Chapter 30: Chapter 2

NATALIE

Chelsea has me setting up the fire pits in the backyard. Having a party in the winter is fun, but having it outside…nuts. I’m not sure why we’re not having it in the pack house, but it’s not my call. At least being wolves helps with the cold a little, but I still freeze my butt off.

I hate being cold. It’s too much of a reminder of my life before coming to the Redd pack. My mother never liked me, but when my brother died, that’s when the beatings started. My dad never hit me, but he did blame me for not saving my brother. He let her hurt me. She mostly did it when he wasn’t around, so it’s not like he could do anything, but I doubt he would’ve anyway.

I throw a few logs near the two fire pits then walk back into the house. After washing up, I help prep the random trays of food.

“Thank you, sweetie. It’s nice having a teenager around again. I was so bored before you came along that I actually worked extra just to avoid being alone.”

I smile up at Chelsea. I like her so much. I wish she were my mom, not the bitch I got stuck with. Oh well, my parents are gone now, at least I think they are. I ran away when I was twelve, cutting my family bond in the process, so I really don’t know what happened to them. Why am I thinking about them so much lately? Ugh, they’re not even worth the spare thoughts.

“I’m happy to be here. It’s a thousand times better than where I was.”

Chelsea’s eyes soften. I know that the Masons are curious about my past, but they’re too respectful to ask. I focus back on laying out a platter with the fixings for s’mores and the excitement of tonight’s party helps pull me from my negative thoughts.

Jason has to work tonight and Alpha Redd has Virgil studying for something so neither of them can come tonight. It’s all good though. Finn will be here. He’s a bit of a goof and so fun to be around.

I move on to mixing a salad then Chelsea asks me to help her get the tablecloths on the tables. By the time we finish, the first guests arrive in the form of her sister Kendra and her family. Little Gretchen immediately steals my attention; she’s so cute.

Kendra sends her son and her husband out to set up the chairs while she nurses her pup. Chelsea asks me to set all the food out so I give Gretchen the bags of chips so she can help too.

Dr. Mason arrives home and goes straight to the shower. Miss Regina and Alpha Troy show up just as Dr. Mason comes down the stairs looking fresh and ready to grill, complete with his kiss-the-cook apron. Miss Regina gives me a hug. If Chelsea is like a second mom, Miss Regina is like a second auntie.

“How have you been, sweetie?”

“I’m good. I miss everyone, but I love having the privacy of my own room.”

Miss Regina laughs and gives me another hug then I lead them outside. Auntie and Mom… I never really made that connection before, but it truly feels that way to me.

I’ve always thought the Masons treat me better than my parents ever did, but the idea of them feeling like my true parents never really hit me until now. I get choked up and wonder why my parents hated me so much.

“Honeybee, what’s wrong?” Dr. Mason wipes at my cheeks and lifts my face up to look at him.

“It’s nothing, I just…why couldn’t you be my dad?” I don’t know how to put everything into words so I just hug him around the waist.

He chuckles but hugs me back. “You are better parents than I’ve ever had.”

“I am your dad, Honeybee.” I choke on sobs as he rubs my back.

Another pair of arms wrap around me from behind. “We love you like you’re our own daughter, Natalie. We’re so happy you feel at home with us.” Chelsea kisses my hair and I hug her as more tears begin to fall.

A strong pair of arms wrap around the three of us and I startle only to find Beta Chase squeezing us all too tightly. “Group hug!”

Chelsea rolls her eyes but smacks at his arm since he’s squishing her the most.

“One sister is bad enough, but I guess I’ll have to suck it up.” He drops his arms and we’re all able to breathe again. I excuse myself to go clean up my face as I’m sure I look a mess.

Finn and his mate wave to me as I exit the French doors. I rush over to him and he opens his arms for a hug. I receive a small growl from his mate, but that’s to be expected. She’s only two years older than me and I’m not really a kid anymore. He musses my hair as I pull back.

“How’ve you been, Nat?”

I look to my new family chatting around the grill. “Better than ever. I live with the Masons now. They’re practically the family I never had.”

Bianca gives me a smile and a quick hug. I don’t know her as well as Finn, but I do like her and they are really cute together.

“Nat, guess what,” Finn tells me as he sits beside his mate, rubbing her back.

I shake my head with no clue.

“B is pregnant.”

My mouth opens in surprise. “That’s wonderful.”

Finn’s grin spreads across his face. Bianca blushes but looks lovingly at her mate. I can’t wait to find a mate.

I never liked the idea of mates until I came to this pack. My parents were always fighting, then at the camp the men were assholes and only came around when they wanted to get laid. But being around Alpha Troy and Miss Regina, Finn and Bianca, Dr. Mason and Chelsea, then finally Alpha Redd and Kya, my outlook has completely changed. I want that fairytale love story.

“Honeybee. Can you help me please?” Dr. Mason calls me over to the grill. He has a tray loaded with meat. “Will you set this on the table, Kya and Dec are almost here.”

I give him a nod and take the tray to the table then head back to see if he needs me to do anything else. Kya and Alpha Redd walk through the door.

“Hey, Cricket.” Dr. Mason gives her a kiss and a hug.

“Hi, Daddy.” She responds in kind.

