Chapter 45 CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 45
DAMON
"Sorry to interrupt but the Alphas are here."
Finally.
"Where are they now?" I ask my mother.
"Ryder signaled that they had just driven through the east gates. They should arrive at the mansion in five minutes."
That is plenty enough time to get ourselves ready.
Turning to Cathy, I ask. "Are you ready for this?"
She stares at me in silence, her eyes somber, which is a far cry from how she was looking at me before.
"Cathy?" I call, moving closer to take hold of her hands. "Are you okay? Are you ready for this?"
"You want me there?" she asks quietly.
"Yes. As my mate and Luna. I could never hide you from the world. I wouldn't want to," I tell her.
"Okay then, let's do this," she says, a gleam of determination stealing into her eyes.
She pulls away to close the file before handing it to Mother.
"You got this Cat," Mother tells her to which she just responds with a smile.
I take her hand in mine and together, we head to the front of the mansion, arriving just in time to see the three-car convoy pulling up.
As if rehearsed, the driver's door of each of the jeeps open at the same time, and out steps three men who then walk to the rear door.
All in synchronization.
"Did they plan that?" Cathy asks quietly from beside me.
"That seems unlikely, doesn't it? I mean they are all respected and serious Alphas, they wouldn't be that silly," I answer.
"Hmm, they are also -deep down-, boys. Your kind can be very silly when they want to be."
"That is true," I say before walking forward to greet the Alphas.
"Alpha Craig, Alpha Monroe, and Alpha Tobias, I and my Luna, welcome you to the Blackwater pack."
"Please," Alpha Craig says as he shakes my hand. "We are all equals here, there is no need for titles."
"Very well then. Call me Damon."
"Damon. Thank you for welcoming us into your home, " Craig says.
"Please, I should be thanking you for believing me and coming all the way here to help me."
"The pleasure is all ours."
"Come," I say as I lead them up the stairs. "Let me introduce you to my mate. Catherine Thames."
"It is an honor to receive such esteemed guests into our pack," Cathy says.
"It is an honor to be received by such prominent individuals," Monroe says with a respectful nod.
"I heard you had found your mate," Tobias says. "Congratulations. It is a wonderful thing when we find our destined one."
"Thank you," I tell them.
"But I wasn't aware that the ceremony had been held," he continues.
"It hasn't. I had just recently found Cathy, and unfortunately, things have gotten a bit hectic since then."
"Please, come in," Cathy says before anyone can respond to that.
We lead them to the living room where only my mother and The Falcon are present.
All three Alphas stop dead upon sighting them. Well, more specifically, upon sighting her. The Falcon.
It is funny.
When we heard about The Falcon, we imagined a huge formidable male with an imposing aura. It is still quite a shock to be met with the exact opposite.
And yet, her innate power can't be missed.
"The Falcon, I presume," Tobias says.
"You would be correct," she answers.
"Steele," Craig greets, his eyes trained truly on her.
"Craig," she croons out. "It has been a while. How have you been?"
"You tell me, you are the seer after all."
She laughs out at his statement, causing both I and Cathy to exchange curious glances.
What is all that about?
"I believe you need no introduction to my mother, Luna Mother, Diana," I say.
"Of course," Monroe says. "How can anyone forget the formidable Diana? Our very own huntress."
Mother giggles -giggles!- like a schoolgirl before replying.
"My dear Monroe, you have always been such a sweet talker. Craig, Tobias, a delight to see you too."
"I assure you," Craig says. "The delight is all ours." This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
Eeeew.
"I do hope your trip was an easy one," Mother asks.
"Oh yes. It was. It made me think of old times when we would come to visit your dear husband. Roger always knew what buttons to push to piss off the whole community.'
"It wasn't intentional," Mother replies. "He was just… chaotic," she says with a whimsical look in her eyes.
Mother rarely talks about father. It hurts too much. And I can understand that, it has been years since his death but the pain is still raw.
"We prepared a lovely meal for your arrival," Cathy says, breaking the melancholic spell that had fallen over the room. "Would you do us the honor of sharing a meal with us?"
"Of course," Craig says. "It was a long trip."
We all follow Cathy as she leads us to the dining room, where the dishes have already been prepared and laid out.
We all take our seats with me at the head of the table, Cathy by my right and Mother by my left.
"Shall we?" I ask.
They all give consent and we dig into our meals.
As we eat, I take note of the behaviors of each of the Alphas.
They all seem reserved, with Craig being the spokesperson. Tobias seems more thoughtful and Monroe is the middle ground between them.
They all seem calm and level-headed. No prideful or haughty disposition.
All friends.
I watch as The Falcon leans over to Craig to whisper something and a look of surprise flashes through his face.
What was that about?
Eventually, the meal is done and we are all back in the living room, the atmosphere, somber and tense.
Craig turns to me and with a blank look in his eyes, he starts.
"We have confirmed your story. And we have some news. The Collector is currently in the Skylight pack."