Into the storm

Dinner

Dad had woke us up extra early to go shopping and after 2 hours I was already done with it. It's tradition for everyone to dress up for the ceremony. You want to look amazing in case you meet your mate. I had already chosen a purple knee length dress for the dinner and a simple floor length gray dress for the ceremony. I'm not big on dresses so I played it safe and simple. Plus I hate shopping but Dad and Lilly love to shop. So while I was ready to leave they were still looking through stores and I'm pretty sure Lilly was buying a whole new wardrobe.

"Oooh Clo you should get these shorts they would look great on you." Lilly said from a few feet away while holding up a pair of black denim shorts that had small silver stars and moons stitched into them.

"Now those I like. Hand them over." Lilly passed me the shorts with a smile. I had already agreed to a few other items that Lilly had picked out for me including a 2 piece bathing suit and a long crochet cardigan that end at my knees.

"Girls if you plan on having any time to get ready for the dinner we have to check out now!" Hollered Dad as he walked up to us carrying a few bags of items he had already bought.

"Okay Dad we only got a few things from here it shouldn't take long to pay." said Lilly.

"Okay here's the card I'll meet you at the car."

We quickly paid for our stuff and headed towards the exit. As we were walking out the door Lily grabbed my hand and pulled me next to her.

"I'm nervous Clo. So nervous. Are you?"

"Of course I'm nervous." I whispered. "What if I actually find him? Do I reject him and run?"

"No! I know in my heart that whoever your mate is he will accept you. You can't run." Lilly squeezed my hand tighter. "I'm just so nervous that I won't be with you anymore."

"We'll always be together Lil." I said while I pulled her in for a hug. "Us verses the world remember."

"I remember."

Us verses the world is our family motto. It started before my dad's even officially became my parents. Dad is a nurse at the pack hospital and he was there the day I was brought in. Abandoned and orphaned pups happen but for the most part they are safely handed over to hospital workers or someone in pack safety services. Not me though. I was found in the middle of the night at the edge of the woods. I was wrapped in a blood soaked blanket and I wouldn't stop crying. No one knows what happened to my birth parents or how I ended up on pack territory but I was unharmed. Dad and Papa hadn't even discussed adopting yet but the moment Dad picked me up he said he knew I was meant to be his daughter. Typically if a same s*x couple wants to adopt a pup they will only give them one of the same gender. Dads get boys. Moms get girls. So my parents had to fight to get me. There was multiple council meetings and hearings but ultimately they agreed to my parents being the best ones for me. Getting Lilly was less of a battle but still not easy she had been handed over by a human who said he was paid 500 hundred dollars to bring a baby to the address on a piece of paper and knew nothing more about her. It has always been us verses the world for our family.

The drive home had been quick and me and Lilly had rushed inside to get ready. The farewell dinner isn't a super big deal but anyone who is going to the ceremony from the pack is invited and they announce the achievements of all first year attendees. It's not a formal event but most female wolfs still get dressed up for it. I had gone fairly simple for my outfit. I paired my leather jacket and a pair of black combat style boots with my dress. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail and put on a little bit of eyeliner and mascara. Lilly on the other hand went all out she had picked a form fitting powder pink dress and wore a pair of silver high heels. She had done a full face of makeup. She looked stunning.

"Oooh look at our sweet babies all grown up." Cooed Dad as we walked into the living room.

"I don't know about that. This one looks like she needs to grow a few more inches. " Said Papa with a smile as he comes up and hugs me. I let out a playful growl as he stepped away from me. Everyone started laughing after that.

"Now girls I know most of you young wolfs like to party the night away at the bonfire after the dinner but you two still have to pack for the ceremony and the plane will be leaving at 10 tomorrow. So don't stay too late." Said Dad.

"But still have fun tonight." Added Papa.

"Yes Dad!" We said in unison. And with a final round of hugs Lilly and I headed out to the car.

