SACarter, you're going to love me forever for this chapter

Chapter Quote:
"I believe the answer that will not get me in trouble with you is: the happiest day of my life."
~Ren, Nightshade
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Chapter 42

Hunter

I woke up at eleven in the morning. Mom and dad were still there but this time in different clothes. They must've left at some point to take showers and put on clean outfits. Mom was reading a book, dad was asleep. She smiled at me when she realized I was awake.

"Morning sweetie," mom greeted, putting down her book. "How are you feeling?"

"I'd feel better if I could go start apologizing to people," I replied.

"Are you going to want to start with Josilyn?"

"No. I want to talk to her last. I have a feeling that will be the longest talk of all. Mom, I had an idea but I need dad's help because I have no idea where to start." I told my mom what I needed and she beamed.

"I think it's a great idea. I want a lot of protection around you so take Shiloh and Loren with you as well. I can hold down the fort while you four are gone. Do you feel well enough to do that today though?"

I nodded. "But I want to take a shower. I need to clean the blood off of me."

"All right. You go do that and I'll wake up your dad and tell Loren and Shiloh. You go do what you need to. You don't need to worry about Josilyn being in y'all's room. She's in the garden right now reading a book. I'll have one of the girls distract her and keep her there to make sure she doesn't go to your room."

"Thank you mom."

"Of course. Now go get ready. I'll see you soon." I rolled out of bed, shuffling to my room. I managed to shower and get dressed without too much pain. Bruises and bite marks covered my body, but none of them had been so deep that they broke any bones. The bite marks didn't even hit any major arteries. It was as if Stark had simply been trying to weaken me rather than kill me. I might have actually believed he hadn't wanted to kill me except for the faint teeth marks on my neck. Sighing, I threw on a shirt, some jeans, and a jacket, all the while wondering how on earth I was going to convince my pack to trust me again. Why had the Hunters drugged me? Of everyone in the pack, they'd gone for me. Why?"

Someone knocked on the door, snapping me out of my thoughts. I took a deep breath before opening it. To my disbelief, Dom was standing there.

"Heard you were up and normal again. Figured I should come check that out for myself," Dom said. "You are normal again, right? You're not going to shred me to pieces?"

I gave him an up-down. Besides a small cut on his head and a few scratches on his arms, he looked pretty healthy. "I'm normal. The Hunters drugged me with something that made me do what I did. I'm really sorry for attacking you. I don't even remember doing it. I have a few snippets of Elsa, Spencer, and a guy in the shadows but other than that, nothing. Are you doing better?"

"Yeah, Stark and a few of your pack mates gave me blood. Healed me up nicely. Look, do you remember what the bartender looked like that filled up your drink?"

"Uh, sort of. Why?"

"Let's say the Searchers need information about how that drug got in your drink and since interrogation is a specialty of mine, I was going to go get some answers." Dom pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me. "Which bartender served you?"

"That one," I said, pointing to the bald one in the middle. "He served me."

"Thanks. I'll get on that. Glad you're feeling better." Dom started to leave but I stopped him.

"How's Anna?"

"Better. Ribs are practically fully healed. There's small hairline fractures in them still but those will be gone in an hour or so. She's going with me to the bar to help me interrogate."

"What? Why?"

"She... wasn't the only one that worked with the Hunters. I did too until I found out what their real agenda was. I was young, I needed money, and they offered me a great job. They told me they were a bounty hunter group but also were an extermination group. They said they were searching for this nuisance wolf pack and these people named the Laroches. I was never told the wolf pack and the Laroches were the same. There were other jobs they sent me on that had nothing to do with you and your pack, and those were the missions she joined me on by order of the Hunters. Anna had no idea her family was alive. They kept her ignorant for a reason because the moment she found out, she fled. The moment I found out about your pack, I started planning my own escape and to help Anna find you. She left without me though."

"Anna was an interrogator?"

Dom nodded. "A damn good one. She asked the questions, I was the physical side, but not because she couldn't do it herself. I was there to make sure she was safe half the time."

