After mindfully eating a little bit of everything Devin made I was ready to do some things from my normal routine while I was on the run. I was feeling much more energized after having a nearly full stomach. I just wanted to patrol the woods nearby. Get a feel for the land, for the territory. 

"Hey guys?" I timidly asked. I wasn't sure if this was allowed. Even if they had only been nice to me so far I didn't know what to expect if I angered them or broke any rules.  

"Yes Little Wolf?" Darevin looked at me with his full attention. I almost lost the nerve to ask him.

"Um... Can I patrol through the woods? It was part of my routine. It helped with my paranoia and anxiety." I had to look away. It felt like I was asking too much already.

"Of course you can. I'd like either myself or Devin to always be with you though when you go. You should also meet the pack before as well. Don't want anyone to think a rogue has breached the territory. Is that okay with you?" 

"I... um yes. How many wolves are in your pack?" I was afraid to know the number. It was pretty clear it was a lot. Based on the size of the pack house and the size I assumed the territory to be.

"In total? Probably around 2,000 give or take. On pack grounds currently? Most likely only around 350. Many wolves live in the neighboring towns which helps keep the pack lands hidden from humans. Many of my trusted wolves are members of town councils or in some form of power in the towns. Helps keep me in the loop of what the humans know and/or are planning to do." The way Darevin talked about his pack really did make him seem older than his years. It was almost like he was Alpha for 20 years. He held so much respect for his pack. I could tell just by his words. Thats when the numbers registered in my head.

"2,000?! That's... that's insane! And to have 350 currently on pack lands is also just... insane!" How were there that many wolves in this pack?!?! I always estimated my old pack to be about 100 maybe 150 total and that was probably a high number. How did a pack with this many members function?! How am I going to function with this many wolves? I've never been much of a people person, for obvious reasons. 

"Don't worry Little Mate. We will be right there with you the whole time." Devin said then looked at Darevin. "Maybe we should start out small? Maybe only the trusted inner circle just to be safe? I don't want any word getting back to that piece of shit that Sunny is here."

"We can't hide her away Dev. One way or the other everyone will know. Whether its from us or others will matter in their eyes. We need to have a proper gathering introducing her to the pack as our mate. We can however let a trusted few know what the gathering is about so they can be on watch. See if anyone connects any dots or recognizes her name." Darevin made a lot of sense with his argurment but, meeting that many people at once made me want to drown in the pond outside. 

"Alright lets get them here then. They can meet us in our room so we can discuss the gathering. The pack will know something is up anyway when we announce a gathering. We just had one not even a week ago." 

"I'll mindlink the others. We'll meet in an hour in the conference room. Its sound proof. No one will be able to hear the conversation. I want not a word of this to get out until after tomorrow night when the announcment is made." Darevin got up I assume to start mindlinking his trusted circle. 

I think I'm more nervous meeting his trusted circle than the rest of the pack. What if they don't like me? Will they reject me for it? I'd like to think my mates wouldn't reject me for something like that.

I saw Darevin's hand reach slowly for me. I instinctively flinched away. I felt shame wash over me immediatly. 

"I'm sorry-"

"Don't apologize. I should have voiced what I was doing." Darevin said his hand still reaching out for me. "Sunny we're going to go to the conference room to wait. Devin is going to watch the door and wait for everyone to arrive." 

"That's not fair Dare! Why do you get to be alone with our mate?!" Devin whined. Like actually whined.

"Because I am still your Alpha and you are still my Beta." His tone was final. 

And so up two flights of stairs we went. The conference room was gigantic. With a large dark oak wood oval table in the middle and about 20 chairs situated around it. The far wall was just one big glass panel that was tinted by the look of it. The other walls were oak boards and stunningly stained. Darevin went to the chair at the end of the table. It looked like it was the comfiest out of all the chairs. He stood behind it like he was waiting for something. 

"Sunnshine come sit." He said. He looked pointedly at the chair he was standing behind but, that chair was clearly for the alpha. I couldn't possibly sit there. so I sat in the chair beside it. "Not there Little Wolf. Here." He said and moved the chair out for me.

"But then where are you going to sit?" 

"I'm not going to be. I'll be standing right here the whole time. I want to know what in a seconds notice I can protect you. Whether its from my pack or someone else. No one at this meeting should dare to do anything. They are by far my most trusted pack members for various reasons. I just feel as though I need to be on guard. My wolf is restless since he hasn't been able to connect with yours." 

"Okay." I said softly as I took a seat on the comfy chair. I didn't want to cause any turmoil to him or his 'wolf'. Still had no idea what they really were.

There was a soft knock at the door and in walked my other mate. 

"Lets get this meeting started."