Chapter 11 Flynn
ELEVEN
FLYNN
The drive to the pack land took us through winding mountain roads that grew more isolated with each mile. Clark sat beside me, fidgeting with a thread on his sweater. It was another one of mine he'd claimed since moving in.
"You're nervous.” I turned onto a dirt road marked only by a small wooden sign.
"A little.” He placed a hand on my thigh. "It's not every day you meet your first Alpha wolf shifter.”
"He's not intimidating.” That wasn't entirely true. Tiberius had the kind of presence that commanded respect, but he was fair. "Let him lead the conversation."
I didn’t let on that I was nervous about how me wanting to mate and Clark being pregnant would be received. Not because he was human but because of my past. Yes, on the surface it had been resolved but deep down I wondered if Alpha thought less of me for leaving.
The road ended at the pack’s large lodge nestled among pine trees. Several cars were parked outside. Memories flooded back and while the bad ones were still there, the happy ones nudged their way forward.
Tiberius was waiting for us on the front porch. He looked the same with silver threading through his dark hair, and curious eyes that missed nothing. But his expression was welcoming.
"Flynn.” He came down the steps to greet us. "It's good to see you. Despite coming back for special occasions, you’ve been on your own for over six years.”
"Tiberius. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.” Knots of tension formed in my belly.
"I was surprised when you called because you chose exile."
Clark looked from Alpha to me with one brow raised. He’d only heard my version of the story.
“Are you ready to stop running from your past? To be part of something again? Because what happened years ago wasn’t your fault.”
He wasn’t letting me get away with anything. He and Clark had a lot in common.
“I think so. No, I am and that’s why we’re here. This is my fated mate, Clark.”
His attention shifted to Clark, and my wolf was alert. He couldn’t sleep while we were in the Alpha’s presence. Not because Tiberius was threatening, but this was important. How the Alpha received Clark would set the tone for everything that followed.
Tiberius extended his hand and introduced himself. "Welcome to our pack, Clark.”
Clark shook his hand, and I studied Alpha’s expression. He was scenting him and taking his measure in ways that humans couldn't detect. After a moment, Alpha quirked a brow.
"Congratulations. To both of you."
Of course he picked up on the pregnancy. The changes in Clark's scent had been driving my wolf wild for days as he demanded I let him out to protect our mate.
"Thank you.” Clark took the supernatural scenting in his stride.
“You're the children's book author who's been keeping our Flynn on his toes. Or so I’ve heard."
"Something like that," Clark said with a smile.
Alpha motioned toward the lodge. "Come. Let's sit somewhere more comfortable. I imagine you have questions."
I looked around the lodge, trying to see it through Clark’s eyes.
The interior was furnished with comfortable sofas and a massive stone fireplace at one end. Photos covered the mantle, and I caught glimpses of pack members in the images.
Being in the lodge, I felt the familiar pang of what I'd given up. I'd told myself for years that leaving had been noble, that I'd saved the pack from more drama. But the truth was messier than that.
I'd been relieved to escape the politics and expectations, but I'd also been running from the shame of what had happened and of the violence my existence had caused. Now, with Clark beside me and a baby on the way, that shame felt smaller and less important than the future we were building.
It was going to be all right.
"Coffee?" Alpha offered. "Or tea? I have some excellent herbal blends that are safe for pregnant omegas.
We asked for tea and settled on one of the couches.
Alpha busied himself with the tea service. This was what pack life looked like. It provided a sense of belonging and multiple generations of shifters had made this place home. Perhaps by keeping myself apart, I’d been missing out on something important: that sense of belonging.
"So," Alpha handed us steaming mugs. "Flynn tells me you're both interested in establishing a relationship with our pack."
"We wanted to show respect to you and the pack and to ask permission to mate,” I said carefully. “While I have avoided pack life and many of its traditions, I want our child to understand their heritage and we both want to be part of the pack family.”
"The old ways exist for a reason, even if some of us choose to walk different paths." He looked at me. "How are you feeling about being more involved with us?"
"Cautious," I admitted. "But ready. Things are different now."
"Because of Clark."
"Because of our family," I corrected. "If the baby is a shifter, they'll need guidance that I can't provide alone."
"And if they're human?"
Clark spoke up. “They'll still be part of this world, won't they?"
Tiberius smiled. "Exactly. Human children of shifters and humans who mate shifters often become some of our most valued pack members. They understand both worlds and serve as bridges between our communities."
"Like Mrs. Lewis,” Clark said. “She comes into the bookstore sometimes. She's your mother, isn't she?"
"She is. And completely human, though she's been part of our pack for forty years. My father was her mate."
Clark looked at me. "So inter-species relationships are no biggie?"
That brought a smile to Alpha’s face. “Not sure about it being a biggie, but it’s not uncommon, though it can create unique challenges."
Clark tensed beside me. “Such as?"
“It can be hard for the human partner to witness their children shifting with their mate and not be able to participate.”
I couldn’t imagine how Clark would react if our offspring and I took our fur and ran off to hunt for days or a week.