"So you're an ex-Hunter turned Searcher who's dating a Guardian?"

"Anna and I aren't dating. We used to though."

"What happened?"

"Another Hunter kissed me right when Anna came into the room. Nothing I said could convince Anna that I wasn't cheating on her. I loved your sister. I still do."

"Have you told her that?"

"Don't think she'd believe me. She's finally talking to me again. We started a new slate with each other. I don't want to ruin that. Besides, she's a Guardian, I'm human. It wouldn't work out."

"It could."

"I'll think about it. Thanks for the help Hunter. Glad you're doing better. I'll see you later."

"Thanks. Tell Anna I'll see her in a bit. I'm heading out with my dad, Loren, and Shiloh."

"No offense, but after what happened at the club, is it safe for you to go out?"

"I'll have my dad, his second, and mom's second. They're the three strongest in the pack next to me and Noah. I'll be fine. Besides, it's urgent I go."

"All right. Well, be safe, try not to kill anyone."

"Thanks," I muttered. Dom grinned as he walked away. I went back into my room to grab my wallet before heading back to my dad. I rounded the corner that led to my dad's room when I literally bumped into Noah. My second's eyes practically bulged out of his head.

"What are you doing up?" Noah asked, slowly backing away from me.

"I'm not going to attack you. The Hunters drugged me at the bar last night which caused my freak-out last night. I'm really sorry about punching you. I don't remember doing it," I told him, grimacing at the sight of the bruise on his cheek.

"I don't care that you hurt me. I can take it. I'm mad you hurt my sister."

"I don't remember pushing her. I only know because mom and dad told me. But I'm going to make it up to her if she'll let me come near her. I'm going out now to get her something."

"What are you getting her?" Noah inquired. So I told him. Once again, his eyes bulged out of head. "Seriously? If you're going to get her that, then I'm coming too. I want to see this in person. Besides, I might shop around a little."

"You want to get Ember a Pandora charm or something? Her birthday is coming up after all."

"I thought about it. Maybe something a little more expensive."

"If you're thinking what I'm thinking, then I approve. Although you might want to talk to my mom and dad about it first."

"I will. Let's go see them now." My beta and I walked to my parents' room. Their door was open. Upon entering, I found mom, dad, Shiloh, and Loren talking.

"Hey, see you have one pack member back on your side," dad remarked. "How you feeling, Noah?"

"Fine, sir," my second replied.

"Since when do you call me sir?"

I nudged Noah, encouraging him to speak. "Um, Ren, Arya, dad, I uh... for Ember's birthday, I want to get her a ring... an engagement ring."

"Why?" Dad asked, standing up. Mom slipped her hand in his, more I think to hold dad back in case he had a bad reaction to what Noah was asking. Unlike dad, mom was barely containing her excitement about the news.

"I want your permission to ask Ember to marry me," Noah declared.

"You have it," Dad answered.

"Please, sir, I promise- wait what?"

"You have my permission to marry Ember."

"That was... easy," Noah mused. "Thank you, sir, I mean Ren. I promise I'll take care of her."

"I know you will. I trust you. Come shopping with us."

"Considering you're asking my daughter to marry you, I think you might need a woman's opinion. Ember's picky about her jewelry," Mom noted.

"Please. I want it to be perfect."

"Let me grab my purse. Ren, go get Adne so we can get a portal." She kissed dad on the cheek. While dad, Noah, and Loren left the room. Shiloh and I hung back.

"Mr. McKay?" I asked.

"Oh no, not you too," Shiloh groaned.

"Shiloh!" Mom hit him on the arm.

Her second laughed. "Kidding."

"I wanted to apologize to you for hitting Noah and breaking Josilyn's hand. I have no recollection of doing it and please know that I would never had done that to either of them if I hadn't been drugged. I would never purposefully hurt your daughter or your son."

"I know. Your parents told me everything. You can relax. I'm not going to kill you."

"Everything?"

