Fates Entwined

47

"When I first found out Jordan was my mate, I was scared and hesitant. The Leo pack had taken a lot from me and I didn't think I would ever be able to get over that. But coming here and meeting all of you really opened my eyes and made me realize that was the Leo pack of the past, not the present. Jordan is not his father. He is not the previous alpha. He is so much better. I couldn't be happier to be his mate and be your alpha female." I raised my champagne glass. "To the Leos!"

Dozens of other glasses raised in the air while people shouted out, "To the Leos!" We all toasted and drank, and then I passed the mic off to Ana, who was hosting this party at the park outside her restaurant.

"Thank you Jordan and Stella. I know I for one can't wait to see what's next for our pack. But now it's time to party!"

The crowd cheered and then the band started playing music. Some people paired off to dance, while others went to get some of Ana's amazing food, and a few came up to congratulate us on our mating. In the Ophiuchus pack we had a tradition of having a big celebration when the alpha found his mate, and I'd asked Jordan if we could do something similar for the Leos. He'd jumped at the idea, eager to show me off to everyone. Maybe a little too eager, if I was honest, but I couldn't complain.

The last few weeks had passed in a blur. After negotiating the truce with the vampires, I returned to my cottage in Coronis and packed all my things to officially move into Jordan's house and take my place as the Leo pack's alpha female. I'd also started working at the local elementary school as a consultant and sometimes substitute teacher, which I loved. It let me work with kids again, while also giving me plenty of time to help Jordan manage the pack. Of course, the best part was waking up beside Jordan every morning and coming home to him at night.

Once some of the pack members finished congratulating us, Ayla and Kaden walked over. Or rather, Kaden walked, with his hand protectively on Ayla's back, while she waddled over. She was seven months pregnant and glowing with happiness.

"Congratulations, you two," Ayla said. "We're just so happy for you both."

I pulled Ayla into a hug. “Thank you. You look good."

“You do too,” Ayla said, grinning at me. “The Arizona sun is doing wonderful things to your skin. You look killer with a tan."

“And how’s my little niece or nephew?" I asked.

Ayla rubbed her large bump. "Hiccuping again. I swear, it never stops!"

"Thanks for coming tonight," Jordan said, giving Ayla a hug. Then he reached out and offered Kaden a hand. After a moment's hesitation, my brother shook it.

"You two aren’t going to go after each other again, are you?” I asked, shooting Kaden a glare.

"Not tonight," Kaden said with a wry grin. "Believe it or not, I think being here is good for you, and even better for the Leo pack. We miss you back in Coronis though."

"I miss you guys too," I said. "But I'm happy here."

"Good." Kaden looked to Jordan, his eyes turning icy. "But if you ever hurt my sister, I will come after you."

Jordan rolled his eyes. "There's the Kaden we know and love."

"If Jordan hurts me, I'm perfectly capable of kicking his ass myself," I said.

"I suppose," Kaden grumbled.

"We're going to get some food," Ayla said, grabbing Kaden's arm. "I heard the burritos are amazing and this baby is starving. We'll catch up more later."

After they wandered off toward the food tables, we were surrounded by more Leos wanting to talk to us and congratulate us, and when there was a short lull, Wesley approached. Jordan squeezed my hand as his half-brother, the Cancer pack alpha, approached and everyone around us went quiet.

"You came," Jordan said, a little surprised.

"Of course I did." Wesley gave Jordan one of those manly back-patting hugs, which Jordan returned. All around us, I heard people whispering and saw many faces looking on. The Cancer and Leo packs had been at war for as long as anyone could remember, but now their alphas were brothers. Everyone wanted to see how this would play out. Wesley gave me a quick hug next. "I had to come and give you my congratulations in person."

"I think this is the first time in decades that a Cancer alpha has come to visit the Leos," Jordan said. "In case you're wondering why everyone is staring."

Wesley laughed. "It is strange to be here, but a good kind of strange."

Jordan grinned. "Our fathers are probably rolling in their graves at this very moment, which just makes it even better."

"No kidding. But we're family now, so hopefully we'll be visiting each other a lot from now on."

"We would love that," I said.

Wesley looked back and forth between us, shaking his head. "I still can't believe you two ended up together."

“Watch out,” Jordan said. “You’ll be next if you aren’t careful."

"I'm not sure that's in the cards." His smile faltered and his gaze looked past us, at someone in the crowd.

I turned and spotted Mira, Ayla's best friend, clutching a baby in one arm while carrying a plate of food in the other. Her hair was pulled back from her pretty face, and she wore a cute sundress. Was there some history there, between the two of them? I really liked Mira, who'd remained strong over the last few months despite losing her mate and having a baby at the same time. And Wesley seemed like the kind of guy who would step up to the plate to be a dad. Maybe the two of them had a chance.

“If you want something, you have to go after it.” Jordan said with a knowing grin. “That’s what I did, and look where it got me.”