Copyright to VedaPettigrew

I stared at Uncle John with growing excitement. He knew something about the Origins.

Hope beat a staccato rhythm in my heart.

This was another important step towards the goal. One I wanted to savour. This could be the moment everything changes. This ...

"Dominic, are you aware that the pack meal starts in ten minutes?" Hestia burst through the door. "We're going to be late and... oh..."

Her eyes locked onto Uncle John and the words died on her lips. I turned to see his reaction - he was gaping at her, awestruck as well. Ding, ding, ding. Mates! It was obvious.

A sigh involuntarily left my mouth at witnessing the beautiful moment, what a wonder it was. I did my part, "Hestia, this is John Foxton, he was a very dear friend to my parents. John, this is Hestia Griffin, Dominic's recently single mother."

"John," Hestia whispered in reverence.

He shuddered as his eyes darkened. "Hestia," he said lowly, and her response was similar to his.

I looked at Dominic in glee. He didn't share my opinion, instead he was glowering at Uncle John with his hands clenched. Silently, I rose and skirted the desk to crouch by his side, placing my hand on his. He looked at me immediately.

I smiled softly and cupped his cheek with my hand. "Poor Alpha, another complication," I murmured lovingly. "Just... please don't ruin your mother's happiness with your worries right now - it will turn out alright. I know you don't trust him, but you trust me?" He nodded darkly and I smiled, "Then trust me when I say, he's a good man. I don't know how he ended up in your prison, but I can almost guarantee that you'll hear his story and set him free because it won't be a bad one."

He clenched his jaw and I leant up to pepper it with kisses. He groaned hopelessly and pulled me onto his lap. "I won't say anything now, but he will still have to account for his presence here. I won't allow a traitor in my pack and neither will I let my mother get hurt again."

My heart melted and I memorised the moment so I could show it to Hestia later. His concern for her would fill a lot of holes in her heart. "You and I agree one-hundred percent on that."

His arms wrapped around me and I allowed myself the luxury of leaning into him before Hestia's words registered.

"Oh poopnuts! It's the pack meal, we have to go."

As much as I would like to miss it, protocols had to be followed and also promises kept. If I was to be a real Luna, I couldn't let my people down lightly. The rebellious side of me tried telling myself that they wouldn't care, but I knew that it mattered no matter what their opinion was, it was my duty to show them the right way. Lead by example and all that.

I had to earn their trust, it was absolutely necessary, and little things mattered. If I said I was going to be there, I should be there.

I looked at Dominic, hoping he would take over, I didn't want to work out the logistics. He rolled his eyes at me affectionately, kissing the tip of my nose. "John, you will stay here with the guar..." I elbowed him and he recovered quickly, "The gardens. The men you came with will stay with you," he warned.

"Stay with the gardens?" Hestia asked, her brow wrinkling, but still focussed on John.

"I meant stay in the gardens," Dominic said smoothly. I was glad that the fact she was all googly eyes at her newfound mate meant that she hadn't noticed our interaction.

"Oh, okay. Ummm, should someone stay with him? I could if you like?" Hestia asked hopefully. I looked at John to see a smile curving his lips.

"Not yet mother, he has an important task to complete before you are allowed to be alone with him. Just like any potential new member."

I gasped in delight, his words lightened my heart. He wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it, and as long as Uncle John's story appeased him, which I knew it would, he would be allowed to stay.

Hestia's smile glowed, "You're thinking of joining Black Lake, John?" She caressed the word on her tongue and Dominic made a disgusted noise.

John nodded dumbly as Dominic whispered in my ear, "Once he can prove his good intentions, he can. I won't have another person ripped away from you my angel." His lips brushed against my ear and I shivered in delight.

John's head whipped round and looked at Dominic in shock. He'd heard, despite the whisper. I smiled, mouthing, "Told you so. Good mate."

Unfortunately nothing else could hold us back and a few minutes later we all found ourselves speeding to the packhouse, knowing we were going to be late. As we pulled into the driveway it was obvious we were the last to arrive. However, nobody would dare start without the alpha, so there would be some hungry men waiting on us.

