Chapter Five

Becoming Alpha

Nora walked into a stunning garden of green. There were vines flowing from archways and wrapping up light posts. A beautiful fountain in the middle of everything. She was surprised that Kip would have something so beautiful. 

“This is stunning.” Nora whispered as she looked around, the pack members began to join them.

“Wait, it's about to become magical.” Asher said to her.

“What do you mean?” Nora smiled.

“You’ll see seconds after the sun sets.” Asher smiled back.

The sun was setting and the moon was slowly coming out as they waited for the last bit of pack members to gather. Then as if someone pressed a button flowers began to bloom. The archways and vines that wrapped around the lamp post all sprouted white flowers. Along the fountain bloomed blue moon wisterias and moon flowers. Nora looked around in amazement.

It was breathtaking. She saw a few of the pack members smile up at her as they saw her expression. 

“We need one of these.” She whispered to Jace.

He squeezed her hand tightly in response. A small smile came to his lips as he realized more and more she thought of his pack as her home. Asher looked over the pack and nodded his head to Nora letting her know it was time. She inhaled deeply and all of a sudden felt super nervous. She knew she was going to have to address them but she didn't think she would feel like this. She also had no clue what to say.

You got this. Jace and Asher's voices echoed in her mind. She chuckled lightly that they both said the same thing.

“Hello all. Thank you all for coming out to meet me. I am sorry we are having to do it like this. Your home here is absolutely beautiful. I am going to do my best as your Alpha to help lead you out of this hard time. Shortly we will be assigning roles. You all know Asher is my Beta. We will soon find Delta and Gamma. I would like to get to know each one of you as time goes on. I hope to grow this pack closer and stronger.” Nora smiled.

She saw several head nodes throughout the crowd, she didn't want to get into how Kip was a horrible leader and that the way things were run under him would not be continuing. She wanted to keep this short and sweet.

“At this time we all pledge loyalty to Alpha Nora. Alpha Nora has requested that when you pledge you look up .” Asher said, stepping forward.

Look for red eyes. Nora reminded Matt, Jace, and Asher.

They nodded hearing her mindlink. The crowd nodded to her and then they all waited for someone to start so they could follow. Asher stepped forward. He then turned to face Nora and kneeled down.  

“I Asher of the Red Woods pack pledge my loyalty to Alpha Nora.” Asher said as a guide for the rest to follow; as he pledged his eyes glowed amber.

Behind him they all kneeled and then a chatter rose all in unisom, pledging their loyalty to Nora. A surge coursed through Nora as the rest of the pack pledged to her. A sea of glowing amber eyes looked up at her. Then she spotted them, the red glowing eyes she knew would be there. Three of them in the very back.  She wondered if they were Kip’s Delta and Gamma. That would be a total of four, counting George. She felt Jace stiffen behind him, his eyes glowing ice blue as Cole pushed forward spotting the threats. Nora rubbed his arms slightly trying to calm him.

I don't want them to know, we know. She mindlinked Jace.

What do we do now Alpha? Asher asked her through  mindlink.

I’m not sure, I guess we'll watch them. I don't want to push this issue right now, maybe I can win them over and if not then we will cast them out. She replied through mindlink adding Jace into it so he would know her thoughts. 

We should just get rid of them. Jace's mind linked her back, Cole begging to be let out.

I actually agree with Jace. We don't need anyone else ruining this already damaged pack. Asher mindlinked back.

What if they are just still loyal to Kip because they don't know change, what if they never had a choice. Let's give them a chance. Nora said through mindlink.

The pack’s eyes faded back to normal colors as their wolves resided. They sat quietly waiting for Nora to address them. Nora realized they were waiting on her, she was too wrapped up in the conversation between her, Asher, and Jace.

“Thank you all so much for your pledges. I hope I am worthy enough to lead you all in the right direction. We shall hold a banquet in two days time to celebrate. In that time we will come up with your leadership team and announce titles. Thank you all for coming and I can't wait to meet each of you individually.” Nora smiled at them all.

They bowed their heads and  then began leaving. A young woman came up to her. She seemed bold but timidi at the same time. She caught Nora’s attention as she slowly made her way to her. 

“Alpha?” She said so softly that Nora barely caught it.

“Yes?” Nora smiled at her.

“I am sorry to speak out of turn-

“Speak out of turn?” Nora asked, looking from her to Asher.

The girl dropped her head when she asked and went silent. Nora looked to Asher to explain what this was about.

“Kip made sure the women were seen and not heard. They had no rights.” Asher explained shortly.

“What's your name? Nora asked her softly. 

“Lyla. Alpha.” The girl replied, keeping her eyes downward.

“Lyla, how can I help you? You may look at me.” Nora said softly again.

“I ..I wanted to talk to you about the conditions of the pack and how they treat the woman.” Lyla said.

Nora could tell it took a lot out of her to gather the strength and come to ask her. She saw her nervously playing with one of her fingers as she spoke to her. She kept glancing down and then as if she remembered it was ok to look up. She would tear her eyes from the ground and look at her. Nora reached forward and took the girl's hand in hers.

“Lyla I actually have Sarah coming here shortly. We were going to be discussing several things and this will be one of them. I promise you no one is going to hurt anyone, anymore. You're welcome to join Sarah and I to discuss this matter.” Nora smiled at her.

“Thank you Alpha. I would really like to be part of that. Please send it for me when you meet with Sarah.” Lyla said, bowing her head.

As Lyla bowed her head, Nora noticed a scar in her hair line that ran down to her ear. Without think Nora reached out and touched it. Lyla winced slightly and looked scared.

“What happened?” Nora asked.

“I…I made Alpha…Kip upset.” Lyla whispered.

“Why was he upset?” Nora asked, anger beginning to course through her veins.

“I looked up when he was speaking  to me.” Lyla said quietly.

“You looked up?!” Nora nearly yelled, becoming angry.

“Sorry Alpha.” Lyla said, shrinking away. 

“No you don't need to be sorry. I am sorry I didn't get here sooner.” Nora said, trying to force her anger down; she didn't want to scare Lyla.

“Lyla, go get something to eat and some rest. I will summon you once Sarah has arrived.” Nora smiled, patting her hand gently. 

Jace could feel the tension rolling off Nora. He squeezed her hand gently letting her know he was still there for her. She leaned back against him as she watched Lyla walk away. His warm woodsy scent invaded her noise and she felt herself instantly relax. His warm body almost made her forget why she was outraged.

“This pack is so damaged. “ She whispered to him

“We will fix it in time.” Jace whispered to her, rubbing her arm.

Nora nodded, she had thought to quickly pass the pack onto Asher but as things were starting to unravel the more and more she felt obligated to stay and make sure this pack turned around for the better. She knew there were others who still felt the way Kip did and she needed to make sure that his rien of terror did not continue. 

“Asher, we need to start setting things up. Let’s go back to the pack house. Sarah will be here shortly.” Nora said knowing she needed to start making decisions.

“My first order as Alpha is that all women in this pack are equal. You are not to belittle, harm or abuse any female of this pack. Women are to hold their own opinions and are no longer to be seen and not heard. If anyone has any concerns about this new order they can speak to me directly.” Nora sent out a mindlink to all of the Red Wood pack.

She was prepared for backlash and welcomed it.