A Secret Alpha Mate

(1sla) I was a bit wary of us having any sort of peace, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but after a few weeks of my new normal, I settled into the way things were. Perfectly blissful. Gianna came up for a night and took Abigail and I shopping for Christmas presents. I had a hard time choosing somethin; for Jackson as he already had everything he could possibly want. Lucas and Cameron were going to celebrate with us in the morning before joining their parents at the Northern area, formally Silver Moon, while Gianna and William spent the day with us. I got Cameron this new digital, solar powered, compass that apparently did all these crazy things I couldn't understand. I figured he could use it for tracking in human form, something to make him even more unstoppable. For Lucas I got him, and the boys, paintball guns. I knew Lucas would like it more than them but part of the gift was forcing it on the other tw I knew that they would come around as soon as they played. Gianna was hard to shop for, I had to closely follow behind her and see what she looked at, what she picked up. I think I figured out her taste and found these gorgeous clips with diamonds and emeralds on them, I also ordered a personalizec stationary set for her, just in case. Abigail was easy, she would be happy with anything. I wanted to get her something nice and found a gold, diamond bracelet, that went perfectly with her new ring. I also managed to find a set of literally classics at this bookshop that had hand-painted covers, I quickly bought them and carefully hid them in the bottom of a shopping bag before Abigail follow me in. jim was easy too, I had two custom puzzles made. One of a photo of him and Abigail getting engaged that Gianna thankfu managed to take and another of us hanging out at his cottage. Gianna helped me with William and I chose a nice bottle of whiskey that had to be specially ordered and some new whiskey glasses from Japan for his office at the Northern pack. “But what do I get Jackson?” I say to them after we've looked at almost every store in the mall, “A pen, a tie, the man has everything and it's our first Christmas, I really can’t mess this up." I sigh sitting down on a bench. “Ym sure you'll think of something” Gianna sits next to me and pats my leg, “Anything you get him he will love. Don’t overthink it, I know that's easier said than done. The price tag doesn't matter, not to Jackson, choose something that mez something to him.” I sigh, “I think I can work with that. Maybe." An idea started forming but I wasn't sure if we could pull it off. “Lets have our men take these bags to the car and we can get some food court Chinese and a pretzel” Abigail looks at Gianna skeptically, “Oh trust me, the best thing you'll ever have." Christmas Day I wake up early, I couldn't contain my excitement. This was the first real Christmas that I've had in years. Back at Silver Moon Abigial the girls in our room, and I would sneak some pastries and hot cider up to our room in the afternoon once the morning work was done. Christmas was a day that we woke up early to make everything perfect for the ranked members. When Janice was around she would make us some cookies and we would sing some carols in the kitchen in between worl but that was the most that we ever got. Abigail and I would exchange something small, but without money or access to ar pack resources it was hard to come up with. This year would be the first year since my early childhood that we could enjoy it and actually relax. “Baby, it's early." Jackson groans and reaches his arm out to me, I dodge it rolling out of bed. Too excited to be distracted. “I have to start breakfast, the omegas are all off and I want to have everything ready for when everyone wakes up.’ “Ill help” Jacksons muffled voice comes from under a pillow. “Don’t worry about it, I'll wake you up in a few hours. Love you!” I wash my face and pull a comb through my hair, rushing down to the kitchen still in my pajamas. “'ve been waiting for you.” 1 jump and take a step back towards the kitchen door when a soft light flickers on. I let out a deep breath when I realize it was Abigial. I rush into her arms and she pulls me into a tight hug. “I couldn't sleep and already cleaned the cottage, Jim kicked me out so he could sleep more.” She laughs, “I'm here to hel Here you go.” She pushes a warm cup of coffee towards me and I take a moment to sit down and savor it. “What a different Christmas this will be." Abigial nods taking a sip of her coffee. “I really can't believe it. Christmas was never something that I looked forward to, you know how much work went into it. This is the first time in ages that I can actually be excited.” I pat her hand and smile at her. “I know exactly how you feel. Today will be perfect” I say, standing up to find an apron and get to work. “What's on the menu?” Abigial asks rolling up her sleeves. “Blueberry french toast, maple bacon, poached eges with hollandaise, and rosemary breakfast potatoes.” “Sounds incredible, what time are they supposed to wake up?” I check the clock, it wasn't even