POV
Stone

The Great Gathering arrived, it was a Friday and my territory would be housing over eighteen hundred wolves.

There would be food, fights and fun, but none of that was concerning. What concerned me was Lucas's guest. Philip.

I hated the guy and I hadn't met him yet, he was scheduled to arrive sometime tonight. What really got Falken going, was seeing Lucas so excited. You'd think Luna herself was gracing us with her presence.

I overheard him talking to his sister Lucy the day before, I was going to his office to discuss our son, and the depression he was experiencing.

I stopped because I heard him mention Philip listening as he told Lucy about the man and how he'd taken him in, played the hero.

It was gut-wrenching and completely what I deserved, still, I couldn't help how jealous I was. I stormed out of the packhouse and took a six-hour run.

So there we were the day of the Great Gathering, all the leaders, Lucas and I included, we were all running around trying to put the finishing touches on everything.

Lucas was in a totally different place, he was happy, almost bubbly, and I knew exactly why. I didn't mean to but I kinda started a little argument with him.

It is tradition, that at every Gathering the Alpha and Luna hosting go and welcome the Alpha and Luna of each pack.

After the packs had arrived, and we gave everyone time to get organized, Lucas came and found me.

I was avoiding most of the eighteen hundred wolves, simply because, in sibling packs, everyone knows everyone.

Meaning everyone knew about me and Lucas, I could imagine what they were saying about me, not that they weren't right, but that didn't mean I wanted my mistake thrown back in my face.

So there I was basically hiding in the greenhouse, amongst the herbs for healing and different types of aconite.

He must have scented me because he walked right in the greenhouse and called my name. "What?" I answered, sounding harsher than I meant to; and hearing the deep south in my own voice.

"The-uh ... Everyone is situated, it's time for the welcoming, then we have to address the packs." Lucas said.

"I can't go out there, and you should be more concerned with your boyfriend's arrival," I said, my shoulders sagging.

"Come on Stone, Phil and I had sex  a few times, but we were nev..."

"You said, y'all never had sex, what's a few times?" I asked. "More than twice, and I never told you we didn't have sex, I said we weren't interested in each other in that way." He answered.

"Besides, it doesn't matter you an..."

"Yeah yeah yeah I know... We ain't together and we won't ever be. If there's nothing else, I'd like to be alone... Please." I softly begged.

"No, you don't get to play the victim. Get your ass up, and help me greet our guest!" He shouted. I turned quickly, snarling at him and he flinched.

"Fine, I won't bother you again." He said, going to walk away. I thought about letting him, I even tried, but I couldn't, he didn't see it yet, but I was completely broken for him.

"I'm sorry!" I shouted, he sighed turning at the door. "What?" He asked, and it was my turn to sigh. "I said I'm sorry Angel, I know I can't blame you for my mistakes. I ju-- nevermind." I said, walking over to join him at the door.

"Let's go greet everyone," I said, and he gave me a wondering look, searching my face for something, then a soft smile fell on his pretty little lips.

"I want us to present ourselves as a respectable couple." He said, and I shook my head no. "I-I can't do that... Pretend that you want me, it would hurt too bad." I said, and his eyes they softened.

Yet in a second they were hard again, flashing white as his wolf took control.

"The way you pretended that Lucas was perfect than rejected us the next morning. Suck it up, I will not be embarrassed more than I already am." His wolf snarled.

"Fine Omega, I'll be the perfect mate," Falken said gruffly. We walked out, saying nothing, our hands grasping one another when we stepped amongst the first of many campsites.

Everyone was already running around, basketball hoops and volleyball nets set up and a thousand different radios blasting.

We waved and smiled, Lucas never questioning if I was me or Falken.

As we approached the first Pavilion, Lucas began waving, speaking to people he hadn't seen in years. We got up to the people under the pavilion, approaching Christian and his mate Alice.

The Alpha and Luna of the first pack to break off from this pack, the devil's wolves they call themselves.

The devil's wolves broke off from Brickston about a hundred years ago, they moved to New Orleans.

