Alpha Cedric talks to both Dion and Arabella in private. Actually, both of the Alphas talked to them inside the office. There are papers to sign and a ritual to perform. I'm betting my mate that the ritual will be held during the Pack Summit.
After the Alphas talked to them, Luna Eva went inside the office to meet the new members. Alpha Cedric and Luna Eva knew about the reason for the transfer. They are aware of the conditions and welcome Dion and Arabella with both arms.
Luna Eva decided to house the new members in the packhouse. She wanted to see them around and keep an eye on Arabella most. After she heard the reason why they transferred, Alpha Cedric had to console the crying Luna. Whereas, Atlas was thankful for their understanding and kindness.
When the papers were finalized, Alpha Cedric informed everyone in the pack about the new addition through the mind link. He also warned the pack to not overwhelm the new members and let them adjust first. For Dion and Arabella, the new mind link will be established after the ritual.
"Are you okay with this?" I asked the observing werewolves. I know that Meadow's Pack is inferior to Sterling Pack when it comes to the packhouse. Sterling Pack was the usual marble mansion you will see in luxury magazines. While on the contrary, Meadow's Pack opted for the close-knit, homey wooden packhouse. We might be inferior to the size of Sterling Pack, but our amenities made up for it.
"It's cozy," Arabella commented as she gently sat on the soft, bouncy bed. The long sleeve top she's wearing concealed her bandage wrist from anyone's view. Now about the bandages, Amalia and Craig were also informed about Arabella's sensitive condition.
No one else in the pack knows about the reason why Dion and Arabella transferred besides the head of the pack, and the pack doctors. It's up to the people involved if they are ready to share their stories with the rest. Alpha Cedric wanted them to take their time.
"I like it," Arabella gave me a heartfelt beam that brightened her face. It made me happy to know that she likes it. I turned to Dion and nodded in confirmation.
"It's nice Lu--" My eyes widened in a warning, and he stopped right away. Dion's face reddened. He stared down the wooden floor.
"Sorry, I mean Mavis. I like my room too, and yes, it's cozy," he shyly told me, and I patted his back in understanding.
"Just humor Luna Eva for now. She just wanted to see you around the pack," I give Arabella a meaningful look, and she understands.
Luna Eva wanted to keep an eye on her. She was worried and wanted to know them better. Also, the Luna wanted them to meet the pack first, assimilate and then let them around, on their own.
"If ever Luna Eva gets tired of your faces. We got available cabins you can move into in the future. Bear the packhouse for now." I narrated.
I got positive responses from them.
"Thank you for everything, Mavis," Arabella stood up from the bed, and she gave me a warm hug, carefully avoiding my sling. I patted her back and turned to Dion.
Dion opened his arms wide for me but shyly averted his gaze. His face is still flushed. I laughed at his antics and hugged him too. Before I left, I warned the two of them about my pack's excessive fussing. I was just to walk out of Arabella's room when Alvin bumped into me. I protected my sling while Dion was quick enough to prevent my fall.
"Hi, Mavis. I'm here to give them a tour of the packhouse," the unapologetic man eyed the startled duo. My eyes squinted upon seeing his huge grin. Around this time, he should be supervising Solace.
"And Solace?" his grin turns to an uneasy smile. He scratched the back of his head and tittered awkwardly. My suspicions grew. I'm betting Alvin's thick eyebrows that he bailed out on his shift again.
Moments ticked by, and he threw his hands up in the air in surrender. Alvin rolled his eyes at me.
" Alright, fine. We played rock and scissors, and I won. I ask permission from Alpha to tour them then. He kind of said to ask the new members first," his voice slowly turns smaller at the end of his words.
I was not finished berating him when I saw Craig and Logan bounding the stairs in our direction. Arabella and Dion's rooms were situated in the second storey of the packhouse. I slapped my forehead in annoyance. There goes my warning.
"Dion, do you want to tour around with this idiot? Arabella?" I inquired.
"I'm okay with anything, M-Mavis," he stumbled in his words. Clearly, finding it difficult to get used to my name. I thanked him for catching me and patted his hand.
"Learn to say no if you don't want to," I advised, and the poor shy man reddened in embarrassment. Arabella giggled at the scenario.
"Oh, he's cute. Too bad, I'm waiting for my mate," I whipped my head around just to see Dahlia leaning on the door frame. How the hell? Besides Dahlia, Kelian, and Jeff, the young warriors, were behind her. Do they have time to annoy the new members?
"That's it. We're done here. Dion, Arabella, we'll come back for you later for dinner. It'll be around seven. We're informal here, so don't worry about dress code or such. Rest for now," I did not wait for their response and shut the door close after me. Several whines were heard as I faced my pack mates. They are all pouting.
"Let them rest before you all annoy the hell out of them. The car ride was exhausting, so I'll go first too," I explained at the handful of puppy dog eyes in front of me.
"Fine, but let me check your wrist first, alright?" that was Craig while Logan clings on my left arm awkwardly. His height does not make it easy.
All of them left the new members alone. The problem now is ditching these people for some nap.
