We walked into the building and I feel like everyone was holding their breath. When we entered, the people bowed their heads in respect to Ryder.

We walked up to the front stage, which had a couple chairs on it. My friends were already sitting on the raised platform on some of the seats.

When Ryder led me to the stairs I prayed to every god above I wouldnt trip, and for once they listened.

We sat on the two largest chairs and Ryder said in loud, commanding voice, "You may be seated." I felt my heart rate speed up when I heard that.

Everyone obeyed and sat down. I saw that Lily, Bry's little sister, and two adults who looked alot like the sisters, were sitting holding a toddler and baby.

Well, I thought it was a baby, all I saw was a bundle of pink blankets. The toddler looked to be about 3 or 4 and he was wearing a mini suit.

"Welcome Everyone To The Official Meeting Of Waxing Cresent Pack's Luna!" I knew that was the name of Ryder's pack because he told me before but I could also hear the proudness in his voice when he announced the name.

"People Of My Pack! May I Please Introduce You To Your Future Luna And My Mate, Mariah ...." I could tell he watched to say my last name but decided not to.

A round of loud cheering and clapping sounded and I couldn't help but let a smile form on my face.

I've never had this much support. In my life, ever. To have a wh6kle family of 1000 people makes my insides flutter with gratitude.

I smiled at them all and I was responded with bigger from the adults and giggles from the kids.

Ryder talked for another 10 minutes about respect and how the Annual Alpha Ball would be coming up in 3 weeks.

"You May All Have Dinner And Enjoy Yourselves, Have A Good Night!" With that, people got up and headed out of the room, to what smelt like the kitchen.

Me and Ryder got up and slowly made out way down. When we got off the stage the little boy I saw earlier came running up to me and jumped in my arms.

I stumbled back, and almost fell because off these heels but thankfully, Ryder put a hand out behind my back and caught me.

My mate glared at the child and I lightly slapped his arm. He shook his head and looked at me. I smiled and he returned my actions.

"Hewo Wuna!" The boy said in an adorable voice. I chuckled and smiled at him.

"Hello! What's your name sir?" I asked him. His toothy grin turned into a blown out smile that made my heart warm.

"My names Ewi!" I giggled again at his slight mispronunciation.

"ELI!" A loud voice called from somewhere. Eli jumped out of my arms in time for Lily, and her suspected parents to come around the corner.

"Luna! I'm sorry! My son was by my side one second and gone the next." The man told me. He smiles lightly when he saw me and picked up Eli who now I noticed, looked exactly like him.

The women came into the room next, carrying the bundle of blankets again. She looked around and saw us.

"Luna, I'm Amber, Bryli's mom, along with these kids." The lady greeted me warmly. She gave off a huge mother vibe and I naturally wanted to be closer to her.

"Hi! It's nice to meet you! I'm Mariah." I tell them grinning. I liked their family, it was everything I wished mine was. Lots of kids and two parents who were obviously in love.

"Shall we go eat?" Ryder asked, but the tone of his voice told us it wasn't really a question. I almost snickered when he said the word 'shall'. Who said that anymore?!

We walked together towards the wonderful smelling room and I felt my stomach growl. Thankfully no one noticed but I was starving.

There was a huge buffet with servers and everything. There was alot of food. Alot of it. I felt like we could feed millions but then I remembered I'm standing in a room with a bunch of werewolves.

We made our way to the line and started to get food. Each server greeted me with a huge smile and warm words. I felt so welcomed.

When I had put enough food to last me a week on my plate all my friends and Bry's family headed to a table I the middle of the room that had fancier centerpieces and chairs.

I sat down at the head of the table, on the right of Ryder and waited. When everyone dug into their supper, I gladly joined them.

A couple minutes of small talk and eating later two other families joined our table. They sat down and greeted everyone politely.

One couple had a redheaded women who looked identical to Rylin, and what looked to be her mate, Rylin's dad, had brown hair. They had no children with them.

The other family was obviously Damien's. There strong Italian features and the power the man radiated didn't go unnoticed by me.

The women who was with him seemed to radiate happiness. She was smiling and seemed to almost...glow with joy.

Two other boys followed after them, seemingly to be around 14-16. They looked alot like Damien and I could only guess they were all brothers.

A couple came up that looked like Ethan came up and greeted us before sitting down. Lastly, a family with 2 children came strolling up.

The kids looked around 6 or 7 and were probably twins. They both had the same dark hair as Nate, but their eyes were a bright green.

"Luna, you're 18 right?" Ethan's father asked me stiffly. I smiled and nodded my head. My mouth was full so I put my hand up and finished chewing before saying.

"Yes, I was 18 about 4 months ago." He nods but his face remains blank.

"How do you like it so far here dear?" Bryli's wonderful mother smiled brightly after questioning me.

I returned her grin and opened my mouth, but before I could, the huge doors that i had seen no one come through yet, swung open.

"Well, well, well, looks like our invitation to the pack gathering got lost in the mail, didn't it father?" A cold voice asked.

It brought goosebumps to my naked arms. I hugged myself and watched as almost everyone shoved kids behind them and snarled at the mysterious person.

Ryder stood up and growled. The wine glasses shook when he abruptly stood and his chair fell over. Who was this person?

The boy seemed to be around me and Ryder's age and had midnight black hair. His bright green eyes searched the crowd until he found something.

That something being me.

Ryder growled again and shoved me behind him, blocking my view of the teenager.

"Oh calm down Alpha Ryder. I'm just here for my mate." I heard a round of gasps while my eyebrows furrowed. Weren't mates supposed to be together?

Why weren't they?

Who was this mysterious boy's mate?

"Mariah, come here, it's time to go"

Well fuck me.