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Chapter 26

            The wind passed through his fur as his paws hit the ground at top speed. He was able to lose the wolves behind him minutes ago. This was too much. Tatom approached him earlier in the day about vowing to stay with this pack. Next his brother’s were speaking to him. They invited Zero into the conversation! Some brothers they were! More like traders! He barely knows them and then they team up with Zero!

            His heart felt like a lead weight in the middle of his chest. His breathing had speed up. Why would they do this to him? Using the whole mating thing against him. Using his mother! ‘Bailey would be in complete care under the Alpha.’ ‘She would be protected under their law.’ Shaking his head, Langdon pushed harder until his lungs hurt. He didn’t stop, he kept going. Forcing air into his tight throbbing lungs. His beast growled at him to calm down.

            ‘I can’t!’ Langdon cried out. ‘They’re traders!’

            ‘No my human, they are our brothers! I felt and see their beast. Both man and beast wants us, respects us, loves us! They want us safe.’

            The beast pushed forward, forcing Langdon into the back. He slowed down and stopped right at the creek. Bending down, his tongue lapped up the freshest drinking water one could have after the painful run. With each breath, the lungs felt like fire tingling its way under the skin.

            Inside his mind, he watched the world through his beast eyes. It was much clearer than a humans. Even though werewolves could see pretty clear, their beast sight is even better. He nudged his beast that was enough water. They were going to get sloshy. The beast licked his lips.

            With the setting sun in front of them, the bare and piney trees towards their back. The beast laid down on the chilled earth. His heart too was heavy. His human was scared.

            ‘Let me have my body back!’ Langdon shouted inside his mind.

            ‘Our body,’ the beast purred. ‘We share the same body.’

            ‘Now you sound like a human! I want my beast back.’

            Langdon fell back on the ground, usually the beast would be here waiting on him. This time he was sitting in the woods by a lake. Naked. Langdon didn’t like it when others were around when he shifted. Modest. Being like this didn’t bother him, it was him and his wolf. Like it had always been.

            Laying back, he began thinking about what it was he needed to do. Should he comment to the pack? Langdon didn’t look at Pro’s and Con’s, he looked at what felt right. It felt right being with Zero. His first kiss was when the big wolf was asleep. Touching his lips, every time Zero kissed him heat would send a tingle through him. His body reacted in many different ways. Zero would cause kaleidoscopic colors to wash in gentle waves. His body yearned to be around him, to feel his touch.

            Okay so Max was his best friend, he would miss the hell out of it he left. His first friend here. Jen was like a little sister now. He enjoyed her rants and raves or her soft and melody conversations. They both weren’t judgmental. Each would listen to you before speaking. Max was always there for him when needed.

            May and June, those two had plagued him with a thousand worries and more emotions than anyone. Not one day didn’t go by when he didn’t think about them. Worry that he did the wrong thing by placing them on a bus. Only to find out they found someone who loves them. Zero.

            ‘Damn you Zero!’ Langdon sat up while pouching the air. ‘I can’t believe you!’

            All Zero did was tell him that it was his choice. He wouldn’t leave his side. If that meant leaving the pack, he would. Langdon knew Zero could never leave the pack. It was his rightful place to take the seat as Alpha.

            His green eyes moved over the night crisp air rapaciously. As though he was looking for the answers in the stars that were peeking out of the cantaloupe color sky. Langdon hadn’t noticed that his beast had switched back until he was pacing by the river and saw the wolves watching him from the thicket of the trees. Shaking his head, he went back to his own thoughts. Ignoring the wolves. The same wolves that state they love him. The same wolves that one day he would be responsible for. A pack of wolves will look at him to help with their problems or handle pack business. He was no Vera.

            Vera was the woman who took on the world with her head high. She fought to make sure that each child was taking care of. Hell, Amber! The pack was freaky out about Savage being in the territory and she still had time for Amber. He could not do that. A cafeteria full of annoying peers drove him insane. Some of the problems were already driving him bonkers. Let alone the important business to handle. Vera was one tough woman to be able to put up with the drama that comes with a community.

