"I called this meeting because there will be a few changes happening" Mr. Spear said with a smile. "First let me say congratulations to both Megan and Claire for finding their mates". At this, everyone began a round of applause.
"Megan will be the next Luna for the SilverMoon pack while Claire will be leaving us to join the Midnight Shine pack. This is not a sad day but a day to celebrate for these two ladies. They have been a wonderful asset to our pack and we will miss you both dearly".
The two of them smiled beside their mates.
I was so excited to see Claire have some happiness of her own. She couldn't keep her hands off of him and neither could he.
They were really cute.
And then there was Justin and Megan.
While Claire and Eric were playful, Justin and Megan were more intense.
"My second announcement is about the future of this pack. As you know, all three boys have found their mates and this means we can finish the process of the mating ritual".
This caused the whole room to stand in excitement and clap like wild.
I smiled up at Jace. This pack loved these three guys and I couldn't blame them. They were so ready for them to lead.
"This means that the ritual will happening after graduation which is in four months. This will be more than enough time to prepare and Jace, Peter, and Taylor will officially be the leaders of Dark Woods".
This caused another eruption of applause and I couldn't help but join them.
I was getting just as excited as they were.
"This also means that you will have a new Luna as well" Mr. Spear said looking over at me with a smile. "Spencer Droid will be taking the place as Luna and I couldn't have asked for a better person for the job. This also means that Essence and Kristen will be by her side to help lead. As you all are aware, if there is ever a point where Spencer is unable to carry out and duty for any reason whether it is person or not, Essence and Kristen are there to help".
I gave Essence a small push with my hip. Who better to help me than my best friend and Kristen who could fill me in on everything there was to possibly know?
"The last announcement of the evening is to let everyone know that we will be making Gabe and his pack official with ours this weekend. Sunday to be specific. They will now be apart if dark woods".
"WHOO!" someone yelled from the crowd causing some laughter.
_____________________________
FOUR MONTHS LATER...
Today was the day. It was finally happening.
I was graduating high school.
I was finally leaving this hell hole and I would be free.
This was very exciting.
It wasn't exciting not being in the same row as my friends.
Curse my parents for having a last name that started with a D.
Peter was close since his last name was James but not close enough.
I knew he would be able to make me laugh and keep my nerves calm if he was close by but my nerves were sky high at this point.
Not even Jace would be able to calm me down.
We were all lined up in alphabetical order getting prepared to take our walk down the stairs and into our seats.
I was more than jealous that Essence was near Jace since they both had an S for a last name but I couldn't be too mad.
With I sigh, I looked out into the crowd and smiled when I saw my parents. They were sitting next Essence's parents, Taylor and Peter's parents, and Jace's parents.
They had been snapping pictures of the five of us since they got here and it was extremely annoying.
I knew they were excited but we could only take so much.
Once my dad met Jace, I felt like he fell in love.
Yeah, my dad fell in love with my boyfriend too.
He was always asking Jace to come over to watch football, basketball, and even to play video games.
It was a little disturbing at first but I was just glad that my parents approved of him.
Jinger was now like my super dog. Now that his secret was out, I noticed everything that he did.
He would sit in my room and look out the window, he even had conversations with Jace from time to time, which I found extremely weird.
But all in all everything was just amazing.
The graduation music began to play signaling us all to start walking to our seats.
Graduation was always held outside at the hall where they would hold concerts and other sorts like that. It was huge and right now, the graduation line was wrapped around the entire stage.
As we all walked, no one's parents could contain themselves and the whooping and wolf whistling began.
"Go Spencer!" my dad screamed and I wanted to bury my head in embarrassment.
After making it to my seat, we waited for the rest of the class before our principle, Mr. Dodrick, began to speak.
"Good Morning everyone and welcome the graduation for the Class of 2013. I would like to first start off by saying that you were just a delight to have. Your senior prank was brilliant this year".
I smiled remembering the shocked faces of all the underclassmen when they went to use the bathrooms only to find that it had been saran wrapped.
Even in the teacher's lounge.
It was brilliant.
Until some of us seniors had to use it.
Everyone laughed as we thought back to a few weeks ago.
"You all will be truly missed but it is time that you move up in the world and move on to do better things with your life".
At his words, our class began to whoop and clap just thinking about college and where we would be in the next couple of years.
After another long forty five minutes of speeches and some singing from the choir, it was time to get our diplomas.
We got up from our seats and began to make our way to the diploma line up.
My heart was pounding and I was just a nervous wreck.
I was more than happy to be free but this place would still hold memories whether they were good or bad.
The names were now being cold and I was only a few minutes away from being done with my high school career. I cheered as I heard some of the pack members before me being called.
"Spencer Droid" my name was called.
I was surprised at the amount of applause that I received but I walked down the strip and took my diploma and gave both the principle and the vice principle a hand shake.
After taking my seat, I waited for my friends.
"Peter James".
He came down the strip with a huge grin on his face and I couldn't help but laugh.
That boy was just as goofy as ever.
"Jace Spear" hearing his name, I jumped out of my seat and screamed as much and as loud as I could, right along with everyone else.
He walked down the strip looking at me before giving me a wink.
