by J. E. Cluney
They wanted to make a kid friendly area as well, so they were discussing their options there.
Nathan suggested making a trip home to collect up a projector and screen so the children could watch something in the living room as we all moved onto the more adult antics after dinner. It was customary for our people to do so, but I wondered if that was how this Pack had done things.
Scott wanted to get some toys and games set up for the children, and Jaye offered to do face painting as it was always a hit.
I wolfed down all my pancakes in record time, nodding along as the boys ran their ideas past me.
I left them to their own devices as I joined my father and Neema over by the couch. I sunk into the beige armchair.
“So, what is it I need to do tonight?” I asked.
“Make a speech as their new leader, tell them all the plans you have, your intentions with them. Don’t bombard them, just stick to the main issues. Work, freedom, safety. Speak about the plans for the new main building, be it another lodge or full mansion. I think a lodge would work best out here, you can get the lumbar needed right here.
Make yourself known and learn about everyone, find out who everyone is, what they do. They need to trust you and accept you,” my father spoke softly as he ran down the list of things to do. “You need to find out how things have been run, and if possible, choose your betas. They don’t have to be fighters, I chose fighters due to this feud with Richard, I needed ‘wolves I could trust to defend the land if we came under attack while I was away for business. Now that it’s finished, you could take on someone who can advise you more for the Pack.”
“Like May,” I murmured. “She took such good care of me, if it weren’t for her…” I cast my eyes down, not wanting to think of it. I owed her so much, Ray too.
“Yes, like May. Think about it, then tonight, ask those you want to join you, see if they’ll accept the position,” he nodded.
“May is gathering some women today to start the dinners and deserts for tonight. I think we should use that time to speak with them about starting up a program for the abused women and children, hell, even the men if they think it’s necessary,” Neema said.
“Right, we’ll handle getting tonight set up. I’ve asked Ray to come by, he’s a good man, we owe him so much. He’s promised to introduce you to the families today, to take you around to visit everyone if he can. This Pack only has seventy-eight members, many are families,” my father informed me. “It’ll be best if they can get a chance to meet you one on one before tonight.”
As if on cue, Ray arrived, slipping in through the door over by the large window.
“Go get dressed, I’ll talk to him,” Neema shoo’d me away.
I shot Ray a warm smile before heading off, feeling my boys giving me quizzical looks. I’d need to talk to them later. For now, a shower and a change of clothes sounded good. Not to mention I seriously needed to brush my teeth.
“You’ve met May’s family, but I’ll take you to see them anyway. We’re going to go see May’s family, mine, and Charlotte’s all first, and then we’ll go see everyone else. There’s Francine, who you’ve met. She’s May’s half sister, she’s got a daughter, Gretle. Her mate is Brian. Then there’s a few lone males, all in their twenties or thirties. There’s Brett, Grayson, Quinn and John. Brett is Harrison’s and Danielle’s boy, although Richard is his actual father. Harrison and Danielle have got two teenage sons too, Gregory and Vance. Grayson’s parents died a few years back in a car accident, although there was talk of foul play. Maybe even hunters. Quinn and John are brothers, their parents, Fiona and David live up in the mountains, retired now. There are a few other families, including Tatiana and Roman, who have two sons, Ethan and Luke, and a daughter, Isabella,” Ray fired off the long list as we drove in his beaten up old black pickup truck. It bumped and jolted down the dirt tracks, and he shot me a knowing look as he laughed.
“I know you won’t remember them all right away, it’ll take you a while to get to know everyone,” he grinned. He spoke so lovingly of all the people in the pack, and the way his face lit up as he spoke, the twinkle in his eye and the upturned corners of his mouth, it made me happy. He was so full of life and cheery despite everything, and I loved his eagerness to introduce me to everyone.
“I’m just worried about the bloodlines. Richard and his father really fucked everything up,” I sighed.
