Today I am being discharged from the hospital.  Mathias had beaten the absolute shit out of me when I got back, not even listening to what I had to say.  I am honestly lucky to be alive.  Mathias has come to visit me a few times since.  He has never apologized, just asked me to tell him what happened. I fed him the bullshit story Arya and I came up with.  He was like a police interrogator, asking me to tell him the story over and over again, looking for inconsistencies.  I’m not sure why he was doing it and not Gamma Blake.  I never found out the answer to that. Whatever I said seemed to at least appease Mathias and he let me come back to my previous position as a general. We had a meeting later today to discuss the new camps that had been set up at the Shadow, M**i, and New Moon pack territories. I needed to get to my rooms and shower and change before that time.  I smelled like the hospital and dirty dog. 

Zak and I have refused to let Charlie out of our sight since we’ve gotten back.  The combination of just missing our mate and pups and Arya’s miscarriage has us feeling over-protective and, frankly, needy.  But, we’re driving her insane. “Oh my Goddess!  If you two don’t get out from under my feet, I’m going to start kicking your assess.  Get the fuck out of the bathroom so I can pee in peace, BOTH OF YOU!”  She is red-faced and wild eyed and she honestly looks really cute with her baby bump and wide-footed stance. “But Red – “ I start. “Brandon Nathaniel Snow, I swear to the Goddess on high, if you don’t get out of this bathroom right this second, I won’t do that thing with my tongue until these pups find their own mates!” I don’t want to say that I ran out of the bathroom, but I was not in there much longer and I pull Zak along with me.  “Come on.  I’m pretty sure if she’s threatening me with the tongue thing, it g

“So, what’s the problem?” I ask.             “We can’t be gay!” Gregory bursts out.  “It’s abhorrent!  It’s disgusting! It’s – “ “It’s what the Mother ordained.” I interrupt.  That stops him.  He stares at me with a mixture of pain, fear, and hope.  “Look, man.  I know that Mathias and Ivan and their packs fucked with your heads about being gay.  But as you can see from our group, it’s not a bad thing.  Mathias has a lot of hate for gay men, but Mother Selene does not.  Who are you going to side with?” Finally, Gregory and Jamal look at each other.  There is so much longing in their eyes that it makes them almost hard to look at. “Oh, get up and go to your mate, you dumbass!”  Karamea literally pushes Gregory out of his seat.  He stumbles, finally breaking eye contact with Jamal to look back at Karamea.  “Really?”  He is

Today is my wedding day.  With all of the craziness that is going on in our world right now, Hakeem and Gael have been my light in the darkness.  I love them more than I ever thought possible.  I am so excited that we will all share the same last name, along with the matebond.  And I have a special surprise for them later. Carmen, Arya, Charlie, Sandra, Lily, Bhakti, Karamea, and Patrice are in the room with me as I get my hair and make-up done.  Charlie insisted that I have them done professionally and I have been sitting here for what feels like hours as I’ve been primped and prodded to have my nails painted, hair removed from almost my entire body, a soothing massage, hair done, and make-up applied. Luckily, I’m not the only one.  All of the girls were part of the process, even though we’ve only elected to have Zak, Kristoff, and Carmen up at the altar with us.  Zak will be giving me away as the alpha

While the pictures are being taken and Gael and Hakeem head upstairs to get their surprise, the reception begins.  Outside, under the stars with the moon shining down, the omegas and wedding planners have set up a dancefloor, buffet tables, and tables for the hundreds of wolves to sit and eat.  Champagne and alcohol flow freely and the hors d’oeuvres are delicious.  The trios are spread throughout the reception.______________________________________Devin  Arya has been the happiest we’ve seen her in over a week.  Her eyes sparkle, her face glows.    She’s been getting better since her talk with my mom and I can’t help but wonder what they talked about.  I haven’t asked.  All I can do is thank my mother profusely.  Our Arya is coming back to us. “Dance with me,” she says, pulling me and Xander onto the dance floor.