Awkward moment? Maybe. (Open to Pard)

Once Dominic had found all he could about Devon the Raj had decided it was time to let Devon into the fold and allow him to meet everyone. He knew that his family wasn't in danger from his new mate. Which was another reason all together for the slowness in which Devon was bring brought in. Jon would have been sneaky and nosy to began with for any new cat trying to join his group. The fact that they had marked each other as mates was something that might not go over to well with some of the pard members still attempting to get into his bed.

He was sitting in the kitchen most of the cats in here trying to steal a piece of Dominic's pie or in the kitchen waiting for the pard meeting to get under way. For the third time in less than fifteen minutes Jon checked the time on his watch. Devon still wasn't suppose to be here for another ten minutes but he couldn't seem to help his twitchyness. Sighing he glanced over at his bodyguard trying to keep a firm grip on his tongue.

He wanted to say he wasn't sure if Devon was going to show. Hell after the first meeting the kid had with the Raj he was going to think that the rest of the pard was nothing buy sex crazed weirdos or something. He didn't want to look weak in front of his pard so his mouth firmly remained shut even as he resisted the urge to look at his watch again. Taking a deep breath he tried to force himself to relax a little bit more. After all there was pie and that made anything that was gonna be thrown at him a little more bearable.

Dom could see that Jon was nervous. To the other Pard members he just looked like he was impatient but with spending so much time with the Raj, Dom was able to pick up the little signs and slight scent change. Deciding to take pity on his leader, Dom cut a slice of his mothers pumpkin and cinnamon pie before adding a blob of cream. The rest he stashed away in the fridge with a warning glance at the other Pard members, they could wait their turns for pie.

Putting his cheeky grin on, the small male made his way over to Jon and placed the pie in front of him before sitting down with his own piece. Picking up his fork he dug in without a moments hesitation and watched for Jon's reaction to the awesome pie. Being sure not to speak with his mouthful he cleared his throat before choosing his words carefully.

"He'll get here soon, five minutes right? We'll take care of him ya know."

Ruby had been sure to dress decently, though nothing too girly. It was known the arrival of a possible new Pard member would be here. She already knew that said member would be Devon. Her hair hung loosely, framing her face. She wore a pair of new jeans and a purple tank top. After putting on a bit of makeup, the panwere made her way to the kitchen where she knew the others were.

She arrived in time to hear Dominic tell Jon that Devon would arrive soon. She smiled a little bit before walking over, giving Jon a smile and a nod as lightly brushed against Dom. Her animals stirred at the feeling of the other Pard members, but once they touched Dominic, all was calm again. She sighed softly before looking up and smiling at him. By this time, the whole Pard no doubt knew about them. Hence the not-so-sneaky glances she was getting. "Hey," she said with a small smile.

Well. There was no way around it. He was nervous as hell. And baffled as to how the hell Jon had gotten his number in the first place. He hadn't been joking when he'd said he was a good tracker the day they'd met. Or rather the day Jon had yanked him off the streets and... Oooookay. SO not going down that road right now. Nope. Not happening. he blew out a nervous breath and continued walking, head down annd hands stuffed into his pockets. He didn't know how he got himself into these messes but he'd gotten himself into this one good and proper. No Ifs, Ands or Buts about it.

And he'd let Jon wheedle him into coming over to meet the Pard. After what had happened between him and Jon, he'd wanted to stay as far away from him and his as possible for fear that it'd be like it had been in Blackpool. Save that in this instance he didn't have the fortitude to deny the Raj whereas he'd felt no attraction to Beverly or her vampire Mistress, Rosalynn. Which was what had gotten him into so much trouble. He'd been too disgusted by them to be attracted and when they'd demanded he spend the night with them... he'd refused. He'd let himself be a blood doll because he'd had nowhere else to go. He'd kept quiet about being taken advantage of, being rolled and forced into things, because who would listen? But being flat out told that he would entertain sexually when he'd been promies by the whore of a Ra that such would never be asked of him... that had been the last straw.

