Sorry for the slow update, it has been a busy week! Thank you for being patient! :)

- Sian

"How did it go?" Jeronah asked when the boys landed in the kitchen after a long day at the sports hall. Hunter couldn't commit to the omega wolves; it was getting stressful for the teen to think about trusting a position which let him down so harshly.

"It went okay." Hunter flicked the kettle on, watching Meloras and Veronica who sat in the garden. The werewolf was still very cautious of the demons, even after his mate told him he could trust them.

"Did you find a new pack?" Jeronah asked.

"Maybe," Hunter sighed and asked Jacota if he wanted some tea. "It's not that simple. I have to know the wolves I choose are definitely the right people for the job."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out, you seem very accurate with your judgement, especially you Jacota. You can see the bad before the good. That is rare when people take long to express their true identity."

Jacota smiled and poured milk into his tea, accidentally spilling it on the counter.

"It's weird," the God mumbled, knowing the angel was in awe of him. Jacota tried not to feel uncomfortable.

"How long have you had these powers? Your father talked about when you were human."

"Not long." Jacota sat with Flora at the dining table. Her company is one he enjoys to be around, Jeronah was overwhelming him.

"So, you have a son who is a demon?" Hunter asked the angel while Flora watched Jacota with a twinkle in her eye.

"It was tough for Hunter wasn't it?" she asked quietly, and the God nodded. "He will find those who will match Sam's loyalty. I know his heart will be searching for the wolves who match his kindness and his bravery."

"I hope so," Jacota said with a small smile of hope. "He deserves it."

Flora watched her grandson like she was studying a precious jewel. "I'm yet to understand why he has experienced such horrible tragedies in his life. He hasn't deserved to be exposed to such cruelty, but something tells me it's preparing him for the war. Regardless of whether we win or not, it will be a bloodbath, and hopefully, for the opposite side."

Jacota looked down to his tea, trying not to think about losing anyone dear to him in the future. The front door opening distracted his thoughts as he looked down the corridor from where he sat. William was first to enter the kitchen, smiling wide like he was up to mischief. Sam followed, also grinning with red cheeks.

"What are you both up to?" Hunter questioned, narrowing his eyes.

"Nothing, Sam just tripped on the steps. He fell flat on his face." William started laughing again, wiping the recycled tear from his eye.

Anthony patted Sam's shoulder and turned, motioning for someone to come into the kitchen. First to enter was Piper, then Pheonix, then three more teens Hunter was yet to meet.

"Let's go into the garden." Anthony guided the guests outside, and Meloras and Veronica entered the kitchen, asking Jeronah if Hunter had found a pack.

Jacota waited, knowing Hunter had to first accept the wolves as a possible candidate before introducing them to his mate. Jacota watched Hunter eye up the Omegas after greeting Piper and Phoenix again. The wolf had his critical frown while he examined the men.

Hunter would have liked to know everything about the Omegas before meeting them, but Anthony's mind doesn't live in an ideal world.

"Are Piper and Phoenix a definite choice for your pack?" Anthony thought to his son.

"I think so. Jacota did approve of them."

Anthony nodded.

Hunter then turned his attention back to the other wolves. One was smiling politely, one was staring at Jacota through the kitchen window, and the other watched him with crossed arms and a gentle stare.

"What are your names?" Hunter asked.

"I'm Jason." The guy who was smiling offered a sweaty hand. Hunter understood he must be nervous and shook it with a friendly nod.

"I'm Ari." The guy who was watching Jacota turned with a blank expression.

"And I'm Sonny," the other guy said and offered him a hand to shake. It was strong and confident.

"Your mother chose Sonny and Jason. I chose Ari because he was the second fittest after Phoenix. He has been silent up until now."

"What did you think of today's training session?" Hunter asked. "Do you think it is something you could get used to?"

"Yeah," Jason smiled. "I found it really hard, but I did enjoy it."

"I like your honesty," Hunter smiled. "Our training routines are hard-"

"I found it easy," Ari interrupted. "What scores would you get Hunter? Would you beat me? Would the God beat me?"

Hunter raised a brow and connected his fingers.

"What you did today is only half of my usual workout routine. You are here because I am looking for a pack who can work together as a team. We don't judge each other and you, an Omega, definitely shouldn't judge an Alpha. Go home Ari; you're not right for my pack," Hunter said calmly.

Sonny, Jason, Piper, and Phoenix swallowed their nerves when Ari clenched his jaw and left. They watched Hunter with admiration, wishing to be taught by an Alpha like him with good morals and authority.

"You-you said only half of your workout routine?" Jason questioned, now nervously pulling at his t-shirt.

"Yes, but don't worry." Hunter strongly patted his shoulder. "I won't make you do it until I think you're strong enough."

"So, does this mean you're considering us?"

Hunter glanced at his father who stood silently, not wanting to influence a decision.

