True mates Book Two of Ozark Wolves
Chapter 23: Adoption

They have to cut me?" Alexandria asked fear in her voice. What the hell kind of shit was that?

Margarette had gone back to the dress shop and bought the black version of the original midnight blue one she had shown to Alexandria. Her scars from her adoption showed on her upper arms. Small slices. "It does not hurt for but a second. You will also give them each a cut. The blood will be mixed." Margarette explained. "You can choose the place. I chose my upper arms because I had already decided that Marcus would have my wrist." She showed the small cut on her wrist. "Marcus has two on his throat. One from his first mate who was killed in a car accident and one from me."

"So all the rituals are about blood?" Alexandria asked shaken. "My mates will have to cut me then too?"

"Yes." Margarette answered. "Blood holds us together. The Moon made it that way. It is the thing that makes us what we are." Margarette touched the girl's hand. "I know it is barbaric. Traditions usually are."

"I understand." Alexandria replied.

"And don't worry," Margarette grinned. "John is quite adept. So is Andrea."

"That's fine. But I am not." Alexandria replied. "Pain is the not the problem for me. I have never purposely done such a thing myself."

"I will be there to guide you in that matter." Margarette replied. "Now sit." Margarette pointed to the vanity in Margarette's bedroom. "I have an idea for your hair."

At six thirty, as the sun was in the lowest zenith before setting. Alexandria was escorted by Margarette to the meeting house. She gave the history of the couple. John and Andrea were mated ten years ago when John met her at the National Pack Gathering held annually. She is from a small pack in Maine. Andrea is a sweet and docile young female. She has a degree in early childhood and is a kindergarten teacher at the pack school. There are currently six children in the class. John is head of security there on the pack lands. Is versed in everything she and Marcus are. Has a very calm demeanor. Andrea had a rare medical condition for their kind that kept her from having pups of her own. That was the reason for them offering to adopt Alexandria. Alexandria was touched.

They walked slowly allowing the pack to gather at the meeting house. The three Alphas present as well. As Margarette and Alexandria got closer, Alexandria could see the brothers in white button downs and black jeans. Her breath caught at the sight of them. William's hair was tamed in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Quincy's was in a topknot his bangs out of his face. Rick's was slicked back. The white button downs accentuated the width of their chests. The muscles in their arms. "They do look very handsome when they choose to dress nice." Margarette smiled down at the girl by her side. A note of pride of her voice. "Imagine them in tuxes. For that is the attire of the mating ritual." Alexandria's imagination did just that and her heart picked up. Black coats, black slacks, white rosebuds in their lapels. "Not today, dear. Right now is all about getting you adopted and started on the education of Luna and pack life."

Alexandria only nodded. The sun had moved to almost setting by the time they reached the door of the house. For that was exactly what it was. An old log house probably an original of the community. No windows on the front just a door. The slight overhang of the roof made it look even more rustic.

Colin greeted them by name John and Andrea were already there. John was tall with sandy brown hair and kind dark blue eyes. An easy smile on his lips. Andrea was shorter, blonde and green eyed. Her hair was braided to her waist. An elegant green gown hung from her shoulders by thin straps. John had a green button down and black jeans. Combat boots on his feet. Andrea had pretty green sandals. Simple and sturdy. Colin raised his voice. "Does anyone have any objection to this adoption?"

The pack answered in unison, "No!"

"Let us proceed then." He entered the house that was dimly lit by candles. Margarette followed Colin. Alexandria, Andrea were next John at the rear. He closed the door to the building. It was just one giant room with a huge fireplace and one window that faced the setting sun. Thirteen chairs of various states of wear and size sat in a circle it the middle of the room. Colin moved to what Alexandria could only refer to as an altar. He lit a candle under a small bowl.

"Margarette, Alexandria." He turned and indicated with his right hand where she was to stand. "John, Andrea." He indicated with the space to his left. "The sun sets to allow the Moon to rise. Giving its light to the Moon so that she may shine down on us. For this we are thankful to the sun. The Moon rules our blood. The thing that binds us. Makes us what we are. Separates us from the humans and the wolves. Gives the benefits of both."