By the time he'd reached the house of the Pard he was shaking and his belly was all tied up in painful knots. This was it. This was the point of no return. He was still regretting agreeing to this but it had either been that or let Jon prove just how skilled he was at tracking people down and not just numbers. And he hadn't wanted to find out how that would go down.

Tentatively he reached out and rang the doorbell before stepping back and turning around so that he could collect himself. As he waited for the door to be opened he couldn't help but recall the poem about the Spider and the Fly. Bloody hell.

One minute he was kinda staring off into space wondering if he could twick the engine of the broken down Mazda in the garage when a slice of pie seemed to appear out of nowhere. Startled he blinked looking around till he spotted Dominic settling next to him. He grinned then smirked in the direction of the other pard members there were openly pouting at them now.

"Thanks Dom." He gave a look that let Dominic know that he was thanking him for more than just the pie. He hummed happily as he dug in thinking the whipped cream was a nice though. The fork had just been placed in his mouth when he noticed Ruby wander into the kitchen. He offered a way since his mouth was full.

Once he had actually swallowed he opened his mouth to say something. He froze before he even had the time to really think of anything though. His leopard stirred inside of him blinking sleepily before nosing in the direction of the front of the three storied house. His fork was hovering in midair when he was able to put two and two together. "I think he's here." Odd that his leopard would know it's mate was here before anyone even noticed at the door. "You wanna let him in?" He side glanced to Dominic.

Dom grinned in reply to Jon's thanks and the jealous lokos being thrown his Raj's way. He knew that the thanks as for more than the pie but Jon was his friend so no thanks was needed. What could Dom say really? His momma's pies were the best, hands down. Feeling rather than seeing Ruby enter, Dom looked up and started smiling. It wasn't a grin or a cheeky 'i just did something you're going to murder me for' smile, it was genuine. Having his mouth full of pie, the clouded leopard nodded at her in greeting before reaching out and touching her briefly. He as letting her know that he was there if she needed him though his first priority was Jon and his new mate, Devon.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Hearing Jon's words his eyebrows rose slightly, only to raise further as there was a ringing of the doorbell. It looked like Jon was right. Pushing from his seat, Dom stuffed the rest of his pie in to his mouth before throwing warning glances at Pard members heading for the door. The look was enough and slowly they backed away to let the clouded leopard answer the door. His beast stirred as he got closer to the wooden portal and with a practiced hand he calmed it so that it curled up but could still see and smell the new leopard.

Opening the door, Dom grinned a mischevious grin. So this was Devon. Holding out a hand the smaller male waited until it was taken before letting his beast investigate gently. It was a pawing, nothing that would hurt, more a playful swat to see how the kid reacted. Satisfied Dom withdrew his hand and moved forwards to sniff the leopard all over. Dom worked from head to toe and eventually, because he was curious, stuck his face in Devon's groin before inhaling deeply. Omega, nervous, dangerous combination but the scenting picked something else up as well. The kid had already had sex with Jon and had been physically marked. Pulling back and standing straight, the body guard spoke softly.

"Nice to meet you Devon, i'm Dominic but everyone calls me Dom. Follow me and you can meet everyone else."

Without waiting for a reply, Dom turned on his heel, cheeky grin still in place and re-entered the kitchen. He would stay with Devon until he felt comfortable enough to take a seat.

Ruby heard the sound of someone at the door and her beasts immediately lifted their heads. At Jon's words she realized that this must have been the arrival that they were waiting for. She gave Dom a smile in return and watched as he made his way to the door. Her eyes darted around while both of her beasts seemed to move to either side of her so that they could get a look at the new leopard. She hadn't met anyone knew in quite a while so this was a bit of a surprise for her. However, she knew that she could handle it. Being a panwere however, made her a little uneasy because she didn't want to deal with anymore ridicule. She hoped that Devon wasn't like that.

