A BANQUET

As we entered the banquet hall, Jason and I were greeted by kind smiles from almost everyone in the room.

It seemed that we were late. I already knew that, of course. Dad would not be happy with us being the last of the leaders to arrive.

As a member of the host family I should have arrived on time. Unfortunately my mate and I were delayed.

I couldn't help but notice the bitter expression on Alpha Cain's face as he glared at me from across the hall. Oddly enough I had an odd feeling coming from him, as if I could read his emotions and practically read his mind. It was clear that he wasn't happy with the council's decision.

'Maybe it's because of his expression.' Ares told me. 'It's so intense that even I can feel it.'

'Best if we steer clear of him.' I told Ares, who nodded.

Don't ask me how, but we could always picture our wolves in some way or form in our head. They looked just like when we shifted and they had expressions and actions when we spoke to them.

'He is worried.' Ares said as she continued to observe the Alpha through my eyes, which was scanning the crowd, catching glimpses of him.

'Worried about what?' I asked Ares.

'We both know why he is worried, Amaya." She told me in an irritated tone.

As a couple Jason and I could potentially prove too powerful, everyone knew that, but what right did we mortals have to go against the moon goddess' wishes? She paired Jason and I for a reason, it could be good, it could also be bad.

We were all aware that Alpha Cain was hoping that the council would ask Jason to reject me. Something I knew my father would never agree to, something neither Jason or I would agree to either.

"Sorry dad." I whispered as I took my seat to my father's right hand side.

Jason, being such a gentleman, pulled out my seat and helped me to it. He then sat to my right, next to Alpha Robert.

"Such a sweet Alpha." My mother commented as she raised a glass at Jason, showing her approval.

"Thank you, Luna Alianna." Jason said in a respectful tone.

"It's alright Amaya, we all understand how difficult it is to errrr. . ." My father began to look awkwardly at me as I slowly realized what he was trying to say.

"Dad, no. We didn't." I said a little too loudly, making my father laugh.

"Alpha Amaya, I suggest you keep the fact that you and Alpha Jason have not completed the mating ritual a secret." A pale man with a thick Spanish accent said as he looked at me with worry.

"Now, Alphonso, no need to worry the child." The beautiful woman next to him said as he reached out and brushed her light brown hair.

She too was pale like him, I assumed that they were vampires, and not just any vampires, original vampires. The only kind that would be invited to a council meeting.

"You never know when someone might want to steal such a prized she-wolf for himself, Celestina." Alphonso the vampire said as his eyes shifted from blue to red.

"We both know your tricks won't work on another original, Alphonso." Celestina said with a chuckle as she pulled away and shook her head. "That's why you've been chasing me for the past five centuries."

Alphonso was clearly embarrassed by her words as he returned his attention back to his meal.

Celestina gave me an apologetic smile before speaking to the woman next to her.

"Well, I guess it's time for my speech now." My dad said as he stood up and cleared his throat.

Everyone's attention quickly turned to him, as they waited for him to speak.

"Guests and members of that Shadows pack, welcome!" Dad said as he raised a glass to them. "We expected today's council meeting to be over quickly, but it seems that we will need to open our home to you for a little longer. Welcome to the Shadows pack."

I watched as the guests raised their glasses to my dad, accepting his welcoming statement.

"Today we not only welcome the leaders from every supernatural race, but we also celebrate my daughter, and the Shadow pack's future alpha's 20th birthday." My father said as he looked at me and gave me a sweet smile.

The members of our pack clapped and cheered. It was always a big milestone when the future alpha turned twenty.

Not only could he or in my case, she, find their mate, but it was also at this age that the current Alpha would confirm his heir.

I didn't expect my father to do the ceremony now, but I was shocked when my grandfather, one of the pack elders, showed up holding the ceremonial knife.

"Now?" I asked my dad as I looked at him.

"There is no better time than now." He said with a nod as he offered his hand for me to stand.

Jason gave my hand a reassuring squeeze as I turned to look at him. For some reason all of my fears and all of my worries went away when I looked into his eyes.

"Amaya?" My father called out as I snapped out of my trance. I had my whole life to look into Jason's loving eyes.

"I'm proud of you, my love." Jason said in a low voice that only the two of us could hear.

Although I think the vampires heard it too, because I saw Celestina and her sister smile when Jason spoke.

I quickly took my father's hand and stood up in front of the council and our pack.