Disclaimer: The Twilight book series and all recognizable characters and situations belong to Stephanie Meyer I don't own any of that. But I do so love her stage

Chapter 18: Meet the family also known as the pack.

Sam's Pov

Emily and I just finished bathing the twins when Jacob texted me.

Jacob: The pack is meeting at the main lodge bring Emily.

Me: On our way.

Emily looked up at me questioningly.

"Get ready baby, I have a pack meeting at the main lodge," I told her.

"Should I bring some muffins?" she asked.

"You can if you like," I reassured her.

She misses her role as den mother. Adam has usurped her at least in the kitchen. The cuisine of this region is more satisfying to the shape-shifter than normal food. Plus and I would never share this with Emily, he is the better cook.

I have to give him credit, he has offered to teach her how to cook Lucacinian food. But she is more inclined to indulge in her pity party.

"Will anyone new will be there?" she asked.

I strapped the twins into their stroller while she prepared a tray of muffins. Sue and Emily have been evaluating every new wolf they meet as a potential boyfriend for Leah. However, Leah herself seems oblivious to all the wolves sniffing around her.

"I just don't know Em. Adam and I have been thinking you and Sue should sign up for a language class. Do you want to learn Lucacinian?" I asked hoping to distract her.

It worked and we got out of the house quickly. Daniel opened the door for us and I glanced around to see most of our pack members spread around the room. I hadn't seen the younger ones since they joined a private security firm, a decision Jacob and I supported.

"Where are Leah and Seth?" I asked.

Jacob said, "They're on the way over here."

Daniel cleared his throat, "I called this meeting because we are having a special visitor in about an hour. High Alpha Elijah Korzka holds the most exalted rank in the country. We need to go over the proper etiquette for greeting him."

Adam said, "This is a casual visit, but we still defer to him. He will greet Daniel first as the highest ranking Alpha here. After that you may come forward to be introduced.

You may address him as High Alpha Korzka or just Korzka, unless he asks you to use his given name. That's unlikely to happen, but if it does he goes by Elijah. Any questions?"

Daniel said, "Well if there is nothing else I'm going to drive down to the cabins and pick up Old Quil. He wouldn't want to miss this."

We all chipped in to help clean the already spotless common areas. I tackled the restroom. It will be something to meet a High Alpha. Since we met the European wolves, we have learned our inner wolves naturally defer to stronger wolves.

I heard Leah and Seth come in. I finished cleaning the restroom and combed my hair back. I was secretly just as excited as the youngsters about meeting a High Alpha. I went back to the living area to find Emily sitting on the floor playing with the twins.

Leah walked in from the kitchen area and I did a double take. She smelled different, and carried herself with a radiance I have never see in her. I sniffed surreptitiously, she'd definitely been in contact with an unknown male.

The rumor is she saw the doctor today so I guess that explains it. She is beaming which means she must have gotten good news. We were all shocked to learn she may not be a genetic dead end after all.

Adam came in from outside and lowered his eyes to her briefly, the same as he always did for his Uncle Daniel's wife Anna. It's a mark of respect for the den mother.

I glanced at Jacob questioningly. What was that all about? He shrugged as if to say he didn't know. Leah went upstairs and we didn't see her again until just before the guest arrived.

We heard the vehicle approaching long before it came into sight. Daniel led the pack through the entrance hall outside to wait. A sleek black Hummer came around the bend coming to a stop. Six wolves exited the vehicle as Daniel stepped forward to greet them.

I immediately noticed the tall man in the center. Everything about him exuded power and nobility. His strength inspired homage from my inner wolf. I lowered my eyes and turned my head to expose my neck.

I watched his expensive black loafers come into my range of vision and stop before Daniel.

"Welcome to Ivan's Peak High Alpha Korzka, our den is open to you," Daniel greeted him.

"Thank you Alpha Lightfoot. We appreciate your hospitality on such short notice," the wolf replied.

That was our cue to be at ease. Adam stepped forward and the two wolves touched each others shoulder in their traditional greeting. Jacob and I were introduced next. I recognized something about Korzka's scent, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Daniel said, "Meet Pack Bishop's newest alpha's Jacob Black and Samuel Uley from North America.

Korzka greeted Jacob first and then his perceptive eyes landed on me.

"Alpha Uley," he said. I felt a pulse of his alpha power when we shook hands. Small goosebumps broke out all along my arms.

He looked down at our hands. I quickly let go. I really was speechless. A high alpha is rarer than a she-wolf. Meeting one is a once in a lifetime honor.

He walked over to Leah and leaned in, speaking to her in a hushed tone. She rolled her eyes when he raised her hand to his lips. He smirked at her but there was something deeper in his eyes.

She asked him, "Would you like to meet my mother now?"

He released her hand and offered his arm.

"I would be honored," He answered.

Adam followed them over to Sue. What had been eluding me since he arrived finally clicked. It was his scent all over her! When did Leah meet the High Alpha?

I glanced at Jacob who looked as gobsmacked as I felt. "Why are they acting like imprints?" I asked out loud.