“They did. Many of our Pack are related in some way, although thankfully there are a few that aren’t. I know May and Francine are worried about Gretle, who’s fallen for Ethan. Thankfully it’s not as bad as Ivy and Jason, who are both Richard’s children but have different moms. They fell for each other before they knew, and they’re not keen on the idea of ending things. Thankfully they’re still young, in their twenties, so…” Ray just shrugged sadly.
“That’s so terrible. Poor things,” I murmured. I’d be distraught if I discovered after being with one of boys that they were actually related to me. Richard had fucked this Pack up so badly.
That was something I’d overheard Neema and my father discussing. How the communal Sunday of the two Packs would be to hopefully join the two eventually, and have the bloodlines fixed in this Pack. We had a few young she-wolves in our Pack who hadn’t settled yet, as they hadn’t found a suitable mate. I knew Charlotte’s boy, Brayden, was eager to meet new she-wolves. He’d made that clear at dinner last night.
We’d find a way to help this Pack, and now that they were free to come and go as they pleased, maybe they’d find a mate while traveling or something. There wasn’t exactly a tinder for ‘wolves.
But if they started traveling to the cities, there were plenty of lone ‘wolves or members of Packs there. It was standard belief that if a man found a woman in another Pack that he fell for, he’d join that Pack to take her as his mate. And if a she-wolf found a male, he’d leave his Pack to join hers. It was opposite to how humans worked, where women would take the last name of their man. ‘Wolves ran on family ties, and women preferred to stay with their families and Pack for comfort when they bore children. They were also cherished, being less common than men but necessary to continue the Packs.
I was sure many of them would be excited at the prospect of travel now, since Richard had made sure very few ever left the territory.
Ray spoke to me about the families some more as we drove, but I tried not to focus too much on the names. I’d have better luck remembering them by seeing them face to face and talking.
When we finally pulled up out the front of May’s little cabin, I was pretty well-versed in the different families and their roles.
May’s mother, Melissa, was the on-site doctor and ran an infirmary down by a seasonal creek. Reggie got her most of the supplies she needed as Richard paid little regard to the welfare of his people. In turn, they all chipped in, donating money to Reggie to be spent on necessary supplies. I informed Ray that that would no longer be necessary, the funds and assets from Richard would fund the infirmary now, and allowances would go up. My father was getting some of our boys to come and help with some start up investing ideas to help keep the money flowing.
Charles, Ray’s father, was one of the builders, along with Mark, Brett and the two brothers, Quinn and John. Harrison was the main plumber, but Brett dabbled in it if needed. Many of the other men focused on running the place, tending to the cattle and fixing up fences. The stables and barn were set down in more of their community area, which Ray was going to show me.
It was the center of the whole place, and many of the cabins and cottages were located around it. The lodge had been built a fair distance away, which just baffled me.
I told him of the idea to build a more communal main building that would become my home, and he said he knew a good site near the center that would work well. It was where they already did their communal dinners, a large clearing in the forested area. He said how the Pack had wanted to clear more land for fields as there were only few and far between patches of go
od grazing for the cattle. I took it under consideration.
“Taylor!” May shot out of the front door before I’d even fully climbed out of the truck.
She enveloped me in a hug, fussing over me as Maria came out to greet me as well.
“Come, come, would you like a lemonade or something?” May asked as she ushered us both in.
“That’d be wonderful, thanks,” I said as I followed her inside the quaint little cabin.
The area we walked into was an open-plan kitchen and dining area with the children’s beds at the far end. A door led off past that to what I assumed was the main bedroom and bathroom.
“So, you’re making the rounds today to get to know everyone then?” May asked as she headed to the fridge. Mark sat at the table struggling to get Wade to eat his breakfast.
“Morning,” he nodded, pursing his lips as he tried to coax Wade to eat his morning cereal.
“Yeah, I’ve been telling Taylor about everyone out here, their duties and relations,” Ray said proudly as he puffed his chest out.
