Seeing some of our families again was a joyous occasion. The best part was feeling free. Our family had thrived, not because of Alpha MacKenzie, but despite him.

Here, with Tristan and Avery mated to their true mates, this pack was something special. I knew that we were all the luckiest, most blessed wolves on earth to have found ourselves in the care of such exceptional young leaders.

My sisters all rushed over to me, crying and laughing, happy to be reunited. I missed my mate terribly, but these six sisters of mine were the next best thing.

Dido, the eldest, pulled away from the hug first and then looked me over.

“Diane, you’re so happy! This place must be amazing if it’s had this effect on you.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” I responded with excitement, “Avery and Angelica are mated! Alpha Tristan and Luna Jane are proving to be capable and considerate leaders.”

Dresda, my third sister, interrupted, “So what can we do? Driving for two days has worn me clean out. I need some work!”

I smiled at her ceaseless need for motion, “Don’t worry, there is so much work to do. Soon, there will be a check-in, and they’ll take your information. Once they know about your skills, I’m sure they won’t hesitate to put you to work.”

“Music to my ears!” Dresda said, rubbing her hands together.

Once everyone was out of the vehicles and scattered around the drive and lawn, Alpha Tristan held up a hand, and all the new arrivals became quiet, eyes on him.

He smiled out at the crowd of 300+ children and 75 adults.

“Welcome to First Montana Pack,” he began.

“Luna Jane and I are proud to have you as a part of our pack and our family. I know that Beta Avery and her mate Angelica are very touched and grateful to all of you for your support.”

The Alpha’s face turned earnest as he continued, “I want to make it clear that every single one of you is welcome here. I do need to warn you that this pack isn’t going to be like any other pack you’ve ever known or heard of.

“No one will be forced to stay. Everyone will have a place, a job, and a purpose. That job will not be decided by your Alpha or your Luna but by your wishes, talents, and ambitions.

“We are also treading new ground because tonight, we will be welcoming others into our pack and our family. We are the first pack to welcome humans and vampires who wish to pledge their loyalty and join our family. They will be full-fledged pack members who will work alongside us to build a strong pack where everyone can thrive together,” he declared as a low murmur made its way around the crowd.

Standing tall, with confidence, he carried on, “If this isn’t something that appeals to you, or if after some time you feel this is not your home, your Luna and I will help you find one.”

Alpha Tristan then turned to Luna Jane, who stepped forward and scanned the crowd for the children.

She smiled widely and said in a sweet and kind voice, “I hear we have some special wolves with us. If you are an orphan, please come to the front.”

About thirty children stepped forward timidly with their heads hanging low. Some of them even trembled as they walked to the front.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I counted about thirty children standing in various states before Jane. Some defiant, some terrified. The adults who brought them here tensed as if expecting something bad to happen.

“Welcome, pups,” Jane began.

“Can everyone be brave right now and look up at my face? I want you to listen very closely, ok?”

Jane paused while she waited until every pup had their eyes on her before she continued.

“I want to tell you something special. I am an orphan, just like you.”

One of the little girls, about four years old, blurted, “But you’re the Luna!”

“That’s right, sweetie, I am the Luna! I’m your Luna.”

The little girl’s eyes went wide with awe.

Jane went on, “I know that many of you have been treated badly in the past because you had no family to protect you and defend you. It happened to me, too.”

The kids’ silence was deafening as she continued, “Some packs aren’t very kind or understanding and take advantage of kids who can’t protect themselves. But I want you to know that is not going to happen here in your new home. You will be a full member of this pack, just like me.”

The tension among the adults relaxed, and many of them were looking at Jane with complete adoration. She had already won their devotion.

Jane continued, “You will get to go to school, play, learn, and grow just as well as any other pup in the pack. And if you grow up and want to have a job in our pack, then Alpha Tristan and I will do everything we can to help you.”

“But we still don’t have any families,” another girl of about six said with a bitter tone.

Jane stepped forward, crouched down in front of the girl, and smiled, “Would you like to be my daughter?”

The girl’s eyes widened, and she was left speechless.

“What is your name?” Jane asked.

“Amy,” she whispered.

“Listen to me, Amy,” Jane said and then looked around at all of the children, “this goes for everyone here. The Alpha and I already discussed this before you arrived.”

“If any one of you wants to be adopted, then any family in our pack can adopt you, and you will have a family. If you want to stay here in our house with me and the Alpha, then you will be our children. None of you are going to stay orphans, ok?”

The four-year-old girl from earlier pushed her way through to Jane and said, “I want to be addotted.”

“What’s your name?” Jane smiled at her.

“Everyone calls me Selly,” she replied.

“Selly, you are going to be adopted. I promise,” Jane said to her.

Amy hung her head low, and tears rolled down her cheeks as she began to cry in earnest. Sniffles could be heard among the orphans as many of them cried quietly while others tried to hold back their tears.

Tristan stepped forward and picked Amy up as if she weighed no more than a piece of paper. He held the child like a veteran father as she buried her little face in his shoulder and shook with her sobs. He patted her back and let her cry, murmuring comforting words to her all the while.

I scanned the faces in the crowd. Every adult was quiet and reverent, watching with awe and gratitude as their new Alpha and Luna had stolen every heart for life - even mine.

The crying soon died down as the Alpha and Luna circulated, meeting all the children. They took time with each one. Tristan would ruffle their hair and pat their backs while Jane crouched down, gave out smiles and hugs, and answered questions.

After a bit, Avery stepped forward.

“I know everyone must be tired from your journey. Come inside and go straight back under the stairs, and you will find the temporary dining hall. Help yourself to the buffet of food,” she announced.

A few stomachs in the crowd rumbled, and Angelica giggled next to Avery as she continued, “Angelica and I will be coming around to register you with the pack and assign you a place to sleep. Anyone who wants to say their pledge to the Alpha tonight before bed, head out to the bonfire behind the house after you’ve eaten your fill.”

That was my cue. I grabbed my sisters and pulled them back into the house and through to the kitchen. I’d already made them plates of food. I needed them to help me keep the buffet stocked until everyone had finished.

We stood around the large kitchen island together eating and laughing as we caught up after a few days apart.

Dido shook her head and said, “I can’t believe how mature and impressive Alpha Tristan and Luna Jane are. Didn’t you say they are only eighteen?”

I nodded, “Yes, they are eighteen, but they feel much older to me, too. I’ve spent the last couple of days getting to know them better, and I truly believe this is going to be the best pack in the nation.”

Dana, the youngest of us seven, piped up, “What a handsome couple, too. They’re magazine cover worthy.”

We all laughed and continued eating before we would have to check on the buffet.

It was good to be home.