Chapter 78


    ***Rowen***


    The time seemed to crawl by for me, and I could hardly sit still. In just a few hours I would get to spend


    another weekend with my sweet girl. After a month apart we needed it. I know we had spent sometime


    together the previous weekend, but it was minimal as we were both busy with getting ready for Melissa,


    and Ross’s ceremony. This weekend would be a bit different. I would get there in time to have dinner


    with her, sleep with her in my arms tonight. I knew some of her time tomorrow would be spent getting


    ready for Robert’s swearing in ceremony, but we had all day Sunday for just us. I arranged it that way


    on purpose as we never really got that.


    Now if the time would just move faster. I was in my father’s office going over the ns for the


    community center, as well as the needs list, but I couldn’t stay focused. I kept ncing at the time, but


    it didn’t seem to move, at all. I looked up when my father sighed, and dropped his pen on his desk.


    “Son, you’re not paying any attention.” My dad grumbled.


    “I’m sorry.” I muttered.


    “What’s going on with you? This is your project, but you’re not paying a bit of attention. I’ve asked you


    the same question five times now.”


    “I’m excited to see Chastity. We’ve had so little time together.”


    “I know. I get it.”


    “Did you ever have to go through this with mom?”


    “Yes. There were a few times that I had to spend a month or more away from her. I felt like I was losing


    my mind. We didn’t have video chat back then or any of it. We had phone calls, and mail. That was it.”


    “That had to suck.”


    “It did, but we got through it. How do you think we ended up with you before we even nned to start


    having pups?”


    “Dad! Really. I don’t need to know this.”


    “Well now you do.”


    “Did you, and mom want more pups?”


    “We did, but after Gina your mom stopped being able to have more. We tried for awhile, but eventually


    we gave up. It was too much stress on your mother, and it broke her heart every time she didn’t get


    pregnant. We had a good life.”


    “It’s still hard for you, isn’t it?”


    “Every single day. Your mother was the best woman in the world. Our life was pretty perfect.”


    “Do you ever consider looking for your second chance mate?”


    “No. Nothing would ever be better than what your mother, and I shared. Would it be nice to have a


    woman to share things with, sure, but it’s not something I need.”


    “She wouldn’t want you to be alone though.”


    “I know that, but right now I’m not ready. I have you, and I have Gina. That’s all I need in my life. If I’m


    meant to have a second chance mate, I guess I’ll meet her when the time is right. Right now though


    who ever she is would be left heartbroken because I’m just not ready.”


    “I can understand that.”.


    “Yeah. Besides I figure I’ll have some grandpups running around here some day that are going to keep


    me plenty busy.”


    “Yeah well you have a long time to wait for that.”


    “At least four years.”


    “How do you figure only four?”


    “Chastity will be gone for three. Gina, and Braxton will be just old enough to realize they are mates


    when shees home. I figure about a year after that one of my pups will have a pup of their own.”


    “No pressure or anything there dad. I think Chastity would like some time to be a midwife and Luna for


    a bit before she bes a mother. Wait. Did you say Gina, and Braxton?”


    “Sure. Braxton may not realize it yet, but he’s circling her as much as she’s circling him. He’s a bit slow


    on that one.”


    “He’s also a few months younger than she is. The teen hormones haven’t quite kicked in yet.”


    “You were about his age when you started chasing the girls around.”


    “I….I was not.”


    “Bullshit son. You think I don’t know what you were up to back then? Why do you think I had your


    mother giving you a shot once a month, and had you getting them when you went off to school?”


    “Wait! You put me on birth control without me knowing it?”


    “Of course I did. I’m not stupid.”


    “Dad! I ALWAYS used protection! ALWAYS!”


    “Nothing is one hundred percent effective. I knew I couldn’t stop you from behaving like the typical


    Alpha male you are so I did what my father did. Made sure that you didn’t end up with something you


    weren’t ready for,”


    “I’m not sure if I should thank you or kick your ass. You know I made sure to get those damn shots


    once a month even on my trip? Good thing too.”


    “Typical.”


    “Seriously?”


    “Of course. I had my fun in my younger days.”


    “And that is the end of that conversation.”


    “Alright. You ready to get back to this?”


    -“Yes.”


