Forest Pack Community Book One (COMPLETED)

14

“Agreed. I can’t believe I’m this calm about it. This is my little girl who’s not even sixteen yet.”

June spoke up and said, “I think it’s because of the way you seen other father’s act and you kind of have a heads up. Assuming the Winters/Quinn ceremony will be on the twentieth. If we can convince the Bloom/Hawker ceremony to be on the twenty seventh, we could do ours potentially October fifteenth.”

George said, “You know June that is a great idea. I’ll see if I can arrange it or at least convince them.”

With that he went over to where Bloom’s and Hawker’s were sitting luckily they were coincidently at the same table. “Hello, congratulations on your children. Um. I have something to say. Seeing there happened to be an empty seat he joined them.” Taking a deep breath, he said to them. Ok I am not sure if you knew. But Felicia and Joe are mates and found each other this afternoon. May, my wife is assuming that they have set their date a month from now so that it is after our daughter’s birthday. But that means your kids and theirs will be on the same day. Which is not ideal in anyone’s world. Something all of us parents are trying to avoid I’m sure.” They all just shook their heads in agreement. Knowing there was more. “So, here is what May suggested that the mating ceremonies go as follows, Winters/Quinns on the twentieth, Blooms/Hawkers on the twenty seventh, which puts ours on October fifteenth. What do you all think?”

The four of them looked at each other, and all thought to themselves that they hadn’t even discussed a date let alone thought about it in too much detail. But the more they did think. The more they decided that it was a doable solution. Seeing as though Felicia and Joe had found each other first, not realizing that their kids would also find each other on the same day. The mothers thought that was fine so the fathers when along with it. The last set of parents were The Quinns and The Winters.

Once George got over there Felicia and Joe were off in their own world. He looked at all four of them and explained one more time everything that had happened up to this point. Joy just stared at George. “How are you so calm?”

“Like June said, I kind of got a heads up.” George explained. Plus, you are the third set I’ve talked to. Technically four if you count my wife. “

“I see. I don’t see a problem; we did set it for the twentieth.” Mick will get it on the calendar. And let Alpha and Luna know. I’m sorry, Quinns?”

Anne replied, “Sounds fair to me.”

“Good. Now that everybody agrees I can go back and enjoy my family. Talk to you all later.” George said.

When he got back to his table, he told his wife, “All set. Everybody agrees. Their mating ceremony will be October fifteenth. How’s it been going here?”

“Well, they’ve just been in their own little world. Getting to know each other oblivious to everything else. I think she thinks he’s a good-looking guy, who is interested in her. But he’s interested in her because he is between sixteen and eighteen. But I know he’s not had his coming-of-age ceremony. I think we should tell Luna sooner rather than later. I think they’d like a heads up. You stay here I’ll do it.” With that May got up and walked up to where Luna Lissa was sitting. She bowed and waited to be noticed.

“Hello, May! Please stand.” Lissa said.

When she stood she asked, “May I approach?” Lissa smiled and nodded.

“My dear May you do not have to stand on ceremony all the time. Here in the dining hall we are all relaxed.”

“Yes Luna. Um, I need to tell you something.”

Lissa and Ben glanced at each other with a look of trepidation.

“Please don’t worry there won’t be another growling for a while. At least another twenty-five days. Danny is smelling cherry blossoms. We didn’t. Niomi hasn’t turned sixteen yet, she just think he’s good looking and shows an interest. But I thought it would be nice if you had a heads up. As far as mating ceremonies…”

Ben audibly sighed. Lissa glared at him. May just laughed. The latter continued, “George has talked to all sets of families. Leaving the kids out of it. Felicia and Joe, on the twentieth of August, Goldie and Chris on the twenty seventh, and ours that’s assuming everything happens as it’s been happening with these girls, and it seems that way. I think it’s because they have been so close. But anyway, Niomi and Daniel on October fifteenth. Everyone thought that was fair. Beta Mick said, he’d get it on the calendar and tell you, but with everything I thought you should know sooner rather than later.” May finished.

“Thank you, May. I appreciate all working that out on your own. It’s not easy getting six sets of parents to agree on something. Maybe you’d like to help plan events and set dates? Lissa joked.

“This was all Georges doing. Plus, I believe he had input from one or two of the parents.”

“Well, that sounds good. So, all that is left is the details?” asked Lissa.

“Yes, Luna.” Responded May.

“Ok. Thank you for letting us know.”

At that May went back to her seat. Looked at her husband and said, “Done.” By that time people were leaving the dining room. Except Danny and Niomi. Niomi was telling him about her business and how excited she was. Then he offered to help her get the house set up the way she wanted, and she accepted. George and May looked at each other, trying to decide whether or not to be involved or let them do it.

“Niomi, would you like my help too?” George asked.

“Not sure. Gotta figure out what I need exactly. I know I’ll need shelves, a desk and chair for the office seeing as Felicia took her dad’s desk. But we’ll see what’s there After Felicia goes through it again. I wonder where her and Joe will move to. They can’t live in the Beta suite.”

