13 Lunch

****Hi all, my apologies for the long wait with updating. Many things have been happening that have been unexpected. I will be to normal updating this week! I hope that everyone has been doing great with everything that is going on in the world. Kat OXOX****

While walking around out territory we continued to talk about finding our mates. I found out that Jack lost his first mate and child during childbirth to their second child. I have heard of wolfs being blessed with second chance mates, but I have never witnessed it before firsthand.

As we pass by the ladies planning, I slow down our pace just a bit while we talk. "Good morning ladies, how is the barbeque coming along?"

Jenny looks up and smiles "Good Morning Caleb, I was just getting ready to go talk to your dad about the hunt. We thought we could see if a few of the men could hunt the night before for us to prepare."

"I can arrange that Jenny, some of the younger wolfs have been asking to go on a hunt. This might just be the perfect thing for them to appease their need to prove themselves to the pack." I know of about 5 young men that have asked.

"That sounds like a great plan Caleb." As we start to walk off I hear Jenny tell the other ladies that I will be a fine Alpha once I find my mate and take over. That feels my heart with joy, I want my pack to respect me out of love not fear and I feel like I am on the right track.

"Jack let's head out and go get some lunch. We can look there for your mate, along with filling our beast with delicious food." I chuckle to myself because at that point and time my stomach decided to growl at me.

"Sounds like a plan Caleb. I think Jenny is right you know. You will make a great alpha and are already handling thing wonderfully. I can see so much potential with your pack here."

"Thanks Jack, I really appreciate you saying that. That is my biggest worry, I want to live up to what my dad has raise me to be. A loved and respected Alpha not an Alpha who respected out of fear like some we know now. Here we are, let's see what the ladies have prepared today shall we?"

"Your leadership will be a great one, I can tell already Caleb. Let's go eat and we can talk about training schedules." As we walk into the dining room the smell of fried chicken hits me making my nostrils flare inhaling the amazing scent. If you can't tell fried chicken is one of my favorite meals. I walk us over to where my dad and current Beta are sitting and pull out a chair. Jack takes a seat across the table from me and smiles at me.

"Jack, I think you are in for a treat. Emily's fried chicken is the best. Jack.." He looks lost in his own little world. "are you alright?" He finally regains himself and nods at me.

"You think she is here?" He has waited so long to finally meet his mate. I could not the heartache he has went through not knowing if his mate was still alive and if he would ever find her. He nods but never turns around.

"Ah, Emily I have loved your fried chicken since the day you joined our pack." my father tells her as I see Emily walk up to us holding a huge platter of her pack famous fried chicken and sets it down on our table. "Jack let me introduce you to Emily, she has only been with our pack for a year now." I watch Jack as he slowly turns around to face Emily only to see her face go blank in shock.

"No, it can't be." Emily states as takes a step back. Jack stands and reaches for her as she turns with tears in her eyes and runs in the kitchen. Jack takes a step to go after her and my dad calls him back to sit for a moment.

"Jack we are happy for you but let me explain please." Jack slowly nods and sits back down at the table with his head hung low in disappointment of rejection that he feels. My heart breaks for him knowing how I long for my own mate right now.. "Jack, Emily came to us after an attack on her old pack, Shadow Moon last year. She had a mate that was killed during that attack. She has just know gotten to the point of coming out of depression. It seems you are her second chance mate."

"That means, dear Goddess. My true mate died." Tears start to well in his eyes realizing that he lost a mate that he never got the chance to know or love. "I need to talk to her, I need to know if she will accept me or at the very least give me a chance. Maybe I can stick around for a few days, Alpha?"

"Jack, there is more that you need to know about her. She is a mother. She will put her children first."

"I understand. If you will excuse me I need to go and at least try and talk with her." Jack starts to stand and turn around when dad clears his throat.

Turning to see what my dad is looking at I see Emily walking back into the dining hall towards us. "Alpha, my apologies for my actions a moment ago." She bows her head to show respect to my dad and just stands there waiting for my dads response.

"Emily it is alright, I understand the confusion you must have. May I introduce you to Gamma Jack from the Blue Springs Pack. If you are willing, he would like to talk with you."

Emily smiles and looks at Jack and then nods her head "I would also like to talk with him. Gamma Jack would you like to talk a walk with me?" I can tell that she has been crying, probably mourning for her late mate that has passed.

"Of course, but please call me Jack. Alpha, if you are alright may we pick up our conversation in the morning and I will also come up with a plan to help you more." Dad looks at me with questions in his eyes and nods at me giving me the chance to answer.

"Of course Jack. I get a room ready for you and you are welcome to stay as long as you need." I stand and reach out my hand and grab his forearm in a shake letting him know that I wish him the best with his talk with Emily.