Chapter Five

Kaine walked us to the pack house. I wouldn’t have minded the walk so much, if he hadn’t insisted that I do it in heels. I’m normally someone that wears tennis shoes, the walk was quite uncomfortable. Kaine led me up the steps to the packhouse, holding on to my arm in an protective stance. I caught a glimpse of Abel walking out of a room behind a girl I recognized from the awful years I attended at the high school. Kamilla. She was cruel, ruthless, and someone that enjoyed the suffering of others. She had been my main bully all throughout school. Something told me, that she wasn’t there just for a visit. This must be the reason behind Abel’s rejection. I hated her. “Oh, look. You sure picked well, Kaine. The biggest loser in the pack. A true weakling! Her own father didn’t want her, I can’t believe you actually mated with that thing. Do you have no shame? You should have followed Abel’s lead and rejected the worthless bitch.”

Kamilla’s laughter was both cold, and annoying. I bit my tongue, despite having so much to say. “Better her, than some used up shifter bitch, that has fucked half the town and only out for money because her parents are facing the poor house. How is daddy dearest? Oh, that’s right. He lost his job after my father found out how much he likes playing with his daughters, though not as much as he likes you. Bring up my mate in such a hateful manner again, and I’ll tell the whole pack about how much you enjoy your incestious relationship with your fucked up family.” Kaine said with a smirk.

“Hey! You can’t talk to her like that. She’s going to be Luna!” Abel growled, and Kaine couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, you haven’t heard little bro? Dad didn’t pick you for Alpha. You running around chasing skirts and supporting this little whore’s shopping habit fucked that up. I’m on my way to the office to plan my ascension event. I was going to make you beta, but having this tramp around causing problems that you’re seemingly okay with, just pisses me off. Enjoy the shadow, and show some respect to Valeria. She actually is our Luna now.” Kamilla was actively sobbing now. Incoherently, about how her home situation wasn’t her fault. Abel was pissed at Kaine, but my mate didn’t seem bothered.

While Abel tried to console Kamilla, Kaine grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him as we headed up the stairs to the office. I’ve only seen Alpha Bryce a couple of times, but he always seemed strong, he was quite strict too, always expecting a certain standard for his people to live by. He was sitting in his office when we came in, a cold frown settled on his face. Kaine urged me to sit in one of the chairs, while he sat in the other. The Alpha’s expression broke into a kind smile when he saw us. “Valeria. Nice to see you, and Kaine. I do hope that you can refrain from provoking your brother so much in the future, you two will need to get along.” The Alpha said and Kaine smiled politely, as if he hadn’t just been screaming at Abel and Kamilla downstairs. “Is all of that true, about Kamilla’s family?” I asked, Alpha Bryce nodded. “It was part of what influenced my decision about who would succeed me. Abel is hot headed and interested in physical temptations rather and power, more so than the responsibilities that come with running a pack. If I chose my youngest son, he would run my pack into the ground. The amount of money he spends on that girl, not to mention a scandal like that if she became Luna. I couldn’t have it. Anyway. Kaine. Have you chosen a Beta? Who will help you with your pack duties?” Kaine smiled at his father and pulled a list from his pocket.

“I would like Zayden as my beta. He’s my mate’s brother. A fine warrior, and from what I’ve learned, trustworthy. I would like Benjamin as my gamma, and Seraphine as the Delta. She’s a fine woman, has attention to detail, honest, and has been running work for the pack for the last couple of years. I think it’s time she get promoted.” Alpha Bryce looked over the list and nodded approvingly. “What will you have your brother doing?” Kaine sighed in response. “I’ll have him working with the training for new recruits. He will take over Benjamin’s job, if he fails to meet expectations there, I’ll have him run small jobs, or perhaps see to punishing prisoners since he has such a strong likeness for punishments.” The Alpha thought all of this over and nodded. “When he matures enough, to take his responsibilities seriously, we will find him more meaningful work. To the next order of business. I will hold your ascension ceremony tomorrow, you will declare your mate as Luna, and we can have her ceremony the following week. In the meantime, take your new Luna to explore the packhouse grounds. I’m sure she’d like to visit her brother. You should do that too and share your good news with him.”

Kaine smiled at his father. “Agreed, thanks dad.” Kaine and I walked to the training grounds. There were several groups sparring in singles or in teams. It was impressive. A man with stark blonde hair stood out, he was training with a larger, darker more muscular man. “Zayden, Benjamin, Seraphine! I need a word.” Kaine yelled across the field. The two men and a shorter dark haired woman with a pixie haircut, made their way over. “Oh, hey sis! You look good. Is that a? So you have a mate?" Zayden said as he swept me up in a hug. "It's me." Kaine said, and Zayden quickly released me. "Oh, wow. Mated to a member of the Alpha family? That's huge! How did mom react?" I laughed at Zayden's question. "Mom, reacted a bit like you'd expect. First she was angry there was a guy in my room, then suddenly all friendly and motherly when she found out who he was." I told him with a roll of my eyes.

"Anyway, I didn't really come here to share that news. I've been chosen as the new Alpha. So, I have decided that you three will make up my inner circle. Zayden, we've ran missions before and I think I can trust you to watch my back. You're going to be Beta. Benjamin will be the Gamma, and Seraphine. You'll be the first she-wolf to ever make the cut. Congrats, Delta." Seraphine squealed and hugged Benjamin tightly in a hug. I must have looked confused, because Kaine spoke up. "Benjamin and Seraphine are mates." I looked harder, and sure enough. Matching marks, similar to the ones that Kaine and I now shared. It was interesting. "I can't wait to tell Winter!" Zayden exclaimed, but Kaine put his hand up. "First, there's something you need to know. Valeria's Luna ceremony will be next week. With no other male members of her family to be present. You'll need to be the one to present her for the pack." Zayden grinned. "It'd be my honor, Alpha Kaine."