"Blood and family are important aspects of the pack. Tonight we bind the blood of John and Andrea Mayers with Alexandria Truesdale. An adoption is not just accepting a new wolf into the pack. But a new person into our lives and homes. A new child who must be taught and guided. Loved and gives love in return. Respect shown to the parents. Given freely by the child."

He picked up a small ritual knife and first handed it to John. "Have you chosen your place for the marks?" Colin asked Alexandria. She affirmed she had and indicated the spots on her lower arms. Just below the elbow crease. "Excellent." He nodded to John. He took a step toward Alexandria. "Repeat after me John. Alexandria Truesdale, as of tonight I am Father to you. I will love, respect, and guide you as the blood binds us." John repeated the words holding Alexandria's eyes with affection in his dark blue ones. She did not even feel the cut. He stepped back next to Andrea and handed the knife back to Colin. Colin asked Alexandria to raise her arm and caught a few drops of blood into a small bowl. Margarette put a small gauze pad on the small wound. Colin handed the knife to Andrea. Who repeated the same holding Alexandria's eyes with compassionate green eyes. Again Alexandria did not even feel the cut. After Andrea stepped back with John and returned the knife to. Colin collected a bit more of the blood from the other arm.

He then handed the knife to Alexandria. John hand unbuttoned and rolled up the sleeve on his right arm. Touching spot below his elbow. "Repeat after me, child. John Mayers, as of tonight I am daughter to you. I will love and respect you as the blood binds us." She repeated the words carefully and raised her hand to make the small cut. The knife was surprisingly sharp and did not take much pressure. She stepped back and handed the knife back to Colin. He took a little of the blood already in the bowl on his fingertip and mixed it into the wound. Then handed the knife back to Alexandria to do the same with Andrea. Who indicated the spot on her arm as well. Alexandria repeated the words from Colin. "Andrea Mayers, as of tonight I am daughter to you. I will love and respect you as the blood binds us." Again the cut was difficult to make and she handed the knife back to Colin. She had been nervous as hell to do this part. So afraid that her hand would slip or she could start shaking. But there was nothing but peace in her. Like this was meant to happen. Colin mixed the blood in the bowl into Andreas wound then collected a drop from both John and Andrea that had not been mixed with hers. Swirled the bowl and then poured the contents into the small plate warmed by the candle underneath. The sizzle of the burning liquid released the slight scent of metal into the air. "The Moon accepts the adoption. Congratulations."

Colin blew out the candle that was the only light in the room, nodded to everyone and stepped out of the house to start the paperwork for the pack registration. Andrea and John applied gauze to each other's wounds while Margarette helped Alexandria with her own. Then Margarette stepped out to leave the new family in peace.

"I am sorry we did not get to meet prior. The council was adamant about getting this done as quickly as possible." Andrea said her voice was as soft and kind as her eyes. "I am glad though." She opened her arms and pulled Alexandria into a hug. "Welcome to the pack and the family, daughter."

"Truly," John added. "Andrea dear do not smother the girl." He chided gently. A tender smile on his face. Andrea let her go and stepped back. John touched Alexandria's shoulder affectionately. "You are most welcome, daughter." He said. Tears were brimming in his eyes. Alexandria hugged him as well. Andrea gave a laughing sob. Dabbing her eyes with a strip of gauze. "Shall we?" John gestured to the door.

John, Alexandria, followed by Andrea stepped from the house. The pack broke into applause and happy yells. All the females moved forward as one to greet Alexandria and welcome her into the pack. The level of acceptance that she got from the group touched her. Several of the females she had seen Saturday who had given her dirty looks and shielded their children from her as she had walked with the brothers now stepped forward to introduce themselves offering apologies for their behavior. She was overwhelmed. Just like that she was accepted. Just like that she was a part of a new pack and a new home. A new life. The females stepped back after greeting her and hugging her and introducing themselves to join their mates.