            Two brothers, he has learned quickly to love and admire them. They needed to be around War wolves. He wasn’t a War wolf. Ivan had already became attached to them. He kept a good eye over the new War wolves.

            A whine came from behind him, he looked back. Zero was crunched down; not too far away. Returning the whine, Langdon didn’t know what else to do. They couldn’t speak like the rest of the wolves could.

            From his stance as a wolf, Langdon began to shift. The fur turned into skin, his hair went back to brown. His eyes changed the different greens. On his hands and knees, he looked up at Zero.

            “I’m sorry, but I need time to think.”

            Zero whined again.

            “You can stay right there.” Langdon turned his back on the wolves again. Stared up at the now darkened sky.

            Somewhere off in a distance was an owl hooting a way. Nocturnal animals making their way to the nighttime world. Trained bodies to do what was natural for them. Animals, the most innocent creature in the world. Langdon hated zoos because they caged up the animals. Bailey explained to him; when he was little, that a zoo does help the creatures species survive. He could never be caged up.

             An inquiring arching eyebrow, Langdon processed to think about what he had just said. Could never be caged. Zero had promised him that he would be free. They would take vacations. They would do whatever he wanted. That was the thing, he didn’t know what he wanted!

            Deeping inhaling the fresh air, Langdon held it tight within his lungs. This was it, no more running. No more being undecided. Letting out the breath in a yell, Langdon wiped his face and laid back. This was too much for him.

            He’s never belonged anywhere, did he belong here? Was this the right pack for him? His beast reminded him that he had grown fawned of the pack members already. Snapping for the black wolf to hush it, the beast went quite. Holding faith in his human to make the right decision for them.

            Thoughts of what it was like when he first shifted came to him. Heat filled his body. Nightly sweats drove him insane. The taste of food changed. Smells around him would gag or entice him. His skin was sensitive to the very touch of a sheet or blanket. Sounds penetrated his overgrown sensitive ears. He would wake up with strange dreams.

            ‘I remember that,’ his beast whined. ‘You thought you were crazy.’

            ‘I was, a beast speaking to me from within my mind.’ Langdon countered.

            ‘We wouldn’t be alone,’ his beast nudged an image of Zero coming to help when they needed him. Max coming over and hanging out with him. Bailey being looked at by the pack.

            “Alright!” Langdon screamed into the air. “Alright,” he flung around towards Zero. “Listen here you over grown dominate wolf. If I chose to stay you will not attempt to keep me caged up nor will you make me do anything that I do not wish to do. The pack better respect my alone time. If I need it, I’m taking it. If I hear one word that would cause my mother any distress, I’m walking.”

            Langdon groaned. This was too much for him. He wanted his brothers to belong before him. He wanted to tell Zero that he wasn’t comfortable enough for a pack to look at him as the next second male Alpha or was he comfortable enough to take on the problems his parents do. Then there is still time, he wasn’t like Alpha Blackwood was handing down the pack now. They were still in school.

            “We need to talk before I make any decision Zero. I’m sorry but I can’t commit at this moment. I would never leave you. I love you. Too much is on my shoulders right now. If I don’t commit, Tatom can’t give a legacy. Which I know will help the pack. Dalson couldn’t have his mate for than a human lifetime. Jace and Jalen would” his shoulders dropped, “would do whatever I decide.”

            Looking over at his brothers, he screamed. “This isn’t fair! You don’t have a right to place all this on me!” Unable to keep the tears from rippling deep within his chest.

            The world seemed to be coming down on his shoulders with the weight to crush him. Time stopped when he thought about committing to the pack. His heart broke when he thought about Zero. Never had been a love to delicate and lustrous in his life. Leaving his friends was unimaginable. Langdon knew heart of hearts he was going to stay, yet saying it out loud scared him worst than fighting.

