CALIFF
The car slowed down and stopped. We just arrived at Midnight Storm Pack.
Alpha Grady welcomed us in his fancy tux. Lyon and Zack were behind us while Shadow had her hands around me and my brother’s arm.
“Alpha Califf, so good to see you.” Grady shook my hand and then Shadow. “Luna, you look fantastic tonight.”
“This is my brother, Calder. Calder, meet Alpha Grady.”
“He’s half-human and a rogue?” Alpha Grady’s voice turned stern.
Fuck. I didn’t notice it until Grady mentioned it. Calder was telling the truth that he stopped taking Wolfsbane essence, and I was too focused on my mate and her scent flooding my senses.
I caught a scent of Calder earlier, but he put on too much cologne, which would have created confusion if I hadn’t introduced him right away. But it would only mean one thing. He had a wolf.
“He’s joining our pack.” Shadow cut in. “This is his first pack appearance.”
Lyon sprayed more cologne on Calder, but it wouldn’t last. “Now he’s human.”
“My apology. He’s my guest. Please, welcome, Calder.” Grady shook my brother’s hand. Enjoy the night.”
“Thank you.”
We entered the ballroom. Grady’s pack house was big, a ranch-style house.
“Nice pack house, Grady.”
“Thanks, Luna. I bought this when Keane’s property was transferred to me, to the pack. I want to start fresh.”
The packed house full of young and old werewolves dressed well for this evening. The buffet was at the corner. The drinks and champagne were served with a soft classic playing in the background.
“Excuse me for a minute. Everlee is entertaining our elders.” He left us and went to the stairs.
“Grady did a great job fixing what was left,” Shadow said into our link.
“Finally, mate.”
“I’m still mad.”
I smiled as I looked at her. “I know. I’ll make it up to you.”
“Not until you apologize.”
I groaned at her as I held her hand.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Grady smiled as everyone stopped what they were doing, giving their full attention to their alpha.
Everlee joined him in her long red gown. She looked beautiful as always, and the Beta rank suited her. They had around thirty werewolf members and growing.
“Who’s the woman?”
“The Beta. Second-in-command. Everlee Ross.” I stole a glance at my brother. He watched her with complete focus. His expression was a combination of lovestruck and shock- he stared at her with jaw-dropping, without a blink, as if she was the only person in this room. And then it hit me hard.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I told Shadow through our link. I was relieved and shocked at the same time. I didn’t know where to put those emotions, but I was happy for Calder and Everlee.
“Oh, boy.” Shadow smiled.
“I think Calder just found his mate because right now, that’s what exactly happened to me when I first met you.”
Shadow’s smile widened. “That’s the first time you admitted you were spellbound by my beauty.”
“Is she single?” he asked breathlessly, eyes pinning at Everlee. He still hadn’t blinked. My guess was he wasn’t aware of what he was doing.
“Wow. Unbelievable,” I told Shadow in our link.
“Why don’t you ask her that?”
“How many members do you have?” he asked as we were served champagne. He drank it empty.
I looked at Calder. “One hundred seventy, plus one if you joined. And I have three packs of allies.”
“Wow. That’s big.” Still, his gaze transfixed at Everlee.
“Including this one.”
“I think she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Calder might not be aware that he’d been babbling.
“He gave Grady a chance to start his own pack instead of killing him and the last remaining members of Keane’s pack members.” I felt the pride in her voice as she told Calder.
Grady continued, “I’d like to welcome our distinguished guests from Night Stalker Pack, Alpha Califf and his mate, Luna Shadow, accompanied by Calder, Lyon, and Zack.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Without them, we won’t be here tonight. We don’t have a pack. If anything we have right now, we owe this to them.”
The pack clapped to applaud.
“To our stronger bond.”
I raised my glass at Grady and sipped a little.
Grady and Everlee walked downstairs.
I ordered Zack and Lyon via our link, “Look after my brother. He’s beguiled.”
“Luna.” I heard Everlee call Shadow, and Calder just stiffened beside me. She sniffed the air before saying, “You look absolutely beautiful.”
“You’re stunning, Everlee.” They kissed cheek-to-cheek, and never in my dreams did I see this coming- their being friendly to each other was surreal. “And Beta suits you well.”
“Thank you. I’ve learned from the best.” Everlee smiled.
“From your father?”
“No. From you.”
“Oh.” Shadow sounded surprised. “Thanks.”
“You gave me a second chance, and your words struck me hard in a good way. So thank you.” Everlee held Shadow’s hand as she showed so much gratitude.
“I’m glad I could help.”
Then Everlee turned to me and smiled, and her smile was pure and kind. “You look handsome, Alpha. This means a lot to me and Grady.” She cleared her throat.
“If you’re worried about your father, don’t be. I won’t harm him. You have my word.”
“Thank you for pardoning him.”
“Grady did all that. And I accepted his decision.”
“Because I asked him to tell you. I wanted it to come from him, not from me.”
“It’s all right, Everlee.” I gestured to my brother, who hadn’t moved a muscle. “My brother, Calder.”
“Hi.” Everlee stared at him for a few moments before she smiled. “Would you like to dance?”
Calder closed his mouth and nodded. “Yeah. I’d love that.”
“Now, he’s like a lovesick puppy,” Zack’s words made us laugh.
“You’re next, best friend,” Shadow said to Zack as we watched Everlee and Calder dance.
“I’m born ready, Luna.”
As I slipped my hand around Shadow’s waist, I pulled her into my arms so we could have this dance.
She snaked her arms around my neck, and I placed my hands on her lower back. “The mating pull she felt wasn’t supposed for you. It was for your brother, but she thought it was you because you shared the same blood with Calder.”
“I think you’re right.”
“That’s the first time you agreed with me, Alpha.”
“That’s not entirely true.”
“Whatever, but I think Calder just found his pack.”
“Glad they have each other now. I know my brother will be in good hands.”