She could see a little bit how Dom greeted and Devon and couldn't help but smile a little bit. He definitely did a good job figuring everything out. She heard his soft words and watched as the two of them made their way back to the kitchen. She offered the new leopard a small smile and a wave before slowly moving towards Dom, though she paused by Jon, giving him a small sidelong glance. Turning her attention back to Devon, she gave a warm and welcoming smile, both leopard and tiger now just curiously watching him.

"Hello Devon. I'm Ruby. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, her voice quiet so as not to startle him. She could pick up on being a little nervous and she didn't want anything bad to happen. As such, she would move carefully. Once Devon had relaxed enough, she would move and take her place beside Dominic once again. She knew how he worked and respected it. Until he moved towards her, she would stay where she was.

The omega was so nervous that when the door opened, he jumped slightly and turned around with a slight blush. Not a word was said but the slightly shorter man offered a hand and Devon, not one to be rude, grasped it and nodded his head to the other leopard. His beast recognized before he did that the man was definitely higer up on the food chain than he was and though he pawed back, it was shyly. Head ducked and tail twitching. Showing that he, too, could be playful and friendly but that he would show proper respect first.

When The other man started to sniff at him, he held still. He was accustomed to this sort of thing, he'd gone throughit more or less whe he'd been dragged into the blackpool pard. People wanting to get a sniff of him and make sure he was okay. He just closed his eyes and let the man do his job. It made him feel less shy if he didn't stare. But when he pushed his face firmly into his groin, his eyes flew open and he paled with a yelp. Okay that he was not accustomed to unless under very intimate circumstances, which this was not. Fully clothed it just seemed so awkward and shocking but he didn't say a word.

He gawked open-mouthed when the man straightened and finally introduced himself. But he couldn't say anything. What the hell? What was that for? Closing his mouth he nodded mutely, shock still present on his face, and followed the leopard into the house. Good lord he hoped he wasn't in for another dozen rounds of that. He'd die of embarrassment.

He looked around at everyone as hey entered the kitchen and his posture became more shy and uneasy. His last and thus far only pard experience had been dreadful and he was wary of it happening again. So far everyone seemed... relatively... nice... but he couldn't be completely sure just yet. He waved politely at the redhead that addressed herself as Ruby and then his hand went to rub at the back of his neck. A bit of a nervous gesture. He couldn't help it, he was a little overwhelmed.

When his eyes spotted Jon, they locked on him and the color started returning to his cheeks and developing into a blush. Did everybody know what they'd done? Did everyone know that they'd... ruted on Jon's office floor? The day they'd met? He still couldn't say why he'd let things get so out of hand so quickly. He wasn't casual about sex except for when he was given no choice. Jon had to be one of the most attractive males he'd ever met -pretty, prissy vampires didn't count- and yeah he made Devon feel all kinds of mixed up inside but... he'd never felt that kind of pull before. It was a bit scary for him... He bit his lower lip as he continued to lock eyes with Jon, pondering what to do. Was he supposed to greet him? Was he supposed to wait? What? He'd never been around a proper Pard before. He was sort of at a loss...

He heard Dom move to the door and open it. Manged to keep himself from getting up and going to the door himself but just barely. Instead he focused all his attention on the dessert in front of him trying to keep his inner kitten from going and wrapping around Devon like it really wanted too. He could feel himself getting more and more restless knowing that Devon was here, hell he could smell him from another room for crying out loud.

He was stuffing pie into his mouth when his leopard finally broke loose of the hold he had on it and ran smack into Devon's leopard.He shivered at the feel eyes closing before he opened them up. When he looked over to the door Devon was standing there blushing slightly. He locked eyes with the Omega and had to keep himself sitting there.

Eyes didn't bother looking for Dom or even Ruby as he rose up. "Can you guys give us a minute? I need to ask Devon something." When the two were gone he moved over to Devon eyes locking onto his mark before looking him in the eye again. ".. Your gonna have to greet me. I'm guessing you don't know how to do that."