"Essence Strong" they called after a few more people.
"Yeah baby!" Peter yelled.
"Whoo! Go Ess" I joined in.
There was only one more person to scream for and it took a while before they called his name.
"Taylor Wilden".
"TAYLOR!" I could make out Jace's and Peter's voices.
I laughed as I jumped up and screamed for him.
In the audience, Kristen was holding up a sign with all of our names on it.
After all the names were called and diplomas handed out, our valedictorian, Vanessa Hunter, took the stage.
"Well class, we finally made it! We finally graduated high school and now it is time to go makes something of ourselves in this big world. I am so proud of you all and I wish nothing but the best for you".
As she continued to speak, there was only one thing on my mind.
The mating ritual.
It would be taking place tomorrow and I was more nervous about that than this graduation.
I was going to be a Luna and Jace was going to be my Alpha.
His dad had just started giving him mote responsibility to prepare him for the more hands on Alpha duties and it was kind of affecting his sleep.
He would climb through my window at almost four in the morning most nights and we would have to wake up three hours after to prepare for school.
Summer was going to do him a world of good not having to wake up so early.
"Congratulations class of Two thousand thirteen and good luck on your vendettas. This road with you has been amazing and I'm glad we could do it together".
When her speech was finished, everyone applauded and did the traditional throwing of the hats in the air.
I didn't bother because I wanted to keep my hat to remember this day.
After walking back in our alphabetical line, I went on a search for everyone.
Finding Essence first, we jumped into each other's arms.
"Oh my gosh, how excited are you?!" she asked, the smile never leaving her face.
"Too excited. We have been waiting for this since forever!"
Hands wrapped around my waist and I turned to wrap them around Jace's neck.
"Whoa girl, you have a mean grip" he said pulling me tighter.
"I am just so happy right now".
"Me too. Proud of you Miss. Graduate"
"Proud of you too Mr. Graduate" I said pulling back and giving him a kiss.
There was a snapping sound and we looked up to the smiling faces of our moms.
"Mom" I groaned in annoyance. "I thought you were done with all of that. You're taking more pictures then you did at prom".
Prom was a nightmare when my mother had the camera. My dad had to hide it so we could make it out on time.
My mom just waved me off and snapped a few more flicks.
"It's ok" Jace whispered in my ear before kissing the side of my head.
I just smiled at him.
"So we are finally free of this jail" Peter said picking Essence up and swinging her around.
"Is that what high school is now? A jail?" Essence's dad had asked.
Things between the two had finally come to a point where they were both happy.
He was no longer with his fiancé and he decided that some time alone would help him figure out what he wanted. Essence was happy that he was no longer with the woman but she wasn't one to throw, I told you so, in your face.
Both her parents had finally met Peter and they adored him.
Who knew Peter could be such a sweetheart, especially when he was around Essence.
"Okay enough of this chatter. Can we head back to my house so we can get this barbeque on the road?" Jace asked.
"I swear this thing never sleeps" I said rubbing his stomach before laughing.
.....................
"How you feeling?" Jace asked me as he ran his fingers through my hair as we lay together on his bed. "I feel good. I'm a little nervous but I am ready more than anything to be your Luna" I said turning so that I was facing him.
He smiled and gave me a slow and passionate kiss. "You don't know how much it means to hear you say that".
The barbecue was still going on but the two of us were hiding out in Jace's room. It was impossible to get some alone time with him which was expected today. We had just graduated and we had a lot of interested family over.
My grandmother was here and Jinger decided that being home was the best thing for him to do. I didn't really understand it but my grandmother did say she would explain to me everything soon.
Jace and I were also discussing the events that would take place tomorrow.
Tomorrow at noon, I would officially be Luna and Jace would officially be the Alpha.
"Are you nervous about leading this pack?" I asked.
"Not really. I have Taylor and Peter by my side so leading the pack is a dream come true".
"I can't for the three of you to be official. You are going to be amazing".
"Thank you. And you know what's going to be even more amazing? You being my side every step of the way".
I smiled leaning in to kiss him again but was interrupted.
"SPENCER! Come on we're taking pictures" my mom's voice erupted throughout the house.
"Oh my god" I said covering my face.
Jace chuckled and took my hands. "Come on. I knew we couldn't hide out for too long".
_____________
Jace POV
I was so nervous right now.
I was about to become an alpha.
I was no longer going to the 'next' Alpha or 'the Alpha's son', but I was going to THE Alpha.
Slipping my alpha jacket on over my white shirt, I smiled. It felt so good to wear this.
Taylor and Peter stood on either side of me wearing their Beta jackets and the smiles that consumed our faces were ridiculous.
There was nothing that could ruin this moment for us.
"Dude, I feel like a million bucks" Peter said.
"We have been talking about this day for so long and now it's actually happening man. Who knew?" Taylor asked.
We had found our mates, we were mated with them and now we were taking that last final step.
"Boys, you three look wonderful" My dad said as all three of our fathers came to stand behind us in the mirror of my room.
It was as though we were looking at older versions of ourselves the way they stood next to us.
This was one of the best moments in my life.
"I hope you're ready" Beta Charlie said.
