Chapter Forty-five

Philip watched and listened as they rode down the mountain; Freja and Lucas were asking questions about their friends' travels. Gabriel was a mystery; he was young and full of life and childish glee, while being powerful and far more cunning and observant then he let on. Philip was one of the werewolf representatives on the Magical Beings Council. The council had been developed to help relations and support treaties between different clans, and different magical creatures.

Humans used to be on the council; Helga Hufflepuff herself was a council member a thousand years ago. Helga had told the council of Rowena's visions, and of the little angel who would make things right. Five hundred years ago there was an uprising in the magical world and a dark witch, Belladonna Raspin, and her followers waged war across most of Europe. Fifty years and thousands of deaths later the wizarding world was ready to rebuild. Most of the elder wizards and witches were gone, and those rebuilding were filled with fear, and the desire to prevent another uprising. Laws were passed to regulate 'magical creatures' and 'dark magic'. The council was forgotten and treaties ignored. After forty years Hogwarts was re-opened and a wizard from Norway was hired to be the headmaster. He didn't even look at the textbooks and replaced them all, and so the Founders' knowledge and wisdom was forgotten.

The council currently consisted of every non-human, sentient magical creature. The council members usually checked in with others of their kind, teaching the old ways and helping those who were caught up in modern prejudice and false myths. Philip had been a council member now for three hundred years; werewolves had the shortest life of existing council members and were offered the option of being bound to a vampire to increase their lifespan. There were four of each being represented on the council, and each of the four werewolves had chosen to bond with a vampire. Of course the fact that they had fallen in love had made it an easy decision. Philip smiled as he thought of Jaroslava, his bonded; she was lovely and the looked antithesis of a vampire with sunny blond hair and sky blue eyes, and after she had fed, pink round cheeks.

Philip was brought out of his musings when he saw Gabriel slow down and casually reach out and run his fingers through a juniper tree. Smiling at his handful of bluish juniper berries, Gabriel made sure no one was looking and threw one at Lucas' head as he passed under a tree. Lucas looked up and then ran a hand through his hair. Philip smirked at Gabriel's behavior. Every time they would pass under a tree, Gabriel would through a berry at Lucas. The poor man soon began cursing the trees, and wondering why he was the only one being dropped on. Gabriel truly was a wonder, most people avoided werewolves totally, and those who would associate with them, avoided them around the full moon, and here he saw a young boy taunting an alpha wolf the night before the full moon.

Vincent rode over to Gabriel, "Here, put on this sweatshirt."

"Sure; hold these will you?" Gabriel said handing over his handful of berries. He put on the crimson sweatshirt and flipped up the hood. "I thought we were supposed to avoid the big bad wolf?"

Vincent laughed, "Do you have a basket full of goodies?"

Freja smiled, "You make a very cute Little Red Riding Hood."

Lucas grinned, "Come here, little one, and let me eat you up."

Gabriel laughed, and seeing they were just on the edge of Oma's property he grabbed the juniper berries and threw them up into the air so they would land on top of Lucas and then took off on his horse.

Lucas just sat for a moment, shocked as he realized Gabriel had been throwing berries at him for the past hour. Snarling, "Cherub!" Lucas took off after him.

Gabriel laughed joyously and urged his horse on, easily moving between the trees. Once he came out of the forest and onto Oma's cleared land Gabriel looked behind him, Lucas was gaining on him. Seeing the house Gabriel yelled, "Soto!"

Soto ran into view. Smirking and encouraging the horse one last time Gabriel slowly placed his feet on top of the saddle. Soto braced himself for the forth-coming impact and as the horse came near Gabriel leapt and was easily caught in Soto's arms. "Thanks, Soto," Gabriel said.

"What did you do to Lucas?" Soto asked as he watched Lucas slow down his horse and head towards them.

Gabriel's green eyes widened, and his pink lips parted in shock. "Me? I didn't do anything."

Soto smirked, "Wonderful impression of someone innocent, Gabriel, but I do know better."

Gabriel grinned impishly as Lucas stormed up. "All right, hand him over."

"Sure," Soto said as he quickly pushed Gabriel off of him, and into the werewolf's arms.

Gabriel squeaked indignantly, but quickly recovered and wrapped his arms around the large man. Gabriel placed a sweet kiss on Lucas' cheek. "You know you love me."

Lucas tried to keep focused on his anger, but Gabriel's large green eyes and innocent-looking pout were undoing him. The fact that Gabriel was comfortable in his arms simply made all thoughts of revenge fade. It was a little known fact that werewolves needed and craved touch, which made the fear people had of touching them that much harder to deal with. Lucas sighed and held Gabriel closer. "Cherub, you are such a brat."

