem Alpha or not I will whoop you as only a father can." Feeling like school boys being reprimanded, both of the Alpha's turned confused looks to each other before turning back to nod their agreement to Harvey. He took a step back allowing them both to enter the room.

Bellamy did his best to sit up as the two Alphas entered the room, "I need you both to remain calm please." He held up one hand, "Anton?" Quickly he went taking the offered hand, having his mate awake and being able to hold some part of him soothed both him and Lev. Seth tried not to growl, but he knew he was still scowling, he saw Bellamy hold out his other hand, "Seth?" Seth immediately took the offered hand, gently stroking the top of the hand with his thumb. Now it was Anton's turn not to growl. Bellamy took a deep breath looking between both of them. "I need you both to promise not to interrupt me or start fighting. I am to exhausted to properly deal with that."

After getting both of their agreements Bellamy took a steadying breath. "I came home, due to being called home, I did not expect to find my mate that night, and I didn't expect it to ever be Anton." He paused, almost daring them to interrupt him. Seth bit his own lip, confusion written all over his face. "Circumstances happened and I ended up here. Waking up in a hospital room to a new scent that Jax also recognized as my mate." Anton felt Lev snarl ferociously and looked over to Seth, Seth was looking only at Bellamy. Nothing but love on his face. Anton turned his attention back to Bellamy, as the latter continued talking. "I don't know how it's possible, but I do know that Jax is certain, you are both our mates. I happen to know from my studies that Alpha's are exceptionally possessive even more so than the average were, but we need to find a way for this to work. Unless one of you rejects me we are stuck with this reality. Because I have no intention of rejecting either of you."

Seth smiled softly down at Bellamy, "I'm sure we will find answers, I have no intention of harming Anton, I do understand that doing so would hurt you." Cedar paced in his mind, "Should have stayed home, claimed him when he came back, he is ours, has been ours." Seth mentally rolled his eyes, "We had to go to the other packs, and scenting him through a letter wasn't going to be enough of an excuse. We know how Anton treated him in the past, we just have to be patient." Cedar growled, "What if he is different?" Seth paused, "Then we make this work, I love him." Cedar huffed, "Me too."

Anton looked away, trying to figure out a solution while Bellamy and Seth talked, doing his best to keep from rolling his eyes at Seth's promise not to hurt him. Nobody wanted a war. He looked back to Bellamy as they finished talking, "I promise, I will not do anything at all to Seth or any of his wolves. You mean to much to me for that." He smiled as Bellamy beamed at him.

"Anton, may I speak with you outside for a moment?" Seth smiled as Anton turned questioning eyes towards him but nodded. "I'll be right back Bellamy, and once your all better Lev would really like to finish that run alright?" Bellamy laughed lightly, grimacing and reaching for his ice chip cup. "Sounds like a plan." With that Anton stood, following Seth out of the door.

Seth took a moment to make sure Cedar stayed down, "I understand that there is enough of a past between you two that he hasn't immediately accepted you, I need to know that if he chooses not to hold the same reservations towards me that you will not punish him for it." Anton was offended, but a part of him understood, he still was unable to fully keep Lev from snarling through him. "I would never hurt my mate, or any member of my Pard, I know I've done wrong in the past. I am not the same child I was." Seth nodded softly at Anton's words, "Alright, we will probably have to take this to the council, but we should show Bellamy that we are trying to make this work, set up a way to merge our people. Your Pard and my Pack, only on paper for now, just something to set his mind a bit more at ease, he's prone to anxiety.

Anton nodded softly, "I do see your point, and working it out now may save hassle in the future." He paused a moment before turning tired eyes to Seth, "I don't see lying to each other as helpful, so I am going to be honest with you. I hate every bit of this, Lev, my panther, hates this as well. However, that will not stop me from trying to make this work." Anton sighed as he finished speaking. Seth pondered the words a moment before replying, "Would you be willing to test something with me, it may help both of our beasts better come to terms with this, once Bellamy accepts us." Hesitantly, Anton agreed.