Suffice it to say, the entire Pack were overjoyed to find out that not only was the Doc a Were, but their Alpha's mate. After the loss of their Pack-mate, being able to celebrating the coming together of their Alpha and his mate went a long way to healing those still in mourning.

Tempest had invited Jax, wanting to give him the opportunity to see their way of life and perhaps get to know Wade and some of the other men a little better. They would make good allies, her people helping Jax with any problems in which he might need specific skills and him helping her people by keeping them posted of any situations that might be somewhat unusual.

The celebration was in full swing, even Am seemed more relaxed. Miriam stayed close to her, which obviously helped. Mitch too kept a cautious eye on her, happy that his mate might have a new friend.

Wade pulled Tempest to her feet wrapping an arm around her and heading towards the garden he'd taken her to earlier. "I thought you might want a chance to catch your breath." He laughed and Tempest realised this was the first genuine laugh she'd heard him make.

She smiled, "I think Murray is even more excited about us than we are."

Wade gave her a knowing nod. "He's been waiting a long time to organise my wedding feast. He may ask you for help, but you'd probably better off letting him take control." He laughed again. "He will anyway."

They both laughed, wondered around the garden holding each other as close as possible. Neither seeming to want to let go the connection to each other. As they made their way back she noticed Trae, Mitch, Lukas and several others coming up behind them forming a semicircle. This she knew what their way of showing respect for the Alpha couple and to let Tempest know that each one of them had accepted her as their female Alpha.

Tempest looked to Wade a question written across her face. "They are yours as much as they are mine now. I know we haven't officially mated, but that doesn't matter to them. I do believe they've accepted you since you put yourself in harm's way to help us catch the Rogue."

He kissed the top of her head, hoping she'd wouldn't fight him on what he had to say. "Because of your position in the Pack you'll have two shadows now. That's not negotiable Doc." He waited for her to fight him on it, was surprised when she simply nodded.

"No argument?"

"No. I know I'm likely to be more vulnerable now. If someone wanted to hurt you. Hurting me would be the easiest way. I'm not saying I'll always be happy about it, but I trust the Enforcers I've already spent time with. I'm assuming I'll be getting to know the rest of them now?"

Wade smiled softly, "Thank you."

Somehow Murray produced chocolate cake, enough to feed every person there, with an extra big slice for Tempest. She grinned at the man, gave him a kiss on the cheek then accepted the cake. Wade frowned and she laughed. "Murray knows I appreciate his cooking." She turned to Murray, "Right Murray?"

"Right Doc. Come by sometime in the next couple of days and we'll talk about the kinds of foods you like and I'll see about including them as often as I can." Again Tempest kissed the man. Wade growled making Murray puff out his chest even more. "The Doc likes me Wade, get over it."

The gobsmacked expression on Wade's face had Tempest laughing so much she almost dropped her cake. Wade rescued it for her and ended up laughing right along with her. This was a good start, laughter and a Pack that had already accepted her, even though she'd hidden her true self from them all.

Some of the men had cordoned off an area for dancing, a CD player and amplifier appeared and Tempest found herself dancing, moving from one male Pack member to another. Some were familiar, other's not. It would take time to get used to her new position, just as it would to get to know everyone. She didn't stress it, just went with it enjoying the moment. This was their way of saying welcome to the Pack and she was grateful for their acceptance.

They danced into the early hours of the morning, Trae, Mitch and Lukas all managed to grab her for at least one dance and Trae being Trae, even managed to lead her away for some time out because as he put it, "she was looked done in."

Tempest was unhappy that Jax hadn't showed up and still a little worried about how he was coping with what he'd learned. Making a note to call him after she'd gotten at least a couple of hours sleep, she made her way to Wade.

He saw her coming and smiled, waiting for her. "You've only danced with me once tonight." She grinned at him, her eyes twinkling in mischief. "I saved the last dance for you."

Wade's face relaxed more than Tempest ever remembered seeing it. "Now how can any man resist an invitation like that." He swept her onto the dance floor and if everyone stopped to watch, Tempest didn't notice. She was too focused on this man that was her mate.

After the music stopped a good few people sat around chatting, not wanting the evening to end. Wade still didn't like the idea of Tempest not staying in the Pack house, but kept his thoughts to himself. One step at a time Wade. She's already admitted she's mine, the last thing I need to do now is scare her off.

He took a calming breath. "Who would you prefer shadowing you the next few days?" he shook his head, "I think I can answer that. One with you at all times when driving. The other in a car following."

Tempest nodded acknowledgement. Normally she'd have argued the point but she'd already agreed to being shadowed. The last thing she wanted at that moment was to argue with him. It had been too perfect a night.

She felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket and pulled it out. A frown crept onto her face, when she spoke it was with worry in her voice. "Jax has called three... no four times. I should call back, see if he's all right.

She got to her feet moving a short distance away from everyone, turning her eyes were drawn to the horizon and the glimpse of morning sun peeking out at her. She dialled Jax's number and waited. He picked up on the fourth ring.

"Tempest?"

"Jax, I was worried, are you all right?" She heard Jax sigh, fear creeping into her gut. "Jax?"

"I'm fine honey. At least I will be once I see for myself that my girls are safe."

Tempest could hear the sound of an engine in the back ground. Her stomach churned and knotted with concern. "Jax, where exactly are you?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't' make it tonight honey, but I wanted to get going before weekend traffic got too back."

