While Leon was talking to Peter; Nate was outside waiting along with Jean his mate and Regina. Seeing his phone light up with a text indicating a new member joining the pack and that the meeting was to commence Sunday after sunset.
“Interesting,” Nate reading the text message; “pack meeting this Sunday.”
“Now that I’m your wife,” Jean smiling; “does that mean I can attend?”
“Let me call Austin,” Nate flipping through his phone contacts; “he just might not be up yet though.”
As the phone rings a sleepy gruff voice answers.
“Who is this?”
“It’s Nate Austin. Did I wake you, “Nate chuckling?
“Sorry,” Austin yawning; “I had a late night. What’s on your mind?”
“I just got the text about a new pack member joining,” Nate speaking up; “And it ogt me thinking about something. You said a non-werewolf couldn’t join the pack as an honorary member, unless they are married to a current pack member right?”
“It’s kind of a tradition,” Austin answering; “Why you ask?”
“Does a were-wedding count as married,” Nate speaking; “because Jean and I had one last night.”
“No shit,” Austin now awake after hearing the news; “congratulations then. Uhm,” Austin pausing; “do your parents know?”
“Not yet,” Nate sighing; “nor do Ben and Alex.”
“Well you’ve given me something to think about,” Austin thinking out loud; “can I get back to you in a few hours Nate? I need to consult with a fellow alpha from another pack who knows more about were-weddings.”
“Just as long as it’s before tomorrow,” Nate chuckling; “Jean is fixed to crash the gathering regardless. You don’t want to anger my were-lioness mate.”
“I’ll take that under advisement,” Austin guffawing; “I’ll talk to you later.”
As Nate hangs up and looks at Jean slightly bemused at Austin’s responses; Jean and Regina are surprised to see Eugene Talbot approach.
“Eugene,” Jean the first to respond; “when did you get back to town?”
“After we caught the skell that shot Peter,” Eugene hugging Jean; “how are you cousin?”
“Happy,” Jean smiling.
“I heard you had a wedding last night,” Eugene winking.
“Eugene,” Jean chuckling; “Peter told you didn’t he? Well say hi to my mate,” Jean responding; “Nate this is my cousin Eugene.”
“Hello,” Nate responding while shaking the state trooper’s hand; “you didn’t go the path of a grease monkey like Peter and the rest of the Talbots?”
“Ha,” Jean laughs; “Eugene can barely pump gas into a car. Give him a wrench and he’ll cause more damage to the car then fix it.”
“Thanks cousin,” Eugene rolling his eyes; “I see you are still as tactful as ever.”
Jean just laughs as she sticks out her tongue; enjoying the banter with a family member. Nate quietly watches as both Regina and Jean catch up with what Eugene is up to. Noticing Leon arriving back into the waiting area; Nate nudges Jean to let her know.
“Dad,” Jean seeing her father approach; “is Peter alright?”
“He is his usual self,” Leon answering; “only with added pain thanks to a bullet.”
“Does this mean I can’t torment him,” Jean giving a devilish grin.
“No,” Regina speaking up; “for once leave your brother be Jean.”
“I agree,” Leon looking stern; “despite the fact that your older brother is awake, he did nearly die on the way to the hospital. Getting shot,” Leon looking at his daughter; “is not a funny and pleasant experience, so no jokes, pranks or anything on your brother, am I clear?”
“Fine,” Jean looking glum; “can we go see him now?”
“You all go ahead,” Leon responding; “I’m going to head on to the court house along with Eugene for the arraignment of Peter’s shooter. I’ll meet up with you later Regina,” Leon kissing his wife; “try and keep Jean from torturing Peter.”
*******
While Nate, Jean and Regina were not far away; Evan Lawson was waking up to the sound of his wife purring as she breast feeds their newborn son Evan Junior. Seeing his wife in her were-panther/feline hybrid fursona; the werewolf could not help but smile. Seeing his mate in her fursona after having to hold of shifting during her pregnancy; Evan looks on as his son eagerly drinks up the nourishing mother’s milk.
“Despite being less than a day old,” Evan speaking up; “our son has quiet the appetite.”
“And it won’t be long until we get to bring him home,” Maggie sensing the baby is finished suckling and gently cradles him as he quietly heads back to sleep; “give your father a call Evan. Tell Mike we need the house ready for Sunday.”
“I can head home to help if needed,” Evan answers; “as much as I like watching you breast feed Junior, there is not much for me to do right at this moment.”
“Just be sure to defur before you leave the room,” Maggie smiling; “you are still in your werewolf form.”
“Before I do that,” Evan getting up; “this werewolf wants to cradle his son in his paws.”
“Can I hold him next,” Spencer asking as she showed up. Following her was Eric and Frieda with congratulation balloons followed by Frieda’s mother Amanda.