South Mountain Pack Ch. 14

"Okay, we're ready," Morgan said softly as she walked into the kitchen.

Todd, Holly, Papa Mike and Nana Ellen hugged the girls goodbye and Holly said, "They're your mates and they'll be overprotective but they'll want to make you happy no matter what, so relax and have a good time. Remember to listen to the boys, Uncle Matt and Uncle Phil if they sense danger."

Todd looked at Vin and Dom giving them both a glare as he said, "You'd better take good care of my daughters."

"We will Sir," they said at the same time before Vin said, "We'll have them home by 11." Todd nodded and walked them to Matt's SUV watching as Vin and Brianna got in the third row and Dom and Morgan in the middle. They waved before pulling away and Todd stared at the end of the driveway for several minutes.

"They'll be fine," said Papa Mike as he put his hand on his sons shoulder. "They have their mates and their uncles with them."

Todd sighed loudly before saying, "I know Dad, but they'll always be my babies. Erin and Caitlin are going on their first dates tomorrow and before you know it, somebody'll be making declarations for them too."

Papa Mike shrugged and said, "That is the way of our life. So far Luna has given you two strong son in laws and aligned you with a powerful family that will protect the rest of our family. We have truly been blessed by her." Todd nodded and his father continued, "Now, let's go inside and work on the plans for the store a little more. Your mother is getting anxious and so is your mate."

At the Carlucci's, dinner was being served; baked ziti, with platters of meatballs, sweet and hot Italian sausage, homemade garlic bread and salad. The youngsters were laughing while they discussed what movie they were going to watch and the adults talked quietly about everything that happened that week.

The drive to Carmelo's was quiet for the first few minutes and Phil sensed the girls anxiety and asked, "What do you want on your first authentic pizza? Mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, onions, sausage, pepperoni, meatballs?"

"Do we have to pick one?" asked Morgan quietly.

"You can have whatever you want. We'll order six pizzas with different toppings so you can figure out what you like," Dom answered as he reached over to hold her hand. Seeing the confusion on her face he said, "Vin and I eat a whole pizza each and my favorite is a Supreme, that's one with everything."

"Sounds good," said Vin as he nuzzled Brianna's neck. "What do you want?"

"Meatballs and green peppers," she replied with a giggle.

"I think I'd like to try pepperoni and black olives, if that's okay," said Morgan as she looked at Dom with a questioning look.

"Whatever you want, you'll get," he replied again and felt his wolf lie down and roll over baring his belly to its mate. Twenty minutes later Carmelo was placing a large Antipasto in front of them and Dom and Vin made sure their mates were served first. Explaining what the various meats and cheeses were, they watched their reaction and noted what they liked and didn't like.

"Your pizzas will be out in twenty," said Carmelo as he smiled at Matt and Phil. "I see you got stuck with chaperone duty."

Matt smiled at his mate and said, "We were planning on having date night anyway because we'll be busy the whole weekend, with the football game and then cutting wood for the family on Sunday."

Carmelo nodded, "Tell Todd my boys and I'll be there to help. I'll bring thirty pounds of sausage patties." Matt nodded and Brianna and Morgan eyes got huge as Vin and Dom laughed.

"We eat a lot," said Vin with a shrug as Carmelo laughed before walking away.

On schedule their six pizzas came and Morgan gasped as Dom put one slice of each on her plate. "You don't have to finish them, just try them to see what you like," he whispered. She looked at her sister and saw Vin had done the same thing for her and she watched Dom, following his motions before taking a bite of each.

"The Supreme is my favorite but I don't like the mushrooms," she said and Dom took the rest off her plate and gave her two more slices of the Supreme after taking the mushrooms off by hand. She saw Vin doing the same to Brianna leaving her with the pepperoni. Wondering how accommodating he would be, she said, "I like the bread sticks too." Without a word, he gave her the breadsticks from his plate. "I thought the Supreme was your favorite? I don't want to take it from you."

"It is, but if you like it then that's what you'll get," he replied as he finished another slice of four cheese while he watched carefully making sure she had enough to drink and eat. "Next time, we'll order it without mushrooms."

"Momma was right; they will do anything to make us happy. He gave me his favorite pizza and his breadsticks," Morgan said happily to her sister.