"Everything. I wouldn't be going on this trip if I didn't believe you. Come on, let's go shopping. Noah's going to need a lot of help picking out that ring."

"I'll meet you there. I want to talk to my mom first." Shiloh left the room. Mom turned to face me, a questioning look on her face. "I didn't want to say this in front of them, but do you think she'll say yes?"

"She will. I know she will. Let's go. It's been too long since I've been in a jewelry shop and I can't wait to help pick a ring out."

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We got back to the Academy two hours later. By then it was nearly two in the afternoon. Ember was the first to greet us. Noah strode over to her, planting a big kiss on her lips.

"Hello beautiful," he said.

"Well hello to you too. Where did you go?"

"Shopping with your parents and Hunter. I have to go put my stuff in my room but I'll come by yours after." Kissing her on the cheek, my second practically ran out of the foyer. Ember watched him leave. Once out of sight, she turned around and asked, "What's gotten into him?"

"He's just in a good mood," Dad laughed.

Ember's eyes rested on me. She exclaimed my name and threw her arms around me, hugging the living daylights out of me.

"I'm so glad you're okay! I was so worried about you! I mean I was also scared of you but that's passed since you're fine now. You are fine right?" Ember pulled away. I nodded, explaining what happened and apologizing over and over again. "Don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault. You didn't know what you were doing. I'm going to go see Noah and see what he bought but I'll see you later?"

"Definitely. I have to go make some rounds apologizing and explaining what happened."

"Have fun with that one. You'll be okay. They'll forgive you if they haven't already." Ember walked off. I waited until she was out of earshot before asking, "You really think Noah will be able to hide it from her until her birthday?"

"He'll hide it, but she'll know he's hiding something," Shiloh remarked. I'm going to go talk to Carrie. I'll see you all later."

"Mom, dad, I'll see you at dinner. I have some apologizing to go do. Love you." My parents returned the sentiment and I walked off. After dropping my bags off in my room, shoving them under the bed so Josilyn wouldn't come across them, I first headed to the rooms of the people I didn't physically hurt. Thankfully it didn't take long. Most of them had found out from their parents what had happened to me. All of them said they were glad I was safe and sane again. I told them that if it ever happened again, to knock me out as fast as possible. They promised me they would.

The first room I visited after them was Anna's. I figured she might be the easiest to convince I was sorry. When I knocked, she yelled at me that I could come in. I opened the door, poking my head in. Anna was on her bed with Dom, looking at stuff on the computer.

"How are you feeling?" I asked. Anna looked up at me. I saw her tense up. I held up my hands. "I'm not going to attack. Searchers gave me a clean bill of health. The drug that made me go nuts is all out of my system."

"Anna, I told you he was fine," Dom said,

"I know you did," she retorted, getting up out of bed. My sister walked over to me and hugged me. "I'm glad you're okay again. Just remind me never to piss you off."

"Even when I'm pissed, I don't hurt my pack mates. I'm really, really sorry for hitting you. I don't remember doing it. The drug-"

"-blocked out the memories. I know. Dom told me. You don't have to explain it to me."

"I needed to apologize though, whether you'd forgiven me already or not. You just came back and I didn't want you thinking that me going berserk on my pack mates was a normal occurrence."

"I think if it was, Elsa would've warned me about it."

"Right... speaking of Elsa, I need to go see her, if she'll even let me near her..." I rubbed my forehead in an attempt to get rid of my headache that was a result from my nerves.

"It's not Elsa you'll have to worry about," Dom remarked.

"What do you- oh, Stark and Spencer are with her."

"Good luck convincing them you're normal again," he laughed.

"Dom," Anna hissed.

"What? I'm just wishing him luck!"

My sister looked up at the ceiling in exasperation. "Don't listen to him Hunter. Be careful though. If Spencer and Stark think you're coming after her, they won't hesitate to kill you this time."

