Standing in my sandals I watched as Alpha Charles McCormick passed the Alpha title down to his heir Michael. The air was already hot and stale despite the early hour; I could feel my tank top sticking to my back as I squinted up at the porch that was doubling as a stage for the ceremony. Standing next to the pack's officiating Elder our new Alpha Michael McCormick began reciting his vows to the pack. Dutifully his mate Katie stood by his side.
They were the perfect werewolf love story. At least from what the pack had been told, having been at war with the Red Mine Pack. On the other side of the officiating Elder stood Alpha Charles and Luna Lorraine—Alpha Michael's parents—beaming absolute joy as they held each other's hands. Past Luna Lorraine's shoulder stood the pack's darling, Audrey McCormick. As the Alpha's sweet childish daughter she had gained the adoration of the pack. Overall they looked like the perfect American family. Shaking my head slightly, I tried to rein my focus back into the ceremony. As dry and dull as it was, I knew it was an important ceremony for the pack's future.
Shifting my weight again I tried to ignore the sunburn I knew was forming as the hot sun beat down on me. I only had to hold on for a few more minutes. It was getting to the end of the ceremony, and then our pack would break to celebrate our yearly barbeque.
As the though crossed my mind I could feel the Alpha authority pass from Alpha Charles to Alpha Michael. Automatically I bowed down bearing my neck in submission. I felt the need to show my new Alpha that he too had my loyalty, an essential to make the pack work. The ghosting feeling of a wolf's jaws wrapping gently around my neck, eased the tension I hadn't noticed from my shoulders, and allowed me to pull myself upright. Straightening my attention automatically flew to the stage where the officiating elder droned on.
Glancing around at the assembled pack members I watched as the last few pack members' heads popped up from their submissive positions. It made sense that I had been amongst the last of the pack members whose submission was accepted, Alpha Michael didn't know me, and I wasn't a high-ranking pack member. Dismissing the negative self-opinions that were starting to form, I scuffed my toes through the dirt. Turning my attention back to the porch I ignored the sun burning my shoulders. A flicker of movement in the dark shadows of the porch caught my attention; it was the last member of the Alpha's family.
Ryan Welsh.
Luna Lorraine had first arrived at the border of our pack exhausted and bedraggled with her young son in her arms. Alpha Charles had been the one to find them there, and quickly welcomed them into his life. Rumor was that growing up life hadn't been easy for Ryan Welsh, because he wasn't the Alpha's son. He was the family's black sheep.
Suddenly the Alpha ceremony ended.
Elder Mendoza stepped back, melting into the shadows. Taking a mew position in the center of the stage Alpha Michael held a hand out to his beloved mate. Taking his hand the beautiful blond haired, blue eyed, Katie stepped up next to him. This was the beginning of the Luna ceremony.
Alpha Michael's voice boomed over the gathered pack, "Timber Ridge Pack we are gathered today to celebrate the life and growth of out pack..." Ignoring the words I felt myself relax in the cadence of the Alpha's voice. Something about his voice was comforting, almost as if he were a dear friend.
I had never had my own conversation with Alpha Michael.
Unconsciously I picked at the fraying edges of my shorts. My impatient to be done with the ceremonies and for the barbeque to begin to grow exponentially. Almost in agreement with my realization my stomach growled mutinously. The barbeque after the ceremonies was organized as a pack "lunch", so I hadn't bothered to bring a snack, but it was already two.
Squinting up at the porch I did my best to pay attention to the ceremony, despite my constantly shifting attention. It was a miserable day. Almost an hour latter I finally noticed the ceremony was over as pack members started towards the porch to great the new Alpha and Luna as tradition dictated.
Starting forwards I moaned as my stiff muscles protested movement. At least I would be able to wait for a while in the shade.
Stepping o ut of the oppressive sun I sighed in relief, silently debating leaving the line to get some water. Immediately I rejected the idea. Leaving the line to get water would mean getting in the back of the enormous line when I got back, and the sooner I got threw the line the sooner I'd be able to eat. Food was sounding good at the moment as my grumbling stomach reminded me. Hopefully I'd be able to slip through the line quickly.
