CHAPTER 1 - The New Alpha

Eight years later…

All members gathered, crowding the open grounds as The Night Howlers Pack waited with anticipation for the new alpha to be proclaimed. Despite the excitement they all felt for the new generation to take over, they were also sad to see Alpha Theodore Langston stepped down from the position.

Alpha Theo, as he was fondly and respectfully called by his members, has ruled the pack for the last forty years with fairness and compassion. He always made sure that his pack members always come first. They could not forget the tragedy that had happened to them eleven years ago where he had shown the real leader that he is and had earned everyone’s admiration and respect.

Their ever-growing pack was mercilessly attacked by The Rebel Rogues, a known notorious pack from the West under the command of its alpha, Ian Fullerton. They looted all their resources, destroyed their structures, killed their best warriors and some had even raped their young female, who had just come of age. The memory of those victims, who committed suicide because of their ruined had made Alpha Theo adamant in protecting his members.

First, after securing his family, he spent his time rebuilding the community that was destroyed. He never showed any weariness, telling members, who are helping him to get their rest while he continues day and night. He went to every house of his members, checking for things that they might need, sacrificing his own comfort to get them to rebuild their lives.

He traveled far and wide to seek help from other pack organization. He humbled himself in front of the other alphas to request for their protection and assured them of their loyalty for life. After attaining that mission, he went back home and continued rebuilding until they had slowly had their lives back.

Alpha Theo had kept his word over the years. Whenever a pack organization that he had sought help for will request for his help, he never hesitates and will immediately send his men. No questions asked.

Because of his loyalty and sacrifices to give his pack a good life, he was elected as one of the Elders in the Council of Alpha’s. The council consists of all the packs from the North, East, West, and South. It is a seventeen-member council that will convene once a year to discuss all the concerns they had encountered.

But, during his first nomination to the council, Theo had to turned it down because his first-born son had failed to pass the final test to become the next Alpha of their pack.

The members already had foreseen the impending faith of his first-born son, but due to their high respect for him, they did not criticize and only hope that Conrad Langston will change and follow the footsteps of his father. They watched and observed him quietly the moment he had successfully got his wolf at the age of sixteen but were disappointed on how he became.

Conrad was a selfish and conceited son, who thought that because he is the alpha’s first-born son, the position will automatically be handed to him when his father steps down. He was abusive to the members and used his position as the next ruler to get whatever he wants. He is also known as a notorious womanizer and even rejecting his mate, when he knew that her family's background is beneath them.

Theo had furthered continued being their Alpha for the next three years, until his second son, Clayton Langston, come of age and managed to pass the final test to become the successor of the position for alpha. It was a long wait for the pack as they knew that Clayton will not be given an easy time with his brother being an obstacle along the way to his success.

The pack developed extreme tension upon the announcement of the next leader. Anger, hatred, and jealousy ate Conrad so much that he had challenged his brother for the position. A huge confrontation had ensued and Clayton, at first refused to fight his brother because he had always looked up to him since he was young. Conrad had also his set of followers, who believed that he should have been the rightful heir.

However, when Clayton found out that his brother had nearly killed a pack member, he finally accepted the challenge, fought his brother, and defeated him.

Instead of sending him to incarceration for life, Clayton requested his father to have Conrad only banished along with his faithful followers, with a condition that he can never set foot in their territory again.

This act of compassion didn't sit well with some of the members but this had earned their admiration for they know that Alpha Theo would have done the same thing. The virtue of compassion has always been shown in their pack. That act furthered intensified their respect to the incoming Alpha.

But everyone knows that this will not be the last time they will hear from Conrad. 

“Are you ready, Clay?”

Twenty-one-year-old Clayton Langston looked up and stared at Liam McAllister, his future Beta before finally nodding. They had just come from his cleansing ritual prior to their instatement as the next Alpha and Beta.

He is only wearing his short as he will be soon transforming into his wolf once the transition has been completed. After pausing for a few more minutes, Clayton finally walked out from the hut that he had stayed on for a while and felt Liam behind him and Jacob Pearson, the next Delta wolf that will be under him.

The entire crowd came into silent as they finally caught glimpse of the next generation of men and wolves, going up the stand, that will be leading them for the next forty to fifty years. They held their breaths and watched with anticipation as the turnover ritual had finally started.

“I, Clayton Langston with my wolf, Kragen, do hereby swear with my blood that I will commit to protect The Night Howlers with my life,” Clayton started to say firmly. “It is with my firm oath and stand that I will lead the pack fairly, honestly and with compassion. I shall uphold the duties and responsibilities that is ask of me as their Alpha.”

After a few more minutes, with the blessing of his father and mother, Clayton walked forward to the center of the platform and looked around the crowd. Without further waiting, he finally crouched down on all fours and immediately transformed into his wolf, Kragen.

A large and ferocious wolf appeared in front of them. The crowd gasped as Kragen, with its thick grey hair with silver and white streaks bared his teeth in front of them. His dark grey eyes scanned them, and he turned upon hearing the growl of his Beta and Delta.

The three wolves then looked up and during that instant, the skies were clear from the clouds and shown the bright light of the full moon. The minute the moon shone on them, Kragen let out a loud and long howl, arching his head upwards and the two behind him followed. Once the three were howling, those in the crowd with their wolves also transformed and howled towards the moon.

It was a signed of acceptance and professing their loyalty to the new Alpha of their pack. To those members who did not have their wolf yet, they all went down on one knee and bowed their heads.

"Welcome the new Alpha! Long live The Night Howlers!" They chanted in unison in a loud voice.

They continuously howled until the moon has been covered again by the dark clouds.

The ceremony has finally been completed.

The Night Howlers Pack had finally gotten their deserved Alpha after waiting for a while. Now, they are looking forward to the Luna that he will choose.