In Reach?

Liam's POV

That night we arranged to have a small barbecue with those in the house, to just get a more relaxed environment among us all. Things started off a bit stiff, but with everyone filling up on booze, they eventually got more comfortable.

We’re all sitting outside, guys helping out at the grill with the girls chatting at the table. I can’t help but smile at Mason, following his mate around trying to get her attention. She keeps trying to avoid him, but still accepts the beer he offered her. Mason smiles like he just won the lottery.

The moment Char walks out, my mind jumps back to something, and I want her to explain it.

“Char.” I go and sit next to Mira taking her hand in mine, to get her attention on this conversation I want to have with Char.

She walks closer and sits across Mira and me. “Hey Liam.”

“I think it’s time you explain to me what it is you meant when you said that Mira may just be my fated mate.”

But now everyone is quiet and listening in. I’m not even surprised with Mira’s calmness of the situation. I know she knows she’s my mate. She must have known, if not suspected it at least, especially since she talked about feeling rejected by me. But I want confirmation, not for me, but for my pack. I think such information will be good for them, to know that Mira is not just a chosen mate, but my fated mate, and their true Luna.

“What do you mean? I thought you and Mira were mates.” Alex looks real confused.

“With Dahlia’s ability to mess with scents and wolf spirits, we weren’t exactly sure if Mira’s effect on Liam was real or not.” Noah chimes in.

“And he still marked her?!”

“Alex.” Mira’s soft voice gets him to calm down though, and he sits down.

I look back at Char so she can continue.

“Well,” she takes a sip from her own beer. “I got very curious ever since Mira got sick. Yeah it looked like a typical flu, but the symptoms didn’t line up. She had weird cravings and mood swings for a while and they were slowly building up, we just didn’t really notice it. If considering that she’s your mate, it will explain why.”

She looks at us like the answer is obvious, as she takes another sip.

She sighs deeply. “It means her wolf was healing, slowly but surely. It was healing because of you Liam. As her true mate, you being close to her, helped her wolf to heal. Which is why when you marked her, you awoke her wolf completely allowing her to finally be able to shift. And then there was the fact that she told me yesterday that she could sense where you were. She knew exactly where you were. Any mated pair can feel the pull of their bond once they’re marked, but only a fated pair can sense where exactly their mate is.”

“So that’s why,…..” I look at Mira, so thankful for the bond that led me to find her during the attack.

“Yes. And let’s not forget about Theo.”

“Theo?” Aiden asks.

We all look at Theo as Char just nods her head. He on the other hand looks confused, and a bit uncomfortable with all the attention.

“Yeah. He was actually a dead give-away.” Char takes a gulp from her beer. “Have all of you forgotten the importance of symbolism to the wolf culture?”

She looks at us as we just give her silence. She sighs. “What is wrong with this new generation? As much as you guys get annoyed with all our traditions and ceremonies, there is a reason for them. There is a reason we have ceremonies to assign a head-member their role in the pack, even for you as an Alpha. The ceremonies allow the blessings of the moon goddess to substantiate your role in the pack. That’s why Liz is practically the best tracker, as she is the Delta of the pack; why Mason is one of your best fighters and strategist, as he is the head warrior; why Noah is so meticulous with every detail of information he gets, as he is the Beta and your second in command. That’s why you, Liam, are bonded with every member in the pack, as you are their Alpha.”

“And Theo?” I can’t help but notice she skipped him.

“Have you forgotten what the role of the Gamma is?”

“He handles internal affairs and acts as a mediator.” Noah answers like it’s the most obvious thing.

Char smirks. “Yes, but his primary duty is to protect and serve the Luna of the pack. Theo may not have figured it out, but his wolf surely did, even before you marked her as your mate Liam. His wolf recognized her as his rightful Luna. That’s why his wolf acted out on you guys the other day.”

“But his wolf even challenged Liam, his Alpha.”

“That’s the thing about a Gamma. They even-out the levels of authority between an Alpha and a Luna. The Gamma is the right-hand-man of the Luna, just like the Beta is to the Alpha. In other words, Mira is his Alpha.”

We all look between Theo and Mira, and honestly, this really makes sense now. The way he was always ready to protect her, and why she felt safe with him.

“So yes Liam, Mira is your fated mate and the pack’s rightful Luna. As rare as second chance mates are, I would consider you pretty lucky. You better make sure to protect her.”

I pull Mira closer and tighter in my hold, knowing the truth of Char’s words. I can’t help but smile as she tightens her old of my hand. I can feel her, her affection for me. She’s opening the bond to me, a bit. But it means she’s opening up to me a bit more. Now we both know that we are meant for each other.

Oh goddess. The things I want to do to her to show her just how much I want her. I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold out tonight.

“So is the food any closer to being done?” Char asks, ready to move on like she always does.

Everyone had a few more drinks as we dished the grilled fillets, ready to enjoy the meal. We decided to play a game of charades. Mason was so ready to be on a team with Rachel, his mate. But she wanted otherwise, wanting to play against him. So we all just decided to make it girls against guys.

I for one, am not about to make a fool of myself by acting-out what ever nonsense is on those cards. So I’ll just sit back and admire the view of my beautiful mate. I especially love the blush on her cheeks when she notices me staring at her.

“Get your head in the game Liam.” I hear Noah chastising me. “These girls are taking the lead.”

The girls got another right answer and Rachel sticks her tongue out at Mason, before she goes to sit back down. I can see Mason looking at her with such wonder. I know he loves the attention she’s giving him. No man wants their mate to ignore them or not even be bothered by their presence, ever.

The other hunter, named Marcus, seems disinterested in this game and excused himself to make a call. Apparently, he wants to call up his girl and check on her. We wolves understand and respect a man who cares for his woman, so we weren’t bothered to let him go.

By the time everyone was tipsy or drunk we all scattered on our own conversations, with some going to bed.