"I know. I'll see you at dinner, okay?" Giving Anna a hug, I went to Elsa's room. I could hardly hear Elsa telling me to enter when I knocked. I'd barely taken a step inside her room when Stark leapt off the bed, shifting into a wolf so quickly midair that I didn't get a look at his face. He raised his haunches at the sight of me, snarling. Immediately Spencer was by his alpha's side, but unlike Stark, Spencer charged me, slamming into the door. For a guy who had been so injured according to my parents, he'd healed remarkably fast and had gotten most of his strength back, if not all of it.

I tried shoving him off but it didn't work.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Spencer growled.

"I'm here to see Elsa," I said. "Let go of me. I'm not going to kill her."

"Spencer, let him go," Elsa said weakly. I saw her hands wrap around Spencer's arms, gently tugging at him to let go. He backed off but continued glowering at me for a few seconds. Finally he turned around.

"Elsa, get back in bed," he said, spinning her around and walking her back to her bed. I followed him cautiously, keeping a careful eye on Stark who kept his haunches raised, but at least he'd stopped snarling. Spencer was sitting on the edge of the bed next to my sister.

"I'll be fine. He's not dangerous anymore," Elsa insisted.

"I-I just came to apologize and help heal her if she'd let me," I explained.

"I think you've helped her enough," Spencer retorted.

"Don't talk to him like that," my sister snapped.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"Spencer, I'm sorry for attacking you and hitting you in the head with a rock. I wasn't in my right mind. When my pack and I went to the club, the Hunters were able to spike my drink with a drug that increased my strength and my anger. I don't remember attacking you. I had a couple images of you and Elsa and a guy in the shadows but when I woke up, I thought it was from a dream I had. I don't remember any feelings I had towards any of you, I don't remember what I said. I only know about what happened from what my parents told me." I looked down at Stark. "Thank you for stopping me from killing Elsa. I don't know what I would've done if I had. I wouldn't have been able to handle it if I killed my own sister, drugged or not."

Stark lowered his head in acceptance of my apology. He even lowered his haunches. I looked back at Spencer and Elsa. My sister still refused to look at me. Her hair fell in front of her face.

"Elsa, can you please look at me?" I asked softly. When she shook her head, I said, "I know the reason you were sneaking out. The real reason. I know they know Caleb."

She lifted her head ever so slightly. Spencer glanced at her. The two of them had a silent conversation before she said, "Spencer, Stark, can I talk to Hunter alone? Please?"

"Howl if you need me," Spencer told her, giving her a gentle kiss on the head. He left with Stark right after that. I heard my sister take a deep breath before she looked at me. My shoulders sagged as I stared at my sister's swollen face and neck. If this was what it looked like after healing some, I was glad I hadn't come earlier like I'd wanted to.

"I-I did that to you?" I stammered.

She dropped her head back down, fiddling with the blankets. "Yeah... mom told me you were up and that you were better. She said you wanted to come see me because you were really upset about hurting the pack. I was hoping you'd come later so I'd be healed even more. I feel like I'm adding insult to injury by letting you see me like this."

"I'm so sorry. I am so, so sorry," I breathed. I hesitated before sitting down on the edge of her bed. "Oh god... I almost killed you. I didn't- I never- Elsa, nothing I can say can ever be enough for what I did to you."

"Hunter, I'm fine. You didn't know you were doing it. Besides, with what you were saying to me, maybe if I'd told you sooner about the Starks knowing Caleb, this wouldn't have happened."

"What exactly was I saying?" She bit her lip, alerting me she didn't want to tell me. "Elsa, please. I want to know."

"That I was the reason all the problems started in the pack, that I destroyed mom and dad because they didn't know what to do with me, and that if all the problems started with me, they should end with me. But you were right. All the problems with the pack started with me."

"That's not-"

"No, it is. I brought Spencer into our lives even though you didn't like him. I risked the safety of the pack by sneaking out to see them. I let my excitement to talk with Caleb cloud my judgment. This is my fault. You were right Hunter, about everything you said. The words stung more than the injuries."

"Please, don't think this is your fault. I didn't understand why you were so close to the Starks then but believe me, in normal mode, I was never so mad that I wanted to kill you. Why did you never tell us about the Starks knowing Caleb?"

