Aurelia, her hand still interlaced with Adrian's, marveled at the sight before her. They entered through the first ancient stone archway and out of the dense trees of the forest into the circular clearing of the Sacred Grounds. She watched the Pack Elders of Whispering Woods prepare for the ritual summoning of their Kin-Fetch Tribal Spirit. They began by lighting all six incense thuribles which descended from each of the primordial and weathered stone pillars. The herbs from the thuribles intensified providing a rich and exotic scent around the Sacred Circle that Aurelia found comforting. She watched as the other pack members entered the Sacred Ritual Grounds and found their seats along the perfectly placed fallen oak logs, arranged in a semi circle.
Once the pack had settled, the Elders motioned for Alpha Demetrius and Luna Carissa to step forward with Leonidas and Lucas towards the jewel-encrusted, stone altar at the center of the clearing. The Elders signaled Aurelia and she led Adrian towards twin stone pillars behind Demetrius, her mother, and twin brothers. Aurelia flashed a quick, reassuring smile at her mother while her and Adrian sat together on the smooth stone bench reserved for family.
Orion and Nikolaos followed their lead and stood watchful behind their King Alpha and future Luna, as Alpha Demetrius proudly announced to his pack "Thank you all for attending tonight's festivities! Your Luna Carissa and I are pleased to allow you to witness our son's, Leonidas and Lucas, Baptism of Fire. They will officially become members of Whispering Woods and your future Alphas! We also want to thank King Alpha Adrian Marcos Damon Vassilis for overseeing tonight's baptism as Rite Master! Please give a friendly welcome to his fellow comrades of the Royal Storm Riders Pack to this joyous occasion!"
Howls, hoots, and hollers sounded off, quickly overpowering the quiet sounds of the night. Aurelia could no longer hear the sound of crickets chirping making their sweet evening music, nor could she perceive the sound of leaves being trampled on as nocturnal animals rustled in the night. Aurelia watched as the fireflies provided a soft glow to the images that the shadows would cast from the altar's crackling fire.
The Elders indicated it was time just as flames from the Rite Fire began to rise, coming alive, flickering against and dancing inside the altar's hearth. Suddenly, a mesmerizing inferno began to swirl and our Kin-Fetch Tribal Spirit appeared majestically from inside the blazing flames. Aurelia would have sprung from her seat if Adrian hadn't been holding her hand, propelling ripples of positive and reassuring emotions her way, which helped to soothe her nerves. He placed a light, tender kiss upon her hand, sending an exhilarating desire through Aurelia's body and soul, as he stood to speak his blessing as the twin's Rite Master.
"Kin-Fetch Tribal Spirit of Whispering Woods Pack, as Rite Master and King Alpha, I bless Leonidas and Lucas Kyriaku's initiation into their home pack, Whispering Woods. So mote it be!"
The fiery Kin-Fetch Spirit bowed respectfully to Adrian, acknowledging his blessing, and turned to face Alpha Demetrius and Aurelia's mother as he picked up Leonidas and Lucas. Our Kin-Fetch held Leonidas and Lucas gently, raised the babes up and into the light of their auspice moon as Demetrius and Carissa howled Selene's greeting to their sons in blessing.
"Long ago, darkness reigned over the night. People were afraid and remained inside their dwellings until sunrise. Our Moon Goddess Selene saw their fear and gave light to their nocturnal domain by driving her moon chariot across the starry sky. She followed her brother Helios, who rode the Sun, and caught his shining rays in her magnificent silver chariot casting them down to Earth as moonbeams. She felt pride and continued to bless her most loyal worshipers with gifts, rare abilities, given by the moon! Each night, when they gazed at the moon, they knew Selene was telling them to never give up hope. This hope lives on today, blessed by the lives of generations before us, and the lives of many generations ahead of us! Bless the Moon Goddess! Bless Selene!"
After Demetrius and Carissa finished Selene's greeting, the Kin-Fetch Tribal Spirit placed a fiery kiss on each of they boy's foreheads where a spiritual brand, a pictograph of the Whispering Woods Pack, formed on their skin. The Kin-Fetch Tribal Spirit placed the boys back onto the altar and Aurelia watched as the spiritual mark began to fade.
The pack's Kin-Fetch boomed "I will protect these young Garou until maturity so that this tribe may always know the children's whereabouts or if they're endangered. This brand of protection will last until their first change or at their Rite of Passage. So mote it be!"
Howls erupted from each wolf in attendance, deafening Aurelia's senses, as the Kin-Fetch Tribal Spirit disappeared once again into the infernal flames of the altar's hearth. Aurelia sat in awe from witnessing what transpired. She hadn't witnessed a Baptism of Fire before and she was feeling a bit saddened that this may never happen for her; due to her auspice moon, a Super Blue Blood Moon, being such a rarity.
Other pack members arose loudly shuffling from their seats, following after Alpha Demetrius and their Luna, Aurelia's mother. They began to make their way out of the Sacred Circle towards the Recreation Hall to celebrate Leonidas and Lucas's initiations. Aurelia, snapping out of her own thoughts, was suddenly aware that the only wolves remaining were King Alpha Adrian, his Beta Orian, and his Gamma Nikolaos. Adrian extended his hand to her and when she placed her delicate hand in his, it sent another wave of exotic tremors throughout her as she stood from the smooth stone bench. Her body warmed at his touch and her wolf Amerie was behaving avidly in her mind.
"Do not be afraid Aurelia," Amerie spoke silently to her, "I know you have feared what might happen should you give in to the mate bond, but do not fret. The Moon Goddess has known your fears and she has heard your prayers. Trust that you, we, have been blessed!"
Hearing those words of reassurance from Amerie helped quiet Aurelia's rapid thoughts. They gave her the courage to intertwine her arm with Adrian's, her heart racing, as she shyly looked to him and whispered "If you're ready My King, Adrian" she slowed her breathing and continued, "I would love to attend tonight's celebration with you and your men. If only to get to know more about one another and our packs before I depart from Whispering Woods with you tomorrow evening."
Aurelia sensed Adrian's delight and felt him relax as he gleamed a perfect smile and dreamily replied "I would take great pleasure in your company tonight Aurelia."
Upon hearing those words and the way in which he expressed them, she knew he was feeling the same powerful influence of the Moon-Fated Mate bond. Together, they started to exit the Sacred Circle and with her hand resting against his muscular arm, she prayed silently as they walked, "Dear Moon Goddess, I trust in you and your wise decision, but I beg of you, if I give in to this Moon-Fated Mate bond and accept Adrian completely, whole-heartedly, please do not allow him to be taken from me like my father was taken from my mother. I do not think my heart can handle such extreme anguish. I have faith in you. Blessed Be."