The Scarlet Witch

Chapter Eleven - The In-Laws

Two weeks have gone by since the induction ceremony at the Midnight Moon Pack. In that time, things have continued to move smoothly for Amaranth at the Scarlet Moon Pack. The furniture for her office had arrived, giving her a space to do her work. She has taken up gardening with the help of some omegas, the dogs finding joy in helping with digging. She has started planning her own Luna induction with the assistance of Alpha Damon. Amaranth has been having fun planning, going over decorations and color schemes, dress options and menu plans. It felt almost therapeutic, having a chance to plan a big event like this after having no say in her wedding. After living in the Scarlet Moon Pack for close to two months now, the amount of control that she has over herself is refreshing. For the first time in seven years, Amaranth is participating in pack activities because she wants to, not because she was being forced to.

Today, the packhouse was a bit frantic with activity. This is the first time the pack had guests since Dimitri came back from his trip with Amaranth in tow. There were people everywhere, running around making sure that every room was stocked up with all the necessities. Making sure that beds were made, rooms were aired out and dusted. The kitchen was stocked up for any type of meal that might be requested. People were vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, dusting, polishing. Things that were cleaned yesterday were being cleaned again, just for good measure.

Amaranth made her way through the pack house, with her dogs close behind her, weaving and dodging out of the way as others rushed by, though not forgetting to greet her as they passed. She was keeping herself busy and involved in the preparations by adding flower arrangements to every room she could think of adding one to. The excitement around the pack house felt nice for Amaranth. She never saw many guests stay in her father's pack, and never did the pack make arrangements like this for guests. As she placed the last flower arrangement that she made in the dining room, she turned around to make her way to the foyer as she was alerted by an omega that some of the guests were arriving.

She met Dimitri, Alpha Damon and Cody in the foyer. The four made their way out the front door, with the dogs following behind them, just in time to see two SUVs pulling up to the driveway. As they came to a stop, the back door on the passenger side burst open. Before Amaranth could react, she was engulfed in a hug.

"I am so happy to finally see you," Sophia squealed. "Oh and look at these beautiful pups!" Sophia broke away from the hug and bent down to pet Bella and Bruce.

Amaranth smiled as she watched Sophia, looking up to greet the others. Alexander gathered her in a hug before moving on to greet his grandfather. Amaranth was then met by an older couple, Dimitri's parents and the King and Queen of all wolf packs, who both looked elegant and poised. Amaranth went to shake the hand of the woman before being gathered into a hug.

"My dear, there is no need to be formal. You are family now." The Queen said, "And before you even start, there will be no 'Your Highness' or 'Your Majesty'. You will call us Amanda and Stephan, no ifs, ands, or buts about it."

Amaranth smiled and gave Amanda a little nod. She then greeted the King, Stephan, with a hug as he offered her a warm smile. As the others began to make their way into the pack house, Amaranth paused at the door, Bella and Bruce following suit. She turned around, making her way back down the front steps and walked a few feet before Margaret, Ryan and Valerie appeared before her. Amaranth hugged Margaret and Ryan before turning to Valerie, who was holding her eight-month-old son, Jasper. Jasper, having recognized her face from the many FaceTime calls they'd had, reached out to Amaranth, who grabbed hold of him. The five of them made their way to the pack house. Margaret, Ryan and Valerie greeted the others, and together they all made their way to the seating room.

"You are such a showoff," Amanda laughed as she took a seat next to her mate, "You couldn't just drive here like a normal person?"

"Jasper gets fussy during car rides," Margaret smiled as she looked over at Amaranth, Sophia and Valerie, who were on the floor with Jasper. "Plus, my method is quicker compared to driving. And I'm never late to any event with my way."

"How is everything at the covent?" Stephan asked.

"The covent is well. Though there has been more pull for a certain someone to come back." Margaret winked at Amaranth. "But alas, my poor god-daughter has left one prison and entered another." She sighed.

"Oh cut it with the dramatics Margaret," Alpha Damon barked, though he had a smile on his face. "I told you that she can go visit anytime, but there is an adjustment period to joining a new pack, especially as a leader. Once she has fully settled and the schedule is manageable, she can go."