Dominic jumped effortlessly out of the jeep and came round to open my door and help me out. His thumb rubbed over mine constantly as we walked into the building. The dining hall was packed, all the men already seated.

"Oh," Marcus mumbled.

"What?"

"I'd not thought about this, we don't eat this way anymore," Marcus said to himself as he frowned and turned to Fiona. "I'm sorry my love, do you want me to wait for you?"

I turned my head to let them have a private moment and caught sight of a peculiar look on Dominic's face. I squeezed his hand and brought his attention to me, "Would it be alright if the ladies and I waited outside while you men eat? It's a beautiful evening and," I took a deep breath, "it would be less humiliating than just standing round the edge of the room like chattel. You could mindlink me whenever you need someone to come and serve."

He kissed the corner of my mouth, "You are not chattel. You are my most precious thing in the world." I nuzzled him, returning the sentiment. "And yes, that is acceptable. However, we will have the omegas stay to serve us. In the future you may come up with a rota to give everyone the opportunity to come outside, but we need people on hand tonight." I nodded, it was a fair compromise since I'd only just sprung the idea on him.

He strode to the front of the hall, pulling me along, and brought everyone to attention.

"Good evening all, welcome to our pack dinner. We have brought some special guests who are visiting us from Stone Mountain, your Luna's home pack. This is Alpha Marcus and Luna Fiona Rockford."

Of course there was no apology for being late. The hall stood and bowed to the visiting alpha and Marcus greeted them in return.

"Tonight the females, excluding the omegas, will join Luna Greta outside for their own time of socialising before they eat."

Immediate groans and rumblings resounded around the room and Dominic gave a fierce growl, "Any dissenters are welcome to take refreshment in the lock-up. Do not forget that I alone am alpha. You do what I say without question."

He was angry, snapping much sooner than usual, and I knew that learning Stone Mountain had changed their ways, affected him somehow. This reaction felt like guilt to me. I slipped my hand out of his and wrapped my arm around his, rubbing his huge bicep with my small hand. He looked down at me and I gave him a smile that I hoped told him it was alright.

"We're our own pack. We do things at our own pace."

He offered me a wry smile, "So you still think we will get there huh?"

"Of course."

I mindlinked the omega females to explain the compromise as I led the other ladies outside. I didn't want them to think it would happen every time. They were happy with my explanation and didn't openly resent having to stay behind, but I still felt guilty. The only reason I didn't stay and help was my duty to the majority of the females as Luna.

I spent the next hour trying to make easy conversation while all the time feeling the constant itch of irritation that I wasn't with Uncle John. Watching the way the women bloomed was worth the sacrifice though. At first they were unsure of this new development, but none could deny that it was far better to be outside, enjoying the opportunity to talk and laugh, in the sunshine, rather than standing morosely around the hall.

I looked up as I felt Dominic's eyes on me, he was watching me through the window and I offered him a beaming look of pleasure at him for allowing this. He shook his head at me, a small smile playing on his lips, and continued to watch me until his attention was called away by Marcus.

"I suppose you're very pleased with yourself," a grumpy voice barked at me. I turned to see George, swaying slightly.

"About what?" I asked shortly.

"Everything's changing because of you. All these females," he sneered the word, "should be inside, serving the men. It's where you belong."

Surprisingly I wasn't afraid of him at this moment. I knew I had six protectors around me, as well as Dominic with his lightning speed. Two of my 'hidden' protectors made themselves visible at his appearance, a fact not unnoticed by him, and he kept a wary distance.

"Do you know what?" I asked rhetorically, "I would happily serve Dominic because he's my mate and I care for him, he's earned the honour with his actions. But aside from that reason, no woman's place is to serve men. We are designed to be your companions, friends, confidants, lovers. Not servants. Not slaves. I hope you can truly understand that one day."

He snarled and took another long draught from his glass. "Alpha? Ha," he scorned, belching and swearing viciously. "He stole my birth-right," he swore again and I flinched at the stench of alcohol on his breath.

I looked around and noticed that most eyes were on us. I smiled at the ladies and looked to Ned pointedly, he came trotting straight away.

"I think it would be best if Dr George found himself at home with a dinner-to-go and a pint of water by his side," I muttered with a professional smile plastered on my face.