"I should've told you. I was just afraid that if I said anything to anyone, Caleb wouldn't talk to me anymore. I missed him really badly."

"He loved you. He still does. If you told anyone, he wouldn't stop talking to you. Did you ever see him?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes. Multiple times. He even came to my graduation with the Starks. He surprised me. I talk to him every day. He makes sure I'm safe."

"Does he know about what happened?"

"Yes. I explained everything that happened."

"I'm sure he wanted to kill me."

"Wouldn't be the first time, would it?" Elsa joked.

I actually smiled. "No, it wouldn't."

"Are you coming to dinner tonight?"

"I don't know. I thought about just getting some soup from the kitchen and eating in my room. Why?"

"We're having a special dinner tonight. Formal wear. If you can't, that's fine, but it'd mean a lot if you came."

"I'll do it for you. I'll get some more rest before then so I can get some more of this swelling to go down. I'd ask Stark and Lily for more blood to help get the healing process go faster but they've already given me so much and Spencer needs to finish healing himself so I won't ask him."

"Let me give you some."

"No, you just got well. I don't want to-"

"You need more blood. You wouldn't let me heal your arm so let me heal what I did to you. Don't make me give you an alpha's order."

Elsa sighed. "Fine."

"Thank you. Then you can sleep."

I gave her blood until I visibly saw the swelling going down. Then, and only then, did I allow her to go to sleep. Spencer and Stark were waiting outside her door when I exited her room. I told them about dinner that night. Spencer accepted the invitation. I assumed Stark did as well but he also didn't say anything so who knows if that was a yes or a no.

I walked back to my room, hoping Josilyn would be in there. If she wasn't and she came in while I was already in there, I feared it might frighten her to the point it could cause a problem with her heart. Thankfully, she was in there. She was lying on her stomach on the bed, watching a movie on her laptop. I cleared my throat to announce myself. Josilyn looked over her shoulder, flipping onto her back the moment she saw me.

"Hunter!" she exclaimed. "Where have you been? Ember told me you were up and talking earlier. I kept expecting you to come find me but you didn't."

"I didn't know what to say," I confessed. "Saying 'sorry' doesn't feel adequate. Not only did I violently push you, I caused you to break your hand."

"It's mostly healed. Look!" Josilyn showed me her hand. Except for a little bruising, it looked fine, but that didn't help any. "It still hurts and of course I don't heal as fast as the others but I'll be as good as new in a couple of days."

"How are you not mad at me?" I asked in disbelief.

"Because you didn't do it on purpose," she replied, getting out of bed and walking up to me.

"Yes I did! I shoved you to the ground!"

"Because you were drugged and you weren't thinking clearly. That's why I'm not mad at you. I know you would never consciously hurt me."

"What did I ever do to deserve a girl like you?"

"You finally asked me out."

I laughed. "Best decision I ever made."

"I'm glad you're back to normal though. You were scary on that drug."

"I'm never letting that happen again. I promise." I pulled her into a hug, inhaling her perfume to calm my frayed nerves. She always smelled like roses. Maybe that was why whenever I smelled roses in a garden or in a store, I would always get a sense of calm. But that's what Josilyn did to me. She calmed me down and whether she knew it or not, Josilyn was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I needed to show her that too.
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Elsa

Dinner was at seven so I woke up five-thirty so I'd have time to shower before getting dressed and doing my hair and makeup. Thanks to Hunter, Stark, and Lily, I'd been given so much blood that the swelling in my face and neck had gone down so significantly that I felt comfortable letting my pack see me. My face and neck were both still a little puffy but nothing like before, and the bruises on my neck could easily be hidden by some foundation and powder. I'd already put on all my makeup and was talking to Spencer, who was lounging on my bed, while I curled my hair. Unlike me, he only had to shower, put some gel in his hair, and throw on a suit. Needless to say I was jealous he was already done.

"Elsa?" Josie's voice called from outside.

