Chapter 26 - Acceptance

Zelena.

Gunner unfurled his arms from around my waist and pointed at the bed where a purple dress was laid flat,

"Put that on"

"Woo pretty" I said holding it up.

"I'm glad you think so, now get dressed and stop teasing me"

"But you're so easy to tease" I said sticking my tongue out at him. He stepped forward and grabbed my chin, lifting my face up, he then leaned down close to my face. He growled, snapped his teeth and kissed me. Well, that was both frightening and incredibly hot at the same time. I stood staring at him with my mouth open. He pulled on a pair of pants and smiled at me, pointing to the dress and snapping his fingers. I shook my head and grabbed the dress along with a bra and panties from one of my plastic bags. I thought about going into the bathroom to change, but he's already seen me naked in the shower, so what the heck. I turned my back to him and dropped my towel, standing butt naked in plain sight. I'm actually surprised with myself, I have never been so bold or unashamed before. I pulled on a pair of black cheeky panties and a matching black bra, I then slipped on the dress and turned around. Gunner was sitting on the edge of the bed biting his lip. He was gripping the covers so tight that his hands were turning red, and the veins were bulging.

"What?" I said with a shrug of my shoulders. He jumped off the bed and picked me up, I squealed as he spun me around. He held me in his arms and kissed me.

"You're going to be the death of me" he said with a smile.

He put me down and took my hand leading me downstairs. He led me to a door I hadn't seen yet, he pushed it open and ushered me in. The room was long and narrow and had a huge wooden table in it, the table could easily seat like twenty people. There were no windows and just one other door at the end of the room. Over the table were a row of three hanging lights, similar to the chandelier in the foyer. There were eleven place settings already set out with silver cutlery and big white plates.

"I thought we were just meeting your dad?" I whispered as I clutched his arm.

"We are, plus two or three others" he chuckled rubbing my hand. He directed me to the seat nearest to the end of the table and pulled the chair out for me. What a gentleman he is. I sat down and he sat in the chair next to me.

"Where is everyone else?"

"They're on the way". He put his hand on my knee and squeezed it gently. Just then, Cole walked through the door followed by a very tall and very muscular dark-haired man. He had a bit of short stubble covering his chin and very bushy eyebrows. The mere sight of him was intimidating. Gunner stood up and embraced Cole, and then the big man. I stood up as well and smiled at Cole.

"Glad to see you're doing better Zelena" He nodded at me with a forced half smile,

"This is my father, Spartan. He is the packs Beta" he pointed to the man beside him.

"Hello sir" I squeaked.

"Nice to meet you" he nodded in response. I looked over the giant man in front of me. I swallowed down the ball or nerves that had lodged itself in my throat. If a man as huge and intimidating as Spartan is only the second in command of the pack, I dread to think what Gunner's father will be like.

Next through the door was a tall and ridiculously beautiful girl, with straight silky dark blonde hair in a short bob cut, she looks like a model. Her skin was flawless and tanned. She walked straight over to me, pulling me in for a hug. I was a little surprised by her friendliness but hugged her back. She let me go and stepped back holding my hands in hers.

"I am so glad to finally meet you" she said with a beaming smile that instantly put me at ease,

"My overprotective brother has kept you locked away in that room for days. Not letting anyone but Artemis in" she frowned at Gunner,

"But now you're here and I can finally get to know my future Luna"

"Natalia" Gunner hissed at her,

"What, isn't she though?" she snapped back at him.

"Ease up" he hissed again,

"Ugh, whatever" she groaned with a roll of her eyes,

"You can call me Nat by the way" she pulled me in for another hug and Gunner growled quietly at her.

"We'll talk later" she whispered with a wink. I watched her as she went and sat down. 'Overprotective brother' that means she's Gunner's sister. She is stunning, just like her brother. I feel a little inadequate in her presence, but her disposition was nothing short of friendly and inviting.

Gunner gestured to my chair, so I sat back down.

"You boys sort out your business today?" Spartan's voice rumbled across the table.

"We did, everything is taken care of" Gunner said as he smiled warmly at Cole..

Spartan nodded and huffed. The door opened again and a short lady with pale skin and bright red hair walked through, behind her was Smith. I smiled at him, glad that he was going to be here too. Gunner stood up and kissed the lady on the cheek and then embraced Smith, he held his arms around him for what felt like a long time. I started to worry, considering their altercation this afternoon. When they let go Gunner grabbed his face and kissed him on the top off the head. All was well, apparently. I didn't dare stand or say anything, I just put up my hand and wiggled my fingers at him. He smiled back and did the same.

"Zelena, this is my Mum, Deena" Smith said grabbing his mum around the shoulders and kissing her temple. A small pang of jealousy hit me at the sight of their affection.

"Hello, sweet thing" she said with a smile as she pushed Smith off her.

They sat down and we waited for the others to come. The door opened and two more men walked in, one very short with a bald head, and the other, tall and skinny with long grey hair tied in a ponytail. Gunner stood up and shook their hands, he reached for me, so I stood up and took his hand,

"Zelena, this is Mazz and Julian, they're senior pack members and close friends of my father"

"Hello, nice to meet you" I smiled to them. They both nodded back and took their seats.

I realized now that none of the men offered to shake my hand, hug me, or anything like that. The only person that did was Gunner's Sister. Is that normal? Smith said I wasn't meant to touch other males, but the feeling that I was getting the brush off was potent in my thoughts. Was this their subtle way of showing that they disapprove of my presence? They don't actually want me to join the pack at all. Anxiety settled in the pit of my stomach.

We sat down again and just as my ass hit the seat, Roe walked in with a man behind her. I remember seeing him today, he was sitting under the open hut in the village. My god, he looks just like Gunner only hairier. Same blue eyes, same colored hair, same height and build, it was uncanny.

"Zelena dear, this is my husband, Lupus" Roe said stepping to the side to let her husband pass her.

Gunner stood up and stepped forward, I followed close behind him. He hugged his dad and then stepped beside me. Lupus walked right up to me standing very close. He picked up both my hands and held them tightly between his. He was a giant compared to me, and very intimidating. Definitely worthy of name like 'Alpha'. I could feel Gunner's hand on my lower back shaking a little. His nervous energy made me feel nervous. I gulped and smiled weakly up at Lupus.

"Hello sir" I choked.

"Zelena, my wife and son have both told me a lot about you. I'm happy to see that my son didn't over exaggerate when telling me how beautiful you are. He was right, you are indeed stunning" his voice was loud and frightening, although he was saying nice things, I felt like I needed to cower from him.

"I am very honored that the Moon Goddess has blessed our pack with a True Mate bond. Though a Were that has shown as much courage, heart and determination as you have, would have been welcomed into our pack regardless, True Mate bond or not" he smiled through his bread and looked at Gunner,

"She will make an exceptional Luna one day" he proclaimed.

I felt Gunner let out a deep breath beside me, and the whole room suddenly felt ten times lighter. Lupus let go of my hands and threw his arms in the air,

"Let's fucking feast" he shouted.

Everyone at the table clapped and Woo Hoo'd and two ladies walked in through the other door carrying huge trays of food. Gunner grabbed me around the waist pulling me close to him.

"I'm so proud of you" he whispered resting his forehead on mine,

"Did I just get accepted into the pack?"

"You sure did, baby" he kissed me hard.