"Members of the Artemis Pack!" The Oracle booms into the banquet hall, arms spread wide and a smile on her face. The meal was magnificent, a true testament to Clara's skills as a hostess. Now it was time for the ceremony.
Lucille's salutation is greeted with howls and thunderous applause. "Today we are completing our pack's new leadership with the ascension of our new Beta!
"Brandon Snow will take his place beside his mates, Alpha Zakary Loup and Luna Charlotte Loup, and his friends Gamma Devin Laoch and Delta Xander Hawthorne. I cannot imagine a better choice for Lady Selene to pick as the second-in-command and helpmate to our beloved Alpha and Luna. His faithful and selfless service nearly led him to reject his mates for the good of our pack. I cannot imagine a more committed and loyal wolf to help lead us."
Again the pack erupts in noise. I feel the love and pride down the mate bond from both Charlie and Zak. Charlie is so excited that she doesn't even object to being called Charlotte. Devin claps me on the back and Xander emits a loud whistle with the rest of the pack.
"Today, Beta Carl relinquishes his title to his son after years of loyal and selfless servitude to his pack."
Again, the pack breaks into applause, none louder than that of Devin's parents. It is only then that I see two new matemarks on my father's neck. My eyes round and my mouth hangs open.
Dad! Your neck…
We'll talk later, son. Kind of in the middle of something right now.
All I can do is nod. Looks like there is going to be a few trios for the pack to get used to. Mathias is going to love this.
By the time that I'm focused back on the ceremony, Lucille has sliced into my father's palm and he is fisting it above the chalice.
"The Goddess has blessed you as part of our pack and has blessed us in return. Thank you, Beta Carl, for all of your loyal service and all of your sacrifices for us." Lucille gives my father a knowing grin as he allows three drops of blood to fall into the chalice.
"Your service is ended," Lucille says. My father nods and bows, first to Lucille, then to Zak and Charlie, and finally to the pack. He walks back to his seat beside Devin's mom, who kisses him softly. Devin's father takes my father's hand in his, placing a kiss on the back. The happiness emanating from them makes the moment seem almost intimate and I turn back to the ceremony to give them some privacy.
Lucille turns to Zak and Charlie, holding out her hand. Zak places his hand in hers. "Alpha, Luna, you have lost one of your core. He has finished his service and is ready for rest. This role will be filled tonight by your mate. We will welcome him into your core and our leadership with our hearts, our wolves, and your blood." Lucille slices Zak's palm, then Charlie's. Together, they fist their hands and allow three drops of blood to drip into the chalice. They move back to me, their hands already healed.
Lucille turns to Devin and Xander, holding out her hand. She slices both of their palms and they repeat the process. "Gamma, Delta, your brother has left. His service is done. You have a new brother to join you in your service to the pack. We will welcome him into your brotherhood and our leadership with our hearts, our wolves, and your blood." They then step back.
Lucille holds her hand out to me. I place it in hers. "Brandon Snow, you were born into this pack, bred to this position, and have proven your loyalty to your friends, family, and pack. We are truly blessed by the Goddess to have you among us. Your talents and Goddess given gifts have been recognized by our Alpha and Luna as worthy of part of this brotherhood. Do you accept the responsibility, honor, and role of Beta of the Artemis Pack?"
"I do," I reply.
"We accept you as our Beta, our Alpha and Luna's second-in-command and our advocate, given to us by the Goddess Selene," Lucille says.
"We accept you as our Beta," the pack responds.
Lucille slices my palm and I watch the three drops of blood flow into the chalice. I am filled with humility and awe at the magnitude of my pack's acceptance and the knowledge that this was all preordained by Selene.
Lucille swirls the cup, not only mixing our blood, but also our souls. Turning to Zak, she says, "Through the intermingling of the old guard and the new, the Alpha, Luna, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, our pack will be strengthened. Take from this chalice the blood of your core, your brotherhood. Know that they will make and keep you strong."
Zak takes a sip from the chalice and passes it to Charlie. The chalice goes from Charlie, to me, to Devin, and then to Xander, each of us taking a sip of its contents.
Lucille turns around to the pack. "I give you Beta Brandon Snow!"
The sounds of the pack's deafening response explodes. Zak grabs me, pulling me into a kiss. Charlie kisses me after and Devin and Xander both pull me into a hug. I feel...complete.