CALIFF
“Wow.” Shadow’s eyes widened to see half of the pack was on the field where we last had an interrupted picnic date. “When I said a barbecue, I expected something like a backyard barbecue, but this is beyond. Awesome.”
A whole cow was already on the fire, patties, sausages, and veggies on the grills, stuck buns on the table, bowls of salad, delis, coolers of beers and other beverages, and tables put together into one long table with flower arrangements. It was like an outdoor cooking show, minus the camera.
Families, guys, girls, pups, and even witches were here. It was a picnic party. I didn’t even know what to call it. What I saw was a pack having a picnic because threats were over, and hopefully, it would last for a long, long time.
“Welcome to the pack picnic, Shadow.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “You didn’t steal a cow from our neighbor, did you, Zack?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Luna.” Zack placed chairs for us.
“The owner will skew you next.” She sat on the chair, watching everyone get busy preparing the food while Zack sat before us on the grass.
“This is really a beautiful day.”
“Is it, isn’t it?” I looked behind me as Zarah and Aira walked toward us. “And this doesn’t happen often.”
“Poor cow,” Aira commented, making Zack laugh.
“It’s yummy.” Tor, who was just promoted to Delta and replaced Lorcan, came, carrying two chairs for his mate and Zarah.
“Come on. I know Aira is your mate, Tor. Kiss her already,” Shadow said and watched Tor freeze. His green eyes widened.
“Shadow.” Aira’s cheeks turned red.
“What? He knows, but I don’t know what he’s waiting for.”
“Leave his big Slavic ass wolf and baby witch alone.” Zarah took the chair for her and sat next to Shadow.
“Zarah.” Aira looked funny as she scolded her mentor.
“What? You two are sleeping together, but why haven’t you had his mark?”
Tor cleared his throat. “I was going to tell her, but I don’t want her to reject me. Regarding the mark, I wanna tell her first before I do.”
“Aw.” Shadow stood up and hugged Tor. “I’m proud of you, my boy.”
I groaned. It was more from my wolf. “Your boy?”
“Yeah. I’m the mother and the granny. Tor is one of my boys.”
“So, are you going to-”
“Baby.” I held Shadow’s hand. “Let them make a decision. It’s not our business anymore. They’re both adults.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry. I’m just a hands-on mother and grandma. Kids, you may go.” She shooed them with her hands, making me smile.
“How about you, two? Have you decided on the wedding date?”
Shadow sighed. “We just came back from Italy, and we haven’t announced it yet. Calm down, great-great-great grandma.”
Zarah shook her head in amusement.
“Wait.” She held the witch’s arm. “Can you do magic like make my dream dress?”
“No, no, no, Shadow. Don’t do that.”
“Why not?” She frowned at me.
“Let’s be as human as possible, baby. We prepare our wedding, measure yourself for your gown, and no more magic.”
“Alpha is right, Shadow.”
“You two are just old. I was just kidding. Jeez, loosen up. I just thought if it was possible, but when you can make a portal, and Violet disappeared into thin air, I thought it’s possible like-”
“Fairy godmother?” Zarah cut in.
“Exactly.”
“Well, she’s a fairy, and I’m a witch, Shadow.”
“A powerful witch. I’m glad I met you, Zarah. You and Aira.”
“Me too,” Zarah backed it up.
“I should go and help.” She was already standing and walking towards the table.
“She’s gonna be a good mother,” Zarah’s words made me stiffen. “Don’t act surprised, Alpha, but she’s not pregnant.”
I sighed.
“Wait. You don’t want pups?” She faced me.
“Of course I want to, but it’s her decision. If she wants, of course, I would be the happiest father, but I want to marry her first and build our house before we start a family, but when it arrives before that, I’m still the happiest.”
“I’m glad you treat her right, Alpha, or I might have to bloat your tummy until it explodes.”
I grimaced.
“You don’t think I can do that, can you?”
“I have no doubt, Zarah, but I will never hurt Shadow.”
“I know.” She leaned against the chair and watched Shadow as kids approached her and gave her wildflowers. They picked the surroundings.
Shadow ruffled boys’ hair and touched girls’ cheeks. “Thank you, guys. That’s sweet of you.”
As soon as the pups left, she smelled the flowers and giggled.
“You should give her flowers, Alpha.”
I briefly squeezed my eyes. “Sometimes, I forget I have a mate. My focus was always on the pack. I’m glad Shadow never demands, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t like or want something.” I shook my head in disappointment. “She did everything she could, and I never appreciated her much.”
“Wow. You went there pretty quick, huh.”
My eyes bulged out when she was already standing before me. “Hey. You got an admirer.” That was all I could say.
She frowned. “What was that all about?”
I scratched my head. “How much did you hear?”
“Everything. I eavesdropped, Alpha.”
I shook to laugh. “It doesn’t suit you.”
“But you do?” Her brows cocked.
“Well, you heard everything.” I shrugged. “I’m sorry if-”
“Just shut up. We both were busy since I came to your compound-”
“Our compound.”
“Well, it was your-”
“For the love of god.” Zarah stood up. “I better make myself useful.”
Shadow kneeled before me, holding my hands. “We’ll make up for everything, okay? Don’t be too hard on yourself. We get back to our footing. We have a lifetime to make up for it. And we’ll have a good life together, just don’t piss me off.”