May said, “Let’s leave that up to their parents, Joe and Felicia. OK?”

“Kay,” Niomi.

Meanwhile over at the table that held The Winters and The Quinns, they were discussing the same exact thing. “Should we ask if there’s an open house? Or buy one?”

‘Hey Ben, can you come here. We need input and answers, and you are the person to go to about it.’ Said Mick.

‘Ugh, I thought I could get away.’ Ben whined.

‘You are the Alpha…you can never get away ha, ha, ha,’ Mick laughed.

‘Coming.’ Ben said. “Lissa dear, they need me for some reason. Come help me? Maybe it will take less time.” He said hopefully.

She laughed and said, “I’ll come for moral support. Maybe help.” He just nodded.

When they got to the table they pulled up a second chair for the Luna. Ben said, “So, what is the issue, you needed my help with?”

“Um we were talking about where the newlyweds were going to live?”

“Ah I see. Let me think about any open houses. He thought for a moment. Then asked Felicia, “Felicia were you going to open the pack hospital back up? Sorry to put you on the spot like this but if you are, you should be closer to the hospital wing. If you’re not then you can be elsewhere.” Pointed out Ben.

Felicia shut her eyes, focusing on her instincts asking the Goddess for direction. When she thought about what she wanted to do. It was to help people. So, she said, “Yes. I am. I want to help people. I’d like to start as early as possible. Is there a way to finish high school quicker? I’m already ahead in my classes.”

“We could get a practice GED. See how you do. If you pass. You can take the GED then we can send you to werewolf medical school where you will learn how to treat werewolves.”

“Well, I want to help them in all ways. Mind, Body, and Soul.” Felicia said.

“That is very commendable. If that is your wish, we will expand the hospital wing so that there are rooms for all of what you want to do, and in that case. There are two houses that are next to the hospital wing. The closest will be torn down carefully and repurposed for the new part. And the house next to that will be yours. Niomi said you could go through your old house and get any furniture you want.”

“The house next to the hospital…instead of tearing it down. Let me look in it. It could be the spa and all we’d need is a hallway to the house. We could change where the door is so that it faces the hospital.”

“That’s good thinking. Tomorrow come to my office, and I’ll have the test for you. I think it’s online.” Ben did a quick search and said, “Yes it is online and so is the real test.”

“I’ll be there.” Felicia smiled.

“After that you can move the furniture you want into the house. You might want to take Joe with you.” Joy suggested. “Do you have anything off the top of your head?”

She looked at Joe, “Babe what do you think about my parents’ bed frame its nice and big.?”

“Hon lets go through the house together, I’ll grab my truck and meet you there. I’ll have some boxes with me so that way we can box up small stuff. If we do like the bed. We’ll get a new mattress and bedding that we like. Alpha is the house totally empty?”

Ben thought about it and spoke. “I think so. If there is anything there’s the normal appliances. Like washer, dryer, dishwasher, air conditioner, heater, and water heater.”

“We’ll take care of it tomorrow babe.” Joe said as he squeezed her hand. With that everyone went to their respective homes for bed. Before Joe left, he kissed Felicia goodnight.

Felicia dreamily walked up to her room and got ready for bed. Mick and Joy just laughed at young love. “What do you think about her schooling request. Just because she’s shifted and found her mate does not make her an adult till her coming of age ceremony. But what does that mean once they do have their mating ceremony?” Joy questioned. “Does that mean she’s an adult now? Or are they mates then once they turn 18 they still have a coming-of-age ceremony?”

‘Lissa, Lissa! It’s Joy.’

‘Joy what’s wrong?’

‘It’s about Joe and Felicia! Technically they are not at the point of the coming-of-age ceremony. But they have a house, they’re filling it and having a mating ceremony. All of which makes them come of age.’

‘Joy, it’ll be ok. We usually hold coming of age ceremonies at eighteen. BUT If they have found their mate and have shifted, then technically they have come of age. So we’ll be holding the mating and coming-of-age ceremonies at the same time for all three couples, on their respective dates.”

‘Ok. I’ll tell Mick.’ Joy said cutting of the mind link. “Mick…the coming-of-age doesn’t have to be at eighteen. It can be earlier if the conditions that Felicia and Goldie have met.”

“Has Goldie shifted?”

“I don’t actually know.” Joy said. “I never asked before. I’ll be right back.” Then Joy left the room before Mick could even say anything. She went across the hall to Felicia’s room and knocked.

“Come in.” Felicia called. “Oh, hi mom.”

“I have a question dear. Has Goldie shifted yet?”

“I don’t know I’ve never asked or thought to. Don’t worry, I’ll help her.” Felicia said. ‘Hey Goldie. I never thought to ask but have you shifted yet?’

‘No, I haven’t. Why do you ask. It’s usually done later.’

‘Oh. Well do you want to?’

‘I don’t know how.’

