Chapter 58

Chapter 58

James was quick to get cleaned up with a shower and a fresh shave before he got into his tux. His father had stopped by to remind him his mother insisted on formal wear and that he was not, under any circumstances, to be late whatsoever. Much like Cassidy, James was not one for formal attire. He was not always clean cut and preferred to spend his day in athletic wear sparring with his men or in just his fur while running through the woods when he was not holed up in his office doing the never ending work of an alpha.

He arrived downstairs well before anyone else really started to show up that was not family. Max and Hunter had started a game of chess off in the corner out of the way from every everyone. Jaxson was standing with Alaric, Jett and his father while the three of them spoke in hushed tones. James joined them and listened in quietly as the conversation continued.

“Alpha.” They all greeted him at once and James gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

Jaxon passed James a phone that had the video from the security feed on it he requested. “It was Jennifer in the Luna’s room this morning. She had the gun on her then but looks like she chickened out. She was probably after Cassidy.” Jaxson said while his brother watched the screen of Jennifer sneaking to Cassidy’s door, opening it and seeing they were both in bed together had shut it and hurried off. James scowled and shook his head.

“And we still haven't found her? Do her parents know where she is?” James asked, handing the phone back and an uneasy look came over the three other men before Julian answered.

“They were found dead. Shot. She is using her fathers issued handgun.” Julian said and reached up to rub the back of his neck. “I shouldn't have placed her with the Marstons. They were such a giving and caring couple. They had only ever wanted a child and when Jennifer showed up that day lost and alone… Gods help me. I cant help but feel at fault.”

“This is no ones fault. You did what I would have done. What I think any of us would have done if we had been in that position. My father would never blame you. I don't blame you either. She was a kid.” Alaric said quietly to Julian. Alaric’s father had been Julian’s beta and his closest friend. It was only Natural that Alaric was raised to become the next beta in his fathers place and when James took over for Julian, he was more than happy to fill his fathers shoes.

Julian nodded, taking what little comfort he could when the Beta told him his father would have approved. “Well. Its over now at least.” He said gruffly and looked to the large grandfather clock against the wall. “You mother made me promise to greet out guests.” He told James, looking around at the quickly filling gathering hall. “It looks like she invited the entire pack and then some. I see TallTree’s Alpha. Lets go and talk with him and see how his recovery is going from their last fight.” He said and James nodded.

James went with his father, greeting guests as more and more filled in. He was the alpha now and he argued under his breath with his father that this was his responsibility and he was reminded, this was his and Cassidy’s night and they were to enjoy themselves. Mothers orders. James had rolled his eyes. He and his mother were going to have to have a talk about her still trying to boss the entire pack around. Once an alpha, always an alpha his parents always said.

His mother and Alaric’s mother came down the stairs and James looked up expectantly to see Cassidy and frowned when she wasn't following them. “Where is she?” he asked while pulling his mother aside for a brief moment.

“Calm down pup. She will come along in her own time. You must learn some patience.” Macy said affectionately to her oldest son, giving him a gentle pat on the arm before she went to join Julian in greeting their old friends from other pack houses that had traveled far to see the new Luna of BlackStone. James didn't feel like he had any patience at all. His wolf had gone too long without Cassidy after being beside of her for the last few weeks. Always in her company in one way or another.

James was trying to make up his mind whether he was going to go upstairs to her or not when there was a clatter of metal and the sound of breaking glasses in the back of the gathering room near the kitchen. He first looked to the back and when he seen everyones attention on the stairs, he turned to see Cassidy dressed in black and he sent a prayer up to the moon goddess and sun god, thanking them for sending her to him. Along with the prayer came a growl when he did a second look over of her and what she was wearing. He had never seen anyone look so beautiful in his life and she was all his and his Alane.

The smile Cassidy gave James when he growled was brilliant and happy. The rest of the room and her nerves seemed to melt right away as she came down the stairs and went directly to James. The Alpha pair seemed oblivious to everyone else in the room as they came together and embraced each other as if they had not seen each other in weeks. Successful Alpha bondings and matings did not happen every day. Let alone a bonding between two alpha wolves. So when the pair came together the entire room erupted into a rambunctious celebration of cheers and wolves coming forward to congratulate the pair.

The whole dinner was formal dress, but there was nothing formal about the way the BlackStone pack held celebrations. From the moment Cassidy and James came together in front of so many witnesses, it was a party. There were way more people than the dining room could handle and the cooks set up dinner like a buffet style for everyone to eat when they were hungry. The back yard had been turned into a space with games and Julian broke out his private stock of alcohol.

Cassidy and James were happy to find a seat together on the sofa in the gathering hall and pack leaders and alphas began to approach them one by one with small gifts and trinkets for the couple. Cassidy leaned over when there was a break of people to whisper into James ear. “Why does this feel more like a wedding reception?” she asked quietly.

James chuckled, took her hand and squeezed her fingers. “Because in the eyes of the elders, we are married now. Its custom for gifts to be brought as good intentions towards a new alpha couple.” James said, looking up as a fight seemed to be breaking out in the front hall, he recognizing Alaric’s growl over the voices and music playing. “Ill be right back. Go get something to eat before my mother decides you are starving yourself.” He teased her before he stood from the sofa and helped her up, parting ways with Cassidy to go and deal with the fight between what seemed like Alaric, Jett and the alpha of TallPine’s oldest son.

Cassidy wouldn't lie to herself. She was starving. All she had all day was the few bites of an apple at breakfast before she and James went for their run. She made herself a small plate of food and headed out to the back of the house, desperate for the cooler air of the night now that the Packhouse was so crowded with voices and bodies. She found herself a small empty table off to the side where she sat and picked at her food, watching a group of younger wolves playing corn hole in the yard.

The younger teens were challenging each other, betting and trying to one up the other to impress the girls that were with them, Cassidy watching in amusement at the heckling between the two teams. It was then she picked up the slightest scent of something off. Maybe it was a feeling? She went still and focused her eyes to try and see past the lights in the back yard into the darkness of the forest, swearing she had seen a shadow move. Cassidy caught the scent again, it was so faint but it was like it wasn't even there, playing tricks on her mind. Her wolf became just as uneasy and it was then she placed the smell. It smelled very faint like pine scented floor cleaner and in the midst of a pine forest it was almost undetectable. Kill her her wolf growled suddenly and aggressively. It was the same faint scent that was lingering in her room. The same faint scent she had picked up on the trail to the falls. It was Jennifer through and through.

Cassidy stood up, nearly knocking over the small table as she barked at the younger wolves to get inside, she staying out there until they were in to make sure they were safe. When she gave her orders to the children, mangy and rabid looking wolves came running from all directions directly for her and the youngsters, screams being torn from a few of the older boys as the rogues reached them first.