"Hello, Luna. Alpha." Lucas called, and Christian and Alice smiled waving and pulling us forward.

Falken faded the black of his eyes, but kept control of my body, using my voice, while I lay dormant in the background.

"How you been man?" Falken asked, shaking Christian's hand, rougher than I would have. "Good, ready for the fights this year," Christian said, and Falken laughed.

"I'm gonna beat your ass again," Falken said, and Christian laughed, saying he didn't think so.

"How have you been Lucas? We heard about your son, I can't wait to meet him." Alice said, adding something about her son A'mosh, and how he'd just turn fifteen.

"You'll know my pup when you see him, just picture a little me," Falken said proudly, and Lucas squinted over at me.

"Well we gotta greet the others, we'll catch up at tonight's bonfire, after the first ritual," Lucas said, pulling me away.

When we were out of earshot, back walking through the wolves who seemed to be having a great time, Lucas turned on me. "Give Stone control, now." Lucas whisper-screamed.

"Stop commanding me Omega, I never wanted to reject you, so stop treating me like this," Falken stated, and Lucas's eyes turned completely white.

"Y-you didn't want to reject me?" Jazeth asked. "I would never have done that, and I wouldn't have touched that woman either, but I can't control my human," Falken said, walking towards Lucas's form.

Our wolves watched each other through our eyes before Falken ran my nose across Lucas's forehead.

"Enough," Lucas said, regaining control of his body.

He pushed Falken back and demanded he gives me back control.

"You are Stone's mate, I am Jazeth's you should, believe me, I am not the one who rejected you. I don't deserve your anger." Falken said.

"Yeah well Jaz doesn't control me, now give Stone control." Lucas spat, and I could tell how hard it was for Falken to take orders.

But with a soft snarl he gave me back control, "I don't want to pretend like this, just let Falken do it... Please, Angel." I begged.

"It's just until the end of the Gathering, we aren't pretending to be anything other than cordial." He said, and I nodded, with a sigh.

#   #   #

The first feast started, a feast consisting of a bunch of different staples, delicious foods someone from each pack was known for.

The feast setting was like a big barbecue, around six hundred handmade tables, lined the empty space normally used for practicing drills.

The food was as always excellent, my mama made her famous peanut butter pies.

Sarah from the Kansas City pack, she brought with her about eighty honey glazed ducks.

There were squirrel and rabbit, turtle wrapped in bacon, alligator ribs, and slow-roasted deer.

Then came the burgers and dogs, cakes and other sweets, not to mention a dozen other delicious foods, including an endless supply of drinks.

My favorite was the Bruner brew, a beer for werewolves, it took about ten for me to be wasted, so I paced myself.

At least I tried to pace myself, which got harder when the border wolf Miles came through in the packs shared link.

{ There's an Enchanter at the gate, says he's a friend of the Luna } Mile's thought came through and I downed my third brew.

Lucas and I were seated at the main table, where the other Alpha and Luna's were seated. I leaned over to Lucas whispering, "Your boyfriend just arrived, I'll be in my office. Excuse me guys, my head is pounding." I said, standing and walking away.

I got to the back door, when I felt a quick spark run up my shoulder, I looked down at Lucas's slender hand.

"Please, just let me alone," I begged.

"Why are you acting this way, come on, just chill out, and have a good time. You marked me, guaranteed I'd never be able to leave you for good again. Nothing can change that. The least we can do is learn to be civil with one another." He asked.

"Why? So you can show those fuckers that I didn't break you, pretend like you don't hate my guts like you don't want to claw my throat out when you look at me?" I said, my voice shaking.

"Okay, okay... I'll try to treat you better, I shouldn't but I will. As long as you understand that we can't go past a certain line." He said.

"So what, we'll be friends?" I asked, "We can try, just as long as it stays there." He said. "Okay," I said, the words just falling from my mouth.

It was an olive branch from someone I fucked over royally, so I took it without hesitation. If I could earn his friendship, his love wouldn't be far behind.

But even with that knowledge, I still couldn't see past the fact that Philip was in my territory, and witch or not I wasn't gonna be judged by someone who didn't know me.

