Chapter 8 There is More

Today is a special day in Midnight Moon.

My in-laws are coming to visit. I wanted to make the best impression, so I told Jace to clean up and decorate the pack territory. The only thing I was ready to explain to him earlier was that I would welcome important visitors and everything has to be in top condition.

We're in my office about to do an inspection round to ensure everything is going according to plan. Jace has stepped up the security, this isn't an ordinary visit we get. We have about four hours before Drina arrives with her parents. It will be a dinner with the high rankings and Elders of Midnight Moon.

With Drina I have agreed that we will announce that her parents are influential businessmen who pay me a courtesy visit. As much as I urged her to tell the pack the truth now, she said her family needed some time before they could do that. Again she didn't explain the secrecy surrounding our relationship, if I had an inferiority complex, I would think she was ashamed of me. But I'm not a bad match, I've proved that I can take care of her, love and be loyal to her. I wonder what else I need to do to get her to be with me and show our love to the world. Maybe her parents will open up to me tonight and tell me more about what's happening behind the scenes.

"Jace. Is everything set well? The pack must be ready for the meeting with my in-laws. Keep it low, please", I ask him when I see that he is still staring thoughtfully ahead. "That is also something that indicates that there is more going on. Why the secrecy, Enrick? Don't you notice that there is more to your mating?" he points to me. Yes, it once came to my mind, I am not stupid.

"That's why we have this plan in operation, have you forgotten about that, Jace? Now that Drina has agreed to have our own family and her parents are on the way, my hopes are high", I state. "It's going to be okay, Jace. I trust Drina. She's my mate and loves me. There must be a good reason to keep our mating still under the radar. It'll be fine". I wonder if I just tried to convince my Beta or more myself.

The moment Drina's parents got out of the Limousine I instantly knew something was off.

Like Drina, they don't have the scent of a werewolf. My wolf sensed they do have a wolf, though. It looks like they've covered up their scent. But then the question is why they have the need to do that, what do they have to hide?

My pack members notice that too, but of course, don't dare to comment about it. They just look at the couple in surprise. They arrived in the early evening, their traditional clothing shows that they are by no means low-ranking wolves. Their attitude is also very aristocratic with faded authority. With a polite smile, I now hasten to meet them. Drina's father has a stern expression on his face, while his mate looks a bit more cordial. The resemblance between mother and daughter is astonishing. Drina is just a younger version of her mother.

Drina moves forward to stand beside her parents.

She has put on one of our last purchases and looks drop gorgeous in this outfit. "Enrick, love, these are my parents, Florence and Arthur", she introduces us.

"Sir, Madam, welcome to the Midnight Moon pack", I say politely, giving the man a firm handshake. When I reach out to his mate, she grabs it and pulls me into a hug. "My daughter has told us so much about you. How good you are to her and love her," my mother-in-law whispers emotionally in my ear, so the rest of the wolves around us can't hear her. "Thank you. That is my duty. It's not hard to love her," I say softly. My mother-in-law's thoughtful demeanor makes it impossible not to love her. Drina clearly inherited a lot from her.

"This is my Beta, Jace and my Gamma, Clark", I introduce my staff to the visitors. I lead them into the packhouse, straight to our main dining room. The Elders are already there waiting for us. I see the doubt on Drina's face when she sees the table layout. I insist that she takes the Luna seat now that her parents are in the pack. Jace leads her to the head of the table, where I pull the chair out for her. I feel the burning eyes of the Elders on us but ignore them.

When we are all seated, I individually introduce the visitors to the Elders.

The Elders also noticed a mysterious haze around the three visitors but remained silent. After some courtesy talks, they excuse themself and leave as agreed. I'm sure they'll ask me about the woman by my side later. But I'll deal with that later. Then we're left in an informal setting now.

"Sir, I have a burning question. How come we can't detect a scent on you all? Is there something serious the matter here? Now that we're family, I suggest that we keep as few secrets as possible, please," I urge. There is silence for a moment after my words. I stare at my guests in amazement, not quite knowing what to do with the situation that has arisen.

"Enrick, I know you have many questions, my son. It took us a long time to visit you. And Drina has not moved into the packhouse as mates do. But I assure you that there is a legitimate reason for all this," Drina's father begins. "One day, very soon, you'll get all the answers you want. We just need some time. My wife and I didn't think Drina would meet her mate so early in her life, we weren't prepared for your arrival."