Gabriel grinned and hugged him back tightly. Looking up he saw Remus, Rose and her children all watching them with worried looks. Waving cheerfully at them he said, "Shall I introduce you to the werewolves we rescued?"

"Yes, let's get this done." Lucas said. Placing Gabriel on the ground, Lucas drew himself up and walked towards the people wanting his protection.

Gabriel rolled his eyes at Lucas' posturing and began to whisper, "Puff up more. Come on, alpha out."

Lucas' mouth twitched. "Hush, brat, they are asking for my protection, I don't need anyone undermining me or trying to take over my clan."

"I understand, but right now they are under my protection."

Lucas looked down into serious emerald eyes, his amber eyes widened in understanding and he nodded once. "Okay, I respect that you helped to rescue them. However I still have to take care of things in my own way."

"They know you are our friend, and we trust you. They are also scared; this is Rose's and her kids' first time changing," Gabriel said his voice soft.

"Remember, they want a strong alpha, they want to feel safe and protected," Lucas replied. They stopped talking as they neared the group.

Gabriel cleared his throat and began introductions. "Lucas Nef this is Remus Lupin, Rose and her children Lilac, Tristan, and Marigold."

Lucas shook hands with everyone, allowing his power to flow into them letting them know he was the alpha. Rose and her children instantly calmed down at his touch, Remus relaxed for a moment and then forced himself back up, Lucas quirked an eyebrow in question at Remus.

"I am not an animal," Remus stated.

"We are all animals; some of us are just driven by instincts more than others. We all want to feel safe either because we are in charge, or we want to trust whoever is in charge," Lucas said calmly and with just a hint of a snarl. Rose and her children looked confused, Lucas made them feel safe, and yet they didn't want to become animals.

Philip smiled softly as he joined the group. "Will you all be joining us for the full moon?"

"Lucas hasn't said if it is okay yet, but we're hoping to," answered Rose nervously.

"And you are?" Remus demanded.

"Oh, how rude of me, please allow me to introduce myself," Philip said as he bowed deeply. "I am Philip, bonded to Jaroslava. And who might you be?"

"I'm Rose, and these are my children, Lilac, Tristan and Marigold." Lucas bowed to each, shaking Tristan's hand and kissing the ladies' hands.

"Do you not use your surname any longer?" Philip asked.

"My husband threw us out and I am sure he's disowned us, so I choose not to use his name," Rose said firmly if a little sadly.

"Well, lovely lady, his loss is our gain. I am sure you will have many suitors as soon as it is known you are ready for them," Philip said with a sly wink. Rose blushed softly, and tucked her red hair behind her ears.

"I am Remus Lupin."

Philip smiled and took his hand, then his face became serious. Remus had tried to push his energy into Philip, testing his limits. Philip, as he had with Gabriel, had kept his energy within himself. It could be felt, but wasn't forced to be recognized. "What is the point of this? Are you just responding to Lucas, or are you testing me?"

Remus hesitated for a moment, "I'm sorry, I think I am responding to Lucas. I am not used to being around other werewolves, and those I have been act more…"

Philip laughed it was harsh and dry. "More human? We are not just human we are also wolves, and denying that just makes things worse. Look at you, you deny what you are, your pain and exhaustion rolls off of you in waves. You're tired, sick, and aging quickly. Now look at Lucas. His hair is rich brown with no gray, his energy strong if a bit wild this close to the full moon, and he is sixty years old. He keeps his mind during the transformation, no one at this farm, or in the village worry about being attacked by a werewolf because they know Lucas is here protecting both the pack and them."

Remus's mouth dropped open in shock, how was this possible? Before he could ask anything Rose spoke up: "Is it because you're an alpha, or is your whole pack like you?"

"My whole pack is taught how to accept and blend with the wolf. Those that practice harder get better results," Lucas said with pride and strength in his voice.

"How is this possible?"

Lucas turned to Remus. "Who are you loyal to? Who would you tell our secrets to? Grayback doesn't know the things I do. The Ministry and St. Mungo's don't know what is possible, and there is a reason why they don't: they cannot be trusted. So who would you tell?"

"I don't know. I am loyal to Albus Dumbledore. I am out here on a mission for him. I think if more people knew, maybe things could change for werewolves who are trying to live within the wizarding world."

Philip smiled softly, "Now is not the time, but that will change. I am not willing for this information to fall into the wrong hands, and I do not trust Dumbledore. If your loyalties ever change, please find me."

