Chapter Three- Celebration

The party's location was out in the street. Low tables had been laid out with plates of different types of meat and bowls of water. Streamers were draped stylishly over the lampposts and low music played. People were gathering onto the streets and as the sky went dark, the people turned into wolves. Jack watched this from a front window, peering between the gaps in the curtains. Word had spread that Yusei Fudo's unit had been blessed with the new wolf and the pack had gathered around the house to meet and welcome him.

His unit stood outside on either side of the door and, as he was about to head out through the dog door, Yusei said, "Stay here until the alpha says your name."

"Yes, beta." Jack had observed the others address Yusei in this way and knew that he had to as well. He peeked out the window again to see Yusei on the sidewalk sitting beside Goodwin. His ears were alert as Goodwin began to speak.

"My pack. As you know, these celebrations are a reaffirmation of life and joy. It is always a pleasure to welcome new members whether born or bitten. Tonight, we celebrate and welcome a new omega. Please join me in welcoming Jack Atlas." Jack came through the door on cue and was greeted with a chorus of howls. Jack sensed the warmth behind them and responded with a howl of his own: A sound he rather liked.

The pack broke up to mingle, eat, dance, and play. Some stayed behind to talk to Jack. They wanted to know his age, what job he used to have, and the place he held in his unit.

"You'll make a fine protector," one female said. "It may not feel like it right now, but your instincts of protection will awaken eventually. Mine certainly did."

"You're a protector too, huh?"

"Oh, yes. I'm part of an all-female unit, all six of us."

"And none of you found your mate?"

"No, but maybe this year." She winked at Jack and brushed her tail under his chin as she left.

Everyone speaks of destined mates, as if they can't control who they will live with and have a family with. Hmph, that is absurd. I allowed myself to be turned as I fell for Akiza. I should spend time with her to get to know her and then admit that I love her. Jack joined in the fun of the party, talking, laughing, eating, and loving his being a wolf. He never wanted or could be human again, but he didn't mind. He found it cool to be a wolf.

Akiza lay on the sidewalk, watching pups chase and wrestle each other. She smiled at their antics and imagined watching her own pups. She blinked at the thought and her tail swished. I'm feeling the desire to have a family! Yes! I could find my match this year and just when I thought I never would. Her eyes roved over the milling pack and wondered who it was. It'd be nice if it was a beta, but it doesn't have to be so.

Leo stumbled toward her and tumbled between her forepaws, panting. She looked at him, amused. "We needed this party. Wears you pups out."

"Hey!" Leo sat up. "Luna and I aren't little pups. We're big pups and can act like that." Leo then yawned, sank to the ground, and was instantly asleep. Akiza chuckled softly as she gently nuzzled him. "In a couple of years, you and Luna won't be pups so go ahead and act like one," she said to herself. About fifteen minutes later, Luna came over and curled up beside her. That motherly feeling rose up inside her again and she gently put her head beside Leo, and drifted off to sleep…or she tried to, but the laughter and talk made it hard and she had taken a nap earlier to stay awake tonight. She opened her eyes to watch Jack move among the pack and had to admit that Yusei had been right to say Jack was the unit protector. His body and size is suited for that position.

Blister then came over and laid beside her. "Great party, huh? We haven't had one for months since the most recent litters were born."

"Yeah, great. Blister, I think I will find my mate this year." She nodded at the sleeping pups. "I feel motherly feelings rising in me with Leo and Luna sleeping near me."

"Really? I think I'll find mine this year, too. So, we may end up moving out of our unit's home and forming our own or rather you might. Yusei said our current home will be mine as the bar is connected to it."

"I might," Akiza agreed. "We will know in two weeks."

Jack talked, ate, and danced while keeping an eye on Akiza. She was so beautiful and graceful in wolf form and he knew that the two of them would make a lovely couple and have equally lovely pups. He sniffed as the merest hint of an enticing smell reached him and he sniffed again to figure out what it was. His breath caught as his instincts kicked in and identified it. It's the scent of my destined mate. It's faint now, but it will grow stronger as the Mating Moon draws closer. Well, it would seem I was wrong. It's not absurd that one cannot control who their mate will be. I hope that scent belongs to Akiza as that who I fell for. He seized a string of sausages, went to lay on the other side of Akiza, and put the string down. "Would you like some?" he asked.

Akiza gave a wolf's grin. "That's so sweet, Jack. Thank you." She seized one end and began to eat. Jack chewed on the other end. This is a start. I will be a gentleman and treat her with respect and consideration. Then, I will tell her how I really feel.

Yusei surveyed the celebration from his home's porch. It had been a long time since the last time they had such fun. The pups especially needed this, he thought as he watched the little ones run, chase, and wrestle with each other, their barks of joy mixing with the talk and music.

Yusei then saw Goodwin climb his way and he bowed his head and tucked his tail. "Alpha," he said when Goodwin reached him. The elderly wolf nodded at Yusei's show of respect before sitting beside him, Yusei straightening up and untucking the tail. He swept a gray paw at the crowd. "An excellent celebration. Everyone is enjoying themselves."

"Yes, alpha. It has been months since the birth of pups when the last party was held."

"Indeed. We will be holding a massive party within several months as pups will be born when mates form on the Mating Moon or existing ones couple." His eyes flicked to the golden yellow wolf. "I wonder if Jack will find one this year. It would be good if his traits were perpetuated. Such solid genetic stock."

"Yes, it would be good."

"When I met him shortly after he changed, I sensed he didn't wander into our territory by accident. He came here deliberately, knowing he would be bitten unless he got back to the human side. Since he is part of your unit, Yusei, you need to find out why he decided to be turned and report it to me."

"Yes, alpha." Yusei paused for a moment before saying, "I caught a scent off Jack that I really like when I was giving him a tour earlier today."

"Did you? Well, that could mean that you and Jack are meant to be mates and as you are the beta, Jack would carry the pups."

"Yes and if we moved to our own place, the twins will come with us. I don't want them to be shuffled around again."

"Of course. They are part of your unit and a beta's job is to insure each member's safety and health."

Yusei's tail swished at Goodwin's confirmation. He was fond of Leo and Luna as their parents had been killed when they were only five. Goodwin took them into his home until he was able to find them a unit to live with. They were moved from unit to unit until a fifteen-year-old Yusei was bitten and found to be a beta. He had lived with Goodwin for only one day to learn to be a werewolf and a beta and when he moved to his own place, the twins followed as they had grown attached to him in the brief period of time. Now, three years later, they regarded Yusei not just as a beta, but a big brother.

We will stay together until they find their own mates which could be as soon as two years as they will be thirteen by then. He gazed over the party. Could Jack be my mate? I do find him handsome, human and wolf. Well, in two weeks, I will know.