Chapter Thirteen

**Myra**

Myra stared at the blacked-out SUV packed outside Baron’s garage. She was grinning like a fool as she remembered her morning so far with Declan.

After Sloan left for his meetings, Declan insisted that she had breakfast - eggs and toast - then asked her about her plans. Besides going home to pack up her belongings, she desperately needed to go and check up on Baron and see if he had received the part for her Jeep.

Declan nodded as she listed all her errands for the day, but she did notice him tensing when she mentioned Megan’s name.

After breakfast, he took her to the parking garage, and her jaw hit the floor. The room - or should she say house - was the size of a grand ballroom with over two dozen luxury cars lining the walls. Each sparkled cleanly from the morning sunlight streaming in from the glass panel doors. At the center of the coffered ceiling was a large crystal chandelier.

“*Their garage had a fucking chandelier, plus my jeep will look like trash next to those types of cars.*” She thought.

Her smile widened when she remembered their battle of wills when it came to her sitting in the front passenger seat instead of the back. Declan attempted to persuade her by locking the doors to stop her from entering the front. Not one to give up easily, Myra provided him with an ultimatum; either he’d unlocked the door, or she would return to Sloan’s bedroom and postponed her day.

In the end, she won.

She snapped out of her daydream when she heard Declan’s low but threatening voice ring out in the repair shop.

“You have one hour... so stop fucking about.” Declan calmly stated. She glanced at the two men. Declan looked taller and menacing next to Baron - who looked like he was about to shit himself.

“*I should feel sorry for him, but he’s been making up excuses for weeks now, and it was getting ridiculous.*” She smiled sweetly and shyly waved to him when he looked at her for help. Different mechanics were hustling about working on her Jeep as the missing part mysteriously appeared.

“Have the Jeep detailed, washed and waxed as well,” Delcan added as he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket. He glanced at the screen, quickly sent a text and pocketed the device again. He then placed a hand on Baron’s neck and drew the man closer to him so that he can whisper into his ear. Myra smirked and switched to her heightened animalistic hearing.

“One last thing. Stay. The fuck. Away. From Megan. Do you understand me?” Declan warned him in a low menacing voice. Baron feverishly nodded his head, trying to avoid the murderous look in Declan’s eyes.

“Myra?” He called out, nodding to the entrance door, signalling it was time to leave.

“*I shouldn’t get on his bad side,*” She nodded. “I need to pay.”

“No, you don’t. It’s already taken care of.” He replied, but he seemed angrier. He opened the back door, and she quickly climbed in without a fight. Declan shut the door and got in behind the steering wheel.

“Umm... are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He snapped, putting the car into drive.

“And I’m a Pomeranian pup... all of a sudden, your panties seems to be in a tight knot and inserted up your ass.”

“You aren’t Omega yet.”

“The hickeys says *”I am”*. Just so you know, Megan’s a free spirit and very, very, very human. She doesn’t fully understand our ways, so being possessive and all caveman-like with her wouldn’t produce the same results as Shifters.” Myra explained.

He glanced at her through the rear-view mirror before focusing on the road again. “I understand, thank you. But you are right, you are Sloan’s mate and my Omega, and I shouldn’t have snapped at you. For that, I am sorry.” He looked at her again and smiled.

“Oh boo.” She smiled and teasingly stuck her tongue out at him, already forgiving him. “We will need to stop off at the supermarket for food supplies.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

***

As Declan pulled up to her family’s home, Myra suddenly felt a sense of homesickness. The reality of her current situation and impending claiming; finally occurred to her. This place where she grew up wasn’t going to be her home much longer. She would be mates with an Alpha who had significant power and influence, and her actions would now be accountable and considered an extension of his.

“*I don’t like this feeling of uncertainty.*" She thought when the car came to a complete stop. She realized that Declan wasn’t making any move to exit the vehicle. He sat ridged in the driver’s seat as if contemplating his next move.

“There’s a slight change in plans. While you were looking for cereal, Sian called me.”

