Chapter 3 | Dark Moon Pack

Archer

Coming home feels weird.

After my dad, Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack, died from a rogue attack, I was sent to various packs to learn from other Alphas what my responsibilities will be. My mom stayed as Luna and my dad’s Beta stood in his place until I was old enough to receive my wolf and take my place as Alpha.

I turned 18 last week and was sent home. Tonight, is the first full moon since my birthday which means tonight, I will shift for the first time. And I will take my place as Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack.

My Beta and Gamma will be the sons of the current Beta and Gamma. I’ve met them a handful of times… when we were kids we were like best friends. Archer, Brandon, and Caleb, we were like the three musketeers! Or as our parents enjoyed calling us: the ABC’s.

But after 5 years of only seeing each other at Christmas, we obviously aren’t as close as we were. I think everything will be okay though, they’ve been trained for their positions just like I’ve been trained for mine so there shouldn’t be too many issues.

My door opens and I look over at my mom. She smiles softly at me, but I can see she’s nervous. Her eyes have always revealed her emotions and I know she’s scared for me to take the position and to lose me. She asks, “Are you ready, Archer?”

I nod as I stand up. My clothes are pretty casual just a white button down and black pants, once I shift under the light of the full moon these clothes will be shredded and I will lead my pack in a run around the pack grounds.

I hook my arm with hers as I say confidently, “Ready as I’ll ever be, mom.”

She smiles as she breathes out and we head down the stairs. As we head outside, she tells me, “You’re the spitting image of your father, you know. He’d be proud to see you. You’ll do great things for this pack, Archer.”

I smile, “Thanks mom.”

She lets go of my arm and takes a seat while I walk towards the small podium they made. Beta Grant and Gamma Harrington smile at me and they start the ceremony. The whole thing passes by in a blur. They are trying to get through it before my body forces me to shift and I feel sweat all over my body as the transformation is going to happen soon. I repeat after them making my commitment to the pack and shortly after I said my oath my body forces me to shift.

I try my best not to cry out, I want my people to think they have a strong Alpha… I want them to think of me the same way they thought of my dad.

The shift happens quicker than I thought. I hear people gasp as my wolf is revealed and suddenly, I have a link to every one of the pack members since I am their Alpha. I hear people speak through the mind link congratulating me.

I stand tall, feeling proud of this accomplishment. I glance down at my paws to see that my fur is a dark brown color and I hear a deep voice say: It’s nice to finally be out.

My heart lept to my throat and I say: You’re my wolf?

I am. You can call me Atticus.

Huh, what are the odds we would both have ‘A’ names?

He makes an ‘I don’t know’ sound and then I link with my people: It’s time for our pack run. Anyone who can, please join in.

I watch as the majority of the crowd shift, only a few people don’t and it’s because they’re too old or because they have a young child.

I let out a loud howl and take off, enjoying the rush of my first run as my people follow my lead.

When I get back to the pack house most of the people disperse and Brandon and Caleb run up to me and Brandon shifts and says, “Good to have you home, Archer.”

Caleb loops his arms around each of our necks and says, “Yeah, the ABC’s back together again!”

I chuckle and ask, “Are you two ready to be sworn in?”

Caleb immediately straightens up and acts more serious as he says, “Yes Alpha.”

I smile as I go through the ritual as they commit to the pack and to me. Brandon is my Beta and Caleb is my Gamma and once they were sworn to me and the pack, we went inside to join our parents. Brandon’s dad jokes, “Nice for you boys to finally be in charge. I was getting too old for this.”

Brandon snorts at the joke. His dad was still in his 30’s and was in great shape as Beta. But I’m sure he’s grateful to have all the added pressures lifted off of him. My mom nudges him and then looks over at us and says, “Hey, son, how about you guys go off and celebrate? You can worry about real work tomorrow. Think of this as like… a bonding experience.”

Caleb’s eyes light up and he says, “Yeah, Archer, what do you think?”

I nod reluctantly as Brandon and Caleb grab my arms and drag me out of the pack house. My mom mind links me: Have fun, son! Stop being so uptight.

I roll my eyes but to be honest I appreciate her and how she’s looking out for me.

Maybe this won’t be so bad.

Brandon and Caleb argued for over half an hour before agreeing on bowling. I haven’t been in years, but I mean… how hard could it be?

We got our shoes, ordered some food and sodas, picked our balls, went to our lane, and I was just about to start our game off when the most intoxicating scent appeared.

I lift my head up as I hear Atticus announce in my head: MATE!

Fear and excitement fill my body. I never would’ve thought that I would meet my mate the same day I shifted. I look around for the lavender coconut scent as I try desperately to find it. I can hear Caleb telling me to take my turn and then Brandon says, “Dude, chill. Isn’t it obvious? He’s looking for someone.”

Caleb asks, “Are we expecting anyone else?”

Atticus grumbles in my head: Idiot.

I smirk from his comment when my eyes land on a girl. She has chocolate brown hair that goes past her shoulders and she’s pulling it up and I catch a glimpse of her neck making me feel excited because I know that’s where my mark will be.

I set my ball down as I walk to her, desperate to see her face. The closer I get to her, I realize that she is human. It doesn't matter to me though, maybe she'd be willing for me to change her, but if she wasn't then she would be my perfect human Luna. 

I'm still in disbelief that I could find her so quick. Then, life moves in slow motion as I see someone nudge her and she stumbles backwards and I rush to go catch her before she can fall.