He tugged Devon into the room away from prying eyes and gave into the urge to hug him a little before pulling away. He wasn't going to say he missed him, he was sure he wouldn't care or would think he was having a chick moment. "You have to do this." He tiled his head down and paused before licking his lip under Devon's lower lip. "It's a submissive greeting to an Alpha." This close to Devon though he couldn't resist after that and brought this lips down to touch against Devon's. He pulled away a moment later the thought that the whole pard was out there waiting for them coming to mind. "Just remember that and you'll be fine." He nudged Devon to the door and headed into the living room to begin the meeting.

Dominic in all honesty didn't even need to hear the request. As soon as his Raj had stood up, the bodyguard has started shooing people out of the room. He knew his leader well enough to know when he needed a private moment and whilst most complied, there was a miniature staring contest until Adam backed down and headed for the living area. Waiting for Ruby, he let her pass him before he tured around himself and stood in front of the television.

They were all murmuring amongst themselves and it was getting on Dominic's nerves. A clearing of his throat later and all the attention was on him. Oh joy. Prank attention he could take because that just involved running for his life but being stared at like he was the one in the know, which he technically was, unnerved him a little.

"Alright....uh.....as you all know we have a guest today. He's going to be joining the Pard to put it simply and well....Jon will explain the rest."

That said, the rather short male took a seat and let out a breath. God he hated standing and speaking.

The panwere offered a warm smile to the new leopard at his wave. Jon's request ran through and she watched as everyone exited before she followed, feeling Dom behind her. She remained silent as she listened to the murmurings of the Pard. It had been a while since they had gained a new member and the fact that he was mated to Jon made things even more interested. Even if the rest of the Pard wasn't aware of it.

As Dominic cleared his throat, her eyes turned and studied him before looking to everyone else. She watched as the gaze of the leopards in the room moved to the bodyguard and her eyes followed automatically. She listened to Dom's words and internally shrugged as she already knew what he was saying.

From her place across the room, she offered him a warm smile before she sighed softly, waiting for Jon and Devon to appear.

Of course it had been damn near impossible not to notice the bigger cat's beast barreling toward his before yet in the same room. And while his own beast shyly displayed that it was happy to see its mate, Devon was hell-of nervous and most certainly very confused. His beast had still never taken to anyone like this in the time he'd been a shifter. It was freaking him out a bit but he kept quiet. Though his belly flopped nervously when Jon asked that they have a minute alone. What was he oing to ask? Were they really just going to- yes. The were. Out they shuffled, some a little more defiant than others, but after everyone was gone, his eyes strayed back to the Raj and he swallowed audibly, shaking his head to confirm that indeed he did not know how to greet properly.

Again his belly did flip-flops as he was tugged into another room that was more... private and he tensed a moment as the bigger man drew him into a hug. Not that he didn't like hugs but he really wasn't sure how to react. The Blackpool Pard had been one that thrived on sexual contact, not comfort. So long as everyone did what Beverly wanted and also obeyed Roselynn -her Mistress of the City vampire bitch girlfriend, nobody even gave a shit about protocol.

So this was his first lesson. Sort of. His breath caught in his throat when the Alpha lapped at his lower lip and he blushed faintly, clearing his throat and lettinghis eyes shift in a different direction to ease his bashfulness. But apparently they weren't done because he felt Jon's lips press to his and his eyes closed as the blush deepend. Okay. He could remember that. Lord it was a good thing he swung both ways or he'd probably feel awkward licking at another male's lip and kissing him. Shifter or no, something were just... awkward. He nodded his head, belly tying in knots as Jon began to steer him back into the kitchen and then into the living area. How many times was he going to have to do that? And to whom? he was so anxious that his face seemed to be unable to make up its mind between being flushed or pale.

