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Chapter 19
Tatom entered the Alpha's house alone. Seeing Langdon's face filled with mixed emotions he went straight over to the wolf. Taking in a deep breath, Tatom rubbed Langdon's arm. Only calming vibes was sent to him. Zero tucked an arm around his waist, Tatom nodded to the future Alpha.
"He'll be here soon."
"I want the War wolves to greet him. Langdon you will be with Zero. The reason why you are not to greet him first is he's been away from War wolves too long. He needs to feel them for a time before explaining anything to anyone. If his temper gets out of control we could be looking at bit of an issue. We are wanting to hear why he did what has been done. I seen it yesterday, that boy is moments away from snapping."
Langdon nodded and listened to the Alpha. He would know more about this than he did. He just wanted to get to the family portion of the conversation. He has a brother here, not because a witch told him. Because he was in flesh and blood.
'Calm my human, we shall get our family.' His beast purred.
'A brother, we're not alone anymore.' He answered.
'I agree. Bailey has been very kind to us. She is not one of us. We, ourselves have been away from wolves way too long. We need to gather family and others.'
'So you keep saying. Are you going to tell me what is going on?'
'I want us to be protected, we need family to work with us. I agree with the witch. We can be stronger than never, only together.' His beast finished the conversation by nudging him to pay attention to the pack.
"Where is Jalin and Jace?"
"He wanted his car. Doesn't like not having a way out." Tatom answered.
"No War wolf likes to be caged." Ivan growled at the young witch, "You keep a War wolf tied down we will strike. Mostly likely you will get injured."
"Calm Ivan, he was telling us what Jalin was doing." The Alpha stroked the back of Ivan's neck. "He will be here."
"What's going on?" Langdon whispered.
"War wolves have this pride about them. Seeing one treated the way your brother has been. Ivan is taking that a little personal." Alpha rubbed Ivan's neck a bit longer. "To the War wolves your brother is a treasure like you are to us. Rage wolves are just as rare as Empathy wolves are. Having Jace here and now your brother, the War wolves are a little overwhelmed with excitement."
"Really? What about you old man?" Main jumped in. Nathanial shrugged his shoulders.
Standing beside his mate, Langdon watched as his brother walked in the door with Jace on his arm. Jace kept his head facing down. He could feel the embarrassment that surrounded the newly mated wolf. Jalin on the other hand walked in with what is know as the dominate pride. For a moment he looked over at Zero who kept his eyes towards the wolf walking in. Looking back at his brother, Jalin was looking at him. Their eyes met, Jalin had a sadness behind the overwhelming bliss. His mouth opened but closed. Jalin rubbed the back head. The air felt unbearable depressed. Langdon whimpered against Zero's arm.
"Hey' what's wrong?" Zero rubbed his back.
"It's sad and depressing."
Tatom moved out of the way, asking him if he would like to go sit down. He nodded but he wanted to go to his brother. The Alpha reminded him that they'll talk soon. As he spoke the War wolves surrounded Jalin. Ivan took an arm and wrapped around his chest. Jalin's eyes flashed different colors. There was a growl in the room, after a moment Langdon realized that it was coming from Jalin. His body disappeared behind the wolves. It looked like they were hiding him from the world.
Nathanial turned to the family standing around. Motioned them to head into the dinning room. Langdon had to be pulled by Zero. He didn't want to leave the sight of his brother. Jalin's face was revealed for a brief moment. His eyes met Langdon's again. There it was, he didn't want him to leave his sights. Fear that he would lose him again. Langdon stopped, only to find Zero pulling him harder.
"It's okay, Ivan won't let him out of his sights. Trust me, baby, he's not going anywhere."
Once Langdon was taken away they heard a growl then the Alpha command for him to calm down. His brother was with his mate down the hall. He'll be able to see him once lunch was over. Nathanial came in with three of the war wolves, Jimmy nodded to Zero. Plates were carried out by the arm load. Food for the wolves. Coming back in, the Alpha sat down.
"Eat Langdon you need to relax. Jalin is fine. He needs this right now. Trust me, I won't hurt him."
Nodding his head he robotically put food in his mouth. Beside him, Zero was stiff. He really didn't like that Jalin aka Derek Thomas was in his house.
Places were taken around the living room. Cherry looked up at Josh, who matched Zero's body language. He wasn't liking that her ex-boyfriend was sitting in the same room as her. Langdon sent struggling vibes. A shot of excitement then sadness. Zero tucked his arm behind Langdon chuckling. Telling him to calm down. Langdon frowned and elbowed him in the side.
Stroking his sleeping mate's hair. Jalin had to remember he was the enemy right now. He hurt his own brother. Caused the pack a few problems.
"Congrats!" Langdon pulled back. Covering his mouth in embarrassment for raising his voice a bit louder than he wanted.
"Thank you," Jalin smiled down. One brother already approved. Dalson wouldn't care who is mate was unless they caused him pain.
