Chapter 31

Elise's POV

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"Good morning honey," my mom comes into the kitchen and gets the coffee going. "You're up early."

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"Couldn't sleep."

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"How's Leo?" She asks.

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"We were up most of the night talking. He thinks that this is all his fault. Frank and Angie and everything. He's really angry too."

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"I can't blame him."

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"Good morning," Leo comes in and leans against the counter. "Can I help with anything?" he asks my mom and she smiles at him.

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"No, breakfast is being made in the pack house kitchen and I think Jack and the boys are going to come here to eat this morning if you guys want to join them. Mrs. Baily is making up a feast this morning. Quite a few of our council members are coming in a day early before the ceremony tomorrow evening."

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He nods and sits down next to me and grabs my hand.

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"Thank you for sitting with me last night." he says as my dad walks in.

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"Good, you're both here. How are you this morning Leo?"

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"Okay."

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"So, tomorrow night when we have the ceremony for Jonathan, you will be joining him. You will both be brought into the pack tomorrow. Any objections?" he asks and I'm extremely happy with this. Leo looks up at him looking a bit surprised.

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"Are you sure? Am I ready?" he asks.

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"Leo, you are more than ready. It's time to make it official and then we are going to take care of Eric."

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Leo shakes his head in agreement and squeezes my hand.

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He's fairly quiet for most of the day, we go to school and training, and everyone is excited for the ceremony, but Leo has remained somewhat distant.

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As we head back to the pack house after a grueling training session it's Lucas' son that finally brings a smile to Leo's face.

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"Leo! You want to watch a movie with me later?" He asks.

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Lucas introduced Leo to Teddy after he showed him the paperwork that officially made him a part of his family and it was the cutest meeting I have ever seen. Teddy just kept asking if Leo was his big brother now, and how he always wanted one because big sisters stink and are bossy. Sammi was annoyed, but she couldn’t be happier that Leo has become a part of their family. The truth is, none of us know what will happen to Leo’s mother. She hasn’t been seen in weeks and we all fear that she’s been killed, although we won’t say it in front of Leo. That would truly be the final blow for him.

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"Yeah, buddy. I'll watch a movie with ya." Leo says and picks Teddy up and shoots him up on his shoulders.

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The evening is quiet and Teddy begs Leo to tuck him in, and of course Leo does and reads him a bed time story. I think Teddy is a great distraction for the moment, but it is another rather restless night once we are back in bed.

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Soon it's another morning, but it's not just any morning. It's the day that Leo becomes officially one of us, and tonight I plan to mark him, Lilly is more than excited.

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“Are you ready for tonight?” I ask him as I lay beside him, the sun beaming through the window and warming our faces.

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“I’m not sure what to expect, but I know I’m ready to finally have a place I can call home. Never in my dreams could I have imagined all of this. Or you.” He looks at me with those big beautiful eyes and I melt. I run my hand over his chest and take in his intoxicating scent and the mate bond kicks into high gear. I want to make him mine. I want to mark him and Lily is howling inside to do just that.

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I crawl on top of him and kiss him and I can feel his heart beating faster and faster.

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“Leo, have you ever, you know...” I say a little embarrassed, and his eyes open wide and he gets a goofy grin on his face and shakes his head.

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“Me either,” I blush. “Do you want to? We are fated mates after all. The Goddess herself put us together.” Lily is going crazy in my mind, begging me to just take him.

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“I - yeah, I mean of course I do,” He says nervously. “Right now?” He asks and I bite my lip and grin.

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"I'm okay if you don't want to or aren't in the mood to try, I totally get it." I say, and Lily fully disagrees. She wants to try no matter what.

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He wraps his arms around me and flips me over and kisses me so passionately that I nearly pass out. We nervously adjust to the closeness we crave and my stomach flutters as Leo reaches for my hand, intertwining his fingers in mine. We start to explore each other's worlds and what starts out gently quickly ignites into fiery passion. Every touch shoots shivers down my spine.

