Natalie had to close her eyes. Yes, they were on a separate plane, but those walls were made of hard stuff. It was one thing to pilot the dreamglide up and over most landmarks. Quite another, to breeze through walls because they existed in a different reality.
She saw at once that her plans for sleep would have to wait. She switched to telepathy, since if either of them spoke they could be heard. Grant, what is this? What’s going on? It looks like the entire pack is assembled.
The dreamglide hovered inside the oversized foyer though no one could see them.
Let me contact Ryan.
After a moment, as proof contact had been made, Ryan directed the pack to move back and create a circle in the center of the foyer.
Once the people had created an open, central area, Grant lowered the dreamglide to the floor. He let go of her, but only enough to take her hand. I’m going to release us now.
I’m ready.
The dreamglide simply vanished and they stood, perfectly materialized, in the center of the circle. A series of exclamations erupted at their sudden appearance, then a cheer that rocked the roof if not the heavens. It was deafening.
Ryan stepped forward and first the men smiled at each other, then a hearty bro-hug followed. Each of the men laughed. Ryan had tears running down his cheeks. As the crowd continued to cheer, Natalie heard Ryan say, “I wasn’t sure I’d see you again.”
Grant reached for Natalie, slid an arm around her waist then drew her close. “You can thank Natalie. This was her plan.”
Ryan turned to Natalie. Her wolf rose up to hover in the air right next to her face, something she’d never done before. She wasn’t sure if Ryan could see her wolf or not. If he could, he kept his gaze pinned to Natalie then slowly inclined his head in a submissive bow.
He waited until the crowd quieted before he said, “I welcome you to the Meldorin Pack, Natalie, bonded mate to our Alpha and Alpha in your own right.”
Natalie was stunned. She wanted to ask, ‘Are you sure?’ Instead, her wolf gave her a quick nudge. “Thank you for such a warm greeting. I’m honored to be here and to have Alpha Grant as my mate.”
Ryan lifted his head and smiled. He spoke telepathically. Well done.
He then turned to the pack. “Will you join me in welcoming our new alpha female to the Meldorin Pack?”
What followed stunned her even more as a new, thunderous cheer once more shook every beam in the roof above.
Shortly afterward, the pack began to form a line, a very long, two-hundred-person line. Grant’s voice broke into her mind, They will want to show their acceptance and submission now. All you have to do is take or touch each hand, whatever feels right to you. Can you do that, Natalie? Or is it too much?
She turned toward Grant and because her wolf once more nudged her, she lifted her lips to him and kissed him. It’s not too much at all.
When she drew back, his eyes had turned to a gorgeous gold and fur once again lined his cheeks. Her own wolf stayed very close to her, levitating beside her.
Once more, the wolves cheered, a good sign she was being accepted.
As she moved down the line, she was overwhelmed at the inclining of heads and often a hand was placed over the heart at the same time. She heard more ‘thank you’s’ than she ever thought possible from both males and females. Her acceptance was universal. No one balked or did anything but graciously acknowledge her relationship to Grant.
She touched shoulders, hands and occasionally was embraced by the wolves especially those who had been on the sandpit net-team. Her heart grew full to bursting with so much emotion and pure gratitude.
The experience humbled her but at the same time helped her to feel she truly belonged.
Grant moved along the line behind her. For him, there was a lot more chatter and laughter. He loved his pack and they loved him. For herself, she stayed focused on each person, on making eye-contact and waiting for that odd vibration which she quickly came to understand was her own bond with the pack.
By the time she greeted the last person, instead of feeling tired, a tremendous sense of exhilaration had taken possession of her mind and her body.
But the night had been long and most of the wolves needed to head to bed. The wolves soon began taking off one by one.
She stayed with Grant until the last of the pack had left the foyer. He took her hand and led her down the two flights of stairs to his bedroom. As they entered the hall that led to his rooms, she was surprised to find one of the female kitchen-staff pushing a cart toward Grant’s door.
The woman called out, “Chef thought you might like a meal before the day’s sleep.”
“We would. Thanks.”
“Of course. Good night.” She bowed respectfully then headed back up the hall.