"I told you the same thing," replied Brianna. "But remember what else Momma said, not to take advantage of it and to make sure they're happy too. That's what mates are supposed to do."

Morgan glanced at Dom and he whispered, "I didn't have a chance to tell you how beautiful you look."

"You do too...I mean you look handsome," she said with a shy smile.

Brianna pushed against Vin's shoulder and said in a teasing voice, "You didn't tell me I look nice."

"I thought I showed you how much I liked your outfit in the SUV," said Vin with a grin as she blushed while Matt choked on his drink.

As soon as he was able to talk, Matt said, "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that or see the two of you in the rear-view mirror." Brianna's face got even redder while Vin laughed and Dom stared at his mate wondering how long it was going to be before he could kiss her, both he and his wolf couldn't wait.

Morgan could feel his gaze on her and took a deep breath before laying her head on his shoulder as she snuggled into his chest. She felt his sharp intake of breath as he brought his arm around her shoulders and kissed her gently on the forehead. Tingles raced along her skin and she heard his growl before he whispered, "Mine."

She nuzzled his neck and whispered, "Mine." Feeling the low growl reverberate through his chest she closed her eyes as a feeling of safety and love rushed through her before an image of that night flashed through her mind. Feeling her tense and correctly guessing what she was thinking, Dom whispered, "I will never hurt you, you mean everything to me Zenzero. Remember what I told you the day we met, that making you happy and keeping you safe are the number one priorities in my life and that will never change." Hearing the sincerity in his tone and knowing her wolf trusted him Morgan started to relax and continued to scent him.

"You okay sweetie?" asked Phil with a concerned look on his face.

"Just bad memories Uncle Phil, but Dom chases them away," she replied and turned slightly so she could reach for her uncle's hand. Feeling him squeeze it, she calmed down even more knowing she was surrounded by people who loved her. Sensing peace flow through her Dom looked at Phil and mouthed 'Thank you', Phil nodded and didn't let go of her hand, knowing she needed it to ground her. Dinner continued while they talked about the football game, but Morgan didn't move from her position, holding onto her uncle's hand while being held by her mate.

Carmelo and his staff cleared the empty dishes before he came back and said, "Do you want dessert or anything else?"

Phil shook his head and said, "I think we're done. Could you add this to our tab?" Seeing Vin and Dom ready to protest he said, "Let us pay for dinner, we'll never have little ones so the girls are the closest thing we'll ever have."

"Thank you," said Vin with a smile. Matt and Phil nodded and minutes later they were in the SUV on the way to Bellucci's.

At the Carlucci's, the youngsters decided to swim before watching a movie and Alberto sat on a chaise with Maria since she couldn't get her cast wet. Sophia and Gabby came outside after getting changed and Gabby laughed as she saw Sal flexing as he compared muscle size with Damian. "Nice chest Salvatore," she shouted as she took her cover-up off and put it on a chaise near Alberto and Maria.

Remembering the instructions to compliment her, he shouted back, "You too." As the words were coming out of his mouth he realized what he was saying but couldn't stop. He froze and heard dead silence as everyone stared at him with their mouths open and he said, "Oh damn...I ugh...you know I...well, I meant...Could somebody just fucking kill me now? Just put me out of my misery please."

To his surprise Angelo started laughing first followed by Alberto then the Carlucci's. He looked at Gabby and she was bright red, but had a smile on her face as she asked, "You like my new bathing suit?"

Sal gulped loudly as he looked at her in the gold and black one piece swimsuit and stammered, "Ugh...oh... yeah...it...it looks...and uhmm ...and you look...well... yeah...and I mean..." He took a deep breath covering his face with his hands as he muttered, "Fuck my life." Looking at the other boys who were laughing hysterically he said, "Help me. Somebody please help me for fucks sake, I've turned into a blathering idiot again."

"Tell her she looks amazing," said Marcus as he wiped the tears off his face.

"And the gold brings out the highlights in her hair," added Damian as he leaned against the side of the pool as he caught his breath.

"Take a deep breath and calm yourself down first," Anthony said as he sat down with Sophia on a chaise next to Alberto and Maria.

Sal took a deep breath and said in a rush, "The gold brings out the highlights in your hair and you look amazing." Gabby beamed but before she could answer, Gino snuck up behind Sal and knocked him into the pool. Sophia, Maria and Gabby looked at each other and tried not to laugh as Sal came spluttering to the surface.

