Colt stepped back allowing the three wolves into her home, feeling as though itbwas being invaded slightly.
"I'm Zachary by the way." the unknown one whispered withba wink, as he walked past. "Very nice to meet you Luna."
"I am not your Luna." Colt retorted withna frown.
Zachary paused and smiled "But you are my Alpha's's mate. Therefore you're my Luna, whether Eli is wolf enough to claim you or not. You are my Luna and a beautiful one at that".
He was so flirty yet matter of fact that Colt found she couldn't argue with him. She settled for her signature eye roll instead, earning a laugh from him.
"Also, I'm only here for the food, I can't resist a home cooked meal, so please don't feel out numbered." he smiled cheekily shrugging his shoulders.
As he walked after Elijah and Marcus towards the kitchen, Colt realised she liked him. He came across as open, friendly and easy going with just the right level of banter. She closed the door with and followed them into her now incredibly tiny seeming kitchen/dining room. She grabbed her drink off the counter as she went and sat down at the dining table while awaiting for her Mom prepare to verbally tear Elijah a new one. She wondered if she would use guilt or aggression to attack him. But, after her Mom's next sentence she realized guilt and disappointment were her trademarks for scolding, so of course that's the tact she would use.
"Mr. Lupus, let me be crystal clear you have been allowed into this home on my nephew's behalf and do not mistake it for any other reason than that. I do not take kindly to men who seem to think rape of any sort is acceptable. Do you understand me?" Isla began.
"Sorry, What!" Elijah replied. "I would never force a woman! how dare you imply..." his anger raised steadily at the accusations.
"Do. Not. Interrupt. Me. Mr Lupus" Isla cut him off, she didn't raise her voice yet anger was seething out of her pores. She then asked, "What would you call marking my daughter without consent then!" Isla hissed back at him, her metaphorical back arched in full defend and attack mode. "Forcing yourself on her in the most permanent of ways! It is disgusting, not to mention disappointing that my daughter would be stuck with a mate like that. I had hoped that your brutality wouldn't extend to her since she is your mate. But, apparently I was wrong! You have cost my family enough as it is! You will not be permitted to harm her! Do I make myself clear?"
Elijah stood mute staring at the slim woman in front of him. He had no idea cats could be so protective of their young and was completely taken aback by what she said. He couldn't even argue back, not when he agreed with what she had said. So, in his shock he was vaguely aware of himself mumbling out a "Yes Ma'am" But he also really wanted to know what exactly she meant by what he had cost her family. He was still trying to work this out when Zachary's laughter filled the room.
"Oh, I came for the food, but watching Eli get his ass handed to him by a cat is even better." he bellowed out slapping his Alpha playfully the back.
Marcus and Colt cringed at this point, knowing full well where Isal's anger would shift next.
"Are you telling me, the subjugation of my daughter is funny young man? What the hell kind of Beta are you that you think a forced mating mark is a joke?" she sneered at him.
Suddenly he stilled all his bravado melting out him. He was completely crestfallen and managed to stutter out, "N, n, no I w, would never a, allow our Luna to be h, hurt like that, I didn't mean that was a joke. I. I. I'm sorry." By the time he finished he was staring at his feet filled with shame at having been scolded.
"Good, now act it." she sneered. Taking a deep breath, she shook off her irritation and said, "Now if you boys have finished with your ridiculous shenanigans, go and sit down." she pointed at the table. Colt will you help me serve the plates please." Isla asked her daughter sweetly. Maneuvering them all so Colt wouldn't have to sit beside Elijah.
After they were all sat at the table and beginningto eat, the air was still noticeably awkward about them. All the same Marcus spoke.
"Auntie Isla?" he started slightly nervous.
"Yes, sweetie?" she replied, an obvious soft spot for her nephew shining through.
"Well, how did you do it?" he half smiled.
At this point everyone was wondering where he was going with his questions except Colt who had rather quickly joined the dots about what her cousin was regarding as a remarkable feat.
"Do what?" Isla asked in response.
"Well you just told off the two of the arguably most powerful wolves in this country, potentially the world and they let you." he asked dumbfounded and awed at his aunt's ability.
Isla and Colt laughed at this point.
Colt piped in, not being able to resist an opportunity to boast a little about her Mom, "I have five brothers and a Beta level father, how do you think she did it?"
"She is right even if I'm technically a wildcat among wolves, having raised five and a bit myself, plus my mate. Well, you boys are child's play I'mafraid." Isla remarked casually.