Thing is, the guy was everything I didn't want him to be, including lovable. It also didn't hurt that fifteen minutes into meeting him, he met his mate. Lucy.

I was on my fifth beer when Lucas walked over to me, I knew the tall dark-haired stranger with him was Philip. They waltzed over to me, laughing to themselves.

I was sitting under one of the trees, on a hill looking down, watching as people started gathering around the stage. Sitting on the grass like we were in Woodstock.

"Stone, this is Philip," Lucas said and I grunted. "Hi Stone, I'm glad to meet you," Philip said, his voice two octaves deeper than mine.

And I wanted to scoff. I was even more jealous after seeing him.

He wasn't ugly, in fact, we were damn near even, though I'll say I wear hot better. He had dark hair, with leaf green eyes and he clearly worked out.

"Oh there's Lucy and Ma, I'll go get them!" Lucas shouted excitably, leaving me with Philip. He walked right up and sat down against the tree right next to me.

"I know you don't know me, and I know your wolf probably wants to rip me apart, but he really is like my little brother," Philip said, and I scoffed.

"You into fuckin your brother?" I asked, "No, he was in heat, it was bad, it was like a favor... I'm just his friend, regardless of how much he hates it, you're his mate." He said.

"That doesn't mean shit to him, not anymore, not after..." I drawled off. "It does mean something, he's trying not to be forgiving, but his aura isn't black anymore. It's gray, either you or this place are cleaning him up, I'm gonna guess it's both." Philip said.

"Are you saying I have a shot?" I asked, "Not if you give up... Oh yeah, he told me about you and the flowers." He said, smirking over at me.

We shared a laugh, as we watched Lucas bring Lucy and his mom over.

Immediately Lucy started sniffing the air, she pulled off from Lucas and their mom.

"Lucy, what..."

"Mine!" Lucy growled, walking over to Philip and me, she stood staring up and down at Philip. "Hello, I'm Lucinda. And you are?" The dominant female asked.

"This is Philip," Lucas said, his eyes filled with confusion. "The one you had sex with?! He's my mate!" Lucy snapped, her eyes turning black as her wolf took over.

"I didn't know, so back the fuck off!" Lucas shouted back, both of them drawing attention from some of the other Gatherer's.

"Calm down now!" Their mother shouted, and Lucy's eyes faded back to their natural color, her and Lucas shutting right the hell up.

"Philip is gay anyway, you definitely can't blame me." Lucas said, Lucy turned to look at her mate and he looked over at Lucas saying, "Don't speak so quickly, Lucinda is definitely the exception."

"You wanna go for a walk, we can talk?" Lucy asked, and Philip jumped at the opportunity.

"Again Stone it was nice to meet you, Luca don't look so bummed, you're still my favorite wolf." He said, adding the wolf part for a suddenly sad-faced Lucas.

Then Philip gave me a look and subtly nodded for me to comfort my mate.

I wasn't too sure about that part, because to hear Lucas tell it, Philip didn't mean anything to him. Yet the look of envy and sadness on his face said that Lucas felt differently than he was letting on.

Philip introduced himself to Mrs. Kelson, she seemed to melt when he kissed her aging hand. Lucas excused himself and made his way past me, going pass the treeline and into the woods.

I quietly followed him, just keeping my distance, while we walked deeper into the wilds.

_______________________________________________________________________

POV
Lucas

I wasn't jealous, I was honestly happy for Lucy, but I knew my chances at leaving Brickston were as good as done.

Philip is an awesome man, the mate bond would do wonderful things to him, he'd quickly fall in love and be willing to give up everything for my sister.

That meant New York, which meant my safety net, which meant another way I was fucked.

I just needed a moment to myself, but when I walked into the woods I heard Stone follow me. He was staying at a distance, but I could smell him, and I could hear his feather-light steps.

I wanted to be alone, to avoid snapping at anyone while I was on edge, anyone meaning especially Stone.

We were a mile in when I stopped walking. "Will you stop following me, I want to be alone," I shouted, keeping my back towards him.

