Chapter 5: Alpha Ceremony Pt.1

Chapter 5: Alpha Ceremony Pt.1

Sydney

"I wouldn't mate with you if you were the last wolf on the planet, Brian." This was the 5^th mate proposal I have gotten this week, and it came from Brian of all wolves, gross.

"Sydney, we could be really great together. Think about it and give me a chance." He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it. My natural response was to punch him in the nose, so I did. "You bitch." I felt the crunch, and his eyes started to water; yep, I broke it again.

"Don't ever touch me again, or I'll break more than your nose next time." I turn and go inside the packhouse. I need to get ready for my Alpha ceremony tonight. Did these guys actually think I was so desperate or was I that stupid?

"Sydney, I was looking all over for you. Come on; we have to get you ready!" Suddenly I'm surrounded by three Lunas. I look for my best escape route when my wrist is grabbed, and I'm being led away. I guess there was no escape.

There was this odd sense of organized chaos. Amelie Ashwood, Celeste Ashwood, and Anne Bye had a crew of she-wolves in my suite called the Glam squad. Both sets of Alois' twins were being passed around between mom and grandma then, for some reason, to me. I was forced into a chair to get my hair done, then handed a baby. I think it was Aspen. He looked as confused as I was.

"Listen, kid; this will be you one day, you know. You're an Alpha, so you'll have to do the same thing one day." He instantly started crying. He was taken out of my lap, and a bouncy little girl came over instead.

"Hi! I'm Daisy. You're the fire Alpha we told daddy about."

"What?" I'm so confused. Fire Alpha? Told who what?

She just sighs. "It's OK daddy knows. What's your name?" She has crawled up in my lap and is playing with my wiry curls the hairdresser is leaving out.

"Sydney Eld." The hairdresser is pulling my hair up into some fancy updo since I will be receiving my Alpha mark tonight. She's tugging hard.

"What's it means?" I think I would prefer the crying baby.

"What does what mean?" Does she have to pull that tight?

"Your name? Mommy says Alphas names have meaning and hold power." I never really thought about it.

"Ummm… My mom told me once that my name means a wide island of fire, I think." Do I need to look this up?

"I think it fits you." She slides out of my lap and starts to walk away when she turns back to me. "Oh, be nice to the boy with dark eyes. He brings light."

"OK?" Do all kids say weird things like this?

"Alpha Syd, I'm done. Here is your wrap. It's a shame we can't put you in a beautiful dress, damn tradition." I'm handed a muslin wrap. I quickly go to the bathroom to change and catch my breath. I didn't even have a chance to do that; there was a knock on the door.

"Alpha Sydney, we have five minutes, then we need to be down to the venue." Amelie was the most organized person I think I have ever met. She was the Luna of the Druit Gaud and mother of four. I think I would have gone crazy. How was she so calm? Was it just me?

I take a deep breath, "I'm going to change, and I'll be out." I change as quickly as I can. It's a simple wrap because as soon as the ceremony is done, I'll shift along with the other Alphas, and we will run to let my Alpha aura settle. I was kinda glad I didn't have to wear a fancy dress. It's really not me. I open the door, and everyone is waiting for me.

Before I can say anything, I am rushed down to the entrance to the back garden where the ceremony will be held. "Trust in the goddess. You are part of her plan now." Amelie hugged me, and the Lunas were out the door. Beta Lucas announced them, and then it was just me.

"Well, Thora, this is it. We are going to be the Alpha. I wish mom and dad were here."

"I do too, but one day we will have a family again."

"I hope you're right. I don't want to do this alone. Here it goes." I step out of the doorway.

"Please stand for the soon to Alpha Sydney Eld." I take a breath and make my way to the stage as quickly as I can, only looking forward. I stand in front of a large basin of rainwater. My back is to the crowd as the ceremony will end with my Alpha mark appearing on my left shoulder blade. I look around the stage, and everyone is smiling except for Elder Joseph, crusty old fart.

