A thank you present

I woke Up on Val's small pull out bed feeling even stronger than the day before. I stretched my arms and slowly walked to grab my phone that was on the charger. I had a bunch of missed calls and 12 messages from my parents. I opened up my phone to see all of the text practically said the same thing.

"Oh my goodness you helped the alpha's kid with out telling us?"-Mom

"Honey we're so proud of you."-Dad

"We're having dinner at the alpha's pack house tonight. I'm going shopping!"-Mom

I stared at that last one almost thinking I was dreaming for a second. Dinner. At the alpha's? Where he lives? I almost lost my footing when Fallon stepped in.

"Why are you so scared we're going to see him!" she bellowed, excitement clearly laced her voice.

I went back over to the small bed and laid back down slightly groaning. How was I supposed to sit across the table from him. What if he hurts someone to make a point like he did with that teacher. I was so nervous to even think about being in the same house as him let alone the same room. I shook my head looking to see it was almost noon. I heard Val start to wake, she groaned annoyed throwing her arms down.

"No more scary movies about well people." she grumbled, I laughed at her and in return she threw a pillow at me. Having her to relax with was always the best, she was the best of us. She never failed to help when she was needed. Or come to the aid of a stranger. I was lucky she choose to be my friend when I first moved here She saved me from a lot of bullying at school. I could never repay her kindness.

"I have to go soon, apparently I'm having dinner at the pack house." I said in more of a sigh than anything else. She sprang up looking at me. "I'll be fine, my parents will be there." I give her a sheepish smile and stand up to gather my bag and change my clothes.

The drive home Fallon was giddy at the chance to see him. She had no doubt that he would take us into his arms. I on the other hand could not see him of all people being gentle. She argued with me the whole way. When I got in the house it was already almost the afternoon. My Mother raced to me with such pride in her eyes when I stepped through the door, my Dad too.

"Oh darling, we're so happy." My Mom gushed at me.

"I only did what's right guys. Its no big deal, do we really have to go?" I asked so ready to chicken out and spend the rest of the day in bed.

"Absolutely not! We were summoned by the Luna we must go." She said that turning to grab a elegant cream colored dress handing it to me. "A late birthday present." she winks and goes up stairs no doubt to start getting ready my dad slowly heading the same way.

"You know how she is," He shrugs and starts up the stairs calling out faintly one last time "Oh and please do wear the dress she's been out all morning, love you."

The dress was beautiful, made of silk and looked to be just my size. I went upstairs to my room and hung it up. I walked into my bathroom and looked at myself with new found confidence.

"If we have to go we might as well look good right?" I asked Fallon.

"You know it." I could hear the devilish grin on her face and set off to take a shower.

I took a long shower making sure to do one of those spa like showers where you exfoliate and moisturize with that favorite cream. By the time I was done I only had a couple of hours left. I fully committed, doing my make up just like Val had yesterday and slipping on the dress mom had given to me. It was the perfect spaghetti strap dress, I walked over to my closet grabbing my white shawl to throw over it. One of the best things about being closer to my wolf is I don't feel the cold as badly as before. I stepped back looking at myself barely recognizing me.

"That's because this is us!" Fallon said lovingly enjoying how we looked in the dress as well. I smiled and turned to head down the stairs. It sounded like my parents were about to call but stopped when they seen me coming down the stairs. My moms face lit up, but my dad's face fell somber.

"My little girl." he mumbled sadly wiping away a runaway tear.

"You look beautiful honey. Oh I just knew Serena was right about the dress!" She said taking my arm and walking me to the car. The Luna picked this out? Did she know about us? I wondered what kind of dinner this would be, my confidence slowly fading as we headed towards the pack house. The house was so grand, we had stayed there for a few days before we settled in here but it was more beautiful now pulling up to it again, It was the largest and most regal building on the pack lands.

We pulled up to the house, its size challenging that of the most elegant manor you could imagine It was almost a castle, the tall Gothic front doors looming over a small stair case leading into the home. My heart started to pound out of my chest as we got up the stairs. To my surprise the Luna threw the doors open rushing into my moms arms, speaking what sounded a little like Spanish but older to each other. They slowly separated and looked my way, their conversation turning to me in the ancient sounding language. They both looked at me with such happiness, I didn't even have time to process before James ran out hoping into my arms at fast speeds.

Both my mom and the Luna paused, but shocked when I caught him and nestled him into my arms just as fast as he ran.

"What's up kiddo?" I asked happy to see his excitement. My dress barely wrinkled at the action of catching him, I'm getting use to being a she-wolf more and more. I put him down and ruffled his light brown hair. My mom and the Luna just exchanged quick looks before my mom blurted out the truth.

"Serena, she talks to her wolf." she said with such pride her hands shaking in excitement. The Luna just slowly looked from my mom to me, her eyes starting to examine me, I squirmed under her gaze. I couldn't figure out what she was looking for, so I just stared at my flats hoping she would look away.

