168. We Are In

Cora

“Well, I can tell you what I was wanting out of this and then Jax, John, and Anne could share their thoughts, would that be alright?” All the witches I invited nodded. “Okay well I want to have a pack, that is what we were planning on calling it. Not a coven, but anyways. I want to have a place that represents both Jax and I. I hate the divide between our two species, and I don’t like it. I want to normalize us living in harmony. We all have magic, shifting into a wolf is magical, we can’t do that. We can wear glamours and things but never become and animal. They have magic just like us so to me it makes sense we live in harmony with them. I know it can work, hell I was fated to be with a werewolf. I think it just comes down to I want to have a community that reflects my values more so than what I was born as.” I spoke.

Jax went next. “I agree with my wife. I think we need to burry old feuds and the only way to do that is start fresh. I just want my son to see that we all are the same, we all bleed red. Plain and simple. Like Cora said we all have magic it is different between the two of us, but it is still magic, and it should bring us closer not push us apart.” John then spoke. “I think witches must be the best species there is. I will just tell you that, I want to be around you guys, I am just amazed frankly, also I agree with Cora and Jax.” Anne went last. “I have always been an outsider, even growing up. John took me in, and I have seen just how welcoming Cora and Jax were. They are so kind and so giving.”

I smiled at her. “Even when Cora stayed inside all the time, she still invited me in. She opened her home to me when she was terrified of new people. John is the kindest person I know, and he loves both Cora and Jax so deeply. I didn’t understand why but I came to find out for myself, and I love them and trust them. That is why I want to be a part of this thing. Because I trust John and having been around Jax and Cora I know they are so accepting, kind, and generous.” I felt so flattered to hear her say those things. I got up from my seat and went to Anne and bent down just to give her a hug.

What she said made me feel so appreciated and loved. I never felt those things when I was a part of the other pack. Even when people praised me before the war for helping them, not once did they say what she said. I hugged her and whispered in Anne’s ear “Thankyou” I stood and went back to my seat. Jax was smiling at me. I knew he could tell what her words meant to me. Jeanie was the first to speak. “I am in.” Garrett spoke “Well, honestly even if you didn’t give perfect answers I would have said yes. I am so dam tired of being chased around. You can channel and since you told us what you did to that coven, I would be surprised if anyone attacked us here.” Grant added “Agreed. Maybe even if we are in a pack as you call it, they won’t come looking for us here.”

Lia then spoke. “Grant and Garrett, you are staying for protection?” They responded. “A part of the reason.” She then proceeded to talk again. “Yeah, I am staying too if that is okay, well on one condition.” I raised my eyebrows at her, she was making a demand. I asked her what the condition was. “I mean no offense, but you guys can’t eat my familiar.” Anne looked confused and Jax was gritting his teeth. “What? I know wild wolves eat rabbits and I have one, her name is Honey. I didn’t know if you guys did. I don’t come in kind with werewolves often, unlike Grant and Garrett here.”

I leaned over “Lia they are not going to eat Honey.” She let out a breath. “That is good I really didn’t mean to be rude, I just I don’t know.” Jeanie looked at her a long time. “Lia where are you from? Is your family still around?” She asked. Lia nodded. “I think so, I was raised by my dad, he is off in Asia right now. He is like me; we don’t do the blood magic thing. We don’t do the whole violence thing in general. He left my mom's coven with me once I was born, they drink blood, dad said they were a very small coven. Anyways they could be dead. I don’t really know, nor do I care to. I don’t really have a desire to be a part of that. Like what is the point you know? You drink blood to live forever, that is stupid, death is an adventure.”

“Would now be a good time for cake?” I asked. It seemed like we were past the heavy stuff. “Can we go for a walk or something I feel stuffed like the squash I just ate.” Lia said. I looked at her plate. She had two helpings based on the leftover squash skin. There was a pile of the sausage pushed to the side. “Lia did you not like the stuffing?” She looked at her plate then me. “Oh no it was good; I just separated the meat out of it. I don’t eat meat.” I nodded and looked at Jax, he was trying not to laugh. “Yes, let's go for a walk, Cora, you can show them the houses.” Anne said happily.

Jax spoke up. “I can stay at the house and clean up.” I knew he didn’t want to leave Max alone in the house with all the newcomers here. I didn’t blame him. Garrett and Grant said in unison. “Clean up?” They immediately started cleaning the dishes. Jeanie looked at the plates they were stacking. I knew what she was thinking. This was dinning China, so I opened the pantry, and the China started putting itself away. Lia was refreshing everyone's cocktails, and I watched them all use their magic. It was done in a minuet. I looked at the pantry and smaller plates came out and settled in front of everyone's chairs. “Cake for when we come back.” I spoke.

Jax then said, “Cora the moon is not full they won’t really be able to see.” and idea popped into my head. “I got it Jax.” He grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. I heard John say. “They will be a minute we should go outside.” They all started moving and Jax held me. “Okay what do you think of them all?” I asked as the front door shut. “Ok Jeanie, awesome. Garrett and Grant. I hated that comment about the motorcycles” I knew he had to have hated that. He loved his bike. “But they seem fine besides that. I feel kind of bad that they have had to be running. But that Lia she is a kid, right? I mean she looks like she is 16 and has no idea about anything.” I smiled at him. “She is 20, and Jax she is a hippy that why she is like that. So, what do you think they can be here in White Paw Pack?” He looked at me. “Yes, but I want more spells on the house, could you make it, so no one enters unless we approve them in.” I snorted. “Jax I already have that in place.” He looked at me like I was nuts. “But John can just walk in?”

“I know, I permitted him, Tanner had it to, but I rescinded his invite. The witches here right now, can’t get back in the house unless I let them.” “Why didn’t I know this?” Jax asked. “I didn’t think you would have a problem with it.” He laughed and pulled me tighter to him. “I don’t.” I knew he wouldn’t. “Did I tell you that grey looks really nice on you?” I grinned. “You did tell me to wear grey but to answer your question no you do not tell me it looked nice.” Jax leaned in and kissed me.

I felt his hands that had been holding my waist drop and he squeezed my ass. He moved to the side of my throat with his mouth and said against my skin. “You are one hell of a Luna.” He then nipped below my ear. I giggled; John shouted, “Luna do I need to show them around?” I pulled from Jax and gave him a wink and exited.