Chapter 18: Chapter 18

~Ariana's POV~

Not too long after Jay left, Mia and Dan came inside, bringing my suitcases, we chatted for a bit while unpacking my stuff, a knock was heard, Dan got the door and in came Leo,

"How're you settling in so far?" he asked with a smile,

"Good enough, I guess." I replied with a shrug and he nodded,

"A good start at least, if your not too busy, mom and Dad wanted to see you." he informed and I nodded, standing up and putting my jacket on.

We got to his parents house and he lead the way in, they were already waiting in the living room, Leona offered me a seat with a smile while Jake apologized for not receiving me at the door,

"it's fine." I assured him and he smiled, Leo got me a glass of fruit juice,

"you wanted to see me?" I inquired after taking a sip, they nodded, looking a bit hesitant,

"we actually wanted to know your stand on us informing the pack and pride that you are Jay's and Talon's mate." Jake said, I raised a brow, turning to Leo

"informing them does not give you any obligations as they will also be told you are human and as such need time to get used to this, it's just that, living in a house full of wolves and Lions, this is one of the best ways to ensure your absolute safety." Leo explained,

"Our pride members are extremely accommodating people, same goes for the pack members but when it's all been said and done, we're still an extremely dangerous specie and usually enjoy establishing our dominance to strangers, so we're just trying to be careful, both pack and pride are fully aware that their leaders mate should be treated with utter respect and courtesy, as well as well protected." Jake continued and I nodded in understanding,

"I really didn't want to make a fuss with my presence, but I completely understand your concerns, I'll think about it and give you an answer at dinner." I replied, they thanked me for my understanding and Leo escorted me back.

Mia and Dan were still in there waiting for me, I told them what Jay's parents said

"we would have suggested the same thing, so even if we're not around you, you won't be in danger, I agree with them." Dan said,

"I understand, since I said I'll give an answer at dinner, I still have some time,I'll sleep on it and decide." they nodded and left, giving me my space, I sighed, locking the door behind them, I took off my jacket and boots, laying on the bed and running some things through my mind, after pondering over it for a bit, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

I woke up a while later, checking the time, "6:20", I sighed, stretching as I rubbed my sleepy eyes and walked into the bathroom, taking my clothes off on the way. I quickly did my business and then took a quick shower, once I was out, I dried myself and left the bathroom. I picked out some comfy underwear and grabbed a casual Jean shorts and a huge long sleeved white round neck shirt, after I got dressed, I pulled up the sleeves a bit, before pulling on a pair of white sneakers, I heard a knock on the door and grabbed my phone, checking the time, 6:59, right on time.

I picked up my key card, unlocking the door and opening it, Jay stood there with a cute smile on his face, he wore a casual sweat shirt that accentuated his muscled form perfectly and snug jean pants,

"you ready?" He asked and I nodded, he stepped back to let me out and I shut the door behind me, he looked me over and bit his lower lip, I raised a brow and he sighed,

"how can you look so good in everything?" he asked in honest confusion as he snapped out of it and started walking, I laughed shaking my head and followed after him.

Getting to the first floor, we walked a bit before standing in front of a huge double door, multiple discussions could be heard from within indicating the multitude of people in there, Jay turned to me as if asking permission to open the door and I nodded, he smiled and pushed open the door, before stepping aside and letting me walk in before him, all eyes were on us the moment we entered and all discussions ended, the huge hall becoming utterly quiet, the place was packed with people but the hall was gigantic enough to comfortably accommodate them

I could see a frown form on Jay's face and I then noticed Grey, Mia, Dan and Leo, I realized both pack and pride were here, I reached for his hand, intertwining my fingers with his, surprised at the shocking feeling I got as my hand touched his, he turned to stare at me in surprise.

I kept my gaze straight as if I didn't notice, I could see his huge grin out of the corner of my eyes as he squeezed my hand lightly and lead me to the head of the table, everyone stood as a gesture of respect for him although the people on the left side seemed rather reluctant but still stood up after receiving a harsh glare from Grey, my eyes flashed round searching for Talon again, realizing he wasn't here, I frowned slightly.

