Chapter 3: The New Wolves

Narrator

Greeting guests always started enjoyably, but felt so dull once other kids had arrived and were able to go off on their own and talk. While Patrick stood quietly by his parents, Moira fidgeted with whatever she could reach until her mother finally gave a sigh and released the two children to go join their friends. Moira grabbed Patrick's arm and pulled him quickly to the last place she'd seen Bo's towering figure.

"Hey, guys!" she exclaimed as she barreled into the group. They greeted the two new comers with energetic chatter. All of them were excited to be able to let their wolves out to run and be able to begin training. There were five boys in the group Patrick and Moira melded into: Bo, Stan, Chris, Seamus, and Rich. Bo and Rich were both big and extremely muscular for early teenagers. They could easily hide the remaining five in the group if it wasn't for Moira and Stan's height. Stan was even taller than Moira but very gangly. He moved as if he barely had control of where his limbs went sometimes. Chris was a shorter, portly boy with glasses and stern features that occasionally broke into a warm, jovial smile carried upward by the tide of the group's conversation. Seamus, like Patrick, was pretty much average for a boy of just 15, except for his flaming red hair that could be seen from across an open field.

The seven were loud and boisterous, showing none of the anxiety the other children in the room seemed to carry. Normally the adults kept them quieter indoors but no one had the heart to bring their merriment to a stop tonight. Everyone remembered the excitement and nerves they felt on their presentation night or had heard about it from their mates. Either way, tonight the group was free to let loose. It seemed to those observing that the group had no worries about the importance of the evening or the length of the run or the people gathered to see them. There was something holding this group together more strongly than the other cliques the children formed. It was as if these young ones shared a feeling that they were there together so it would all work out. It always did. This aura was the only calm thing about the rowdy bunch who seemed to be ready to take off running at any moment.

After some time, Luna Fallon stood a slight way up the back stairs to be seen by everyone inside the crowded hall and announced that it was time for the warriors and families to move onto the lawn and prepare for the run. Parents hugged their children and gave a last few words of encouragement and advice before following the warriors outside. Luna Fallon and Gamma Gwen remained on the stairs to give last minute instructions and reminders to the young wolves.

"As you all can see we have a large group this year," began Luna Fallon. "We are pleased to see so many of you growing into fine wolves representing the Grey Peak Pack. A few last minute notes: please remember to place your clothes for after the run inside the platform partition in the cubby with your name on the bottom of it, if you haven't already, and do not take anyone else's clothing. This is not a time for pranks." As she said the last bit her eyes fixed on Moira and Patrick's group. Patrick avoided his mother's gaze but Moira broke into a huge grin as the others seemed to stir and chuckle.

"There are more than 20 of you running tonight," Gamma Gwen's soft voice continued. "Be sure and be mindful of those running ahead of and behind you and do not cause collisions. If you need to slow down, alert the warrior running at your side. They will be able to help you keep pace and guide your path, but remember, there is no time limit. This isn't a race. When you reach the final stretch and the pack house is in sight, your partnered warrior will fall back and you can run in on your own or with friends."

"There are modesty tents set along the side of the house. Go ahead and place your clothes into the cubbies if you still need to and get changed. As we practiced, you will line up opposite the warrior you wish to run with. It is first come, first run so no squabbling over placement. The faster wolves are near Alpha Darren. If you are worried about your pace, we advise you match to the warriors at the end. They have been specially instructed to assist those who need it. We will meet you on the lawn. And... congratulations young wolves." Luna Fallon finished with a warm smile at the group in front of her.

Frenzy is the best description for what happened next. It was as if an invisible comet had crashed into the room and scattered everyone. Children flowed outside through every available exit, some heading toward the privacy of the modesty tents to change and others simply stepping outside and changing there on the lawn. A few scurried to the platform to place bags of clothes inside the closed area in the center. Patrick caught Stan and Seamus and joined them heading toward the side of the house. Moira and the others were nowhere to be found.

On the lawn, a line of warrior wolves sat at attention. The moonlight catching their coats and eyes as the younger wolves streamed out to join them. Each new wolf took a position in front of one of the warriors, but seemed to be filling in the middle of the line first, not wanting to try to match those in the front of the line toward the path they'd take into the woods but also not wanting to be seen as weak by volunteering to be last. By taking a position opposite a warrior, the young wolves felt as if they were putting themselves forward to have to keep up. The Alpha and Beta would be leading, but the first wolf in line, Warrior Commander Alexi's wolf Baron, was just as fast as the two of them and would be staying as close behind as the young wolf who joined him could manage.

As the pack leaders' were surveying the choices of the young wolves, a slow stir started among the group closer to the house and spread to those already sitting in their positions in line. They each became quiet and still, those walking over stopped and waited for a large shadow to pass. The dark form solidified as it grew closer into a very large, black wolf. It padded steadily toward the front of the line trailed by three others. As the group passed, those in it's wake fell quickly into line. Taking the place across from Baron and the three warriors next to him, the younger wolves lowered their heads in respect then the large black one looked up and met the pack leaders' gazes with crystal blue eyes. 

There was pride and admiration and excitement burning in them as his gaze moved from Baron to Beta Owen's wolf, Axel, and finally to Tybris. As the Alpha and the young wolf locked eyes, there was a feeling of the world holding its breath and the two held eye contact, as if in a trance, before both seemed to stir simultaneously and Tybris rose to his feet. The other wolf watching his movements, waiting for an order.

As if nothing had happened, Tybris and Axel began trotting down the line on either side, ensuring everyone was present and paired up. As they reached the end, they turned back towards the front and broke into a run up the line towards the forest. Cheers erupted from the group of parents present for the ceremony. As the two wolves passed Baron, he and the young wolf beside him fell in behind the Alpha and Beta. The ceremonial run had begun.