Hello Again

Compromising

The following morning, I'm in my office having a large cup of coffee while looking over reports. Last night I ran in my wolf form until I couldn't think, and I'm paying for it today.

I need a vacation.

Nickili walks in and takes a seat across from me. "So, is your brother going to take Alessia?" he asks.

"I talked to him; he didn't want her either. He did recommend me to another pack on the other side of the country. The Dark moon pack; I talked to their Alpha a few minutes ago, and they'll take her. They have some business with my brother, so they'll pick her up in three days." 

"That's great news. I've been on the phone with Jack most of the night and this morning trying to figure out how our two packs can come together." Nickili says as he stretches and looks out the window. Before I can ask him what he means by coming together. He's only supposed to fix last night's fiasco. David and my sister walk in and take a seat. I raise an eyebrow at them. Wondering why they are here.

"I asked them to come. I think this would be better as a group discussion." Nickili says, taking Lily's hand with a small smile.

"Well, out with it. I don't have all day," I command. I have other things to do.

"Jack told me that he and the other guys could smell you on Snow, and they know she's pregnant with your baby." He pauses to see if I'll say anything and when I don't, he continues. "Well, to get to the point, we think it would be best if you two mate. It would bring both packs together, and we'd be bigger and stronger than ever. Not even the Council will think about pushing us around."

"Snow hates me, so the mating thing won't work, and what does the Council have to do with it?" I ask. If Snow wanted to mate me, she would have done it at the cabin. Last night didn't help either.

The Wolf Council tries to maintain order, tradition and regulate laws and sometimes make up their own. At one time, they were able to control whole packs and enforce their rules on us. But they have been getting weaker over the past decade and have little to no power over the packs.

"Well, you know how mixing with other shifters is becoming more accepted. I mean, Snow's pack is a good example of how different shifters are coming together without judgment and working together like any other pack." He says the other two haven't said a word yet.

"Go on," I'm hoping he gets to the point soon.

"All the Councils have come together to form one pack, and they're stronger than ever, and when I say all, I mean all. The Wolves, Bears, Foxes, Cats, and a few lower animals have come together to form one Council. All except the Dragon's, of course, but there're rumors of an alliance with them too." This is not what I thought Nickili was going to say. I'm surprised by the news. I thought the Council was in the past.

This is terrible news for everyone.

"Why am I just now finding out about this!? And for the second time, what does the Council have to do with Snow and me?" I

growl.

"I'm getting there. Snow runs her pack a little differently. Jack, Garth, Max, and Snow make all the big decisions about the pack together, and the majority rules. As I said, they know she's pregnant with your child. And as you know, they know about the true mate thing. Which, by the way, they are still mad about. They're having a conference at this moment. The guys are going to vote for you two to mate. I think Snow will come around as soon as Jack tells her what the Council has in store for her," Nickili says.

I'm on edge. Whatever the Council has planned that can make someone like Snow do something she doesn't want to do has to be serious.

"And what exactly does this new Council have planned for me?" I snap. How dare they gang up on me about mating with Stephan. This is my choice—even Gigi siding with them.

"Snow, calm down. I'm getting to that part. As I was saying, although the Council has come to terms with different species coexisting. They aren't OK with a female running a pack." Jack says a little too calmly.

"One of you can take over the title of Alpha. I didn't want it in the first place. Problem solved. No need for Stephan and me to mate." I say.

"It's too late for that. I got an email from the Council last night. They've already arranged a competition; whoever wins will be your mate and the Alpha of this pack. The contest is in five days. There already several males signed up to fight."

"Five days? How can they do all this in five days?"

"I believe they have had this planned for a while now. They didn't want you to have a chance to mate someone before the contest." Max says.

"Snow, this is serious. I made some calls this morning, apart from wanting control of our pack. I believe they want you mated with one of the council men's sons. As you know, alpha females are so rare, they believe you will produce strong alpha children."

So they want to use me for breeding. I can't believe what they are saying right now; how can they do this? Something has to be done about this.

"Snow, I know what you're thinking. We can't go up against them; they are too powerful. They have several packs working for them," Garth says.

"It won't be that bad, Snow. They're sending Alessia across the country to live with another pack. Plus, she's crazy, and everything she said last night isn't true," Aden says. I'm not sure how he ended up in this meeting.

"It would bring peace for both packs, which have been on edge since last night, and we would be stronger," Jack says.

Everything they are telling me is sinking in, and I feel sick.

I'm being backed into a corner. My pack wouldn't stand for an outsider coming in and changing everything. It would be an all-out war between whoever won and the Council against us. I would lose a lot of pack members and it's my job to keep them safe.

"Fine, make the arrangements," I tell them. I need some air.

After a long run to clear my head, I pick up Amelia from school early. I need a mommy and daughter day.

It was a long but good day of shopping, pizza, ice cream, and we even stopped to see a movie. She was so happy when I told her about Stephan and the baby. I barely got her to sleep. Her joy over the whole thing makes it a bit easier. We had to get her a big sister shirt that she insisted on wearing to bed. Sometimes I feel like I can watch her sleep forever.