~
I miss the pack even if I'm only gone for a week. Evergreen was breathtaking, but the meadows were tranquil. It was the exact thing my spent mind was looking for. I've already visited the Solace after my nap. I'd slept for three hours, and it was way past noon when I stopped by the mart. There's no crowd since it was the lul of the day.
The part-timers were there, diligently working with little skips on their steps. They were done with their exams and only had to think about the results. Also, their options of going to college or working first. Laura was supervising them.
I breathe in the cold air and watch the minutes tick by with the icy scenery in front of me. Apparently, the snow started yesterday, and now a thin layer of snow blanketed the usual colorful fields. I'm missing the greens and the reds of the plants.
A shuddering breath arises from my lips. I've spent more than an hour here in the meadows. Watching some of the wildlife scurry about going about their day. I dusted myself and stood up from sitting on an old tree stump. I should get back in the packhouse to help Dion and Arabella with the incoming dinner.
With one last look at the snow-covered meadow, I turned around just to bump into someone. The weather is getting colder these days, and the sudden explosion of tingles warmth my freezing body.
"What are you doing here?" I wondered. Atlas was holding my shoulder to prevent me from toppling over. He successfully sneaked behind me again. With the snow covering the path, I should have heard him coming. Did he float or something?
"What are you doing here? It's getting colder, and you're out here without a coat," he frowned at me. I think this scenario happened before but with different people.
"It's okay to be out in this weather, but in your furs." as he was saying this, Atlas took something inside his thermal coat. I gasp in surprise when I see the knitted coat I lent to Luke. He placed it around my shoulders. The knitted coat was still warm from his body heat. It kinda smells like him too.
"Are you we not enemies at the moment?" I got shy, and my already flushed face from the cold reddened more. Atlas unconsciously let out a smile and pat my shoulder.
"We're not enemies, to begin with, Mavis. I reflected on what you've said back in my pack. You made a valid point. I was blinded by my goals that I neglected my role as an Alpha." He stared far away, over my head, while I looked at him. It's cute that his cheeks were also starting to redden.
"I'm not against your vision for the pack, Alpha. It's just that you can't take their choice away. Give it to them. Don't force them to it." I muttered, averting my gaze. We were rather closed to each other, so I took a step away. A safe distance.
"I know. I approach the whole thing one-sidedly. I can't help but think that I failed my parents too. They fought for me as the rightful heir of the pack. That my gender has nothing to do with leading it..." his voice faded away, and I glanced at his bitter smile. I'm not going to take back what I've said, though. He really failed his pack. I have no idea how the Sterling Pack received the news of finally finding their Luna. But, I'm certain that Atlas would bound to face some difficulty in the future. Changing the werewolf's way of life that they have for a thousand years would not be an easy path. I hope it will come out fine.
"You know why I decided to strike that deal with Luke? It's because you've suffered enough. I wanted you to only be happy, gay in the future. It was stupid of me. I realized that suffering would never stop coming. And, there's no such thing as lifetime happiness because every happiness differs. Challenges were consistent, though. Every time you overcome one, it defines your happiness," I looked at Atlas and gave him a friendly smile.
"It was wrong of me to decide for you. Your happiness doesn't define mine. If you're happy with Luke and you love him, I'll support you all the way." I genuinely conveyed my thoughts. I wanted to put an end to the what-ifs in my mind. But, there's a glint in Atlas's eyes that made me confused.
"It was. That deal was unnecessary. You can't have happiness and not be sad. It always comes along in a package. Why did you even think that way? You think if you pursue me to the ends of the world, I would have no regrets rejecting you?" he raised his thick eyebrow at me, and I blushed in embarrassment.
"I... I think it was more for me, after all. If I'd given my all, I would have no regrets. That I can tell myself that I fought and lose you like a trooper," I scoffed. Realizing it was a pain. We shared a peaceful smile. I hope we won't have an argument again after this.
"I would not say sorry anymore because it's getting old. I'll have to show you," My heart thudded when Atlas gave me a boyish grin. Well, that's the thing that I have no control of. My heart hammered away.
"No problem, Alpha," I replied, giving him a beam in return.
"Do call me Atlas, please. I like it better, and it stops my wolf from being restless," he requested, and I looked at him with my mouth agape.
"That so? I thought we should be formal after all the things that have happened. I guess not?" the hesitant question made Atlas chuckle.
"For my wolf's peace of mind," His perfect set of pearly whites were fully displayed in a smile.
"Alright, Atlas it is. You're wolf's gorgeous, by the way," I breathe. I was rewarded with a smirk.
"Are you flirting with me?" He kiddingly asked, and I laughed in amusement. Maybe we can be friends after this.
"I'm not, you dumbass" Those words went out of my lips with not much thought. I covered my big mouth in chide. I hope I did not offend him.
"It's fine. It's just the tingles were going crazy," the confession made me giddy. I smiled so big that I was afraid I'd split my mouth from ear to ear.
"Yeah, the tingles are going haywire. It's getting worse, actually. The bond is weird," I giggled. Atlas did the same, and we fell into hysterics.
I was absorbed with wiping the side of my eyes when Atlas looked at me fondly. Did I see it right?
"I wonder why you fell in love with me," he smirked. I was gobsmacked.