Remus was just about to question this statement when Adonis called everyone to dinner. Once seated, Adonis brought out a large roast, with gravy, two huge pans of cheese and macaroni, steamed broccoli, warm bread, and a bowl of coleslaw. As everyone was helping themselves to the wonderfully fragrant food, Gabriel looked over at Soto and stopped. Quietly he got up and walked around to where Soto sat. Pulling out a clean handkerchief, Gabriel tipped Soto's water glass to dampen the white cotton. "What?" Soto asked confused by Gabriel's odd behavior.

"You're a mess I can't believe you came to the table like this," Gabriel said, managing to suppress a smirk as he began to wipe at the large love bite on Soto's neck. Remus buried his face in his hands, turning beet red, and Elena laughed so hard she almost fell off her seat.

Soto's black eyes narrowed as he glared at Gabriel. "You are in so much trouble."

"Why?" Gabriel asked innocently.

At this Philip and Lucas began to howl with laughter. "Bloody hell, he has a good 'innocent face'," Lucas said.

"One day you will have a mark like this, and then payback will be coming," Soto said calmly as he dished himself up some broccoli.

Gabriel quirked his head to the side in confusion, "But I don't let the people I'm with leave marks."

Everyone froze at this and stared at Gabriel in shock. Gabriel was able to hold the blank face for only a moment before he burst out laughing. "I'm only ten! I can't believe you fell for that."

Eyes narrowed at the small boy. Freja snickered; she hadn't fallen for it. "Cherub, honey you might want to run."

Gabriel calmly sat back down between Philip and Lucas and began putting food on his plate. "No, I'm fine, thanks."

Slowly everyone began to chuckle and then laugh. When everyone calmed down, they began to eat. "Thank you for making dinner, Adonis." Gabriel said politely as he put a forkful of cheese and macaroni into his mouth and hummed. Philip looked down at the black-haired boy in wonder as Gabriel hummed happily while eating. Questioning eyes turned to Vincent, who simply shrugged his shoulders.

Adonis grinned at the hum. "I'm glad you like it, Cherub. How is the roast? I've never cooked one before."

Tristan, Lilac and Marigold all said, "Yummy," and went back to eating.

"It's very good," Rose, said politely. "Do you normally not cook very much?"

"Oh I cook all the time, but we are vegetarians, so I have never cooked a roast," Adonis answered.

Rose looked a bit shy, "Oh, you shouldn't have cooked meat on our account."

"Pish," Adonis said lightheartedly, "it wasn't any trouble, and it is what you need."

"Well thank you, it is delicious," Philip said.

After dinner, they all sat around a warm fire with cups of coffee for the adults and mugs of hot chocolate with cinnamon for the kids.

"So, Lucas," Rose asked nervously, "what happens tomorrow night? And how do we become members of your clan?"

Lucas smiled reassuringly. "Tomorrow morning, we will go to our village and spend the day doing exercises and meditation in preparation for the transformation. That evening we will gather together, to support each other through the change, and then play. We chase each other and animals; sometimes we hunt. Just whatever you feel like doing. As for becoming part of the pack, you and you children are welcome to live with us and we will all get to know each other. If everyone's needs are met, then you can stay. If not we will find you a pack that will meet your needs better."

"Like what? What could keep us from being accepted?" Rose asked clenching her hands together in nervousness.

Lucas thought for a moment before answering. "Well, we had a woman a few years back who liked to sleep with many different people and went from one bed to another. This caused problems within my clan, so she went to a clan in Greece who enjoy a more varied sex life. She is very happy there. There was a man who was very violent and wanted to dominate and control those under him; he was encouraged to go to a clan in Turkey, who devote themselves to a warrior lifestyle. We have had people who wanted to be in more urban environments, in a warmer place; all sorts of things can make other clans a better fit." Rose visibly relaxed as she realized this wasn't going to be a long test and she wouldn't be left to fend on her own.

Gabriel smiled as the adults talked amongst themselves. Wrapping his arms around his Baba's neck he asked, "Can we check on Oma and Ann and see if the baby horses are here yet?"

"Sure…" Mudiwa began, but was interrupted by Kamala screaming "No!"

Next to the fire stood Kamala with her hand held out towards Tristan, who was suspended mid trip above the fire. For a moment everyone was frozen in shock, then Adonis jumped up and grabbed Tristan, handing him over to his mum, while Ria and Naveen checked on Kamala. Gabriel just grinned; he had known for a while his little sister was a witch.