Chapter 46 - The dinner

**Hopes pov**

"Callum stop it!” I tore my self from Kevin and start hitting Callums back
“He is my friend, stop it, you are hurting him!” I screamed
Callum didn’t move, he just kept growling at Jesse, pinning him down. I wrapped my arms around his neck, ignoring the pain in my shoulder and whispered in his ear.
“If you don’t let him go, Luna will make you do so..what do you think the other Alphas reactions will be? Seeing you baring your neck to a human girl?”
The growl stopped in an instant and I saw the claws retrieving back into his hands.
I gently pushed him to the side, away from Jesse.
“ Jesse is my friend, we train together sometimes. He is no threat to you, we have more of a brother/sister relationship. Now, do right by both him and me and fix this!”
I looked him deep in the eyes, Beacon retreated and Callum looked conflicted. He pulled me close and buried his nose in the crook of my neck, inhaling a few times before straightening up again.
“I’m sorry…” He whispered and I loved him more than ever.
“Just fix it..” I whispered back, giving him a light kiss.
He stepped around me, towards Jesse, who was now sitting up on the floor, and extended his hand.
“I’m sorry James..I didn’t know you two knew eachother.”
Jesse took his hand and was drawn up.
“Jesse..you can call me Jesse..and yes, Ive known Hope for a few years” a smug smile was playing on his lips and I rolled my eyes.
“Jesse!? Oh my God, what are you doing here?” Maya came through the crowd that had gathered around us, making her way up to Jesse, giving him a hug.
Another roar was heard from across the room…Not again!
Me and Callum took Maya from Jesses arms and put our selves in front of him just in time for Callum to catch a flying Reece aiming for Jesse. Behind me I could hear a chuckle from Jesse..
“Always nice to be back in a pack…”

The preperation was astonishing. The welcome drinks was served inside, in the hallway and the dining room. The patio doors in the diningroom was wide open, showing the beautiful garden outside. There were a lot of tables on the big lawn, hundreds I would think just looking and not counting, but realistic I would say about seventy maybe. They were round with white tablecloths decorated with candelabra with lit candles, vases with red roses, nice touch Callum, and table settings for eight people per table. There were lanterns in the trees around us and on strings above us. There was a beautiful stage in front of the tables, a lot of candles and flowers there as well. I was really surprised, seeing a small string orchestra playing a harmonious soft melody.
“Its breathtaking” I say to Callum as we step outside.
“It really is, they did a good job. Reece and Greta may bicker at sometimes but when push comes to shove..they really put their heads together and pull through” I can hear how touched and proud he is.
“I am going to find Thomas and Anna, I want them with us at our table” I say, giving him a peck on the cheek and walk back inside.

I must have shaken hands with twenty different people, they told me which pack they were from, what kind of relationship they had with the Great Fall pack and how much they respected Alpha Callum. Some of the older talked about his mother and father with lots of respect and admiration in thier voices, telling me how sad it was, them not being here to meet me.
“Oh, miss Hope!” I turn around and se a middle-aged woman.
“Hi! I am Samantha. I’m the Beta wife of the Low Fall pack.” A beautiful woman extended her hand to me. When I took it, she squeezed just a little to hard for my comfort.
“Nice to meet you” I said, as I tried to pry my hand out of her grasp, and to a werewolf, an agitated at that, it wasn’t an easy task, she pulled me closer
“So..you think you can come and rob my girl of her future? A mere human, thinks she can step over a born Beta wolf?” She spat in my face when she spoke..this beautiful woman suddenly became very ugly. Finaly, I got my hand back and stood up straight, pushing Luna back, she was eager to put this shewolf in her place.
“Mam, I don’t know what you think you know..but if someone thinks they have a claim on Callum..well..they can try..I mean, I don’t guard him, they could just walk up to him and make their move..see how that goes..” I give her a smug smile and walk away.
The next turn I take, I run in to Tina of all wolves..people..whatever.
“Well well well…who do we have here?” She snickered, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
“Oh, hi Tina..nice to see you.I really cant stay and chat, I need to find the kids” I said, trying to escape her
“Who the fuck do you think you are? Callums mate? Sure, the Goddess paired him with a worthless human!? I don’t think so. I don’t know what shit you pulled at the mall, but it was obviously witchcraft, and seeing how close you are to the hag of this pack..well, you two cooked something up together, I’m sure.” She snickered. I suddenly realized, the woman from before, was Tinas mother.
“Seriously..Tina..Think what you want, I really don’t care. If you think you have a chance at Callum, go for it..let me know how it goes. I couldn’t help laughing, and that made her furious.
“You bitch!” She raised her hand and I waited for the sting her slap would bring.
Another hand caught her arm, mid air.
“Move that hand against my Luna and I’ll break your arm clean of!”
I looked to the owner of the hand..and the voice…Olivia!…
Tina pulled her arm out of Olivia’s grasp, I could see the marks on it before they heald. She didn’t say anything but her eyes and face said plenty before she walked away.
“Olivia…” I didn’t know what to say..last time I saw her I threatened to pull her by her tail and serve her up as vampire snacks…
“Look..Hope..Luna..I was way out of line and I’m sorry..I had to jump my heat since I still don’t have a mate..and that..well..us she-wolves gets a little feisty during that time..but make no mistake! I am here to protect you and the Alpha, and I take my job seriously, I promise.” She obviously couldn’t stop talking.
“Olivia!” I interrupted her
“Yes Luna?” She looked caught off guard in a way
“Thank you!” I said, stepping closer to her and gave her a hug. She was stiff at first, I suppose she didn’t know how to react, but soon, she relaxed and hugged me back.
“So, want to help me find two little rascals?” I asked and we both giggled as we took off, trying to find Thomas and Anna.