The air was silent; heavy with emotion. Langdon sat snuggled up against Zero half in tears. After listening to how his brothers searched for him. How they lived in the woods, a car or just kept walking. His anger was peeking out with some of the words when he spoke. The War wolves kept right behind him and Jace. Who could care less about anything. He was passed out.
The Beta's kept around their future Alpha. Pride upon them and marking their territory. This was their Alpha and their second Alpha. Brother or not, they were theirs.
Dropping his wall, Jalin explained the reason why he was among Savage's pack. It was the only solid lead they had. He had heard it from a wolf that was passing through about a young kid placing the New York pack to sleep. Langdon had caused a bit of gossip through the wolf community. He had found a solid place that was known to have him. The wolves there was still talking about him. After that traces of him disappeared.
Then Savage started attacking packs. Some packs were allies of the ancient pack. He tried to warn everyone, yet no one will listen to a rogue. After a fight with a pack member that had joined Savage instead of dying. He gave up information about a human traveling with a wolf pup. Jalin thought he had gone in the wrong direction. But his wolf felt a connection here. He had to stay longer. That's when he told Savage that he thought there was something here. Unfortunately, he lied on the pack. Made the Alpha seem slightly weaker than what he is.
His rage was getting out of control more and more. He knew it. Seemed like the days grew longer. Hunts weren't satisfying anymore. The only thing that kept him from snapping was he did feel him in a way. Or was hoping that he was feeling him.
Shocking everyone in the room that knew what was going on or wake or wasn't a witch.
"I forgive you." Langdon smiled.
"Are you crazy?" Zero snapped. "He busted your ribs. Sent you running in fear. And you forgive him?"
"I do," Langdon nodded. "I don't know what it's like to endure the life he has. He's been searching for me. Doing what it took to survive."
"Langdon," Zero shifted in his seat.
"Zero please. You have your sister, you have Aaron, Josh. My whole life it's been me." Langdon's shoulder's dropped.
"I want to know him. I've always wondered about where I came from. Why I am the way I am. This is my chance. Please Zero, please."
Hearing his mate beg gave his heart a tug. Glancing over at his mom, Vera was wiping her tears. His mother had a too big of a heart. Just like his mate. His beast whined. Tucking Langdon to his chest, he laid his chin on Langdon's shoulder.
"It's your call." Alpha Blackwood spoke up. "Jalin is a War wolf, he needs to be around War wolves. Langdon deserves the right to know his family. There is a bigger picture here."
Pointing to Jace, "He isn't ours. Tatom said he did what he did for a reason."
"Yeah, I know. I'm trying to get passed the past."
Langdon sat up, "He can stay?"
"Do you honestly think I have the heart to turn your family away. This is what our pack is built on. Family."
Langdon threw his arms around him. Kissed his cheek then jumped up and went towards Jalin. Who gently sat his sleeping mate down and stood up. A brotherly hug took place; revealing a softer side of the War wolf. Whispering thanks to Zero, he nodded in return.
Straightening up, Jalin laughed as he wiped his tears. "Don't tell Dalson, I'll never hear the end of it." Jalin shifted his body to where he could seeing Jace more. Pulling out a picture from his pocket. He showed his little brother.
"The night you were born, mom held on long enough for a picture. The pack nurse said mom cried. Not because she was dying because she got to meet you. She died happy."
"She's so beautiful." Langdon stared at the picture of a baby Jalin and a newborn him.
"She is. I wish we gotten to know her. Dalson barely remembers her or dad."
Looking up at the emotionless face before him. Langdon saw pain of not knowing their parents as well. He never realized that hard core Derek was lost like he was. Sensing the awkwardness coming, Langdon didn't want that.
"So Jace, huh?"
Jalin laughed, "Who knew the guy who ripped my leg open was my mate."
"You knew Jace when he shifted?"
"I was standing beside him. Jace let out this scream." Jalin shook his head, his eyes were bouncing back and forth. "You wouldn't think it was natural. Brian said it was almost like he had been shifting for years. Will and David took him in. The Alpha was going to kill him." A growl slipped out.
A smile quickly filled his face, "He fought back. Gave the man a few scars on his face and arms." Tapping Langdon's chest, "I got the Spirit wolf." His eyes stayed on Jace.
"You know about him?" Zero pulled Langdon back away from Jalin. Jalin went straight for his mate. Lifted him up into his arms easily enough and sat back down. Zero sensed that he was struggling with being away from his mate.
Inhaling a deep breath, "When I started to show signs of a Rage wolf. David took me out with the others. Jace was there in his wolf form. Brian told me I was safe. He never meant to hurt anyone.
"The day Dalson and I left the pack. He came running out. He didn't want us to leave but understood why we were. We were to come home when we could. My wolf felt this sadness."
"Can you explain?"
"Compare him to you. Only he is connected to the rogues and War wolves." Closing his eyes, he nodded and opened them again.
