18 Chapter 19

Taj was the first to show face, grinning widely as he hugged Gerard in his massive grip. It took only a few minutes for the rest to show up and in turn they began to socialize with the rest of Gerard's pack. Shera hadn't shown up just yet and Gerard frowned at the tardiness a bit. She was ready a bit before he was, what could be taking her so long? Taj raised an eyebrow as Gerard began tapping his foot.

"You know, women catch nerves when meeting new people too," the man chuckled.

"I know that," Gerard sighed. "She just, hasn't shown that this sort of thing bothers her. We've been to a few of the charity events for the hospital already and she held up pretty well."

"Strangers she won't see often," Taj snorted. "She'll see my pack and I plenty and you know that." Gerard rubbed the back of his neck and stared, smirking a bit as the man rubbed his hip.

"Need to sit," Gerard asked.

"Don't patronize me," Taj chuckled. He glanced about, watching the packs mingle as if they had only seen each other the day before. "Why can't the rest of the packs be like this? Our world would be so much more peaceful."

"If the humans can't do it then why do you think we can," Gerard sniffed. "I think it's necessary for us really. We all have different ideas and beliefs, so there's going to be conflict."

"There are better ways to go about it," Taj chuckled. He blinked a few times, his eyes focused not far off and Gerard followed, blinking just as dumbfounded. Shera looked good in bright colors, the red diamond pattern adorning the chest, waist, and hem of the yellow dress standing out. Sherry stood next to her, giggling as Shera rubbed at pink cheeks. "How would you like a marriage alliance between our-"

"Don't even think about it, you old bear," Gerard hummed quietly. "That right there is already a mated woman from a different pack." Gerard winked at Taj who's mouth fell open. "Though, we haven't gotten to the mating part just yet."

"That's the girl," Taj laughed. "The youth have all the luck." Gerard chuckled and frowned a bit as Sherry looked over and motioned subtly for him to walk up.

"Looks like something happened," Gerard sighed softly. "I'll bring her over. How about you go take a seat so you don't break anymore?"

Gerard was punched in the arm as he started walking, "I'll still whip you, little white." Gerard chuckled as he walked over, moving around the two women before sliding his arm over Shera's shoulders.

"Why'd you change," he asked quietly. The look in her eyes screamed shock and the way she had jumped at his touch alone screamed at him something was off.

"There was a problem," Sherry cut in quickly.

"I didn't ask you," Gerard glanced at her, the woman shirking back slightly, "Shera."

"The other dress got ruined," the copper on her breath made Gerard's focus tunnel. There was a fight and she was covering it up? For what reason? And why was Sherry let to know the information? "We fixed the situation but I couldn't save the dress from getting torn."

"You'll be telling me later," Gerard muttered. He patted her lower back and pulled her against his side, smiling widely, "For now, come meet Taj."

"Who," she blinked as she followed his pull. Gerard didn't answer as he tried to pick up any other scent on her, his smile straining at how well she had cleaned up.

"There you are, you normally don't take so long," Taj laughed. He had sat down and was eating some of the food that had been set out and Gerard picked mint leaves from his plate, earning a slap. "Excuse me! You're not a pup anymore!"

Gerard laughed, shoving the mint in his mouth, "Yeah, yeah, old man. You still treat me like one anyways." He leaned over to Shera as she opened her mouth, kissing her and pushing the mint into her mouth. Taj raised an eyebrow at the two, Shera chewing with a scowl as she focused on Gerard.

"Showing off now, hm," Taj sniffed and shook his head, his smile broad. "Such a child."

"You raised me," Gerard sat down and pulled Shera into his lap, holding her down by her waist. "This is Shera Pillar. Shera, this is Taj, the old man that practically raised me."

"Hello," Shera nodded to Taj and smiled softly at him, earning a large smile from the man.

"So you're the one little white protects, hm," Taj chuckled. "You're not what I expected. I expected the idiot to go for the simple ones." Shera blinked and stared to Gerard, only getting a sigh from the man.

"Taj, be nice to me," Gerard chuckled, "I have an image you know."

"I'm sure you ruined it already," Taj waved his hand and Gerard smiled. He watched the conversation between the two as Taj asked her question after question. To anyone listening, they would have sounded like innocent questions just to break the ice but Gerard knew. Taj had never been what he seemed and he was proud to say he got his thought process from the man. Gerard knee Taj was digging, trying to see what made Shera tick, what kept her moving about.

Gerard began making plates, chuckling as a few children ran by his legs. Taj wasn't unfounded in his desire for the packs to get along in this way, but Taj knew just as well as Gerard that the dream was close to impossible at the moment. Gerard continued to watch them, day dreaming as he stood there with the plates. He'd have his own soon enough with Shera if all ended well, then he'd be the parent. He'd be the one nurturing their growth and making sure they understood the world with all it was.

He shivered and turned a bit towards where Taj and Shera were, catching Shera staring at him thoughtfully. She didn't look away this time, continuing to stare for a moment before looking off to where Gerard had been. Taj was still speaking to her, drawing a soft smile Gerard hadn't seen to Shera's face. If Gerard could stop the world in that moment, he'd be happy forever with the picture he tried to sear into his mind. If only he could.

People he cared about were all before him in their multitude. It was like the brewing war wasn't being held over their heads. This was what he wanted, what he wanted to lead them to. He angled the plates to one arm, pulling his phone out as an idea came to his mind, looking through his contacts. He put the phone to his ear, smiling a bit as Shera laughed at something Taj said.