He had faintly heard what Dom was saying out in the living room and wondered for a moment why he wasn't making Adam do it. Adam seemed to take the role of Pard mouth piece much better than Dominic who seemed to get shy from time to time. Which always made Jon curious since the pard really wasn't that large to begin with. He slipped his fingers though Devon's enjoying the contact with his mate. He hadn't really hung out with the other cat since the first time they met and it was only look that he was able to trace him down though a cell phone number. Sometimes being well liked paid off in aws he didn't expect. It was kinda nice really. He tugged gently pulling the cat into the living room and seting him between himself and Dom.

"Alright.You pmost likely wanna know why I called this metting huh?" With his free hand he pointed at the cat t o his left. "Him. He's pard now. New to town. You know the drill. Anyone messes with him they deal with me." Pretty much his standard speech whenever they brought anyone knew into the pard and by the faces that were looking back at him they were used to it by now. there was just a little bomb he had to drop. He glanced from face to face not looking at Michael too long knowing he wasn't going to like this new, maybe it would make him back off knowing he really didn't have a chance with Jon know. Here's hoping anyway. "Devon is mated to me." A silence filled the air before everyone started talking at once. Michael of course was one of the loudest. He tightened his grip on Devon's hand listening for a moment before yelling out. "Enough!"


He glanced from one leopard to another keeping his face calm even if inside his leopard's tail was lashing back and forth. "It's done. Can't be undone. So everyone needs to get used to it." He let go of Devon's hand and nudged him more of into Dom before heading to let his Alpha's greet him first. Dom would keep an eye on him and if Devon lookedl ike he was doing something front he knew the bodyguard would rein him back in gently and show him the right way to do everything.

Dom knew that as soon as the news was given about Devon being Jon's mate that it was going to cause a ruckus. He just didn't expect it to be this much of a ruckus. The pard sounded...offended, especially Michael, but considering they didn't know Devon he couldn't understand why there was such.....outrage. He could understand Michael's reaction since the beta had been after Jon for quite a while, he just didn't understand everyone else. Maybe it was insecurity? They didn't know what Devon was like after all and maybe they thought he would damage the pard? Looking to his right though, Dom could not see the shy male being a problem of any sort. Besides, he trusted Jon and Jon's leopard, trusted their judgement and knew that Jon wouldn't intentionally bring anyone in that could damage the pard.

Running a hand through his short hair, the small leopard smiled at Devon as he was moved closer. It looked like it was time for the meet and greet and silently Dom made his way to Jon, making sure Devon was watching and licked Jon's bottom lip in a submissive greeting. Once that was done, the bodyguard moved to Devon and smiled, taking up station behind the Sheva and whispering just loud enough that Devon and Jon would hear, barely a whisper of words.

"Devon, i acknowledge you as Jon's mate but you aren't alpha to me."

As Devon and Jon appeared, the panwere gave a gentle smile. From where she sat she could still feel the nerves radiating off of the omega. Her eyes moved from him to the Raj, waiting for him to speak further. Her head tilted slightly as he explained what Devon was doing here. At his pause she didn't move. Ruby knew that there was more. She and Dominic had already been informed, but now, he was going to let everyone else know. Her eyes moved to the other faces in the room just before Jon gave the news that Devon was mated to him. All at once, the commotion began. Ruby remained silent, merely watching everyone else. As soon as it started, it had been stopped upon Jon's command.

As Jon released Devon and pushed him towards Dom, Ruby stood and made her way to the Raj. She followed Dom's example and licked Jon's lower lip before offering him a warm smile. "Give it time. We'll watch out for him," she said softly, enough so only he could hear. Afterwards, she turned to face Devon and gave him an equally warm smile. "Welcome to the family Devon," she said, her eyes soft and welcoming. Ruby wanted the new member to feel safe here. Scaring him off would be the last thing she wanted.

With a slight nod, she smiled to Dominic and went to move back to where she had been seated.

Devon's own fingers practically clung to Jon's as he led him into the living area, not letting go for a second as he was guided to stand between Jon and Dom. He could assume from this that Dom was one of the higher ranking Alphas. Probably a second or a guard or something. That gave him the immpression that, though the man was small in stature and quick to smile, he was a tough character. Did Jon really think he would need to be protected? But why else make him stand between himself and another Alpha? Good grief...