I wake up just after midnight with a bad feeling. I can't shake getting dressed. I hear a knock at the door. It's Max. I know something is very wrong for him being here at this time.

"It's the Phoenix pack; their packhouse is on fire." He says in a hurried voice. The bad feeling must be Stephan's distress. The bond hasn't faded, so I can still feel him.

As we pull up to the Phoenix packhouse, I see flames. They're so big there's nothing that can be done to save the house. The fire department is just trying to keep it from spreading at this point. I hope everyone got out OK.

I see Jack talking to his cousin Nickili. Leo is standing next to David, with Alessia handcuffed at their feet.

I wonder if she had something to do with this.

I finally find Stephan. He's holding his nephew Stevie while looking at the flames. I'm making my way to him when Alessia sees me and starts screaming, "You see! Do you see what she did? How can you have that mutt as your mate! She's evil!" The Phoenix pack is staring at me now with a mixture of emotions.

She's trying to blame me for the fire. She is out of her mind, as Aden said.

I hear Stephan growling. When I turn, Stevie is back in his mother's arms with Jack close by.

Stephan's eyes are glowing with his wolf. He's going to snap at any moment. The last thing anyone needs is Stephan going all savage on us.

I look at Leo and say, "Lock her up until her new pack gets here." Without wasting time, he has her in the back of his cop car. I look around and really take everything in. I realize these people will need someplace to stay. I need to put my feelings for Stephan aside and get in alpha mode.

Stephan and Max are standing beside me now. "What are we going to do? Is everyone going to need a place to stay for a while?" Max asks.

"We'll be fine," Stephan snarls. Spoken just like a male. I can see he's having a hard time keeping his wolf in and isn't thinking clearly.

"Stephan and his family can move into my house. Everyone else will have to stay at the hotel. Jack, when will the townhomes be done?"

"They are done. They just need some paint and furniture".

"Good, have someone take care of that tomorrow." I just had several new townhomes made on Wolves Ln, ironically enough. It's on the edge of town next to the woods. They should have no problem going for a run.

Being Mayor has its advantages.

Some of the Phoenix pack's cars went up in flames with the house. We barely had enough cars for everyone. Max is driving his Jeep with me sitting on Stephan's lap, Lilly sitting on Nickili's lap, and Stevie with his mom. It probably wouldn't be such a tight fit if the guys weren't so big. Jack and the others are making sure everyone gets to where they are supposed to be.

Stephan and I haven't spoken much to each other. He has one hand on my thigh and the other under my T-shirt where the baby is. I don't say anything about it or try to move away. It's been a long night, and this baby is taking a lot of my energy.

The sun is just coming up as we pull up to the house. Gigi and Amelia are outside, watching us drive up. As soon as we get out, Amelia comes racing down the steps. I bend down to catch her, but she passes me and runs straight to Stephan. He picks her up without hesitation and gives me a small smile.

"I like your shirt, princess," he tells her. Amelia is still wearing her oversized big sister shirt.

"Mommy, got it for me yesterday. Gigi said that you were going to move in with us. Is that true?" she asked Stephan as they walked into the house, following everyone else.

"Mommy said you two are going to be mated and that you're the baby's dad. Does that make you my dad too?" She asked, not giving him time to answer the first question. She gazes at him with her big blue eyes that are hard to say no to, and she knows it.

Stephan looks at me silently, asking permission. I just give a shrug, not much I can do about it now. He is here to stay whether I like it or not.

"If you don't mind, I'd be honored to be your dad." He tells her. She squeals and wraps her arms around his neck. I can't help but be happy over Amelia's joy. She's always wanted a dad and I know Stephan will be a good dad no matter our feelings towards each other.

Walking into the foyer, I hear Gigi giving orders. "Jimmy will take you all to your rooms. Breakfast will be ready in half an hour. Then you can all rest; I know it has been a long night. Oh, and there are some clothes that some of the pack donated when they heard of your loss." Gigi walks back to the kitchen. Jimmy shows everyone where the clothes and rooms are, and Amelia seems to be keeping Stephan busy.

I run up to my room for a quick shower before breakfast. I haven't had this many people in my home in a few years. Thank goddess that Maze and her sister moved in with Garth the other day, or we would be a room short.

Coming out of the hot shower, I see Stephan sitting on my oversized bed, looking at me with hunger in his eyes.

"You know I didn't want it to happen like this," he said. The look on his face is sincere, and I believe him, but I'm not about to make it easy on him.

Looking over my shoulder, I say, "Oh..," before dropping my towel- letting him get a good look at what he can't have- not yet anyway. I know I'm petty, but I don't care. The idea of him being in discomfort makes me smile.

I think she's trying to give me blue balls on purpose, and it's working.

"Snow, can we talk about this?" She comes out of the closet fully dressed.

"Not now, It's time for breakfast." she says, rubbing her stomach, "the baby's hungry."

Stephan is beside me at the table, freshly showered, he smells good. I want to lean into him and purre, but he needs to suffer a little longer- at least till the ceremony tomorrow night. Yep, I'm most definitely being petty.

