The Midnight Pard

Chapter 10

Seth

Cedar grumbled as they got dressed for the event. "We shouldn't have to officiate a bond, we already accepted them, they accepted us. They are ours. We are theirs.We are not performing monkeys for the council's amusement." Seth sighed, "I know big guy, but what else are we supposed to do? If we do it privately, it looks like it is only to create an army. You don't want them in danger any more than I do." Cedar huffed in reply as Seth walked out of the room. They had agreed to meet in Bellamy's room and make their entrance together. A united front. He knocked on Bellamy's door, surprised when Anton answered it, quickly stepping aside to let him in. Anton looked stunning in his suit, but Bellamy wasn't in the room. "Are we still meeting here or, did something else happen?" Anton pointed silently to Bellamy's bathroom, "He won't come out." Seth turned, walking to the door, he leaned his head against it. "Uhh Bellamy, sweetie?" Bellamy's reply came almost instantly, "No, I don't think I can go out there." Seth shot Anton a confused look, Anton only shrugging in response. "Love? We have to do this, it's how we avoid potential war. Kind of a big deal." He heard growling from the other side of the door, "At least tell us why you don't think you can come out here?" Anton called. Bellamy groaned, "We have to go on stage. I don't like being the center of attention. I don't like stages."

Anton walked to the door, guilt all over his face. "Bellamy, you won't be alone, me and Seth will be right there next to you. You won't be alone the entire night." Bellamy's voice sounded like he was pressing his face against the door, "Do you promise?" Seth responded, "Me and Anton will be by your side, and you will have your Delta's. If, for any reason, I have to leave your side, I've already asked Max, and he's said he will stay with you." The door unlocked and Bellamy stepped out, he was dressed, there was no red in his eyes to indicate that he had been crying, his face looked empty. Immediately, Cedar was roaring in his head, it was almost loud enough to give him a headache. Anton pulled Bellamy into both of them, "Tonight is going to go just fine. Nobody would dare to start trouble in the council's halls."

They stood at the doors after meeting with the rest of their group, Greg leaning closer to them, "I will be thrilled when we can finally be back home." His stage whisper had the others trying not to laugh as they walked in. Donahue, a fae council member, approached them, where Starla brought to mind light and hope. Donahue brought darkness to mind. He was as pale as Starla, but where she looked ethereal, he looked closer to a corpse. He was just as kind to them as she was though. "If you would all follow me please. After the ceremony you will be expected to stay and socialize, though nobody really expects you to stay long, even us ancient things were once young." Donahue winked directly at Bellamy, Bellamy blushed and Seth took his hand, "Thank you Donahue."

As they were walking by, Donahue reached for Greg's hand, "Might I have a word?" Greg tensed, stepping away from him. "I have a job to do, can it wait until after? Please?" Donahue nodded, looking hurt. He stepped away, smiling at all of them. "This way then." He showed them to the back side of a stage, and left. Seth turned to Greg, "Is there something we should know?" Greg sighed, "I don't, it's just." He paused, running his hands through his hair. "He's my mate. So he's going to reject me, you all know that rule." It had been reconfirmed to them during their stay and was therefore something they were allowed to discuss. Cedar whined in his mind, "It's not right." "I know, but we can't interfere."

Donahue came back smiling, "Alright, ready when you are, everyone else is in place." They ascended the podium, Oona and Leona waiting for them, Seth, Anton, and Bellamy; walked up to them, their accompanying guards only a few steps behind. Oona smiled, barely containing her excitement. "Will the three of you kindly join hands, preferably in a way so you may still see us?" They complied, Leona grabbed a long ribbon, slowly winding it around all three of their joined hands as Oona spoke. "Anton, do you acknowledge your fated bond to both Bellamy and Seth?" "Yes," Anton's voice was clear and certain. "Do you accept both Bellamy and Seth as your fated mates? You'll need to say this one fully." "I Anton fully accept my mates Bellamy and Seth as my fated mates." Oona gave a happy squeak, causing Leona to glare at her. Blushing, Oona continued, "Seth, do you acknowledge your fated bond with both Anton and Bellamy?" "Yes." Seth's voice was strong and sure. "Do you accept both Anton and Bellamy as your fated mates?" "I Seth fully accept my mates Anton and Bellamy as my fated mates." Leona smiled, just a little as Oona kept on track turning to Bellamy and repeating the process. Afterwards, Leona spoke up, "before I tie this last knot, do you understand that you will be fully combining both Pard and Pack, something that has never been attempted before?" "Yes," They responded at the same time, Leona nodded, tying the last knot.