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We find ourselves communicating without words and our eyes reflect a shared understanding of love and loss. The outside world fades and leaves us enveloped in the comfort of one another. Laughter eventually bubbles up between us as we awkwardly explore each other and the beauty of our intimacy seems to be healing some part of Leo that desperately needed it. I cherish every heartbeat I feel against his skin and it is a moment of firsts for both of us. It isn't a morning just about passion, it's about love and a new beginning that will shape our journey together.

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After the most intense feelings of connection I’ve ever had, we are both left clinging to one another. We lay together for a while longer and I eventually get up to go take a shower, and when I suggest that he join me he doesn’t hesitate. I can’t help but stare at him as the water runs over him. He is beautiful and I can’t even imagine what he will look like after he shifts for the first time.

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“Why are you staring at me like that?” He asks, and I laugh at how oblivious he is when it comes to his looks.

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“Come on, we have a lot to do today before the ceremony. Alpha Jonathan is thrilled that you’re joining him.” Sadly our morning has come to an end, but there will be no way to keep the grin off my face today. I plan to mark him tonight and that will start the bonding process that will fuse us together for the rest of our lives. In just a few days he will turn eighteen and shift for the first time, and then we can complete the bond.

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The rest of the day is so busy. The excitement in the pack is buzzing and everyone is out and about getting ready to accept two new people into our family. The fact that two alphas are joining us is creating even bigger excitement. Some of the council members are joining us as well. The covens are sending some of their people and of course, Odette and her family wouldn’t miss it.

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Every so often I pass Leo and each time he grins and blushes a little and it’s adorable. My mother always told me about the mate bond and how it would be, but I never fully understood until now. I am so insanely in love with this boy that it’s scary.

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Leo’s POV

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I'm anxious as I sit with Jonathan in the ballroom where tonight’s events will happen, and we’re waiting for Roman to come and join us so he can walk us through what we need to do tonight. Lucas walks in first and sits across from the two of us.

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“Are you both ready?” he asks and neither one of us say anything. “Do either of you have any questions?”

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“Will my family feel it? Will my pack feel me join another pack?” Jonathan asks, making me wonder how deep this bond goes.

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“No. When you gave up your rights to Eric, they felt it then. Tonight will be just for you so that you can get stronger and no longer exist as a rogue. You are going to feel considerably better. Remember, it’s not forever. You will return to your pack and take control again, this is for as long as you need it.” Lucas answers and Jonathan seems relieved.

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“What’s a rogue?” I ask, and the two of them look at me and I think at first they’re surprised that I don’t know, but they quickly remember that I didn’t grow up like this.

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“It’s a werewolf without a pack. There are some that choose a life away from others, but it’s difficult for them. They never truly have a sense of belonging." Lucas says and then Jonathan continues.

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"But there are others that need the pack, they require it to function. They become almost rabid without one and that’s dangerous for anyone or anything that comes near them. They tend to cluster together, but they lose their human side slowly over time and all that is left is a primal need to eat. To become a rogue is typically a punishment. Rogues are what tore me up out in the woods." Jonathan says and Roman comes in to join us.

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“Ready guys?” He smiles and I smile back, but there is a piece of me that is scared as hell of this guy. What if he found out about what Elise and I did this morning? He’d kill me.

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“I think so,” I respond with a bit of apprehension.

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“The ceremony will be broken into two sessions. The first will be instating you, Jonathan. Then we will take a small break and everyone will eat. After, we will instate you, Leo. There isn’t much for either of you to do other than acknowledge the bond. Leo, Gideon will know how to guide you. I imagine he is very anxious to have the pack bond established.”

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“He doesn’t stop talking about it.” I smile, Gideon has been beyond ready and reminds me constantly about what a big deal it is and how we will become protectors of the pack.

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We go through a few other details until Sammi shows up and lets us know we need to get ready. There is special ceremonial clothing that we need to wear and apparently, it’s time to prepare.

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“Leo, you’ll come with me.” We head out and walk towards the apartment that Lucas’ family is currently living in. Sammy goes through the door but Lucas grabs my shoulder and pauses us for a minute.

