Chapter 3: Finding a New Alpha

Chapter 3: Finding a New Alpha

Sydney

I don't want to be here. I want to go on a run, hide in the forest and scream my lungs out. We shouldn't even have to find a new Alpha. Our Alpha should have never betrayed his pack. If my father were still alive, none of this would have happened. Would even finding the next Alpha bloodline do any good?

 The next Alpha might be just as bad as the last. Not to mention the way people have been treating each other since the night of the raid is disgusting. Beta Lucas has been here helping us keep things under control, but it hasn't stopped the strong and rich from pushing around the weak and poor. I've stepped in a few times, but it's become a cycle of power abuse. I should leave and join the Durit Guard. At least I can make a difference there.

"This is our home, and these people need us." My wolf was not ready to leave the pack.

"After tonight, they won't need us. They will have their Alpha. It will be his problem, not ours."

"No, they are our pack." Thora was extremely loyal. Our Beta linage was long, and I felt the same obligation to stay. It was not easy fighting your natural instincts.

"Let's wait and see." I didn't want to continue the conversation. We had been going in circles for days on whether to stay or leave.

I make my way to the backyard of the packhouse. Alpha John Ashwood, Alpha Gideon Alois, and Alpha Logan Bye will be performing a divination ritual to find the next Alpha for our pack in about ten minutes. The whole pack is required to attend. I take a seat near the back and wait for the show to start.

"Thank you, White Ridge Pack, for attending tonight's divination ritual." Everyone claps for Alpha John. "This ritual can only be performed on a new moon. There are a few other requirements as well. I need everyone that was born in the pack that is between the ages of 25 and 35 who are warriors to line up at the stairs, please." About 20 so-called warriors line up.

"Thora, we have beat all of them multiple times! What a pathetic bunch! I think we should talk to Alpha Gideon." If I had to sit through this, I might as well talk to Thora.

"Syd, we should get in line."

"What! Why?"

"He didn't say males only. We should get in line."

"Hell No!"

"If you get in line and we are rejected as the Alpha, I won't fight you on leaving the pack."

"You're going to eat your words." I leap up and make my way to the line.

The reaction I get from the pack as I walk up front is what I expect, gasps and whispers. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. I will be leaving soon." I scoff under my breath.

 I'm last in line. I look up to the stage, and Alpha Gideon gives me a smirk and a nod. Oddly, he reminds me of my dad, but he's only ten years older than me. The affirmation is still comforting.

"Quiet down, everyone! Form one of these pack members, the goddess will choose a new Alpha." John is met with silence this time. The dead stillness is interrupted by none other than Elder Joseph.

"Excuse me, Alpha, but there is a female in line." Elder Joseph has always given me a hard time since I didn't listen to Alpha's orders well or act like a 'proper' she-wolf in his eyes.

"I didn't say males only. The goddess has appointed female Alphas in other packs; for example, the San Andreas Pack has a long lineage of female Alphas, and they are a very prosperous pack. They even hold a Council position. She stays." Alpha John shut him down quickly, and it was so satisfying to watch the crusty old geezer plop down in his chair. I may not be the Alpha but seeing Elder Joseph get put in his place made this worth it.

"Now, without any more interruptions, we will get on with the ritual. Alphas if you please." He motions for them to step forward. "I'll go first." Over a boiling pot which was over a fire, Alpha John cut his palm with a claw letting a few drops of blood fall into the pot. Then he dropped in a handful of Bay leaves. "Selene, hear our call. I Alpha John Ashwood ask you reveal the new Alpha may they lead with honor."

Next, Alpha Logan steps forward. He cut his palm with a claw letting the drops of blood fall into the pot. Then he tosses a handful of Echinacea into the boiling pot. "Selene, hear our call. I Alpha Logan Bye ask you to reveal the new Alpha may they fight with strength."

Last is Alpha Gideon; he steps forward. He cut his palm with a claw letting the drops of blood fall into the pot. Then he throws a handful of Sage into the boiling pot. "Selene, hear our call. I Alpha Gideon Alois ask you to reveal the new Alpha may they reason with wisdom."

Alpha John steps forward again, "Selene, under the new moon, reveal to us your chosen Alpha. Candidates, please step forward one at a time. You will drink the divination elixir. If the goddess has chosen you, your pack mark will glow and change, revealing your status. Your wolf will be called forward by the goddess and announce its clam as Alpha. The pack wolves will respond only to their new Alpha." Well, glad I wore a tank top.

Alpha John handed the oak cup to the first in line nothing happened. Well, that guy's a jerk, so of course, he's not going to be Alpha. The next guy in line takes a drink and nothing. This is going to take longer than I thought.

"You should just go back to your seat, Syd. You are definitely not going to be Alpha because I am." Ugh, Brian has always been a pain in the ass. He constantly challenges me and loses, then he pouts and says I cheated.

"Brian, turn around before I break your nose again." He glares at me and turns to face the stage again. I didn't even realize Brian is next.

"Thora, I swear to the goddess if Brian is the next Alpha, we are leaving and join the Druit Guard."

"I'll agree to that." We watch as Brian drinks the elixir, and luckily nothing happens.

"I guess we are next. Don't forget your Promise, Thora!"

I step forward and drink the whole cup. "OK, do you feel anyth…." I feel a surge of power rush through my body. It's so strong it takes my breath away. I feel my shoulder burning. I look down, and my pack mark is glowing, and it's getting bigger! The mountains become more contrasted, and rolling clouds start to form and move across my chest and back. I look up at the Alphas on stage, and they are staring at me with these giant satisfied smiles. I look at the pack, and they look in shock. This can't actually be happening right now!

My head is thrown back, and a loud, deep howl comes from me. It's Thora calling to the goddess. The pack starts howling. Then it just stops, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do now.

"What's your name, young Alpha?" Is Alpha John talking to me?

I stammer out, “Sydney Eld.”

"Good work Sydney." He pats me on the back and addresses the pack. "White Ridge Pack! The goddess has blessed you with a new Alpha, Sydney Eld!" Silence.

"Thora, are we seriously the Alpha?"

"Yes, the goddess has called us to serve her and lead our pack."

I can't even form words to come out of my mouth; I'm stunned.

"Sydney, your parents would be so proud of you!" Elder Mimi walks to the front and takes my hand. "Most of you know this, but Sydney is the only child of our founding Beta family, the Elds. This is her rightful place leading our pack. Thank you, Selene, for righting this wrong and giving us a new Alpha. One with its roots right here in the White Ridge Pack."

The crowd starts to cheer, but I'm still in complete shock. What do I do now? How was I, the new Alpha? I wish my parents were here. I'm so scared, and I'm not scared of anything. I admit I'm terrified of letting everyone down, them depending on me and me failing them. I am still mourning the death of my mother, and I already feel so lonely. This title made me feel even more isolated. I just want one person I can always trust to have my back. Everyone is scared of me and avoids me. That's always been fine with me, but I know I can't lead a pack while enveloped in this darkness.

I look up to the moonless sky and whisper a prayer I hope the breeze carries to the goddess' ear. "Selene, please help me find the light I need to lead this pack."