Chapter 9

Danny’s POV
“Thank you for coming today. We are here to witness the name change of Error Molchany to Daniel Davison” Dad says to the room. “Danny, can you please come forward” he adds. I get up from the chair I was sitting on, next to Claudia. I give her a kiss on her cheek and move to where Dad was standing.
“I, Alpha Henry John Davison; give permission for Error Molchany to be known forevermore as Daniel Davison” he announces, cutting his hand; then cutting mine and joining our hands together. “We would also like to welcome, Daniel Davison into the Cedar Pack” he continues, recutting his hand and recutting mine and joining our hands together.
My shoulder burns as the pack mark appears. Claudia jumps off her chair and kisses me. *“How are you feeling?”* Dad asks me, in my head. I jump; Claudia did show me how mind links work last night after we mated, we could mind link one another. But it’s still a shock to have someone other than, Jesse in my mind. *“Overwhelmed. Can I ask you to help me with something?” “Absolutely. What would you like help with?”* he answers.
*“Can you help me shift? I was already chained when Jesse came to me and we haven’t shifted before”* I inform him. He looks at me; disappointment etching his features. *“Shifting should be a celebration and they shouldn’t have denied you that. I will help you; we will need to consult George to ensure it is safe for you and Jesse, to do so”* he answers.
“Danny, Dad and myself have asked for Jason to come here. We need to discuss with him, what we need to do about Joanna” Claudia tells me. “Do I need to be here?” I ask them. “Yes, you will have to deal with this sort of thing in the future; whether you are comfortable or not” Dad explains, as I nod my head at them.
“I will be here, with you” Claudia smiles at me, as a knock comes on the door. “Come in” Dad calls out and Jason and Joanna walk through the door. My head starts to drop and then I remembered what Dad told me; I must not drop my head to anyone. I straighten up my position as Dad looks over to me and smiles.
“Joanna; I believe you know why you have been called here” Dad starts. She looks at me and nods her head. “Todd told me; he killed himself” she spits. “Todd is also a wanker” I smirk and Joanna lets out a snarl. “Watch your mouth, to your future Alpha” Claudia booms at her and Joanna submits, bowing her head to the three of us.
“Sorry for leaving yesterday, Jason. I’m Danny; Claudia’s mate and Todd’s ex, younger brother” I say to my future Betta, extending my hand. He shakes it “Joanna told me her version of who you were. I don’t trust James, Todd or anyone from the River Pack. I am assuming your version is different to hers” he tells me. “Depends on what her version is?” Dad injects.
“Joanna?” Jason says looking at her. She shakes her head vigorously. “I’ll tell them. Todd told her; you were the pack slave because you killed Luna Rachael. Everyone dislikes you because of it and as such; you deserved everything you got” he informs us.
I frown; “Yes, that is James’ perspective on what happened and they thought chaining me to a wall and stabbing me with knives was good punishment when they were pissed off. But truth be told; my mother died during childbirth due to complications; not because I killed her. My grandmother raised me until I was 10, when she perished in a house fire” I explain to them. Joanna gasps. “What’s the matter Jo? Did they not tell you what really happened?” Claudia smirks at her.
“I-I d-don’t th-think T-Todd kn-knows” she stutters. “He knows; he has been told many times. By myself and our Grandma Nelly, before she died” I correct her. “There’s more to this story; Joanna” Claudia says still smirking at her. “I never hurt him” she pleads; “No, but you witnessed someone being tortured and never stopped it” Dad injects.
She drops her head again, “Joanna, it is clear you had no knowledge of the truth. I am willing to show you lenience, for not helping me. However; this will be the one and only time, I do” I tell her. Dad and Claudia smile at me. “You are lucky today, Joanna. If it were up to me; you would be heading to the dungeons” Claudia snarls at her.
“One more thing, Joanna. Todd is not to know about Danny. Do I make myself clear?” Dad booms at her and she submits again, to his aura. “Yes, Alpha” she whispers. “If you do see Todd, make sure to say hi to Anastasia, Stephanie, Patricia and Courtney and tell Anastasia, the ghost of the slave says thank you, for her rejection” I grin. “Who are they?” she questions. “Todd’s other whores” Claudia says, beaming a smile at her.
Joanna runs out the door, slamming it behind her. I slouch back in my chair and let out a few heavy breaths. “You handled yourself well, son. I am proud of you” Dad says to me smiling. “I don’t think she will be seeing Todd for a while, now she knows she isn’t the only one aiming for his affections. What was telling Anastasia, thank you all about?” Jason chuckles; looking at me. “She had to reject me; so, Claudia and myself could truly be together” I answer him, still breathing heavy.
Claudia puts her hand on my arm; “Danny is still tormented by James and Todd’s actions. It took a lot for him to be here this morning” she explains to Jason. “I wouldn’t have known it; if I can help in any way, let me know” he smiles at me. I smile back at him “Thank you."