The dinner was perfectly planned. From the seating to the food served. I had Callum by my side, Anna and Thomas were also at our table. Maya, Reece, Alpha David and Luna Sara from Low Falls pack as well.
“So, two human girls got to see our world..It is quite unusual I must say” Sara took a sip of her wine, giving both me and Maya a cold glance over the glass.
“Indeed it is, I always expected our packs to be joined by a mating ceremony and since I don’t have a daughter I was rooting for Tina. I thought the two of you were a thing” David said with a sour expression on his face. I could feel Callum tense up beside me and I could see Reeces jaw clenching.
“Well, you thought wrong.” Callum answered glaring back at David.
“Its your pack, but I would never bring in fragile humans. It sends the signal that you are weak..A weak pack is easily overthrown by others..stronger packs” David continued.
“Do you see me as weak David? Do you want to give it a try then?” Callum narrowed his eyes at him. I felt Annas hand take mine under the table, letting me know she was afraid..of course she was..after the trauma she and her brother had been through, they didn’t need this. They needed to feel safe.
“Gentlemen! There are children at this table, its a beautiful and lovely evening but if you are hellbent on having a pissing contest, I suggest you leave the table. Perhaps you can find a tree or a bush more appreciative of your bickering”. Everyone sat quiet at first and then David started to laugh. I don’t think it was sincerely, but it smoothed things over and we got back to eating our food and chatted about lighter things.
I glanced around at the other tables. Everybody seemed to have a good time. Tina was still giving me the evil eye, but I didn’t care about that. Zandra and my mom talked and laughed, Kevin was in the middle of explaining something to Lucas and Leo with exaggerated arm movements. Cathy and Jesse had some kind of heated discussion witch led Cathy to stand up and storm away..it took a few seconds then Jesse followed her. I wonder what that was about.

After the dinner, Callum and Zandra stood up, the music stopped as they walked up on the stage.
“Good evening everyone. I would like to toast in the honor that so many of our allied packs gathered here together tonight.” Callum started and raised his glass for the toast.
“However, we are missing a friend..Alpha Allan..His pack fell during a massive attack from the vampires not long ago. I have the privilege to welcome the survivors into my own, and that is one of the reasons we all come together this lovely night.”
Zandra stepped forward, bringing a chalice and a knife, both in gold and with beautiful ornamentations. She took Callums hand and before I could react she slices him deep, making him bleed in to the chalice. Callum finds my eyes as if he can feel how disturbing I think this is. He send me a wink and a smile, showing me he is okay.
“I, Callum Wright, Alpha of the Great Falls pack, hereby offer and welcome you, the survivors of Alpha Allans pack, the Low Land pack, to establish the bond and join our community.”
Several people rise from the tables around us and formed a line up to the stage. One by one, they drank from the beautiful cup and swore their allegiance to Callum and to the Great Falls pack. Thomas took Annas hand and together they walked up to the line, waiting their turn. It was a breathtaking ceremony. People laughed and cried when they felt the packbond snap in place and I felt a tear rolling down my own cheek as well.
When the last person finished, everyone stood up and applauded.
“There is one more thing..one more reason that I have invited you all tonight..Hope, will you please come up and join me?”