Inheritance

Chapter 17, Ritual

The scent of burning pine and rough, textured logs we sat on set the scene. A cool breeze washed the warmth of the bonfire off my skin, and I pulled my flannel tighter against my skin.This felt like the end of a fiery summer, one which started with a scratch that began to itch... I reflected on the events that led to my presence here, now.

Nia remarked, her gaze cast out toward the water

"The sun is almost out of sight."

A hazy dark orange hung low in the sky, just at the line of trees in the far, far distance.

Ivy whispered, nodding to Dakota"It's time to begin."

Asher sat beside her, seemingly disappointed that he wasn't asked to lead Ritual. He took out his supposed frustrations on an innocent cinnamon-flavored toothpick, but kept quiet.

Dakota stood close to the fire, turning in a circle to meet the eyes of each member of our joined packs. He spoke and signed simultaneously, "Everyone! Tonight, we celebrate the turning of Amber Sharp, Dustin Ovard, Brie Teare, and my brother, Fox Hunt."

The four changelings stood, wearing soft hazel-colored robes. It seemed like a sort of graduation ceremony. Dustin and Brie were from David's pack, and their parents looked adoringly at them. Fox and Amber's friends grinned ear to ear.

A few cheers ruptured from the audience, but Dakota continued, "Committing to this pack is essential to its longevity. It is the ultimate sign of respect to the wolves before us. You will protect, nurture and support each other. Most importantly, you will respect our alpha's decisions, without hesitation, without question, and without disagreement."

I jumped up from my seat on the log, so fast I had hardly been able to process the reaction, yet I found myself saying, "Respect, yes. But disagreement-- no. When there comes a decision that effects the packs, I don't want to make the decision alone. I want to hear what our packs want."

Dakota smirked toward me, and nodded to continue speaking and signing, "Let me rephrase. You will respect our alpha's decisions; but are free to share your thoughts with her. Still-- she will make final decisions, which we must follow in unity."

Dakota's eyes met mine, and I gave a small nod of approval. He continued, "And last, wherever our feet take us, to whatever horizons we are called, the lake will always beckon us back home, back to our pack."

Dakota next looked to Asher, and nodded toward him. Asher stood and said, clapping his hands together "Let's turn these puppies into wolves!"

The packs howled excitedly, everyone still in human form. Ivy bowed her head, and morphed into a stunning, curly-coated wolf with dark red hair and eyes like dusk. Still, every time I saw a wolf, I couldn't believe their magnitude. Her presence commanded attention. Was that how I looked as a wolf?, I thought.

Dakota, bowing his head, turned into the familiar large brown wolf. Nia's form too, had shifted and she stood tall and slender, as a jet-black wolf with equally dark eyes. She would be marking her little sister, Brie. Another wolf, one who I believed to be the father of Dustin, came forward.

The four changelings exposed their shoulders from the robes, and looked down into their laps. Were they afraid? Would have I been afraid, had I intentionally chosen to be a wolf? Their faces expressed serenity and certainty. The full-moon beamed down on their forms, washing the darkening scene with a blue-white glow.

Swiftly, thick claws dug into the shoulder blades of the eighteen-year-olds. Each's body seemed to recoil back, twisting in their robes until the clothing fell off, exposing four large wolves.

It was easy to distinguish between them. Amber was small, thin, and a soft blonde color, with large black eyes. Fox, seemingly her opposite, was a wavy golden brown fur, and eyes an even lighter turquoise than his human eye color. I hadn't officially met Dustin or Brie but their wolf forms matched their physical appearances, too. Dustin's white-blonde hair and milky brown eyes had translated into looking like an arctic wolf. Brie's sable hair and deeply green eyes were striking, and she stared at her siblings lovingly.

Jace, in human form, emerged from the thick trees. His fingers reached back toward his shoulder blades and he seemed embarrassed. With tears in her eyes Sofia reached her arms out toward her son, and they embraced.

I knew what I was supposed to say next, "Alter!" I bellowed. The large audience that made up our packs became even larger as wolves. What came next was said to solidify the bond, and had been made part of Ritual when Ezekiel was alpha. We ran, all together.