"You can come in!" I shouted. I saw my friend come into my room from my mirror. She had her hair pulled into a beautiful bun with loose curls framing her face. Her makeup, while she wore some, was light, but of course Josilyn didn't need much makeup. She was naturally beautiful.

"Hey Spencer!" Josilyn chirped.

"Hey Josie." He smiled at her.

"Elsa, I need your help," my friend said.

"With what?"

"I have no idea what to wear tonight. You need to help me pick one out. When you're done curling your hair though." Josilyn plopped down beside me. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better. Hunter gave me a lot of blood earlier and then Stark and Lily have been doing the same."

"What about you Spencer? How are you feeling?"

"Great. At least my world isn't spinning anymore like it was last night. That was an experience," Spencer remarked in amusement.

"How's your hand Josie?" I queried, getting the last strand of hair to curl.

"Better. Hunter gave me some blood too, so did Noah. Speaking of, my brother is on cloud nine. Do you know why?"

"No idea. But then again your brother and I aren't exactly close," I laughed.

"True. What are you wearing tonight?"

"I think I have a dress in mind. It's a white lace one. Come on, let's go. Spencer, you come too. I need another pair of eyes." He rolled off my bed and followed us. We entered Josie's room. Spencer sat in a chair while I went into Josie's closet and helped her pick out an outfit. I had her select a purple dress, a light pink one, and a white one. While she changed, I stood up and started putting on my earrings that I'd grabbed on the way out the door.

Josie tried on the yellow one first and that was an instant no. It seemed too casual for the occasion. She went back into the dressing room to try on the purple one. I was walking around, trying to get my second earring in when it slipped out of my hand, flying under the bed. I groaned, getting on all fours and looking underneath the bed. There were a bag underneath there and since I couldn't feel my earring on the carpet, I figured it must've bounced into the bag. Rather than doing the rational thing and pulling the bag out, I opened it underneath the bed. I pulled out a shirt with a price tag still on it, a pink velvet box, and finally my earring. Standing up, I put my earring in before curiosity got the better of me and I opened up the velvet box. It revealed an engagement ring with a thin, wavy band with diamond leaves sprouting out to the sides and a rose made of small diamonds. A light pink gemstone rested in the center of the diamond rose. I heard myself say, "Oh my god!"

"What's wrong?" Spencer asked, appearing next to my side.

"Everything okay out there?" Josilyn called from the closet.

"Yeah, yeah, just saw a spider," I lied, snapping the lid shut on the box and turning around, hiding my hand that held the box behind Spencer's back just as Josilyn came out.

"How do I look?" she queried, spinning in the dress.

"Good, but try on the white one. Just to make sure." Turning to Spencer, I said, "Would you mind going to find Hunter and telling him I'm coming to dinner?"

"Of course," Spencer answered, discreetly putting the ring box in his pocket. "I'll meet you back in your room."

Giving me a kiss, he left the room. Josilyn soon came out in the white dress. It was a tight, bandaged dress with thick bedazzled design for the straps and chest. The back had a plunging v-line.

"That's the one," I declared. "That is most definitely the one."

"Really? You don't think it's too... young?"

"Not at all! It's gorgeous! Now you need some jewelry." I went to her dresser, opening her jewelry box. I pulled out big diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, and a diamond bracelet. "Here, wear these."

"What about a ring?"

"Wear your promise ring. It's simple and I think you'll have enough diamonds on tonight. I have to run and get my dress on but I'll meet you at dinner, okay?"

"All right. Supposedly we have assigned seating."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I went in earlier to look. It's going to be gorgeous! I think you're sitting next to me."

"Sounds good. I'll see you soon." I ran out of her room back to mine. Spencer was already there. I ignored him though, raiding my closet to find my dress because I didn't want to be late for dinner. I'd already picked out my shoes which were simple, four inch, black, peep-toe stilettos. My dress was made of white lace with a deep V-neck. I found it in the very back of the closet. I threw it on but was having trouble zipping it up. I guess Spencer heard me grunting because he asked if I needed help.