            Whines cradled around him as the four wolves snuggled up to him and let him cry. Air rippling, chest heaving, heart breaking cries barreled out of him as he laid on the ground. All the emotion take ran through his system came out in that one moment. The wolves were so wrapped up in soothing Langdon, none of them noticed that Tatom finally caught up with them. He stepped around the wolves and bent down.

            His hair was wind blown; from pushing the air around him to move faster. Zero growled a slight warning, Tatom nodded. Showing his neck, relaxed the future Alpha.

            “My apology’s Alpha.” Tatom thought if he got use to calling Zero Alpha it would feel more like home. “I felt the change within Langdon, he’s scared and hurt. Not physically but emotionally. His wolf is the same.” He rubbed the leg sticking out from under the wolves, “They are battling themselves. An Empathy has to feel completely welcomed into the pack. Having his brothers judged against, has left him feeling unwelcome. I see him staying within the pack but not a full member. Then the vision changes, he becomes a full member. The pack hasn’t accepted his brothers.” Tatom sat down, “Honestly I over looked that fact.”

            Zero’s tongue licked on his mate’s back as the tears began to silent themselves. Tatom had kept his hand on his leg, throwing calming vibes his way. A twig snapped off in a distance. Dalson and Jalin looked back, seeing a smaller wolf approach. Her little gray wolf came forward more, then stopped. She titled her head to the side as Zero looked up. Then finished her journey over. Amber moved herself to her brother’s side. She licked Langdon’s hand. Next they heard Amber’s whine has she began to shift. Langdon quickly took the discomfort away from her.

            “Thanks Langy,” Amber whispered as she stayed laying down for a moment.

            Tatom handed her his jacket, quickly she turned around and put it on. With a small thank-you hug, Amber crawled over to sit beside Langdon.

            “Hey bubby,” Amber rubbed Langdon, “I know you have a lot on your mind right now. But I wanted you to listen to me. I love that you’re my brother. I love that you’re with Zero. I get two brothers. Now, I get Jalin, Dalson, Tatom, and Jace in my life. Personally I think that is awesome. I mean Dalson and Jalin are pretty scary, to me! I like that you and Jace are softer.” Dalson chuckled at her words.

            “Tatom told me what they did earlier and why you’re out here. If you like, I can kick their butts for you. I mean I might not get far but I’ll surely try!” Amber used a perky voice. No response from Langdon. Sighing, she wasn’t going to give up.

            “Remember when you told me that no man was worth my tears? I still feel that my mate will reject me when I get one. I mean what wolf doesn’t want to spread his seed? A dominate without children isn’t heard of. But you made me realize that crying isn’t going to help me. You said all those things to make me feel better and I can’t think of one to make you feel better. I’m sorry, I wish I knew what to say.

            “I can say this, I want you here. I want you with Zero. I want Tatom here. I like Tatom. I like Jace. I’m getting to know Jalin and Dalson, what I do know about them, I like them too. My brother deserves to have wolves around him that is going to protect him and his mate. We all figured that Dalson and Jalin would share their souls with you. Seeing that they’re your brothers and all. So that leaves Zero with the War wolves sons. Probably a couple would share with you too. Anyways, I was thinking that most of the pack is already under your word.

            “Max and Jen wouldn’t dare disrespect you. Max would kill himself if he caused his best friend harm. Who probably is on his way, Jen was with me when we ran into Tatom. Everyone at school is on board with you.”

            Amber got up on her knees to look down at the covered up wolf. None of the wolves had moved since she arrived. “I know that I’m not that smart when it comes to pack business. I don’t pretend to be. I listen to daddy and mommy, I follow Zero. Some of the pack still confusing me, even though I grew up in a pack. I over heard daddy speaking about loyalty and how the pack’s attitudes have been. I’m not sure about what the whole conversation was.

            “So I was thinking, Zero is going to be the next Alpha, right? Well, seeing that the future pack is the one who is holding the most powerful wolves. I don’t mean that in a harmful way. I meant that about the specialty wolves.” She mumbled, “Probably should have said that differently.” 

