The Alpha King's Invitation

Chapter 10: My New Pack's First Impression

Raelynn’s POV

I can’t believe he gave me a hickey. I just can’t believe this.

“I can’t believe this.” I grumbled looking at my reflection on the window.

“There are a lot of people.” Maya agreed.

I rolled my eyes. The buses arrived not long after the boys and I had made our way downstairs. Not everyone was dressed warmly and so some of them were dancing from one foot to the other and crossing their arms.

“Don’t worry Raelynn. Our pack members won’t be coming in a bus like this, they’ll driving up.” Callan said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

Oh s**t. I was going to be meeting his pack- I mean our pack members for the first time. And that’s just the single, unmated ones.

“H-How many are there?” I asked, trying and failing not to show my nervousness.

“Most of them are guys.” He shrugged, “But I’d say there's about five or six girls and eighteen to twenty guys."

Maya and I looked at him in shock. "That's a shocking ratio." Maya noted.

"That's due to a high male birth rate." Beta Nes said from behind Callan.

I chuckled remembering biology. "So you guys need to let us have girls." I smirked looking at Callan in the reflection.

Maya laughed and Callan glared at me playfully. He couldn't deny the laws of biology but as funny and simple as it seems, it's not that simple.

"Maya, they're about to come in. We should greet them." William called from the reception desk.

Maya sighs, "Duty calls."

I watch her leave and frown. She didn't ask to get the mate with the most expectations and the highest responsibility. And as his mate, it was now her duty as well. I now had new responsibilities as well, I was now future Luna of the Red Nightwalker Pack, well after Callan marked me. Then I'm sure I'd have to learn about being a Luna before I have my ceremony which is kind of like a coronation, but for a Luna.

I wondered briefly if I could stay in my old pack and learn from Luna Tiffany but, undeniably I'd have to learn from someone in Red Nightwalker. I started to slightly panic, I didn't know the first thing about being a Luna. I knew to be kind and considerate but those weren't trates exclusive to being a Luna.

Callan felt my heart beating and turned me around to face him. "What is it?" He asked.

I wasn't sure how to answer him. How do I tell him 'Callan, I'm terrified because I just realized we're mated and I'll be Luna one day.' But maybe a little more carefully worded.

"It's ok. We won't have to have an heir for a while." He sighed, rubbing my arms like he was trying to rub away my panic.

"It's not that." I said, shaking slightly.

"Then what is it?" He asked, concerned.

I bit my lip, "Well, I don't know the first thing about being a Luna."

He smiled, "Don't worry my love. This week is for us to get to know each other, and for you to get to know my pack."

"And it's potentially new members." Nes adds.

"Seems like they got to know each other pretty well earlier." One of the twins muttered.

"What was that?" I said darkly.

"Nothing all-powerful Luna." Robbie replied bowing.

I continued to glare at the pair of them for another minute before I heard horns and whooping.

"Those idiots." Nes muttered but I laughed.

SUV's, trucks that were jacked up higher than necessary and every other off-roading vehicle imaginable pulled up with their music too loud and their windows rolled down. One truck even had two guys in the back in wolf form. The only vehicle that kept it's dignity was a Barbie pink jeep with a mini mouse antenna ornament on top.

"Don't tell me." I said leaning into Callan's chest but he couldn't be calmed. He took a step away then barged out the nearest doors. I followed him interested.

"Are you all fuckin' stupid?" He yelled. Heat rolled off his shoulders and I briefly wondered if I could fry an egg on him. "Do you want to embarrass the pack in front of other packs including the Royal Alpha and his new mate?"

"I'm sorry Alpha." A boy said getting down from his truck.

"And to embarrass yourselves and me in front of my mate, and your future Luna?" He yelled, not done.

I saw the shock on many of their faces and the girls from the pink jeep heard too.

"Future Luna?" A girl with red hair to her waist in a fur coat and six-inch heels asked.

"Yes." He said, turning to her, "Did you have to bring the pink one?"

"I don't mind it." I called, "Seems like they all had fun, and anyways, isn't that what this trip is about?"

Callan took a deep breath and turned to me, so did everyone else. While Callan looked at me with a smile and, longing? The test of the pack, mostly males, looked at me in a mixture of curiosity, skepticism, intrigue and a few looked me up and down. I glared at those, they better thank their lucky stars because I knew that if Callan had seen that, that he’d have them on their backs in seconds.

Callan walked over to us and grabbed my hand. “Get them back in order and lined up.” he growled at Nes before taking me back inside.

He took me over to stand behind Will and Maya and pulled me close, burying his head in my neck. “I’m sorry you had to see that.” He whispered.

I leaned into his neck breathing in his scent, but I wasn’t the one who needed to keep calm. “Don’t worry about it. Like I said, it looked fun.”

He shook his head slightly, “I would have loved your first impression to be a good one. That unordered chaos and rowdy behavior was not a good impression. I promise they’re better behaved than that.”