"Yes Luna, of course. I'll call one of the warriors."

His face blanked and my heart skipped happily to realise he was mindlinking. Not long ago, he would have had to text or call.

Sighing, I returned my attention to the unpleasant man in front of me. "George, someone is coming to take you home. I suggest you eat a meal, drink a lot of water and get to bed. I sincerely hope you don't see patients in this state."

"Don't have patients. Most stay away from the 'pathetic' doctor brother of the almighty 'alpha'," he crooked his fingers, air-quoting mockingly. "They may worship him, but I know what he's really like. He's nothing but a thief." His voice was getting louder.

Anger swelled up inside me, I knew it was pointless to argue with a belligerent drunk, but there were others around and Dominic didn't deserve to be slandered in such a manner.

"Dr George," I snapped, "Your birth-right was to become a doctor. You are, in fact, a doctor. The way you perceive that Dominic stole your birth-right astounds me with its stupidity. Dominic is Alpha because Original placed him in that position. It was fated."

He staggered back at the sharpness of my tone before his face twisted into something ugly. I quickly spoke again, "I suggest you don't say anything more unless you wish to spend the night locked up." I looked over his shoulder at the pair of warriors who'd just arrived.

"Gentlemen, please make sure that Dr George gets home safely." I saw Hannah behind them with a plate of food. "I request that you take his dinner with him, but your obligation ends once he's inside." They took an arm each, removing the alcohol from his grip and swapping it with the plate from Hannah.

Just as they were about to go I approached him, willing to get closer now he was being held. I had an idea of what might help him move forward, though I wasn't sure how he'd take it.

"George," I spoke in a low voice, "maybe you would be happier in a pack where you didn't feel overshadowed by your brother." I was being genuine and hoped he would recognise that. "If seeing him in such a position is difficult for you, something I don't understand, you should go somewhere and be your own male, without his presence consuming you."

"Are you sending me away?" he sneered.

"No. I'm merely offering you an idea that might make you happier," I shrugged my shoulder and turned back to the women as he was dragged away. Offering them a fake but hopefully pleasant smile, I headed inside.

Now that it was over I could feel the stress-shakes starting. I needed to be away for a few minutes. I should have expected to feel Dominic's arm about my waist as I ascended the stairs, but somehow he took me by surprise. I was heading to one of the lounges for my moment of privacy.

I leant into him as my body started shivering uncontrollably.

"Shhh," Dominic soothed as he led me to a comfortable room and locked the door behind us.

"I'm ff..ffine," I managed to say between chattering teeth. It was such an odd affliction, to shiver like I was cold because I was stressed.

He levelled me a look that made me snort, I was obviously not fine exactly.

"I saw everything, you handled that very well. You did better than I would have in fact," he said ruefully, pulling me into his arms and encasing me in his warmth. His hand briskly rubbed my arms and back and I buried my face in his chest.

"W..ww.why am I react..ing like this over a s.s.sss.stupid conversation?"

"Because you've been through a lot," came the standard reply. I knew I had, but I should be braver than this. Predictably, he read my thoughts, refuting them immediately. "You are brave, you've just taken a lot of knocks recently, so you're ..." he paused, thinking of the right word, "... delicate, and it will take time to return to yourself. Time is something you have plenty of, you'll get there when you get there."

"I love you," I sighed into him.

"Good, I'd hate it if my feelings were one-sided," he teased, lips in my hair. He started laying hundreds of tiny kisses to my scalp while I regained my equilibrium.

The rest of the meal went smoothly. By the time I returned to the group, I was back to normal. It hadn't taken long, being in my mate's arms was a natural remedy. As far as I was concerned though, the whole thing dragged far too much. I was longing to get back to John, and by the looks of Hestia's constant shifting and time checking, she had similar feelings.

"We need to let your mother and Uncle John have a few minutes together when we get back," I said to Dominic reluctantly. I wanted her to have her moment, but also, I was desperate for John to continue telling us about the Origins. This waiting malarkey was killing me.

Quite a few hours after we had left, we were once again in Dominic's study. We'd even spent some extra time at the packhouse with my family after the meal was over because we planned to leave them behind when we returned. It would be pointless to bring them to ours, just to abandon them to their own devices once we got here.