"More than ready dad" Taylor smiled.
"Well let's get you with your mates. It's almost time".
Spencer, Essence, and Kristen were with our mother's in the guest room where they were getting ready.
We knocked on the door and was greeted by my mom's smiling face. "They are all set" she said.
When she let us inside, there stood my beautiful mate.
She looked so damn beautiful in her flowing white dress and her black curls cascading down her shoulders and around her face.
She was breathtaking.
I walked over to her and took both of her soft hands into my own. "You ready?"
"More than ever" she answered.
Music to my ears.
Essence and Kristen also wore white dresses and they looked just as beautiful.
My best friends were grinning from ear to ear and I just couldn't wait for this ritual.
My father led us all outside in the backyard where the pack was seated and waiting for us.
We walked in two's, mate by mate.
First went the present Alpha and Beta's and then the future Alpha and Beta's.
As we stood in front of the pack, I could see their smiling faces and their admiration for Spencer.
They were in love with her.
I glanced at Megan who gave me a small wave next to Justin who nodded.
Claire stood next to her followed by Eric and Jason.
Claire and Megan were leaving the pack today and it was nice to see them leaving for good reasons.
Graduation was over so now it was time for them to begin their new lives.
Jason had just found his mate and would be completing mating ritual of their own in a few weeks.
Eliza was also in the crowd, supporting her new best friend, my sister.
I was happy that Kristen had finally found someone who she had many things in common with.
"Hello everyone and welcome to the mating ritual" my dad began. "I am honored to hand down my title today to my son as my wife is honored to hand down her title to his mate, Spencer"
I smiled down at Spencer who gave my hand a small squeeze.
"We will began with the Beta's" my dad said as Beta Charlie stepped up with his wife.
"I am more than honored to hand down my Beta title to Taylor. It has been an honor being third in command and I loved every minute of it. As time goes on and I get older, I know Taylor will do this job perfectly. I wouldn't want it to go to anyone else".
Taylor's mom looked back at Taylor before she spoke. "I remember when he was just a little hard headed pup" she said causing laughter. "He wouldn't listen to a word but he always had this determination in him. Leading next to his two best friends is the best thing that could happen to this pack. They will be perfect just like their father's. I hand down my title as Beta's wife to Kristen with pride. Kristen, I love you like my own and I have no doubt you will be an excellent lead to this pack".
Kristen and Taylor stepped up.
Beta Charlie took Taylor's hand. "Taylor, you are now third in command Beta. Do you accept?"
"Yes" Taylor said smiling at his dad.
They bowed at one another before Beta Charlie took Kristen's hand and bowed.
The four of them stepped back as Beta Bob and his wife stepped up.
"I am more than honored, rather delighted, to hand over my title as second in command to my son as my wife is honored to hand down her title to his mate, Essence. With his goofy and silly ways, he knows how to keep a situation calm and this pack will do great with him. He is an exceptional fighter and an even better person".
Peter's mom spoke up next. "Peter is a very warm hearted person and he will do anything to make people happy. He has leader in his blood and this pack has helped him to become a better man. I love you Peter. Essence, I have grown to love the heck out of you and I am so glad you are Peter's mate. You will do wonderful".
Essence and Peter stepped up next and Beta Bob took Peter's hands. "You are now second in command beta. Do you accept?"
"Yes" Peter said with no hesitation before they bowed at one another and Beta Bob took Essence's hands and bowed.
The four of them bowed and I smiled when my mom and dad stepped up.
"I, Alpha Spear, am more than honored to pass down the Alpha title to my son as my wife is honored to pass down her title to his mate, Spencer. He has proved time and time again that he deserves and he has been helping to run this pack even before today. He had proven that he has what it takes to lead this pack and today I am blessed".
"Spencer is a very kind hearted person and a very loving and caring Luna she will make. This pack has already grown to love her and I just know that you all have nothing to worry about. I love the both of you and am glad that you were for one another".
The two of us stepped forward and my father took my hands.
"Jace, you are now Alpha of the Dark Woods pack. Do you accept?"
"Yes".
We bowed at one another and that is when I felt it.
The power.
He took Spencer's hands and bowed down at her before we took a step back and he turned to face the pack.
"Everyone, your new Alpha and Luna, Jace and Spencer. His second and command Beta and his mate, Peter and Essence. And his third in command Beta and his mate, Taylor and Kristen". The six of us stepped up together and the pack went crazy.
I, Jace Spear, was the official Alpha of the Dark Woods pack.
I leaned down to kiss my mate. "I love you".
"I love you too" she said back.
This was going to be an amazing ride.
A/N: IT'S OVER!!! I am sooooooo happy that I was able to finish this book! I was so unmotivated and then the ideas just started coming from out of nowhere also thanks to you guys!!
I dedicate this chapter to ALL my fans because you guys are super awesome!!!
Again, their is going to be a Sequel and it is called PLAYING WITH THE PACK! I wont be posting this story right away, I want to finish with some planning and rough drafting but it wont be too long.
The sneak peak is the next chapter. I'm not going to give to much away just a little bit to see where things are now. If you have any questions please message me!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As always, please COMMENT AND VOTE!