    At 12:00 we stopped working, and I headed off to my apartment to shower, change, and make sure I


    had everything I would need this weekend. My suit was in a suit bag, I had clothes, extra shirts and a


    hoodie for Chastity, as well as my toiletries, and the gift I got Chastity for tomorrow. It was a white gold


    charm bracelet that had several flower charms on it. I hoped she liked it. Once I was sure I had


    everything packed, I grabbed my stuff, and headed to the cars. I was surprised to see Colby putting


    bags into the back of the SUV.


    “You’reing with us?” I asked


    “Yeah. Lex called me the other night, and asked me to be a buffer between her, and Anthony. The twit


    is leaving the pack next week, and has been bugging the shit out of her. She thinks if he sees her with


    another guy he’ll leave her alone.” Colby exined as we got into the SUV.


    Molly, and Jax were already cuddled up in the third row. Colby rolled his eyes at them then took the


    seat behind his dad in the passenger seat, while I took a seat behind my dad.


    “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing that she asked you to be a buffer.” I admitted as we


    pulled away from the house.


    “It’s no big deal. She’s a cool girl, and fun to hang out with.” He responded, but I caught a glimpse of


    hurt in his eyes as he said that, but I shrugged it off as it was none of my business.


    “Yeah. She is a cool girl, and she is good to Chastity.”


    “She is that. Chas needs that in her life after everything.”


    “She does.”


    “So you’re spending the weekend at the school with short stack?”


    “Like hell he is.” Jax growled from the back seat.


    “Jax, shut up man. Like or not he’s her mate. One day you’re going to have to just suck it up, and deal


    with it.” Colby grumbled.


    “Or I could just kill him, and keep her hidden away from the world.” Jax growled.


    “At least it’s your best friend, and someone you know, and not some twit off the street.” Colby growled


    back.


    “Alright. Knock it off back there. I’m not listening to this crap for four damn hours. Jax, get the hell over


    the fact that Chastity has a mate. Colby, stop baiting him.” Dimitri snapped from the front seat.


    I heard Jax grumble from the back seat, but he didn’t say anything else. To keep Jax from going off


    again, we spent the rest of the drive just chatting about basic things. Dimitri did voice his worry about


    Greg. It seemed the man’s health was getting worse. He had finally started spending time with Braxton,


    and less time drinking, but his health was not improving at all. Dimitri feared that the time they had


    together was quickly dwindling. I felt bad for Braxton, but there was nothing any of us could do.


    We reached Clovend right at 5:00. My sweet girl was waiting for us at on the stairs of the front


    building when we pulled in. She was wearing a white skirt that ended just about her knees, a blue


    denim, short sleeved button down, that was untucked, and her cowboy boots. Her hair was pulled back.


    I smiled at the cute country girl look because she did look adorable. I got out to greet her with a hug,


    and a quick kiss.


    “Where’s Lex?” Colby asked as Chastity took her seat between us.


    “Oh. She had to go to the pack house early to help get set up for dinner. They’re doing it in the pack


    dining room as there are a lot of out of town Alphas, Betas, and their families here.” Chastity exined


    as we pulled out of the parking lot.


    “Yeah. That’s not surprising.” Dad said from the front seat.


    “Why is that?” Chastity asked.


    “All the head families of packs you’re allied with are invited to a swearing in so they have, a chance to


    meet the new leaders.”


    “Oh. That makes sense.”


    “So they’ll all be at this dinner?” Molly asked.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    “Probably not all. Some will show up tomorrow, but there will be a lot of them.” Dad answered.


    “Shit. I am not dressed for this at all.” Molly gasped.


    “Don’t worry. We’ll have time to go change. Dinner isn’t until six.” Dad reassured her.


    “Oh thank goddess.”


    “Um. I’m not really dressed to meet a bunch of Alphas, Beta, and their families.” Chastity said quietly.


    “Don’t worry Chastity. You are dressed just fine. Most of them will be dressed more like you. Nice, but


    not formal.” My dad said gently.


    “Are you sure?”


    “Yes I’m sure. Who wants to put on suits, and dresses after hours of traveling?”


    “That’s true.”