When they arrived at the bowling alley, Vin and Dom bought Brianna and Morgan Dexter bowling shoes as Vin explained they bowled a lot and it was easier to have their own shoes. Seeing the admiring looks the girls were getting from other boys, Dom asked Tom Bellucci for a lane away from everyone and he agreed; he knew how jealous Vin and Dom would get if somebody approached their intendeds and he didn't want the boys to get into an argument or a fight on their date. After looking at the lanes he told them the two far right lanes were open, the family there was finished and putting on their shoes. Vin and Dom nodded and held the girls hands as they walked to the lanes, glaring at the boys who were staring at their intendeds. While they waited for the family to leave, Vin and Phil went to the lockers to get their shoes and bowling balls while Dom and Matt stayed with the girls.

"We'll spend as much time as you need teaching you how to bowl. The hardest part is getting your steps down and sliding. After you put your shoes on, rub them on the carpet to scuff up the leather on the bottom a little, it'll help you slide," Dom said continuing to glare at the boys who were now openly staring at Brianna and Morgan. He recognized them from playing sports against them and being part of the social scene around the Hagerstown area.

"Hey Carlucci, who're the babes? We haven't seen them around here before," Dom heard someone shout. He looked to the crowd of boys and saw it was Harry Weaver, the quarterback for South Hagerstown High School.

Dom stood up to his full height of 6'3" crossing his arms over his chest as he replied, "They're our girlfriends Weaver, show some respect."

"If something happens, I want the two of you behind me or Uncle Phil. Don't do or say anything to the boys, let your mates handle it," Matt said in a firm tone. He glanced around noting there were now forty boys gathered and said, "Forget that, move towards me now, but do it slow so you don't distract Dom. He needs to keep his concentration on that crowd." He nodded with approval as Brianna and Morgan slowly made their way towards him. "Phil, we need you out here now."

"Vin, get your ass out here now," Dom said angrily.

"Girlfriends, huh? Well, when you're done with them this evening, pass them this way," another guy hollered and the boys started to laugh and give each other high-fives and fist pumps.

Dom turned making sure his mate and her sister were okay and sensing his brother and Phil running from the locker room, he took a step forward saying forcefully, "Shut the fuck up. I said they were our girlfriends; show some fucking respect before I beat it into you."

Seeing Vin and Phil running towards them, some of the boys looked nervous, they had no wish to go against Vin or Dom let alone the two older men. Tom saw what was happening and called his sons, Robert, Duke and Jerome. They came running and Robert said, "Is there a problem? If not, go back to your lanes, if you're not bowling then you can leave." The three brothers stood side by side next to Vin and Dom while Matt and Phil stood in front of the girls.

The crowd of boys looked at each other and Vin said, "My brother told you we were on a date with our girlfriends. So, I suggest you leave. If you have something to say, say it in two weeks when we play each other and we'll settle it on the field."

"You're talking big Carlucci with all those older guys with you," said Harry Weaver as he narrowed his eyes.

Vin raised his eyebrow and said, "And you have your whole fucking football team with you Weaver. Like I said, we'll deal with it on the field, when I have my brothers, cousins and the rest of my team with me."

"I'm sure Lorenzo would like another go at you. Don't you remember the party last spring in Williamsport when he broke your nose and knocked your ass out because you said you couldn't wait to date his sister?" asked Dom with a smirk before his face broke out in a smile. "And by the way, she's dating Alberto Moretti... I'm sure he'd be interested in hearing what you said about his girlfriend."

Harry visibly paled and his voice was uneven as he said, "She's dating Moretti?" Vin and Dom nodded and Harry who didn't want to appear to be backing down said in a nasty tone, "We'll see you in two weeks." The Carlucci's didn't say anything just stood there with their arms crossed over their chests.

After the crowd of boys left, Duke looked at Vin and Dom and said in a teasing tone, "It's always something with you Carlucci's, isn't it?"

Vin and Dom laughed as they turned to check on their mates who were peeking around Matt and Phil. Seeing the boys gone and Duke and Jerome there, Morgan asked, "How are Emory and Cynthia?"

