15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Willow

"Are you sure you don't need any help?" I asked, not for the first time.

Fern pushed me toward our cabin. "No, I told you, I've got this. Go get ready. This is your first end-of-the-festival celebration with us. You don't want to be showing up covered in flour."

It was my first everything with them, I didn't see why we had to make a big deal out of it. Then again, when I looked down, I realized I was much more flour-covered than I had thought. We had spent the second day of the festival baking cookies for the pack meal we'd eat after the festival.

It seemed that this event had no shortage of traditions that we had to complete. Everyone I talked to had more ideas for next year also.

Since no one would have the energy to cook for themselves after such a long few days, the pack pitched in and put on a private meal for members.

Fern was loving learning how to bake, and I enjoyed teaching her. Thankfully, Al had been able to call in a favor and sent someone by to show us how to fix the ovens in the big kitchen. It wasn't that big of a deal, just a problem with the gas source, but at least now we'd know how to troubleshoot if it happened again.

"You're the best." I blew her a kiss.

"I know. Now hurry before my brother thinks I kidnapped you."

I ran home, knowing we didn't have much time before we all had to convene together. It was better that I not show up head-to-toe in baking products, but being late would be just as bad. I stripped off my clothes in the entryway, not wanting to drag flour through the house and with them balled up in my hands, ready for the hamper.

I hadn't realized my mate was there. "Looking good." He licked his lips.

"You wouldn't have said that five minutes ago when I looked like a flour monster." I tossed the clothes in the hamper.

"We need to get going." He crossed over to me, his eyes raking my body.

"Maybe we can skip it." I knew we couldn't, but damn, my mate looked good.

He ran his finger down my chest. "If only we could." Cedric nipped at my bottom lip. "You need to take a shower and get all that flour off you. And we can't skip the dinner—it's your first festival, or else trust me, we wouldn't be leaving this bedroom for the next week."

"You're no fun." I stuck out my tongue.

"You're not playing fair," he whispered, his lips so close to mine it would take the slightest tilt of my head to capture them. "Showing me your tongue when you have no time to use it."

"Being fair is less fun."

He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and a playful smack on the ass. "Go take your shower. We need to leave. My dad and the Alpha want to make it official with you and the pack."

"Okay," I said, though I didn't fully understand what "making it official" entailed. His father said it would make sense when it happened. Whatever that meant. I trusted them and was fine just going with the flow.

Cedric and I had talked at length late into the night about my insecurities and how they had changed so much in the few short days I'd been here. He not only understood, he felt horrible that he hadn't put together that I'd heard him and the others talking. We promised not to keep things like that from each other anymore.

It had been a whirlwind, but we were better for it. Even if it meant we'd gotten no sleep the night before.

Speaking my truth and having Cedric truly listen and support me gave me the confidence I needed to stay for the long haul. I wouldn't be running away. This was where the two of us would make our home.

Cedric reassured me that I was under no pressure to prove anything to anyone, and that he'd leave with me in a heartbeat if I ever felt like I didn't belong. But I knew that wasn't what he wanted. This was his home—and it was mine, too. The vast majority of the pack had welcomed me with open arms.

I took the fastest shower I'd ever taken, and ten minutes later, we were walking hand-in-hand to the clearing where everyone was gathering. The tables were already set up for the meal, the grills were heating, and children were running around, giggling as their parents followed behind them. How they continued to have energy was beyond me. Everyone seemed to be moving at a slower pace now that we had finished the big event.

Cedric squeezed my hand. "Pretty soon, that's going to be us, chasing our pups around."

"It's going to be a while. He's staying in here for a little longer," I said, placing my hand on my still-flat belly. Once we had finished talking about the tough stuff, we ventured into discussing our child and what our life might look like in a few short months. I felt very ill-prepared, but Cedric assured me we had a lot of people around who could help. That was what pack was for.

"You think it's a boy?" he asked.

"I was just being generic." So far, I had no feeling one way or the other. Maybe they would give me a hint as they grew, but for now, I had no idea.

His father and the Alpha called for attention, and we all moved into place. Unlike the first time when I met the pack, this time I didn't feel like an outsider. Everything was still unfamiliar—the ceremony wasn't something I knew—but it felt different, in the best way.

"Today, pack, we are honored to officially welcome a new member. He was introduced prior to the festival, and then he became an integral part in the success of the festival." My new father-in-law paused while everyone whistled and applauded. My cheeks heated. "Willow, mate of Cedric, would you step forward?"

I did as he asked, stepping away from my mate, though not too far. He signaled for me to kneel.

The Alpha stepped forward, a kind smile on his face. "It is my understanding that you desire to be pack?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"And when you become pack, you are always pack. Do you understand what that entails?"

"Yes, Alpha." We'd had the conversation in detail earlier. It was important for him that I know that I could stay here for always as Cedric's mate without making this commitment. But I wanted to. Being a full member of this group that had welcomed me in was everything.

"Pack, today we welcome our newest member. If anyone has something to say, now is the time, because once pack, always pack."

I hated that my position kept my back to the crowd, causing me to be unsure if anyone would raise their hand to voice their objections. I didn't think they would, but I hadn't thought I'd overhear a conversation like I had when I came up behind Cedric, so I didn't trust my intuition.

Everyone had been so welcoming and kind since then.

My fear lingered through the silence, but it was quickly alleviated when Cedric's father said, "Very well. Willow, mate of Cedric, please remove your shirt."

I pulled it over my head and let it drop to the floor. The cold fall air had a bite to it, and I shivered.

"It is with this mark that you become pack." Where the Alpha's hand once was, now there was a paw. He reached for my shoulder and slashed through the skin. It hurt, but not as badly as I expected—more like a sharp paper cut than the gaping wound it actually was.

"Please stand, son, and turn to face your pack."

When I did, it took my breath away. They were all kneeling with their heads tilted to one side, and in unison, they said, "Willow, member of the Silverpine pack, welcome. Once pack, always pack."

From there, everything moved quickly. The Alpha called for a pack run, making it official, and one by one, they shifted into their wolf forms, walking past me as if introducing themselves before taking off into the woods.

"Did you want me to stay with you?" Cedric asked, cupping my cheek.

"No. Go with the pack. I'll stay here with the pups." I needed the practice.

"I'll be back soon," he said, shedding his clothes and shifting into his wolf form. He rubbed his head and body over my legs while I ran my fingers through his fur. Once he was satisfied that I was covered in his scent, he disappeared into the forest.

I smiled, watching him go, before turning to join the omegas with young children. These were the ones I would grow to know well—the ones with whom I would raise my own.

I was home.