Chapter 3 | Dark Moon Pack

Archer

Five years ago, I was sent away from my home at the Dark Moon Pack. My father, the Alpha, died in a vicious rogue attack. I was too young to take his place, and my mom and the Beta were grieving too much to properly teach me and to keep the pack running at the same time.

I was sent to various packs, where I learned from some of my dad’s closest confidants. But because it’s my 18th birthday, it’s time for me to return to my pack and to be the Alpha they’ve needed.

Tonight, I will shift for the first time. Then, I will take my place as Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack. 

Along with me, the sons of the current Beta and Gamma will take over their parents' roles. I met the guys a handful of times, and when we were kids, we were inseparable. The three of us were like the three musketeers. Our parents liked to call us the ABC’s: Archer, Brandon, and Caleb.

But it’s been 5 years of only seeing each other at Christmas. We aren’t as close as we used to be.

I’m hoping it will all be okay. They’ve been trained for their positions just like I was trained for mine; we just have to learn how to work together and build trust within.

My door swings open, and my mom smiles at me. She’s nervous, her hands wringing together as she comes closer to me. She’s terrified for me to take the Alpha role; she’s worried I’ll walk in my dad’s footsteps and lose my life like he lost his.

Her voice is soft as she asks, “How are you feeling, son? Are you ready?”

I nod as I stand up. My clothes are casual, a simple white button-down with some black slacks. I’ll shift under the light of the full moon, and these clothes will be shredded, and I will lead my pack in a run around our pack grounds.

I smile as I hook my arm with hers and say, “I’m ready, Mom.”

She smiles as she breathes out nervously, and I lead us down the stairs. We head outside, and she tells me, “You look just like your father, Archer. He would be so proud to see what a strong young man you’ve turned out to be. You’ll be such a strong Alpha.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I respond politely.

She lets go of my arm and takes a seat while I walk towards the small podium that they set up for tonight’s event. Beta Grant and Gamma Harrington smile at me as I come closer, and they start the ceremony. 

Their words pass by in a blur, and sweat trickles down my forehead as the urge to shift is slowly rising. I repeat their words as I commit to guiding and protecting our pack to the best of my ability. Shortly after I say my oath, my body forces my transformation.

The urge to cry out from the pain of my bones transforming is strong. But I breathe through it, trying to remember the fact that these people need a strong Alpha. They’ve been without for so long, and I want them to feel secure with me.

The shift happens quicker than I anticipated. People gasp as my wolf is revealed, and suddenly, pressure overwhelms my mind as a link gets created between every pack member and me. Slowly, words echo in my mind, congratulating me and thanking me for joining the pack.

Pride floods through me as I stand tall. I glance down at my paws to see the dark brown fur, and a deep voice grumbles within: It’s nice to finally be out.

My heart lept to my throat, and I ask: 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 his presence grows quiet. He’s distancing from me; he’s made his introduction and is retreating so I can focus on the moment at hand.

I mind link with my people: It’s time for our pack run. Anyone who can, please join in.

The majority of the crowd shifts, eager to join me in the run.

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, his face turning serious as he realizes the solemnity of the moment, and 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 the pack and me, 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 pressure lifted from him, especially since he has served in the alpha role for the past 5 years. 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's 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. Over the past 5 years, it has been ingrained in me to be more stoic. 

Maybe this won’t be so bad.

Brandon and Caleb argue 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, desperately trying 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 at 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, the more I realize that she is human. It doesn't matter to me, though. Maybe she'd be willing to let me 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 quickly. Then, life moves in slow motion as I see someone nudge her and she stumbles backward, and I rush to catch her before she can fall.