As it turns out the very next day, I was to be meeting the majority of the pack, several members were out mate hunting or not able to come on such short notice, so I was to meet them at a later date.

It was nearing midday and the meeting or rather party was set for sundown. I was just hanging out with the mothers. My cubs were playing with the other cubs of their age groups and I was happy that none of them especially my little man was being left out. Aria was turning out to be quite the matriarch of her age group, she was a little bossy, but the others of her age didn't seem to mind.

"Casius? Can I speak to you for a minute?" came a voice from the doorway, I looked up and could see the face of the beta Jace he was standing looking at the ground in clear thought and looked as though he needed help. I nodded and said to the two other mothers I'll be back, and they agreed to watch out for my cubs while I stepped out.

"What's up?" I questioned.

"I was wondering if I could have some advice? I would ask alpha but this is a sensitive topic so I thought maybe, because you're the luna or the luna in training or sorry the alphas mate you could help?" it was clear that Jace was nervous with all his rambling.

"Its fine I get it what can I help you with?" I asked chuckling softly at the blush spreading across his face, Jace and I had spoke several times and I would consider him my closest friend within the pack so far.

"I was just wondering how hard it is for you to raise the cubs. I know they're not your bio kids, but you said once you were the babysitter of your last clan. I was just wondering if you could give us some advice?"

I cocked my head in confusion as to why Jace was asking these questions. I thought on it for a few seconds before it dawned on me I looked down to Jace's stomach in question, which was hidden by, obviously Todd's hoodie. Jace in return nodded his head and I could see the tears gather in his eyes, even though I was a head shorter than him I opened my arms like I would for my child. He immediately ran into them and cried into my shoulder I whispered soothing words in his ear and pet his hair. It made me emotional to see my closest friend in my new home like this.

"It's gonna be okay... having kids is a magical experience, to have someone that reminds you of yours and Todd's love will be a magical experience. Many of the women of my clan had a certain glow about them when they were pregnant, I can't wait personally."

"What if people look at me different? I'm meant to be a beta, Cas" there were several hiccups in his words it was obvious to anyone that this was affecting him but the warmth in his eyes showed hidden excitement.

"You're still a beta Jace, don't ever doubt that. The moon goddess gifted you that and the ability to conceive never doubt your abilities, it takes a strong man to push a child out of them." My words seemed to have an affect on him, he straightened his shoulders and wiped his face, nodding his blonde hair.

"Thank you, Cas, you're the first person I've told, it means a lot for your support. I'm hoping I can come to you if I have any questions and id really like our kids to be friends?" the small boyish smile he gave caused a large smile to come to my face, I nodded and agreed before taking him into my arms again. We broke apart after a few seconds and I bid farewell to him and he said he was off to tell his mother. It meant so much to me that he had come to me first and I was able to help calm some of his nerves.

I returned to the children's' room of the pack house. Zar and Aria were leading a small brigade of tiny tots towards a big game of hide and seek whereas unfortunately my other small cub was sitting in the corner in his hyena form whereas the others were all in there human forms, the only ones still in their animal form were too small to play yet. It made me sad that my child was kind of being left out and I was going to change that I just had to think of a way how.

"I think its time we all start to get ready for the festivities tonight." Belle the mother of very unruly ginger twins said gathering her children, one in each arm.

Silver the other mother agreed and mind linked the mothers to come collect their children, it was common for several mothers to leave their kids here for a few hours like a shifter day-care and have some other pack mothers look after them. It was a form of community that I had heard humans often frown upon, but community motherhood was exceptionally good for their kids.

Within minutes all eleven of the children had been returned to their family units and I was heading up the stairs with my three. Two still in human form and then my special little man. I needed to ask thatcher what we had decided to name him it was important he didn't miss out on a name just because he wasn't able to shift yet.

Shifter children matured faster than human kids so its okay to leave them alone in the room for a few minutes whilst I went to ask Thatcher to spend some time with us. I found him in his study that was down the hall from the bedroom I slept in. I knocked on the doorframe and his head shot up he smiled genuinely and gestured me in but couldn't speak to me because he was currently on the phone.

I walked in and sat on the chair in front of his desk waiting till he was finished on the phone until I begun talking. He finished up the phone at the most five minutes later.

"Hey baby, how are you today?" was the first thing he said to me.

I couldn't help but smile, "Hiya I'm okay, the kids and I were wondering if you were free to spend some time with us."

He swiftly stood up and came around the table "C'mon then let's go spend some time with our kids maybe we could go for a run before the party tonight?"