"Mommy, mommy, can I stay home with Stevie today plleeasseee, mommy?" Amelia begs.

"Not today. Stevie needs to sleep, and you need to go to school."

"Can dad walk to school with us?" She's not leaving this table without getting something she wants. I look at Stephan in question. Giving Amelia his full attention, he says, "I'd love to walk with you and your mom to school."

On our 15-minute walk to school, Amelia talked to Stephan nonstop. It gave me time to think about everything. Apart from Stephan and me, there will be many changes to the packs we need to discuss.

Like, who is going to be Alpha? I don't mind turning it over to Stephan. I didn't want it in the first place, but there would have to be a vote. I don't think anyone will object. I'd like more time with Amelia before the baby comes, and it would be nice to have time to paint.

I'm surprised Amelia has taken to me so fast. I couldn't help but smile when she called me dad. I wish Snow was more welcoming. She kept a good four feet between us on the way back to her house, or should I say our house.

Once inside, she turns to me and says, "We have a lot to do today. We need to get your pack settled; I have things I need to take care of in the office- and we need to have a meeting about everyone's place in the pack."

"Everyone's place?" I take a step closer, she takes two back.

She's up against the wall. I have her cornered. She doesn't shy away from me as most females would. She holds her place like a true alpha, and it turns me on.

"Yes, we need to talk about who is going to be the alpha and beta of the packs." She says. I can hear her heart pick up and her sweet arousal. She's as turned on as me.

I go in for the kiss before she talks herself out of it. It doesn't take long for her to lean in. Snow is rubbing herself on me like a cat in heat. I grab her tight ass and pick her up to just the right spot. I feel her warmth on my member. It's time to take this up stares. There are too many clothes between us.

I'm looking forward to taking my time with her. Unlike at the cabin when she was in heat, there's no feeling of primal urgency. Without breaking the kiss, and her legs still wrapped around me, I run up the stairs two at a time.

(Bang! Bang!)

Who the hell is banging on the front door? Pausing before entering the room. We hear Gigi answer the door.

"We are looking for Snow, the female alpha of the Hybrid moon pack; the Council has requested her presence," a deep voice commands.

Snow and I look at each other, and I know we're both thinking the same thing: "This isn't good."

Aden is at the bottom of the stairs. He follows us out without a word— ready for whatever may come.

There are at least 50 large males dressed in black. Standing in front of the house. Only Aden, Snow, and I are here, even if Snow wasn't pregnant. We are no match for them.

Gigi runs into the house upon seeing us walkout. Good, it's not safe for her here. I wish Snow would have stayed inside.

"Snow?" the one in front asks.

"Yes," she hissed.

"The Council has requested your presence at once," he declared.

"She has four more days! You will not be taking her." I growled.

"It has come to the Council's attention that Snow plans on mating tomorrow night. This does not coincide with the Council plans." It's like he's reading from a script.

Taking a step in front of her. I hear footsteps behind me. Max, the twins, David, Nickili, Al, and Sheriff Leo, are standing there ready to fight. Gigi must have called them.

The six of them, plus Aden and me, can take them. No problem.

Letting my claws out, I take a step forward. "No one is taking Snow today or ever!" I growl, ready to attack.

"She will be kept safe at the Council's compound until the competition takes place," the man in black said in an almost bored-like tone. "We can do this the hard way or the easy way; either way, she's coming with us" he moves his coat to reveal a gun. Shifters don't ordinarily use guns; we don't need them. We have strength, speed, sharp teeth, and claws.

Garth steps forward. " Your guns won't stop us!" he growls.

Good, we're on the same page.

"I warn you if you don't comply and attack us. The Council will take that as a declaration of war." The leader says with a hint of a smile. I think he wants a war.

Just as I'm about to attack, Snow places her hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.

"If you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to say goodbye to my family and pack a bag." Snow says in a calm voice.

"You have five minutes." The leader says, not moving.

Back inside, She turns to us and says, "I will not lose people to a pointless war. We have to compile with the Council." I can't believe what she is saying.

"With both of our packs, we can take them," I say furiously. I'll have all their heads; my wolf is in complete agreement—no one is going to lay a finger on her.

This Council has to go.

"Not without casualties. People come here for a safe and peaceful place to live. I will not bring war to them. Now, no more arguing. I want to say goodbye, and I need to pack a bag. There's not much time." She says with no room for argument.

Jane comes in with her bag. They give each other a quick hug. As Snow makes her way around the room, Gigi comes in with an unmarked bottle for Snow; while hugging, she whispers something into Snow's ear.

"We have to do something we can't just let you get auctioned off. We have no idea who is going to win. This is going to end badly!" Jack growled.

Snow looks at me and says with confidence, "Stephan is going to win, so there's nothing to worry about, right?"

"Yes," I'll win even if it kills me.

Snow looks at Max and the twins. "You have four days to get him ready."

"He'll be ready." Max said assuredly, "Stay safe."

With one last look, she walks out the door.