Chapter Twenty
With Magnus' offer to use the cell, Luke and Amatis returned to the warehouse for the next full moon. Luke had been somewhat worried. It was unnerving, being subject to the moon, to the werewolf once again, but Amatis' presence soothed him, and it went relatively ease fully.
Things at the shop were also going well, and the girls were getting more comfortable with him. He told Amatis he would be alright, for her to return to Idris. She was torn, but agreed to depart. They made arrangements to keep in touch, and she promised to visit soon.
He met with Simon once a week, usually after school. Luke bought him a bite to eat, and listened to his school tales. He and the wolf pack also settled into a rhythm, after meeting Gretel and Alaric, then the other members of the pack at the Hunter's Moon. He was received well, and Gabriel asked if he would officially join. He said yes, and invited everyone to his farmhouse to celebrate, sealing the deal.
They gave him a tour of headquarters. It was in decent shape, though Luke wanted to do some repairs on it, since it was the permanent home of over half the pack. The restaurant front was in his opinion a wasted opportunity. This was an urban pack, if they wanted to live off the land they wouldn't be here. He approached Gabriel about re-opening The Jade Wolf as a working restaurant. He had some funds, and if they pooled funds from the bar he thought it could work.
Gabriel said whatever he wanted to do to the police headquarters was fine. As for the Jade Wolf, Gabriel liked the idea, but the place needed a lot of work. Luke started doing repairs himself during the day, starting with the police headquarters, while the girls ran the shop. Other pack members helped when they could.
One evening he was sitting with Gabriel, Alaric and Heidi at headquarters, after doing some painting, about a month after he joining the pack.
"Luke, there's something we've wanted to discuss with you. As you can see, I'm getting up there in years. I think it's time I stepped down as pack leader. I have family down south; I'd like to move back home. I already discussed this with Heidi and Alaric and they are in agreement – I want you to replace me as pack leader."
"You're well liked; you've already done it; you formally being a Shadowhunter is an asset; you're a skilled fighter; and the impact you've had on the pack in this short time is obvious. Frankly, I think it's a God-send we met when we did. Will you do it?"
Luke paused. He knew he would have Amatis' and Magnus' support in this. He did care about these people, and knew the upheaval a change in leadership could bring. The second and third approved and would not challenge him. This couldn't be more perfect.
"I will, under one condition."
"Name it."
"Gretel and Alaric, you cannot call me, 'Master.'"
Gretel and Alaric exchanged a look, then nodded to each other.
"Will 'Sir' suffice?" asked Gretel, in her typical stern voice.
"Yes."
Gabriel let out a happy yell.
"Call the pack. Meet here, then on to The Hunter's Moon! Let's make a night of it!"
The pack responded well. A lot of whooping and hollering. A question. "Does anyone oppose this decision?"
When that was met with silence, Gabriel said, "It's been an honor. I know I am leaving you in capable hands. I officially step down as pack leader."
The pack bowed to Gabriel one last time. "Now, show your new leader some respect." The pack, including Gabriel, moved as one, kneeling in Luke's direction. Luke raised his hand, and they rose as one.
"Okay, everyone. Let's get this party started!" said Gabiel happily. The pack piled into a series of vehicles and headed to The Hunter's Moon.
Magnus was pleased. "If I told you I hoped from the beginning this would happen, would you accuse me of being too calculating?"
Amatis was happy too. "You tell them, they'll have me to deal with if they get out of line!" He said that wouldn't go over well with his status as leader. "Excuse me, while I call my big sister."
"That should scare them even more!"
He had terrible deja vu when Jocelyn met the pack for the first time. When she came out to the Brocelind Forest pack the first time, it had been at once joyous and heartbreaking. It was easier to go on with his new life when he had no reminders of his previous one. This felt much the same. Jocelyn was back as a Shadowhunter, he was leader of a wolf pack, and their life together as exiles was over. At least he hadn't killed anyone this time.
"You'll be a terrific pack leader, Luke. You have a great demeanor for it. They're lucky to have you." said Jocelyn, with a hint of sadness.
His days became busy. Meeting with pack members. The young ones ran the shop during the day. Luke sent them home around five and worked the final few hours of the day himself. He spent his mornings and afternoons working on the Chinese restaurant and the police headquarters.
After work, he often went to the Hunter's Moon to mingle with pack members, checking in on everyone. He and Amatis were keeping in touch with letters - he wrote on his day off or in the mornings before work.
He and Magnus saw each other somewhat regularly now. Partly for business – they shared information on the Downworld – but staying at his property for months had been quite the icebreaker.
Luke also got to visit with the Lightwood's, when they invited him to to the New York Institute. They introduced their two youngest: Isabelle and Maxwell, and he saw Alexander as a grown man; Magnus had been shocked when Luke told him he met Alexander as an infant.
Luke thanked Maryse and Robert for keeping his secret.
"It was the least we could do for you. I speak for us both when I say we are sorry we abandoned you, after you were turned." said Robert.
"We've all gone through something, it seems. You both raised three exceptional children regardless."
"You are too kind." replied Maryse.
"But, Robert, what happened? All of your children look exactly like Maryse." They actually laughed.
"I always did wear the pants in this marriage." Maryse joked.
"I am not complaining. My beautiful children take after my beautiful wife."
"By the Angel! I don't think I've ever seen you two flirt with each other!" said Isabelle theatrically. "And, just so you know, things are changing, even amongst Shadowhunters. Alec is dating Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn, and I've dated Downworlders too. Who knows, I might be dating one of your wolves soon."
Luke spoke with Hodge as well. "Hodge is like family to us. He's been our tutor." said Alexander proudly. "I still am, Alexander. There's always something new to learn. Lucian, you'll have to stop by again."
Luke promised he would. He knew all too well what it was like to be trapped. Though Hodge's was beautiful, it was still a cage.
The Chinese restaurant was coming along nicely. The book shop was running fine. He'd sold antiques for awhile, but it got to be too much shopping for them and managing the store. Now that he had help, he considered starting it up again. He had fond memories of driving around with Clary in the summer and on weekends to estate sales.
As he was sitting at his kitchen table thinking about it, his young employees home for the evening, he heard, then saw a familiar raven knocking at his window. Was he finally hearing from Valentine? Magnus and the Lightwoods had advised Valentine not to come into town for awhile – Magnus confided to him later.
He remembered Valentine's solo visit to him when he was a werewolf – Magnus had made an exception for that. That was the last time they had been in contact, and it had been difficult to see or hear him. He fought, but didn't succeed in giving an affirmative signal to Valentine that he knew he was there.
He went outside and retrieved the message. The raven followed him in. It was from Valentine.
"Congratulations on your new appointment. Would you join me at The Riverview next Friday at 9?"
Luke was momentarily surprised at Valentine's intel, then brought his attention back to the matter at hand. The Riverside was an extremely expensive restaurant. It took months to get a reservation. Luke had never been there himself. The dress code was formal. He found himself momentarily intimidated by that, then laughed to himself. After everything he had been through, he was scared to put on a suit?
He thought he would feel excited when he heard from Valentine again, but instead he felt adrift. It had been over five months since the nights they talked together, and the final night felt completely removed from him. Even lying in his bed, where they laid together, didn't spark any reality of what happened.
Magnus was the only other person who knew, at least he hoped he was. Magnus had not asked him about Valentine, though he often confided in him about his relationship with Alexander Lightwood.
Luke picked up a pen. "Thank you. I will join you. I will meet you there." He attached the message to the raven's leg, opened the door and watched the raven flew away.