Phoebe hugged her close fighting back tears. After her rejection she had resigned herself to never having pups of her own so it had been easy to devote herself to the other pups and, in particular, caring for the orphaned siblings.
Second chance mates were never guaranteed so she never considered the possibility and others warned her males didn’t like caring for pups that weren’t their own.
“Does that mean you’re our new daddy?” Emma asked looking to Jason.
Jason’s expression softened as he took both of them into his arms, “That’s right.”
Without hesitation she reached for him hugged him as he held both close. The pack watched holding its collective breath. This was a new side of their Alpha they had not seen before. As unexpected as it was they certainly didn’t hate it. Already their Luna’s presence was being felt as she softened their stern Alpha.
“Blake! We have a mommy and daddy again!” Emma announced looking to her brother who stood nearby hesitating to approach.
Jason chuckled beckoning the anxious pup to his side before picking up the young one and hugging him close. He felt Blake tremble in his arms overcome with emotion. It would take time for the pups to become as comfortable with him as they were with Phoebe but that was all right.
Until then he would keep them safe and cared for.
“You have much more than just a mom and dad,” Norah corrected. “You have a grandma and an aunt and uncle too.
Emma bounced in Phoebe’s arms clapping her hands as Ben and Lucille hovered nearby. In fact they had more than just one aunt and uncle. Though Luke and Mona were not related to them as the Beta pair as well as Jason’s childhood friend they would treat the pups as their niece and nephew. Blake seemed overwhelmed by it all yet he smiled and clung to Jason. Once the pups were comfortable again they returned to their table to eat under Norah’s watchful eye.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Phoebe quietly said as they watched the pups.
“I told you, angel” Jason held her close. “What’s precious to you is precious to me.”
Jason chatted amicably with his pack members. Many asked him about his travels and what other packs were like as well as the rise in rogue attacks. He answered their questions and tried to ease their concerns. Though there had been some incursions in their own territory their warriors had stopped them well before they caused any major damage. Jason patrolled their borders himself and assured them the rogues had been driven out.
Several congratulated him on finding his Luna. But though he accepted their congratulations he couldn’t help but notice most did not approach Phoebe. His gaze continually sought her out watching as she conversed and laughed but the only wolves who approached her were ones she already knew: his mother, sister, Mona and Bridget. It worried him that the pack was not integrating her. Phoebe had been so isolated in her previous pack he didn’t want that for her here.
The servers seemed to be paying particular attention to their new Luna. Not only did several approach her to thank her for her actions at breakfast but they were also concerned she enjoyed her meal and that her needs were met. Their actions at least gave him some hope that she would be fully accepted by the pack.
“Don’t look so serious,” Luke nudged him. “It’s a party.”
“I’m aware.”
“What’s the matter?” Luke asked. He followed Jason’s gaze to Phoebe. She was laughing at something Lucille said, blushing. He could only imagine what racy comment had just been made. “She looks happy. Is there a problem?”
“It’s been an hour but no one else has tried to approach her,
” Jason muttered.
“Well you can hardly blame them,” Luke chuckled. “She’s surrounded by the Former Luna as well as the Beta and Gamma’s mates. Not many would approach so many high-ranking members.”
Jason sipped his beer. Was that all there was to it? His brow furrowed in thought.
“Try to relax. The night’s still young,” Luke patted his shoulder. “So…you adopted two pups today.”
Jason cleared his throat, “Well, they are living on the alpha floor and my mother adores them.”
Luke chuckled, “There’s more to it than that. I saw you with them after the initiation. You looked like a proud papa.”
Luke gave him a knowing smile. Jason had always been a good alpha but there had been distance and disconnect between him and the other pack members. Part of it stemmed from the lack of a luna as well as an uncertain future with no prospect of heirs. The pack trusted in his strength and leadership but they lacked true connection.
Lunas knitted a pack together strengthening its collective bonds as well as their bond to their Alpha. While alphas were often intense and difficult to approach lunas were generally gentler and welcoming. Pack members often brought their concerns to her first. Without a luna they sometimes sought Luke or Ben or more rarely Mona, Lucille and Norah. Now that Jason had found his Luna the disconnection he felt with his pack should naturally resolve itself.
While the adults conversed the pups darted around them playing various games or stealing bits of food. The pack pups were naturally curious about the newly initiated pair and welcomed them into their games. It seemed making friends was easier for younger pack members than their elders.
As the pups chased each other a young she wolf tripped and fell skinning her knee. The pup whimpered but before anyone else could react Phoebe scooped her up and cuddled her. Carrying the pup to a table she sat down cooing softly.
“Shh. Shh. It’s okay sweetie.”
Whether through the packlink or simply motherly instinct an omega brought a damp washcloth. Phoebe accepted it with a smile.
“This might sting a little,” she warned the pup before gently cleaning the injury.
The pup whimpered but didn’t cry out as it leaned into her soothed by her gentle aura. Bridget still had the balm and extra bandages so treating the skinned knee was a simple task. Phoebe cooed to the pup the entire time.
“You are such a brave girl. There, all done. It doesn’t hurt anymore does it? Good. A brave little one like you deserves a reward.”
As if knowing exactly what their Luna intended the omega server brought a cookie for the pup who seemed quite content with all the attention.
“Lexi,” a she-wolf emerged from the crowd summoned by someone who recognized the pup. “What happened?”
“Mommy,” the pup smiled with a mouth full of cookie, “look what Luna gave me for being brave.”
Phoebe smiled at the nervous mother, “We just took a little tumble but she was very brave.”
Standing she handed the pup to the worried mother who apologized, “I’m so sorry she bothered you, Luna.”
“Oh, she was no bother,” Phoebe shook her head tickling the pup. “She’s adorable and such a sweetheart.”
“I think you’re sweet too, Luna,” Lexi declared.
“Thank you,” Phoebe poked her nose.
The pup giggled.
Across the quad Jason watched as his mate tenderly cared for, comforted and entertained the pup. She had not hesitated a moment to scoop her up just as she had not hesitated to take in Blake and Emma. Pups definitely brought out her best and his chest swelled with pride.
‘Mate is amazing!’ Loho howled in his mind
Jason couldn’t agree more. He watched as Phoebe continued speaking with the mother gleaning who knows what information. Phoebe had a comforting presence that drew others in and they relaxed as they opened up to her.
Eventually the pup fell asleep and the mother excused herself. After that it was like a dam broke. Other pack members began to approach, mostly other mothers. Some had doubted the rumors swirling around since breakfast but they couldn’t deny what they witnessed with their own eyes.
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