close to six yet. “Not until eight or nine” I sigh, breakfast wouldn't take that long. “How about we sit and enjoy another cup of coffee?” Abigial suggests. Breakfast came out perfect and I was happy that Lucas was down even before nine with the rest of them. I looked around at everyone I loved in one room, enjoying a breakfast that I made in a large dining room with floor to ceiling windows where I lived. Not just part of the pack, not as a mistreated omega, but as the Luna. “Alright, how about us boys clean up and we make some hot chocolate?” William suggests, “Thank you, ladies. The food u incredible He gets up to clear his plate and the boys follow him. “Well ladies, shall we get this party started?” Gianna asks and comes back from the kitchen with champagne and orange juice, “The glasses are already set up, let's make some mimosas for everyone!” We follow her to where we set up our Christmas tree, one of the smaller rooms on the main floor of the packhouse, that was used at the packhouse library. There was a massive tree in the front entrance, and dining room too but I wanted something that felt more intimate, something just for our little family to enjoy. We all decorated it together and created memories of our first Christmas her The fire was crackling and there were so many presents under the tree they didn't fit. Abigial surprises me by finishing he mimosa in one long sip, she sets it down and wrings her hands. “Everything okay?” I whisper to her, she seemed nervous for some reason. She nods and forces a smile, she usually told n everything, and I wasn't going to force it if she didn’t want to share for some reason. The men join us a few moments later, Jackson pulling me on his lap on one of the oversized armchairs and wraps his arm around me, “Are you happy?” He asks. “I can’t imagine being happier than in this moment.” “Alright, gift time.” William claps his hands, his loud voice echoing across the room, “Is there a system, dear?” He turns to Gianna who shakes her head and hands him a mimosa. “We have the rest of the day ahead of us, lets just pull from the pile if that's okay with everyone?” Everyone nods their head. william sits by the massive pile of presents, “This one is for Isla.” He grabs a small box attached to a large envelope. “Er, let's wait for that one” Abigial rushes up taking it from his hands, William looks at her for a brief moment before moving on. “Cam, this one is for you." He throws the present I wrapped at Cameron. “Be carefull” 1 blurt and then blush a little. “I guess we know who this one is from.” Cameron smiles at me before meticulously opening the present. “We're not reusing the wrapping paper, just tear into it.” Lucas rolls his eyes but gets distracted when William gives him m gift. “Awesome! Thank you so much, Isla. I've been meaning to upgrade mine and I didn't even know they had one like this. Lo at all these features.” He opens the box with more enthusiasm this time and immediately focuses on the instructions. “I think we lost him for a while." Jackson chuckles. “Oh. My. Goddess. Holy hell yes!" “Language.” Gianna scowls, but Lucas doesn't hear her. I sit up from Jacksons lap, “That one actually has a few more gifts with it." I search for the two matching boxes for Camera and Jackson, “But yours is the best I whisper to him after I hand the gifts out. “This is amazing." Jackson whispers “Can we play now?" Lucas asks, bouncing up and down. “I's snowing” Cameron says, I knew he would be less enthusiastic about it. “Fine. tomorrow then.” Lucas smiles widely at me, “I've been trying to get Jackson to get us paint ball guns for years, but now that you're here he can't say no. Best Christmas ever!” He pulls me into a tight one-armed hug. Abigial's gift from Jim was next, she opened up a jewelry box engraved with her new initials , or what they would be after the wedding, and an antique locket that was a family heirloom, she couldn't hold the tears back. She didn't have any clos family left and this meant a lot to her. “Oh my Goddess, Isla. This bracelet is beautiful" Jim helps her clip it on to her left wrist, it sparkles in time with her diamond engagement ring, “These books! I've never seen anything like them.” She takes them out one by one and looks 2 the covers, “I never thought I would have anything so nice.’ Cameron got me a tracker that he insisted I keep on me at all times, both Jackson and Lucas rolled their eyes at that. Luc got me fifty classic Disney movies, for the movie theater, to “continue my education.’ Gianna got me a long silk robe and Tiffany's diamond earrings, and William gave me a collection of what looked like almost first editions of some of his favorite books. Gianna was almost moved to tears when she opened my gift, she ran her hands along the combs, “You know me so well” She looked up at me with a huge smile. William loved his gift too. “I can't believe you found this! And these glasses they will it perfectly in my office.” “I had some help from your mate.” I admitted. “The glasses were all her doing” Gianna looks over at them appreciatively. “Is it time?” I hear Jim whisper to Abigial. Abigial takes a deep breath and walks up to me, “Here. If you don't like he we don't have to-" “Just let her open it and decide for herself? Jim comes up behind her and rubs her arms from behind. I look at them confused before I rip open the envelope, curiosity getting the best of me. I pull out a thick document, and what I see almost takes my breath away. I turn to them, tears already filling my eyes, “Are, are you sure?” I ask them. “We've never been more certain.” Jim speaks up. “We know you're an adult, but-" Abigial chokes on her words. “It's up to you, no pressure at all, we won't be mad if it's not the right decision for you.” Jim says. I stand up and fling my arms around both of them, the papers going everywhere, “Of course! Yes please, I would love nothing more!” Gianna is quick to pick up the papers on the floor handing them to Jackson. He looks down at them and realization dawn on his face, he looks to Abigial and Jim and smiles widely, standing up to pull Abigial into a hug and shakes Jim's hand. I can feel everyone else's curious stares, “I guess I should call you my in-laws now.” Jackson jokes. I sit back down and take the stack of papers on my lap and wipe away the tears. Adoption of an Adult documents stare back at me. I was overcome with emotion, even though I always thought of Abigial as a parent and best friend, knowing that Jim want me as his daughter sent me over the edge. I cried quietly over the papers, Jackson coming to put his arm around me. “Well, it looks like I finally have a daughter” Jim calls out and gasps of excitement and finally cheers erupt through the room. I was wrong earlier, this was the happiest I've been since I could remember. “One last thing” Jim hands me the small box that was attached to the envelope. I open it and pull out a gold necklace with an oval diamond on it, similar to Abigial’s ring. “l wanted to ask you to be my daughter, and 1 wanted something similar to how I asked Abigial to be mine forever I hold up the diamond sparkling in the light, lost for words. I wrapped my arms around Jim and held on tight, conveying my emotions that way. “Put it on, please?” I croak after a long moment in his arms. The rest of the day was spent in complete comfort and bliss. We finished opening gifts and sat in the room showing each other what we got, sharing stories, drinking hot chocolate and mimosas, and enjoying each other's company. jim was enlisting the help of Gianna and William to finish one of the puzzles I had made for him. William shared some of his whiskey with him after Cameron and Lucas left, stating that they wouldn't appreciate it. Lucas and Cameron left after we opened gifts to see their parents, but we stayed until night in that same room. The perfe Christmas. The perfect day. I got Jackson a trip for all of us for next year, I didn't know if we all could go, it depended on is Lucas’ brother would take over the Northern Campus or not, we couldn't have all the ranked members gone, especially with Benjamin still on the loose. I told him not to announce it just in case so he told everyone that I booked him and 1 a trip. jackson got me a gold necklace with our pack symbols combined on it, similar to the one I wore from my mother, but witt slightly shorter chain so that I could wear them both at once. I didn’t want to put it on because I wanted to keep staring at it. A large Silver diamond moon with moonstone stars illuminated the sky across the gold pendant. Three wolfs howled at the silver diamond moon in the distant mountain anc in the forefront was the outline of a few trees, a wolf, and what i knew to knew to be the Moon Goddess in a flowing gown “Jackson this is perfect.” I look up at him and he puts in around my neck, kissing my ear, sending sparks across my body. I snuggled up into his arms and took a deep breath, filled with comfortables, joy, and normalcy. (1sta) I realized that grief wasn't linear. Some days were still really hard, while others I thought I had a better grip on it. It came waves, and it was often unpredictable. For the most part, I could focus on my future, as I had so many amazing memories and a lasting memorial of my parents. had to know that it was real, that others were mourning too. It might be selfish, but its what I needed. Being Luna felt natural, I felt that I knew what I needed to do and could anticipate what the pack needed as a whole befo problems arose. I enjoyed my work and I found out I was damn good at it too. Abigial and Jim are as happy an ever, especially after we filled out the adoption forms. They were thinking about trying fo a child but decided that they wanted to spend their lives with each-other, and me, since they missed out on so many yea together. Jackson was perfect, as always. Patient, strong, there for me, anticipating what I needed. I couldn't ask for a better mate, better Alpha, a better partner. I finally accepted that I could be happy without any strings attached, things were going well and I knew they would continue this was, as long as I had my family by my side. So we continued on, in what I counted to be as our perfect happiness. The End (for now)