I decided to drive us cause there was no way Lilly was managing it with her heels on. As we pulled up to the pack house I was amazed by the amount of effort put in to making it look beautiful. There was string lights along the walk way to the front door and there seemed to be lights twinkling everywhere. Inside was even more amazing the large dinning hall had tables seat up all around with silver gold and black table clothes and decorations on top of them. Other wolf's had already arrived and were setting at different tables with their friends. A few people had already hollered at Lilly and told her to set with them but we kept walking around looking for the perfect table.

"Lil! Clo! Come set over here with me!" Hollered Brock from a table a few feet away. Lilly quickly grabbed my hand and lead us towards Brock. Now Brock is a d**k but not a complete d**k. Sure he always seemed to take things to far in gym but outside of that he's never really mean to me. And if he is inviting Lil to do something he always makes sure to include me.

"How's it going Brock?" Lilly asked as we sat down.

"Not bad. My dumbass brother is still mia at the moment and I am beyond stressed about all this alpha s**t but otherwise good." He said with a smile as Lilly took the seat next to him.

"What issues are you having with the alphaship?" I asked while setting down next to Lilly.

"Well.." Brock seemed to hesitate before he continued "in truth the biggest issue currently is that a small group of wolfs has broke off from the Northern pack and are demanding we allow them in to the Midlands temporarily."

"Have they stated why they left the Northern pack?" I asked.

"Something about their safety being at risk and needing to find their alpha."

"Hmmm. Well if they aren't a direct threat I would allow them in and look into what they mean. Maybe something is going on within the Northern pack that we don't know about. They have been known to keep things secret. Plus if they are dangerous it will be easier to handle on our land." I said. A few years back the Northern pack got in trouble with the united worlds for extreme acts of cruelty. No direct explanation has ever been given on what they did but about 20-30 wolf's had left their pack and fled over seas to international packs.

"True. Hmmm. I think I'm going to grant them safe harbor for now until we figure out what's going on." Said Brock has he pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"Smart choice. Clo is pretty good at that kind of stuff." Said Lilly.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't realized that dinner had started. A drink and plate of food appeared before me and I started to eat. While we were eating Brock's older brother decided to finally show up. Where Brock had gotten their fathers looks with his blonde hair and blue eyes Rico had got their mother's. Just like Brock Rico is tall at over 6 feet but unlike Brock he was extremely muscler and had dark brown hair and hazel eyes and his complexion was darker than Brock's. Their mother was from the Mexico united pack and had brought a new level of love and acceptance to the Midlands pack. Had Rico not been wasted with some drunk she wolf on his arm I would have said he was handsome but instead my mouth took it else where.

"Now I see why the alphaship was taken from you." I mumbled into my drink.

Rico's face dropped and he was just staring at his plate but his date was giving me death glares just as she started to saying something Alpha Southerland appeared on the stage at the front of the dinning hall with a microphone.

"Alrighty gals and guys I'm here to recognize some outstanding wolfs who I feel are going to be excellent leaders." Alpha Southerland started calling different first year attendees to the stage and talking about their different achievements. Behind him was a large screen that showed photos and short video clips as examples. When he called Lilly to the stage it was in recognition of her kindness for everyone and acceptance of differences. On the screen played a short video of Lilly helping a younger wolf climb up a ladder and a few photos of her helping injured wolves in the rehab center. Everyone cheered for Lilly as she stood up and waved. Brock was smiling at her her in the sweetest way and even Rico was clapping his date just rolled her eyes. I really don't like this she wolf.

"Little Miss orphan is the kindest of all. So typical." Said Rico's date has Lilly sat down.

"She's not an orphan." I hissed.

"Oh. Well little miss unwanted then." She smiled like she said something hilarious.

I was getting extremely angry and having a hard time keeping my power in check. Just as I was about to let the b***h know she was going somewhere she shouldn't Alpha Southerland cleared his throat and said something I never expected.

" In recognition of her great strength and natural leadership I would like to call Clover Ann Hatcher to the stage."

As I slowly walked towards the stage the only sound was the soft jingle of the chains on my boots. I felt extremely embarrassed as I walked up to Alpha Southerland. He quickly pulled me into a hug and turned me towards the crowd. I could see some people holding in laughs but all I focused on was the table I had just left. Brock, Lilly and even Rico where standing up and clapping.