Bellamy had been shaking as Seth wrapped an arm around him, Greg took his free hand, instantly calming him before they were to go mingle with the guests. As they were talking, both Anton and Seth got called away, each leaving one of their Betas with Bellamy.

Bellamy

The event was actually pleasant. He was nervous but everyone was kind. Part of him wondered if Anton's Alpha ceremony would have been like this if he hadn't run off. He saw Donahue, and Jax growled softly, he slowly made his way over. Speaking quietly enough that none of his guards or anyone else would hear him. "I know what you have to do, but if you are extra cruel about it, you personally will have made me into an enemy." Donahue turned looking very surprised. "Bellamy, good to see you. Are you enjoying the party? I look forward to speaking with all of you later." He was speaking at a normal volume, but Bellamy understood that part of the message was only for him. They would be talking later. Bellamy smiled as his group caught up with them, "I wanted to thank the council again for allowing us to use their halls. It was very generous." Donahue's eyes flicked away momentarily, "We were happy to help Bellamy."

Bellamy saw Anton and Seth approaching him and grinned, going to meet them, "Hey, how's everything?" Seth grinned, "Well, we are about to head out, join us?" Bellamy blushed, nodding. They had talked prior, and Seth had made it very clear that for him if there wasn't enthusiastic consent it wasn't happening. That helped Bellamy a lot with his nerves.

They all walked towards their rooms, the Beta's and Delta's going into their own rooms, while Bellamy, Seth, and Anton walked into the room the Council had originally tried to give them. Their things had all been moved. After the door closed, Bellamy turned to look at the other two. "I'm not ready." His eyes were on the ground, Seth took his hand, "if it isn't enthusiastic consent it isn't happening, that's okay. Are you okay with us all sharing a bed? Or do you want us to figure something else out?" Bellamy smiled, managing to look up at them both, "Thank you, I think I'd like that actually, if you both would as well?" Seth beamed, "I am, Anton?" They both turned to him, he smiled, "I am okay sleeping next to you both, and I won't push, but you both definitely have my enthusiastic consent. When everyone is comfortable."

It was hours later when there was a knock on their door. Bellamy stood, walking over. He was a bit surprised to see Donahue and Greg standing in the doorway. "May we come in?" Donahue tilted his head as he asked, "or are we interrupting something?" Seth joined him in the doorway, "Not at all, please come in." He stepped to the side, gently pulling Bellamy with him. Donahue stepped into the room, turning to take Greg's hand and pull him through as well, closing the door behind them. As soon as they were through the door Greg pulled his hand away. Donahue flinched, reaching up and rubbing his chest.

Bellamy stepped forward, "What's going on?" Donahue turned, taking a deep breath before turning to look at Greg, "It's complicated for me, I can't stay on the council and accept you." Greg flinched, instinctively, but turned confused eyes to Donahue. "I don't understand, that didn't hurt?" Donahue took his hand, "Because it wasn't a rejection. We Fae do not get second chance mates." Jax whined, "Starla turned down her only chance at still having a mate. For us." Bellamy felt his breath hitch, barely catching what else Donahue was saying. "I want to accept you, but I need your Alphas' and Kekal's permission to be a part of their new Pard-Pack. There is another Fae of the same type as me, and he is willing to take my place on the council. Unfortunately, there is no Vale willing to take in a Fae who has ever worked with the council. For me to accept my Gregory, I have to know I will not make him a rogue."

