Chapter 6: Alpha Ceremony Pt. 2

Chapter 6: Alpha Ceremony Pt.2

Sydney

Alpha Logan steps in front of me. He gives me a grunt and a nod and tosses in a small branch of black poplar. "As an Alpha, I represent the goddess promise to her people. Your pack needs an Alpha who has courage. True courage is facing the things that scare you and never backing down from them. Courage is not comfortable. It's hard and painful, and it's not possessed by the weak-willed. Your courage makes the goddess' promise true." This was going to be the worst cuts of all so far. Logan steps behind me. With an extended claw, he cuts a large circle into my shoulder blade. He cuts his palm mixes our blood and leaves a bloody palm print in the middle of the circle. Two more of those, this was going to hurt. Alpha Gideon steps toward me.

"You alright, Syd." I give the nod and straighten my posture. He drops in a calla lily into the water. "As an Alpha, I represent the goddess promise to her people. Your pack needs an Alpha who has stewardship. Stewardship is love, care, and servitude. You serve your pack; it does not serve you. Love your pack, and it will love you. Take care of your people, and they will take care of each other. Your stewardship makes the goddess' promise true." He steps to my back. He cuts a circle and mixes our blood, and leaves a print. Before he steps back, he whispers. "You're doing great. It's almost over." I let out a deep breath.

Alpha John steps forward. He gives me a smile and a nod. OK, I am almost done. I got this. He drops in a branch of holly into the water. "As an Alpha, I represent the goddess promise to her people. Your pack needs an Alpha who has foresight. Foresight is not about predicting the future. It's about protecting tomorrow for your next generation. Every decision you make has repercussions. Determining which repercussions best protect your pack's future is the meaning of foresight. Your foresight makes the goddess' promise true." He steps to my back. He cuts a circle and mixes our blood, and leaves a print. Just like his daughter, I feel a strange surge of energy.

I turn to the pack again. "I Sydney Eld vow to be the example of the goddess' promise for her people to my pack. As the first Alpha of my bloodline, I vow to exemplify the goddess' promise to the White Ridge pack through courage, stewardship, and foresight. Please accept the offering of my blood as proof of my sincerity." I cut my palm and placed a bloody handprint on my face.

The whole pack bows and, in unison, "We accept your offering." The vows are made. The elders, Lunas and Alphas all step to the basin of water.

 I kneel. "Selene, we wash away the old and bring forth the new Alpha of the White Ridge Pack Alpha Sydney Eld, your chosen Alpha." Alpha John takes out the branch of holly and drips the water over my back. The other follow his lead. They wash away the blood with the blessed rainwater and symbolic flora. Lastly, Mimi washes the blood from my face with her hands.

"Stand Alpha." She takes my hands, and I stand.

"Selene, as Alpha Sydney Eld stands before us, bless her and her bloodline as your chosen." Alpha John steps back.

I feel the light of the moon dance across my back, and then a rush of energy jolts through my body, taking my breath away. My pack mark changes even more clouds, and silhouettes of birds flying through the clouds and mountains appear. I can't see it; I only feel my Alpha mark coming in.

I plant my feet so I don't waver. Alpha John warned me that this would be intense. He wasn't kidding. Usually, an Alpha gets half of their aura and power during their heir ceremony, but I would do it all at once. I grit my teeth as the surges come and go.

"Selene has blessed the White Ridge pack with a new Alpha," John whispers in my ear. "Your Alpha mark is complete. Shift, or you might pass out."

I nod and do just that. I shift, and so do the other Alphas. Thora lets out a howl so deep the glass on the packhouse shakes. A few of the warriors shift as well and follow. This is their first step in putting themselves up for Beta and Gamma.

Thora was the same size as the other Alpha wolves we toward over the warriors. The wind rushing through her coppery fur felt electric. The full moon shone brightly on the forest, almost as bright as the daylight. The pounding of paws reverberated through the trees as smaller creatures of the night rustled the leaves as they scurried out of our path. The scent of the juniper and white cedar trees filled my nose, mixed with yarrow and elderberry blossoms. It was intoxicating, and the intensity persuaded me to go faster, farther. I felt a nudge on my side; it was a giant black wolf with ruby red eyes; it was Gideon.

Gideon motioned to slow down. He pulled me out of my sensory exploration. I looked behind me, and the warriors who participated in the run were struggling to keep up. Thora huffed; we had work to do. These wolves needed discipline; I had my work cut out for me.

"Thora, we should head back. The Alpha aura has settled, and I'm sure the other Alphas have things to discuss with us."

"I suppose." She turns us around, and we trot back to the packhouse. The party was in full swing. I shift and grab an oversized t-shirt out of the tree. I head up and change into the simple party dress and make my way to the party in the banquet hall.

"Alpha Sydney Eld," Lucas announces, and my whole pack bows. It's a surreal sight, and I don't know if I will ever get used to it. I make my way to my table; all I want is to eat. Shifting takes a lot of energy, but I'm ravenous right now. One of the Omegas brings over a plate quickly.

"Here is your appetizer Alpha Sydney." She bows.

"You can call me Alpha Syd. I know that's what everyone calls me anyway." I give her a nod and a brusque smile. She nods and returns the gesture but leaves quickly as if I was going to eat here. I never miss treated anyone or disrespected anyone, but the rumors superseded my actions. I was disobedient to our previous Alpha, and I guess slowly bleeding him to death didn't help my reputation. I also fought our own that night; it would take time for everyone to get comfortable.

"Alpha Syd, we have a lot to talk about." Alpha John, Logan, and Gideon all sat down at my table.

I sighed and put down my fork, "I figured. What's the plan?"

"Beta Lucas will stay here and start getting things in order. I have already discussed it with Alpha Conor Amaris, and he will gladly train you for the next two weeks. After two weeks you will return. Beta Lucas will swap places with Gamma Marcus for the next two weeks. By then, you should have your Beta and Gamma in place. We will check on you weekly after those four weeks." Alpha John was all business. I wasn't sure if I could do this alone after four weeks, but I didn't have a choice.

"What If I still need help after the four weeks?" I needed a contingency plan.

"Alpha Conor is the closest and will provide support." He took a sip of his wine.

"Well, when do I leave for the Amaris Pack?" I start eating again. I might as well get my energy back.

"Two days."

"OK, I'll be ready." I wish my words matched what I was feeling. I have so much to learn and do. It felt overwhelming. I was all on my own. I did not have a mate, family, or other ranked members. I had to build it all from the bottom by myself. Could I really do this? I guess it was too late now.