Promptly at 7:40pm a bell rang and announcement was made. In 5 minutes please meet at the elevator lobby. There are appetizers and drinks set up. I was dressed in my black dress and black ballet shoes. Dad walked in and said, "your mom said to give you this necklace of protection to wear tonight. It will give you strength to do what must be done."

"What must be done dad?"

He kissed my temple and said, "you will know when the time is right." Then he fastened this black pearl necklace with a black opal that had been carved to look like a canine tooth with a wolf head on it.

I could feel calmness and strength wash over me. Just  then a knock on the door, "it is time to meet at the elevator," Jean calls out.

We turn and go to the door and look as my mom runs out of her room sliding on her shoes, "I swear that woman is a drill Sargent, but I am ready."

We get to the elevator and there is no food or drinks. "Come on we don't want to be late," and we all get in and go down a floor. When the elevator opens I see waiters and waitresses walking around with trays of foods and drinks.  Councilman Carrol and Councilwoman Mason talking and interacting with a few others. He walks over and says, "welcome to my world." He pulls a she-wolf up beside him, "this is councilwoman Mason. She is my mate. A few of the council heard you were coming to my place tonight, and turned into a bigger meet and greet. Dinner will still be private. Let me introduce you all to the other council members." Soon we had met all who were here.

The elevator door opened and I heard my ex-mate's voice. I had Jean and 'A' by me and Daniel stood by my parents. My face went pale and  my parents eyes went black. They struggled to keep their wolf under control but they grabbed each other's arms to give each other support. I turned toward his voice. He was standing with his mate and her parents.  I then saw Quinn walking over to them. I had not seen him arrive. I thought crap there is going to be a fight.  Instead he stopped in front of them and stated, "This should of happened before, but you were too selfish to say it. I was too hurt to to command it,  I, Quinn Bronson reject or maybe since you were the one who mated my own brother even knowing I was your true mate it should be I accept your rejection Mackenzie Smyth Bronson." We all see Mackenzie  grab her chest in pain."

I lift my hand up and touch the necklace. I feel a calmness come over me and I walk over to them with 'A' and Jean behind me. In a confidant and loud voice I state, "Since you were one who publicly claimed me, then raped me and f***ed her, rejected me and claimed her as your mate I, ASHLEY SWIFT,  PUBLICLY ACCEPT THE REJECTION OF ALPHA JACE BRONSON FORMER ALPHA OF RAVENCLAW AND WANNA BE ALPHA OF BLUEMOON OR SHOUOD I SAY BLUEBALLS SINCE THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT YOUR THINKING WITH ACCEPT YOUR REJECTION." Jace quickly turns toward me and swings a fist at me.

I duck, but it never made it to me. I was surprised to see Jean holding his fist, "Alpha to be Jace take your mate and leave. I am the schedule master and know your official meeting is a luncheon tomorrow with the council. You came to start trouble, but it looks like the exes brought it instead." She then turned to Alpha Sean and stated, "you have been alpha long enough and been at enough council gatherings to know I am a stickler for scheduled. Take the Blueballs Pack members and leave." By then several Elite are standing behind her and he furiously grabs and drags his daughter and future heir and leaves.

Just as the elevator door closes several wolves start to laugh. Then councilman Carrol says, "ok everyone has had their entertainment for the night. Plus appetizers. The meet and greet is officially over." He then turns to Jean, "Really Jean. You referred to them as Blueballs Pack?"

"What do you mean. I did not refer to...," her voice trails off and she starts to laugh, "OMG I DID SAY THAT." Then the wolves start to laugh again as they either turn toward the elevator or steps.

My pack and Ravenclaw pack members start to go toward the elevator. Councilwoman Mason calls out, "not you Ashley or Quinn. You and your members were invited to dinner. Please follow me into our suite."

We have a nice dinner with Councilman Carrol and his mate. My chest feels lighter after the acceptance of the rejection. Zulu says to me, "thank you. Even though I am sad, I now won't feel the pain when he is with others."