            Zero nipped at her to keep going, his knew Langdon was listening to her like they all where. Just then Max and Jen came barreling from the side. Both showed their necks as they joined around the wolves. Max nudged Langdon’s leg to let him know that he was there for him. Zero nodded to Max, telling him to find a spot. Amber was talking. Settling down around the wolves, they waited for the conversation to keep going.

            “I had this idea, don’t know how well it will work. But it’s worth a try. You and Langdon are the future pack leaders, along with your Beta’s. Dalson, Jalin, and Jace are all specialty wolves like Langdon. Tatom is a witch who is here for Langdon. The way Aaron and Josh have been training to fight, I heard daddy say they’ll be stronger than Daren and Gregory.

            “As I see it the future of the pack is stronger than the older pack. Why couldn’t this decision to bring in Langdon’s brothers and witch into the pack only the future pack’s? I mean it’s not like daddy will get them.” She bite her lip, “Did I say that right?”

            Tatom looked over at the future Alpha, who was deep in thought. No one had thought about going this route. Amber was very much correct. The future pack was holding more power sitting right here than the pack put together. Zero barked at Amber. Who questioned his order. Drawing a A and J into the ground, she asked to borrow Tatom’s phone. She called Aaron and Josh to bring the girls and find them in the woods. Zero was wanting them to come.

            While they waited for the others to show up, the wolves kicked back and relaxed against one and another. Langdon was still laying under everyone listening to the melody of their breathing. He kept his body still as he could, honestly he found peace within this. Wolves surrounding him was actually like heaven.

            Over the time with the pack, he had learned that their caresses and touches were positively enchanting. He couldn’t understand why the caresses or touches were magnified at times then others they were just silky. Tatom had said something about it’s the way Empathy’s feel. They enjoy the love and affection from others.

            Aaron and Josh came around the trees with Courtney and Cherry. Cherry was holding on tight to Josh as he slowed down to a walk. Zero had already told them what Amber had to say once the connection was felt. Aaron had remained silent while Josh asked questioned. Will Aaron approached, he looked at Zero with worried eyes.

            ‘Aaron, what do you think?’ Zero asked.

            ‘Is it my place?’ Aaron’s eyes went down.

            ‘What? Of course it is your place! Your place is beside me!’ Zero wanted to know where this line of questioning was coming from.

            Courtney was the first to share that someone was rumoring that they were going after Aaron position as third in charge. Stunned Zero sat staring at his Beta for a moment. Demanding that Aaron raise his head, no Beta’s head should ever bow!

            ‘You listen to me, you will accept the challenge. You will defeat whoever it is that thinks for one moment they can defeat you! Then once the challenge is over you will stand tall; allowing the pack to see there is no better man to be my Beta! I shall not allow someone to come between us three. You and Josh are my brothers, my Betas. I’ll be damned if any member thinks for one second that they can take us down!”

            Langdon propped his self up on his elbow. Listing to the growls and snarls coming from Zero cause him confusion. Asking Cherry if she knew what was going on. She nodded and stated that someone was spreading rumors about attacking Aaron position as third in charge.

            “What!” Langdon was shocked. “No! I can’t believe that.”

            “Right now it’s a rumor. No one has came up to him and laid down a challenge. I don’t think.” Cherry looked over at Courtney. Who shook her head no.

            “Why would someone do that?” Asking Amber.

            “They feel that they could do a better job as Beta.” She stated like it happened all the time.

            “This is allowed?”

            “Yes. Someone could even challenge Daddy if they thought they could beat him.”

            “Are you serious? Now I have to worry about someone challenging me for my place?” Langdon groaned, “You guys didn’t tell me that!”

            “Like they would win.”

            “I don’t fight Tatom. Sorry but I kind of like the peaceful approach.”

            “But up play defense pretty good.” Reminding the Empathy. “You’re designed to calm one down. However you are designed to protect yourself as well. Placing the wolf to sleep or shocking the crap out of them is a pretty good defense.”

