Charlie, Brandon, and I continue our work from the day before, contacting and researching other packs. We don't even stop for lunch, but instead have the omegas bring something up to us.
Just prior to 1:00, we make our way to the conference hall on the first floor. Though my office is much more comfortable, it would also be difficult for Lucille to climb the three flights of stairs to the top floor. When we arrive, the smell of coffee and sweets fill the air as omegas bustle around, setting up the room. They bow their necks to us, then quickly finish their tasks and leave.
Shortly after, our parents begin filing in and taking seats around the table. They sit on the far side of the table, with the new pack leaders sitting closer to the door. Lucille and Meredith come in exactly at 1:00, sharing large smiles and greetings all around the room.
Dev, dude. Where are you guys? We're waiting on you. I link quickly.
Sorry, sorry. Walking into the packhouse now.
I inform everyone that Dev and Xander are on their way and to grab some food while we wait.
A few minutes later, everyone is seated and ready.
"Thank you all for coming," I start. "We have asked Lucille here to help explain some information that we gathered about the Diana pack. Lucille, I believe Charlie told you what this is about?"
Lucille nods. I will only speak about trios in general, Zak. I cannot talk about your trio or that of our Delta and Gamma.
I understand, Lucille. But they will need some background. I think it may help with what will happen in the coming days.
Lucille nods again, before turning to look at the old leadership. "How much was passed down from generation to generation of leadership about Selene's mates? I know that Charlie, Zak, Xander, and Devin did not know of this, but once an entirely new leadership is inducted, what was told to them?"
My father looks at Lucille as if she has three heads. "You mean the lore about her mating not only Pan, but a human?" He looks to his friends and confidants, an expression of confusion written on his face. "I mean, we were told the story, but...it's just a tale. It's not real."
Lucille just stares at him, not saying a word.
"It can't be real," Devn's mom speaks up. "That would mean that mate trios are..." She doesn't finish her thought. But a look passes not only between her and her mate, but the two of them and Brandon's dad. I don't know that anyone else caught it, as they were all stunned and looking at everyone else for back up. But I saw the look. A mixture of longing, pain, and...hope?
"Mate trios are real," Lucille confirms. "And they have started to come back, if what the alpha of the Diana pack says is to be believed."
"Wait," Brandon interrupts. "Back up a step. You're going to have to explain this all to me."
So, Lucille recounts the story she had said to Charlie and I in her cabin. She explained that Selene had two mates, that she continued to bless certain wolves with a trio, and that when a pack alpha was part of the trio, the pack flourished, causing jealousy to single-mated wolves. That this caused war and a type of genocide in our species, fully eradicating our race of the mate trios. How the Moon Goddess had erased the mate trios from the wolf race for several generations before returning them. And now it appeared that the trios were back.
Brandon sits in silence for a while before turning to Charlie and me. I can literally see the gears turning in his head and know when he understands what this means for us by the look on his face. It's full of wonder and awe. But, there is a fleeting darker expression that I can't make out before he turns away.
He knows. Charlie links me.
I know. But we can't confirm anything. Not until tomorrow.
I feel her yearning through the mindlink. It is only matched by mine. We both want our mate so badly. To have him recognize that he is ours and erase the torment and trepidation that he has been feeling leading up to his birthday.
I try to link him, just to see if he's ok, but he blocks me out. I see him shake his head and know that he wants to think on his own.
I see Charlie reach her hand to touch his thigh under the table. He gives her a brief smile, but then pulls away. The look of hurt that flashes across her face mirrors my own pain at this little rejection. I reach across the table and grab her hand. She gives me a small, sad smile and squeezes my hand.
During our whole exchange, the others have been asking Lucille questions, but I haven't been paying attention. I finally tune back in when Devin's father asks a question.
"Can this mate bond be broken? Can a trio be...undone?" Former-Gamma Richard asks. His voice is small, his face full of so many different emotions that I can't begin to sort through them.
Lucille smiles knowingly at him. "A mate trio is sacred to our Mother above. It is one of the strongest ties in the wolf community. It will weather many trials, even a choice mating. If it is between lesser mates, it can disappear to become just a strong friendship. But not so with ranked pack members. Unless all of the members of the trio agree to the rejection, the bond will always remain. Always pull the three together."