"Thank you, White Ridge Pack. Please be seated. Tonight's ceremony is different from the normal Alpha ceremony as a new Alpha bloodline will be established. Tonight is a new beginning for everyone. The pack elders will start." Alpha John gives me a court nod and hands elder Mimi a gold blade.

"Hello, dear." I smile and give Mimi a nod. She adds a compass flower to the basin of rainwater then stands to my left. "As Alpha, you must do what is right, not what is easy. You will gain the wisdom to lead, love, and protect through listening with an open heart and mind. May the Eld bloodline be guided with wisdom." Mimi takes the gold blade and cuts the tip of her finger. She makes a small cut on my pack mark. She mixes our blood and follows the outline of the mountains of my pack mark. She steps back, and elder Joseph steps forward. This should be good.

He clears his throat and gives me the most forced smile I have ever seen. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. He adds a huckleberry branch to the water. "As Alpha, you must place faith over fear. Trust the goddess' path place in front of you. Only those of an impure heart are tested; true faith is unyielding. May the Eld bloodline be guided by faith." OK, it wasn't as bad as I thought. He cuts his finger and my pack mark mixing our blood and outlining the mark as well. He steps back without giving me another look. Elder Elton steps forward.

He gives me a gentle nod and a pat on the back. He adds edelweiss to the water basin. "As Alpha, you are a leader. A true leader walks the hard path of integrity. This path is narrow, but you will never falter if you adhere to your values and act accordingly. May the Eld bloodline be lead with integrity." I knew elder Elton was treated poorly by Reed because he disagreed with what was happening. I know there's a double meaning in his words. I would never let my bloodline do what he did. He makes his cuts and outlines my pack mark. He steps back.

I turn to face my pack for the first time. "I Sydney Eld, the first Alpha of my bloodline, vow to lead the White Ridge pack with wisdom, faith, and integrity. Please accept the offering of my blood as proof of my sincerity." I cut my palm and place my bloody hand on my pack mark.

The whole pack bows and, in unison, "We accept your offering." OK, the first step is done. I turn to the basin of rainwater again, and Luna Anne steps forward.

She gives me a sweet reassuring smile. It puts me at peace. She adds white lilac to the water. "As a Luna, I represent the goddess's love for her people. Those people need an Alpha who has humility. Pride will poison your soul; humility heals and grows the soul. Seeking guidance makes an Alpha stronger. The truly humble are always learning and open to others. Be humble to show the goddess' love." She cuts her palm and makes a small cut on my chest right above my heart, and places her bloody palm over the cut. She steps back, and Luna Amelie steps forward.

She has the biggest glowing smile. She caresses my cheek, and I feel so emotional it's like she can see straight through to my soul. She adds a few lemon blossoms to the water. "As a Luna, I represent the goddess's love for her people. To love your pack, you must respect it; to truly respect your pack must love it; this is fidelity. No matter what comes, your fidelity to your people will guide you. Your fidelity to your pack shows the goddess' love." She cuts her palm and my chest leaving a handprint. Oddly, it felt so different than all the other blood mixing. It was warmer, and I think I felt a small surge of energy.

Amelie steps back, and Luna Celeste steps forward. She tucks a stray curl behind my ear and rubs my arm. She, out of all the Lunas, reminds me of my mother most. I blink back tears. Celeste adds a lotus flower to the basin of water. "As a Luna, I represent the goddess's love for her people. Compassion is accepting imperfections not only in others but also in yourself. To be selfless and not only feel another's pain but be resolute in helping heal it is the compassion of a leader. Your compassion to your pack shows the goddess' love." She cuts her palm and my chest leaving her handprint.

I turn to the pack again, showing the three bloody prints on my chest. "I Sydney Eld vow to be the example of the goddess' love for her people to my pack. As the first Alpha of my bloodline, vow to love the White Ridge pack with humility, fidelity, and compassion. Please accept the offering of my blood as proof of my sincerity." I cut my palm and placed a bloody handprint on my heart.

The whole pack bows and, in unison, "We accept your offering." That's two vows done. The last is the Alpha vow. Alpha Logan steps forward.