Page 26 of Resisting Fate

Today is the day we are meeting the new pack members that were invited by Ryker to the pack.

I don’t like what I see. It completely breaks my heart.

There are probably over forty women with twenty children who look like they had been starved to the brink of death.

They look exhausted. I know we have our work cut out for us.

Max looks at all of us with a grim face. I feel bad that he had to deal with this already for a while.

“We have property in the pack name; one of which is an empty apartment building. We made sure to have the apartments furnished and packed with food for you all. After all you have been through, it is the least we can do. Between the bank accounts from both alphas, we were able to make sure everyone in the pack is comfortable. I want you all to get settled. Once you all have been rested and feel well enough to join the pack, we can start finding you jobs to help you contribute. For now, you all need food and rest. My pack has taken care of the food. There is a big spread in the hall behind me. Feel free to grab seconds, or even thirds,” Ryker says, causing everyone from the pack to chuckle.

There is a ton of food. Everyone took the opportunity to cook something. I don’t think I have ever seen so many dishes; I can’t wait to try them myself, though Ryker made it clear that the newcomers would eat first. Looking at them, I know that he’s completely right to make that call. They look absolutely famished.

I stand back with Isaac at my side. At some point, his fingers interlace with mine. His hand feels nice in mine and makes me relax and feel calm in a way I don’t think I have felt before.

A small smile comes to my lips and, when I look up at Isaac, he seems to look proud that I’m letting him do something as small as holding my hand.

Everyone chats among themselves so as not to rush any of the newcomers in making their plates and getting drinks. We all wait to walk in, so they don’t think we are watching them grab their plates.

As we walk into the hall, we see them all sitting in the corner of the room with their plates on the floor. Ryker frowns and walks over to them with Penelope and Max at his side.

He says something that I can’t hear since it’s very loud in here. I’m assuming that he’s telling them to sit at the tables. There is more than enough room for everyone to sit down.

They quickly change their seating and look very grateful to Ryker for treating them with respect, instead of what they had been used to before coming here. Once they are all seated, the rest of us take turns in grabbing food. It feels oddly natural that Isaac holds the plates for both of us as I pile on food. After we have our food, we walk to the tables. I grab us a couple bottles of water and cans of soda before we sit down with Ryker, Penelope, Max, Jet, and Calvin. They are all staring at us like we are putting on some sort of show, except Pen has a small smirk on her face. I stick my tongue out at her, since my hands are full, and she just chuckles.

Isaac pulls out a chair for me before sitting down, and then he finally notices that all eyes are on us.

“What?” he says looking confused.

“That was very weird and couple like. Who are you, and what have you done with Isaac?” Jet asks, looking at Isaac with wide eyes.

Isaac looks down before speaking, and I grab his hand in show of support since I know this is hard for him. “I was never allowed to act like myself and, sometimes, I’m not sure I know who that really is. I kept friends with people I was told to, and treated people like trash because I was told to do so or would have to face punishment. The Isaac you knew doesn’t exist and I, for one, am glad.”

The room seemed to have quieted a bunch while he was speaking. I look around and see that everyone heard him; not that he was speaking loudly, but shifter hearing makes it almost impossible not to hear a person when he is making an announcement, even if it is only meant for a few.

I have no doubt everyone is seeing him in a new light. It’s probably something none of them have spent too much time thinking about.

Sometimes what may seem perfect from the outside is really just an illusion.

I can’t even imagine what Isaac must have been through. He couldn’t be himself or be friends with anyone he wanted? I could see how he was the way he was, and I’m glad that his parents are gone. If they were alive, I would kill them myself for everything they had put him through.

“Well, I can at least say for myself that I’m looking forward to getting to know the person you really are,” Jet says right before everyone else voices their agreement.

Throughout dinner, Isaac is always somehow touching me, whether it is by his hand on my thigh, or his arm over my shoulder. This all feels so natural.

This feels how the pack hall should feel at times like this. There’s talking, laughter, the occasional crying or screaming kid, and good food. I don’t think the place had ever felt this welcoming before Ryker had taken over.

A little girl walks over to our table and hands Ryker a piece of paper. “I made this for you, Alpha,” she says in a small voice. He grabs it, and a smile comes over his face. He shows everyone. It’s a drawing of a bunch of wolves.

“This is perfect. It’s going right on my wall in my office. Thank you,” Ryker says, and the girl gives him a beaming smile before running back to where she was sitting.

“They will need time to adjust. Women were the bottom of the pack there; at least that’s what it looks like. We need to show them how everyone is equal here, and that’s not how our pack runs,” Ryker states.

Everyone nods in agreement.

Isaac

Today has been one of the best days of my life.

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