"Now even though Clover's wolf is blind she shows what true strength and leadership is." He paused and turned us towards the screen behind us. On the screen was different photos of me leading groups during different events. A video then started of me helping pack members into the storm shelter during a bad storm when I was 15.

"Clover waited by that door during the entire storm and when I asked her why after she said so that she could make sure everyone was safe and so that she could help anyone who needed it." He paused for a moment and another set of photos started it was of all the different times that Brock and I fought in gym the final video played and it was from one time when I got a bit mad and put Brock in a headlock.

"I still remember the first time my son came to me talking about the girl who was half his size but fought harder than anyone else. Every first year attendee in this room has fallowed her as their leader at some point and she is the only one who has never submitted during hand to hand training. Her wolf may lack the ability to see but I have a feeling that she won't ever let that stop her." As alpha Southerland finished a round of applause started up and more photos of pack members from different events started playing on the screen.

"Now that was my final recognition of the night but to all first year attendees I would like to say no matter how tomorrow goes you are always welcomed and wanted in this pack. Now enjoy your night and I will see you all tomorrow."

As I walked back to my table I could feel different eyes on me and I felt a bit uncomfortable. I hadn't expected to be recognized.

"See what'd I tell you Clo. Everyone naturally sees you as a leader." Lilly said with a smile.

"I've alwa-" Brock was cut off by Rico's date.

"You're just a weak little wolf. Alpha Southerland just feels bad for you." She hissed. Rico gave her a strange look and chuckled as he downed another glass of wine. Something about her words cut me deep and I dropped my walls. Without hesitation my wolf made our power known.

"I think you need to leave." I growled as I locked eyes with Rico's date. Without another word she obeyed my command and got up and headed towards the door. If an alpha tells you to do something and you are weaker then them you obey them. Rico stood up and looked down at me making full eye contact. I could feel his alpha power pushing against mine but it wasn't a look of anger it was something else. With a small chuckle and a smile he turned and walked away. I quickly sat down grabbed my glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.

"I f*****g knew it!" Laughed Brock.

"It's not what you think. She's just different. " Lilly said with tears in her eyes.

"Shh. I've always known that Clo's wolf couldn't actually be weak or blind. No way !" Brock said with a smile. " That's why I've always been hard on her during hand to hand combat."

"You knew?" I asked.

"Yeah. When your parents told my Dad about you being blind they said you shifted a year early. Only wolves with great power shift early. Rico shifted early too that's why I knew." He laughed."Let's head over to the bonfire and as long as you promise to show me your true power some day I won't tell on you."

With that we all stood up and headed towards the door. I hoped that Brock was being honest about not turning me in.

The bonfire was turning into a bit of a let down to Lil and I. We were thinking it would be a chance to chat and hang out with the other pack members our age without the pressure of school or training but in truth it was nothing but nervous chatter and gossip. Everyone was talking about who they thought would be whose mate. Who they thought would be good to be mated to and who would suck to be mated to. Of course I heard my name slipping out of more than one person's mouth. I'm never surprised to hear the negative things pack members say about me. Lil was standing at the edge of one of the fire pits casually talking to a few girls from our graduating class as I stood near a big tree just at the edge of the clearing when I heard Brock holler at me. He was standing next to a male pack member who was a few years older than us. From his build I had no doubt that he is one of our warriors. Warriors are kind of like a packs army or police force. They are strong and protective wolfs who would risk death to save others. I slowly approached Brock while inspecting the wolf next to him. I was slowly watching his movements to figure out his weakness. I don't trust Brock to not turn me in. He is big and stocky but his weight told me that if I have to a quick blow to the back of his knee would buckle his leg and I could easily have the upper hand.

"Hey Clo this is Evan. He's the new head of pack protection and defense. I was telling him about what you said to me about the rouge situation and he asked me to introduce you to him." Brock said as he motioned for me to get closer.

"Evan Roy Johnson." Said Evan as he extended his hand towards me.

"Clover Ann Hatcher." I said as I gripped his hand tightly and shook it. I used an extra bit of force to shake his hand just to make sure that he didn't question my strength. A surprisingly warm smile spread across his face as he let go of my hand.