“Yesh that would suck but I’d deal with it.” My mate giggled. “But I have a vivid imagination so it’d be cool.”
“And you must consult a shifter doctor. Human medical professionals might get agitated if Flynn can’t control his wolf and gets furry during the birth.”
"Flynn already arranged for us to see Dr. Bauer next week," Clark said.
We all laughed and I told my wolf no way would he witness the birth except inside me.
Alpha pointed out other shifters would pick up on the pregnancy. “Your scent is changing, and it will only become more pronounced."
"Is that a problem?" My mate gripped my hand.
"Not on pack land. But if you encounter other shifters, lone wolves especially, they may react to an unclaimed pregnant omega."
My wolf bristled. "Clark isn't unclaimed." That brought back memories of the alpha attacking me but then, I’d been single and was responsible for only myself. I’d never heard that an unmated pregnant human omega could be in danger. Was that really a thing?
"Not to you, no. But without a formal mating bond..." Tiberius shrugged. "Other shifters won't necessarily recognize your claim and they will scent you on him."
My mate looked between us. "So what do we do?”
“If you're serious about building a life together, it might be wise to formalize the bond before the baby arrives.
I explained that we’d discussed it and would do it after the baby’s birth. But Tiberius emphasized again that other shifters may see Clark as... unmated, especially with the pregnancy hormones making his scent more appealing.
My wolf snapped his teeth. Damn, he’d been trying to tell me we had to mate and I’d ignored his warnings. The thought of another shifter approaching Clark and not recognizing our bond had a ball of fury churning in my belly. But it was his decision as much as mine.
"What does the ceremony involve?" he asked.
"It's binding and I would officiate here on pack land. Both of you would shift—well, Flynn would shift. The marking happens while his wolf is present, usually where the neck and shoulder meet. It will leave a small scar that identifies you both as mated."
Shifter bonds were more significant than marriage. We’d become connected, able to sense each other's emotional states and physical wellbeing. This was so much to ask of him. He wouldn’t be just accepting who I was, but joining his life to mine.
"Your relationship with the pack would involve monthly gatherings if you want them, holidays together and pack support when the baby comes. You'd have a whole network of shifter parents to learn from. And if your child manifests as a shifter, we’ll be here to guide them,” Alpha explained.
Clark looked at me. “I’m willing.”
"I want you to be safe and for everyone to know that we're building a life together." Also my wolf had been increasingly agitated when we’d been in public. I was a fool for not picking up on what he was telling me. “Let's do it."
The ceremony took place behind the lodge. A few pack members had gathered, some of whom I knew. Alpha’s mother, Mrs. Lewis, made sure she arrived in time. Everyone formed a loose circle around us.
Alpha led us to the center of the clearing as candles flickered in the growing dusk. Someone had scattered wildflowers. I sensed a connection to generations of shifters who'd made similar promises in similar places.
"Clark Branigan,” Alpha began, his voice carrying the weight of tradition. "Do you come here willingly, understanding what you're choosing?"
"I do.” Clark’s voice was steady despite the tremor in his hand.
"Flynn Tolliver, do you claim this man as your mate, your partner and part of your pack?"
"I do.” The words were a vow I'd been waiting my whole life to make but hadn’t been aware of it until I fell for Clark.
"Then let the bond be witnessed and sealed."
After removing my clothes, I shifted, letting my wolf come forward as Tiberius had instructed. My wolf was calm and understood the importance of the ceremony.
Clark knelt beside me, his hand resting on my neck. "I'm ready," he whispered.
The marking was quick, more symbolic than painful. A small bite, just enough to leave a scar. A sharp intake of breath was the only sound my mate made.
When I shifted back, there were tears in his eyes, but he was smiling as Mrs Lewis dabbed at his wound with a cloth.
"Now you.” Tiberius handed Clark a small, ceremonial blade.
His hand was steady as he made a corresponding mark on my shoulder. The sting was nothing compared to the connection I experienced, not just to my mate, but to the pack.
"By the old laws and the new understanding, I pronounce you mated. May your bond be strong and your love eternal.”
The pack members stepped forward to offer congratulations. My mate and I belonged here. Not that we would live on pack land but we were connected and would take part in pack activities. And us mating had banished the past.
Alpha approached us. “Clark, if you're comfortable sharing, I'd like to hear what you experienced during the bonding. It helps the pack understand the strength of your connection."
Clark looked at me uncertainly, then back at Alpha. "I... it's hard to describe. At first it was just the physical sensation, but then..." He paused, as if searching for words. "It was as though Flynn was suddenly part of me. And there was this sense of... rightness?"
As we drove home in the darkness, I asked my mate how he felt.
"Different. Complete, I guess."
“Me too.” The bond was subtle but undeniable and I could sense his contentment and love.”
"No regrets?" I asked.
He reached over and kissed me. "None. We're really doing this. We’re mated, pregnant, and building a life together." He settled back in his seat with a satisfied sigh. "I can't wait to see what comes next."
Neither could I. But for the first time in my life, I wasn't facing the unknown alone.