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“Look, I know I’m not your father or anything, but it is a tradition that the father gets his son ready and vouches for him at the ceremony. I’d like to stand in if you’re okay with that,” Lucas says.

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“I’d like that,” It feels amazing to have someone like him in my life. I cared deeply for Frank, but I always knew that I could be taken away from him. It was unsteady ground. Come to think of it, I have always been on ground that shifts under me. Lucas is finally an anchor that I can hold on to.

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After a lot of fussing over my suit, Sammi takes a box off the shelf and opens it. It’s a silk scarf, deep purple in color.

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“Here, dad.” She hands it over to Lucas and he unfolds it.

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“Let’s get this on. It wraps around your waist, like this. Every man in our family has worn this for their induction. Little Teddy will wear it too one day.” He takes a step back and looks at his work pleased.

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“How old are you normally when you are brought into the pack?” I ask.

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“Thirteen, that’s the normal age. It’s when you are old enough to understand what it means to belong. You’ll be able to mind link us you know, to reach us anytime, anywhere. When you and Elise complete the mating ritual, you will have a strong bond. You will be able to know each other in a way you never thought possible.”

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“My goodness, it’s been a long time since I have seen that sash. It suits you, Leo. I’m very happy to have you in our family.” Lucas’ wife Miri is a wonderful woman who has been working with me to understand the history of our kind, but also the history of others.

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“Where’s Teddy?” Sammi asks, and Miri laughs.

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“He couldn’t sit still after he got dressed, so I sent him on a scavenger hunt.” she grins and Sammy laughs.

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“He still falls for that?” Sammi turns to me, “Mom loves to trick us. She disguises cleaning and chores as a scavenger hunt. Clearly, it still works on Teddy.”

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“Oh, Lucas, I had him move your coat into your room too, just in case you were looking for it,” Miri says as she pins a medallion on my lapel. “This is our family crest.” She smiles and once everyone is done fussing over me we make our way to the ballroom.

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The room is decorated beautifully, flowers draped everywhere and the tables of food are impressive, it makes my stomach growl.

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We stand behind the front table and people are streaming in, all dressed formally, but laughing with one another and having fun. I look around the room and there are children playing with one another and their laughter makes me smile. This is such a different way of life than what I’m used to and I can’t believe that I’m about to become part of it.

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“Alpha Leo, it is truly an honor to meet you,” A couple walks up to greet me and I thank them. One after another people are introducing themselves to me.

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“Alpha Leo, we are so glad you are here to finally save our brothers in the south,” An older gentleman says, and that is a very common theme. They all fully believe that I will make things right. One after another is now bombarding me with greetings and questions until one person grabs my shoulder.

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“Leo, I need you over here. Sorry folks, but I have to steal him for a bit,” Jack pulls me towards him and away from the crowd and I could kiss him I’m so thankful. “They are all just excited to meet you, but it’s time to grab some food.” Jack ushers me to a table behind the stage that is heaping with all kinds of stuff and I fill my plate almost as full as Jack’s.

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“Should I go back out there?” I ask, not wanting to disappoint anyone.

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“Na, plenty of time to get to know everyone, and if at any moment you feel like you need a break you just find me. Actually, you’ll be able to mind link me after the ceremony!” He slaps my back and laughs.

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The lights dim several times and that’s our queue to take our seats. I sit beside Elise and she grabs my hand and kisses me on the cheek. “Are you ready?” she grins at me and I nod, despite my nerves spiking.

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Roman stands and the crowd cheers for him. There must be over five hundred people here, but I see Odette in the middle of them all with her sons. She seems to be the type that always draws attention. They nod to me, as do the others at their table. I look at the table beside them and I notice that the coven and several of the other packs are there as well, I recognize them from the council meeting.

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“I’d like to welcome you all to a very important evening for our lands. A historic evening where we will be welcoming two incredible young Alpha males into our family.” Roman continues to welcome the crowd and introduce Jonathan and me and the crowd once again cheers.

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He calls Jonathan beside him and Anna joins them, another man is also on the stage and he begins to recite something in a language I don’t recognize. A hush sweeps over the crowd as they listen, and at specific points, they respond to him in the same language.