"Jax?"

"I'm about an hour past...Jesus-H-Christ!"

Tempest hear the screeching of brakes and a thump like Jax had hit something. "Jax! Are you all right? Jax."

Jax replied, "I have to go." Then the phone went dead.

"Jax! Jax!" Tempest called him again, it rang out so she tried again. This time it went to voice mail. Tears streaming down her face she turned and found herself engulfed by arms so strong, so safe. She looked up into Wade's eyes, "There's been an accident, I heard the brakes screeching and I think he hit something... or someone."

Without thinking he pulled out his own phone and dialled. "Braedon, I'd suggest you send a few of your men out. Jax was on his way to you and it sounds like he's had an accident. I'd say he was close to you or he wouldn't have called Tempest. She'll want to know how he is."

"I'll call as soon as I know anything." The phone disconnected, he returned it to his pocket.

Tempest held onto Wade, needing his support, his strength. She breathed in his scent, letting it engulf her, soothing the pain she imagined Jax must be in.

Wade picked her up, carrying her to the Pack house, "Murray if you've got some of that herbal tea... the stuff that helps calm a person, bring it over to the house." He pulled his mate closer and moved towards home. "You're shaking like a leaf, let's get you inside where it's warm. Braedon will call as soon as he knows something. Jax is tough, I'm sure he'll be fine."

Trae had made a run for the Pack house, by the time Wade entered carrying Tempest he had the fire going, and had pulled chair close by, knowing Wade would sit holding his mate. Murray trailed in a few minutes later carrying a tea pot and caddy.

Murray saw Trae's confused expression "I wasn't sure Wade even had a tea pot. I'll organise some tea, please tell me you've got a jar of honey?" Murray took off for the kitchen when Wade nodded.

Wade sat by the fire with Tempest on his lap. She tried to get up, but he wouldn't release her, "Let me hold you. I know Jax is your friend. I'm your mate let me comfort you as best I can."

Tempest relaxed into him, as he stroked her hair and whisper comforting words in her ear. Murray brought in a mug of camomile tea, with a good dollop of honey in it. It was sweet, probably too sweet. Wade raised a brow at him. "I heard somewhere that sugar was good for someone going into shock. I don't know it's true or not, but it can't hurt."

Wade gave a nod then pulling Tempest into a sitting position, held the cup to his her lips coaxing her to drink it sip by sip until she'd emptied the cup.

Trae, took charge, letting Wade focus on his mate, "Thanks Murray. You should probably get some sleep. I'll make sure everything is okay here." He saw Murray watching Tempest. "She'll be fine." He patted the man on the shoulder, "go, I'll keep watch."

An hour later Wade's phone sounded, he pulled it out and seeing who it was put it on speaker. "Braedon, I've got you on speaker so Tempest can hear you."

"You can relax. Jax is fine. He did have an accident, but isn't injured."

"I don't understand? It sounded like he hit something."

Braedon cleared his throat. "Yes, you're correct, but that is a tale for another day. For now all you need to know is that Jax is not injured."

Tempest could hear the strain in Braedon's voice, decided not to force the issue. "Can you please let me mother know I'll be up soon to visit and that I have some good news."

"Your good news wouldn't have anything to do with a certain Alpha now would it?"

Tempest stuttered, "N...n... now that would be telling."

Wade tried not to laugh, "I'll be coming with Tempest and as will Trae and Lukas."

"Lukas, what's happened to Mitch? I hope he isn't ill?"

"Mitch found his mate, he'll want to remain close to her for the time being."

"Braedon," Tempest spoke again. "Is Jax really okay? He promised he wouldn't do anything without speaking to me. Next thing I know he's..."

"Tempest my dear, I can assure you Jax is in one piece. I'll have him call you as soon as he can. I know you well enough to know you'll have been worrying about him. Please rest, I promise your friend is fine."

"Thank you Braedon."

"Wade, we'll talk soon." The phone went dead and Tempest slumped against Wade. He held her as before and minutes later she was sound asleep.

"Trae, can you go get Amy. I'll put Tempest into the spare room upstairs, she'll feel a look more comfortable if she finds Amy in bed with her and not me."

Trae left without a word, returning with a somewhat sleepy-eyed Amy. There was no need for explanations. Amy saw Tempest asleep and climbed in beside her. Tempest sensing Amy beside her, unconsciously pulled against her protectively.

Complete and utter calm showed on Wade's face. As he watched his mate he didn't see her holding Amy, he imagined he saw her with their own child, couldn't help wondering how many they'd have and when they could look forward to their first child.

They left the room moments later, Trae pulling Wade up. You need to get some sleep. I'll keep watch over things until you wake." He looked from Wade to the room where Tempest lay, but didn't speak.

"Tempest is mine Trae, she's just a little skittish about finding her mate. I don't know the details of what her life was like with her father, but for her to leave her Pack, cut herself off from them..." he sighed. "I wouldn't have been an easy life. If she needs a little time to get used to 'us', that's fine with me. She's worth it." He smiled and so did Trae.

"Sleep my friend. I'll keep watch."

Wade made his way to his own room, exhaustion finally setting in. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on up north, he too had heard the tension in Braedon's voice. Pushing all thoughts of Jax, Braedon and whatever drama was unfolding for them he kicked his boots off, stripped down to his boxers and barely made it into bed before sleep took him.