“What did she want?”

“To remind me that other males aren’t allowed in the same house with a soon-to-be claimed female, especially the day before the ceremony.” He commented.

“I don’t understand.”

Just then, the front door to her house opened, and her dad walked out with an overnight bag. No longer waiting for Declan to explain further, as he still showed no initiative of exiting the car, she emerged from the vehicle. Laurence smiled, threw his bag into the cab of his truck, and Myra launched herself at him.

“Daddy!”

“My little vixen pup...” He kissed her cheek and whispered into her ear. “My poor house, it is overrun by women.”

“What?”

“DAD! Ms Sian just explained the rules to you.” Myra heard her sister shout from across the driveway.

“Yes, yes... but she’s still my daughter and your little sister.”

“It’s okay.. we haven’t done the cleansing yet... so he can give her one last hug.”

“Cleansing?” Myra released her father and looked towards the house. Her twin sister, Sian, Bryn, Megan, and some other females she didn’t recognize were all crowding the house’s entryway.

“I don’t think I bought enough groceries for all of you.”

“Don’t worry. The house is laden with food. Come on. We have lots to do.” Myrielle smiled sweetly. However, the smile that spread on all the women’s faces caused Myra to step back in fear.

Myra muttered to her father. “Daddy, take me with you.”

“Babe... you are in safe hands.” Megan laughed, wrapping her arm around Myra’s shoulder. Myra, however, was in shock that Megan suddenly materialized next to her.

“Ladies, could you get the groceries from the back of the car. Myra, we need to get started.” Sian ordered three tall, young yet fit women who stood near the front steps to the house.

“But Sloan wanted Declan to...” Myra started to explain as Megan pulled her away from her father.

“Stay with you all day?? I know. That’s Leanne, Declan’s second-in-command, as well as Bridget and Jo. The three of them are senior members of the pack security team and would be taking over for Declan.” Sian introduced the three ladies who stood by the SUV, chatting with Declan through the rolled-down car window. Sian then held Myra’s hand lovingly in hers and led her inside.

“Declan wouldn’t be far away, however. He takes his duties very seriously. He will be stationed outside with the other Shifters patrolling the surroundings and watching over us, females.” Sian explained, “As my son’s intended mate and soon-to-be Pack Omega, preparations for your Claiming Ceremony would differ from the traditional type of ceremonies. Firstly...” Sian continued as they entered the living quarters.

The usual spacious room was crammed full with aged women who were seated on every available surface. A hush came about the room when they entered. “Ladies, this is Myra... Myra, please meet the female half of the Elders’ Council.”

“Delighted to meet you. I am Susan Blackstone; please be seated.” One woman said as she waved to the small ottoman situated in the middle of the room. Myra timidly inched her way into the room and took the seat indicated to her.

“*God almighty, I hope they are not planning to give me the sex talk... if so, I think I’m going to be sick.*”

“No need to be nervous... and judging from the hickeys and the strong scent of Sloan radiating off you, we don’t need to have “the birds and the bees” conversation with you. We are here to welcome you; so you can relax.” Susan continued explaining.

“Thank God.” Myra breathed a sigh of relief as each of the ladies stood up, introduced themselves. Myra sniffed their scents, and they were all creatures from within the otherworldly community; different shifter species, Wiccans and hybrids of some sort. They provided Myra with some life advice about handling her mate. They ended their talk by presenting Myra with a Claiming gift.

Two hours later, Myra said thank you and goodbye to the women. Sian steered the conversation towards Council business, providing Myra with an excuse to escape the room to find refuge in the kitchen. Her twin held her sleeping baby with Megan and Bryn; they were chatting, laughing and eating from a meat platter sitting on the island.

“Yay, you survived.” Megan hailed out in joy, clapping her hands before waving Myra over.

“That was intense.” Myrielle agreed.

“I honestly thought they were going to lecture you about sex and give you a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the topic.” Megan laughed, giving Myra a shoulder hug.

