Capítulo 23

Jason slid the door open and stepped out. The pack immediately fell silent as their Alpha finally made his appearance. They sensed an immediate change in him. He had always been tense, disciplined, and logical. At times he was almost cold, but now there was a new relaxed feeling about him. His smile was genuine, and for once, it reached his eyes. Their Alpha was happy, truly happy, in a way only one's fated mate could make them.

"Everyone, we're here tonight to welcome four new pack members. I'm sure you've heard the rumors and snuck glances whenever you could, but let me introduce them properly. First and foremost... your Luna, Phoebe."

Jason turned, reaching into the doorway and drawing Phoebe to his side. She blushed at his introduction, and it was clear she was nervous, but that didn't bother the pack. There was a gentle aura around her that complimented her petite form but also something else. Her bewitching silver-gray eyes captivated them, and they could just sense the strength that belied her gentleness. There were layers to their Luna, and they were all eager to know more. Jason brought her out in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her temple. Though she wasn't officially marked, there was no denying his devotion and claim. She was his Luna, and theirs; any who doubted it would regret it.

"I'd also like to officially introduce Bridget Johansen," Jason announced, nodding to where she stood in Noah's arms. The warrior bowed his head, kissing her, making it clear she was already claimed. "She will be joining our nursing staff, and I can assure you her skills are second-to-none. And finally, Blake and Emma."

Seated at a nearby table, the siblings froze mid-bite as all eyes suddenly shifted to them. The pair wore their new clothes: matching striped sweaters; Blake wore trousers and Emma a skirt with tights. Norah had given the adorable five-year-old pigtails, as they were her favorite hairstyle.

"Come here, you two," Jason gently beckoned.

They hesitated, but at Norah's encouragement, stood and slowly made their way to their new Alpha. Giving Phoebe a final kiss, Jason stepped down, crouching so he was at eye-level with the siblings. He tousled Blake's hair fondly as Luke approached with a dagger. Emma whimpered at the sight of the gleaming blade.

Jason hugged the nervous pup. He knew his mother had explained the proceedings, but it was one thing to be told what was going to happen and quite another for it to actually happen.

"Shh, little one," he whispered. "I promise it'll only be a little prick. Then it will be over. Everything will be okay."

Emma nodded but still looked nervous.

"We'll have your brother go first, okay?" Jason gave her one more squeeze before accepting the blade and looking to Blake. "Ready?"

Blake was nervous but nodded. He was the older brother and determined to be brave. Jason held out his hand, wishing there was another way, but without blood relations, he had no other choice. Blake placed his hand into Jason's much larger palm.

Brandishing the blade, Jason pressed it gently into the pup's palm until it broke the skin and a small cut appeared. Without a word, Jason turned the blade on himself, cutting his palm rather deep to ensure it would not heal before he was finished, and pressed their wounds together.

"I, Jason Aiman, Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, accept Blake Aiman as your Alpha... and father," he smiled gently as the pup's eyes widened.

"I, Blake Aiman, swear loyalty to the Blue Moon Pack and accept you, Jason Aiman, as my Alpha... and father."

Jason's smile broadened, ignoring the subtle gasps of surprise at the addition to the traditional oath. In all his time as Alpha, Jason had only a passing interest in pups. They were his pack's future, so he ensured their security, but he never got personally involved with them. Yet now he was declaring these young orphans were his own.

Blake shivered as the pack link opened to him. Welcomes streamed into his mind like a gentle tide. The pack didn't want to overwhelm their new member, so they didn't flood the link as they might with others. Bridget and Norah stepped forward. They lathered healing salve over the cut before bandaging it. Norah hugged Blake, whispering "good job" to him. She had been worried about the pups' initiation, but that went much smoother than she hoped, even more so since Jason added the last clause.

"Your turn, sweetie," Jason smiled gently at the waiting Emma.

She still looked nervous, but seeing her brother's reaction gave her courage. Nodding, she gave him her hand. As gently as he could, he repeated the procedure and pressed their palms together.

"I, Jason Aiman, Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, accept you, Emma Aiman, as your Alpha and father."