"Well Clover what you were telling Brock about with the rouges makes a lot of sense. If they are running from a direct threat we need to protect them and figure out what is going on up north plus if they turn out to be a threat to our safety we greatly out number them and can eliminate them easier on our own territory. In truth though I wanted to meet you because the things Brock said about you surprised me. So how did you come to this conclusion?"

"Well Evan I know that most of the time things aren't exactly how they look. A handful of wolfs claiming they are looking for their alpha are no threat to us but the fact that they are willing to come on our territory and risk their safety means they are definitely running from something worse then us. And call me Clo." I said with a smile. Brock was smiling from ear to ear and looked proud.

"I told you she was sharp." Said Brock as he lightly punched Evans shoulder. Evan started laughing and nodded his head in agreement.

"Well Clo when you get back from the binding ceremony if you want swing by the pack house and we can chat about you joining the pack protection and defense. You would honestly be great at it." Said Evan.

"If I come back. There's no guarantee that my mate is in our pack." I said.

"Oh I'm very sure your mate is in our pack." Said Evan with a knowing smile. "But on that note I'm going to head out."

I wasn't sure what he meant about my mate being in our pack but it kind of got me curious. I was slowly looking around questioning who could be my mate when I came to horrifying thought and look at Brock. He must have read my mind cause he instantly shook his head.

"Hell no I'm definitely not your mate. We would kill each other." I couldn't help but start laughing at him.

"True I would probably drown you before we even got home."

"Or feed me to a shark."

We were caught up in joking about different ways we would end up killing each other when Lil walked up to us.

"I see you two are managing to have a good time. What are you guys talking about?" Said Clo with a smile.

"We were discussing different ways we would kill each other if we ended up as mates." Brock said with a smile. He didn't notice it but for a second she looked sad.

"That would go bad." She said with a small smile. "But anyway I think it's time me and Clo head home we still have to pack."

"Alright well I'll see you two tomorrow." Said Brock as he quickly pulled Lil in for a hug. Then we started to head to the car.

While walking towards the car I noticed that Lil had a weird look on her face. I knew if I asked her what was wrong she would say nothing so I decided to tell her about meeting Evan and the job offer he gave me. The look on her face slowly started to change and by the time we got to the car she was laughing and smiling with me. As I was reaching for the door handle I was lost in thought again about who Evan could possibly think was my mate. I had never even considered the possibility of my mate being in our pack but suddenly I was running through all the males it could be. I would love to find my mate and still have my pack and family but it would put those I care about most at risk.

"It's not Brock." Said Lil with a smile as she climbed into the passenger seat.

"I know that." I said while laughing. "I just don't know who it could be. A mate is supposed to be the other half of your soul and someone who you can easily be with."

"And you can't think of anyone who you get along with like that?" Said Lil with a little smile.

"I can't. Sure outside of training I get along with Brock but it's like a little brother kind of relationship. And I honestly can't think of any male pack member that doesn't make me want to rip his throat out."

"Well I can think of one who you get along with in wolf form." I couldn't help but laughing. She was talking about Rico.

"Yeah when he's shifted I get along with him but I have only meet him once now in human form and I had to fight harder than ever to keep my alpha power in check. And as you saw tonight he is definitely not the type who would be good to his mate." Lil seemed a little lost in thought after I said that.

"He wasn't always like that." She said after a long pause. Lil had worked directly with Rico on different projects and stuff for the pack over the years. She said he would be a great alpha one day but that had changed now. "Last year's binding ceremony was his 4th one and he lost all hope afterwards. It's unheard of for an alphas mate to be more than 3 years younger."

I hadn't really thought of it like that but it made sense. Alpha's can't officially take over their pack until they find and mark their mate. Rico probably gave up hope and stepped down cause he could never take over without his mate. As I pulled into the driveway Lil cleared her throat and looked at me.

"No matter how tomorrow goes Clo we always have each other. Promise you won't run away. Promise you'll stay."

"I promise you Lil I will always be here for you. Us versus the world."

"Us versus the world."