Duke groaned and said, "Emory insisted on coming here to help Dad do the books, but all she's done is sit at the snack bar eating chili cheese fries, cheese popcorn and nachos. I'll be up all night because she'll have heartburn."

"And Cynthia is sitting with her, eating her weight in hamburgers and fries since she doesn't have morning sickness anymore," said Jerome with a smile.

Morgan looked at Dom and asked quietly, "Can we see them before we leave?" He nodded quickly and pulled her into his side scenting her deeply as he felt his wolf start to calm down. After thanking the Bellucci's again, the three couples went to their lanes where they changed their shoes and the next half hour was spent showing Brianna and Morgan how to bowl duckpins. Being Were's, they had natural athletic ability and soon were bowling as if they had done it their entire lives. Brianna suggested they start a game and Morgan suggested mates against mates; Brianna, Dom and Matt against her, Vin and Phil and the men readily agreed since they were competitive by nature.

Anthony tilted his head back, followed moments later by the boys as he said, "My parents and Dante are here, I wonder what's going on." Minutes later the French doors opened and the adults walked out onto the patio settling around the tables. Frank and Joe brought drinks for everyone and they started talking quietly while the youngsters shrugged and continued to horse around in the pool until they heard their Alpha say, "Anthony, could you come up here please." Seeing the looks on the other youngsters faces Carlo smiled and said, "The rest of you can join us too." They hurriedly dried off and joined the adults.

He looked at Sophia, Maria and Gabby and said quietly, "I know you're probably anxious about what I told the adults today. I didn't want the Miller girls to find out about their friends in public and I wanted each parent to explain it to the younger ones." He grabbed his mates hands before he continued, "The three girls who had been missing from their Pack were killed by Charles. I'm not going to tell you what happened to them, I'll only say after hearing what happened we are more determined than ever to make sure you stay safe. It'll be up to your parents if they give you details, but believe me you're better off not knowing."

Sophia and Maria looked to their parents and Frank and Joe were shaking their heads emphatically, and Frank said, "There's no fucking way I'm telling you what they went through. I wish I didn't know, but as Alpha Carlo said we are more determined than ever to protect you." The girls nodded and burrowed deeper into their intendeds side while Gabby reached out for Sal's hand who squeezed it reassuringly.

Carlo looked at them and said, "This next part is confidential and I don't want you to talk about it until I fill the other Betas in then the rest of the Pack. I'll tell the Level 4's tonight and everyone else this weekend." They nodded and Carlo continued, "Doc brought up an interesting point, one you need to be aware of when you're making your escape plans...He believes with the upcoming threat the birth rate will skyrocket in the next year." Seeing the looks of confusion on their faces he said, "You know mates cannot survive without each other; but if the male dies and the female is pregnant or has little ones, their wolf will force itself to live to make sure the little one is safe since they're the last remaining part of their mate. He believes when their mates go into heat the younger men will make sure their mates conceive, not only to carry on their genetic line but to protect their mates so they don't die. It'll be instinctual with them, their wolf will take over."

Frank sat back and sighed, "I hadn't thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. A male Were is the most protective of their mate when they're pregnant and after the little ones are born."

"Doc's right," Annie said quietly as Rose and Gina nodded. "But it won't only be the males; the females will want to conceive too. Knowing their mates will possibly die, they'll do anything to keep a piece of them alive."

There was silence as everyone thought of what had been said and Gina said quietly, "It wouldn't surprise me if some of the other women went into heat also; those who had stopped years before, after their daughters had been born." Everyone snapped their heads towards their Madame Alpha and she shrugged, "Think about it, their wolves know their entire family is in danger; to protect the bloodlines they may go into heat again to ensure the bloodline survives."

Carlo stared at his mate for several moments and squeezed her hand, "If Luna blessed us with a little one I would be overjoyed; but I don't want you to get upset if it doesn't happen. You and Anthony are all the family I need and when Angelica died..." He stopped and stared at his son as he blinked away his tears thinking of his little girl and how much she had looked like Anthony.

"I know Carlo, you don't have to say anything," Gina said quietly as she laid her head on his chest. She felt his arms encircle her and burrowed deeper into his comforting warmth and sighed in contentment when she felt her sons arms encircle both of them. Everyone was quiet as they didn't want to intrude and lowered their gazes to give them privacy.