I made promises to keep them updated when I left. Kat was like a puppy in her enthusiasm, but the others were no less serious when they made me vow to let them know everything. Peace had washed over me, having them here was wonderful. It needed to be a regular thing.

We were watching Hestia reluctantly leaving, Dominic had gently informed her that there was some pack business that we needed to go through with John in private. I was pleased to see a light in his eyes that I'd never seen before. I silently prayed for their success, they'd both had previous matings that were a painful mess.

A long time ago, when he was still in a pack, Uncle John's alpha had ordered his mateship, then revoked it when he felt that John's loyalties were being split because he came to love his mate. She had soon after died in a 'mysterious accident'. It was the reason he left his pack and wandered for years as a rogue. When things had settled I would convince him to ask Dominic to investigate it, to get justice. Not only for him, but all the other pack members who suffered under such leadership.

I hugged him after Hestia left, he looked so forlorn watching her go, but while looking down at me he seemed to brighten. "My Princess Gogo, I just can't believe it. There were times I never thought I'd see you again," he murmured. "And here you are. A woman. Mated to the Alpha of all Alphas," a wry grin spread on his face as he looked to Dominic, "Who seems to be utterly smitten with you, and you with him. I'm glad he's treating you well."

"You have no idea," I vowed, stepping back. I looked to Dominic but got caught in the expression on Hammer's face. He was looking at Uncle John with deep suspicion and more than a little dislike. Tentatively I searched for his feelings, one of the privileges of being his alpha, and waves of jealousy rolled over me, almost taking my breath away.

Poor Hammer, he was feeling thoroughly put out by the arrival of the interloper. I smiled at his venomous thoughts but knew I needed to make amends. I hadn't made a special effort to introduce him like he deserved.

"Uncle John, one day soon I will properly acquaint you with all my family, I want you to know and love them like I do. Right now though I want you to meet two of the most important people in the world to me, I want you to know what they mean to me," I indicated Hammer and Joan and preceded to tell him all about them.

Joan blushed and nodded her head as I spoke, finishing with, "Without her, I don't know where I'd be." To my surprise Uncle John stepped forward to try and hug her. Hammer's growl stopped him in his tracks and I giggled at the awkward way he extended his hand to shake instead.

"No touching," Hammer barked, which made it even weirder as the handshake turned into an odd waving session.

"Which leads me onto her mate, Hammer." I stepped towards the man that had been my stalwart, wrapping my arm around his. "He's Joan's mate, but he's also my Bapa." I looked at Uncle John, worried for his reaction. My dad was his best friend, I didn't want him to think that I'd just replaced him. I wished I could explain everything right now but it wasn't possible.

"Hammer was my protector when I first met Dominic, but he's so much more. He's helped me over and over, he's..." I frowned, not sure how to express everything Hammer was to me, "... he's my Bapa, and I love him very dearly." Hammer clasped his arm to his body, squashing mine against him.

John nodded stiffly at the bulky male who was already annoyed with him, unwilling to suffer his wrath twice in as many minutes. If he wasn't a prisoner, or weakened by years from being cooped up, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be so reticent.

"I'm glad you're not dead," Hammer grunted. "But you will be if you ever hurt her."

I laughed internally at another overprotective male in my life. John looked at him earnestly, "I assure you, I won't."

He turned back to me, "I'm glad you've got these people princess. I don't know everything you've been through, but even what I do know is enough to fell the broadest tree. Yet here you are, still standing, and I know they have a lot to do with that." He looked around to the other three in the room, "Thank you. Thank you for having my girl's back."

Dominic and Hammer offered a gruff, jerky nod as Joan blinked a tear away, saying shakily, "You're welcome. She saved us too you know?"

"I can't wait to hear all about it one day," Uncle John smiled gently. He paused as he searched my face with a sad frown, "Is there still room for me?"

I couldn't help but run across the room to hug him again. This man had swung me in the air and told me fairy tales, he'd kept me company hundreds of times while my parents went out, he cooked me terrible dinners and bought me secret ice-cream. He was family. "Always, Uncle John," I promised thickly.