    When we arrived at the pack house, an Omega male led us to the suite everyone else would be staying


    in. I was a little surprised to find we were on the Alpha floor, but I guess, being family, it made sense in


    a way. Chastity made herselffortable while we all changed out of casual clothes. Once I was


    changed, I asked the Omega who was waiting for us to take us to the dining room to please gave my


    suitcase,ptop bag, and suit bag to Marcus. He nodded, and left right away. I sat down next to


    Chastity, and pulled her into my arms. I just needed to hold her for a few minutes. I also needed to


    warn her about something. “Um….Chastity. I feel like I should talk you through something you’ll have to


    deal with tonight, and tomorrow.” I said quietly.


    “What’s that?” Chastity asked as she began ying with my fingers.


    “A lot of people are going to ask me who you are to me. I’m not going to lie to them. I’m going to tell


    them you are my mate. You know what that means right?”


    “What?”


    “That a lot of people are going to address you as Luna, or Future Luna.”


    “Oh I know. Lexi reminded me of that Monday night. Dee-Dee has been working with me all week on


    just smiling, and nodding when that happens.”


    “Oh. Well now I kind of feel stupid bringing it up.”


    “Don’t. You were worried about how I would deal with that, and I appreciate it. It reminds me that you


    care about me, and how I am feeling.”


    “I always care about you, and how you’re feeling.”


    “Thank you.”


    “You’re wee.”


    “Alright all. It’s time to head downstairs for dinner.” My dad said as he came out of his room.


    I helped Chastity up from the couch, and ced her hand on the crook of my arm. She smiled up at


    me, and I smiled back. I took my ce behind my dad, and Dimitri. Jax, and Molly were behind us, with


    Colby in the back. I saw the look of confusion on Chastity’s face at our lining up.


    “When going to events like this we have to line up based on rank, and position. Current Alpha, and if he


    has a Luna, first. Current Beta, and his mate second. Future Alpha, and his mate third. Future Beta,


    and his mate fourth. Everyone else falls in line behind them.” I exined quietly.


    “Oh. Ok. I guess that makes sense.” Chastity said with a small nod.


    “We’ll be lined up the same tomorrow to enter the ceremony.”


    “OK.”


    We followed dad, and Dimitri out of the suite, and down the halls. We didn’t pass anyone on the way,


    but as we got closer to the pack dining room, we could hear a lot of chatter.


    “Do I smile or anything?” Chastity whispered to me.


    “You absolutely should. You have a beautiful smile.” I whispered onto the top of her head before cing


    at kiss there, causing her to giggle.


    When we were announced we followed dad into the room, and walked to the head table to give our


    greeting. We would be seated at the tabie closest to the head table as we were family, but we had to


    give. our greeting first. As we approached I saw my cousins first. Robert was sitting proudly next to


    Jeremy with Beth right beside him smiling. Anthony, in typical fashion was slumped in his chair, looking


    bored. The female next to him must have been Heather. She would lookpletely dejected every


    time she was ignored by someone approaching the table. I kind of felt bad for her, but this wasn’t for or


    about her. I spied Lexi sitting with her parents, and brother on the other side of ir. She appeared to


    be sniffing something in the air, and scanning the crowd.


    I almost passed out when she looked our way, and I heard her whisper mate. My hands started to


    sweat when I thought she was looking at me. That onlysted a moment when I heard someone growl


    behind me. I turned around to see Colby looking smug.


    “About damn time she figured it out.” He growled quietly, and I chuckled to myself.


    “I knew it.” I heard Molly whisper, and Chastity giggled.


    “COLBY BLOOMFIELD! YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!” Lexi yelled.


    “No I don’t. I told you months ago you had to figure things out on your own. Now that you have, what


    are you waiting for?” Colby responded as he smirked, spread he feet apart, and crossed his arms over


    his chest.


    “You arrogant, insufferable man!” Lexi growled as she stood up.


    It was about that time that I realized Colby was standing right in front of Anthony. Anthony sat up


    straight, and narrowed his eyes at Colby. The whole room had gonepletely silent. Lexi’s parents,


    and brother were smiling though.


    “Yup. I am. I’m also yours. Just like you’re mine.” Colby called out, as he continued to smirk, and wait.


    “So why are you standing there like an idiot?” Lexi asked, looking like she was about to cry.


    “You want me, youe get me.” Colby stated as he seemed to brace himself more.


    “She won’t. She knows she’s too good for the likes of you.” I heard Anthony grumble, but Colby just


    growled in response.