"Because she is his imprint," Seth said from behind me.

You have got to be kidding me! I didn't really believe him, but the truth was right in front of me. A surge of jealously caught me by surprise. I quickly suppressed it and told myself I'm genuinely happy for her.

Jacob chuckled, "Really Seth? She finally found her man huh? I feel a little sorry for him though. He's going to have his hands full with her."

Seth grinned at him and they cuffed each other.

I heard myself say, "I'm more worried about her."

Seth looked at me curiously, but Jacob frowned slightly.

"Why?" he asked.

I lowered my voice, "Let's be honest guys, he's way out of her league." I regretted those words the minuet they left my mouth.

"Look I didn't mean it like that..." My voice faltered as something changed in the air. I felt Jacob stiffen and then all hell broke loose.

Leah's Pov

Minutes earlier

I couldn't wait to see my mom's face when she met Elijah. I counted down the time until his Hummer came to a stop and he climbed out of it. I could sense his power across the driveway.

Every wolf present instinctively lowered his eyes and exposed his neck in deference. I peeped up from under my eyelids and Elijah caught me. He winked at me and I knew it was okay for me to raise my eyes. It was a bit startling to see Adam with his eyes down and neck exposed. But, it made perfect sense. A High Alpha would outrank even him.

Elijah walked over to Daniel who stood up straight to greet him. I looked back at my mother. She was watching him with a polite smile on her face. Anna and Flori were standing near the door with Emily who was checking out my man.

Flori said, "He's a hot-tie, look at him Emily!"

"I'm looking or should I say drooling," Emily replied.

Anna shushed them in disapproval. "Both of you are married!," she chided them.

Emily giggled, "True but we're not blind."

Flori snorted, "Mircea knows I think Korzka is cute."

You have got to be kidding me! Our wolf: They can't help themselves our mate is hot! I experienced a childish sense of vindication. Look all you want Emily, he is mine!

I couldn't help thinking that for Emily's sake I hope she limits these types of conversations. Sam has been encouraging the budding friendship between the two women. But, that wolf can be very possessive of Emily. Luckily for her, he was distracted at the moment.

Elijah was making the rounds, greeting Adam. Meeting Jacob and finally Sam who was watching him with something akin to hero worship. Then it was my turn. He turned his eyes on me and I smiled at him. He offered me his hand and I took it.

He kept eye contact as he drew me closer. He leaned in and rubbed his cheek against mine. I could feel his delicious body heat where our skin met.

"Hello again," he said in a low tone.

"Hi" I responded.

"Would you believe I'm nervous about meeting your mother?" He asked.

I tried to hide my smile, "She will love you."

He raised my hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across my knuckles. I rolled my eyes and he smirked at me before offering his arm.

My mom was watching us curiously, most likely wondering who he was to me.

I glanced up at Elijah, "Would you like to meet my mother now?"

"I would be honored," he answered formally.

My heart was beating out of my chest as I said, "Mom this is Elijah Korzka my imprint."

She just stared at us for a heartbeat. Then her face broke into the most dazzling smile. I was so caught up in the moment, I didn't even finish the introduction. Adam covered my lapse.

He said, "Korzka meet my Sue."

Elijah bowed formally and said, "I'm honored to meet you Mrs. Clearwater." He raised her hand to his lips for a small peck.

"Please call me Sue. Mrs. Clearwater was my mother-in-law." she said graciously.

He smiled at her, "Madame Sue you may call me Elijah.

There was a lull in the conversation. I overheard parts of a whispered discussion between Jacob and Sam. They were wondering what's between Elijah and I. Seth took it upon himself to say we are in fact imprints. Jacob sounded happy for me, Sam not so much.

In his defense, he clearly didn't realize how far his voice carried. Apparently he is worried about me because Elijah is out of my league. His words struck a nerve because deep down I agree with him. How did I get so lucky?

Memories of the early days in Sam's pack returned with a vengeance. I remembered the isolation of being ostracized. Ever worse was the name calling. I really tried to keep my thoughts from showing on my face.

Elijah jolted me back to the present by curling his fingers around mine. I realized if I overheard Jacob and Sam, there's a good chance Elijah, Adam and even Daniel did also. I glanced up at Elijah. He was looking right at Sam.

Daniel said something I didn't catch about how the alpha sets the tone for their pack. Elijah's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

Jacob and Sam stood a short distance away still chatting softly. A growl rumbled through Elijah's chest and emerged as a low sound, but with such force the windows shook slightly like a sonic boom.

Adam muttered, "Oh, boy!" under his breath and went down on one knee. He didn't expose his neck, but he lowered his eyes to me. As a group Elijah's guards including Seth did the same thing. They went down on one knee and lowered their eyes in deference to me.

Elijah glanced around waiting patiently until everyone who was not kneeling was watching him. Then he placed himself between my two alpha's and I.

What he did next stunned me. He looked into my eyes and deliberately bared his neck to me.

A/N: What was that all about? Stay tuned to the next update to find out. Plus next update we learn more about the mutual imprint. Will Leah and Elijah sneak some quality time alone? Most likely.

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