After a beat Hammer coughed and I still felt the jealous waves, though they had lessened somewhat. "The Origins," he prompted.

I sighed, it wasn't just me that needed time. It would take it for these titans to get on with each other as well.

I returned to the other side of the desk and sat on Dominic's lap, not bothering with the chair I'd used earlier. Uncle John smiled as he watched us but quickly turned serious.

"The Origins are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Words just cannot do them justice. They are not only beautiful to look at, but their content is awe-inspiring too. Your parents raised you on the things written inside and it felt so perfect, so right." Memories filled his eyes as he spoke.

"To begin with, they weren't sure what to do with them. They'd arrived at Stone Mountain in the post. They were addressed to Aggie personally, but she never knew who sent them."

"Oh, we do," Joan interjected excitedly, "Brogan Brogan. He was the Alpha Alpha here a long time ago. He found them after he retired and Ori told him to send them to Greta's mother."

John's eyes widened, "Really? That's amazing. Is he still around? I'd love to meet him."

"Yes. But it remains to be seen whether you will," Dominic said curtly. "You still haven't explained why you were on our land."

An idea sparked inside me and I hoped like I never had before. I didn't voice my theories though, I'd rather hear the truth from the source.

"I will Alpha Alpha Griffin," John replied seriously. "This is all relevant, I assure you."

Dominic merely raised his brow. After a beat, John carried on, eyes on me. "Your parents didn't want you to slip up and talk about them to others while you were little, that's why they didn't show them to you. Then when they thought you were old enough, they felt Ori telling them not to. They didn't know why exactly, but followed her wishes, trusting that she knew what she was doing."

"Things would have been much easier if I had seen them," I frowned.

"But not necessarily right," Joan replied softly. "Grets, if you had seen them, everything that happened, that brought you here, that made you the way you are... would have been different. Your focus would have been different, your perspective, your thoughts on how to navigate coming into pack life. Both Stone Mountain and here. Even if by just a little, if things weren't exactly the way they were, you might not be where you are right now. And this is clearly the place you are meant to be."

"You're right," I said, looking at her in petulant amazement. "When did you get so wise?" I teased. "But I wish it had all been easier. Not knowing sucked."

"It would have sucked either way, joining Stone Mountain was never going to be easy," she whispered, eyes full of compassion. "And everything you did, you did because you held the truth inside you. You didn't need to see the Origins for that."

"I see what you mean," John said with admiration, looking at Joan in astonishment.

"Carry on," Dominic barked. I poked him in annoyance, but he just grabbed my finger and bit it gently.

"So," John continued, laughter in his voice. He didn't seem bothered by the brusque way he was being treated. I pulled my finger from my mate's mouth with a scowl. He just kissed my nose. I huffed and turned around, he was impossible.

"They held onto them, not knowing what to do with them until... until Aggie got sick," his face crumpled in sadness. "She knew there was a high probability that she would die and she didn't want Jonathon to have the added pressure of looking after them, she knew it was going to be hard enough for you both."

I nodded shakily, it had been a long and debilitating road. Lupus Mortem was a horrible disease, brought about by overenthusiastic gene splicing experiments, trying to create hybrid genetics and improving our health and strength. It unleashed things into the world that should never have existed and nobody except the scientists themselves knew exactly how. Unfortunately they were all dead.

Mumma's death proved to me there were some things you shouldn't mess with. Dominic pulled me tighter against him, helping to breath past the lump in my chest as memories flooded my mind.

"We talked and prayed about it for months and eventually felt the best place to keep them safe was the most protected pack in the world," John looked out the window pointedly.

"Here," I breathed.

He turned to me, "Yes."

I started wriggling with excitement. "What happened?"

"It was decided that I would be the one to bring them here and place them in the secure area. Of course I wasn't expecting it to be the ramshackle mess it was," he smiled and Joan chortled in agreement.

"How did you get in?" Dominic ordered furiously.

"I sat just inside the borders for months, hiding when the patrols came, taking on the smell of the pack, though I wasn't sure if it would make a difference with most wolves not having an added sense of smell," he explained, getting side-tracked with his thoughts.