    I watched as Lexi slowly rose from her seat, and moved around the table. As soon as she was on our


    side of it, she kicked off her shoes, and ran to Colby, he had only enough time to open his arms to


    catch her. He pulled her tight to him, and whispered in her ear.


    “Yes! Yes! Yes! I knew it!” Molly quietly celebrated, and Jax put his hand over her mouth as we all


    laughed.


    “Well Alpha Joseph, I have to say that I’ve never had a pack introduction quite like that.” Jeremy


    chuckled, as he rose to shake my father’s hand.


    “I promise, Alpha Jeremy! did not n that.” My dad responded as he shook Jeremy’s hand.


    “I have no doubt you didn’t. I think your Beta’s son has been waiting for that though.”


    “That he has.” Dimitri agreed.


    “Lexi is a wonderful girl. I have no doubt she’ll do wonderful things for you pack.” Jeremy stated as he


    retook his seat.


    “I have no doubt she will. She befriended our future Luna, and has been a great help to her already.”


    My dad said proudly.


    I looked down at Chastity to see that she was smiling slightly, and blushing.


    “Ah yes. Miss. Chastity. You are a lovely girl. I know you will do great things in your future with your


    education at Clovend, and everything else you learn outside of that.” Jeremy smiled at Chastity.


    “Thank you sir.” Chastity said quietly as she bowed to him.


    I heard some one snort, and I looked around a bit. I saw Heather eyeing me then looking at Chastity in


    disgust. I simply rolled my eyes, and looked back to Jeremy.


    “When the dayes, I look forward to weing you into our family Chastity.” ir said with a smile.


    “Thank you Cl…..Luna.” Chastity said, bowing to ir.


    “Keep up the good work my girl. You make everyone proud in all you do.”


    “I will do my best. Congrattions Alpha Robert, and Luna Beth.” Chastity said as she bowed to them


    both.


    I chuckled softly over the fact that it was Chastity, the one who hadn’t even stepped into her role yet,


    that reminded the rest of us what we were standing in front of this table for. We made our greetings


    than moved to our table. I noticed that a chair was added to our table for Lexi. Lexi looked like she had


    been crying, but she was smiling at the same time. Once we were seated Jeremy stood from his seat,


    and tapped his ss, quieting the room.


    “Thank you all foring this weekend. We are honored that every one has made the trip for this


    asion. I’ll keep this short by saying just that. Please enjoy your meal.” He said.


    The first course of dinner was immediately brought out. We all dug in, and started chatting a bit.


    “I’m telling you, I’ve been saying for months you two were mates. If you had just asked I would have


    told you.” I heard Molly say to Lexi.


    “No. She needed time to get over the crap that needle nosed prick over there did first.” Colby growled.


    “Or you could have just grown some balls, and kissed her. It would have saved us all the trouble of


    watching, and waiting. Right Chastity?” Molly said leaning forward to look at Chastity.


    “Oh no. You’re not pulling me into this one. I told you months ago they needed to figure things out on


    their own, and we didn’t know for sure if they were mates. I told you to stay out of it.” Chastity stated as


    she continued to eat her sd.


    “I was not going to just kiss her. She could have punched me for that, and I like my perfect nose just


    the way it is.” Colby quipped, “It is perfect isn’t it, right tart?”


    “Call me that again, and it won’t be.” Lexi rolled her eyes at him, I couldn’t helpughing.


    “What? You do nicknames for others. I thought I’d try one out on you. Do you have a nickname for me


    yet?” Colby pouted.


    “Yeah. Pain in my ass.” Lexi joked.


    “Hey. That wasn’t very nice.”


    “Oh. You expected me to be?”


    “Well kind of. I am your mate after all.”


    “Yeah, and you kept that from me for months.”


    “You, and Cheyenne were still getting over douchebag over there. I needed to give you that time. I


    didn’t want to force something on you that you weren’t ready for.”


    “Yeah. I know. I appreciate that. Thank you.”


    “You’re wee.”


    I smiled as Colby leaned over whispered to Lexi, and kissed her temple. I chuckled under my breath


    when she blushed.


    “Wait. Does this mean you’re moving out of Clovend Lexi or will you be moving to one of the mate


    suites, and Colby moving in?” Chastity asked.


