In the last chapter, I realized there was some confusion with the time stamps. I apologize. Hopefully, there are no errors in this chapter.
In this chapter, our new couple faces the pack. I hope you enjoy.
All characters are above the age of consent.
Thanks Andi for editing. Hope you all enjoy.
*****
Chapter 4
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Lavinia heard a low ring of the phone Jebutu had given her. It was him, Jebutu. He had been gone for days and she worried. She answered immediately. "Hello."
"Hello Kitty, miss me?" Jebutu asked, smiling at the sound of excitement in his voice. She sighed. He realized that she was not the only one that ached to hear from the other person. He knew she would never admit it. She was silent. "I didn't hear you Kitty."
"Yes, I miss you." She whispered, blushing. He knew her and there was no need to ever try and deny him.
"I'll be home soon. Can you to do something for me?" He asked.
Lavinia nodded, then remembered he could not see her. "Yes, Sire." She answered.
"I'm having a package delivered to Bey; it's a special outfit for you. I want you to wear it for me when I get home. I miss you, Kitty. Will you be waiting for me?" He asked.
Lavinia thought of seeing him again and her heart pounded. She sighed and answered, "I'll gladly wait for you."
He believed her. For the last few months, she grew so much. Lavinia was no longer the girl she used to be; now she was the woman he longed to dedicate his life to. He believed her. If she said she'd be waiting, then she would. Jebutu sighed. He had to see where things stood with father. Mate or no mate the Alpha would force her to leave. "Very good, Kitty. I'll see you in a few days. Give the phone to the beta," Lavinia did.
The girl spoke with him and told him Lavinia was the perfect hostess. He told her he'd have a package delivered, and to make sure Lavinia got it. Soon he disconnected and Lavinia felt alone. The young woman asked if she wanted to watch a movie and she did, but she realized that she missed him. Her wolf stirred, and she tried to silence her.
He is ours, Lavinia. I have waited for so long, and now it's time. Jebutu is our mate.
She was stunned. So stunned she gasped.
Her companion looked at her. "Are you OK?" Bey asked. She had stayed almost a week, and Lavinia was nothing like the cruel callous woman that lived at Jackson. She was serene, content. It was obvious that whatever happened here with Jebutu had a profound effect on her. The young beta, Bey, remembered the night he left. Lavinia was sad. She tried to get her to talk, but Lavinia gave stock answers. After a day or two, she relaxed and the two of them played games and Bey told Lavinia about the young man she was dating. Lavinia listened, and then told her to be smart, and above all be careful.
She was impressed. Knowing that Lavinia would talk when she was ready, Bey backed off. Lavinia sighed and smiled. "I'm fine." Bey returned to her movie completely unaware of the magnanimous discovery of her hostess.
Lavinia sat on the sofa and focused on the screen. The last thing on her mind was a movie.
Jebutu was her mate. He was hers. So much made sense now, the declarations that he made.
She remembered him telling her he was the only man she was to be with. He had to know they were mates. That was the reason behind this drastic action. "Hey, Lavinia, want some popcorn. I'll make some." Bey offered. Lavinia nodded absently.
She held the phone he gave her. She wanted to call him, but he said he would call her. She was not to call anyone. Her heart pounded, and she had to calm down. Forcing herself to calm, she had herself under control by the time Bey returned.
*****
The rest of Jackson went on as business as usual. Alphonso had recently learned that his son had traveled to Kingsley. He did not know why. Ryelle said the alpha needed time.
What did Jebutu hope to accomplish?
He thought. Then a few days ago his grandson called. Jebutu was bringing his Abettia home.
"Congrats Alpha." He received as he walked around. The last week was spent with pack members giving him accolades on the birth of his children. He thanked them and moved forward. By now, the children and their mothers were home. Dreya was a week older than her brother, but both children were simply perfection. Alphonso spent the day checking on his newborns. Dreya was a picture perfect princess and Naru was growing like a weed. Both children were in good health. The mother's were fully recovered and all was well. Hattie was home with Suni when he visited and out of deference for him as alpha only did she step aside. Suni allowed him to hold their daughter.
He knew Thomas was at his post, but for the past week or so, he no longer tended him. He muted their bond, and no longer communicated outside of his duties. Alphonso was worried. Thomas knew his alpha was concerned. But right now he had to find balance. Thomas had withdrawn from him. Since turning Thomas over two centuries ago, the man was his right hand. However, Lavinia's attack on his daughter was too much. He was upset about the Suni's pregnancy, but eventually accepted it. Alphonso was a fair man. He took care of his children. However, many filed complaints against Lavinia, and he let them slide. He gave her leniency. Soon she became one of the few women he called when he needed companionship.
Thomas did not understand. Now, Jebutu had taken her away. What he was doing to her was unknown, but he did not allow her to return. Thomas had been a member of the Jackson Pack his entire life. He turned his wife over a century ago and their daughter was born into the pack. Now, he was thinking about taking them and leaving. The only problem was Dreya. Alphonso would not want his daughter to leave. However, she was a newborn, and would have to go with her mother.
It was not easy. Thomas understood Alphonso like no other. He recalled being turned. Slavery had ended, but blacks in the south were still treated as animals. He was ten; He had just worked all day in the fields and was walking to the store to get rice and butter for their supper with his earnings. He walked in, eyes downcast and told the Missus what he needed. She served him snatched his money and ordered him out. As he was walking home four white boys, they were older surrounded him. Men and women walked by as the boys taunted him. They said nothing.
The boys grabbed him and dragged him to an abandoned barn. He dropped the food he bought and they beat him. One had a great idea. He wanted to start a fire. They doused him with kerosene but before they could strike a match three wolves attacked. The boys did not escape. Thomas lay bloodied and bleeding on the ground. He remembered a black man lifting him, and two white men helped carry him into the trees. As they left the abandoned barn, they threw a match. Flames engulfed the building destroying evidence of a wolf attack
As far as the town knew four innocent white boys burned. There was no mention of the black boy they tortured. Alphonso searched that day as the building burned and found his father working; he brought him to see him. Tom saw his son, beaten and battered. He was furious, but knew he could do nothing. Alphonso assured him the boy would live, and Thomas opened his eyes.
His father knew he'd been changed. He wanted to scream when four white men joined them. Thomas reached for his father and Tom backed away, terrified. His boy was not his boy anymore. Thomas saw his rejection and his heart was crushed. Tom saw his boy cry and it no longer mattered, human or wolf-man this was his child. He moved and held his son. Alphonso and Bertrand watched, and then the alpha spoke. He told Tom that his son needed to remain with him and his family. He would raise him as his own. But if he went back home, the whites would kill him. He'd be blamed for the death of the white boys and even though it was not his fault, they would come after him. Alphonso and the father knew that the alpha spoke the truth about what would happen. Tom also knew that the whites would go after his family anyway. He faced his boy and realized that this would be the last day he would lay eyes on his oldest son.