"Wait," Zachary chimed in, feeling brave enough now to enter the conversation, now the scolding section of the evening seemed to have passed. "What's 'a bit'? "
Marcus beemed proudly and answered "I guess, I am."
"Yes, you are sweetie." Isla said.
"But I thought you said you were cousins?" Elijah asked confused.
"We are, but when I was born my Mom haemorrhaged. She almost did make it and was too weak to look after me for a few weeks. By the time she was strong enough she had developed post partum depression. My Dad was focused on his mate whom he nearly lost and so Uncle Kelvin and Auntie Isla stepped in and ended up raising me for a year and a half." Marcus answered.
"Yes, we had recently been blessed with Harris our eldest, and so I was able to express and feed you both while your Mom recovered. Then when she was ready you went home. Broke my heart to see you go honey, if I'm honest. I think we might still have your first steps on film somewhere at home. Oh, and you had the chubbiest cheeks and the best expressions when you were pooping. Oh you would go so red in the face and pout better than any Kardashian I have seen yet!" She gushed out as she travelled down memory lane.
Marcus' face instantly went bright red, as everyone erupted into loud guffaws of laughter at his expense. The atmosphere was finally warm and relaxed as everyonerubbed along together happily.
"Thanks for that Auntie." Marcus said holding his head I'd his hands, "You just told that to the biggest blubber mouth the wolf species has ever seen." he finished as he nodded towards Zachary.
"Oh, but you were adorable, and such a good baby. Unlike you cousin at the time. Oh Harris had us up constantly through the night. As did you young lady when you came along." she said nodding in Colt's direction and gaining a smile from her daughter.
"Wait so you did that for another's cub?" Elijah asked in awe. "But you're a cat, aren't your species more...independent?"
The air tensed again as Isla brought her cold glare to Elijah. "I may be of a 'cat' species as you put it so scornfully, but I am a Scottish Wildcat. Like our pure animal counterparts we are not as affluent in numbers as we once were. So every child is precious to us. Regardless of species. Do not lay your own prejudices at my door Mr. Lupus they will not be tolerated." she snapped back at him showing her clear displeasure.
"I.. I.. I wasn't. There was no offence meant. I was only trying to understand. I'm sorry." Elijah stammered out, once again ending up at the receiving end of Isla's anger.
Never in his life had anyone spoken to him like this and walked away. He did not tolerate it on principle. But twice in the space of an hour Isla Merrier had firmly put him in his place, and what shocked him most was that she was right. He had no come back other than to back down. It gave him a slightly new view of himself and he wasn't entirely keen on what he saw.
"Yes well," Isla continued changing the subject back to Marcus and his family. "How is Alana doing anyway Marcus? I hate with everything that happened we all lost touch."
"Mom is good, she and and Dad are currently touring South America on holiday. Last I heard they were beginning their trek through the Andes." he happily replied.
"Oh, that's wonderful." Isla smiled. "Alana always wanted to go there."
"Wait, sorry to interrupt, but what happen if it is ok to ask?" Zachary's curiosity got the better of him.
Isla stiffened slightly and glanced at Colt.
"Its okay Mom. I'm fine." Colt reassured her, her Mom smiled as she went on. "They are referring to the circumstances where we left Dad's pack."
"I'd like to hear this story as well, if you are willing to share it" Elijah added with a genuine smile at the thought of getting to know more about his mate.
"Mom?" Colt asked for permission.
"I don't mind sweetie, it's your choice." she replied, watching Elijah carefully.
"Well, I was the fourth child my Mom and Dad had. Before me there is Harris, Asher, and Mark. Then after, there is Scott, Lewis and Ross."
"Wait that is six brothers, I thought you had five?" Zachary chimed in.
"Shut up." Elijah growled in warning.
"Oh, shit! I'm so sorry. I shouldn't..." Zachary started to apologise.
"Stop talking Zach." Elijah said hitting him on the back of the head.
"Ross was born prematurely and he didn't stay with us long" Isla clarified the details briefly as Colt took her hand under the table for support.
"Anyway, as I was saying" Colt continued while the others listened solemnly to her story. "My older brothers all took after Dad, in the sense that they carried the genetics for being a wolf. My younger brothers did as well. All being able to shift at the age of three. When I was five however, I still hadn't shifted. I have traits in my human form of both wildcat and wolf. So, for example I have a wolf's sense of smell, but the vision of a cat among other things. Dad's old Alpha wasn't happy, he decided I was an abomination. That I was the perfect example of why species shouldn't inter breed. Mostly because I couldn't shift. Still can't. So he ordered my father to dispose of me."