"My zipper's stuck on this dress!" I yelled back. I went back to attempt to zip it up. If I couldn't do it in the next few seconds, I would have to change dresses.

"Want me to try?" Spencer offered. When I had more futile attempts, I gave in, walking out of the closet to him. He stood up, easily getting the zipper unstuck.

"Elsa, what's taking so long? You need to- am I interrupting something?" Ember queried mischievously.

"What? No. I couldn't get my dress to zip up so he was helping me. Get your head out of the gutter," I retorted.

"You know, I've noticed that in movies and books, when a guy is a helping a girl with a dress, he's usually helping her out of it, not in it."

"First off, this isn't a movie or a book. Second, you read?"

"Ha ha, very funny. But seriously, get your butt moving. We need to get to dinner soon. Noah is all anxious to get there and I cannot deal with that alone. He's been in a weirdly happy mood all day. I miss my brooding, grumpy cat boyfriend."

"Wouldn't he be considered a grumpy wolf?" Spencer questioned.

"Yeah I guess he would be."

"Hey, Ember, would you go tell Hunter we're on our way in a few minutes. I need to do something."

"Yeah of course." Ember had a sparkle in her eyes like she knew something I didn't. She practically skipped out of the room.

"What do you need to do?" I asked, putting on my heels.

"I wanted to give you something. It's not a ring or anything like that," he laughed. Spencer pulled out a white velvet box and handed it to me. Opening it revealed a gorgeous diamond snowflake necklace.

"It's beautiful!" I gasped, pulling it out and dangling it in front of my eyes. "When on earth did you get this?"

"A couple days ago. I've been trying to find the right time to give it to you. Since we're going to a nice dinner, I thought you might like to wear it."

"Yes, I would love to wear it!" I put the box down so I could use both hands to put the necklace on. The necklace rested dead center of my chest. It was stunning. Turning around, I kissed Spencer and said, "I absolutely love it! Thank you!"

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it."

"Might I ask why you bought me something so extravagant?"

"Because I love you."

"Don't let my brother hear you say that," I told him with a grin. "But for the record, I love you too."

"Caleb knows. When Callie attacked you, Caleb and I had a big talk about my relationship with you. He gave me permission to date you, if you want to. I know you wanted to try after the war so if you don't want to date now, I understand."

"Caleb really gave you permission?"

"Yeah. I was actually kind of shocked."

"What about Callie? She's not-"

"Lily said that Caleb told Callie she wasn't allowed out of her room until she could stop herself from attacking everyone that disagreed with her. She was also told that if she ever attacked you or Anna again, he'd kill her. Honestly, it's like I don't even know Callie anymore. She's completely changed. She never would've been like this before the Hunters took her."

"Are you sure you can handle my family?" I inquired, placing my hands on my hips.

"I've been doing it so far, haven't I?" Spencer countered.

"As my friend. Boyfriend is a whole new role."

"I can do it."

"Then I guess I can be your girlfriend," I mused, attempting to keep a neutral expression but failing miserably as a huge smile spread across my face. Spencer cupped my face, pulling my lips to his.

"Come on beautiful, let's get to dinner." Spencer held his arm out for me. I looped mine through his. Upon arriving at the dining room, we were one of the last to come. Stark, in wolf form, Lily, Spencer, and Dom were seated at the far end of the table since they weren't part of the pack. I was seated next to Josilyn which surprised me. The omega was usually placed at the end of the table with the strangers. Anna sat on my other side. I think that was more because we were twins than anything else. Ironically, my twin had worn a lace dress as well, the only difference being it was black rather than white like mine.

Hunter and Josilyn were the last to arrive. My brother was beaming. We made eye contact and I gave him a big smile. He walked past me, pulled Josilyn's chair out for her, and pushed her in before coming over to me. He hugged me from behind, whispering ever so softly, "Thank you for coming. Also thank you for getting my ring for me."

"You're lucky I'm such a good liar. Josie almost found out."