"Hello," Tyrone mumbled.

"I know it's last minute but bring the pack," Gerard hummed. "There's plenty of food and I think it's fair you all are here." There was silence and Tyrone shifted on the other end, causing something to fall.

"You're inviting us over for a party," Tyrone snorted.

"I am. We can relax for now," Gerard chuckled. "And I think it'd be nice for Shera to see everyone."

Tyrone gave off a small chuckle, "You're a strange man but the sentiment is appreciated." There was a long pause, tapping from Tyrone's end. "How is she," he asked finally, his voice softer.

"She's adjusting," Gerard nodded to himself, glancing about. "Her face got mauled and she ended up killing a few people but she knows I'm here to talk to her."

The silence over the line was long before Tyrone coughed, "She what? I thought- you made her kill." The statement sounded as if he came to a realization and Gerard scowled. Did her whole pack think the way she did; that they were pure violence?

"I didn't make her. I suggested it," Gerard sighed.

The silence was almost deafening, "She did it herself?"

"We're at war," Gerard stated. "If she gets used to it now, it'll make it easier for her later when all hell breaks loose." Gerard sighed and rubbed his head, peeking when he heard a car start.

"She'll be okay," Tyrone sighed. "We'll be there soon."

"We'll be waiting," Gerard hung your and walked towards Shera and Taj, smiling widely. Gerard set the plate down and in front of her and kissed the top of her head. "Your pack is coming," he hummed.

"I get to meet the Pillar pack," Taj cheered a bit and his smile widened. "That's a treat."

"They're very different and it sounded like dear uncle Tyrone was slightly angry with me," Gerard chuckled. Shera picked at the food and hummed, nodding a bit as Gerard finally sat himself down. The conversations went on for a while, Shera silent as she listened to Gerard and Taj talk. Gerard didn't mind, the questions from Taj probably having tired the poor woman out. Gerard couldn't blame her.

Shera's pack began to file in, their eyes wide as they were greeted warmly by the two packs already present. Tyrone made his way over, staring hard at Shera with something in his hand. She stood up quickly at the sight of him, her eyes on the paper he carried with him.

"You told him," she turned on Gerard quickly, her hands beginning to shake as they began to fidget with each other.

"He isn't angry more as upset," Gerard sighed. Tyrone stopped in front of the two and stared down at Shera. Taj shifted a bit as he stood himself upright. Tyrone didn't say a word, just stared for a long moment at the girl who squirmed under his gaze. The people around them silenced and looked, drawing more attention as the get together drew silent.

"Uncle, it's not-"

"We just need your signature," Tyrone nodded and held the paper out. "I wrote the amendment myself." Shera took the papers and started going over them, Gerard chuckling and putting an arm over her uncle.

"You're a good man," he hummed. He meant it. The look in the man's eyes was more caring than official, more fatherly than anything. The notion seemed more an attempt to ease Shera's guilt and it would serve Gerard well in his pursuit.

Tyrone glared for a minute and sighed, patting Gerard's back, "You better be treating her well."

"Why else would she still be here," Gerard hummed. "She has every opportunity to leave if she wants to, even to travel." Tyrone scowled and jumped when Taj coughed, holding his hand out to the other man.

"Name's Taj," the man nodded. Tyrone took his hand and smiled as Gerard sat down and leaned back. That full feeling people got when they were surrounded, that's all he felt. He glanced over at Shera and raised an eyebrow as she stared hard at him with the paper in her hand. Gerard chuckled and ruffled her hair, pulling a pen out with his free hand to hold to her.

"Why'd you invite my pack," she asked quietly. Gerard smiled a bit, turning from looking at her so he could see everyone else mingle. He felt a chuckle leave him and leaned closer to her.

"So my family could meet yours without threats hanging over our heads," he nodded. He couldn't help from day dreaming as she stared, his fingers tapping against the table. This was what he wanted their wedding to look like, what he wanted his kids to be around. "As silly as it sounds considering our situation, our families should meet."

"I thought," Shera glanced about, frowning slightly, "Isn't your pack your family? What is Taj?"

Gerard chuckled and tapped her nose, "He was a witch until one of the Lycans he knew turned him." Her eyes widened and she stared at the man speaking with her uncle. "He may be a bitten but he's more than what the label implies."

"Is he," she stared expectantly at Gerard, "but you're so white!"

"Father figure, Shera, figure," Gerard chuckled. He pushed her plate closer to her and started eating from his as she continued staring. He was slightly embarrassed by her sudden curiosity about him, his heart becoming more anxious. She started eating anyways, leaving the silence between them as her thoughts swirled in her eyes for Gerard to see. He wanted to tell her everything but felt he couldn't, like she wouldn't understand what he has to do through his life and what had happened.

He wasn't ready for someone new in his life to be so deeply involved with it. What choice did he give either of them though? He made it so she had to be his mate, that they were going to get so deep into each other they were inseparable. He regretted going about it as he had but he couldn't think of another way at the time. She was beautifully intimidating, difficult to approach save for the professional route to him.

He could think of so many ways now; a cup of coffee, a midnight run through the trees or joining her on her morning jogs. He found himself following the scars on her face, her make up covering them as best it could. He began to feel guilty, knowing his position and his life caused them. She wasn't any less pretty in his view, none of the savagery that was her had diminished in its forbidden essence. Catherine was wrong in some ways because of it; Shera wasn't Allyson.