            The air was silent. Worry laid heavily on some shoulders. Langdon stared into the darkness of Zero’s fur. This was where he wanted to stay for the time being. Surrounded by friends and family. All they needed was May and June and they would have the whole gang there.

            May and June. What he would do to protect them. What hadn’t he done? If anyone was innocent, it was May and June. They were perfect. Always had been. Jace has his sister back, whom he thought could have been dead.

            “I’m not ready to be your mom.”

            Finally he had said something about the situation.

            “I’m not ready for the pack to come and look to us to solve their problems. I’ve seen Vera pulled a thousands ways. I can’t do that.”

            “I don’t think anyone can,” Amber said. “Mom gives dad the eye, and he makes the pack leave her alone. You are forgetting that you are not alone. Courtney and Cherry have their responsibilities like you will. mom orders Teresa and Willow like daddy Darren and Gregory.”

            Langdon had forgot about Courtney and Cherry. They would do what he needed them to do. Like help with pack business and problems. Take care of what he doesn’t have time for.

            “Besides Daddy, Gregory and Darren will give you guys time. I think they were talking about after this thing with Savage is over. Daddy doesn’t want you guys to come into a War with a new pack. Gregory and Darren agreed. They won’t be handing down the pack just yet. Normally you would be getting it soon as you guys married. But with this War Daddy wants to make sure you guys are stable before taking on the pack.”

            “Where did you learn this?” Tatom asked.

            “I over hearing things when daddy forgets that I’m in the room doing homework.” Amber giggled. “I stay quiet and keep things to myself.”

            They felt Langdon relax at hearing this from Amber. Zero then realized how nervous Langdon really was about taking on the responsibility of being the second male Alpha. Before he’s only had his mother to worry about. Now it would be many mothers, fathers and their children.

            It took a moment to get Langdon to come back to the pack house with them. However they finally were able to pull it off. Calling a pack meeting with the help of his Beta’s. Zero prepared himself to take on the whole pack of parents and elders for what he has in store for them. Alpha Blackwood came around the corner, meeting his son in the eye. Behind the dark irises there was the questioning glance of what the meeting was about. All a son could do was ask his father for patience and understanding that this was something he had to do. At no time was he stepping on his pack or his ruling.

            As the pack gathered around, the fathers sat back allowing their sons the floor. Who was waiting for a moment until the noise level was deceased. Zero stood tall in front of every member of the pack. His Beta’s matched his pride. This was their time to shine.

            “First I want to ask if the rumors are true about someone challenging Aaron for his position as my Beta?”

            Glances were taken around the crowd. Some couldn’t believe that a pack member was brave enough to come forth with such a challenge. Others didn’t seem to be shocked in any form.

            “It is,” a wolf from the back raised his hand. “I was going to challenge him properly however you called a meeting.”

            “Then step forth and challenge my Beta.” Zero growled. He was not pleased that someone would think that they could take on the his Beta without any repercussions from him.

            As the man approached to challenge Aaron, Courtney growled under her breath. Her mother Willow quickly pushed her in the back. She was to remain silent during this. It was the wolf’s right to challenge any member of the pack if he or she feels they could do a better job.

            “State your name and the challenge,” Zero voice was full of authority.

            “I am Scott King, I challenge Aaron for second Beta position.”

            “Aaron do you accept this challenge?” Zero’s voice was still full of authority. 

            “I do,” Aaron looked Scott right in the eye. Scott wasn’t much smaller than he was. Could possible impose a true challenge for him.

            “This weekend at the cabin, we’ll hold the challenge. Until then stay away from each other. No wolf is to speak about this. I want a silent challenge. Do I make myself clear?”

            “Yes Alpha,” the pack spoke in respect.

            A silent challenge allowed no one to run their mouths towards either of the opponents. It was in respect of the present Beta and possibly the future Beta. Allowing them to get their thoughts and training in order.

