chapter 29

**Cole**



Winter and I are just about ready to leave for mating gathering. We have to be early since we will be greeting the other packs as well as our pack members as they arrive. I don’t mind that. I'm just glad that I found my mate, and I don’t have to dance with a bunch of random she-wolfs. Winter is excited, I think. She has never been to a mating gathering. Granted she doesn’t have to look for a mate. I’m sure that she is simply happy to attend a gathering. It has been 5 years since she has been to one. Not to mention she loves food, and there will be a lot of it.

She emerges from the bathroom, and she looks beautiful. She is wearing a dark green dress that is loose and has almost no back. It looks soft. Her hair is up in a loose bun with a few waves framing her face. It makes her look soft and delicate. Her dress is made of sheer fabric over the top of a solid fabric. I have to say when my sister took her to the mall, she did an excellent job picking clothes out for Winter. The last thing I notice is she isn't wearing shoes. She hasn’t since she has come here.

It’s time to find out what is up with this barefoot thing. I remember she said before that shoes are for humans not werewolves, but I'm curious how she formed this idea. “Winter you look beautiful, but I have to ask, why are you always barefoot?”

She replies “Well, my dad and mom never wore shoes either. My whole pack never wore shoes. They told me it was to connect with the earth. You can feel the earth and anticipate things coming by the vibrations. Also, we are not human, and we don’t need to act like them. Our feet are strong, and we should embrace who we are.”

This intrigues me. I'm curious if there are other traditions, she has from her old pack. “Are there any other things you do similar to this?”

“Yeah, there are some things. I can tell you about them later though. I don’t want to be late for the mating gathering.” she says as she walks toward the door. We end up out behind the pack house where a floor has been set up for dancing. There are tables set up with food and others for sitting and eating. Also, there is a bar with some standing tables.

Winter and I head over to an archway that has been set up for people to enter through. Soon people start to arrive, and we greet them. I introduce the other werewolves to Winter as there Luna. It seems to be going well as the other packs arrive. I'm glad to see the blue moon pack has come. I look forward to discussing the Gerard problem with them tomorrow.

We are almost done greeting everyone when Charlotte shows up. When I introduce Winter as her Luna, I can tell she is mad. I knew she would not be happy that I found a mate, but she can get over it. I figure she will be polite though since Winter is now her Luna. So, I decide not to dwell on it too much.

Things are going well. Winter decided she is only having one glass of champagne as she is too nervous about having a repeat of what happened at the bar. So, in the meantime she is sticking with water until I make a toast. She spies my sister at one of the standing tables and says, “I'm going to hang out with Gale while you are mingling. Is that okay with you?”

I nod at her and she heads off to Gale.



**Winter**



I can't believe I'm at a mating gathering. The food is wonderful, and the people of the pack seem nice. I'm glad I am their Luna. Cole looks handsome in his black pants and green shirt. We didn’t plan to coordinate, but we did. After we greet the guests, I notice Gale and want to go hang out with her. I think we have become close since the first day we spent shopping. She, Shasha, and Shelly have been helping me plan my Luna Ceremony. I really do like those women. We seem to hang out a lot.

I have noticed however that they never want to train with me or shift. Which I find a bit weird. I often wonder when the last time was that they shifted into their wolf. Maybe I should encourage them to let their wolfs go on a run with Athena some morning. Athena loves to run, and I try hard to make sure she has time to run every day.

I walk over to Gale. She is standing near the bar sipping on champagne. “Hey Gale, why do you look so blue? The gathering is awesome, and you look beautiful. She is wearing a short blue dress. The dress is formed to make her look as if she is covered in flowers and the length really shows off her legs. Especially since she is already tall.

“Oh, these gatherings always get me down. I haven't found my mate yet. I don’t mind that though. I love playing the field. It’s just at these events I always feel extra pressure from my mother to find him.”

“Oh, I'm sorry. I would not worry about what your mother wants. She hasn’t exactly been nice to me, and I'm sure she is that way with anyone who doesn’t meet her expectations. It's okay that you haven't found your mate. What matters is that your happy.” I say trying to bring up her mood. It seems to help as we continue chatting for a bit. She always seems to want to know about my life as a rogue.

Sasha and Shelly join us, and we laugh as we have fun together. Shelly, Sasha, and I have all got our mates. So, we don’t really have much to do at this mating gathering besides encourage others and be polite. The only reason we even have to attend is because we are top tier. I look over to Cole. He is so handsome. Then that Charlotte woman starts flirting with him. She puts her hands on him and leans in to whisper in his ear.

Who the hell does she think she is? The girls sense my mood and follow me as I walk over to Cole and that hussy. She can’t see me as I come up behind her. I grab her by her neck and she let out a squeal. I turn her so I can see the look on her face. She wears too much makeup.

“Do you see the mark on your Alpha? That means he is mated. I can see you don’t have a mark, and even if you did it wouldn't be his. See this is his mark.” I direct her gaze to my neck. “Now I would advise you to go look for your own mate. What you are doing here is disrespectful not only to me but to him.” I let go of her.

“You are the disrespectful one coming in here and stealing Cole from me. You’re a rogue, or at least you were. Everyone knows rogues are trash. I bet your old pack couldn’t wait to get rid of you.” she spat back at me loud enough for onlookers to hear.

I don’t take disrespect, and I cannot stand people not following pack hierarchy. I need to stand up for myself and show everyone that I am a strong Luna. I grab a handful of her hair. Pulling her down to my face I say “I am Cole’s mate. Not you! I am your Luna, and you will show the proper respect to me and everyone else above you.”

With that I jerk her head down, and her face slams against the tabletop, busting her lip open. I bring her back up to my face. “Are you done being disrespectful?” She is taking too long to answer, so I slam her into the table again. “I'll ask again, are you done?”

“Yes, Luna” she stammers.

“Go clean yourself up.” I say as I let go of her hair.