“Yeah, the relations are funny,” May sighed as she poured us two glasses of lemonade. “Sit.”
I did as told and took the seat to Mark’s right while Ray took the next seat over. Maria perched on the edge of her bed as she watched us. I smiled and cooed as Wade grinned at me, his face lighting up.
“Why don’t you try?” Mark asked as he offered me the spook with cereal.
“Um, sure,” I accepted the offer and bopped Wade on the nose with my finger. He giggled and I grinned as I held the spoon before him.
“C’mon, your parents need you to eat, you little rascal,” I chuckled as I offered him the spoon. He just watched me curiously for a moment before opening his mouth and accepting the spoon.
“Was that so hard?” Mark asked as Wade chewed.
“He’s a good boy,” I noted as I handed the spoon back.
“Yeah, he is,” Mark smiled. He had thick brown curls like Maria, although his were kept rather short and close to his head, where Maria’s tumbled down past her shoulders. Wade had his mother’s dirty blond hair and Richard’s dark eyes, but all I saw in them was sweetness and innocence.
“So, anything you need to know before you head off to meet the others?” May asked as she sat down in the remaining seat and set our glasses down on the wooden coasters. The table was a solid pine piece, but the clear protective coating on top was peeling in areas. I’d make sure someone re-sealed it for them.
“Anyone who I might have trouble with?” I asked.
“I don’t think so. Those men left, Gary, Caleb, Pearse, Quinton, two others. Those who remain seem okay with the change, nervous and unsure, but not nasty or hateful,” May said after a moment of thought.
Wade gurgled and giggled as Mark continued the battle to feed him. He was getting somewhere now though, thankfully.
“May tells me there are some good changes to be made around the place to bring everyone together and develop more trust. To unify the whole Pack again,” Mark murmured.
“We have some ideas, which we’ll put forth tonight at the meeting and dinner,” I said.
“Good, good,” Mark nodded as he focused on Wade. He bounced the baby boy on his knee as he scooped up more cereal.
“I’ll be getting some of the other women together, Charlotte, Francine, Fiona, Danielle. Maybe some of the others. I’m excited and nervous all at once, tonight will be interesting,” May said as she chewed her lip. Her green eyes showed her anxiousness, but there was delight in them as well.
“The boys are making sure there’s plenty to do for the children too, maybe a movie set-up as well,” I informed them.
“Oh, they’ll love that!” May’s face lit up in a broad grin as she called Maria over. “Did you hear that sweetie, there’s going to be some fun activities tonight,” she told her. Maria grinned and bounced on the balls of her feet at the prospect.
We talked for a short while about some of the ideas, all the while I sipped the sweet lemonade. Ray was the one to pull me away, apologizing and saying we had to make the rounds in a timely manner.
May waved his apology off and grinned as she expressed her anticipation for tonight.
I hadn’t told her yet that I was considering asking her to be a beta for me, to help me lead and run this Pack. I wanted to ask Ray as well, for he was more than capable of handling it, and I trusted him.
When we climbed back into the truck after Maria and May waved us off, I chewed my lip nervously. I hoped the rest of the Pack was just as welcoming and optimistic.
“I’ll leave my family till last, my mother will make her own dessert for tonight at home as she’s got some sewing to do. She and Fiona handle the repairs of clothing and other materials, while Tatiana and Roman are good with their leatherwork,” Ray informed me as he started the engine.
I caught myself staring at him, at the strong line of his jaw, the way his angular chin jutted out. His nose looked like it had been broken a few times, but it only added to his handsome features. It made him look like a true man, someone who’d known bad but chose good in his life. Someone, who despite all the shit thrown his way, was kind-hearted and soft.
There was no denying the attraction I had for him.
Ray’s nostrils flared and he frowned at the steering wheel. His jaw hardened and he gave me a quick glance before focusing his eyes on the wheel again.
“Umm… your scent…” he said hesitantly, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
“Sorry,” I groaned. “It happens.”