She hesitated and seemed to forget what she was supposed to say. Her panicked gaze fell on Norah, who quietly mouthed the oath. Her eyes lit up in remembrance and she stated, "I, Emma Aiman, swear loyalty to the Blue Moon Pack and accept you as my Alpha and... father."

Emma gave a squeak as the link opened to her, forging and knitting her soul into the pack. Bridget and Norah quickly cleaned and bandaged her hand just as they had done for her brother. Since the pups' wolves had not yet emerged, their healing abilities were repressed. The balm would help the cuts close much faster.

Jason stood, looking at his own hand to see it was already beginning to heal. He had to finish quickly or else he would have to cut himself again. Nodding to Bridget, he waited for her to step forward. She offered her hand and winced as he cut it. Behind her, Noah growled and struggled not to come to her aid.

"Bridget Johansen, I, Jason Aiman, accept you into the Blue Moon Pack as your Alpha."

"I, Bridget Johansen, swear loyalty to the Blue Moon Pack and accept you, Jason Aiman, as my Alpha."

She breathed deep as the pack link opened up to her and she received the others' welcomes. Noah immediately came to her side and held her close, nuzzling her as Norah bandaged her hand. It had taken everything he had not to rush forward when the blade was turned on her. He felt her pain through their mating bond and his wolf demanded they protect her, no matter how many times he said she was not in any danger.

Smirking at his warrior's possessive side, Jason stepped back to Phoebe, wishing there was any other way to complete this ritual. In the end, he simply couldn't turn the blade on his own mate, and Luke had to step forward and cut her palm while Jason struggled to keep Lobo from ripping his Beta to shreds. Pressing their palms together, Jason pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers.

"I, Jason Aiman, Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, accept you, Phoebe Luan, as your Alpha, your mate, and as my Luna."

Phoebe shivered, taking a deep breath, "I, Phoebe Luan-Aiman, swear loyalty to the Blue Moon Pack and accept you, Jason Aiman, as my Alpha... my mate, and as your Luna."

Smiling, he kissed her forehead, savoring her words and feeling her soul knit into the pack's collective link. She was one step closer to being completely his. Bridget and Norah cautiously approached, quickly bandaging her hand and his, though his wound was nearly healed.

"Mommy," Emma approached, "does this mean we are a real family now?"

Phoebe smiled, scooping up the pup and rubbing her nose, "Yes. Yes, it does."

"Yeah!" Emma squealed, throwing her arms around Phoebe.

Phoebe hugged her close, fighting back tears. After her rejection, she had resigned herself to never having pups of her own, so it had been easy to devote herself to the other pups and, in particular, caring for the orphaned siblings. Second-chance mates were never guaranteed, so she never considered the possibility, and others warned her that males didn't like caring for pups that weren't their own.

"Does that mean you're our new daddy?" Emma asked, looking to Jason.

Jason's expression softened as he took both of them into his arms, "That's right."

Without hesitation, she reached for him and hugged him as he held both close. The pack watched, holding its collective breath. This was a new side of their Alpha they had not seen before. As unexpected as it was, they certainly didn't hate it. Already their Luna's presence was being felt as she softened their stern Alpha.

"Blake! We have a mommy and daddy again!" Emma announced, looking to her brother who stood nearby, hesitating to approach.

Jason chuckled, beckoning the anxious pup to his side before picking up the young one and hugging him close. He felt Blake tremble in his arms, overcome with emotion. It would take time for the pups to become as comfortable with him as they were with Phoebe, but that was all right. Until then, he would keep them safe and cared for.

"You have much more than just a mom and dad," Norah corrected. "You have a grandma and an aunt and uncle, too."

Emma bounced in Phoebe's arms, clapping her hands as Ben and Lucille hovered nearby. In fact, they had more than just one aunt and uncle. Though Luke and Mona were not related to them, as the Beta pair as well as Jason's childhood friend, they would treat the pups as their niece and nephew. Blake seemed overwhelmed by it all, yet he smiled and clung to Jason. Once the pups were comfortable again, they returned to their table to eat under Norah's watchful eye.

"You didn't have to do that," Phoebe quietly said as they watched the pups.

"I told you, angel," Jason held her close. "What's precious to you is precious to me."