Tom and Timothy walked down the hallway. The entire way Tom was lecturing Timothy about how to behave in front of Cynthia. Both Conrad and Cynthia could hear every word. Conrad rolled his eyes while Cynthia chuckled. "Your father is protective." Cynthia said.
"Yes. Yes he is ...to his own. When he was Alpha he was far more protective of us all than he is now." Conrad seemed to be remembering something. He had a lost and sorrowful look in his eyes. "What is it,Conrad?" Cynthia quietly asked. "Oh,nothing, my love.Just a memory." "Please share?" Cynthia was curious. "It's just ... well, Father has changed since he gave me the Alpha position and mother died...And just now I saw a bit of the old Father.... I think you being here has revived him." He smiled lovingly at Cynthia. "I think he needs someone to protect. Thank you,my love." And he kissed her on the forehead. "I have done nothing. " "Oh, not true.You came home with me." Conrad had a huge smile on his face. Cynthia blushed under his gaze.
Meanwhile, in the Alpha Office which Tom now was overseeing once again,Simon asked,"Old Alpha, what is next? Alpha Conrad found his mate. So, what do we do now?" Alpha Tom chuckled and smiled, "My son needs to make her Luna and soon! I need to return to retirement and I need grandchildren! " Simon's mouth was agape.
Upstairs Cynthia and Conrad were talking about Conrad's mother, Tom's mate, Monica. "Mother was beautiful inside as well as outside. She was stately and compassionate. She was Father's heart, truly. The rogue attack surprised us all that year. Two years ago Friday 100 rogue wolves attacked at midnight. It had been coordinated. That in its self was unprecedented. Rogues by definition do not work together. But these did. We all, women, men, and even pups above age 7 years fought while our older members hid in the safe room with the youngest pups. Mother was a good warrior herself. She led the women as she had trained them. Not one of them were killed that night...just Mother. It was as if the rogues targeted her." Conrad grew quiet and a tear fell down his cheek. "They probably were targeting her." Cynthia said. "Huh? What do you mean?" "Can you think of a better way to cripple a pack and weaken its Alpha and the Alpha's family than to take down the mate of the Alpha, the Luna?" Cynthia asked. Conrad looked at her. Hugged her close. Placed his chin on her head. "Until now, I never thought about that. Until you. You are my strength and my weakness. Now I understand Father more. I understand his rage and his irrationality after Mother was killed. I just did not understand before. I must speak with him soon about this revelation I have finally had. But to my defense I couldn't know what I never experienced. Now, I do. I would be the same,maybe worse as my temper is hotter than my Father's."
Cynthia cuddled into Conrad's embrace.
Quiet fell in the room.
"Conrad? "
"Yes,my love?"
"What happened to the rogues after your mother's death?"
"It was gruesome what followed. Father was insane. He gave over the Alpha position to me then left. He personally hunted down every rogue within 200 miles of us and killed them. He did not care if they had actually participated in the attack or not. If you were a rogue, you were as good as dead. Guilty by association. He was brutal. When he could find no more rogues, he came back home. For months he grieved and sulked and locked himself in their shared quarters. After about 4 months, he emerged a shell Iof his former self and moved out to a small cottage on the edge of our territory. Until you. When I saw you running and took off after you he knew I would go to find you. I argued with him. He didn't believe you existed. But finally he relented and agreed to take back over so I could find you and bring you home. And here we are." Conrad kissed the top of her head.
"Cynthia, may I introduce you to the pack. Will you become a pack member and the Luna?"
Silence.
Conrad waited for her to reply. He knew he would wait as long as she needed. "Yes." Her voice was almost a whisper but Conrad heard her.
"Cynthia, did you just say 'yes?'"
She shook her head up and down to indicate she did. Conrad said, "You realize I would have to mark you?" "Yes, I want that."
"You do? I mean you are okay with that this soon?"
"Conrad, I want no one else ever in my life. Only you." She leaned into him and kissed his lips. Sparks flew and both of them began to get lost in the kiss. Conrad wanted her to lead this first intimate encounter because he did not want to overwhelm her or scare her. Cynthia nibbled his lower lip and he gasped and opened his mouth and her tongue explored him. He was overjoyed and surprised. They pulled back from the kiss to breathe and rested their foreheads together with their eyes closed.
"I love you, Cynthia." It was a whisper but Cynthia heard it and blushed. "I love you too,Conrad." Conrad squeezed his eyes closed and let out a sigh. Then opened his eyes and drew her into his chest and just held her. They stayed like that until a knock on their door disrupted their moment.
"Yes, Father?" Conrad said a bit agitated at being disturbed, even if it was his father.
"Ummm. Son, we need to discuss the Luna celebration."
"Can't that wait? We just arrived last night."
"No."
Cynthia smiled and blushed, "I believe your Father is right, Conrad. Your ...no...our pack needs you...no...needs us."
Conrad was over the moon! "Ok. If you are sure!" "Yes."
"Coming, Father.We will meet you in the office in 15 minutes."
OFFICE
"Son, the pack has waited a long time for you to find your mate. It is time. People are already talking about this."
"We know." Conrad looked into Cynthia's eyes to make sure she was still okay with all this.
"Cynthia," Tom addressed her directly. "My son has told me a little about all you have been through. I am angry and also sorrowfilled any pack would do such things to one, let alone the White Wolf. You did not deserve any of that nor was any of that your fault. You know that,right?"
"Yes, Alpha."
"I am not the Alpha. Just call me Father as you are family now." Tom smiled gently at the young woman before him. She was only 22 years old and had been through more suffering than ones 3 times her age. She was beautiful but it was her gentle disposition that impressed Tom the most. She stood 5'7" and was underweight but Tom could tell she was strong and would fill out once she had access to a regular diet. She will make an excellent Luna...and Queen.
"Cynthia, you know Conrad has to mark you before the ceremony and that your heat will be here soon as you two have found each other but not fully mated yet. You have about 4 more days until your heat will come if you do not complete the mating..."
"Father! STOP!" Conrad was infuriated and embarassed. "There is no hurry, Cynthia. I assure you we will wait until you are fully ready. Understand? Father .."
"I am ready." Cynthia interupted Conrad with confidence and certainty. His Father smiled and nodded. Conrad had the look of shock on his face. Cynthia giggled and took his hand. "I am ready. I trust you. I trust this pack. Let's not put off the introduction and ceremony." Conrad smiled and nodded.
"Great!" Tom said. Then we will set the celebration for night after tomorrow. It will be a full moon then. "
Cynthia smiled and Conrad was beaming.
"I will get the she-wolves to set up the ceremony as per tradition. Conrad, you spend time with Cynthia. I will handle things a few more days for you. It's not like I can't handle this. Simon and Steve have begun to train the warriors so they will be ready when you are."
"Yes, Father. Thank you."He took Cynthia's hand and kissed the back of it.