We headed down the hallway towards the bedroom, we were situated on the third and final floor of the pack house it was considered the alpha floor and only he and immediate family were able to stay on this floor, it made me feel calmer knowing that the pack was on the lower levels or out in the pack lands whilst I was still yet to know them it just made me feel safer.

Whilst walking just before we reached the door to my room I turned to my mate and asked him the all-important question I needed to know the answer too "Thatcher I was just wondering on what you plan to call our second son? I think he deserves a name before he shifts too human just in case you know it never happens, its unfair for his siblings to have that individuality and he doesn't."

Thatcher nodded and stopped just before he pushed the door open looked at me in the eyes and smiled, "I couldn't agree more I think we should name him, Atticus."

I couldn't help but break out into a smile it was a perfect name for the little fluffball. It suited him with its originality. I couldn't wait for my alpha to tell him that this was to be his name the excitement was buzzing.

We entered the room and the children were sitting in front of the t.v., they were still mesmerised by it because this pack is so much less traditional then our clan so the television was very confusing to understand in the beginning but now the kids loved to watch the human children shows that could be played.

Thatcher and I curled up on the bed and enjoyed each other's company whilst the kids played with some toys and watched the television. I was situated on Thatcher's chest with him playing with my hair causing small cackles to fall through my lips.

Atticus came and joined us first, his furry head on the pillow and tail wagging happily. We decided then was a good time to inform him of his naming.

"Hey little man" I said lifting the fuzzball into my arms, "So just because you didn't shift doesn't mean anything I still love you the same, we decided tonight we will give you the name we decided for you" the cackles rose from his tiny throat and his tail was going crazy with excitement it was so powerful I could feel it through our link. "Atticus, your name is Atticus." I said cuddling him to me and kissing his little head.

Aria was next to join also in hyena form she must have changed back sometime recently and finally Zar joined us though he kept his distance for the first part until Thatcher started to wrestle with him. Family time continued like this Thatcher play fighting with my three kids until we had to get ready for the party that was happening. It was previously agreed that the kids were going to stay with the pack's babysitter, I had met him several times he was sweet and unfortunately was infertile, so he looked after the kids instead.

Being away from the kids for several hours was going to be really hard for me I hadn't managed to do it yet for such a length of time. Thatcher had to reassure me several times as we were getting dressed in tight, nice clothing that the kids would be fine, and he always has the pack link in case anything does go wrong.

It calmed me down though when I took the three to the playroom and they immediately hugged me and run off to hang out with their friends they had made in the pack. I felt better knowing the kids had friends and felt comfortable in the pack, especially Atticus.

It was then I realised just how many people I would be meeting tonight, and the anxiety went into overdrive. The walk to the backyard had never felt longer and I could barley walk, my legs were shaking more than a newborn antelope. The closer we got the more I could hear the chatter of more people than I've ever been around. Thatchers arm came around me and pulled me into his side and kissed the top of my head.

"It'll be fine dear, they're going to love you."

"Are your parents going to be here tonight?" I asked, Thatcher had told me they were away on their second honeymoon and would be returning soon but I wasn't sure if it was soon yet.

"Nah not yet they're still away enjoying the beaches and sands, as soon as they get back, you'll be the first to meet them, they're so excited to meet you finally. I've waited for you for what has felt like forever and now your all mine." He leaned down and claimed my lips with his own, suddenly I was pushed against the closest wall, his arms caging me in. I loved it. He pulled away just as quickly as it happened, he was walking through the sliding doors to the backyard leaving me sweating and panting.

I quickly followed and caught up to the long-legged werewolf grabbing his hand and cuddling close after noticing all the people and smelling all the different scents that I had only briefly interacted with their old scents when running the pack area.

Thatcher smiled down at me, we walked to the stage that was set up in the centre of the meeting area. Walking up the stairs small cackles were escaping me causing a small chuckle to leave my mates lips.

"Everyone." Thatcher began, "This is Casius, I have called you all here so you can meet him, my mate. Familiarise yourself with his scent and feel free to come and speak to us, we will be mingling, Cas? Anything you want to add?" he asked looking to me with his deep brown eyes. My stomach was in knots and suddenly my throat was dryer than the desert.

"H-Hello everyone, I'm Casius, its nice to meet you." I said not nearly as loud as Thatchers deep timber voice. I stuttered through several more sentences before Thatcher took pity on me, said our thanks and then we began, the mingle.