I ran my fingers through the back of his hair and massaged the back of his neck lightly. I felt it relax under my fingers and I sighed, “Callan, don’t be embarrassed. I really don’t mind. I’m more worried about how they see me rather than seeing them at their most rowdy.”

He leaned back and placed a kiss on each of my hands, “They’re going to love you and respect you. Just like I do.”

“Not the same way I hope.” I muttered.

His eyes darkened a bit and he licked his lips, “Never. You’re mine.” He grabbed my hips and pulled me really close leaning down for a kiss.

I gave him a quick peck, keenly aware of the wolves being greeted by the future Alpha King and Luna Queen only feet away. When he leaned in for more I slipped my hand over his mouth, “Not in public dearest.” I said warningly and motioned with my eyes. I knew if we started kissing now it would only end in embarrassment for the pack. There were too many people around.

I felt him nip at one of my fingers before pulling back. “Of course, you’re right, as always.”

I rolled my eyes and saw Nes come into the lodge with an orderly group of young wolves who were all but unrecognizable from the bunch who’d just pulled up. Though they were all in casual wear I could see from the way they walked and the way they carried themselves that the training at Red Nightwalker was no joke.

They waited, straight-backed and at attention until all the other pack had moved on. Nes bowed to both Will and Maya then came to stand on my other side.

William smiled at all the members of the pack, “Welcome to the hotel, members of the esteemed Red Nightwalker Pack. As the future Alpha King, I would like to introduce you all to my mate, Maya Santiago. As you all know by now, your Alpha has found his mate and I hope for the best as each of you tries to find your own mates.”

When he stopped talking the pack members came up one at a time and greeted both William and Maya with a “Your majesties, thank you for having me.” Then moved on to greet Callan and I.

Most of them said things like, “Alpha, Luna, our apology for the way we behaved on arrival.” Or “Alpha. Luna, a pleasure to meet you.” and even an “Alpha, I am truly happy that you have found a Luna. And Luna, I look forward to getting to know you more at a later date.”

I was floored with meeting one after another of my new pack members in such a formal way. I was a very informal person and all of this was becoming very overwhelming in a hurry.

There were two interactions that stood out to me; One was a man who was the definition of tall, dark and handsome. He had nothing on my Callan but as a woman I could accept that he was appealing to the female eye. He had gray eyes and dirty blonde hair that was jelled into spike on his head. He was ruffly the same height as Callan and when he stepped up to greet us he reached out his hand to me.

I placed it in his and he places a light kiss on my hand. I was sure he’d been one of the drivers who had checked me out when he was getting scolded.

“Drake.” Callan growled.

I grabbed his hand rubbing the same circles I had back in the suite during our talk. He seemed to calm down a bit.

“Alpha.” He said bowing. He turned towards me, “And Luna, may I ask your name?”

“Raelynn. Luna Raelynn.” I said standing up a little straighter, I wasn’t liking this guy. He gave me a bad feeling and I didn’t like it.

“Luna Raelynn. Lovely to meet you. Let's get a drink sometime and I’ll tell you all the embarrassing stories you want to know about this guy.”

I knew that he’d just asked me out in front of my mate. Was he asking to get his ass beat? I tightened my grip on Callan’s hand, “Thank you but I’m going to be rather busy with my mate.” I emphasized mate stressing the T.

He smiled, “Well the offer still stands.” And he nodded to Nes before walking away.

The next wolf was even stranger. She was a pretty petite girl with moka skin and short black curly hair that had been shaved leaving just the hair on the top to fall in springy ringlets with the tips lightly bleached. She was dressed similarly to what most girls wore, jeans and boots but she had a knitted navy blue sweatshirt over a white t-shirt.

Instead of bowing or even offering a handshake she threw herself into Callan’s arms and hugged him, “Oh Callie I’m so happy that you found your mate she’s gorgeous.”

I had to grit my teeth and clench my fists. How dare this half-pint talk to my mate like that in front of me. Callan, sensing my possessiveness, released her and grabbed my hand and smoothed out my fingers so he could hold it again. “Nia, this is my mate, Raelynn. Raelynn, this is my cousin Nia.”

I let out a little sigh, cousin. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you Nia.”

Nia’s face lit up even more, “Oh my goddess you’re so cute. Wait till we get home, I’m gonna glam you up girl.”

“I can’t wait to see her at the ball.” Callan murmured. “Nia, she does have quite a few piercings already.”

Without asking permission Nia stepped up closer and moved my hair from my ears and chuckled, “Ok impressive but does she have a tat. No Luna is complete without a tat.”

I gulped. “Space Nia. Sheesh. Go find your room.” Callan said playfully, pushing her away.

She winked at me and left.

“Sorry about her.” He whispered, “She’s my eccentric cousin.”

