26. Chapter 26
Meeting the Council
We get dressed as fast as we can. I almost fall when I step into my pants, but Skylar wraps his hands around my waist and steadies me as I get them pulled up.
My hair is a soaking wet mess, but I don’t have time to do anything about it other than pull it up into a messy bun.
The shirt Skylar picked for me is strapless and all of my mate marks are on full display.
I consider covering them for half a second, but just the thought of it has my stomach turning.
I’m not ashamed of my mates, and if the council has a problem with them, they they can fuck all the way off.
I rush out of the room with Skylar and Erik hot on my heels.
Erik isn’t wearing a shirt and Skylar’s Hawaiian button up is open.
CJ and Hutch are waiting at the top of the stairs, both men in blue jeans and backwards ball caps without shirts.
I see that all of my men have their mate marks on full display and my heart swells.
They aren’t trying to hide my claim on them anymore than I’m hiding mine.
They really do want everyone to know they are mine.
Before I can rush down the stairs, CJ snags me around the waist and pulls my back flush against his chest. He inhales a chest full of my scent and kisses his mark on my neck.
Heat pools deep in my belly and my cheeks turn pink, but I can’t wipe the smile off my lips.
Hutch leans down and kisses me softly. I really think I may be addicted to their touches and kisses.
Everytime I get close to them, it's harder to keep my hands to myself.
“Slow down, Red.” CJ speaks softly in my ear and my body melts into his. “They can wait, I promise, they aren’t bad. Everything will be okay.”
“Yeah, we grew up knowing them as our uncles and aunts. Just relax. Everything will work out how it’s supposed to.” Hutch holds my hand as CJ sets me back down on my feet and we slowly walk down the stairs.
We chat about the people they know as we walk to meet the Council.
They tell me a hilarious story about one of the guys on the team trying to challenge Erik to a ‘hit off’ to take his spot on defense and tears are rolling down my cheeks.
I'm laughing so hard I can’t breathe as Hutch starts making all these funny faces trying to show me the emotional range this kid had when Erik stood in front of him in the ‘circle’.
Honestly, half of what they are saying doesn’t make sense to me, but I don’t want to interrupt the story to get the answers, I’ll just ask them to clarify later.
We make it into the dining room right at the end of the story.
“The kid shrieks and runs off the field. We haven’t seen him on the field since. Erik tried to talk to him about a week later, but the kid saw him walking towards him and literally jumped into a trashcan to avoid him.” The guys are laughing with me now, even Erik is chuckling.
I honestly feel a little bad for the kid and make a note in my head to go talk to him and see if he will sit down with me and Erik to talk once I get back to school.
Nobody should be scared to walk the halls of the school because of my mate’s size.
That's not right. I’m so busy laughing at the story and making plans in my head that I didn’t even notice all the people in the room at first. James’s voice pulls my attention, and that is what clues me into all the shifters in the room.
I shrink back and tuck myself behind Erik, using his size to hide from the strangers in the room I can feel staring at me.
Small whimpers leave my chest and Erik stiffens in front of me.
Skylar presses his chest to my back, wrapping his arms around my waist and petting my hair. Whispering words of comfort in my ear.
“Are you guys telling her that story? That poor kid is petrified.” James’s words are meant to be chastising, but I can hear the laughter and slight concern in his tone.
Peeking around Erik’s side, I see Mandy and her Alphas looking towards me with concerned expressions.
There are four other Alphas in the room and another Omega, all of them watching our pack with curious expressions.
Two of the strange shifters are women but the other three are large males.
One of the women looks big standing next to Mandy, so I know that she’ll tower over me.
Anxiety circles in my chest and I push myself closer to Erik, dragging Skylar with me since his arms are still wrapped around my waist.
“Shh, it’s okay, Red. Nobody here will hurt you. I promise. We wouldn’t let them.” Skylar whispers in my ear and Hutch moves to my side.
He presses his lips to my head and cradles my face in his hands, forcing me to look up at him. “Red. Would we let anything happen to you?” I shake my head no, but his eyes flash. “Words, Red.”
“No, you guys wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”
“Exactly. I know you’re scared, but we are here.
We won’t leave your side, okay? Be brave for us and we can steal some of James’s chocolate cake and hide in your room for the rest of the night.
That is, if you want to. You never know, you might actually like them.
” He gives me a crooked smile and gently kisses my lips.
I latch onto his hand as he pulls me around from behind Erik. Skylar keeps his hold on my waist and moves with me. CJ smiles at me before turning back to the room at large, and walking in to meet the Council and his parents.
Erik snatches my other hand and walks with us farther into the room.
Mandy smiles at me and August and James both move to kiss my head.
They tell me that everything will be okay, and to trust them.
I nod, but squeeze Hutch and Erik’s hands a bit tighter when we make it to the table.
CJ pulls a chair out and Skylar sits down, pulling me onto his lap.
“Everyone,” CJ addresses the council from behind my chair. “This is Rebecca Lancaster, our mate.”
The room freezes as the implications of CJ’s words settle on the room.
Mandy is beaming at us and August hands Charles money out of his wallet while rolling his eyes.