            “Now this part of the meeting I need all those who are the future of this pack to remain sitting. Those who have followed my father more, the elders of the pack and parents to move back away. I need the future pack to come forth. This is more for those who will follow me than my father.”

            For a few minutes the pack was shifting in their seats, allowing the younger pack members to take a seat towards the front. Zero held up his hand to calm the pack down.

            “I have been informed of a few things and reminded by my sister that we have over looked something very important. As you know my mate Langdon has a right to chose a pack that he feels he should belong to.

            “Some of the older members of the pack actually have a problem with this. They have a problem with Langdon being a man. Also they have a problem with Langdon’s brothers taking a place among the pack along with Tatom. A witch who is here to help Langdon.

            “Seeing that Dalson, Jalin, Tatom, and Jace shall follow me instead of my father. I figure this is a decision for the future pack members of this pack. No one is to speak during this time if you are not of the future pack.”

            Zero, Josh and Aaron stood before the pack as proud leaders. Even though Aaron was challenged, he was still the Beta at this moment. He was not going to let Zero down.

            “Does any one here reject my mate because of the fact he is a man?”

            The future pack remained silent.

            “Does any one here reject the fact that I have mated with him and plan on marrying him?”

            The future pack remain silent.

            “Do you accept the fact that he is your second male Alpha?”

            Max and Jen spoke up first, “I accept!” 

            Each member of the future pack spoke up that they accepted Langdon has the second male Alpha.

            “I am bringing in three more wolves to this pack and a witch. Jace is June’s brother who is mated to Jalin, Langdon’s brother. Do I hear any rejection to Jalin and Jace becoming a full member of this pack?”

            The future pack remained silent.

            “Dalson is also a brother of Langdon’s who is mated to the witch Tatom that is here to guide and to help Langdon. Do I hear any rejection to Dalson and Tatom becoming a full member of this pack?”

            The future pack remained silent.

            “One last time, do you accept that my mate is a man? Do you accept that his brothers, June’s brother and a witch shall become a full member of this pack?”

            “I accept!” Max and Jen once again was the first one’s to speak out.

            “At this time, any member who shall speak or utter a disrespectful word towards my mate or his family or witch shall be punished under the Alpha law. I will not have the future pack fail to see that this world is different. That we are weaker separated. We must accept each other for the way they are in order to become a stronger pack.

            “This is our time to show the older ones of this pack that we know what it takes to make a strong pack. That we accept life as precious as it is. No matter how different or how odd it may be. We speak of family and yet some rejected the fact they were mistreating family with hateful words.

            “If anyone here hears a disrespectful word spoken against a member, speak up. Show them that our kind must stick together. Show them that we are more respectful than they ever could be.”

            The future pack lit up in applause for their Alpha. Words like ‘I’m with you, Alpha!’ rang into the air. ‘Long live the Blackwoods!’ ‘Go Zero!’

            Zero held up his hand, the quickly fell silent. “After this challenge, I want to hold a spirit gathering for this pack. It has been far too long for us. We have lost our sight of each other. The night before we return home, we shall gather as one mighty pack.

            “The only reason why I have divided this pack today is to show some that changes are good. We do things to protect you and to make sure this pack has a solid moral ground to raise their children with. Like our fathers, we want this pack safe and unafraid to approach us in a time of need.

            “We want this pack to realize that family is family whether by blood or creed. We are one. One that I feel that need to regain their sight.

            “Please do not make this an order. Out of respect for your pack members. All should come to the spirit gathering. You also have a right to feel those around you. You might realize how long it has been and forgotten that as wolves we are all connected.”

            Alpha Blackwood walked up behind his son. Gripped his shoulders and squeezed. Daren and Gregory did the same. Tucking their arms around their sons, each grew a claw. Running their finger down the side of their necks, the fathers licked the wounds clean.

            By this action, the fathers are recognizing that their sons are strong and shall lead the pack during this time. This was the first sign of their submission to their sons.

           

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