"I think I am," he said with his heart thumping in his chest. "Sam, take them into the kitchen and get them drinks."

Sam nodded, and everyone apart from Sonny followed.

"Hunter?" the Omega questioned, his voice a little timid. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure."

Anthony saw his cue to leave, but he would keep a close eye on his son. Anthony would also take time to trust any member of Hunter's pack.

Hunter pulled Sonny aside so their conversation could be kept private. "What's up?" he asked.

"Well, I just want to say that I know how you feel. I was betrayed by my Alpha half a year ago. I had known her my entire life, but she grew bitter and abusive. I don't know if you heard about it, though wolves talked about it for months. She tried to kill her pack. Only me and the Beta wolf survived."

"I did hear about that," Hunter said. "We had a minute of silence for the people she killed. I didn't know members of her pack survived."

"I guess not many people can say they've been hit by a train and lived to tell the story," Sonny sighed with a chuckle. "I hope you don't think I'm looking for sympathy Hunter. I know you are not yet making final decisions about joining your pack and if I'm not who you are looking for, then I don't want you to pick me out of pity. I just want you to know that if I am accepted, it will take me some time to trust you too."

"I understand," Hunter smiled. "but can I ask, why did your Alpha do what she did?"

"The rumours about the Gods returning had started. I think I heard something about a prophecy; I don't know. But my Alpha didn't think we were good enough for a world with Gods in it. She had plans to look for the Gods and impress them with her pack and offer herself to serve them. You know that getting rid of an entire pack and starting again for no reason is frowned upon, so she tried to kill us while making it look like an accident."

"Where is she now? Prison?"

"She's dead. Funnily enough, she was hit by lightning only a few weeks ago. It was the day of her trial."

The boys turned and looked at Jacota through the window.

"Well," Hunter cleared his throat, "it's nice to relate to someone who has suffered pack betrayal. Does it get easier to cope with?"

"Yeah. With the help of family and friends, it does."

Hunter nodded, feeling like he could breathe a little more comfortable.

"You know what Sonny, I think you'll fit into this pack just fine. We're all a little broken these days."

Sonny laughed with a nod.

"You do deserve the best Hunter. Even for you to consider me is an honour." Sonny left and entered the kitchen when Sam stood next to his Alpha's side.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah," Hunter said with a different kind of joy to his eyes that the Beta wolf hasn't seen for a while. "Everything is great, actually."

"Good. You know what will make it even better? I fell right on my face in front of Will, your parents, and future pack members. It was humiliating."

Hunter smirked, trying to keep back his laughter.

"That has just turned my day into a perfect one."

"I thought it might," Sam grinned. "Anyway, the parents are here, and they all want to meet Jacota. Do you think he's ready for that? Maybe we should sit him in the living room and have people meet him one at a time, then he won't freak out, and he'll get to meet everyone properly."

Hunter shook his head with a frown like he usually does when he is about to reject Sam's idea but then realised the Beta was speaking logically.

"Actually, that's a good idea."

"You should listen to me more often. I know you were about to shoot me down. I'm full of great ideas."

Hunter scoffed and pushed past him on his way into the kitchen.

"I am," Sam followed, smiling at the fact that William had waited for him near the door. "You know I am."

"Do you want to deflate your ego over there? I have a Jacota to rescue." Hunter pushed Sam into William and softly elbowed his way through the now busy room full of eager parents and teenagers. "Where are you?" Hunter thought.

"In the bedroom. I got overwhelmed," Jacota replied.

"Okay. I'll come and get you."

"Hunter!" Anthony yelled and pulled his son away from the door. "Nathan is here to apologise for Vic."

"Can he do it later, I have-"

"Hey Hunter," Nathan stood in front of him, and if he were in his wolf form, his tail would be between his legs. "I can't believe my son-"

"Honestly, I don't care. I'm so over Vic now. You don't have to apologise for his mistakes."

"I do though, he's my son, and I feel partly responsible."

"Well, thanks anyway but-"

Anthony grabbed Hunter's arm and whispered, "Where are you going?"

"Jacota's upstairs-"

"We need you down here. Look, it's Piper's parents." Anthony greeted them with a smile. "What a coincidence that you are a part of Nathan's pack. It's great to have people who are close to this family here."

Nathan turned, inspecting Piper's parents with a frown.

"They are not members of my pack," he said, confused.

"But," Anthony also looked a little puzzled while staring at Piper's father, "you said you were Nathan's Beta wolf."

"I didn't. Nathan was sitting next to my Alpha when I saw him." Piper's dad scanned the room, knowing he could smell his Alpha. "There he is, with that old woman. I didn't know you knew him."

Everyone turned to see him pointing at a man who entered the kitchen, deep in a conversation with Flora.

"Hold on a second." Anthony rubbed his forehead like he was trying to keep up. "Why are you pointing at Scott?"