Listening to the second hand on my watch tick away I watched the interactions between other pack members. Everyone gathered in family groups, talking excitedly about Michael becoming the pack's new Alpha, and the changes he was planning to bring the pack into the twenty first century. With jealousy at the sight of all the happy families clawing at my chest I forced my wolf's instincts down. Rolling my shoulders I stretched again.
It was an hour and forty-seven minutes after the ceremony had ended that I finally reached the front of the line. Bowing slightly I greeted the new Alpha couple, smiling as I said, "Alpha Michael and Luna Katie congratulations, I look forwards to you time as Alphas."
"Oh, Samantha it is such a pleasure to have you in the pack," Luna Katie smiled at me with her sparkling green eyes. Smiling widely at them I moved down the line nodding at the Elders along with Alpha Charles and Luna Lorraine in respect. As I continued down the line Audrey pounced on me, squeezing me into a tight hug squealing my name. Confused I hesitantly patted Audrey's back. I'd never had a conversation with her, so why was she acting so cuddly?
"Err, thanks," I muttered gently pushing out of Audrey's hold. Continuing down the line I greeted the other important pack members before wandering towards the tables heaping with food, and grabbed the bottle of water.
Sitting down at the empty picnic table at the edge of the forest I pulled the cap off the bottled water, swallowing it in a few gulps. It was amazing how much better I felt with some water in my system. Ignoring the movements of nearby pack members I dug into the bacon cheeseburger I had grabbed from the table.
Veagly I was aware of someone sitting down across the picnic table. I could feel my wolf pushing me to look up at the pack member across from me eagerly. Rolling my eyes I set the rest of my burger on my plate reluctantly. Looking up, I saw Alpha Michael's older brother sitting across from me. Arching his dark eyebrows Ryan said, "Do you mind if I sit here?"
"No," I shook my head before explaining, "My wolf is just anxious about you for some reason."
"I wouldn't know," Ryan admitted sadly, "I was cut off from my wolf when I was little, so I can't communicate with my wolf or shift."
That couldn't be healthy. I'd never heard of a werewolf who couldn't communicate with their wolf side, but Ryan seemed to be doing fine, from what I'd heard he even worked for the council. Curious I couldn't help but ask, "What about your mate?"
"The council elders said that once I meet her the barrier between my wolf and I, but the thing is we won't know we're mates until we make physical contact," Ryan explained.
Nodding at him I continued to eat my lunch, comfortable with his presence at the table. It felt nice to spend some time with a pack member who was willing to sit in silence. Most other pack members I had been around found it odd, and were constantly talking.
Abruptly Ryan stood up saying, "I'll be back, I just want to grab some more water. You want me to grab some for you?" Nodding I smiled as I continued chewing on the chips I had shoved in my mouth. It seemed as though Ryan spent as little time with the rest of the pack as I did.
Minutes latter I was startled by the sparks coming rom a hand spreading something slightly tacky across my burnt and tender shoulder. Hissing at the pain I pulled away. Turning I looked over my shoulder. Hissing at the pain I pulled way. Turning I looked over my shoulder at the tall dark haired man behind me. He frowned at me before quickly hiding it with a huge grin that made it's way to his clear hazel eyes. Instantly my wolf demanded contact with the tall-sculpted man hovering with a ridiculous green bottle of aloe in his hand. Like a bolt of lightning the realization struck me; this was my mate.
"I guess the elders were right then," Ryan laughed taking a step closer, "You look like lobster. It's been so painful to look at that I had to get you some aloe."
"And you had to sneak up on me and apply aloe, without warning me?" I queried back immediately.
"Wasn't my finest moment," Ryan shrugged moving forwards with the aloe bottle again. Frowning at him I muttered, "It stings," somewhat reluctant to have the goey green substance slathered over me.
"You're a lobster," Ryan laughed at me, before proceeding to ignore my protest and cover my sunburn with aloe Vera.
We were off to a good start.