Silver Moon: Bk. 02 Ch. 03

From the doorway to the suite there was a laugh. "Oh take a chill pill Dan. Do you think he would have disturbed you for some random visitors?" Mari walked in and Dan had to sit there a gawk at her. He hadn't expected to see them and he was actually caught flat footed.

Pam couldn't help but laugh. "Oh my, what a surprise and you brought your babies with you. Oh my gosh." Since she was dressed she stood up and grabbed a robe and hurried over and gave her a good hug. "Welcome back for a visit. I am not sure where Dan is going to put you and however many of you there are but we will find somewhere." She took one of the babies from Mari.

Right about then Geoff walked in and he was grinning. "So where is that grouchy wolf spirit Kitsune creature you call a mate?" He could hear Dan growling at him from the master bedroom and grinned. "Better get some gruel to feed him. He sounds hungry."

Dan jerked on some shorts and stalked out of his bedroom and growled at Geoff again. "Gruel my ass boy. For that I might just drag you back to the training center and teach you proper respect." Instead he gave Geoff a good hug and then took the other baby. "You might want to sit down since we are going to have some visitors very shortly."

In the distance they could hear the sound of little feet approaching and Dan smiled when Gettie walked in with a tray of drinks. "I barely made it up here alive Dan. The pups seem to be rather active and how the heck did you get those two in shorts and shirts?"

Right about then all the pups stopped at the door. Gianni had really round eyes as she looked at the bundle in Dan's arms. "Can we please come in Alpha. I know you told us to stay in the room but we felt Mari and we really miss her." If he told her no she would go back but she had to ask.

Amariah and her brother were standing there in little shorts and shirts the Helda had made and they looked so cute. Amariah had more of a skort looking thing that was longer than her brothers. Each had colors that indicated what gender they were. She looked down and then back at Dan. "Please?"

He laughed at them. "Get in here stinkers. I wouldn't keep you from seeing Mari and the babies. That would be just mean." As he was talking he slipped down so he was sitting on the floor. The pups came in quietly and gathered around the two of them.

Nancy had come as well and she settled down next to Dan and gently moved the blanket back and smiled. "It feels so nice to have another little pack brother and sister. They are so cute." When Amariah came over Nancy scooped her up and settled her on her lap.

Sarah had settled next to Pam and did much the same with Amarish. She was cooing at the baby and looked up at Mari. "Angie had hers as well and they are as cute. Boy they are noisy when they scream though.

Shannon finally made it to the door and when he saw Mari he hurried directly to her and wrapped his arms around her. "We have all missed you Mari. Nara has decided for the moment to stay with us but we have really missed you."

Mari gave him a big hug and stroked his hair. "I have missed all of you as well. I love my mate and where I live and what I am doing but I will always consider this as my first home." She stepped back a bit and grinned. "Damn it I am feeling short again. You had better quite growing for a year or so."

Alysson and Jonathon walked in about then and couldn't help but grin. "I like the place Dan. You need to expand it just a tiny bit but it really reflects your personality. We were told we could use the training center and my staff are currently setting it up."

Before anyone else could say anything all felt a surge of power and Amaratsue was standing there though not in formal robes. Before anyone could move he shook his head. "I am just here to see my kids and say hello to all of you. No need for formality." Today he was dressed in what could be loosely called casual clothing.

The two little Kitsunes jumped up and ran to him only to be scooped up by Amaratsue and given a good hug. "So are you two being good?"

Amariah hung her head a bit. When she spoke it was very carefully. "We's was naughty last night by running in the house." She smiled shyly at the pups. "They's don't laugh when I speak. I like them."

Gianni waited till the new person had sat down before she hurried over and hopped up on the couch and leaned against him. "We's take care of Amariah so she don't get laughed at. I ended up biting one person who did. Not funny to laugh at."

Amarish grinned at his father as he settled down next to his sister in Amaratsue's lap. "Danny said we's can hunt mice and I can use my sword when we's do. I's have enough for a good snack later." He whipped out the little katana and made as if he was poking something.

All the adults laughed at him and shortly some food arrived along with the seven Kitsunes. They had felt Amaratsue manifest and came to give him honor. Dan had to mentally sigh since his room was now crowded and there were almost too many people in there.

They talked for a while before Dan finally stood. "Well why don't we go down and greet everyone and make some introductions?" He was still carrying one of the babies as he walked out of the room and down to the challenge circle since that was the only place with enough space. He opened his mouth and used the pack magic to call everyone out to the front.

