13

~ Brady ~

Mom has dinner ready by the time we arrive upstairs. She loves to cook, but if she’s busy she lets the omegas in the kitchen bring something up for us. She tells me all the time that a luna must be willing to do anything that she would ask someone else to do. I hope my luna will be as amazing as her.

“Ew you two stink. Go shower off while I finish setting the table.” She scrunches up her nose as she fixes the tablecloth.

We both hit the showers and come back a few minutes later to an absolute feast. Mom really outdid herself: pork chops, potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls, the whole nine yards.

“Dessert should be ready by the time we finish eating,” she says as she walks over to set an alarm on the stove just in case.

“It looks delicious Maci,” Dad says before giving her a kiss and pulling out her chair.

“Thank you dear. Now fix your plates. We have a lot to discuss this evening.” Mom commands a room almost better than Dad does. We sit down and fix our plates. After the first few bites, she breaks the ice.

“I’m assuming your Dad has told you about our newest pack members?” She inquires.

I nod in response.

“Well lucky for you two I have friends everywhere. I made a few calls to some friends in White Fang or who have relatives there as well. Apparently girls have been whisked off to ‘meet their mates’ for the past year. So the theory that Luna Avery’s death affected Walt that much is out. Turns out he’s every bit the lunatic that I thought he was.” She takes a quick sip of water before continuing, “I did manage to find out something interesting. Apparently Walt banished his heir from the pack after he found his mate. Guess he was afraid they would take over sooner than he liked. No one knows why though. Most alphas want their legacy to continue.”

“That is odd. I can’t see Walt handing over his pack to anyone that isn’t family. He must have done something awful to get kicked out.” Dad ponders.

“Or found out about something and tried to put a stop to it.” I mumble. That seems the more likely option to me. Jagger and I met a couple of times throughout the years, and he’s always seemed like a good guy. I hope he joined a pack and didn’t just go rogue. Wolves need a pack to survive.

“That’s possible too. After they get settled in, we might need to get some intel from our new pack members. No need to bombard them right now though.” Mom says thoughtfully. I can already see her scheming. “Speaking of which I expect the both of you to be on time and in place Friday for the pack dinner. No training in the afternoon. I don’t want stinky wolves running around everywhere.”

Dad chuckles, “Anything you want, my love. Is there anything else you need me to do beforehand?”

“I’m so glad you asked. I left a list on your desk this afternoon. I’m fine with you delegating, but everything needs to be completed by Friday morning. Darla and Cammie will help me with the rest. We’ve already been plotting this morning.”

Mom looks completely in her element as she continues to talk about the details of the party. I can tell Dad tunes some of it out as well. I’m sure Grant and Colton are both getting an earful about the same right now. Aunt Darla and Cammie are not only the wives of the beta and the gamma, but they are now Mom’s best friends. They’ve probably been planning this all day long, aside from their intel mission of course.

“Brady, are you even listening?” Mom says, irritation bubbling in her voice.

“Sorry Mom. I zoned out for a sec.” I look down, trying to escape her wrath.

She lets out an exasperated sigh. She hates repeating herself more than anything. “I said I need you to go get some new slacks. You have some nice shirts still, but your pants look old. Go after school tomorrow and get at least two pair, preferably one in each color.”

“But I’ve got to be at non-shifter practice tomorrow and shifter practice afterwards.” I’m trying to think of anything I can do to get out of shopping. I shudder internally. There’s not much I hate more.

“Fine. I’ll mindlink Yanice and get you an appointment. You can leave school after lunch and go get fitted. I think you’ve grown some. You don’t need to look like you’re going wading. I’ll try to meet you there if my schedule allows.”

She knows how to get her way. I take a look at Dad, who is avoiding eye contact like it’s a plague. Very rarely does he ever go against Mom, mostly because she’s his Luna, who he loves and respects, but also because she’s a little scary when she doesn’t get her way.

“Yes ma’am. Anything else?” I ask, a bit of annoyance trickling in my tone.

“Yes. You, Brady, and Colton need to help Gina with anything she needs to be moved around the packhouse on Thursday. I expect full participation with no complaining.” She gives me a stern look, adding to the warning behind her words.

“Yes ma’am. I’ll let them know.” I say, remembering her scolding at Christmas when we hung lights for what seemed like hours. She happened to walk up the second I said that there was no point in so many lights that were only going to be up for a few weeks max. After giving me a piece of her mind, she made me finish hanging them by myself and made me take them down alone. At least Gina, the packhouse coordinator, will have everything planned out and ready to go.

“One more thing,” Mom adds, “I talked to your principal today. You will help Lindsey find her classes for the next week. Or until she feels comfortable.”

“Who’s Lindsey?” I ask. I feel like I should know that name.

“She’s the girl from White Fang. I’m going to check in on her while you all are at shifter training tomorrow. I expect you to be the perfect gentleman,” she says, emphasizing the last two words.

“Yes Mom.” I say with a half smile. I don’t know why, but I feel Knight rustle in me at the sound of her name. Something tells me this girl will be nothing but trouble.