"Come on in guys dinner will be served soon. Sorry Finn will not be joining us this evening." the Luna looked sadly away. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief knowing he won't be here for the dinner. " We have a full dinner planned out and a little entertainment as well." she finished with a bright smile.

By the tone of her voice she was insinuating something but I couldn't tell what. Once in the house she led us through the main hall covered in the portraits of previous alphas. My Mom and Dad clearly dazzled by the life style of the alpha's house just as they were the first day we came here. The Luna went on stopping at a few canvases and explained the type of Alpha had been. I was fascinated by the painting at the end of the hall. It was not of an alpha but a small portrait of a mother holding a baby. The style looked familiar but the artists name escaped me.

"Its beautiful isn't it?" The Luna came to stand beside me.

"Yes, it is. They seem so happy and content but there is still a heavy aura to it." I said half reaching towards it but I let my hand fall instead.

"Finn painted it, he's always been so talented." she said happily at me.

I could tell my face had my emotions written all over. As soon as she said his name my trance from the painting was broken and the fear set in. I watched as she registered exactly how I was feeling and her face turned sad for a quick second. It was so fast if this were a couple of days ago I never would have caught it. Taking my arm in hers we started walking towards the main hall where everyone was starting to sit for dinner.

"You know he's not as scary as everyone thinks... And I'm not just saying that because I'm his mom." she laughed lightly before continuing. " He really is a quiet gentle soul." she left with that to go take her seat next to the alpha.

Alpha Henry sat at the top of the table laughing loudly with my parents and the Luna as she arrived. He was a handsome man, I could see where Finn got his height and black hair from. How ever the green eyes came from the Luna, apparently that was a strong trait. I half laughed internally looking at James who was running around playing with his toy plane his jade eyes wide with childhood wonder. I watched as he ducked under the table and came flying out the other side at top speeds.

"Alright now that's enough" the alpha said calmly and I watched as James stopped immediately and returned to his seat with a pout on his face. My mom and father both sat still in their seats tense and silent. He didn't need to use his alpha command, on families like mine, we were so low when any one at the top spoke we listened. For some reason I felt fine, and simply sat watching how my parents reacted and slowly relax back into the light mood. Was that really how I use to be? I asked myself.

"Yes." was all Fallon said. I rolled my eyes at her. It was not my fault we didn't speak all those years. "Your still running from our mate. Your still weak." she sounded more annoyed than angry.

"I'm here aren't I." I snapped back at her, trying to compose my face.

"Is Fallon okay?" my mom asked worried, seeing me stare off into space is new to her.

"Yes, she is fine. Just a little snippy." I said half to my mom and half to Fallon. Fallon growled slightly in response.

"Hahaha, she-wolves always are a little more sassy when they first emerge." Alpha Henry laughed peeking over to a fuming Luna Serena. She just lightly swatted at his arm and rolled her eyes. You could see how much they loved each other, even though he was teasing her she still looked at him like there was no one else in the room. The same way my dad looked at my mom. I wonder if I could ever have that.

"You could if you weren't a coward and ran from our mate every time he's near." she whimpered and went back to where she resided in me.

I didn't tense when the alpha spoke maybe I could stay and talk to him one of these day. Surely if he would reject me it would be fast. Or maybe I could beat him to the punch? Fallon growled at the thought letting me know it was out the question. I sat silently in thought as they started serving the courses. The courses were delicious, the conversation was light and happy. It took me a little to realize my mom and the Luna have known each other for longer than we have lived in this pack. Although neither got to deep into where they had come from. Everyone talked and laughed, I almost forgot I was at the pack house and felt more like we were visiting family and friends.

We were finishing our entrees when the doors burst open, a blood covered Finn walked through the doors. Immediately both the Alpha run towards him checking to make sure none of the blood was his. I felt all of the happiness drain from me as his eyes locked with mine. I wanted to run but I was stuck in my seat, almost like his eyes were holding me in place.

"What happened?" The alpha roared causing a few warriors to come rushing in.

"Rouges on the outskirts of the land, they've been dealt with." he said coolly never taking his eyes from mine.

"Are you hurt any where?" Luna Serena was examining him, he just shook his head. When he did she finally relaxed noticing exactly where his eyes were. A sly smile crept on her face.

He slowly walked towards me his eyes trained on mine. Fallon was jumping around in my mind screaming mate! Mate! I was still frozen with fear when he finally reached me. I was finally able to look away just enough to notice my parents looking at me scared to move or to act in the presence of Finn just like I had been.

"Mate.." he said sliding out the chair on the other side of the table plopping down into it. His face had blood all across it, but his piercing emerald eyes shown bright against the red. My fear was crippling but I couldn't help but worry if he was hurt. Fallon jumped at the thought finally giving me some strength to talk.

"H..Hello young a.. Alpha." I stuttered out finally looking down trying to get a hold of myself.

"You look beautiful, mate." shocked I shot my head up to see him staring at me with an uncharacteristically goofy smile.