“Right,” he breathed, but he pursed his lips before finally catching my gaze.
I caught his scent, an instant reaction to my own. His arousal only made mine worse.
“Fuck,” I growled as I closed my eyes, willing it to die down.
Ray moved the clutch and rumbled the truck forward, driving away from May’s cottage as he drew in deep, ragged breaths.
Then he pulled into the pines, and before I could say a word his mouth was against mine, needy and hungry.
I moaned as I melted into his soft, luscious lips, tasting the lemonade still evident in his mouth.
“Damn,” he growled as he pulled away, glaring out the side window away from me.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” I started, but then stopped myself. I certainly meant to. I was interested in this ‘wolf, in his sincere, sweet ways, in that sturdy, muscular body that had carried me and defended me. I wanted to pay him back, and I had some ideas of how I wanted to do that. It involved naked bodies too.
I groaned at how horny my mind and body had become. Stupid. Why couldn’t it just act normal for once? I hated my high sex drive sometimes. Normally it worked well with my three boys, but not now.
“Don’t be sorry,” Ray rolled his eyes. “It’s just… it’s not the right time, besides, you’ve got… the others,” he shook his head, still not quite used to the idea of me with my three men.
“We’ve got some rounds to make too,” I agreed, wishing my body would listen to my mind and get a grip.
“Yes,” Ray nodded firmly, as if he needed more reason to keep his dick in his pants. The thought of his cock, throbbing and needy, only spurred me again. I could only wonder what he looked like under those clothes. I’d glimpsed him naked when he’d been hurt and my leg was mauled, but it wasn’t like I was in the state to be checking him out.
Ray wound his window down fully and blasted the pathetic AC in an attempt to drive the scents out. I copied suit, knowing full well I had a job to do today. I needed to bring trust and reassurance to the members of this Pack.
It was going to take a lot of willpower to keep my hands off the handsome ‘wolf with me. This was going to be interesting for sure.
14
Ray was a blessing to have with me, he knew exactly what to say to reassure those who were still uncertain about the changes to come. The lone ‘wolves, all men, were a little difficult, less willing to trust me and my Pack mates, but Ray helped me with
them. He was confident and at ease with them, and they trusted him.
With his backing, they were willing to give me a go.
He drove me through the community area where a small building had been erected by the builders as a communal laundry. There was a playground tucked within the tree-line, and I realized it was the same one I’d gone to with May and the children. I hadn’t realized that beyond the trees was an open area where the crossroads met and where picnic tables had been set up with small shelters.
Ray took me to the clearing, which was in the top-left corner of the crossroads hidden behind a nice cluster of pines. The clearing was huge, and I wondered if it had once been the planned site for a home and horse yards or something. It would be the perfect place to build a new home, somewhere they could all come and feel welcome. The horse stables and barns were just on the other side of the crossroads, and I was curious to learn of the breeding they did. Their focus was quarter horses, a chunky, stocky breed that I quite liked. Short distance, they were capable of out-running a thoroughbred. A quarter of a mile they outdid other breeds, hence the name. Thoroughbreds were bred for endurance and speed though, whereas quarter horses were bred for cow work.
We found our way to Ray’s family home, and Regina was sitting on the porch hand stitching some overalls. Regina’s dark hair and tanned skin made me think she had some native heritage, but I wouldn’t ask for fear of offending.
Charles and Ruben came out when we pulled up, Ruben looked so much more like Ray and his mother than his father. Charles was a lanky man, a strong contrast to his bigger wife. Not that I cared at all. His skin was sun-kissed from his time working, and his combed back dusty brown hair was streaked with grey.
Regina called out in greeting and Charles came out to greet us both in a warm hug. He smelled of cinnamon and apples, and I got the impression he and Regina shared the cooking.
“We were just about to have some afternoon tea. Freshly cooked apple pie,” he grinned as he stepped back from hugging me. “You’re more than welcome to join.”