William, Quincy, and Rick watched from the outskirts. John and Andrea right beside Alexandria. The three brothers watching Alexandria for signs of distress or discomfort. Ready to swoop in and take her to the safety of the pack house if she got too overwhelmed.

Alexandria stood her ground. Pushing the feeling of dizziness and overstimulation aside. After the last female hugged her and welcomed her to the pack. John and Andrea guided Alexandria to the huge set up at their home. The pack was now gathered for a potluck meal. Everyone having missed supper for the ritual. The brothers were there but kept their distance at the moment. Allowing her to get acquainted with her new parents. Marcus given them instructions on proper procedure as Margarette had been helping Alexandria dress.

Andrea and John started out light in their conversation with Alexandria. How she was liking Missouri. What her favorite color was. Anything she enjoyed doing. Offering their own likes and pastimes.

By the end of the evening as the last couple gathered their tupperware plate and helped but away the last table and chairs in the huge storage building in the middle of the residential area Alexandria, Andrea and John were laughing and joking. Relaxed.

The Alphas had waited long enough for their mate. The approached the table they were all seated at in John's backyard. The woods just a few feet beyond. To offer them a little more privacy John had suggested they move back there. John met the eyes of his Alphas as they approached and stood out of respect. "Thank you for letting us have time with her." John said politely.

"Of course." William replied. "We would allow her to move in with you but she has nightmares." Alexandria ducked her head at this. Andrea touched her arm comfortingly. Whispering that she understood. There was no shame in such things.

"We are planning a trip to the lake tomorrow." Quincy said. "You are welcome to join us." Andrea and John looked at each other. Andrea smiled and nodded.

"That would be nice. We have not taken our boat out yet. What time?" John answered.

"Noon. Alexandria needs a suit first." Rick replied. He felt like an ass for forgetting it in the first place. But with the adoption they did not have as much time as they would have liked.

"Excellent. We will meet you at the boat dock then." John said and walked around the table to shake hands with the brothers. Then gave Alexandria a fatherly kiss on the forehead. She could tell the difference between the peck and the lingering kisses that the brothers gave her. Andrea rose and Alexandria did too. They hugged and then Andrea joined John on the steps leading to their home. The brothers had been waiting all evening to touch her again. She had missed their scent. Their comforting touches.

"That was the longest five hours of my life." Quincy complained when they finally reached the pack house. A grunt of agreement accompanied his statement from the other two brothers.

"I agree as well." Alexandria concurred as she took the steps to the third floor to change into her pajamas.

"Really?" The brothers asked. She turned to look at them when she reached her landing.

"Yes." She replied. Then disappeared to her bathroom with a shirt in her hand. The brothers groaned. They really needed to get that girl some real pajamas.

"That dress was killing me." Rick said climbing the stairs to the second floor to change his own clothes. He needed his sweatpants badly.

"The way it fit so well over her hips. And that corset underneath really added to her ample-," Quincy was cut off by a cuff to the back of his head by William.

"Not helping, jackass." William growled. His eyes dark with heated desire. "Get it together."

Alexandria heard this from her bathroom with a small smile. She'd had a hard time concentrating on her conversation with Andrea and John. The three had looked damn good themselves. She had seen the heat in their eyes when she had approached with Margarette. The tense need in them at the sight of her in her pretty dress. Had heard the call of their wolves to hers. Her wolf answering. Her body answering. Heat and tight desire working her lower belly.

It had been unnerving at first. Not having them within her reach. To be able to touch them when she became overwhelmed or just needed comfort. John and Andrea had seemed to sense when she needed to be touched or comforted. She stretched to remove the dress and yawned in the process. Now that she was home she realized how tired she was.

She exited the bathroom a few minutes later. Her nightshirt hanging off her to her thighs. She walked to the edge of the landing that overlooked the overhang to second floor. "I am exhausted. Gonna call it a night."

"Goodnight," Came the collective response. She grabbed her IPOD and earbuds and climbed into bed. Started the music when the buds were in her ears and was asleep in no time.