"A year before we left this rogue came into the village. A War wolf that left his pack. He had been a wolf so long most of his human side was gone. Before the Alpha had a chance to do anything about it. Jace ran down to the wolf, in human form. He stopped the rogue from attacking. He gathered the wolf food and water. He ate and left. The whole time Jace didn't move from the wolf. He barely stood up to it's shoulder."
Stroking Jace's hair again, "A Spirit wolf will never have an Alpha like you never will. Orders roll off of him like they do you. The only flaw you both have is acting by emotion.
"It was once said your wolves walked the earth in harmony together. You two are equals."
Langdon swallowed loudly with emotion. His wolf was purring. Something in that story spoke truth. The wolf that shared his body was an old ancient wolf. That meant Jace's wolf was an old ancient wolf.
"Where you cannot truly a War wolf for or a rogue, he can." Jalin added.
Jumping in to defend their Alpha Aaron and Josh growled. "He placed a whole pack to sleep including the Alpha. Then the whole lunch room including you."
"How long was I out?" Jalin snapped back, "Three minutes. Long enough for you to get him out and some of the pack. Savage stayed asleep longer than the rogues. They followed him! If it wasn't for his wolf masking his scent, they would have found him. I know all about New York."
Langdon rocked calming vibes into the room. A strong wave washed over the wolves, relaxing some to the point of placing them asleep. Jace shifted in Jalin's arms. He moved enough to allow his mate to snuggle down. His brother pulled back the feeling. Releasing the wolves from the vibes. Tatom's smile grew, the Empathy was learning very nicely.
"Jalin,"
He looked over at his little brother. "Why didn't you recognize me before?"
"I had a feeling. You have to understand a Rage wolf feels all anger, the hatred. High School isn't the coolest place to look for a brother. On top of that Savage's men. They killed off a smaller pack. The Alpha wouldn't listen to me. He thought he could take on the world.
"Savage saves the Alpha and Beta for last. The Alpha is always last. He's made to watch his Beta's death. I couldn't prevent myself from shifting."
The pain was written on his face. For that moment Jalin looked small, helpless. Ivan placed his hand on the young War wolf. He understood what had happened. Battle for them was easy. It was staying human that was hard. Langdon struggled against himself. He wanted to go to his brother and scream that he wasn't alone. No matter what he was there. The room was silent after those final words. No one wanted to ask what happened. In fear they already knew the answer. The question was which one did he kill?
With the silence Jalin was caught studying his mate with a weird expression. Langdon giggled, and asked what's up?
"I'm gay?"
No one could hold back the laughter that boomed over the house. Zero pointed to him and Langdon. Bad thing was he had to break up with Shelby. His eyes widened, asking what time it was. Zero laughed, he forgot about his girlfriend. Fumbling with his pocket under Jace, he finally brought out his phone. Quickly made a call telling whoever it was that something important came up he wasn't going to be able to make it and hung up. The pack could hear the girly protest on the other end before his line went dead.
"Wait until Dalson finds out who my mate is. I'll never hear the end of it." Nodding towards Langdon, "You know Dalson will probably stick to you like glue"
"I'm ready," Langdon laughed. "I can handle this." He was ready to have family. Once the Alpha said he had brothers, the anticipation of knowing them grew each day. Being alone his whole life had taken it's toll. Having a pack gave him more meaning of happiness. However he still didn't know If he wanted to stay.
Jace woke up in his mate's arms. Smiling up at Jalin, he stretched up and hugged him. Jalin didn't hesitate on returning the hug.
"Sweetie are you hungry?" Vera's sweet voice made him look over.
"That would be great." Going to stand up, Jalin growled. "I'll be right back. I just want to wash up and get something to eat."
Once newly mated wolves were mated, it was hard to let go. Jace like Langdon was different. They could leave but yearn to get back sooner. Jalin was like any other dominate, protect his mate while the beast lust after the mate.
The Alpha asked how his rage was. Nodding his head, it was coming down. This was good for him. Being around the War wolves was helping a lot.
Jace came back in carrying a plate of food. Jalin stretched up and helped him sit down. Tucking his arm behind him, Jace smiled and opened his mouth.
"June gave me cookies!" The pack chuckled.
"June doesn't remember me." Jalin stole a bite of cottage cheese.
"Savage." Jace sadden for a moment.
"Is being paid back. Soon as I found out what happened. He's found pain in a few places. Including going one on one with me. He knows that I have fighting skills." Pointing at the cookies, "June has always made the best cookies."
"Remember when she tried to make wolf cookies?"
Their laughter filled the air. It was nice hearing once old friends laughing together again.
"I thought they were bunnies."
"You, I ended up running from her. She was going to cut my tail off and bake it!" Jace laughed at the memory.
Jalin looked over at Zero, "It's cool that they are your girls."
"Yeah, they’ve weaseled their way in."
"I like Zero. He's open minded. They all are. I think Zero will make a great Alpha. With Josh and Aaron as his Betas they will be unstoppable."
The fathers proudly smiled at that comment. Having someone comment their sons like that. Nothing could have been better.
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