    “I….I don’t know. I’m not sure how that works.” Lexi answered, pinching her brow.


    “Denu doesn’t have mate suites. They don’t want mates on campus. I guess that means I’ll be living at


    Clovend.” Colby said.


    “I’ll go talk to Danielle on Monday, and find out.”


    “It’s toote to get a weekend pass, isn’t it?”


    “Sadly, yes. I have to stay here all weekend any way.”


    “Oh. Well I’m staying here as well.”


    “Yay! Sleep over with Lexi!” Molly cheered.


    “NO! I want time with my mate, and you will NOT get in the way of that. You, and Jax both have a way


    of muscling in on his sibling’s time with their mates. I’m not allowing it right now.” Colby said firmly.


    “But…Jax.” Molly whined.


    “Nope! Not doing it. I already got yelled at for that earlier.” Jax grumbled.


    “You already tried to monopolize their time together Jax? Lexi didn’t even know until tonight.” Chastity


    said, looking confused.


    “Not them.” Jax growled.


    “Oh. Then who?”


    “Jax!” Dimitri snapped.


    “I didn’t like the idea of Rowen staying with you this weekend pip-squeak.” Jax said quietly, and pouted.


    “Jax. I love you, but sometimes you’re a pain in the butt.” Molly said with a giggle.


    “Don’t worry. The only reason Darren isn’t over here is because dad is forcing him to stay in his seat.


    He can’t leave the table until the meal is over.” Lexi said with a giggle.


    “Why is him staying with me this weekend any different than when he sleeps in my room at your


    apartment?” Chastity asked, confused.


    “Because then Jax can be sure Rowen behaves himself. You’ll be far from here, and he can’t sneak in,


    and


    check on you.” Molly admitted.


    “Well that’s just stupid.” Chastity sniffed.


    “It’s stupid that I worry about my baby sister?” Jax questioned.


    “No. It’s stupid that you don’t trust him or me.” Chastity admitted, sounding hurt so I put my arm around


    her shoulder.


    “That’s not what I meant Chastity. Really it’s not. It’s just that….well…you’ve…” Jax sputtered.


    “I know Jax. Believe me no one knows more than I do, but I have to be able to make my own choices,


    and live my own life. I need to know you trust me enough to do that. Plus he’s your best friend. You


    should know you can trust him too.”


    “I know. You’re right. I’m sorry.”


    “It’s alright. I understand, and I forgive you.”


    “Thank you.”


    “You’re wee.”


    “Can we talk about Miss I’m sad because I’m not the center of attention over there?” Molly questioned.


    “Who? Heather? Yeah. She hates when anyone gets more attention then her.” Lexi said.


    “Will she cause a problem tomorrow?” Molly asked.


    “No. If she starts to Uncle Jeremy will put her in her ce.”


    “Good. Nothing like bad drama during a swearing in.”


    “She’s dumb, but I don’t think she’s that dumb. Although she’s been acting like tomorrow’s celebration


    is her going away party.”


    “I’m not sure I know what that means.”


    “She, and Anthony are leaving to move to her pack next week, finally. She’s been acting like the whole


    pack ising to say goodbye to her.”


    “Do people here like her that much?”


    “No. They can’t stand her. She walked around like she’s Goddess’s gift to the pack because she’s


    mated to the Alpha’s son. She was so mad when Anthony lost the Alpha challenge to Robert, and Beth


    and Robert had their mate ceremony first.”


    “Alpha challenge?”


    “Yeah. Robert, and Anthony are twins. When they both scented as Alphas they were both enrolled in


    Alpha school when they both turned eighteen. The agreement was that they would both attend school


    with the Beta, as well as take the Alpha tour. When they returned they had topete against each


    other. Whol ever did better in school, on the tour, built a good rtionship with the Beta, and made the


    other submit in the challenge would be made Alpha. They had to prove they were worthy in every way


    before either could be named Alpha.”


    “That had to be hard for both of them.”


    “Robert wasn’t happy about it, and offered to be co-Alpha with Anthony. Uncle Jeremy worried about


    causing a divide in the pack, and said no.”


    “It must have been tough to decide. They must have both done well.”


    “Actually it was pretty easy. Robert worked his butt off both at school, and during the tour. He passed


    every ss was flying colors, he strengthened alliances with other packs, as well as gained us a few.


