Chapter 7: Letting Him Lead

Nicole's POV:

Gabriel told me about his run in with my father. I couldn't believe my father would disrespect my mate that way. On the other hand, I could believe it because my father tries to chase every man away.

I apologized for my father's behavior but Gabriel told me not to. He said this was between him and my father and not to get involved. He just wanted me to know what happened in case my father said something to me.

He also told me about the warrior trainor and how he went behind his back. I was embarrassed at my packs behavior. I wanted to stand up for my mate but, again, he told me he would handle it.

He got dressed and left for warrior training. I decided to go to see my mom. I wanted to talk to her about planning Gabriel's induction into the pack and the mating ceremony. My pack needs to realize that he is my mate and he is staying.

I found my mother in her bedroom. I was happy about that because it meant I didn't have to go to my father's office. I was afraid of what he might say about Gabriel.

I gave her a hug and apologized for worrying her. I told her that I would like to have a party and a ceremony for Gabriel. She said she agreed it should be done but questioned whether or not Gabriel would want to join the pack. It would mean he would have to except my father as his Alpha.

I didn't need to ask her why she was questioning it. It sounded like father was trying to turn her against him.

I asked her if my father had told her why Gabriel acted the way he did? " Of course not, dear." she said. "As Luna, and his mate, it is expected that I will always take his side; however, I am not naive to your father's ways," she said surprising me.

"Gabriel just wants to be respected and appreciated, Mom," I said. We shared a look before we both began laughing. "These two men," she said with a sigh, "we are just going to have to sit back and let them lead," she giggled and rolled her eyes. I love her.

Then she took a large box down out of her closet and set it on the bed. "I'm so excited," she said. "I have been planning this day ever since you were a little girl," she smiled. "Come here," she said to me holding out her hand. I took her hand and she led me to the bed and sat me down next to the box.

"Go ahead and open it up," she said excitedly. I opened it up to find all kinds of magazines and wedding type things and samples of colors to choose from. I rummaged through the box as excitedly as she did.

We looked at what she had saved in her box for a while. Then she took out her laptop and showed me a few shops we could choose from that were modern and "werewolf friendly" she said using her fingers to make air quotations. She is so cute.

She said to give her a few days to plan the announcement party, where we would introduce Gabriel to the pack officially as my mate and he would join the pack officially by blood.

This would be like a human engagement party. Just dinner and drinks with some dessert and dancing afterwards with a band playing.

She said we would do it this weekend. Saturday night, she said she thought would be best. Most of the wolves would be home and not at their jobs.

I was very excited to tell Gabriel about the party but I didn't think he would be as excited about it as I was. To werewolves, these ceremonies were like a wedding.

Gabriel and I would mark each other in front of the pack. Dad would bless him as the next Alpha. Mom would bless me as the next Luna. Then we would go off to mate and rejoin the reception party afterwards as a newly mated Alpha couple.

To me, it was a dream come true, but he had lived alone most of his life. I hoped he would be happy, at least. He asked for a mate. He wanted me. This is how he would get me.

I saw my Mom come running down the stairs excitedly, a smile on her face from ear to ear. " I made appointments with two of the shops tomorrow," she said. We hugged each other and jumped up and down in a circle. My father walked into the room and grumbled something about the noise and to calm down. We both ignored him until we heard the warning sirens go off outside.

"Gabriel is out there," I scream. "I'm sure he can take care of himself," my father growled before telling me to take Mom upstairs.

My Mom and I go upstairs to hide but I can't help running over to the window to see what is going on. She runs over to get me but stops when she looks out of the window.

We see six large bears climbing down the mountain slowly and roaring loudly at the wolves below. We see my Dad, Gabriel, and most of the pack warriors standing down at the bottom of the mountain ready to fight them.

I am absolutely terrified. I am breathing hard and having a panic attack. My Mom is beside me trying to calm me down but I can tell that she is just as afraid as I am.

Then I remembered something Gabriel told me when we were in the cavern together. "He can cause an avalanche," I say out loud. "He can do what?" my Mom says in shock. "He can cause an avalanche," I repeat as I watched my Mom's eyes widen.

That is when we feel the rumble like an earthquake. We look outside just in time to see an avalanche of snow rush down the mountain and take out all six bears. Then it stops before hitting the wolves below.

We watch with amazement and pride as each one of the warrior wolves get down on their bellies and bows before their future Alpha.