At the ranking wolves table, Katia was once more seated beside Nathan and her sister, Selene. She looked out at all of the different species of supernaturals they had amassed. It hurt her to know so many have come to them because they had been abused or treated differently. She understood now that in her quest to hurt Nathan and save herself and Selene, she had acted in the same manner as an abuser. She hated herself for doing that. She hated that in her enthusiasm to do things she had never gotten to do as a child or that she acted so immaturely. Although her head was a mess from living so many earth realm lives and carrying those memories with her each time she reincarnated to this realm, it was still not an excuse for her behavior. Even the excuse that she did not remember being a goddess was not good enough. There was no excuse to behave in a manner that hurt someone else so deeply and, most times, irrevocably. Nathan rested his hand on her thigh, breaking her thoughts. He spoke through mate bond. "No one is perfect, not even goddesses." She smiled appreciatively at Nathan and went back to watching the members of their pack interact with one another.
Katia glanced around and saw Bob speaking with Evelynn and Leo. The vampire was someone she could not wait to spend time getting to know. She had so many questions to ask him about vampires and how they lived. The same was true for Lorn's mother and her best friend, Yanylla, the fairy. She was sure they had knowledge that would allow for the new pack to grow and be strong. Nathan squeezed her hand, wanting her to pay attention to the talk going around the pit fire and other tables. Everyone was in attendance tonight, from the oldest to the youngest wolf. This affected all, and everyone needed to understand the new pack hierarchy and the laws they lived by.
The chattering was dying down as everyone finished their meal. Kane and Kelp are the two gammas of the pack, and they step forward to address the alphas and lunas. Kane spoke first, "Alphas and lunas, the first measure of business the pack members would like to get out of the way, is the new name for the pack."
"The new name has taken most of the day. First, the idea was to take all three pack names and combine them somehow. That was not going well. The pack could not find a name that said who we are." Kelp explained.
Kane repeated the explanation: "One of our newer pack members suggested thinking about exactly what we want to be known as for a pack. The goals of the pack and how we would see them through. Demon was the voice of reason in all of the chaos of finding a new pack name that fit us all." Everyone looked at Demon, who looked shocked over being called a pack member. He had no idea they considered him a member. He waved his hand as to say it was nothing, "I am happy I could help."
Doc stood up to join Kane and Kelp, "We want to be a pack that sets the example of how wolves should conduct themselves. Lead by showing what pack life is and should be. Most importantly, we want to protect, save, and shelter those who cannot protect themselves." He said. Looking solely at Katia and Selene, Doc said more forcefully to let them know this was the part the pack felt strongest about, "We want to try to make sure that the abuse and torture you and so many have endured Alpha Luna is stopped. We realize it will be an ongoing battle and we will never be able to stamp it out completely, however, we can spread knowledge and help."
Coral, Doc's mate, came from behind the men and stood next to them, waiting to be acknowledged. Nathan was the one to do so. "Coral, do you have something you would like to say?"
Nodding her head, Coral started talking immediately, "I would like to ask that when helping those who have been abused, neglected, etc.... that before we kill the abuser or those involved, we ensure that nothing can be done for them. I ask this because things like sickness and magic can warp a person's mind. They may do things they would not normally do. I know that Thomas gave no choice in the matter, but those who lived in his pack knew he was not always like that. Something happened to change him. We will never know for sure if he suffered from his father's illness or was magic at work."
When she finished, Nathan looked around at the pack members before them and then at the other two alphas and their lunas. Everyone was looking at his Luna and her sister. The two seemed to be having a private conversation, so they all waited. Selene told her sister immediately, "This is your decision. You have suffered in this realm more than I."
"Of course, I am going to agree. I want no one put to death if they can be helped to turn things around." Katia responded to Selene. Selene nodded, showing the sister had agreed. Katia told Coral and the rest of the pack, "Coral, you are correct. We should ensure anyone who is to be put to death for their crimes is deserving of such punishment. Many species are part of our pack now, and they can help you discern the truth. We have many who can heal in different ways, they will of course help with the healing of any who need it."
Nathan interjected, "To be fair in any judgments, we will have more than one healer testify to the person's mental state and more than one doctor to the physical aspect." Looking at Doc, he said, "No Offense, Doc."
"None taken, son; it is how it should be," Doc replied.
​Everyone turned back to Kane and Kelp. Kane nudged Kelp and whispered, "It's your turn; this one is your idea."
Clearing his throat nervously, Kelp glanced around at the crowd of people, and they all gave him encouraging nods. Katia frowned at this. Why was Kelp, or Fishy, as she called him, sometimes acting so nervous? He knew he could talk with her about anything. She heard Nathan in her head, "Yes, but it is not just you sitting here. The rest of us are here too, and he is worried we will not like what he is about to say." Katia said, "You know all of this just from sitting here watching him?" Nathan chuckled in her mind, "Of course, my goddess."
Kata scowled at Nathan and then looked back to Kelp. Softening the scowl she had given her mate, she addressed her best friend, "Fishy, you may say whatever is on your mind. No one will be unpleasant to you if they do not like what you say."
Kelp calmed at the nickname she had called him. She had thought it such a funny nickname when she was 10 years old and had no one but him and Mark. She had named Mark Xey for X marks the spot. He addressed her and only her; she was his alpha Luna and always would be. "Little ghost," he smiled, "You have come a long way. I am sorry we could not make it any easier, but we tried. I want to ensure that in the future when the alphas cannot always be with their lunas, they are protected. This would allow the alpha not to worry so much when separation is called for, and they can focus on the task at hand." He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. Nathan and the other two alphas leaned forward on the table, interested in hearing what the gamma proposed. Katia encouraged him to continue, "Go on, Fishy, we are listening."
"Kane and I are both gammas to the lunas. When mated, our magic is shared with our mates and theirs with ours." he began. "Dalia, being of alpha blood, has the magic of alpha and gamma, which has manifested as beta. I have noticed her acting beta to the lunas. It would be a good idea for each Luna to have a beta."
Lorn thought this was an excellent idea and wanted to know who would be assigned to whom. "Which beta would compliment each luna?" he asked.
Clearing his throat again, he answered, "The Alpha Luna would have Dalia and Kane for betas, two because she also has goddess duties along with her sister Selene, who will be assigned myself, and Amara would be her sister Talon's beta." Once he finished, he waited for the idea and suggestions to sink in and be thought over. They did not discuss for long before Katia exclaimed, "The lunas and I would be honored to welcome you all as our betas. Your new duties will begin tomorrow, and you all will be moved to the beta level of the packhouse."
The crowd of wolves went crazy with cheers and told you sos' to Kelp. Once they quieted again, they spent the rest of the evening, well into the early morning hours, speaking about werewolf law and how to enforce it. They would have to spend more time on the elite team of werewolves that would find and rescue kidnapped and trafficked individuals. They were about to call it quits for the night when a young wolf called out, "Wait, we did not get to the new name for the pack."
Everyone stopped and looked surprised until they realized they had gotten off track with everything else. Mark stood and said to the young wolf that had called out, "Vine, why don't you tell us our new pack name?"
Vine beamed as he said, "Under the whispers of night, we will rescue, save, and shelter all in need, for we are the Night Whispers Pack."