James chuckles and high-fives Hutch. I can feel the guys’ joy swirling in my chest and it helps me to relax a bit more.
That is until I look up at the Council members.
The smallest woman, the clear Omega in the group, is looking at me with her head tilted.
Her short purple hair waves as she moves her head back and forth, examining me.
I see her take notice of my mating marks then a big smile spreads out on her face.
All of the Alphas exchange a look between them before sitting up in their seats and turning towards us.
The oldest looking of the group is the first to break the silence in the room.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss. Lancaster, but if you don’t mind me asking, how is it that a Chosen wolf is the mate of an Alpha Pack? It's a well known fact that Chosen manifest as Betas and Betas can’t mate Alphas.”
Erik growls in his chest, eyes cutting to the Alpha, but one look from Skylar has the sound cutting off.
None of the guys are feeling very joyous now, and my anxiety picks up again in the face of their ill moods.
Mandy scoffs under her breath and Charles places a hand on her shoulder.
Even August and James look a bit pissed by the question, though I don’t understand why everyone is so upset.
What he said isn’t wrong. I am a Chosen wolf and I should be a Beta. I expected this question.
“I’m sorry, Alpha, I didn’t catch your name.” My voice is soft but sure. My head tilts as I stare into his eyes. I know that Abby told me that I shouldn’t do that to Alphas unless I want to challenge them, but this guy looks like an ass and he pissed off my mates.
“Forgive him.” The female Alpha sends a scathing look to the older male then smiles gently at me.
“I’m Sandra, this,” she points to the Omega in the group.
“Is Tandy. Lance is the gentleman you were just speaking to. Beside him,” She points to the Alpha that looks to be just barely older than I am.
“Is Timothy. And Jackson is our last member.” She ends the introduction with the biggest male of the group.
He makes James and Erik seem almost normal with his bulging muscles and permanent scowl.
I nod at each member as they are introduced, then smile at Sandra.
“It’s so nice to meet you all. I’ve heard so many great things.
And to address your poorly executed questions, Alpha Lance,” I cut my gaze back to the older man.
He actually looks a bit sheepish and the hostility I feel towards him eases a bit.
“I am a Chosen, but when my wolf came to me on Friday, I manifested as an Omega. We aren’t sure why I manifested differently than other Chosen wolves, but Alpha August had a theory that it may have to do with genetics.
We’re planning on getting samples tomorrow.
I’m even going to attempt to call my parents and see if they will be willing to give some samples as well.
Though to be honest,” My face flames and my heart feels heavy at having to reveal my parents' less than enthusiastic response to my recent change. “They didn’t respond well when they were notified that I was made into a wolf, so I’m not confident they will even take my call, much less give us a blood sample.
” I shrug my shoulders and sink further into Skylar.
He rubs his face in my hair and CJ puts a hand on my shoulder.
“Oh my. I’m so sorry, Miss. Lancaster. I didn’t realize that there was an issue with your parents.” Lance looks genuinely upset about my parents, but I don’t even worry about it anymore.
Sure, it makes me sad that they don’t want anything to do with me now, but I’ve had time to come to terms with it.
And, even if I was still upset about it, I would still reach out to them because I need answers.
I want to know why I’m different. I wouldn’t change it for the world because that would mean giving up my mates.
Even though I haven’t had them long, they already mean so much to me.
So, yes, I want to know why I’m an Omega, but I’m happy with my manifestation.
“Yes. That is very unfortunate, but we do need to know why you are an Omega.” Jameson scowls at the room.
I don’t take it personally though, he seems to be a bit grumpy.
“This could be a pivotal moment in Shifter history. If Humans can become Omegas, then could they be Alphas as well? Knowing what caused you to be an Omega could change the Shifter kind forever. It could be the answer we need to solve the problem of our dying class.”
“She isn’t a fucking lab rat, Jameson.” Charles growls at the other Alpha, standing from his chair to meet the giant Alpha head on. “She is my daughter, not some experiment for you to toy with!”
“Calm down, Charles.” Tandy stands up and puts herself between the Alphas.
“He isn’t suggesting we toy with her or even do anything more than what she herself has already agreed to do.
” Mandy stands and wraps her arms around Charles's waist. He immediately calms down and steps back from the other Omega, who turns to face off with Jameson herself. “I get that you don’t often say the thing you mean, or what you say comes out twisted, but that was extremely callous, even for you. Rebecca is a wolf, an Omega, and she deserves more respect than to be treated as if she is only useful for ‘saving our dying class’.” When she repeated his words back to him, she lowered her voice in an attempt to imitate him.
He stares at her for a second before nodding his head and turning his attention back to me.
“They are right. I’m sorry Rebecca, if I made you feel like I was only using you.
I’m thrilled that you are an Omega and that our dear nephews have their mate.
The Goddess blessed us all by giving them an Omega made in her image.
I foresee you doing great things in the future.
” He bows at the waist and holds that position.
Skylar squeezes me and when I look up at him, he motions a hand towards the still bowed Jameson. I guess I need to say something. “Thank you, Jameson, I appreciate the clarification. Honestly, if I can help the Shifters in any way, I’d love to do it.”