Chapter 8

*Cyrus*

Everyone was quiet for a moment, looking at the ground.  Fiona inhaled deeply, the anger clearing from her face.  When she spoke it was in a neutral tone.  

"This garden honours her legacy and reminds us what happens when a pack is run with greed."  She said it with finality, shutting the book on the conversation.  "Let me show you the inside of the community centre,"  quickly shifting focus back to the tour.  "We offer classes for pack members who want to learn new skills.  We teach everything from art courses, trades and courses to help pack members who wish to attend university.  It is all run by volunteers from the pack who want to support growth and wellbeing.   Normally it's older pack members looking to explore new horizons, but we will get some high schoolers who want to study something beyond what is offered at the school."

We entered a large gym, walls completely covered in mirrors, equipment of all types scattered throughout the space.  There were a few dozen people in the gym, all stopped what they were doing as we entered, turning to watch Alpha Fin.

"Don't worry about us," she spoke, "I am showing Alpha Cyrus from Golden Moon Pack around. Carry on, I expect to see improvements from everyone at training this week."  The pack members nodded and went back to work, training harder than when we first walked in, proving to Alpha Fin that they were training hard.   I could still feel their eyes on me as we moved across the floor to the stairs. 

"They all have the same tattoo" Dante mind-linked me.  I had failed to notice many details on our tour, focusing too much on a certain Alpha.  Luckily Dante was doing his job "a Cresent Moon with a star" he continued in the link.  I looked around and sure enough, I saw a lot of tattoos like Dante described, the design seemed familiar but I couldn't place it.  "It was the symbol carved into the fountain." He linked again.  Thank the goddess Dante had his act together.  

"I've noticed a lot of your pack members have the same tattoo," I remarked casually.

"It's very popular among pack members," said Beta Liz lifting her sleeve to show her tattoo of a moon and star. "It reminds us that we are all children of the moon goddess.  Typically pack members like to get one after their first shift as a sign of loyalty to the pack and the moon goddess."

"Sounds like a bit of a cult," Dante said bluntly.  

"That's why I'm against the idea" Fiona admitted "but the idea took root despite my best efforts to stop it.  Pack members are free to do with their bodies as they please.  There wasn't much I could really do about it."

"But why the moon and star?" I asked curiously, "there are a lot of symbols that could represent the pack."  Beta Ned and Liz looked to Alpha Fin like they had done when we asked about Luna Celeste's death.  Clearly, there was a very good reason and I could tell that I wasn't going to get the truth, at least not the full truth.  

"It's the sigil of the pack." Fin spoke casually "You'll find it on a lot of pack architecture, from even before I became Alpha.  When I decided to become Alpha, I started using it as a symbol of rebellion.  A way that like-minded wolves who wanted change could connect without outing themselves.  After I took over, the symbol had become so popular that it's stuck around and became the official pack calling card." 

"Wow," said Dante "That's pretty badass."  I had to agree.  Fiona laughed and we toured the rest of the community centre.  

By the time we were done in the community centre, the sun had well and truly set.  We had seen a large part of the pack and I learned how well-loved Fiona was as an Alpha.  Unlike a lot of other packs, her style of leading was very different.  She didn't seem to rely on fear, as many Alpha's did.  Pack members seemed comfortable to approach her and talk,  She seemed genuinely enthused by these interactions, yet managed to keep them respectful and short.  

"Well, it seems to be quite late" Fiona spoke looking at the moon in the sky, as we exited the community centre. "Betas go and enjoy your night I can take Alpha Astor and Beta Clifford back to their rooms." My heart leapt at the thought of spending time with Fiona away from the others.  Ned and Liz nodded and left, leaving us Dante, myself and Fiona.  I stood next to Fiona as we walked back, close enough that I could reach for her hand.  While I was tempted to do just that I wasn't sure if she'd react well.

"You're pack members really love you, especially the young ones," I said trying to connect with her. " In my pack, they wouldn't dare to approach me like that."

"Yeah, he's so scary the last time he visited the pack preschool the whole class cried."  Dante laughed.  I shot him a look; he was supposed to be my wingman and make me look good.  Fiona, fortunately, laughed as well. 

"Aren't you worried that they will overstep and take advantage of that?" I asked.  In my pack, members had a healthy fear of their Alpha knowing that a toe out of line or a whiff of disrespect could be fatal.

"I'm not here to rule a pack" she stated matter of factly "I'm here to serve it. My job is to ensure my pack members have the best life possible."  So she was an idealist, it seemed to work for her at the moment, but what about when her borders opened.  Other packs might see that as easy prey if they wanted to expand. 

"What about those that oppose you and see that as a weakness?" I pushed.

"The weakest among us are the ones who shout their power from the rooftops." She spoke as she turned to me to dead serious "I proved that I can defend the pack from threats. They have trust in me." 

"It seems they are more likely to put a toe out of line if they think of you as a friend." I continued, trying to get to the root of my worry.  

"Familiarity doesn't mean anyone is exempt from the laws of the pack.  Loyalty shouldn't come from fear, there's always something else scarier out there. You've seen me building connections with pack members today.  Those connections make punishment less necessary."  She said, face turning hard for the last line she spoke: "The pack members know that I will not show mercy should they betray the pack." 

I was quiet for a second taking in what she had said.  It was like nothing I heard before.  The King was completely different, he ruled with fear and many others copied that.  "I hadn't thought of it like that," I pondered.  I had never met someone so full of radical ideas.  When Fiona spoke, it was as if it was the most natural idea in the world.  Yet these ideas were so different from the traditions and views held by werewolves.  I wondered how the King would react hearing this. He very much was stuck in his way and probably would dismiss it as new age daydreams.  I wanted to know more about my mate.  Pick apart her brain and discover who this radical Alpha was.

"Tell me," she said, changing the subject, as we reached the packhouse "does the moon look this beautiful from your pack Alpha Astor?"

"Call me Cyrus" I spoke softly.  We were on the steps of the packhouse now.  She stood on the step above me, I faced her on the step below.  We were so close, it wouldn't take much to kiss her soft lips.  Blaze was urging me to sweep her off her feet and claim her.  I looked into her eyes glistening in the moonlight: "It's not nearly as beautiful." 

"You haven't even looked at it properly?"  She protested.  We made eye contact as I spoke:

"I don't need to look," I spoke, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear "I can see its beauty reflected in your eyes making all the more beautiful."  An emotion glinted across her face.  Was she finally noticing the mate bond?  The emotion was gone before it started leaving me questioning if I noticed anything at all.  Fiona shifted awkwardly, stepping backwards up a few steps.  I was disappointed but hid it, acting as nothing had happened.  

"Good night Alpha Astor," she said quickly "it's a busy day tomorrow, better get some rest." She quickly turned and fled into the packhouse.  Maybe I pushed it too far?

"She's an odd one, your mate" Dante commented watching the interaction, "she doesn't seem to notice the mate bond at all.  I'm not even sure if she likes you."