The Midnight Pard

Chapter 5

Anton

The following days went by in a blur. Anton felt pulled in so many directions, the council had been formally contacted. Which had been a nightmare, and had requested the three in question to come before them or to be allowed to come to the Pard's lands to see if there was any council to be given, and to make sure there were no external forces in play. More then one member had questioned the involvement of a type of spell. In the meantime the two Alphas begrudgingly began working on a combined home idea. In Anton's mind it was mostly to placate Bellamy and keep his stress down so he could focus on healing.

What was the most infuriating thing was that Seth seemed to genuinely also care for Bellamy's well being, and anytime they were together Anton could see a calmness that Bellamy did not have around him. It caused Lev to want Seth gone more, as Anton walked through the halls, he reminded Lev "if Seth were gone, Bellamy would be upset. He might not heal as quickly, or he might blame us and feel the need to choose, currently we wouldn't be his choice." Lev growled softly, "You wouldn't be his choice." He replayed the memory of Bellamy running his hands through his fur. "Fix this." Lev retreated further into his mind. Anton gave his own growl, as he rounded the corner he nearly knocked into Seth, the wolf eyed him slight concern on his face.

"You seem upset, did the council respond with an expected arrival?" Seth looked over Anton as he spoke, causing Anton to bristle more under the judging eyes of the wolf, "Not yet, my father says it is far more likely their reply will be their arrival. Have you heard back from your Pack?" He tried to maintain a pleasant tone, only realizing he had failed when he saw caution flash in Seth's eyes. "My father says the pack is running just fine, and to focus my attention here. The sooner we get potential plans in place the sooner we can start making adjustments to keep both of our peoples safe."

Lev paced in Anton's mind, "How is his wolf okay with this." Anton sighed inwardly, "Who knows, maybe this nice guy thing is an act." He paused walking, a sick feeling coming over him. He didn't want to think negative things about people the way he once had. Lev purred softly, "I don't like him, but I am glad you are learning."

Bellamy

Bellamy was walking around the grounds when he saw a shimmering figure emerge from the treeline, he had never met a fae before. The being may have startled him had he not been somewhat expecting some form of contact from the council within the next day or so. He did flinch when he saw the vampire with them. In total the council that arrived consisted of 1 werepanther, 1 werewolf, 2witches, 1 fae, and 1 vampire. The full council had 4 of every known species, including humans. He stood as he saw his Alphas walk out of the Pard house, he blushed a bit at the realization that he had immediately looked at them as his Alphas. Jax purred softly in his mind, perhaps it was okay to think of them that way. He walked to them and they immediately stood on either side of him, ever the protectors he almost giggled to himself.

The three of them walked up to the council members, the witches introducing themselves as Oona and Leona, the vampire was next, Desmond, followed by the werepanther, Lily, then the werewolf, Alexander, and finally the fae, called Starla. After the introductions were made the group made their way to a meeting hall.

Bellamy sat between Anton and Seth, while the council sat themselves on the opposite side of the table. "First things first, you three will need to drink these." Oona pulled 3 identical vials out of her bag, sliding them across the table. "Those will dispel any curses, spells, or potions that may be in play." The three of them took a bottle each, Bellamy looked at the liquid inside, turning his eyes back to the council he maintained eye contact with Oona as he drank the small potion. He felt the stares of Seth and Anton, felt them both crowd a bit closer, "I'm fine." He spoke softly, Leona scoffed quietly, "They do all seem connected, Alpha's if you'd please follow young Bellamy's example." They simultaneously drank their potions, "Now we wait just a moment to be sure." Oona smiled softly at the three, "If it is some form of magic would you like us to stay until a culprit is caught?" Starla's voice surprised everyone, Anton hesitated a moment, "Only if it is not to much trouble to make such a large request of your time."

It was quiet for a few more moments before Leona spoke, "That should be long enough, Bellamy, do you feel any different about either of them? and do either of you feel different about Bellamy?" Shaking his head he could see them both mirroring his motions. "Well that settles it then, now what exactly were the concerns you wanted to discuss about this phenomenon?" Lily's voice was fuller than her appearance had suggested, causing all three of their heads to snap to her.

