The Secrets of the Panther

BLAKE

I get the kids quickly dressed, and we head downstairs to the kitchen, where most family members are waiting.

Dale and Lena were there, sitting around the island. Anya, Drake, Anita, Charley, Kacey, Paul, and my mum sat with them.

My father was standing with Alpha Dawson while Alice was by the cooker; she was flipping pancakes.

I knew she was making chocolate ones as Allie jumped out of my arms and landed before me. She pulls Archer with her as he lets go of my hand and runs up behind her.

I look at the scene before me. I know we arranged for this to be in Kat’s house, but she didn’t want to return to her house. And I can’t blame her. I glance around but notice Drake walking towards me with a mug of coffee in his hand. He hands me the cup, which I happily take.

“Morning,” he says as he stands in front of me.

I smile. “Morning,” I say to him.

Drake glances behind me but looks back at me. “Where’s Izzy and Kat?” he asks, looking behind me.

“They will be down in a bit,” I say as I walk with Drake to the kitchen island, where two chairs are left to sit.

I sat down and placed a plate in front of me. I knew there were eyes on me, and not much talking was said, but I didn’t look up as I ate.

Axel stirs in my head. “Why is everyone looking at you?” he asks. “You haven’t got food around your mouth again, have you?”

I can’t help but groan inwardly.

“Stop trying to be funny,” I say to him.

“Blake,” calls someone. I see Dale staring at me. “You ok?” he asks.

I glanced around and noticed everyone was staring, even the two kids.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I say to him. “Axel wanted to know why everyone was looking at me.”

There was an awkward pause as everyone tried to figure out what to say or do.

I sigh. “Look, everything is fine,” I say.

“So,” says my father, but he stops as we hear footsteps entering the kitchen. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is, as her scent hits me hard.

Everyone is quiet and staring.

“Morning,” says Izzy as she walks up to me and stands. I glance at her and smile. I couldn’t help but wrap my arm around her, pulling her into me.

Izzy smiles.

Kat walks over to the counter where Alice is standing. They hug each other before Alice hands Kat a plate full of food.

Kacey hands Izzy a plate, and I let her take her seat.

There are some murmurs throughout the kitchen, but not loud enough for anyone to talk about.

“Blake,” says Izzy.

I turn and look at her with a smile. “Izzy,” I say.

“When are you being Alpha?” she asks me. I stare back at her with wide eyes. I wasn’t expecting her to ask that question.

“Answer her, stupid,” says Axel with a smirk.

I realized I hadn’t spoken and felt everyone stare at me.

“I don’t know; I was going to announce when you were feeling alright,” I say. “I would like you to become my Luna at the same time.”

Izzy stares at me for a moment, her eyes scanning my face. It felt like hours went by before she said anything to me. “I would like that,” she says with a smile.

“Finally,” says my father.

Izzy and I turned to look at him with confusion. But my mother speaks, “I think we should hold the ceremony when you both feel ready,” she says.

I look between my parents, who are smiling widely at me.

I frown. “Why the rush?” I ask them.

My parents look at each other and then back at me. “Well, Blake,” says my father. “Your mother and I are getting on. We want to go traveling and see the sights.”

I stare back at my father. I never thought I would hear my father sound so happy about traveling. He always hated traveling to other packs, but they were never holidays, especially when you have to sit in a room full of grumpy old men and talk business.

“Blake,” says Izzy, pulling me from my thoughts. I glance back at her.

“I think we should do it soon,” she says, looking at me but briefly looking around the kitchen. “Do you think we could get one planned in a month?”

I stare at her with wide eyes. I look at my mother, who smiles. “Yeah, we can,” she says, turning and looking at Kat. “Kat, shall we give these two love birds the best Alpha and Luna ceremony known to wolf.”

I glance at Kat, who smiles. “Oh, we will, yeah,” she smirks.

I glance back at my mother. “Do you think it could be done?” I ask.

My mum rolls her eyes. “Of course,” she says, “All us girls can get most of it ready. Blake, you and Izzy just need to help look for something to wear, but I can get it all sorted.”

I stared at her for a moment, but someone cleared their throat. I noticed Alpha Dawson staring at me with a big grin plastered on his face. “Well, Drake and I are heading back to The Red Moon pack today to see the damage. But Anya and Anita will stay and help with the planning and organizing of the ceremony too. We both will come back, and we can devise a plan to sort out the pack after the ceremony.” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I can’t help but smile.

“That will be fantastic,” says my mother as she places her hand in Anita’s hand.

I looked at Izzy, and she was in her own little world. I know she wants to go to the storage unit today to find some furniture and a book that her ancestor Clara mentioned. Ever since she came back, that has been all that has been on Izzy’s mind. I wonder what’s in this book that can help her.

We all go back to eating and chatting for longer. Izzy finishes her food and looks at me. “Can we leave now?” she asks.

I smile. “Yeah,” I say.

I look at Dale, who arranged for Izzy and me to use his van. We are going to bring back what we need from the storage unit.

Dale goes into his pocket and grabs the keys. He hands them to me and smiles. “Bring it back in one piece,” he says.

I groan.

Axel was laughing in my head.

Izzy gets up and walks over to Kat, sitting on a chair. She leans down, kisses Allie on her cheeks, and hugs Kat. Archer smiles at Izzy as they fist-pump at each other, making me laugh. Allie taught him that when we were waiting for Izzy to wake up.

Izzy looks at me and smiles. We both say our goodbyes to everyone and head to the front of the pack house.

We walked outside and climbed into the van.