"Why not now? She has been here for weeks! What could possibly be making it so that she cannot stay with us for a week or two?" Margaret complained.

Amaranth sent an apologetic glance at Valerie and Ryan, who she knows are some of the people that had been asking about when she could go visit the covent. Though it was a bit off-putting, everyone was talking about her and when she could go certain places, it wasn't something that she wasn't used to. Years of Alpha Michael and Luna April discussing with Beta Simon what Amaranth was and wasn't allowed to do or have, discussing it right in front of her as if she wasn't in the room; it only made her ability and want to be invisible stronger. But the discussion being had in front of her wasn't one of people fighting for control of her life. It was one of people fighting for her time, for her attention, for her presence. In a weird way, it felt nice, having people who loved and cared for her enough that they were practically arguing over her. Jasper grabbed her face with his chubby hands, taking Amaranth out of her thoughts. She was looking into his eyes, listening to his babbling while also paying attention to the conversation happening amongst the elders.

"Well, we have a lot going on right now. A Luna Induction ceremony is currently being planned. And we have had to change the date a few times since Dimitri is scheduled for another Alpha Training soon." Alpha Damon continued on, "And then all that goes into running a pack. Dimitri and Amaranth are doing a lot right now and-"

"Wait, I have another Alpha Training? I thought that I was done with those?" Dimitri interrupted his grandfather, glancing over at Amaranth, who was also shocked.

"This next one is to be the last, at least for about five years." Alpha Damon announced, "It is only for about two weeks. So it definitely won't be as strenuous as the last one you did." he offered a smile of reassurance to both Dimitri and Amaranth.

"When is he supposed to leave?" Amaranth asked, watching as Bella approached Jasper, sniffing him and brushing her nose across his arm.

"In about a week, I meant to tell you after the Midnight Moon Pack Inductions, but these past two weeks have been busy and it slipped my mind until now." Alpha Damon explained.

"And how were the inductions?" Valerie asked, smiling as she watched her son interact with Bella.

"Not as emotionally exhausting as I expected it to be," Amaranth mumbled, "But it was a bit stressful, mainly when they were actively being inducted. But I got to see my friends and Beta Simon and I kept my distance from Michael and April. So, all in all, it wasn't too bad."

"Have you heard anything about how things are going at the pack now that they have new leaders?" Alexander asked, sending a quick glance at his father.

"No, but I haven't been in contact with anyone much. Things have genuinely been pretty busy here."

"Well, if you do hear anything, please don't hesitate to pass it along to us, dear." Stephan calmly announced.

Amaranth simply nodded, though she was a bit confused as to why they were talking, as if they were expecting to hear something bad coming from the Midnight Moon Pack. Although Amaranth herself is worried about how Melanie and Jacob plan to run the pack, it never occurred to her that her in-laws would have some concerns of their own. She can recall times where Michael would gloat about how he had connections and powerful people wrapped around his finger. With the absence of patrols and confidence in the marriage between her and Dimitri, she can't help but wonder again about her father's motives for organizing their marriage. What exactly does he gain from it? With him stepping down, what do Melanie and Jacob gain from it?

Pushing all of those thoughts aside, Amaranth focused on the present. The conversations became more causal, less political and heavy. Questions about grandchildren were brought up, making Amaranth blush and Dimitri scold his parents. They all had dinner together, with lots of laughter as Margaret used her magic and Amanda continuously calling her a showoff. After dinner, Jasper was put to bed and everyone went into the lounge room. They all partook in their own activities. Amanda, Stephan, Margaret and Damon were playing and spectating games of chess. Sophia and Alexander were playing card games. Ryan and Valerie were playing with Bella, teaching her some tricks. Bruce was lying on the floor at Dimitri and Amaranth's feet as they sat on the couch. Dimitri's arm was wrapped around her as she flicked through Netflix, looking for a movie to watch. He brought her a little closer, planting a kiss on her forehead. She looked up at him smiling, before he closed the distance and gave her a quick kiss on the lips and smiled back at her.

Before turning her attention back to the TV, Amaranth sent a quick glance around the room. She watched as everyone was concentrating on their respective activities. She basked in the moment, feeling content and realizing for the first time in a long time, she was surrounded by nothing but family.