I just nodded because we had to greet another pack member. I honestly didn’t remember anyone but Nia and Drake. I was really gonna have to start learning names.

"Well that was exhausting." I said sitting on one of the long couches in the lobby. I couldn't leave, I had to wait for my pack…. Or old pack to get here so I could introduce them to my mate. I groaned thinking about introducing him to Alex and Owen. Both would be unpleasant for different reasons.

"Imagine how they feel." Callan sighed laying down with his head in my lap, his legs hanging off the end of the couch.

I chuckled looking back at Maya and William who had moved on to another pack. Poor Maya. But she didn't look bothered by it, not at all. "Yeah, don't go getting more important. I couldn't handle it."

My hands immediately went to play with his hair, it was a little greasy, probably from all the working out he did today, but somehow it was still soft to me. Of course, Xavier chose that moment to come down the stairs.

"Hey Ray, has the pack arrived yet? I'm not late am I?"

I shook my head, "Nope, haven't arrived yet and I'm not looking forward to it. Most of them hate me anyway so now they get to hate me even more now that I'm going to be an important Luna."

He didn't say anything but nodded and then caught sight of me playing with Callan's hair. He turned away and walked towards the doors. I frowned after him. I hadn't meant things to be this hard. Maybe I should have just kept my distance.

"Are you alright my love?" Callan asked, looking up at me.

I looked down, smiling at him, "Yeah. I should tell you though, my brother is coming in the buses." I'd have to tell him about Alex later. Not looking forward to that. Maybe if I didn't say anything, it wouldn't come up.

I decided I should tell him more about my family since if I didn’t tell him he might be a bit shocked later. As I was thinking about what to say I gasped. “Oh shit.”

“What?” Callan asked, sitting up suddenly.

“I forgot to call E.”

“Who?”

“Eve. She’s my big sister. s**t, she’s gonna kill me for not telling her right away.” I bit my lip worrying. What would she say? She’d hate it that I’d be leaving the pack but, there really wasn’t anything I could do about it. If I were mated to a low-rank member of a pack we could have chosen to stay in my pack but normally a she-wolf will move into her mate's pack. She would have had to accept the fact I’d be moving when I didn’t find my mate in our pack.

I felt around in my jeans, no phone. I couldn’t remember if I even had my phone when we left. s**t. I got up and started walking over to Maya. “Can I use your phone? It’s important.” I whispered.

She was smiling and talking to someone in front of her and just grabbed her phone and handed it to me while talking. I turned back around and ran right into Callan.

“Careful. What’s going on? You mentioned your sister and that she’d be upset?” he asked curiously.

I nodded, “Both my oldest brother and my sister are my parents' bio fraternal twins. They’re super protective of me and they’d really like to know. My sister especially.”

He nodded too, “Mind if I sit in on the call?”

I smiled, “Yes, but you can listen to me make it.”

He rolled his eyes and we walked back to the couch and I dialed E’s number.

She picked up on the third ring, “Hello?”

“Hey E, it’s me.”

“Raelynn Emily Langley, why didn’t you call or text me that you both arrived safely? And why didn’t you call me this morning? And why are you calling me on Maya’s phone? Are you ok? Did you find your mate?”

I rolled my eyes, Eve was a handful. “E, slow down. Take a breath. I fell asleep last night and honestly, I don’t know where my phone is. I’ll look for it so you might not be able to get a hold of me right away.”

I looked at Callan about to tell E about him but he grabbed his phone typed something and held it up to show me. It was a message saying ‘give her my number.’ then he’d typed his number. I blew him a kiss, I think he liked it.

“Actually, scratch that, I’ll give you a number that you can reach me at.” I gave her Callan’s number.

“Who’s phone is it?” Eve asked curiously.

“My mates.”

I had to jerk the phone from my ear as Eve screamed was way too loud for my sensitive ears. “You found your mate? That’s amazing. Are you coming home now? Are you staying? Should I buy boxes? Should I pack everything for you? Have you had-”

Everyone could hear her so I shouted back at her. “Eve! Stop yelling.” I took a calming breath and I felt Callan put his hand on my lap to calm me.

“I’m sorry Ray, but I’m so happy for you. Tell me about him, is he tall? Handsome? What pack is he from? Is he well off? Does he have a nice car? Does he take good care of you? How about the bedroom?”

I groaned, “Listen Eve. I only called to tell you I found him. Not to have a one on one in the lobby of the hotel. And I’m not about to tell you about my s*x life, thank you very much.” I whispered the last sentence so no one would hear but Callan and Eve.

“I understand. Give me a heart-to-heart later ok? And if you can’t find your phone I’m sure your mate can get you a new phone temporarily or even permanently since you’ll be moving in with him right? Oh Ray! At least tell me his name and pack, that way I can dig up dirt on my own.”

I groaned again and took another breath. “It’s Alpha Callan of the Red Nightwalker Pack.”