Introductions took a while and lunch became a buffet affair with people scattered around. Dan was taking his time walking around with Pam and saying hello to various people. At one point he passed Amaratsue and noticed that the two little ones as well as the three pups were munching on fried mice. He had to snicker at that as he walked past. He had a feeling the mouse population was going to take a serious hit for a while.

~~~

The rest of the day was occupied with getting Alysson and her retinue settled and cooking for the upcoming feast. That was going to be early so they would have plenty of time for the full moon to appear and not be rushed. At one point Dan was leaning against one of the support poles for the roof over one of the porches. He was looking content with the world and pleased with the activity.

Alysson came out and gave him a hug and leaned against him. "I have to say you feel so much better than the first time you came up. Your pack increases, your property is prosperous, and tonight you take your mate. I am pleased to be here."

Dan smiled down at her. "Do I need to worry about Jon coming after me with a Katana?" It was a joke and both knew it. "It has been a rather rough year for me but you are right. Even with all the lovely things that the spirits have seen fit to heap on me I am mostly content for the moment. All my packs are increasing, they are more stable, and I have heard a few complimentary things about most of the other packs. I have children again even if they remind me of what I lost. I have to admit that I am wondering what all this is going to cost in the long run." He had to sigh and shake his head.

Alysson grinned at the mention of her husband. "We do not believe in the saying what the spirits give with one hand they take with the other. They simply don't work that way for us. They will give to those worthy or those that have a rough road ahead of them. They give just enough that you can help yourself. I must admit I am a bit concerned with all you have been gifted with. That indicates there is something very major coming. It isn't only going to involve you but many. I have never seen someone or even heard of someone as intermingled as you are. I honestly believe if you were even slightly power hungry you could easily take over much of the west coast."

Dan had to snort. "How did this poor alpha get tied up in this mess? I was happy being an alpha and having a mate and children. My only aspirations were to take care of my pack and hope that it would slowly increase. Now I have a very large pack, four others that look to me, all the Kitsunes in the country asking me to be their clan leader, related by marriage or blood to two major Kitsune clans. I have considered moving to a monastery except I rather like sex and don't plan on giving it up."

She laughed and they talked for a while longer before Gettie came out with Emelia. "Well it is time for you to get dressed Dan. The two of you as well as Helda and Arthur are going to be in formal robes. Alysson and company as well but they have their own to help them. Let's go."

Dan sighed but there was a twinkle in his eye when he did. "Later Alysson. I had better follow her or she will bully me till I do." He turned and followed Gettie in and to his rooms. Inside Pam was starting to get ready and Amariah and Amarish were there waiting for them.

Amarish gave Dan a very pleased smile. When he did he stood up and walked across the bed and held his hand out. In it was a small golden chain with a wolf's head on it that looked like a miniature replica of what Pam would be getting.

Amariah held her hand out as well and had a similar golden chain. She looked shyly pleased by that and put it back in a small wooden box and handed it to Dan. "For Ceremony."

Dan took it and opened it and had to smile. The chain was so cute and would look darling on her. "For the ceremony. Now time for me to get dressed and my hair plucked and prodded."

~~~

Eventually they were done and the last thing Dan did was to pull out the sword case and slip the swords into his obi. Amariah hopped up on his shoulder and they turned to look at Pam and Amarish did much the same. "I think we look pretty darn good and should impress the natives."

Pam snorted at him but took one arm and started out of the suite and they took their time going downstairs. When they did the pack was extremely impressed by the robes and swords. Sarah had come out with Helda and her eyes went round. "Oh my gosh I see what you mean about that material. It isn't anything like their robes. Dan all of you look lovely and I am so jealous now."