Greg's eyes widened as he turned to Bellamy. Jax purred in his mind, "We can do this for them. Greg is ours, our Delta, he protects us, we protect him too." Bellamy agreed, "We have to wait for Anton for it to be official, but I don't see a reason why we should say no, Seth?" Seth bit his lip, "Donahue I have nothing against you, and after everything Greg has done for Bellamy, I want to say yes, but I, I don't know much, anything about the Fae, and what I do know, shadow Fae have some seriously dark rumors surrounding them. Would it be safe to have you on our lands?" Donahue bristled slightly. "I understand the concern, we are a secretive bunch and that perpetuates some nasty rumors. I would never allow anything from me or my abilities to harm your people." Anton opened the door to the bathroom, "I don't have anything against the idea. Is the council going to peacefully allow you to step down?" Donahue nodded, "Alright, you've held a position of power as a council member, are you going to be able to submit to the way the Pack-Pard will be run?"

Donahue turned, facing Anton and dropped to one knee. "We Fae don't have Alpha's or other roles in our society. This is no different for me than a manager of a business being moved and demoted to a new business. I will gladly submit to how you run things. The only thing that I will argue about is if anyone other than Greg wants me to stay away from him." Anton and Seth both looked expectantly at Bellamy, Anton speaking up, "New members due to mate bonds are left up to the Kekal or Luna, assuming that no other reasons stand in the way." Bellamy bit his lip, "I see no reason for our new family not to start the journey by allowing Donahue to join us. I officially welcome you to our Pard-Pack." Donahue bowed, "Thank you, before we go though. I do have a warning, about the council. They aren't cruel, and I do believe they want to help you three, especially Lady Starla and Desmond. However, that doesn't mean that secrets don't exist. They aren't always what they seem. Be careful whenever you are with them." He turned, Gregory immediately taking his hand as they walked out the door.

Bellamy turned to the other two, "What do we do now?" Anton sighed frustration on his face as he shrugged. Seth held out his hands, "For now we go lay down, cuddle up, and try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we will talk to the council about Donahue before we leave." He pulled the other two towards the bed." Bellamy sighed, "Sleeping with you two sounds amazing right now." Jax purred quietly in his mind and he blushed, "next to, I meant next to. I'm sorry, I". Anton started laughing, "We know Bellamy, it's alright.

The next morning, they were surprised to see Donahue packed and standing next to Gregory. Starla was hugging him. "We are so happy for you, but we are going to miss you so much!" Donahue turned as they approached, gently prying Starla from him. "Are we ready to go?" Anton tilted his head, "Don't we have to talk to anyone, about all of this?" Starla smiled, "No, it's already handled dears. I just wish I could escort you back. Oona and Leona have been assigned to your protection detail though."

The group left shortly after. Jax seemed uneasy, "Hey, it's alright, we'll be home soon." Jax whined, "Worried, want to run." "yeah, I know you aren't used to not being out for so long, maybe we can let you run a bit on the way home."

What was waiting for them when they got back nobody had expected. The road was entirely redone, turning off in a different direction than it had before. It was longer too. The three gave each other confused looks. Eventually, they reached their destination, large gates, the symbol of the moon goddess and the night goddess etched onto it. Alphas Nate and Richard were waiting for them, "Welcome home, just in time. Construction finished up early last night." All of them took off running to inspect the new home. It was exactly like the plans, and directly in the middle of the two former territories. Bellamy froze as he saw Mellissa the former Kekal and Emily the former Luna, coming towards him. Emily hugged him, "Bellamy sweetie, how's my favorite son?" Seth groaned, "Right here ma." Emily turned, looking at him, "Oh it's ma, now is it? You didn't call me once during your trip to the council. Bellamy here called me every day." He ducked under her glare, "Alright, alright. white flag, I promise to call you next time I take a trip." She laughed, hugging him, "good." Mellissa held her arms open, hugging Bellamy, "I'm so glad you two worked things out. If he ever hurts you, come straight to me. Alright, I'll put him in his place." Bellamy smiled at her, "Thank you Ma'am, but I doubt it'll be necessary." She smiled, "Alright dear." Harvey came racing out of the doors, "Sorry I'm late, but I wouldn't miss this." Seth turned, "What is this anyway?" Nate and Richard walked up to the doors, "It's a homecoming."