This time it was a large growl erupting from Elijah that disturbed Colt's story. It was the only thing so far that had earned him any points from Isla, although such displays at 5he dinner table were just rude in her opinion.
"Calm down big fella, she's still here." Isla smiled at him.
It was the first smile he had had from his mate's mother and he could see how it lit up her face as it reached her eyes. She looked like Colt, it made him smile back at the resemblance as he turned to see Colt looking at him with an eyebrow raised scornfully.
"May I continue now, or do you need a bone to chew or something?" she said sarcastically. "And before you chastise me for insulting you, we are at the dinner table, don't act like a rabid dog and I wont talk to you like one."
Isla burst out laughing at this point, she was having that moment parents have from time to time, where their child opens their mouth and it is like the parent's voice comes out. Isla would have personally went with him needing to go out and play fetch to burn off some energy but she liked Colt's version better.
Elijah just mutely nodded, feeling more like a sheep than a wolf by the second. How these women exerted such control over him he had no idea.
"So, Dad left the pack and cut all ties. He never told anyone why. We just left, and he built up his security firm while looking after his own little pack. He did an amazing job too." she smiled quickly finishing her story before she was interrupted again.
"Wait, your Dad has to be Kalvin Merrier then right?" Zachary asked.
"Yup." Colt smiled. "Do you know him?"
"I know of him. He is huge in defence now." Zachary commented as if Colt would be unaware.
"I know that, he is my Dad. But how do you?" She asked, with a tilt to her head.
Zachary explained "His defence strategies among packs are legendary, it's his teachings we base all of Elijah's park's security details on! And he is our Luna's father. The way he came out of no where, a suspected lone wolf and took the world by storm! He is just so..."
"Mom, I think you have competition." Colt laughed, interrupting him. "Unless, you have finished your fan girling Zachary?" Colt teased, interrupting him before he could gush any further.
"What?! No! I. It's just. I mean." Zachary floundered as his embarrassment creeped in.
Elijah laughed out, "Zach you realise that he is also our Gamma's Uncle right?" exacerbating the situation further.
"Holy crap! Marcus you lucky bastard!" he said turning to him, his eyes lit up like a child at Christmas.
"Dude, you really need to calm down. I'm getting worried you're going to try and dry hump my leg in a sec." Marcus laughed punching him in the arm.
"Well, if you are sure Marissa wont mind." Zachary winked at him.
"Ew, That ain't even funny man." Marcus replied.
Colt and her Mom sat shaking their heads at the light hearted chaos that had enveloped the room. These men were friends in the truest sense, not simply pack men in a hierarchy. Colt let herself think for a second how it would be to be part of their gang. To meet the mysterious Marissa, her cousin's mate. To joke along with Zachary who was quite clearly gigantic flirt. To be loved by Elijah, the man there that stole the very breath from her body and hadn't taken his eyes off of her almost at all this evening. Displaying just how dedicated he was.
But those thoughts were quickly brushed away when she remembered the pain that was caused by him. The realisation that the dedication would fade when the truth came out about her not wanting to have children. How he would come to hate her then, for allowing him to tie himself to her, when she wont give him what he wants. And how that resentment would work both ways as he took her dreams and ambitions away from her. No. It wouldn't work and there was no point dwelling on it.
She stood up and collected the empty plates taking them to the sink for cleaning, without saying a word. Everyone at the table noticed her mood had shifted from the light hearted and jovial to solemn. Isla stood to follow but before she could Elijah asked her in a whisper, "Please, let me."
The pleading in his voice gave her pause, but as she thought briefly, with three wolves in the same room they could hardly chat properly anyway. There was also something in Elijah's voice almost like a desperation to be the one to help her. She understood that from her own ties to Kelvin so she nodded and sat back down as Elijah walked over to help Colt with the dishes.
Isla turned to the two remaining guests and said "It's such a nice night, shall we sit out on the porch? There's a lovely swing there my Kalvin made which should keep Zachary happy, and Marcus you my dear boy can tell me all about your Marissa?"
Zachary shook his head at the joke to his expense while smiling, and the three stood and exited, leaving Colt and Elijah alone.