He laughed lightly and grinned at her. "Well I have a feeling you wouldn't want all the baggage that comes with it but I am sure Helda can make you a nice set of robes. Nothing like these but something that compliments your color and hair."

~~~

Since the pack would be changing shape after the ceremony most of them were in regular clothing. All the other Kitsunes were in some sort of robes and it was an interesting clash of cultural background. Most of the pack were Caucasian, native Indians, Hispanic, and similar ethnicities. The Kitsunes invariably had some Asian features even when they looked mostly Caucasian.

The meal was again a buffet type for the majority of the pack. For the visitors and Dan and Pam it was eaten at the main tables. The pack would wander past and greet them and get a good sniff of Pam before they continued on. It was their way of greeting her as the soon to be alpha female. One thing Dan had made sure of was that the conversation was either about the ceremony or general conversation. He refused to discuss any business for the evening.

"One thing I am going to do is break us up into several groups. There is simply no way to take a group of this size for a hunt. If we found a herd of deer they would be decimated. Same goes for a herd of cattle. I think I will have those Kitsunes that wish to come with stay with me and a few of my pack members. The rest will be split amongst two other groups. If any of the Kitsunes want to go with them that is fine with me. I was thinking of having Maric lead one group and Geoff and Mari another."

As far as the babies and smaller pups they would stay here as usual. As the time for the ceremony approached Dan became pensive. Part of the ceremony was to give feeling to his former mate and let her spirit go from his heart. That would free him to take a new mate and frankly it scared him. Pam could feel some of his concern and was being gentle and comforting which helped. He finally sighed and stood. "It is time my lady. Shall we?" She took the arm he offered and the two of them walked out to the clearing behind the house.

Lycan ceremonies all took place on the full moon and were usually fairly simple and straight forward. This was because their wolves were normally that way. He was glad that Maric had taken steps to make sure everyone was in their place including the visitors. To one side was the seven local Kitsunes, in the middle was his pack. The children were in the front with the pregnant females behind them followed by mated couples and finally the single males in back. Mari and Geoff were included in the pack since he was mated to Mari and she was still one of his pack. Alysson and her retinue were to the other side of the pack.

Dan glanced at the moon and the time was right. "I wish to welcome all this evening. For those that aren't lycan I am going to add a bit of additional detail so you know what is happening." He glanced around and nodded. "First I wish to make it known that I, Clan Lord and Alpha Danilo Legarith have found my mate and approached her. She has accepted my offer to become my mate and senior female in the pack. Felanzi will be her right hand as needed. Before I can take her there is a song I need raise to our mistress."

He stepped forward a single step and closed his eyes and lifted his mouth. The sound was a pure wondrous sound. Imbedded in it was all the grief he felt losing his former mate and children. Since this was his song all the others simply listened. Amariah leaned against his head and curled an arm around him. Slowly as he sang the agony muted to sadness and then to peace followed by the wonder of another mate.

When he was done he had tears flowing down his face and the moonlight colored his face and hair silver. It was almost as if he was being blessed by her. Dan had to take several deep and slow breaths as he recovered from that and turned back to Pam. It was obvious she had been crying as well. He took her hands and lifted them to his nose before kissing them. "Pamela do you accept me as your mate? Do you accept the responsibilities of mating with the pack Alpha?"

She made sure she was standing straight when he turned and approached her. "I do take you as my mate and I accept all the responsibilities of being female Alpha. I wish to add that I will support you in all things needed. To stand by your side as our pack grows and expands. I will also stand firm when I feel you need someone to lean on. Your former mate Visune Serekanil who went by Nang asked me to take care of her former mate. Not as a substitute or replacement but as your new mate. I promised her I would do this and not for her but for you."

Dan's eyes softened as she spoke. "I wish to add that I will respect your thoughts and wishes and try my hardest to listen when you feel I am going too far. Thank you for giving my former mate that comfort and you will never be a substitute or replacement in my heart. You are my mate in all ways." Maric had stepped forward with an ornate box. Dan opened it and pulled out a heavy yet stylish chain that looked similar to his. "By accepting this you are accepting responsibilities of the alpha female. Do you accept this gift?"

She had to smile at him because he looked so serious and earnest. In a way he almost felt young and nervous. "I do Danilo. I accept this necklace from you and also accept the mating bite that will seal us together as one person in two bodies." How she knew to say that she wasn't sure but it felt right.

Dan nodded and secured the necklace around her neck. "I will also accept the mating bite that will seal us as one." He gently moved the robes from her neck. *Do the same as I do.* Once her shoulder and neck was exposed he waited for her to do the same and then leaned forward and sniffed her neck to find the perfect spot and then bit down. His teeth had elongated and slipped into her flesh with ease. At the same moment he felt her do the same and as he licked the blood off her neck and sealed the wound the bonds started forming and while they formed he settled his nose on her neck and simply inhaled.

Pam did much the same though she was a bit more hesitant since this was not part of her cultural upbringing. When she did bite him her fox took over and did much the same as he did. How long they stood there as the bonds formed she would never be able to recall. She was glorying in the feel of him in her mind. He made her think of a massive old oak tree. The roots were deep and the branches spread wide as it protected any under it from the storms raging above.

Finally they separated and this time it was Amaratsue there with the two small boxes. "Lord Dan, Lady Pam by accepting these necklaces and giving them to Amariah and Amarish you are accepting responsibility for them. You will be making them a part of your family and thusly members of my family. This is very rarely done but I do have the deepest of respect for you and feel that you will do right by my children."

Dan couldn't help but smile. "Of course Spirit Lord I accept the responsibility." He took the chain that Amariah showed him. He urged her down into her father's arms and with a gentle smile fastened the chain around her neck. When he did she launched herself at him and did her best to strangle him in happiness.

Pam did the same and received the same treatment. "Thank you for your trust in us Spirit Lord." She dimpled at him. "Now if my Sprit lord does the same I am not sure what I will do." In the back of her and Dan's mind was a slight snicker and she sighed. "I am going to have to learn when not to speak."

Amaratsue laughed and then stepped back and took his place next to Alysson.

Dan had to shake his head slightly. "Now my friends pack, and family it is time to celebrate the evening by a good hunt." He carefully pulled the robes off and handed them and his swords to Gettie since she and Nara were remaining behind. Next to him far more shyly Pam did the same. "Change my pack. Change and let us greet our mistress."