*waves* Hi all, I want to gve a huge thanks to amb6675 for the comment, as it made me realize that I never managed to get the last two chapters posted here, after everything happened. So here they are! I hope you enjoy. Hopefully once my life calms down a bit more I can get working on the second part of this main tale.
John's POV
An hour before they are to leave for the pack meeting, Pyotr is delivered to the flat by Frank with a friendly wave before the crow drives off.
As they head upstairs his bondmate passes him heading downstairs, scent worried, distracted, almost confused. None of which is normal for his love.
"Where's Anna?" the Russian wolf queries.
"Upstairs sleeping, she's a bit exhausted from today's training." He answers, glancing down the stairs as they reach the landing. "She's got a few habits to unlearn that will be a draining."
Pyotr frowns at him, following him into the the sitting area. "Explain, please."
There is just enough of a pause between the two words that he's certain it started off as an order until the other wolf remembered who he was speaking with. The problem with being part of the alpha family, sometimes forgetting manners. However, since he understands where the emotion behind it is coming from, and he doesn't hold it against the wolf.
While he is discussing his cousin's training with the Russian wolf, Sherlock comes upstairs, heading to their bedroom with a quick nod in their direction. At least the scent wafting behind his bondmate is no longer troubled.
As their conversation draws to a close, thankfully a few minutes before it's time to leave, he excuses himself to check on his love. He finds his genius settled on the edge of the bed, expression distant as if speaking with someone. As there are only a few in the pack who have long distance telepathy for sustained conversation, so he doesn't disturb them.
He's finishing changing when Sherlock blinks, gray blue eyes coming back into focus.
"Eric's a helpful cobra," his human mutters with a wiry smile, twisting around a bit.
"Are you ready?" He queries as he nods in agreement and glances at the suit his love put on earlier. It's perfect as far as he cares, but sometimes his bonded changes for whatever reason. "It's nearly time to go."
"Yes, of course," Sherlock's a bit distracted still. "Is Pyotr here?"
"Yeah, he showed up as you were going downstairs earlier." He replies with a grin, stepping closer to his bondmate, "He's currently in the front room looking through the books. Anna's still napping." He presses their lips together lightly.
"Excellent," his love hums with huffing laughter against his lips.
They leave when they're done kissing. He's sure his fur is all puffed up when he changes, from pride and possessive love.
We'll be taking the cab back, he remarks, or riding with someone. As I will have the learning journals from when I was in training to take with me. He's not planning on all of them, just the ones he used when learning, the rest will be left in the family vault for safe keeping.
That works, Sherlock replies, climbing on his shoulders so they can race towards the pack home.
The pack meeting feels rather full when they get there. It takes him a moment to realize that nearly every single member is there. That's not something that happens all that often. When he realizes that it's also a monthly pack birth celebration day, he understands. He almost feels silly for the fact that he forgot.
"Birthdays first or pack meeting first?" Aunt Sandra asks him as everyone finds a spot to sit in the packed room.
Really, they should take this outside, he muses, there'd be a lot more space. Although, he frowns, it's spring, that might not be a good idea. "Pack meeting, then birthdays so people can leave as they are ready and done celebrating."
She nods, going and taking her place.
Calling the meeting to a start, he waits until everyone is nearly silent before he begins to speak. The meeting goes quickly, as there isn't a lot to discuss past the upcoming summer celebrations and the arrangements for apprenticeships. When he's done, he checks to see if anyone has anything they'd like brought to the floor, but no one answers.
"If all pups ages ten to eighteen could report to the library to speak with Aunt Sandra, and all medical and healers report to the front sitting room, that would be appreciated." He closes the meeting.
Since Sherlock's aware of his plans, he pauses for a moment by his bondmate to kiss him, before heading to the front sitting room and waiting for the various healers to join him. He hasn't had a chance to work with all of them, doesn't know their skill levels or how each was trained, as many were trained elsewhere, by other packs or humans.
He grabs something to drink on his way to the sitting room, taking a seat and greeting those already there. He'll wait until the others are there before he will begin the discussion about the clinic and the invite to all of them who may or may not wish to join it. He'll make it a point to stress that they don't have to do it, that this isn't an alpha's order. He know some of the Devon subpack and the others adopted in grew up in packs where that's what all alpha suggestions were.
"Thank you all," he tells them as the last of them settles in the room a bit later. "I'll keep this brief so we can get to the celebrations."
All around him the shifters of his pack nod, watching him intently.
"I will be opening a clinic, as my grandmum had when training me. However, unlike that clinic which was only temporary, I plan to open a year round one." He picks up his cup, giving them a moment to consider that, see how many of them draw the conclusion as to why he asked them here. "I would appreciate it if any of you would consider joining the practice. It is not an alpha's order."
There's a moment of silence before a flood of questions fills the air.
He waits through it, not actually trying to listen to them. There's too many voices and questions for him to process all of them. Once they get the shock out of their system, he will ask each in turn what their question is. The only ones not speaking currently is Jace, who's watching him with thoughtful brown eyes, and Daria, whose lips are pressed tight together as she studies the others.
Eventually the gathered shifters quiet down.
"Please explain more," Jeffery requests, leaning forward and listening intently. The others who had been asking questions take the wolf's example and pay close attention.
Right, now it's time for that discussion.