He kept his gaze lowered as Jon introduced him, gave them the "be nice to the new kid" speech and all that. Well glad that this pard actually gave a shit about its members because the last one had merely been focused on upping the numbers to keep the vampires well-fed. No concern in there whatsoever. He resisted the urge to look up as Jon paused, figuring that maybe he was just done talking or waiting for someone else to say something. And then he dropped the atomic bomb on all of them. And the uproar commenced. Devon's jaw dropped and he gaped up at Jon. Mated? They were mated? Yes he was still sporting the love bites from their... encounter but mated??? How was that possible?

He gazed around at the angry pard members in shock and alarm, taking a tentative step back even as he clung fast to Jon's hand. But when the Raj cut them all off with a bellow, Devon froze, eyes wide and now rather frightened. His inner leopard's ears were lowered, flat against its skull, and its posture was very withdrawn. They didn't want him. He closed his eyes and lowere his face again, wating to just turn around and walk out the door. Save everyone the inconvenience and seek some other town out. But his leopard flatly refused to let him.

He stumbled a little when his 'mate' nudged him toward Dom, letting go of his hand. What was he doing? Oh... greeting... He watched the other leopards greet their Raj, a lot of them seemingly sulky but they did their job. He watched Dom carefully, figuring he was the one to look to since Jon had put Devon's care in his hands. At least for now. And when the shorter male came back over to him, standing behind him, he turned around to face him. "I'm not... I... he didn't really know what to say to that. He was still having a hard time grasping the concept at hand but he just bit his lip and nodded. "I know I'm not Alpha to you... or to anyone... um... do I... greet you, too?"

He jumped a little when the redheaded lass came to greet him and nodded to her in acknowledgement but he returned his glance to Dom and looked for all the world like a lost kitten. "Help?"

After letting Dom and Ruby greet him he quickly lost sight of his mate in the group that came forward to greet him. While he sensed that some were angry he knew it was the same kind of thing that kept everyone from welcoming Ruby with totally open arms. He'd have figured that people who turned into animals once a month would be more willing to accept something new and different. His eyes followed the spot where he was pretty sure Devon would be before a hand wrapped around his wrist and started tugging him out of the room.

Surrounded like he was by his own leopard it probably hadn't occurred to either Dom or Adam to watch for someone going after Jon. He tugged his arm out of the hold and glared into a set of eyes. He should have just known who had the balls to tug him out of the living room and into the hall to the front door. "What do you want Michael?"

The blonde eyed him back looking more angry then he could remember seeing the beta cat. "How could you?" He aimed a blank unknowing look at the blonde. "How could you go looking for a mate when there are plenty of people here who would give their right arm for the honor?"

His blank look was starting to grow into something more serious now. "Honestly? Your coming at me with that? Look I didn't do this on purpose ok?" he could feel his inner cat getting angry with all the remarks getting tossed his way. Without even knowing it his inner cat went seeking out his mate. "I'm with Devon now. And while its .. new and different and not planned I love him."

He glared harder trying to make his words sink in with out having to hit Michael that he was not going to hook up with the blonde. he knew it was only a matter of time before either Devon came looking for him curious about the sudden nudging he was getting or Dom falling back into his bodyguard role.

Dom shook his head slowly at Devon. By rights the bodyguard should have been reeting the newest Pard member because the Irish male was technically higher in rank. Unfortunately in Dom's eyes, Devon wasn't Alpha to him and that meant no submissive greeting from the bodyguard. Keeping his voce low enough that only Devon would hear, Dom spoke kindly but truthfully.

"I should be greeting you as you are technically higher raked than myself. However because i don't see you as dominant and i never will untl you are able to beat me in a fight then i won't greet you. I acknowledge you as Jon's mate and 'll do as i'm told when it comes to your protection.....just don't expect anything more than that yet."