‘I do; I can help if you want to learn. When do they usually do it. They start talking about it, how it’s going to hurt, and more detail. How it’s special and different for everyone. I’m not really looking forward to the lecture as I like to call it. Talk me through it. Frankly I like how you did it.’

‘Dude, I did it yelling and swearing at the mirror. Mine was anything but normal. Heck everything’s been abnormal. For instance, tomorrow I’m going to take the GED practice test, and then the GED if I pass the practice. They’re going to start working on adding to the hospital wing because I said I want to help people in mind, body, and soul. So that I can start earning my degrees in mind and body. Soul is natural and a little of mind medicine. So, LOTS of school. That’s why I’m going to get the GED so that I can start the rest as soon as possible. I didn’t know the pack hospital was closed.’

‘Yeah has been for a while. Our doctor was killed or died. I don’t remember. But I guess I don’t need to do it so soon.’

‘They gave Joe and I a house. In fact, after the GED thing, he and I are going through my old house packing up things and then moving things into the new house. Cause I have shifted and have my mate. I haven’t asked Joe. But he’s a year older almost two. He turns eighteen soon. Our mating ceremony will also be a coming-of-age ceremony. Dude my mom rushed in here all panicky like she was losing me. I still have like another month or something. My ceremony is on the twentieth.’

‘My mating ceremony is on the twenty seventh.’ By the sounds of it, Danny is smelling cherry blossoms around Niomi, and she seems to think he’s attractive. From what her dad said they talked forever after you and Chris growled mate.’

‘That was insane. So how do we know what he smells?’

‘Well, I guess Niomi’s mom said, it’s such a lovely night, with the windows open I can smell the roses. Or something to that effect. Then she says Daniel what do you smell? He said cherry blossoms. I guess her dad and mom gave each other a look. Talked and then he went to all six families and talked to them, got them all to agree to the dates of the mating ceremonies.’

‘Wow. I guess they are pretty sure of themselves.’

‘I guess they were pretty lost in their own world.’

‘You mean like we were?’

Felicia laughed. ‘Yeah’

‘Huh. What do you think about the three of us shifting at the end of our party?’

‘But Niomi. Won’t be 16.’

‘Ask Alpha tomorrow if those are set rules or averages.’

‘Ok. I better get some sleep; I got a test to take tomorrow.’

‘Good luck.’

‘Thanks. Night Goldie. I love you. You are and were my first real friend ever. You brought me out of my shell.’

‘Aw, I love you too.’ With that both fell asleep.

The next morning. At breakfast Felicia, Goldie, Niomi, Joe, Chris, and Danny all ate together. Chattering back and forth. When Felicia winked at Goldie and said, “Hey I’m curious. I know I have shifted. But has anyone else?”

Goldie and Niomi both said, “Not yet.” Goldie also pointed out that she hadn’t tried yet.

Joe said he had when he turned seventeen. Chris said the same. Danny also said that he hadn’t but hadn’t tried either.”

Chris said, “Babe I can help you. I’m probably the best person too. Maybe that’s who you’re supposed to do it with is your mate.”

Joe shrugged, “That makes sense. Hey babe want to go for a run sometime?”

“I’d love to babe. Maybe tomorrow after we’re all done. I bet it’ll be a great stress reliever, and I bet our wolves will be happy too.”

Danny and Niomi just looked at each other, knowing it would happen in time. Every time they touched Danny felt tingles. Niomi didn’t react so he wasn’t sure she felt it yet. But he was beginning to think he had found his mate. He often wondered what their future looked like. But whatever it was, they’d do it together.

After breakfast everyone went on their septate ways. Niomi went to school. Goldie to her apprenticeship, Felicia to the Alpha’s office with a kiss of good luck from her mate. The men all went to school as well as most still had 1 or 2 years. But most were finishing this year. That’s why coming-of-age ceremonies were held at 18. Cause by then you were pretty much done with high school. Unless you decide to test out early and that was only in special circumstances. Like if it was for the good of the pack. Goldie stopped because of the apprenticeship she had. As Juniper was also teaching her about business, not just how to sew and make dresses. So, it counted. Now if she wanted to get a business degree she could but it wasn’t mandatory.

When Felicia got to the alpha’s office. He had an extra laptop. Sitting on the coffee table with the website up. He was doing paperwork and other Alpha stuff. When she walked in, he looked up, “good morning. The website is up and has its own timer. Good luck.” With that he continued with what he was doing.

An hour later Felicia was done. “Ok uncle Ben, I’m done.” She slid over and he came and sat down to look at her results.

He looked at her. Double checked the results and said you passed. You got eighty-five percent. Do you want to do the real thing now? Or wait. It’s up to you.”

“Will it let me see what I got wrong?”

“Yes. Here, click here and it’ll show you. If you want to retake it. You click here.” Ben said.

“Thanks.” So, Felicia studied her wrong answers, thought about what she wanted to do, and decided to take the test. “Uncle Ben. I’m going to start the actual test.”