Anton spoke up, "We have been working on detailing plans to merge the Pack and Pard, but to our combined knowledge, such a thing has never been done. Neither has someone finding two fated mates at the same time" Bellamy shifted, "I would like the opportunity to accept them both, without them ripping each other apart." Seth looked down and took a slow breath, "I am concerned about what joining the Pard and Pack would imply. I have loved Bellamy since we were children, and I would hate for that love to be tinged by a war."

Alexander tilted his head, "All good quarries and mostly easy to answer. There have been instances in the past of people with multiple mates. Such a thing is not common and the last recording is well outside either of your species' lifespans." He glanced to Starla for a moment before turning back to them. "Combining the two could work quite well, however a big show of the acceptance of all of you being mates would be required to keep the negative consequences away." Seth interrupted, "I do apologize but what do you mean by all mated? Me and Anton are not mates, wouldn't us trying to cause Bellamy to feel pain through the mate bond?" Alexander merely smiled at him allowing him to finish. "Not if our theories are correct, there is a chance that the two of you are also mates. Now before you deny because you do not feel the pull think of what you both felt for the other before meeting. You were both certain you had found your only mate, and believed the other to be a threat to your mate, or at very least a threat to your ability to be with your mate, that being said. You are both Alpha's, needing to instinctively protect, it is our belief that you are both repressing your own mate bond. We do have a way to test that theory."

Anton froze stone still in place, looking at Seth who was looking back just as confused. Bellamy spoke up, "How would you test such a connection if they are actively denying and blocking it?" Lily smiled at him, "Have your beasts, Lev and Cedar, met?" At their simultaneous shakes she nodded, "Thought as much, a human can block the feeling, that is often why our beasts are the ones to alert us to a mates presence, but a beast has a much harder time. We believe that if you were both to shift, your beasts would recognize the other as a mate."

They spoke for awhile longer before declaring their intention to leave; Anton, Bellamy, and Seth showing them out. Desmond was the last to leave the pard-house, "I would like to apologize for my presence here, after being attacked by rogues of my kind I can only imagine what a shock it was to see me. I also feel the need to inform you, pairings like these aren't unique, that much is true, but they usually only come in times of great tradgedy. Keep each other close." He turned without another word and left.

Seth

Watching the council move through the trees on their way back home Seth felt a hand slip into his, he looked down and over at Bellamy, offering a smile. "I need to inform the acting Alpha of my pack about what happened," he looked over at Anton a moment, "Cedar is willing to test if there is a bond between him and Lev, however I am not comfortable accepting you even with a bond until Bellamy is." Bellamy glanced between them biting his lip, "I trust you both, and I do want things to work with you both. I just don't know how to put my past behind me." Anton was looking at where his own hand intertwined with Bellamy's, "I understand Bellamy, and I am not going to try to rush you on that. Me and Lev are capable of being patient, and he doesn't mind testing the potential either, however, he does insist that Bellamy you either not be pressent, or be an equal distance away from both of us. He wouldn't want a possessive feeling to start a fight between us." Bellamy bit his lip but nodded, "I can do that, I would want to be around, but maybe I could compromise, if there's a way to have visual, like through a window or something?"

Cedar gave a soft growl, he wanted to be around Bellamy, but understood that the best way to reaffirm to Bellamy that he was safe, was to not push the issue. Seth gave Bellamy's hand a quick squeeze before letting go, "I'll be back around in a bit, just have to write up the information for my father. There is also a chance that I will need to return home, my pack needs their actual Alpha, I would like to extend an invitation to you both as well, and whatever panthers you would feel neccessary to bring with you." Bellamy immediately beamed at him, "I would like that, get a chance to talk to Alpha Nate myself, I can only imagine how worried he's been."

