Chapter 165: A Warm Welcome

Chapter 165: A Warm Welcome
(Gretel’s POV)

After Jazmine left, already buzzing with excitement about inviting our friends to our wedding, I enjoyed the quietness around me. It gave me a moment to breathe calmly, to finally rest.

But, my thoughts wandered to my mother.

A sharp pang of guilt pricked at my chest. I hadn’t even called her since we arrived here.

We’d landed days ago, even though it was in the city, and with everything happening, the pregnancy, Devion ending his business and starting new ones, I hadn’t stopped to make that one call.

She'd probably be looking forward to that call. Especially since she just found me, she might be worried I slipped out of her hand again.

I could imagine her frowning, her lips pursing, and probably checking her phone a dozen times for my call.

With a sigh, I pulled my phone out and tapped her number.

She answered after just two rings.
“Gretel,” she said, her voice warm, but with an edge that showed she’d been waiting. “Finally.”

I smiled, guilt softening into affection.
“Hi, Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier. We didn’t come straight home. Devion had to branch into the city first—he had a few things to take care of.”

She exhaled. “Mmhmm. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten me.” She said. Then her tone shifted, turning calmer, almost teasing.

“So… now you’re officially in the Alpha’s den, huh?”

I laughed. “Yes. We’re finally at his pack now.”

There was a short pause, as if she was trying to picture it. “How’s it going? How are they treating you?”

I bit my lip and smiled. “Good. Devion made a public announcement—we’re having our official wedding ceremony in a week.”

Her reaction came instantly.
“Oh my God!” she gasped. “That’s… that’s remarkable, Gretel. A week? That’s so soon!”

“I know. I wanted to ask… I want you to come.”

“Of course I’ll come!” she said without hesitating. “Do you think I would miss that? You’re my only daughter, remember?”

A warmness filled my chest. “Good… because I think your grandchildren would want to feel your presence that day too.”

She went silent at that. Then she asked. “What did you just say?”

I hesitated, but I couldn’t keep the grin from my face. “I said… your grandchildren.”

“Gretel.” There was a hitch in her voice, then suddenly, a surprised, delighted shriek. “You’re pregnant?”

I nodded instinctively, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yes. We just found out.”

“Oh my God. Oh my God. Gretel!” Her excitement was so loud I had to pull the phone slightly away from my ear.

“This is amazing. I’ll tell your father too. He’s going to come to the wedding too. They should feel the presence of their grandfather too. Oh my God. I think I'm going to cry. This—this is the second best news I’ve had all year.”

My eyes stung, and I had to blink quickly. “I’m glad.”

“All the beautiful things are happening to us now,” she said in a softer tone. “Thank God. Thank God for blessing us.”

We stayed on the phone for a little while longer, exchanging words that felt warm—full of love, excitement, affection.

When we finally said our goodbyes, I leaned back into the couch, my cheeks still lifted in a smile. I clutched the phone to my chest and closed my eyes for a moment.

It felt real now. The wedding. The pregnancy. My family knew. My mom was coming. My dad too. They’d be here—for our day.

The door creaked open. I opened my eyes to find Devion stepping in with a white paper bag in hand.

He looked calm, but the way his eyes locked on mine made it seem like he was trying to read me.

“You’re smiling,” he said, setting the bag on the coffee table. “Let me guess—you were thinking about me?”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “No. I just invited my parents to our wedding.”

He nodded, before leaning down to kiss my forehead. “That’s good. I want them here. They deserve to see you glowing and shining by my side here.”

I tilted my head, watching him as he sat down on the couch. “You sound like it’s not debatable.”

“It's not,” he replied smoothly. “You’re glowing. You're shining. Asked around.”

My cheeks warmed, and I dropped my gaze to my lap. He reached over and took my hand gently, squeezing it.

“But now,” he said, brushing a thumb over my knuckles, “you need to rest. Some of the elders are coming later tonight for dinner.”

I blinked. “What for?”

“To meet their new Luna,” he said with a faint smirk.

“It’s their way of welcoming and showing appreciation. You’ve been accepted, Gretel. They want you to feel that.”

My stomach fluttered. Not from fear exactly—but nerves. Respect from elders? In a formal dinner setting?

I wasn’t sure how to behave. What if I said something wrong?

“I don’t know how to act around them,” I admitted.

He shook his head. “Just be yourself. That’s enough.”

Later that evening, the long table was set and lit by warm, golden lights. The air carried a rich scent of herbs and roasted meat.

I wore a simple but elegant dress—one of the softer colors Jazmine had picked for me earlier. I ran my hand nervously over my stomach as the doors opened and the elders began to file in.

Devion stood beside me, looking strong and composed. I leaned slightly toward him for courage.

One by one, the elders greeted me, their expressions respectful, curious, but kind. Elder Griffin was the first to extend a hand. His grip was firm but gentle.

“Luna Gretel,” he said with a bow of his head. “Pleased to meet you.”

I murmured a thank you.

Next was Elder Benjamin, then Elder Luther—he looked older and somehow wiser, but his eyes were softer than the rest, if I could judge.

“We owe you an apology,” he said, once seated. “For the way you were first received here. The coldness, the judgment… it was not right.”

I looked at him, surprised. “You don’t have to—”

“I do,” he interrupted gently.

“We are proud wolves, but that doesn’t mean we should be arrogant. Let us all put that behind us. And we hope you start living freely as the Luna you are.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and nodded. “Thank you. I will.”

Elder Maurice chimed in next, an older man with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp eyes. “And no more hiding in the Alpha’s chambers,” he said, pointing a wrinkled finger with a smile.

“By tomorrow, you should take a walk around the pack. Let them see you. Speak to them. Encourage them. Suggest what you see fit to change.”

My eyes widened. “I… I will.”

“You are an Alpha Female now,” he added. “Don’t forget what that means.”

I sat straighter in my seat. My hands were still folded in my lap, and I could feel the weight of their words settling into my bones.

A part of me that had been hiding, afraid of this new role, suddenly found the courage to take it.

Because they weren’t scrutinizing me now.

They were trusting me.

And I wouldn’t let them down. God help me.