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“Please kneel Alpha Jonathan,” Roman is speaking again, “Raise your right hand,” Jonathan raises it and Roman takes a knife and makes a small incision in his own palm and then another in Jonathan’s. “Tonight you are bound to us as your pack and family,” he says as he grips Jonathan’s hand. He holds it tight while the other gentleman starts reciting things again, and Jonathan looks like he is sinking deeper and deeper into the floor, but he continues to grip onto Roman.

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The room is now completely silent and all have their eyes closed. I look at Jonathan and he looks as if he is in pain. His eyes closed as tight as they can be and his fists are clenched now by his sides; small drops of blood fall from his hand. And then, after a few moments, he looks out at the crowd and he has tears in his eyes. He stands up tall and everyone stands too.

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“Thank you,” he says to everyone and Anna hugs him.

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“Welcome home Jonathan, we are yours for as long as you need us.” Cheers ignite around the room and Elise grabs my hand and kisses it.

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“You’re next,” she smiles and I wrap my arm around her and bend down to her ear.

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“It looked like he was in pain,” I say and I start to get nervous.

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“No, just overwhelmed. Everyone greets him through the mind link that opens. It’s a very emotional thing. Don’t be worried, it’s the most wonderful experience. Almost as good as what we did this morning,” she has a mischievous grin on her face and my heart beats faster. “We’ll do more of that tonight, I have a surprise for you too. But right now, we need to mingle before it’s your turn.”

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Elise takes me from table to table and introduces me to those that I haven’t met yet. We spend a few moments with her parents before Jack and Leia come bouncing over to us with Echo, Tai, and Sammi following close behind. They are all talking at the same time, and joking around.

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“Tonight, Alpha King Leo, we shall throw the best after-party for you that you have ever seen!” Leia announces, and the others all cheer and laugh. “Tonight, Leo, we are your official crew! We take our oath to support and protect you!”

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I look at Elise confused, and she winks at me. “Can you take care of my man for a few, I need to use the lady’s room,” She grabs Sammi and Leia’s arms and they take off, leaving me with the guys.

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“You will make an incredible leader, Leo. It will be an honor to pledge my loyalty to you.” Tai says and Jack and Echo nod in agreement. “You will be a gentle and kind ruler and we could not be luckier to have you.”

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“Enough with the gushy stuff, Tai. We have more pressing questions. Leo, did you seal the deal with Elise yet?” Jack asks and Echo nearly spits out his punch.

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“Dude, that’s none of your business,” he chastises Jack, and I can feel my face heat up with embarrassment. They continue to argue about the question but something catches my eye and distracts me from them. I see little Teddy playing at a table, and I see something in his hands.

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“I’ll be right back guys...” I say and I walk over to the little kid who is bouncing a toy around the water glasses.

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“Teddy, what ya got there? Can I see that?” Teddy smiles a big silly grin and hands it to me and I instantly feel sick to my stomach. Horrific feelings climb into my mind as I turn the toy over and over in my hand. “Where did you get this?” I ask as the tension in my chest starts to pull tight like an over-twisted rubber band. I feel like I might just puke.

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Leo, please calm down. Please don’t scare him. Control your feelings. [Gideon]

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Horrible visions flood my mind, terrible things flash in and out. I don’t even realize I’m holding my breath while my body starts to shake and I grip the lion tight. I don’t hear anything but white noise in my ears as these visions...

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no...memories begin to flood my thoughts.

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Leo, you’re scaring poor Teddy. [Gideon]

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I look at all these amazing people around me, and as one horrific memory after another slams into my brain, I have an overwhelming need to get out of there. I feel confused and disoriented, and I can barely breathe as I push through the crowd to get out the door. Once out I just keep going until I’m at the entrance of the grounds near the school. I just stare out into the darkness and I remember everything.

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Leo, please listen to me. What they did to us, it wasn’t your fault. Do you understand? We needed to survive, Leo. They would have killed us if it went on much longer. [Gideon]

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I hear someone behind me and I’m afraid to turn around. I’m not sure I can face anyone after what I’ve done.

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