I raise my hand to the necklace and say to her, "was it me or the necklace that spoke tonight."

Zulu replies, "it was you. The necklace only works to protect you and boost what is already there. It just gave you the boost to say it tonight."

I grin and reply, "you know he will want revenge for you throwing the word blueballs into it." She grins at me, but before she can reply I am interrupted.

Quinn says, "what are you and your wolf talking about?"

My face goes bright red and I reply, "I was scolding her for humiliating the Bluemoon Pack and saying Blueballs Pack first."

Quinn laughs, "I should of realized it was her and not you who came up with that."

Dad then replies, "that is not proper table talk," he says in that parental command.  I turn to apologize when I notice that twinkle in his eyes.

"I am sorry dad." And Quinn says, "you are right sir. I apologize." Then he ask, "Did anyone see the training today?"

Just like that the talk was back to typical wolf conversation. When dinner was over Councilwoman Mason says, "let us retire to the balcony. We will have desert stations there." We all get up and follow her and Councilman Carrol to the balcony.  "I have had various fondue stations set up. Plus I have wine,"and she turns toward me, "and grape juices from around the world paired with each station.

We each grabbed a plate and wine glass. Alpha Bronson came up to me, "I want to apologize to you myself, on behalf of the pack for Jace's behavior. I should of realized his grandfather was poisoning him."

I turn toward him, "Alpha Bronson, I was raised by my parents being told after I once got in trouble for sneaking out and joining in on a class prank that got me trouble. I knew that prank was wrong, but I did it anyway. When caught was told, we have raised you to know the difference between right and wrong, but you made a choice of choosing wrong. Now must suffer the consequences. I was on omega clean up duty for a month. I am sure Jace was raised the same way." I smile at him, "his consequences will be not to know his pups if I win. NO WHEN I WIN THIS BATTLE HE STARTED." I then reach for my purse and add, "you are going to be a grandpa. Let me show you pictures of your grand pups." I then pull the ultrasound picture out and show him.

As he is making over them his mate walks up, "you dare talk to the slut who gets our son removed from the pack with her stories?" I tense up and turned toward her and she continues, "you look at those bastard pups and won't even talk to him. If you did you would know our true grandpup is coming."

I see them then linking back and forth. He then turns to me, "pardon my mate. Thank you for sharing my grand pups with me. Excuse me, I think she must be tired and we should retire for the night." He then turns to lead his mate away and say goodnight to the others.

I decide on the spot, "Alpha Bronson when they come I would welcome you to my home to get to know them. Luna when you are ready to accept them as your grand pups you will be welcomed to."

He turns toward me, "thank you. Please call us Dave and Alice." Then he says goodnight and departs.

Quinn comes up to me, "thank you for not keeping them away from them.  Mom will slowly comes around." He then grabs a stick and piece of fruit. He dips it in the fondue and says, "here try this one. It is very good." Then sticks a piece of fruit in my mouth. Which surprises me since an Alpha feeding someone is usually reserved for a mate.

Alpha Jason walks up to us, "Quinn and Ashley, I know you both are trying to come to terms with what happened, but you do need to remember not to turn to each other in haste. We can hope for both of you to find a second chance mate. Maybe it will be the two of you once your wolf is ready to open up to the idea."

Both of us at once says, "it is too soon for second chance mates." I add, "Quinn is only a friend and uncle to the pups. I won't let Jace take that away from me too."

Councilwoman Mason comes up, "I am sure that is not what Alpha Jason meant. Just make sure your actions cannot me twisted. I do not see passion of mates between you at this time, but Alpha to be Quinn did just feed you. That is trait usually reserved for mates."

Quinn replies, "in our pack it is also a custom done to show support for someone in mourning. My brother may not be dead, but we are still mourning our lost mates. Please excuse me. I think I will go for a run before I retire for the night."

Councilwoman Mason says, "please forgive me. I was not aware of that custom of your pack. If questioned by others I now can address it. Just as we stated before the walls has ears."

He nods at her and departs. We leave shortly after that to go to our rooms.