"Join? Not visit?" I ask, surprise clearly in my voice. My head whips between the three of them as I wait for one of them to explain.
"Yeah, that's what I was trying to say." Forrest says with a snap and point of his fingers in Tillie's direction.
"But you're an Alpha!"
"And I never wanted to be one. I had to become one to ensure my mate's safety. I don't regret that decision for a minute, but I feel now's the time to step down from that position. The problem is none of our boys are ready for that responsibility. So after talking with the rest of our little pack it was decided we'd see if we could join yours."
I scrub my hands over my face in an attempt to gather myself. This is a hell of a shock. "I feel like I keep asking this, but I have to do it again." I drop my arms to the table and look the man dead in the eye. "Are you sure?"
"Amelia's gifts are sure and that's more than enough for me. She believes we can trust you with our lives. That means so do I."
Before I can respond, not that I know how to respond, Bloom walks in. She comes right to me, leans against my back, wraps her arms around me, and kisses my temple. She's the perfect start to my day. Simple as that.
"Morning." She greets the rest of the room with a smile. They respond in like and she asks. "Can I have some juice?"
"You sure can." Amelia answers as she joins us. She goes to the cabinets, ignores the bloody rabbit carcasses on the counter, grabs a glass, and heads to the fridge. "We have apple, grape, and orange. Which do you want, sweetie?"
"Apple, please. But I can get it myself."
"It's not some big inconvenience. Plus, I like mothering, even in these little ways." She explains as she pours the juice into the glass, and then hands it over to Bloom.
"Well, thank you."
"You're welcome." Amelia responds back, with a pleased look. Then she whirls around to start pulling pans from the cabinets. She snaps at Tillie. "Get those things cleaned and out of my way. It's too early in the morning for me to be dealing with your bloody messes. How do you expect me to fix breakfast for my great niece with dead bunnies spoiling the space?"
Tillie picks up the rabbits and drops them into the water filled sink. She grabs a sponge and cleaning solution and works on the dirty counter. Amelia watches until she's satisfied her orders are being followed, then she goes back to starting breakfast.
Bloom slides into the seat beside me and says loud enough for the room to hear. "Yes."
With that one word she has every eye drawn to her. "What, Darlin'?"
She sets her juice on the table, and instead of looking at me, she looks directly at Forrest and says with authority only born in a true alpha. "Forrest Savage, you and all the wolves under your protection are welcome to join our pack. My mate, myself, and your new pack will do everything in our power to continue giving you all the protection you seek and deserve."
Forrest turns his head, revealing his neck in submission, and his eyes flutter shut in clear relief. "Thank you."
Bloom moves to stand at his side. Everyone is watching her in awe, even myself. Power is rolling off her, blanketing everyone in the room with the feeling of protection she's conveying. With a hand placed gently to his face she makes him look at her. "It's our honor."
He covers her hand with his, pulls it to his mouth, and kisses the back. Releasing her he says. "You're a very special woman, Bloom Daniels."
"Masterson." I correct.
"Daniels. Masterson. Whichever! If you all keep throwing around words like special, gifted, brilliant, and unique, you're going to cause my bestie's head to inflate to uncontrollable proportions." Bonnie teases as she comes walking in with Tucker hot on her heels.
"I think I'm safe, Bon, the admiration goes in one ear and right out the other. But feel free to build a shrine in my honor." Bloom jokes, once again taking the seat beside me.
Bonnie bows. "I'll start construction as soon as we get back to Tennessee."
"If you must wait that long." My mate sighs.
Chapter 20 - Bloom
The log mansion the pack calls home comes into sight and I let out a sigh of relief. I can't say if it's because this place has become home or because I'm relieved to see the people standing outside waiting for us are safe. Either way I'm relieved.
As we climb out of the luxury RV, Hayden and the Savage boys are climbing out of the truck they used to follow us. The other former members of the savage pack rode with us so they'd be more comfortable, and so there'd be more room in the truck for the belongings they packed. Emily, Kit, and the Elders are standing outside to greet us. Pike instantly pulls his sister into his arms, picking her up, and swirling her around. She's giggling when he finally puts her feet back on the ground.