“We are going down to the pool to do some laps. Do you want to join us?” Claudia asks Jason. “Sure." “I haven’t swum since I was young. I don’t know how good or fast; I will be” I include. “It is for muscle strengthening, Danny. We need to start building up your muscle tone. I will see you this afternoon for your training” Dad injects as Claudia, Jason and myself head out the door.
“See you at the pool in 15 minutes” Claudia says to Jason as we head to our room to get changed. “I was meant to ask you; who got me all those clothes? I want to thank them” I say to Claudia. “You’re welcome. I couldn’t have you walking around naked” she giggles at me.
“Does this count as our second date?” I ask her; putting on my swim shorts and grabbing a towel. “I don’t know if Jason would like to be a third wheel on our date. Let’s just call it having fun with a friend” she smiles back at me. *“My mate Tracey would like to come too; are you comfortable with her coming?”* I flinch as Jason mind links me. *“Yes, we can make it a double date”* I say back to him.
“I have to stop being startled, every time someone mind links me. Jason is bringing Tracey; we will have a double date” I chuckle to Claudia. “Did he just tell you; he was bringing Tracey?” she asks, smiling. “He was making sure; I was comfortable to have her come."
We head out of the packhouse; “Where’s the pool?” I ask her. “This way” she answers, as we walk left. “Danny, this is my mate Tracey” Jason says, introducing the red headed lady next to him. “Nice to meet you” I smile at her. “Jason said Alpha Henry wants you to build up muscle strength. My Aunty Yoli and I are the pack swimming teachers; to the pups. I can help, if you need me to” Tracey said. Claudia and myself smile at her; “I would like that."
“If you are comfortable, Danny; can we take a before photo. It will help show your muscle growth” Tracey says to me. “No; no photos” I answer her. “I have one” Claudia announces. “I took it yesterday.” I let out a growl; she knows I don’t like photos or looking at myself. I even had them remove the mirrors in our room. “You may not want to see you; but I like looking at you. I think you are very handsome” she smiles back at me.
I snarl and head to the pool edge and slide myself in; the cool water hitting me. “Here goes nothing?” I call out, doing a few strokes of freestyle, as I remember it. “You have a good technique; you were taught well” Tracey says hopping into the pool; with Claudia and Jason following behind her.
“It’s coming back to me, what to do” I tell them. “You will be a bit slower; but I think you are fine to start with a few laps by yourself” Claudia smiles at me. I grab her around the waist and kiss her cheek. “We can have a bit of fun as well” I chuckle, dunking her under the water. She resurfaces laughing; “Really? That’s how you want to play this?” she laughs grabbing me around my neck and pulling me backwards into the water.
Jason and Tracey are laughing at beside us; “You think that’s funny?” I call out; splashing the pair with water. “It’s on” Jason says; splashing me back. “I thought we were here to do laps?” Tracey laughs. “We are; but this is a double date” Claudia yells, splashing her with more water. Tracey dives under the water and grabs Claudia’s legs pulling her under, with her.
The two ladies resurface and look at Jason and myself. “Oh, Shit; we better get away” Jason laughs, taking off. I follow behind him; but not being as fast as he was; Tracey and Claudia caught up to me pretty quick and grab my feet; dragging me backwards and under the water. “One down; one to go” Tracey smirks.
The two ladies swim off and catch up to Jason and drag him under. I laugh at them as they make their way back to me. “Let’s get the laps over and done with; then we can have some fun” Claudia says to us and I set off, down the pool; doing freestyle.
I did four laps before I had to stop. Jason, Tracey and Claudia lapped me a few times. Tracey kept encouraging me as she swam past; ‘keep going’ she was saying. She must be a good teacher to the pups.
I need to catch my breath; I tell them as they finish their last lap. Claudia puts her legs around my waist and kisses the mark on my neck. My legs buckle with the sudden euphoria going through my body and we both go under the water. “That teaches me” she comes up, laughing. “You did well for your first swimming training” Tracey said encouragingly. I like Jason and Tracey; I am glad they will be our Betta.
“I’m feeling tired; I think I overdid it, a bit” “You did push yourself to finish the last lap. It will get easier. You may have to only do 3 laps next time” Claudia says. “No; I will do the 4. Keep to the same routine and increase slowly” I smile, as I repeat her father’s words. “We had fun today. I need to get back to the packhouse” Jason says as him and Tracey get out of the pool. “We’ll see you later” I call out to them.
“I like them” I say to Claudia. “They like you too” she smiles back to me; as we get out of the pool and grab our towels. “We should head back to our room; so, you can rest up before training with Dad this afternoon” she adds. “I would complain; but you won’t take no for an answer, will you?” “Nope” she laughs at me and we head back to the packhouse.