I smile, thinking about the family hug I just received. Kya gives me a hug next then moves on to everyone else.

I ignore their conversations and help get another tray onto the table. Chelsea tells everyone that the food is ready and Chase and Finn both rush to the tables. I roll my eyes, but then I take in a shocked breath when they both serve their mates first. Awe.

The party goes on and the moon rises. Everyone is huddled around the fire pits when the gate opens and the hottest man I’ve ever seen walks through. He’s massive with tan skin, dark hair, and a stubble beard. The man is clearly an alpha, he’s not as tall as Alpha Redd, but strength-wise, I would say they’re pretty even.

His vigilant eyes scan the gathering before settling on Kya. “Ky. Welcome back.”

His voice sends chills over my skin and I literally shudder. Although I’ve never actually met him, I know this is Alpha Damon Ramirez.

He pulls Kya into a one-armed hug. “Thanks. It’s good to have you back here. How are things going? Why are you so huge?”

Kya is tiny compared to him. It’s almost comical how small she is. They resume their seats around the fire pit.

Alpha Ramirez laughs, and I inch closer to their group. “It’s good to be back. My pack gives me strength and I’ve been working out to become strong enough to protect them. I’m sorry for not dropping by sooner. We’ve been having problems in our pack. I have a few that aren’t quite on board yet, but I’m not going to force them. That’s something Roberts would’ve done. I’ve had to banish three guards already, but Finn and I have implemented better, more vigorous training and our guards are pretty strong. I actually came here to ask you for help, Dec.”

Alpha Redd leans forward in his chair. “I think Owen is back.”

Alpha Ramirez looks at me, and I realize that I’ve interrupted their conversation. He gives me a soft smile and my cheeks warm up. Kya looks at me.

“Damon, this is Natalie. She’s pretty much part of my family now.”

Damon stands and extends his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

I place my hand in his and my body completely relaxes. “Likewise. I’ve heard about you. You challenged Alpha Roberts and won.”

His soft smile turns into a sexy smirk with a dimple that’s visible even through his short, perfectly shaped stubble. “Dec actually took on Alpha Roberts. I challenged his son, Owen. That’s who we’re talking about.”

I look around at everyone looking back at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.”

He shakes his head. “Not at all.” He moves from in front of his chair and offers it to me.

I take the seat, then he grabs another and plops it beside mine. Bianca offers me a skewer and some marshmallows. Alpha Ramirez carries on talking about his pack.

“A few young adults left, and I’ve heard he’s been hanging around in the woods. But there is something strange going on in the woods around us.”

Alpha Redd’s brows scrunch. “What kind of strange?”

Alpha Ramirez shrugs his shoulder. “I just… It has a weird feel to it. It’s almost like there’s a power in the air that I can’t describe. I’ve never felt anything like it.” He looks up at Kya. “Actually, I did feel something similar once when you healed me, Ky. But it wasn’t the same. No one else feels it, though.” He scrubs his hand over his beard in frustration.

“We can check out the tomes and see if anything looks similar,” Alpha Redd offers.

Alpha Ramirez nods, then steals his sister’s marshmallow from her skewer.

“Jerk.” He laughs as she throws a few raw marshmallows and crackers at him in retaliation. A few break apart and land in my hair. “Sorry, Nat. My brother likes to pick on me.”

“It’s fine.” I pull a few Graham crackers from my hair, then Alpha Ramirez reaches up. My cheeks warm up as he pulls a chunk of cracker out of my hair.

“Thanks,” I manage to squeak out.

He just gives me a smirk, then turns back toward the fire. I scoot closer to the fire, trying to get any warmth. Alpha Ramirez takes off his jacket and gives it to me.

“Again, thanks.”

He gives me a smile. “No problem.” I cuddle into the warm and intoxicating jacket.

We roast marshmallows for s’mores while Alpha Ramirez eats a huge plate of food, then follows it up with s’mores also. Although these guys are much older, I feel completely at ease. It’s getting late, and the older adults and little ones have all gone inside.

“That’s not true,” I interrupt a conversation between Alana and Kya.

“Sure it is. Only a mate can be impregnated by a Were,” Kya replies.

“No, Natalie is right. That’s not true at all. Where would you get that idea?” Alpha Ramirez agrees with me. I have no clue how they got onto this subject, something about Alana’s sister.

“We were told that our whole lives,” Alana answers.

“Males can impregnate human women. The result is a half breed, but it is possible. In fact, Johnny and Hanna are both half breeds,” Alpha Redd scrunches his brows with his mouth slightly open. “Dec, didn’t you know?”

He shakes his head.

“That’s why Johnny came here after hearing that you were protecting the strays. His dad wanted to kill him to keep his mate from finding out about him. He already killed Johnny’s mother. There are a few human women at the camp. They can’t go to a pack because they’re human, but their pups are Were.”

Alpha Redd gets thoughtful. “Shit,” slips out under his breath.

I hear Chelsea call for me. “Thank you, Alpha Ramirez.” I hand him back his jacket as I stand up.

“Damon. My name is Damon. Anytime, Natalie.” He takes his jacket.

“Goodnight, everyone. Damon.” He gives me a smile, then I traipse back into the house.