Seeing and hearing the call for help from the newest member caused Dom to laugh a little. Inclining his head towards Jon and the other Pard members he made sure Devon's attention was on them before speaking.

"You see how they're greeting him? They should be greeting you liek that. There are a few that won't because they don't see you as Alpha to them but anyone Beta or below should be greeting you without a problem. I'd estimate that at two thirds of the Pard greeting without a problem and as for the rest.....fifty percent of them won't greet you and the other fifty percent will. Don't greet them though, if you greet them then you consider them alpha and the only person who is technically alpha to you here is Jon. Best thing to do would be a generic greeting, rubing cheek to cheek, that sort of thing."

That said Dom looked up ad around at the rest of the Pard. Some were making their way over to Devon to greet hi and others were hanging back. A lot of their views would depend on how Devon reacted to this meet and greet. Any show of weakness would increase the fifty prcent not willing to greet to about eighty percent. That wouldn't be good for Jon, Devon or the Pard in general.

Speaking of Jon it seemed that he had disappeared, causing Dom's gut to clench quickly. Where was he and why was Adam still here? Catching the mountan of muscles eye, Dom jerked his head as if to say 'find him' before turning back to the greetings. He had been tasked with Devon today so he would watch Devon. Adam could take care of Jon and the short male nodded to himself as he saw Adam disappear out of the room from the corner o his eye. The muscle man was such a lout sometimes.

Ruby's eyes went from Devon to Dom and then fell to Jon. She knew that their Raj would be happy now. So far, Devon seemed like a nice guy, though his reaction to the news of being Jon's mate had her arching a brow. Had Jon not told him? How could Devon have not known? Many queries worked into her mind, but for the time being, the panwere voiced none of them. The felines inside her were curious though and they both brushed against the surface of her skin, trying to get closer to the new male. Thankfully, she was able to remain in control and hold them back. Hopefully it would stay that way.

Her eyes flicked to the other members of the pard and she began to sense the same thing as when she'd first gotten her second infection. Disdain. Anger. The older members hadn't minded as much, the ones that had been there since her arrival. However, the newer ones wanted nothing to do with her. Some of them still didn't. Such as Ace. However, it was something she'd quickly gotten used to. It was something she didn't worry about anymore. With a slight shake of her head, Ruby ran a hand through her hair and let out a soft sigh.

Slightly golden eyes moved to look back to where Jon had gone and her brow furrowed as he was no longer there. Her eyes flicked around the room, trying to spot him, but not seeing him anywhere. When that realization came, her eyes moved to Dominic before seeking out Adam. The panwere didn't think that their Raj was in danger, but usually his whereabouts were kept note of. Judging by the reaction of her boyfriend, they weren't noted then. As Adam disappeared, she found herself moving a little closer to Dominic as she herself had already greeted Jon's new mate.

She spoke softly to him. "How do you think they're going to handle this in the end," she asked, her eyes moving to look at his own, curiosity showing in her leopard-like gaze. Ruby herself would welcome Devon until Jon said otherwise. She knew what it was like to be something of an outcast. The new person that wasn't quite welcomed by everyone.

Devon lowered his eyes to the floor and nodded, acknowledging Dom's words and shrugging a shoulder. "Fair's fair. I'd feel kinda weird if you did greet me like a dominant since I'm really not... so no hard feelings from me." He gulped softly, listening intently as Dom explained how he would or wouldn't greet the others and of course that there were plenty who would probably opt not to greet him formally since he wasn't alpha or dominant by any means other than being tied to Jon. He could live with that. He didn't want to pretend to be something he wasn't anyway.

A few people stepped up to them, some greeting him and others just opting for rubbing cheek to cheek which he actually liked better. His face was completely pink by now but he remained still, not backing away or anything like that. He could be a trooper and do what he was supposed to do. Besides... this was supposed to be his new family. He'd have to get to know them somehow.