“Hurl!” Bryn gagged but sticking her finger in her mouth.

“My thoughts exactly,” Myra muttered, taking a drink from Megan’s glass. “Mmmm... whatever this is, I want some.”

Megan nodded. She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a glass jug of sangria.

“Could I also emphasize that we are not going to talk about my brother and sex?” Bryn commented, looking very green in the face.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Megan teased, filling up a glass for Myra. “I want all the graphic details.” She smiled wickedly, causing Myra to blush.

Myra wiped the smile off her face and took her niece from her sister. “Your auntie Meg-pie has no manners... no, she doesn’t.” Myra cooed to the sleepy baby, who briefly smiled then yawned.

“Oh, come on... please spill the beans.” Megan begged, but they all turned as one towards the kitchen’s entryway.

“Bryn, look who I found,” Sian said, walking into the kitchen with a young woman. The new arrival and Bryn both screamed in joy and embraced each other. Their joyous screams startled the baby, who started to wail.

“Seriously! There’s a baby in the house.” Sian scolded them and swiftly took the baby from Myra. “Oh hunny, it’s okay... Nana Annie is here.” She said to the baby and gently bounced the baby back to sleep.

“Nana?” Myra looked to her sister, who was smiling lovingly at the scene before her.

“I took it upon myself to become this little pup’s unofficial, official grandmother.”

“Benji and I were honoured when she asked... especially with you and Sloan mating very soon - if not as yet... my baby is going to need some siblings/cousins soon.” Myrielle smiled.

Her statement slapped the smile off of Myra’s face. “Umm... pump the brakes, no one is...” Myra tried to defend, but Sian cut her off.

“Oh yes, Sloan would welcome as many babies as you are willing to give him.” She stated dreamily, gazing down longingly at the baby in her arms.

“Wait! Hold up Misery one and two. Yes, Sloan and I will be claiming each other tomorrow night, but we have only known each other for three-ish days. I... I... oh God.” Myra’s mind started racing, and her breathing changed as she slowly began to lose focus.

Being away from Sloan, the intoxicating scent of his pheromones and the tidal wave of sexual energy has cleared her mind. The reality of her situation suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks. “*What the hell am I thinking? I can’t be mated. Nor can I be a mother.*”

“Oh no.” Megan quickly grabbed a plastic bag, emptied its contents and handed it to Myra. She guided Myra to bend over and place her head between her knees. Myra attempted to calm herself by breathing in and out of the bag.

“That’s it... breath in slowly and breath out.”

“I... don’t think... I can... do... this.” She whispered in-between breaths. Megan continued coaching her while gently rubbing her back to help calm her racing thoughts.

The room grew painfully quiet, which further added to Myra’s panic and anxiety. The vibrations of a ringing cellphone disrupted the uncomfortable silence. Megan reached into Myra’s dress pocket and took out her phone.

“It’s Sloan.”

“He must have sensed something is wrong. You better answer before he shows up here.” Sian encouraged.

“Sloan?? Yes, she’s here... umm... well... hey, there’s no need for that... you too, huh?? Yes, yes, you are forgiven... okay, hold on.” Megan chatted. Myra was too preoccupied trying to reduce the quick intakes of air into her body to listen to the phone conversation.

“Myra?” She said, holding out the phone to her. For a moment, Myra just started at the device before taking it and placing it up to her ear.

“Hello?”

“What’s wrong?” Sloan immediately stated.

“Let’s give them a moment,” Sian ordered, ushering everyone out of the room.

“Ha ha ha ha... wha-whatever give you that im-impression?” Myra attempted to lie as the door to the kitchen closed behind the group.

“Myra...” he warned, and she sighed heavily.

“Ju-jus... umm... it was just a mini pre-ceremony panic attack... nothing to worry about.”

“Angel... are you having second thoughts?”

“Ummm....”

He sighed at her lack of reply. “I am on my way to your house. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“Slo...” She called out, but she only heard a beep in her ear. “*Crap, he hung up.*”