Cooks and chefs from other packs came to assist with the lunch despite Verde telling them Dark Moon West had it under control. He was pushed out of the house and kitchens and someone finally pulled him into the gathering area by the pack house to help with table set up.
There he found himself with Bunny, Talon, and Chevy. Flavian, a dragon from Condia, Samshin, the King of the merfolk, Raoul, a vampire, Martem, an incubus, and Szymon, a golem were also there to assist along with a few other supernaturals.
"It's a shame the gargoyles are missing out," Verde sighed putting down a box of paper plates.
"Yeah. If they didn't have that whole 'turn to stone during day' thing they'd be as powerful as the dragons and golems," Flavian smiled.
"True true," Raoul agreed. Using his speed, he quickly spread charcoal in all the grills.
Verde looked up at the gargoyle perched ontop of the packhouse watching over the yard. "Too bad there weren't some spells or potions they could take to get rid of it."
"Oh, many have tried. It's always been disastrous," Martem replied helping Bunny.
Chevy looked over at a tall were that seemed old enough to run. "Why didn't you run with the others?"
She shrugged and smoothed the cloth on her table and attached the weights underneath. "I'm not really that athletic. Despite I'm as tall as I am."
He nodded. "Oh."
She tucked an electric blue dyed strand behind her ear. "Everyone assumes because you're tall and built you must be athletic and good at it. I trip on my own two feet walking. Forget anything that needs coordination. "
Chevy and a few others laughed.
She gestured her hand towards them. "I'm sure you all know how it feels to be judged based on one's size."
They nodded. Verde, despite his thick build was quite fast. Raoul stood five foot even but was stronger than most he knew. Chevy and Bunny were both tall and robust. They definitely knew what it was to be judged by size.
Chevy patted her shoulder. "I totally know. I'm all big and tall and people expect me to be tough as steel. But im quite the opposite." He leaned close to his ear and cupped his hand as he spoke. "Don't tell anyone. I like stuffed fluffy things."
Flavian broke out into giggles. "That is too cute!"
A young witch with pink afro puffs wearing a black tank top and mini-skirt snapped her finger and all the wrapped silverware was placed neatly on the table. "Besides, by being here we can offer cold water and help wipe the sweat off all those hot bodies," she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Talon choked on his water. Bunny giggled softly shaking his head. Martem's eyes turned black as he stared off in thought.
"Mmm. Yummy."
The others cracked up laughing.
"What? All that extra blood flowing through their veins going to 'other' areas. I'm gonna be so full." He closed his eyes and groaned rubbing his arms at the thought.
"Oh my goodness!" Raoul cackled. "You're too much!" He laughed louder when Martem pounced on him and began tickling him.
Bunny stood and stretched his back. Flavian rubbed his own swollen belly and smiled.
"How long are weres pregnant?" he asked.
Bunny poked one of the twins. "Depends."
"On?"
His eyebrows pinched in concentration as he recalled the information. "Non-fighting weres are pregnant for three months. Fighting weres about two and a half. Alphas forty to fifty days."
Flavian's eyes widened. "Wow!"
"Why so short?" Szymon asked with fascination.
"Alphas are the strongest. Pregnancy makes us almost as weak as an omega. Back in the day enemies used to use that time to attack packs, killing alpha and heir. It's just our body's way of cutting down the time of vulnerability to ensure survival of the child and carrier."
Samshin rubbed his silver and white beard. "No wonder you're showing so fast."
Bunny nodded. "We know we're pregnant about three days after conception."
"Amazing." Martem sat on one of the benches, pulling Raoul into his lap and rubbing his stomach.
"How about dragons?" Chevy asked. He winced as little Barbosa jabbed his ribs. How Bunny did it with twins, he couldn't fathom.
Flavian picked up an empty box and sighed. "Ten long agonizing months."
Verde dropped the basket he was holding. "Ten!?"
Flavian nodded flinging his cherry red hair over his shoulder. "That's for warm carriers. Egg layers it's two years before the child is born."
"Wow."
"A dragon's life is long and we don't breed heavy like other species because of our power and longevity."
Samshin could related. The mer also didn't have many offspring. "Makes sense. Can't have too many super powerful beings dominating a space."
An unpleasant voice interrupted their discussion.
"I didn't know we were going to the zoo."
They cringed as they came face to face with Chevy's ex-mate, Alpha Thorne of Harvest Moon and his mate. Neither had improved in appearance or demeanor. His mate looked like he was bored and would rather be anywhwere else but at Dark Moon.
He smirked walking around the witch with the afro puffs looking her up and down. "I couldn't believe it when I heard the news that so many supernaturals were staying with Dark Moon and its three main allies." He stepped back as Samshin grabbed the young witch and pulled her behind him.
"Rather impressive collection of beasts," his eyes landed on Szymon and Flavian.
Verde started forward. His wolf was enraged. There was no way in hell someone was going to come onto his packlands and insult his guests. Ally or not. Before he could say anything, Chevy opened his mouth.
"Alpha Thorne, It isn't wise to insult the new Supernatural Defense Pact Alpha De La Vega and the other Allied Packs are working on."
Everyone in Thorne's party was suddenly wide eyed with their mouths hanging. Thorne took a step back and looked at the supernaturals present in disbelief. "These? They hardly look worthy."
"These are the ones that chose to stay behind and help. The rest are on the run. If you sabotage their efforts, Commander Barbosa might rethink that loan you asked for last week."
He grit his teeth. Bad enough he had to stoop low and ask for financial assistance from the six younger pack alphas, but this sub knew and now these supers knew. "Ho-how do you know about that?"
Chevy smirked. "I'm his mate. We don't keep secrets."
He wrinkled his nose looking the young were up and down. "Pffft. Yeah right. He mated to a beastly sub like you?"
Chevy uncovered his scent. The spicy smell of Dom mixed with his own fruity smell and the milk and honey smell of their child filled the air.
Thorne's eyes widened. "M-my apologies. If you'll excuse me." He turned on his heel dragging his sub with him.
Flavian loudly clapped his hands. "That was beautifully done."
Szymon nodded. "Yes, I quite agree."
"He is the reason supers think lowly of weres," Samshin replied sadly.
Martem's nails retracted as his eyes returned to normal. "I'm glad I saw for myself not all were are ignorant, snarling, pack animals thirsty for power."
Chevy blushed as Verde proudly patted him on the back. "Glad to help."
*So...a question to you all. I was asked a few times in emails if I had pics of the characters. I'm not one for picture books. Would you be interested or would it help you some if I gave you a rough idea of what they look like or does it matter to you?
**Next chapter is all about the run.