    He


    and the Beta built a really strong rtionship even thought the Beta was at one time, Anthony’s best


    friend. At the challenge, Robert had Anthony submitting in minutes.”


    “That must have been hard for Anthony.”


    “And you had a thing for that guy?” Colby questioned.


    “I was a young, lonely, impressionable girl. I’m a lot smarter now so be careful.” Lexi snapped.


    “Don’t worry. I’m not going to treat you even close to how that moron did.”


    “So what is going to happen to Anthony when they move to Heather’s pack?” Molly asked.


    “A hard dose of reality. Her father is one of the head warriors in her pack. He won’t stand for Anthony


    lounging around doing nothing. iming he doesn’t have to do anything because he’s an Alpha’s son.”


    Lexi answered.


    “Talking about me already love. Your poor little mate here must not be as good as an Alpha’s son huh?”


    I heard Anthony snark behind Lexi, and Colby growled.


    Lexi put her hand on Colby’s arm, and squeezed. Chastity instantly leaned into me. I knew that meant


    she felt something from him she didn’t like, and made her ufortable. I slid my arm around her


    waist, pulled her close, and kissed the top of her head. She buried her face into my chest, and


    breathed deep.


    “Anthony, go back to your table, and your mate please. No one here wants to be disturbed.” Lexi said


    without even looking at Anthony.


    “Are you telling me that my cousins here don’t want to talk to me? Oh is this that poor little abused


    Omega I keep hearing so much about? I guess I’ll be stuck with her as cousin soon too.” Anthony


    sneered. “Don’t. Just don’t bring my sister into whatever your issues are.” Jax growled.


    “Your sister? Oh that’s rich. A Beta stuck with a lowly Omega for a sister. How I pity you. You too


    Rowen. You got stuck with that, while I got a gorgeous warrior’s daughter.” Anthonyughed.


    “Don’t you dare talk about my daughter like that.” Dimitri snapped as he mmed his hand down on the


    table, causing Chastity to jump.


    I wrapped my other arm around her, and held her tight to me. She wasn’t trembling, but I could just tell


    she wasn’t ok either.


    “Anthony, cousin or not, you ever say a wrong word about my mate again, and I’ll wipe the floor clean


    with you.” I stated firmly as I red at him.


    “I think it would be best Anthony if you walked away from this table now, and steer clear for the


    evening. I would also make sure your mother does not hear the way you are speaking of another


    Omega. She raised you better, and wouldn’t stand for such behavior.” My father stated calmly, but


    firmly.


    “Leave my mother out of this.” Anthony snapped.


    “Then leave all of us out of whatever issue you seem to have.” My father red at Anthony.


    I watched as Anthony tried to fight against my father’s stare, but in the end Anthony bowed in


    submission. With a huff, Anthony turned, and walked away. I watched him retake his seat, and then


    Jeremy snap something at him. Finally I looked back down at Chastity, and kissed the top of her head.


    “Are you ok sweet girl?” I whispered to her, as I loosened my hold on her.


    “Yeah. He is giving off some serious jealousy waves, and he smells funny too.” Chastity said as she


    pulled away from me.


    “Smells funny?” Dad asked.


    “Yeah. Like Greg does from all the alcohol, but not as bad.” Chastity answered with a shrug.


    “Yeah. He tends to like to drink at these things.” Lexi responded.


    “Ah. Well he shouldn’t. Alcohol mixed with his beets, and cabbage scent is terrible.”


    “Beets, and cabbage?” Jax asked with raised eyebrows.


    “Yeah. Kind of gross.” Stated Chastity as she went back to eating.


    I chuckled, and shook my head. She wasn’t wrong about that. The rest of the evening went along


    nicely. Anthony never approached our table again. He spent the whole night sulking in his seat. I


    introduced Chastity to a few of the friends I had made at Alpha school that were in attendance. She


    impressed every


    one of them.


    By the time we left she was exhausted. She even fell asleep in the back seat of Marcus’s car. I had to


    carry her to her room, and wake her to get her to change into pajamas. She was out by the time her


    head hit the pillow. Not that I med her. She had been up early for school, and now it was after


    midnight. I fell asleep curled around my sweet girl, and Lc curled up against Chastity’s chest, and my


    hand that was wrapped around her waist. Right where I wanted to be, always.