Chapter XLI

Celeste reminds me as I stand the the right of Atlas.

We are in the middle of the ceremony of the pack accepting me into the pack and as their female leader. Atlas is addressing the pack, and unfortunately I can't hear him so I am left with thoughts.

After what happened with the Hunter, Atlas and Declan have been working around the clock to insure my safety.

I felt extremely bad because I knew that was taking away time from Declan planning his wedding with Ellie. No matter how many times I brought it up they both told me it was no problem.

But it is a problem considering their wedding is this weekend and there's so much left to do.

Celeste informs me through my mind blabbering. My eyes catch Atlas', Leo's and Artemis's wolves starring at me.

I take in a deep gulp and start moving my paws to them.

Atlas meets me half way rubs his neck into mine, calming my nerves instantly.

His instructions are pretty clear but yet I still feel unsure until he nudges me forward.

The entire pack is here tonight in their wolf forms, and if I didn't know any better I would think this the true meaning to throwing me to the wolves.

I could hear them to start to sniff the air as I got closer and when I was in front of them, they cleared a path until the middle of the group.

My feet felt heavy while I walked to the spot I assumed I was meant to be. Curious eyes wandered over me and then they all started moving in a circle like I was prey.

A few wolves strayed from the rest and came to me, smelling and examining my body. I could tell by their scents that they were all older.

Pack Elders.

After a few minutes, everyone stops circling me and I nearly crumble under the weight of their gazes.

It's dead quiet until Declan steps forward and let's out a beautiful howl. Ellie soon follows suit along with Artemis and then Leo. Soon everyone on the pack ground is joining in song.

The dirt beneath my paws warm while they carry on and unlike anything I have ever seen, yellow and orange light swirls from each wolf and blows right into my chest.

My entire being bursts with the burning hues of red, orange, and yellow. The only word I could describe it as is the feeling you get when you are finally home.

I am home.

Atlas breaks through his pack members as they stop and stands before me in all his wolfish glory.

His eyes switch to Helix, then he does something I would never expect from Helix. He bows at my feet.

Celeste makes light work out of shifting our control while I'm in shock. She confidently strolls to her mate and presses her head to his.

He stands and they stay just how they were until Celeste licks his cheek before releasing a howl into the air.

Helix quickly joins her, sealing in our place for the rest of our lives.

• • •

The pack run was pretty successful if I do say so myself. By the end of the night all our wolves belly's were full and everyone was ready to party.

Apparently it was tradition for the Alpha Female and Alpha to be separated until the celebratory bonfire after the pack run. So here I am with Artemis on my bathroom as we get ready. I knew I wanted to keep an eye on her tonight with the past events at bonfires. I know she has Hudson now but I still worry for her.

"Here is your dress," Artemis hold out a hanger with a red sun dress on it. "It ties to push up the girls. You're welcome."

I let out a laugh and thank her before walking to my closet to change. Once I am done, Artemis is sitting on our couch strapping on her sandals.

"You ready?" I ask her running my fingers through my curly mess of hair. I knew Atlas rd would appreciate it and I figured it would make him extremely happy if I wore it natural in public.

"Yep, do you think Hudson will like my romper? I stole it from your closet but I picked it out at the mall,"

I stop at the door and turn to eye her. This girl was something else. "He will love it, now let's go, we are late."

By the time we made it to the pack event, the festivities were on full swing. A load of people came talking my ear off and shaking my hand. I didn't mind though because these were now my people.

I felt my bond with Atlas vibrating long before I seen him talking to a few Elders by the fire. He was wearing a dark red button up and a pair of black slacks. He looked delectable and he didn't seem to notice me until I was in ear shot, and as he did a smile erupted his face when he took me in.

His hand came out to me and I didn't waste a second taking it. He placed me by his side and kissed my cheek before turning back to the Elders. "Elder Wendy and Elder Donovan, I would like to personally introduce my mate, Alpha Female Everly."

Butterflies swirled around Celeste and I as pride filled us. "Nice to meet you both," I say confidently and shake their hands. "I look forward to working with you."

"Oh aren't you a delight!" Elder Wendy smiles taking my hand with excitement. "I am sure you will be a wonderful Lu- Alpha Female dear."

"Especially if you can keep him and Beta Declan in line," Elder Donovan adds with a deep chuckle, making Atlas roll his eyes.

"I am a perfectly behaved gentleman, Elder Donovan..." Atlas starts but I lose the conversation as Celeste stands to attention to a few scents. I pull away from the conversation rudely as my feet start to carry me to the source.

I feel Atlas' concern wash over me through the bond and feel him following me but I can't stop walking until I see my parents standing by Josh and Willow.

"Mom! Dad!" I yell and practically sprinting towards them.

"Ev!" My dad shouts as my body crashes into his in a giant hug. "Oh my girl, I have missed you so much."

Tears threatened to pour from my eyes as I pull away from him and look at my mom who is already a sobbing mess. She pulls me into a bone crushing hug and whisper in my "you look so beautiful out there tonight. We are so proud of you"

"Wait you were here for the ceremony?" I say in shock to them as I pull away wiping my face.

"Of course, honey. We would have never missed it for the world." My dad smiles and then looks behind me. "Alpha Atlas,"

I turn to see my mate with a confused but very content look on his face before he wipes to a small smile taking a few steps until he is beside me. "Beta Frank," Atlas reaches out his hand and shakes my fathers. "I am certainly glad to see you two, I am just confused on how it was pulled out."

"Beta Declan set it up, Alpha." Willow spoke up, "we all figured you did not need the extra paperwork."

"That is very kind of you all, but I'll make sure next time there will be no paperwork to deal with." He then looks at my parents with a smile, "you two are welcomed in Phoenix Moon whenever you want to visit. Consider it a second home."

I made sure to light the bond up with how much love I was feeling for this man when he told them that.

"Thank you so much Alpha." My mom smiled wide, "we knew our daughter was very lucky to be mated to you."

"I am the lucky one, believe me." He smiles down at me before snaking an arm around my waist. "Please call me Atlas. We are all family now. Where have you all been set up to stay?"

My mom and dad are impressed by Atlas's comment and then my father answers "the pack house. We knew prior to the trip that you are have a full house so do not worry about it."

Atlas was obviously not pleased with this and shakes his head "Nonsense, you can stay at our house. We have an extra bedroom that's being wasted."

"What-?" Josh squawks "i didn't get offered the extra bedroom!"

"That's because you stink" I say in a duh tone of voice.

He gasps like a school girl but is cut off by my dad waving his hand and saying "that would be nice, Atlas. I wouldn't mind getting to know you better while we are here."

"I have to return to work but I can cut the days short considering Declan and Fin kept everything up to date." Atlas responds and flicks his eyes to me.

"Great then it's settled," my mom smiles.

"We will get everything sorted in a few mom and dad. If you will excuse us, I think we have a drunk pack members to keep in check." I say with a smile and tug on Atlas to follow me.

"Of course honey," my dad says kissing my head and my mom rubs my arm. "Go on. We will be with Josh and Willow."

I wave a goodbye and tangle my fingers with Atlas' walking away.

When we are out of ear shot Atlas speaks up, "I don't think anyone is drunk yet,"

"I know," I say walking to the pack house with his hand still in mine. "I just really like that black shirt on you, but I think I want to take it off."

I could sense the puzzle pieces coming together. As soon as they snap, Atlas picks me up over his shoulder and marches up to his office, "you are going to be the death of me woman."

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