Hunter kissed me and Anna on our cheeks and sat next to Josilyn. Dinner went by really quickly. It was a massive feast. We had prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, potato au gratin, carrots, and gravy for dinner. For dessert, we had Josilyn's favorite: apple pie. It happened to be my favorite as well. By the end of dinner, I was stuffed, actually in pain from eating so much. Conversation filled the dining room until Hunter stood up, clearing his throat. The room fell deathly silent. I could see my brother shift nervously.

"Thank you all for coming. I have an announcement to make. Earlier I was talking to my parents. Although this is still in the future, we decided it was about time you knew. After the rest of the pack has graduated high school, my future pack and I will be moving to the southern compound where we will begin our reign of the southern territory." Cheers from all the kids rose up, including me. Riley seemed especially thrilled. So far, as it stands, the main house will be mine and Josilyn's since we're together. The houses on either side of mine will be Elsa and Anna's, and Ember and Noah's. The house next to Elsa and Anna's will be Thea's and Riley's. The rest of the houses, we will decide once the rest of you have been paired off. If any of you have any requests, please come to me."

Hunter asked for Josilyn to stand up. She seemed confused as to why but did so anyway. Hunter continued on with his speech. "Now, we've all been through a lot in the past year between Hunters and a new pack and moving to the Academy and me going on a drugged rampage last night, which again, thank you all for forgiving me for that. I am truly sorry you witnessed that and I will never let it happen again. But through all that, we've all been there for each other. For me in particular, there's one person in particular that needs to be addressed about that." Hunter turned to Josilyn, taking her hands in his. "Josilyn, you've stood by me through thick and thin, good and bad. You always saw the best in me no matter what, you have always been the one to calm me down, and you've been my rock through everything that's happened. A year ago, I took you to dinner at Dunnravens and gave you a promise ring to show you how much I appreciated you and loved you. But I think you need a different ring today. I know we're still young, but Guardian's always find their mates for life when they're young and I am no exception."

I could see Josilyn getting red in the face as she began figuring out what was happening. Hunter pulled the ring box out of his pocket as he got down on one knee. "Josilyn Louise Laroche, will you-?"
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Josilyn

The moment Hunter got down on one knee, I knew what was happening. My heart started beating so fast I was sure I would pass out, but somehow I managed to stay conscious.

"Josilyn Louise Laroche," Hunter began, "Will you-"

I didn't let him finish. "Yes! A thousand times yes!"

My boyfriend, now fiancé, laughed at my enthusiasm. He slid the rose ring onto my finger. The light pink stone was dazzling and was impossible to miss by how big it was. Hunter lifted my head up so he could kiss me. All around us my pack was clapping and hollering. Some of them even shifted and howled. Caleb had joined in the howling. When Hunter and I broke the kiss, Elsa pulled me into a hug.

"Congratulations! We're finally going to be sisters!" she exclaimed.

"I can't wait! Did you know about this?" I queried, tears of joy beginning to blur my vision.

"When I said 'oh my god' earlier, it's because I discovered the ring. That's when I found out." Elsa let out a scream, shocking me because my friend rarely got that excited. "We're going to be sisters!"

Anna was the next to hug me, followed by Ember, then Noah who had to practically pry his girlfriend's death grip on me so he could hug me. My parents were soon to follow, then the Laroche alphas. I hugged everyone in the room and more than once. But I always stayed next to Hunter.

We all celebrated with a bunch of champagne. Even those not old enough to drink were allowed to. Quite a few of the Guardians found the harder alcohol and got quite drunk. Dmitri and Gracie were making out in a corner behind a plant. Thea and Diana were running around taking pictures with and of everyone. For the first time in a long time, my pack was truly happy. No one was thinking of the Hunters, no one was thinking of the dark future ahead, they were simply enjoying themselves and the present. It was a beautiful sight to behold. But the most beautiful thing I saw was my new fiancé, smiling and laughing with his pack.
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SACarter, hope you enjoyed this. You better review :)