Chapter 58

As the night wore on and the food was consumed, the kids settled down, the music started to flow, and people started moving to the dance floor. Jaxson and Rio noticed Henry and Randi dancing with sensual moves. their eyes never leaving each other.

"Someone better get those two a room. There are children present. I can smell them all the way over here." Rio said. "Besides, I want to dance with my bride. You?"

Jaxson had been watching his bride for a while now. She was standing in a group of women, holding a glass of what looked like champagne. What most people didn't know was that she was drinking sparkling white grape juice. Her grandfather and he had arranged it. She would get one glass and then switch over

The sound of silverware clinking against a champagne flute to get everyone's attention. Anders and Miney stood on the stage. It was his mom that was trying to get everyone's attention. Realizing that she had it, she turned the microphone over to her mate and husband, Anders.

"Good evening everyone. Miney and I are glad that many of you seem to be enjoying this beautiful double wedding. Our sons have brought us two beautiful and capable daughters. We are hoping soon for additions to the family. Charlotte, Jaxson's wife has brought a great deal of notoriety to this small town that we live in. She has brought with her a warmth and genuineness, and has filled a hole that we were unaware was there. After all, this feisty young woman has been the balm for my son's soul and has set our hearts at ease." Raising his glass, he saluted Jaxson and Charlotte, who were standing together.

They, in turn, raised their glasses and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Then there is the young woman who brought our oldest son back to us. Amber, you will never know what you have done to provide healing to this family. Your quiet authority and command of any situation have shown maturity beyond your years and have already shown that you are a proven leader. You will make an asset to this family and this town. Jasmine and I welcome you both. Not as daughters-in-law, but as daughters born of our heart." Again, Anders and Miney raised their flutes to salute them as well.

Tomorrow it wouldl be both couples on that stage and all cameras would be trained on them. Then, the entire world would have a front-row seat to the world of shifters. They had asked several friends to attend in loin clothes. so that they could shift. They asked two male foxes, a lion, a tiger, Randi, and two wolves. Randi had actually volunteered to do this. She felt like it was time for the world to know about them. Hopefully, it will put the hunters out of business. They had already discussed the religious fanatics and the just plain crazy. The men and women who 'just knew' that they were shifter mates.

They expected the media frenzy to last for several weeks. They also expected Washington and the UN to send delegates to negotiate treaties within the shifter community. However, having discussed this with their dad, Graeham, Bill and Caleb, they had decided to be prepared to fight for autonomy within certain limits. Alphas would be accountable for all of their pack members and their behavior. Shifter laws would be taken into consideration, depending on the crime. Crimes committed by humans against or to a shifter, would be judged by a council of shifter judges. Crimes committed by shifters against humans will be handled by the human court system. If a shifter execution is to take place, that shifter's Alpha would handle it by either silver whip or beheading.

The group had discussed a long list of crimes and punishments during their time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention? It is time for the couples to have their dance together. Then the wives dance with their fathers. Please, everyone, step off of the dance and allow Rio and Amber, Jaxson and Charlotte to have this dance." Anders announced. Both women looked a bit puzzled but went willingly into the arms of their husbands.

"Jaxson, who are Amber and I going to dance with? My dad is dead and Amber's dad, well, he's a piece of crap." Charlotte asked confused.

"You'll see, Sweet Mate."

"Rio, who is going to dance with me during the father-daughter dance?" Rio smiled down at her and said, "My dad asked for that honor, and it pleased me no end. Charlotte has a surprise coming as well. She probably thinks Graeham is going to dance with her. But, in all reality, her uncle made it here in time to see our dad toast you two, and has asked to dance with her. I think it's only fitting that her uncle, her dad's brother, dance with her in his place."

"Oh, that's so sweet. And what a great surprise for Charlotte. To have someone from her father's family here. I really hope she loves it."

Belinda watched from the edge of the crowd, just under the edge of the string of lights outlining the stage. She was watching Charlotte. She really was the royal pack princess. The poise and grace that she possessed with lovely to watch. She had her grandmother's temper though. Life with her would never be boring for Jaxson. She didn't think he minded too terribly much. Thinking back to a few minutes ago when Alain and his Luna appeared behind her.

"Elder. It is good to finally meet you. I am glad to have received your phone call. I know we have been looking a long time for my brother. While I am mourning his death, I am dually celebrating the life of my niece. I see you were not joking when you said her mate was large. He is a handsome man. The other man on the dance floor?"

"His older brother, Alpha, Rio." Belinda said.

"Older? But not Alpha?"

"No sir. The oldest followed a different route. The younger is quite capable and with your niece by his side, relatively unstoppable."

"Really? Do tell?" Alain queried the Elder.

"Another time, perhaps. It's time for your father-daughter dance."

Jaxson stopped with Charlotte's back in the direction that her uncle was walking to them from. He approached with the confidence that he would need when dealing with his wife. She could be sassy, feisty and unpredictable but he would never ask her to change that. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear. "My love, do me a favor and close your eyes. Your dance partner is right behind you."

When she went to turn, Jaxson grabbed her and kept her from seeing who was coming up behind her. "It's okay, Sweet Mate. Trust me, on this. I promise you will not regret it. Close your eyes and no peeking."

Jaxson was smiling, so she closed her eyes. Her mate's scent faded a bit and she knew instinctively that he had moved away from her, though not far. When she felt a large warm calloused hand that trembled ever so faintly. With her eyes still closed, she smiled. "Someone is nervous." Taking a deep sniff, she didn't recognize them. She felt Jaxson close to her ear and then he said, "Open your eyes, Sweet Mate." Charlotte opened her eyes.

She was staring at a tie. A red satin tie. Slowly raising her eyes, her sapphire colored eyes collided with eyes almost the same color as hers, the same dark brown, sable colored hair, the shape of the eyes. She knew who he was instantly, even as she processed his likeness to her.

"Oncle Alain, mon Dieu." Was her shocked reply.

"Oui, ma cherie. How like your grandma you look. If only she could have lived to see you. She would be so proud of the woman you have become. So lovely." Smiling down at her, he flawlessly continued the beautiful waltz that they had begun. "I am sorry that we arrived late. My Luna does not like to fly and can get quite sick. We drove a good distance to accommodate her delicate stomach."

Charlotte opened her mouth then closed it, not really sure what to say. Suddenly, the song ended and her Uncle bowed to her and then passed her hand back to her mate.

"Treat her well, Alpha. She is a jewel and will only shine with love." Charlotte watched her uncle walk to the edge of the lights where he joined a tall and elegant blonde woman. She was noticeably pregnant. That would explain the distaste of flying. When her uncle reached his Luna's side, she looked over at Charlotte and smiled a smile of genuine warmth at her.

Couples were dancing around them including Rio and Amber. "Let's talk." Charlotte led them off of the dance floor and into a corner where they could speak uninterrupted.