"Then I stole clothes to make me look like a warrior, with my build at the time, it wasn't a hard disguise, people didn't look close enough to know they didn't know me. I walked in with the safe without being bothered at all. Fortunately the file room was open the day I came. I sort of expected it to be, Ori had given me the push to come that day, so I knew it would work out somehow."

Dominic growled under his breath, not liking how easily his pack had been penetrated.

"If Ori's involved, all bets are off," I murmured to him. "Nothing could keep her out. Even you are not powerful enough to beat the one who made you that way."

He was grumpy but acceded to my opinion silently.

"Was the safe green, with a dial?" Joan breathed hopefully.

John wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Seen it, have you?"

We both shrieked and bounced up and down. It was. It was.

"After I put it in there, I was halfway free when the most amazing scent pulled at me," he flicked his gaze to the ceiling, "One I hadn't smelled again until today. Ori tried to stop me from following it, but I foolishly ignored her and got caught. I knew to keep my mouth shut, I wasn't sure if anyone would believe my story anyway, and the Origins were too precious to risk."

He looked at me. "When I was in the cell, I wondered from time to time whether I should just speak out, I wanted freedom. But Ori convinced me every time that I was doing the right thing, that she had someone special in mind to change things and they would need the Origins untouched. She stayed with me, kept me sane, I wouldn't have managed without her," he said shortly.

I could understand that. I sent her a prayer of thanks for looking after him.

Joan squeaked, eyes gleaming. "The safe, do you know the number?" she asked animatedly.

He nodded. "Jonathon and Aggie said it was precious, so it should be guarded with their most precious thing."

I looked at him in confusion and he rolled his eyes, "Your birthday, Princess."

Joan and I leapt up simultaneously, I pulled on Dominic's hand, "Let's go, please can Uncle John come?"

John suddenly gripped his head as my mate delved inside his memories to see if he was telling the truth. I wished that he'd asked, or at least warned him, but this wasn't the time to have that argument.

"John Foxton, you are officially released from Black Lake Mountain Prison. Be aware that one of the main reasons is your relationship with my mate. I want her happy and you will be a big part of that. I also see your intentions were honourable and not to cause harm. The time you have spent in prison will count as your punishment for trespassing on my territory. Subject to our initiation, you will be made a full member should you wish it."

"I wish it. Thank you Alpha," he said with a grin. Invisible shackles fell off him as he realised he was never going back to prison. I turned and hugged my mate, pressing my lips briefly to his.

"Thank you. Now, let's go. Come on."

We dashed out of the house and drove back to the packhouse. I mindlinked Bee, the lightest sleeper, to tell her of our intention.

Hammer drove like a madman while I tried to stop Dominic from making out with me in front of John, who determinedly stared out of the window. His lips fell all over my neck, but I refused to kiss him back, swatting at his face instead, to no avail.

At the packhouse we ran down to the file-room, picking up Bee, Sophie, Lacy, Kat and Pav, Marcus and Fiona on the way, though they had to wait upstairs until we got into the room. I jittered impatiently as Dominic undid the many locks and doors, calling them the minute the door swung open to reveal the messy room. The overhead lights flicked on, blinding me briefly. Hammer strode over to the safe, picking it up easily and placing it upon the table.

With shaking hands I turned the dial to match my birth date. Dominic's hand rubbed up and down my back, soothing my nerves.

At the last click, I pulled the lever and the door swung open. We all gasped in amazement as a stunning golden glow emitted from inside. I opened the door and pulled out the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. It was everything Brogan said and more.

It was undeniably other-worldly.

It felt warm in my hands and a small wind gathered around me, blowing my hair and clothes.

Ori.

I cried at the momentous feeling. This was really it. The moment that would change the world. I hugged it to me as I turned to look at Dominic. He was shocked at what I held in my hand and a delicious thought hopped into my brain.

"I win," I whispered hoarsely, overcome by the awe of the moment, but unable to resist revelling my victory.

He pulled me into him, his breathing irregular, as he too was overwhelmed by what I held between us. "This is beyond amazing," he tipped my head up and gazed into my teary face, as he bent and kissed my cheek before whispering softly in my ear, "But no you don't."

I was about to argue when he lifted his head and smiled teasingly, "It's after midnight."