Page 148 of Game of Destiny
“Then you can set it up. We will be a little busy the coming days with celebrating our rank, me moving, the new Beta settling in…”
“And the mating ceremony,” Finlay added.
“And that,” I added. My mom and I shared a look. She didn’t need to tell me how much she wished she could be present for my mating ceremony.
“We will wait for a week or so,” my dad told me.
“Sounds good,” I said. We continued talking for another half hour. We managed to stay on topics which were happier. When we said goodbye and hung up, I relaxed into Finlay.
“I really like these calls with your family,” he said as he watched me play with his fingers.
“Good. They have now adopted you, so you won’t get rid of them.”
“I’m more than happy to keep them. As long as your dad doesn't start calling me pumpkin.” I laughed.
“That’s my nickname, I will fight you for it,” I told him. We both laughed. “Time for lunch?” I asked.
“Yeah. It’s nice to get back to the usual routines. It was nice having the meals in a small group, but it will be even better to have them in the pack’s dining hall again.” I could only agree.
Chapter 71
Amie
We sat down at our usual table and watched as the dining room filled with the pack. More people than usual were eating at the pack house. Everyone was in a celebratory mood. Just before the food was to be served, Finlay and I stood up and the pack fell silent.
“Since Amie is now my Luna,” Finlay started, he put his arm around me and the pack cheered. “She can’t also be the Beta. Not even she is capable of doing everything.” He kissed my temple. “We will have a new Beta. It gives me the greatest pleasure to tell you that both Jake and Shelly have accepted the position and will be starting with effect immediately.” Howling and cheering was heard as the pack merged onto the new Beta couple to congratulate them. It was clear how popular Jake was in the pack and how much they trusted him. It felt like we had made the right decision. We enjoyed lunch with the pack and then Finlay helped me pack up my former office and bring my personal things over to our office. Before we knew it we were in the middle of a party. The ones working in the kitchen had made dinner into the celebration we had requested. Everyone’sfavourite food, three types of desserts, music, laughter and an occasional song. The pups reenacted the tales from the games. The teenagers who weren't all the way grown up were looking at the younger ones who played. It was easy to see they wanted to join in, but thought it was beneath them. Cadence and Jon were in that group. I could have sworn they had grown inches since I saw them last. Finlay and I danced and made rounds to talk to the pack. A little after seven, Medow and Matilda took my hands.
“We are off for a girls night packing and gossiping. Shelly is getting food and drink,” Medow said. I giggled.
“Really?” Finlay asked.
“We won’t survive, and what will then happen to Martina?” Sam tried.
“It’s okay. Jake will care for her when you two perish,” Shelly said as she came walking with a picnic basket. Jake followed her with Rose in his arms.
“I don’t know, I think I won’t make it either,” he objected.
“Men!” both Medow and Shelly stated and rolled their eyes.
“You will do fine,” I told Finlay and kissed him. “I’ll be home when we are done, be brave and endure.”
“If you're not home by midnight, I’ll come and get you,” he said.
“I’m not making any promises. I have collected quite a few things.” It was true. It wouldn’t be as few boxes as I had when I moved to the pack. I had put down roots.
It was an amazing evening. We snacked and gossiped, and they helped me pack. Everyone shared their mating story, even Matilda. I had never heard her talk about her mate before. She had a smile on her face as she talked. It made her look youthful. There was also pain there. We were taught as pups about the pain of losing your mate. We all feared it, but it wasn’t until now when I had Finlay that I truly felt the ice cold dread to face a fate like it. It would be like losing half of myself. A scar which wouldnever heal. The strength Matilda had, not only to survive, but to thrive, to be the support of her nephew and then a whole pack. She was an amazing woman.
“I can’t believe we finally have a Luna,” Medow said happily as she was helping stack books in a box.
“Let’s be honest, we have had a Luna for years. We just haven’t called her Luna,” Shelly said and both she and Medow giggled.
“That reminds me, who won the bet?” I asked.
“The bet?” Shelly asked, trying to look innocent. Medow blushed. The only one who seemed to be genuinely confused was Matilda.
“You didn’t know about the bet? I thought you knew everything,” I said.
“What bet?” she asked.