There were two seats at the head of the table, since Jaylen headed towards the one on the right, the other was probably for Talon, I rolled my eyes realizing, there was still a division between pack and pride as to the left end of the table, a seat was left probably for Caine and then Grey, Mia and Dan were seated after him and then the extremely long line continued with people I didn't know but probably only members of the pack, it's no wonder they were reluctant to rise at Jaylen's entrance, the line went so far into the room that I couldn't see the other end, a lot of tables had been moved together

I couldn't help but wonder how many people exactly where in the pack and how many were in the pride, considering the fact that only the people who stayed in the pack house were moved here, which according to Mia didn't even amount to half of their actual population as most preferred to have their own houses rather than live in the pack house.

Leo said the same thing about the pride, turning my eyes to the right side, a seat was left vacant after Jaylen's seat at the head of the table, while Leo sat after that seat, a beautiful but fierce looking woman after him and the line went on like on Talons end, knowing they were currently seated according to rank, at least for the top five of the pack and the pride.

I couldn't help but wonder who could be of a higher rank than Leo who was Jay's second in command, my confusion didn't last long though as Jay pulled that particular seat out and gestured for me to sit, I raised a brow and the hall broke out in whispering, a look from Jay was all it took for them to fall silent again, he waited for me to sit so he could push my chair in, I noticed I was getting weird looks from practically everybody, excluding the top few that already knew what was going on, I ignored them though and sat down, letting Jay push my chair in before taking his seat and then everyone else sat down but they didn't bring in the food yet, Jay's glare to the empty seat beside him informed me they were awaiting Talon.

The door opened and in came Jake and Leona, Bane and Mira didn't move as they had a house of their own so they wouldn't be here, they did promise to visit soon though, everyone or at least the members of the pride gave their former leaders looks of surprise but bowed in respect,

"where is Talon?" Jake asked looking at the empty seat and as if on cue, the door was opened and Talon and Cain walked in, everyone stood up again except for Jaylen and me

The reluctance to rise came from the right side of the table this time, Talon's eyes immediately met mine, we just  stared at each other for a while before Leona cut in,

"Take a seat Talon, you're keeping people hungry." she said and he did as told still staring at me, everyone sat down as well except Leona and Jake who passed me inquiring glances, I understood the question in their gazes and nodded my accent.

Someone suddenly stood up from the left side, a woman I immediately knew I wouldn't like,

"no offence but am I the only one wondering what the hell a puny human is doing in our midst and why in heavens name is she sitting there?" The woman asked with a bitchy tone and I frowned immediately, biting my lip to keep in the remark on my tongue, Jay and Talon's gazes immediately rose up to her, but they didn't have to answer her because Jay's mom beat us all to it,

" will you shut up and sit down girl, she's my guest and it's none of your business." she said angrily and I gave Mia and Dan a look that had the three of us fighting to stop our laughter, the bitchy woman gave us or rather me a deadly glare before sitting down angrily.

"Now that the unimportant things are out of the way.." Leona began looking to her husband and he smirked in amusement,

"we were just about explaining this situation to y'all, I know most of you must have already picked up her scent and you should now be aware of the reason we told you to stay out of sight, some of you have even already connected the scent as being similar to the one from the day of the ball, I am glad to know you all are so vigilant, now I want to inform you all that on that day, the Alpha of the pack Talon and my son Jaylen, the leader of the pride both found their mate, which actually happens to be the same person, Ariana, the mystery girl in our midst." Jake announced.

The hall broke out in applause, as some spoke words of congratulations, while some jaws were open in shock, others gave me hateful glares, all in all, all eyes in this room were on me, Jake looked at me expectantly and I nodded, schooling my features, I confidently stood up and passed my gaze round the room, before my voice rang out boldly

"Jake has explained it as it is, for those of you who are so accepting, already offering your congratulations, I'd say it's not yet the time for that considering we're still figuring this situation out but thank you....those with their jaws open, please close your mouths, you'll catch flies, I was just as surprised about this situation as you currently are but it is what it is....and those already hating on me, I'd probably never even notice you, honestly what a waste of your hate." I said gazing directly at that lady from earlier, she glared at me and I flashed her a smirk as I continued,

"for now, I'm still trying to get used to all this so I'd appreciate it if y'all took it easy with me, thanks for your understanding, now can we eat or am I the only one who's starving here?" I asked, sitting down, the hall broke out in laughter and I could feel the gazes of Jaylen and Talon as they stared at me with Pride, I winked at them before turning to the food that was being served and digging in.