Brandon's father grips the table so hard that I hear the wood groan. We all turn to him. He appears embarrassed by his reaction. "I'm sorry, Alpha, Luna. I need to grab some air." Without waiting for my response, Beta Carl stands and hurries from the room.
I see Devin's mom go to stand, her eyes intent on Carl as he leaves. But Former-Gamma Richard puts his hand on her shoulder, keeping her in her seat. It is obvious that they are mindlinking each other with their intense eye contact and facial expressions. Lauren finally leans back in her chair, one arm crossed over her stomach, her other hand to her mouth, chewing on her thumbnail. Her eyes never leave the door of the conference room.
They must be the ones that Selene spoke about! Dev links me, Charlie, and Xander. His eyes are wide, his expression filled with shock. Brandon's dad and my parents are a trio!
Holy shit! He has to be right. They are the ones that Selene said would have a vested interest in us accepting our trio. The four of us look at each other in complete surprise.
Brandon follows his father to the door, his expression distant. He must be linking his father. He reaches for the door handle, but his hand stops. After a few seconds, he turns back to the table. "Father said he will be back in a few minutes."
Lauren walks to the bank of windows on the far side of the room, her arms crossed on her stomach. Richard sits at the table, his head in his hands, a long, low sigh escaping from him.
Unsure what to make of the reactions in the last few minutes, Dad turns to Lucille. "So what this alpha is saying is true? He has a male mate and they are looking for the third to their trio?"
"Yes," Lucille answers simply.
"And this is the will of Selene?" Mom asks.
"Yes." Again, the answer is so simple, but the consequences of it are so far-reaching.
"Ok," Dad says,astonishment still clear on his face. "Ok." Dad looks to me. "What do we do now?"
"First, Former-Delta Alistar, do you have the letter for your uncle ready?" I inquire.
"Yes, Alpha. Right here." Alistar holds up an unsealed envelope.
"Great. Please add this to the letter and get it out today." I pass the envelope over to Alistar. He nods, taking the letter from me. He quickly adds it to the envelope and seals it.
"I'll take it to the post office now so that it can go out with today's mail," Charlie's father says.
I nod as the former-gamma leaves. "We need to hear back from Alistar's uncle before we can make any plans regarding the Diana pack. Lucille, I need you to get in touch with your fellow oracles. We need to know if any other packs have trios in them, even if they are not marked and mated."
"Yes, Alpha," Lucille responds. "Meredith and I will work on that once we return to my cabin."
"Thank you, Lucille, Meredith. You are dismissed."
They quickly stand, their faces set in determination at the task ahead.
"Oh, Lucille?" Charlie calls the old woman.
"Yes, Charlie?" The Oracle smiles warmly at my mate.
"When this is all over, we need to talk to you about reworking the academic curriculum. We have some things to fix in our pups' education about the Moon Goddess's mating," Charlie says.
"Yes, my Luna. I would be happy to work on that. We will see you all at the ceremony tomorrow evening," Lucille nods and leaves with Meredith following close behind.
Just then, Carl returns. His eyes are red-rimmed and his breathing is ragged. He glances at Lauren and Richard, but then resolutely turns his face to me. He sits next to Xander, on the opposite side of where he was sitting before.
Turning back to our parents, I continue my list, "Dad, Mom, I will need you to prepare to meet with our allied packs after the Blue Crescent meeting. We need to start working on a defense and a plan of attack. Carl, please help my parents call and schedule their journey. You will help to run and protect the pack with Xander and Devin when they leave."
"Where will you be?" Brandon asks, his face confused.
"You, Charlie, and I will be on our way to Maine to meet with the Diana pack," I say.
"What if he refuses to see us?" Charlie asks.
"He won't. Not after he reads my letter," I say. "Devin, Xander, you will work with Charlie's and Devin's parents in training our pack for war. This will be very different from preparing to fight rogues. Rogues are undisciplined and not usually trained in war tactics. We will be fighting against other packs. We will need to prepare as much as possible. All wolves above the age of 15 and under the age of 60 should be prepared to fight. The young, pregnant, and old will need to be trained on self-protection and evasion skills. I will leave it up to you as to how to divide up the work."
"Yes, Alpha," resounds throughout the room.
"Brandon, Charlie, and I will begin working with our nearest allies with confirming housing, bases, supplies, and medics in the surrounding territories. I want the start of all of these plans to be ready by the time that Blue Crescent arrives on Saturday."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Dismissed."