"I just wanna make sure you're okay, you know... like a friend would." He said I spun around rolling my eyes, "Don't make me regret saying that." I said.

He was standing across from me, the shade from a tree blocking out the right side of his face, coating it in semi-darkness.

"Are you upset that they're mates?" He asked, walking towards me. "No, I'm really not... It's just, I mean... I knew I couldn't leave Mississippi after you marked me, at least not long-term, but now that Philip and Lucy have this new bond... There's no chance, zero, I'm stuck." I said.

I expected him to get defensive, but instead, he walked over, pass me and sat down on a fallen tree.

"New York was only a place, a place of refuge, because I abandoned you, rejected you... But still, it was just a place, this is your home, these are your people. Someday you'll love this place again, and you'll never want to leave. And as far as Phil goes, the guy's a bit soft, Lucy will definitely keep him in our territory; so you'll always have a piece of New York here." He said, and strangely I felt better.

"Thank you, Stone." I said, "No problem. Are you coming to the fights Monday night?" He asked.

"Yeah Soren signed up, he wants me to watch, so I'm going," I answered.

"Your son signed up as well." Stone said, and I snorted. "My son, if he were just mine, he wouldn't be fighting... What about you, you signed up?" I asked.

"Every year since I was seven... You know our son is the youngest fighter ever. The Elders figured since he'll be seven in four months, they'd let him pass... If you ask me, he played them like a bunch of drums." Stone said, pride in his eyes and voice.

"You sure you don't wanna sign up?" Stone asked, "Nah, I'll save you the embarrassment." I laughed. "Angel please, I'd crush you." Stone said.

"What are you willing to bet?" I asked. "Anything you want." He said, and his tone sent a sliver of what I hope was... Disgust... through me.

"And what do you get?" I asked, "A date, one night, when and wherever I choose." He answered. "Stone... we talked about--"

"I know, but it's a bet, fair is fair." He said. "And I get anything I want, no matter what?" I asked. "No matter what." He answered.

"Okay, I'm in. Just get ready to get your ass handed to you." I said, and he snorted, standing and saying, "The last one out the woods does the sacrifice." and running.

I watched him run for a second, just riding the strange feeling in my stomach for a few seconds. Then I took off after him.

#   #   #

So I lost, which meant I had to perform the sacrifice. I wasn't above slaughtering an innocent animal, I'd mauled many a hare and hundreds of squirrel, while in wolf form.

The only difference now would be, I'd have to use a dagger and I'd have to say the sacrifice prayer. The ritual though bloody is completely necessary.

When the packs are all together, whole as we once were, we sacrifice four animals sacred to Luna; we burn the animal and its blood on the altar of flames.

The Elders believe it brings us closer to the goddess, and it keeps us in her favor. The packs are all strong, all blessed, so it must have some power.

This would be my first time doing it, and as we were the hosting pack, it was the duty of the Luna or Alpha to sacrifice our animal first.

Every two days another sacrifice is made until every pack has gone. Then there's a late-night moon run, and they Gathering ends.

I will say I was nervous as I approached, the alter of flames, the altar was made of Stone's, built up in circles.

The fire burning down in the middle, the kindling making a soft cracking sound. I stepped up to the altar, surrounded by the Stone, Arthur and his mate, Stone's Gamma and her mate.

Plus the Elders and the Alpha, Luna, Beta and Gamma from the other packs. Beyond where we stood, members from each pack watched quietly.

The sacrificial dagger sat on the edge of the alter, Stone had a white owl cradled in his hands; keeping it from flying away.

"We are children of the moon! Our goddess is faithful and just! At this alter, we sacrifice this creature, for the future of the Brickston pack and its descendants!" I said the prayer, raising the dagger.

Stone brought the owl to me, without hesitation I stuck the fowl. Stone held the jerking creature, as its blood attempted to put out the fire.

The jerking stopped and Stone let the fire from the altar, consume the creature. The fire turned a bright blue, and even I was shocked, that had never happened before.

"The goddess has accepted the offering, now we run!" Elder Shrills howled, and all of us howled in return.

Shifting and taking off.

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