I smiled as I ran the back of my hand on her cheek. “How can I be so lucky to have a mate like you, Shadow? Sometimes I felt I didn’t deserve you, but fuck that, you’re mine now, and no one can take you away from me. Do you understand me?” I slipped my hand behind her neck and leaned down to kiss her lips. “Answer me, mate?”
“Possessive son of a bitch,” she said with a giggle. “Try looking at another woman if you still want your dick attached to your body.”
“Noted, Luna.”
“Good.”
Duke and Kindra arrived.
“Sorry. I don’t have time to change.” Kindra was still wearing her scrub suit.
“I’m a fan of Grey’s Anatomy,” Shadow admitted. “But I can’t catch up anymore.”
“Looks like the whole pack is here,” Duke said.
Preston and Sam arrived with the Wrangler. Jonas, Santi, Marcus, and his family were at the back.
“I brought Tamales and Tacos,” Clara announced as Adrian and Marcus put two baskets on the table.
“Yum. Maybe I should have cooked something, too,” Shadow said.
Kindra, Duke, Zack, Lyon, Kairo, and Raiden just arrived and turned their heads to her with an incredulous look.
“Next time, I will bring Sushi,” Kairo said.
“Maybe you should cook tempura, Kairo,” Lyon suggested.
“What else do you want to cook with all those on the tables and the big cow?” Kindra asked.
“I wanna contribute,” she said.
“Wow. You’re unbelievable, Luna.” Zack chuckled. “This is more than enough, bringing our pack together.” Zack was right. It was her idea, after all.
“Even if everyone is not here, look at those families with blankets spread on the grass, kids playing hide and seek, chasing games, those bullies playing volleyball, and these ladies helping hand in hand to prepare the food. You made this possible. Everyone needs something like this once in a while, especially after what we’ve been through. This happens because of you, and we don’t need more food or anything from you. Your presence is enough,” Zack concluded.
“He’s right, Shadow. You work too much. You should unwind once in a while,” Lyon said.
“We’ll have mani-pedi when I have off. You and me and the witches,” Kindra suggested.
“I heard witches.” Zarah came back. “What’s all that about?”
“Your girl here thinks she’s not done enough,” Duke said.
“I’m not surprised. Shadow won’t just take credit. She’s her mother’s daughter. Do you think you all could win against Keane without Lycans and witches? No offense, Alpha, but it was thirty-seventy.”
“None taken.”
“Wait. You saw it?” Shadow asked Zarah.
“Didn’t I tell you you don’t need my help anymore?”
“Yeah. I remember. How can I forget when it bugged me the whole time.”
“Then you know the answer.”
“So if I didn’t go and see Sebastien-”
“I won’t answer that, Shadow.”
She and I shared a look. Still, my stomach twisted. My sacrifices were worth it. The pain, blood, my life, and being away from Shadow had all paid off.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.” She caught the witch’s hand. “You’re the closest to being a mother to me. And you are my mother’s best friend, Zarah. I hope you know how important you are to me.”
“You’re dramatic today.”
“Jeez. Thanks.” She pursed her lips. “Why are you silent, Alpha?”
I looked at Shadow. “I didn’t wanna shove it, but my fight in the ring was all worth it.”
“How I did not know you were going on that fight, Califf?”
“It would look suspicious if I went and talked to your father. So I texted him. That way, you couldn’t read my thoughts. I said I will take whatever his challenge, provided he will be my ally.” I picked up my phone and showed her the conversation with his father.
ALPHA KING: My daughter is worth more than a thousand of your kind. What can you offer me, werewolf?
CALIFF: How about my life? You can’t take my mate from me as long as I am alive.
ALPHA KING: Then that would be easy. You will fight with my best warrior to death. Let’s see if my daughter will not offer me her life to save yours.
CALIFF: Your daughter for my life. If I win, you will be my ally and leave us alone.
ALPHA KING: And if you lose?
CALIFF: I will make sure I won’t.
ALPHA KING: You’re not worthy of my daughter.
CALIFF: Let me prove it to you.
Shadow returned my phone and stood up-her silence and action silenced everyone around me, including Zarah.
“The table is ready, Luna,” the head chef told her.
“Thank you.”
Everyone gathered around the table. My parents just arrived as well. I went next to my mate and placed my arm around her waist.
“Thank you, everyone. This is such a lovely day. Despite what we’d been through last week, we are still here. I want to offer this feast for our pack members who didn’t make it today and those left in the compound.” I held Shadow’s hand. “And I want to make an announcement.” I felt everyone’s excitement. “Shadow and I are getting married.”
My pack gushed and started congratulating us.
“Thank you,” Shadow said humbly. “You are all invited to our wedding. And I want to say thank you for giving me a chance to be a part of this pack and your Luna. I may not be fit for the position and receive a backlash, but it won’t stop me from doing my duty. I will always be grateful to all of you.”
“May I speak, Luna?” It was Homer who raised his hand.
“Of course,” I was the one who replied.
“I want to apologize on behalf of us. And you are overqualified, if that even makes sense, to be our Luna. We want nothing but to be your humble servants.” Rocket elbowed him, who was standing next to him. “I hope you can forgive us for how we behaved. I’m so sorry, Alpha, Luna. And you saved our lives. On behalf of the pups, we thank you.”
Shadow smiled. “Thank you. That’s kind of you.”
“Before the food gets cold-”
“And I’m starving.” That got everyone laughing.
“Yeah. We should eat.”