CHAPTER 07

The main hall of the South Hartvale Community center was packed. There was a high table on the stage where sat Omega Nicholas Murphy, Beta Sonia Wright and Alpha Dominic Blaise. There was one more chair, but it was empty because its occupant, Alexander Simons, stood at the podium, his left arm was still in a cast.

“A few days ago, our little pack received something of a shock when an old son returned and his first act was to overthrow me and claim the alpha spirit,” Alex spoke into the mic. He’d meant it as a joke, but only he and Omega Nick laughed at it.

“I know how you all feel,” Alex went on. “Change is not always a fun thing, or a good thing, but sometimes it is the right thing. This is one such time. The moon spirits decided this, not me, or Dom. My time to lead you had come to an end and it is time for a new era. I have led you all well so please believe that I would not make all these efforts to endorse our new alpha if I did not know it was the best thing for this pack.”

The people just listened in silence. Chairs were filled up and people were standing in the back and along the sides.

“I thank you for your loyalty during my time as your alpha and appreciate you all for coming out this Sunday to meet the new alpha.”

He looked back at Dominic now. “Please, come and address your pack.”

Dom rose calmly from his seat. He looked smart in his loose T-shirt and straight jeans. He got to the podium and the entire hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

“C’mon guys, clap for your alpha!” Alexander said into the mic, but all that got from the crowd were a few scattered weak claps.

Alex returned to his seat at the high table, while Dom took the podium.

The new alpha just stared at the crowd, scanning from side to side. He finally took a long sniff then let out his breath through his mouth.

“I can smell the doubt that hangs strong in the air,” he spoke. His voice was calm as always.

“I smell fear as well. I sense the uncertainty that fills this room even though your wolves reach out to me.”

He was silent and everyone just waited for what he had to say next. He stepped away from the podium now and stepped closer to the front row of chairs. He looked down at the people in the chairs.

“What I say now will sound like promises, but trust me, I keep my promises,” he spoke. “I will do more than my best to serve you all. I will give my life to protect the smallest of us. This pack will grow and flourish under my leadership. I will not fail you nor will I fail the moon spirits who have chosen me.”

As he walked down the front row, a woman’s baby reached out to him and he squatted before the woman.

“I will keep your child safe as though it was my own,” he spoke softly.

The woman smiled and gave him an affirmative nod. He took the baby from her arms and stood to his full height again.

“I WILL KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE BECAUSE THEY ARE MY CHILDREN!” he roared.

The baby in his arms laughed at his raised tone.

“I am not Alexander Simons and I will never be able to attain the greatness he has, nor will I be able to ever replace him in your hearts, but I want my own place in those hearts. Allow me serve you.”

Positive mumbling began rising from the crowd now. There were whoops and claps.

“The South Hartvale Pack will be as those before us planned it,” he went on. “We will be the greatness we were destined to be.”

The applause grew now. The people were being won over and Dom could feel their wolves crying out to his.

His head morphed into his wolf state and the baby in his arms clapped with excitement. His fur was gray and eyes were bright red. His fangs were brilliant white.

“MY NAME IS DOMINIC BLAISE. I WAS HONORED WITH THE TITLE OF SAVIOUR IN THE WAR FOR THE OLD COUNTRY,  BUT WHAT USE IS A SAVIOUR IF HE CANNOT SAVE HIS OWN HOME?!” he roared and everyone began cheering loudly.

Alex smiled at the reaction. He knew Dom would win over the people.

“TONIGHT WE GATHER AT THE ATRIUM TO HOWL IN ONE VOICE SO LOUD THE MOON SPIRITS HEAR US AND BEG WE BE SILENT!” Dom yelled and the crowd roared in agreement.

“WILL YOU BE THERE?!” he yelled at one man.

“YOU SHOULD BE THERE!” he told another, going down the middle aisle and pointing randomly at people.

“YOU MUST BE THERE!”

“HE WILL BE THERE.”

“SHE WILL BE THERE!”

He went on personalizing invitations to the crowd and people were reaching out just to touch him now.

“Seems the new boss is quite the orator ,” Sonia told the others at the high table. She was 31 years old, 5ft 8” with three kids already, but she was a hardcore Beta who managed the pack expertly well under Alex and would do the same under the new authority.

“He is touched by the spirits, Sonia,” Nick commented, watching Dom’s performance keenly.

“They chose well,” was all Alex had to say, but the big smile on his face spoke volumes.

Dom was swarmed by pack members now. Everyone wanted to touch him, to bask in his aura. They had finally accepted him and at the howling tonight, they would allow their wolves bond with his, marking themselves as his pack.