Bellamy

Watching the two Alphas down on the ground from the safety of his rooms balcony had Bellamy curled half leaning over the railing. He watched the other two strip, facing away from each other, he supposed neither was to immediately curious about the other. However, it meant that neither of them were looking at him, and maybe he shouldn't stare but they were both exceptionally attractive. "Ours." Jax's singular word held more heat to it then Bellamy had ever heard come from his panther, "yeah." he thought back, a light blush tinging his cheeks. He watched them both shift, the motions effortless and beautiful, afterwards he watched Cedar, who was a good bit larger than he had been expecting, slowly turn, and then Lev turned, both slowly walked towards each other, Cedar slowly lowered himself to the ground, showing an almost submissive behaviour, Bellamy watched with bated breath as Lev rubbed his body alongside Cedar's. Bellamy grinned, he could feel Jax purring in his mind. "Ours and each others." Jax wanted to join them, to go running with his mates. To officially meet Cedar, but Bellamy hadn't gotten the okay yet.

The two on the ground were darting through the trees together, it made him a little jealous, almost as if hearing his thoughts he saw Lev turn looking up at him, and then Cedar turned and wagged his tail. Bellamy turned, racing out of the office, almost bumping into Devin, he tensed, slightly standing a bit taller. Devin took a hurried step to avoid running into him, "Sorry Bellamy, wasn't paying much attention." Bellamy nodded, shrugging it off and took off running again. Jax shifted as soon as he was out the door, causing Bellamy to internally complain at the loss of his clothes. He really didn't have that many with him after all.

Jax went racing towards his mates. Barreling into Cedar before turning and leaping over Lev, turning back to rub along the length of him. He heard and felt Lev purring against him, felt Cedar circle both of them, placing his head over them to also get in on the slight cuddles. Jax purred against them both, before turning and darting through the trees. He heard the slight growl from Cedar and snarl from Lev before both sets of paws were thudding along behind him. Jax spun around a tree, racing right past them before they could manage to turn around. He could hear the sounds of frustration from the other two as he ran, 'get used to it loves.' Stopping just short of the river he turned his tail flicking back and forth as they slowed, walking towards him clearly expecting him to take off again. He held still, sitting as they approached. He laid down once they got closer, it turned into a giant fur cuddle pudde.

Watching Jax so happy had Bellamy's stomach in knots, he knew he loved Seth, had since they were children, he would accept him in a heartbeat, but his feelings for Anton were so different, he could feel the bond making him more caring, and it was easy to care for Anton as he was now. It was the past that had become the issue, every time he looked for good memories to smile back on the only one he saw was Seth. He knew good memories had happened with Anton as well, but they had been so early in childhood he had trouble remembering them.

"Perhaps you should ask for one of those human mate hangout nights, make new memories." Jax had been paying attention to the thought train Bellamy had been on, Bellamy laughed in their mind, "Do you mean a date?" When Jax didn't correct him he put more thought into it, going on dates might actually be nice, and a good way to get closer to them both.

That night Bellamy sat in his room, his laptop in front of him on his bed. On one page he had his bank information pulled up, he alwasys felt a bit silly when he saw the ammount sitting in the account, he was paid for his duties as a diplomat, but hardly ever had the need or desire to go shopping for anything. He supposed that would work in his favor currently. Looking through different common date ideas he came up with three specific plans. A date for him and Seth, a game of mini golf, and lunch. A date for him and Anton, a movie and ice-cream after. Lastly a date for all three of them together, he decided on a nicer dinner, and if they liked the idea maybe driving to the nearest beach for a few hours. He sat there staring at the plans, then decided to be extra about it, he clicked a new tab, going immediately to a shopping site. He ordered personalized necklaces for both of them, and picture frames, he could take pictures throughout the dates and then give both of them mementos.

"Am I going overboard?" He silently asked Jax, the panther didn't respond for a moment. "You are showing you care and making detailed plans to show your mates how you feel. I do not believe overboard can even exist in this scenario." Bellamy smiled at the panthers logic, "thank you."